You, Me and the SPP: Trading Democracy for Corporate Rule – June 17, 2009

What do secrecy, police provocateurs, an assault on democracy and infringements on citizens’ rights have in common? The Security Prosperity Partnership (SPP). Never heard of it? Exactly.  On June 17, Awareness Film Night will present the film “You, Me and the SPP: Trading Democracy for Corporate Rule” This feature length documentary, released in March, is the latest film from Nanaimo director and producer Paul Manly, who brought us “Sombrio”. Paul will be in attendance at the screening. 

Negotiated away from public scrutiny, the SPP is billed as a mere trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico and Canada, but, in fact, it threatens the sovereignty of these 3 nations through the integration of military, security structures and regulatory regimes. The SPP undermines our democratic rights and the ability of our elected representatives to pass laws and regulations that safeguard the environment, protect workers rights and control the economy in the interest of ordinary citizens.  In short, our parliamentary democracy could become an empty shell.

Manly starts the film with random interviews on the street asking people if they have heard of the SPP and its close cousin TILMA (Trade Investment Labour Mobility Agreement). No one has, of course, and he wonders why. Unable to obtain interviews with the government ministers responsible for these two agreements, he sets out to find out what all the silence is about and what these agreements will mean to the citizens of Canada. 

Murray Dobbin, Canadian author and journalist explains: “what the SPP really represents is a parallel government, so that the important decisions are…made outside of parliament and outside of legislatures”. Also featuring interviews with Naomi Klein, Maude Barlow and others and music by French Beach resident Daniel Hanneson, “You Me and the SPP: Trading Democracy for Corporate Rule” will be the season finale for Awareness Film Night.  Showtime is at 7 p.m. at the Edward Milne Community School theatre. Paul Manly will be in attendance to answer questions from the audience after the screening.  Admission is by donation.

Info: http://www.youmespp.com/