Linamar target of anarchist collective

Linamar target of anarchist collective

August 15, 2007
ROB O’FLANAGAN
GUELPH MERCURY

An anarchist collective is taking responsibility for a series of acts of criminal mischief at Linamar’s head office Monday.

A group identifying itself as The Informal Collective of Linamar’s Slain Workers issued an anonymous e-mail message with the subject heading “Anarchists Attack Linamar Corporate Office.”

The missive claimed various acts of vandalism were carried out in the name of workers killed at the company, and was a protest against Linamar CEO Linda Hasenfratz’s involvement in the North American Competitiveness Council (NACC), a working group of the Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America (SPP).

Graffiti was spray-painted on the front wall of the building, windows were broken and locks damaged. There is no estimate of the damages.

This is the third instance in recent months of politically motivated mischief in the city. Police cars were spray-painted in April, and in May the Guelph Armoury was hit by about a dozen paintballs. Last month MP Brenda Chamberlain’s office door was glued shut.

In each case, an anonymous anarchist group claimed responsibility. No charges have been laid in any of the cases.

NACC is made up of more than 30 corporate representatives from major U.S., Canadian and Mexican corporations and advised governments on how to better integrate the North America economy and enhance security on the continent.

Hazenfratz, who oversees an international company that employs more than 10,000 and has more than 20 divisions in Guelph, is one of 10 Canadian NACC representatives, joining corporate heads such as Canadian National Railway’s Paul Desmarais, Rick Waugh of Scotiabank and Michael Sabia of Bell Canada Enterprises on the council.

“We were shocked at the vandalism to our corporate office early (Monday) morning,” Hazenfratz said in a statement. “This matter has been turned over to the police and it is currently under investigation.”

Sergeant Andrea Ninacs of Guelph Police said an investigation was launched yesterday.

“There is some apparent damage and graffiti on the building,” Ninacs said. “Graffiti is obviously considered a form of vandalism.”

She did not immediately know the full extent of the damage to the building, but the group claiming responsibility said windows were broken and “the locks on the doors were glued shut and small sewing pin inserted to ensure that the lock had to be replaced,” according to the anonymous message.

“Windows were smashed to add to the damage.”

Hazenfratz acknowledged the act appeared linked to Linamar’s involvement with the SPP and NACC.

“The NACC was quite simply formed to advise governments on how to allow us to become more competitive in (North America), and includes such innocuous recommendations as standardizing the width of food labels to simplify packaging operations,” she said in the statement. “Becoming more competitive helps all of us create jobs here in our country to support our families and our economy.”

Activist groups, including the Council of Canadians, have condemned the SPP, calling it a secretive body that serves the interests of large multinational corporations.