People Before Corporations: Reform NAFTA!
- by: Care2
- recipient: Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper
The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) was established in 1994, opening up borders for free trade between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. Economic growth and creation of jobs were promised, but instead NAFTA has created gross inequalities in power, wealth and income distribution.
For example, although new jobs have been created in Canada, they have been primarily insecure, part-time jobs with few benefits. Productivity has increased, while wages have lagged behind. Corporations are profiting at the expense of average citizens.
The agri-food business has also been altered in Canada. Family farms have declined, and corporate farms have taken over. While production of crops has increased, there have been fewer market players with increased consolidated power.
In addition, despite growth of Canadian investment in the U.S., there have been more than four times as many U.S. acquisitions of Canadian firms since NAFTA came into effect. In order to stay in the competition, the Canadian government has cut spending for social programs such as Employment Insurance, Old Age Security and federal transfers to health and education.
It's time for government to work for us, not for corporations. Tell Prime Minister Stephen Harper to put citizens before corporations by reforming NAFTA.
Dear Prime Minister Harper:
In 1994 the North American Free Trade Agreement was signed with the intent of opening up borders and trade, suggesting stronger economies for all three nations. However, the results have proven to be disastrous for the Canadian people.
The manufacturing industry has declined significantly because of the transfer of jobs overseas. While new jobs have emerged, they have primarily been insecure, part-time and with few benefits. Productivity has increased, but wages have remained stagnant. Corporations are profiting at the expense of the workers.
In addition, the agri-food business has been altered. Family farms have declined, while corporate farms have taken over. More power is consolidated into fewer hands, hurting competition and local farmers.
The U.S. acquisition of Canadian firms has more than quadrupled since the inception of NAFTA. In the past, the Canadian government has done much to promote and protect Canadian culture, such as setting up quotas for Canadian content in radio and television. It is unfair to the Canadian people to not apply the same patriotic ideals to other industries and protect our interests over foreign corporate greed.
Citizens are also hurt by the gradual cuts in federal spending for social programs in favor of corporate interests. Programs such as Employment Insurance, Old Age Security and federal transfers to health and education have suffered greatly.
Economic growth is meaningless if the people's well-being weakens. I urge you to protect your fellow Canadians and Canadian culture. Please push for reforms in NAFTA that would put a halt to the seemingly unlimited power enjoyed by corporations, and give more rights to workers and citizens.
[Your Comments]
Sincerely,
[Your name]
