On February 4, 2016, twelve nations met in Auckland, New Zealand to sign the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Since then, it has divided the people and governments of numerous Pacific Rim nations.
Even though it has been signed, the agreement will not take effect until the governments of participating nations first ratify the agreement in their respective legislatures. In Canada, the Conservative Party was criticized for their lack of transparency regarding the agreement, resulting in the opposition parties refusing to support the agreement until they had been informed of its contents.
Prior to the October election, Liberal leader Justin Trudeau promised more clarity and honesty with regards to the agreement if they formed the new government. Following the election, Trudeau proclaimed that he planned to move forward with the TPP and had it signed last month.
However, Trudeau also promised before the election that “[the Liberal Party] will hold a full and open public debate in Parliament to ensure Canadians are consulted on this historic trade agreement” before continuing with the ratification process.
Following the release of the details of the TPP, Thomas Mulcair, the leader of the federal New Democratic Party, expressed the NDP’s opposition to the agreement, arguing that it would cost many Canadians their jobs, especially in the dairy industry.
As promised, the House of Commons debated the agreement this morning. However, due to the unexpected tardiness of the Speaker of the House, the session was delayed.
Nearly two hours after the scheduled start time, roll call began, followed by the presentation of the Conservative Party’s proposed trade bill, which failed to pass.
After the vote on the Conservative bill, the Prime Minister presented the government’s bill regarding the TPP.
The bill states, “The Government of Canada will pursue the Trans-Pacific Partnership, providing that domestic interests are protected.”
The Prime Minister opened debate on the bill by criticizing the prior lack of transparency on the agreement. This speech was followed by a speech by the Leader of the Opposition, who questioned the government on their lack of plans to completely forsake the Supply Management System.
The Cabinet responded to this criticism by pointing out that any agreement made must protect domestic interests before the interests of international corporations and other countries.
Then, following questioning regarding indigenous people from the leader of the Green Party, the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs reaffirmed that aboriginal people’s rights would be protected under the bill. Additionally, he criticized the past Conservative government for their lack of support for indigenous people in Canada.
Due to the Liberal majority in the House, and the new NDP support for the bill due to multiple amendments and compromises, it is likely that the bill will pass. This, according to the Minister of Finance, “will benefit all Canadian society” and “will boost [Canada’s] economy.”
Even though it has been signed, the agreement will not take effect until the governments of participating nations first ratify the agreement in their respective legislatures. In Canada, the Conservative Party was criticized for their lack of transparency regarding the agreement, resulting in the opposition parties refusing to support the agreement until they had been informed of its contents.
Prior to the October election, Liberal leader Justin Trudeau promised more clarity and honesty with regards to the agreement if they formed the new government. Following the election, Trudeau proclaimed that he planned to move forward with the TPP and had it signed last month.
However, Trudeau also promised before the election that “[the Liberal Party] will hold a full and open public debate in Parliament to ensure Canadians are consulted on this historic trade agreement” before continuing with the ratification process.
Following the release of the details of the TPP, Thomas Mulcair, the leader of the federal New Democratic Party, expressed the NDP’s opposition to the agreement, arguing that it would cost many Canadians their jobs, especially in the dairy industry.
As promised, the House of Commons debated the agreement this morning. However, due to the unexpected tardiness of the Speaker of the House, the session was delayed.
Nearly two hours after the scheduled start time, roll call began, followed by the presentation of the Conservative Party’s proposed trade bill, which failed to pass.
After the vote on the Conservative bill, the Prime Minister presented the government’s bill regarding the TPP.
The bill states, “The Government of Canada will pursue the Trans-Pacific Partnership, providing that domestic interests are protected.”
The Prime Minister opened debate on the bill by criticizing the prior lack of transparency on the agreement. This speech was followed by a speech by the Leader of the Opposition, who questioned the government on their lack of plans to completely forsake the Supply Management System.
The Cabinet responded to this criticism by pointing out that any agreement made must protect domestic interests before the interests of international corporations and other countries.
Then, following questioning regarding indigenous people from the leader of the Green Party, the Minister of Aboriginal Affairs reaffirmed that aboriginal people’s rights would be protected under the bill. Additionally, he criticized the past Conservative government for their lack of support for indigenous people in Canada.
Due to the Liberal majority in the House, and the new NDP support for the bill due to multiple amendments and compromises, it is likely that the bill will pass. This, according to the Minister of Finance, “will benefit all Canadian society” and “will boost [Canada’s] economy.”