(OTTAWA) - Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada and Member of Parliament for Saanich – Gulf Islands, is pleased to announce the appointment of Nanaimo – Ladysmith candidate, Paul Manly, as the Green Party’s International Trade Critic.
“Paul Manly has worked tirelessly to raise awareness about the impacts of international trade agreements,” said Ms. May. “I am confident that in his new role he will work hard to promote fair trade deals that do not weaken our national sovereignty or environmental standards.”
Mr. Manly is well-known as a filmmaker and small business owner. He produced films and research, such as his 2009 feature film ‘You Me and the SPP’, to raise public awareness about the negative impacts of investor-state provisions found in the North American Free Trade Agreement.
Paul was recently in El Salvador examining the OceanaGold vs. El Salvador investor state dispute over the El Dorado mine proposal. The citizens and Government of El Salvador oppose the El Dorado mine based on its potential to contaminate 60% of the country’s water supply. Paul is currently producing a short film about the case.
Paul Manly said that the Green Party is the only party to consistently oppose anti-democratic clauses in trade agreement that undermines Canadian sovereignty.
“I am pleased that Elizabeth May appointed me to the role of International Trade Critic so that I can work to improve our trade agreements,” concluded Mr. Manly. “I have followed the debates on free trade since the 1980s and have seen little progress towards reforming international trade. The Green Party is the only political party that have consistently signalled their interest in fighting against trade deals that advance corporate rule.”
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For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Julian Morelli
Director of Communications
Green Party of Canada
cell: (613) 614 4916
office: (613) 562 4916 (224)
julian.morelli@greenparty.ca