Following secret negotiations, Stephen Harper announced that Canada has signed on to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a trade deal expected to weaken labour and environmental laws while threatening public health care and other public services, in addition to Canada’s auto, farming, and manufacturing sectors.
Thankfully, the deal will be brought before Parliament for ratification – meaning Canadians have one chance this election to vote for a government that will consult the public on this deal rather than rubber-stamping it.
Tom Mulcair has already stated that an NDP government will not be bound by the tentative agreement.
In a letter to the government, Mulcair said:
“Canadians want change. Your government forfeited a mandate to conclude negotiations on a major international trade agreement the day the election was called. New Democrats will continue to fight for trade agreements that are good for Canada, and stand foursquare against concessions that harm Canadian interests.”
CUPE members will monitor the deal closely to see how it affects public sectors like health care, education, municipal services, public pensions, and labour rights.
The Liberals have refused to state their position on the TPP.