The Canadian Network on Cuba was founded on September 6, 2002. We are committed to the strengthening of friendship and solidarity between the peoples of Canada and Cuba. To this end, we work with the Cuban Institute for Friendship Amongst the Peoples and (ICAP) and other international and national partners in order to promote social, cultural, political and economic relations between Canada and Cuba on the basis of mutual respect and non-interference. We:

• initiate, co-ordinate and co-operate in cultural, educational, political and aid campaigns and projects involving Canada and Cuba.

• counter media and other distortions of Cuban reality by disseminating information about the achievements of the Cuban revolution in areas such as education, public health, culture, democracy and human rights.

• work to improve Canadian foreign policy on Cuba.

Canadian Network on Cuba Initial Press Release

Sept. 6, 2002

"An historic event in Canadian solidarity relations with Cuba," was how co-organizers Nino Pagliccia and Marvin Glass summed up the Labour day weekend founding convention of the Canadian Network on Cuba (CNC). They noted that, along with representatives of many trade unions, NGOs and political parties, nine of the eleven Canada-Cuba solidarity groups (outside of Quebec) were present. "And," said Glass and Pagliccia, "the unanimous votes on every issue of organization structure and campaign direction clearly exhibited the unity of analysis and purpose of these good friends of Cuba."

Awaiting membership ratification at the local level, the convention set up an interim cross-Canada Coordinating Committee and adopted two main political campaigns: (1) in solidarity with the five Cuban anti-terrorists unjustly imprisoned in the U.S.; and (2) in opposition to the U.S. blockade on Cuba in all its forms, including the cases of the conviction of Canadian businessman James Sabzali and Canada's shameful vote in Geneva attacking Cuba on the issue of human rights.

Special guests at the convention included the Cuban Ambassador and other Embassy officials, the 1st Vice President and other officials from the Cuban Institute for Friendship Amongst the Peoples (ICAP), a representative of the South African High Commission and Olga Carrara of the Quebec-Cuba solidarity coalition.