NAFTA tribunal exceeded its jurisdiction when it made determination on what a Canadian environmental assessment panel can decide, groups say

Ecojustice

Environmental groups are in court today to help Canada challenge a landmark arbitral award brought under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Chapter 11 provision by American corporation, Bilcon. More here.

The quarry in question. 

 Photo credit:      ISDS

                       PLATFORM

The TPP's Climate Blindspot

Institute for Agriculture & Trade Policy.

Free trade deals, and in particular the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), have taken a beating this election season. Most of the noise on trade from Presidential candidates Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton has focused on the loss of jobs linked to the offshoring. Much less attention has been paid to the serious impact the TPP and past trade agreements will have on our ability to respond to climate change. Story here.

End The Use Of Secret Corporate Courts! PLEASE SIGN!

SumOfUs

What if corporations were allowed to sue governments because its laws to protect people and the environment but hurt corporate profits? What if there was a tribunal where corporate executives were able to literally get away with murder? What if there were elite educated lawyers out there whose jobs were to figure out how to sue struggling nations to make huge amounts of profit? Sign here.

The Climate Cost of Free Trade

Bilaterals.org

On Earth Day 2016, the U.S. joined 175 countries in signing the United Nations Paris climate agreement setting a path forward to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions. A few months earlier, the U.S., along with 11 other countries, signed the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade and investment deal.1 Remarkably, neither agreement acknowledged the other. The Paris agreement was silent on trade, and the TPP ignored the climate. As countries take action to protect the climate, conflicts between trade rules and climate goals will escalate. The intentional separation of these two global priorities is becoming increasingly untenable. Story here.

Yet Another Transatlantic Trade Deal Threatening Food Safety, Groups Warn

CommonDreams

CETA will force European farmers to compete with Canadian imports with 'no animal welfare penalties and lower safety standards' Story here.

RELATED: "Free trade. Pathway to prosperity or back road to corporatism?"

TTIP: The Most Dangerous Weapon in the Hands of the Fossil Fuel Industry

bilaterals.org

The TTIP would put in place a parallel judicial system that allows companies to bypass national courts altogether. Story here.

Free Trade, the Democratic National Congress and the Climate Crisis

CommonDreams

The same day TransCanada Pipelines sued the U.S. government for $15 billion, the Democratic Party’s platform drafting committee met in Missouri. Between the two, there is a lesson to be learned about free trade and the climate crisis. Story here.

Nobel Prize-Winning Economist Warns Canada Against TPP

CBC - The House

The warning from Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz leaves no doubt about his assessment of the Trans Pacific Partnership. More here.

RELATED: "Free Trade - Pathway to Prosperity? Or Back Road to Corporatism?" 

Bait-and-Switch - The Trans-Pacific Partnership’s Promised Environmental Protections Do Not Deliver

Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives

This study investigates the TPP’s environment chapter and finds, despite official assurances to the contrary, the protections afforded by the deal are weak and generally unenforceable. Far from being a milestone for environmental protection, the TPP does little to safeguard or promote a healthy environment.  More here.

RELATED: "Free Trade: Pathway to Prosperity - or Back Road to Corporatism?" 

Sanders Accepts Challenge to Kill TPP If Elected... Nothing from Clinton So Far

CommonDreams

Talking trade policy in Ohio, Sanders also picks up key endorsement from Congresswomen Marcy Kaptur. More here.

NAFTA Wind Energy Dispute With Canada Ramps Up

bilaterals.org

Wind farm in Saskatchewan. PinP photo.

The three-year dispute between the US-based Windstream Energy company and the Canadian government ramped up this week, as representatives from both sides gathered in Toronto to make their case before an investor-state arbitration tribunal under NAFTA. Story here.

Free Trade Places the Future of Rice Farming in Japan in Doubt

bilaterals.org

Rice has been at the centre of Japan’s economy and culture for centuries. But changes are afoot. There is growing concern among Japanese farmers that the country’s rice-producing capabilities are diminishing in the face of international trade pacts such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership. In fact, all local agriculture is in the spotlight as pressure mounts to increase local imports of overseas produce. Details here.

A Political Voice of Reason Comes From the NDP Amid the "Love-In" Over the TPP.

While the Trudeau government has gone ahead and signed the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal, there remains many uncertainties about what's in store for Canada.

The Harper government first negotiated this deal in secret. Now we have the Liberals agreeing to a deal that can'tbe renegotiated! Any concerns or changes raised in future consultations won't matter.

We do know that the TPP will:

The Trans-Pacific Partnership: An #UnfairTrade Deal Too Far

International Institute for Sustainable Development

Non-trade provisions in the TPP, such as investment and intellectual property rights, threaten to heighten inequality. It is time for Canada to say; this is a deal too far. Story here.

Oppose the Disastrous TPP #UnfairTrade Deal! PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION!

Sum

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In just hours, Trade Minister Freeland will sign Canada on to the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

The TPP is one of Stephen Harper’s biggest legacies. The sweeping "free" trade deal will let corporations sue governments in special courts for laws that might hurt their 'expected' profits, and it could severely damage our access to medication, internet freedom and workers’ rights. In short, it’s a massive corporate power grab. But the TPP must still be ratified by Parliament. So we still have a chance to stop it. PLEASE SIGN HERE.

RELATED: "Free Trade. Pathway to Prosperity? Or Back Road to Corporatism?"

Danger! The Trans Pacific (UNFAIR Trade) Partnership Coming!

Sum

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We've just heard that police are making intimidating visits to organisers of this week's TPP march in New Zealand. It has a huge chilling effect on our ability to express our rights. You can fight back.  Donate here.

PLEASE ALSO READ: "Free Trade. Pathway to Prosperity or Back Road to Corporatism?" 

Don’t Talk About “Trade” at the Global Climate Talks!

IATP

Is there an understanding between world governments that any new climate deal shall not include any mention of trade? Some fear that may be the case. More here.

Have Investment Treaties Put a Scare Into Government Regulators, Who Are Supposed to Protect Our Health and Environment?

bilaterals.org

Many such treaties give foreign investors a free hand to sue sovereign governments for pretty much any amount they choose, if those regulations interfere with a company’s business plan. Read about Ontario’s experience here. 

RELATED: "Free Trade: Path to Prosperity - or Back Road to Corporatism?"

TPP Fine Print: Biotech Seed Companies Win Again

bilaterals.org

Big concerns about the deal’s impact on public health, workers, the environment and the legal rights of corporations are already being raised. Story here.

TPP Caves to The Tobacco Industry, Threatens Public Health

bilaterals.org

The vacuous “tobacco control” provision in the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) virtually capitulates to the demands of multinational tobacco corporations, jeopardizing nations’ health and economic welfare. Story here.