ACTION ALERT: Demand a full debate on TILMA in the B.C. legislature

November 9, 2007 (UPDATED: January 3, 2008)

On April 1, 2007, the Trade, Investment, and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA) came into effect in the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. The province of B.C. has yet to debate the need for such an agreement, even in the most obvious of places, including the legislature. In the spring of 2007, the BC Liberals introduced Bill 17, which would have amended the current legislation that allows courts to order the BC government to pay out monetary settlements, through the private court system set up under TILMA.

Although Bill 17 died on the floor in December 2007, if it is to be re-introduced in 2008 in the legislature, the discussion will only allow for a debate on that Bill and discussion on the Agreement itself will be ruled out of order.

TILMA needs to be debated fully by elected representatives. The full text of the agreement must be introduced to allow for significant debate on TILMA to take place in the legislature.

If you are concerned about TILMA and the impact the agreement will have on democratic process, we encourage you send a letter (below) to Premier Gordon Campbell and Minister of Economic Development Colin Hansen, letting them know that you want to see the TILMA brought forward to ensure debate in the legislature.

You can also fill out a petition online here.

If you want copies of this petition in order to collect signatures in your community you can download a pdf version here.

Background
TILMA was signing in secret by the Premiers in 2006 without consultation with the bodies covered by the agreement, without legislative debate and without public consultation with people in British Columbia. This is a sharp contrast to the pre-election promise of the BC Liberals to be the most open, transparent and accountable government in Canada.

The agreement has been called an attack on local choice because it frames public policy decision-making as a restriction to investment. The corporate investment model set up in TILMA allows those who see their investment as being trampled by public policies to sue governments make upwards of $5 million in tax-payer money in a NAFTA-style "court" system.

For more information visit: www.canadians.org/TILMA.

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SEND YOUR LETTER NOW:

Subject
Recipients	Colin.Hansen.MLA@leg.bc.ca; Premier@gov.bc.ca
Compose your letter in the box below.
Dear Premier Gordon Campbell and Minister Colin Hansen: Re: Bring TILMA forward for a Legislative Debate The Trade Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement was signed in secret, without public consultation and will dramatically impact decision making by government entities including municipalities, school boards and crown corporations. I demand the government put forward TILMA to allow for full legislative debate. The introduction of the full text of TILMA into the legislature will be in line with the government's stated desire to be the most open and accountable government in Canada. This Agreement enshrines a corporate investment model which views public policy choices from elected officials as a restriction to investment. TILMA incorporates a NAFTA-style private court system which allows Alberta-based individuals and corporations to sidestep B.C. laws and courts to directly challenge local, regional and provincial government practices. Governments naturally restrict private sector investments because they provide public services in sectors like health, education, or any of the services Crown Corporations offer. TILMA has the potential to greatly impair particular sectors in B.C., on the environment, the economy, and the province's social fabric. As government bodies learn about the potential effects of this agreement from concerned citizens, public pressure has forced the government to initiate a consultation process with local governments. In September 2007, municipalities across BC voted to reject the Agreement at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities. After a month of presentations from trade experts, the province of Saskatchewan also turned down the invite to join TILMA. Premier Campbell and Minister Hansen, we are calling on you to demonstrate at least a minimal degree of responsibility and democratic accountability and debate TILMA in the legislature. Yours Sincerely,
Name
Email address
Address: City/town Province/territory Postal code
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