Deep Integration
Opposing deeper integration with the United States remains the overarching framework of the Council's work. A major counter conference is therefore planned to closely coincide with the next Security and Prosperity Partnership Summit of the three NAFTA leaders, currently scheduled for next spring in Canada.

The Board agreed that a key goal in this work is to expose and stop the shift to the right in federal policy and to expose the Harper government's close ties to the U.S. The war in Afghanistan and security issues will be key. The Council will therefore commission a report by Steve Staples on military integration between Canada and the U.S., which will be released at the 2006 AGM and be followed by a speaking tour to chapters. In addition, the Council will promote a Canadian Energy Security Strategy through Canadian Perspectives, Action Alerts, fact sheets and links on our website. Strategic media interventions may also take place on threats to energy security from the deep integration agenda.

Trade
In support of the deep integration work, a focus of the trade campaign will be exposing and opposing NAFTA and intervening where regional projects such as the recent Atlantica conference (which proposes a free trade zone for Atlantic Canada and New England) are being promoted.

Public Health Care
Our Profit Is Not the Cure petition, for which a website - www.profitisnotthecure.ca -- has already been launched, will form the centerpiece of the Council's health care work in 2006-07. The Council will be working with partner organizations such as the Canadian Health Coalition and Canadian Doctors for Medicare to raise public awareness and opposition to the role of for-profit medicine and the need to make this an election issue. Events include an intervention at the Canadian Medical Association in Charlottetown in August and a national week of actions in late November, to mark the anniversary of the 2002 Romanow report.

National Water
The focus of the national water campaign is to promote a national water policy and develop a strong and effective national water movement. Chapter participation will be mobilized for World Water Day on March 22, 2007 and there will be particular outreach to student groups. We are developing an educational kit for teachers to bring water issues into classrooms.

International Water
The Blue Planet Project will continue to build a strong international movement to oppose the privatization of water - a campaign that has already begun to show results with the news of corporate water giant Suez leaving Latin America. The focus of the Blue Planet Project remains drafting and promoting an international treaty recognizing water as a human right and promoting viable alternatives to water privatization.

Food Sovereignty
The Council will continue to assist in the formation of a new network for ongoing anti-GE activist work in Canada. In addition, the Beyond Factory Farming Coalition is to become a fully independent co-op. The Council will transfer foundation funding to the co-op beginning in July 2006 and will continue to support Chapters in food sovereignty work until June 2007.

Federal Election
The Board agreed that, in the event of a federal election in the next year, the Council should again work in coalition with its allies on specific issues and continue to speak broadly to independent, progressive principles of social and economic justice, with the goal of opposing those policies of the Harper government that work against such principles. The issues of military integration with the U.S., for-profit health care, energy exports, and deep integration generally will be used to frame what is at stake. The Board continues to favour a minority government that is willing to promote a progressive agenda.

The following motion was adopted:
Moved by Bob Ages/Seconded by Andrea Furlong/CARRIED
That the 2006-2007 Operational Plan and Budget be approved.
Resolutions Committee

The Board reviewed the existing resolutions process and protocol for the 2006 AGM and re-affirmed the traditional role of the Resolutions Committee in working with Chapters to develop the best resolutions possible in advance of the AGM business meeting and, where warranted, making recommendations to the Council Board and membership.

Chapter reps. have participated fully at board meetings, in conference calls and in planning. Board and staff have been very inviting and have treated us as equals.

This year CoC will retain the Deep Integration framework for all campaigns, has set public health care as a core campaign priority, and declared our intention to combat the Harper agenda and the threat of a Tory majority government.

There was considerable debate surrounding the CoC involvement in the Federal election campaign. Some members agreed with the strong stand against Harper Conservatives, hence the Think Twice Coalition to do just that with several progressive organizations united. Others criticized the CoC for getting involved in electoral rather than issues campaigning.

The GE Food campaign is to be phased out by 2007 (board decision, Feb. 05), but CoC will provide support for interested chapters, hold at least one conference call with these chapters to decide what support, and help the newly formed GE Free network get started.

Food Security and Sovereignty will become a priority. Recommended is www.foodsecurecanada.org.

CoC membership totals are not increasing. Membership financial contributions have declined, but larger amount donations have increased.

Some concerns expressed by chapters:

• Voters Guides were too soft, too reliant upon party spin
• Are we "really" non-partisan? More discussion required
• Chapters in attendance would appreciate their chapter representative to report directly to them
• Desire to be consulted before changes to campaigns are made
• Are Resolutions really binding?
• Chapter grassroots must have more influence
• Repeat of the annual national-chapter disconnect
• Use simple, positive messaging
• Celebrate our vision and avoid negative campaigning
• Use "Canadians" more frequently
• Revisit the chapter rebate model

Some way or another all these concerns can be introduced into the national board meetings, June 2-4.