Canadians won't be able to see the text of the Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal before they vote.
Government officials told the media on Wednesday that the exact wording of the full agreement in principle announced Oct. 5 won't be finalized until next week.
The federal election is next Monday, Oct. 19.
In all, 12 countries have signed on to the Pacific Rim free trade deal in principle, although it will require a separate ratification process in each country before it takes effect.
In an interview, Federak Trade Minister Ed Fast said the government was pressing the other 11 countries to release "any form" of the text.
"What I'm saying," Fast said, "I don't have full control over it but I can tell you we've been very, very assertive with our partners explaining to them that Canadians — in the middle of an election — have a right to know what's in the text."
"We have released a summary of all the outcomes that provides Canadians with a glimpse into what this would entail," Fast said.
Conservative Leader Stephen Harper has made the successful conclusion of the TPP talks last week in Atlanta a centrepiece of his campaign for re-election, pointing to it as an example of the Conservatives' sound strategy for economic growth.
He has also committed to putting the TPP agreement to a vote in Parliament.
NDP Leader Tom Mulcair has said New Democrats won't be bound to the terms agreed to by the Harper government. Justin Trudeau's Liberals say they are broadly pro-trade, but want to see the full text of the deal.
Both Harper and Fast had suggested last week that Canadians wouldn't have to wait long to read the agreement.
