Alliance for Democracy and Global ExchangeRespectfully submitted by the Alliance for Democracy and Global Exchange on June 30 2007 for consideration by the USSF Resolutions Committee. Resolution to oppose the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP). WHEREAS the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) is not a signed treaty debated and adopted by the legislatures of Canada, the United States of America, and Mexico but an arrangement negotiated in secret by the Executives of each county, in close collaboration with the respective business communities; and WHEREAS the SPP is designed to further the neo-liberal agenda of privatization, deregulation and free trade, in order to "remove barriers to trade, investment, research and education"; and WHEREAS the SPP will, under the guise of 'harmonization of national policies will lead to further job loss, reduction in social programs, and changes in the use of natural resources and environmental protections: and WHEREAS the SPP will link Mexican and Canadian foreign and military policy closer to those of the United States of America, with obliged participation in 'security' policies and wars; and WHEREAS the next summit of the leaders of the three countries will be held in Montebello, Quebec, Canada, August 20 and 21 of 2007 THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the United States Social Forum demand the United States government immediately cease talks with Mexican and Canadian leaders to further the SPP agenda and disband the North American Competitiveness Council (NACC), at least 30 corporations which 'advise' the SPP Working Groups and policy development, for the good of citizens in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Next steps: 1) Endorse and participate in the attached Call to Action issued by the Council of Canadians (below) to ensure that resistance voices to the SPP are heard from the United States. 2) Continue tri national mobilizing and education to stop the SPP. 3) Encourage grassroots groups and individuals to work to draft and pass local resolutions to oppose the SPP in their community. Call to action against the SPP! Council of Canadians to mobilize in Ottawa, Montebello and across the country from August 20-21 From August 20-21, Prime Minister Stephen Harper will be meeting in Montebello, Quebec with U.S. President George Bush and Mexican President Felipe Calder=F3n. The Council of Canadians will be there to tell them what Canadians really think about the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America. Ottawa-based activists are already planning a giant weekend demonstration and possibly a bike caravan from Ottawa to Montebello. Ottawa-based activists are already planning a giant weekend demonstration and possibly a bike caravan from Ottawa to Montebello. We'll be posting information about actions in Ottawa, Montebello and across Canada at IntegrateThis.ca, as details emerge. So drop by often for up-to-the-minute information. But in the meantime, here's how our plans are shaping up: SUNDAY, AUGUST 19, 7:00 p.m. - PUBLIC FORUM The Council of Canadians is working with a other labour and social justice groups to organize a public forum near Montebello. This event will feature Canadian, U.S. and Mexican speakers, focusing on how the SPP affects energy security, water, the environment, security policy, and other key issues. More details to come. MONDAY, AUGUST 20 - NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION The Council of Canadians will be organizing a National Day of Action Against the SPP on August 20. This will allow people across Canada to "plug in" to the resistance at the MONDAY, AUGUST 20 - PROTEST IN MONTEBELLO The Council of Canadians will be joining with other groups from across Ontario and Quebec to protest at the summit site in Montebello. More details to come. For more information about the Security and Prosperity Partnership, visit IntegrateThis.ca. We'll post new information about the Montebello summit as it becomes available. Visit often for Carleen Pickard BC/Yukon Regional Organizer/Council of Canadians #700- 207 W. Hastings St., Vancouver BC V6B 1H7 t. 604.688.8846/1.888.566.3888 Want to learn more about TILMA and how we can join together and stop this new trade agreement? Visit: http://Canadians.org/TILMA/. Join the list serve - send an email to stoptilma@gmail.com Founded in 1985, the Council of Canadians is Canada's largest citizens' organization, with members and chapters across the country. If you believe that our social programs and public services should be strengthened, not privatized; that our foreign and trade policies should be independent, not subservient to the United States; and that our water and natural resources should be protected, not exploited, please join us as a member. www.canadians.org |