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Canadian Section of ParlAmericas

Report

A delegation of five parliamentarians representing the Canadian Section of ParlAmericas travelled to Bogota, Colombia from 23 to 26 January 2017. The delegation was led by Mr. Anthony Rota, M.P. Accompanying Mr. Rota were the Honourable Pana Merchant, Senator, the Honourable David Wells, Senator, Mr. William Amos, M.P. and Mr. François Choquette, M.P. The parliamentarians were assisted by M. David-Andrés Novoa, Association Secretary to the Canadian Section, and Mr. Andre Barnes, the Association Analyst from the Library of Parliament.

After more than 50 years of armed conflict, in November 2016, a historic peace agreement was reached between Colombia’s government and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Canada supports this process and transition to peace, maintaining its long-standing relationship of open dialogue ‎with Colombia.

Post-conflict reconstruction in Colombia will require a long-term effort. The meetings held by the delegation of Canadian parliamentarians in Colombia focussed on the challenges and opportunities for Colombians of implementing the peace accord and the implications the accord holds for the country’s economy, rural development, humanitarian needs, security challenges, women’s rights and the illicit trade of narcotics.

Colombia is one of Canada’s closest partners in the region both politically and economically. Canada and Colombia enjoy constructive co-operation and shared values at the Organization of American States (OAS), the United Nations (UN) and in other multilateral and international organizations and forums. Colombia is a founding member of the Pacific Alliance, in which Canada is an active observer. Colombia is also an emerging economy with great potential and is one of Canada’s closest business partners in the region due to its stable political institutions, progressive laws, and its strong pro-market and pro-integration orientation. Its ambition to accede to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) is helping improve market regulations and conditions.

This bilateral visit provided the Canadian delegation with an important opportunity to gain a clearer picture of the complex issues faced by Colombians in their effort to restore peace to their country. It also allowed the delegation to reinforce the existing positive inter-parliamentary relations between Canadian and Colombian parliamentarians and to engage in frank and focussed discussions with decision-makers, governmental officials, key partners, and subject-matter experts working on the ground in Bogota.

A. Briefing with Officials of the Embassy of Canada to Colombia

In the morning of 23 January 2017, the Canadian delegation met with a group of officials working in the Embassy of Canada to Colombia, to receive a briefing on political, trade, humanitarian aid and security matters in Colombia. The meeting was held in the Canadian Embassy in Bogota.

The officials told the delegation that the current peace implementation process underway in Colombia would benefit the country, the region and the world by making Colombia a more stable and prosperous place. It was noted that severe inequality in the standard of living between the wealthy and poor existed in Colombia, to the point that some described the situation as being “two Colombias.” Colombia possesses a strong democratic tradition; a relatively high per capita gross domestic product; and the second most biodiversity of any country in the world. Its population has also suffered during its internal conflict, with 220,000 people killed, tens of thousands of citizens who have “disappeared,” human rights violations, and the second most number of displaced people (behind Afghanistan) and the second most undiscovered landmines, of any country in the world.

The delegation received an update about the implementation of the peace accord. Currently, Congress is studying the legislation that would put in place the various elements of the accord. Information was also provided about the large illegal mining sector in Colombia; the downturn experienced in the oil and gas sector, which presently accounted for only 1% of the country’s revenue, whereas it was formerly the country’s main economic engine; and the increase in demand on the part of Colombians for Canadian student visas. An overview of the Canadian development policy and programs operating was provided to the delegation, along with information on security co-operation between Canada and Colombia, trade and investment prospects, peace-building and engagement on the part of the United States (U.S.) in Colombia.

B. Meeting with International Committee of the Red Cross

In the morning of 23 January 2017, the delegation met with Mr. Christoph Harnish, Head of Delegation for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), to discuss the ICRC’s role as a humanitarian organization in aiding Colombia as it implements its peace accord. The meeting was held in the Canadian Embassy in Bogota.

On behalf of the ICRC, Mr. Harnish thanked Canada for its long-standing support. The discussion between Mr. Harnish and the Canadian delegation revolved around the implementation of the peace accord in Colombia and its results on the humanitarian situation in Colombia. It was noted that the ICRC played the important role in the peace process of transporting FARC members to Cuba for the peace talks.

Under the terms of the peace accord, the FARC has agreed to disarm and report to designated camps in established zones monitored by the United Nations (UN). Issues of concern for the ICRC include whether armed organized crime groups will take over the lucrative production and export of illegal resources (e.g., coca plants); the need to successfully transition rural communities toward alternatives to coca cultivation; providing protection and citizen security for those affected by and/or displaced by the past and current armed conflicts; and monitoring constantly evolving events, especially in rural communities.

It was noted that the challenges faced by Colombia included building the public’s trust in the legitimacy of the process; dealing with those who “disappeared” during the armed conflict; and dealing with the reintegration of minors who were recruited into the armed conflict. Further, currently and for the near-term, Colombia faced diminished revenue caused by the fall of the price of oil.

C. Roundtable on Women, Peace and Security

During the final meeting of the morning of 23 January 2017, the Canadian delegation met with individuals representing non-governmental organizations that work to strengthen women’s rights in the peace and security process in Colombia. The meeting was held in the Canadian Embassy in Bogota.

The discussion covered the difficulties encountered and successes enjoyed by women’s rights groups during the armed conflict, the peace talks and the peace implementation process. Participants told the delegation of the struggles with violence and displacement that women faced during the decades of the armed conflict. Women in rural areas were disproportionately affected by the conflict and were today among the most vulnerable populations, in need of support and resources.

Some groups of women, for example, representatives of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transvestite (LGBT) community, had to struggle to have their viewpoints included in the peace negotiations. In turn, groups that opposed the peace accord used the inclusion of their viewpoints in the accord as a rallying point against the accord. The delegation heard representatives from women’s groups speak strongly about the need to have a broad and diverse set of viewpoints included in the decision-making process for the implementation of the peace accord.

The delegation was told numerous challenges remained in implementing the peace accord. The state needed to demonstrate concrete changes to former combatants; access to justice, in terms of legal representation, remained a barrier to those living in rural areas; prevention of violence against women remained an ongoing effort; and the global context in which the peace accord is to be implemented appeared to be trending towards divisiveness and fear-mongering. Further, congressional and presidential elections are set for 2018 in Colombia. Participants in the discussion told the delegates that, in the period leading up to the election, the state, partners and civil society groups needed to mobilize support for and defend the accord by informing the public about its benefits.

With respect to the program to substitute coca cultivation for other agricultural goods, it was noted that a difficulty that the program faced was that of transporting their goods to market. Coca plant growers had no problem selling coca plants despite being located in remote, rural areas; coca buyers came and transported the coca plants away. Producers of licit crops may face difficulties selling and transporting their goods.

Participants in the discussion noted that, overall, a strong desire existed among Colombians for peaceful cohabitation. To achieve a lasting peace, there needed to be a change in the existing culture, and societal behaviour and roles.

D. Roundtable on Rural Development and Agriculture

In the afternoon of 23 January 2017, the Canadian delegation met with representatives of various organizations that are undertaking rural development and agriculture projects in Colombia. In the meeting, the delegation heard about Canada’s contributions in support of rural development in Colombia, particularly in the post-conflict period. The meeting was held in the Canadian Embassy in Bogota.

Of the $64 million Canada has committed to development funding in Colombia, the primary recipients of the funding were rural and agricultural projects. Rural development is a key element of the peace accord and Canada, along with other international partners, can assist Colombians by sharing its extensive technical expertise in the agricultural industry. The delegation heard from representatives engaged in carrying out the following projects in Colombia:

· A Desjardins non-governmental organization (NGO) funded by the Canadian government provides financial training, education and services to local financial institutions and the state development bank, especially in rural areas in Colombia. They hire and train agricultural experts, and provide technical assistance, training support and micro-financing to over 60 projects. In 2018, Desjardins will begin a project to bring Colombian coffee producers (approximately 400,000 workers) into the formal financial system.

· The International Organization for Migration (IOM) operates its projects in two remote southern regions that suffer from poverty and that are producers of illicit crops. It was noted that about 12 million residents live in poor rural areas and that about 40% of the land in Colombia did not have a legal title. The IOM projects focus on bringing together local stakeholders to create short, medium and long-term plans and decisions about land use in their community. The goal is to provide stable income for participants in the program by substituting illicit crops with licit crops that are in high demand for export (e.g., coffee, avocados, cacao), invest in local infrastructure (e.g., potable water, roads, electricity), provide jobs and opportunities for youths to prevent from leaving to urban centres and to end rural conflict.

· The Canadian Co-operative Association (CCA) is helping rural communities to start co-operatives as a model for economic development. The expertise provided by the CCA to rural communities and small producers include institutional strengthening, marketing and finance, while also raising awareness about sustainable development, inclusivity and gender equality (violence against women in rural areas is a large problem). Each CCA project has a duration of 5 years.

· SOCODEVI (Société de coopération pour le développement international) is an NGO active in over 15 countries worldwide. In Colombia, it has six regional bureaus with a total operating budget of $20 million, $15 million of which is funded by the government of Canada. In Colombia, SOCODEVI currently has projects underway that give assistance to 3,000 families. These projects help small and artisanal producers to become profitable enterprises and boost their production. SOCODEVI offers a wide variety of training and assistance, including help with insurance, financing, planning, managing and marketing. Their efforts are primarily focussed on the forestry and the agri-food sector (e.g., producers of cacao, coffee, milk, sugar cane, peppers).

E. Site Visit to Employment Project in Soacha

The morning of 24 January 2017, the Canadian delegation visited a youth employment project run by Cuso International and FUPAD (Fundacion Panamericana Para el Desarrolo) in Soacha, a municipal borough of Bogota. The purpose of this visit was to gain a better understanding of the challenges and barriers faced by vulnerable youth, women and victims of the armed conflict in finding steady, formal employment.

The mayor of Soacha, Mr. Eleázar Gonzalez Casas provided welcoming remarks to the delegation and assembled guests. The mayor stated that Soacha was the city of opportunities. It has a large, diverse population and, unlike downtown Bogota, plenty of unoccupied land for development. He told the delegation he held a strong interest in working with Canada to provide training and create jobs for the youth in Soacha.

Following the mayor’s remarks, several presentations were made about the challenges and opportunities faced by residents of Soacha and the benefits of the employment program. The program provided employment training and assistance to small companies. The program worked to identify companies to partner with, and taught employment skills to participants that matched the needs of these companies. The program also taught participants soft skills, such as effective communication and social understanding. The schedule of the training program was also tailored to suit the availability and needs of participants, many of whom had small children to raise.

The delegation was told that there was a high number of youth-at-risk in Soacha, and those that had jobs were employed in day-to-day employment. Soacha also had a large population of citizens displaced from rural areas, due to the armed conflict.

Finally, three program participants shared with the delegation their experience of being involved in the program. They indicated that youth in Soacha lacked opportunities, found it difficult to gain experience, and many faced a commute of five to six hours per day to work at jobs in downtown Bogota. They indicated that the employment program gave them a better quality of life, higher self-esteem and allowed them to provide support for their families.

F. Working Lunch with Congresspersons

On 24 January 2017, the delegation held a working lunch with Colombian congresspersons at the Hotel La Opera in Bogota. The group of Colombian parliamentarians was led by Mr. German Blanco, member of the House of Representatives and a long-serving member of the ParlAmericas board of directors.

The discussion covered a wide range of topics, including an update on the approval of the peace process by Congress; the illicit drug trade and the importance of, and difficulties faced by, licit crop substitution; and illegal mining versus traditional or artisanal mining versus large scale illegal mining causing environmental degradation and other criminal activities such as extortion. It was noted during the discussion that the Federation of Canadian Municipalities was holding meetings that day with their Colombian counterparts in Medellin.

G. Meeting with the Canada–Colombia Chamber of Commerce

In the afternoon of 24 January 2017, the Canadian delegation met with members of the Canada–Colombia Chamber of Commerce, at a meeting held in the Canadian Embassy in Bogota. The discussion covered the results of the 2011 Canada–Colombia Free Trade Agreement, advances in trade and investment between the two countries and the future economic prospects, challenges and opportunities in Colombia.

Members of the Chamber of Commerce noted that the prospect of peace in Colombia had numerous potential wide-ranging benefits. For example, a stronger presence of the state in rural communities could bring stability, increase investment and infrastructure, provide for better education and reduce unemployment in these areas.

The free trade agreement had increased bilateral trade between Canada and Colombia, and had helped Colombian products reach a new market. It was noted that complementarity existed in the goods exported to either country; that the agreement contained important protections for investments made by companies in either country; that the Colombian market was potentially attractive to Canadian investor companies in the oil, forestry, minerals and electricity sectors; and that tourism and education were expanding markets in Colombia. Lastly, some commented that the prevention of illegal artisanal mining in Colombia might be difficult as it was an industry that was well entrenched in some communities.

H. Meeting with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

In the afternoon of 24 January 2017, the Canadian delegation met with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Mr. Todd Howland, and Ms. Colleen Duggan, Sub-Director of Management with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, at Mr. Howland’s office in Bogota. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the human rights situation in Colombia in the current context of the implementation of the peace accord.

The UN established a human rights office in Colombia 20 years ago in response to a request from the Colombian government. Currently, they operate out of 13 offices across Colombia, with each office having either a thematic or geographic theme. The office’s mandate is to provide support to the state and civil society in order to improve the human rights situation in Colombia. They have a yearly operating budget of $10 million. Mr. Howland praised Canada’s contributions to their work and told the delegation his office had a good working relationship with the Embassy of Canada to Colombia.

During the discussion, numerous issues were raised including challenges and successes related to implementing the peace accord; the potential the peace accord had to transform Colombia; that achieving peace in Colombia would likely take generations and be costly in monetary terms, and that funding for the process would likely be an issue; and that an immediate challenge faced by the country was the risk of a power vacuum and instability in the territories formerly controlled by the FARC.

I. Discussion on Narcotics

In the morning of 25 January 2017, the Canadian delegation met counter-narcotics officers and analysts working for the National Police of Colombia. The meeting was held in the Canadian Embassy in Bogota.

The delegation was provided with an overview of the structure of the organization and information on its history dating back to 1981. The national police organization is structured to focus on four main elements: prevention (e.g., education, awareness and community outreach), eradication of crops (e.g., detection and manual destruction), interdiction (e.g., investigation and intelligence) and aviation (illicit crops are frequently grown in remote locations).

It was noted that the number of coca plantations had been decreasing in the past decade; however, in the past two years, the number of coca plantations had increased likely due to the cessation of the practice of aerial eradication, due to its damaging effects on the environment. Other recent trends included that cocaine was being produced in smaller scale laboratories and in urban settings, making them hard to detect; the yields and potency of coca plants were increasing; the heads of illicit cartels had mostly ceased the ostentatious displays of wealth that had made former cartel heads in previous decades easy to spot; drug cartels were increasingly seeking to control the earlier steps in the line of drug production; and that Colombia had in recent times also become a consumer of illicit drugs, as well as an exporter.

The delegation heard that the massive profits generated by illicit drug trafficking exceeded the gross domestic product of most countries. The illicit drug trade in Colombia has led to violence, corruption and has eroded democracy.

J. Meeting with United States Embassy Staff

In the morning of 25 January 2017, the Canadian delegation met with officials from the United States (U.S.) Embassy to discuss U.S. engagement in Colombia. The meeting was held in the Canadian Embassy in Bogota.

The delegation heard that Colombia’s progress toward peace, security and prosperity had made it an example of success in the globe and that the country had good prospects for the future. The viewpoints of the U.S., Canada and Colombia were aligned on many issues and principles, including security, democracy, climate change and human rights. Colombia remained an important partner in the region.

It arose in discussion that observers expected Colombia to demonstrate continued progress, to show that its course was that of a virtuous circle (stability and prosperity) as opposed to being caught in a vicious circle (illicit drugs and violence). Some challenges that were noted included the risks of having ungoverned spaces left by the departure of FARC from those territories, and that the citizens living in those territories also held raised expectations following the peace accord that they will receive services comparable to the rest of the country. The opportunity to reduce illicit crops through the voluntary crop substitution program was also discussed.

K. Roundtable on Security Challenges

In the morning of 25 January 2017, the Canadian delegation met with security experts based in Colombia to discuss the advances made in Colombia with respect to domestic security, and the challenges that still remain. The meeting was held in the Canadian Embassy in Bogota.

Part of the discussion centred on the risks of a vacuum being left in territories formerly occupied by the FARC. It was noted that the FARC numbered approximately 24,000, and that their main source of revenue during the armed conflict was coca plant production, illegal gold mining operations and extortion. These illegal activities remained quite lucrative: the cocaine business in Colombia is worth more than it ever has, and South America is the fastest growing market for cocaine consumption in the world. It was not clear to participants in the discussion if some elements of FARC would retain control over these illegal activities or if other criminal bodies would seize control over them. It was noted that Colombia’s geography made its illicit drug trade hard to control, and that it was easy and lucrative for inhabitants of rural areas to enter into the trade.

A number of unknowns related to security in the context of the peace accord implementation were raised, including that it was not known if the state’s revenue generation could match its commitments made under the accord; the challenge for the state of building public trust; what effect would the 2018 elections have on the peace accord; and what level of credibility did the peace accord have among citizens. It was also noted that the national police will likely face many challenges entering into rural areas formerly controlled by the FARC.

Other points that were raised during the discussion included that the government has stated it will offer tax incentives for companies that invest in rural areas; efforts were being made to combat corruption but corruption remained a pervasive issue; and that most Colombians considered an end to the decades-long armed conflicts to be an imperative.

L. Roundtable on Humanitarian Situation in Colombia

In the afternoon of 25 January 2017, the Canadian delegation participated in a roundtable discussion on the humanitarian situation in Colombia. The discussion convened representatives of aid organizations operating in Colombia to give their viewpoints on the humanitarian challenges in territories affected by the armed conflict, the efforts to increase state capacity in territories traditionally occupied by illegal armed actors, and the effects of the armed conflict on rural communities. The meeting was held in the Canadian Embassy in Bogota.

Embassy officials told the delegation that Canada contributes about $5 million annually to human rights assistance in Colombia. As a result of the violence caused by the armed conflict, on average 150,000 to 200,000 individuals are displaced from their communities each year. The delegation heard presentations and asked questions of the following organizations that receive funding and support from the Canadian government:

· Doctors Without Borders has operated in Colombia since 1985. The representative noted that, over that time, the violence caused by the armed conflict had migrated from urban areas to rural areas. An area of high need and special concern to the organization was the border area with Venezuela.

· Action Against Hunger has several projects underway in Colombia, including water treatment and sanitation projects. The representative told the delegation that no decrease in violent activities and displacements in remote territories formerly occupied by the FARC has been noticeable following the approval of the peace accord. Of concern to the organization was that they noted a decrease in funding for humanitarian assistance in Colombia since the accord was approved.

· The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has operated in Colombia since 1997. Their organization supports the state in finding long-term solutions for displaced people and provides institutional capacity building. The representative commented that, among other things, Colombia was a country in transition, coca production continued, problems related to armed violence continued in rural territories, and that levels of impunity in Colombia were among the highest in the world.

· Doctors of the World have operated in Colombia since 1988. Today, they provide aid in a half-dozen locations in territories affected by the armed conflict. These places were targeted by the organization as they were rural, poor, and had minimal health care infrastructure and minimal mental health services. The representative noted that these areas continued to deal with large challenges.

M. Roundtable on Mining

In the afternoon of 25 January 2017, the Canadian delegation held a roundtable on mining with representatives of the mining industry. The meeting was held in the Canadian Embassy in Bogota.

The delegation heard about the role of the Ministry of Mines in Colombia in conducting surveys to determine mineral and hydrocarbon resources; only 4% of the territory had been explored for mining resources. It was noted that the mining industry in Colombia was in a period of expansion; in 2017, companies held more than 8,000 mining titles. The main mineral resources of Colombia are coal, gold, copper and emeralds. The work of the Ministry of Mines was discussed, including its role in implementing reforms to the mining regime to heighten transparency and environmental protection; fostering the ongoing and important dialogue between companies and communities to establish a sustainable, respectful relationship based on best practices; and the work to expand support to human rights issues.

Other topics addressed during the roundtable included the importance played by companies and the state alike on corporate social responsibility, respect for the rule of law, the emphasis placed on conflict prevention, and consultation with stakeholders; the detrimental economic, environmental and social issues caused by illegal mining. It was noted that mines can be an engine for development in a region, creating social investment and infrastructure.

N. Roundtable on Justice

In the morning of 26 January 2017, the delegation held a roundtable discussion on justice. The principal participant was Ms. Catalina Diaz, Director of Transitional Justice, Ministry of Justice of Colombia. The meeting was held in the Canadian Embassy in Bogota.

The discussion covered numerous aspects of the transitional justice process that will flow from the peace accord. The focus of the transitional justice regime was to provide reparations, prevent repetition of past conflicts and institute justice for the disappeared. It was noted that delivering on the commitments in the peace accord represented a significant challenge for Colombia, especially in rural areas.

The delegation was told that the armed conflict had resulted in an estimated 8 million victims, 60,000 people who disappeared, and that currently thousands of legal proceedings were underway involving both members of the FARC and state agents. As such, it was envisioned that the transitional justice process would last at least 15 years. The focus at the outset would be to hold responsible those who committed the most serious crimes.

The delegation was provided with an overview of the functioning of the Special Jurisdiction for Peace, an autonomous judicial system created by the peace accord that holds a comprehensive mandate to prosecute those who committed crimes during the armed conflict. It was noted that the sentencing regime would provide the accused the opportunity to give full, truthful accounts and contribute to reparations in exchange for sentences that involved restorative justice (e.g., rebuilding, demining and crop substitution) or “deprivation of liberty” as opposed to prison. Those who refused to cooperate or speak truthfully would face ordinary criminal sentences. It was felt this system provided a powerful incentive for participants in the conflict to cooperate and “come clean.”

Other issues raised in the discussion included the forthcoming peace talks with the National Liberation Army (ELN), in which it was commented that any transitional justice system resulting from the talks would likely mirror that put in place between the state and the FARC; and the treatment of child soldiers in Colombia would involve special reintegration programs and it was noted that Colombia treated child soldiers as victims.

The delegation lastly heard a brief presentation from a representative of the Excellence in Justice Corporation about the use of technology, in particular cellular phones, to reach rural communities, transitional justice, agricultural issues, and land title issues in Colombia.

O. Roundtable on Children and Youth in Colombia

In the morning of 26 January 2017, the Canadian delegation met with representatives of various organizations that are engaged in instituting and promoting education programs in Colombia for children and youth. Canada’s Embassy to Colombia considers children and youth one of the priority areas of Canada’s development program in Colombia; Canada leads donor efforts on education Colombia.

The delegation was told that the regional focus of the education programs being funded by the government of Canada is the rural areas in Colombia. A disparity existed between the educational resources and programs in urban versus rural areas. There existed numerous challenges for the education programs in rural Colombia, including the terror and destruction related to the armed conflict, inaccessibility of schools for students due to distance and/or absence of roads, inadequate infrastructure, low quality of programming, lack of resources, lack of transportation, and high turnover of teachers.

It was noted that attendance at school for girls in Colombia was low. The reasons included that some had to undertake household chores and early pregnancy was a frequent occurrence. Once in school, however, girls had a higher probability than boys of finishing their education. Boys were more vulnerable than girls when it came to not finishing their education due to their involvement in gangs and illicit activities.

The peace implementation process provided an opportunity for the state and international partners to invest in education programs in rural, previously neglected territories. The delegation heard that education and strengthening social relations were important factors to the prevention of violence.

The education programs supported by Canada’s embassy to Colombia featured flexible, responsive, modern, and forward-looking curriculum and schedules to high-risk children. These programs had as their goals to strengthen educational institutions, put in place education programs that are sustainable and can be replicated, and to promote economic entrepreneurship. The programs also emphasized gender-equality and promoted tolerance and diversity. Some provided nutrition and transportation to students, others offered room and boarding for children who cannot return home because their community was controlled by the FARC. It was noted that, above all, the goal was to get as many children as possible to attend school consistently and provide them with an education that met national standards, in spite of geographic and economic challenges.

P. Working Lunch Roundtable on Peace Implementation

The Canadian delegation’s final meeting in Bogota was a working lunch on peace implementation, held at the NH Collection Bogota Teleport Royal Hotel.

The discussion covered numerous topics, including the progress of the legislation required to implement the peace accord, the importance of the licit crop substitution program, the efforts undertaken by international agencies to support the peace implementation process, the importance of peace for business in Colombia and Colombia’s economy, and the need to increase investment and the presence of the state in rural areas.


Respectfully submitted,


Hon. Robert Nault, P.C., M.P.

Chair

Canadian Section of ParlAmericas