OTTAWA – The Council of Canadians has launched a campaign to draw national attention to the dangers of Canada’s increasingly close economic and political ties to the United States.

“The recent sponsorship scandal has revealed the corrupt and secretive relationship between the Federal government and Canada’s business elite,” says Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians. “In light of the push from corporate Canada to adopt a number of troubling U.S. polices and practices, this relationship may be fatal to Canada’s independence.”

Canadian corporate interests are lobbying the government to adopt U.S. policies such as collaborating on the controversial missile defence system, handing over more intelligence on Canadian citizens to U.S. authorities, and dropping our higher standards and regulatory protection to U.S. levels.

“This ‘deep integration’ between Canada and the U.S. would crush Canada’s ability to create and maintain its own policies, standards, and laws,” adds Guy Caron, Council of Canadians Campaigner.

"It would be more accurate to describe the proposals of the Canadian Council of Chief Executives, the C.D. Howe Institute and other spokespeople of the cause as assimilation rather than integration. These proponents are dreaming if they think that these agreements won’t be negotiated on U.S. terms. The sheer difference in the size of our economies and the power of our countries means that a partnership between Canada and the U.S. will never be one of equals.”

The Council of Canadians is conducting a cross-country tour to share its concerns about the threat of Canada-U.S. integration. Each of the seven cities will feature Maude Barlow and a panel of prominent authors, researchers, and activists.

The Council has also launched “The Canada We Want,” a report that denounces the integration agenda and promotes an alternative vision for Canada.

“With an election on the horizon and the Martin government intent on establishing cozier relations with the Bush administration, it is crucial that Canadians be made aware of what is brewing behind closed doors,” says Barlow. “We urge Canadians to make this a central issue in the upcoming federal election.”

“Colony or Country? The future of Canada-U.S. Relations” tour dates:

• Vancouver: March 8
• Edmonton: March 9
• Saskatoon: March 11
• Fredericton: March 15
• Halifax: March 16
• Montreal: March 26
• Toronto: March 30

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Click here to download "The Canada We Want" in PDF format.