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)

Recent Events

Presentation by Olivier de Schutter on trade and human rights in Colombia

On May 14th, Olivier de Schutter, the UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food, will participate in a special presentation on trade and human rights in Colombia. The Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement, which came into force in August 2011, was heavily criticized for its potential to exacerbate the human rights crisis in Colombia. Both countries have agreed to produce a yearly Human Rights Impact Assessment (HRIA) of the agreements. Olivier de Schutter’s visit comes on the eve of the first HRIA, which is required to be tabled in Parliament on May 15th. De Schutter and other panelists will reflect on the links between trade and human rights in Colombia and state their expectations for the upcoming HRIA report. Monday May 14th from 5:00pm - 7:00pm, University of Ottawa, Tabaret Hall, room 083. RSVP by May 10, 2012 to HRREC@uottawa.ca

Canada's Role in the Americas 

Sixth Summit of the Americas in Colombia, April 14-15, 2012

Briefing Note: Democratic Governance (April 12, 2012) (433 kb)

Briefing Note: Mining (April 12, 2012) (443 kb)

Briefing Note: Security (April 12, 2012) (351 kb)

Briefing Note: Trade (April 12, 2012) (434 kb)

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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

Letter to Minister of State of Foreign Affairs Diane Ablonczy regarding security and human rights issues in Guatemala (12 October 2012)

Colectiva de Mujeres Hondureñas (CODEMUH) presentation to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development Hearing on Honduras - in Spanish only (March 9, 2011)

Plataforma de Derechos Humanos Truth Commission presentation to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development Hearing on Honduras (March 9, 2011)

Amnesty International Canada’s submission to the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development Hearing on Honduras, (March 9, 2011).

Read the Hansard Record of the March 9, 2011 Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development Hearing on Honduras

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 

Analysis of the Canadian Government’s First Human Rights Report on the Canada-Colmbia FTA - briefing note (May 2012)

First Colombian trade deal human rights report is a disappointment - Op-ed by Brittany Lambert and Raul Burbano (May 2012)

UN Human Rights Expert Puts Spotlight Back on Controversial Canada-Colombia FTA - media release (May 2012)

Canada-Colombia Free Trade Agreement Human Rights Impact Report - briefing note (May 2012).

Human rights accountability in trade with Colombia - Op-ed by Gauri Sreenivasan (August 2011 - Embassy)

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)