If you want to know why TTIP would be a nightmare, look what just happened in Canada
If anyone tries to convince you that TTIP is no threat to a
government’s ability to protect its people, just point them to Canada.
Last week, Canada’s government was successfully sued for daring to turn down a large mining quarry which threatened to cause environmental damage in Nova Scotia.
It is the latest in a long line of cases which have been brought
against Canada, for attempting to introduce environmental protection,
under the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). And these cases
have been brought about under exactly the same mechanism - known as ISDS
(Investor State Dispute Settlement) – which is at the centre of the
TTIP deal.
ISDS is essentially a corporate court system – allowing foreign
corporations to sue governments in secret tribunals, overseen by
corporate lawyers, with no right of appeal. Even losing can cost a
country a small fortune.
The most recent ruling focuses on Canada’s decision, following an
environmental review, to block a 152-hectare basalt quarry in Nova
Scotia, which happens to be a key breeding area for several endangered
species, including rare whales. US corporation Bilcon wanted to open the
quarry and argued that it had put time and money into the development.
The environmental review, however, found that the project clashed with “community core values”.
The company argued that the Canadian government shouldn't even have
resorted to an environmental review and is now seeking $300 million in
compensation.
Two aspects of this case prove what critics have always said about
these corporate courts. First, the case didn't relate to a breach of
contract or to discrimination in favour of a domestic company. It simply
related to a regulation which a foreign corporation didn't like.
