If you "search" the GPC platform for NAFTA nary a mention will be found. But I can tell you that we don't think very much of it, for obvious reasons.
Greens are all about encouraging local production and employment. One of the ten fundamental Canadian Green Party of Canada values is Community-based Economics (it's #8 on the value parade). NAFTA is a direct impediment to this objective.
I live in the community of Inglewood in Calgary. Inglewood has been declared one of the ten best neigborhoods in Canada. This is because there are virtually no franchise ops here: no big box stores like Wallmart, no McDonalds, no Wendys or Tim Hortons, no Safeways. Everything is family owned and operated and locally owned. Inglewood, in short, has character and flavour. It is unique. It is not a cookie-cut version of virtually every other neighborhood in the developed world.
We have had big fights keeping franchises out. Usually we win on some technicality. But eventually the franchise-loving money makers will force their way in -- all because NAFTA says we can't keep them out. Local businesses will be wiped out. Character will disappear. Money will be drained from the community. Local culture, diminished. Values, eroded. I can see why countries and cultures may choose to resist the almighty globalized dollar.
Yes, efficient, optimized component production and assembly makes for cheaper manufactured goods. No, it doesn't make healthy vibrant full-spectrum communities, villages and towns. One is corporate-centric and tother is people-centric. I prefer people, culture, family, and tradition. Fair trade not free (imposed) trade.
I vote green.
Thursday, August 18, 2005
NAFTA
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Herb, I started reading this expecting to disagree - I oppose trade barriers and feel that NAFTA was a positive step towards their removal. However, I found myself somewhat swayed by your argument.
ReplyDeleteThe exact thing that makes LA a bad place to live is what we are trying to build in Calgary. Our city is becoming a fast paced driving town with big box stores and big attractions. Our unique friendly personality seems to be fading as we rush headlong in an attempt to turn ourselves into a world class impersonal city.
The loss or over development of areas like Inglewood and Kensington would mean the loss of part of Calgary’s character. You may have convinced me to put it a little extra effort into buying from small, individually owned, local businesses.