NDP Convention: 4-05-13 Resolution on International Trade

4-05-13 Resolution on International Trade

Submitted by Submitted by: Kitchener Waterloo, Davenport, South Shore-St. Margaret’s, CEP (the Communications, Energy and Paperworkers Union), New Westminster-Coquitlam

WHEREAS the people of Canada’s ability to regulate and support local economic development has been undermined numerous times under World Trade Organization tribunals and NAFTA investor-state arbitration regimes

BE IT RESOLVED that the following clauses be added to Section 4.5 of the policy book:

“g. preserving the rights of municipal governments and provincial entities such as Hydro Quebec and Manitoba Hydro to include local content and other local economic development requirements as part of their procurement policy

h. not negotiating investor-state dispute resolutions mechanisms into trade agreements, consistent with the policy of the Labour government and party of Australia.”

MP Don Davies spoke in support of this motion. MP Libby Davies spoke to this motion.

Background: “Conservative MPs, led by Trade Minister Ed Fast, also ramped up the rhetoric on the NDP, accusing New Democrats of lining themselves up with “radical anti-trade activists” and preferring to see a “Canada that cowers” in the face of globalization.”

The convention passed this motion.