Vancouver, Coast Salish Territory – Following a week of historical demonstrations against tar sands and natural gas pipelines in BC, local residents are taking to the streets once again. The Canada–China Foreign Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement (FIPA/FIPPA) has elicited concern and outrage nation-wide as the Harper government makes yet another unconstitutional play by signing a treaty that furthers foreign control over local resources and promotes tar sands expansion. Local critics point out how this treaty will benefit investors with the Northern Gateway Project by enabling companies like Sinopec the right to sue for monetary compensation from the Canadian tax base if the project is stopped. Demonstrators are calling on Christy Clark and other Leaders with the Authority, to launch a Constitutional Challenge against the Canada-China FIPA Treaty.
What: Demonstration along both sides of the Granville Bridge with large visuals against the Canada-China Foreign Investment Protection and Promotion Agreement
When: Sunday, October 28th at Noon
Where: Granville Street Bridge between Granville & Drake & Grandville & Broadway.
Why: FIPA is an investor rights agreement that strengthens the Corporate Interests of companies in both China and Canada. The treaty is similar to the investment chapter (Chapter 11) in the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), which has resulted in almost $170 million in payouts to U.S. corporations already. The FIPA is also similar to several free trade deals and investment treaties Canada has signed with developing countries, including Colombia and Peru, where the Harper government wants Canadian mining companies to be able to challenge governments for any delays to their own projects. But unlike these existing deals, the China FIPA guarantees excessive investment protections to Chinese firms for 15 years plus another 15 after the treaty is cancelled, if it is ever cancelled. These treaties bind the state regardless of changes in federal or provincial governments. Any province with Chinese investment in natural assets over the next 31 years has right and responsibility to challenge constitutionality of FIPA, according to legal experts. http://www.vancouverobserver.com/politics/canada-china-fippa-agreement-unconstitutional-treaty-law-expert-says
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