Sol Invictus
08-09-2009, 06:10 PM
CANWEST NEWS SERVICE
April 26 2007
An all-party House of Commons committee will give the secretive North American Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) its first public airing beginning today.
OTTAWA - An all-party House of Commons committee will give the secretive North American Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) its first public airing beginning today.
The leaders of Canada , the U.S. and Mexico launched the SPP two years ago. Since then, critics say the agreement has been hijacked by big corporations meeting in secret with government officials with the joint intent of fast-tracking the deeper integration of the Canadian, U.S. and Mexican economies.
NDP International Trade Critic Peter Julian, who has been pushing for the public hearings, wants them to lead to a debate in the House of Commons.
"We must have a full and accountable public debate and expose the entire agenda around the SPP," Julian said. "What is being discussed is nothing less than the future of this country."
The secret tripartite meetings held between government officials and big business is already having an impact on Canadian public policy, added Julian.
"There is a drive to bring forward legislation that essentially puts us at the same level as U.S. regulation," he said. "And generally that's much lower."
Potential changes involve regulations around food safety, bulk-water exports and a continental energy pact, which, Julian said, would all negatively affect Canadians.
"These issues all have a tremendous impact on Canadians," he said, "and once it becomes a public debate, Canadians will be deeply concerned. That's why a lot of this has been taking place behind closed doors. It shows a basic mistrust of democracy and democratic debate."
The televised hearings will be held today, and continue on May 1 and 3.
Full Article (http://www.canada.com/topics/news/politics/story.html?id=bf351c96-ad1e-4d11-88da-f1b84c1deef0&k=1366)
April 26 2007
An all-party House of Commons committee will give the secretive North American Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) its first public airing beginning today.
OTTAWA - An all-party House of Commons committee will give the secretive North American Security and Prosperity Partnership (SPP) its first public airing beginning today.
The leaders of Canada , the U.S. and Mexico launched the SPP two years ago. Since then, critics say the agreement has been hijacked by big corporations meeting in secret with government officials with the joint intent of fast-tracking the deeper integration of the Canadian, U.S. and Mexican economies.
NDP International Trade Critic Peter Julian, who has been pushing for the public hearings, wants them to lead to a debate in the House of Commons.
"We must have a full and accountable public debate and expose the entire agenda around the SPP," Julian said. "What is being discussed is nothing less than the future of this country."
The secret tripartite meetings held between government officials and big business is already having an impact on Canadian public policy, added Julian.
"There is a drive to bring forward legislation that essentially puts us at the same level as U.S. regulation," he said. "And generally that's much lower."
Potential changes involve regulations around food safety, bulk-water exports and a continental energy pact, which, Julian said, would all negatively affect Canadians.
"These issues all have a tremendous impact on Canadians," he said, "and once it becomes a public debate, Canadians will be deeply concerned. That's why a lot of this has been taking place behind closed doors. It shows a basic mistrust of democracy and democratic debate."
The televised hearings will be held today, and continue on May 1 and 3.
Full Article (http://www.canada.com/topics/news/politics/story.html?id=bf351c96-ad1e-4d11-88da-f1b84c1deef0&k=1366)