SPP/ Harper welcomes Bush to Montebello summit

[Joanne98]

http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070819/montebello_summit_070820/20070820?hub=Canada

Updated Mon. Aug. 20 2007 4:23 PM ET

CTV.ca News Staff

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has welcomed U.S. President George Bush to the Montebello summit as police used pepper spray on aggressive demonstrators outside.

"Good choice," Bush told Harper Monday after arriving by helicopter at the posh log-cabin resort on the north shore of the Ottawa River, about 70 kilometres east of Ottawa.

The two are to hold a bilateral meeting. They are expected to talk about Arctic sovereignty, an alternative to passports for entering the U.S. and the U.S.-sponsored climate conference next month.

Mexico's President Felipe Calderon arrived at the summit site about 80 minutes after Bush did. He went immediately into a bilateral meeting with Bush.

Outside the Chateau Montebello grounds, police in riot gear jostled with about 50 hardcore protesters, using pepper spray and at least one canister of tear gas to push them back. Some protesters responded by tossing objects at police.

At least two protesters have been led away in handcuffs so far today.

Some of the protesters from the Canadian Labour Congress who wanted a "family friendly" demonstration stayed back from the police.

Asked by reporters about the protest, Harper said: "I've heard it's nothing. A couple hundred? It's sad."
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20070819/montebello_summit_070820/20070820?hub=Canada

I hate harper! Here's the comment section....

Please Add Comments(44)

Gregory Boudreau
What would a summit be without protesters.. I just hope they kept those people at arms length. I have no problem with people who protest, as long as it is done in a peaceful manner, not when they start to create problems, then the police have to step in.
But there are allways some who will try and start trouble and that is unfortunate.




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V. Joe
ARMS LENGTH?!

Protesters have a legislated right to be seen and heard; in this case that isn't even happening!

Mr. Harper: where is the accountability you promised us???


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Robert
The looney left is at it again. What a bunch of misguided misfits manipulated by those who don't know how to earn a living. People live in poverty in much of the world because there is too little globalization, not too much - a quick course in basic economics would prove it to be true. I for one am getting tired of the same old people a la Barlow and her ilk repeating the same old mantra over and over ad naseum. Grow up and get a real job.


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Roger T
What's the point of any summit with the US. Canada is run by the US regardless of what is behind or open doors. We Canadians have no say in any thing that the US has their hands on in any summits. Especially, when they ignor business or protest groups - and we call this democracy!

It's all for PR and a vacation for Harper.


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Andrew Cedoux
"They say business leaders have been invited to meetings with the "Three Amigos" in Montebello, while protesters have been shut out. Their signs and shouts will only be available to leaders via video link."

Perhaps if the protesters had anything constructive to say on the subject then they would be included in the talks. If all they are doing is yelling anti-American rhetoric then they should rightly be excluded.


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GG
It's unfortunate these discussions are not more transparent to Canadians and not part of the democratic process of parliament. This is what is raising the concerns among the protesters in all 3 countries participating. One can understand some of the security discussions needing to be somewhat ' quiet' but the economic integration discussions are quite another matter and thus this veil of secrecy is not well liked or appreciated in the so-called ' free world' by the citizens of the democracies that they represent. It doesnt pass the smell test.


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Vince M.
I on the other hand DO on occassion have a problem with people that protest. It is Monday morning... don't these people have jobs? If not, shouldn't they be out looking for one?


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cantuc
They're meeting for two days. I'm sure they have important issues to discuss. I'm also sure that they've seen and heard all the slogans and signs and all the anti-American rhetoric they can stomach. What's left ? Throwing tomatoes?


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Jade
So what are they doing about Immigration Laws? Once again probably nothing! I've been in the States for like 5 years and I can't get anywhere even though I am orginally from NS... what do they think I'm going to do? By my guess those three will sit there all day and do nothing at all about anything! Sure they'll talk about things, but nothing important! I've learned one thing while living in the states... all goverments are corrupt!


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Michael Le Couteur
It is always good to see uninformed, useless dialogue. It would seem that instead of the issue it is questions like this that garner attention. NO Matter. Please, please, go ahead and laugh or sling insults at the protesters as it just shows how trully ignorant some are. Please don't worry about the bulk water exports. Don't worry about the sovereignty of Canada. Don't worry that Parliment isn't discussing this at all. It would do the Patriots of Canada some good to read up on SPP/NAU. Don't knock the protesters for doing what is their right. I would knock the sheep who stay at home to swallow up the garbage that the Lame Stream Media is feding them. Stay at home in your pen/ignorance. Sheep are cowards, just waiting to be collected.


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David Williams
We elect leaders to best represent our interests in the world market.

I am sure that the protesters have already voiced their concerns to the elected officials.

To go to the summit seems like a pointless exercise in futility.


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Mr. D Gozinia
It's funny how protesters get such a bad rap. Wake up and do some research on your own, think for yourself. Perhaps then you'll realize that these protesters are trying to being a little democracy back to Canada.

As of right now the people have no say in matters with regards to our own Security and Prosperity.

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Karen Kayberg
Protesting, writing letters to MP, getting messages out are NEEDED for a functioning demorcracy to work, people have taken days off work to get there, globalization has actually DECREASED the REAL WAGES in Mexico, increased the income gap in China where over 40% still live on less than $2.00 a day and destroyed all well-paid manufacturing jobs in North America - don't give us that Conservative, capitalist crap, the liberal ideology (not the liberal party) behind capitalism is full of contradictions.


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scott
Does anyone really have a hope in hell of getting the message across with becoming violent?


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Len E
Why are people down on the protesters so much? It is their democratic right to gather and peacefully protest! I would go further to say that if someone feels that its in the best interest of our country, then they have an obligation to speak out in some manor! Freedom of speech is one right that must be exercised as much as possible in my mind. This forum is a great venue for that purpose.
A large portion of this meeting is being driven by big business and corporations. That is given, and can be confirmed by the invitation of the 30 or so corporate leaders that have been invited to attend. I have several questions about this process. Why the secrecy for the rest of us? Where is our elected representation from all affected areas, and why aren’t the questions being asked by the masses being answered? Who are these business people attending, and have they any ties to any of these 3 political leaders? We can't get the information we need with all of this secrecy. It has always been quite obvious that investors and segments of big business have made huge amounts of money from the North American Free Trade Agreement, which they have marketed as being beneficial for all north Americans, regardless of job loss for Canadians, and occasionally for Americans. The spin Dr.'s and lobbyists representing these groups are always present and actively working to convince us that theirs is the right position, but I feel that many of us are left trying to form an opinion on half truths, and tainted information.

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Bill
Being a protester is like being in opposition. You can moan and groan and tear down every effort the government makes and not be accountable to come up with solutions. If they are really serious about making change they would make the effort to garner enough support to get themselves elected to government office and work from within to make changes. But wait, that might mean they would have to 1, actually do some work and 2, put up or shut up.


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NT
I'm all for allowing people to protest, as long as it's done peacfully. Showing up with bandanas to cover your face, or with the intent of causing problems for the rest of the society that you claim to speak for isn't the way to do it. True that these people are the minority of people at the protests, but it still causes everyone else to view the protest as something that it was not meant to be. I mean really, are anarchist flags necessary? Why?


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Ryan
I don't have a problem with the protesters if they are they're to voice concerns about certain issue. But just walking around with Americanada written on them, or shouting anti-American slurs are futile. Why do protesters always have to act so uneducated. If you wan't change then protest the issue. Quit wasting your time throwing insults.


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Geoffrey
People have every right in Canada to protest, for this I am ever thankful. The day you lose it you should really be concerned, so dont knock the ones who at least take the time to try bringing attention to matters of concern.
This secret meeting is exactly what I expect from Mr Harper, he has been about secrecy since he came to office. Canada you got what you voted for!
Smarten up Canada.


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Raymond
What message could be so important as to riot & damage private/public property? Free trade? Free education? Free lunches? These 'professional anarchists' should bloody-well get a job, stop living off the working masses while pretending to represent average Canadians. They do not and never will.

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Matt
Parliment has to pass any laws coming from these negotiations, so parliament has their say.

Discussions like this on how to make things better are simply trying to understand how to achieve balance.

Many of these protestors don't know what is being debated, they're just there to make noise for their cause.


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David
I cant believe some of the stuff im hearing right now. Do you understand that within a couple of years Canada could lose a huge chunk of its sovereignty because of these talks and all u people can say is that "well I hope the police keep them at arms' length"????


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TR
Protesters have a right to peacefully express their views, but I seriously doubt that the masked, petrol bomb throwing anarchists have this in mind. Whatever point "legitmate" protestors have to make is lost in a sea of knee-jerk anti-Americanism, strident rhetoric and an almost gleeful tendency towards violence.


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shannon
Do the protesters honestly think that they are going to change what is going on inside the summit meetings? It's not as if the world leaders are inside saying to each other, "Oh, I guess we should change our agenda because the folks outside don't like us." That is ridiculous. We all have our say on election day, that is what democracy is. Protesting does not add value.


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Carol L
"Grow up and get a real job."

They could be
a)students
b)on vacation
b)Canadian Labour Congress (this is part of their job)



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Alma
It must be nice to have the day off (Monday)to protest while the rest of us have to go to work. Don't these people have jobs?


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Nicole
I can see a lot of you have never actually attended a protest and have formed your opinions based on the distorted media portrayals. Like most things, the media just latches on to the sensational aspects of protests - the violence, the arrests, etc - but doesn't cover the positive aspects, like the debates or speeches.

You can choose to be ignorant and complacent, but you should respect the people who care enough to challenge their elected representatives when they feel they are not being represented. It is not only their right; it is their obligation to do so. They do this not only for themselves but for all Canadians, so please show some respect.

Maybe if you researched the Security and Prosperity Partnership in depth, you would protest it as well.


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Ken
This "Summit" is nothing more than Harper's opportunity to find out what else Canada needs to do to become America. Harper has proven repeatedly that he has America's interests at the forefront of all of his agendas, and this summit gives him the opportunity to make agreements that have not gone through parliament. This is what he calls accountability?


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zoran dragicevic
Bush is not wellcome to Canada! His war on terror became terror over the people of Iraq.

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Devon K.
The protestors have a right to protest and sling insults and embarrass us. The rest of us, those with jobs, have a right like our duly elected leaders to ignore them. Which is what I did. Thank God for Freedom!


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andré bérubé
It's always the same unreasonable protestors, the same pointless anti-American anger.


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ian
Can somebody please tell me how in the world one man, Stephen Harper, is going to be able to start selling Canada's water to the Americans or Mexicans? Get real. Some of you guys watch too many Michael Moore documentaries I think. These meetings are nothing more than a forum to express ideas and some up with solutions to the issues at hand. Also explain to me how these meetings are being held in secret. Everyone knows they're there and the media seems to know what's on the agenda. I suppose the PM should allow the media into his private office and invite them to cabinet meetings too. Governments that are elected democratically aren't obligated to consult the public every time they make a policy decision.

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Georgey
I think protests sometimes need to get violent in order to get the point across. Which protests do you remember the best? The violent ones or the peaceful ones that get no coverage???

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Matt
"it's for the rights of immigrants and refugees, against poverty and for women and so on and so forth."

When the protest organizer can't even put together a coherent reason to protest one is led to believe that the protesters are there for protest sake. As one who has been to protests in the past I can safely say that the majority of people there have
a. no clue
b. no job
c. no idea of a better way to fix the problem.

These are kids who feel like they missed out on something by not being alive during the 60's when womens issues, racial issues and a war with a draft were REAL issues to deal with. Now they just want to get out and be rebels. I implore the media to seek out a single protester with a valid point to make, that will make it in a clear and concise way without resorting to fear mongering or rabid anti-Americanism.


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Scott saunders
What do these protestors expect, the three countries not to consult one another? It is these type of out-of-control individuals that cause a lot of the world's problems. I hope the police tear gas the lot.
I'm glad we are having meetings like this, and not just sitting back like the previous government like a bunch of mushrooms preaching Canadian self-righteous bull.

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CP
I'm with you Vince, how wonderful for them to be able to show and protest when the rest of the country is trying to earn a living. Unfortunately because of them, my daughter hasn't seen her dad, an RCMP member in a week thanks to all the police presence that is required on site to control these people with nothing better to do.


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DaveL
While the U.S. President is in town, so it's time for the media to crank-up the coverage of the nutty anti-American lefty view of the world: companies control the world, we have no say, Canada is under the control of the Americans, blah, blah, blah. I think if more Canadians were educated (Arts degrees don't count, my dog has one of those) on how the world actually works, we'd understand that Free trade, free economies, and a skilled and educated working-class is the answer to poverty, unemployment and sovereignty; exactly the opposite view that these protestors take.

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wc
Sure lets scrutinize government but lets also scrutinize protestors: PGA, dedicated to revolution and anti capitalist on principle. Black Bloc, anarchists dedicated to violent confrontation and No One Is Illegal who believe immiigration controls are racist and want open borders. Lets look at both sides of the coin please.

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Addie Mills
Regardless of a persons views on this summit, please do not let your feelings about President Bush tarnish the outcome. As a Canadian, I am ashamed to see all the anti-Bush signs. It makes us appear uneducated and ignorant.

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Robert
I cant believe the ignorance of a lot of people who have posted comments. We live in a democracy. We elect people to represent us in Parliament. Protest if you must, but remember we live in a free country and have a choice. If you need to protest -- do it at the ballot box.


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Joel
These "get a job" comments reek of ignorance, arrogance and most of all complacence. I applaud any protester regardless of how wrong they are. They are standing up for freedom of expression - one of our most important rights. If staying at work makes you feel righteous you should start to question if your submission to authority is a bit too strong.


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Joel Brown
Old news people. Protesters have been doing their thing for centuries. Instead of slagging them, we should support them. Whether it's out on the streets or in the ballot booths, protests are the way to change. It's sad that protesters are seen as radicals. Do any of us have the passion to hit the streets and protest? Look at the protests in the Mid East or in third world countries. Look at the passion. When did we become so complacent and what gives us the right to look down at people exercising their rights?


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Aaron Skaley
I would like to point out that this SPP was based upon the SPI, a report created by the CCCE, comprised entirely of corporations and the NACC which again is comprised entirely of corporations are pretty much dictating this process. We should not allow corporate CEOs to dictate our national policies! This is not a democratic approach to the issue, LETS SEE SOME TRANSPARENCY!!


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Charlie
These protesters are very well funded. Their single job is to disrupt any and all meetings of world leaders. The media would do a better job of it all if they ignored the nonsense and actually explained what was being discussed and why. It's easier to point a camera grab a photo op than do real digging.

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