Outlines potential in a free trade deal between Canada and the United States which was later brought to the attention of the Conservative party by John Crosbie in the early 80s.
Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau appoints the Royal Commission on the Economic Union and Development Prospects for Canada (aka The Macdonald Commission). Headed by former Liberal Cabinet Minister Donald Macdonald.
Patriation of the Canadian Constitution, without the support of Québec.
Ethical Reflections on the Economic Crisis, Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Canadian Trade Policy for the 1980s, a discussion paper on free trade published by the Department of External Affairs.
Macdonald Commission presents its recommendations to Mulroney for a free trade agreement with the United States.
Brian Mulroney was elected for the first time.
Conservatives win 211 seats under Mulroney (50.03% of the vote). The Liberals go down to 40 seats under Turner, losing 95 seats (28.02%). The NDP win 30 seats under Broadbent (18.81%).
In Québec, Premier Réné Levesque promotes "beau risque" (fine gamble), and backs Mulroney over Turner.
Located in British Columbia to combat the "restraint" program undertaken by BC's Social Credit government (the first neoliberal project in Canada).
Founded by Mel Hurtig and a group of prominent Canadians including Maude Barlow, Tommy Douglas, Margaret Atwood, Farley Mowat, David Suzuki, and many others.
The council's goals were: "a new and better Canada with more and better jobs for Canadians, a higher standard of living for Canadians, and a sovereign Canada that plays an important role among the world community of nations."
New union was created in Canada, breaking away from the United Auto Workers (UAW) in the United States
The Royal Commission on the Economic Union and Development Prospects for Canada is released.
Four days after publication of the MacDonald Report, Mulroney announces support for free trade with the US.
The other Macdonald Report: The consensus on Canada's Future that the Macdonald Commission left out is released. It was a complication of documents presented to the commission by the popular sector groups that were left out of the Macdonald Report. Edited by Duncan Cameron and Daniel Drache.
The first provincial and Canadian Coalition Against Free Trade was formed.
First anti-free trade coalition.
Coalition grew from 30-55 groups, co-chaired by Marjorie Griffin Cohen.
Groups at the first meeting included UAW/CAW, Toronto labour council, Assembly of First Nations, National Farmers Union, United Church, NAC, Writers Union, Playwrights Union, Social Planning Council, National Anti-Poverty Organization, the Canadian Environmental Law Association, Federation of Students, and about 20 more groups (Cohen, 5).
Edited by Duncan Cameron.
Dialogue '86 economic roundtable in Ottawa brings together people from government, labour, business, and other groups. It was the first national airing of of criticisms of free trade and the beginning of cross-sectional alliances.
Was held by the Council of Canadians.
The Uruguay Round Negations of the general Agreements on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) begin (ended in 1993).
Led to the creation of the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Broad mandate to extend roles to agriculture, textiles, intellectual property, and investment policy.
Involved 123 countries, including Canada.
Massy Hall, Toronto.
Cultural event with the Royal Canadian Air Farce, Sylvia Tyson, Eric Peterson and many other performers and activists opposed to free trade.
Manitoba Coalition against Free Trade formed.
National Ecumenical Conference on Free Trade, Self-Reliance and Economic Justice.
Organized in Orleans by GATT-Fly.
The initial meeting for forming the network was held in Ottawa.
Formed during "The Maple Leaf Summit (held in unison with the "Shamrock summit" between Brian Mulroney and Ronald Reagan in Québec City) to fight against free trade.
Later renamed the Action Canada Network (ACN) in 1991 to encourage more collaboration in Québec.
Initial co-chairs: Marjorie Cohen, Nancy Riche (vice president for the CLC), Mel Hurtig (honorary chair of the Council of Canadians), and Gerald Larose (President of Confederation des syndicats nationaux (CSN)).
Publication of If you Love this Country: Facts and Feelings on Free Trade, edited by Laurier Lapiere.
Publication of Free Trade and the Future of Women's Work: Manufacturing and Service Industries, by Marjorie Griffin Cohen.
Group from PCN meets with members of US Congress and American trade union movement seeking information about Canada's involvement in in free-trade deal.
BC Coalition Against ‘Free’ Trade announced in Vancouver.
Spearheaded by End Legislated Poverty and BC chapter of Council of Canadians.
Negotiations led to the principal agreement for CUSFTA between the United States and Canada.
CUFTA is signed into law by Canada and the United States.
Day of action, “Let Canadians Decide.”
Push to delay FTA decision until after the election.
Conservatives re-elected under Brian Mulroney (169 out of 295 seats in the House of Commons; 63 seats in Québec).
Maude Barlow is elected as a chairperson for the Council of Canadians.
Status of Women Canada, a government body, publishes a pro-free trade piece aimed at women: International Trade Policy: A Primer.
The Free Trade Deal, edited by Duncan Cameron.
The Facts on Free Trade by Ed Finn and John Calvert.
Free Trade and the New Right Agenda by John Warnock.
What's the Big Deal? by Rick Salutin and Terry Mosher (Aislin).
Land dispute commences between a group of Mohawk people and the town of Oka, Québec. Leaves two dead.
Amending of the constitution to recognize self-government for Indigenous people, and recognize Québec as a distinct society (45.7 in favour, and 54.3 opposed).
Liberals win 177 out of 295 seats under Jean Chrétien; Liberals abandon previous anti-free trade position and quickly moves to expand free trade through NAFTA.
Supersedes CUFTA. Includes Canada, the United States, and Mexico.
Replaced the GATT (which commenced in 1948).
Treaty of the WTO.
Result of the Uruguay Round of negotiations.
Treaty extended multilateral trading system to service sector.
Sought to establish a body of universal investment laws granting corporations unconditional financial rights that would supersede national laws.
Eventually died in October 1998 due in part from pressure from civil society organizations of OECP member countries that was initiated and led by Tony Clarke, who had been chair of Action Canada Network and worked with the Conference of Bishops, until he was fired for his anti-free trade activity.
49.5% in favour, 50.5% opposed.