Evidence of meeting #87 for Subcommittee on International Human Rights in the 42nd Parliament, 1st Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was companies.
A recording is available from Parliament.
2 p.m.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative David Sweet
Thank you, Mr. Messenger.
With the indulgence of the committee, Ms. Hardcastle has one last question.
2 p.m.
NDP
Cheryl Hardcastle NDP Windsor—Tecumseh, ON
Thank you very much.
What about free trade agreements? We have right now environmental issues that speak to sustainable development goals as well, and labour issues. They are side agreements. What would you like to see happen in trade agreements? It kind of makes us uncomfortable politically when we talk about how certain countries get to exploit other countries, but we've heard even the Pope talk about predatory capitalism. How do you think we should be addressing that in terms of fair trade?
2 p.m.
President and Chief Executive Officer, World Vision Canada
That's a tricky one. If we stand back and look at where we, as a country, are making commitments, and start perhaps at the sustainable development goals, and our goal of by 2025 seeing child labour and forced labour eradicated—I should say, by the way, that we were talking about the ILO earlier, and that if we continue the trend now, even though it's declining, we would still have millions of children and people involved in forced labour at that time.
Whether we're looking at G7 commitments, G20 commitments, or commitments that we're signatories to at the general assembly, in all of those places, and presumably with trade agreements, we should be at least considering the issue of what positive effect we can ensure takes place, through Canada being part of these agreements so they can positively affect and support the goal of Canada and the international community to eradicate this particular issue.
2 p.m.
Conservative
2 p.m.
Deputy Director, International Programs, UNICEF Canada
I can't comment specifically on the trade agreements but I think there's a much greater role that the trade department as a whole and trade commissioners can take around equipping companies and host governments to address child rights, and particularly, child labour. We've already worked with them to equip trade commissioners on children's rights and on companies' obligations overseas, and I think there's opportunity to do much more around that, which would then influence our trade relationships between Canadian companies and host communities overseas.
2 p.m.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative David Sweet
Thank you very much, gentlemen, for your testimony, and for your answers.
2 p.m.
Liberal
John McKay Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood, ON
Just before you close it off, Mr. Messenger mentioned a legal opinion that they have obtained. I don't know whether that is available publicly, but whenever these matters bubble up to the surface of the government, there are always a hundred lawyers telling you why you can't do something. I'd be interested in the opinion as to why this could be done.
2 p.m.
Conservative
The Vice-Chair Conservative David Sweet
Mr. Messenger, if you would be willing to submit that documentation in regard to that legal opinion on federal versus provincial jurisdiction, that would be great.
I want to thank you very much. I've been intimately aware of World Vision's work for 35 years.
Mr. Chorley, Mr. Fragiskatos and I witnessed the great work that UNICEF is doing in the Zaatari camp when we were in Jordan. I just want to say thank you very much for all of your good work. There are many children who have hope for the future because of your organization. Thank you very much.
The meeting is adjourned.