Conservatives like to lie (about the NDP)

Conservatives continue to try and make the House of Commons into a farce.

Just as they did last spring, Conservatives MPs – led by the Prime Minister himself – are once again happy to stand up in the House and spread lies about the NDP’s policies.

The lie this time: the NDP’s position on the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).

[The NDP] is opposed to free trade with Europe…
– Stephen Harper, House of Commons, 21/10/2013

This attack on the NDP is clearly and demonstrably untrue. Rather than opposing the agreement, the NDP’s statement is balanced and begins:

The NDP welcomes the progress made that has brought us closer to a new economic agreement with the European Union.
– Statement by NDP International Trade critic, Don Davies, October 18, 2013

Even Harper’s own Minister, Jason Kenney, endorsed the NDP’s responsible approach:

Good work Don Davies for his reasonably balanced statement on the free trade agreement between Canada and the European Union.
– Tweet from Jason Kenney, October 18, 2013

Of course the NDP is asking to see the actual text of the agreement before taking a position. Details matter in trade deals – and we have seen in the past how badly Conservatives have handled trade negotiations.

Instead of spending their time misleading Canadians and lying about the NDP, the government should share the text of the agreement with the public so Canadians can make an informed decision about this proposed deal.

Canadians deserve better than Conservatives lying to them.