Thank you, Mr. Chair.
I appreciate the opportunity to ask questions of the witnesses who came forward with their presentations. They had quite interesting presentations on issues concerning the environment, taxation, and labour.
We realize that these free trade agreements are not always perfect. I don't know if we live in a world of perfect legislation and accords, but they are important steps in Canada for how we're going to do regulatory-type trade with these particular partners and countries.
Trade with Panama already exists, as it does with a number of other countries throughout the world. As a result of the collapse at the Doha meetings, which have not been very successful, Canada has been pursuing these bilaterals, which is probably not the way to go. However, given the circumstances, it's probably the only alternative that we have to figure out how we'll deal with trade.
In the process, Canada has been able to put in place some rules for trading regimes and has dealt with labour and human rights issues. These have not been included in many other accords that have been signed bilaterally by other countries. Canada has gone one step further and has been very progressive on those issues.
We realize that in all those countries the issues of human rights and labour are not treated the same way they are in Canada, but we know that Panama has much better human rights than Venezuela, for example. It has much better labour rights than Venezuela as well, in relation to how it deals with people who are critical of the government. We know that in Venezuela there is constant arrest and torture of people who don't sympathize with the government.
There are many issues of concern, but overall these issues are being addressed by the government. We have been working with our officials and the government. We're not going to resolve all the labour issues that we might have concern with, but progress is being made.
I would challenge anybody to say that there has not been progress made in Panama. If we look at Panama in the last 10 years, there has been remarkable progress made in that country in relation to labour rights and human rights. That is very positive and should be something to encourage. Maybe it's not perfection or to everybody's liking, but I would challenge anybody to say that they have not made progress in labour rights, environmental rights, and human rights.
We can always find unresolved issues and problems in every country. At the same time, what this country has gone through historically in the last many years, both in terms of civil unrest and dictatorship, shows incredible progress. They are doing extremely well economically as well. They've tried to engage with different partners throughout the world.
Canada, rightly so, would want to be a partner with Panama. Panama is strategically located in that part of the world and can play a major role. Canada also wants to play a bigger role in the Americas, and Panama would be a very supportive partner.
There is room to improve, I agree. If they have some suggestions for amendments to the legislation, I'd like to hear from them. At the same time, we have to be fair and remind the witnesses that there has been a lot of progress made in that country. We should be supportive and proud of the fact that Panama has made such incredible progress in the last few years. I invite anybody to comment that they have not made progress in the last 10 years. I'd like to know if that is the case. According to people I know on the ground and have spoken to, the progress has been phenomenal. People know what they've seen in the papers.
People have also had an opportunity to have a dialogue with the parliamentarians and NGOs and people on the ground. Canadians are also increasingly going abroad to Panama. The investment by Canadians there is phenomenal, as is the number of Canadians who want to retire there. I don't know if you're aware of it, but the number of Canadians who now want to retire to Panama has increased by over 200%.
I think there are issues that need to be addressed. I don't say everything is perfect, and I don't think anybody would write a report on how perfect Canada is on every issue, but I think we are mature democracies. Panama has evolved into a democracy, which I think all of us should be very proud of, given the fact a lot of these countries have gone through civil wars and lived through dictatorships for many years, and are only now slowly coming into being as fully democratic countries. I think we should be proud of that fact and supportive of governments that are making some strides.
You have seen, Mr. Chair, the phenomenal number of countries that have made progress in the Americas. It's not just Panama, but also Brazil, which is one of the countries that I'd certainly like to speak to, and we have to play our role.
One of the major problems a lot of these countries are facing--and Panama is one of them--is the issue of the drug trade. Drugs are a major problem that I think we need to work together on—