On March 18^th, the committee heard witness testimony from the Ambassador of Chile.  On March 20^th, the committee heard from the Colombian and Peruvian Ambassadors. The questions targeted highlighting the difference between the trade agreements outlined in the Pacific Alliance and other FTAs. Each of the Ambassadors spoke in favor of the Alliance citing that the Alliance goes beyond the scope of the FTAs as it includes the harmonization of trade regulation in capital and personnel, rather than just goods, services, and investment.

On March 18^th, a motion was carried in camera to ensure that the Minister of International Trade prior to May 29^th 2013, to discuss the Main Estimates 2013-2014.

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On March 4, the committee heard witness testimony from the President of Pacific Exotic Food Inc, as well as an individual; both shared their thoughts on a CEPA with India. Gian Dhesi, President of Pacific Food Inc discussed India’s economic history and argued that India has effectively attracted traders for centuries due to their treatment of guests; in India, guests are treated as gods. Dhesi proceeded to discuss current and future economic opportunities for Canada with India given India’s growing middle class (267 million people, in contrast to Canada’s 34 million citizens). Following Jas Ghuman’s testimony, however, the benefits of signing a trade agreement were derailed and a conversation about challenges facing business people emerged.

The duration of the meeting dealt with the merit of a CEPA and its ability to alleviate concerns with corruption. The solution that witnesses suggested included centralized control of business management, and ensuring a commitment to contract enforcement. While both witnesses exclaimed concerns with a CEPA, they both supported signing as agreement in theory.

Following the witnesses’ testimony, committee business was held in camera; the Honourable Wayne Easter questioned the rationale behind moving into camera.  While in camera, it was agreed , among other things, that the committee commence a study of the benefits for Canada in joining the Pacific Alliance as a full member beginning 18 March 2013 . The committee agreed to invite the ambassadors of Mexico, Peru, Chile and Colombia in Canada to appear before the committee as witnesses. The text of the decision can be found here.

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“From the few details emerging, the TPP – a highly secretive pact initiated by the George W. Bush administration – grants special privileges to already powerful corporations,” commented Green Party Leader Elizabeth May, MP Saanich-Gulf Islands.  “It has been dubbed ‘NAFTA on steroids.’  Some are even calling it a ‘corporate coup.’  This is not what Canadians want or need.”

Mainly based on leaks, it appears that the talks, which have included the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Peru, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Sultanate of Brunei, are focussed on ensuring new enforceable corporate rights along with increased constraints on governments.  Only two of TPP’s 26 chapters actually have anything to do with trade.

What is emerging is a pact promoting extensions on price-raising drug patent monopolies, increased corporate rights to attack government drug-pricing plans, safeguards for job off-shoring, and added corporate control over natural resources.  This is particularly interesting in light of Bill C-38’s destruction of government influence over resource extraction.

There also appear to be severe limits to government regulation of financial services, zoning and land use, product and food safety, energy, and other essential services. The copyright chapter poses several threats to internet freedom along the lines of the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA), which was held up in the US Congress after effective public pressure.

The proposed pact will even limit the way governments can spend their tax dollars.  Buy local procurement policies would be banned and human rights or environmental conditions on government contracts could be challenged in behind-closed-door foreign tribunals.  There are proposed rules regarding the activities of publicly owned enterprises.

A recent leak of a particularly controversial TPP chapter revealed that the agreement will raise corporations and investors to the same status as sovereign nations.  The so-called “investor state” provisions would give any foreign companies incorporated in TPP countries the right to ignore our courts and laws and sue our government directly by way of foreign tribunals.  Businesses would be able to demand compensation for financial, health, environmental, land use, and other laws they think undermine their TPP privileges.

Already, in San Diego, we saw the CEO of Australian Pork Limited going after Canadian federal and provincial pork supports, even though Canada’s share of the world pork market has fallen because of the strong Canadian petro-dollar and high feed costs.

“The TPP negotiations were yet another disturbing example of the larger pattern of unaccountable, secretive, and undemocratic practices by the Harper government,” said May.  “This pattern, once again, shows a real contempt for Canadians and for our democracy.”

The Green Party is determined to bring more TPP information to light before the 14th round of secret talks in early September inLeesburg, Virginia.

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Achuar leaders from the Peruvian Amazon who are protesting oil exploration in their territory have won the support of Canadian non-governmental organizations and political parties, including the Green Party.

The Green Party of Canada called on Talisman Energy to withdraw from Achuar territory in Peru.

“The Achuar are crying out for help from Canada to protect their watershed from contamination,” Elizabeth May, Green Party leader and parliamentary representative for Saanich-Gulf Islands, said in a statement issued on April 30.

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May has met with the members of the Achuar, an indigenous group of people who are from a remote region of Peru where Talisman has been drilling exploratory oil wells since 2004.  A handful of communities in the region have allowed the drilling; however, a majority of the Achuar are opposed.

The Achuar have good reason for concern.  Other parts of the region have been contaminated by US oil companies discharging toxic substances into the watershed, as well as numerous oil spills.  Disease, tumours, skin problems and miscarriages are on the rise. 

“Many Achuar, adults and children, are dealing with severe health problems from exposure to highly toxic substances such as barium, lead and arsenic left behind by the oil companies.  They are simply asking to be left alone. They depend on clean water, clean soil, and uncontaminated fish and game. It is not too much to ask,” said May.

The situation is being monitored carefully by Amazon Watch, who calls the Achuar territory one of the most biodiverse places on earth.

“The Achuar have endured threats and intimidation in their peaceful opposition to the oil drilling.  The drilling needs to stop before things become violent,” said May.  The Achuar have brought charges against Talisman for orchestrating a confrontation between a group of armed pro-oil community members and protesters at a Talisman drilling platform.

“This is an issue of indigenous rights and corporate accountability.  Canadians need to pay attention to how our companies are doing business in other parts of the world, particularly as they are receiving support from the federal government,” said May.

Talisman has received loans from Export Development Canada (EDC) for the past six years of between $100 and $250 million per year.  Repeated calls for development of binding environmental, social and human rights standards for extractive companies that receive support from EDC for their overseas operations have failed.

The Achuar delegation is in Canada to attend the Talisman shareholders meeting in Calgary on May 1st.

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