[asia-apec 852] Statement From the Secretariat in Response to Announcement from the Government of Canada

[appasec]

STATEMENT FROM THE SECRETARIAT:
(November 5, 1998, Kuala Lumpur)

The Government of Canada announces its support of the Asia-Pacific 
Peoples’ Assembly 

 
On November 4, 1998, the Government of Canada made a public declaration of support 
for the Asia-Pacific Peoples’ Assembly (APPA).  On November 2, the APPA secretariat 
had received confirmation from the Canada Fund in Malaysia, a branch of the Canadian 
International Development Agency, of C$25,000 in support of the APPA secretariat.  The 
declaration of support and the authorization of funding come from the Department of 
Foreign Affairs and International Trade and the highest levels of Canadian government.  

We would like to acknowledge the role that international solidarity plays in influencing 
government policy.  The decision of the Canadian government to support the Peoples’ 
Assembly comes after years of lobbying and activism from Canadian people to oppose 
APEC’s agenda and undemocratic operations.  We believe that such strong support of 
APPA would not have occurred without the hard work of Canadian civil society.

The support from the Government and people of Canada is most welcome.  It represents 
their affirmation of the importance of civil society and the necessity of open discussion to 
the decision-making process, specifically with international trade and investment issues.  
With the Government of Canada’s stated support, we are confident that it will give 
serious attention to APPA’s recommendations and analysis and that it will urge other 
APEC governments to do likewise.

We hope that other APEC government leaders will follow the Canadian initiative and 
assert publicly their support of APPA and the vital role it plays as an open forum for 
discussion about APEC and globalisation.