TILMA

http://www.canadians.org/DI/issues/TILMA/Politicians_TILMA.html So far there are only politicians who are in favour... If you feel like going on the record, please let me know and we will post it. Thanks, Carleen TILMA's Impact on Key Sectors The Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA) was signed by BC and Alberta in April 2006. Some of the agreement's provisions will come into force on April 1, 2007 and others after a two-year transition period. TILMA sets severe restrictions on what governments can do. If governments do anything outside of the limits imposed by TILMA, they can be sued and have to pay up to $5 million. TILMA's first sentence describes it as "a comprehensive agreement on trade, investment and labour mobility that applies to all sectors of the economy". The agreement has some exceptions, but critical areas are not exempted. Having legitimate objectives will not be enough to protect governments from successful challenges. Governments will also have to demonstrate what they are doing is the least restrictive to commercial interests. The following are some examples of government programs and regulations that risk violating TILMA. Health - Restrictions on private, for-profit use of public health facilities - a violation of TILMA's prohibition of obstacles to investment - Imposition of higher standards for nursing homes - a violation of TILMA's prohibition of new regulations that restrict investment - Bans on smoking and junk food - a violation of TILMA's prohibition of obstacles to investment. Such bans would be hard to justify as the least restrictive option to meet health objectives. Education - Restrictions on private, for-profit schools - a violation of TILMA's prohibition of obstacles to investment - Requiring teachers from Alberta to take additional training to meet BC's higher certification standards - a violation of TILMA's requirement that a worker certified in one province be recognized as qualified to practice in the other without any significant additional training - Ethical purchasing policies adopted by school boards or universities - a violation of TILMA's prohibition of discriminatory procurement policies Environment - Designation of ecological reserves - a violation TILMA's prohibition of obstacles to investment - Bans introduced on pesticide spraying - a violation of TILMA's prohibition of new regulations that restrict investment - BC's Air Care program - a violation of TILMA's requirement that BC and Alberta reconcile their regulations - Restrictions on recreational development - a violation of TILMA's prohibition of obstacles to investment. Local Government - Zoning bylaws to prevent urban sprawl and height restrictions on buildings to protect views - a violation of TILMA's prohibition of obstacles to investment - Environmentally-friendly purchasing policies - a violation of TILMA's prohibition of discriminatory procurement policies - Downtown revitalization programmes providing tax waivers or other assistance to business for neighbourhood development - a violation of TILMA's prohibition of subsidies to business that distort investment decisions. Energy - Establishment of higher standards to ensure the reliability and security of the domestic electricity system - a violation of TILMA's requirement that no standards can be implemented that are incompatible with North American standards - Initiatives to give priority to meeting domestic energy needs over exports to the US - a violation of TILMA's requirement that governments promote inter-jurisdictional trade in energy - Purchasing policies of BC Hydro and the BC Transmission Corporation to promote regional economic development and to give preferences to small business - a violation of TILMA's prohibition of discriminatory procurement policies. There are a variety of ways you can get involved to educate others about its negative impacts and take action. 1) Send this email around to your friends and contacts. 2) Use this content in an email or letter to your MLA, or in a letter to the editor in your local paper. 3) Petition your City Council to pass a resolution against TILMA. Resources are available at: http://www.canadians.org/DI/issues/TILMA/index.html And http://groups.google.com/group/stoptilma Find out more about what you can do to stop TILMA by contacting the Council of Canadians in BC at 604-688-8846. Carleen Pickard BC/Yukon Regional Organizer/Council of Canadians #700- 207 W. Hastings St., Vancouver BC V6B 1H7 t. 604.688.8846/1.888.566.3888 www.canadians.org Want to learn more about TILMA and how we can join together and stop this new trade agreement? Visit: http://www.canadians.org/DI/issues/TILMA/index.html. Join the list serve - send an email to stoptilma@gmail.com Founded in 1985, the Council of Canadians is Canada's largest citizens' organization, with members and chapters across the country. If you believe that our social programs and public services should be strengthened, not privatized; that our foreign and trade policies should be independent, not subservient to the United States; and that our water and natural resources should be protected, not exploited, please join us as a member. I

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