Judy Rebick “Being against is not enough – we have to know what we’re for.”
– Judy Rebick





“Knowing that one is not alone on the path of justice and that it will not happen all by itself gave me motivation to carry on with integrity and knowledge. Keep feeding us!”
– Integrate This! participant

INTEGRATE THIS! Challenging the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America

A report by the Council of Canadians

PART IV: WHAT WE LEARNED

At the Integrate This! teach-in, participants had over 20 workshops to choose from, with subjects ranging from media and culture to immigration to bulk water exports. Here is a sample of what people discussed:

• Participants in the “Defending Canadian Culture and Media in an Era of Canada-U.S. Integration” workshop talked about how media concentration is reducing editorial diversity, and how in some cultural sectors, loss of large Canadian-owned firms is key, while in others, consolidation is more of a threat. They stressed the need to support local arts and culture.

• At a workshop on “Canada’s Oil,” participants discussed ways to cut energy and water consumption in the tar sands. They agreed that Canada should demand a “Mexican exemption” from the proportional sharing clause in NAFTA, or abrogate the agreement completely.

• The “Challenging the Empire and its SPP” workshop featured representatives from Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. Participants discussed how the Security and Prosperity Partnership represents the continuation of NAFTA’s undermining of rural livelihoods in Mexico. They also noted that the “security agenda” is a useful tool for the repression of social movements opposing the effects of neo-liberalism on their economies.

• Participants in a workshop titled “Get Your Message Out” discussed ways to use the alternative media to spread the word about the dangers of continental integration. They talked about “framing” of key issues, and how to use imagery to make a powerful impact.

• In a workshop titled “What Safe Country?” participants agreed to advocate for the Canadian government to review and withdraw the designation of the U.S. as a “Safe Third Country.”

• Participants in a workshop about the North American Competitiveness Council discussed the need for enforceable continental labour standards.

• A workshop on Canada’s foreign worker program stressed the fact that people deserve the right to a livelihood in their home community, as well as freedom of movement within North America. Participants emphasized the need to prioritize outreach to migrant workers in the fight against the SPP.

• Participants in a workshop about the harmonization of Canada’s health and safety regulations discussed the benefits of the precautionary principle, versus a risk management approach. They talk about how a “better safe than sorry” campaign could be a way to get this issue on the agenda during the federal election.

Click here for a full description of the workshops from the Integrate This! teach-in. To obtain a complete set of notes from the workshops, contact us at inquiries@canadians.org.

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