To the editor:
As a resident of British Columbia, I am aware of the ongoing processes regarding development of LNG production and the building of significant infrastructures to ship these and other resources to foreign markets. These processes include multi-billion dollar investments by foreign corporations.
I am concerned that there are legal and environmental concerns currently in dispute regarding the use of lands in various locations in this province. The Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, if ratified, would allow these foreign corporations to sue the Government of Canada and, I suspect, the Province of British Columbia if our prudent processes impede or restrict these developments in any way moving forward. This could hamstring this province financially into future generations. At the very least, it would cost us many, many millions of dollars even to defend ourselves against an international lawsuit. One can reference the cost to Canadians in successfully defending our position in the softwood lumber dispute with the United States, just to get an idea of the potential costs involved.
Though there are other significant reasons to be concerned with this agreement. This, in my opinion, is reason enough to tell Trade Minister Cynthia Freeland not to ratify this agreement.
Ulrich Rudolph, Kelowna
