Border Dispute Causes Council No-Show
A recent meeting between Ontario and Michigan officials was missed by several Canadian councilors, sparking controversy. The absences highlight the ongoing tensions between the two nations and the personal convictions of elected officials.
Councilors Skip Joint Meeting
A joint meeting between Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, city councilors and their Michigan counterparts was unattended by three individuals. The gathering, held in the United States, was skipped by **Angela Caputo**, **Stephan Kinach**, and **Corey Gardi**.
**Tessa Vecchio**, the communications officer for the Ontario Sault, clarified that the meeting’s location meant it wasn’t a formal council event. Any decisions or resolutions would have been invalid under Ontario’s *Municipal Act* due to the meeting’s location.
Reasons for Boycott
**Angela Caputo** publicly announced she would not attend. Her stated reason was her strong disagreement with current US policies and actions. She sent a letter to Michigan Soo Mayor **Don Gerrie** and members of his city commission explaining her position.
Some social media comments criticized the decision. One individual wrote, “You are going there to do your job. The job you were elected to do.”
Ward 4’s **Stephan Kinach** clarified his absence wasn’t a boycott. He noted that he had a work trip scheduled. He was happy with the other councilors’ attendance and emphasized the importance of diplomacy.
However, Ward 5’s **Corey Gardi** provided a different reason for his absence. His decision was related to the strained relationship between the two countries. He stated, “I’m not travelling to the States these days.”
Personal Decisions
**Angela Caputo** mentioned her winter vacation in Florida. She indicated it was planned and paid for before the issues arose. She discussed the cancellation of future trips and explained that this decision would last for at least the next four years.
“I have been to Florida twice in my life, once two winters ago and once last winter,”
—Angela Caputo
She added, “We enjoyed Florida so much the first time that we thought we’d book it again almost immediately after we got home to get a little break from the winter.”
She went on, “We did spend one day at the Animal Kingdom with the kids. We mostly just hung out at the Airbnb. We tried our best to just be low-key and enjoy the pool and our family time.”
Tourism between Canada and the United States supports millions of jobs each year, but political tensions and border issues can severely impact travel patterns (Statistics Canada, 2023).
The Broader Impact
The decision to skip the meeting highlights the challenges of cross-border relationships, which can be affected by current trade and political issues. The officials’ decisions demonstrate the balance required between local governance and broader international concerns.