Denise Savoie
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SAVOIE SPEAKS OUT AGAINST SPP
VICTORIA – As Prime Minister Stephen Harper meets with US President George Bush and Mexican President Felipe Calderón today in Montebello, Quebec to discuss the Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP), Victoria NDP MP Denise Savoie says she is deeply concerned about the threats this agreement poses to Canadian sovereignty.
“Under the SPP, Canada will have less and less ability to adopt independent and sustainable economic, social, cultural and environmental policies,” Savoie said. “These changes are being undertaken without any consultation of the general public, or real facts provided to citizens. Meanwhile, CEOs, such as those on the North American Competitiveness Council, get special access to our elected leaders.”
The SPP was created under the Liberal government in 2005. It aims to establish common policies between Canada, the United States and Mexico in 300 areas, including environmental protection, security, energy, food and health standards, foreign affairs, the military and immigration.
The NDP has been the only party in Parliament consistently opposing the SPP, and proposing fair trade alternatives. In June 2006, the NDP brought together and hosted a Tri-National Forum of legislators and civil society representatives from Canada, the United States and Mexico to discuss alternatives to deep integration. In April 2007, despite Conservative opposition, NDP Trade Critic Peter Julian (Burnaby-New Westminster) fought for and secured Parliamentary hearings on the SPP. The NDP has also submitted a motion to the International Trade Committee which calls for stopping further implementation of the SPP until it is debated by Parliament.
“The NDP’s opposition to the SPP reflects what I’m hearing from my constituents,” Savoie noted. “I’ve received hundreds of letters and emails on the SPP in the last few months. All of them see the process as anti-democratic and as favouring corporate and American interests over those of ordinary working Canadians.”
In the coming months, the NDP is organizing town hall meetings across the country to ensure Canadians get informed and have their say. The NDP will continue to show leadership, and work to ensure that any further developments on the SPP are stopped until a full legislative review, public debate and parliamentary vote take place.