MEDIA RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 29, 2008

Alberta - B.C. Deal Makes a MASH of Local Democracy

Edmonton - Using the acronym MASH to represent numerous sectors in a simple word, the Alberta government announced last Friday that under the controversial Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA) with British Columbia, restrictions will be made on how municipalities, academic institutions, school boards and the health sector engage in contracts for their organizational requirements.  The provincial government stated that when TILMA comes into full effect on April 1, 2009, any MASH contracts beginning at $75,000 for goods and services tenders and $200,000 for construction projects must be opened up for outside contract bids.

“Under TILMA, if any of the ‘MASH’ organizations chooses to privilege a local Albertan provider for a contract over the amount outlined, an outside organization from B.C. would be able to sue from the provincial tax base for compensation of up to $5 million,” says Sheila Muxlow, prairie regional organizer for the Council of Canadians.  “This is a direct assault on small businesses within Alberta and threatens local industries from developing sustainable local economies.” 

“The B.C. government seems unwilling to warn its citizens about the dangers of TILMA and unable to recognize why a growing number of municipalities are opposed to this anti-democratic agreement,” says Carleen Pickard, B.C. regional organizer with the Council of Canadians.

Pickard notes that TILMA entrenches a dispute settlement mechanism within a private court system, similar to the Chapter 11 of NAFTA that enables big business and powerful individuals to sue the provincial government if a MASH sector organization does not comply with the requirements of the agreement.

“Although TILMA is consistently heralded by the B.C. and Alberta governments as a beneficial agreement, the deal poses a clear and present danger to local policies that protect the health, well being and unique interests of their constituents,” says Muxlow. “TILMA will create a chill effect on communities and municipalities taking policy leadership on issues like pesticide bans and healthy school initiatives, because of the possibility of lawsuits.”

The B.C. government seems to be aware of these dangers and, in its latest announcement, said it would consult with municipalities.

“Nevertheless, the B.C. government is pressing ahead with a deal that offers no real benefits and a good many dangers to local communities,” says Pickard.

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For more information, please contact:

Sheila Muxlow, Prairie Regional Organizer, Council of Canadians, 780.233.2528

Carleen Pickard, BC Regional Organizer, Council of Canadians, 604.340.2455