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[OPIRG-EVENTS] UPDATE W/ RALLY TIME: OPPOSE THE CME AND THE "SERVING THE POOR, PROFITABLY" AWARDS SHOW!
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* * *
CALL TO ACTION!
OPPOSE THE CME AND THE "SERVING THE POOR,
PROFITABLY" AWARDS SHOW!
Bring your Pots and Spoons!
Bring your torchlights and flashlights!
FREE HOT FOOD BY FOOD NOT BOMBS
5:30pm
Wednesday, February 5th, 2003
Canadian Museum of Civilization
100 Laurier Street, Gatineau (Hull), Quebec
Gathering Point: Laurier St. and Victoria (in front of Museum)
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CONTENTS
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1) Updates
2) Call to Action
3) Endorse the Callout
4) Upcoming Action Meetings
5) Contact Information
6) Links to More Information
7) Damning Quotes from the CME Website
8) Brought To You By ...
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1) UPDATES
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i) Gathering Location
Open Area in front of the Museum @ Laurier St. and Victoria
For map info, click here: http://www.civilization.ca/cmc/images/ncrmap1b.gif.
ii) Free Hot Meal
Courtesy of Food Not Bombs, a free hot meal will be served. If you can,
please bring your own cutlery, cup and pot. Also good for banging and
general noise making!
=================
2) CALL TO ACTION
=================
On Wednesday, February 5, 2003, the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters
(CME) will co-host (with the Canadian International Development Agency) the
11th Annual Canadian Awards for International Cooperation. The event
features a gala $200 a plate dinner, cocktail party, and seminar
entitled "Serving the Poor, Profitably". While not "serving the poor" in
any way (especially at $200 a plate!), the CME event will certainly focus on
ideas for "profitably". The CME will once again promote its agenda of
economic policies that serve only big business, contributing to poverty,
environmental destruction, social service cutbacks and the pillage of our
communities and planet.
Describing itself as "business friendly", the CME, which is made of medium
and large sized corporations in Canada, is perhaps Canada's most influential
lobby group, offering "incredible access" to the country's top governmental
officials. The CME is the key Canadian lobby group pushing trade agreements
to 'open up' the world for privatization and 'access' for Canadian companies
abroad. This access is used to push forward economic policies such as a
vehemently anti-Kyoto stance and trade and investment agreements like the
World Trade Organization's General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS) and
the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA), policies which pillage the world
to the benefit of a few and to the detriment of the rest of us.
While thousands of people use the overcrowded shelter system in Ottawa,
while people are hurt by privatization of social & other services and by
trade agreements like the GATS, while whole communities will be displaced by
future economic zones like "Plan Pueblo Panama" in Central America, while a
new oil war looms on the horizon, and while injustice and inequality
increase globally, the CME will host a lavish feast and cocktail party in
the glamours Museum of Civilization. They will once again attempt to fool
us into thinking destructive institutions like the WTO are humane and just,
that the FTAA will benefit the poor, and that privatization of social
services will better serve our communities.
WE ARE TIRED OF THE LIES AND WE WILL NOT BE FOOLED!
And so, in clear opposition to the big business agenda of the CME, and in
support of ongoing local and regional grassroots social justice efforts,
activists of the Ottawa Valley issue this Call to Action to to oppose the
CME on Wednesday, February 5th, 2003.
We invite all affinity groups, organizations, and individuals in this region
of Ontario and Quebec to join in the mobilizing, organizing and actions for
the day of action on February 5th.
For more information, to get involved or to endorse the event, please
contact (613) 565 3776 or email acmedemo@ziplip.com
========================
3) ENDORSE THE CALLOUT
========================
If your group or organization would like to endorse the callout
above, please send an email to acmedemo@ziplip.com.
======================================
4) UPCOMING ACTION PLANNING MEETINGS
======================================
7:00pm
Sunday, February 2, 2003
Staff Room, Bronson Centre
(Bronson & Lisgar)
=======================
5) CONTACT INFORMATION
=======================
For more information, please call (613) 564 0558 or email
acmedemo@ziplip.com.
============================
6) LINKS TO MORE INFORMATION
============================
Polaris Institute profile on the Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters
www.polarisinstitute.org/polaris_project/public_service/lobby_cartels/CME.htm
World Development Movement's campaign on the General Agreement on Trade in
Services (GATS) - Stop the GATSastrophe!
www.wdm.org.uk/campaign/GATS.htm
Understanding the FTAA: A Guide for Activists
Action for Community and Ecology in the Regions of Central America (ACERCA)
www.asej.org/ACERCA/ftaa
Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters Website
http://www.the-alliance.org/index_noflash.html
Event Posting on CME Website
http://www.the-alliance.org/events.asp?id=829&div=NAT&l=EN
"Serving the World's Poor, Profitably" Report (pdf)
http://www.cme-mec.ca/shared/upload/paper.pdf
CME Canadian Awards For Int'l Cooperation Website
http://www.the-alliance.org/national/excellence/caic/en/index.asp
=========================================
7) DAMNING QUOTES FROM THE CME WEBSITE
=========================================
(all of the following from the CME website)
CME Profile
"For more than 130 years, CME has successfully represented the interests of
Canadian business, keeping members on the competitive edge of world-class
manufacturing and trade. With strong divisions in every province, CME is a
truly national association and the undisputed champion of business issues in
Canada."
Effective Advocacy
"CME is an undisputed champion of business rights in Canada. When CME comes
knocking on provincial and federal government doors, politicians and
officials pay attention. CME members have the opportunity to influence
government at the provincial and national level through a multitude of
policy initiatives that are driven by members, both through participation in
policy committees and through active engagement in proactive initiatives
linked to our policy priorities. CME Policy Priorities ... are Skills,
Innovation, Climate Change, Trade Facilitation and Competitive Taxation."
The ministries of International Trade and Industry are always well
represented at CME conventions.
International Trade Linkages and Support
"In addition to local export committees, CME has a large and experienced
trade department that provides direct support to members seeking to increase
their business abroad. CME has established linkages with similar
associations around the globe and is a sought out voice of influence with
governments on matters of trade policy. CME also runs a number of foreign
trade missions, as well as business councils and programs focused on
international cooperation and development." The CME is a key participant in
PM Chrétien's "Team Canada" Trade Missions overseas.
======================
8) BROUGHT TO YOU BY ...
======================
This event brought to you by:
ACME
(anti CME)
(againstthe CME)
(aintnoneedforthe CME)
(aintlikingthe CME)
(areyoukiddingus CME?)
(areonlyservingyourselvesprofitablyright CME?)
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