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Hephaestion
Deeply Shallow
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 24243
Location: Where the Wild Things Are...
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 Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 8:02 pm Post subject: The NDP wakes up to Deep Integration |
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They've decided they're against it...
| Quote: | The Harper government must pull out of further talks on continental integration with the United States and Mexico or risk our national sovereignty, says NDP Trade Critic Peter Julian (Burnaby-New Westminster). Julian commented in advance of the February 23 meeting to be held in Ottawa where American and Mexican officials will join Canadian cabinet ministers to push forward the so-called "Security and Prosperity Partnership" (SPP) agenda. Julian was joined by NDP Energy Critic, Dennis Bevington (Western Arctic).
[...]
Changes to some 300 policy and program areas are being promoted as benign "efficiency" measures. The ongoing extensive consultations in the SPP process will lead to an unacceptable level of regulatory harmonization with the surrender of Canadian energy, immigration, health care, food safety, and environmental policies and to complete military integration with the US.
"Canada is not the gas tank of the United States. NAFTA already locks us into supplying energy to the United States even if ordinary Canadians go without; a North American Union would only make this worse," said Bevington.
"Canadians should know that the SPP process supports a North American Union (NAU). The NDP rejects the secretive process surrounding these ongoing discussions. Canadians will never support a political ideology which aims at turning North America into a fortress for corporate interests and neglects the interests of ordinary Canadians. Canadian sovereignty is not for sale to the highest bidder and the federal government has no authority to push for a NAU without a mandate from Canadians," said Julian. |
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"The dignity of an animal is measured by his capacity to revolt in the face of oppression." -- Mikhail Bakunin |
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TS.
Delicious schadenfreude
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 14585
Location: Toronto, ON
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| Posted: Thu Feb 22, 2007 8:23 pm Post subject: |
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The NDP also used one of it's questions in Question Period today to attack the Conservatives over the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America. It's good to see the NDP finally getting on this one.
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"Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear." - Thomas Jefferson |
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Hephaestion
Deeply Shallow
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 24243
Location: Where the Wild Things Are...
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| Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 11:19 pm Post subject: |
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Meeting draws criticism
| Quote: | The top foreign affairs, security and trade officials of Canada, the United States and Mexico met Friday under the auspices of a business-friendly alliance that critics allege is unfairly opaque.
The meeting of the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP) was expected to discuss border security, trade and energy, the Canadian government said Friday. The US State Department said the deadly bird flu would also feature on the agenda.
The complete agenda, however, was not made public, prompting protests.
[...]
The ministers were meeting "to discuss how the three democracies are working together to ensure continued prosperity and how we can provide greater security for all of North America," Rice's spokesman Sean McCormack said in a statement.
They were also expected to be presented recommendations from the National American Competitiveness Council, a trinational working group of the SPP comprised of some 30 chief executives from some of the continent's largest companies, to speed people and goods safely across borders, harmonize trade regulations and improve energy security and production.
In the United States, right-wing commentators have criticized further integration of North America, saying it would erode US security and long-term economic prosperity.
In Canada, condemnation of the SPP has come from the left.
[...]
In the House of Commons, Jack Layton, leader of the socialist New Democratic Party, accused Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservative government of conspiring to "sell out Canadian sovereignty."
"The discussions ... affect ordinary people, but this whole process is very, very obscure," he lamented.
"These are secret discussions about security, transportation, the environment, health, increasing integration, without Parliament's involvement, without the public being able to participate in the debate."
Government House leader Peter Van Loan replied that Layton was "imagining conspiracies, but the reality is this is a very open, transparent process." |
Which explains why their previous meeting in Banff was so top-secret that no one in the national media covered it. Indeed, if it weren't for the tiny Banff Crag & Canyon, there would have been virtually no mention of that meeting at all.
Or maybe Van Loan meant it was "a very open, transparent process" compared to how Harper's treatment of the public and press regarding cabinet meetings and the like...?
_________________
"The dignity of an animal is measured by his capacity to revolt in the face of oppression." -- Mikhail Bakunin |
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Erik Redburn
Fulltime enMasse Member
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 463
Location: In Transit.
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| Posted: Sat Feb 24, 2007 3:43 am Post subject: |
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Another example of the supposedly nonexistent media bias: After the press conference, CTV's Patrick Duffy framed his opening questions to Peter McKay by listing all the EU nations that were still "doing just fine", despite giving up their currency and independent economic policies (not quite so either), then asked McKay why we were still "so far behind" them? Tough question. As if there's no difference between the EU and NAFTa either, let alone the proposed 'Peace and Prosperity (and love no doubt) perimeter' we'd be operating under. McKay then made all sorts of dumb statements about how they're moving ahead to make it easier for Canadians to get passports. Duffy needless to say wasn't rude enough to mention that we didn't even Need passports to cross the border before these "free trade" deals. 
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The time to move is now. Always has been. |
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DSquared
aka Aristotleded24
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 5570
Location: Winnipeg
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| Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 8:39 pm Post subject: |
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NDP wins Parliamentary hearings on DI:
| Quote: | The Standing Committee on International Trade will hold the first ever hearings on the so-called "Security and Prosperity Partnership" (SPP) of North America thanks to the efforts of NDP International Trade Critic Peter Julian (Burnaby - New Westminster). Julian is pleased that he succeeded in bringing this before the committee and that the members will have the opportunity to study the North American deep integration project that has until now been discussed only behind closed boardroom doors. The televised hearings will be held on April 26, May 1st and 3rd, 2007 in Ottawa.
“This is the only the beginning,” stated Julian. “We must have a full and accountable public debate and expose the entire agenda around the SPP. The NDP will continue to push for full parliamentary oversight and public disclosure of SPP”.
The SPP was launched in March of 2005 by the former Martin Liberal government, who played a lead role in creating the SPP, also called deep integration. The SPP is a trilateral initiative to fast-track the integration of Canada and Mexico with the United States. The SPP is now being pushed more aggressively by the Harper Conservative government.
The NDP has been the only party in Canada’s Parliament to oppose the deep integration agenda and to propose an ethical and fair trade model. |
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This is pre-eminently the time, to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself-Franklin Delano Roosevelt |
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Hephaestion
Deeply Shallow
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 24243
Location: Where the Wild Things Are...
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| Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 10:49 pm Post subject: |
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Unfortunately, it's the *fourth* paragraph before they use the term "deep integration" -- what's this "SPP" crapola? Why let those dirtbags frame and name the issue?
Also unfortunately, this is a link to the NDP website -- other than left-leaning political junkies, who the hell reads that? There is *still* bugger-all mention of this in the corporate media. We need to start raising a bigger stink -- and we NEED to start calling it what it is, rather than using their bullshit terminology.
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"The dignity of an animal is measured by his capacity to revolt in the face of oppression." -- Mikhail Bakunin |
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Toby Fourre
Fulltime enMasse Member
Joined: 13 Apr 2006
Posts: 293
Location: on the other side of the hill
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| Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 11:22 pm Post subject: |
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| I agree, Hephaestion. However, it is an issue that the NDP could run with. I think that very few Canadians have heard about this. |
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skeptikool
*BANNED*
Joined: 01 Jun 2006
Posts: 1758
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| Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2007 12:06 am Post subject: |
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Perhaps a more immediate threat is the proposed Republic of Cascadia. If Quebec were to go, Cascadia would likely happen.
One of B.C.'s major dailies even has a regular Cascadia feature, with reports from each sector.
http://zapatopi.net/cascadia/ |
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Hephaestion
Deeply Shallow
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 24243
Location: Where the Wild Things Are...
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| Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 10:13 pm Post subject: |
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Apparently I'm a "fear-monger"...
Fear-mongers blocking closer Canada-U.S. ties: expert
| Quote: | Fear-mongers are partly to blame for blocking closer economic and social co-operation between Canada and the United States, says a prominent American academic.
Robert Pastor, director of the Center for North American Studies at American University in Washington, D.C., blames "extremists" on both sides of the border for heading off efforts at more continental integration. He cited American TV commentators such as Lou Dobbs and Patrick Buchanan and Canadian activist Maude Barlow as examples of those who raise alarms at any suggestion of closer North American ties.
"The debate has been skewed by the fear-mongers and conspiracy theorists," he said Monday.
Dobbs and his ilk want tighter borders and accuse Canada of being a gangplank for terrorists seeking to enter the United States.
Barlow and the Council of Canadians see a danger of Canada becoming little more than an appendage of Washington.
Neither case is true, said Pastor, but activists keep governments wary. |
So, let's see... we are "fear-mongers", "extremists", and "conspiracy theorists"... and Lou Dobbs is a member of the "ilk" (although Maude Barlow isn't, I guess)....
But Robert Pastor is an "expert" and a "prominent American academic"... What nice, fair, unbiased and balanced writing, eh?
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"The dignity of an animal is measured by his capacity to revolt in the face of oppression." -- Mikhail Bakunin |
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Northern54
Member
Joined: 21 Aug 2006
Posts: 19
Location: Yellowknife
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| Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 10:31 pm Post subject: NDP Wakes Up to Deep Integration |
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This has been a topic at I don't know how many NDP meetings here in Yellowknife. Our MP has talked about it at nomination conventions, Jack spoke at length about it on one of his visits here and so did Bill Blaikie the last time I heard him speak. It was even reported in the local media!
Garth
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Garth Brasseur |
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Sibjyn
Fulltime enMasse Member
Joined: 25 May 2006
Posts: 1120
Location: Vancouver
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| Posted: Mon Jun 04, 2007 10:33 pm Post subject: |
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No I don't think Maude Barlow could ever be described as one of Lou Dobb' s 'ilk'.
"Ilk" meaning of the same family, class or kind. |
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DSquared
aka Aristotleded24
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 5570
Location: Winnipeg
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| Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 1:04 am Post subject: |
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NDP on hearings regarding foreign takeovers
_________________
This is pre-eminently the time, to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself-Franklin Delano Roosevelt |
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Cartman
Beyond cuddly
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 8635
Location: OMG! They killed Jason Kenney!
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| Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 1:16 am Post subject: |
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| What are the specific problems with foreign ownership of companies operating here? Are not companies pretty much all the same regardless of who owns them? |
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elmateo
sleepy.
Joined: 19 Apr 2006
Posts: 4978
Location: socialist corner, ottawa
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| Posted: Tue Jun 12, 2007 2:46 am Post subject: |
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It is what they do with their profits. Theoretically more money stays in country if the ownership is here, gets put into Canadian banks and more likely re-invested into the Canadian economy.
I also like to think that it is much easier to access Canadian capitalists when the need really arises. They also might have a little bit more sympathy to Canadians issues (capitalists are human after all, and can individually have some sort of compassion).
Then there is who controls the company and what they do.
I am not a fan of many capitalists anywhere, but if I have to choose I am more likely to pick a Canadian because there is a greater likelihood that they can be influenced. |
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TS.
Delicious schadenfreude
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 14585
Location: Toronto, ON
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| Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 4:25 pm Post subject: |
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Elmateo is quite right. Given the choice of a dirt-bag multinational that is returning profits to Canada or a dirt-bag multinational that is returning profits to the United States, I will take the one returning profits to Canada.
_________________
"Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear." - Thomas Jefferson |
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Rufus Polson
Purple Library Guy
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 3483
Location: SFU and/or the college of Riddlemastery at Caithnard
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| Posted: Wed Jun 13, 2007 8:34 pm Post subject: |
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| Yeah. One problem with branch plants is that a lot of good jobs tend to stay in the core country--less so nowadays with all the outsourcing, but still. The concept of a "multinational" is exaggerated somewhat. Head office jobs will stay in the head office country. Research and development will tend to concentrate in the head office country. In the old days, core manufacturing tended to be in the head office country with the branch plant relegated to putting parts together; outsourcing has pretty much killed that rationale, I suppose. |
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Tehanu
More or less, more or less
Joined: 12 Apr 2006
Posts: 17639
Location: Seceded from the Ford Nation
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| Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 12:18 pm Post subject: |
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The Toronto Star, somewhat to my surprise, has a commentary today about deep integration. Somewhat not to my surprise, it's by Linda McQuaig, and as one would expect, it's a good one.
| Quote: | ... Rather, what's happened is that those pushing for deeper Canada-U.S. integration – principally members of the corporate elite on both sides of the border – have become more sophisticated in their strategy. Rather than loudly trumpeting their agenda, they've made their push largely invisible.
... Given the centrality of these issues, 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. The key advisory body in the SPP is an all-business group called the North American Competitiveness Council, made up of 30 CEOs from the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
... Regulatory harmonization is just one small area that the SPP is working on. I'll deal with the more contentious issues – security and energy – in a later column, all in the interest of setting the stage for next month, when Bush arrives in Montebello, Que., for what he, Stephen Harper and Mexican president Felipe Calderon are no doubt hoping will be an opportunity to quietly discuss the SPP and weigh the advice of their business council.
No public consultations have been planned for Montebello. Indeed, security measures will ensure the leaders hear as little as possible from the people. |
She also mentions as an example that Canada' is loosening our already pretty loose pesticide residue standards on vegetables and fruit, in order to match those of the United States. Oh, goody. Hadn't heard about that one. |
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TS.
Delicious schadenfreude
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 14585
Location: Toronto, ON
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| Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 9:05 pm Post subject: |
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Its all part of the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP). It's essentially a deal to requiring Canada to harmonize regulations across a huge number of fields, including food and drug regulation, with American standards. The Council of Canadians has lots of information on the deal, and they have a special website for it: www.integratethis.ca.
_________________
"Question with boldness even the existence of a God; because, if there be one, he must more approve of the homage of reason, than that of blind-folded fear." - Thomas Jefferson |
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Hephaestion
Deeply Shallow
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 24243
Location: Where the Wild Things Are...
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| Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 8:49 am Post subject: |
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From Peter Julian's office --
| Quote: | From: Julian, Peter - M.P. Julian.P@parl.gc.ca
Sent: July 9, 2007 3:59 PM
To: Julian, Peter - M.P.
Subject: July 2007 Update - Help Stop Deep Integration - Support NDP motion and sign petition
Importance: High
(message en français suit...)
Dear friends,
This is my latest update as NDP Trade Critic as part of our ongoing
efforts in the House of Commons to expose and halt the SPP agenda.
Please find attached a Motion I have submitted to the Standing Committee on International Trade (CIIT). It is the first in a series of Motions which I will be submitting on behalf of the NDP to the CIIT. We hope that your response and support will help us increase pressure on the Harper government to suspend SPP implementation; and organize a full legislative review and meaningful consultations with civil society, culminating with a full debate and a vote in Parliament.
You can help.
Please send a message to Members of the Standing Committee on International Trade (CIIT) asking them to support the NDP Motion (enclosed), with a cc to the Clerk of the Committee, Normand Radford and to my office. I have included the list of names of the Members of CIIT as well as their contact information.
Attached you will also find a petition for distribution over the summer time. Pls note: when you are ready to print the petition, under Print, pls go to page handling, where you will need to check off (if not already checked off) "choose paper source by PDF paper size".
Once the signatures have been collected, please return (postage free)
original petitions to my office:
Peter Julian MP for Burnaby-New Westminster
Room 178, Confederation Building
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A6
Together we can expose the SPP agenda and its implications for Canada.
Thank you for your support!
* * * * *
Chers amies, amis,
Voici ma dernière mise à jour en tant que porte-parole néo-démocrate pour le commerce et concernant nos efforts à la Chambre des communes pour dénoncer et stopper le programme PSP.
Veuillez trouvez ci-joint la motion que j'ai soumise au Comité permanent du commerce international (CIIT). C'est la première d'une série de motions que je compte présenté de la part du NPD au Comité permanent du commerce international. Je compte sur votre appui pour accroître la pression sur le gouvernement Harper pour suspendre l’application du PSP et mettre sur pied un examen législatif complet avec une consultation exhaustive de la société civile, le tout aboutissant à un débat complet et à un vote au Parlement.
Vous pouvez aider.
Veuillez envoyer un message aux membres du Comité permanent du commerce international pour leur demander d’appuyer la motion ci-jointe du NPD avec copie au greffier du Comité, Normand Radford, et à mon bureau. Vous trouverez ci-joint la liste des membres du Comité et leurs coordonnées.
De plus, vous trouverez également ci-joint une pétition à distribuer pendant l’été. Une fois les signatures recueillies, veuillez retourner (sans frais) les pétitions originales à mon bureau:
Peter Julian
Député de Burnaby-New Westminster
Pièce 178, édifice de la Confédération
Chambre des communes
Ottawa (Ontario) K1A 0A6
Ensemble, nous pouvons exposer le réel projet derrière le PSP et son incidence pour le Canada.
Merci de votre appui!
Peter Julian
Député de Burnaby-New Westminster
Member of Parliament - Burnaby-New Westminster
Tel: (613) 992-4214 Fax: (613) 947-9500
TTY: (613) 992-4249 |
I have lifted the names and contact information for the Standing Committee members from the PDFs, and reproduce them here -- please feel free to copy them and send them on (once you have sent in your *own* letter.) For a copy of the petition(s) that Julian mentions, please contact his office.
| Quote: | NDP Motion to be debated at the Standing Committee on International Trade in the Fall Session of Parliament
That the Standing Committee on International Trade report to the House of Commons urging the Government of Canada to stop further implementation of the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP) with the United States and Mexico until there is a democratic mandate from the people of Canada, Parliamentary oversight, and consideration of its profound consequences on Canada’s existence as a sovereign nation and its ability to adopt autonomous and sustainable economic, social, and environmental policies, and that the Government of Canada conduct a transparent and accountable public debate of the SPP process, involving public consultations with civil society and a full legislative review, including the work, recommendations, and reports of all SPP working groups, and a full debate and a vote in Parliament.
* * * * *
Standing Committee on International Trade (CIIT)
Membership
Chair: Leon Benoit, MP (Vegreville--Wainwright) Benoit.L@parl.gc.ca Room 613, Justice Building
Vice-Chair: Serge Cardin, MP (Sherbrooke) Cardin.S@parl.gc.ca Room 318, West Block
Vice-Chair: Lui Temelkovski, MP (Oak Ridges-Markham) Temelkovski.L@parl.gc.ca Room 315, East Block
Members:
Dean Allison, MP (Niagara West-Glanbrook) Allison.D@parl.gc.ca Room 163, Confederation Building House of Commons Ottawa ON K1A 0A6
Guy André, MP (Berthier--Maskinongé) Andre.G@parl.gc.ca Room 313, Confederation Building House of Commons Ottawa ON K1A 0A6
Navdeep Bains, MP (Mississauga-Brampton South) Bains.N@parl.gc.ca Room 774, Confederation Building House of Commons Ottawa ON K1A 0A6
Ron Cannan, MP (Kelowna-Lake Country) Cannan.R@parl.gc.ca Room 461, Confederation Building House of Commons Ottawa ON K1A 0A6
Peter Julian, MP (Burnaby-New Westminster) Julian.P@parl.gc.ca Room 178, Confederation Building House of Commons Ottawa ON K1A 0A6
Dominic Leblanc, MP (Beauséjour) Leblanc.D@parl.gc.ca Room 558 D, Centre Block House of Commons Ottawa ON K1A 0A6
Pierre Lemieux, MP (Glengarry--Prescott--Russell) Lemieux.P@parl.gc.ca Room 509, Justice Building House of Commons Ottawa ON K1A 0A6
John Maloney, MP (Welland) Maloney.J@parl.gc.ca Room 723, Confederation Building House of Commons Ottawa ON K1A 0A6
Ted Menzies, MP (Macleod) Menzies.T@parl.gc.ca Room 256, Confederation Building House of Commons Ottawa ON K1A 0A6
Clerk of the Committee: Normand Radford 613-944-4364
Mailing Address:
Standing Committee on International Trade
Sixth Floor, 180 Wellington Street
Wellington Building
House of Commons Ottawa ON K1A 0A6
Email address: ciit@parl.gc.ca
Fax: 613-973-0307
**********
Motion du NPD à débattre au Comité permanent du commerce international à l'automne Que le Comité permanent du commerce international face rapport à la Chambre des communes et exhorte le gouvernement du Canada à mettre fin à l'application du Partenariat nord-américain pour la sécurité et la prospérité (PSP), avec les ƒtats-Unis et le Mexique, jusqu'à ce qu'il y ait un mandat démocratique du peuple canadien, un du Canada à titre de pays souverain et de sa capacité de se doter de politiques économiques, sociales et environnementales autonomes et viables, et que le gouvernement du Canada tienne un débat public transparent sur le processus du PSP, complet, impliquant le travail, les recommandations et les rapports de tous les groupes de travail du PSP, ainsi qu'un débat complet et un vote au Parlement.
Membres du Comité permanent du commerce international (CIIT)
Président: Leon Benoit, député de Vegreville--Wainwright Benoit.L@parl.gc.ca
Vice-président: Serge Cardin, député de Sherbrooke Cardin.S@parl.gc.ca
Vice-président: Lui Temelkovski, député dÕOak Ridges-Markham Temelkovski.L@parl.gc.ca
Membres:
Dean Allison, député de Niagara Ouest--Glanbrook Allison.D@parl.gc.ca
Guy André, député de Berthier--Maskinongé Andre.G@parl.gc.ca
Navdeep Bains, député de Mississauga--Brampton-Sud Bains.N@parl.gc.ca
Ron Cannan, député de Kelowna-Lake Country Cannan.R@parl.gc.ca
Peter Julian, député de Burnaby--New Westminster Julian.P@parl.gc.ca
Dominic Leblanc, député de Beauséjour Leblanc.D@parl.gc.ca
Pierre Lemieux, député de Glengarry--Prescott--Russell Lemieux.P@parl.gc.ca
John Maloney, député de Welland Maloney.J@parl.gc.ca
Ted Menzies, député de Macleod Menzies.T@parl.gc.ca
Greffier du Comité: Normand Radford 613-944-4364
Adresse:
Comité permanent du commerce international
180, rue Wellington, 6e étage
Édifice Wellington
Chambre des communes, Ottawa ON K1A 0A6
Courriel : ciit@parl.gc.ca
Télécopieur : 613-973-0307 |
_________________
"The dignity of an animal is measured by his capacity to revolt in the face of oppression." -- Mikhail Bakunin |
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Tehanu
More or less, more or less
Joined: 12 Apr 2006
Posts: 17639
Location: Seceded from the Ford Nation
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| Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2007 8:28 pm Post subject: |
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The Council of Canadians is alerting us to further SPP shenanigans (and asking for money to help oppose it) ...
| Quote: | In just one week, Stephen Harper will welcome his American idol George W. Bush and Mexico’s President Felipe Calderon to Montebello, Quebec.
What’s on the agenda? We can only guess at this point, because all of the meetings to review the progress of the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) have taken place in secret so far.
It's an outrage that our government is working behind closed doors with big business on strategies that will have a major impact on Canada's future. Meanwhile, citizens are being kept in the dark. The Council of Canadians is determined to break the silence and ensure that citizens’ voices are heard. But with the summit rapidly approaching, we need your support today.
As you know, the SPP – which is being implemented without any public or parliamentary scrutiny – is quite literally about eliminating Canada’s ability to set independent regulatory standards, environmental protection, energy security, foreign, military, immigration and a frighteningly wide range of other policies.
The decisions that Harper, Bush and Calderon make on Aug. 20 and 21 will affect the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the human rights and civil liberties we enjoy. That’s why your support is needed now more than ever.
Just last month, the RCMP prevented the Council of Canadians from holding a public forum in a community centre six kilometres from Montebello.
Why is the Harper government trying to stop all open and public debate about the SPP? What are government and corporate leaders so afraid of?
We can’t let Canadians be shut out of this crucial discussion on the future of North America. |
And ...
| Quote: | From August 20-21, Stephen Harper will welcome his American idol George W. Bush and Mexico’s President Felipe Calderon to Montebello, Quebec.
What will be on the agenda? We can only guess at this point, because all of the meetings to review the progress of the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) have taken place in secret so far. And a 25-kilometre security perimeter is designed to prevent protestors and critics from getting anywhere near the meeting this August.
But the Council of Canadians is determined to break the silence and ensure that citizens’ voices are heard.
The SPP – which is being implemented without any public or parliamentary scrutiny – is about eliminating Canada’s ability to set its own independent regulatory standards, environmental protection measures, energy security, foreign, military, immigration and a frighteningly wide range of other policies.
The decisions that Harper, Bush and Calderon make from Aug. 20-21 will affect the food we eat, the air we breathe, and the human rights and civil liberties we enjoy.
Click here to read more about the SPP and how it could affect you. Here's how our plans are shaping up:
* August 19: PUBLIC FORUM
* August 20: NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION to oppose the SPP - how you can participate
* EVENTS August 4-20
* Transportation to Montebello
* Read more: Behind Closed Doors: What they're not telling us about the Security and Prosperity Partnership
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Tehanu
More or less, more or less
Joined: 12 Apr 2006
Posts: 17639
Location: Seceded from the Ford Nation
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| Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 3:19 am Post subject: |
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Maude Barlow has an article on the Globe website. Worth a read, particularly because it might head behind a subscription wall ...
| Quote: | ... Launched in March of 2005, the SPP is the culmination of an intense campaign by the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, Canada's influential big business lobby group, to maintain smooth trade relations with the United States in the aftermath of 9/11. The role of the big business community was formalized in March of 2006 through the creation of the North American Competitiveness Council — an advisory body comprised of 30 of North America's richest corporations.
... What they fail to talk about is that the SPP also calls for energy-sector integration and a potential common external tariff, which will make independent Canadian policies on the environment and energy impossible.
... In September of 2006, Public Safety Minister Stockwell Day joined a host of Canadian, U.S. and Mexican military officers and other government representatives in a closed-door meeting in Banff called the North American Forum. Leaked documents show that at least one participant said that integration will happen as a process of "evolution by stealth." In April of 2006, another closed-door meeting related to the SPP, organized by the Washington-based Center for Strategic and International Studies and paid for by the U.S. government, discussed bulk water exports from Canada to the United States.
... Stephen Harper promised to take all major international treaties before the House but our elected officials have been left in the dark regarding the SPP. In fact, there has been no parliamentary debate about the SPP in any of the three countries. |
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Rufus Polson
Purple Library Guy
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 3483
Location: SFU and/or the college of Riddlemastery at Caithnard
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| Posted: Fri Aug 17, 2007 7:54 pm Post subject: |
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Instead of CCCE, they should call it the CCAOBPF:
Canadian Council of American-Owned Branch Plant Flunkeys. |
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Max Bialystock
Fulltime enMasse Member
Joined: 24 Feb 2007
Posts: 557
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| Posted: Sat Aug 18, 2007 3:47 am Post subject: |
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| It's good to see Peter Julian discussing this. The NDP would do very well if it focused on it in the next election. It's something the Dion Liberals don't want to touch. |
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Tehanu
More or less, more or less
Joined: 12 Apr 2006
Posts: 17639
Location: Seceded from the Ford Nation
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| Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 3:07 am Post subject: |
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Protests have already started near Montebello in Quebec, including blocking a rail line, and there is also a protest on Parliament Hill. The SPP conference starts tomorrow.
| Quote: | ... News of the incident came as several hundred protesters gathered peacefully on Parliament Hill for a rally organized by a range of economic nationalist, environmental, labour and other groups.
... Protest leader Maude Barlow of the Council of Canadians said people shouldn't be fooled about who really sets the agenda at summit meetings: the 30 business leaders who sit on the North American Competitiveness Council and who advise the three national governments on facilitating trade.
... "These people don't care about you, and they don't care about your quality of life, and they don't care about food safety, and they don't care about true security," Ms. Barlow told the crowd.
"They only care about making money.
"And the only way they could do it was to make an agreement with the Bush government that they would help to spread Bush's war on terror and help to create a Fortress North America."
... While protesters will be kept far away [from Montebello], video of their demonstrations will be broadcast into the summit site in order to let them be seen by the decision-makers. |
Globe and Mail
That's vaguely silly about the video being broadcast into the summit site ... are the decision-makers actually going to pay any attention at all? Some kind of sop being thrown because they're blocking off the site completely? |
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sparqui
Dog tired
Joined: 30 Apr 2006
Posts: 5152
Location: Winnipeg
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| Posted: Mon Aug 20, 2007 3:42 am Post subject: |
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Video wallpaper, that's all it will be for them.
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“If my grandmother had wheels, she'd be a tractor.”
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DSquared
aka Aristotleded24
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 5570
Location: Winnipeg
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| Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 3:09 am Post subject: |
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NDP launches SPP wokring group
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This is pre-eminently the time, to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself-Franklin Delano Roosevelt |
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West Coast Tiger
Super-Link Mistress
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 3060
Location: Obviously Concealed
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| Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 11:25 am Post subject: |
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I'd like to make a suggestion that these two threads be merged:
Secrecy around the North American Union (NAU)
And I think it may be time to resurrect these threads.
Be back shortly.
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~ Rational ravings from a relative stranger in a troubled paradise. ~ |
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West Coast Tiger
Super-Link Mistress
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
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Location: Obviously Concealed
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| Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 12:14 pm Post subject: |
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Now, I'm not a conspiracy theorist, but I think the NAU plan is real. How real? How far will it go? I've no idea. But the thought of it makes me cringe. Ironically, it seems to be attracting attention from both the left and right. And when I say attention, I mean of the negative kind. Seems there are many people of all political stripes that don't like the idea of NAU. A quick search for North American Union will provide links to those that oppose it on both the left and right.
Why am I bringing this up now? Because there is a lot of talk on the 'net about NAU being very real and the financial crisis has encouraged some people to take a second look at it.
I was recently shown a video that scared the hell out of me. It is the worst case scenario in terms of what *could* happen should the world be divided into four unions. I'm going to provide the link to what I saw:
NORTH AMERICAN UNION & RFID Chip
Almost 7,000,000 people have seen this video.
Aaron Russo was interviewed and here is what he had to say (video):
Rockefeller Reveals 9/11 FRAUD to Aaron Russo
From there, I was encouraged to have a look at this video:
The Grand Chessboard Pt.1
The Grand Chessboard Pt.2
Next, I was taken to this video and link:
Project for the New American Century
After watching all that, I was directed to the following video based on 9/11 (you'll need an hour and a half to watch this one):
Loose Change 2nd Edition (Full)
Now, as I said, I rarely subscribe to conspiracy theories. However, if you have seen all these videos, you must admit that something foul is going on beyond what we know and see in the media. Is the NAU on the way?
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~ Rational ravings from a relative stranger in a troubled paradise. ~ |
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West Coast Tiger
Super-Link Mistress
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 3060
Location: Obviously Concealed
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| Posted: Mon Sep 29, 2008 1:15 pm Post subject: |
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Let's focus on just the NAU for a moment.
Over at Global Reseach, they have been collecting articles on this subject since 2006. A sample:
This link provides a timeline:
"Deep Integration": Timeline of the Progress Toward a North American Union - 2006-12-20
"New 9/11 crisis catalyst to merge U.S., Mexico and Canada": North American Union leader says merger just crisis away - 2007-04-11
| Quote: | At American University in Washington, D.C., Pastor directs the Center for North American Studies where he teaches a course entitled "North America: A Union, A Community, or Just Three Nations?" As WND previously has reported, Pastor is on the board of the North American Forum on Integration, the NAFI, a non-profit organization that annually holds a mock trilateral parliament for 100 selected students drawn from 10 universities in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
Pastor had published an interview in Spanish in the Oct. 24 issue of Poder y Negocios. He told the magazine crises can force decisions that otherwise would not be made.
"The 9/11 crisis made Canada and the United States redefine the protection of their borders," Pastor explained. "The debt crisis in Mexico forced the government to adapt a new economic model. The crises oblige the governments to make difficult decisions."
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Canadians Completely Unaware of Looming North American Union - 2007-07-17
| Quote: | A huge ‘NAFTA’ highway, one quarter of a mile wide, is already being built in Texas, where private land is being expropriated, and will eventually reach the Manitoba border.
Water will be the ‘issue’ of this century, as more than 25 states in the U.S. are currently in desperate need. Where do you think they will get the water they need?
The United States is already guaranteed 60% of our natural gas resources from NAFTA, which mean that even during emergencies when we need energy, we will have to import it, while we are forced to export gas to the U.S. This is just one example of how Canada is being shortchanged, and it’s only going to get worse.
Why has there been absolutely NO public consultation on the biggest issue (North American Union) facing Canadians since Confederation? Why isn’t Guy Lauzon, our local MP for Stormont, Dundas and South Glengarry, holding town hall meetings, bringing in cabinet ministers and explaining how the emerging North American Union will affect our Canadian way of life? Ask the citizens of Canada for their feedback. Isn’t that how democracy is supposed to work? |
Tyrants and Traitors: The “Evolution by Stealth” of a North American Union - 2007-08-07
| Quote: | In January of 2003, the CCCE launched the North American Security and Prosperity Initiative, in which they propose 5 key elements:1
1) Reinventing borders
2) Maximizing regulatory efficiencies
3) Negotiation of a comprehensive resource security pact
4) Reinvigorating the North American defence alliance
5) Creating a new institutional framework
...
The Independent Task Force on the Future of North America’s “Trinational Call for a North American Economic and Security Community by 2010” document made a list of recommendations, including:
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Click the link to find out.
Canada and Bush's North American Union Project - 2007-08-09
| Quote: | Look for a very strong backlash coming from the Canadian people, but also from the American and Mexican people, once they clearly understand what the Bush-Calderon-Harper trio has been concocting in near complete secrecy and with nearly no public debate whatsoever, over the last few years.
Indeed, the three relatively unpopular governments presently in charge in Washington, Ottawa and Mexico, have aligned themselves with very large corporations, most of them American owned, to lay the foundations for a new North American Union, (NAU) also called the "Deep Integration" project. This would be a new permanent alliance that would be de facto placed under American control. Canada and Mexico would have to harmonize many of their laws and regulations to suit the interests of big business and the undemocratic and imperial ambitions of the U.S. government around the world.
With such a plan for an enlarged continental integration at both the economic and political levels, we are far from the initial program of fair and free trade for goods and services and for removing barriers to trade between the three countries, as initially envisaged by the 1988 Free Trade Agreement, (FTA) between Canada and the United States. It has to be remembered that under the 1994 North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), Canada not only accepted that Mexico be incorporated into the North American free trade zone, but made substantial concessions regarding the Investment Canada Act's rules for American take-overs of Canadian companies and for a privileged American access to Canadian energy resources. This should have sufficed to keep the American market open to Canadian exporters. It seems that this is no longer the case. Large corporations and the U.S. administration alike want to take advantage of the terrorist threat to go much further in extracting concessions from Canada.
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The North American Union and the Bigger Plan - 2007-12-17
| Quote: | In order to bring about a North American Union (NAU), the public first has to be conditioned to think of themselves as North Americans. In that regard, Thomas Donohue (president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce) on June 16, 2006 remarked that "for CEOs, North America is already a single market, and business decisions are no longer made with a Mexico strategy---or a Canada strategy---but, rather, with a North American strategy....I think it's pretty clear now that it no longer makes sense to talk about U.S. competitiveness and Mexican competitiveness---or, for that matter, about the competitiveness of Canada. We are all in this together---we, as North Americans."
Also relevant to this process is the publication of the NORTH AMERICAN INTEGRATION MONITOR since 2002 by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Very soon, CSIS also will publish their final document on their "North American Future 2025 Project." The Project has "an emphasis on regional integration," and the year 2025 A.D. was selected "on the basis of the data presently available on overall global projections." Seven closed-door roundtable sessions have been looking at the methodology of global and North American projections, as well as labor mobility, energy, the environment, security, competitiveness, and border infrastructure and logistics.
Zbigniew Brzezinski has been a CSIS counselor, and at Mikhail Gorbachev's first State of the World Forum in 1995, Brzezinski revealed: "We cannot leap into world government through one quick step....The precondition for eventual and genuine globalization is progressive regionalization because by that we move toward larger, more stable, more cooperative units." This is why the CSIS Project has "an emphasis on regional integration." (Brzezinski also described the regions that would be formed, that Israel and the Palestinians would be part of a Middle Eastern region, how Communist China would be brought into an Asian region, and that Iran would be part of a Central Asian region which would have important oil and gas pipelines constructed.)
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More articles can be found at Global Reseach.
Lou Dobbs seems to be the only member of the media that is taking a serious interest in NAU (Videos):
CNN Video:Lou Dobbs Slams CFR & North American Union
Lou Dobbs: North American Union Orwellian Brave New World
North American Union Traitors Include Chertoff, Rice, Bush
Lou Dobbs reports on the NORTH AMERICAN UNION may 7, '07
More at YouTube.
Link to the Council of Canadians mentioned in the last video.
There are a number of articles at that site.
This is Wikipedia on the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America
| Quote: | On 26 February 2008, Canada's Minister of Finance, Jim Flaherty, announced his Conservative government's 2008 Budget, which includes "$29 million over two years to meet priorities under the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America."[3]
The North American Competitiveness Council (NACC) is an official tri-national working group of the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP). It was created at the second summit of the SPP in Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico, in March 2006. Composed of 30 corporate representatives from some of North America's largest companies, the North American Competitiveness Council has been mandated to set priorities for the SPP and to act as a stable driver of the integration process through changes in government in all three countries.
...
On May 10, 2007, Conservative MP Leon Benoit, chair of the Canadian House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade, prevented University of Alberta professor Gordon Laxer from testifying that SPP would leave Canadians "to freeze in the dark" because "Canada itself – unlike most industrialized nations – has no national plan or reserves to protect its own supplies" by saying Laxer's testimony was not relevant, defying a majority vote to overrule his motion, shutting down the Committee meeting, and leaving with the other three out of four Conservative members; the meeting later continued presided by the Liberal vice-chair. [13] After these disruptions, the National Post reported on a Conservative party manual to, among other things, usurp Parliamentary committees and cause chaos in unfavourable committees. [14] [15] The New Democratic Party has also criticized SPP for being undemocratic, not open to Parliament, and opaque [16]; New Democratic Party leader Jack Layton described the process as not simply unconstitutional, but "non-constitutional," held completely outside the usual mechanisms of oversight. [17] |
This is the American SPP site
This is the Canadian SPP site However, it appears to be down today.
_________________
~ Rational ravings from a relative stranger in a troubled paradise. ~ |
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West Coast Tiger
Super-Link Mistress
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 3060
Location: Obviously Concealed
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DSquared
aka Aristotleded24
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 5570
Location: Winnipeg
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| Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 6:09 pm Post subject: |
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SPP not actually off table:
| Quote: | While the Security and Prosperity Partnership is no longer an active initiative of the three NAFTA countries, many of the components have already been implemented or are still moving forward. This neoliberal agenda for continental integration will continue. The corporate giants and think tanks behind the SPP are in the process of rebranding this agenda.
The SPP was driven by a group of thirty CEO’s, ten each from some of the largest corporations of the three NAFTA countries, which made up an organization called the North American Competitiveness Council (NACC). The NACC is composed of a who’s who of the military industrial complex, big pharma, big banks, big oil and retail giants including Lockheed Martin, General Electric, Merck, Scotiabank, Chevron, Ford, Walmart and Home Depot.
...
The end of the SPP in name was predictable. In a May interview, American Consul General Phillip Chicola stated that President Obama would likely want to rebrand the Bush era Security and Prosperity Partnership but the process of deep integration would continue. When President Obama was in Ottawa on February 19th 2009, he was asked what he thought the Canada-U.S. relationship would look like in four years and his response was “I think we will see continued integration…” |
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This is pre-eminently the time, to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself-Franklin Delano Roosevelt |
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Hephaestion
Deeply Shallow
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 24243
Location: Where the Wild Things Are...
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| Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 7:05 pm Post subject: |
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| Quote: | | The end of the SPP in name was predictable. In a May interview, American Consul General Phillip Chicola stated that President Obama would likely want to rebrand the Bush era Security and Prosperity Partnership but the process of deep integration would continue. When President Obama was in Ottawa on February 19th 2009, he was asked what he thought the Canada-U.S. relationship would look like in four years and his response was “I think we will see continued integration…” |
Yep... "Meet the new boss/ Same as the old boss..."
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"The dignity of an animal is measured by his capacity to revolt in the face of oppression." -- Mikhail Bakunin |
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Hephaestion
Deeply Shallow
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 24243
Location: Where the Wild Things Are...
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| Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 10:23 pm Post subject: |
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Just listening to an interview with film-maker Paul Manley right now on CBC Radio, regarding his new documentary, You, Me, and the SPP: Trading Democracy for Corporate Rule.
Manley is just starting a 30-city tour with the film, and it sounds excellent. From his website:
| Quote: | Paul Manly’s latest film ‘You, Me, and the S.P.P: Trading Democracy for Corporate Rule’ is almost ready for a full release. There are preview screenings in the following communities on the following dates.
Duncan - At the Duncan Garage, February 23rd, for 2 screenings 7pm and 9:30
Saskatoon - March 1st, 7:00pm, Neatby Timlin Theatre,Room 241 – Arts Building, U of S Campus
Prince Albert Saskatchewan - March 4th, 7pm at Union Centre 107 - 8th St. East
Regina Saskatchewan - March 5th, 7:30 at the the Royal Saskatchewan Museum (Albert and College St.)
Saltspring Island - Our Island Our World Film Festival March 7th (time TBA)
There will be more screenings to announce soon. The DVD should be ready to release in late March.
Pre-order a personal copy of the DVD
donate $25 (plus shipping and handling) and we’ll send a copy when the DVD version is completed. |
Hell, I'm gonna scrounge up $25 and get a DVD -- you should too, and pass the word along to everyone you know...
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"The dignity of an animal is measured by his capacity to revolt in the face of oppression." -- Mikhail Bakunin |
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Hephaestion
Deeply Shallow
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 24243
Location: Where the Wild Things Are...
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| Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 10:32 pm Post subject: |
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More from Manley website:
| Quote: | Manly starts the film with random interviews on the street with two questions “Have your heard about the SPP, the Security Prosperity Partnership?” and “Have you heard about TILMA the Trade Investment Labour Mobility Agreement?” None of the people he asks have heard anything about these two agreements and so his next question is why not? Unable to obtain interviews with any government ministers responsible for these agreements or with any other proponents, Manly sets out to find out what all the silence is about and what these agreements will mean to the citizens of Canada.
‘You, Me, and the S.P.P: Trading Democracy for Corporate Rule‘ is a feature length documentary which exposes the corporatist agenda that is currently undermining the democratic authority of the citizens of North America. Two processes, the Security Prosperity Partnership (SPP) and the Trade Investment Labour Mobility Agreement (TILMA) are rapidly eroding and eliminating standards, civil liberties, regulatory systems and institutions put in place over generations through the democratic process.
Told through interviews with various experts who oppose this agenda and through the experiences of ordinary citizens who are feeling the effects of its implementation ‘You, Me and the SPP’ lays out the breadth and depth of the SPP and TILMA and outlines what we as citizens can do to stop it.
Manly decided to premiere the film in Nanaimo first, because the local community has provided him with the bulk of the financial and moral support needed to complete this project. He said he could not and would not have produced this film without the amazing support he received here.
This premiere screening is sponsored by the Human Rights and International Solidarity Committee of the VIU Faculty Association, the VIU Students Union and the Nanaimo Global Film Festival. Admission is by donation, all proceeds will go towards the promotional budget to help get this film out to as wide an audience as possible. There will be a special preview screening for VIU students on February 5th in the afternoon in 356/109, 2:30-4:30pm.
The preview version of ‘You, Me and the SPP’ is also scheduled to screen at the World Community Film Festival in Courtenay on February 7th and in Vancouver on February 14th It will also screen in Nanaimo again at the Nanaimo Global Film Festival on the weekend of March 20th. |
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"The dignity of an animal is measured by his capacity to revolt in the face of oppression." -- Mikhail Bakunin |
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Hephaestion
Deeply Shallow
Joined: 11 Apr 2006
Posts: 24243
Location: Where the Wild Things Are...
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| Posted: Fri Oct 02, 2009 10:42 pm Post subject: |
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Ooops, here's a better page (it includes a trailer for the film), plus it has info on how to order if, like me, you don't have plastic:
| Quote: | Paul Manly’s latest film ‘You, Me, and the SPP: Trading Democracy for Corporate Rule’ is finished and the DVD is now available. All pre-ordered DVD’s were mailed out the week of April 20th - Thank you for your support.
[trailer]
For additional SPP related videos including the infamous SQ police provocateur footage visit the CanadiansNanaimo channel on youtube.
“Manly has created an extremely thorough introduction to a set of issues that will increasingly affect every Canadian. As the film progressed, I was shocked at my own ignorance about the SPP and TILMA and their implications and I am indebted to this film for the research and revelations it presents.”
Mark Achbar – Manufacturing Consent, The Corporation
Order a personal use copy of the DVD $25 (plus taxes, shipping and handling) via credit card and paypal or by sending a cheque or money order for $31.25 to box 1093 Stn. A Nanaimo BC V9R 6E7 with a return address and we’ll mail you a DVD. |
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"The dignity of an animal is measured by his capacity to revolt in the face of oppression." -- Mikhail Bakunin |
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Tehanu
More or less, more or less
Joined: 12 Apr 2006
Posts: 17639
Location: Seceded from the Ford Nation
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| Posted: Thu Oct 22, 2009 12:57 am Post subject: |
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Oh, yay, the US ambassador is "reassuring" Canada that there are no plans to reopen NAFTA.
What if we want it reopened?
| Quote: | The new U.S. ambassador to Canada promises his country has no immediate plans to reopen NAFTA.
David Jacobson tackled the thorny issue during an early morning speech to business leaders in Montreal.
He says the U.S. believes free trade is working well in North America.
Those words could reassure a business community unnerved by remarks about NAFTA by Barack Obama during last year's presidential campaign. |
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Tehanu
More or less, more or less
Joined: 12 Apr 2006
Posts: 17639
Location: Seceded from the Ford Nation
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| Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2011 12:09 pm Post subject: |
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Oh, goodie, we've suddenly got a new security and trade deal with the USA.
In one of the more weasel-worded and slanted articles I've seen them publish, which is saying something, the Globe and Mail has reported we've got a new, as yet secret, security/trade deal with the United States.
This paragraph in particular cracks me up: "Canadians who believe that the United States has sold its liberty because of fears for its security, or who resist any further economic integration with the troubled economic giant, are likely to oppose the Beyond the Border proposals."
No shit, really? Likely to oppose? And thanks for characterizing us as people who believe the US has "sold its liberty" ... nothing better than a soupcon of hyperbole.
Now, as for the agreement. If it's something you want us to support, Mr. Harper, perhaps a little information on what rights we will be giving up may be in order. I'm not optimistic, since you also want to resurrect warrantless detentions.
It's ever so ducky that our government feels it's appropriate to negotiate a secret security/trade deal without any public consultation. Just fills me with confidence.
And what a coincidence this is "leaked" on September 10. Anyone believe that wasn't deliberate?
| Quote: | ... Negotiators have reached agreement on almost all of the three dozen separate initiatives in the Beyond the Border action plan, said sources who cannot be named because they are not authorized to speak publicly on the matter. The few remaining items mostly involve questions of wording and should be settled in time for an announcement in late September.
The most crucial phase then lies ahead, as both the Canadian and U.S. governments try to sell the proposals to their respective publics. A new poll suggests that in Canada, at least, that could be harder than it would have been a few years ago, although with a majority government, the Conservatives can pass any legislation that may be required, barring massive public opposition.
The stakes are high on the initiative, which Prime Minister Stephen Harper and U.S. President Barack Obama announced together in Washington last winter. Mr. Harper has told individuals in private meetings that he sees the Beyond the Border talks as the most ambitious advance in Canada-U.S. relations since the Free Trade Agreement of 1988.
Without an agreement, the non-tariff barriers that have increasingly obstructed the border since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks could remain in place and worsen.
... Opponents have raised alarms that an agreement would cost Canadians both sovereignty and personal privacy. But failure to implement the agreements could further impair the world’s most extensive trading relationship, and put manufacturing jobs across the country at risk.
Details of the agreement are closely held. But goals outlined earlier include specific proposals to co-ordinate and align such things as biometrics on passports, watch lists, inspection of containers at overseas ports and other security measures.
The new agreement respects privacy laws in both countries, the sources said. |
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Slumberjack
Fulltime enMasse Member
Joined: 13 Jul 2010
Posts: 918
Location: squelch~~big waves and high smiles from the stomach and intestine of capital.
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| Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2011 12:41 pm Post subject: |
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| Tehanu wrote: | | Oh, goodie, we've suddenly got a new security and trade deal with the USA. |
I used up today's disappointment over the way my eggs turned out this morning. After a promising start both yokes just went off on their own.
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There is this old notion, Bolshevik, a little frigid for sure; the building of the Party. I think that our present war is about giving new content to this depopulated fiction. |
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