October 26th, 2015

MPP French calls on premier to reconsider her TPP support

Oshawa NDP MPP Jennifer French called on the premier to reconsider her support of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) during Question Period today following comments made by Ford Canada CEO, Dianne Craig, who called the deal a “setback”. 

“The premier has endorsed the TPP sight-unseen; a secret deal that is expected to put approximately 20,000 jobs in the auto industry at risk,” said French. “This is yet another example of the premier’s short-sighted vision for Ontario and for Ontarians.”

French’s comments followed a statement released by Ms. Craig that said: “We see [the Trans-Pacific Partnership] as a setback,” and “at a minimum, the Canadian negotiators should have at least ensured Canada’s auto sector mirrored the U.S. standards.”

French asked the premier to protect Ontario’s auto sector. 

“The TPP has significant consequences for the province. From what we do know, Canada got the wrong end of this lopsided deal,” said French. “What do you have to say to the thousands of people in Oshawa and across the province whose jobs are at risk because you decided to support a deal you haven’t even seen yet?”

According to some estimates, TPP is expected to cost 1,500 jobs in Oshawa alone.