Another non-report on human rights and free trade with Colombia

Another non-report on human rights and free trade with Colombia http://www.bilaterals.org/spip.php?article23455 On June 14th, the Canadian government quietly tabled its second report on the human rights impacts of the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. So quietly, in fact, that even those who had been anticipating its release almost missed it. The report was deposited with the clerk at the end of the day, rather than during routine proceedings in the House.The reporting obligation was enshrined into law in 2010 to address widespread concerns that the FTA would exacerbate the alarming human rights crisis in Colombia. The government has touted the reports as a meaningful way to ensure human rights accountability in trade with the troubled Latin American country.[[[Unfortunately, this latest report’s tone and content — and the quiet way in which it was tabled — seem intent on avoiding scrutiny and leave us wondering what the government is trying to hide.]]]][[[[[[[[[[The report’s narrow scope limits itself to an analysis of actions taken under the FTA’s Implementation Act, the act that governs Canadian domestic implementation of the agreement. By interpreting its reporting obligation this way, the government avoids any examination of the impact of Canadian investment — including oil, gas and mining – in Colombia. This arguably defies the very spirit of the exercise. Canadian extractive interests in Colombia were one of the government’s primary motivations for signing the FTA. They were also the most pressing concern voiced by human rights groups worried about the FTA’s impacts]]]]]]
[ed notes:click link for whole article,just citing two paragraphs..meanwhileabout two weeks ago.. Mining aid The Globe and Mail reports that the minister in charge of the Canadian International Development Agency told a meeting of Canada’s mining industry representatives that he is working to help them take advantage of the “huge opportunities” in poor countries:“In his comments to the Mining Association of Canada, [Julian] Fantino dismissed criticism of the government’s strategy and praised the Canadian extractive industry’s work. ‘Your industry is a leader, internationally, and we want to help you succeed,’ he said.Last fall, Canada established the Canadian International Institute for Extractive Industries and Development, which is meant to help developing countries establish policies to better govern their mining sectors. The institute ‘will be your biggest and best ambassador,’ Mr. Fantino told mining representatives on Wednesday, adding that it would draw on Canadian success in the mining industry and share lessons from Canada with other countries.”
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also read.. Canada's Mining Crimes http://mostlywater.org/canadas_mining_crimes GOLDCORP'S CRIMES www.miningwatch.ca/en/search/node/goldcorp Action Alert: Student Anti-Mining Activist Disappeared www.cispes.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=843&Itemid=1 Canadian Mining Crimes in Mexico http://upsidedownworld.org/main/mexico-archives-79/2602-canadian-mining-crimes-in-mexico