Who can possibly be opposed to security and prosperity, much less partnership?
The Council of Canadians, Canadian Labour Congress, the Canadian Union of Public Employees, the Communications, Energy & Paperworkers Union of Canada, the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives, the Canadian Union of Postal Workers, Common Frontiers-Canada and the Quebec Network on Continental Integration — that’s who!
On August 20-21, Stephen Harper, George Bush and Felipe Calderón are meeting in Montebello, Quebec, to discuss continent-wide harmonization of regulations affecting energy, military, environment, foreign, immigration, health care, and etc — also known as the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America. Only in our wildest dreams could we expect this trio to work on an agreement that will offer improvements in these areas.
The Council of Canadians is promoting a National Day of Action against the SPP.
In Winnipeg, the STOP SPP! Citizens Concerned About Deep Integration is holding a demonstration at the Federal Building in Winnipeg (corner of Main Street and Water Avenue) on Monday, August 20, 2007, from 4:00 to 6:00 PM. The event will include speakers, live music, entertainment, information, a letter writing campaign, and a petition.
Confirmed speakers include Robert Chernomas (of the Department of Economics at the University of Manitoba), Darlene Dziewit (president of the Manitoba Federation of Labour) and Kevin Rebeck (president of CUPE Manitoba).
Security, prosperity and partnership are all feel-good words — comfort food for the soul, in much the same way that Kraft Dinner is nutritionally empty solace for the tummy.
Let’s get out on August 20 and tell Harper and Co. we won’t swallow it!
Paul S. Graham 