SENIORS’ ACTION AND LIAISON TEAM (SALT) POSITION ON THE TRADE, INVESTMENT AND LABOUR MOBILITY AGREEMENT (TILMA) BETWEEN ALBERTA AND BRITISH COLUMBIA, 2007/02/16
The Seniors’ Action and Liaison Team (SALT) is a social action group in Edmonton concerned about advancing the civil society in Alberta, Canada and beyond.
We have serious concerns about the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA) which are outlined below and cited in the attached document from the Council of Canadians.
1. Legislature’s Domain. Our understanding that this agreement will go forward without having been legislated by our Provincial Legislative Assembly. It appears to us that such an agreement has very wide ramifications for the status of civil society in Alberta. It, therefore, should be subject to the rule of law and all the safeguards that accompany the making of provincial and municipal law in Alberta.
2. Race to the Bottom. We think it a distinct possibility that TILMA will cause a race to the bottom in terms of the quality of the laws and regulations which have advanced the civil society in Alberta. Many of those advances have been the result of onerous and lengthy struggles by progressive citizens in Alberta. Statutes and regulations in domains such as health, safety, education, labour, the environment, and so on, are likely to be eroded or taken out of the hands of our provincial and municipal legislators.
3. Private Suits. The idea that a private company or individual can sue the people of the province if provincial or municipal legislation or regulations in the public interest restrict or impair their investment opportunities is astoundingly antisocial as an overriding principle of commerce.
4. Harmonization. The members of SALT believe that this kind of initiative must be done through the creation of new laws by the province and municipalities. Further, where harmonization of laws and regulations are seen to be beneficial and in the public interest, such negotiations among provinces should strive for the highest standards seen as both desirable and feasible.
The Seniors’ Action and Liaison Team (SALT) is a social action group in Edmonton concerned about advancing the civil society in Alberta, Canada and beyond.
We have serious concerns about the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA) which are outlined below and cited in the attached document from the Council of Canadians.
1. Legislature’s Domain. Our understanding that this agreement will go forward without having been legislated by our Provincial Legislative Assembly. It appears to us that such an agreement has very wide ramifications for the status of civil society in Alberta. It, therefore, should be subject to the rule of law and all the safeguards that accompany the making of provincial and municipal law in Alberta.
2. Race to the Bottom. We think it a distinct possibility that TILMA will cause a race to the bottom in terms of the quality of the laws and regulations which have advanced the civil society in Alberta. Many of those advances have been the result of onerous and lengthy struggles by progressive citizens in Alberta. Statutes and regulations in domains such as health, safety, education, labour, the environment, and so on, are likely to be eroded or taken out of the hands of our provincial and municipal legislators.
3. Private Suits. The idea that a private company or individual can sue the people of the province if provincial or municipal legislation or regulations in the public interest restrict or impair their investment opportunities is astoundingly antisocial as an overriding principle of commerce.
4. Harmonization. The members of SALT believe that this kind of initiative must be done through the creation of new laws by the province and municipalities. Further, where harmonization of laws and regulations are seen to be beneficial and in the public interest, such negotiations among provinces should strive for the highest standards seen as both desirable and feasible.
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