Canadian corporate interests are lobbying the government to adopt U.S. policies such as collaborating on the controversial missile defence system, handing over more intelligence on Canadian citizens to U.S. authorities, and dropping our higher standards and regulatory protection to U.S. levels.
"This deep integration’ between Canada and the U.S. would crush Canada's ability to create and maintain its own policies, standards, and laws," adds Guy Caron, Council of Canadians Campaigner.
"It would be more accurate to describe the proposals of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, the C.D. Howe Institute and other spokespeople of the cause as assimilation rather than integration. These proponents are dreaming if they think that these agreements won't be negotiated on U.S. terms. The sheer difference in the size of our economies and the power of our countries means that a partnership between Canada and the U.S. will never be one of equals."
The Council of Canadians is conducting a cross-country tour to share its concerns about the threat of Canada-U.S. integration. Each of the seven cities will feature Maude Barlow and a panel of prominent authors, researchers, and activists.
The Council has also launched "The Canada We Want," a report that denounces the integration agenda and promotes an alternative vision for Canada.
"With an election on the horizon and the Martin government intent on establishing cozier relations with the Bush administration, it is crucial that Canadians be made aware of what is brewing behind closed doors," says Barlow. "We urge Canadians to make this a central issue in the upcoming federal election."
"Colony or Country? The future of Canada-U.S. Relations" tour dates:
Vancouver: March 8 Edmonton: March 9 Saskatoon: March 11 Fredericton: March 15 Halifax: March 16 Montreal: March 26 Toronto: March 30
"The Canada We Want" is available online at
www.canadians.org
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For more information, please contact: Laura Sewell, Media Officer: 613.233.4487 ext. 234; 613.795.8685; lsewell@canadians.org
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The Council of Canadians
502-151 Slater Street,
Ottawa, ON K1P 5H3.
Tel: (613) 233-2773;
Toll-free: 1-800-387-7177
Fax: (613) 233-6776
inquiries@canadians.org
www.canadians.org"
Note: www.canadians.org
lsewell@canadians.org
inquiries@canadians.org
www.canadians.org"
Stumble It!
It won\'t happen. The screaming would be heard around the world.
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"Arrogance in Politics is unacceptable"
Jim Callaghan
Minden, Ontario
705-286-1860
www.misterc.ca
Now, rumor has it that we will be using Diebold software black boxes for elections,so don\'t think that we can\'t be swindled into the USA. When NAFTA was being sold Mulroney said there was a 6 month opt out clause that could be triggered any time we wanted. Once NAFTA was signed the rhetoric changed to \" we are much too integrated to ever opt out\". And a \"judge\" handed down a ruling that said that people expected politicians to tell lies when they are on the campaign trail and therefore they can not be held accountable for verbal contracts uttered to the general public during election campaigns. I think it is a case of \"casting pearls before swine\", or is it the \"hook, line and sinker\" syndrome? Anything is possible in Wonderland, Alice.