TPP may die because.of.Canada.

Thanks NDPP.  I found another article that gives more detail:  http://www.parl.gc.ca/Content/LOP/ResearchPublications/2008-45-e.htm

Basically, it is in the purview of the Executive Branch to ratify treaties, but the practise since January 2008 has been to table such treaties in the House of Commons before ratification. 

So, official ratification is:

Quote:

Cabinet prepares an Order in Council authorizing the Minister of Foreign Affairs to sign an Instrument of Ratification or Accession.13 Once this instrument is deposited with the appropriate authority, the treaty is officially ratified.

The new policy (which I'm guessing will be followed in this case) of 2008 is:

Quote:

The Clerk of the House of Commons distributes the full text of the agreement accompanied by a memorandum explaining the primary issues at stake, including subject matter, primary obligations, national interests, policy considerations, federal-provincial/territorial considerations, implementation issues, a description of any intended reservations or declarations, and a description of consultations undertaken. The House of Commons then has 21 sitting days to consider the treaty before the executive takes action to bring the treaty into effect through ratification or other preliminary measures, such as introducing legislation. The House has the power to debate the treaty and to pass a motion recommending action, including ratification; however, such a vote has no legal force. Passing treaties through the House of Commons remains a courtesy on the part of the executive, which retains full authority to decide whether to ratify the treaty after the parliamentary review. The policy states clearly that in exceptional cases the executive may have to ratify treaties before they can be tabled in Parliament. To do this, the executive will seek approval from the prime minister for an exemption and inform the House of Commons of the treaty as soon as possible upon ratification.

It's good and important information mark_alfred, let us hope that an anti-TPP mobilization can meet this critical national challenge in a vigourous and timely manner

and speaking further on this theme of a TPP 'fixed game"...

I'll post this for readers that may be curious about the Liberal minister selected to carry the TPP process forward and in particular, a very influential 'friend' and 'teacher'. Consider the possibilities inherent in this, the ramifications and strategic implications. You may wish to make sure you are sitting down first...

Taking Summers' Advice Defies Logic

http://dailyheraldtribune.com/2015/04/08/taking-summers-advice-defies-logic

"...Liberal MP Chrystia Freeland described 'Larry' as her 'dear friend', 'teacher', 'probably the smartest person I know.' She praised Summers as 'one of the key people steering the world economy through some very long, very turbulent times over two decades. Summers, an economic adviser to Bill Clinton and Barack Obama..."

I think you've probably got the jist of it. Summers recently declared himself for Hillary Clinton. Perhaps its only me, but given the very serious nature of the TPP especially with reference to the US, is it wise to trust perhaps the most important and far-reaching trade treaty in Canadian history, described as a 'corporate coup d'etat'  to the hands of someone so obviously and demonstrably under the  influence of such a powerful Wall St, White House insider as our minister of TPP appears to be?

Or maybe that's how it's intended to be...?

Does Chrystia Freeland actualy know what's going on?

Murray Dobbin suggest no, http://murraydobbin.ca/2016/02/05/trade-minister-needs-to-break-out-of-b...

In case people missed it

Kathleen Wynne & Andrea Horwath Debate Trans-Pacific Partnership TPP

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hZP4E-UMEI

I wrote Trudeau before Freeland had signed it, imploring them not to.  They finally responded:

mark_alfred wrote:

From : mark_alfred

Subject : Don't sign TPP

Dear Prime Minister Justin Trudeau,

How often do you sign a contract or agreement that you are potentially not committing to? Never. A signature is commitment. I do not feel it is appropriate for the government to sign the TPP before there has been a full debate with feedback within the House of Commons. So, I do not feel it is appropriate for you or Minister Freeland or any other government official to sign the TPP before it has been properly debated.

Sincerely, mark_alfred

Trudeau's office:  J.P. Vachon wrote:

Dear Mr. mark_alfred: On behalf of the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, I would like to acknowledge receipt of your correspondence, in which you raised an issue that falls within the portfolio of the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of International Trade. Please be assured that your comments have been carefully reviewed. I have taken the liberty of forwarding your e-mail to Minister Freeland, who, I am certain, will wish to give your views every consideration. Thank you for taking the time to write.

J.P. Vachon Manager/Gestionnaire Executive Correspondence Services for the Prime Minister's Office Services de la correspondance de la haute direction pour le Cabinet du Premier ministre

This tendancy of government to delay and pass off questions to others is what causes apathy and a feeling of disenfranchisement of people from government, I believe.

Anyway, if I do hear back from Freeland, I'll let you all know.

Double post

It's Time For the Truth. Hillary Publicly Supported the TPP

https://twitter.com/erictheteamster/status/706691800522686464?lang=en

Sanders Attacks Clinton Over Wall Street Ties & 'Disastrous Trade Agreements' (and vid)

https://www.rt.com/usa/334754-sanders-attacks-clinton-debates/

"He also accused Clinton of supporting 'disastrous trade agreements' such as NAFTA and TPP..."

It should be pointed out again that the new economic 'guru' of Chrystia Freeland and apparently also of Trudeau, is Larry Sommers, a fierce Clintonite neoliberal and Wall St bankster.

Stiglitz takes issue with the TPP's investment-protection provisions, which he says could interfere with the ability of governments to regulate business or to move toward a low-carbon economy.

It's the "worst part of agreement," he says, because it allows large multinationals to sue the Canadian government.

"It used to be the basic principle was polluter pay," Stiglitz said. "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."

There were similar provisions in North American Free Trade Agreement that led to the Canadian government being sued, but the TPP goes even further.

He said the provision could be used to prevent raising of minimum wages or to overturn rules that prevent usury or predatory lending practices.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/joseph-stiglitz-tpp-1.3515452?cmp=rss 

Trans Atlantic & Trans Pacific 'Partnerships' Complete Corporate World Takeover - by Paul Craig Roberts

http://www.paulcraigroberts.org/2016/04/09/trans-atlantic-trans-pacific-...

"As I have emphasized since these 'partnerships' were first announced, their purpose is to give corporations immunity from the laws in the countries in which they do business. The 'partnerships set up 'tribunals' staffed by corporations that are outside the court systems of the sovereign governments. It is in these corporate tribunals that the lawsuits take place.

In other words, the corporations are judge, jury and prosecutor. They can't lose..."

Breaking: TPP Hearings In 6 Days!

http://canadians.org/blog/chapters-mobilize-against-tpp

"Chapters mobilize against the TPP!"

NDP invites Canadians to share their views on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP)

Quote:

Deadline for written submissions is A̶p̶r̶i̶l̶ ̶3̶0̶,̶ ̶2̶0̶1̶6̶  -->  now June 30, 2016.

Tracey Ramsey, NDP Critic for International Trade, is encouraging Canadians to share their views on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) by participating in a study of the proposed deal that’s being conducted by the House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade.

As part of its study, the Committee is inviting Canadian individuals and organizations to provide written submissions that express their views on the TPP agreement. The Committee is also inviting Canadians to request to appear as a witness before the Committee, either as an individual or as a representative of an organization.

See link for more details.

http://traceyramsey.ndp.ca/ndp-invites-canadians-to-share-their-views-on...

ETA:  The deadline for this has been extended to June 30, 2016.

So let the record show the 'extensive consultations' promised Canadians in advance of any agreement have been proven a sham.

TTIP Risks To Health & Environment, 'US Pressure on EU' Revealed in Secret Docs Leaked by Greenpeace (and vid)

https://www.rt.com/news/341591-greenpeace-leak-ttip-deal

"The 248 pages of classified negotiation papers on TTIP were released by Greenpeace Netherlands on Monday. The suspicions of millions of people were right."

Obama on TPP: 'Other Countries Should Play By Rules Set By US & Partners, Not the Other Way Around'

https://youtu.be/i1ipb-xPZ_U

"President Barack Obama says the world should play by America's rules. Words he used to explain how the TPP would keep the US as the world's trade leader."

Sentiments shared by the Canadian lackey regime.

An invitation to protest the TPP this week!

The House of Commons standing committee on international trade will be in Montreal, Quebec City, Windsor and Toronto this week to hear testimony on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).

quote:

The hearings will take place this week in Montreal (May 10), Quebec City (May 11), Windsor (May 12) and Toronto (May 13).

In Montreal, the Council of Canadians, Citizens in Action, and the Raging Grannies will be outside the Queen Elizabeth Hotel (900 René-Lévesque West) this Tuesday at 8:30 am with placards, banners and images of what they hold dear that would be threatened by the TPP.

In Windsor, the Council of Canadians Windsor-Essex chapter will be outside the Best Western PLUS Waterfront Hotel (277 Riverside Drive West) this Thursday at 8:45 am. They will be setting up a speakers corner for anyone wishing to send a video message to the House of Commons committee.

And in Toronto, the Council of Canadians, OpenMedia, LeadNow, the Trade Justice Network, Common Frontiers, and others are organizing an action outside the Ritz-Carlton Toronto (181 Wellington Street West) on 9:00 a.m. this Friday.

Why food sovereignty should be part of the debate on the TPP

A recent report on genetically engineered crops by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine received a great deal of media attention for its conclusion that such crops are safe for consumption. Proponents have seen this report as a victory over the anti-GE movement, but the scientific evidence affirming the safety of GE crops has been established for some time.

The fixation on health implications in popular debate has distracted from the real issues: the way that technology and agricultural practices contribute to the commodification of seed production and the corporatization of Canada’s food system. Successive governments have deepened these issues, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau doesn’t appear to be an exception, given his support for the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a regional trade deal that will compromise a wide array of factors that support food sovereignty.

quote:

Seed sovereignty

Seed sovereignty means democratic control and common ownership of seed varieties, which have increasingly become threatened worldwide due to the use of GE technology, among other factors.

The overwhelming fixation on GE technology, however, as the core problem in our food systems directs attention away from the diverse factors resulting in the loss of seed sovereignty. The commodification of the seed commons and the resulting loss of seed diversity has come even from policies that have nothing to do with GE crops.

The Agricultural Growth Act, which included significant concessions to multinational agribusiness, became law last winter under the Harper government and Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz. It amended the federal Plant Breeders’ Rights Act, bringing it in alignment with the most recent international convention on plant breeders’ rights (UPOV 1991).

Multinational seed companies can now claim plant breeder rights over non-patented plant cultivars in Canada and then charge end-point royalties from farmers who save the seeds, suing those who fail to pay. Furthermore, the act permits companies to withdraw plant breeder rights over a cultivar before the end of the claim’s 20-year term instead of releasing it into the public domain, then claim rights to a slightly modified version of the cultivar.

The TPP threat

The Agricultural Growth Act was ultimately a condition for Canada’s participation in the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a regional trade deal that will compromise a wide array of factors that support food sovereignty.

However, the deregulation of seed production in Canada has been taking place since the 1970s, when the technology was introduced amid the rise of neoliberal governments seeking to integrate and marketize food systems globally. The globalization and corporatization of Canada’s food system has resulted in the deference of regulation to agribusiness, with less and less public consultation.

Under the Harper government, lack of transparency in the approval of agricultural technology and hostility to opponents resulted in a chill among farmer and food sovereignty organizations....

Peasant strike rocks Colombia

Campesinos launched a strike across Colombia May 31, with some 100,000 blocking highways and effectively shutting down at least half of the country's 32 departments. One is reported dead from clashes at a roadblock outside the main Pacific port of Buenaventura, and four soliders were briefly detained by protesters on the Quibdó-Medellín highway. The "indefinite" strike, or National Agrarian Minga, was called to protest the economic policies of President Juan Manuel Santos, and especially to press him on promises made in 2013 to end a similar national strike that left dozens dead. "They have not complied with 30% of the accords," said Robert Daza of the Agrarian Summit. He charged Santos with drawing up a National Development Plan that corresponds to the needs of the Free Trade Agreement with Washington rather than Colombia's small producers. Daza said Santos is "putting the strategic resources of the nation up for sale [and] distributing the land in an unequal manner."..

TPP doesn't have support for House vote this year

Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis) on Thursday said an expansive Asia-Pacific trade deal won’t get a vote in Congress this year because there isn’t enough support.

Ryan said there is no point in bringing up the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal in the lame-duck session after the November elections because he doesn't see how the Obama administration can build enough support for the controversial agreement by year's end.

"As long as we don't have the votes, I see no point in bringing up an agreement only to defeat it," Ryan said in an interview with Wisconsin Public Radio.

“I have my own problems with TPP, it is not ready, the president has to renegotiate some critical components of it,” he said.

Ryan said the Obama administration negotiated a TPP agreement that "cost them dozens of votes in Congress," adding that right now the votes are not there. The Speaker said Obama needs to fix the agreement if the administration wants to have any chance of passing the trade deal. 

But he said he doubts that could happen this year....