Editorial Now the work begins

Canada’s thirty-fourth general election was a hard fought one, but the high energy level of the past seven weeks shouldn’t conceal the fact that the hard work of maintaining our prosperity and our way of life into the twenty-first century is an ongoing challenge. One election based on one issue won’t change that. Saying “yes” to free trade will not solve all the problems facing us today. The deficit remains the number one issue and one on which all others depend: the level of funding for daycare facilities, steps to protect the environment, submarines, universal social programs.

During the election campaign our leaders whipped themselves into a frenzy — not a pretty sight. Many electors on both sides of the issue have taken the emotionalism of the free trade issue to heart, some almost to the point of fanaticism. The result was a campaign that was hardly genteel, but one that captured the imagination of the electorate. With the election decided, however, it’s all too easy to assume the matter is settled, to sit back and wait for the results to provide vindication for how one voted.

In reality, the free trade deal by itself means very little. There will be no miraculous boom as a result of this agreement, nor would there have been a spontaneous depression if it had been rejected. The benefits are not such that they will be simply bestowed upon us the moment the agreement is ratified here in Canada. The agreement simply codifies rules that previously had been left to the whims of elected officials. It provides for opportunities, but it is still up to Canadians to take hold of those opportunities and make the most of them.

And, while we have been strong proponents of the free trade deal, we are under no illusion that maintaining our unique way of life will continue to be a challenge north of the forty-ninth parallel. The agreement takes 10 years to be placed fully into effect, time for at least two more general elections, and during that time there is ample opportunity for the agreement to go astray. Many’s the slip ‘twixt the cup and the lip.

While negotiations are conducted defining what can be considered subsidies against which countervailing measures can be applied, Brian Mulroney’s majority government and the parties in opposition must be vigilant that those “canny Yankee traders” don’t outsmart us.

Under the agreement there is nothing to prevent U.S. industries from bringing complaints of unfair trade practices to their elected representatives and having those politicians champion their cause. We certainly wouldn’t want to prevent that. The difference will now be that the test of those complaints’ validity will be a matter of law, not a matter of politics. We may not win them all, but at least we’ll be playing by a clearer set of rules.

Nevertheless, it’s likely that the Opposition will point to the first such dispute that arises as an indication of how the free trade deal has failed. But Canada will also be able to ensure that U.S. companies adhere to the same provisions and that they abide by Canadian laws when dealing in Canada.

In isolation, the agreement means very little. The benefits lie in a new atmosphere for international trade, an atmosphere that will ease Canadian entrepreneurs’ efforts in all fields, be it mining or manufacturing, computers or cars, ballet or baseball. It will permit Canadians to compete on an equal footing with Americans.

If the example set by Canadian mining companies is any indication, we are confident that others will not only succeed but excel.