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TILMA - The "Investors First" Deal(See links at the bottom of this text) Join the fight against TILMA The acronym TILMA stands for Trade, Investment, and Labour Mobility agreement. TILMA is a deal signed, with no public debate, by the BC Government and Alberta Government. Quite clearly, this deal ends any ability of our governments to create or sustain programs such as "Buy BC" or local procurement policies to benefit local economies through the targetted spending of BC Tax dollars. However, for Cedar residents and others facing inappropriate development proposals in their communities, the question is "how will this deal affect our ability to say "no" to proposals that will fundamentally alter our communities?" The Alberta Government's Fact Sheet states clearly that "Management of land use, conservation and development will be conducted in a non-discriminatory manner." Does that mean much lower Alberta standards will apply? Critics of TILMA suggest that it has the potential to over-ride existing land-use plans such as our Regional Growth Strategy and OCPs where they are seen to be "overly restrictive" to investors. Critics also suggest the very existence of TILMA will weaken local governments. Rather than risk huge fines levied by appointed 3 person panels, councilors will tend to go along with corporate proposals even though they clearly violate existing and democratically developed land-use plans and other by-laws. Here are some links where you can read about TILMA and decide for yourself how it is likely to affect us. We've provided addresses below so you can make your views known if you wish. Premier Gordon Campbell Len Krog, MLA Alberta & BC Governments announce TILMA Federal Government's synopsis of the TILMA Council of Canadians Fact Sheet on TILMA (check all the links on this page) Council of Canadians Background Document on TILMA Short synopsis from Law Firm of Sack, Goldblatt, Mitchell LLP Georgia Straight column on TILMA Murray Campbell - Globe & Mail "Asking for Trouble" Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives analysis |
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