Americas Policy Group

The Americas Policy Group (APG) is a Canadian civil society policy group focused on development and social justice issues in the Americas. It brings together approximately 40 international development and humanitarian NGOs, human rights groups, labour unions, research institutions, church and solidarity groups. The APG is financially supported by its member organizations, CCIC, and the Canadian Partnership Program of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC).

Select one of the categories on the left, or visit our Archives section for past documentation.

Introduction to the Americas Policy Group (APG)

Canada's Role in the Americas 

Statement of the Americas Policy Group – What Role for Canada in the Americas? (April 15, 2009) (PDF 80 Kb)

The 5th Summit of the Americas: Time for a Grand Gesture? – Op-ed by Gerry Barr (April 8, 2009 – Embassy)

Human Rights and Democratic Development

Honduras: Democracy Denied -- Para la versión español de este documento entra aquí. (Spanish version)
The report takes a critical look at the coup in Honduras, key issues for democracy and human rights, and Canada’s role. Specifically, the report reviews Canadian diplomatic efforts during the crisis, as well as the role of Canadian investors and businesses operating in the country prior to and during the coup. The report also makes a number of recommendations to facilitate a return to a strengthened constitutional order, respecting the human rights and development needs of Honduran citizens. (April 2010) (PD 238 Kb) (Executive Summary, PDF 75 Kb)

Letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper on the coup d'état in Honduras (July 22, 2009) (PDF 72 Kb) (Spanish version) 

Letter to Minister Peter Kent on the murder of Salvadoran human rights defender and community activist Marcelo Rivera (July 22,  2009) (PDF 81 Kb) (Spanish version)

Letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper regarding the recent violence and human rights violations in the Amazonas Region of Peru (June 15, 2009) (PDF 54Kb)

Americas Policy Group Welcomes the Release of Colombian Hostages (July 4, 2008)

Letter to the Honourable Maxime Bernier on the recent attacks against NGOs, unions and human rights defenders in Colombia (April 10, 2008) (PDF 23 Kb)

Trade Deal Between Canada and Colombia 

CCIC Briefing Note: Key Benchmarks for a Human Rights Impact Assessment for the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement (June 2009) (PDF 69 Kb)

Making a Bad Situation Worse: An Analysis of the Text of the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement – While trade can support development and the realization of human rights, the authors find that neither the political conditions in Colombia, nor the terms of this FTA meet the criteria that would allow that to happen. (in Spanish)  (March 26, 2009) (PDF 934 Kb)

Conducting a Human Rights Impact Assessment of the Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement:  Key Issues (February 2009) (PDF 101 Kb)

Colombian Visitors Oppose Trade Deal With Canada – Canadian Press article (February 10, 2009 - Toronto Star) (PDF 29 Kb)

Signing Free Trade Pact With Colombia Presents Grave Human Rights Concerns – Joint Statement: AI and CCIC (November 24, 2008) (PDF 29 Kb)