2011:02PU INTERNATIONAL TRADE AGREEMENT NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION
Whereas 1 in 1998 The National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) adopted as policy, resolution 98.6, which urged the Government of Canada to sign only those agreements which:
a. respect the economic, political and constitutional sovereignty of Canada including the ability of all levels of government to direct investment to community-based projects and underdeveloped regions of the country;
b. influence job creation and protect culture, health care, social programs, the environment and maintain labour standards;
c. include gender analysis and analysis of environmental concerns, particularly as they relate to the ability of Canada to fulfill its obligations made in UN conferences in Nairobi, Vienna, Rio de Janeiro, Cairo, Copenhagen, and Beijing;
d. guarantee Canadian ownership and control over the delivery of vital natural resources, such as water, electricity, and natural gas;
e. guarantee compliance with Canadian environmental standards; and
f. ensure enforcement of this compliance; and
g. ensure that trade negotiations within such transnational organizations as the World Trade Organization (WTO), Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) represent the interests of all citizens by:
i. working for the equal representation of women on trade delegations from all countries, particularly by setting the example in delegations from Canada;
ii. ensuring that gender analysis, as well as social and environmental assessments, are an integral part of the process of trade negotiations; and
iii. ensuring that the public is fully informed in a timely way of proposed timetables for trade liberalization taking place within trade negotiations and organizations;
Whereas 2 the Canadian government is currently in negotiations with the government of the European Union for a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (C.E.T.A.); without public disclosure and adequate consultation with the Canadian people; and
Whereas 3 a proposed trade deal with the European Union could also bind provincial, territorial, and municipal governments; and
Whereas 4 this approach could drain needed stimulus from the Canadian economy, worsen the current crisis in manufacturing, and interfere with provincial, territorial, and municipal governments’ authority to provide and regulate local services; and
Whereas 5 municipal, territorial, and provincial governments have the right to support Canadian suppliers; set minimum specifications for materials and services on major projects; adopt ethical and environmental purchasing policies; enforce commitments to hire workers locally or require companies winning public contracts to invest a portion of revenues or profits in Canadian communities; therefore be it
Resolved 1 that the National Council of Women of Canada (NCWC) reiterate as policy:
a. the need for adequate public consultation, transparency, and public disclosure in negotiation of international trade agreements (including Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement - C.E.T.A.), and
b. opposition to Canadian government negotiation of international trade agreements that bind and restrict provincial, territorial, and municipal governments; and be it further
Resolved 2 that NCWC urge the Government of Canada to:
a. provide full disclosure to Parliament about trade negotiations with foreign governments;
b. engage in adequate public consultation in a transparent manner,
c. work with the provinces, territories, and municipalities to ensure adoption of public procurement policies that:
i. set specifications for materials and services that require a minimum Canadian content on major projects;
ii. adopt ethical and environmentally sustainable purchasing policies; and,
iii. enforce commitments to hire workers locally or require companies winning public contracts to invest a portion of revenues or profits in Canadian communities.