Despite widespread opposition to the Trade Investment Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA), the BC Liberals introduced sweeping legislation this week to bring a number of provincial laws into compliance with the secret trade pact.

The TILMA Implementation Act (Bill 32) amends more than a dozen statutes to accommodate the secret trade deal signed by the premiers of B.C. and Alberta in 2006. But legislators are still being denied any debate on TILMA itself.

You can see the introduction of the Bill and the wording of it here:
http://www.leg.bc.ca/38th4th/1st_read/gov32-1.htm
http://www.leg.bc.ca/hansard/38th4th/H80417x.htm

Tell your MLA that you want to see the government to engage the public in meaningful consultation and a legislative debate on TILMA. Remind them that there is community opposition to an agreement that threatens public interest legislation, social programs and regulations for the interests of corporations and business.

To find the contact information for your Member of the Legislative Assembly, go to http://www.leg.bc.ca/Mla/3-1-1.htm.
Premier Gordon Campbell and Minister Colin Hansen can be sent a message at premier@gov.bc.ca, Colin.Hansen.MLA@leg.bc.ca   

Sample letter you can send to your MLA:

Dear Premier Gordon Campbell/Minister Colin Hansen/Your MLA:

Re: Scrap Bill 32 and Bring TILMA forward for a Legislative Debate 

The Trade Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement was signed in secret, without public consultation and will dramatically impact decision making by government entities including municipalities, school boards and crown corporations.

I demand the government put forward TILMA to allow for full legislative debate. The introduction of the full text of TILMA into the legislature will be in line with the government's stated desire to be the most open and accountable government in Canada. Bill 32 will only allow for a debate on that Bill and discussion on the Agreement itself will be ruled out of order.

This Agreement enshrines a corporate investment model which views public policy choices from elected officials as a restriction to investment. TILMA incorporates a NAFTA-style private court system which allows Alberta-based individuals and corporations to sidestep B.C. laws and courts to directly challenge local, regional and provincial government practices.

Governments naturally restrict private sector investments because they provide public services in sectors like health, education, or any of the services Crown Corporations offer. TILMA has the potential to greatly impair particular sectors in B.C., on the environment, the economy, and the province's social fabric.

As government bodies learn about the potential effects of this agreement from concerned citizens, public pressure has forced the government to initiate a consultation process with local governments. In September 2007, municipalities across BC voted to reject the Agreement at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities. After a month of presentations from trade experts, the province of Saskatchewan also turned down the invite to join TILMA. 

Premier Campbell and Minister Hansen, we are calling on you to demonstrate at least a minimal degree of responsibility and democratic accountability and debate TILMA in the legislature.

Yours Sincerely,

Additional points you can use in your letter:
http://groups.google.ca/group/stoptilma/web/important-points-you-can-use-to-write-a-letter-to-the-editor-on-tilma
 

Background:

On April 1, 2007, the Trade, Investment, and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA) came into effect in the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta. The province of B.C. has yet to debate the need for such an agreement, even in the most obvious of places, including the legislature. In the spring of 2007, the BC Liberals introduced Bill 17, which would have amended the current legislation that allows courts to order the BC government to pay out monetary settlements, through the private court system set up under TILMA. Although Bill 17 died on the floor in December 2007, the BC Liberals introduced Bill 32 this week. Bill 32 will only allow for a debate on that Bill and discussion on the Agreement itself will be ruled out of order.

TILMA is a legally binding agreement between the provinces of B.C. and Alberta that allows businesses and individuals to sue either province, including provincial ministries, school boards and municipalities when they feel that any regulation and policy "restricts or impairs" investment. The corporate investment model set up in the controversial TILMA allows investors to sue governments for upwards of $5 million.

Want to do more?

1- You can fill out a petition online at:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/bring-m212-forward-for-a-legislative-debate-on-tilma

2- Collect petition signatures in your community: 
http://stoptilma.googlegroups.com/web/TILMA+Leg+petition+Jan+2008.pdf

3- Tell your friends and family in Alberta about similar legislation introduced this week. http://www.canadians.org/action/2008/16-Apr-08.html