NAFTA and the Future of Environmental Regulation

Date

1994

Authors

Perkins, Patricia E. (Ellie)

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

Centre for Constitutional Studies, University of Alberta

Abstract

Description

While NAFTA contains more "green" language than any previous trade pact, the agreement is also unprecedented in the freedom it allows investors and the extent to which it curtails government policy flexibility - important areas of concern for the environment. Especially in Canada, where environmental policy is primarily a provincial responsibility, questions have arisen about the workability and constitutionality of federally-negotiated international agreements like NAFTA which may have broad impacts on the ability of provincial governments to regulate and set environmental policy. Without embarking on constitutional questions in detail, this paper briefly explores some of the environmental policy issues raised by NAFTA

Keywords

NAFTA, environmental regulation, trade, environment, ecology, environmental policy

Citation

“NAFTA and the future of environmental regulation.” Comment in Constitutional Quarterly . Centre for Constitutional Studies, University of Alberta, Vol. 5, Nos. 3 & 4, Spring/Summer, pp. 68-71.