Young Canadians Raise Concern over Backward Trade Deal with EU

TORONTO, Oct. 25 /CNW/ - A new free trade deal between Canada and the European Union would be a backward step in the fight against climate change and should be impetus enough for the federal government to halt talks, said Canadian Youth Climate Coalition National Director Amber Church.

"Canadians have long insisted that government use its regulatory powers to address our most pressing environmental challenges, yet these powers are under threat of being dismantled under the proposed EU trade pact," Church said.

Under CETA, federal and provincial governments are being asked to relinquish their right to manage public goods and services contracts, which could include the abolishment of "buy-local" food policies as well as other environmental regulations that govern public resources. Already, EU negotiators have taken aim at Ontario's Green Energy Act, citing its local manufacturing content policies as potential unfair barriers to trade.

"Stripping away the rights to manage, control and direct our economy to meet our environmental, social and economic goals only sets future generations up to fail. We can't throw away our capacity to develop innovative policy solutions through democratic channels if we are to become a more sustainable nation," Church said.

The CYCC joins with a growing chorus of labour unions, farmers, environmentalists, civil society groups, as well as politicians and prominent Canadians (including Maude Barlow and Stephen Lewis), to publicly voice opposition to these trade talks, which are moving at a rapid pace and scheduled to be completed in 2011.

Canadian Youth Climate Coalition (CYCC): Formed in 2006, the CYCC is Canada's largest and most diverse, volunteer-based youth organization focused on climate activism. The Coalition is composed of students, young workers, Aboriginal activists, environmental activists and other civil society groups.  The Coalition is currently running a national Green Jobs campaign that aims at raising awareness among Canada's youth about the importance of creating good jobs in a green and sustainable economy.

For further information:

Amber Church, CYCC National Director, [phone]