MONTREAL (AFP) - A 10-year-old Canadian boy has called for a boycott of US fast food chain McDonald's in hopes of hastening an end to the deep rift over lumber trade between Canada and the United States.
Taking the trade impasse into his own hands is Luke McAndless of Vancouver, who along with a 13-year old friend -- and apparently some adults in the background -- launched his proposed one-day boycott on an internet website,
www.wewantourmoneyback.ca.
His goal is to pressure the United States into repaying an estimated
4 billions dollars back to Canada. "We want our money back!," proclaims the website. "Yo yo yo, give us our dough," it says, asking readers to join the boycott starting December 3 and also to send a message to US President George W. Bush.
On October 5, a panel of the North American Free Trade Agreement ruled that the United States had unfairly levied duties on Canadian lumber and should repay the money.
But despite increasing Canadian government pressure to follow through on the ruling, Washington has balked, asking NAFTA for clarifications and for more time to consider its response.
Taking up the cause, McAndless has garnered support from the 340,000-member National Union of Public and General Employees, The National Post reported Friday.
McAndless told the newspaper that he chose McDonald's because it is a symbol of the United States, and also because the company is well-known among his fellow students.
A McDonald's spokesman regretted the boy's choice, emphasizing that Canada's McDonald's branches are mostly owned and managed by local people.
Note from Englishmajor: If Canada owed the US this much, the US would be dropping bombs on us or some other sanction. Why won't you honour your trade agreements, America? Shame on you.