Saskatchewan premier says TPP is good for Western Canada

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall says he still believes the Trans-Pacific Partnership is a good deal, despite concerns being raised by a prominent businessman.

The premier says the agreement is too important for Western Canada not to proceed with it and is writing a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, urging Canada to move forward.

Wall specifically says the partnership is good for agriculture in the province.

Jim Balsillie, the businessman who helped build Research In Motion into a $20-billion global player, says the deal contains troubling rules on intellectual property.

Balsillie says parts of the deal will harm Canadian innovators by forcing them to play by rules set by the United States, treaty's most-dominant partner.

Wall says he has not yet seen the specific concerns raised by Balsillie.