Hampton fears trade deal could have dire consequences

News Release
Howard Hampton, M.P.P.

QUEEN’S PARK – NDP Trade Critic Howard Hampton says the new trade deal signed by Canada and the U.S. must be debated openly in the provincial Legislature.
“This deal could affect thousands of people and their livelihoods and tie the hands of governments for years to come,” said Hampton. “We need an open debate before the McGuinty government endorses an agreement Ontarians have never seen.”
Hampton said McGuinty has a responsibility to share details of the proposed deal with Ontarians before endorsing it on their behalf.
Details of the agreement have not been made public but reports indicate that all 13 Canadian provinces and territories will be asked to sign on to a World Trade Organization agreement that requires provinces to open up most of their procurement contracts to companies from other nations.
According to analysts, Canadian suppliers have only a brief opportunity to compete for an estimated $4 to 5 billion (U.S) of federally funded stimulus projects, representing less than 2 per cent of the approximately $275 billion (U.S) of procurement funded under the U.S. Recovery Act. In return, Canada has guaranteed U.S. suppliers access to a range of provincial and municipal infrastructure spending projects until September 2011, estimated to be valued at more than $25 billion (CAD).
“Most significantly, Canada has bowed to U.S. pressure to permanently bind purchasing by Canadian provincial and municipal governments under the WTO agreement on government procurement,” said Hampton.
“This proposed deal will prevent Canadian provincial and municipal governments from preferring local goods or suppliers while leaving Buy American policies almost fully intact.”
Hampton said if the premier plans to endorse the deal, he needs to explain why in a full and open debate in the Legislature.
“If Dalton McGuinty is convinced that this agreement is good for the province then he shouldn’t hesitate to ask Ontarians if they want it.”