Economist Joseph Stiglitz rejects the TPP

[Oscar]

Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz rejects the Trans-Pacific Partnership

[ http://canadians.org/blog/nobel-prize-w ... artnership ]

April 3, 2016 - 8:43 am

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LISTEN: CBC Radio Interview:
[ http://www.cbc.ca/radio/thehouse/nobel- ... -1.3515289 ]

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Nobel Prize-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz says that the investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) provision is the "worst part" of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), that the deal would prevent Canada from moving toward a low-carbon economy, and that the whole agreement should be renegotiated.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership is a 'free trade' agreement that covers 40 per cent of the global economy. The TPP includes G7 'major advanced economies' (the United States, Canada and Japan), G20 'major economies' (Australia and Mexico), relatively smaller economies (New Zealand and Singapore) and 'developing economies' (Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, Peru and Vietnam).

With respect to the 'investment protection' provisions in the TPP, Stiglitz says, "It used to be the basic principle was polluter pay. If you damaged the environment, then you have to pay. Now if you pass a regulation that restricts ability to pollute or does something about climate change, you could be sued and could pay billions of dollars."

In an opinion piece published in the Guardian this past January, Stiglitz wrote, "While the language is complex – inviting costly lawsuits pitting powerful corporations against poorly financed governments – even regulations protecting the planet from greenhouse gas emissions are vulnerable. The only regulations that appear safe are those involving cigarettes (lawsuits filed against Uruguay and Australia for requiring modest labeling about health hazards had drawn too much negative attention). But there remain a host of questions about the possibility of lawsuits in myriad other areas."

He says those other areas could include 'investment protection' being used to prevent an increase in the minimum wage and to stop rules against predatory lending practices.

Stiglitz also says the deal's rules of origin provisions would mean job losses in Canada. A recent study by Tufts University found that the TPP would cost Canada 58,000 jobs and increase income inequality. The Huffington Post reports, "In all, the study estimates that the 12 countries involved in the proposed free trade deal would lose a net total of 771,000 jobs in the 10 years after the deal comes into force."

And Stiglitz says, "I think what Canada should do is use its influence to begin a renegotiation of TPP to make it an agreement that advances the interests of Canadian citizens and not just the large corporations." Given presidential front-runners Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders all oppose the TPP, and that there is serious opposition within the U.S. Congress, Stiglitz adds, "I'm a little surprised that Canada would seriously consider going through the political fight that is associated with getting this agreement ratified until the U.S. adopts it."

But when asked last week about the TPP, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said, "In our conversations with Canadians, with industries which are ongoing, there are a lot of people in favour of it and there are a few who have real concerns and we’re looking at understanding and allaying certain fears and building on some of the opportunities."

And earlier this year, trade minister Chrystia Freeland bluntly stated, "The negotiations are finished and for Canadians it’s important to understand that it’s a decision of yes or no."

Last week, U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman took a slightly different view when he said, "TPP isn't something that can be renegotiated - [but] that doesn't mean that we can't address some of the issues stakeholders have raised through other mechanisms, including in the implementation process, in the enforcement process, in the context of the broader trade agenda."

The House of Commons standing committee on international trade is expected to study the TPP for the next nine months (to about January 2017). The Canadian Press reports, "After that, [Freeland] has promised that only a vote in Parliament would ratify the deal." The Hill Times adds, "It’s unlikely the TPP deal will be put before the House for debate and a Commons vote until next fall or winter [meaning late 2017]..." In November 2015, the leaders of the TPP signatory countries put a two year limit on the ratification of the TPP (meaning the deal would need to be ratified by the Trudeau majority government by November 2017)."

The Council of Canadians is demanding - through this action alert - proper public consultations in Canada.
[ https://secure.canadians.org/ea-action/ ... nt.id=1899 ]

We are also encouraging our supporters to participate in the recently announced House of Commons standing committee hearings in Vancouver (April 18), Calgary (April 19), Saskatoon (April 20) and Winnipeg (April 21).

If you don't live near those cities, the committee is also accepting written submissions (of no more than 1,500 words in length) before April 30. You can email your comments to them at [ ciit-tpp-ptp@parl.gc.ca ].

You should also email a copy of those comments to the government at [ TPP-PTP.consultations@international.gc.ca ]

We would also encourage you to attend one of our public forums featuring Dr. Shiv Chopra speaking on the TPP and food safety in Courtenay (April 7), Nanaimo (April 8 ), Duncan (April 9), Victoria (April 10), Ladner (April 12), Langley (April 13), Chilliwack (April 14), Vancouver (April 16), Guelph (April 27), Windsor (May 14), and London (May 31). You can find more details about that tour here: [ http://canadians.org/community/calendar ]

For extensive commentary on the TPP, please see our campaign web-page here:
[ http://canadians.org/tpp ]

To listen to a 13-minute interview with Stiglitz on CBC Radio's The House, click here:
[ http://www.cbc.ca/radio/thehouse/nobel- ... -1.3515289 ]


Brent Patterson's blog
Political Director of the Council of Canadians
[ http://canadians.org/blogs/brent-patterson ]

[Oscar]

From: Janet M Eaton
Sent: Thursday, April 7, 2016 8:24 PM
Subject: Prof. Stiglitz Ottawa U talk warning Canada to reject TPP
[ Links to talk + media references [from Conference "Making Sense of the TPP" ]
[ https://www.policyalternatives.ca/newsr ... artnership ]

Dear All:

Last Friday I attended the excellent TPP Conference Making Sense of the TPP held at the University of Ottawa and co-sponsored by the Canadian Writer's Association, two Departments at Ottawa U and the national Trade Justice Network [of which I am a member], The list of stellar speakers is noted below in a posting from Scott Sinclair of the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives which provides links to the video coverage of the entire event on CCPA's website.

All the presentations together in one day provided a useful overview of the magnitude of the issues and threats to democracy, the environment, climate change, health care, human rights, the economy, jobs, etc. that come with this mega- trade agreement but what made the day all the more useful for activists trying to stop the TPP was a masterful keynote presentation by world renowned Nobel Laureate Economist Professor Joseph Stiglitz with his repeated and convincing warnings to the Canadian government not to ratify the TPP.

I also include media coverage of Professor Stiglitz visit with one 6-minute interview in which he makes the case for Canada not to ratify the TPP in an interview with Dianne Buckner of CBC's The Exchange: Nobel laureate Joseph Stiglitz says Canada should reject TPP. The Columbia University professor says the TPP deal is flawed and pro-big business.
[ http://www.thestar.com/business/2016/04 ... t-tpp.html ]

TPP 'worst trade deal ever,' says Nobel-winning economist Joseph Stiglitz - Trans-Pacific Partnership should be revised to advance interests of citizens, not corporations, he says
CBC News Posted: Mar 31, 2016 8:45 PM ET Last Updated: Apr 01, 2016 4:51 PM ET
[ http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/joseph- ... -1.3515452 ]

Video talk embedded 6:45 minutes [Good interview with Buckner where he advises Canada not to sign but to renegotiate]
Nobel laureate Stiglitz says Canada should reject TPP
[ https://ipolitics.ca/2016/04/01/nobel-l ... eject-tpp/ ]

Joseph Stiglitz To Canada: Stay Away From Flawed, Pro-Big Business TPPCP
By The Canadian Press Posted: 04/01/2016 2:06 pm EDT Updated: 04/01/2016 2:59 pm EDT
[ http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/2016/04/01 ... 93206.html ]
[Embedded video with Stiglitz speaking about issues with GDP and his work with the OECD to develop an alternative.]

fyi- janet

The video of the Making Sense of the TPP event held at the University of Ottawa on April 1 is available at: [ https://www.policyalternatives.ca/newsr ... artnership ]. It includes the keynote address by Nobel-prize winning economist Joseph Stiglitz .[ Note Professor Stiglitz keynote is at the very beginning of the afternoon session]

The morning panel included:

Gus Van Harten, Associate Professor - Osgoode Hall Law School - “Who has benefited financially from special privileges in the TPP for foreign investors in ISDS?”

Meghan Sali, Digital Rights Specialist, Open Media “IP, copyright and Canada’s digital future”

Scott Sinclair, Senior Researcher, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives Trade and Investment Project “Democratic deficit: the TPP’s questionable legitimacy”

The afternoon panel included:

Professor Ron Labonte, Canada Research Chair Globalization and Health Equity and Ashley Schram “The TPP and health. Few gains, some losses and many risks”

Jeronim Capaldo, Research Fellow Global Development and the Environment, Tufts University “Unemployment, Inequality and other Risks in the TPP”

Steven Shrybman, Goldblatt Partners “Does the TPP really advance labour rights?”

Pia Eberhardt, Researcher and Campaigner, Corporate Europe Observatory “Why are Europeans concerned about TPP’s little brother, the CETA?”

This event was hosted by the Trade Justice Network, CWA/SCA Canada, and the University of Ottawa’s School of Epidemiology, Public Health and Preventive Medicine, and The School of International Development Studies.