Ottawa to get involved if US passes bill restricting Canada waste transport
TORONTO — Canada’s International Trade says he’s prepared to step in if U.S. legislation allowing Michigan and other states to regulate imports of municipal solid waste from Canada is passed.
Current draft legislation (Bill 2491) tabled in the State of Michigan appears to be inconsistent with certain obligations under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade, 1994 (GATT), Minister James S. Peterson wrote in a letter to Ontario Trucking Association President David Bradley.
violates NAFTA: Truckers
The minister was responding to Bradley’s earlier concerns, which pointed out the discrepancy between the legislation and current international trade agreements.
The bill would amend the US Solid Waste Disposal Act, which opens the door for individual jurisdictions to limit or restrict foreign municipal waste.
“The Canadian government will seek to ensure that the United States respects its obligations under NAFTA should both the proposed U.S. federal and Michigan state legislation be adopted,” Peterson wrote.
“As 70 percent of Canada’s trade to the United States moves by truck, any hostile move by states to control foreign trade is seen by our industry as having a potential negative impact on our industry’s ability to conduct international commerce,” says Bradley.
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