The Peterborough - Kawarthas Chapter of The Council of Canadians
Losing our nation?
Peterborough Examiner (ON)
Mon 15 Jan 2007
Page: A4
Section: Opinion
A vital issue in the forthcoming federal election will be Canada's relations with United States and its future in North America.
Currently, there is a "North American Competitiveness Council" (NACC) with working groups from the three NAFTA nations - U.S., Canada and Mexico - attempting to harmonize regulations, improve security and, surprisingly, create "a genuine constituency of North America." Unfortunately, of the 10 Canadian representatives nine are from the Canadian Council of Chief Executives (CCCE) who represent the largest corporations in Canada. No other sector is involved and a corporate agenda is so obvious to see.
A genuine fear is the integration of Canada's military and foreign policy into a North American framework dominated by the United States. One working group is developing a "synchronized approach to include climate change policies" - imagine where that is going! The corporate community would be self-regulated. A common currency would be inevitable.
Opponents who are concerned about the loss of Canadian independence, and the general public, have not been informed of the negotiations. Canadian activist organizations have already lost federal funding. Canada might no longer remain an independent country but, instead, be part of a North America restructured by large corporations and federal leaders.
It gets worse. CCCE and Canada West Foundation, both right wing corporate supporters, sponsored a secretive North American Forum for the three NAFTA nations last September. The purpose was to discuss, at least, North American integration.
Proof of the seriousness of this conference was revealed in the list of attendees, who included Stockwell Day, General Rick Hillier, Defence Minister Gordon O'Connor and former Liberal cabinet ministers Anne McLellan and John Manley. Among the Americans was Donald Rumsfeld, former U.S. defence chief and architect of the occupation of Iraq, who also delivered a keynote address.
We are demanding that Prime Minister Stephen Harper and local MP Dean Del Mastro inform us of the objectives of this high-ranking conference, what transpired and what further integration is in store. Why have the deliberations been conducted behind the backs of the Canadian people? Who will profit? Where is Canadian democracy?
Roy Brady is a member of the Peterborough and Kawarthas chapter of the Council of Canadians.
