VICTORIA—The B.C. Liberal government continues to ignore calls for debate of the Trade, Investment and Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA), New Democrat intergovernmental relations critic Michael Sather said today.

“Last week, the Opposition tabled a motion calling for full debate of TILMA in the Legislature,” said Sather. “The Campbell government voted it down. Now we learn that the B.C. Liberals are plowing ahead. Today they tabled enabling and enforcement legislation to levy financial penalties for violations of TILMA, without allowing for any debate of the agreement in principle.

“It just goes to show that the B.C. Liberals aren’t listening to British Columbians, who want to see real debate on this issue before TILMA comes into effect,” said Sather.

Sather added that the B.C. Liberal government’s treatment of TILMA shows a growing arrogance.

“TILMA was signed behind closed doors without any consultation with British Columbians,” said Sather. “The Campbell government is content to sign these far-reaching agreements without even talking to the people, organizations and communities that will be affected.