TPP a good thing for Canada?
National Post readers answer the question, “Is the TPP a good deal for Canada?”
Huge kudos
This is a tremendous deal for Canada’s economy going forward. The Harper government deserves huge kudos for doggedly working years to bring it to a successful conclusion. Many sectors of our economy, particularly the beef industry, forestry and grain producers will benefit greatly. As dairy farmers will be richly compensated they will not suffer. Canadians should realize free trade deals are the way of the future in this global economy. They should also be aware the NDP has always been adamantly opposed to free trade deals and the Liberals have never really signed any significant ones.
Larry Comeau, Ottawa.
Guardian of free trade
Yes, the TPP is a great deal for Canada. After years of haggling, the Conservatives under Stephen Harper made it happen. This is the largest economic trading agreement ever with 12 like-minded countries willing to drop barriers in order to trade their commodities. It is a win-win situation. Prime Minister Harper is our guardian of free trade and should return to Parliament to ratify it.
Madeleine Wannop Ross Salter, Stoney Creek, Ont.
Fortunate for Harper
The TPP agreement is a tremendous deal for Canada and kudos to the prime minister for getting it done. This will open the door to a flood of markets, which in this technological age, are crucial to the economic well-being of this country. Yes, there will be the usual doomand-gloom crowd, including the opposition saying our sovereignty is up for grabs, but in power they would not seriously reject this deal for one second. Stephen Harper has guided this nation to economic prosperity and we are very fortunate to have him around. Let’s not lose a good thing.
Stephen Flanagan, Ottawa.
Gouged on dairy
In theory, any deal that expands trade between countries is a good thing — as long as it does not come at the expense of consumers or manufacturers of either country. The deal as it stands is great news for Canadian monopolies and big business, but it does absolutely zilch to benefit consumers who are being royally gouged — especially in the area of dairy product consumption. Despite the low Canadian dollar, those who can still flock over the border for far better prices in the United States. Politicians suck up to gullible voters, but pander to big money and big business, which ultimately keep them in power.
Jerome Henen, North Vancouver, B.C.
Trade between equals
It is difficult to be entirely against any trade deal if one believes in universal fairness. In order to be able to sell abroad, we must be open to others’ exports. It is hard to understand, however, how things can be fair when trading with countries that have widely different social benefits and lower wages. Canadian costs must be higher simply because we are a northern country that requires more energy to build and operate. Our transportation costs are higher because of distance and lower population densities. The only way we can hope to compete is to be exceptionally efficient. Real free trade can only work between equals.
Harry Coupland, Toronto.
Devil in the details
Based on what I’ve read so far, I give the TPP a qualified thumbs up. I’m disappointed that the supply management system was not significantly dismantled, since it is clearly a tax on low-income people, and I’m also concerned about the aspects of the agreement that relate to the auto sector. The devil is in the details, as they say. The much larger issue here is that fewer and fewer people trust their national governments to negotiate on their behalf, hence the NDP’s position. The TPP will have to be sold to the Canadian people honestly: let’s hope it is.
John Purdy, Kirkland, Que.
A silly game
Remember that card game where one of the cards is stuck to your forehead? It’s part of the TPP game that we don’t get to see the agreement — and we look just as foolish playing it.
Kirk Zurell, Kitchener, Ont.
Don’t be naive
I agree with Tom Mulcair in not giving unconditional support to Stephen Harper for the trade deal. We should not be naive. We are in an election, after all, when the stakes are high and Mr. Harper has shown to be desperate to win votes, even at the expense of minorities. We should not be deceived so easily.
Abubakar N. Kasim, Mississauga, Ont.
Trillion, with a “T”
Nothing is perfect, but the TPP has a client base of 800 million people, covers 40 per cent of the world’s economy and has a GDP of $28 trillion (with a “T”). If a major trading partner like Canada doesn’t sign on, it would be political and economic suicide and the country would feel the effect for decades and decades to come.
Douglas Cornish, Ottawa.
Will be a boon
Prime Minister Brian Mulroney pushed for a trade deal with the United States and Mexico — a little thing called NAFTA — and the Liberals and the NDP of the day wailed at this monstrosity that was a road to supposed purgatory and lost jobs. Decades later, it has proven to be an enormous asset to Canada’s vibrant economy and has assured a much better standard of living than before we had this deal. The TPP and its benefits won’t be felt for many years, but you bet it will be a boon for Canada.
Marvin Litvack, Toronto.
Not a good deal
It’s too early to tell, but most likely no, the TPP is not a good deal for Canada. Yes, we need trade agreements but I don’t think NAFTA and the earlier FTA benefited us. As a small country, Canada tends to get screwed. Ontario, according to The Economist magazine, is the new rust belt of North America, largely because of earlier agreements that contributed to hollowing out the manufacturing sector.
Andrew van Velzen, Toronto.
Where does Trudeau stand?
The Trans-Pacific Partnership is an agreementin principle, with a detailed agreement to follow. While Canadians cannot expect party leaders to endorse, or reject, unknown details, they are entitled to know before Oct. 19 whether party leaders endorse, or reject, TPP principles. We know where both Tom Mulcair and the prime minister stand. Although I disagree with him, Tom Mulcair deserves credit for taking a clear position. Justin Trudeau, on the other hand, deserves condemnation for avoiding what is likely the most important issue in this election.
Paul Lowry, Delta, B.C.
Yuck
The TPP looks like the North American Free Trade Agreement on steroids. Yuck. That many economists support both is enough to make one suspicious. If NAFTA was so great for Canada, how come workers’ wages and salaries have stagnated or declined since the 1970s, despite productivity increasing? Not to mention thousands are now using food banks and many are homeless. I guess we’re supposed to ignore the majority because a few greedy business people got obscenely richer through NAFTA.
Jim Erkiletian, Nanaimo, B.C.
Missed opportunity
Any dismantling of trade barriers is a move in the right direction but it is a shame that Canada has not taken advantage of this opportunity to get rid of our supply management systems for milk, cheese, poultry and eggs, which are totally regressive and benefit only a tiny minority of farmers at the expense of the rest of the population. The price of cheese in particular is quite ridiculous.
Kendall Carey, Toronto. More voters now wish to elect The Liberals, pollsters detect Suggesting the stories Of veil-banning Tories Have not had the wanted effect Twitter.com/limericking