Trade, Investment Labour Mobility Agreement TILMA

WHEREAS the British Columbia Alberta Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement TILMA consists of a set of General Rules and Special Provisions that apply to all government measures, such as legislation, regulations, standards, policies, procedures and guidelines that affect trade, investment and labour mobility; AND WHEREAS the ultimate goal of TILMA is to reconcile all differences in standards between the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta; AND WHEREAS the provincial government indicates that a two-year transition period applies however, TILMA contains a provision that states that no new measures can be introduced after April 3, 2007: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the UBCM review and respond to the following concerns: i Ensure that TILMA includes a clause guaranteeing that any difference in standards be reconciled to the higher standard; ii Why does TILMA force lower procurement threshold limits on municipalities?; iii What impact will TILMA have on regional districts and municipalities?; iv The decisions regarding harmonizing of standards, bylaws, policies and other measures are to be determined by dispute panels. How can local governments ensure that the provincial government will represent their interests before the dispute panel so that regulatory measures cannot be overturned?; v Clarification regarding the proposed two-year transition period when some aspects of TILMA apply to local governments beginning April 1, 2007; AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the provincial government ensure that local governments have the right to choose whether or not to be bound by TILMA and, further, that the provincial government be encouraged to establish public hearings to promote understanding of TILMA.