ATTENTION: ALL NEWS EDITORS
==> Pictures attached of 2nd Protest Against PNWER Summit
==> No Smooth Sailing for PNWER Elites: Marina Entrance Blocked by Activists
==> Activists cite lack of transparent process and public consultation in
PNWER decision making given wide scope of policy impacts from 2010 Olympics
to oil and gas mining
Wednesday July 23, 2008 Vancouver- A group of activists blocked access to
the Westin Bayshore marina today to protest the Pacific NorthWest Economic
Region (PNWER) summit. In doing so, they prevented delegates from boarding a
190-person tour of the Vancouver harbour. Approximately 10-15 people stood
with a banner reading People Not Profit! and peacefully prevented access to
the luxury yacht though the public boardwalk. After about 30 minutes the
PNWER officials were forced to cancel their cruise.
"These government and corporate elite have kept their doors closed to us, so
we decided to close some doors on them." says Harjap Grewal of No One Is
Illegal Vancouver. "Our actions maybe perceived by some to be contrary to
productive dialogue and that we are protesting for no reason, but the
reality is that this summit is not open and accessible to the public. The
PNWER summit is an example of a classic pattern, allowing corporate and
political elites to talk about border security, oil and gas mining, natural
resource extraction, and the 2010 Olympics in an incredibly secretive manner
with absolutely no public input especially from those who will be most
affected by these policies. It becomes impossible to remain silent and
polite."
On Sunday a group of 40-60 activists loudly and boisterously demonstrated
during the opening reception. The Canadian Press and local media reported on
the closed-door nature of the summit. Contrary to comments by a spokesperson
for PNWER, the Summit is not 'open' to the public – the registration is in
excess of $400 and many meetings are 'by invitation only'.
According to Carleen Pickard of the Council of Canadians "It is actually of
no surprise that this meeting, like the SPP and TILMA, are increasingly
being discussed and negotiated in a veil of secrecy. Government and
corporate leaders know that when people learn about the wide scope and
consequences of these policy discussions, particularly given the major
influence of the corporate lobby on policy decisions, they will be actively
debated and opposed."
"PNWER reinforces the idea of "Fortress North America", whereby the rich and
privileged live in gated, gentrified, and militarized communities with easy
movement for capital between borders. For the rest, there are border fences,
reserves, ghettos, low-wage work, surveillance, and empty rhetoric about
democracy and human rights", Grewal further states.
The Pacific NorthWest Economic Region (PNWER) Summit is meeting in Vancouver
from Sunday, July 20th to Thursday, July 24th. The PNWER is a northwest
US-Canada forum to "encourage global economic competitiveness". In the words
of Minister Stockwell Day on PNWER's website, "[PNWER] has had a profound
impact on policymaking." According to PNWER's website, "it serves as a
"cross-border forum for unfiltered dialogue that capitalizes upon the
synergies between business leaders and elected officials."
- 30 –
- For information contact Carleen Pickard at 604-340-2455 or Harjap Grewal
at 778 552 2099.
