Take Action To Stop SPP Talks

Linda McQuaig wrote recently in the Toronto Star, "Given the centrality of (national security and energy, as well as trade), one would have thought that any changes – especially changes that would make Canada more like the U.S. – should involve wide consultation with the Canadian people. But exactly the opposite is happening. The public has been completely shut out of the SPP process...No public consultations have been planned for Montebello. Indeed, security measures will ensure the leaders hear as little as possible from the people." For more information on the Council of Canadians campaign against the Security and Prosperity Partnership, along with a wide range of analysis and background materials on this issue, please go to IntegrateThis.ca. THE DEMAND Activists are encouraged to send their own version of the following message to Prime Minister Stephen Harper at pm@pm.gc.ca or click here: http://integratethis.c.topica.com/maag3rMabzQ6tbT6UEXeaehmRL/ to send a letter using the form on our website: Prime Minister Harper, As a member of the Council of Canadians, I am calling on you to stop talks on the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America, including the upcoming leaders summit this August 20-21 in Montebello, and to consult with Canadians on this critical issue. I was outraged to read that a public forum near Montebello with writers, academics and parliamentarians wanting to speak on this issue was blocked because the police and U.S. army wanted the community centre it was to be held at as a base of operations for summit security. I am opposed to the SPP, which includes the no-fly list (the SPP states, "Develop comparable standards and procedures…for passenger screening"); pesticide residues (it says, "Work to resolve differences in pesticide maximum residue limits that may be barriers to trade…"); the tar sands (it calls for, "Greater economic production from the oil sands"); and civil rights (it calls for, "sharing of terrorist watch list data and the establishment of appropriate linkages between Canada, the United States and Mexico.") I also believe that the North American Competitiveness Council should be disbanded. Corporations such as Manulife Financial, Home Depot and Wal-Mart should not be shaping economic policy between Canada and the United States. I urge you to keep the promise you made in your Throne Speech that "significant international treaties will be submitted for votes in Parliament." I believe that the Security and Prosperity Partnership should be subject to public hearings, as well as brought to the House of Commons for a full debate and vote. I look forward to your response. Sincerely, For more information about the Security and Prosperity Partnership, visit www.IntegrateThis.ca. We’ll post new information about the Montebello summit as it becomes available. Visit often for up-to-the-minute updates. [Proofreader's note: this article was edited for spelling and typos on July 13, 2007]

Note: http://integratethis.c.... www.IntegrateThis.ca