Rick Prashaw
Legislative Assistant
Tony Martin MP (NDP - Sault Ste. Marie)
Social Policy Critic
Tel: (613) 992-8851 Fax: (613) 992-1954 www.tonymartin.ca
Here is another link with several responses from various members of Parliament, equally disheartening:
http://www.vivelecanada.ca/forum/viewtopic.php?forum=9&showtopic=17222
Few things provoke me to write in anger these days, as I find little value in doing so. However, there is one thing that I feel deserves righteous indignation from the people of Canada, and that is public denial of those things which an elected member ought to be aware of. An elected member of a government sworn to uphold the Canadian Constitution and protect the citizenry from unlawful takeover of the nation, ought to be cognizant of a threat to the nation which has been going on for several years, through several administrations. It is paramount that it be part of those members’ awareness!
This is not a criticism of the NDP in particular. However it certainly adds credence to my discovery that political parties are not capable of saving this nation. When Jack Layton, the leader of the NDP, declares, as he has, that his man ‘Julian’ has been on this job (SPP) since it began and he has not informed his MPs or they have not made it their business to understand this threat, we are in serious trouble. When Mr. Layton does not bring this matter to the media, which is at his disposal, and he does not make this ‘the election issue’ we know that we shall have to start the parade that he or others can get in front of.
As many Canadians know the first Free Trade began the process of the sell out of this nation. It has continued through with NAFTA, CAFTA and the Security and Prosperity Agreement. It is supported and protected by the anti-terrorism legislation. Everything is in place to prevent the populous from standing up for themselves.
Clearly the politicians are standing with their hands behind their backs not knowing what to do. There is a greater awareness in the populous today that in the House of Commons, if we can accept the letter above as an indication. Therefore I suggest that the people lead and show the politicians where we want to go. Clearly the people have no desire to serve corporate interests, or continue the erosion from middle class to serf. If this country is to be saved for the next generation, the people will have to show what intestinal fortitude looks like. The politicians seem to have lost their moral, economic, and patriotic compass! I say to the politicians of every party, prove me wrong! Take up the banner called sovereignty, freedom for all and banish the corporate personhood, the corporate rule, the secret trade deals. Stand together for the sake of this nation! Prove me wrong, I shall offer my gratitude. Prove me right and my grandchildren will write your biographies with contempt!
I look forward to positive action, now.
Yours truly
Catherine Whelan Costen
Former President Canadian Action Party
'We'd Rather Be Canadian'
“We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used
when we created them.” Albert Einstein
http://web.mac.com/whelancosten
[Editor's note - page widening link shortened 2007/02/20 DrC]
[Proofreader's note: this article was edited for spelling and typos on February 21, 2007]
Note: http://realitycheck.typ...
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Open Letter - Re: Ignorance On The Hill?
Posted on Tuesday, February 20 at 09:26 by whelan costenContributed By
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thanks below) :<br />
On 20-Feb-07, at 10:10 AM, Martin, Tony - Assistant 1 wrote:<br />
<br />
Thanks, Catherine. I was not asking for this information on behalf of the <br />
caucus but for myself as I have been working on a very specific poverty <br />
campaign for Mr. Martin for the past year. I am well acquainted with the <br />
horrific consequences of free trade. What I was asking for was the very latest <br />
briefing and developments in the past year on SPPA and NAU'07 initiatives in <br />
order to brief Mr. Martin. Coming from a border community and being a <br />
member of the Ontario Legislature for 15 years he has spoken out very <br />
strongly on free trade and connecting social policy to international <br />
agreements. For example, we work closely with Vince Calderhead in Halifax <br />
on this. He will know of Mr. Martin's work in this regard.<br />
I will follow up with Alexa's office.<br />
<br />
<br />
Rick Prashaw<br />
Legislative Assistant<br />
Tony Martin MP (NDP - Sault Ste. Marie)<br />
Social Policy Critic<br />
Tel: (613) 992-8851 Fax: (613) 992-1954 <a href="http://www.tonymartin.ca">www.tonymartin.ca</a><br />
<br />
Dear Rick<br />
I appreciate the situation. Any initiative to improve the lives of the less <br />
fortunate will have little impact once this 'new' fortress is fully implemented. <br />
The frustration with the populous is that those who are behind it don't deny <br />
it. They in fact promote it as a good thing. The rest are mute.<br />
<br />
Lou Dobbs, CNN is the only mainstream news person covering the outrage <br />
over the takeover of three independant nations. The CBC stated that it is not <br />
happening, when it does they will cover the story. This is incredibly <br />
irresponsible. This needs to be brought out into the light of day, full public <br />
disclosure, and debate. Jack Layton spoke very clearly about the need to <br />
abrogate NAFTA several elections ago. Then he stopped talking about it and <br />
did nothing towards that result. When Dion was recently criticized by <br />
McLellan, Manley and Cotler for wanting to allow the anti-terrorism <br />
legislation to lapse, where was the NDP? This is critical to the entire <br />
enslavement of the people of Canada.<br />
<br />
The people have few tools at their disposal. We elect members in the hope <br />
that they will be informed, and act in our best interest. The last 20 years has <br />
proven a contrary mission. Who is standing for Canada? Why does the <br />
government website call itself, Canada's NEW Government? Doesn't anyone on <br />
the Hill think that is disrespectful. The new government was formed in 1867 <br />
not 2006.<br />
<br />
I will provide you with several links. I also hope that you will make your <br />
colleagues aware that the people of Canada are very angry over this mess and <br />
the lack of representation in Ottawa. We are not willing to see our youth laid <br />
out in coffins to appease the empire building of a few. I am showing you the <br />
parade, and I hope you will direct your fellow members and all MP's to get in <br />
front of it, before we lose this country. Also I should tell you that this time the <br />
people who are awake, are really awake and they aren't going to accept false <br />
rhetoric or political posturing with empty promises. We need strong <br />
representation and we need it yesterday!<br />
<br />
Thank you for your response.<br />
Catherine Whelan Costen<br />
<br />
links below:<br />
Timeline for the NAU<br />
<a href="http://www.vivelecanada.ca/staticpages/index.php/20060830133702539">http://www.vivelecanada.ca/staticpages/index.php/20060830133702539</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://web.mac.com/whelancosten/iWeb/Site/NAU%20%26%20Anti">http://web.mac.com/whelancosten/iWeb/Site/NAU%20%26%20Anti</a>-<br />
Terrorism%20Laws%20%28Dion%29.html<br />
<a href="http://web.mac.com/whelancosten/iWeb/Site/NAU%20and%20You.html">http://web.mac.com/whelancosten/iWeb/Site/NAU%20and%20You.html</a><br />
<a href="http://web.mac.com/whelancosten/iWeb/Site/NAU%20in%20the">http://web.mac.com/whelancosten/iWeb/Site/NAU%20in%20the</a>%<br />
20Press.html<br />
<br />
Op-ed in the Hill Times<br />
<a href="http://news@hilltimes.com/members/login.php?fail=2&destination=/html/">http://news@hilltimes.com/members/login.php?fail=2&destination=/html/</a><br />
index.php?display=story&full_path=2007/february/19/partnership/&c=2<br />
<br />
Submission to the Senate Committee on Anti-Terrorism Legislation<br />
<a href="http://www.vivelecanada.ca/article.php">http://www.vivelecanada.ca/article.php</a>?<br />
story=20051016012345314&query=anti-terrorism%2Blegislation<p>---<br>"aaaah and the whisper of thousands of tiny voices became a mighty deafening roar and they called it 'freedom'!"' Canadians Acting Humanely at home & everywhere
I honestly don't know why I vote anymore.
---
If there was ever a time for Canadians to become pushy - now is the time - for time is running out on this nation called Canada.
to; however he makes his statements clear in this letter. I also sense a certain <br />
element of pre-election communication in this letter. I don't think any of us <br />
need to be reminded of who brought these events into the process, there is <br />
plenty of blame to go around for all the parties. The important part today is <br />
for all Canadians to recognize what is happening and what we can do about <br />
changing our course. Mulroney started the course, with the banks in <br />
particular, Chretien continue it, Martin reinforced and further cemented the <br />
erosion of the nation, Harper continues to direct us away from real solutions <br />
and on to a more corporate controlled society. No one stood for humanity, <br />
environment or freedom enough to stop the trend. There are no heroes in <br />
this mess. Here is the letter :<br />
<br />
<br />
Thank you for your previous email outlining your concern for our<br />
national sovereignty. I share your concern.<br />
<br />
In Parliament on February 23rd I demanded to know why the Harper<br />
Government refuses to inform everyday Canadians about Canada's<br />
participation at Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America<br />
(SPP) meetings. I noted in my speech that this whole process, launched<br />
by the Liberals and pursued by the Conservatives, is very vague. Secret<br />
talks are being held on security, transportation, the environment,<br />
health care and increasingly deeper integration, all without the mandate<br />
of Parliament and without any public input on integration.<br />
<br />
NDP International Trade and Globalization critic Peter Julian recently<br />
commented: "the previous Liberal government engaged Canada in a slow<br />
merger process with the United States and Stephen Harper is accelerating<br />
the agenda. The NDP demands a full debate in Parliament on this issue.<br />
Everyday Canadians have the right to know what is being negotiated."<br />
(<a href="http://www.ndp.ca/page/4927">http://www.ndp.ca/page/4927</a>)<br />
<br />
"Canada is not the gas tank of the United States. NAFTA already locks<br />
us into supplying energy to the United States even if ordinary Canadians<br />
go without; a North American Union would only make this worse," added<br />
NDP Energy Critic Dennis Bevington.<br />
<br />
Mr. Julian has been very active on this file since the very launch of<br />
the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP).<br />
(<a href="http://www.ndp.ca/page/1444">http://www.ndp.ca/page/1444</a>) and <a href="http://www.ndp.ca/page/4413">http://www.ndp.ca/page/4413</a> . He is<br />
also working with others from the United States, Mexico and here in<br />
Canada who share our concern.<br />
<br />
It is now apparent that neither the present Conservative government nor<br />
the Liberals before them can be counted on to "stand up for Canada". We<br />
have opposed their capitulation with the Bush Administration on issues<br />
such as Afghanistan, the Softwood Lumber Agreement, the dismantling of<br />
the Canadian Wheat Board, and the proposed Security and Prosperity<br />
Partnership of North America (SPP). We have consistently challenged the<br />
Harper agenda and were the only party to unanimously vote against his<br />
Conservative government on every non-confidence vote - Budget,<br />
Afghanistan and Softwood Lumber.<br />
<br />
Again, thank you for taking the time to register your interest in<br />
safeguarding our future and our Canadian sovereignty. Feel free to<br />
forward this email to anyone who may share this concern. All the best.<br />
<br />
Sincerely,<br />
<br />
<br />
Jack Layton, MP (Toronto-Danforth)<br />
Leader, Canada's New Democrats<p>---<br>"aaaah and the whisper of thousands of tiny voices became a mighty deafening roar and they called it 'freedom'!"' Canadians Acting Humanely at home & everywhere
Paul
I've had at least two others send me the same.
That is not to say that Jack has time to write us each a letter, but the
substance of it is still that 'those bad guys are doing this' and we are the only
ones willing to talk about it'...I am pleased that they are talking, but I don't
understand how some members of the NDP don't know about it, if they are on
the 'job' so to speak?
I still think that talk becomes a bit cheap, when that is all that happens...we
need an overhaul! We need to get to the meat of this entire situation...I don't
have the answers, but I see this very much as a house of cards and it is
beginning to fall....I wonder what would happen if we elected 308
independants??? Imagine? Nobody to owe favours to, nobody to fight with
internally because there is no internal, they would be working for us!!!! Just
us!
---
"aaaah and the whisper of thousands of tiny voices became a mighty deafening roar and they called it 'freedom'!"' Canadians Acting Humanely at home & everywhere