Keith, Arthur's concern might make more sense to you if you knew the details of NAFTA. Chapter 11 of the agreement has resulted in the following:
NAFTA's Chapter 11 Since NAFTA has been in place, various companies have sued governments for compensation against health and environmental standards that hurt their profits. The rulings are made by trade lawyers in an arbitration process that allows no public involvement, no method of appeal, and can be completely closed to the public if one of the parties requests it. NAFTA fined Canada $50 million U.S. in November 2000 for refusing to trade in PCBs, a known toxic waste. Canada also reversed its legislation and paid $13 million to the U.S.'s Ethyl Corps. for banning the import of the gasoline additive MMT, which Jean Chretien once called "a dangerous neurotoxin". Our country is currently being sued by Sun Belt Water Inc. for $14 billion for refusing to export mass qualities of B.C.'s water. FTAA will copy NAFTA by giving rights to corporations that were previously only enjoyed by people's representatives in government. Brian McAndrews -- ************************************************** * Brian McAndrews, Practicum Coordinator * * Faculty of Education, Queen's University * * Kingston, Ontario K7L 3N6 * * FAX:(613) 533-6596 Phone (613) 533-6000x74937* * e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED] * * "Education is not the filling of a pail, * * but the lighting of a fire. * * W.B.Yeats * * * **************************************************
