Call to stop the Canada-Colombia trade deal

Sisters and Brothers,

On November 21, 2008, Prime Minister Stephen Harper signed a controversial new free trade deal with Colombia, the country with the worst human rights record in the western hemisphere. Colombia is the most dangerous country in the world in which to be a trade unionist, journalist or educator. Over the past 25 years, more than 2,685 trade unionists have been killed in their efforts to expose corruption and oppose privatization.

The Colombian government and paramilitaries are also active in violating the rights of the Aboriginal and Afro-Colombians peoples; through death threats and murder. Colombians are being forced off their traditional lands to make way for transnational corporations, including Canadian companies, to exploit the rich mineral resources and biodiversity of Colombia. Colombia is the country with the greatest displacement of peoples in the world, following the Sudan.

Our union has been active in solidarity work with Colombian trade unionists for many years; in their fight for dignity and the protection of their fundamental rights in the workplace. We remain appalled that Mr. Harper has chosen to ignore the concerns of the labour movement, of qualified human rights organizations, and Parliament's International Trade Committee; all of which warn that proceeding with this free trade deal is a mistake.

It is critical that we take action now to stop the ratification of the free deal agreement when it reaches the floor of Parliament. Here’s what you can do:

Post or distribute the attached comic. If you require additional copies, please email: sjf-fjs@psac-afpc.com
Circulate the petition to get as many signatures as possible. Please return signed petitions to: Social Justice Fund, 233 Gilmour Street, Ottawa, ON K2P 0P1.
Send a message to your Member of Parliament.

Working together, I know that our actions will make a difference!

In Solidarity,

John Gordon

National President

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The email message:

Dear Member of Parliament,

I am writing to raise my concern about the controversial Canada-Colombia free trade deal that has been signed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper on November 21, 2008. That Canada has signed a free trade agreement with Colombia, the country with the worst human rights record in the western hemisphere, is completely unacceptable.  I am appalled that Mr. Harper has chosen to ignore the concerns of the labour movement, of qualified human rights organizations, and Parliament's International Trade Committee; all of which warn that proceeding with this free trade deal is a mistake.

Colombia continues to be the most dangerous country in the world in which to be a trade unionist, journalist or educator.  Over the past 25 years, more than 2,685 trade unionists have been killed in their efforts to expose corruption and oppose privatization.

The Colombian government and paramilitaries are also active in violating the rights of the Aboriginal and Afro-Colombians peoples; through death threats and murder. Colombians are being forced off their traditional lands to make way for transnational corporations, including Canadian companies, to exploit the rich mineral resources and biodiversity of Colombia.  Colombia is the country with the greatest displacement of peoples in the world, following the Sudan.

We ask you to support the recommendations of the House of Commons Standing Committee on International Trade which recommended that the Government of Canada should not sign or implement a free trade agreement until there are verifiable improvements in the labour and human rights situation in the country.

We look forward to receiving your response.

Yours truly,

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Call to stop the Canada-Colombia trade deal

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