"I think what Canada should do is use its influence to begin a renegotiation of TPP to make it an agreement that advances the interests of Canadian citizens and not just the large corporations," he said later in an interview.
According to Stiglitz, TPP is the "worst part of the agreement," because it allows large multinationals to sue the Canadian government. He said the provision could be used to prevent raising the minimum wage or to overturn rules that prevent usury or predatory lending practices.
"This deal was done in secret with corporate interests at the table," he said.
The House of Commons of Canada's Trade Committee is currently studying the agreement. According to International Trade Minister Chrystia Freeland, this process will take up to nine months. After that, she has promised that only a vote in Parliament would ratify the deal, which was negotiated under the former Conservative government.
"I'm a little surprised that Canada would seriously consider going through the political fight that is associated with getting this agreement ratified until the U.S. adopts it," Stiglitz said.
