Canada ratifies Pacific Rim trade deal after final vote in Senate
OTTAWA — A bill to enact a new trade pact with Pacific Rim countries has passed the legislative finish line, making Canada one of the first countries to ratify the 11-country deal.
Approving the agreement, known as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, or CPTPP, was the first order of business last month when parliamentarians returned to Ottawa from their summer recess.
Ratification of the deal happened in the shadow of a meeting the Liberals called on the future of the World Trade Organization, and a visit of Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte where he and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau touted the virtues of free trade.
The massive trade pact comes into force once six of the members ratify the deal.