NEWS: PEI Council activist protests Governors-Premiers meeting

June 27, 2007

Dear activists,

As I reported to you back on June 13, "The New England Governors and the Eastern Canadian Premiers will be meeting in Roseneath, Prince Edward Island at the Rodd Brudenell River Resort on Monday June 25 and Tuesday June 26...(in part to discuss) progress made in implementing...(their) Regional Action Plan on the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America."

Today's Montreal Gazette reports, "About 15 demonstrators showed up before the closing news conference. (Quebec Premier Jean) Charest spoke to Leo Broderick, of the P.E.I. Council of Canadians, saying he received Broderick's document. Broderick said this meeting will lead to the creation of Atlantica, a new regional political grouping, that will take continental free trade a step farther, leading to the impoverishment of Canadian workers. "Champagne and caviar. Tell us where our jobs are," the protesters chanted as the premiers arrived."

Additionally, the Charlottetown Guardian reported today that, "The majority of the two days of meetings was spent talking about the three Es — energy, environment and electricity. Atlantic Canada and New England plan to work closer to meet the energy needs of the provinces and states. The premiers and governors were told how closely integrated the systems are in the east and how important it is that both countries work together to meet their electricity needs."

The Council of Canadians is currently trying to obtain the "Regional Action Plan on the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America" discussed by the Eastern Canadian Premiers and New England Governors.

Brent Patterson, Director of Organizing, The Council of Canadians