Human Rights and the Security and Prosperity Partnership

For those of you who haven't heard, there has been a drive behind closed doors amongst the governments of Canada, the United States, and Mexico, for the last couple of years to pursue a North American policy of deep integration called the Security and Prosperity Partnership. On August 20-21 in Montebello, Quebec, the three governments are meeting again. Again, we don't know specifically what will be on the agenda.

It has been a secretive process. There has been no paliamentary oversight in Canada. It was due to the efforts of NDP MP Peter Julian that the Standing committee of International Trade held some hearing on the SPP. The Conservatives tried to shut down a hearing of the committee at which University of Alberta professor Gordon Laxer was going to raise serious concerns about the SPP as it relates to energy policy.