A BLACK DAY - Canada signs on to huge Trans-Pacific trade

[Oscar]

Canada signs on to huge Trans-Pacific trade deal

[ http://ottawacitizen.com/news/historic- ... ced-sunday ]

Jason Fekete, Ottawa Citizen More from Jason Fekete, Ottawa Citizen

Published on: October 5, 2015 | Last Updated: October 5, 2015 10:00 AM EDT

[ Dairy farmers take part in a protest in downtown Ottawa on Tuesday, September 29, 2015. Dozens of dairy farmers from Ontario and Quebec gathered on Parliament Hill to raise concerns about protecting Canada's supply management system in the Trans Pacific Partnership negotiations. PHOTO ]

Canada has signed on to the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal, which creates the largest trading bloc in the world. But the deal will see the federal government spend billions of dollars to support Canadian farmers as part of an accord that will have immediate political implications on the campaign trail.

Trade ministers meeting in Atlanta wrapped up a furious negotiating session early Monday for an agreement that will have enormous economic ramifications – including in sensitive sectors like dairy and autos – and is sparking significant controversy in the home stretch of the election campaign.

Anticipating concerns, Trade Minister Ed Fast, who negotiated for Canada in Atlanta, told a press conference this morning, “Ultimately it will be the new Parliament that will judge the merits of this agreement.”

The Canadian government has agreed to make “limited” concessions on its supply managed dairy and poultry sectors that will allow more duty-free imports of products from TPP countries into Canada, but has kept the pillars of the controversial supply management system intact.

To compensate Canadian dairy and poultry farmers for potential financial losses from the deal, the government is promising to invest $4.3 billion over the next 15 years in new income- and quota guarantees, and other programs to keep dairy and poultry farmers “financially whole.”

The additional duty-free access to Canada’s dairy and poultry market for TPP partners will be granted through quotas phased in over five years, and amounts to 3.25 per cent of Canada’s current dairy production (with the majority of the additional milk and butter being directed to value-added processing), 2.3 per cent for eggs, 2.1 per cent for chicken, two per cent for turkey and 1.5 per cent for broiler hatching eggs.

A typical dairy farmer will receive total federal government compensation of approximately $165,600 over the next 15 years, with an average chicken farmer receiving $84,100 and turkey farmer receiving $88,000. A typical egg farm could expect $71,500 and a hatching egg farm would receive approximately $191,700.

The Canadian government also says that it secured better terms for the rules of origin for vehicles and automotive parts than other TPP partners like Japan and the United States had initially been pushing for.

The TPP deal requires 45 per cent net-cost domestic content rules for cars, 45 per cent of net-cost content for “core parts,” and 40 per cent for other parts.

NAFTA rules up to now have stipulated that cars must have 62.5 per cent North American content for finished vehicles and 60 per cent for auto parts to be sold tariff-free in Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.

Japan had been pushing to allow for the duty-free movement of vehicles and auto parts containing as little as 30 per cent content produced in TPP countries. Canadian auto parts makers, meanwhile, are worried they will lose business to low-cost Asian producers that aren’t part of the trade deal, such as China and Thailand.

The Conservatives have been trumpeting the proposed agreement of 12 Pacific Rim nations as a boon to the Canadian economy and another example of why they are the only party that should be trusted to run the country as voters head to the ballot box in two weeks.

Tom Mulcair’s NDP is promising a New Democrat government wouldn’t be bound by the contents of the “secret agreement,” and is campaigning heavily against expected parts of the deal in hopes of shoring up support in Quebec and Ontario.

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau has criticized Harper and the Conservatives for being too secretive about the negotiations and failing to tell Canadians what’s at stake with an agreement. He hasn’t gone as far as Mulcair in expressing concerns with the deal or if the next government would be tied to its terms.

The 12-country TPP – which includes Canada, the United States, Japan, Mexico, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam – represents a market of nearly 800 million consumers and almost 40 per cent of the global economy, with a combined GDP of about $28.5 trillion.

The TPP agreement is expected to surpass the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in economic importance to Canada and includes two of the world’s three largest economies (the U.S. and Japan).

The agreement must be ratified by parliaments in each country, which could prove a serious challenge and take several years to complete

MORE:

[ http://ottawacitizen.com/news/historic- ... ced-sunday ]

[Oscar]

Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement is a Bad Deal for Canada

[ http://www.greenparty.ca/en/media-relea ... eal-canada ]

October 05, 2015

(DUNCAN) - Green Party of Canada Leader Elizabeth May says the new Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) is a bad deal and would be blocked by Green MPs in its current form.

"It appears that the Conservatives, operating a 'care-taker government' in an election, have just double-crossed the supply-managed sectors of Canada's agricultural sector, as well as the auto sector,” said May. “The Canadian government is now offering $4.3 billion in income support and other transitional programmes for producers in the dairy and poultry sectors. What they had promised producers was that they would defend supply management; instead they seem to think they can buy off producers with income supports for the next few years."

“The Green Party has serious concerns with the fundamentally undemocratic and non-transparent nature of the negotiations surrounding the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP),” stated May. [ http://www.greenparty.ca/en/platform/good-government ] “With investor state provisions that allow foreign corporations to launch suits against Canada in private arbitrations if government decisions are considered bad for profits, this deal is a threat to Canada’s sovereignty. Signing this deal in the midst of a federal election is another disturbing example of Harper’s pattern of unaccountable, secretive, and undemocratic practices.”

“Elected Green MPs will work collaboratively within the next minority government to introduce legislation preventing these types of investor-state agreements that put foreign profit over the best interests of Canadians,” said Paul Manly, Green candidate for Nanaimo-Ladysmith. Mr. Manly is a well-known filmmaker and producer of the 2009 feature film ‘You Me and the SPP’, about the negative impacts of investor-state provisions found in the North American Free Trade Agreement.
[ http://manlymedia.com/films/spp-me/ ]

“We must protect Canadian farmers and our manufacturing sector. The TPP jeopardizes Canadians’ livelihoods, including right here in Duncan,” said Fran Hunt-Jinnouchi, who is running to represent the riding of Cowichan-Malahat-Langford. “There has been no input from labour, environmental, health or consumer groups. Farmers aren’t even sure of the potential impact on their lives, since the text has remained secret throughout the negotiations. What we do know is that the TPP is likely to increase the price of Canadian milk and eggs.”

Frances Litman, Green candidate in Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke, continued: “The TPP will need to be ratified by the next parliament, so there has never been a more important time to send Green MPs to Ottawa. We will ensure that an open and transparent debate takes place before any vote.”

The TPP would allow trade between twelve Pacific nations (Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, United States, Japan, Singapore and Vietnam). It remains unclear if the Canadian public will see the TPP fine print. In 2012, Ms. May signed a joint statement of Green Party parliamentarians from the United States, Australia and New Zealand, among others, to express concerns about TPP. [ https://secure.greenparty.ca/en/media-r ... otearoa-ne ] - 30 -

For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:

Julian Morelli
Director of Communications
Green Party of Canada
cell: (613) 614 4916
office: (613) 562 4916 (224)
julian.morelli@greenparty.ca

Or

Kirsten Strom
Executive Assistant to Director of Communications
t: 613.562.4916 (200)
Toll Free 1.866.868.3447
kirsten.strom@greenparty.ca

[Oscar]

Next government must reject TPP

[ http://canadians.org/media/next-governm ... reject-tpp ]

Media Availability October 5, 2015

OTTAWA – Today, the 12 signatory countries of the Trans-Pacific Partnership wrapped up a trade agreement, the details of which will probably only be revealed after the federal election. The Council of Canadians questions the legitimacy of a deal that has been negotiated in secret without any democratic input.

“The Harper government has signed a deal that will lay off thousands of auto workers and put thousands of dairy farmers in jeopardy while giving even more foreign corporations the right to dictate Canadian policy. Stephen Harper has no right and no mandate to sign a deal that we are just learning about during a federal election. On October 19, we urge Canadians to vote against the TPP,” says Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians.

She added, “Just what are we supposed to make of a deal that has been kept secret from the Canadian public? Our own legislators don’t even know what’s in it. Stephen Harper negotiated the TPP during an election when his mandate is simply to be a caretaker government. Parliament now has the ability to vote on the TPP. We strongly encourage the next government to reject it.”

-30-

Media contact

For media calls:
Leila Marshy, Media Officer
Cell: (613) 618-4761
Office: (613) 233-4487, ext. 232
E-mail: lmarshy@canadians.org


MUCH MORE:
[ http://canadians.org/tpp ]

[Oscar]

SASKATCHEWAN WELCOMES TRANS PACIFIC PARTNERSHIP DEAL

[ http://www.saskatchewan.ca/government/n ... 5/tpp-deal ]

Released on October 5, 2015

Premier Brad Wall is applauding today’s announcement from Atlanta of an agreement, and Canada’s participation in the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), one of the most ambitious free trade agreements in history.

Negotiations involving 12 nations have just concluded on the TPP, which will represent a market of nearly 800 million consumers and a combined GDP of $28.5 trillion. Member countries include Canada, the United States, Mexico, Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Chile, Peru and Brunei.

“This is a huge deal for Canada as a trading nation and Saskatchewan as a trading province,” Wall said. “The agreement builds on the strengths of the other free trade deals Canada has struck and opens up new opportunities for our exporters in the fast-growing and lucrative pacific markets.”

Saskatchewan exported more than $25 billion in goods to TPP countries in 2014, or 71 per cent of our international exports. The premier said the TPP increases access to those markets for our exporters and keeps them on a level playing field with their competitors.

“International trade has always been vital to our province’s economy and our government’s Growth Plan calls for us to double our global exports by 2020,” Wall said. “Agreements like the TPP and Canada’s free trade deals with the European Union and Korea will help us reach that goal.”

From 2007 to 2014, Saskatchewan’s total exports to the world increased by 77 per cent to more than $35 billion a year. Saskatchewan’s agricultural exports more than doubled in that same period.

Wall said the TPP agreement will open new markets and increase Saskatchewan exports even further.

“Our agricultural producers are looking forward to having an even stronger presence in pacific markets, in particular Japan,” Wall said. “The TPP will encourage major growth and investment in our value-added agriculture sector through better access to these markets for our processed products, such as canola oil and meal, malt barley, beef and pork.”

Wall called on all the federal party leaders to commit to honouring the agreement if they are elected on October 19.

“This trade agreement is now in place with 11 of our most important trading partners representing 800 million people,” Wall said. “It would be disastrous if Canada were to pull out now and leave Canada and Saskatchewan on the outside looking in when it comes to selling our exports to these countries. I urge all the parties and leaders to support this important agreement when it comes before Parliament following the election.” -30-

For more information, contact:

Kathy Young
Executive Council
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0425
Email: kathy.young@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-526-8927

[Oscar]

TPP sets stage for 10-year phase-out of Canadian dairy, says NFU

[ http://us10.campaign-archive1.com/?u=09 ... 5d89e24d0f ]

October 5, 2015

The National Farmers Union (NFU) denounces the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), which would severely damage Canada’s supply managed sectors – dairy, chicken, turkey and eggs – and provide illusory market gains for other agriculture sectors such as beef, pork, grain and oilseeds. Today, all supply managed farmers earn their livelihood from the marketplace, but the TPP will deny them the ability to fully serve Canadian consumers. The government’s promised compensation to dairy producers for their losses will be borne by the taxpayer.

The other 11 TPP countries would gain tariff-free access to 3.25 per cent of Canada’s current dairy market, 2.3 per cent for eggs, 2.1 per cent for chicken, two per cent for turkey and 1.5 per cent for broiler hatching eggs.

The detailed text of the TPP is still secret and unlikely to be revealed before the federal election. Statements made by New Zealand’s dairy industry and its trade minister indicate that the TPP may contain additional concessions on dairy that will be phased in over time or will be the subject of future rounds of TPP talks.

“The federal government’s promise of a $1.5 billion compensation package for loss of quota value over ten years and $2.4 billion for loss of income over 15 years seems unnecessarily high if we are only talking about a 3.25 percent dairy quota cut,” said Jan Slomp, NFU President. “This large dollar amount suggests that the intent is to completely dismantle dairy supply management over the next ten years.”

“Most countries protect and support their domestic dairy markets and subsidize their farmers. Canada’s system does not require taxpayer support, and farmers obtain a fair return from the market. Dairy farmers in export-oriented countries, including TPP participants New Zealand, Australia and the USA, are suffering from their countries’ failed policies,” Slomp added. “Sacrificing our farmers and destroying a system that works for Canadian farmers, consumers, processors and taxpayers will not solve New Zealand’s problems. Supply management should have been kept right out of TPP negotiations.”

Each trade deal, whether it is the WTO, CETA or the TPP, adds on to the measures adopted in previous deals. Each has chipped away at Canadian farmers’ share of our own domestic market by increasing the amount of tariff-free imports allowed. If the TPP goes through, 1 out of every 10 litres of milk consumed in Canada will be purchased from non-Canadian entities – those consumer dollars will exit our economy, and will support jobs and investment in other countries instead of here at home.

The NFU also decries the TPP’s anti-democratic measures, including the investor-state dispute settlement mechanism -- which allows corporations to sue governments if laws or regulations reduce their profit-making potential -- and the requirement for crown corporations to operate as if they were for-profit businesses instead of serving their primary public purposes. - 30 -

For more information:
Jan Slomp, NFU President: (250) 898-8223 or (403) 704-4364


NFU Election Issues summary: Trade Agreements – CETA and the TPP
[ http://www.nfu.ca/policy/trade-agreemen ... ta-and-tpp ]


John Wilson, Chairman of New Zealand’s dairy exporter, Fonterra said: "While I am very disappointed that the deal falls far short of TPP's original ambition to eliminate all tariffs, there will be some useful gains for New Zealand dairy exporters in key TPP markets such as the US, Canada and Japan. Greater benefits will be seen in future years as tariffs on some product lines are eliminated."
Fonterra let down by remaining tariffs in Trans-Pacific Partnership
[ http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/politic ... p-TPPA-dea ]


New Zealand Trade Minister Tim Groser said: "On dairy, some (products) will achieve tariff elimination, on others it has been too difficult. We started from a high level of ambition. We haven't been able to achieve that today, but it's established a direction of travel. This will open space for future generations of trade ministers.” -

TPP deal gives limited win for NZ dairy
[ http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/BU1510/S ... -dairy.htm ]


Contact information:

Website: http://www.nfu.ca
Telephone: 306-652-9465
Email: nfu@nfu.ca
Mailing address:
2717 Wentz Ave., Saskatoon, SK S7K 4B6