At a press conference on April 20, federal New Democratic Party Leader Alexa McDonough called for a more transparent process in
negotiating a global trade deals and decried the overuse of
security measures at the Quebec Summit.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE APRIL 20, 2001
SUMMIT SECURITY “WEAK LINK” IN CANADIAN DEMOCRACY, SAYS NDP LEADER

QUEBEC – “This doesn`t feel like Canada. It feels like a country under siege.”
That was NDP leader Alexa McDonough`s assessment of the situation in Quebec City today as security forces closed the gates to the “security” fence as the Summit of the Americas begins. (and whopped people on the head at
6 a.m. in the morning!!!..we`ll add something in a.m. I guess)

Ms. McDonough said she fully supports the need for comprehensive security to protect both protesters and Summit participants. “But anyone here can truly see this is beyond what most Canadians would ever imagine. That fence is the weak link in Canadian democracy.`”

Ms. McDonough has been in Quebec City since Monday participating in the People`s Summit. “I am more convinced than ever that it is possible to have a global system of managed, fair trade benefiting citizens first,” she said.

Ms. McDonough was “disappointed but not surprised” that a leaked copy of a section of the FTAA text confirmed that, under the agreement, corporate interests would be given more clout than democratically elected governments. “Unfortunately, despite his protests to the contrary over the past year, International Trade Minister Pierre Pettigrew has had no luck in fighting to keep Canadian values on the trade table. He has been trounced by American interests.”

NDP MPs have been aggressive in their questioning of the federal government`s stance on the FTAA since parliament resumed in January. They have demanded the text of negotiating agreements be examined by Parliament as a prerequisite for further Canadian participation in FTAA negotiations.

Ms. McDonough and the federal NDP caucus will be marching in
The People`s Summit March on Saturday,April 21, 2001.

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