[R-G] Fwd: Canada-Colombia FTA removed from legislative agenda

[Anthony Fenton]

Begin forwarded message:

> ***Please distribute widely***
>
> Canada-Colombia FTA removed from legislative agenda:
> Canada steps towards dignity
> May 27, 2009
> A joint statement from the La Chiva Collective, Pueblos en Camino,  
> and Mingas-FTA
>
> Public pressure has forced a victory in the fight to stop the Canada- 
> Colombia Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA). Sources from Canada’s three  
> opposition parties have confirmed that the ruling Conservative Party  
> has removed Bill C-23, implementing legislation for the Canada- 
> Colombia Free Trade Agreement, from the government’s current  
> legislative agenda.
>
> The CCFTA has not been defeated: at this time, it appears to lack  
> the political support needed to be rushed through the Canadian  
> parliament as proponents had intended. With the high level of  
> controversy and public doubt surrounding the motives and  
> consequences of the CCFTA, it may not re-enter parliamentary debate  
> until the Fall of 2009.
>
> What this means is not that the struggle against the CCFTA is over  
> but that Canadians are having their say and getting in the way of  
> Prime Minister Harper’s reckless trade agenda.
>
> As a result of a negative public reaction to the deal, the Liberal  
> Party of Canada, which had made statements in favour of the  
> controversial agreement, has become internally divided on the issue,  
> with many members now insisting on an Independent Human Rights  
> Impact Assessment (HRIA) before Bill C-23 were to be ratified in the  
> Canadian parliament.
>
> Recognizing the Liberals’ reluctance on this issue, the minority  
> Conservative government appears to have gotten ‘cold feet’ in  
> extending their support for a regime that inflictsdaily terror on  
> its own people with impunity and affirming a deal that would 'make a  
> bad situation worse' in Colombia.
>
> An immense effort has been building from diverse sectors across  
> North America and Colombia over the past several weeks. With  
> countless letters and phone calls to Liberal MPs, participation in  
> numerous rallies across the country, and the signing of petitions  
> urging a halt to the CCFTA, the Canadian public has found its voice.  
> This has been complemented with a strong and effective lobby effort  
> by labour, human rights and citizens' advocacy organizations and  
> numerous opposition parliamentarians who have strongly opposed this  
> bill. It is clear that many Canadians are trying to move towards  
> their country having a more dignified role in the world.
>
> These Canadians are saying they stand up for human rights and oppose  
> the kind of economic model represented by agreements like the CCFTA,  
> which serve to protect the rights of transnational corporations and  
> disregard the rights of communities, workers and average citizens.  
> It is not trade that is opposed, but this particular brand of so- 
> called ‘free trade’ that continues to be negotiated behind closed  
> doors, imposed in the interests of a few and caused the ruin of our  
> communities and economies.
>
> Canadians have stood beside their Colombian counterparts because  
> this so-called ‘free trade’ is damaging to all of us, even if there  
> were no human rights abuses in Colombia.
>
> This is a bad deal for Colombia and for Canada, but it is also an  
> opportunity to stop being taken in the wrong direction and to make  
> our own decisions based on what is good for us, our communities and  
> our environment, rather than letting those who work for profit and  
> greed continue to decide against us.
>
> The Conservatives pulled this legislation off the table because they  
> value their political survival more than the CCFTA. Many are also  
> watching policy developments in the United States on this and other  
> trade-related issues. Still, the CCFTA remains a danger, and  
> Canadians must continue to be vigilant. No politicians, certainly  
> not the Conservatives or Liberals, will do the right thing without  
> pressure, and the government may yet try to get it passed under the  
> table.
>
> We must not now turn to silence.
>
> On June 8, President Uribe is coming to Montreal. The Harper  
> Government is more than willing to turn Canadian dignity into shame,  
> and the Liberals have made statements in favour of the government’s  
> interests. We stand with the Bloc Quebecois and the NDP, who have  
> listened to the people. We will continue to say:
>
> NO to Uribe’s presence in Canada!
>
> NO to an FTA with the criminal regime!
>
> YES to building relations of the peoples based on solidarity and  
> dignity!
>
> -30-
>
> La Chiva: http://www.canadacolombiaproject.blogspot.com
> Pueblos en Camino: http://www.en-camino.org
> Mingas-FTA: http://www.mingas.info
>
> -----Inline Attachment Follows-----
>
>
> La Chiva is a collective of people working in solidarity with  
> Colombian and Canadian social movements and communities.
>
> http://www.canadacolombiaproject.blogspot.com