The Council of Canadians, Guelph chapter presents:
GUELPH TOWN HALL
MAKING SENSE OF THE TRANS-PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP
Wednesday April 27, 7:00-9:30pm (doors open at 6:30)
Italian Canadian Club, 135 Ferguson Street, Guelph.
Admission: Pay What You Can.
How will you be affected by the biggest trade deal in Canada’s history?
Come and hear Gus Van Harten, professor at Osgood Law School, where he teaches administrative law, international investment law, and governance of the international financial system, and is an expert on the international trade dispute settlement mechanism. Is this tribunal a threat to Canada’s sovereignty?
Come and hear Shiv Chopra, professor of microbiology and fellow at the World Health Organization, who will talk on the TPP and health and food security issues. Will Canadians have to accept food containing currently banned additives? What will the enhanced role of big Pharma be in this new agreement, and will the cost of drugs escalate as a result? Will it threaten the future of national health coverage in Canada?
We also welcome the Hon. David Lametti MP and parliamentary secretary to the Minister of International Trade, and professor of law at McGill University. He will present the current government’s view on the trade deal and the opportunities it may provide. Is this government behind the deal? Will they ratify it? It is time to express your views on the benefits and shortcomings of this ‘partnership’.
And finally we have Hadrian Mertins-Kirkwood, researcher at the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. He will present valuable information on the TPP and the environment, and economic development. Is this agreement going to affect your job? Will Canadians be able to enact new environmental legislation without the fear of being sued by foreign companies?
This is your future! You can’t afford to miss this important event!
Your moderator for the evening is Frank Valeriote. We’ll have an audience Q&A.
Contact:
Karen Rathwell (519 362-7615)
Ron East (519 766-0139), e-mail: tppguelph@gmail.com
Sponsors: COC Guelph, The Bookshelf, Wellington Water Watchers, Guelph Wellington Coalition for Social Justice, Ontario Public Interest Research Group (OPIRG) Guelph, Registered Nurses Association of Ontario, and other civic groups.
AGENDA:
6:30 – Information tables and book sales
7:00 – Welcome by the moderator and introduction of the 3 panellists – short bios
7:15 – Video with an overview of the TPP – what it contains and what it means to Canadians
7:25 – Each panelist will speak for 10 minutes on their area of expertise (40 MINS)
8:05 – Moderator will pose 2 questions which have been pre-arranged with the panel and ask them to comment (each panelist 3 minutes per question)
8:30 – BREAK and stretch
8:40 – Q. and A. with the audience
9:25 – Wrap up and next steps