REVISED - Steelworkers: TPP Trade Agreement is bad for Canada; Mulcair the Only Leader Standing Up for Canadian Jobs

This release replaces the original, which was distributed earlier today at 18:30 ET. Revised version follows:

TORONTO, Oct. 5, 2015 /CNW/ - The trade deal Stephen Harper's government has signed only two weeks before a federal election will kill good manufacturing jobs, dairy farm jobs and harm Canadians dependent on pharmaceutical drugs.

"There have been over 400,000 good paying manufacturing jobs lost under  Harper's government. The safeguarding of Canadian jobs  has been completely lost under Harper. His government has used every opportunity to dismantle the job-saving supply management systems in Canada. The dairy farmers have much to fear about Harper's deal," said Ken Neumann, National Director for the United Steelworkers.

From what we know, the TPP threatens production and employment in Canada and it will be a critical blow to workers and their standard of living. This deal will continues Canada's disastrous approach to trade under successive Liberal and Conservative governments.

"The United Steelworkers union congratulates Tom Mulcair for having the courage to stand up to Stephen Harper and make it clear that an NDP government will not be bound by Harper's callous and secretive deal."

Stephen Harper has acted irresponsibly throughout the TPP negotiations by not involving Canadian citizens. Unlike Harper, many other national governments have been transparent with their citizens and legislatures throughout the process.

"Given Harper's track record, the secretive nature of this deal and the many jobs that are at stake, we are disappointed in Justin Trudeau for not making it clear he will not accept Harper's deal," added Neumann.

"It is disappointing that Trudeau finds it hard to stand up to Harper, whether it's C-51 or the Trans Pacific Partnership deal."

We look forward to a new government that will examine the details of this deal, seek appropriate input from Canadians, and then act to save job not Conservative political gains.

SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)

Ken Neumann, USW National Director, 416-544-5950; Bob Gallagher, USW Communications, 416-544-5966, [email protected]