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WIN! Windsor passes CETA resolution

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City of Windsor councillor Percy Hatfield

The Windsor Star reports, “Windsor has added its voice to a growing number of municipalities demanding more details on secret negotiations between Ottawa and the European Union aimed at securing a free trade agreement by year’s end.”

“Before councillors voted on the matter Monday night, they heard from a chorus of labour and social activist critics claiming Canada’s proposed deal with (Europe) is broader and more far reaching than even the North American FTA. …The deal would give foreign corporations new powers to bid on municipal public procurements, including infrastructure and goods and services such as water and hydro, as well as the right to appeal decisions they feel were made for social rather than strictly economic objectives, said Randy Emerson of the Council of Canadians.”

“There have been eight rounds of closed-door negotiations so far, but the few details that have leaked out are ‘of great concern’, said (Councillor Percy) Hatfield, who introduced a ‘watered down’ version of what the Council of Canadians is asking municipalities to endorse. …Windsor learned about the consequences of free trade when the local manufacturing base was decimated following the signing of the ‘one-sided’ NAFTA deal, he added.”

This past August, the Windsor Star reported, “Windsor City Councillor Percy Hatfield has been elected chairman of the Large Urban Caucus for the Association of Municipalities of Ontario. More than 400 municipal governments are represented by 43 members of the AMO, which provides liaison services with the province and advocates municipal issues to governments and the public. …His new role will include running caucus meetings and meeting with provincial cabinet ministers regarding memorandums.”

To date, 18 municipal resolutions in 4 provinces have been passed:

BRITISH COLUMBIA
Burnaby
Logan Lake
North Vancouver
Spallumcheen
Trail

NEW BRUNSWICK
Sackville

NOVA SCOTIA
Lunenburg

ONTARIO
Alnwick/ Haldimand
Asphodel-Norwood
Brantford
Brockville
French River
London
Tecumseh
Trent Hills
Windsor
Windsor-Essex
Quinte West

For information on how to pass a CETA resolution in your community, please go to http://canadians.org/action/2011/CETA-resolution.html.

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