Setting the Scene

In 2019, the USMCA was awaiting approval from the U.S. legislative branches. That October, a Canadian federal election was held, providing the perfect opportunity for Canada's political parties to voice their opinions on the trade agreement. These statements and platforms reflect the parties' opinion on the USMCA in 2019.

<aside> ‼️ Many of the statements and platforms were provided before the CUSMA was re-negotiated, so criticisms of the pharmaceutical provisions/increased drug prices and tariffs on steel and aluminum were resolved in Dec. 2019. However, the USMCA was considered to be completed and awaiting U.S. government approval, so comments on these issues criticized what was thought to be the final agreement.

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Liberal Party

Justin Trudeau, leader of the Liberal Party and Prime Minister of Canada, discussing the expected impact of the USMCA on Canada

As the majority government that negotiated the USMCA, the Liberal party was complimentary of it in 2019 and was proud of its achievements. Despite giving into several concessions on dairy, the auto industry, and pharmaceuticals, the Liberal party was largely optimistic towards the USMCA and how it would improve Canada's economy and trade.

Conservative Party

The leader of the Conservative party has been quick to criticize the agreement and Trudeau in particular for "backing down to Donald Trump:"

Conservative Party Leader Andrew Scheer giving a speech in 2018 criticizing Trudeau and the USMCA

Prime Minister Trudeau's approaches to the negotiation of the USMCA had been criticized by Conservatives, particularly the opening up of Canada's protected dairy industry, as well as being unable to reach an agreement with the U.S. on lifting the tariffs imposed on Canada's steel and aluminum. As can be heard in the audio clip, Conservative party leader Andrew Scheer noted that the Conservative Party wanted a deal where Canada "gained access to U.S. markets."

However, at the time of the 2019 election, Conservatives vowed to keep the agreement as is and not renegotiate it if elected.

Ultimately, the Conservative Party voted to ratify the USMCA early 2020.

Green Party

The Green Party's view on the USMCA in 2019, as told by Elizabeth May, the leader of the Green Party at the time, is that they are cautiously optimistic on the effect it will have on the Canadian economy, with a few reservations on some key points.

May was worried about what the effect would be on Canada's supply management system, as well as the data exclusivity provisions, (which gave biologic drugs exclusive selling rights for 10 years). Ultimately, the Green Party voted to ratify the USMCA in early 2020.

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New Democratic Party (NDP)

The NDP's 2019 party leader, Jagmeet Singh, did not think the USMCA was good for Canada. The primary concerns of the NDP were regarding the pharmaceutical provision of 10 years of data exclusivity, which would raise drug costs for Canadians, as well as the degree that the countries would be held accountable for breaking the CUSMA. In 2019, Singh said "What’s the point of having provisions on labour rights, having provisions on the environment, if there’s no enforceability? That’s, to me, meaningless."