FERGUS – Ted Arnott might have retired from public life, but the awards for his years of public service keep rolling in.
The former MPP for Wellington-Halton Hills and Speaker of the Ontario Legislature received an award from the Council of State Governments at a conference in Chicago on Dec. 19.
This follows a lifetime achievement award from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association in October.
The Council of State Governments award recognizes his leadership in organizing a previous conference hosted in Ontario a few years ago and for his years of participation.
The citation on the award states it is “in recognition of exceptional leadership in fostering productive cross border relationships between Canadian provinces and American states.”
The council is non-partisan, non-profit and includes elected representatives at all levels of government from all U.S. states and territories as well as six Canadian provincial legislatures.
They meet regularly to discuss common issues and policy and to open dialogue on matters they might not agree on.
In a phone interview, Arnott said he received word from officials at the council a week before the event and was invited to attend the conference to accept the award.
Given the U.S. president’s recently imposed tariffs and expressed wish for Canada to become the 51st state, Arnott said he believes he was chosen as a good will gesture because he is Canadian.
“At its essence it was a gesture of appreciation to Canadian members,” Arnott said, adding Canadians need to appreciate their American counterparts in a similar way.
“I feel strongly we Canadians need to reach out to our American friends and they expressed their affection and appreciation for Canada (at the conference),” Arnott said.
“We want to have good partnerships with the U.S. and ensure trading relationships benefit both countries.”
In his speech to the 800-member audience, Arnott referenced a speech made by President John F. Kennedy when he visited Canada in 1961.
“Geography has made us neighbours, history has made us friends, economics has made us partners, and necessity has made us allies,” Kennedy famously said.
Arnott firmly believes that remains true today.
Though he didn’t mention Donald Trump by name, Arnott acknowledged that maintaining communication and finding common ground with the U.S. at this time in history “is proving difficult. But we need to look beyond this,” he told the Advertiser.
“I believe Canadians are the best ambassadors for Canada.”
At the same time, “we need to stand up for Canadian sovereignty and autonomy. We need to build our economy and reduce provincial trade barriers.
“We also need to promote civility in politics,” Arnott continued, adding there were workshops at the Chicago conference on the subject of decorum.
“It’s always difficult in the House and in the Legislature in terms of discussion, but it doesn’t have to be personal or slanderous. We can make factual points to advance the debate and we can do it civilly.”
Arnott said he was honoured and humbled to receive the award and hopes the spirit of the award and the organization can weather the current political storm.
Arnott concluded his speech at the event by expressing hope that the next chapter of Canada-U.S. relations will be one where “the land of the free and the home of the brave can live securely alongside the true north strong and free.”
