FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2008

Harper’s post-election trade agenda a threat to health care

September 18, 2008 / Ottawa – Prime Minister Stephen Harper must make public the draft text of a new “deep economic integration” trade deal with the European Union that rivals NAFTA in scope before voters go to the polls on October 14, says the Council of Canadians.

“The Prime Minister should be accountable to the public and release the text immediately so that voters can make an informed decision on a deal that will be further negotiated in Montreal just three days after the federal election,” says Maude Barlow, national chairperson of the Council of Canadians. “Stephen Harper ran on a campaign of accountability in the 2006 election, promising to bring significant international treaties to Parliament. He must keep his word, be accountable, and release the draft text of this sweeping new trade deal immediately.”

While the text has not been released, it reportedly includes the unrestricted trade in goods, services and investment, the removal of tariffs, and an open market in government services and procurement – which would require the Canadian government to allow European companies to bid as equals on government contracts for both goods and services, and to not give preference to local or national providers of public-sector services.

“All public services and resources – from health care and pensions to water and energy – could be at risk of legal challenges from European-based corporations, as is the case with Chapter 11 of NAFTA. Mr. Harper must release the text for public scrutiny,” says Barlow.

Canada is already facing its first NAFTA challenge from a group of US investors for $155 million for violations they claim have prevented the opening of more private health care clinics in British Columbia. Given that most EU countries have a public-private mix of health care delivery, a new and even wider international agreement with similar or greater powers would only worsen the current threat to Canada’s public health care system.

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For more information, contact: Dylan Penner, Media Officer: Tel.: (613) 233-4487, ext. 249; ;