Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Mr. Chairman, I previously submitted a notice of motion that I would like to move today and I'll read it into the record:
That, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), the Committee undertake a study on the Annual Report Pursuant to the Agreement concerning Annual Reports on Human Rights and Free Trade between Canada and the Republic of Colombia for the period August 15, 2011 to December 31, 2012, which was tabled in the House of Commons on June 14, 2013 and invite officials from the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development and other witnesses to appear and report its findings to the House.
Briefly, Mr. Chair, we have had two very sparse reports pursuant to the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. As all members know, it was an integral part of the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, given that country's challenges with human rights, that an annual report be filed that tracked the relationship between trade and human rights and labour development in that country. Really, we have not fulfilled the aims of that report or the purpose of that reporting requirement in either of the last two years.
I was watching a question-and-answer session with Nelson Mandela when he came to Canada in the 1990's when he was asked about the relationship between globalization and free trade and human rights, because with South Africa, of course, trade embargos played an important role in ending apartheid. He pointed out that human rights and labour rights are inseparable from commercial and trading rights. I think this committee and our Parliament recognized that when we put that reporting requirement in the Canada-Colombia Trade Agreement.
So the official opposition of New Democrats would like to move this and conduct at least one meeting where we can call officials from DFAIT and perhaps some civil service society organizations to give us their views.
Finally, Mr. Chair, I'll just conclude by expressing my appreciation to you and Mr. O'Toole for the agreement that the committee meet with some human rights labour organizations when it does go to Colombia. As you said, it's of importance to all parties in the House. I think this motion is consistent with that.
Finally, I want to take this opportunity to express best wishes for the holiday season to my colleagues on all sides of the committee and hope that you and your families have a safe and enjoyable holiday season.