Saskatchewan says no to TILMA interprovincial trade deal

Undemocratic pact signed by B.C. and Alberta undermines provincial legislative powers

Larry Brown, NUPGE's national secretary-treasurer

Regina (2 August 2007) - Saskatchewan has turned down membership in the undemocratic interprovincial trade agreement negotiated and implemented by B.C. and Alberta.

Harry Van Mulligen, Saskatchewan's government relations minister, said this week the province has serious concerns about the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA) and will not sign on.

TILMA's broad scope has too many risks, he argues, noting as one example the fact that governments at all levels would be at the mercy of trade dispute panels with powers to legislate and regulate trade or extract millions of dollars in fines.

TILMA was negotiated by B.C. Premier Gordon Campbell and former Alberta premier Ralph Klein. It took effect last April 1.

NUPGE sounded warning

The National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) was one of the first Canadian organizations to study TIMLA closely and bring its dangers to public attention.

Larry Brown, NUPGE's National Secretary-Treasurer, made a presentation on behalf of the union's 340,000 members across Canada to a Senate committee studying the issue in June, arguing that proponents have misled the public about TILMA's real impact.

"Governments should look once, twice and three times, before they leap into a deal they will undoubtedly regret," Brown said at the time about the prospect of other provinces joining the agreement.

"Governments need to actually study this agreement, not just accept the cheerleading statements of the ministers and business interests who have so enthusiastically welcomed this agreement which meets only their self interests," Brown said. NUPGE

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