325 Mayors and First Nation and Tribal Leaders Adopt Declaration on Preserving the U.S.-Canada Relationship for a Strong Regional Economy and Healthy Environment

Press Release

Milwaukee, WI – May 14, 2025 – Today, at the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative’s Annual Conference in Milwaukee, WI, the 325 mayors and heads of council of the Cities Initiative endorsed a declaration calling for the preservation of the U.S.-Canada relationship to protect our prosperous regional economy and precious freshwater resources in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Region.

The United States and Canada have worked together for decades to foster mutually beneficial cross-border trade and advance effective management of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. This binational cooperation – supported by the efforts of municipalities, First Nations and Tribes and states and provinces – has helped create the third largest economy in the world, which generates $6 trillion USD / $8 trillion CAD in annual economic output and 50 percent of U.S.-Canada annual bilateral trade. Strong diplomatic ties have also helped improve the health of our lakes and rivers, which comprise approximately 84 percent of North America’s surface fresh water.

The declaration signed today demonstrates that Cities Initiative members remain united in supporting good relations between the United States and Canada and calling for a Great Lakes-St. Lawrence Strong response to the current tensions, which have been exacerbated by a trade war that is impacting communities, jobs and consumers on both sides of the border.

Mayor Cavalier Johnson of Milwaukee, WI: “We are two countries, but one region – united by highly integrated supply chains and an abundant supply of fresh water that is the envy of the world. As local government leaders, we will continue to do everything in our power to renew the U.S.-Canada relationship that has been integral to the economic prosperity and environmental progress of our region.”

Deputy Mayor Catherine Vallières-Roland of Québec City, QC: “Binational agreements that safeguard our precious freshwater resources are among the most successful models of international water management globally and must not fall victim to the broader deterioration in U.S.-Canada relations. We must prioritize collaboration over conflict to ensure the future economic prosperity and environmental health of our freshwater communities.”

Mayor Rob Burton of Oakville, ON and Chair of the Ontario Auto Mayors: “The Great Lakes auto industry is a sterling example of the importance of a U.S.-Canada relationship that has been built over many decades to create value for consumers and employ thousands of workers on both

sides of the border. If our regional automotive sector is to keep competing globally and retain jobs in the Great Lakes region, we need to strengthen – not weaken – our ties and align our efforts to produce the best vehicles in the world.”

Mayor Eddie Melton of Gary, IN: “Our region’s communities are deeply interconnected by our economic ties and shared waters, which straddle national boundaries. Recognizing that our region has much to lose from any further deterioration in bilateral ties, I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to steady this all-important relationship and defend the vital economic and environmental interests of our region.”

Shannon Holsey, President of the Stockbridge-Munsee Band of Mohican Indians: “For Tribes and First Nations, the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River are sacred bodies of water that have economic, environmental and cultural significance for our communities. Tribes and First Nations continue to call on the United States and Canada to pursue genuine reconciliation efforts with us that honor treaty and water rights and ensure our voices are meaningfully included in bilateral decisionmaking.”

In addition to adopting the declaration, Cities Initiative members in Milwaukee approved a series of resolutions on various economic and environmental issues affecting our region, including the need to end the U.S.-Canada trade war, continue to support the treaty rights of First Nations and Tribes and uphold important binational agreements and interstate compacts that preserve our water quality and supply, including the Boundary Waters Treaty, the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement and the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River Basin Water Resources Compact.

The Cities Initiative’s Annual Conference is taking place in Milwaukee, May 14-16. The theme of this year’s conference is The Future of Fresh Water, with dynamic sessions exploring water consumption, protection and resilience issues. The event brings together more than 200 municipal and First Nation and Tribal leaders; federal, state and provincial government representatives; thought leaders and industry heads.

For more information about the event, please visit: https://glslcities.org/events/annual-meeting/annual-meeting-milwaukee-wi-2025/.

About the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative

The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Cities Initiative is a multinational coalition of municipal and Indigenous government executives representing communities in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River Region that is working to promote economic prosperity and protect our fresh water for the benefit of current and future generations. With more than 325 member communities, the Cities Initiative is leading the way in advancing the environmental, economic and social health of the region by addressing issues impacting its residents.

Media Contact:

Christine Maydossian

Director, Government Relations | Directrice Relations Gouvernementales 416 720-3466 | T 438 408-8019 cmaydossian@leliken.com | leliken.com

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