Lack of Democracy Protested
Pariliament and public ignored by Canadian, American, and Mexican heads of state.
On August 20 and 21, Canadian, American, and Mexican heads of state met in Montebello, Quebec, to discuss the implementation of a continent-wide harmonization of regulations affecting energy, military, environment, immigration, health care, and other policies. Referred to as Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP), these negotiations took place without the knowledge or the consent of the general public! Any agreements made there will not even be reviewed by Parliament.
Citizens Concerned About Deep Integration are demanding a full and accountable public debate and full disclosure of what was discussed. To demonstrate their disapproval of this undemocratic process, while the meetings were taking place in Montebello a rally was held in Winnipeg. Similar demonstrations were held at other locations across Canada.
One of the speakers at the Winnipeg rally was MFL president Darlene Dziewit (right). She conveyed the message that the MFL shares concerns about what the three leaders were discussing behind closed doors.
"We do not believe," she said, "that a deal negotiated in secrecy by leaders who have a tremendous, pro-business, anti-worker bias is going to be a good deal for Canadian, American or Mexican citizens.
"These talks are taking us further and further down an anti-democratic, slippery slope. The 'Security and Prosperity Partnership' talks are the latest step in a process that was begun with the North American Free Trade Agreement that came into effect a decade ago. These discussions are a process of negotiations concerning ongoing economic and political integration in North America.
"Corporate executives are the only ones being consulted on the priorities for further cooperation in North America. Those of us who are social activists are used to working for or against laws proposed by our legislatures or parliament. What is most disturbing about these SPP discussions is that our Conservative Harper government appears to be in collusion with the governments of the United States and Mexico to avoid legislative and public debate. Democratic debate and decision making are making way for privileged corporate access and new rules that undermine sovereignty and human rights.
"The general goal of the SPP is to increase cooperation on economic and security issues without changing a single law. In the first year of the SPP, governments established Ministerial-led working groups. Government leaders announced the formation of the 'North American Competitiveness Council' (NACC) to advise them. Membership on the NACC is comprised of chief executive officers from large companies in Canada, the United States and Mexico, as well as key leaders of business organizations.
"The SPP is not a treaty, and it was never brought before the legislatures of North America for discussion and review. It is driven by the executive levels of government in consultation with the business community, but excludes the legislatures and parliamentary oversight. CEOs, however, have unfettered access to this process. This is outrageous, and we cannot allow it to remain unchallenged.
"The great tragedy of the 'vision' of SPP being spouted by our morally threadbare leaders, and their corporate buddies is that it will do nothing to address the most pressing issues of our day. There has never been a better reason for coordinated action between activist communities in North America. The costs of ignoring the mounting challenges to democracy are just too high.
"Let us all work together."