The Liberal government has been consulting Canadians on the 12-country Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP). They said they would hold an open debate in Parliament before voting on ratification. It could happen in this session of parliament.
Before MPs vote on the TPP, we want them to show us that they understand how this agreement will impact the things Canadians care about most and will act in our best interest.
Ask your MP these 12 questions to see if they understand what’s at stake when they vote.
Growing a Clean Economy & Jobs
1. The Liberal government promised to grow a “clean and innovative economy.” How can the Canadian government incentivize growth in Canadian clean tech industries, jobs and products without being sued by foreign corporations?
Safeguarding the Environment
2. If the TPP is ratified, how will government decisions taken under federal and provincial environmental protection laws be safeguarded from investor-state legal challenges?
Taking Action on Climate Change
3. If new climate policies undermine foreign corporate profits, how can Canada meet its goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions without facing prohibitive investor-state settlement payouts?
4. If they come into conflict, which of Canada’s international agreements will take legal precedence: our climate change commitments or compliance with the TPP?
Maintaining Healthcare Standards
5. Canada has one of the best health care systems in the world. Pharmaceuticals are the second largest component of our health spending. Given that the TPP’s increased intellectual property rights for pharmaceuticals will drive up this cost, how will the Canadian government be able to maintain the current standard of health care?
Upholding Indigenous Rights
6. Will the Canadian government uphold Aboriginal Title, treaty rights and the “duty to consult” First Nations if they come into conflict with protections afforded to foreign corporations under the TPP?
Respecting Canadian Law
7. The investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) mechanism will establish tribunals that operate outside the normal court system to rule on lawsuits brought by foreign corporations against the Canadian government. How will Canada’s rule of law be upheld when there is no process to appeal decisions that may be deemed unlawful?
Protecting the Public Purse
8. How can ISDS tribunal arbitrators be trusted to make fair and impartial decisions when they are financially motivated by the frequency and length of ISDS legal cases?
9. As the most sued developed country in the world under trade agreements, how much has Canada paid to international corporations in settlements under NAFTA? How can the Canadian government ensure this amount won’t increase exponentially under the 12-party TPP agreement?
Supporting Canadian Agriculture
10. Given that the TPP’s restrictions on subsidizing agriculture, how can the government encourage and support the development of more sustainable local farming initiatives (which strengthen national food security) and ensure that Canadian-produced food remains affordable?
Acting in the Public Interest
11. How will the government maintain its ability to act in the public interest, if the “right to regulate” is not enshrined in the TPP?
Delivering Results for Canadians
12. How will the government track the positive and negative impacts of the TPP? What mechanism for recourse will be in place to correct the course if the TPP doesn’t deliver the anticipated benefits for Canadians?
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