CBC reported this morning that the Harper government will table the “deal in principle” it signed with the European Union last Friday in Brussels. They’re inviting Canada’s top CEOs to witness the event on Tuesday and hobnob with Trade Minister Ed Fast. It’s hard to know what this means because negotiations on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) continue, and we don’t expect a full text for at least another two months.
Harper is almost certainly pulling this stunt on Tuesday to distract from the growing Senate scandal. Whatever happens on Tuesday in the House of Commons, we think it’s just as scandalous that only CEOs were invited to the party!
“Harper’s office is sending out invitations to industry groups and business executives to witness the tabling of the agreement on principle on the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement,” writes CBC. An invitation to the event, and a reception with Trade Minister Ed Fast afterwards, was reprinted by Ipolitics.ca. It says seating is limited and deadline for responding is today (October 25).
TAKE ACTION – RSVP TO THE CETA CEO PARTY
Not that any of you are invited, we encourage you to RSVP anyway to rsvp@pmo-cpm.gc.ca. It will send a message to the Harper government that it’s not OK to sign trade deals for the corporate elite and give the public no opportunity to review, change or reject any part of CETA.
CETA is expected to add hundreds of millions of dollars annually to the price of prescription drugs by lengthening Big Pharma patents. It will include a corporate “rights” chapter that lets companies sue governments for compensation when environmental, conservation and other public policies and decisions reduce profits. And it will encourage and lock in more privatization of public services like water, education and health care.
You can also TAKE ACTION by signing the Trade Justice Network petition demanding a public role in reviewing and debating the Canada-EU deal, click here.
INVITATION TO THE CETA CEO PARTY (printed in Ipolitics.ca)
The Right Honourable Stephen Harper Prime Minister of Canada is pleased to invite you to view the tabling of the Canada – Europe Free Trade Agreement-in-Principle in the House of Commons, Parliament Hill at 1:30pm on Tuesday, October 29th, 2013.
A reception with the Honourable Ed Fast, Minister of International Trade and the Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs will follow at 3:15 pm.
Your RSVP is required for admission. Seating is limited.
Please respond to rsvp@pmo-cpm.gc.ca by Friday, October 25 to receive your official invitation and information for security clearance.
This invitation is non-transferable.
