“The Government of Canada is delivering on its commitment to open up opportunities for Canadian business in the Americas and around the world,” stated Minister Emerson. “The free trade agreement will expand Canada-Colombia trade and investment, and will help solidify ongoing efforts by the Government of Colombia to create a more prosperous, equitable and secure democracy.”

Once implemented, this comprehensive free trade agreement (FTA) will improve market access for agricultural products, industrial goods and services trade between Canada and Colombia, and will provide a more secure environment for investment. The FTA will also ensure that Canadian exporters are not put at a disadvantage vis-à-vis trading partners that have or are seeking preferential access to Colombia’s market. The parallel labour and environment agreements will ensure that progress on labour rights and environmental protection goes hand in hand with economic progress.

“This agreement, like the one that was signed by our government in Peru last week, contains some of the most comprehensive labour provisions to be found in any agreement anywhere in the world,” said the Honourable Jean-Pierre Blackburn, Minister of Labour. “As the Colombian government moves forward to strengthen labour rights after a difficult past, Canada will be there to help. We believe that agreements for free trade and labour cooperation are powerful tools that can bring prosperity to workers.”

The Labour Cooperation Agreement (LCA) contains strong, enforceable provisions for labour rights. Through this agreement, both countries commit to respecting the core labour standards set out by the International Labour Organization, such as the elimination of child labour, forced labour and workplace discrimination, as well as respect for freedom of association and the right to bargain collectively. The LCA also includes an open and transparent dispute resolution mechanism. If obligations are not respected, the offending country may have to pay up to $15 million in any one year into a cooperation fund, which will be used to resolve issues identified through the dispute resolution process. Labour, along with environmental and human rights issues, has been a focus of the Standing Committee on International Trade’s ongoing hearings on Canada’s negotiations with Colombia.

“The Canada-Colombia Agreement on the Environment is yet another example of how we are collaborating with our trade partners to protect the environment,” said the Honourable John Baird, Minister of the Environment. “We look forward to working with our Colombian partners to continuously improve our respective environmental laws and policies to ensure the highest levels of environmental protection.”

The Agreement on the Environment will commit both countries to pursue high levels of environmental protection. The agreement includes key obligations that will require Canada and Colombia to comply with and effectively enforce their domestic environmental laws and refrain from relaxing these laws to encourage trade or investment.

The FTA represents a significant step toward strengthening Canada’s comprehensive bilateral partnership with Colombia. Canada’s is committed to deepening its engagement in the Americas so as to promote increased prosperity, greater security and strengthened freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Canada actively engages both multilaterally and bilaterally to address the human rights situation in Colombia.

Colombia is a significant market for Canadian companies, with a population of over 44 million and a total GDP of $154 billion. In 2007, two-way merchandise trade between Canada and Colombia totalled $1.14 billion. Canada’s direct investment stock in Colombia totalled $739 million in 2007.

Before signing the agreements and making them public, Canada and Colombia will undertake a detailed legal review of the texts in English, French and Spanish. In Canada, the treaties will then be tabled in the House of Commons for a period of 21 sitting days. During that time, members of parliament will be able to review, debate, vote on a motion, or send the agreements to committee for further review. Following the 21-day period, the Government plans to introduce draft legislation to implement the agreements.

The negotiations began in July 2007, during the visit of Prime Minister Harper to Colombia and other Latin American countries.