by Marie Kauna – EMTV Online, Port Moresby
Early last month, a meeting was held in Hawaii for partnering nations to strike an agreement on the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal.
During the meeting, the 12 nation members failed to agree to the deal. The deal is believed to have united the 12 nations into a single free trade zone, one that the partnering nations are still negotiating.
While this deal has raised growing concerns from the 12 nations, Canadian Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, says “he’s committed to signing the TTP even over the objections of the auto sector”.
According to Unifor Economist, Jim Stanford, “this could threaten as many as 400 Canadian auto jobs in both assembling and parts-making.”
In addition, Unifor President, Jerry Dias, said “that is a direct threat to thousands of good Canadian manufacturing jobs – exactly the kind of jobs we need more of.”
Last Friday, Ontario’s Economic Development Minister, Brad Daguid, sounded alarm over this deal saying that “Canada will be entering into an agreement that may negatively impact the auto-parts sector here in Ontario”, and it would be “reckless and shameful” for the government to proceed the deal as proposed.
Despite all these concerns, Canada is looking to proceed with the deal. Another meeting will be held in Atlanta on September 26 before the next Canadian election, with a possible new government to be chosen.
