Monday, March 7, 2016

More On Freelands's Double-Speak



Recently, I wrote a post about CETA, the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement; part of it examined the double-speak of Chrystia Freeland when she talked about both the protection of investor rights and the benefits of the deal that will redound to Canada. To me, the two are mutually incompatible, especially since the former allows for the virtual abrogation of our sovereignty rights over any issue that could adversely affect corporate profits.

Reading this morning's Star, I was glad to see that others are rightfully suspicious of our International Trade Minister's claims. Here is what reader Mary Crosato of Burlington had to say:
Re: Canada-EU trade deal could take effect in 2017, March 1

International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland says, “This is a gold-plated deal. It’s going to bring tremendous benefits to Canada.”

Please show us in black and white what benefits Canadians will receive from this agreement. What manufactured goods are we going to be exporting to create more jobs here, in our country? Are we just going to keep importing substandard products and clothing, some of which are made by underaged children in Third World countries?

We must start taxing companies that choose to manufacture goods offshore and continue making billions of dollars to increase their bottom line. We have to create a level playing field for companies that want to manufacture in Canada.

I hope Ms Freeland will not be bullied into accepting any agreement that is not fair or beneficial to Canadians.
I'm not so sure it is bullying that we have to worry about so much as the seduction of Ms. Freeland by the siren call of neoliberalism.


6 comments:

  1. Hot air is in abundance these days, Lorne. That's why the planet is in trouble.

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    1. It disrupts the air we breathe and the thoughts we have, Owen.

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  2. There's a growing chorus of voices from the top tier of academia and political thought pronouncing globalism as dead. The conclusion is that we keep signing more trade deals because we haven't figured out what will be the next big economic idea when we finally and inevitably ditch free market fundamentalism.

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    1. Meanwhile, our political overlords continue in their folly of choosing what is 'best' for us, Mound.

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  3. I agree Lorne that Freeland is being"seduced by the siren call of Neoliberalism" and the people setting off that siren is the US. In fact I believe this state dinner in Washington is to confirm that Canada will ratify the TPP. Judging by the B.S. Freeland is spouting to Canadians about the benefits of CETA. she will also hail the TPP as being a trade gift that can only enrich Canadians. All of the countries in the TPP have to ratify or the deal is null and void. Why would Obama , an out going President give a state dinner for Canada's new PM. He wants to leave office knowing that Canada will be joining the Neoliberal family. Obama doesn't have to worry. Trudeau has already shown no backbone when it comes to saying no to the Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Canada's own reform/alliance/cons. It should be a good show though. The clueless MSM will be commenting on how Canada and the US are friends again and how its new PM is much more approachable. As to Freeland, she doesn't need any persuading about ratifying the TPP, she's already on board.

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    1. I think you have quite clearly seen through the fraud being perpetrated, Pamela. We can only hope that the other countries involved in these agreements will find the terms sufficiently odious as to reject them.

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