Activists, unionists build plans to oppose G-8 Summit 
Kananaskis to be centre of activity in June

Activists and unionists are continuing to build plans to mobilize against the G-8 Summit slated to be held in Kananaskis on June 26 and 27, 2002. A wide range of actions and activities are planned for the time leading up to the annual meeting of the world’s largest economies.

In the months before June, a number of groups, including the labour movement, will be holding workshops and educationals to educate Albertans and union activists about the G-8, what its agenda is and how average people can make our voice heard.

More details on these workshops will be forthcoming.

On June 21, a five day counter-conference, called the G-6 Billion (or G-6B), will begin in Calgary. This will be a conference intent on critiquing the G-8’s corporate agenda and asserting a people-focussed alternative.

Unions and other groups are also exploring the possibility of establishing a tent city, called Solidarity Village, to be erected on land near the Kananaskis area.

The village will be a safe, non-violent gathering point for people who oppose the G-8. It will have music and speakers and other activities to ensure that the thousands of people who want to speak their mind against the G-8 have a place to do so.

The Village will also serve as a reminder to the G-8 leaders that they cannot hide from the people of the world.

The G-8 stands for Group of Eight, and is an informal gathering of the eight largest nation economies in the world.

This group determines the agenda for the WTO and other international bodies. Its membership includes the U.S., Canada, France, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Japan and Russia.