Foreign Affairs committee  Thank you very much, Mr. Chair. Thank you, members of the committee, for inviting us here to testify and to discuss Bill C-300. The Canadian Council of Chief Executives represents the heads of large globally engaged enterprises in every sector of our economy. We have spoken clearly and often about the importance of good corporate citizenship at home and abroad, and I think it's fair to say that by any objective measure Canadian companies are among the most socially and environmentally responsible operating in developing countries worldwide.

International Trade committee  If I may, I think there are two parts to that answer. The first is, why do we need to do this for Canadians? I think in that sense, again, it's important to move ahead with Canada-Colombia free trade not simply because of the benefits of that single agreement with that single partner but because we live in an era where multilateral trade talks, while they might be preferable, haven't been going anywhere.

International Trade committee  If I may, I think you've raised an important point. Colombia has made a huge amount of progress and it still has a great deal of progress to make. But assuming all goes well there and that they achieve the level of prosperity, safety, human rights, and well-being of their citizens that we enjoy here in Canada, when that day arrives, are they going to look back and see Canadians as people who helped them get there, or as people who kicked them in the teeth?

International Trade committee  If I may, I think I have made the point already. Are there serious and ongoing legitimate concerns in Colombia? Yes, as there are in many other countries. What are Canadians doing to improve the situation? In my view, we will be helping to improve that situation for Colombians by continuing their integration into the legitimate global economy.

International Trade committee  I think I made the observation earlier that Mr. Julian's party opposed even free trade with the United States. I don't think they did that on human rights grounds, but the fact is I don't think they've ever seen a free trade agreement that they like. On the other hand, I think it is patently obvious that expanded commercial relations with our trading partners have served Canadians well and also have served to strengthen economic and social progress around the world.

International Trade committee  Well, again, I think Canadians respond as human beings who obviously care about the welfare of themselves, their families, and therefore look at what the economic opportunities are that they have, that their enterprise, their employer has; and they care about their jobs. But I think Canadians also do have shared values that they care about very much.

International Trade committee  Not in my view. We are doing the right thing already in the sense that we already have a commercial relationship there, and I think our commercial relationship with Colombia has been contributing to the progress that's being made. This free trade agreement would simply open a lot more opportunities to reinforce those commercial links in ways that I think Colombia has already shown make for real progress in the well-being of Colombian citizens.

International Trade committee  And keep in mind economic progress. Economic progress is an important underpinning for the rule of law and for safety and security. It's when people are suffering in poverty that they're more likely to turn to desperate means, and I think that is why it's important for us to do everything we can to reinforce the progress.

International Trade committee  I certainly agree with your observation. I think Colombia's history in recent years has demonstrated, in fact, that the more that country is able to engage in legitimate trade and investment relationships with other countries, the stronger its economy has grown, and the stronger the rule of law and public safety and security grow.

International Trade committee  [Inaudible--Editor]

International Trade committee  --while acknowledging that there continue to be problems, said--

International Trade committee  You're asking me a question about an allegation that I have no--

International Trade committee  What I've noted, Mr. Julian, is that the United Nations--

International Trade committee  Mr. Julian, I will presume that you consider the United Nations an independent and impartial institution dealing with human rights, and if so, I would point out that the most recent review by the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has praised Colombia for the progress it has made.

International Trade committee  --the Government of Colombia is improving in every respect.