NDP: Chapter 11 must go

After weeks of pressure from the NDP, it has been reported that Canadian negotiators at the NAFTA table will propose the elimination of Chapter 11 investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) provisions during a meeting with their American counterparts this week. This news comes before the seventh round of NAFTA negotiations are set to resume at the end of February.

“We have repeatedly stood up in the House of Commons calling for the removal of ISDS from NAFTA. Canadians know these provisions are not only regressive, but they also hurt our nation’s sovereignty,” said NDP International Trade Critic Tracey Ramsey. “Canada is the most sued country under ISDS provisions. ISDS is not good for Canada and it must be eliminated.”

Under NAFTA, Canadian taxpayers have been hit with over $219 million in ISDS payouts or settlements, and $95 million in legal fees. These fees are largely due to Canada’s environmental protections that have been democratically legislated. Tens of thousands of Canadians have called on the federal government to remove investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) provisions. New Democrats have heard their voices and it is time for the Liberal government to remove these harmful provisions.

Please see below, clips from Ramsey on ISDS:
January 30, 2018 – House of Commons
January 31, 2018 – Tracey on Power & Politics discussing ISDS