Why All Canadians Should Learn About the Canada-China Investment Treaty and Stop It | Unpublished
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HilarySamuel's picture
Ottawa, Ontario
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Hilary consults and offers workshops in leadership and employee engagement for a sustainable future.

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Why All Canadians Should Learn About the Canada-China Investment Treaty and Stop It

November 8, 2012

I sent this letter to the Globe and Mail, Vancouver Sun and Ottawa Citizen early November. It was not published. This treaty has not yet been ratified due to the strong public outcry.

Open Letter to all Provincial and Territorial Premiers, First Nations Chiefs and Mayors of Canada,

I imagine you would not like to have decisions you and your colleagues make on behalf of your constituents assessed and rescinded by tribunal outside of Canada, beyond Canadian Law. Or be happy if damages were awarded if your decisions were found to have resulted in lost profits for foreign corporations investing in Canada. To top it off, what if these foreign corporations were of and from a totalitarian regime?

It sounds like an Orwellian nightmare. Yet, incredibly, this could happen if the Canada-China Foreign Investment Protection Agreement is ratified. Signed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in September, tabled in Parliament without debate, it is set to become law on Oct 31.

It may be worthwhile to lend your voice to those insisting that this treaty be studied and assessed for its value to Canada.

Yours respectfully,

Hilary Samuel