Debate to enact new continental trade pact kicks off in House of Commons

OTTAWA — Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland has kicked off debate on a bill to implement the new North American free trade deal by urging MPs to approve the proposed legislation quickly.

She stressed the difficult task of coming to this agreement with the United States administration and promoting benefits for the Canadian economy saying, “99.9 per cent of our exports to the U.S will be tariff-free.”

“We’re all here to serve Canadians. I encourage all members in this house and this senate to work cooperatively with us to swiftly pass this legislation,” Freeland said. “Canada is now the only one of the three NAFTA countries where the agreement has not been ratified to law and I think we should get it done.”

The U.S. and Mexico have already ratified the agreement and President Donald Trump held a signing ceremony at the White House Wednesday.

The Canadian implementation bill was introduced in the House of Commons later that day, to begin the process of garnering parliamentary approval.

“We’re all here to serve Canadians. I encourage all members in this house and this senate to work cooperatively with us to swiftly pass this legislation,” Freeland said.

The Conservatives have suggested they have serious concerns with this but for economic confidence, they may support it. This is being echoed by the NDP, which says the Democrats in the U.S. stood up for workers while the Trudeau government failed to do so.

A host of industry groups and premiers have come out asking MPs and senators to support the bill without delay.

Freeland began the debate with a speech that included a walk down memory lane through turbulent negotiations with an unconventional U.S. administration.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to talk about the agreement at an event in the Toronto area this afternoon.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 30, 2020.

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