Saugeen Shores is building a Sister City relationship with Zonnebeke, Belgium.
Council received a report Monday on a memorandum of understanding to enter into a sister city relationship with Zonnebeke.
A Town staff report says it would recognize historical ties and foster heritage tourism opportunities.
They say the two communities, “share deep ties to Canadian service and sacrifice in the First World War, particularly in the area of Passchendaele, where the Great Canadian Sacrifice is honoured every year and the Canadian Tyne Cot Cemetery where many Canadian soldiers are interred.”
Staff explain, the relationship gives Saugeen Shores, “A chance to turn remembrance into living relationships. It opens the door to education, youth engagement, cultural exchange, shared commemorations, and tourism.”
They note, there’s no financial obligation tied to the sister city relationship.