First Nations loses bid to block Canada-China FIPA treaty

[Joe Shlabotnik]

The Federal Court has dismissed an application by an aboriginal band in British Columbia to stay the Canada-China investment treaty until First Nations have been consulted.

The court ruled Tuesday that the Hupacasath First Nation, which has about 300 members located near Port Alberni, B.C., has not demonstrated how the agreement signed last September will result in real damages to Aboriginal rights.

In its ruling, the court said any potential adverse impacts are non-appreciable and speculative in nature, adding that the Hupacasath had not demonstrated a causal link between the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection treaty with China and the alleged impacts.

As well, the court said it had the same view on any potential impacts the treaty may have on the band's self-government rights.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/story/2013/08/27/pol-cp-canada-china-fipa-deal-hupacasath-decision.html

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Well, they tried. Now (and for the next 30 years) there is nothing to stop Chinese firms from suing us if we strengthen our environmental or labor laws affecting their resource extraction investments.

[ConcernedCanuk]

1. Harper selling us out - one resource after another.

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Us damm Canucks are TOO polite . .

when are we gonna fight?

(sigh)

CC