The Comox Valley Record reported in December that the Village of Cumberland has passed a resolution requesting that the province negotiate a clear, permanent exemption for local governments from the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement. The resolution was brought forward by the Comox Valley chapter of the Council of Canadians after a process of public and municipal outreach in the region.
“According to the Council of Canadians,” says the December 20 article, “Canada has ‘much to lose and little to gain’ from the deal, which it says is about deregulation, privatization and increasing corporate investment rights.”
At the end of November, the Comox Valley chapter invited councillors in the City of Courtenay, Town of Comox, Village of Cumberland, as well as regional district representatives, to a public forum on the implications of CETA on water services, the cost of prescription drugs, local procurement and more.
Then on December 13, chapter member Carla Neal submitted a letter to the Comox Valley Record, saying, “If you haven’t yet heard of CETA, you are not alone. The federal government would prefer you not ask a lot of questions, but the information is getting out. Recently the BC Association of Municipalities passed a motion opposing CETA, which targets municipal powers and services. The federal government is not meaningfully consulting local governments.”
Congratulations to the chapter for putting Cumberland on our new map of Canadian municipalities and school boards to pass CETA resolutions! The more municipalities speak up about CETA, the more difficult it will be for provincial governments to restrict their freedom to use public spending as a tool for economic development, environmental protection and good job creation.
Our eyes turn now to the City of Toronto whose executive committee will consider a motion at its meeting on January 24 which would have the City call on the Province of Ontario to exclude it from CETA. The Council of Canadians, Canadian Autoworkers union and others will be making presentations to Toronto city council in support of the motion. If you’re in the area on Tuesday, come by City Hall or consider making a deposition yourself. Write exc@toronto.ca to get on the list.
For tools on how you can pass a CETA resolution in your community, click here.
