Opposition and activists ramp up opposition to Canada-China investment treaty

OTTAWA – Opposition parties and activists are ramping up their campaign against the Canada-China investment deal in the hopes of stalling the agreement.

Activist groups are handing MPs a petition with more than 60,000 signatures calling on the federal government to reject the investment treaty.

They also want Ottawa to nix the proposed $15-billion takeover of Calgary-based Nexen Inc., by the China National Offshore Oil Corp.

The investment treaty could be ratified as soon as this Friday, but the opposition NDP wants Prime Minister Stephen Harper to delay ratification to allow for a thorough examination of the agreement.

The Conservatives say the treaty will give Canadian business some badly needed certainty in their dealings with China.