About me: Atlantica:
*PAGE TO BE UPDATED SOON!* ATLANTICA?
The proposed trade region Atlantica consists of the four Atlantic Canadian provinces (Newfoundland, P.E.I., Nova Scotia and New Brunswick), eastern Quebec, and the New England states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, and Northern New York.
Atlantica is a NAFTA-like trade region proposed by an alliance of big business owners. Atlantica aims to unite our region by reducing tariffs and regulations for corporations- to promote an infrastructure which will support increased international trade.
In order to attract large freight companies to our area, and to expand upon existing imports and exports, ports must be constructed that can harbor large cargo ships, and roads must be constructed or rebuilt to support a large increase in freight traffic. Energy hubs are also being built to support a demand for an increase in power. These come at the expense of our local ports, of local and state/provincial parks, of citizen-owned farm and agricultural land, of local businesses, and of our own homes!
Our region will also suffer from increased oil consumption and energy use, and pollution of our local water sources, soil and air. Clear-cutting and the destruction of natural habitats and to our ecosystem is also inevitable.
WE PAY, THEY BENEFIT!
The Atlantica proposal comes from the Canadian Think-Tank: Atlantic Institute for Market Studies (AIMS). It's board of directors and advisors represent a variety of US, Canadian and International corporate interests- and all of them stand to benefit from the trade region.
However, these corporations refuse to pay for the necessary trade ports and highways! Instead, the funding will come from us, the people.
Corporations will benefit from reduced tariffs and regulations, while trade infrastructure (including ports and highways) will be paid for out of our own pockets. Our tax money will be diverted to fund projects which will benefit large corporations alone, at the sacrifice of public healthcare programs and social security, at the sacrifice of social programs such as community spaces, resource centers and homeless shelters, and at the sacrifice of our public education!
Funding for Atlantica comes from:
Increased taxes
Reduction or elimination of minimum wage legislation
Reduction of our public sector workforce (government employees)
Privatization of and profit from places of public services such as Hospitals and schools
Elimination of funding for social programs
ATLANTICA WILL DESTROY JOBS AND WILL LOWER WAGES!
Atlantica’s agenda will harm worker pay and rights, benefit corporations at the expense of consumers, and undermine social services through reduced taxation.
Atlantica will NOT create more jobs! Funding for Atlantica comes from eliminating jobs in the public sector workforce and from cutting funding to social and state/provincial-run programs!
According to the Atlantic Institute for Market Studies (AIMS), in order for the establishment of Atlantica, the minimum wage must be abolished, labor unions must be crushed, and state governments must be stripped of the resources and/or authority to enforce environmental, labor and consumer safety protections.
Who I'd like to meet: For more information on Atlantica or to learn about the anti-Atlantica campaign:
Public Hearing on the impact of free trade on Maine! Come testify before the Citizen Trade Policy Commission hearing in Bangor on December 4th. The hearing will be held at Husson University at 6 pm in the Libra Electra Hall FMI Sarah@777-6387 or sarah@Mainefairtrade.org
Make your voice heard to decision makers who will have an opportunity to weigh in on these issues!
The Citizen Trade Policy Commission of the Maine Legislature will be hearing two presentations on Friday, June 20th about Atlantica.
Brian Crowley, director of AIMS, will be speaking in favor of Atlantcia, and Leo Broderick of the Council of Canadians, will be speaking against it.
The Commission will not be discussing or taking any action but this is a great opportunity to learn more about where Atlantica is going and what we can be doing about it.
When? June 20th, 10 am Where? Augusta, Maine State House Room 126
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