ACTION: CETA: Sep. 25-26 Transatlantic Days of Action

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Transatlantic Days of Action Against CETA

[ http://canadians.org/ceta-days-action ]

Friday, September 25, 2015 - 00:00 to Saturday, September 26, 2015 - 00:00

Join the Days of Action marking CETA’s “Give and Take” - September 25-26, 2015

Trade promoters say that there are always some winners and some losers in “free” trade agreements. But the more you learn about the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement (CETA), the fewer benefits you see for Canadian families and communities. Instead, there are important things we will be giving away.

Citizens in Europe are seeing the same things and that’s why 2.4 million Europeans have said no to CETA. In Canada, more than 50 Canadian municipalities have said no to CETA.

Who are the “givers?” Canadian families, workers, communities and the environment

Who Are the “takers?” International corporations

Where is the balance?

Have your say! Join the Transatlantic Days of Action on CETA on Friday, September 25 and Saturday, September 26

What can you do?

• Write a letter to the editor.

• Ask your local federal candidates questions and attend debates.

• On October 19, vote in the federal election.

• And join the Sept. 26th pan-Canadian day of action to get out the vote in your community. Tell politicians that We can do better!

This is a Transatlantic day of action in solidarity with actions happening all throughout Europe and Canada.

In September 2014 Prime Minister Stephen Harper signed onto CETA. The Harper government says that CETA is – along with the other 40 trade agreements that it has been negotiating – is central to their economic stewardship. But the details of these agreements remain secret right up until they are signed. And the deals only partly address the trade in goods. Increasingly, trade deals are drastic experiments in a growing international system of governance that bypass local democracies. They allow back-door policies that will affect our health care, education, financial and cultural institutions and even democratic decision making for years to come.

CETA Gifts:

CETA Takes:

• Provinces, municipalities and First Nation communities must consider international competitors on mid to
large projects.
• Local economic development programs will be less effective.
• Public services will be opened to privatization.
• Reduces or eliminates effective protection or exclusions for environmental regulations or public health concerns.
• Public health care programs and individuals will pay more for drugs.
• Canadians’ will pay millions for trade challenges brought forward by foreign corporations.
• Will send more tar sands crude to European markets.
• Foreign investors gain the right to sue Canada over actions, regulations over legislation that reduces their anticipated profits.
• Foreign investors gain access to Canadian governments’ spending at all levels.
• All corporations may be able to operate in a more relaxed legislative environment.
• Pharmaceutical companies profit from longer patent times.
• Removes supply management and the ability for small family farms to sustainably provide local food.
• Will allow the privatization of public services, access to European PPPs.
• Weakens European alternative energy and environmental policy.

Trade should be fair and balance social values with economic goals. True economic stewardship would protect Canadian traditions, Crown Corporations, municipal assets, public health and safety, human rights, employment standards and our environment.

While Stephen Harper has claimed that CETA is a done deal, it isn’t. More than 2 million Europeans have signed a petition against CETA. The EU parliament and some national governments have expressed serious concerns about the deal and there have been suggestions that it will not be ratified.

On September 25 and 26, join Council of Canadian chapters from PEI, Newfoundland and Labrador, London, Ontario, Mission and Comox, B.C. for the days of action against CETA.

This action is conjunction with European groups who will be launching a European day of action against CETA and We can do better, a pan-Canadian day of action to get out the vote.

Sujata Dey, BJ MBA, Trade Campaigner/Responsable de la campagne sur le commerce international
The Council of Canadians / Le Conseil des Canadiens, 300-251 rue Bank Street Ottawa, Ontario K2P1X3
1-800-387-7177 ext. 226| +1 613 233-4487 ext. 226| Cell: +1 613 796-7724 | sdey@canadians.org
Twitter: @sujata_dey | http://www.canadians.org