Yes.
If they can, how can it be called a democratic society? It was the Harper government that joined the TPP, and public outcry made this a major election issue. The Liberals were then elected on a mandate of real change, yet here we are in a room with only 12 witnesses, who were mainly invited to speak to business interests. Throughout today's consultation process we are made aware that no individual citizens were invited to speak, yet SEIU-West is aware of many who applied. How can we call this a public consultation? It is no wonder there is a noon-hour rally and public consultation in response to this lack of transparency.
We know that a small representation of civil society, labour, and small business were invited to the negotiating rounds, but it is clear that while we were invited, only corporate interests were heard. We implore the Standing Committee on International Trade not only to hear what is being said, but to listen with intention and consider the people's rights. At this point the TPP does not, so it should not be ratified.