Despite unprecedented public opposition, the European Parliament today approved the controversial EU-Canada Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA).  The vote flies in the face of millions of people, as well as trade unions, environmentalists and a broad civil society coalition who called for a rejection of the deal in both Europe and Canada.  Corporate Europe Observatory’s trade policy campaigner Pia Eberhardt said: “...CETA is a huge gift to big corporations, which gives them unprecedented powers.  Corporate lobbyists will be popping champagne corks over today’s vote.  “But it’s a sad day for democracy and for the millions of Europeans and Canadians who have been demanding trade rules that benefit people and the environment.”  CETA sets dangerous precedents as it contains rules which corporations have pushed for years, but which have never before been part of an EU trade deal.  These new, far-reaching privileges empower foreign investors to sue governments, grant early and exclusive access to the legislative process for business lobbyists who want to lower protection in areas such as environmental policies and food standards, and make it possible to lock in the privatisation of public services...