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Auto Mayors not sold on Trans-Pacific Partnership deal by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff 13 | Thursday, October 8, 2015 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com The Ontario Auto Mayors Caucus, chaired by Oakville Mayor Rob Burton, said it has growing concerns Canada is getting a raw deal in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) signed by the federal government Monday. In a press release issued that same day, the group said it had previously urged the federal government to keep the automotive trade rules harmonized between Canada and the U.S. Based on Monday's signing of the deal, the Auto Mayors said they are concerned the TPP agreement includes significant differences in the trade rules between Canada and the U.S., in particular the difference in length of transition time for Canada's auto tariffs. While the U.S. achieved a 25-year transition period, Canada achieved only a five-year transition period. "We hope Canada's goal is to uphold the competitiveness of Canada's auto sector by securing the same automotive terms as the U.S. has already secured for its auto sector. This alignment must first, and most importantly, result in Canada achieving the same long tariff transition periods for Canada's auto sector as the U.S., and secondly, result in alignment of content requirements," Burton had said in a press release prior to the signing of the TPP . comment until it has had opportunity to review the TPP in its entirety and better understands the federal government's longterm strategy for the automotive sector. The Ontario Auto Mayors work collaboratively to advocate for and promote awareness of the importance of the auto sector. The Canadian Vehicle Manufacturers' Association (CVMA), which represents Canada's leading auto-makers, including Oakville-based Ford of Canada, echoed Burton's sentiments in a press release issued Monday. "Due to the highly integrated nature of the Canadian and U.S. auto sectors, the CVMA consistently recommended that Canada achieve the same terms for the Canadian auto sector as the U.S. achieved for its auto sector," it stated. "The CVMA will examine the terms of the agreement in principle once the final language is released but it is concerned to learn of a significant differentiation in the negotiated tariff transitions achieved by Canada and the United States," it said. Oakville Mayor Rob Burton "We believe the future of the auto industry in Canada requires this level of parity with the United States, Canada's major trading partner, especially with respect to the timing of reductions in automotive tariffs and content rules. We agree with the auto sector's view that the uniquely integrated nature of the Canada/U.S. automotive production and supply chain, created in the 1965 CanadaU.S. Auto pact and reinforced in the NAFTA agreement of 1993, must be maintained." The group stated it would reserve further Looking for an alternative to Public School? We offer a highly academic program for children of Christian parents in Oakville and Mississauga. Visit www.jkcs-oakville.org for more information. Personal school tours available during school hours. Call 905-829-8048 x300 We serve jk-grade 8 for Christian families. Busing is available www.jkcs-oakville.org 2232 Sheridan Garden Drive, Oakville In Support of the Canadian Diabetes Association