On TPP Liberals don’t think better is possible

Memo to Liberal trade minister Chrystia Freeland: this is Canada, and in Canada, better is always possible – especially when it comes to protecting jobs from a bad deal signed by the Harper Conservatives.

“It's unacceptable that Ms. Freeland is simply accepting the content of this job-killing deal and refusing to stand up for jobs in Canada,” said NDP trade critic Tracey Ramsey. “Hillary Clinton isn’t rolling over. Bernie Sanders isn’t accepting this deal. Even US Republicans aren’t ready to rubber-stamp the TPP. Why is Freeland accepting TPP as is?”

TPP will jeopardize 20,000 jobs in the auto sector and put Canada at a disadvantage to US companies who got better terms on tariff phase-out. It would also make it easier for foreign corporations to take over Canadian businesses with no reviews to ensure deals are good for Canadian workers and communities.

The deal locks in Intellectual Property rights that benefit big US corporations, not Canadian consumers or innovators. Investor State Dispute Settlement mechanisms allow corporations to sue governments over health and environmental standards. Furthermore, TPP will chip away at our supply management system and farmers say that the Conservatives’ compensation package doesn’t add up.

“A better deal is possible,” said Ramsey. “We want a deal that doesn’t sacrifice 20,000 jobs in the auto sector, won’t lock Canadians into high drug prices and creates IP rules that benefit Canadian innovators and consumers – not big US interests.”