99.5 BUILDING AN ECONOMY THAT SERVES PEOPLE
PART A – COMMUNITY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Whereas, Statistics Canada figures show that 98% of all businesses have fewer than 50 employees and 80% have fewer than five, and in addition, over 80% of the growth in employment came from small business over the past 15 years, accounting for 35% of the Gross National Product; and Whereas, Analysis of Canadian Bankers Association Business Credit statistics show that lending to small business decreased from 7.17% to 6.47% of the total bank lending between 1995 and 1997, while lending to large corporations increased as a proportion of total bank lending during the same period; and therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of Canada, in its economic policy, to put a priority on its facilitation of community-based economic development of small and medium sized businesses through increasing accessibility to fairly priced loans. PART B – ECONOMIC SOVEREIGNTY AND FAIR LABOUR PRACTICES Whereas, Under trade treaties, such as the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canada has relinquished sovereignty in exchange for rules enforced by the World Trade Organization (WTO), which does not consider the social or environmental consequences of business practices, does no gender analysis, and has not been effective in preserving cultural sovereignty; and Whereas, The income of Canadians dropped during the 1990’s; and Whereas, Canadian business is forced to compete with corporations that abuse human rights (for example, the use of child labour and sweat shops); and Whereas, Cooperation between non governmental organizations (NGO’s) and sovereign states can bring pressure for corporate responsibility and enforceable international codes of business practices; therefore, be it RESOLVED, that the National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) urge the Government of Canada to:
1. Preserve economic sovereignty, especially with respect to social, environmental, and cultural programs; and
2. Work internationally for fair labour practices, and labour codes that strengthen the role of labour to fight against unfair and unethical labour practices; and be it further RESOLVED, that the NCWC urge the International Council of Women (ICW) to urge its federated national councils to urge their respective governments to work to:
1. Develop and maintain their capability for implementing social, environmental, and cultural programs; and
2. Strengthen the role of labour internationally; and
3. Fight against labour practices which abuse human rights; and be it further RESOLVED, that NCWC urge ICW to request its permanent and accredited representatives to the United Nations to support the work of the United Nations in implementing agreements, conventions, and declarations which:
1. Develop and maintain the capability of implementing social, environmental, and cultural programs; and
2. Strengthen the role of labour internationally; and
3. Fight against labour practices, which abuse human rights.