88.17EM Emergency Resolution: Free Trade Agreement
Whereas, The Canada-U.S. Free Trade Agreement was signed by the Prime Minister of Canada and the President of the United States on January 2, 1988, and the legislation to implement the agreement is anticipated in 1988; and,
Whereas, There is a wide diversity of opinion amongst Canadians on the potential long and short-term effects of the Free Trade Agreement on Canada; and,
Whereas, Concern exists amongst Canadians, including members of the National Council of Women of Canada, with respect to the potential negative effects in areas such as agriculture, energy, services and the dispute mechanism; and,
Whereas, National Council of Women of Canada members have expressed strong growing concerns about the potential negative implications of free trade on women in the workplace, on social programs and on cultural industries;
therefore be it,
RESOLVED, That the National Council of Women of Canada express to the Government of Canada all concerns of the membership about the Free Trade Agreement; and be it further,
RESOLVED, That The National Council of Women of Canada urge the Government of Canada:
- To develop flexible assistance packages for any individual detrimentally affected by trade agreements, such assistance to include: retraining, relocation assistance, job placement, educational upgrading, and language training for new Canadians, early retirement benefits for older workers and incentives for new businesses;
- To establish monitoring procedures to provide advance notice of plant closures;
- To maintain Canadian standards in social programs in future discussions regarding defining subsidies;
- To maintain Canadian sovereignty in all cultural matters; and,
- To ensure that Canadian political sovereignty is retained; and be it further,
RESOLVED, That The National Council of Women of Canada indicate to the Government of Canada that it has not taken a stand at this time, either for or against the agreement, and that the matter is under further study.