Liberals keen to pass bill to advance CPTPP amid NAFTA uncertainty
OTTAWA — Federal Opposition parties are preparing their ammunition for a fall session of Parliament aimed at attacking the Trudeau government’s record on pipelines, trade and promises to raise fortunes of the middle class as the opening act in the year-long countdown to the 2019 election.
MPs and Senators will take their seats for the last house session in at least a decade in the Centre Block of Parliament when the house reopens for the fall sitting on Monday, thanks to an estimated 10-year renovation planned for the historic building.
Government House Leader Bardish Chagger says government is focused on getting key pieces of legislation passed before heading to the polls. The Liberals are particularly keen to move quickly on bill C-79 — a bill to implement the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
Finalizing this trade deal with the Pacific Rim is necessary to help open new markets for Canadian exports, Chagger said. This has become particularly important in light of ongoing tense negotiations on NAFTA in Washington.