Questioning trade deal

Re: Beware of surrendering power to corporations — July 8

Not just bigots oppose trade deals — July 8

I was pleased to finally see two articles on so called trade deals. My concern is with the Trans Pacific Partnership. This is not a trade deal; it is a proposed corporate takeover whereby corporations can sue host countries if local regulations are perceived to interfere with profits (at present, Canada is, I believe, being sued for $2.6B).

Why should corporations be allowed to sue over regulations passed to protect our environment and citizens? Also under the TPP, pharmaceutical companies can extend their patents, preventing the source of cheaper drugs.

These trade deals only enrich the rich to the detriment of the poor. We need government by the people, for the people — not for the corporate world. Brian C. Dowling Fergus