Harper's Ace??

News broke today of a possible trade deal between Canada and the European Union (EU). It would use NAFTA (North American Free Trade Agreement) as a template and go one step further integrating skilled workers as well as goods.

Under the final deal bilateral trade would increase by $40 billion. Trade would include services, and make movement easier for skilled workers. Negotiations are set to begin with a summit October 17th in Montreal. Now the interesting thing is, although this appears to have been leaked the Prime Minister has refused to speak about it.

It's interesting because this is a real issue, one that should be discussed in the campaign environment. It would re-focus the campaign from the contest which appears to be one of 'whomever can screw up least wins' to one of issues- Stephen Harper can win one of those.

From the little that has been released so far I have trouble seeing the downside. A free trade agreement with the EU would offset the unsteady influence of the US. It would set Canada up to be the economic power in North America and give both sides access to new labour markets. From the EU side, to ally itself with a country such as Canada- that has vast wealth in terms of natural resources (oil and fresh water) and is willing to share it for a cost would be a huge advantage.

I'm shocked Harper didn't release it before the campaign, and baffled he is refusing to discuss it now. It would have changed the whole complexion of the campaign if he discussed it beforehand; so much so that he'd be coasting right now. This agreement will mean an infusion of cash into Ontario's flagging manufacturing sector and Ontario+votes= seats. Ontarian seats= a majority government.

I can see why he didn't talk about it. Strategically speaking, these types of negotiations are best undertaken with a majority parliament because one wrong move at the bargaining table would mean the fall of a minority government. But because this does deal with the nation's finances and it would be better to speak of an issue instead of who is making mistakes today, shouldn't it be discussed?

Stephen Harper is a very analytical, strategic man. Mark my words, as we get closer to election day, and he sees there are seats to be won in Ontario we will again be talking about a free trade deal with the E.U...

It's the ace up his sweater sleeve.