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Conservatives wouldn’t ‘lecture’ U.S. in trade talks: House leader

OTTAWA — Conservative House leader Candice Bergen says her party wouldn’t lecture the U.S. on gender rights and the environment in the midst of trade talks— a jab at the Liberal government’s approach on NAFTA.
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OTTAWA — Conservative House leader Candice Bergen says her party wouldn’t lecture the U.S. on gender rights and the environment in the midst of trade talks— a jab at the Liberal government’s approach on NAFTA.

With MPs returning today to Ottawa after the summer, Bergen took aim at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Parliament Hill this morning, saying he has managed to “tick off” a lot of key people during trade negotiations.

Trudeau tweeted the first order of business this fall will be debating a bill on the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans Pacific Partnership — a trade deal with the Pacific Rim designed to open up new markets for exports beyond the U.S.

The Liberal government is also trying to reach a deal with the U.S. and Mexico on NAFTA though primary sticking points include maintaining an independent dispute resolution mechanism and finding a way to protect Canadian dairy farmers.

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says it is difficult to negotiate with U.S. President Donald Trump but he says the government must make life better for Canadian workers and protect the existing supply management system for dairy farmers.