North Frontenac Supports Motion Condemning “US Aggression Towards Canada”, But Vote Is Split

Jeff Green | Mar 05, 2025

(Editor's note – this council report is dated, as our reporter Craig Bakay was unable to cover it live, for medical reasons, and the youtube video of the meeting was not posted in time for last week's edition.

This is mainly relevant to the first item on the agenda, since the meeting took place a week before some tumultuous events in US politics over the past week and the imposition of tariffs on Canada early this week. A week can be a long time in politics and some weeks can be longer than others.)

North Frontenac Deputy Mayor John Inglis prepared an administrative report to the February meeting of Council (Friday February 21) in which he talked about a potential municipal response to what he described as an “an alarming and rapidly changing environment for Canadians” that had been created by the President of the United States.

His report, which is titled "Response to U.S. Aggression" was accompanied by a motion that came before Council for endorsement, and to be forwarded to local MP Scott Reid and MPP John Jordan, as well as the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO).

The motion includes the following whereas clause: “in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s comments that Canada should become the 51st state, this council finds the comments offensive and insulting, and advises both provincial and federal governments to never consider or discuss the possibility of such a union”, and then goes on to ask township staff to explore the potential for the township to institute a stronger buy Canadian policy, which has not been possible until now because of trade agreements with the United States.

Councillor Hurtl thanked Inglis for writing the report and said he agreed with it, Councillor Fred Fowler said, “I don’t think it’s our position to make comments like this about another country” and submitted an article by an Associated Press reporter about how the actual absorption of Canada into the United States could not happen, leading Councillor Micky Hermer to say he did not agree that it is impossible, given the actions of the US President since assuming power in January.

Inglis then said, in response to Fowler, that it is appropriate for a municipality to comment on foreign affairs, because municipalities have the ear of provincial and federal governments who deal with these matters.

Chief Administrative Officer Cory Klatt said that municipalities he has been in contact with are looking for ways to buy Canadian and express themselves politically. “It’s all over the place,” he said. Mayor Lichty then weighed in. His concern centred on the tone of the Inglis report
and motion.

“I don’t think this should be here. I really don’t like the title, US aggression. They haven’t aggressed anything, if that’s a word. 49.8% of a 150 million people voted for President Trump, and I am not a Trump supporter, but I really don’t think we should be involved in their politics, whatsoever … on the surface this is ok, but the reality is that behind it, there is a lot of personal opinion in my view. And I can’t support it,” said Lichty.

"I strongly disagree with what you said,” said Micky Hermer. These tariffs will affect the township. I’m not arguing that, “ said Lichty, “not at all. This is about the 51st state stuff. “We do have the right to respond,” Hermer added. But can we do it a little more gently,” said
Lichty.

If you look at AMO, if you look at EOWC [Eastern Ontario Wardens Caucus}. if you look at Peterborough, They are not so much in your face. That’s just my opinion.” I believe the word ‘aggressive’ is entirely appropriate. I believe the President of the United States is a neo-fascist dictator,” said John Inglis. “I don’t think that’s appropriate,” said Lichty.

“I believe that it is appropriate. There is nothing in our procedural bylaw that stops me from saying that.”

“Well there is something about talking about identifiable individuals,” said Lichty. “The man is President of the United States,” said Inglis. “I agree,” said Lichty.

The matter came to a recorded vote, was passed in a 4-2 vote Councilors Hermer, Huetl, Wayne Good and Deputy Mayor Inglis voted in favour, and Councilor Fowler and Mayor Lichty voted against it.

Councilor Stephanie Regent was not at the meeting. Seniors of the Year Two different Seniors of the Year awards were discussed by Council. One is the township's own senior of the year award.

Councillor Huetl nominated Betty Hunter for the township award. Huetl pointed out that Hunter is a former township council member, a longtime member of both the township and the Frontenac County economic development committees and the driving force behind the North Frontenac Observatory and Dark Skies events.

A previous nomination had already been made. Mike Hage of the Myers Cave Resort nominated Lois Emond, a dedicated Lions Club member in Northbrook and a community volunteer in the township. Mayor Lichty said that Barb Sproule, who was named as Senior of the Year previously, would be a good person to submit for the provincial award. The matter was deferred until the next meeting of council, providing time for residents and council members to submit other names for the North Frontenac Senior of the Year Award, when Council will make
a decision.

Barb Sproule will be formally nominated by the township for the Ontario award at that time. Standby generator Council approved spending $12,000 from the Community Building Fund (an annual federal grant) on a standby generator for the Snow Road Hall. The Snow Road Hall Committee is providing $3,500 in fundraised dollars towards the project. The vote was not unanimous, as councillors Huetl and Good both thought the Hall could be served by existing portable generators that the township owns. “It is a case of wants versus needs,” said
Wayne Good.

Bike Park Grant Application: Council approved a staff proposal to submit an application to the provincially funded Trillium Capital Fund for a bike park, to be located at the Cloyne ball diamond property. If successful, the project will receive 100% project funding from Trillium. The
township would then become responsible for ongoing maintenance of the park.

Record revenues, modest profit from Crown Land Stewardship Program : The township collected over $300,000 in fees, for the first time, from campsite fees and road permits in 2024, and the program generated a $19,500 surplus.

Application for a Snow Road multi-use pathway:  Council approved a joint application with the County of Frontenac to construct a pathway connecting the Snow Road Hall with the park on the north side of the Mississippi River, at the bridge on Road 509. The
funding would cover 90% of the $250,000 cost of the pathway, and by applying for it, the township has committed to spending $25,000, from the Community Building Fund, should the grant be successful.

Final report on recycling: With responsibility for managing and financing, the township's recycling program is set to be transferred to Circular Materials, a province-wide organisation, funded by a consortium of producers. Public Works Manager Darwyn Sproule's presentation of
the recycling numbers within the township, for 2024, was the final such report his department will submit. In 2024 the tonnage of recycling was 350 tonnes, up from 273 in 2023, mostly due to a 75 tonne increase in scrap metal. The reuse centre had another successful
year, Sproule reported, diverting 4.9 tonnes of material. As well, 1065 tires were recycled.

The township's long standing bag for a bag recycling program continued to have an impact. Fifty four percent of the bags brought to township dump sites were full of recyclables and forty six percent contained waste destined for township landfill ■