NDP wants new NAFTA to undergo reviews

OTTAWA Federal New Democrats are asking the Liberal government to commit to regular reviews of the new North American free-trade deal’s impact on Canada after it comes into force and to overhaul the way future trade pacts are negotiated.

The requests are in a letter from NDP trade critic Daniel Blaikie to Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, who last week signed a revised version of the Canada-U.S.-Mexico deal, which will update the 25-year-old NAFTA and must now be formally approved by Parliament before taking effect. That will require the minority Liberal government to gain the support of at least one opposition party.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has remained tight-lipped on whether New Democrats will vote for the agreement and in the letter, Blaikie does not outright condition the party’s support on the government adhering to its requests.

The Conservatives and Bloc Quebecois have both criticized the deal, with the latter especially angry over its treatment of aluminum. However, the Tories have given indications they may support it.

In an interview, Blaikie said the NDP wanted to “feel the government out” on creating a more transparent and inclusive approach to negotiating future trade agreements.

“New Democrats would be a lot more inclined to look favourably on the adoption of this agreement if it meant that Canada really was moving toward a more progressive trade agenda,” he said.

Freeland’s office did not immediately respond Monday to requests for comment.