International Trade Committee on Jan. 30th, 2018

[The Chair, Liberal, Mark Eyking]

Okay, that's a good enough answer.

We only have a few minutes left, and the NDP are going to get them.

Ms. Ramsey, you have the floor.

[Tracey Ramsey, NDP, Essex, ON]

Indigenous peoples have really been woven through our conversation today and they are impacted greatly, both in the countries we are looking at trading with, but certainly in our own country as well. I thank my colleague for the earlier question.

My final question is does your organization have concerns about the Pacific Alliance being compliant with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples? Before agreeing to a trade agreement with the Pacific Alliance partners, should the Government of Canada obtain free, prior, and informed consent from indigenous peoples?

I'll ask each of you.

[Daniel Richard]

This is a policy question that I'd rather our company did not take a position on.

[Tracey Ramsey, NDP, Essex, ON]

Okay.

[Colin Robertson]

Clearly, this is part of the government's progressive trade agenda, and this will be one of the things that is discussed. There are indigenous peoples in these specific countries throughout Latin America. We hold discussions even before being members of the Pacific Alliance, so it's clear that's going to be there and there probably will be the opportunity, if you are there, to put in a chapter on this, but you have to be there at the table and you have—

[Tracey Ramsey, NDP, Essex, ON]

More than a chapter, do you think they should get that consent prior to signing an agreement?

[Colin Robertson]

It's pretty clear where Canada is coming from, but just as with trade, I'm not sure the Pacific Alliance would say we can come in with conditions ahead of time. That's not usually how trade—

[Tracey Ramsey, NDP, Essex, ON]

No, I'm saying should we get consent from our indigenous people in Canada?

[Colin Robertson]

I pass.

[Martha Hall Findlay]

We have to be very realistic, and this speaks to a number of other aspects of these trade negotiations. If we forgo an opportunity to enter into an agreement because we're not really sure domestically if we should have consent or not, or whatever, we do ourselves a disservice. For all the discussion we've had about the importance of being at the table, it's important to be at the table.

I want to add another caution. As an unapologetic feminist, I have real concerns when we highlight, for example, this side piece about gender equality in the agreement with Chile. Nothing is in—

No, but it's—

[Tracey Ramsey, NDP, Essex, ON]

I don't want to cut you off, Ms. Hall Findlay, but I only have about 30 seconds, and I'd like Mr. Neve to comment. I am asking specifically about indigenous people. I appreciate your comment—

[Martha Hall Findlay]

My point about the gender equality piece in Chile affects all of the rights, whether human rights or indigenous rights. It is that we have a real danger in putting in place things that sound good but are completely unenforceable. As a feminist, frankly, I worry that we'd do ourselves harm by saying, look at what we've said, but not at what we've done. I will repeat my earlier point, Canada can lead by example far more effectively, especially if we get our own house in order—

[Tracey Ramsey, NDP, Essex, ON]

I take that as a no.

Mr. Neve, do you have an answer, quickly?

[The Chair, Liberal, Mark Eyking]

That's a very feisty way to end our panel, but the time is up.

[Tracey Ramsey, NDP, Essex, ON]

A short answer...?

[The Chair, Liberal, Mark Eyking]

No. The time is up and that's it.

Thank you for coming, everybody. We've had good dialogue and good questions and answers. We hope to see you back here someday. Stay tuned for the report when it comes out.

We're going to go in camera for only a few minutes, and then we're going to future business.

[Proceedings continue in camera]