Fair Trade vs. Free Trade

Columbia and North America

Columbian Workers Protest Free Trade Agreement Last Week in Cali.
The first in a series:
[Names used in this article are fictitious although the people are real]

Although churches in Columbia, South America, are 90 percent Roman Catholic, the United Church of Canada is working at establishing a working relationship with a 'sister' church in Columbia where the two congregations can work together.

On Sunday, November 16th, the Southampton United Church welcomed visitors formerly from Columbia, who have since settled in Canada. Even living in Canada however, they are wary when discussing their former lives in their home countries.

'Franco and Allita' lived outside a major urban centre where 'Franco' farmed and also tried to be a social worker among his people. After their son witnessed and survived a massacre, the couple emigrated to Canada with their three sons while their eldest child, a daughter, remained in Columbia.

"Canada is an example to the world of what a country should be," said 'Franco'. "Here there is an electoral system where freedom of choice is the basis. In Columbia, you vote for the President or ... you vote for the President. There are no other choices."

'Lucia', also formerly from Columbia, has also made her home in Canada and has become a Canadian citizen. When her father was murdered and her mother died shortly after, she decided it was time to leave. "I worked in a professional capacity at home," she says, "but I came to Canada as a single mother and was sponsored to be a nanny."

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13/01/2009 04:23 PM

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Recently, the United States, under the Bush regime, has initiated yet another Free Trade agreement with Columbia.

According to Franco, "This is the worst possible choice for Columbia. This is all about the nationals (corporations) making more money. It is not about the people at all. In fact, the people will become even poorer. They will have to work in factories for almost nothing. The United States is pushing for this agreement. Why?

This proposed agreement is also going before the Canadian Parliament very soon for a vote. This will also be one of the worst things for Canada and the manufacturing sector. It will mean even more businesses leaving Canada."

"People also don't understand the violence and poverty that exists in Columbia," points out Franco. "Entire families and groups are being displaced and, even worse, eliminated. The more that North America supports this Free Trade, the worse it will become. We need Fair Trade not Free Trade." Lucia echoed the sentiment, "If Latin and South Americas followed the Canadian example of government, they would be much better off. Unfortunately, that is not happening."

"All we ask," says Franco, "is that Canadians continue to support initiatives in Columbia that will help the individual. There are organizations that need help and funding and, without international support, they will not succeed."

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