Jagmeet Singh Calls on PM Trudeau to Halt Trade Negotiations with Mercosur:

While the Amazon rainforest burns, Trudeau negotiates a new free trade deal with Mercosur bloc, which includes Brazil.

CALGARY – On Friday, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh called on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to halt trade negotiations with the Mercosur Bloc until Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro takes action to protect the Amazon rainforest from deforestation.

“Canadians expect our government to take real action to fight climate change here at home, and on the global stage," said Singh. “We need to see more than pretty statements from Mr. Trudeau — we need action."

There are almost 40,000 fires are burning in the Amazon, and the state of Amazonas has declared an emergency. That follows Bolsonaro calling the protected areas in the Amazon an obstacle to economic growth, and opening them up to commercial development while cutting back enforcement against illegal deforestation.

“This is not a crisis for Brazil, it’s a crisis for humankind, and for our planet,” said Singh. “Canada's trade policy has to match our words. Canada shouldn’t be doing business with Bolsonaro while the Amazon burns.”

The Amazon is the world’s largest rainforest, often called the “lungs of the planet” since it produces about 20 per cent of the world’s oxygen.