(9 February 2012) The Fédération interprofessionnelle de la santé du Québec (FIQ) has published (7 February 2012) a new report on the position of health and social services in Quebec in the provincial and federal CETA offers on services and investment.
The report entitled “ Canada-European Union comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement - Offers from Canada and Québec concerning services, financial services and investment: hardly reassuring for the health and social services system”
The report (...)

(02 February 2012) Please find below a joint letter regarding the EU Canada trade negotiations (CETA) from the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU), and the Canadian National Union of Public and General Employees (NUPGE) and Trade Justice Network.

22 November 2011
EPSU/ETUC joint letter to members of the Trade Council
Public services in bilateral free trade agreements of the EU, by Markus Krajewski
see also the EPSU resolution on public services adopted by the EPSU Executive Committee on 8/9 November

7 November 2011: Seminar of the Pitfalls and Prospects for the Protection of Public Services in Bilateral Free Trade Agreements, draft agenda and participation form
Public services in the Draft Canada-European Union Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA)
Study by Prof. Dr. Markus Krajewski, University of Erlangen-Nürnberg
(Brussels, 8 October 2011) Latest EU Draft Offer dilutes protection standards for Public Services – Study puts new provisions under scrutiny.
The study “Public (...)

Joint EPSU/Arbeiterkammer (AK) Austria study on the protection and role of public services in bilateral trade agreements
Information note and request for input
(13 May 2011) The Commission is currently revising the EU policy on Trade and Public Services. EPSU is concerned that this will lead to more pressure to liberalise the public services. To read more see letter and documents below:
Letter from EPSU to Commissioner Karel De Gucht
Letter from Commissioner Karel De Gucht - (...)

The US is a federal state. This gives states a fair degree of independence. Maine argues that it does not want to be be part of US federal government GATS commitments in a whole range of areas including health and landzoning requirements. Maine also seeks social procurement and wants to prevent sweatshops.
The US state of Maine has followed Oregon in demanding extensive carve-outs from the WTO-GATS, current negotiations as well as existing commitments.
Below are extracts from a letter (...)

The effect of the EU Neighbourhood policy on public services in the neighbourhood countries is pervasive argues a new Public Services International Research Unit research paper commissioned by EPSU.

A large group of trade unions and NGOs has signed up to a statement on the Doha Development Round. It is called a recipe for the massive destruction of livelihoods, mass unemployment and the degradation of work. PSI has been active in drafting this statement. EPSU has signed on to the statement as well. The group calls on the WTO members to:
put a moratorium on the present negotiations; and
undertake full public assessments of the employment, social, environmental and cultural impacts of (...)

The ETUC and several NGOs are organizing a demonstration 21 November 2005 in Brussels. The demo will put pressure on the Council and Commission. To read more see attached files.

Position of ETUC on the 6th WTO Ministerial conference (13-18 December 2005, Hong Kong)
Resolution adopted by the ETUC Executive Committee in their meeting held in Brussels on 19-20 October 2005