Reply #163: my god [View All]

[iverglas]

The RCMP in what was it, the 1940s? A government in what was it, the 1940s?

And the activities of corporations in the present day, about which I will comment as negatively as anyone else whenever the opportunity arises. What would you like me to do about corporate operations in other countries? Not buy their products? I wouldn't buy gold to save my non-existent soul. Or diamonds, for that matter. How about you?

The activities of the federal police force and the federal government generations ago mean that USAmericans should stop masquerading as Canadians when they travel? Yeah, Tommy Douglas is a revered figure in Eastern Europe, and someone who spots your maple leaf is likely to give you a good talking to.

Like any other place, they get things right and wrong. No more and no less than us or anyone else.

No, there really is a spectrum, there really are quantifiable facts. Interning Japanese Canadians really isn't quite the same as committing intentional genocide against the indigenous population (you're the one dredging up ancient history), and hosting the corporate headquarters of environmentally horrible companies isn't quite the same as invading every country you feel like and overthrowing any government that isn't to your taste. And yet I don't blame you for all those things.

FYI:

http://www.parl.gc.ca/HousePublications/Publication.aspx?DocId=3580301&File=30&Mode=1&Parl=39&Ses=2&Language=E

THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE
has the honour to present its
FIFTH REPORT
(Adopted by the Committee on June 18, 2008; Presented to the House on June 19, 2008)

Pursuant to its mandate under Standing Order 108(2), the Committee has studied the Canada-Colombia free trade negotiations, including concerns relating to human rights and the environment, and reports its findings and recommendations.

... Recommendations to the Government of Canada

Recommendation 1:

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada should not sign and implement a free trade agreement with the Government of Colombia until the Canadian government has taken into account the recommendations contained in this report, including those of the dissenting reports.

Recommendation 2:

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada maintain close ties with Colombia without signing a free trade agreement until there is confirmation that the improvements noted are maintained, including continued improvement as regards displacement, labour law and accountability for crime, and until the Colombian government shows a more constructive attitude to human rights groups in the country.

Recommendation 3:

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada draw on the work of the organization Rights and Democracy to give an independent body the mandate to conduct studies regarding the impact on rights and the environment when it is negotiating economic agreements with countries at risk, as in the case of the agreement with Colombia.

Recommendation 4:

The Committee recommends that an independent, impartial, and comprehensive human rights impact assessment should be carried out by a competent body, which is subject to levels of independent scrutiny and validation; the recommendations of this assessment should be addressed before Canada considers signing, ratifying and implementing an agreement with Colombia.

Recommendation 5:

The Committee recommends that any trade agreement with Colombia ensure that separate deals on labour and the environment exceed the template of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in order to set a higher standard for future negotiations.

Recommendation 6:

The Committee recommends that any trade agreement with Colombia must be accompanied by legislated provisions on corporate social responsibility and reporting mechanisms to monitor the implementation of universal human rights standards by Canadian entities investing in Colombia.

Recommendation 7:

The Committee recommends to the Government of Canada (a) that any trade agreement with Colombia include a compliance and enforcement mechanism for both the environment and human rights, comparable to the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) model, exceeding the template set by NAFTA; (b) that such mechanisms must be independent and objective, receiving adequate funding to complete their tasks and include a built-in inflation escalator; (c) that they should include a process that ensures public monitoring and input through such mechanisms as citizenship submissions.

Recommendation 8:

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada develop new social responsibility standards for corporations as regards compliance with universal human rights standards. Non-compliance with these basic standards could lead to Canada imposing penalties on these corporations.