Ottawa – Today, Trade Minister François Champagne quietly tabled legislation to implement the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), a rebranded version of the controversial TPP. The Council of Canadians is deeply concerned by the government’s attempt to sneak the deal through Parliament.
“This is the same deal which puts 80,000 jobs in danger, harms farmers, and enshrines Chapter 11 provisions which give corporations the rights to sue us in 10 more countries,” says Maude Barlow, Honorary Chairperson of the Council of Canadians. “It may be rebranded, but it’s the same deal which an overwhelming majority – almost all Canadians consulted – said they opposed.”
According to Agence France Presse reports, Minister Champagne has said that he wants to ratify the deal as quickly as possible, some suggest before Parliament adjourns for the summer on June 22.
“This is a mammoth deal, with some minor changes from the original TPP. It would be deceitful to try and sneak it through Parliament without a serious debate. We ask that Parliament not rush this through and give it the proper analysis and inquiry that it deserves,” says Sujata Dey, Trade Campaigner with the Council of Canadians. “Economic studies have shown very little, if any, benefit to Canadians. It would be a cynical and undemocratic act to push it through, hoping that Canadians are not watching,”
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For more information or to arrange interviews:
Dylan Penner, Media Officer, Council of Canadians, 613-795-8685, dpenner@canadians.org. Twitter: @CouncilOfCDNs
