WHEREAS negotiations on trade and prosperity agreements between provinces or countries are not being conducted in an open, public forum; AND WHEREAS privately negotiated trade and prosperity agreements between provinces or countries have the potential to impact negatively on local government objectives: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Union of BC Municipalities and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities petition the provincial and federal governments to conduct an open and accountable public debate of any proposed trade and prosperity agreements being negotiated.
Ministry of Small Business, Technology and Economic Development The government of British Columbia believes in consultation with stakeholders before entering into any trade agreement. For example, in the three years leading up to the Trade Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement TILMA, consultations were held with ministries, business groups, self-regulatory bodies, local governments, small business groups, industry associations and academics. In fact, the Province had a formal consultation agreement on TILMA with the Union of British Columbia Municipalities, which represented all 189 local governments in BC. Trade agreements are treaties which elected officials have the mandate to sign. In fact, only when introducing new legislation or amending existing legislation is open debate required in the legislature. For instance, B.C.s TILMA Implementation Act was ratified and given Royal Assent in May, 2008. As the bill proceeded through the legislature, assembly members were given the opportunity to debate this legislation in an open and fair manner.
MINISTRY OF INDUSTRY The SPP was launched by the leaders of Canada, the United States and Mexico in March 2005. It builds on other positive and productive relationships between the three countries, including the North American Free Trade Agreement. The SPP provides a flexible means for dialogue, priority setting, collaboration and action on issues affecting the security, prosperity and quality of life of Canadians, Americans and Mexicans. The SPP is based on respect for each countrys sovereignty, unique heritage, culture and laws. Statutory or regulatory changes that could stem from the SPP will be subject to the established and transparent processes of the Government of Canada for making such changes, as mandated by Parliament. This includes a requirement for regulatory departments and agencies to provide Canadians with opportunities to take part in open, meaningful and balanced consultations at all stages of the regulatory process. The SPP provides benefits for Canadian businesses and citizens alike. For our businesses, it seeks to leverage North America, including its vast market and integrated value chains, as a platform for innovation and global success. For our citizens, the SPP is aimed at improving quality of life and includes initiatives to improve traveler safety, reduce wait times at the Canada-US border, safeguard public health through North American pandemic planning, promote the development of clean energy and environment technologies, strengthen food and product safety, and improve access to consumer goods. At the fourth annual North American Leaders Summit, held in New Orleans on April 21 and 22, 2008 leaders announced steps to continue work on the priorities for collaboration they identified at their August 2007 summit in Montebello: enhancing the global competitiveness of North America; safe food and products; sustainable energy and the environment; smart and secure borders; and emergency management and preparedness. Government of Canada departments and agencies responsible for delivering SPP initiatives collaborate and consult with a broad range of interests and stakeholders, including industry, associations, non-governmental organizations and provinces and territories. For further information on the SPP, including results of the North American Leaders Summit in New Orleans, I invite you to browse the Government of Canadas SPP website at www.spp-psp.gc.ca. With respect to the TILMA, the Government of Canada welcomes the progress that has been made under this bilateral initiative between the provinces of Alberta and British Columbia, and recognizes the importance of having a truly national agreement that reduces trade barriers throughout Canada. The Government of Canada is also pleased with the recent amendments to the Agreement on Internal Trade, which mark significant progress in strengthening this agreement as well as ensuring labour mobility within Canada. Strengthening Canadas economic union is a key priority that will contribute to the overall competitiveness of the Canadian economy.
FCM This resolution was consolidated by FCM into an omnibus resolution and placed as a category A resolution to be considered at the FCM 2009 Annual Conference in Whistler, BC. FIG09.1.02 NEGOTIATIONS ON INTERNAL AND INTERNATIONAL TRADE AND SECURITY AGREEMENTS WHEREAS local governments across the country have not had substantive opportunities to assess and respond to agreements such as the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement TILMA and the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America SPP; WHEREAS negotiations on internal and international trade and security agreements should be conducted in an open, public forum; and WHEREAS these kinds of trade and security agreements can affect local government; BE IT RESOLVED that the Federation of Canadian Municipalities advocate to the federal government for an open public consultation before negotiating any internal or international trade and security agreement, and that this consultation process include local government input, through FCM; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that FCM continue to research and monitor the potential effect of internal and international trade and security agreements on the local government sector. City of Burnaby, British Columbia City of Nelson, British Columbia City of Trail, British Columbia Union of British Columbia Municipalities 2009 Annual Conference Decision: Category A Resolution Adopted The resolution was adopted by the voting delegates of the 72nd Annual Conference in Whistler, BC. As stated in the operative clause of the resolution, FCM will continue to research and monitor the potential effect of internal and international trade and security agreements on the local government sector.