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A Metroland Community Newspaper Vol. 31 No. 21 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 19, 1993 Productive Canadian workers better than cheap Mexican labor says Trade Minister By SAL BOMMARITO Oakville Beaver Staff roductivity will win out over Pcheap labor predicted Federal . Trade Minister Michael Wilson at an Oakville Chamber of Commerce panel disâ€" cussion: over the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Thursday morning. Responding to fears that the free trade agreement between Canada, the United States and Mexico would cause a mass exodus of companies to Mexico in search of cheap labor, Wilson said, "The fact is that wages only.constitute one of the factors determining comâ€" petitiveness. If it was a question of wages why wouldn‘t every compaâ€" roductivity will win out over cheap labor predicted Federal . Trade Minister Michael Wilson at an Oakville Chamber of Commerce panel disâ€" cussion: over the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Thursday morning. Responding to fears that the free trade agreement between Canada, the United States and Mexico would cause a mass exodus of companies to Mexico in search of cheap labor, Wilson said, "The fact is that wages onlyconstitute one of the factors determining comâ€" petitiveness. If it was a question of wages why wouldn‘t every compaâ€" ny set up shop in Haiti?" Selling NAFTA no easy task for Wilson NAFTA deal bad for Canadians critics warn Emotions ran high following a Chamber of Commerce panel discussion on NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) yesterday, featuring federal International Trade Minister Michael Wilson Wilson was confronted by three Toronto men who had travelled to Oakville to voice their concerns about the trade deal between Canada, the United States (U.S.) and Mexico. "We got up at 5 a.m. to come to this," said Merle Terlesky, who is curâ€" rently unemployed Térlesky-blzimcs the U.S.â€"Canada free trade agreement for taking away his job, and those of other Canadians. He accused Wilson of avoiding public debate on the issue. "Eirst of all he hasn‘t been available (to the public) and the government is not holding any hearings. The government of Ontario is holding the hearâ€" ings. This is not a debate," Terlesky said. VUniversity of Toronto student David Robbins, wearing a Tâ€"shirt which read: "Not Another F___ Trade Agreement", grilled Wilson on why the govâ€" Wilson said a better indicator of +125 Cross Ave. _ 8496356 _ «2303 Lakeshore Rd. W. 827â€"0738 _ «386 Iroquois Shore Rd. 849â€"8486 +135 Trafalgar Rd.. 845â€"0421 «1027 Speers Rd. _ 842â€"0954 «754 Bronte Rd. 825â€"8690 (See ‘NAFTA‘ page 7) \IL 4 \[YJ inps (5 G)OKIES‘ 72 Federal Trade Minister Michael Wilson was confronted by opponents to the North American Free Trade Agreement, including university student David Robbins wearing an antiâ€"NAFTA tâ€"shirt, followâ€" ing Thursday morning‘s panel discussion in Oakyville. (Photo by Peter McCusker) ernment has chosen not to make NAFTA an election issue. Fabian also criticized Wilson for entering into an agreement with Mexico, which has very lax environmental standards. "We are not going to be able to initiate any environmental standards," Fabian said. Wilson said one of the main reasons for Mexico‘s participation in the agreement is "to improve its standard of living and environment." As Wilson left the hall, Terlesky shouted "Are you prepared to listen to Robbins‘ friend, Craig Fabian, said the government should hold a free vote on the issue, similar to the one held last year on the Charlottetown Accord. the public? We have been listening to the public," Wilson answered back. ""I‘ m late for an appointment," he said, before he and his aides headed for the exit. The trio shouted questions at Wilson as he left the hall and then briefly ran after Wilson‘s car, shouting more questions at the minister. â€"+Hwy. #5 Hwy. #25 827â€"5200 *Hopedale Mall 827â€"6981 _ «2322 Royal Windsor Dr. 338â€"1966 239 Wyecroft Rd. _ 845â€"8220 Place 842â€"4566 «270 N. Service Rd. (Towne Centre 1) Affiliated with Dr. H. Bernstein, C. Psych. Assoc Paper CLASSIFIED 440 INGLEKHART STREET 844â€"3240 Curtain rises Tuesday Students We provide a lot more than QEP downs WOSS in girls volleyball playoffs Electronic Filing When We Prepare Your Income Tax Return All Oakville Locations. j Eistric]thffice Appleby Mall, Burlington PP '{el: 333â€"1212 £ SPECIAL SUPPLEMENTS The Bay 75 Cents (GST included) Eagles victorious Page 19 Page 8 The Income Tax Specialists in 19â€"20 kn 14â€"15 21â€"26 .27â€"30