Warning message

Please note that this page is from our archives. There may be more up-to-date content about this topic on our website. Use our search engine to find out.

Dear CUPE members and staff,

By now, you probably have heard that U.S. President George W. Bush is coming to Ottawa for an official visit from Nov. 30th to Dec. 1st.

While we dont know the exact nature of his discussions, we can safely predict that he will be pushing policies that most Canadians oppose. Its a long list, and includes aggressive privatization of public services, the militarization of space, and a foreign policy dependent on war.

CUPE is especially concerned that Bushs visit is timed to ramp up the pressure on Canada to participate in the misguided Star Wars missile defence project. CUPE has voted to oppose this project it will only lead to a new kind of arms race costing billions of dollars that could be so much better used on social programs. It is unconscionable that our government would consider participating in this, and we need to send a clear message that we reject it.

To that end, we would like to encourage CUPE members to attend the marches, rallies and vigils that are being planned next week in Ottawa and across the country in opposition to the Bush agenda. Outside Ottawa, find out what is happening in your community, spread the word, and mobilize to participate. For information on local activities, visit the Canadian Peace Alliance website at www.acp-cpa.ca.

In Ottawa, there are many events being planned. Here are two that CUPE members are encouraged to attend on Nov. 30th:

No to Bush rally and march
12 noon
Ottawa City Hall, corner of Elgin and Laurier
CUPE contingent: meet at 11:45 a.m. at the Human Rights Monument at Elgin & Lisgar

No to war vigil
5 p.m.
Parliament Hill
Bring candles, flashlights or other lights

Let’s add our voices to the thousands speaking out next week in favour of peace, justice and freedom.

If you cant meet us in Ottawa, consider sending Prime Minister Paul Martin a letter saying: No to war, no to missile defence and no to free trade over public services and strong communities!

In solidarity,

Paul Moist, National President

Claude Gnreux, National Secretary-Treasurer