The Hidden Free Trade Caveats of the Conservative Government
This past May, I addressed the Senate 7 times with the intention of questioning the government’s policies. My key concern was on the economy and 5 of my 7 questions were addressed this issue.
Currently, the free trade agreement with Europe (CETA) exists only as an agreement in principle, the negotiations are still ongoing, and the European ratification process will be long. But above all, we know nothing of this agreement while Canadians are directly concerned. In addition, I requested that the government conduct studies that would analyze this new treaty, which is even more extensive than NAFTA and is “expected” to create 80,000 jobs. Well I did not get a commitment on the studies, let alone an adequate response. I invite you to read my exchanges with the Leader of the Government in the Senate here.
I also raised the issue of government’s reform on trademarks which will create a system where the registration of a Trademark is all that will be required; companies will no longer have to prove that they are already using the trademark. The private sector is very worried because they anticipate very increases to legal fees from the new system; making trademarks too expensive for small medium companies and making them the resource of large companies. This reform, which will change a system that works very well, is a demand made by the Europeans in their negotiations for CETA. Of course, the Conservative Government denies any connection between CETA and these reforms. However, the EU public documents on CETA negotiations, which are available from their website, express in clearly in black and white terms that these reforms are their demands. Click here to read my exchanges with the Leader of the Government on this issue.
Then there was the whole issue of trade both within our country and with foreign countries where I am deeply concerned about the increase in our trade deficit. The trade deficit was also a key concern of the Governor of the Bank of Canada when he testified at the Committee of Banking of which I am Deputy-Chair. I reported his concern in the Senate by asking the leader of the government what is the government planning to do to help our small and medium enterprises to enter new markets. Other countries such as South Korea, Germany and Japan support their export enterprises. What does the Conservative government do? Nothing but negotiate and sign new free trade agreements. Read here my discussions with the Leader of the Government in the Senate.
On interprovincial trade, we received a question from a citizen of British Columbia which I found very appropriate. As we sign so many international free trade agreements, it appears that the Conservative government has forgotten that in Canada there are still many trade barriers between provinces and territories that impede commerce. This citizen wanted to know how this problem will be fixed. What concrete action? Not much if you believe the response of the Leader of the Government in the Senate, which you can read here.
I also spoke on the announced destruction of the terminal building at Mirabel Airport. The mayors of Montreal and Mirabel are opposed and local elected officials with business people that want to use it to boost the regional economy. What will the government do to propose an alternative scenario to the destruction of the terminal? They plan to do nothing to reassure politicians or business people. Click here to read my discussions on this issue with the Leader of the Government in the Senate.