Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
I'd like to thank our guests for being here this morning to make representations to us.
I had the opportunity to be in Peru in March, and while I was there on behalf of the FIPA group, which is the parliamentary organization associated with parliamentary democracies throughout hemispheric America, I would say that at every turn, when we met with congresistas, companies, chamber of commerce, labour groups, what we talked about was the free trade agreement. As you know, while we've talked about some very specific things, we've talked very much about some of the labour issues--and I appreciate those representations--and some of the issues relating to expropriation.
Mr. Cameron, regarding your comments, I think you said a few things I'd like to point out. First, it's not my place to challenge other members' comments--that's not typically what I do--but I'm distressed when I hear a comment that somehow this free trade agreement is undermining Peruvian democracy. I'm troubled by that. There are some colleagues who have never found a free trade agreement they would ever support in any fashion, but I'm not trying to pick on them.
I do want to say that at the heart of what we are trying to do in Canada is as much to our benefit, because we've had a U.S. free trade agreement signed with Peru since February 1, and to the extent that while we're on to some very specific areas that our guests are extolling this morning, there are so many aspects of this agreement that in its entirety, while there may never be the perfect deal, I would suggest to you it is significant from the standpoint of what it means to both Canada and Peru. I would say that even more, probably, Peru is the beneficiary. They've had significant economic growth--which, if you've been there, you would note--of some 9% per year for the last couple of years. I think that's very, very positive.
Mr. Cameron, I want to ask you a question in a moment about the two worlds of Peru, because I found that very compelling. To the extent that we're helping provide economic stimulus throughout the country, my Cape Breton mom had an expression, “A high tide raises all ships”. In a sense, what you have is broader growth.
I thought Mr. Brison made an interesting comment earlier when he mentioned that when there are opportunities for investment economically, what you do--and I won't put words in Mr. Brison's mouth--is provide employment and you provide hope for people. My sense is that this is part of our commitment and obligation to them.
First, very quickly, Mr. Rowlinson, I have a question for you. In the labour cooperation agreement that Canada and Peru have, there are a number of things in terms of protecting workers' rights, from the freedom of association to the right to collective bargaining, abolition of child labour, elimination of forced compulsory labour, elimination of discrimination, and a variety of enforcement of labour standards respecting the LCA and a complaints procedure.
Is your concern primarily that the labour cooperation agreement is not fundamentally in the free trade agreement or that it's a side agreement that was signed? What would be your comment on that, please?