out of this region might be startling to the
average person so we’re paying more at-
tention to how we could market beyond
the tomato,” Lassaline-Berglund added.
Since Heinz’s departure, the focus has
been on forming partnerships. Leaming-
ton recently partnered with the Caldwell
First Nation, whereby band members can
develop the skills needed for governance
in their own communities through intern-
ship programs with Leamington’s govern-
ing body. “I think a lot of communities have
had a less-than-welcoming relationship
with First Nations communities,” Mayor
Paterson said, but Leamington doesn’t fall
into this category. When the Caldwell First
Nation announced that they were coming
to Leamington, the first thing Mayor Pater-
son did was reach out to its chief, Louise
Hillier. “It’s been a great relationship since
then,” the mayor added.
Leamington, unlike other communities in
Ontario, has the most cultural diversity
per capita. It is home to temporary foreign
workers and seasonal agricultural workers
who keep the agribusiness thriving. At any
given time, almost a third of the popula-
“Council made several business decisions to move the municipality forward…”
JUNE 2016
H
business elite canada 67
