I am opposed to the Trans-Pacific Partnership because it will have a fundamental impact on the environment by protecting tar sands development and safeguarding corporate profits at the expense of Canadians including giving corporations the right to hold government liable for policies that interfere with their profits.
The “head-in-the-sand” attitude being taken about climate change and furthermore, its particular impacts on water regimes (making intact water tables and flows even more crucial) to protect the oil patch, is no different than denying the impacts of cigarette smoking, because of its potential economic impacts on the tobacco industry 50 years ago.
The tobacco industry ended up liable for health care costs. Who will be held responsible for irreversible tipping points we are approaching? The scientific consensus is remarkable; far greater than that about smoking 50 years ago.
The extreme weather effects are already occurring and not theoretical. Stop the insanity.
Likewise the defeating of democracy which is intrinsic when you waive your own sovereignty. This is as frightening as any dystopian novel.
Government’s role is not to pander to various interest groups but rather to think of the well-being of all its citizens, even if you (Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his inner circle) believe the “Rapture” is coming for the righteous, who will leave behind the unworthy in the “end times” when this planet becomes uninhabitable.
Andre Piver MD, Nelson