Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I certainly appreciate the position you've just taken. I want to thank the committee for allowing this witness to come forward.
You would not necessarily be aware of this, but in 2008 a House of Commons international trade committee said we should not be signing an agreement with Colombia until their human rights record had been examined. I'm sure you're aware the U.S. Congress also blocked a potential deal, and Mr. Obama said he wouldn't respond until such time as there's a definite improvement in their human rights record.
Perhaps, in some ways, when Canada signed this draft agreement with Colombia it helped to highlight some of the abuses. In 1996-97 I met an individual from Colombia who was one of the people in the occupation of the Coca-Cola plant. He went back to Colombia and two weeks later was taken off a bus and was shot in front of his family. So many of us here have a great sympathy for your cause.
I'd like to hear your reaction when you first heard a potential agreement was signed with Canada.
Then there's a second question, and this is going to be very personal, but I think that's the purpose of your visit to Canada. If this president is renewed, what is your personal safety when you return to Colombia?