Reported by Richard Coffin, Vista Radio
The Algonquin Regiment is the original tie that binds Timmins, North Bay and Steenbergen, Netherlands together.
The Dutch community was liberated by the regiment 80 years ago.
Now, the mayors of all three communities have signed a declaration of friendship.
It formally recognizes the lasting ties forged through shared history and a commitment to remembrance and international friendship.
“It’s our challenge to pass it over to the next generations,” says Ruud van den Belt, Mayor of Steenbergen. “We have an opportunity to get their interest and think about today and tomorrow that freedom is not just something that happens or is given to you. We have to earn it every day again and you do that by making friendships.”
North Bay Mayor Peter Chirico says it’s important to remember their shared past.
“Our country has never been at war in our own country,” he says. “I can’t imagine what those horrors that those families, those soldiers went through. But it is a really good time to reflect on that and the sacrifices that many of our local families made.”
Timmins Mayor Michelle Boileau says it’s been profound learning about the impact the Algonquin Regiment has had.
But she’d also like to explore an economic relationship too.
“It goes without saying that nowadays this is something that any head of government is starting to think about. Is diversifying our trade and our economy,” she says. “Of course, this opportunity to meet with the mayor of the Netherlands, really resonated with that with what’s top of mind for me.”
Along with all three mayors exchanging gifts, including their city’s flags, Van den Belt invited both the mayors of North Bay and Timmins to visit his community.
