CUPE is taking the fight against the Canada EU trade agreement (CETA) to Europe next week as part of a delegation of Canadians opposed to the deal. A sixth round of negotiations for a “Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement” (CETA) is taking place from January 17 to 21 in Brussels.
CUPE trade policy expert Blair Redlin will travel to Brussels and Strasbourg as part of the Trade Justice Network, which includes more than a dozen Canadian environmental, labour, Indigenous, farmers, and social justice organizations critical of the CETA negotiations to meet with European decision makers and civil society groups.
CUPE and other groups are opposed to the agreement, which is being negotiated behind closed doors by Harper government and EU officials.
Key issues are:
- extensive powers and right given corporations to over ride the public interest
- threats CETA poses to privatize public water
- constraints CETA will put on public procurement practices along with climate and environmental policy in Canada and the EU
The delegation includes representatives of the Council of Canadians, The Indigenous Environmental Network, the National Farmers Union, and ATTAC-Québec.
The Trade Justice Network delegation will monitor the negotiations and meet with European parliamentarians and civil society groups.
- For more information visit cupe.ca/ceta or email info@tradejustice.ca