NDP slams summit secrecy

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Repost to all Canadians please.

 

Published on NDP (http://www.ndp.ca)

Created 2007-08-21 13:55

 

NDP slams summit secrecy

http://www.ndp.ca/page/5618/print

 

Documents reveal hidden aggressive SPP agenda

 

OTTAWA – The NDP today criticised the Harper Conservatives’ handling of the

North American leaders’ Montebello summit for being dogged by ‘secrecy,

missed opportunities and insults’ by the prime minister.

 

Documents obtained by the NDP through access-to-information reveal the

so-called “wide-ranging†and “dense†agenda of the Security and

Prosperity

Partnership (SPP) contained discussions of energy integration and the

harmonization

of standards. Much of the document was censored by the government, including

information on energy security and smart and secure borders.

 

“Clearly, this document shows that the SPP agenda is not about security and

prosperity,†said NDP International Trade critic, Peter Julian (Burnaby-New

Westminster). “The SPP’s agenda goes way beyond facilitating transportation

across the border, or developing an effective pandemic protection strategy. The

30

CEOs who joined the leaders in closed-door meetings are driving their big

business priorities through the SPP agenda. Their recommendations call for

nothing less than the steady erosion of Canada’s sovereignty and the quality

of life

for Canadians.â€

 

NDP MP Paul Dewar (Ottawa Centre) added, “Mr. Harper has also failed to

assert Canadian sovereignty and there is a real threat our Arctic will be

claimed

by other countries. The prime minister should have used this Leader’s Summit

to

show real leadership and put Canada back on top.â€

 

NDP House Leader Libby Davies (Vancouver East) joined the thousands of

protesters in Montebello yesterday and was extremely disappointed by the prime

minister’s dismissal of the dissenting voices.

 

“Yesterday, the prime minister disgraced his office and insulted ordinary

Canadians. He should apologize to the peaceful activists that attended protests

at the summit, in Ottawa and nationwide, and he must realize that those

Canadians who are raising their voices with concern should not be belittled or

ignored.â€

 

The NDP is the only caucus in the House of Commons opposing the

Liberal-Conservative SPP agenda.

 

 

 

 

 

© 2007 New Democratic Party, all rights reserved. Authorized by the

registered agent for Canada's NDP.

 

http://www.ndp.ca/page/5618