27 April, 2010IMF joins affiliates in the call for proper consultation on and assessment of the impact of a Canada-EU comprehensive economic trade agreement.
CANADA-EUROPE: International Metalworkers' Federation (IMF) joined Canadian affiliates in the call for proper consultation on and assessment of the impact of a Canada-European Union comprehensive economic and trade agreement (CETA).
The Trade Justice Network in Canada is demanding the release of details on the talks as concern mounts about the impact of the potential trade deal. The Network demands that proper consultation takes place and the full assessment of the impact of the potential free trade agreement would have on public policy, public services, the economy, poverty, gender culture, human rights and the environment, a call supported by the IMF.
With support from IMF affiliates the Canadian Auto Workers (CAW) and the United Steelworkers (USW), an open Canadian civil society declaration on the proposed trade agreement calls for:
- Full transparency
- A comprehensive impact assessment
- Protection for public services
- Strengthened social policy
- The right to public procurement
- The right to regulate
- Protection of cultural sovereignty
- No provision for investor rights as with the U.S. and Mexico in NAFTA
- Full protection of labour rights
- Respect and protection of indigenous rights
- Ecological sustainability and climate action
The full text of the declaration can be seen here.
The CAW reports that, "The proposed Canada-EU agreement, as with any other free trade deal, will likely exacerbate current trade flows as well as widen trade imbalances. Canada maintains a colossal trade deficit with our European cousins. In 2008 we imported $17 billion more in goods than we exported to the EU. Much of that is because of a lingering trade deficit in manufactured goods, particularly automobiles. In fact, for every $1 we export in autos to the EU we import $15.30! Canada doesn't fare much better in services either, with a trade deficit of $4 billion (2007 figures)".
Unions and civil society partners in Canada are concerned about the trade deal as the country has lost over 550,000 good-paying manufacturing and processing sector jobs in recent years. A trend that is made worse by the steady deterioration in the quality of service jobs across the country in both the public and private sector.
"Forward thinking and strategic economic intervention, not more short-sighted free trade deals, well help to foster a more integrated approach by government to build dynamic, competitive and successful industries," states the CAW.