Canada invited to join Trans-Pacific Partnership talks

Canada was officially welcomed to join negotiations on a new major international free-trade agreement.  According to Postmedia News Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced Tuesday that Canada was given the go ahead to join Trans-Pacific Partnership talks.

The TPP trade bloc is comprised of nine members states whose goal is to ease Asia-Pacific trade.  Canadian business groups have come out in support of the move that will give them access  to a market of over six hundred million people.

TPP member states are expected to pressure Canada to lighten its protections on the dairy and poultry industry as well as strengthen copyright laws.

Advocacy groups against the TPP such as the Council of Canadians worry Canada will be forced to loosen its policies on the environment and pharmaceuticals.