Sales • Lease • Management Your Richmond Specialist www.interlinkrealty.ca email: info@interlinkrealty.ca 604.271.3888 WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20, 2016
Vocal protest kicks off TPP public event
What’s inside:
GRAEMEWOOD
Staff Reporter
GWOOD@RICHMOND-NEWS.COM
A
small but vocal rally to oppose the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) was held at a Richmond hotel Monday morning, as the Canadian government hosted the first of four public consultation meetings. The trade agreement between 12 Pacific Rim countries has reopened the debate over free trade deals, pitting proponents of increased trade and fewer tarriffs and regulations against the likes of trade unions, environmentalists and those concerned about national sovereignty. Touting the agreement as one that will foster more economic growth was B.C.’s Minister of International Trade Teresa Wat, who is also the MLA for Richmond Centre. Wat said her ministry believes the TPP will result in an additional $538 million annually in exports and services from B.C. and 2,500 jobs. As tariffs are reduced, she expects to see more port activity, as well. Opposing the TPP at the meeting was ecological economist Dr. Tom Green, who stated the trade deal is not unlike others in that it fails to recognize environmental consequences of unfettered trade (for instance, manufacturing moves to countries with less environmental protection). Among the people protesting outside was Open Media representative Meghan Salis, whose Canadian-based organization lobbies for Internet freedom. “It violates our sovereignty under a cloak of secrecy and (the government) tells us we can have a say only now after the deal is already done,” said Salis. Salis said the public meeting did little to allevieate concerns that the trade pact was signed after negotiations were shrouded in secrecy for years. Richmond RCMP confronted protesters outside the Radisson Hotel Vancouver several times, she said. See Heavy security page 4
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n Little baby Holden gets very excited about a book he found Sunday during the Kids Only Swap Meet at the West Richmond Community Centre. There was baby clothing, all manner of kids’ toys and games getting the attention of many ‘shoppers.’ Photo by Gord Goble/Special to the News. n More photos in The Pulse, page 16
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