On Saturday, March 8, 2003 in Regina, Saskatchewan, the Board of Directors of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) unanimously passed a resolution, presented by Mayor Derek Corrigan of the City of Burnaby, in regard to the negotiations on International Trade Agreements. (copy below)

Mayor Corrigan, a Director of the FCM and the GVRD representative to the FCM Task Force on International Trade, asked the FCM Board of Directors to oppose the inclusion of municipal services and regulations in the trade agreements, oppose the inclusion of natural resources in trade agreements and to confront the realistic impact of the trade agreements on any privatization or contracting out of public services.

The FCM is also requesting equal status with the provinces and territories in consultations on the Federal government position in future trade negotiations.

"This resolution is a strong signal to the Federal Government that municipalities across Canada are already receiving the negative impacts of the international trade deals. We are also very concerned that further negotiations will increase our exposure to the demands of multi-national corporations for access to our water, our energy and our public services" said Mayor Corrigan.

The FCM has been very dissatisfied with responses to their concerns from the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. Many important questions remain unanswered and it is apparent that the other international parties to the agreements are seeking greater protection for the multi-national corporations from Canadian local government legislation in regard to zoning, hours of operation and other municipal regulations.

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities is the national organization for local government and represents over 1,000 cities, towns and districts across Canada.

-30-

For more information, please contact:
Mayor Derek Corrigan, City of Burnaby
Tel. (604) 294-7340, Fax.(604) 294-7724

INTERNATIONAL TRADE AGREEMENTS - FEDERATION OF CANADIAN MUNICIPALITIES

WHEREAS the government of Canada is currently formulating its position for the upcoming negotiations under the General Agreement on Trade in Services; and

WHEREAS there are also upcoming negotiations on the Free Trade Areas of the Americas and other trade agreements, including ongoing bilateral negotiations; and

WHEREAS there is significant and reasonable concern that these negotiations will result in trade agreements that will affect the ability of municipalities to set regulations, provide services and otherwise fulfill their democratic mandate; and

WHEREAS fundamental aspects of Canadian society are being sought for inclusion in these trade agreements, including energy resources, water, health care and other public services, as dsclosed in recent reliable reports on the positions of other parties to these trade agreements; and

WHEREAS the effect of these trade agreements further jeopardizes any partnerships with the private sector because public services are likely permanently alienated from public control; and

WHEREAS while the government of Canada has the authority to negotiate international trade agreements, it is our Canadian municipalities that are directly and indirectly impacted by the adverse effects of these trade deals.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Federation of Canadian Municipalities strongly opposes the inclusion of any municipal services or regulations in trade negotiations;

AND FURTHER THAT the FCM opposes the exposure of our natural resources, including particularly fresh water and energy resources, to the trade negotiations;

AND FURTHER THAT the FCM opposes any exposure of our traditional public services to any potential permanent alienation from public control through the trade agreements;

AND FINALLY THAT the FCM formally requests that the government of Canada acknowledge the impact of the trade treaties on municipal governments and accord the FCM and its member municipalities the same status as the provincial and territorial governments during consultation on the Canadian position in trade negotiations.

Respectfully submitted,

Mayor Derek Corrigan
Burnaby, British Columbia

(Passed by the Board of Directors of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities March 8th, 2003, Regina, Saskatchewan)