Ontario Premiere Kathleen Wynne says she's "optimistic" about talks to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement.
U.S. President Donald Trump has hinted at scraping NAFTA in recent months, a move that would have a significant impact on Windsor's auto-industry.
Wynne told AM800's 'The Afternoon News' that the trade talks are creating a cloud of uncertainty over Windsor's economy. "The auto industry is doing well in Windsor. Windsor has one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, things are going very well, but not everybody is sharing in that and it that's what creates some uncertainty."
Based on her conversations with government officials, Wynne says there's reason to be optimistic. "I've met with business leaders and with folks in the White House to make it clear that we understand how integrated our economies are and how there are good jobs and workers who depend on that relationship here in Ontario and in the United States."
"Everyone involved is aware of how important open trade is for the economy on both sides of the border," says Wynne. "There were a number of us who were a bit nervous at the end of November, we weren't sure exactly what was going to happen, whether the White House would make a move that would really undermine NAFTA, but that hasn't happened. I know there are many business leaders and elected officials in the states who are getting their message through to the White House."
In a recent interview with AM800 News, Mayor Drew Dilkens pointed out 35 of 50 U.S states call Canada their number one customer.
Wynne will tour the Skilled Trades Regional Training Centre at St. Clair College this afternoon and then hosts a town hall meeting at the St. Clair Centre for the Arts tonight. The doors open at 6pm with the town hall meeting set to begin at 7pm.
With files from AM800's Patty Handysides