Newfoundland is taking no BS when it comes to Stephen Harper’s dangerous trade agenda. It just pulled out of negotiations for a massive trade deal between the EU and Canada because it knows its going to be bad for Newfoundlanders and will hurt the local economy.

Let’s face it -- it’s not easy to stand up to Stephen Harper. He’s kind of like the school bully that gives you wedgies to steal your lunch money.

That’s why we want to say thanks to Newfoundland and Labrador for standing their ground and protecting the Newfoundlanders -- and the rest of us -- from this terrible deal. If we show the people of Newfoundland that we really stand with them, it’ll help make sure the government doesn’t bow to Harper’s pressure.

Sign our thank you message to Newfoundland and Labrador.

Newfoundland is concerned that deals like CETA (the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement) between the EU and Canada will destroy fishery jobs. The province also pulled out of talks for another secret trade deal called the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) Harper's been trying to pass.

Like other terrible deals Harper is trying to get through, CETA would give corporations tons of power and the right to sue any level of government for lost profits. Newfoundland and Labrador know this deal is bad for the province, Canadians and the whole world.

Trade deals fall under federal jurisdiction, which means that Harper can pass them at any moment with an Order in Council. But provinces still have the power to stop this. A province that refuses to enforce the deal not only damages its credibility -- it could derail the whole thing if other provinces follow suit.

Harper will be trying to stop Newfoundland’s stance any way it can. Let’s make sure Newfoundland knows lots of people have its back so it doesn’t back down to pressure from Harper.

Sign our thank you message to Newfoundland -- thanks for standing your ground against Harper!

The SumOfUs community has been fighting trade deals across the planet, showing up outside trade negotiations in Ottawa, Australia and the United States. In the summer, we snuck inside the hotel where the TPP talks were happening to distribute flyers to sleeping negotiators.

Newfoundland is sure to get pressure from Harper to back down. Let's make sure it stands its ground. 

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Further reading:

Newfoundland and Labrador says it won’t participate in ongoing trade talks, Globe and Mail, January 19, 2015.

CETA negotiations with Ottawa suspended over fisheries fund, N.L. says, CBC news, January 19 2015