It sells out Canadian sovereignty

MEDIA RELEASE - July 20, 1998

OTTAWA – The Liberal government’s botched handling of the MMT ban will have negative consequences for Canadian sovereignty, and the ability of the federal government to protect our environment and the health of Canadians, said NDP trade critic Bill Blaikie today.

“By announcing that they are going to lift the restrictions on the inter-provincial trade and import of this gasoline additive, the Liberals are admitting they are afraid to allow its judgement on MMT to go before the NAFTA process. They are admitting the NAFTA process can’t protect us, which is the same process that they want to entrench in the MAI (Multilateral Agreement on Investment)."

Blaikie pointed out that the NDP has argued that under NAFTA, and the proposed MAI, the threat of lawsuits would intimidate governments wanting to adopt legitimate environmental policies.

“Instead of adopting a 'polluter pays' principle, the trade agreements that the Liberals are getting us into promise many more 'pay the polluter' situations," Blaikie said. “This is an unacceptable affront to Canadian democracy.”

-30-