The Yukon Says NO to TILMA!

[Stop TILMA!]

All,

Great news out of the Yukon. Much of the work done last fall to
highlight TILMA's dangers to the Yukon should be credited to the Yukon
Federation of Labour, whose KNOW TILMA campaign was launched early
last fall:
http://www.yukonfed.com/TILMA.htm

Note the reasons cited by the Economic Development Ministry press
release for NOT joining TILMA: "After a thorough analysis we concluded
that one of the challenges associated with joining TILMA included
possible difficulties implementing the recommendations of the Yukon
Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Board and the large costs
associated with dispute resolution. "

Carleen

http://www.gov.yk.ca/news/2008/08-135.html

FOR RELEASE #08-135
June 4, 2008

Yukon Favours Agreement on Internal Trade for Negotiating Trade Issues

WHITEHORSE – The Yukon government will not join the B.C. - Alberta
Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA).

“Yukon remains committed to eliminating existing internal trade
barriers and will work through the Agreement on Internal Trade (AIT)
to address those issues,” Premier Dennis Fentie said. “We will
continue to encourage business investment from other jurisdictions and
we support Yukon businesses who venture beyond our borders.”

After a thorough analysis we concluded that one of the challenges
associated with joining TILMA included possible difficulties
implementing the recommendations of the Yukon Environmental and Socio-
economic Assessment Board and the large costs associated with dispute
resolution.

The internal review of TILMA included legal counsel and input from six
Yukon organizations:

• Council of Yukon First Nations
• Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce
• Yukon Chamber of Commerce
• Association of Yukon Communities
• Yukon Indian Development Corporation
• Yukon Federation of Labour

The government will continue to evaluate internal trade issues through
the AIT, which is a national intergovernmental trade agreement signed
by Canadian First Ministers to reduce and eliminate barriers to the
free movement of persons, goods, services, and investment within
Canada and to establish an open, efficient, and stable domestic
market.

“Yukon’s Economic Development Minister, Jim Kenyon, will assume the
chair of the working committee of the AIT, the Committee on Internal
Trade in December,” Fentie added. “As chair, Yukon will hold a seat of
significant authority while it continues to negotiate strongly to
ensure the AIT meets the needs of Yukoners.”

Kenyon is attending a meeting of the Committee on Internal Trade June
9 and 10 in Vancouver.

-30-

Please visit www.economicdevelopment.gov.yk.ca for further information.