OTTAWA, Jan. 23, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canada’s unions are uniting in protest over today’s announcement that the Canadian government is signing onto a new Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, saying the move directly contradicts the government’s claim that it is standing up for Canadian workers.
“The way this new deal was suddenly announced, without any consultation or transparency, is undemocratic and flies in the face of the government’s claims that it is standing up for workers in trade negotiations,” said CLC President Hassan Yussuff.
Yussuff recalled widespread opposition to the TPP in cross-Canada consultations in 2016.
“Everywhere the government went, Canadians were clear that they opposed the deal because it would cost Canadian jobs and harm Canadian industries,” he said.
“It’s clear that none of those issues have been resolved. This deal won’t just undermine Canadian workers in its own right, but will undermine any possibility of a progressive strategy on NAFTA or any other trade deals,” he added.
Problems highlighted by Canada’s unions since Canada first joined TPP negotiations in 2012 include:
Yussuff says it isn’t clear yet whether the new deal will protect the Canadian dairy market. 250 million liters of milk, and the production jobs that come from that, are at risk annually.
For more information, please contact:
Chantal St-Denis
CLC Communications
cstdenis@clc-ctc.ca
613-355-1962