Trudeau urges U.S. Democrats in Congress to pass new NAFTA

1947 Comments

Norman Young
Trudeau drove a hard bargain? Hahahahahahahahahahahaha......

David Amos
Reply to @Norman Young: Methinks I should remind Trudeau and the Yankees about my opinion of NAFTA 15 years ago N'esy Pas?

The Unconventional Candidate

David Amos Isn’t Campaigning For Your Vote, But….

By Gisele McKnight

FUNDY—He has a pack of cigarettes in his shirt pocket, a chain on his wallet, a beard at least a foot long, 60 motorcycles and a cell phone that rings to the tune of "Yankee Doodle."

Meet the latest addition to the Fundy ballot—David Amos.

The independent candidate lives in Milton, Massachusetts with his wife and two children, but his place of residence does not stop him from running for office in Canada.

One has only to be at least 18, a Canadian citizen and not be in jail to meet Elections Canada requirements.

When it came time to launch his political crusade, Amos chose his favourite place to do so—Fundy.

Amos, 52, is running for political office because of his dissatisfaction with politicians.

"I’ve become aware of much corruption involving our two countries," he said. "The only way to fix corruption is in the political forum."

David Amos

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Reply to @David Amos: Continued

The journey that eventually led Amos to politics began in Sussex in 1987. He woke up one morning disillusioned with life and decided he needed to change his life.

"I lost my faith in mankind," he said. "People go through that sometimes in midlife."

So Amos, who’d lived in Sussex since 1973, closed his Four Corners motorcycle shop, paid his bills and hit the road with Annie, his 1952 Panhead motorcycle.

"Annie and I rode around for awhile (three years, to be exact) experiencing the milk of human kindness," he said. "This is how you renew your faith in mankind – you help anyone you can, you never ask for anything, but you take what they offer."

For those three years, they offered food, a place to sleep, odd jobs and conversation all over North America.

Since he and Annie stopped wandering, he has married, fathered a son and a daughter and become a house-husband – Mr. Mom, as he calls himself.

He also describes himself in far more colourful terms—a motorcyclist rather than a biker, a "fun-loving, free-thinking, pig-headed individual," a "pissed-off Maritimer" rather than an activist, a proud Canadian and a "wild colonial boy."

Ironically, the man who is running for office has never voted in his life.

"But I have no right to criticize unless I offer my name," he said. "It’s alright to ***** in the kitchen, but can you walk the walk?"

Amos has no intention of actively campaigning.

"I didn’t appreciate it when they (politicians) pounded on my door interrupting my dinner," he said. "If people are interested, they can call me. I’m not going to drive my opinions down their throats."

David Amos

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And he has no campaign budget, nor does he want one.

"I won’t take any donations," he said. "Just try to give me some. It’s not about money. It goes against what I’m fighting about.

What he’s fighting for is the discussion of issues – tainted blood, the exploitation of the Maritimes’ gas and oil reserves and NAFTA, to name a few.

"The political issues in the Maritimes involve the three Fs – fishing, farming and forestry, but they forget foreign issues," he said. "I’m death on NAFTA, the back room deals and free trade. I say chuck it (NAFTA) out the window.

NAFTA is the North American Free Trade Agreement which allows an easier flow of goods between Canada, the United States and Mexico.

Amos disagrees with the idea that a vote for him is a wasted vote.

"There are no wasted votes," he said. "I want people like me, especially young people, to pay attention and exercise their right. Don’t necessarily vote for me, but vote."

Although…if you’re going to vote anyway, Amos would be happy to have your X by his name.

"I want people to go into that voting booth, see my name, laugh and say, ‘what the hell.’

Ryan Jason
Reply to @David Amos: ""I’m death on NAFTA, the back room deals and free trade. I say chuck it (NAFTA) out the window." And how would you arrange trade amongst differing nations instead? I hear you complain a lot, but I rarely hear you suggest a workable alternative to your complaints. This country does not need more people complaining without well thought out alternatives, otherwise you just cause trouble then you save.

David Amos
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Reply to @Ryan Jason: "I hear you complain a lot, but I rarely hear you suggest a workable alternative to your complaints."

Methinks you should read at least one of my complaints before you judge me? (Just Google Federal Court File T-1557-15 to find the one I filed while runnng in the election of the 42nd Parliament in Fundy Royal) Furthermore its not my fault that you did not bother to read what I have been offering to the public since 2002 when I first sued 3 Yankee Treasury Agents, a Cardinal, an Attorney General and more lawyers than most folks can name. However you cannot deny the words of mine that you just quoted are on page 20 of this old file.

https://www.scribd.com/doc/2718120/integrity-yea-right

You should at least understand that clearly lots of powerful people have checked my work and nobody has dared to call me a liar yet N'esy Pas?

David Amos
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Reply to @Ryan Jason: "Content disabled"

David Amos
Reply to @Ryan Jason: Methinks you will have to check Twitter to view my reply to you N'esy Pas?

Troy Bodi
I'll still be buying "Made in Canada" first every chance I get.

David Amos
Reply to @Troy Bodi: Methinks the CRA and Harvey Cashore should review their emails by now N'esy Pas?

Trudeau urges U.S. Democrats in Congress to pass new NAFTA

Prime minister says new trade deal includes progressive provisions on environment, labour

Kathleen Harris · CBC News · Posted: May 30, 2019 1:27 PM ET

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence in his office on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Thursday, May 30, 2019. (Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appealed to U.S. Democrats in Congress today to pass the new North American trade agreement, insisting the revised deal includes progressive provisions on issues like labour and the environment Democrats "care deeply about."

During a news conference in Ottawa after meeting with U.S. Vice-President Mike Pence, Trudeau said that while some Canadian Conservative politicians opposed such measures, his government saw them as "integral" to drafting a better deal.

"They are significant things that we look to the U.S. Democrats to understand are significant improvements and are issues that, like Canadian Liberals, they care deeply about," he said. "So we are confident that the work being done on ratification is possible because we made sure that, from multiple angles, this was a better deal for Americans, for Canadians and for Mexicans."

Democrats in Congress have expressed reservations about the deal — dubbed the U.S.-Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) by the Trump administration — saying it falls short on environmental protections, labour standards and the ability to enforce them in Mexico, the dispute resolution process and measures they fear could make drug prices more expensive.

Trudeau to bring up anti-abortion laws in U.S. during meeting with VP Mike Pence

NAFTA bill lets Trudeau cabinet wait and see what U.S. Congress does

Pence said he came to Ottawa to make the case again for speedy ratification of the new deal, which he said represented a "historic opportunity" to strengthen economic ties between the three countries.

"Issues in D.C. can arise, but the American people should know, people in Canada should know, that our administration is absolutely committed to driving forward, to seeing the Congress of the United States approve the USMCA this summer, and we're grateful for the prime minister's efforts seeing ratification here in Canada," he said.

But the Trump administration's approach to the trade deal may be getting tangled up with efforts to stem the flow of asylum seekers crossing the United States' southern border. This evening, The Washington Post reported that Trump is planning to announce Friday that he'll hit Mexico with new tariffs if it doesn't crack down on migrants entering the United States — a threat that could put the new NAFTA deal in peril.

Mexico's new ambassador to Canada, Juan J. Gomez Camacho, told CBC News today that his government is waiting to see if Trump follows through.

"Mexico has worked closely with U.S. authorities to manage the migratory flow coming from Central America, always considering the human rights of migrants," he said. "We will wait and see the content of tomorrow's announcement."

Late this afternoon, The Post also reported that the White House has plans to trigger a process that would allow Trump to submit the trade deal to Congress within 30 days, a direct challenge to Democrat House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

The Post reported the Trump administration's decision to send a draft "Statement of Administrative Action" (SAA) to Congress risks heightening tensions with Democrats, who have said they need more time to scrutinize the deal and propose changes. A source tells CBC News Canadian officials were told by their American counterparts today that the SAA would be sent to Congress.

PM drove a 'hard bargain' in talks

Earlier today, Pence said that Trudeau stayed firm throughout tough negotiations to reach a new trilateral trade deal between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico

"I want to assure the people of Canada that your prime minister drove a hard bargain, as did our president," he said before a closed-door meeting with Trudeau in his Parliament Hill office.

"But we believed it could be a win-win-win agreement and we think the USMCA, which will be the largest trade deal in the history of the U.S., will create jobs and opportunities in our country, it will support growth in Canada and Mexico and all across North America."

For Trudeau, who has taken heavy criticism from opposition MPs over how the negotiations were handled, Pence's expression of support was timely.

CANADA VOTES
How will the trade file play in October's election?

Chrystia Freeland tables motion to set the stage for revised NAFTA ratification

In the House of Commons Wednesday, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer accused Trudeau of bowing to President Donald Trump's demands and letting the U.S. dominate the trade talks.

'Historic humiliation'

"President Trump is in command and, thanks to the prime minister, Canada is a mere onlooker," he said. "Why is the prime minister so proud of this historic humiliation?"

Scheer's spokesman Brock Harrison accused Trudeau of backing down on dairy, autos, pharmaceuticals and Buy American provisions.

"The vice-president's graciousness aside, the fact is Justin Trudeau backed down on almost every front on NAFTA. President Trump's own economic adviser said 'Canada gave very generously,'" he said in an email. "The deal speaks for itself."

Legislation to ratify the new NAFTA was tabled in the House of Commons Wednesday, but MPs are running out of time before the parliamentary session ends and the parties kick into pre-election mode.

Trudeau and Pence also discussed the crisis in Venezuela and the growing number of states adopting anti-abortion laws. Trudeau repeated his concerns about what he called the "anti-choice" movement, while Pence said he is proud to be part of a "pro-life" administration. Pence said they exchanged views on the topic respectfully.

Pence said the pair also spoke "extensively" about the two Canadians detained in China, and pledged that Trump would raise the issue when he meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the upcoming G20 meeting in Osaka, Japan.

U.S. 'standing with Canada' on detainees in China

"We are in the midst of significant discussion over our trading relationship, but I can assure you in that context going forward we're going to continue to urge China to release the Canadian citizens even while we deal with the larger economic and structural issues between the U.S. and China," Pence said.

"We are standing with Canada in this effort. We respect and are grateful for the strong stand for the rule of law that Canada has taken with regard to the Huawei executive and we'll continue to engage on the issue."

Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor were both detained in China late last year. The men, who were arrested not long after Canada arrested Huawei executive Meng Wanzhou at the request of the U.S., were accused of national security offences.

They were formally arrested earlier this month and accused of spying.

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David Raymond Amos Round 3

Thursday, 30 May 2019