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ACTION ALERT: Stop the SPP ministers February 23 meeting in Ottawa
February 8, 2007
Dear activists,
The Security and Prosperity Partnership ministers from Canada, the United States and Mexico are expected to be meeting on Friday February 23 in Ottawa, perhaps at the Government Conference Centre.
The Harper government ministers at this meeting are likely to be Stockwell Day (Minister of Public Safety), Maxime Bernier (Minister of Industry) and Peter MacKay (Minister of Foreign Affairs). The Bush administration is likely to send Michael Chertoff (Secretary of Homeland Security), Carlos Gutierrez (Secretary of Commerce) and Condoleezza Rice (Secretary of State).
A September 2006 "Report to Leaders" highlights the agenda of this upcoming meeting, which is to take place just four months prior to the leaders' summit anticipated to occur in Kananaskis, Alberta sometime between June 26-29. That report states:
"Prior to the next Leaders' summit, the security and prosperity ministers will meet to review further progress on the priority initiatives...identified in Cancun, update the SPP workplans in light of achievements to date, and develop new initiatives designed to achieve concrete results. At that time, we will discuss with the NACC its preliminary recommendations to Leaders."
To read the 2006 "Report to Leaders" from the Canadian, American and Mexican ministers/secretaries of security, industry and foreign affairs on Security and Prosperity Partnership "accomplishments" please go to the U.S. Department of Commerce website.
THE DEMAND
Chapter activists are encouraged to send their own version of the following message to Prime Minister Stephen Harper at pm@pm.gc.ca or send a letter using the formbelow:
Prime Minister Harper,
As a member of the Council of Canadians, I am calling on you to cease all talks leading toward deeper integration between Canada and the United States, including the next Security and Prosperity Partnership summit scheduled for June 26-29 in Kananaskis and the Security and Prosperity Partnership ministers meeting scheduled for February 23 in Ottawa.
A 2006 "Report to Leaders" stated that, "To facilitate a meaningful and productive discussion with the NACC (at this February meeting), we have asked that their initial set of priorities be sent to us by September 15, 2006." I believe that the North American Competitiveness Council should be disbanded. Corporations such as Manulife Financial, Home Depot, Wal-Mart and Lockheed Martin should not be shaping economic policy between Canada and the United States. Furthermore, I request that you make NACC's list of priorities available to the public.
And finally, 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,
<your name>
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