Current Activity Updates (archives)
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Nov 15, 2005
Letter to the Prime Minister of Canada
Canadian government approach to the IV Summit of the Americas
Both leading up to and during the IV Summit of the Americas the Canadian government appeared preoccupied with promoting trade liberalization and missed the opportunity to make a significant contribution to the theme for this Summit - Creating jobs to confront poverty and strengthen democratic governance. Following the IV Summit, Common Frontiers wrote a letter to Prime Minister Martin outlining some of the areas where Canada's leadership could have made a difference.
-Read the full text of the letter.
Nov 2, 2005
3rd Peoples' Summit Underway
CF Executive Director Rick Arnold is in Mar del Plata, Argentina. Read his on-the-ground reports in Rick Arnold's Summit Journal
-See some pictures from the Summit
October 28, 2005
3rd Peoples' Summit
MEDIA ADVISORY
Soccer star Maradona and Nobel Prize recipient Esquivel to march against ‘free trade’ and Bush’s presence in Argentina as part of the 3rd Peoples’ Summit November 1-5:
“Another Americas is possible”
Things are heating up in Argentina...
-Read the full text of the Media Advisory
-See all the details of the 3rd Peoples' Summit
September 22, 2005
Rebel Music Americas Tour
Comes to Peterborough
The Rebel Music Americas tour with a full length documentary, speakers and musicians brought the voices of the 'other Americas' to Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. The evening was co-sponsored by Common Frontiers, and coordinator Rick Arnold also spoke about the next gathering of people from the 'other Americas', the III Peoples' Summit of the Americas, November 1-5 in Argentina.
Also helping host this event were OPIRG and IDST from Trent University, Horizons of Friendship, and CUPE-Peterborough. Special thanks to CAW Local 222 for their generous support.
-For more information on the RMA Tour, visit the website.
-Check out some pictures from the event, along with more detailed commentary.
September 5, 2005
A ‘popular’ brochure on the 3rd Peoples’ Summit of the Americas
What it’s about
The III Peoples’ Summit is taking place in Mar del Plata, Argentina from November 1-5 - parallel to the IV Summit of the Presidents of the Americas. With Canada’s tacit approval, the Bush administration has signaled its intent to push ‘free trade’ to the top of the Presidents’ agenda.
What’s in the brochure?
The 4-page brochure outlines in clear language what’s at stake, with a focus on the agendas at play and the main actors involved. The text combines with graphics by ArtWork to illustrate key moments in recent ‘free trade’ struggles. The brochure also begins a discussion on what we can do to make our voices heard in the building of an Americas that is different from what the corporations have in mind.
How can you use it?
The brochure can be downloaded, ready for printing. Use it to:
- Inform your members - Distribute at a conference or meeting; post it on your bulletin board;
- Educate - Include it in a workshop to update current material on free trade and to talk about the 3rd People’s Summit;
- Publicize – Refer to it for talking points with local media;
- Mobilize – Discuss the section on ‘how you can get involved’ to plan a local action; give it to anyone interested in attending the Peoples’ Summit from your organization.
Note about viewing and printing these files
The brochure is made up of two .pdf files. They are designed to be printed on 11"x17" paper, on two sides.
Download these two large, high-resolution .pdf files for printing:
- Download Page 1+4 (616 kb)
- Download Page 2+3 (2.8 MB)
If you prefer to view the pages in your browser, use these files:
August 23, 2005
3rd PEOPLES' SUMMIT E-SITE LAUNCHED
What you need to know, whether you go to Argentina or make your voice heard here at home
The 3rd Peoples’ Summit of the Americas is taking place in Mar del Plata, Argentina from November 1st to 5th. The 2nd Peoples’ Summit took place just over four years ago in Quebec City, at which over 60,000 people marched to show their opposition to the ‘free trade’ agenda being promoted by the Presidents of the Americas.
Now all the Presidents are meeting on Nov. 4 & 5 in Mar del Plata, and the Bush administration (with a nod from Canada) is once again pushing the ‘free trade’ agenda as the solution to widespread poverty and growing unemployment. However, four years after Quebec City, there is strong opposition to this corporate trade model in every country of the Americas. Now there are also several new governments in our hemisphere that question Washington’s trade crusade, and want to put the social agenda in top spot again, where it belongs.
Common Frontiers has designed a clear language page dedicated to the issues and actors at the 3rd Peoples Summit of the Americas. You’ll find information on Argentina’s history, background on the country, a glance back at the previous two Peoples’ Summits, and a focus on the 3rd Peoples’ Summit – who’s organizing it; how to register your own educational session; marches and protests; how to get to Mar del Plata and etc. We also provide a link to the official III Peoples' Summit site (which has an English language option).
-Visit our 3rd People's Summit information site
August 09 , 2005
LAUNCH OF THE III PEOPLES’ SUMMIT NOV. 1-5, 2005 IN ARGENTINA
– A CALL TO PARTICIPATE IN A SPACE FOR REFLECTION AND FOR THE BUILDING OF ALTERNATIVES
The III Peoples' Summit of the Americas was launched at an August 2nd press conference in Buenos Aires with a call to participate in this Nov. 1-5 gathering to be held in Mar del Plata, Argentina. Present at this press conference were representatives from the various national organizations involved in sponsoring this international event.
-Read the full text of the Call to Participate
(Click on photo for larger image and cutline)
June 27, 2005
Press Statement
NAFTA-PLUS MINISTERIAL: CIVIL SOCIETY CONDEMNS CLOSED-DOOR TALKS IN OTTAWA
OTTAWA and MONTREAL – Deputy Prime Minister Anne McLellan and Ministers from Canada, Mexico and the U.S. met in Ottawa on Monday, June 27 to discuss progress on the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP). The SPP was originally launched on March 23 following a meeting of the ‘three amigos’, Martin, Bush, and Fox in Waco, Texas. This Partnership is a key component of the push by large corporate interests to press forward on deep integration plans for North America.
-Read the full text of the Press Statement
June 3-5, 2005
CIVIL SOCIETY PLANNING GROUP FOR PEOPLES' SUMMIT IN ARGENTINA IS MEETING JUNE 3-5 IN MAR DEL PLATA, ARGENTINA
Common Frontiers is sending coordinator Rick Arnold to join others from the Americas to work with the Argentinian Planning Committee in preparation for the Peoples' Summit events happening from November 1-5, in Mar del Plata.
Following this meeting, Common Frontiers will be establishing a dedicated web page that will be constantly updated with the latest information regarding the lead up to the Peoples' Summit. WATCH FOR IT AT THIS SITE!
April 25, 2005
TWO DAY MEETING IN WASHINGTON ON NAFTA
A TRI-NATIONAL DIALOGUE AMONG LEGISLATORS AND CIVIL SOCIETY ABOUT NAFTA - MAY 4-5, 2005
The meeting has been designed to create a space for collaboration and exchange of ideas among parliamentarians from Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, who are committed to working towards creating an environment for more fair trade practices among the three countries. It is an undeniable fact that the Executive Branches of each government have been continuing to negotiate these types of 'free trade' agreements behind closed doors without consulting with Parliament or civil society.
This meeting will be looking at how the Legislatures in the three countries can play a more pro-active role, not only in examining the most critical impacts of NAFTA, but also looking ahead to the push for Nafta-plus being promoted for North America by Bush/Martin/Fox in close collaboration with corporations.
The legislators will also be meeting with civil society organizations from all three countries at various points during these two days, including Common Frontiers -Canada and the Reseau Quebecois sur l'Integracion Continentale (RQIC).
-Read the agenda for the May 4-5 Washington meeting
April 18 , 2005
COMMON FRONTIERS TO PARTICIPATE IN:
THE IV NO-TO-THE-FTAA GATHERING
IN LA HABANA, APRIL 27-30, 2005.
Meeting announcement (in English) (in Spanish)
Read the political rationale behind this meeting
Registration Form (in English)
Guide to filling out the Registration Form
For more information from the organizers see coordinates below:
José Miguel Hernández Mederos
Dpto. RR.II - CTC Nacional
Encuentros Hemisféricos contra el ALCA
Capítulo Cubano ASC
Tel: (537) 877-5312
Fax: (537) 873-5408
e-mail: america@ctc.cu
Global Week of Action on Trade – April 10-17
APRIL 13, 2005: PUBLIC EVENT IN OTTAWA
Trading away Mexico: NAFTA tightens its grip
Where: National Press Club, 165 Sparks Street, Ottawa
When: Wednesday April 13th, starting at 6:30 p.m.
Speakers:
- Ana Maria Alvarado Garcia, a Mexican community activist will speak about resisting the Canadian mining company Metallica Resources
- John Foster, a Common Frontiers supporter, speaks about what really is behind the push for deeper integration (NAFTA plus) recently promoted by the ‘three amigos’ during their conclave at the Bush ranch in Texas
- Anglican Bishop Sue Moxley, just back from a KAIROS sponsored fact finding mission to Mexico, will describe the impact of ‘free trade’ that she witnessed first hand
- Gerry Barr, President and CEO ofthe Canadian Council for International Cooperation (CCIC) will moderate this discussion
Sponsored by: Common Frontiers, KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives, and CCIC
For more information on other activities during the Global Week of Action on Trade:
In Canada go to www.kairoscanada.org
International go to www.April2005.org
Fed up with NAFTA? Send a letter to Bernard Patry, Chair of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (SCFAIT) urging SCFAIT to move ahead on carrying out a comprehensive review of NAFTA Chapter 11 as requested by SCFAIT’s own Sub committee on International Trade (SINT) last February. Write to MP Patry at: Patry.B@parl.gc.ca
(PS for more information see the item on SINT motion on NAFTA below)
March 23, 2005
Paul Martin's Big Texas Adventure
Click the photo for an animated commentary!
The three amigos of NAFTA - George Bush, Vicente Fox and Paul Martin - will be getting together in Texas on March 23. What's the big idea on their agenda? Deeper integration: how to harmonize energy and security policies, set up a North American security perimeter and try again to get "secure" access to US markets!
Want an even bigger, better idea?
How about:
- Eradicating poverty and reducing inequality in North America.
- Protecting and restoring our environment.
- Guaranteeing universal access to health services for all.
- Ratifying and implementing international human rights as the foundation for democratic governance.
Now that's an agenda people could get excited about. Click here for better ideas.
March 22, 2005
Statement By North American Social Networks on the Future of NAFTA
On March 23rd NAFTA's three amigos will be meeting at the Bush ranch in Texas. Paul Martin, George Bush and Vicente Fox will take this opportunity to have a private discussion about actively promoting a deeper integration agenda for North America.
However, some 11 years after the implementation of NAFTA, it is possible to measure the impact that this accord has had on the people in each of the three countries. These citizens have the right to expect that their political leadership will now prioritize tackling problems affecting social, cultural, environmental and economic rights that accompany economic integration. Before thinking about deepening the process of integration for the three North American countries, it is imperative that the experience under NAFTA be opened up to public debate.
February 16, 2005
MOTION PASSED TO HAVE SCFAIT REVIEW NAFTA CH.11 & 19.
On February 16, 2005 Common Frontiers, RMALC, RQIC, KAIROS, CLC and CUPW, presented briefs as part of a "panel of witnesses on NAFTA Chapter 11" at a session of the Subcommittee on International Trade, Trade Disputes and Investment(SINT). This Subcommittee unanimously passed a motion which will now go to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade(SCFAIT) for that Committee to carry out a thorough review of NAFTA Ch. 11. They also included Ch. 19 in that motion.
The motion reads; "The Subcommittee recommends to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade that it undertake a complete review of NAFTA Chapters 11 and 19."
For Rick Arnold's intoductory comments before the SINT click here
For Rusa Jeremic's SINT Brief click here
Update: Mar30/05 -- Minutes of Motion passed posted
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