Canada has fired the starting gun on the race to ratify the new North American free-trade pact — but the United States is setting the pace. Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland, who tabled a motion Monday in the House of Commons to begin the ratification process, said there's less urgency in Canada, since the original NAFTA remains in full force and effect. Freeland, who briefed cabinet members on her plans, said other brand-new trade deals that started from scratch, such as Canada's agreement with the European Union or the Trans-Pacific Partnership, required a more pressing approach to ensure the economic benefits were promptly realized.