Oppose PNWER & Corporate Globalization in the North West

We are asking you and/or your organization, collective, or trade union to help build opposition to corporate rule and PNWER. A coalition of groups including the People's Opposition, Mobilization for Global Justice and Democracy Street are calling for a mass rally and march in Whistler on Saturday, July 28, 2001 at noon, beginning in parking lot #3.

WHAT IS PNWER

PNWER is the little brother to institutions of corporate globalization as WTO, FTAA, NAFTA, MAI, APEC, IMF/World Bank, Etc. Like these undemocratic bodies, PNWER is being held behind closed doors, with no public consultation and representation only from the business community. Its mandate is to reduce "barriers to trade" between the economies of Alaska, Yukon, Washington, Oregon, Montana, Idaho, Alberta and British Columbia, with delegates limited to business and government. It is one of many Regional Trade Alliances empowered by the World Trade Organization. PNWER is a sub-regional organization that is responsible for putting in place the details of corporate globalization as worked out by bigger institutions.

Agenda topics include selling off health care and education, NAFTA and FTAA. Prominent speakers include BC's newly elected right wing premier, Gordon Campbell, as well as Bill Gates, of Microsoft and co-host of the Seattle WTO meetings, who will speak on "NAFTA and the New Economy.

BUILDING OPPOSITION

Building opposition to PNWER helps to build and strengthen the anti-globalization in BC, as well as the links between various communities and organizations. This is also an excellent opportunity to challenge the Gordon Campbell's neo-liberal agenda.

Everyone is welcome at anti-PNWER organizing meetings. They take place every Sunday, 8:00pm, at the Communications Paper and Energy Workers Union offices at #400-475 Howe St. (Buzzer #16)

An educational forum on PNWER will take place at SFU Harbour Center, Saturday, July 20 at 7:99pm

We need your participation to help make this a successful, well- attended event. The planning of a forum on PNWER, raising funds to transport people to Whistler, outreach, communications strategies and planning the logistics of the demo are just some of the issues currently being undertaken by our work groups.

To get involved in the Stop PNWER Coalition, please e-mail garth [at] tao.ca

Check out http://www.resistpnwer.org

There are also many opportunities to get involved in direct action, being organized by the Cascadia Region Anti-Capitalist Collective. A convergence is being organized in Vancouver beginning July 25, to move to Whistler the following day. For more info, contact cracc [at] resistpnwer.org.