Greenpeace, your absence of forethought and negotiation tactics is stunning.

How about instead of foregoing a trade deal, environmental protection becomes part of the negotiations. https://twitter.com/greenpeaceca/status/1301903901680193536

Walking away from a trade deal hurts Canadians. We want to encourage trade to build our economy. So farmers & other businesses can sell their products in Brazil. And not be held hostage by adversarial trade partners like China when they impose economic tariffs or sanctions.

Negotiations means the pressure Canada can leverage to protect the Rain Forest is at its peak.

Walking away is virtuous but does nothing to help the Rain Forest or the people in Brazil and Canada to facilitate trade.

Calling attention to the issue is noble. But maybe leave the foreign relations policy to those who have an understanding of how trade and leverage works. Brazil wants trade with Canada. That gives Canada leverage to demand the Rain Forest be protected or no deal.

What you may want to highlight is Brian Mulroney, former PM of Canada, and Conservative Party of Canada supporter, is on the Board of Directors at Blackstone.

So ultimately, those with connections to the CPC are in favour of burning the Rain Forest to the ground. Not Liberals.

Saving the Rain Forest is paramount. Species of flora and fauna that exist nowhere else, and the lungs of the globe in a critical period in climate change need to be protected.

A trade agreement could help facilitate that protection.

Please refrain from pushing virtue over action. Protection does not emerge from sanctimony and righteous indignation. It is possible with trade agreements designed to promote mutual benefit. And a thriving Rain Forest is in the globe’s interest, not just Canada’s.

So Canada has a strong bargaining position to begin with because of that reality. CUSMA is an example of how trade agreements can expand human rights. Environmental protection is no different.

It would be preferable if you expanded your understanding of global politics beyond cancel culture and shaming.

Or if you must limit yourself to these tactics, at least target those who are actually profiting from the destruction of the Rain Forest.

Hint: Brian Mulroney.