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North American leaders wrap up Montebello summit
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CTV.ca News Staff
Date: Tue. Aug. 21 2007 10:13 PM ET
North American leaders wrapped up a summit in Montebello, Que. Tuesday with an agreement to block imports of unsafe toys and a commitment to balancing border security and trade.
"We agreed to work together on consumer protection, we have to identify and stop unsafe goods from entering our countries, especially those designed for our children," Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Tuesday.
The announcement follows numerous safety scares from exports, including toothpaste and toys, coming out of China.
Harper, alongside U.S. President George Bush and Mexican President Felipe Calderon, said the leaders also discussed border security.
"Border security measures will not threaten the bonds of friendship or commerce between the U.S., Mexico and Canada," he said.
Crippling wait-times choked borders immediately after the 9/11 terrorist attacks, costing the North American economy billions of dollars. A new system would improve the flow of goods between borders during a crisis situation.
But Harper and Bush failed to reach a consensus on Arctic sovereignty. The U.S. president wouldn't budge from his position that the Northwest Passage is an international waterway, although his tone was at least conciliatory.
"The United States does not question Canada's sovereignty of Arctic islands, and the United States supports Canadian investments used to exercise its sovereignty," he said.
The leaders also discussed the need for practical solutions to environmental challenges, said Harper. Agreements were also reached on regulatory cooperation, pandemics, intellectual property and research and energy.
Following a breakfast meeting, the leaders met with the North American Competitiveness Council to discuss ways to advance trade and economic prosperity.
Tuesday also focused on the Security and Prosperity Partnership, aimed at increasing trade and security between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico.
Critics have attacked the SPP for being too secretive, with an unknown agenda that may include water exports and a possible NAFTA superhighway -- a notion that Harper mocked.
"A couple of my opposition leaders have speculated on massive water diversions and superhighways to the continent -- maybe interplanetary, I'm not sure, as well," said the prime minister, tongue firmly in cheek.
But NDP international trade critic Peter Julian claimed that the SPP has a more extensive agenda than the government wants to admit.
"The NDP was able to obtain a meeting summary -- through a freedom of information request -- from a meeting that was held last February with the SPP ministers," Julian told CTV Newsnet.
"Very clearly that document refers to a very deep agenda, a very wide-ranging agenda. And it's an agenda that has, front and centre, the objectives of the North American Competitiveness Council -- a group of about 30 un-appointed, unelected company CEOs, who are pushing forward the agendas of their companies."
The Liberal party helped forge the SPP partnership. But Liberal Leader Stephane Dion said the SPP was always meant to be fully transparent.
"We are supposed to have different groups working on it, not only CEOs," said Dion. "And they were supposed to report to the public of the United States, Mexico and Canada. That's not what has happened with Mr. Harper. There's a complete lack of transparency."
When Parliament resumes, the Liberals have vowed to table a resolution that would put the SPP under scrutiny in the House of Commons.
Few protesters showed up Tuesday following Monday's incidents, where hundreds of demonstrators were pushed back by police using tear gas and pepper spray.
The closing news conference was moved up to allow Calderon to return to Mexico as Hurricane Dean continues to pound the Yucatan Peninsula.
On Monday, Harper and Bush discussed trade relations between the two countries and touched on Canada's Arctic sovereignty. A White House official told The Canadian Press Bush has a better insight into the issue after meeting with Harper but that nonetheless, the U.S. view on the matter is the same -- Canada owns the Arctic islands, but does not have claim to the surrounding resource-rich waters.
With a report from CTV's Craig Oliver and files from The Canadian Press
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Just hope the Government doesn't forgive the tickets and fines levied at the mass demonstrators.
Victor in Vaughan
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J.C.
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Ken
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Derek N
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G
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Danielle E
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Chris
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Lart from Above
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I don't think George Bush has the intelligence or the political capital to understand that peace brings more security than conflict in the long term.
Alex G
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1) There is no secrecy. Everyone knows who's attending, what they talked about, where it was, what time were the meetings.
2) We elected this government to represent us in meetings like this one. Whether we like it or not, we've already chosen these people to make decisions on our behalf. This is called democracy. And in order for Democracy to work, you have to elect a few to speak on behalf of the whole. Stop whinning that only Execs were invited. Logically, to govern a country, you have to take decsion that will please some and displease others.
3) Throwing rocks and fighting authority for the sake of fighting it only damages your reputation and the message that you are trying to convey. What is your message anyway? Don't deal with Bush, he's a moron? Well, he may be, but he still represents our neighbours so we have to deal with him. Or is it that you feel left out of the meeting? Then get someone elected that will represent your ideology.
Ian
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Ken Kline
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Why are they secret?
Our leaders do not want us to know what they and thier owners are talking about.
Why would they not want us to know what they are discussing?
Because we would not like it.
Why wouldn't we like it?
Because it must be against the people's best interest.
Why would it be against the people's best interest?
Because it is in the best interest of the business comunity at the expence of the the people.
It is secret and what else can we do besides throw rocks.
Steve
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Fred C
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We elect governments to act on our behalf, and expect them to find solutions to the problems facing Canadians. Bush's popularity isn't an issue and for you conspricacy theorists (and communists): if its secret why are the results in the news?
If you object to the policy or approach, run candidates against them instead of protesting or whining.
Phil M
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Alice
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www.zeitgeistmovie.com
This meeting was a cover up to what the real agenda is, which is to Unite North America for Political gain and for us to lose our freedom. Please watch this video, PLEASE
Duane
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KJ
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Jon
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Dave
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Chad B.
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The scariest idea floating around is that of bulk water exports from Canada - I would hope that court challenges and civil protests would stop any such pipeline from being built.
Finally, Harper's attitude toward the democratic right to protest is disgusting. When asked about the protest on Monday, Harper told reporters, "I've heard it's nothing. A couple hundred? It's sad."
...sad that they are protesting? sad that there are not more present to challenge his approach?
In the end, I think the secrecy these talks employ is to cover the fact that intellectually and morally their ideas cannot be defended. The 'cowboys' are scared of open debate.
yl
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Patricia
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Gregory Boudreau
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It seams that what ever the leaders discuss, some people will be disappointed.
It also seems to me, that we have to try and get along with our neighbors, even if we don't agree on everything.
G Alex G B
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Dominic
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These people should be ignored, unless they are able to converse with decision makers in our countries in a normal manner...not pushing and shoving, throwing rocks and yelling at the top of their lungs.
Dennis L
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Jordan Lester
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Also, the SPP is currently being discussed in hearings by the Standing Committee on International Trade.
If this deal was more transparent, people wouldn't be so skeptical of the deal!
Richard
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dj
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Linda
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Secondly, Bush is disliked in Canada. Harper is seen as too close to him and most Canadians are uneasy with our participation in what many see as a Bush war. How can a summit, held in secrecy with G.W. Bush, boost Harper's political fortunes.
Earl Robert
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john q
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Do not allow it.