ABSTRACT
For labour in a rich country like Canada, globalization is a ‘two-edged’ sword. On the one hand, international trade and investment historically have brought workers job opportunities, higher wages, and gains as consumers. On the other hand, the growing competitiveness and the increasing sophistication of international capitalism have raised threats of downward pressures on wages, working conditions, and protective standards. As the North American free trade debates in recent years have underlined, workers are deeply concerned about the ability of existing national institutions to meet their needs in a global economy.
