Canada and Ecuador’s new free-trade agreement is threatening the rights of Indigenous peoples and their territories, and increasing social and environmental conflicts across the country. These are just some of the concerns being brought forward by the National Confederation of Indigenous Peoples in Ecuador and other civil rights organizations in the country.
The free-trade agreement signed on Feb. 4 is being heralded by Global Affairs Canada for promoting trade, business and investment. Once ratified, the agreement will eliminate tariffs and other barriers to open access to foods, services and investment between the two countries. The agreement is a crucial part of Canada’s larger global trade diversification strategy.
But Indigenous communities across Ecuador reject the agreement entirely. Mining Watch Canada, a non-governmental watchdog of Canada’s mining industry, also argues the deal has come without proper consent. In a letter written to Justin Trudeau while he was still prime minister, they said the agreement will have implications for human rights and the environment in Ecuador.
