A cross-country campaign that stopped in Winnipeg June 27 is aiming to educate Canadians about the local implications of a little-known free trade deal with Europe.

Maude Barlow, chairperson for the Council of Canadians, and Paul Moist, president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, spoke at Red River College’s downtown campus as part of their “Canadian Communities Are Not for Sale” campaign.

Barlow and Moist are attempting to raise awareness about how a little-known free trade deal with Europe could curtail local environmental and economic development initiatives, while encouraging privatization of public utilities. 

The local Council of Canadians and Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) chapters co-sponsored Winnipeg’s event.

Barry Hammond of the Council of Canadians fears the proposed Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) will support privatization of Winnipeg’s water, while mainly benefiting the rich. 

“I’m fearful that a new trade agreement simply means that poorer people will be disenfranchised here in Winnipeg,” he said. 

The Council of Canadians also expects CETA to drive up prescription drug costs, threaten farm support programs and allow foreign corporations to ignore Canadian environmental regulations.

“(The deal) could be agreed on very soon, even this summer,” said Fort Rouge City Councillor Jenny Gerbasi.

She added that the main concern raised during a recent meeting of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities was loss of control over local sourcing.

Unlike past free trade deals, under CETA, purchases made by provincial and municipal governments would be included in a major way.

A CCPA report analyzing a leaked draft says that local governments would not be allowed to favour local or environmentally responsible suppliers or those suppliers creating local jobs. 

Small purchases would be exempt, but the report estimates the restrictions would apply to about 80 per cent of the over $100 billion spent annually on provincial and municipal purchases. 

The restrictions would also apply to universities, hospitals and Crown corporations.

“When government is in the business of serving our society and communities, it should fully consider how its purchasing will achieve the greatest good – all things considered,” said Brendan Reimer, regional co-ordinator for the Canadian Community Economic Development Network. “The CETA agreement takes this strategic tool of government off the table.”

Provincial negotiators are participating in the federal trade talks that resume July 11 in Brussels.

“Manitoba’s very much placing priority on protecting environmental regulations and local economic development policies as part of our negotiating position,” said Peter Bjornson, Manitoba’s entrepreneurship, training and trade minister.

He added that it is too early to say if sustainable procurement guidelines in the Sustainability Act will be affected. 

“If it means some amendments to existing laws, of course we’ll be doing so very cautiously,” he said.

Published in Volume 65, Number 27 of The Uniter (June 29, 2011)