Canada is working to protect its right and that of other nations to set and enforce environmental standards in its negotiations for a hemispheric free-trade agreement.
That was the message last night by Gilbert Parent, Canada's ambassador for the environment and sustainable development, at the closing plenary of a two-day conference called "Greening the FTAA?"
The conference, organized by McGill University environmental law students, focused on the environmental implications of the Free Trade Area of the Americas, the trade agreement under negotiation among 34democratic governments, including Canada and the U.S.
Parent tried to reassure conference participants about public concerns that investor protection provisions of the agreement have hurt Canada's ability to protect its environment.
"A closer trade relationship does not start a race to the bottom of environmental regulations and standards," he said.
Political scientist George Hoberg, of the University of British Columbia, said there is no empirical evidence that free trade deals are causing a "regulatory chill" by discouraging countries from making strong environmental laws.
Professor Armand de Mestral of McGill's faculty of law, said critics are exaggerating the environmental implications of free-trade deals, even if they stipulate that governments must sometimes pay damages to companies hurt by environmental regulations.
But other participants, like Steven Shrybman, who represented the Council of Canadians in its fight against NAFTA, said there are lots of examples of Canada backing away from regulation for fear of being sued under the agreement's investor protection rules.
"Free trade is a serious mistake that has served the objectives of (a healthy) environment, social justice and the equitable distribution of wealth terribly," he said.
Critics of the conference aregued that it was funded partially by the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and Export Development Canada and that there were too many pro-FTAA speakers.
A "counter-conference" called "Greenwashing the FTAA", organized by the Solidarity Network to Stop the FTAA, takes place at 6 tonight at the McGill Leacock Building.
mlalonde@thegazette.canwest.com
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