UFCW Canada is urging the Canadian government to say NO to ratifying the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) – a deal that would have disastrous effects on the economy, jobs, and families in Canada.

The Trans-Pacific Partnership is a dangerous and sweeping pact between Canada, the United States, and ten other countries that would have a negative impact on many longstanding Canadian industries if its ratified, including the health care, poultry and dairy sectors.  

Some dangers to workers and families if the TPP is ratified:

• The TPP could cut the jobs of UFCW Canada members, by giving foreign poultry and dairy producers an even bigger share of the Canadian marketplace.

• Corporations in TPP-member countries could sue democratically-elected governments, such as Canada, in a system that is separate from national courts.

• The TPP could lead to as many as 20,000 jobs lost in the auto sector by eliminating incentives for companies to manufacture vehicles in Canada, while increasing incentives for companies to source auto parts from low-wage countries.

• The TPP would magnify the worse aspects of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program by prohibiting Canada from imposing any limit on the number of foreign workers entitled to enter the country, and might allow employers to pay them less than the going rate for Canadian workers.

• The TPP could also cause higher prescription drug costs by giving more monopoly patent protection to drug companies than they currently have – cutting down access to cheaper, generic versions of drugs.

Now, more than ever we need to stand together to stop to this dangerous trade deal. Send a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister of International Trade François-Philippe Champagne and tell them to say NO to ratifying the TPP.