OTTAWA— Liberal International Trade critic Wayne Easter made the following statement today on Stephen Harper’s announcement that Canada is entering the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP):
“Canada’s entrance into the TPP will have a significant impact on the way our country engages with its trading partners. Canada was undoubtedly forced to make concessions as a condition of being accepted into the trading partnership.
We are asking the Conservative government to be transparent and provide all details of this trade negotiation. Can the Conservative government give Canadians assurance that our supply management system will be preserved under this new agreement? And with the Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff leading Canada’s negotiations instead of the Minister of International Trade, can they guarantee that there will be accountability to Parliament and Canadians on this important file that will affect the way Canada does business on the international stage?”
