Tor Sandberg, rabble news
November 28, 2005
Barlow questioned the judgment of emulating a country whose administration has systematically dismantled social security, human liberties and environmental protections.
Canada's steady “deep integration” with the United States is being designed and driven by corporate groups on both sides of the border, while being supported by our federal government, says Maude Barlow, spokesperson for the Council of Canadians.
She warns that the Canadian government is making efforts to harmonize North American regulations on immigration, national security, the economy and refugee policies, and talks of the negative impact this would have on Canadians.
In a Dalhousie University auditorium in Halifax, more than 200 people watched as the Raging Grannies welcomed Barlow with songs against corporate greed and in support of the United Nations.
Barlow was in Halifax as part of her cross-Canada speaking tour to discuss the themes of her most recent book — Too Close for Comfort: Canada's Future Within Fortress North America.
In response to those who might think she is paranoid, Barlow offered a joke.
“When I hear people accuse me of a conspiracy theory, I just think of the two cows on a hill,” she said. “The first one says, 'Oh, you and your conspiracy theories,' but the other one's reading a pamphlet that says: 'Where beef really comes from.'”
The audience answered with resounding laugher.
Deep Integration
Barlow made specific reference to a document called The Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America, signed by all three North American governments last March in Waco, Texas. She said the document has “laid out the plan on harmonization for energy, nuclear security and regulatory regimes across the border.”
The effects of integration are already being seen in Canada, she said; third country agreements that allow the U.S. to turn away refugees on their way to Canada, and security laws that allow the U.S. to access private information on Canadians are already a reality.
“We have gone way overboard in terms of what it means to be a sensible neighbour,” said Barlow.
Increased military spending, a closer alignment with American foreign policy, and a growing gap between rich and poor, are just some of the negative signs Barlow says prove Canada is becoming more like the United States.
Barlow also questioned the judgment of emulating a country whose administration has systematically dismantled social security, human liberties and environmental protections.
“On the front of human rights, civil rights, they have brought in appalling legislation,” said Barlow. “The homeland security act, the patriot act, what Amnesty International calls an American gulag — a series of horrible prisons is taking place inside American territory and outside, where unspeakable things are being done in the name of the war on terror.”
Joining the struggle
Eva Munro, a member of the raging grannies, came to see Barlow speak with her friends and to lend her support.
“We're interested in making a more just world,” she said. “And there's so much more to do.”
Munro remembered her younger years in Halifax, and expressed disappointment over increasing pollution.
“When I was a kid, I could drink the water all around Halifax. But now you can't even swim in the harbour.”
Mike Tharamangalam, 26, a Dalhousie student doing a Masters in Development Economics, said he came to the talk as a way of re-engaging the social justice movement. He said he remembers the work the Council of Canadians was doing concerning NAFTA, and has respect for Barlow.
“Just coming to one of these events is a catalyst for becoming more involved,” Tharamangalam said. “I came tonight as a kind of way to get back into it.”
He expressed his disappointment in the media's lack of coverage on the issues Barlow touched on in her talk.
“These issues are not covered in mainstream media, they're marginalized,” he said. “It's good that we're analyzing things a bit deeper here.”
Finishing her talk, Barlow stressed the need to become more engaged in the fight against integration with the U.S.
“We at the Council of Canadians have launched a campaign to halt and reverse this process,” said Barlow to strong applause. “We want a full debate, and we are very very keen on getting this central to the next election.”
Tor Sandberg is a student at University of King's College Journalism School and is an intern with rabble.ca.
