The Globe and Mail reports, “Ontario has apparently lost a key trade challenge to its green energy policies that force companies to buy equipment from local manufacturers, according to reports out of Europe. …The World Trade Organization has (reportedly) issued a preliminary report that agrees with Japan and the European Union, in their complaint about Ontario’s support for its renewable energy industry. …A final ruling is expected in November, but the WTO seldom changes its decision from its preliminary reports. …Stuart Trew, who works as a trade campaigner for the Council of Canadians, said the ruling, if it stands, will be ‘a terrible loss, not just for Canada, but also for countries globally who are looking for ways to make their economies more dynamic’. Mr. Trew said Ontario will likely put pressure on the federal government to appeal the final decision, if it goes against them. Ontario might also be given the option to amend the problematic portions of its energy policy to bring them on side. ‘It is going to be a long process,’ he said.”
Additionally, Trew and CAW national representative Angelo DiCaro recently wrote in a Windsor Star op-ed, “How the Ontario and federal governments respond to this WTO loss will be a key test of their seriousness about creating good Canadian green jobs for the future. …If the federal Conservatives resign themselves to the logic of our global free trade system that boasts too much rhetoric, and not enough action on the green economy, then it is they who must wear the albatross for putting thousands out of work and signing the death certificate of sustainable development in this country.”
The Globe and Mail article is at http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/ontario-loses-wto-ruling-on-green-energy-policies-reports/article4614805/?cmpid=rss1. The op-ed by Trew and DiCaro is at http://www.windsorstar.com/business/Trade+ruling+could+hurt+green+jobs/7389785/story.html.
