Dear editor,
A Chinese state-owned company invests in Raven Coal.
The mine proposal gets turned down for environmental reasons, so the company sues. A secret tribunal decides Canada must pay the loss of profits that the company expected from the entire life of the mine. Canadian taxpayers pay China millions and millions.
That scenario could become reality if Stephen Harper ratifies the secretive and extreme Canada-China FIPA investor agreement, which he could do at any time.
Canadian courts are generally fair and almost always open. At least we usually get justice and see justice being done.
But FIPA suits will be heard by secret tribunals, made up of appointees, with no appeal to the Supreme Court. We would never see the reasons for judgment or even know the arguments made.
Free trade with the U.S. was debated in Parliament and was an election issue before it was signed into law. Not this deal.
The NAFTA agreement can be cancelled by any party with six months notice. This deal requires 15 years notice and lasts for 31 years.
No studies on the risks, no reports, no thoughtful discourse or debate, just a secret deal with a powerful dictatorship that will last until our grandchildren are adults.
If it’s so good, why can’t we at least talk about it? Why the secrecy and dictatorial style?
No one wants our state affairs carried on like in a politburo or a mafia meeting. So, I am sending copy of this letter to our Member of Parliament, John Duncan, asking him to take our message to his boss, Mr. Harper: Don’t do it! Be true to Canada!
Canadians, especially your true-blue Conservative base, do not want our rights sold to China!
Jamie Bowman,
Comox