International Trade committee  As I mentioned in my presentation, I don't think this FTA promotes fair trade. We at CIAM advocate for the highest common standards possible governing environmental and social safeguards. Therefore, we would advocate for any free trade agreement or negotiation or the like that ad

International Trade committee  Actually, I gave those names in my presentation earlier. I was referring to Inmet Mining Corporation, Teck, Petaquilla Gold, and Pacific Rim.

International Trade committee  I'm sorry; could you repeat the question, sir?

International Trade committee  I'm sorry. I'm not getting the question. I'm very sorry, sir.

International Trade committee  Unfortunately, I am not aware of the contents of that agreement.

International Trade committee  If I may, I would like to answer. The Canadian Supreme Court has adopted the precautionary principle as an international valid standard to prevent environmental and social impacts and damages. The kind of business that Canadian mining companies are trying to do here in Panama,

International Trade committee  We're not against best practices, nor are we against business, and we're not against free trade in itself. As I said, we believe that free trade should be fair trade as well—

International Trade committee  Yes, but of course you have to look at the fact that they're being paid by the same companies that are interested in promoting this business in Panama, whereas we work directly with communities and represent them in court—

International Trade committee  Yes, indeed. We feel these provisions would only benefit companies that run their business in Panama without regard to community livelihoods and without the appropriate citizen participation and public consultation in the decision-making process. We feel that foreign direct inve

International Trade committee  Absolutely. We participated in a hearing before the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights on October 25 of this year. We raised our concern, for example, as it relates to the language. Environmental human rights defenders are being persecuted all over Meso-America, from Mexic

International Trade committee  Thank you for your question. Actually, despite the fact the gross domestic product has increased in the last few years, according to UN figures Panama is the country with the second-worst distribution of wealth in Latin America. Only Brazil trails us. There is a huge difference

International Trade committee  Yes, I can.

International Trade committee  Good afternoon, Mr. Chair, members of Parliament, Canadian government officials, and guests. Thank you for providing me with the opportunity to deliver my testimony via teleconference from Panama City, Panama. Since its inception in 2007, the Environmental Advocacy Centre--Cent