I received a number of comments on my recent column on the trade deal Prime Minister Harper signed with China; Some commenters asked what they can do. I think that writing your MP and local paper is a good start.
I've taken the liberty of drafting a sample letter that you can use. Of course feel free to add to it or reword at your leisure. The treaty hasn't been ratified yet, so a flood of letters may convince our government of our displeasure. Keep in mind that no postage is needed on a letter to an MP. If you don't know who your MP is, you can find out by accessing this handy dandy website;
(name), M.P.House of Commons, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A6
Dear Sir/Madam,
I am one of your constituents. I am writing to tell you of my outrage at the FIPA trade deal Prime Minister Harper signed with China at the APEC summit last September.
It can be signed into law at any time, without any public consultation, any consultation with First Nations, any Parliamentary debate, or even a single vote in the House of Commons. I do not accept such blatant disrespect for either the will of Canadians or for our democratic institutions.
Provincial governments will not be consulted and won't even have the right to debate the bill's challenges to their authority.
It is a trade deal that would, among other things, hamstring not only the will of our federal Parliament, but also our provincial legislatures and municipalities. If our democratically elected representatives do anything that could compromise Chinese economic interests, a three-person international tribunal made up of arbitrators who aren't even judges will make binding rulings in secret that won't be subject to review by Canadian or international courts.
To make matters worse, this deal will be in effect for 31 years with an oppressive communist regime that is buying up energy resources all over the world.
I would like you to do all in your power to oppose this trade deal, which to my view, is not at all in the best interests of Canadians.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
It's never too late to fight. We should heed the words of legendary journalist Edward R. Murrow; 'A nation of sheep begets a government of wolves'