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PRESS RELEASE Citizens not fooled by TILMA TILMA, the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement between BC and Alberta, comes into force on Sunday April 1. The Agreement, signed without public consultation or legislative debate, will severely restrict local decision-making according to the Council of Canadians. “Unfortunately for the citizens of British Columbia and Alberta, TILMA is not an April fool’s joke,” says Carleen Pickard, the Council of Canadians’ Regional Organizer for British Columbia. Touted as an Agreement to erase interprovincial trade ‘barriers’ TILMA strips local government entities, including municipalities, school boards, publicly-funded academic, health and social service bodies, of protection from any private investor who deems a regulation to ‘restrict or impair’ their ability to profit. "TILMA has very powerful provisions that will allow companies to challenge and overturn important municipal by-laws and regulations. We would see challenges to height restrictions on buildings, zoning for commercial buildings, restrictions on sign location and size as well as grants and tax breaks for businesses to encourage downtown revitalization," says Pickard. "Municipal governments are all about ensuring the quality of life of citizens but TILMA could dramatically undermine municipal authority,” says Lyn Gorman, Prairies Regional Organizer for the Council of Canadians. Gorman fears TILMA might prevent Calgary from becoming the first Canadian city to ban trans fats from its restaurants. “Under TILMA, a ruling such as this could easily be challenged by restaurants.” Starting Friday, March 30, citizens from 15 communities across the two provinces will target their MLAs to demand that the governments of BC and Alberta withdraw from the TILMA. - 30 - For more information: For more information about TILMA visit: |
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