HALIFAX - Four renowned speakers will come together tonight in Halifax to discuss the dangers of Canada’s increasingly close ties to the U.S.:

• Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians;
• Lee Cohen, Immigration and Human Rights Attorney;
• Tony Clarke, Director of the Polaris Institute; and
• Andrew Terris, ARTS NOVA Cultural Research Consultant.

“The recent sponsorship scandal has revealed the corrupt and secretive relationship between the federal government and Canada’s business elite,” says Barlow. “In light of the push from corporate Canada to adopt a number of troubling U.S. polices and practices, this relationship may be fatal to Canada’s independence.”

“To make a new 'grand bargain' with the US today, Canada will have to make a truck-load of commitments in terms of new military spending and ballistic missile defense; concerted action on terrorism and homeland defense; re-writing of our immigration and refugee guidelines; reduction of restrictions on foreign ownership of Canadian media and cultural industries; as well as protecting borders for the free flow of goods and services,” says Clarke.

"Some of the personality characteristics of official America are inconsistent with the publicly expressed principles of Canada's immigration legislation,” says Cohen. “If Canada is honest about it's immigration objectives, it would be difficult to reconcile those objectives with American immigration behaviour.”

“Culture is the soul of Canada. Losing control of these industries would quickly result in a loss of cultural sovereignty. Given the power of culture to shape ideas and attitudes, loss of political and economic sovereignty would surely follow,” says Terris. “In short, maintaining Canadian ownership of our cultural industries is absolutely essential to the future identity and integrity of our country.”

“With an election on the horizon and the Martin government intent on establishing cozier relations with the Bush administration, it is crucial that Canadians be made aware of what is brewing behind closed doors,” says Barlow. “We urge Canadians to make this a central issue in the upcoming federal election.”

“Colony or Country? The Future of Canada-U.S. Relations” takes place in the Theatre of the Pier 21 National Historic Site, 1055 Marginal Road. The event starts at 7PM, and admission is free.

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