Three Days of Solidarity with the Hupacasath for Canada and Freedom! – Idle No More

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For Immediate Release

Calgary, Alberta – June 5th, 6th & 7th, 2013, at Olympic Plaza, 228 – 8 Avenue SE, Idle No More and Concerned Canadians in solidarity with the Hupacasath will be holding Rallies and Round Dances.

In September of 2012, Prime Minister Harper and China’s President Wu signed a treaty entitled the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPPA). This treaty would lock Canada into a 31-year deal with China. FIPPA passed through Parliament without serious scrutiny or debate. However, it has not yet been ratified; the only thing standing in the way of FIPPA is the Hupacasath, a small group of First Nation people on the west coast. The Hupacasath have taken the federal government to court over FIPPA, and the hearings are underway, June 5th, 6th and 7th, 2013.

FIPPA will be detrimental to Canadian People and our Environment. China would have the right to take legal action against all levels of government and receive compensation from Canadian taxpayers for loss of profits. This includes any environmental protection rules that China’s government does not agree with. China could also be off the hook for paying clean-up costs associated with an oil spill or other environmental disaster.

Canadian employment standards will also be on the chopping block within Chinese companies, and the restrictions on foreign labour would not apply. Companies under the FIPPA agreement could refuse to follow Canadian standards including paying compensation to Canadian workers injured or families devastated by employees killed on the job.

Stand up for freedom and true democracy. Show Stephen Harper and his government that freedom and respect for Indigenous peoples matter. Raise your voices and let the Conservative Government know that economic development should not be at the expense of Our Environment and Our Children’s Future.

Rise in solidarity and support the Hupacasath in their mission to protect the Environment, Canadian Human Rights, Democracy and Our Future.

Details:

Wednesday, June 5th, 2013
12:00 PM – Noon
Olympic Plaza
228 – 8 Avenue SW

Thursday, June 6th, 2013
12:00 PM – Noon
Olympic Plaza
228 – 8 Avenue SW

Friday, June 7th, 2013
7:00 PM
Olympic Plaza
228 – 8 Avenue SW

Links:

  • Information about FIPA – http://fipafacts.ca/
  • Idle No More – http://www.idlenomore.ca/
  • Idle No More Calgary – http://idlenomorecalgary.ca/
  • Facebook Calgary Event Page – https://www.facebook.com/events/198847133598983/

Media Contacts:

Brian Seaman
Calgary Human Rights and Civil Liberties Lawyer
E: brianseaman@yahoo.com
C: 403-617-0082

Chantal Chagnon
Idle No More Calgary, Green Party of Canada
E: chantal.chagnon@greenparty.ca
C: 403-404-7664