The MAI and our Environment

The Multilateral Agreement on Investment ( )
and our Environment

Right now, under NAFTA , a large American company--Ethyl Corporation--has launched a $350 million lawsuit against the Canadian government for banning a fuel additive (MMT) which is considered a dangerous toxin linked to many respiratory problems.

If Ethyl wins its case

--arguing that the ban is an illegitimate expropriation of its assets‹not only will Canadians have to foot the bill, but we'll be setting a precedent for the day the MAI (Multilateral Agreement on Investment) arrives in Canada.
Under the MAI it would be considered a form of expropriation if the federal government or a province moves to enact new laws to protect the environment, wilderness, species or natural resource production.

What is the ?

The prime objective of the MAI is to allow the movement of money across international borders by imposing a new set of rules restricting countries from using legislation, policies and programs seen as impediments to the free flow of capital. In other words, it is a constitution for the largest corporations to rule the world.

Like Ethyl, there are hundreds of global companies waiting for MAI Day so they could challenge our laws and regulations free of pesky restrictions. As University of Guelph's John McMurtry explains: "The MAI will grant transnational corporations the right to own any saleable natural resource of other countries and have national right to any concessions, license or authorization to extract its oil, forest, mineral or other resources with no obligation to sustain these resources or to use them in the interest of the host country."
In other words, the MAI, which is now being negotiated by the 29 richest countries and expected to be approved in May, 1998, contains no general exceptions to protect the environment.

Here are some of the other possible effects on our land once corporations use their rights under the MAI to challenge existing legislation:

• The MAI would prevent us from putting further restrictions on foreign ownership and control of our energy resources. • The MAI would prevent us from giving preferential treatment to energy and hydro electric monopolies that deliver energy in most provinces.

• The MAI could allow foreign companies to take control of local water and sewer systems if they are privatized. • The MAI would allow global corporations to get around forest clearcutting regulations.

• The MAI could allow foreign fishing fleets full access to our waters. • The MAI would prevent us from protecting endangered species if that interferes with the trade or investment interests of a country or corporation.
• The MAI could prevent the Canadian government from imposing a carbon or energy tax to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. • The MAI would allow a foreign investor in Canada, whose standards of animal treatment did not meet Canadian standards, to use the treaty to challenge Canada's laws.

Under the MAI, the environment is being laid bare to the interests of foreign corporations.

Here's what you can do:

• Speak to your elected representatives: federal, provincial and local. Find out what they know about the MAI and what they are going to do about it.

• Involve your community.

• Write a letter of concern to your local newspaper.

• Join the campaign.

Call 1-800-387-7177

904-251 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa, Ontario, K1P 5J7

•	The MAI would prevent us from putting further restrictions on foreign ownership and control of our energy resources.	•	The MAI would prevent us from giving preferential treatment to energy and hydro electric monopolies that deliver energy in most provinces.
•	The MAI could allow foreign companies to take control of local water and sewer systems if they are privatized.	•	The MAI would allow global corporations to get around forest clearcutting regulations.
•	The MAI could allow foreign fishing fleets full access to our waters.	•	The MAI would prevent us from protecting endangered species if that interferes with the trade or investment interests of a country or corporation.
•	The MAI could prevent the Canadian government from imposing a carbon or energy tax to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.	•	The MAI would allow a foreign investor in Canada, whose standards of animal treatment did not meet Canadian standards, to use the treaty to challenge Canada's laws.