Mr. Chairman, I can see a dilemma there. I understand that it might happen that the volume of trade with these countries be relatively small. The minister seems to
indicate that since it only represents a minor part of international trade, one does not feel the need to intervene.
But on the other hand, it could be the opposite, as we saw in Mexico, this past winter. There were serious violations of natives'rights in Chiapas, and the Mexican army itself moved to crush their rebellion. If I am not mistaken, Canada and Mexico are trading partners, and the volume of their trade is bound to increase. And yet, Canada did not take any drastic stand, no more that it had in the other cases. Its action was limited to a few questions asked of the ambassador, which brings me to conclude that when it is not important, we do not intervene. But when trade is important, we do not intervene either.