A western caravan bearing speakers and information on fair trade issues will be in Vancouver this Sunday, October 21.
Events kick off with a performance by the Solidarity Notes Choir, and presentations by caravanistas in Grandview Park (Commercial Drive and Williams Street) from 1:30 pm 3:30 pm.
A video presentation and guest speakers will be featured at the Simon Fraser University Harbour Centre (515 West Hastings Street) from 6:30 8:00 pm.
Public discussion on the impact of free trade is invited. All events are free admission.
Local spokesperson Jim Gorman said the caravan is working to expose how the federal governments stance on free trade threatens public services and democracy.
This caravan is traveling across Canada to start a dialogue on what a better world looks like and how we can build towards it through fair trade, he said.
The caravan is sponsored by the Common Front on the World Trade Organization (CFWTO). Chaired by the Canadian Union of Public Employees and the Council of Canadians, the Common Front brings together more than 60 national and regional organizations.
In particular, we want Canadians to put pressure on the federal government to withdraw from the GATS (General Agreement on Trade in Services) negotiations because they pose a serious threat to the future of our public services, such as health care and education, stated Morna Ballantyne, CFWTO co-chair.
There are two caravans travelling across Canada: one departing Victoria, and one leaving St. Johns, Newfoundland this week. The western and eastern caravans will be taking the fair trade message to communities over the next month, and meeting in Toronto for a final forum on November 15.
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Media, please contact Jim Gorman, CUPE at 604-250-6011
or Anna Dashtgard, CFWTO National Organizer at 416-702-2505.