Canada and the Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI)

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Appleton study briefing notes
By Peter Bleyer, November 1997. Proposals put forward are merely a wish list that will subsequently change during negotiations. This wish list ends a hit list because country-specific reservations are subject to standstill and rollback, which produce a ratchet effect—the elimination of non-conforming measures to the MAI.
To the House of Commons Sub-committee on International Trade, Trade Disputes, and Investment Regarding the Multilateral Agreement on Investment
Submission by the Canadian Labour Congress, 6 November 1997. The problem is not barriers to the mobility of capital, but that capital has too much freedom to move and too great an ability to escape responsibilities to society. International regulation of investment issues should be a very different than MAI.
MAI: Trade Blueprint or Trojan Horse?
By Jim Porter, Windsor Star, 21 January 1998. The Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) is currently being negotiated within the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), an organization of the world's 29 wealthiest countries. Last November a parliamentary committee held public hearings into the MAI. Even Liberal members of the committee found that the latest draft left vital Canadian interests at risk.
How much of Canada do we want to sell?
By Mel Hurtig, Edmonton, Toronto Globe and Mail, 5 February 1998. In all the abundant rhetoric about the proposed Multilateral Agreement on Investment, the global investment treaty being negotiated in Paris, some important facts and questions have been missing.
What are the Liberals trying to hide? Ottawa is prettifying a global trade deal that drasically squeezes Canada'a independence—but some Liberal MPs are starting to panic
By Scott Anderson, NOW magazine, 12–18 February 1998. The Multilateral Agreement On Investment once again raises the old spectre of corporate interests undermining national sovereignty. This April, the 29 mostly rich member states of the OECD will create a draft MAI that will require all levels of government to give foreign investors the powers of domestic investors, with few exceptions.
Globalization of Trade—Maintaining Canada's Federation under the Constitution and the Charter of Rights
Liberal Convention resolution on MAI, 23 March 1998. Resolved that the all levels of Canadian government maintain their jurisdiction to protect the social welfare and best interests of Canadian citizens, culture and society; and that the government protect all Canadian citizens under any world trade agreement.
Trade and investment must serve citizens, not corporations, concludes report
www.canadians.org, media release, 10 June 1999. A citizens' report released to coincide with a report by the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade expected to recommend Canada get more involved in trade and investment talks at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Constance Clara Fogal et al vs Her Majesty the Queen et al A-274-99 A-276-99
Results of Federal Court of Appeal hearning on MAI, 12 June 2000. Questions whether the ministers can enter enter upon secret treaties without Parliamentary input, whether courts can be prohibited from reviewing Cabinet secrets. The challenge dismissed because the MAI was not being negotiated any longer at the OECD, and so the Court has no issue before it.