Whereas global sister-city relationships, also known as city twinning, have been recognized since the end of WWII as practical tools for fostering international cooperation, cultural exchange, economic development and disaster preparedness. At the intersection of urban governance and international relations, these partnerships connect cities from different parts of the world and provide opportunities for mutual understanding, and collaboration; and
Whereas Southampton resident John Willets has travelled to the Passchendaele region and visited the Museum in Zonnebeke, Belgium, while attending as a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Remembrance Day celebration in 2024 and had the opportunity to meet with city-elected officials of Zonnebeke and propose the idea of a sister-city initiative; and
Whereas both communities share deep ties to Canadian service and sacrifice in the First World War, particularly in the area of Passchendaele, where the Great Canadian Sacrifice is honoured every year and the Canadian Tyne Cot Cemetery where many Canadian Soldiers are interred; and
Whereas this region is part of Flanders, immortalized in John McCrae’s poem In Flanders Fields, a passage that forever binds Canada’s story to this ground of remembrance and renewal; and
Whereas Mr. Willetts has already received letters or expression of support for a Sister-City Initiative from:
- MPP Lisa Thompson, (letter);
- Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce, (letter);
- Derek Johnson: President of the Southampton Legion (letter);
- Randy Hayley: Royal Canadian Legion National Executive Director, (letter);
- Saugeen District Secondary School;
- Bill Streeter, Local Historian; and
- Cathy McGirr: Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre (pending approval from the County of Bruce); and
Whereas Establishing a Sister-City relationship will also help raise Saugeen Shores’ international profile, demonstrating our Town’s commitment to cultural diplomacy, heritage, and remembrance on the global stage; and
Whereas Mr. Willets will be travelling to France and Belgium where he will once again visit with Zonnebeke officials and be presenting a Canadian Flag on behalf of MP Ben Lobb on November 11th during their annual Remembrance Day celebration as a gesture of friendship and remembrance.
Therefore, be it Resolved That the Council of the Town of Saugeen Shores, directs Mayor Luke Charbonneau to prepare a letter to the Mayor and Council of the Municipality of Zonnebeke as an “Expression of Interest” in exploring the idea of becoming a Sister-City with them. This letter should in no way commit the Town of Saugeen Shores to any binding terms, or financial commitment of any kind, but merely as a first step in what could be a relationship forged over a century ago and rekindled in friendship across the globe.