Strong and Free cites many examples of the Harper government’s fondness for a U.S. approach not only to key SPP issues, but on broader matters of Canadian interest, including:
* Transparency: Like George Bush, Stephen Harper has embraced a culture of secrecy.
* Cross-Border Travel: The Prime Minister failed to relieve the backlog of passport requests, despite knowing for 19 months that Washington would impose passport requirements on all Canadians traveling to the US.
* War in Afghanistan: Like Bush in Iraq, Harper is muddying the waters on Afghanistan. While saying he will only extend the mission if he has a “consensus” in Parliament, and acknowledging that Canadians want a new role in Afghanistan, he refuses to clearly commit to ending Canada’s mission in Kandahar by February 2009.
* Bulk Water Exports: Neither Harper nor Bush have addressed leaked reports from talks suggesting that the SPP could be used to justify negotiations of bulk removal of Canadian water in order to address potential water shortages in the US.
* Pesticide Safety Standards: Talks are underway to harmonize pesticide standards – resulting in the potential lowering of standards for certain pesticide products to US standards. In fact, harmonization should lead to stronger – not weaker – standards. For our North American natural environment, the SPP must be a race to the top not a race to the bottom.
* Guantanamo: Despite widespread condemnation of the detention centre, Omar Khadr remains the only Western citizen still detained at Guantanamo.
* Gun Crime: Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day has asserted that Canada’s gun violence is largely attributable to illegal smuggled guns. Despite the rhetoric, he has not pressured the Bush administration to stop gun smuggling from the U.S. And he continues his opposition to Canada’s own gun control measures.
The United States is our closest ally,” said Mr. Dion, “but it is not our model.”
Arguing for a stronger, more independent voice for Canada, Mr. Dion outlined six steps through which Mr. Harper could demonstrate a renewed commitment to putting Canada’s national interest first. Mr. Dion called on the Prime Minister to:
* Honour Canada’s reputation as a transparent democracy by disclosing the complete list of SPP working groups, their contact persons and participating membership; requiring quarterly public disclosure of their discussions; providing opportunities for public input into the SPP; and allowing Parliament to examine the SPP’s work.
* Facilitate the movement of Canadians and Canadian goods by demanding that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security return to negotiations to streamline border pre-clearance at the Peace Bridge, and that President Bush not veto Congress’ effort to delay the implementation of the WHTI at U.S. land and sea borders.
* Advise President Bush that Canada’s combat role in Kandahar will be ending in February 2009 and demand that discussions with NATO regarding Canada’s replacement in that role must commence immediately.
* State clearly to our partners that Canada will never agree to the negotiation of bulk water removal from any major drainage basins in Canada; as well as demand talks on a solution to the Devils Lake disaster.
* Demand the removal of Omar Khadr from the Guantanamo Bay detention facility, and his transfer to the United States to be tried in a legitimate court. Mr. Khadr must also be afforded same the legal protections and guarantees upon which Canada’s government would insist for any other Canadian citizen. If the US cannot do so, we will call for Mr. Khadr’s repatriation to Canada where he can be dealt with by our justice system.
* Demand that the United States take immediate action to reduce the volume of guns crossing illegally from the United States into Canada.
“The Montebello Summit must be used by Prime Minister Harper to advance a strong and independent voice on behalf of all Canadians,” said Mr. Dion.
That is why the Liberal Party is willing to use all the Parliamentary tools at its disposal to hold Mr. Harper to account, and to ensure that he explain the work of the SPP to Canadians through their representatives.
“Should the Prime Minister fail to level with Canadians, we will table a resolution calling on the government to inform Canadians of the work and negotiations of the SPP, and to report to the House of Commons to allow for parliamentary scrutiny and a full and informed debate when the Parliament reconvenes,” concluded Mr. Dion.
From:
http://www.liberal.ca/story_13066_e.aspx
Note: http://www.liberal.ca/s...
Liberal Party Releases Its "Blueprint" For Stronger Voice For Canada W
Posted on Friday, August 17 at 11:28 by sthompsonContributed By
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That said, some good recommendations here, esp re having some parliamentary debate and oversight--but I still note they're not saying let's scrap this thing entirely.
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Don't want to be an American idiot / One nation controlled by the media / Information age of hysteria / It's calling out to idiot America.--Green Day
In their usual way, they are governing by polling, and since so many people don't know about this 'initiative' the majority therefore aren't against it.
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The preceding comment deals with mature subject matter, however immaturely presented. Viewer discretion is advised.
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Earlier today my Parliament Hill in Ottawa receved a background document on the trilaterial meetings to be held next week in Montebello, between Mr. Harper, Mr. Bush and Mexican president Calderone. The reason for this meeting can be boiled down to three letters - SPP.<br />
The Security and Prosperity Partnership initiative has been going on now for a couple of years, and this is the third time national leaders have met to advance a deep economic and strategic integration between the three countries. I have previosuly written about why this came to be, following Nine Eleven, and the extent of the proposed reforms. Needless to say, they are substantial.<br />
Many people believe this is a precursor to North American Union and the adoption of a common currency. Governments say it is not. But one fact remains - the talks and the integration itself are veiled in too much secrecy, and Parliament has yet to have a vote or a single debate on SPP.<br />
Earlier today my Parliament Hill in Ottawa receved a background document on the trilaterial meetings to be held next week in Montebello, between Mr. Harper, Mr. Bush and Mexican president Calderone. The reason for this meeting can be boiled down to three letters - SPP.<br />
The Security and Prosperity Partnership initiative has been going on now for a couple of years, and this is the third time national leaders have met to advance a deep economic and strategic integration between the three countries. I have previosuly written about why this came to be, following Nine Eleven, and the extent of the proposed reforms. Needless to say, they are substantial.<br />
Many people believe this is a precursor to North American Union and the adoption of a common currency. Governments say it is not. But one fact remains - the talks and the integration itself are veiled in too much secrecy, and Parliament has yet to have a vote or a single debate on SPP.<br />
In fact, even within the past few hours, the reluctance to inform continues. Since I wanted to share the document I received with you, I asked for it in digital form on Friday morning. The office of the new foreign affairs minister, Maxime Bernier, accepted the request but did not comply. Hours later we asked again, and this time were told it has gone to the Director of Parliamentary Affairs for a decision on whether or not to release it in that format. Moments ago I asked my assistant to pursue the matter yet again, and try to ascertain why it’s being withheld from an MP.<br />
In fact, even within the past few hours, the reluctance to inform continues. Since I wanted to share the document I received with you, I asked for it in digital form on Friday morning. The office of the new foreign affairs minister, Maxime Bernier, accepted the request but did not comply. Hours later we asked again, and this time were told it has gone to the Director of Parliamentary Affairs for a decision on whether or not to release it in that format. Moments ago I asked my assistant to pursue the matter yet again, and try to ascertain why it’s being withheld from an MP.<br />
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More at <a href="http://www.garth.ca/weblog/2007/08/17/the-spp-shhhhhh/">http://www.garth.ca/weblog/2007/08/17/the-spp-shhhhhh/</a><br />
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<p>---<br>When you are up to your ass in alligators it is difficult to remember that the initial objective was to drain the swamp
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Perception is two thirds of what we perceive reality to be.
Difficult decisions are a privilege of rank.