by James Tweedie

THE looming EU-Canada free trade agreement is a Trojan Horse for US firms to sue governments, a report warned yesterday.

Entitled Trading Away Democracy, the report by a raft of European campaign groups laid into the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (Ceta). The investment court system at the heart of the secretive deal would would allow corporations, including US ones based in Canada or the EU, to claim compensation for profits “lost” due to labour, health and safety or environmental laws.

The investment court is just one of many similarities between Ceta and the notorious Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), which has provoked determined opposition from trade unions, consumer groups, medical professionals and environmentalists.

More than 300,000 people marched in seven European countries on Saturday against Ceta, which is set to be signed off by European governments in October. In Britain, Prime Minister Theresa May might even sign the agreement before Parliament has a chance to debate it, campaigners said.

War on Want senior trade campaigner Mark Dearn warned: “CETA is the Canadian TTIP but is being hyped as something much less harmful.

“Yet, as this new report shows, much like its evil twin deal, it champions the destruction of rules designed to protect society and the environment.”

Global Justice Now’s Nick Dearden said: “CETA would open up our government to a deluge of court cases by North American multinational corporations and investors.

“It presents a threat to our ability to protect the environment, to protect the public and to limit the power of big banks. It’s thoroughly undemocratic and must be stopped.”

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