VICTORIA (July 7, 1999) – B.C. Employment and Investment Minister Mike Farnworth called on British Columbians to voice their views on trade and investment issues in advance of two upcoming international trade conferences.

Farnworth will be attending negotiations at the World Trade Organization this fall and at talks underway for a Free Trade Agreement of the Americas.

“The scope of international trade and investment agreements has expanded far beyond market access and tariff reduction issues to affect environmental protection, food safety, labor standards, cultural promotion, and other important domestic policies,” said Farnworth.

“Increasingly, such negotiations are also affecting policies within provincial and local government jurisdiction.

He said he wanted to hear from as many individuals, groups, and organizations in the province as possible “to enable us to put forward a strong case to the federal government reflecting British Columbians’ interests and values.”

Background information on these two negotiations is available at the Ministry of Employment and Investment’s Web site at: www.ei.gov.bc.ca/FTAA-WTO on the Internet. Issues-papers in 15 subject areas are being added to the site as they are completed. The papers cover competition policy, market access, anti-dumping/countervailing duties/subsidies and countervailing measures, technical barriers to trade, and electronic commerce, among others.

British Columbians can submit their views by: e-mail: FTAAWTO.WTO@gems8.gov.bc.ca ; fax: (250) 952-0716; or mail: FTAA-WTO consultations, Ministry of Employment and Investment, International Branch, P.O. Box 9327 Stn Prov Govt, Victoria, B.C. V8W 9N3.