PSAC Social Justice Fund  

A better world is possible!   PSAC participates in No-FTAA forums and mobilization in Miami  

What's FTAA anyway?  

The proposed Free Trade Agreement of the Americas (FTAA) plans to link the economies of all countries in North, Central and South America , with the exception of Cuba .    

FTAA negotiations began in 1994 following the first Summit of the Americas , held in Miami , and have a set deadline of January 1, 2005 .

The November 16-21st, 2003 FTAA meetings in Miami are the second to last before an agreement is finalized. As a result, they mark a critical point in the process, both for those who support the FTAA and those, including the labour movement in all affected countries, who oppose it.

Why should we bother with the FTAA?  

The FTAA has been described as ‘NAFTA on steroids'.   It is modeled on the failed NAFTA, which has led to job loss, stagnant and falling wages, increased poverty and inequality, an erosion of consumer protections, and a decrease in the number of good jobs in Canada , the USA and Mexico .  

Perhaps more importantly, free trade agreements like NAFTA mean our governments lose control over their ability to initiate and deliver quality public services, like health care, education, environmental protection, and other essential services.   And NAFTA gives corporations the right to challenge democratic public-interest laws.   For example, under NAFTA, US-based Ethyl Corporation forced Canada to pay $13 million in damages and drop its ban on MMT – a gasoline additive that the Canadian government had identified as a hazardous toxin.

FTAA will just further erode our rights and our governments' ability to deliver the public services we count on.   All indications are that it will strengthen corporate rights, and erode workers' rights.

So the PSAC is here to add its voice to the thousands of labour and coalition groups calling on our governments to stop the FTAA before it's too late.   We want an alternative, fair and sustainable model for economic integration of the Americas .   We want models that include responsibilities, not just rights, for corporations; protect workers' rights, health, safety, family farmers, women, equity groups and the environment.   

A better world is possible.   That's what we want.