Issues have gotten a bit bizarre currently with the U.S. and Canada, however one small-town mayor in Alaska hopes his city can nonetheless be Valentines with its neighbours throughout the border within the Yukon.
Mayor Tom Morphet of Haines, Alaska, penned a love letter of kinds this week and despatched off a duplicate to his counterparts in close by Haines Junction, Yukon and Whitehorse on Wednesday.
It says the Haines Borough desires to “reaffirm a relationship of friendship, cooperation and mutual help” with these Yukon communities.
“We acknowledge that as northerners, we generally have as a lot in frequent with our Canadian neighbors [sic] as we do with our personal countrymen within the southern latitudes.”
The one street into the scenic coastal city is from Haines Junction, a few three-hour drive away. Whitehorse — a lot bigger than each these communities — is about 5 hours away.
The letter describes a centuries-old historical past of “familial, cultural, social, financial and political” bonds between the communities, and expresses gratitude for the goodwill Yukoners have proven towards Haines through the years.
“We’re grateful for the various companies and alternatives that our proximity to Canada affords us, together with emergency hospital companies, veterinary service, RCMP protection, parks, procuring and social occasions held in your metropolis,” it reads.
Talking to CBC Information, Morphet stated it felt essential to achieve out proper now.
“You already know, there’s been some statements out of Washington that I feel have, you recognize, type of taken some pictures there at Canada,” Morphet informed CBC Information on Friday morning.
“And we simply needed the oldsters up there to know that they do not essentially symbolize the views of the oldsters in our city.”
U.S. President Donald Trump has been threatening to impose devastating tariffs on Canadian items, saying Canada has been treating the U.S. unfairly. He has additionally repeatedly advised that Canada ought to be annexed by the States, to the revulsion of the overwhelming majority of Canadians.
Morphet stated he finds the entire state of affairs “a bit upsetting to me, personally.”
“I’ve obtained good pals in Whitehorse and the Junction,” he stated. “Some locations on the planet, you recognize, Yanks aren’t welcome, however we have at all times felt welcome going as much as the Yukon. We would simply love that to proceed.”
Haines additionally counts on Canadians for enterprise — one thing Morphet is all too conscious of.
Tourism is a significant business in Haines, and the city has lengthy been a well-liked getaway for Yukoners. An annual bike relay race between Haines Junction and Haines — with largely Yukoners competing — can be the largest occasion of the 12 months in Haines, he stated.
There are “lots of loonies and toonies in our money registers,” Morphet stated. “Canadian visitation is crucial to our financial system — so we wish to preserve that.”
Whitehorse ‘deeply involved’ about commerce conflict, mayor says
Diane Strand, the mayor of Haines Junction, stated on Friday she hadn’t but had time to speak to her fellow council members about Morphet’s letter however anticipated to subsequent week.
Whitehorse Mayor Kirk Cameron penned a response to Haines on behalf of his metropolis and despatched it off on Friday. It additionally spoke of the lengthy historical past of friendship and cooperation between Yukon and Alaska, and the way the Yukon capital enjoys a “shut, energetic relationship,” with Haines, in addition to Skagway, Alaska, and the state capital Juneau — a sister metropolis to Whitehorse.
“We worth these shut ties and admire how they’ve enriched the lives of our residents,” Cameron wrote.
Nonetheless, Cameron additionally stated there was extra than simply friendship at stake proper now.
“Whitehorse Metropolis Council is deeply involved in regards to the impacts on our native companies and employees and is partaking with companions to make sure a coordinated response to the continued menace of an American commerce conflict,” Cameron wrote.
“As you possibly can think about, we stand united with our Canadian household throughout this difficult time.”
Cameron additionally inspired Morphet to hitch the Border Mayors Alliance, made up of municipal leaders from Canada and U.S. advocating for his or her communities within the face of a looming commerce conflict.
“By becoming a member of forces, we will stop the antagonistic results of an pointless commerce conflict and work in direction of options that profit each nations,” Cameron wrote.
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