Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (CCFTA)
http://www.canadians.org/trade/issues/CCFTA/index.html
On March 26, 2009, the Harper government introduced legislation (Bill C23) in the House of Commons to implement a Canada-Colombia free trade agreement. Like most free trade agreements, this deal was signed without consultation with the public, labour and civil society groups in Canada, who almost unanimously oppose it. Colombia has one of the worst human rights records in the world. There is no evidence that free trade could or ever has improved human rights and environmental protection, especially in Latin America where the experience has been of de-industrialization and growing inequality under free trade agreements. Despite an aggressive push from Harper to get the FTA through Parliament last year, the implementation legislation failed to pass, thanks to strong opposition in the House from the NDP and Bloc Quebecois, backed by equally strong public pressure. Bill C-23 fell off the order paper when Parliament was prorogued. But the second bill introduced into the current parliamentary session after the March budget was new FTA implementation legislation (Bill C-2), with promises from the Harper government to move it through quickly. It is crucial that we do not let this happen, and that the government conduct an independent human rights impact assessment before even considering this reckless new agreement.
International Pre-Electoral Observation Mission to Colombia questions timing of Canada–Colombia Free Trade Agreement
The International Pre-Electoral Observation Mission to Colombia was led by Global Exchange (www.globalexchange.org), with the participation of professionals, analysts and citizens of more than seven countries including the United States, Canada, Germany, the U.K. and Mexico. Four delegates from Canada were part of the Mission, including Carleen Pickard of the Council of Canadians.
The mission brought together 22 individuals with collective experience of electoral observation in eleven countries. From Feb. 3-15, the group conducted pre-electoral observation in Colombia, prior to the 2010 elections. The Mission divided into four teams to observe conditions in municipalities in the departments of Antioquia, Córdoba, Valle del Cauca and Santander.
All Links are at:
http://www.canadians.org/trade/issues/CCFTA/index.html
•Read the Executive Summary of the report here
•Read the Canadian overview of the report here
•Read the entire report here
•Tell the Liberals to say no to a free trade agreement with Colombia here
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Resources
http://www.canadians.org/trade/issues/CCFTA/index.html
Colombia's Elections: Under the Gun, Laura Carlsen, Center For International Policy, March 23, 2010
The Canada-Colombia Project: An information source on Canada-Colombia relations by the La Chiva Collective
Making a Bad Situation Worse: An analysis of the text of the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, by the Canadian Council for International Co-operation, Canadian Association of Labour Lawyers, Canadian Labour Congress and Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives
Top Ten Reasons Why Canada Should Cancel Harper’s “Free Trade” Deal With Colombia, a four-page fact sheet from the Canadian Labour Congress
Trading Away Human Rights: Why the EU-Colombia free trade agreement is a step in the wrong direction, a joint report of the Trade Union Congress, Irish Congress of Trade Unions, Justice for Colombia, Unite, and Workers Uniting
The Struggle for Survival and Dignity: Human rights abuses against Indigenous peoples in Colombia, a report by Amnesty International
Key Benchmarks for a Human Rights Impact Assessment for the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement – A guideline for future parliamentary action on Colombia commissioned by the CCIC’s Americas Policy Group
What's wrong with Canada-Colombia FTA, Manuel Rozental, Rabble.ca
"Manuel Rozental spoke at a recent conference on Colombia held in Vancouver. He has been fighting the free trade agreement for several years and says it's not free, it's not about trade and there is no agreement." More »
Prominent Canadians ask Ignatieff to put human rights before free trade in Colombia
Vancouver / April 30, 2009 - Over 50 prominent individuals and organizations have sent Liberal leader Michael Ignatieff a letter urging him to help stop the ratification of the proposed Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement until a full and independent human rights impact assessment can be carried out. The letter was sent today, the first day of the Liberal Party convention in Vancouver. Read News release. Read the letter (English / Français)
Canadian Labour Congress letter to Michael Ignatieff regarding the ratification of the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. (English / Français)
-Colombia Letter to Parliament from 4 Union Leaders »