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th ei fp .c a Th e IF P -H al to n H ill s | T hu rs da y, N ov em be r 30 ,2 01 7 | 6 Auto parts manufacturing is expected to take centre stage in the coming weeks as negotiators on both sides of the border work to retool NAFTA - but if they do fail the demise of the 23-year-old trade pact won't spell eco- nomic ruin. As one observes what is happening at the negotiating table, it's important to remember that Canada has changed a lot since 1994. Stephen Beatty, vice president and corporate secre- tary of Toyota Canada Inc., recently met with Metroland Media for an enlightening discussion regarding trade and the Canadian auto industry. Beatty is quick to point out that if the U.S. pulls out of NAFTA, it won't be the end of the economic world. "No tariff in the world can hold people back from their (buying) choices," Beatty surmised. He added that in the wake of NAFTA, any tariffs slapped on Canadian goods would remain competitive, as our dollar would be discounted in world markets to reflect tariffs. Also, unlike in 1994, economies of scale have devel- oped in Asia and India where huge middle classes have an big appetite for consumer goods. As such, Canada is still hammering out a trade deal with 11 nations under the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a partnership the U.S. withdrew from. Why? Because we are a trading nation and will con- tinue to be one, even if the Trump administration pulls the plug on NAFTA. While he doesn't predict a financial apocalypse in Canada if NAFTA is scuttled, Beatty does say however that such a move will change our stature on the world stage, rather than creating the catalyst for a stock ex- change collapse. In a post-NAFTA world, North America would appear fractured to the titan countries of Russia, China and India. To date, we are impressed with how the Trudeau government has conducted itself at the trade talks, and so is Beatty. Canadian negotiators have kept their cool, stayed focused, and most importantly, haven't taken the bait when dealing with the constantly changing rhetoric from the Trump administration. It behooves us to be the voice of reason at the negotiating table. After all, we're confident the sky won't fall in a post- NAFTA world, but let's hope common sense wins the day on both sides of the border. It may not be perfect, but NAFTA has been pretty good to Canada. • OUR VIEW • The sky won't fall if NAFTA tanks Letter was filled with bias I am writing in response to Kerri's Chaplin's letter of Nov. 16 regarding Pre- mier Kathleen Wynne's visit to Acton. She is missing many facts. The Tanner seemed to have been informed in a timely manner of the visit of our Premier Kathleen Wynne. We Acton residents are justly proud of that pro- gram and the work of Ali- son Hilborn and the Acton Hub on behalf of our very young families. Perhaps the letter writ- er could educate herself about local affairs. The IFP could also provide better coverage. There appears to be a mote in the letter writer's eye. The facts remain that this province has a bal- anced budget and the fas- test growing economy in Canada. We are blessed to have a Kathleen Wynne government that is pre- pared to invest in innova- tive programs such as pharmacare for youth, an increase in the minimum wage and tax breaks for small businesses. I guess what disturbed me most about your letter was its bitter tone, as well as the misinformation. You have motivated me to work for the return of the pro- gressive, inclusive and transparent Liberal gov- ernment in 2018. Andy Spiece Fluoride linked to lower IQ's in children September, you ignored a major story: higher fluo- ride levels in pregnant women were linked to low- er IQ's in their children. This was the finding of a major international study published in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives, funded by the U.S. National Institutes of Health and led by the Uni- versity of Toronto Dalla La- na School of Public Health. The study, one of the most robust ever conduct- ed on fluoride's risks, fol- lowed mother-child pairs for over 12 years. For every 0.5 part per million in- crease in prenatal expo- sure, children lost two- and-a-half to three IQ points. The fluoride levels in this study were well within the range of North Ameri- can women drinking fluo- ridated water. The best way to protect the future is to start by pro- tecting our children's brains from fluoride. We must stop the deliberate addition of fluoride chemi- cals to drinking water. There is little, if any, bene- fit from swallowing fluo- ride, but there are substan- tial risks. Christine Massey • LETTERS & COMMENTARY • EDITORIAL | OPINION Letters to the Editor See what our readers are saying about the issues that matter to them. www.theifp.ca/letters The Georgetown Independent & Free Press, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corpora- tion. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised of more than 100 community publications across Ontario. The Independent & Free Press is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the newspaper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. Phone: 416-340-1981 Web: www.mediacouncil.ca newsroom@theifp.ca IndependentAndFreePress @IFP_11 ABOUT US The Independent & Free Press 280 Guelph Street, Unit 77 Georgetown, ON L7G 4B1 Phone: 905-873-0301 Classifieds: 905-234-1016 Fax: 905-873-0398 Letters to the editor All letters must be fewer than 200 words and include your name and telephone number for verification purposes. We reserve the right to edit, condense or reject letters. Delivery For all delivery inquiries, e-mail customerservice@metroland.com or call 1-866-838-8960. CONTACT US Publisher Neil Oliver General Manager Steve Foreman Retail Advertising Manager Cindi Campbell Regional Managing Editor Chris Vernon Regional Managing Digital Editor Robyn Wilkinson Distribution Representative Iouliana Polar Classified/Real Estate Kristie Pells Regional Production Manager Manuel Garcia Production Shelli Harrison WHO WE ARE