National Post: Canada may soon sign on to restrictive TPP agreement

Canada may soon be signing on to the secretive and controversial TPP agreement, reports the National Post. The TPP, which among other things would expand Big Media's powers to lock down the Internet, could be applied to Canada with little input from our citizens or our decision-makers: sources suggest Canada is being asked to sign up for sections of the agreement without having seen the text, and that Canada would be considered a "second-tier" negotiator overall. What can you do? Start by taking a stand for the Internet by signing up as part of the global pro-Internet community. Article by John Ivison for the National Post: Stephen Harper is expected to announce a huge step toward Canada’s entry into the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade talks at the G20 meeting in Los Cabos, Mexico, Tuesday.

The Prime Minister’s Office would not confirm that Canada has been admitted to the table by the existing nine TPP members, but sources suggest Mr. Harper’s lobbying of Barack Obama’s administration has paid off and the U.S. will support Canada’s entry.

Mexico has also sought entry to the TPP and on Monday, President Obama extended a formal invitation to join the negotiations “pending successful conclusion of their domestic procedures.”

The administration will now notify Congress on U.S. negotiating objectives that will trigger a 90-day consultation period with Congress. Barring an 11th hour collapse in negotiations, it is expected that a similar invitation will be extended to Canada Tuesday.

All the signs point to a successful outcome but negotiations have not been smooth. Government sources suggest problems remain for Canada. A number of the other existing members want a two-tier process, with new aspiring entrants like Canada, Mexico and Japan on the second track. The other TPP members are Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

Trade sources suggest Canada is also being asked to sign up for sections of the agreement that have already been agreed, without having seen the text. Read more »

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