The following is a letter written by Paul Moist, CUPE National President, to Prime Minister Stephen Harper, condemning those responsible for the attempted coup d’état in Ecuador last week. Moist asks that the Canadian government reject any attempt to overthrow the democratically elected administration of President Correa.
October 4, 2010
Dear Prime Minister:
On behalf of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, I write to express our condemnation of those responsible for the attempted coup d’état in Ecuador last week.
I noted that the Canadian government has said it is concerned about the growing unrest in Ecuador and co-sponsored a resolution at the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States reiterating support for the democratically elected government in the Republic of Ecuador. Based on the observations by President Rafael Correa that this was more than a dispute over benefit packages with the police, we believe the Canadian government should explicitly reject any attempt to overthrow the democratically elected administration of President Correa.
In August, the Honourable Peter Kent visited Ecuador and stated, “By strengthening relationships and working with key countries such as Panama and Ecuador, Canada continues to advance democratic governance, prosperity and security throughout the hemisphere”. Canada must live up to these statements and strongly condemn any attempts to overthrow legitimate and democratically elected governments.
Yours truly,
Paul Moist
CUPE National President