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LANSING — State Rep. Scott Dianda (D-Calumet) said today that he thanks House Speaker Tom Leonard for nominating him to serve on the Council of State Governments Midwest’s MLC Midwest-Canada Relations Committee for the 2017-2018 term. CSG Midwest is made of the states of Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska, and the Canadian provinces of Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
“I am excited to work with Midwestern and Canadian elected officials on the important issues affecting our region,” said Dianda. “I am particularly interested in working together to protect our Great Lakes, which provide recreation, jobs and commerce for U.S. and Canadian citizens, and are critical to the security of both our countries.”
Dianda said that this is a unique opportunity to hear about issues facing other states and provinces and work together on solutions that could help find the balance between protecting the natural resources of the Midwest region as well as supporting and growing commerce, which is key to the economic security of both Canada and the United States.
“I’m interested to hear how other states and provinces deal with invasive species, and I’m eager to discuss the importance of the Soo Locks to not just Michigan’s economy, but the economy of both countries because of the products that are shipped through the locks,” said Dianda.
CSG Midwest holds an annual Midwestern Legislative Conference. The Midwest-Canada Relations Committee is one of the MLC committees that works throughout the year.
