TPPA on Federal Street

Sharlene Ferguson from Focal Point Photos (member of SoapBox Ponsonby) was in amongst the crowds at the TPPA protests on Federal Street yesterday and managed to grab some amazing photos. Among them are some images of a cowboy…

The Canadian Cattlemen’s Association President (guess which one he is!) was an interesting and lengthy chat… he is one of the high rollers of the TPPA because he supports over 68,000 cattle farmers across Canada and financially it’s going to be a big win for them. (I was pretty gobsmacked to be talking to him!) He asked me if I was a NZ’er (proud to be) and what I thought of the TPPA. I questioned the ethics and secrecy around the document and voiced my grave concern for the future for our environment, the treaty and medicine to name a few things. Why wasn’t there more transparency? He said yeah, I’m not sure about the medical industry because he’s involved with beef!? He told me that the Canadian government that launched TPPA for Canada has now been voted out and the new liberal party is trying to make sense of it all. (but what they’re still signing?!) We shook hands, I said “It was nice to meet you but that I can’t wish you good luck with the TPPA” and he said he couldn’t wish me this either (a mutual understanding). 🙂

…but he did give me his business card (maybe he’s hoping for a nice profile photo lol :))

The protesters arrived not long after a large police presence. The power of drums & chanting was electrifying!! (Proud to be a NZ’er!)

Photo copyright ©2016 Sharlene Ferguson
No use without prior written permission #TPPA