Martin opposes Colombian free trade agreement

NEWS RELEASE

TONY MARTIN, MP

************************** Martin says free trade deal with Colombia ignores human rights violations

OTTAWA - Four months after a meeting in his office here with the daughter of a murdered Colombian trade unionist, Sault MP Tony Martin spoke passionately Tuesday in a Parliamentary debate against the Colombia Free Trade Agreement also opposed by a Steelworker campaign.

“Trade unionists are simply exercising a right that we take for granted in this country and so many other jurisdictions around the world,” Martin said, citing his meeting with activist Yesskika Hoyos Morales, whose father, Jorge Dario Hoyos Franco was shot in the face and killed in 2001.

Martin made seven interventions in the second reading debate citing chilling statistics that include in 2009 the deaths of 28 trade unionists and 60 extrajudicial officials as well as nearly 600 individuals by paramilitary groups and the Colombia military in 2008.

“Given the leadership of that country, given its track record so far in distributing the already limited wealth that the country generates, if we enter into a trade agreement that would actually give it even more money, do we think somehow it would distribute that more equitably?” Martin asked.

“We must be guaranteed that people will not continue to be killed, and perhaps in larger numbers as the pot becomes bigger, as the gold becomes more shiny for those who are in charge in that country.”

New Democrats oppose the agreement, demanding human rights violations be addressed first.

Both Conservatives and Liberals while deploring the killings spoke in favour of free trade, some arguing it would help the poor when there is little evidence the current government is doing so.

“Michael Ignatieff is giving speeches on his vision for Canada in the world and right now a strong and resounding no to the Canada-Colombia free trade agreement would kill this bill and have his party stand up for human rights,” Martin said.

In May, Sault steelworker Joe Krmpotich joined Ms. Morales for MP meetings, noting: “As a long-time union activist, I have been deeply affected by meeting Yessika and by knowing that men and women in Colombia are being murdered for doing exactly what I do every day - representing union members and speaking out on issues that are important to them. In Canada, I do not have to fear for my life when I go to the union hall.”

Steelworkers demanded the government and MPs honour a recommendation made only a year ago by the all-party Standing Committee on International Trade calling for an independent, impartial and comprehensive human rights impact assessment before Canada considers an agreement with Colombia.

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