Canada moves a step closer to ratifying 'gold-plated' trade deal with EU

[Joe Shlabotnik]

The Canadian government is one step closer to ratifying a "gold-plated" trade deal with the European Union, says International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland on the agreement in principle reached by the previous Conservative government in 2013.

"This is really a gold-plated trade deal. It is going to bring tremendous benefit to Canadians and to Europeans, we are going to feel it all in a real increase in prosperity," Freeland said in Ottawa on Monday.

..snip

Freeland said she heard "no opposition" to CETA when she held consultations across the country.

But the Council of Canadians, which had been in Europe trying to mobilize opposition to the investor-to-state dispute settlement (ISDS) mechanism, said today's announcement was "smoke and mirrors."

"It still enshrines corporate rights and enables giant European corporations to sue the Canadian government," said Garry Neil, executive director of the Council of Canadians in a written statement.

"Tinkering with the dispute settlement process doesn't change this fundamental flaw".

..snip

Tracey Ramsey, trade critic for the NDP, said the party has some concerns

"We want to look at the details and are concerned that environmental laws could still be challenged under the new rules," Ramsey said in a written statement sent to CBC News.

Ramsey said Monday's announcement also raises questions for the Trans-Pacific Partnership which Freeland signed earlier this month.

"If the old rules were such a threat in CETA, surely she can't ratify them in TPP."

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May said while today's announcement includes some improvements to the appointment of arbitrators and the government's right to regulate, there are still problems with the dispute process.

"Under CETA, foreign investors will still be able to attack state decisions in areas ranging from agriculture to consumer protection to public health to the environment," May said in a written statement.​

"This means tribunals can still order vast payouts to foreign investors without having to go through Canadian courts."

I don't know how much more of our new governments "sunny ways" I can take.

From: http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-europe-trade-deal-amended-1.3468802

[chapdrum]

1. Can't wait to see Ms. Freeland

make yet another appearance on "Real Time with Bill Maher."

I'll bet that he doesn't ask her about this, just like he has never brought up the TPP.

Then again, he is quite rich, and these types tend to cluster.