OTTAWA — The world’s leading economies must keep doors open to trade or risk a prolonged recovery from the global recession, Prime Minister Stephen Harper warned chief negotiators for the upcoming G20 summit.
Addressing the so-called “sherpas” for the international conference hosted by Canada in late June, Harper called the meeting “another chapter in the historic role the G20 has played in dealing with the most severe financial and economic crisis facing the world since the Great Depression.” He urged participating nations to join hands to strengthen financial regulation and break down trade barriers to foster collective wealth.
“Open global markets have been responsible for the growing worldwide prosperity of the past generation,” he said. “If we lose our commitment to open markets — for however understandable the short-term political reasons — then we will lose that prosperity.”
Harper reminded representatives what brought the G20 countries together in the first place.
“We discovered, that in the new world of the global economy, whether the skies herald rain or shine, we are all in the same boat,” he said. “And though it is natural — and expected — that we all will defend our national interest, that national interest must be enlightened. It must take into account the overall, long-term needs of the entire global economy if that global economy is to prosper.”
Harper noted that the summit, while only a brief few days, is the culmination of months of negotiations and meticulous planning. Meanwhile, protesters are already gearing up for the event, preparing large-scale demonstrations for human rights, an end to war and poverty and to put people ahead of corporate needs.
“The G20 must make economic, social, and environmental justice its top priorities if it hopes to have any legitimacy or relevance for people’s lives, but instead they are meeting behind closed doors, with no public participation or oversight,” said Dylan Penner, a spokesperson for the 2010 G8/G20 People’s Summit. “This is why people from across Canada and around the world will be converging in Toronto this June to protest the G20 Summit.”
International Trade Minister Peter Van Loan said Canada is opening new open markets around the world to help drive employment at home. During a teleconference from a trade promotion visit to Kenya, he said the rising Canadian dollar brings both benefits and downsides for business, manufacturers and exporters.
“These currencies as they go up and down always have two sides,” he said.
kathleen.harris@sunmedia.ca
