Issues have gotten slightly 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 types this week and despatched off a replica to his counterparts in close by Haines Junction, Yukon and Whitehorse on Wednesday.
It says the Haines Borough needs to “reaffirm a relationship of friendship, cooperation and mutual assistance” with these Yukon communities.
“We recognize that as northerners, we sometimes have as much in common with our Canadian neighbors [sic] as we do with our own countrymen in the southern latitudes.”
The one street into the scenic coastal city is from Haines Junction, a couple of 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, economic and political” bonds between the communities, and expresses gratitude for the goodwill Yukoners have proven towards Haines through the years.
“We are grateful for the many services and opportunities that our proximity to Canada affords us, including emergency hospital services, veterinary service, RCMP coverage, parks, shopping and social events held in your city,” it reads.
Talking to CBC Information, Morphet stated it felt essential to achieve out proper now.
“You know, there’s been some statements out of Washington that I think have, you know, kind of taken some shots there at Canada,” Morphet informed CBC Information on Friday morning.
“And we just wanted the folks up there to know that they don’t necessarily represent the views of the folks in our town.”
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 needs 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 got good friends in Whitehorse and the Junction,” he stated. “Some places in the world, you know, Yanks aren’t welcome, but we’ve always felt welcome going up to the Yukon. We’d just love that to continue.”
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 principally Yukoners competing — can be the most important occasion of the 12 months in Haines, he stated.
There are “a lot of loonies and toonies in our cash registers,” Morphet stated. “Canadian visitation is critical to our economy — so we want to maintain that.”
Whitehorse ‘deeply concerned’ about commerce struggle, 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 “close, active relationship,” with Haines, in addition to Skagway, Alaska, and the state capital Juneau — a sister metropolis to Whitehorse.
“We value these close ties and appreciate how they have enriched the lives of our residents,” Cameron wrote.
Nonetheless, Cameron additionally stated there was extra than simply friendship at stake proper now.
“Whitehorse City Council is deeply concerned about the impacts on our local businesses and workers and is engaging with partners to ensure a coordinated response to the ongoing threat of an American trade war,” Cameron wrote.
“As you can imagine, we stand united with our Canadian family during this challenging time.”
Cameron additionally inspired Morphet to affix 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 struggle.
“By joining forces, we can prevent the adverse effects of an unnecessary trade war and work towards solutions that benefit both nations,” Cameron wrote.
