An open letter to MP Colin Mayes:
I am writing to ask for information on the new China Canada FIPA agreement, and for information on what questions you will be asking the Harper Government before you vote on this issue. That is if there is even a vote on the agreement.
I believe there are many in your constituency, including myself, who would appreciate some information before this agreement is ratified.
We are not stupid, uneducated people who do not mind being dictated to. We are educated enough to know the problems that can occur by locking the country into a contract for 31 years with a highly secretive Communist government, a government that has some of the worst human rights and environmental laws in the world.
From what I understand under this contract if there is a dispute and it goes to arbitration it will not only be in secret, but it will have the power to fine the offending country or province. Ask Belgium how it feels. These fines could run in to billions of dollars and if the country or province is unable to pay, assets could also be confiscated.
The majority of Chinese companies are not companies as we understand them, but long fingers of the Chinese Communist government. We don’t need to give away our resources to feed the Chinese economy, just so we can purchase cheap, badly made products.
We have already exported many of our manufacturing jobs to China, we don’t need to do it to our oil, gas and lumber, for a quick buck. This deal is nothing but a home run for China and big oil companies.
It’s time MPs such as yourself and other backbenchers found a voice of reason which would give you the power to hold the Harper government accountable. You do have the power to hold Harper in line, remember he was only elected by 39 per cent of the population. How much of that has now eroded by the lack of transparency and the disrespect he has shown to Canadian democracy.
Please, if nothing else, find a voice of reason and stand up for Canada and the people who elected you and who are paying your wages.
Christine Ashton