Wynne reaches out to governors to win allies

Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne is reaching out to U.S. governors in the hopes of winning free trade allies, fearing a proposed Buy American bill in New York state could trigger a domino effect in other states.

Wynne talked trade in a phone call with Ohio Gov. John Kasich on Thursday afternoon, and is headed to Illinois on Monday to meet with business leaders and deliver the same pro-trade message to Gov. Bruce Rauner, the premier’s office told The Canadian Press.

Wynne has already met with the governors of Michigan and Vermont and spoken with governors of Indiana, Wisconsin, Colorado, Mississippi, Arkansas and Tennessee.

Her outreach comes as New York state legislators continue a protracted debate over their state budget and Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s related New York Buy American Act, which would require all state entities to buy from American companies for all procurements greater than US$100,000.

Ontario has a government relations firm on the ground in the New York, monitoring every “twitch and movement” of the evolving situation, with plans to remain there during the state legislature’s Passover/Easter recess, a senior government official said.

The premier’s message is always about making the case that free trade is essential for jobs in both jurisdictions. The conversation with Kasich also touched on areas of mutual interest, including early childhood education and auto innovation, the official said.

The broader plan is for the premier to create “a network of champions and advocates” for Ontario on trade issues in the event a “wave of protectionism” washes over the U.S., the official said.

Should a renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement occur, Ontario is hoping to have strong bilateral relationships with states and “a chorus of high-profile politicians and other influencers south of the border,” who understand the importance of trade with Ontario, the official said.