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Trade talks between Canada and the European union are being held in Ottawa on October 17 – 21.  This could be the last round of negotiations of the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, known as CETA. We need to take action now to stop this deal.

Here are three things that you can do to stop CETA:


Watch a short, witty video

Watch the short video about CETA and water starring Maude Barlow and Paul Moist and share it with your friends.


Join the on-line campaign

Email Prime Minister Stephen Harper and ask him to immediately halt negotiations on this deal.


Join a phone mob on October 19

Join the phone mob on Wednesday, October 19. Call your local city councillors to let them know that CETA is bad for communities.  Ask them to join municipalities across Canada who are passing resolutions and raising concerns about CETA. 


If CETA is signed it will:

  • threaten our democracy by putting corporate rights first
  • encourage privatization of Canada’s drinking water and wastewater services
  • threaten local job creation and “buy-local” policies
  • cause Canadian prescription drug costs to skyrocket by at least $2.8 billion each year
  • open public services to bids by huge multinationals and lead to privatization
  • allow big corporations to challenge environmental regulations

  

Municipalities raise concerns and respond


CETA will have far-reaching implications for municipalities. As Canadians learn about CETA, communities are taking action across Canada. Several have passed resolutions demanding that provincial and territorial governments negotiate a clear, permanent exemption for local governments from CETA.

The lack of consultation with municipal governments is unacceptable. Here’s a partial list of communities that have raised concerns or passed resolutions against CETA:

  • Alnwick/Haldimand, Ontario
  • Asphodel-Norwood, Ontario
  • Baie-Comeau, Quebec
  • Barrie, Ontario
  • Brantford, Ontario
  • Brockville, Ontario
  • Burnaby, British Columbia
  • Cape Breton, Nova Scotia
  • Chilliwack School District, British Columbia
  • Drayton Valley, Alberta
  • District of Kent, British Columbia
  • Esterhazy, Saskatchewan
  • Grand Forks, British Columbia
  • Hamilton, Ontario
  • Lashburn, Saskatchewan
  • Lillooet, British Columbia
  • Logan Lake, British Columbia
  • London, Ontario
  • Lunenberg, Nova Scotia
  • New Tecumseh, Ontario
  • North Vancouver, British Columbia
  • Township of Pelee, Ontario
  • Quinte West, Ontario
  • Sackville, New Brunswick
  • Spallumcheen, British Columbia
  • City of Stratford, Ontario
  • Trail, British Columbia
  • Trent Hills, Ontario
  • Windsor, Ontario
  • Windsor-Essex, Ontario


The Union of B.C. Municipalities passed a resolution at this year’s convention from the District of Kent “to remove water services from any commitments under the proposed Canada-EU CETA.” The motion, which states “the inclusion of water services in the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) would undermine the public control and accountability of these vital assets” also calls on the FCM (the Federal Council of Municipalities) to take this same stance.

Visit the Council of Canadians website to find out how you can pass a CETA resolution in your community


CETA tour continues

CUPE National President Paul Moist and Council of Canadians National Chairperson Maude Barlow continue to visit cities across Canada to oppose the proposed trade deal. They are calling on all Canadians to get informed and take action. Please attend the town hall meeting in Ottawa on Wednesday, October 19 at 7 p.m. The meeting is at Saint Paul University in the Auditorium (Room 203) in Guigues Hall at 223 Main Street.

Together we can stop this trade deal and protect communities, health care and the environment. Join the thousands of Canadians who oppose this deal and let Harper know you want the deal stopped.