Where's Our Voice?
Aug 20, 2007
On August 20-21, US President George Bush, Mexican President Felipe Calderon and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper are meeting in Montebello, Quebec to discuss a continent-wide trade deal known as the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP).
Included as part of the Partnership’s agenda and mandate are plans on implementing harmonized regulations affecting areas such as energy, the military, environment, immigration, health care, and other policies.
The SPP has been viewed by many as a superpowered version of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) that will only serve to concede more ground to transnational business elites who continue to search for ways to increase corporate profits.
One of the primary problems with the SPP is that it is being discussed in virtual secrecy. Outside of knowing the general issues involved, the public has no role to play in the discussions. No unions, community, environmental or human-rights organizations were included as part of the summit. As a matter of fact, only 30 representatives of business (10 per country) have been invited to meet with the three leaders. The group comprises leaders from 10 companies in each country and includes corporations like Wal-Mart, General Electric and weapons-maker Lockheed Martin. They advise the three national governments on facilitating trade.
The SPPs own website (www.spp.gov) outlines business involvement in this process, highlighting the North American Competitiveness Council and its “increasing private sector engagement in the SPP by adding high-level business input (to) assist governments in enhancing North America’s competitive position and engage the private sector as partners in finding solutions.”
Monday, August 20 has been declared a National Day of Action Against the SPP. Organized by the Council of Canadians, this will see a peaceful demonstration at the site of the summit. A series of actions are also planned across the country, with demonstrations and meetings.
It’s in the best interests of all Canadians to be aware of what is taking place in this process and to register their distaste for negotiations like these that are devoid of input from groups outside the business community.
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Thanks for posting this. We all have a vote. Call and write your MP !!
JimCotton - 2007-08-21 14:05