International Trade committee  We are doing that. We cannot say, in all due fairness, that we have always done that.

International Trade committee  But definitely...and our contribution is not simply through what Canadian companies can do now. Let's think and jump to the future. Let's think about how you can raise the level, how you can raise the bar for the kind of things you want to see enforced. No trade agreement goes below ILO recommendations.

International Trade committee  On the issue of human rights, again, it cannot be confined within the trade issues, strictly speaking. The issue of human rights is there, nobody is denying that, but the government is dealing with it. The freely elected, democratic, legitimate government of Colombia is dealing with that.

International Trade committee  Every single business operating in a country where there is a legal framework should comply with that legal framework. If a Canadian company, or any company whatsoever, is acting within Colombia where there is a rule of law and where there are labour standards complying with the ILO, with our environmental standards, reinforced and enhanced, say, by side agreements to a trade agreement with Canada, when you have that rule of law, every single company has to comply with it.

International Trade committee  There are several sides to your question, and I'll try to address them within the time constraints. When we say that a trade agreement is strictly about trade, it will not do anything for the situation of human rights. But beyond the scope of a trade agreement there is much that can be done, and it is definitely a very clear political signal that the government is moving in the right direction.

International Trade committee  There are two ways to answer that. One is strictly speaking about trade. It's an opportunity. It's there. It's a very visible policy. It sends the right signal about our re-engagement with the Americas, and it opens the door to further negotiations with similar like-minded countries in the hemisphere.

International Trade committee  Thank you, Mr. Chair, and members of the committee. We are aware that many witnesses have been before this committee previous to us, so chances are you've already heard some of the things we're going to say today. However, we believe it's worth reiterating some of the arguments around this issue.