As of January 15, 2019, the US government has ceased many of its essential functions over three (3) weeks, and has delayed payments to MN state agencies and both state (those working under federal grants/contracts) and federal employees within MN. The US federal government has been shutdown a historic length of time and threatens the solvency of its financial obligations, and its national stability and security. Although the House of Representatives has passed a continuing resolution previously considered relevant to the US Senate, both the US Senate and the President refuse to vote upon the measure. The breakdown in the democratic process, elevated by gerrymandering and leaders' self-interest, affords the state of Minnesota the opportunity for determining an alternative destiny.

MN state officials have already resigned that even after the US government reopens, the financial obligations of the federal government will not be repaid to the state of Minnesota. State agencies that operate with federal funds are currently using Minnesota tax dollars, rather than obligated federal dollars, to maintain services within the state of Minnesota. Furthermore, budget authority for the USDA expires later this month, Jan. 21, 2019, which administers farm policy, the FSIS, agriculture financing, inventory and price reporting, and SNAP benefits.

We, the people of Minnesota, urge our State's leaders to make immediate the petition to withdraw from the United States and join Canada. The induction into Canada would allow Minnesotans to maintain their high quality of cultural, economic, environmental and democratic well being.