Stopping the sellout

It's already been mentioned elsewhere, but it's worth highlighting the NDP's efforts to call attention to the ongoing U.S./Mexico integration process which both Lib and Con governments have so happily bought into:

The Harper government must pull out of further talks on continental integration with the United States and Mexico or risk our national sovereignty, says NDP Trade Critic Peter Julian (Burnaby-New Westminster). Julian commented in advance of the February 23 meeting to be held in Ottawa where American and Mexican officials will join Canadian cabinet ministers to push forward the so-called “Security and Prosperity Partnership” (SPP) agenda. Julian was joined by NDP Energy Critic, Dennis Bevington (Western Arctic).

Julian denounced the sellout of Canada.

“The previous Liberal government engaged Canada in a slow merger process with the United States and Stephen Harper is accelerating the agenda,” said Julian. “The NDP demands a full debate in Parliament on this issue. Everyday Canadians have the right to know what is being negotiated.”

Changes to some 300 policy and program areas are being promoted as benign “efficiency” measures. The ongoing extensive consultations in the SPP process will lead to an unacceptable level of regulatory harmonization with the surrender of Canadian energy, immigration, health care, food safety, and environmental policies and to complete military integration with the US...

“Canadians should know that the SPP process supports a North American Union (NAU). The NDP rejects the secretive process surrounding these ongoing discussions. Canadians will never support a political ideology which aims at turning North America into a fortress for corporate interests and neglects the interests of ordinary Canadians. Canadian sovereignty is not for sale to the highest bidder and the federal government has no authority to push for a NAU without a mandate from Canadians,” said Julian.

Predictably, the call has received little media attention. But the issue is one in desperate need of added public notice - and it's a huge plus to see the NDP lending its voice to the cause of preserving Canada's sovereignty.

Update: Once again even when the integration process itself gets prominent coverage its critics are almost entirely ignored, the NDP receives zero mention by name in the CP's coverage of today's SPP meeting.

Update II: More from Alison.