Ottawa will sign the controversial Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal at a meeting next week in New Zealand, Canada’s International Trade Minister confirmed Monday.
But in an open letter posted on her department’s website Chrystia Freeland wrote that signing the treaty with 12 Pacific Rim countries doesn’t necessarily mean Canada will ultimately ratify it.
“Signing does not equal ratifying,” Freeland wrote. “Only a majority vote in our Parliament can allow the Agreement to take force. Signing is simply a technical step in the process, allowing the TPP text to be tabled in Parliament for consideration and debate before any final decision is made.”
Freeland and her parliamentary secretary David Lametti have criss-crossed the country conducting public consultations on the free trade agreement.
“After attending public town halls, participating in over 70 meetings and round tables, and receiving feedback from thousands of Canadians who have written to me, it is clear that many feel the TPP presents significant opportunities, while others have concerns,” Freeland wrote. “Many Canadians still have not made up their minds and many more still have questions.”
Opposition parties react
Tracey Ramsey, International Trade critic for the left-wing New Democratic Party, said it was “outrageous” that the Liberals are signing onto the TPP after promising open consultations.
“Canadians expect openness and transparency from their government, but it’s clear the Liberals have already come to their own conclusions,” Ramsey said in a statement to RCI. “The TPP will cost Canada 58,000 jobs, deepen income inequality and hurt key economic sectors. Instead of signing this job-killing deal, the Liberal government should stand up for Canadian jobs and say no to the TPP.”
Gerry Ritz, International Trade critic for the Conservative Party, said now that the minister has decided to sign the TPP, Canadians need to know the Liberal Government’s plan for implementation.
“Thus far, Minister Freeland only seems to be interested in endless debate about the merits of the agreement,” Ritz said. “Unfortunately, as with all global business today, perceived inaction on the ratification front will cause the loss of Canadian jobs when their employers seek to relocate their business to a TPP nation that has committed to ratification.”
Trade ministers from the TPP’s partner countries have been invited to formally sign the deal on Feb. 4 in Auckland.
The former Conservative government announced an agreement-in-principle on the pact in October during the federal election campaign.
Freeland said each country has up to two years to consider ratification before making a final decision but the deal cannot be renegotiated. It will come into effect if the United States, Japan and four other countries ratify it.
“It is important to note that signing next week preserves Canada’s status as a potential full partner in the agreement, with all of the rights and powers that go with it.”
With files from The Canadian Press
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