April 20, 2001
Quebec City, Quebec

On behalf of all Canadians, I am pleased to welcome you to Quebec City for the third Summit of the Americas.

We are meeting in one of Canada’s most beautiful cities. A historic place. The cradle of the Francophonie of the Americas. A cosmopolitan city whose heart beats in rhythm with the cultures of the world.

We are here as elected representatives of our respective countries. Countries united by geography. Brought closer by history. And now forming one of the greatest families in the world. A family rich in its diversity. Proud of its history. Aware of its origins. And ready to begin its journey into the future in a spirit of cooperation, openness and respect.

Our gran familia has changed much since Canada joined the Organization of American States more than ten years ago.

Our hemisphere has embraced a vision for the future based on common values and objectives: strengthening democracy, protecting human rights, promoting human security, creating prosperity and providing all the hemisphere’s citizens a chance to realize their full potential. And we have all become equal partners in the pursuit of these objectives.

Of course, each country of the hemisphere has its own priorities and interests, its policies and its concerns. Each has its identity. An identity whose value we must respect and enhance if we would preserve the rich diversity characteristic of the Americas. But beyond our uniqueness, we are very much aware of the chance we have to achieve extraordinary progress if we work together for the well-being of all our peoples.

It is this possibility that is the foundation of the Summit process.

I would like to expand on this question. Because there is a very basic reality that too many have a tendency to forget.

All of our efforts to bring the nations of the Americas closer together are founded on the unquestionable fact that the vast majority of the citizens of our hemisphere want to be governed by democratic institutions. They want judicial systems that guarantee their rights and that give them, if needed, a fair and impartial trial. They want to earn a dignified living, with a good job that allows them to make full use of their talents. And they want to benefit from the prosperity that comes from free markets and stable financial systems.

This Summit, like the two that came before it, is the instrument that we have chosen, as democratically elected representatives, to respond to the call of our citizens. And I am firmly convinced that it is the means best suited to achieve our goals.

My friends, democracy and economic integration are the key words of this Summit. First, I would like to say a few words about economic integration.

Like all of our initiatives, the creation of a free trade area is not an end in itself. It is a means. A tool for growth that will allow us to promote closer, more dynamic economic relations among the nations of the Americas. In time, it will assure a higher standard of living and a better quality of life for all peoples in the hemisphere.

And we understand the desire of our citizens to be informed about our undertakings. This is not only normal, it is healthy for democracy. That is why we made the collective decision, two weeks ago, to make public the negotiating texts for the free trade area. I am convinced that this gesture will clear up any misunderstandings and refute baseless criticisms about a process whose only goal is to improve the quality of life of our people – of all our people.

Economic integration is only one pillar in our hemispheric edifice. After all, prosperity has no meaning if our citizens are not free, if they are not equal before the law or if they cannot make use of the opportunities open to them.

Our priorities echo this belief.

From the outset, we have focussed on a global action plan of cooperation to reduce poverty, protect the environment, promote the adoption of labour standards, and encourage corporate social responsibility. We are working together to reinforce democracy, to broaden access to education and health care, to promote the equality of men and women, cultural diversity and dialogue with indigenous peoples.

In fact, the leaders of the 40 million indigenous peoples of our hemisphere have held historic meetings to find solutions to their own unique challenges, in Guatemala and in Ottawa last month during the Summit of the Indigenous People of the Americas. And we must listen carefully to their concerns.

There is no doubt that we are active in many areas. But taken together they form a global, coherent and balanced strategy to strengthen the autonomy of our citizens. Especially those who have often been left out in our societies, among them: women, youth, seniors, and people with disabilities.

In the view of Canada, this includes taking measures to reduce, without delay, the gaps that have been created by the information revolution. New communications technologies are giving all the nations of the Americas access to tools they can use to transmit knowledge, do business, increase understanding among peoples, and stimulate human development. The Summit gives us a chance to reflect on the means we have available to assist the Americas in adapting to the transformations caused by the emergence of new technologies. And to put these technologies to work in support of the action plan that we will adopt.

My friends, in a few hours, we will begin the work of the Third Summit of the Americas. And, at the outset, I am convinced that we will be able to respond to the expectations and priorities of our citizens.

Why? Because our Summit agenda has been prepared in consultation with representatives of all sectors of civil society. It has also been enriched by the contributions of those who took part in the first Summit of the Indigenous Peoples of the Americas. And discussed during the first meeting of the Inter-Parliamentary Forum of the Americas.

All of these initiatives and consultations reflect our desire to be open and transparent; our resolve to reach out to those who have concerns about our initiatives and to convince them that our plans are well-founded.

In a democracy, peaceful protest and peaceful demonstration are fundamental rights. I welcome those who have come to Quebec City to make known their views on how best to advance the social and economic interests of our fellow citizens.

But violence and provocation is unacceptable in a democracy. The type of behaviour that we have seen outside this afternoon by small groups of extremists is contrary to the democratic principles we all hold dear.

These people do not represent the vast majority of those who have come to Quebec City peacefully to express legitimate concerns.

We have a lot of work to do in the next two days if we are to build on the progress that has been made by our ministers and officials in the past few months.

I am convinced that on Sunday, when we leave Quebec, we will have advanced our common cause. That we will have in hand a renewed plan to strengthen democracy, create prosperity and realize the human potential of the hemisphere. And that we will have the resolve, the means and the resources to put our agreements into action.

Finally, I am convinced that in two days this Gran Familia that we are coming to know a little better each day will emerge even more united and with a greater feeling of solidarity.

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