The MAI and our jobs

The Multilateral Agreement on Investment ( )
and our Jobs

Before the end of the decade we could be living in a country where labour standards are viewed as obstacles to investment; where regional development means free trade zones; and where it would be illegal for governments to require commercial banks to invest in local communities.

Sound ludicrous?

Sadly, all of this is not only possible, but could be the law of the land if the MAI (Multinational Agreement on Investment) comes to Canada.

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.

Free trade has already given us a taste of what the MAI will do.

But free trade may only be a brisk wind compared to the coming MAI hurricane. Ask skilled Canadian workers who used to make world-class hockey skates.
Before free trade, Canadian kids with dreams of NHL stardom, proudly skated on Cambridge, Ont.-made Bauer skates. But then Nike, the giant international corporation, bought the company, learned how to use the technology and within three years moved the operation to Asia throwing 400 unionized workers out of their jobs.
Under NAFTA, the federal government was powerless to stop Nike from stickhandling out of Canada. The MAI rules would further tie Ottawa's hands. Not only would it be impossible to require that Nike adopt certain measures and conditions designed to protect the Bauer product and the workers' jobs, but Ottawa would not even be able to require that a percentage of the profits made be retained here rather than being siphoned off to Nike headquarters in the United States. To make matters worse, we would be unable to stop the transfer of the technology out of the country.
The MAI is slowly taking shape and is expected to receive approval in principle at a meeting of OECD countries (including Canada) in May, 1998. Following this, the treaty must be ratified by the national legislatures of each country.

Here's what could happen to Canadian workers and their jobs once international corporations take up the rights granted them under the MAI.

• The MAI would prevent us from developing any national plan or comprehensive employment strategy. • The MAI would allow foreign corporations access to our resources without being required to create a certain number of jobs.

• The MAI would compel us to offer subsidies and incentives equally to foreign-based corporations. • The MAI would prevent government from playing a direct role in building a comprehensive full-employment strategy.

• The MAI would allow foreign corporations to have access to all government programs related to job creation at the same rate as national firms. • The MAI would give foreign corporations the tools that could be used to challenge provincial labour laws as "obstacles to investment."

• The MAI would prevent us from ensuring that banks invest some of their profits in local communities‹especially economically deprived areas. • The MAI would allow foreign corporations to argue against minimum wage laws.

• The MAI would allow foreign corporations to set up "free trade zones" as an acceptable form of regional development.

Faced with this ominous threat to our way of life, workers are asking how they can stop the MAI from coming to Canada.

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 union or association.

• Find out what is happening at your workplace.

• 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 developing any national plan or comprehensive employment strategy.	•	The MAI would allow foreign corporations access to our resources without being required to create a certain number of jobs.
•	The MAI would compel us to offer subsidies and incentives equally to foreign-based corporations.	•	The MAI would prevent government from playing a direct role in building a comprehensive full-employment strategy.
•	The MAI would allow foreign corporations to have access to all government programs related to job creation at the same rate as national firms.	•	The MAI would give foreign corporations the tools that could be used to challenge provincial labour laws as "obstacles to investment."
•	The MAI would prevent us from ensuring that banks invest some of their profits in local communities‹especially economically deprived areas.	•	The MAI would allow foreign corporations to argue against minimum wage laws.
•	The MAI would allow foreign corporations to set up "free trade zones" as an acceptable form of regional development.