[All] possible threat to pesticide bylaws

[Lori Strothard]

fyi Toronto City Councillor Glen de Baeremaeker is saying on the news today that the proposed Federal agreement with the EU -
the "Canada-European Union: Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) "  would give too many rights to a non-elected tribunal group about what cities can and cannot do, such as maintaining non-smoking or pesticide bylaws that are already in place. Apparently any party/individual company etc. could make an apeal to this tribunal and argue that some law is detrimental for their ability to make a profit, and then some laws could be revoked. There is apparently no appeal process. He wants the City of Toronto to refuse to sign on and encourages other cities to learn about this bill which is in his opinion being pushed through without preview or discussion. He claims the City and councillors don't even have a copy of this bill to review. To read the article go to www.torontoist.com 
and government info on the bil can be found here
http://www.international.gc.ca/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/agr-acc/eu-ue/can-eu.aspx?view=d

Lori Strothard
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