Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Unfortunately, the ever-increasing degree and frequency of impact of federal actions on our territorial interests, and the lack of consultation and respect for our needs requires equally frequent response. Federal trade negotiations which damage our ability to protect our economy are another example of federal disregard for hearing and addressing our concerns.
A specific example is the recently revealed Canada-China Trade Agreement. It provides China with the right to claim damages against any level of government in Canada for decisions and laws that result in a reduction of their “expectation of profits.” Claims proceedings will be held in secret and if negotiations fail, an arbitration board will decide. Their decisions will be secret and not subject to judicial review.
For example, when any requirements are set under socio-economic agreements for NWT employment, purchasing, training, even environmental conditions on developments such as a form of carbon pricing applied under NWT policy, Canadian policy or Tlicho policy could be construed as affecting expectation of profits. How could the federal government be looking out for our interests and ink such a deal?
On a broader front, we have the ongoing Canada-European Union Free Trade Agreement, or CETA, negotiations, as yet still largely secret. A deal there could be signed before the end of the year. Drug policy changes that Europe apparently seeks would increase already high drug costs in Canada by controlling use of generics. Drinking water, sanitation services, transit, health care, energy, public education and health care, currently largely government services, are all treated as commodities under CETA. New procurement rules could limit our socio-economic benefits powers.
These interests are critical to our people and, just as with Bills C-38 and 45, the federal government operates in flagrant disregard of our interests. We may not be able to stop them, but we owe it to our public to break the silence or, in the worst case, our support. Thank goodness for leaders such as the Quebec government which showed the power of example when it took the blinders off the CETA process and invited input from across its society and economy.
I will have questions for the Premier and Minister of Intergovernmental Relations on this further example of federal sell-off of territorial interests and how we will make our concerns known to the federal government. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Bromley. The honourable Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
