Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you for coming forward today.
I have two comments to start.
First off, as I'm sure you're aware, in the U.S., the situation around the U.S.-Colombia trade agreement is by no means set. In fact, Congress has rejected fast-track approval for the U.S.-Colombia agreement. I just came back from the United States a few days ago. It is quite likely that it is stalled now. It's quite unlikely that that agreement will be ratified under this president. I wanted to make sure that was on the record.
My other comment is around the fact that you're speaking to the commercial aspects of the deal, but those are overshadowed to a significant extent by concerns around the human rights situation in Colombia. But we certainly appreciate your coming here today to address the commercial aspects, and I think the cautions you're offering are very important ones.
I'd like to start with you, Mr. Masswohl.
You mentioned that the Canadian government should not be too eager to sign a deal. I gather from your comments that what you're saying is that even under the commercial framework, setting aside human rights concerns and concerns around labour rights, right now the composition is such that it isn't something the Cattlemen's Association would be prepared to support. Is that true?