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Minister and Unifor talk TPP by Julia Le Oakville Beaver Staff 9 | Thursday, January 21, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com Canada's International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland told Unifor Local 707 members last Thursday (Jan. 14) the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade deal has put the current government, and this country, in a tough spot. Calling it a "pre-baked deal," the minister said Canada cannot change what's already been negotiated, good or bad. "I can't change that mix," she said, noting however, Canada can still decide if it's in the deal. The TPP was been a hot-button issue during last fall's federal election with the previous Conservative government criticized for negotiating the deal during the campaign period. A formal TPP signing ceremony is scheduled for Feb. 4 in Auckland, N.Z. The new Liberal government hasn't announced if it will attend. Freeland said the next steps are to sign and then ratify the deal. All countries that do sign it, have two years to ratify it, but it's possible the treaty will come into full force if the U.S., Japan and a few other countries don't take the two years to ratify it. Freeland's visit to Unifor Local 707's offices on North Service Road was organized by Oakville MP John Oliver. The minister has been visiting cities across Canada to consult with Canadians on the potential impact of the TPP trade deal ahead of the partnership's signing next month. During the meeting with autoworkers, Freeland listened to the concerns of the Unifor Local 707 members, who charged the auto sector would be among the groups threatened under the terms of the TPP . Opening up tariffs could mean automotive companies from countries like Japan could flood the North American market, impacting the local automotive sector's competitiveness drastically, Unifor Local 707 President Dave Thomas told the Oakville Beaver in the wake of the meeting. From a parts standpoint, he said Canadian manufacturing could be impacted by smaller countries that could manufacture and export parts for less because labour is cheaper. "To me, the country, isn't it all about the big picture? Isn't it all about making the country viable for everybody who lives in Canada?" said Thomas. "We don't want to end up being like the Americans. They're very much an upper-class and lower-class society. There's very little middle class in the U.S. and the middle class is what makes the country viable; it makes the country thrive and prosper." Autoworkers also charged the TPP would negatively affect agriculture and pharmaceuticals. Freeland told autoworkers the federal government is committed to being open with Canadians and consulting them on issues. In this case, she said she's heard both opposition and support and she is weighing all the concerns. "We have to be aware and very conscious of the complex politics," she said. Signing the TPP doesn't make Canada part of the agreement. What it does is give Canada the option to ratify it as a country and "gives us the right to be at the table," Freeland added. She noted entering into the TPP late gave Canada limited negotiating powers. "In particular, we had to make some concessions going into it," she said, noting Canada had to give up the right of veto. "I think I've given you a sense of where I feel the balance is," she continued. "The big decision is the ratification." Thomas said he's appreciative the minister took time to consult with autoworkers. "I don't know where the government is going to go, moving forward from here," said Thomas. "They're handcuffed to a certain degree. That's why I believe the only option for Canadians, from our standpoint, is they have to pull out. I don't think it's good for Canadians. I don't think it's good for Canadian jobs in manufacturing. Obviously, there are issues with agriculture and there are issues with the pharmaceutical end of things." He added, historically, trade agreements have never really been good for Canada. "I know the Liberals are for trade. There's no doubt about it, I think everybody is in favour of trade. It's just, it's got to be fair trade, not free trade," he said. Unifor Local 707 represents 5,200 production and skilled trade workers, more than 8,000 retired workers and 200 members of Voith Industrial Services Canada providing industrial services to the facility and three Abednego onsite workers who operate the new waste water treatment facility. Minister of International Trade Canada Chrystia Freeland listens to the concerns of Unifor Local 707 president Dave Thomas. | photo by Michael Ivanin - special to the Beaver Saturday, February 13, 2016 St. Joseph's Banquet & Conference Centre 300 river Oaks Blvd. east, Oakville Doors open at 6pm | Antipasto Bar 6-7pm | Dinner 7:30pm 4 Course Dinner with Wine | Late evening Dessert Buffet Valentines ' $ Dinner & Dance Make a date with your sweetheart and enjoy an evening of Dinner, Dancing and Fun! LIVE MUSIC & DANCING To purchase tickets call 416-457-6905 or email: valentine@sjucc.ca 75per person ALL INCLUSIVE sjucchall.ca | 905.337.0300 | rentals@sjucc.ca ALL YOU CAN EAT Lunch or Dinner 10% off Dinner* Dine in & cAsh onlY *With this AD Dine in for All You cAn eAt 280 North Service Road W. @ Dorval, Oakville 905.338.6228 7 DAYS A WEEk www.august8.ca