International Trade committee  I have argued that the idea that the FTA will bring jobs and assure prosperity to Honduras is not a substantiated claim. Indeed, the idea that Canadians can help the most needy people in Honduras through this FTA is a public relations message, nothing more. Moreover, an FTA would provide international legitimacy to a political regime and economic model that is oligarchic, oppressive, and unjust.

International Trade committee  Yes, good morning, I can hear you.

International Trade committee  Thank you very much. I appreciate the opportunity to participate in this session. I will speak about the topic from the perspective of someone who studies the political economy of trade and investment. I'll start with the question of whether the expansion of trade and foreign investment, and more broadly economic integration, can bring about sustained improvements in human development in a developing country that has two-thirds of its population living in poverty.