Human Rights First! Stop Canada-Colombia Free Trade
The movement in opposition to the Canada-Colombia FTA has been growing across Canada, Colombia and the United States. The pressure from unions and civil society to halt the passage of Bill C-23 (the Canada-Colombia free trade agreement) in Canadian parliament has served to divide opinions within the Liberal Party and, for the time being, remove this debate from the parliamentary agenda.
If the Canadian government chooses to ratify the proposed free trade deal with Colombia, Canada will remove any leverage or influence it might have to help improve the country's terrible human rights record.
Unionized workers in Colombia have born the brunt of a violent government regime, making Colombia the most dangerous place in the world to be a trade unionist. Thousands of unionists have been targeted and murdered in Colombia over the past decades. Despite efforts from the international community to bring attention to these horrific crimes, the trend continues today. Worse yet, few are charged or held accountable for these actions.
The Harper government has a moral responsibility to ensure international human rights laws are enforced in all countries, especially those with whom Canada has a trading relationship. Canada must stand up for human rights, not sit idly by while they are trampled.
TAKE ACTION! Have your voice heard!
Here's how:
- Send a letter to Michael Ignatieff - Leader of the Opposition (click here)
- Send a letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper (click here)
- Get others involved! Encourage them to sign the petition! (click here)
Follow the links below to download more information:
Save the Federal Gun Registry! Say NO to Bill C-391
The CAW has joined with hundrds of thousands of Canadians aross this country calling on MPs to vote NO when Bill C-391 returns for third and final reading in Parliament in the coming month. Bill C-391 is a Conservative-lead private members bill intended to dismantle Canada's long gun registry - the existing government program that administers the registration of rifles and shotguns.
It's devastating that the Conservative government is trying to dismantle the national gun registry, with the help of members of the NDP and Liberal parties.
