CEO Council Applauds Canada-Colombia Free Trade, Labour and Environment Agreements

June 11, 2008

The successful conclusion of Canada’s free trade, labour and environment negotiations with Colombia marks an important step in forging a stronger relationship between the two countries, says the Canadian Council of Chief Executives (CCCE).

“The result includes an ambitious, comprehensive free trade agreement that will enhance Canada’s access to Colombia’s dynamic and growing market, creating new opportunities for Canadian know-how and ingenuity,” CCCE Chief Executive and President Thomas d’Aquino said.  “It also will level the playing field for Canadian workers, farmers and businesses.”

Mr. d’Aquino’s comments followed Saturday’s announcement by The Honourable David Emerson, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, that Canada and Colombia had concluded negotiations that began in July 2007.

“These initiatives will contribute to economic growth and poverty-reduction in Colombia,” said Mr. d’Aquino.  “It is in Canada’s interest to engage with countries such as Colombia that are committed to democracy, the rule of law, peace and greater security.”

These successful negotiations will result in better protection for workers and for the environment, while strengthening capacity-building and corporate social responsibility.  Mr. d’Aquino therefore urged Canada’s government to move quickly to ratify the trade, labour and environment agreements.

“Canada’s business leaders congratulate Minister Emerson and Prime Minister Stephen Harper on the government’s re-engagement strategy in the Western Hemisphere, and look forward to building on these successes by reaching out to additional partners in Europe and Asia,” he added.

The CCCE is the senior voice of Canada’s business community, representing 150 chief executives and leading entrepreneurs from all major sectors and regions of the country.  A strong advocate of the benefits of trade and investment liberalization, the CCCE played a private sector leadership role in championing the 1988 Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement and the subsequent North American Free Trade Agreement. Currently, the CCCE is focusing on strategic trade and investment partnerships with China, India and the European Union, along with the United States, Mexico and other countries in the Western Hemisphere.

CCCE members lead companies that collectively administer $3.5 trillion in assets, have annual revenues of more than $800 billion, and are responsible for the vast majority of Canada’s exports, investment, research and development, and training.

In addition to Mr. d’Aquino, the members of the CCCE’s Executive Committee are:  Chair, Gordon M. Nixon, President and Chief Executive Officer, Royal Bank of Canada; Honorary Chair Richard L. George, President and Chief Executive Officer of Suncor Energy Inc.; and Vice Chairs Dominic D’Alessandro, Paul Desmarais, Jr., Jacques Lamarre, Hartley T. Richardson and Annette Verschuren, the chief executives respectively of Manulife Financial, Power Corporation of Canada, SNC-Lavalin Group Inc., James Richardson & Sons, Limited and The Home Depot Canada and Asia.