Trade Agreements  

There has been much discussion over trade agreements in the years I have been representing Saanich residents. The latest one is Canada-Europe Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).

The trouble for local government is always the same, other levels of government negotiate these agreements, but it’s the wording or local impacts that are not really evaluated fully in a transparent way with local governments.

CETA is being negotiated behind closed doors, so local governments and the wider public don’t know all the details.

CETA threatens local government decision making and economic development:

How:  Undermining “made in Canada”, local content, social and environmental criteria in local procurement policies.

What:  A legal opinion found that CETA would add to the administrative burden of municipalities and open the door to legal challenges from European Corporations when they are unhappy with local purchasing decisions.

Saanich Council supports Councillor Brownoff’s motion on trade agreements.

The Government of Canada and the European Union (EU) are negotiating a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the participation of all provinces and territories. After multiple rounds of negotiations, both sides have indicated that a deal will be signed soon. While details are confidential, framework documents indicate that the EU is determined to access public sector procurement at all orders of government including municipalities. In the absence of detailed consultation and communication, opposition to the agreement has been mounting.

For more information visit:  tradejustice.ca

In Saanich we have an adopted Official Community Plan and Strategic Plan which we have very strong sustainability policies. We are also looking at adopting a local food procurement policy to support local farmers. There are rising concerns from municipalities around the dispute resolution process and what happens to projects or contracts that are challenged, for example, does the initiation of a dispute immediately halt procurement of a project, or can work proceed with an expectation that a remedy will be found at a later point. Several municipalities including Hamilton, Kingston, Toronto, Victoria, and others have approved motions to communicate concerns to federal and provincial officials.

BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

a)       Saanich Council endorses the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) seven Municipal principles for  the Federal Government to apply to the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) and future trade deals; and

b)       Saanich Council request the Government of Canada protect the powers of Saanich to create local jobs, protect the environment, and provide services and programs as it sees fit, from any restrictions to those powers in the CETA; and

c)       Saanich Council requests the Government of Canada and the provinces and territories solicit comments from all the parties that will potentially be affected by the proposed trade agreement before finalizing any such agreement; and

d)       Saanich Council communicate its’ position to the Federal Government of Canada, the Province of British Columbia and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

 

Saanich’s BIG Family Bike Ride & Festival – April 22nd

What a day the weather was amazing and the numbers of families were so great. We estimate the ride was just over 2 km in length. We didn’t get a count for the main ride BUT the Kiddies Ride with Saanich Bike Squad at UVIC had 120 kids … police and volunteers were kept busy!!

Take a look at these pictures. The first riders coming to UVIC festival site … there are many many more coming along the route!

 

This picture shows that next year we will probably need more bike parking!

 

Various updates and links

Sustainability and an interesting link http://healingcities.org

Latest update on Saanich’s Parks, Recreation and Culture Master Plan.

There are some pages to read, the Saanich Issues section, as well as to CRD Issues. Check out my thoughts on engaging businesses, and perhaps learn something new about kitchen scrap collection. There is a section on deer management which has some interesting ideas.

Check out my new “Special Place” in Saanich… Saanich Municipal Hall, Gorge waterway and Blenkinsop Bridge.

Also checkout my Affordable Housing section.

Check out  Cycling and Walking mobility in Saanich .

Information on Public Safety in Saanich.

Some of what I have done towards Sustainability and Moving Forward on Food Security.