Negotiators refuse FTAA compromise

NOVEMBER 18, 2003 MIAMI – Canadian trade negotiators are continuing to push for an aggressive FTAA deal despite the compromise position proposed by the United States and Brazil.

In a document released yesterday, the U.S. and Brazil proposed an ‘FTAA Lite,’ a buffet-style agreement that would allow member countries to pick and chose the elements of the agreement to which they commit. Implicit in this compromise, however, is that countries will not receive the full rewards of the FTAA unless they must accept the full FTAA deal.

In response Canada, along with Chile and Mexico, declared that it would not accept anything less restrictive than the original FTAA proposal. Specifically, Canada has taken a hard-line position in favour of maintaining the proposed investment protection clause and including services in the agreement.

“This position is baffling given the controversy surrounding protection of public services in Canada and the overwhelming opposition from developing countries,” says Jean-Yves Lefort, Trade Campaigner for the Council of Canadians. “Trade Minister Pettigrew has clearly learned nothing from Canada’s horrendous experiences within NAFTA and the WTO. He has no mandate to commit Canada to further dangerous trade deals, nor to force our mistakes on other nations.”

“The three strongest members of the U.S.-allied Group of Thirteen have stepped forward to support the U.S.’s former trading position,” says Bill Moore-Kilgannon, Director of Campaigns and Communications for the Council of Canadians. “Clearly, our government has stopped negotiating on behalf of its citizens and has instead become a puppet in the U.S.’s sneaky strategy to further its free trade agenda.”

“Paul Martin has declared that establishing stronger relations with the U.S. will be a primary goal of his government. For the sake of our public services, let’s hope that his desire for American approval won’t overshadow his duty to represent the Canadian people.”

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