CAP Press Release:North American Trilateral Talks

The NDP’s press release today states in part: "The Liberal minority government is fast tracking Canada into an agenda of deep integration with the US and Mexico without a mandate from Canadians or consultation with Parliament," said NDP critic for International Trade and Globalization, Peter Julian (Burnaby-New Westminster) today. Canada’s sovereignty is at stake, as has been the case since the inception of the first Free Trade, and increased through NAFTA. "The Government of Canada owes the people of this country full disclosure about what these agreements mean to them," states Catherine Whelan Costen, CAP VP. She adds that “the people of Canada have not been consulted, nor do most of them understand the implications of the ‘National Treatment Clause’ which raises corporations’ rights to supersede those of the people of Canada, and the right’s of all levels of government to create laws for the people’s benefit and protection.” The Canadian Action Party has been speaking out, vehemently opposing NAFTA, because of the National Treatment Clause, as well as the new ‘Smart Regulations’ which are bound by NAFTA. The Government of Canada through our duly elected members owe their loyalty to the people of Canada. "The agenda being pursued by the Liberal government at this time was started by the Conservative government of Mr.Mulroney, and must be terminated immediately in order to allow full disclosure of its ramifications and consultation with the people of Canada," said Ms Whelan Costen, adding, "NAFTA has served corporations’ profit margins well, but has done little to benefit the environment, quality of life for people, or strengthen Canada’s industry, such as softwood lumber, agriculture, etc." "Secret backroom deals, which lead to further erosion of Canada’s sovereignty, and increase the rights of corporate agendas at the expense of the citizenry must cease," said Connie Fogal, reiterating that the platform of the Canadian Action Party is to protect and preserve this great nation for today and the future. "The family farm is seriously threatened, the average income for workers and quality of jobs is being eroded and our government continues to ignore the threats these trade deals impose on the people of this country. Drugs approved in another country by their standards are not necessarily good for Canadians. We should never give up our ability to govern on behalf of Canadians, simply to make the process easier for companies to do business. We are giving up our sovereignty through this process with dire consequences for Canadians. Today’s decision has been made without consultation of the Canadian public or debate in Parliament, this is extremely dangerous and undemocratic." Contact: Connie Fogal, Leader ,Canadian Action Party/ parti action Canadienne Tel: (604)872 2128; or (604) 708 3372 (FAX: 604) 872 -1504 E-MAIL conniefogal@telus.net Canadian ActionParty Head office : # 385- 916 West Broadway, Vancouver BC, V521K7; e mail: info@canadianactionparty.ca Catherine Whelan Costen, Vice President and Candidate Email: cathpublish@wildroseinternet.ca Fax: 403-684-3464 Cel: 403-660-0449 [Proofreader's note: this article was edited for spelling and typos on July 7, 2005]