Martes 28 de septiembre de 2004 por Alianza Social Continental

19/6/2004

In Canada’s federal elections in 2004, private is being pitted against public in areas such as health care, auto insurance and the postal system. Largely missing from candidates’ statements is any recognition of the dangers posed by ‘free trade’ to any future plans to reform or renew Canada’s health care system, or to enact new public policy. This threat is coming from trade provisions contained in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), in force since January 1, 1994.

Two questions for candidates given the threat to Medicare posed by the NAFTA accord:

- NAFTA’s Chapter 11 allows US investors to sue governments for public policies that a company feels may curb its profits, even those policies that protect public health.

*If elected to parliament, would you act to remove Chapter 11 from NAFTA?

- Roy Romanow’s health-care blueprint urges the federal government to “ensure that future international trade agreements make explicit allowance for both maintaining and expanding publicly insured, financed and delivered health care”.

*If elected, would you push for legislation enabling the government of Canada to protect its right to regulate health care policy without being subject to claims for compensation from foreign-based companies?

A question to pose to candidates about public auto insurance:

- Public auto insurance is ‘permitted’ in those provinces (Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Quebec and British Columbia) where it pre-exists NAFTA service and investment provisions. However US insurance companies can now invoke NAFTA Chapter 11 to seek compensation if any other provinces bring in a public system. An all-party committee in New Brunswick is currently recommending the introduction of public auto insurance. Other provinces may follow suit.

* If elected, would you push for changes in Canada’s existing trade treaty commitments to allow provinces like New Brunswick to opt for public auto insurance?

A question to pose to candidates regarding the UPS NAFTA claim against Canada:

- US transnational United Parcel Services (UPS) is suing Canada for US$ 160 million. UPS says that its investments are being limited by Canada’s publicly funded network of mailboxes and post offices. It claims that this network gives our public post office an unfair advantage when delivering courier services that are in competition with private courier services.

*If elected, would you stand up for Canada’s sovereign right to have this matter decided in Canada’s parliament or in Canadian courts, instead of allowing an unaccountable tribunal in Washington decide the fate of Canada’s public postal system?

About Common Frontiers:

Common Frontiers is a multi-sectoral organization involving churches, unions, international development organizations and social organizations. Common Frontiers opposes NAFTA and is particularly demanding the removal of Chapter 11.

Besides the impact Chapter 11 provisions may have on public policy in Canada, Common Frontiers is concerned that similar investor-state provisions are being forced on fragile economies in our hemisphere as part of the Free Trade Area of the Americas negotiations currently under way.