"Proposed Canada-Ecuador Free Trade Agreement Poses Unacceptable Risk, NGOs Warn", 03 March 2023

...The Canadian government has set its sights on a Free Trade Agreement with Ecuador, but communities already feeling the impacts of Canadian mining investment warn that a FTA would exacerbate violence against environment and Indigenous defenders who are organized in their opposition to Canadian projects...

On January 6, 2023, the Canadian government launched a series of consultations regarding the proposed FTA, asking Canadian civil society to submit their views to determine Canada’s priorities. MiningWatch Canada, together with the Americas Policy Group (AGP) and other Canadian organizations responded, emphasizing that international cooperation must hold at its core human rights, including Indigenous rights and labour rights, and environmental protection. In their submissions, the Canadian organizations raise concerns that Ecuadorian civil society is being left out of any consultations regarding a potential Free Trade Agreement, in violation of their rights to information and free, prior, and informed consent.

A statement signed by 16 Ecuadorian social and environmental organizations and research centres points out how this potential FTA is not in the interest of Indigenous peoples, their lands, or the environment...

The consultation taking place in Canada is happening against a background of increased opposition to Canadian mining projects in Ecuador, and a dramatic increase in conflict and militarization of the territories where those projects are located...

There are concerns that a potential Free Trade Agreement would exacerbate this type of threat and intimidation against environment, human rights, and Indigenous leaders who oppose Canadian mining projects, while leading to increased militarization of their territories, as well as greater impunity for Canadian mining companies who violate human rights given there currently exists no mechanism in Canada to hold companies accountable for abuse...