Maude Barlow addresses Parliament on the Security and Prosperity Partnership

    OTTAWA, May 1 /CNW Telbec/ - Maude Barlow, national chairperson of the
Council of Canadians, denounced the deep integration agenda behind the
Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America as anti-democratic and a
threat to Canada's water and energy at an International Trade Committee
meeting today.
    "The Security and Prosperity Partnership is not, as its proponents claim,
about eliminating the 'tyranny of small differences' among the three NAFTA
countries. It is quite literally about eliminating Canada's ability to
determine independent regulatory standards, environmental protections, energy
security, foreign, military, immigration and other policies," Barlow told the
parliamentary committee.
    "To date, the only 'stakeholders' involved or consulted in the SPP
process have been representatives of big business. Apparently, when it comes
to the future of North America, the public doesn't count. Nor do elected
officials who, according to SPP documents, are only to be 'briefed' after
decisions have been made."
    Not only is the SPP being implemented quietly, without public scrutiny,
it also puts Canada's water and energy supplies in serious danger, said
Barlow. She cited the agenda from an SPP-related meeting in Calgary on
April 27, 2007 to discuss, "creative solutions beyond the current
trans-boundary water arrangements," and, "water consumption, water transfers
and artificial diversions of bulk water," with the aim of achieving "joint
optimum utilization of the available water."
    "These Alberta meetings, funded at least in part by the U.S. government
and the private sector (a fact confirmed by the U.S. embassy), are about
drafting policy, not making recommendations," Barlow told the committee,
adding that water, like oil, is considered part and parcel of U.S. visions for
a "North American Resource Strategy" that treats Canada's precious resources
as its own.
    "The problem with the North American Resource Strategy proposed by the
SPP - as with NAFTA - is that it leaves Canadians victims of an official
policy that renders Canada not only unwilling but unable to provide for the
energy needs of its citizens - now and in the future," she said. "It is high
time that the people of Canada, Mexico and the United States be included in a
meaningful way in the discussion and debate around the Security and Prosperity
Partnership."
    The Council of Canadians demands that the Government of Canada cease all
talks leading toward deeper integration with the United States until there has
been a meaningful public consultation on the issue. It also demands that the
SPP be brought into the House of Commons for a full debate and vote.

For further information: Meera Karunananthan, media officer, (613)
233-4487 ext. 234 (office), [phone] (mobile), [e-mail].