Municipal councils around the world are adopting motions about the Multilateral Agreement on Investment.
Here is a rough summary of my rough diary of Municipal authorities taking action about the MAI.
The list does not inclued municipalities in British Columbia, Canadam, as I do not have their list.
I have deleted the "Whereases" from this summary as they are similar. And, besides, all you really want to know is who, when, where, what. I deleted the why.
Ontario municipalities:
Kitchener City Council Monday March 2, 1998. City of Windsor Mar 9, 1998 Town Council of Tecumseh Tuesday March 10th Toronto City Council committee April 7 Owen Sound City Council March 23 Mississauga Woodstock City Council Thurs. March 19,98 City of Peterborough March 23rd Union of BC Municipalities City of Hamilton Town of Pickering City of Waterloo Montreal (pending) Edogawa Ward Council in Tokyo on March 19th Berkley, California City Council February 24, 1998 European Parliament March 10, 1998 Portugal I also heard rumours of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada doing something. Bob Olsen
Here is the resolution on the MAI that was passed at Kitchener City Council Monday March 2, 1998.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Corporation of the City of Kitchener urge the Government of Canada to suspend negotiations on the Multilateral Agreement on Investments until it has consulted more widely and in depth with the people of Canada, especially and including, the soliciting of detailed responses from municipal councils and their citizens; and further,
That the appropriate City staff be directed to discuss this issue with the local M.P.'s and to prepare a report on the implications of this Agreement on municipal government; and further,
That a copy of this resolution be sent to local M.P.'s, the Federation of
Canadian Municipalities, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario and
Ontario Cities having a population greater than 50,000.
...........................................................
From: "Jim Porter" jporter@theta.uwindsor.ca
Organization: University of Windsor
To: mai-not@flora.org
Date: Tue, 10 Mar 1998 11:27:39 EST
Subject: City Council Resolution
MAI-Nots: Mar 9, 1998
-----------------------------
An unofficial version of the City of Windsor resolution is as follows:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Corporation of the City of Windsor urge the Government of Canada to suspend negotiations on the Multilateral Agreement on Investment until it has consulted more widely and in depth with the people of Canada, especially and including the soliciting of detailed responses from municipal councils and their citizens; and further,
That the Corporation of the City of Windsor urge the Government of Canada to follow the recommendation of the Parliamentary Sub-Committee on International Trade, Trade Disputes and Investment that the final version of the Agreement be submitted for further debate among Canadians and further parliamentary hearings before the Government commits itself to the Agreement; and further,
That the appropriate City staff be directed to discuss this issue with local Members of Parliament, and to ask the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to a report on the implications of this Agreement for municipal government; and further,
That a copy of this resolution be sent to the Prime Minister of Canada, the
Honourable Sergio Marchi (Minister of International Trade), local Members
of Parliament, local Members of the Ontario Legislature, the Federation of
Canadian Municipalities, and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.
....................
Date: Wed, 11 Mar 1998 11:13:19 EST
Subject: Tecumseh Council Resolution
From: "Jim Porter" jporter@theta.uwindsor.ca
On Tuesday March 10th, the Town Council of Tecumseh (just east of Windsor, Ontario) passed what I believe to be the strongest anti-MAI
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Corporation of the Town of Tecumseh urge the Government of Canada to end its participation in negotiations on the Multilateral Agreement on Investment; and further
That the appropriate Town staff be directed to discuss this issue with local Members of Parliament, and to ask the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to prepare a report on the implications of this Agreement on municipal government; and further,
That the Corporation of the Town of Tecumseh declare Tecumseh to be a "MAI-Free Zone;" and further
That a copy of this resolution be sent to the Prime Minister of Canada, the
Honourable Sergio Marchi (Minister of International Trade), local Members
of Parliament, local Members of the Ontario Legislature, the Federation of
Canadian Municipalities, and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.
....................................
CITY COUNCIL (Toronto)
NOTICE OF MOTION (goes to City's Strategic Policies and Planning Committee (executive committee) April 7. Call Christine Dodds (committee clerk) 392-7031 to get on deputations list.
Moved by: Councillor Augimeri
Seconded by: Councillor Miller
THEREFORE be it resolved that the City of Toronto urge the Government of
Canada to consult widely and in depth with the people of Canada, especially
and including, the soliciting of detailed responses from municipal councils,
before taking any further action on the Multilateral Agreement on
Investment.
...................................
From: "Ron Graham" cityadmin@city.owen-sound.on.ca
To: bobolsen@arcos.org
Subject: Replay from Clerk
Date: Thu, 12 Mar 1998 10:08:59 -0500
City Council at its Committee of the Whole meeting held on Monday, March 9, 1998 considered a deputation from a local citizen, Rev. Dr. Hanns Skoutajan, on behalf of the Owen Sound Chapter of the Council of Canadians respecting this matter and the following motion was adopted:
"THAT City Council hereby requests that the Federal government conduct a full public debate across Canada on the proposed Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI) treaty."
This motion will be presented for formal ratification by City Council at their next regular Council meeting on March 23, 1998 and correspondence will then be forwarded to the Federal Government and the M.P. for Bruce-Grey, Ovid Jackson.
I believe that this was passed on March 23
.................................
Date: Mon, 16 Mar 1998 23:35:12 -0500 (EST)
To: bobolsen@arcos.org
From: Fred Schneider fresch@ica.net
Subject: GTO to talk MAI
Copy of a letter from Mayor Hazel McCallion, Mississauga, Ont.
March 13, 1998
Our File: 98/053
Mr. Fred Schneider
Dear Mr. Schneider:
Thank you for your letter regarding the Multilateral Agreement on Investment. (It contained copies of action by Windsor City Council and a notice of motion to be brought to Toronto Metro Council).
Our Legal Department has done some research on the Multilateral Agreement on Investment and has updated me on the contents of the agreement. I will be talking this matter to the GTA Mayors and Regional Chairs at an upcoming meeting so that this issue will be brought to the attention of the Committee in order that we may decide what action we can take.
Once again, thank you for taking the time and effort to write to me.
Sincerely
(signed)
HAZEL McCALLION
MAYOR
..................
Date: Wed, 18 Mar 1998 10:09:52 -0500
To: bobolsen@arcos.org
From: Sam Boskey sam_boskey@infobahnos.com
Subject: MAI motion: Montreal
The following motion, presented by City Councillor Sam Boskey, seconded by City Councillor Helen Fotopoulos, is on the order paper for Montreal City Council meeting which starts on March 23.
Whereas Montreal City Council would not look favorably on major restrictions to its jurisdiction;
It is proposed that:
City Council ask to Executive Committee to examine the possibility of
i) having the city prepare a report to be deposited at City Council on the implications of the agreement on Montreal's municipal government;
Federation of Canadian Municipalities and Union des Municipalités de Québecto fully investigate and analyse MAI with regard to its impact on municipal governments; and
iii) proposing an appropriate course of action to City Council.
Sam Boskey informs me that they did not get to this item yet. You may want to check with COC Ottawa or call him in Montreal
mailto:sam@politician.com
...............................................................
Date: Sat, 21 Mar 1998 18:25:01 -0500 (EST)
Hello Everyone,
The Oxford Coalition for Social Justice is thrilled to announce that the
Resolution below passed at Woodstock City Council Thurs. March 19, 98.
Resolution to Woodstock City Council
Regarding the Multilateral Agreement on Investment March 19, 1998
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the City of Woodstock call for a moritorium
on the signing of the MAi until it has consulted more widely and indepth
with the people of Canada, especially and including, the soliciting of detailed
responses from the Municipal councils and their citizens;
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Prime
Minister of Canada, the Minister of International Trade, Oxford Member of
Parliment, Oxford Member of Provincial Parliment, the Federation of Canadian
Municipalities and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.
Submitted for consideration to Woodstock City Council March 19, 1998 by the
Oxford Coalition for Social Justice.
........................................
From: Herb Wiseman herbwise@enoreo.on.ca
Ivan Bateman has taken the lead with a MAI Review Group giving support. He
is presenting at County Council and we are planning a presentation at
Peterborough City Hall.
To: shniad@sfu.ca
Union of British Columbia Municipalities
Herb Barbolet
...........................................
Thank you for the ongoing information (about the MAI).
We are having a COC delegation to our Finance and Administration committee
on Tuesday. We will see where it goes from there.
Dave Wilson, Chair of F & A
I forget if Hamilton did anything or not, I must check
.............................
Would you please forward more detailed backup on this subject to Mr. Bruce
Taylor, Town Clerk at The Town of Pickering, One The Esplanade, Pickering,
Ontario, L1V 6K7
............................
Date: Mon, 23 Mar 1998 09:53:55 -0700
On Feb. 17, 1998 UBCM (Union of British Columbia Municipalities) President
Mayor Steve Wallace wrote a memo to UBCM members to inform members about
the MAI.
The memo consists of several sections, including:
This memo states that "After reviewing the material [which is included as
part of the memo to members] the [UBCM] Executive concluded it was not convinced
of the benefits of the MAI and based on the information available, shares
the concerns of the Province of BC."
The memo also indicates that the Executive has directed that:
"The FCM National Board of Directors be requested to address this issue at
its next meeting (March) and that the issue be discussed at the next FCM
Conference", that
"the matter be referred for consideration of the Joint Council to coordinate
local and provincial government responses" and that
"federal officials and other provincial associations be advised of UBCM
position."
I would guess that a copy of the memo could be obtained from the UBCM directly,
but sorry, can't recommend any particular contact.
The Union of BC Municipalities address is:
Steven D. Staples at bccoc@web.net with the UBCM
Date: Tue, 24 Mar 1998 21:14:54 -0500 (EST)
Well you seem very busy, anti-MAI wise. I just read many articles on the
flora web site. so I thought I would write to tellyou that we got Waterloo
city council also to pass our resolution (Kitchener). waterloo added that
it is to be sent to Marchi and cretian. So city, by city. I work at Waterloo
PIRG and have an anti-MAI group starting on thursday to continue action and
hopefull get the university to pass a similar resolution. this is a big goal
since the university is pretty well dominated by corporate thugs (excuse
me) personnel.Neo-liberalism is being addressed at the student and academic
levels, interesting the different approaches they take! ok, later...barbara
...............
Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 09:18:02 -0500 (EST)
Dear Friends,
The first resolution lodging reservations on the MAI has adopted at the Edogawa
Ward Council in Tokyo on March 19th. Although it is rather a small step forward,
there are several other municipal councils where members are questioning
the MAI and proposing similar resolutions in Japan. We are hoping to see
more resolutions coming at local levels as we are now conducting questionaire
to educate municipalities.
Tomoko Sakuma
....................................
Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 10:27:58 -0500
On March 23rd we made a presentation to the Council of the County of Peterborough
(Ontario) regarding the potential impact of the MAI on local goverment decision
making.
The county does not include the City of Peterborough and is largely rural
with several villages and summer residence areas. Farming is extensive in
the south and forestry and resource extraction are pursued in the north.
The councillors unanimously passed a resolution based on that passed by the
City of Windsor (quoted below) and added a specific request for a discussion
with the local M.P.'s namely:
"That County Council ask Mr Peter Adams M.P. and Mr John O'Reilly M.P. to
meet with the County as soon as possible to explain the MAI process"
Both these gentlemen are Liberal (government) supporters.
The other resolution adopted was:
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Corporation of the County of Peterborough
urge the Government of Canada to suspend negotiations on the Multilateral
Agreement on Investment until it has consulted more widely and in depth with
the people of Canada, especially and including the soliciting of detailed
responses from municipal councils and their citizens; and further,
That the Corporation of the County of Peterborough urge the Government of
Canada to follow the recommendation of the Parliamentary Sub-Committee on
International Trade, Trade Disputes and Investment that the final version
of the Agreement be submitted for further debate among Canadians and further
parliamentary hearings before the Government commits itself to the Agreement;
and further,
That the appropriate County staff be directed to discuss this issue with
local Members of Parliament, and to ask the Federation of Canadian Municipalities
to a report on the implications of this Agreement for municipal government;
and further,
That a copy of this resolution be sent to the Prime Minister of Canada, the
Honourable Sergio Marchi (Minister of International Trade), local Members
of Parliament, local Members of the Ontario Legislature, the Federation of
Canadian Municipalities, and the Association of Municipalities of Ontario.
End quote
We have also written to the Council of the City of Peterborough and expect
to make a presentation to them on March 30th
Ivan Bateman bateman@cycor.ca
...............................
BERKELEY CITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE Multilateral Agreement on
Investment (MAI)
February 24, 1998
Subject: Resolution Opposing Multilateral Agreement on Investment
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council adopt a resolution opposing the signing of the Multilateral
Agreement on Investment (MAI) by the United States at the Organization for
Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) meeting in Paris which is tentatively
scheduled for April 1998.
CONTACT PERSON:
RESOLUTION OPPOSING THE MULTILATERAL AGREEMENT ON INVESTMENT
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the City Berkeley opposes the Multilateral
Agreement on Investment because it would eliminate Berkeley's right of oversight
and local sovereignty; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the City of Berkeley hereby urge its state and
federally elected officials and lobbyists to not support the Multilateral
Agreement on Investment.
........................
Date: Fri, 27 Mar 1998 01:37:32 +0100
Required by deputies of Portuguese Communist Party, next week Portuguese
Ministry of Economy must to appear in ''Assembleia da Republica'' (parliament)
to give clearings ups about Portuguese participation in negociations of
Multilateral Agreement on Investment (MAI).
In European Parliament (Strasbourg), deputy Sergio Ribeiro, of PCP, have
a intervention against MAI in Commission of External Relations. This Commission
issued a paper against MAI, promoted by Confederal Group of Left and Greens.
More informations in http://www.pcp.pt
In Lisbon, next 2 April, 18h00, in PCP headquarters of Av. Liberdade (Hotel
Vitoria), will be promoted a public debate intitled ''MAI - The new manifesto
of world capitalism''. In debate will be presente Carlos Carvalhas,
general-secretary of PCP; eurodeputy Sergio Ribeiro sribeiro@europarl.eu.int,
and deputy Lino de Carvalho.
............................
From: "Brenner, Maurice, Councillor" mbrenner@town.pickering.on.ca
Bob:
As a Pickering Councillor, I have been reading with interest the information
that you have been providing. I have asked my clerk to prepare a Notice of
Motion similar to others you have forwarded. I would be most interested on
having you appear or someone on this matter when the matter is presented
before my Council. Council meets on Monday nights.
Thank
Maurice S. Brenner
...................
To: bobolsen@arcos.org
From: austin@oxford.net (by way of Ontario Coalition for Social Justice
Subject: MAI Resolution
To: bobolsen@arcos.org
Subject: Re: Re: Re: C4LDEMOC-L: MAI - enough!
Date: Sun, 22 Mar 98 19:56:27 EST
.........................................
From: Herb Barbolet herbb@alternatives.com
Subject: Re: Union of BC Municipalities (fwd)
Cc: bobolsen@arcos.org (:-)
#15 - 10551 Shellbridge Way, Richmond, BC, Canada V6X 2W9
e-mail: ubcm@civicnet.gov.bc.ca
(604) 270-8226
fax 660-2271
FarmFolk/CityFolk Society
#208-2211 West 4th Ave.
Vancouver, B.C. V6K4S2
Ph.(604) 730-0450 fax (604) 730-0450
Toll free in B.C. 1-888-730-0452
farmcity@alternatives.com
http://www.alternatives.com/ffcf/index.htm
Date:Sat, 21 Mar 1998 17:34:00 -0500
From: "Wilson, Dave" dwilson@city.hamilton.on.ca
Subject: RE: MAI on CBC March 24, 10:00 pm
To: Bob Olsen bobolsen@arcos.org
From: "Robbins, Maureen" mrobbins@town.pickering.on.ca
To: "'bobolsen@arcos.org'" bobolsen@arcos.org
Subject: Woodstock MAI resolution 19 March, 1998
Date: Mon, 23 Mar 1998 16:14:38 -0500
X-Mailer: Microsoft Exchange Server Internet Mail Connector Version 4.0.995.52
From: jimgo@uniserve.com
To: bobolsen@arcos.org Subject: Union of BC Municipalities
Suite 15
10551 Shellbridge Way
Richmond, Bc V6X 2W9
phone 604 270-8226
fax 660-2271
..................................................
Message-Id: 199803250214.VAA13966@saturn.golden.net
X-Sender: purrs@golden.net
X-Mailer: Windows Eudora Light Version 1.5.2
To: bobolsen@arcos.org
From: barbara saunders purrs@golden.net
Subject: your good work
To: adhoc-l@undp.org
Subject: [mai] Resolution adopted in Tokyo
From: Tomoko Sakuma tsakuma@jca.ax.apc.org
Organization: People's Forum 2001, Japan
People's Forum 2001, Japan
Maruko-bld. 3F 1-20-6 Higashi-ueno
Taito-ku, Tokyo 110-0015 Japan
TEL +81-3-3834-2436
FAX +81-3-3834-2406
Email : tsakuma@jca.ax.apc.org or pf2001jp@jca.ax.apc.org
Website: http://pf2001jp.vcom.or.jp/
To: mai-not@flora.org
From: Ivan Bateman bateman@cycor.ca
Subject: County of Peterborough MAI Resolution
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Vice Mayor Maudelle Shirek, Council member Linda Maio, Dona Spring,
Kriss Worthington
Council member Linda Maio Council District One 644-6359
*******************************************
From: "Jorge F.G.de Figueiredo" jfgf.consult@mail.telepac.pt
Subject: MAI Portuguese Events
Cc: mai-not@flora.org
To: "'Bob Olsen'" bobolsen@arcos.org
Subject: RE: County of Peterborough MAI Resolution
Date: Thu, 26 Mar 1998 20:04:12 -0500
X-Mailer: Microsoft Exchange Server Internet Mail Connector Version 4.0.995.52
Regional Councillor
Pickering
Return to the MAI