In
1994, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)
came
into effect ~ creating one of the world's largest free-trade zones
and
laying the foundations for strong economic growth and rising
prosperity
for
Canada, United States and Mexico.
Since
then, NAFTA has demonstrated how 'free
trade'
increases wealth and competitiveness and delivering benefits to
families, farmers, workers, manufacturers and consumers.
An
estimated 30,000 to 40,000 Canadians are currently working in the
United States under a fast-track
process called 'the non-immigrant NAFTA professional visa'...or TN
visa.
This TN permit is only for Canadian and Mexican citizens.
Likewise, Silicon Valley is making plans to move foreign-born workers
to Canada...provided that: U.S.must first, on a work-visa program,
try to hire U.S. born employees.
For example, an employee could fly from The Bay Area to Vancouver.
According to Howard Elliott (The Hamilton Spectator), “What the
U.S. wants is better access for its agricultural exports ~ including
dairy products, wine and grain...also freer trade in
telecommunications and on-line purchases; new rules on currency
manipulation and an over-haul of the dispute-settlement system.
Americans want more access to Canada's dairy production...and its related industries.
Recently, a 6-box cartoon represented President Trumps's NAFTA view:
NAFTA...NAFT...NAF...NA...A...AMERICA!
Quote
from John F. Kerry:
NAFTA
recognizes the reality of today
in economy-globilization and technology.
Our future is not in competing at the low-level wage job;
it is creating 'high-wage'
technology jobs based on our skills and productivity.
The 'prompt' for me to write this article today
was
a delightful
5-part colour cartoon
on The Spec's Opinion Page
titled:
NAFTA
RE-NEGOTIATION EXPLAINED
( by Artizans.com)
Visualize the sequence of these scenes.
Pic 1: A Beaver peers upward to a high sturdy tree...and
considers...???
Pic 2: Using his sharp teeth, chips fly from the trunk as he gnaws
and fashions a baseball bat.
Pic 3: VOILA! Only the trunk base remains...and Beaver smilingly
admires his handiwork.
Pic 4: Carrying the bat in his mouth, Beaver presents it to the
American-dressed politician.
Pic 5: With a scowl of contempt on the nattily-dressed heavy-set
politican's face,
Beaver
sits humbly in front of him...
said politician hefts the bat...and with strength in arms and hands,
aims to smash the trembling Beaver's head!
'Tis said, “A picture is worth a thousand words.”
Written by Merle Baird-Kerr...July 31, 2017
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