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CET 8- PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, April 21, 1998 "Scugog's Community Newspaper of Choice" By John B. McClelland "Port Perry Star Scugog council has plunged hesitantly into the high-flying world of international finance. Councillors last week agreed to support Concerned Citizens of Durham in their fight to stop any involvement by Canada in the Multi Lateral Agreement on Investment (MAI). Patrice Gibson Kirby of Port Perry, a member of Concerned Citizens, told councillors that if Canada Joins MAL, it will give large, multi-national corpora- tions "the power to rape the country." She said participation in the treaty will have an adverse impact on employ- ment opportunities in Canada, pushing more peo- ple into part-time jobs and leaving them incapable of supporting their families. She urged council to declare Scugog a "MAI-free zone 1n Canada" and for the town- ship to write to Prime Minister J e an Chretien Ken Gadsden a n d International Trade Minister Sergio Marchi, expressing council's oppo- sition to the agreement. Ms Gibson Kirby said time is running out, as the federal government has set April 27 as the date upon which federal officials will be in Paris to finalize negotiations leading to Canada becoming a signa- tory to the MAI. 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In a recent article 1n Monetary Reform maga- zine, investment minister Marchi writes that it is in Canada's best interest to become a member of any international organization dealing with investments, as 1t will keep companies competitive and ultimately lead to improved economic conditions and more employment. He wrote the MAI will be "consistent with current Canadian investment laws, policies and prac- tice... build on the invest- ment rules we already have achieved under NAFTA." Contrary to what some critics are saying, Mr. Mar chi says that Canada will retain the right to review large scale mergers and acquisitions involving Canadian corporations, and to maintain foreign ownership limits on priva- tizing Crown companies. And participation will not infringe on the integrity of Canada's health care and social programs, the min- ister argues. But there are many crit- ics of the plan. One is well- known author Maude Barlow, chair of the Council of Canadians, who writes in the same magazine that MAI will reduce the capac- ity of all levels of govern- ment to limit foreign investment or to impose standards of behavior on transnational companies. After hearing Ms Gibson Kirby's presentation, sev- eral councillors said they are convinced that Canada will not become a MAI member. "There 1s less concern now than 3 to 4 months ago when we did not know all the facts. I believe Canada and the United States feel the same way," said Mayor Doug Moffatt. And Regional Councillor Ken Gadsden, who said he has done a lot of reading on the issue, said Canada probably will not sign: "It's a dead duck." Ward 2 rep Ken Carruthers wondered what will happen to Canada if this country does not become a member. He said large corporations have a vested interest in seeing that Canada's economy remains prosperous. Ward 4's David Dietlein sald Canada as a trading nation must be part of international agreements: "We have to have a place at the table. If there is an agreement and we are not part of it, this will be bad for the country. I don't like the exclusionary idea of this." Despite their reserva- tions, councillors agreed to send a letter to Ottawa expressing opposition. Meanwhile, the Concerned Citizens of Durham is sponsoring a public forum on MAI May 7 at Durham College. Guest speakers will include Paul Hellyer, Erika Shaker and MP Alex Shepherd. Tickets, at $5 each, are available at Earthdance in Port Perry. 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