Ottawa FTAA Resolution

On April 11, 2001, the City of Ottawa became the 20th Canadian City to pass a resolution calling upon the Federal and the Provincial Governments to take action and respond to the contents of the resolution. FTAA Resolution

The vote was: For: 17; Against: 2; Absent: 3

WHEREAS the recent Metalclad case has made it clear that international trade and investment agreements, such as the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), already have the potential to restrict the ability of municipal governments to deal with threats to public health and other matters under their jurisdiction;

AND WHEREAS the Health, Recreation and Social Services Committee is concerned about the impact of international trade and investment agreements, such as the proposed Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) and possible changes to the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) on the ability of municipal governments to take action on such matters as protecting public health, housing and the delivery of recreation and social services;

AND WHEREAS Chapter 11 of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and corresponding sections of GATS and the proposed FTAA, directly threaten the jurisdiction of governments by permitting foreign governments and international corporations to sue governments which through their laws, regulations or other measures adversely affect future corporate earnings;

AND WHEREAS the Metalclad case has demonstrated that the explicit provisions in NAFTA exempting municipal governments from Chapter 11 are not sufficient to protect municipal governments from the application of the provisions of Chapter 11;

AND WHEREAS the GATS, and very likely the proposed FTAA, are clearly intended to further undercut the powers of local governments by penalizing governments which enact laws or regulations that constitute "unnecessary barriers to trade in services";

AND WHEREAS under the "national treatment" provisions of NAFTA and proposed agreements local governments would be required to provide large international corporations, including those active in the fields of health, recreation and social services, every benefit or advantage given to small and local enterprises;

AND WHEREAS the Federal Government has not adequately informed or consulted Canadians and local governments regarding the potential impact of trade and investment agreements;

AND WHEREAS the Federation of Canadian Municipalities has endorsed a policy stating that "any international trade and investment agreement must not limit municipal governments in any way", and the UBCM, the City of Vancouver, and other municipalities have passed resolutions asking the Federal Government to work for significant reform of trade and investment agreements;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: