Windsor-West NDP MP Brian Masse, September 9, 2015. (Photo by Mike Vlasveld)Windsor-West NDP MP Brian Masse, September 9, 2015. (Photo by Mike Vlasveld)
Windsor

MP Masse Says Renegotiated NAFTA Could Be Scary

The MP for West Windsor fears that Canada won't benefit from a renegotiated North American Free Trade Agreement.

Canada wants to protect the 23-year-old NAFTA deal as an engine of job creation and growth, and to modernize the trade pact to bring it up to date.

Other priorities include fewer "Buy American" rules for public contracts, and freer movement of professionals.

However, MP Brian Masse says that could be a tough sell.

"It seems to be focused right now on winners and losers amongst ourselves versus building a strong trading block that can compete in the world. So, I'm concerned about the attitudinal approach that we have," says Masse.

Some key changes the U.S. wants include changes to the rules for importing auto parts, higher labour standards and a new dispute-settlement process.

Masse wants a new agreement to improve working conditions in Canada.

"To me it's about jobs for Windsor and Essex County, it's about improving the living wages for the workers here and it's about better environmental conditions and the ability to compete in the world," Masse says.

Masse says fighting the U.S. and Mexico for the same piece of the pie won't work.

"If this agreement doesn't improve overall working conditions and doesn't address some of the environmental and labour concerns that have emerged as being a problem for the U.S., then we're probably back where we're at right now after five years," says Masse.

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