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By Alan Mercer, 11 November 2015 (updated 12 December 2015)

Goals

I know enough about the TPP already to be against it, but let’s analyze the deal and collect as much information as possible. In my opinion, an achievable goal could be to embarrass a number of Members of Parliament (and journalists) into backing away from it before the ratification vote.

Contrary opinions are welcome, but please back up your points.

Key post on the sovereignty-destroying aspects of the TPP (private tribunals) and other topics:
TPP and Canada

Related posts on the TPP are listed here.

Info Relevant to Expected Ratification Vote for TPP

According to this article:

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canada-election-2015-tpp-agreement-atlanta-1.3254569
TPP deal ‘in best interests’ of Canadian economy, Stephen Harper says
By Janyce McGregor, CBC News | 5 October 2015

Canada has become a founding member of the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a 12-country trading block . . .

Each country will need to ratify the final text of the deal before it takes effect. In Canada, that will take the form of a vote in Parliament, following the election.

Current Members of Parliament
http://www.parl.gc.ca/Parliamentarians/en/members (accessed 11 November 2015)

A general election was held on Monday, October 19, 2015. Election results remain unofficial until the Chief Electoral Officer has confirmed the name of the Member of Parliament elected in each constituency. A partial list of elected Members of Parliament appears here as certificates of election are received.

http://www.parl.gc.ca/Parliamentarians/en/election-candidates?view=ListAll (accessed 11 November 2015)

A list of candidates and unofficial election results is also available here in the interim for your convenience.. . .

http://www.parl.gc.ca/HouseChamberBusiness/ChamberHome.aspx?Language=E&Mode=1&Parl=41&Ses=2 (accessed 11 November 2015)

First Session of the 42nd Parliament

The First Session of the 42nd Parliament is scheduled to open on Thursday, December 3, 2015. . . .

http://www.parl.gc.ca/About/House/compendium/web-content/c_g_parliamentarycycle-e.htm#2 (accessed 11 November 2015)

Opening of a Parliament or a Session

After a general election, Parliament is summoned in the Queen’s name by the Governor General. On the day appointed by proclamation for the meeting of the new Parliament, the newly-elected Members, who have already taken an oath of allegiance, elect a Speaker by secret ballot.

At the time appointed for the formal opening of the new Parliament, the new Speaker, accompanied by the Members, formally announces his/her election at the bar of the Senate Chamber. The Speaker of the Senate replies on behalf of the Governor General. He/she acknowledges the election and confirms the traditional rights and privileges of the House.

This is followed immediately by the Speech from the Throne in the Senate Chamber. Subsequent sessions of the same Parliament will open with a summons to the Senate Chamber followed immediately by the Speech from the Throne.

The Speech from the Throne is customarily read by the Governor General. It announces the newly-elected Government’s general program for the parliamentary session that will follow.

When the Members return to the Commons Chamber, several procedural formalities are followed immediately by the commencement of the debate on the Address to the Governor General in Reply to the Speech from the Throne. . . .

When is the Ratification Vote?

I don’t know if or when the vote for TPP ratification is scheduled. But there are at least 21 days before parliament opens. So there is at least that amount of time to raise concerns and get Members of Parliament to block the TPP.

Likelihood of Justin Trudeau Supporting the TPP: Liberal Party Promise to Debate the TPP

https://www.liberal.ca/statement-by-liberal-party-of-canada-leader-justin-trudeau-on-the-trans-pacific-partnership/

Statement by Liberal Party of Canada Leader Justin Trudeau on the Trans-Pacific Partnership

October 5, 2015

WATERLOO, ON – The Leader of the Liberal Party of Canada, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), established in principle:

“The Liberal Party of Canada strongly supports free trade, as this is how we open markets to Canadian goods and services, grow Canadian businesses, create good-paying jobs, and provide choice and lower prices to Canadian consumers.

“The Trans-Pacific Partnership stands to remove trade barriers, widely expand free trade for Canada, and increase opportunities for our middle class and those working hard to join it. Liberals will take a responsible approach to thoroughly examining the Trans-Pacific Partnership. The Harper Conservatives have failed to be transparent through the entirety of the negotiations – especially in regards to what Canada is conceding in order to be accepted into this partnership.

“The government has an obligation to be open and honest about the negotiation process, and immediately share all the details of any agreement. Canadians deserve to know what impacts this agreement will have on different industries across our country. The federal government must keep its word and defend Canadian interests during the TPP’s ratification process – which includes defending supply management, our auto sector, and Canadian manufacturers across the country.

“If the Liberal Party of Canada earns the honour of forming a government after October 19th, we will hold a full and open public debate in Parliament to ensure Canadians are consulted on this historic trade agreement.”

http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/trans-pacific-partnership-details-1.3308248
Critics cry foul as new Trans-Pacific Partnership details emerge
By Erin Obourn, CBC News | Nov 06, 2015

Experts and newly seated government officials are combing through the fine print of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement — the full text of which was finally released Thursday, revealing almost two dozen side deals . . .

The 6,000-page, 30-chapter document was first released by New Zealand . . .

[This article lists several concerns about the contents of the text. Previously the text had been secret except for some leaks.]

Newly named trade minister Chrystia Freeland said she will need time to go over all the documents, and encouraged Canadians to do the same. Prime Minister Trudeau has promised “a full and open public debate in Parliament.”

Notice how they’re softening people up by pretending to be open-minded about it:
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/tpp-text-release-canada-1.3305064
Trans-Pacific Partnership text has been released
Thomson Reuters | Nov 05, 2015

Justin Trudeau, in a statement on Oct. 5, promised “a full and open public debate in Parliament to ensure Canadians are consulted on this historic trade agreement.”

More recently, Trudeau and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe spoke over the phone and agreed to promote the deal.

Chrystia Freeland, the new trade minister for the Liberals, will be responsible for ushering the deal through Parliament.

Also of interest:

China has responded with its own Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), a proposed 16-nation free-trade area including India that would be the world’s biggest such bloc, encompassing 3.4 billion people.

TEXT OF AGREEMENT(no longer secret at this point, isn’t that a miracle!)

http://www.mfat.govt.nz/Treaties-and-International-Law/01-Treaties-for-which-NZ-is-Depositary/0-Trans-Pacific-Partnership-Text.php
The main page includes links to the Annexes in addition to the main chapter texts (in pdf format), including a link to country-specific Annexes.

Zip file of all chapters (excluding many Annexes!):
http://www.mfat.govt.nz/downloads/trade-agreement/transpacific/TPP-text/TPP_All-Chapters.zip

Continued in Part 2

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