MEDIA ADVISORY
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 20, 2009

The Council of Canadians aims to turn the tide in Saint John

Saint John, NB – The Council of Canadians will hold a press conference Friday morning to launch its 24th Annual General Meeting, ‘Turning the Tide: A just economy for people and the planet’. The press conference will highlight the alternative visions for our economic future that will be key themes of Turning the Tide – ideas that focus not on market projections, cyclical recoveries and corporate profits, but on people, the environment and democracy. Turning the Tide takes place at the Hilton Saint John on October 23 and 24, with keynote speakers, panels, and workshops.

WHAT: Press Conference to launch Turning the Tide conference
WHEN: 11:30am, October 23, 2009.
WHO: Maude Barlow, National Chairperson, Council of Canadians; Fred Wilson, trade union and community activist, energy policy expert, and Council of Canadians board member.
WHERE: Spencer I room, Hilton Saint John, 1 Market Square.

Turning the Tide’s featured speakers at a free public forum and over the October 23 weekend will include: Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians; John Cavanagh, Director of the Institute for Policy Studies, Washington, DC, U.S.; Garry Leech, independent journalist, author and lecturer at Cape Breton University, Nova Scotia; Janice Harvey, columnist, broadcaster and university lecturer; Marc Lee, researcher and writer, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives; Peggy Nash, Assistant to the National President, Canadian Auto Workers.; Andrea Peart, researcher and writer, Canadian Labour Congress; and Scott Sinclair, senior research fellow, Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives. 

Keynote speakers at Turning the Tide will highlight how the current failed economic model, based on market priorities, has led to the current economic downturn, with the resulting uncertainty for families suffering job losses, rising costs and an economic recovery pinned on promoting the fossil fuel industry and its devastating effects on the environment.

For bios of featured speakers at Turning the Tide are visit: www.canadians.org/about/AGM/2009/keynotes.html

Full details about Turning the Tide, including the agenda and workshop descriptions are available at: www.canadians.org/AGM.

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For more information: Dylan Penner, Media Officer, Council of Canadians: 1.800.387.7177 ext 249, 613.795.8685 (cell).