counter missile defence lobbyists

I have urgent news for you. In light of the recently election-minded political landscape in Canadian federal politics (and before anyone asks, I think they're all soulless scum who'll cut your throat while fucking you ass-wise and then tax you on it) we are going to leave it to you. A one vote majority, 50+1, is all it takes to win. If you don't usually comment and want to remain a non-commenter, please, leave an anonymous one. Everything was put aside to send you this letter right now.

This week the corporate and defence lobbies launched their campaign to bring back missile defence for the upcoming federal election. They are paving the way for Stephen Harper’s Conservatives to include joining Bush’s Star Wars program in their platform.

Former Canadian Ambassador to the United States Derek H. Burney told a government committee this week that Canada should contact the Bush administration and “signal our willingness to re-engage on Ballistic Missile Defence.” His comments were carried on the front page of the Ottawa Citizen and in other news media.

"I think we need to form an Election Rapid Response strategy right away to counter any push by the corporate and defence lobbies, or by the Conservative Party, to restart missile defence talks." writes Steve Staples of the Polaris Institute and founder of ceasefire.ca. "We need your support in a very critical way." Please consider making a special contribution to our Election Rapid Response strategy by visiting ceasefire.ca.

There is evidence that the Conservative Party is preparing to make missile defence part of its platform. Earlier this month at a conference in Ottawa on “deep integration” with the United States, Conservative Party trade critic Ted Menzies said he thought Canada should restart missile defence talks as a way to get the Americans moving on softwood lumber (Derek H. Burney was the moderator of the panel).

Derek H. Burney is leading this Star Wars campaign. He is an influential corporate lobbyist for Tom d’Aquino’s CEO group, the Canadian Council of Chief Executives. He’s also the former CEO of Canada’s largest defence contractor, CAE Inc., which is helping to build the missile defence system. But he is best known as a chief architect of the Free Trade Agreement when he was Brian Mulroney’s Chief of Staff.

Clearly, this is all part of a well–orchestrated and well-funded campaign to get Canada to join missile defence and achieve even further military integration with the United States.

Burney’s presentation to the government committee was on behalf of the Calgary-based defence lobby group, the Canadian Defence and Foreign Affairs Institute (CDFAI). The CDFAI receives funding from weapons corporations, including General Dynamics, the fifth largest defence contractor in the United States. The CDFAI also receives funding from Tom d’Aquino’s Canadian Council of Chief Executives.

The need to act now to ensure that our victory on missile defence holds firm and to push Canada away from Bush’s war machine. Ask tyourself now what this means to you, and consider making a special election campaign gift right now.
Here are three-point plans for the upcoming election:

~ The organization of an Election Rapid Response Team of experts and activists. This team will monitor the election and speak directly to journalists, candidates, and especially voters about the dangers of Canadian involvement in missile defence and U.S. war fighting.

~ The production of information flyers and talking points for citizens to take to candidates meetings and to distribute to their organizations.

~ Use of a newly redesigned web site, ceasefire.ca, so that people can press the political parties to make commitments against missile defence, and to promote Canada’s role in promoting international peace and security – especially through UN peacekeeping.

With your donations, research, conference calls, press releases, and information flyers for voters can be produced to help make our vision for a safer tomorrow reality. I will report back on any developments and keep you informed about the campaign. Thank you so much for your commitment to Canada’s real security.

Donations by mail and inquiries may be directed to:
Polaris Institute
Attn. Karen Craine , Program Assistant
180 Metcalfe Street, Ottawa ON K2P 1P5 Canada
Tel. 613 237-1717 Fax 613 237-3359
www.ceasefire.ca/ www.polarisinstitute.org