To me, all of our most serious problems are being exacerbated by globalization in general, and by trade agreements in particular.
TPP is the latest and most extreme of these, and the largest, with reportedly 40% of world economies involved. We are told that it is so big that we cannot afford not to be in it. This is a scare tactic. It relies on the fear of future events, and reminds me of the U.S. banks that were too big to fail.
Since its first multinational trade agreement, NAFTA, in 1994, Canada has, it is claimed, experienced significant growth in trade and investment. However, over the same period, Canada has experienced increased economic inequality and precarious work conditions for more people. For one example, pension funds have grown, but the number of workers likely to receive pensions has shrunk. I fear that this new agreement, the TPP, will bring not positive, but negative change. It will further weaken the protections. TPP will make it much harder for national governments to create and maintain just societies. Countries will be forced to submit to a rule of untrammelled profit, rules to be determined by multinational corporations, and benefiting first and foremost the already wealthy.
I already feel powerless in the face of the too great influence of big money in our politics and laws; powerless in the face of growing poverty, inadequate housing, and the lack of options for workers seeking security and meaningful work; powerless to stop climate change. And now are we expected to approve an agreement that allows foreign money interests to force the Canadian government to abandon any law or policy that limits their corporate profits? Surely this is the grimmest parody of international co-operation.