20 years in action 1992-1995

Canadian Perspectives Autumn 2005

20 years in action
1992-1995

"Without the work of the Council of Canadians over the past two decades, Canada might still be here but it would hardly be the vibrant, globally relevant, together country that it is. But the threats to Canada's independence - George W. Bush, corporate greed, militarism - are with us still. We need the Council of Canadians to lead the resistance."
- Mel Watkins

"The existence of the Council has meant, first of all, a Canadian standpoint. One would think that the job of government should be to run the country as if Canadians - all Canadians - mattered. The Council was created out of the realization that one could no longer rely on the Government of Canada to provide this standpoint. Of all the accomplishments for which the Council can take credit, the non-negotiable presence of a Canadian standpoint is absolutely prime."
- Ursula Franklin

"It has been said that the highest office in a democracy is that of citizen. Over the past twenty years, the Council of Canadians has affirmed the principle that people can be engaged in the political life of our country and that it is possible to change what is unjust. But change does not come without persistence and hope, two qualities the Council has in abundance."
- Margaret Atwood

"The Council of Canadians has been an outstanding example of a non-governmental organization raising crucial issues for the future of Canada. The Council has kept politicians' feet to the fire on issues ranging from the FTA to NAFTA to water and GMOs. Canada has been well served by this organization."

- David Suzuki

Peter Bleyer and Maude Barlow
Maude and past Executive Director Peter Bleyer

1994

Maude Barlow writes a letter to the Council’s membership asking for their advice: “We have lost twice now (the passage of the FTA and NAFTA), and perhaps it is time to accept defeat and move on.” The response is overwhelming – members declare that the Council is needed now more than ever.With the federal government poised to grant Monsanto the right to market bovine growth hormone in Canada, the Council builds a strong national coalition, organizes a campaign, and in 1998 wins a moratorium against the introduction of BGH in Canada.

1992

The Council takes over the signing ceremony for the new North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Activists hold up an American flag behind Prime Minister Brian Mulroney in a photo that is flashed around the world. Maude Barlow yells to Mulroney, “You promised to protect basic democracy. You have failed to keep your promise.”

1995

The Council gives Prime Minister Jean Chrétien a failing grade on “social policy” in a mid-term “Report Card” on his government. Chrétien receives his “F” for the Canada Health and Social Transfer cuts of $7 billion that put medicare, post-secondary education and vital social services at risk.

1993

The Council brings Carlos Heredia – a former opposition leader in Mexico who had his 1988 election victory stolen by president Carlos Salinas – to Canada to “testify” against NAFTA when the CBC’s The National puts the deal “on trial.” Salinas steps down a year later to campaign for the position of head of the World Trade Organization.

Maude Barlow
Maude speaking at the 10th anniversary AGM.

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