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4- The Canadian Chmioni, Ffliay,Febnaary 27,1998 Region backs local busnsOf 5v BRAD REAUME The Champion Halton Region lias become embroiled in a sensitive debate over "It's for too the future course lor the aras largest emnptoyers. So, far, local interests appear to have the upper hand. big a risk to.............. On Wednesday representatives of various auto industry groupa t"e away the lined up on either ide of the 35-year old Canada-United States Auto Pact, a trade agreement governing the manufacture, sale and brdersuud import of automobiles in North Amreca. sewa Debate swiried around free trade through the lifting of tariff protection afforded Auto Pact companies, and the fair trade prac- apn- tices enforced by the Auto Pact agreement. Haton officiais were JOCESAVu.M developing a position on the issue to prod the federai govemrment. Members of Halton's administration and finance committee were îold to re-examine the matter afiter a full counicil discussion determined elected officiais had not heard ail submissions of interested parties. The comrnittee will now ask counicil to lobby the federal gov- and to oniy aliow lower tariffa on finished vehicles and parts. ernrent for reversai of a recent decision cutting tariff protection, The cornmittee resolution also recommends that any such Before You Pi For Your Next Bra For Safety's Sa Have Our ~ Licensed Technii ~ Evaluate Your Bi ýay __G ake lob PG TITANIC ake Sunday Matinee at 2 n SDAeRK CITY Friday &Satuday nghtyat7:00Pm & 915 Pm clans Sunday- Thursday nightly at 700 Pm only SINGER Frday& Sats day nightly at 700 Pm & 9:15 Pm Sunday- Tharaday nightly at 700 Pm only M Sunday Matnee at 2 Pm 875-$ AL4 NESA4. I ir in car debate changes take effeet soiely as part of broader negotiations wtth ail manufacturers aimed at securing free market access for everyone, everywhere, competing in the auto industry. -Auto ['aRt LoÂii4I cs arici iiýccd 01.il l ! nigh 'L '1I11w nated aitogether. The answer is no. That idea is as dead as a dodo," ernphasized Haiton MP Julian Reed, also pariiarnentary secretary to international trade minister Serge Marchi. Mr. Reed said there is concern with the decline in value of Asian currencies, which couid iead to cheaper Asian buiit cars flooding the North American mnarket. "Ail MPs with an interest have made it clear we have to do everything to preserve the industry in Canada. It's the engine of the economy," Mr. Reed said. "There are no more planned reductions in the tariff. The day rnay corne in the future. maybe 30 years or so, wben these things may have some feasibility." Mr. Reed said the trend around the world is to freer trade and lower tariffs but he acknowledged that some countries are nul open enough in their trading policies. The Auto Pact has been modified tbrough the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFT'A) but stili torrns tbe cornerstone of trade poliey in Ontario's single biggest industry. The trade agreement requires manufacturers who have signed on to utilize certain percentages of Canadian built parts and manu- facturing in return for duty and tariff free movernent of automo- biles between Canada and the United States. Those companies not involved in the agreemnent have to pay a 6.7 per cent tariff on cars tbey import into Canada. Mulvale concerned Accordîng to Oakviile Mayor Anne Muivale, Honda and Toyota, whicli operate Ontario rnanufacturing plants, were given the opportunity to sign on to the Auto Pact in 1989 but declined. Now, she says, they are pushing for an end to the agreement. Counciliors were divided on the issue. Several supported the eventuai move to free trade and a reduction in tbe tariff, bowever most were concerned about proteeting the Auto Pact as a bargain- ing clip in negotiations. "At the end of the day protectionism penalizes the consumer," said Burlington Mayor Rob Maclssac. He said lie could support a go-slow approacli, similar to the stance of the federal govemment on ending tariff barriers. "Mhis is not about keeping tariffs," said Ms Mulvale. "It's not about Japanese culture versus Canadian culture. It's about giving advice to the federal governrent." Burlington Councillor John Taylor said there is no question that the Auto Pact represents "a discriminatory tax policy in Canada" and that no other industry had that kind of arrangement. He added it shouid be removed in the long term, with govemment encour- aging growth in jobs in the short terrn. He pointed out tbat Canada is a net exporter of automobiles. Oakviile's Keith Bird noted that wbenever the federal govemrn ment lets a big contract they make creating spin-off economie benefits virtuaily mandatory. "What spin-off effeet will there be to dropping the tariff?" lie asked. Halton Chair Joyce Savoline said it is not smart to give up a bargaining clip in free trade negotiations. She pointed to the non- compliance of many Far Eastern countries with provisions in pre- viousiy negotiated auto trade agreemnents. "If you want to accuse me of prutectionism l'Il wear it proud- ly." she said. "I'm proteeting jobs. There are 10,000 farnilies in Halton who rely on those jobs in the auto industry. It's far ton big a risk to take away the banriers and see wbat happens." Halton atone has 10,000 jobs tied to the auto industry, 5,000 of which are at Ford of Canada's Oakville plant. Other manufactur- ing for the automotive sector occumfng throughout the regiofi. Representatives of auto industry players at the meeting inciuded Ken MacDonald of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers' Association; Michael Sheridan, director osf govemtunent policy at Ford of Canada; Bill Van Gaai, president of thc Canadian Autoworkers Local 707, and Michael Edmonds ofh tI Canadian Association of Japanese Automobile Dealers. Oakville bank robbed I-aiton Regtonal Poltce arc searcbtng l'or a tnan who used a bornb threat to rob a Bank of Montreal in Oakville last Friday. Approaching the teller at 1:43 p.m.. tbe suspect banded over a note indicating lie lad a bomb and demianded tnuney.. An undisclosed atnount of cash was placcd in a folder and thc man calrnly left tbe bank. lie was last seen walking westbound on Lakeshore Road. No one was injured and nu bumbh was seen. The suspect was describLd was male, white, inrlubi id-30s, six feet tait, very thin and very pale witb a large nuse. He was seti wearing a blue bomber jacket, a blue ski-duo type bat witli a pom- porn and a liglit coioured shirt. Anyone with information is asked tu cati detectives in Oakviile at 825-4747, ext. 2215 or Crime Stoppers ai 825-8477.