I am writing to you today because I am appalled and extremely concerned about the Canada-China Foreign Investment Protection Agreement (FIPA) which has been devised in secret by Mr. Harper.
I have always thought that Canada was a democratic country. It now seems I have been badly mistaken, much to my dismay. Under this agreement Harper has paved the way for a massive natural resource buy out that will allow foreign corporations (China) to sue, not only the Canadian government, but also the provincial, municipal and regional governments in secret tribunals, restricting Canadians from making democratic decisions about our own economy, environment and energy.
If a situation arises that China does not like and decides to sue one or other of our governments, the costs of the court cases will have to be paid by us, the taxpayers of Canada. This is just not right.
There has been no referendum or consultation with the people of Canada on this matter. Mr. Harper is only a prime minister of Canada. He seems to think he owns the country and can ride roughshod over his constituents and the rest of Canadians. He should remember he was elected to represent the people of Canada not to dictate to them. This is not democracy, but more like a dictatorship in the making.
Mr. Harper is selling out this majestic and beautiful country secretly from under our feet. Canadians have a right to determine our own future, but this agreement will undermine the democratic rights of Canadians and lock us in until at least 2040.
Greta Taylor
Bowser