House of Commons of Canada approves free trade agreement with Ukraine
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (photo: Getty Images)
The House of Commons of Canada has passed a law amending the free trade agreement with Ukraine that President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed during his visit to Ottawa last year, according to Global News.
Bill C-57, aimed at implementing the modernized Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement, was passed by the House of Commons of Canada by a majority of 214 to 116 votes. Now the document has to pass the second round of consideration in the Senate of Canada.
The government's bill passed without Conservative support, despite repeated calls from Ukrainian groups for the Tories to change their position.
The Tories have repeatedly stated that they support Ukraine but oppose the bill because the updated agreement states that both countries are committed to promoting carbon pricing.
The Liberals are trying to capitalize on this position, and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says it means the Tories are against Ukraine.
Canada's Trade Minister Mary Ng says the agreement will allow Canadian businesses to ultimately help Ukraine with economic reconstruction and post-war recovery.
Ukraine already has a price on carbon dioxide emissions, and Canadian officials have said that this language is not binding.
Zelenskyy's visit to Canada
President Zelenskyy visited Canada last September. He met with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and signed a free trade agreement with Canada.
