Trade Deals

CETA

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Trade deals like CETA extend corporate rights at the expense of democracy and Canadian families.

The Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) was negotiated in secret and signed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Brussels on October 18, 2013 absent of Parliamentary debate or approval.  CETA is expected to be ratified and implemented over the next two years.

 

Unlike previous trade deals negotiated by Canada, the CETA touches on virtually every aspect of economic life and goes well beyond the reduction or elimination of tariffs in granting unparalleled rights to some of the world’s largest multi-national corporations at the expense of democracy and Canadian families.
CUPE and its allies are calling on Prime Minister Harper to release the full CETA text. Add your voice:

How could CETA impact Saskatchewan?

  • The CETA extends patent protection on pharmaceuticals which will result in higher prescription drug costs of an estimated $73.5 million a year for Saskatchewan families according to an independent report; and
  • The CETA allows open bidding on most government contracts, including at the previously excluded provincial and local levels, thereby compounding the threat of privatization as they tie the hands of local decision making bodies under the auspices of large fines and lengthy litigation with built-in investment rules that decidedly favor corporations ahead of the public interest.

Learn more: CETA: Corporations in the loop, Canadians in the dark