Dear Mr. President:
As we all know, the C.S.L. Self-Unloaders seafarer employment contract was due to be voted on this week, or, perhaps as we speak.
Since CETA received Royal Assent only 3 days ago and will be implemented as of July 1st, Canada Day(!), the fact that CETA’s Reservation II-C-14 can now be revoked at any time without any Approval from the Parliament of Canada means that low-wage, Flag of Convenience operated European ships could flood into Canada’s Cabotage waters any time after this occurs and shortly displace Canadian ships and crews from the Canadian market, has doubtlessly prompted the very low offer from C.S.L. of which you warned last May (see below).
After the Senate-Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade, in their Inquiry into Bill C-30, refused to ask the Senate to consider withholding its approval until the disastrous weaknesses in CETA are addressed (on-line video onsen.vu at “Senate-Committee” government site, Hearing on 10/5/17, about 30 minutes.), most tellingly in Canada’s Maritime sector (Reservation II-C-14):
1. The Chair of the Committee insisted that Bill C-30, again most significantly in the Maritime Shipping sector (particularly Clause 92, sections 2.3 and 2.4) and possibly due to last minute interventions the previous weekend, perhaps by you, about exemptions granted to European ship-owners on paying median Canadian wages to foreign seafarers or employing Canadians on routes open to them under CETA in Canada, would have to be amended and Government Ministers follow through on their implementation.
2. The Chair, on camera. informally requested that Senator Dennis Dawson, Chair of the Senate-Committee on Transport and Communications, look into how the number of ports in Canada, made accessible to low-wage European ships in Canada’s Cabotage waters could be expanded under CETA, Bill C-30 and the Coasting Trade Act, to which he agreed.
As Senator Marc Gold stated at 4:29 pm (abbreviated quotes from testimony on video):
“… Impact includes, also in my judgement, some of the undesirable, or, maybe that’s the wrong word, some of the inevitable consequences of the Implementation of the Agreement, because there will be some sectors or individuals who may suffer whereas others may gain… so, with those observations, I am content to adopt this.”
Of course, the Senate rammed through Bill C-30 the very next day, without amendments and without the Canadian Public, or, even any of the long time stakeholders, knowing about it.
Because knowledge of the uses of Reservation II-C-14 may have prompted at least of the largest Canadian shipping companies, or maybe all of them, to make very low offers to seafarers, it may be beneficial to Canada’s seafarers to not sign any employment agreements until later this year.
Employment contract negotiations and votes are always a fraught time, but never have conditions offered been so bad and never have the prospect of rejection and possible strikes been so real since I began sailing in the 1970s.
Canadian sailors have not led any notable strike since the ’60s and the prospects engendered by CETA, Reservation II-C-14, as well as Bill C-30’s Clause 92, sections 2.3 and 2.4, must be terrible indeed to lead level-headed Canadian seafarers to this pass.
As you know, Parliamentary Elections in France could return leaders, not only who are conscious of French voters’ concerns about CETA, but may lead France out of the E.U. entirely.
On the same day that CETA received Royal Assent on 17/5/17, the Dutch Coalition government collapsed, promising elections and a national referendum on CETA.
Sinn Fein, an Irish National Party, has pointed out the government of Ireland’s refusal to debate CETA in the Dail, which has pursued talks with the Canadian government as it has refused to do so within its’ own Parliament, and may there seek to approve CETA without any Debate at all.
European and Canadian opposition to CETA mounts daily as more information comes out to affected groups and citizens.
Mr. President, CETA could collapse within the year, and punishing employment contract agreements, between seafarers and shipping companies, signed in the Interim, would last at least 6 years.
It may be beneficial to both seafarers and Canada’s maritime shipping companies to delay signing contract agreements for now or possible strike action, damaging to all.
Fraternally,
Marc de Villers,
Wheelsman, M.V. “Camilla Desgagnes”,
CDN63142X,
D-1289,
marcdevillers@icloud.com
514-404-6008.
http://m.worldmaritimenews.com/#newsitem-193377