When much of Michigan was enveloped in thick smoke stemming from uncontrolled wildfires in Canada for a week in July, President Donald Trump and Republican lawmakers from Michigan were quick to criticize and threaten retaliatory actions.
In Macomb County, County Executive Mark Hackel sent a letter of concern and extended the county’s support to Canadian leaders.
Hackel said his letter was addressed to Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney not to address criticism but to offer any support the county of 886,000 people could come up with.
“During times like these, borders become far less important than the shared values of compassion, cooperation and helping one another,” Hackel said in his letter. “As neighbors, we want you to know that the people of Macomb County stand with the people of Canada.”
Hackel, a Democrat, said his message was not one of political divisiveness but one of sincere caring about his fellow man no matter their nationality.
Republican U.S. Rep. John James, left, Democrat Macomb County Executive Mark Hackel speak at Butzel law firm in Detroit.
JAMESON COOK — THE MACOMB DAILY
“I get it, I understand how some would want to be critical of the Canadian government for this unhealthy smoke we’ve endured in Michigan,” Hackel told The Macomb Daily earlier this week. “That criticism may feel good to vent but it would not help solve the problem. We have an obligation to help.”
The letter went on to say that as Michigan’s third-largest county, Macomb and other metro Detroit communities have shared a close relationship with its Canadian neighbors, especially since the state shares a multi-mile border on Lake St. Clair. The two sides are also connected by “longstanding friendships, commerce and mutual respect.”
Specifically, the county executive offered the use of its emergency management office in coordination with local fire and public safety partners to support Canada’s “response and recovery efforts.”
Hackel told the newspaper that the people of Macomb County want to be a good neighbor in a time of crisis.
“We have mutual aid agreements with any of our police and fire departments that could be available to assist with an incident along our international border,” he said. “We have made that offer.”
Millions of Americans in the Great Lakes, Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states were impacted by the unhealthy air from the wildfires. Numerous outdoor events and activities were cancelled as a result. Communities in Michigan, including Detroit, registered some of the worst air quality in the world, according to IQAir, an air quality monitoring website.
Lawmakers criticized Canada’s forest management and warned that the U.S. might take unilateral or cross-border actions if conditions persist. Michigan’s delegation of Republicans — including U.S. Reps. Lisa McClain of Romeo and John James of Shelby Township — signed a letter demanding immediate action from the Canadian government in response to the repeated wildfire seasons that brought dangerous smoke into Michigan communities.
President Trump suggested holding Canada financially responsible, floating the idea of adding costs or tariffs on Canada for the cross-border air pollution.
Hackel said his offer of help was in the interest of being a good neighbor. He said the Canadian prime minister never responded.
“We know this smoke situation is not good,” he said. “But we get paid to come up with solutions to dangerous problems.
“We get paid to lend a hand.”