Saint John gets to voice opinions on Trans Pacific Partnership trade deal

Saint John residents are invited to weigh in on the Trans Pacific Partnership trade agreement involving 12 Pacific rim countries on Monday.

A House of Commons committee will host a public meeting from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Marco Polo room at the Hilton with Karen Ludwig, the member of Parliament for New Brunswick Southwest and a member of the standing committee on international trade member.

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Ludwig has been consulting with Canadians across the country and she says the response towards the partnership has been mixed.

"It depends on the sector and each sector seems to have a different view point," she said on Information Morning Saint John on Friday. "Some see great opportunity and some see it as an absolute must that Canada ratifies the partnership.

"Some others are on the complete opposite end of the spectrum."

The TPP is a trade agreement involving 12 Pacific rim countries including Canada. It is awaiting ratification to be put in place.

Some sectors supportive

Ludwig notes the sectors that seem to be in support of the agreement are the auto, agriculture and fisheries sectors.

"Areas in agriculture, for example in cattle, in beef, see that it's absolutely critical that they have access and greater access to the Japanese market.

"From the fisheries companies I've spoken with in the Atlantic region they seem to be very supportive of having access to TPP countries."

Those who are not showing strong support for the partnership are those within the labour sectors and those represented by the Council of Canadians.

"For the Council of Canadians I have often heard them speak about sovereignty, human rights and climate or the environment," she said.

The committee is meeting with Canadians to better understand what they would like to see in the deal if it were to be reopened and to gain insight into the concerns and opportunities Canadians have.

Getting a broader picture

"We also get a much broader picture of how export-ready or not ready our companies are to enter into different markets."

Ludwig said the agreement was brought together under the previous government and there was a strong concern the electorate was not consulted significantly.

"Any trade deal is a big deal."

Ludwig and the rest of the committee are encouraging anyone to come forward with their opinions and ideas.

So far they have received roughly 300 briefs of 1,500 words and 25,000 individual emails from Canadians.

All of that information will be collected and given to the minister of trade by January, according to Ludwig.

A decision to ratify the agreement could be reached by early next year.