Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  As Mr. Leroux explained, we must make sure that these prisoners are actually political prisoners. I have the impression the United Nations is missing some information. I don't know. As for the people of Cuba, they agree that these people, who want to bring down the regime... Cubans do not want to go back to what they had in the past.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  They're view is skewed.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  They are not political prisoners. They are—

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Let me make a comment and I will also answer your question. We have heard that there is no private property in Cuba. I live in Cuba, in Carahatas, in a rural area, in cooperatives like credit and service cooperatives, farm cooperatives and basic production unit cooperatives. Eighty per cent of the land belongs to the people, and I live in these cooperatives.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Canada has always been against the blockade. The United States' blockade is what hurts the most, as everyone here agrees. Medicines that might cost US$5 arrive in Cuba after having gone around the world and not just 140 km. Thus, it costs US$35. The government pays a very high price, and Cubans get the product for free, or they pay for it in pesos, which is the national currency.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  We must condemn it. Canada has always been friendly to the Cuban people. There are powerful bonds of friendship between Canadians and Cubans. Cuba still has friends all over the world. We must not forget the courage of the Cuban people.

Subcommittee on International Human Rights committee  Good morning, and thank you for inviting me to appear before the committee. What I'm going to be talking to you about today I learned on the ground. I have been working in Cuba for 14 years, and I work with an organization whose objective is to educate people about peace through friendship based on mutual respect and understanding.