MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 25, 2007

Council of Canadians support municipal criticism of TILMA at UBCM

The Council of Canadians is encouraged by the strong criticisms of the Trade Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement raised yesterday by municipal representatives at the annual convention of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities in Vancouver.

The disapproval expressed at a pre-convention workshop on TILMA could lead to a critical vote this Wednesday against the controversial deal according to Carleen Pickard, B.C. spokesperson for the Council of Canadians, who is attending the convention this week.

"During a three-hour session on TILMA, the Minister of Economic Development, Colin Hansen, was unable to answer a basic question- What is the benefit of TILMA for municipalities?" said Pickard. "Councilors are not feeling confident about the Agreement and the Minister’s inability to justify it will only strengthen the call for a permanent exemption for local governments from TILMA."

TILMA will be put to the test this Wednesday, when representatives vote on a landmark resolution calling for the UBCM "to enter into discussions with the provincial government and local governments with the intent of either making changes to the agreement to more specifically address local government concerns, exempt local governments from the agreement, or request that the province withdraw from the agreement altogether."

Local governments across BC have sent 80 letters of concern to the UBCM about the Agreement, and 10 resolutions on TILMA have been put forward to this meeting, making it one of this year's key issues at the UBCM.

Issues of concern raised by local governments were supported by UBCM lawyer Don Lidstone and included thresholds for purchasing, restrictions on the ability of local governments to give out subsidies and grants, and potential obstructions to local initiatives to protect the environment. Councilors also raised concerns about the vague and undefined nature of TILMA, the lack of precedent around dispute panel decisions, and mixed messages from the government about the Agreement.

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For more information:
Carleen Pickard, B.C. regional organizer for the Council of Canadians, (604) 340-2455.

Read more about TILMA at canadians.org/TILMA.