The Peterborough - Kawarthas Chapter of The Council of Canadians

Chapter News

The Peterborough and Kawarthas chapter is presenting this Challenge to the Prime Minister's Office on Wednesday, October 24, 2007.

TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT OF CANADA - IN THE NAME OF CANADIAN DEMOCRACY
 
 
CHALLENGE:   to the democratically elected Federal Government of Canada
 
ISSUE:            the secret negotiations and planning of the Security and Prosperity Partnership between U.S., Mexico and Canada
                      
 
FROM:            Canadian citizen members of the Peterborough and Kawarthas chapter of the Council of Canadians - providing representation for "We the People"
                      
 
 
The following examples have revealed a clear dismissal of the Canadian democratic process:
 
(a)  all SPP negotiations and planning have been held in secret, despite calls of protest from the political opposition, concerned civil society organizations and our chapter
     
 
(b)  Canada is being represented by the "North American Competitiveness Council", composed of 10 members, all from large corporations
     
 
(c)  the secret "North American Future 2025 Project" is being prepared by an American organization, "Centre for Strategic and International Studies", that will present POLICY, not recommendations,  to the Canadian Federal Government in September 2007
 
 
(d)  "The SPP is a White House-led initiative" (U.S. Government SPP website)
 
 
(e)  a North American Union, dominated naturally by the U.S., is the likely result (Canadian Council of Chief Executives proposal)
     
 
(f)  United States energy and water security requires the loss of Canada's
 
 
(g)  no consultation process has been considered or established for Canadians to provide input and present studies - exceptions are for the Canadian (and American) large corporation community and the military
     
 
(h)  Executive Order (in the style of Bush-Cheney Republican government) and the use of Canadian deregulation would determine Canada's future in North America
     
 
(i)  Parliament and the Elected Legislative Process have been bypassed
 
 
OUR DEMANDS
 
1.  The authors of this democratic Challenge meet shortly with Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Foreign Affairs Minister Peter MacKay to address the democratic shortfalls listed above.
    
 
2.  The North American Competitiveness Council - Canadian contingent - be modified by reducing the current council by half and appointing 15 new members from responsible groups other than the corporate community.  Peterborough and Kawarthas chapter will volunteer two members.
    
 
3.  Bring any completed North American working group report, SPP or otherwise,   to Parliament for evaluation and amendment.
    
 
 

Our chapter respectfully presents this challenge as responsible Canadian citizens of a proud, independent nation.

 

Articles:

Regional Chapter Representative’s Report, June 2006

Brent Patterson, Director of Organizing, and John Urquhart, Executive Director, have published the national office report on the Highlights of the board meeting, June 2-4, 2006, as required by the 2004 AGM.

My additional report is as follows:
1. Every year there is some underspending of the $350. per chapter funding available to chapters. In the future, when this is the case, chapters will be informed after the June meeting if there are surplus funds available. Perhaps chapters will then be able to access funding not spent.

2. Excellent Operational Plans for all campaigns were presented and passed. Health Care and Deep Integration campaigns have really expanded. GE Food campaign will be phased out by next Spring, but there are ways to access resources, information and ideas from organizations allied with CoC.

3. There is a deep concern among all non-profit organizations about declining memberships. CoC revenue has been less negatively affected, but lapsed memberships are a growing concern for us. This drop in membership revenue will require close attention from both chapters and national office.

4. Brent Patterson, in an e-mail to chapter contacts April 27, has indicated how each AGM Resolution was followed up by national office.

5. Annually, there are concerns expressed regarding national office not listening closely to chapters, adjusting campaigns without chapter consultation and, to some chapters, a feeling of "chapter disconnect". Chapter reps. are ideally suited to keep board members and national campaigners apprised of chapter requests and needs. All four chapter representatives have been providing input from a chapter perspective, which is very necessary for other board members. We shall all keep trying.

6. 2006 AGM, Charlottetown, October 27-29

7. Messaging is a concern. Chapters and national office are now on a similar wave length regarding simpler, more positive and visionary messaging.

Roy Brady
Board Chapter Representative
Peterborough and Kawarthas chapter

Top of Page