What Stephen Harper has proven in his six year tenure as Prime Minister of Canada, particularly during his 18 months leading a majority government in the House of Commons, is that Canadian democracy is not as healthy as Canadians have assumed. In fact, it is clear that our democracy is only as healthy and vibrant as the Prime Minister of Canada allows it to be. And Stephen Harper, who exerts absolute control over his group of whipped-to-submission MPs, has taken our democracy by the neck and is strangling the life out of it in front of our eyes. The China-Canada Investment Treaty (FIPA), signed by Prime Minister Harper in Russia (!) last month, is set to be made into law next week, yet there has been no debate in the House of Commons, no public consultation, and almost no media coverage. Like a criminal, this Prime Minister prefers to conduct his business (which now happens to be the nation’s business) under the cover of darkness.
Elizabeth May, the only Green Party MP in the House of Commons, is working hard to shine the light on this treacherous treaty. This 60 second clip tells you all you need to know about it:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=-bmPfqJ0lk8]
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It confirms that Chinese state-owned enterprises would have the right to complain and charge for damages for decisions in Canada by municipal, provincial, territorial or federal governments. It confirms this treaty will apply till 2027 for a minimum, and potentially till 2042, and China can complain of anything it feels is arbitrary.
It will be of greater benefit to Chinese investors in Canada than to Canadian investors in China.
No province has been asked if it approved of this agreement.
Yesterday, the Prime Minister asked that members of this place should acquaint themselves with the treaty. I have. It threatens our security, our sovereignty and our democracy. Yet this 60 seconds will be the only briefing this House gets.
Today in the House of Commons, NDP International Trade Critic Don Davies’ motion to postpone ratification and study the treaty further will be debated. To read the motion in full and to see other actions the NDP has taken on the FIPA issue, click here to go to Don Davies’ website.
TAKE ACTION:
Go to LeadNow.ca to sign their petition – over 54,000 Canadians have already signed it.
Email or telephone the Conservative MPs on the Standing Committee On International Trade to urge them to support the motion to postpone ratification and further study:
Rob Merrifield rob.merrifield@parl.gc.ca
Ron Cannan ron.cannan@parl.gc.ca
Russ Hiebert russ.hiebert@parl.gc.ca
Ed Holder ed.holder@parl.gc.ca
Gerald Keddy gerald.keddy@parl.gc.ca
Bev Shipley bev.shipley@parl.gc.ca
Devinder Shory devinder.shory@parl.gc.ca
Write Hon. Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade, to demand that he postpone the implementation of the Agreement until there has been a proper study and input from Canadians.
Hon. Ed Fast: ed.fast@parl.gc.ca House of Commons Office: 613-995-0183. If you are in Mr. Fast’s riding of Abbotsford. B.C., go down to his office and let him know how you feel.
More links:
China Investment Treaty: Experts Sounds Alarm in Letter To Harper
Canada-China Investment Treaty: Elizabeth May’s Blog
Canada And China, BFFs: Are We Ready For This?
Chinese Companies Can Sue B.C. For Changing Course On Northern Gateway, Says Policy Expert
One word: incredulous!
I know – it’s un-f’n-believable.
Inconceivable!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2y8Sx4B2Sk
PS typo alert:
“… signed by Prime Minister Harper in Russia (!)
ononly last month… “Thanks P – for the vid and the editing assistance 🙂
PS – The Princess Bride is one of our household’s favourite movies.
Elizabeth May for Prime Minister!!!
Reblogged this on The Green Word and commented:
I was going to write a post about this, but Christine at 350orbust.com did such a wonderful job that I’d like to share her post with you. Here goes.
By the way, I’ve just “reblogged” this post. You did such a great job that I just had to! How does that saying go… “Plagiarism is the greatest form of flattery”?
I’m happy that you shared this, JP – please feel free to reblog anything from 350orbust, as long as you give me a nod.
I just did the same for your “Frankenstorm” post – thanks!
But of course 🙂
Elizabeth is an island of sense in an ocean of insanity. Is everyone restricted to 60 second speeches – or is that just a privilege visited upon minor parties?
I’m not sure about the rules, luckily Elizabeth knows how to use them as best she can, considering she’s only one person. She seems to do more than the other two opposition parties combined!