To the Editor:
I am writing to express my concern about the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA), the new trade agreement that Canada is about to enter into with China. Stephen Harper signed it in Vladivostok, Russia, on Sept. 8 and tabled it in the House of Commons on Sept. 26. It is due to become law Nov. 2.
Most people are only now becoming aware that this is happening. I can’t believe that our federal government would commit us to the biggest trade deal since the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) without any discussion, debate or vote.
This deal will make it easy for Chinese companies to buy up huge amounts of Canadian resources. After that, the Chinese can sue Canada in a secret tribunal if any level of government from federal to municipal makes any regulation that impacts the Chinese company’s expected profits. Also, we’ll be locked into this treaty for over 30 years.
It’s absolutely ridiculous that our government would try to slide something like this through without most Canadians even being aware. I hope my fellow citizens will pick up their phones to contact their MPs and insist that this deal be deferred until Canadians have a chance to understand and debate its ramifications.
Melissa Fuller
Yahk