Business, Economics, Education, Entrepreneurs,
Environment, Science and Technology
|
|
|
|
____________________
Unfair Trade Practices
NAFTA In Question
Clayton Family Starts NAFTA Case for Unfair Treatment
OTTAWA - The Clayton family - owners of Bilcon of Nova Scotia - has taken the first step in a claim against the Government of Canada for over $188 million. The claim, brought under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), says the Claytons were treated unfairly by Canada when they were denied the opportunity to open a quarry and marine terminal in Digby County, Nova Scotia.
"For five and a half years, the Clayton family played by all the rules."
said Barry Appleton, of Appleton & Associates International Lawyers, the legal
firm representing the Claytons. "But the Governments of Canada and Nova Scotia
kept changing the rules, and then blindly followed the biased, flawed
recommendations of an environmental panel."
"Honest business people who are invited to do business in Canada expect
to be treated fairly when they come." said Appleton. "The NAFTA is designed to
ensure they have a level playing field in Canada. The NAFTA entitles the
Claytons to be treated in an even-handed way when they are investing in
Canada."
The NAFTA is reciprocal. It guarantees Canadian companies the same kind
of treatment in the United States as American companies should receive in
Canada. A NAFTA claim cannot compel a government to change its laws. It
entitles investors to seek compensation for unfair, discriminatory, or unequal
treatment by government measures.
There are other quarries in Digby County, Nova Scotia and the Claytons'
proposed 120-hectare basalt quarry and marine terminal would have provided at
least 34 full-time jobs in the community.
|
|
|
| © Copyright 2008/Exchange Morning Post/Exchange Business Communications Inc. |
