Robert is a member of the bars of Ontario and British Columbia. He has appeared at the Supreme Court of Canada, the Federal Court of Appeal, the Federal Court, as well as every level of court in Ontario and British Columbia. Robert has appeared at the Supreme Court of Canada numerous times. In the field of aboriginal law, his work has largely focused on acting for aboriginal clients in court or negotiations, or in assisting non-aboriginal clients who want to develop positive, working relationships with aboriginal peoples. His litigation work has included acting on injunction applications, applications for judicial review, civil and criminal trials, as well as on appeals to various courts of appeal and the Supreme Court of Canada. Robert has also assisted aboriginal people in dealing with contentious tax and estate matters. Some of Robert’s major cases, where he has acted for parties or intervenors, include: Rio Tinto Alcan Inc. v. Carrier Sekani Tribal Council and British Columbia Utilities Commission, Gill v. Bucholz Dene Tha’ First Nation v. Canada (Minister of the Environment), R. v. Kapp, Keewatin v. Ontario (Minister of Natural Resources), Haida v. British Columbia (Minister of Forests) and Amos v. Canada (Minister of National Revenue). He also advises a number of First Nations involved in the British Columbia Treaty Process.

Robert’s commercial work has covered a wide range of areas including dealing with commercial fraud, identity theft, land title issues, intellectual property disputes and CCAA proceedings.  In these cases Robert has represented a wide range of interests at trial, in interlocutory proceedings and at appeal. Examples of some of his commercial litigation include acting for the City of Prince Rupert in a successful appeal in the New Skeena Cellulose CCAA proceedings and representing the British Columbia Land Title and Survey Authority in proceedings concerning commercial fraud and identity theft.

As part of both his aboriginal and commercial practices, Robert has advised aboriginal peoples and companies involved in environmental assessment processes relating to the approval of major mining, oil and gas or oil sands developments.  He has also advised or defended clients facing prosecution under environmental protection legislation and has successfully negotiated resolutions of these matters or defended the charges through trial.

Prior to coming to British Columbia, Robert had several years experience representing physicians in medical malpractice and regulatory matters as well as dealing with other professional negligence matters involving lawyers and engineers.

Robert has spoken on numerous occasions on the topic of aboriginal law and has been the author of the CLE Annual Review chapter on Aboriginal Law for the past five years.

Robert was born and grew up in Newfoundland and now happily lives in Victoria with his wife and daughter where he can continue to enjoy the island life when not pursuing his practice.

Education

University of Toronto (LL.B., 1990)

University of Toronto (M.Sc., 1988)

Memorial University of Newfoundland (B.Sc., Hon., 1986)

Year of call

Called to the Ontario Bar, 1992

Called to the British Columbia Bar, 1998

Affiliations

Member, Advocates Society

Member, Law Society of British Columbia

Member, Law Society of Ontario

Board of Environmental Law Clinic (University of Victoria)

Additional information

Coordinator/Speaker/Author for Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia, Indigenous Bar Association, Canadian Bar Association, and Pacific Business Law

Named in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory of Leading Lawyers in the area of Aboriginal law

Named in 2009 and 2010 editions of The Best Lawyers in Canada in the area of Aboriginal law

His practice focuses primarily on advising First Nations and First Nation organizations on a variety of matters including environmental assessments under federal and provincial legislation, treaty negotiations, treaty and aboriginal rights, environmental issues, oil and gas-related matters, hydro-electric matters, and water rights.  He has a particular expertise in assisting First Nations in their consultations with federal and provincial governments and industry across Canada and in negotiating consultation/accommodation agreements.  Bob represents clients in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Bob has appeared at all levels of court in Canada, including a number of appearances at the Supreme Court of Canada.  He has worked on some of the leading cases dealing with the rights of First Nations in Canada. Since 2008, Bob has been recognized by Lexpert as a leading lawyer in Canada in the field of Aboriginal law.

Bob is frequently asked to speak at provincial and national conferences on issues related to First Nations and he has published several articles in this area of law.  Bob has been an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Law at both the University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria.

Outside of the office, Bob enjoys running and walking with his Partner and their dog.

Education

Queen’s University (LL.B., 1991)

Queen’s University (M.P.A., 1988)

New College of the University of Florida (B.A. Hon., 1987)

Year of call

Called to the British Columbia Bar, March 1994

Called to the Alberta Bar, December 2005

Called to the Yukon Bar, November 2011

Affiliations

Member, American Society of International Law

Executive Member, Aboriginal Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association (BC Branch), 1998-2003

Member, Law Society of British Columbia

Member, Law Society of Alberta

Additional information

Adjunct Professor, UBC, 1996-2002 (Aboriginal law courses)

Adjunct Professor, University of Victoria, 2004-present (Aboriginal law courses)

Speaker/Author of a number of publications on Aboriginal law issues

Law Clerk to the Hon. Mr. Justice Lambert, B.C. Court of Appeal, 1992-1993

Named in 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory of Leading Lawyers in the area of Aboriginal law

Rosanne has extensive experience as an aboriginal and environmental lawyer in British Columbia, Ontario and Alberta. As a litigator, she has been counsel in a number of aboriginal law cases, including injunction applications relating to aboriginal consultation issues in the context of resource development.  Rosanne has also acted as litigation counsel in a number of environmental cases, including complex, multi-party contaminated sites litigation, and in land related cases, including disputes relating to easements, leases and general real estate matters.

In addition, Rosanne provides legal advice and guidance outside the courtroom in relation to aboriginal consultation and accommodation issues.  She has been involved in the negotiation and drafting of First Nation impact benefit and associated agreements in various sectors, including in the mining and hydro-electricity sectors. Rosanne’s experiences working on behalf of First Nations, industry, and government, has given her an in-depth understanding of the legal, political and cultural issues that can arise in First Nation negotiations, and facilitate her ability to provide practical advice on how to address and resolve issues at the negotiation table.

Before focusing on aboriginal law in private practice, Rosanne was counsel in the Aboriginal Law Section of the federal Department of Justice where she worked on, and had carriage of, a number of constitutional and Aboriginal rights cases. Her experience working for the federal government, along with her Master of Laws work on aboriginal fishing rights issues, combine to give Rosanne an in-depth knowledge and understanding of aboriginal law issues in Canada.

Rosanne has published a number of articles on aboriginal law issues and was an adjunct professor for a number of years at the University of British Columbia Faculty of Law, where she taught a course on litigating aboriginal rights and title issues. She is also a guest lecturer at Simon Fraser University and is frequently asked to speak on aboriginal law issues at conferences across the country.

Outside the office, Rosanne enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping in and around beautiful British Columbia with her husband and two children.

Education

University of British Columbia (LL.M., 1996)

University of Western Ontario (LL.B., 1991)

McMaster University (B.A. (Hon.), 1988)

Year of call

Called to the Ontario Bar, 1993

Called to the British Columbia Bar, 1996

Affiliations

Member, Canadian Bar Association (British Columbia)

Member, Law Society (British Columbia)

Additional Information

Named in 2011 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory of Leading Lawyers in the area of Aboriginal law

Adjunct Professor, UBC, 2000-2004 (Litigating Aboriginal Rights)

Guest Lecturer, Simon Fraser University, 2005-present (History of Aboriginal Rights)

Speaker/Author of a number of publications and presentations on Aboriginal law issues

Board member, West Coast LEAF, 2007-2009

Member of Law Society of British Columbia’s Task Force on Retention of Women in Law, 2008-2009

Recipient of the Law Foundation Fellowship, University of British Columbia, 1995

Recipient of The Carswell Prize in Conflicts of Law, the Davies, Ward and Beck Prize, the Margaret H. McNulty Award, and the Middlesex Law Association Entrance Award, University of Western Ontario, 1988-1991

Karey represents First Nations and First Nations organizations on matters relating to treaty and aboriginal rights, land use and environmental issues, oil and gas related matters; water rights and general governance matters. Karey represents clients in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario. She has appeared at every level of court, including as co-counsel at the Supreme Court of Canada.

Karey brings an extensive civil litigation background to Janes Freedman Kyle. Before joining Janes Freedman Kyle, Karey was a partner at a national firm and represented clients in a broad range of civil matters.

Karey also acted as co-counsel for intervener groups in a variety of public law related litigation including for First Nations organizations, the Council of Canadians with Disabilities and the Poverty and Human Rights Centre.

Karey is also involved in public inquiry work, as Associate Counsel for the Missing Women Commission and as co-counsel for a participant in the Cohen Commission.

Karey is active in professional and community organizations. She was a board member and Vice President, External of West Coast LEAF for over 10 years. West Coast LEAF is an advocacy organization that promotes women's equality rights issues through litigation, education and law reform. She is involved in a number of Canadian Bar Association, BC committees. She is also an active presenter at aboriginal law conferences.

Recent Cases

West Moberly (BCCA, 2011) (Decision Reserved)
Acted as counsel for Grand Council treaty 3 intervening in an appeal concerning whether there is a duty to consult and accommodate with respect to a treaty right to hunt caribou and the appropriate remedy for a breach.

Moulton Contracting Ltd. V. Behn et al (BCCA, 2010) (Decision reserved)
Acted as co-counsel with Robert Janes for individual first nation band members with respect to whether a claim for intentional interference with contractual relations could be defended on the basis of treaty rights.

Keewatin v. Ontario (Minister of Natural Resources) (Ont. Sup. Ct., 2010) (Decision Reserved)
Acted as co-counsel with Robert Janes for the Plaintiffs (Grassy Narrows First Nation) in a 70 day trial concerning proper interpretation of Treaty 3 hunting rights and ability of governments to limit those rights.

NIL/TU,O Child and Family Services Society v. B.C. Government and Service Employees' Union (SCC) (2010)
Acted as co-counsel with Robert Janes for Te'mexw Nations intervening in appeal concerning whether labour relations for an aboriginal child and family welfare service are subject to federal or provincial regulation.

David Beckman, in his capacity as Director, Agriculture Branch, Department of Energy, Mines and Resources, et al. v. Little Salmon/Carmacks First Nation, et al. (SCC) (2010)
Acted as co-counsel with Robert Janes for Te'mexw Nations intervening in appeal concerning whether there is a duty to consult and, where possible, accommodate First Nations' concerns and interests in the context of a modern comprehensive land claims agreement.

Recent Pro Bono Cases

British Columbia (Ministry of Education) v. Moore 2010 BCCA 478
Acted as co-counsel with Gwen Brodsky and Yvonne Peters for an intervener, the Council of Canadians with Disabilities, with respect to the appropriate discrimination analysis to be applied under the Human Rights Code.

Victoria (City) v. Adams, 2009 BCCA 563
Acted as co-counsel with Melina Buckley and Gwen Brodsky for an intervener, the Poverty and Human Rights Centre, with respect to whether a city bylaw that prohibited homeless people from erecting any form of temporary overhead shelter at night violated their constitutional rights to life, liberty and security of the person.

Recent and Upcoming Course Presentations

Publications

Water Act Modernization: What it Means for First Nations, prepared for PBLI, Aboriginal Rights and Environmental Law, Vancouver, BC, December 7-8, 2010

The Law Must Govern Polygamists, The Lawyers Weekly (July 4, 2008)

Test Misnomer in Resurfice Creates Confusion, The Lawyers Weekly (June 20, 2008)

Directors' Liability for GST - Not if Director in Name Only, The Canadian Taxpayer (May 2007, Vol 29 No. 9)

Personal Services Corporations Part I - Who Can Benefit?, The Canadian Taxpayer (May 2007, Vol 29 No. 10)

Personal Services Corporations Part II - A Review of Recent Cases, The Canadian Taxpayer (June 2007, Vol 29 No. 11)

From Tax Audit to Criminal Investigation: Crossing the Rubicon: Part I - The Canada Revenue Agency's Power's to Gather Information, The Canadian Taxpayer (June 2007, Vol 29 No. 12)

Part II - Application of the Predominate Purpose Test, The Canadian Taxpayer (July 2007, Vol 29 No. 13)

Part III - Ensuring Taxpayer's Rights are Protected, The Canadian Taxpayer (August 2007, Vo29 No. 14)

Education

Osgoode Hall Law School (LL.M.)

University of British Columbia (LL.B.)

University of British Columbia (B.A.)

Year of call

Called to British Columbia Bar, 2002

Affiliations

Member, Law Society of British Columbia

Member, Canadian Bar Association

Member, Trial Lawyers Association of BC

Member, West Coast LEAF

Eric has practiced aboriginal law for over 25 years, initially in the Yukon, and since 1993, in British Columbia.

In addition to treaty related work, Eric has negotiated a wide range of agreements for First Nations and First Nation organisations, including hydro electricity related agreements, particularly Remote Community Electrification Arrangements, local education agreements, child protection services agreements, municipal services arrangements, and parks co-management agreements.

In 2009, Eric concluded negotiation of a major settlement with the Province of British Columbia and BC Hydro respecting the flooding out and forced relocation of a First Nation client as a result of the creation of the W.A.C. Bennett Dam and Williston Reservoir.

Eric continues to represent and serve clients throughout the Province of British Columbia and, when not working, enjoys his home overlooking beautiful Qualicum Beach.

Education

LLB, University of Ottawa, 1977

Bachelor of Arts (History), Carlton University, 1974

Year of call

Called to the British Columbia Bar, 1979

Called to the Yukon Bar, 1984

Additional Information

Named in 2011 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory of Leading Lawyers in the area of Aboriginal law

She has both a common law and a civil law degree from McGill University in Montreal. Cristina is fluently bilingual and has over 20 years experience in both the public and private sectors where she consistently worked on aboriginal issues. Her areas of expertise include constitutional law, aboriginal law and policy and intergovernmental affairs.

Cristina has over 15 years experience negotiating Aboriginal land claims, treaties and numerous other multi-party agreements. In particular, she was lead counsel for the Government of the Northwest Territories in the negotiation of the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement-in-Principal and Nunavut Final Agreement, including the first phases of establishing a new Nunavut Territory and Government. She was a Chief negotiator for the Government of British Columbia in the negotiation of treaties on Vancouver Island at the time the BC Treaty Commission was originally established. Cristina has negotiated or advised First Nations regarding a variety of agreements, including benefits, capacity, confidentiality and traditional knowledge agreements.

Cristina also served as constitutional legal counsel for the Government of the Northwest Territories in the discussions leading to the Charlottetown Constitutional Accord. Her experience as government counsel and negotiator brings to our First Nations clients an understanding and knowledge of how governments operate.

For the past decade, Cristina has worked in private practice where she represented First Nations in British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario and Quebec. Her focus in litigation in these jurisdictions has been on collecting oral histories and traditional knowledge evidence and formulating strategic arguments relating to breach of trust, infringement of historic treaty rights and infringement of Aboriginal rights.

She represents First Nations and Tribal Councils in advancing Aboriginal title and rights, resource use consultation and accommodation, and specific claims. Krista also provides advice in the areas of Band governance, administration and reserve land matters. She is experienced in both negotiation and litigation as means to advance the interests of her clients.

Krista is an executive member of the national Aboriginal Law Section of the Canadian Bar Association. She has written and presented papers on Aboriginal fisheries issues, forestry law, the legal duty of consultation, accommodation agreements and the use of oral history evidence in litigation proceedings.

Elin brings a civil litigation background to Janes Freedman Kyle, and has experience representing clients in constitutional and administrative law, in other civil matters, and at commissions of inquiry. Elin has appeared before the British Columbia Supreme Court and Provincial Court and has been co-counsel at the Court of Appeal and Supreme Court of Canada. Before joining Janes Freedman Kyle, Elin was an associate with Arvay Finlay Barristers, working with Joseph J. Arvay Q.C.. She articled at a large national firm, and clerked for the British Columbia Court of Appeal.

Elin is active in community organizations and is passionate about public law. In her spare time she can be found playing music, running, cycling, practicing yoga, boxing and strategizing about social justice.

Education

University of California, Berkeley School of Law (LL.M., 2011)

University of British Columbia (LL.B., 2005)

University of British Columbia (B.A., 1999)

Year of call

Called to British Columbia Bar, 2007

Affiliations

Member, Law Society of British Columbia

Member, Canadian Bar Association

Member, BC Civil Liberties Association Legal Advisory Committee

Member, Advocates Club

Member, Pivot Legal Society Legal Advisory Committee

Additional Information

Recipient of the Law Foundation of British Columbia Graduate Fellowship, 2010-2011

Jaela has legal experience in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia. She has conducted extensive research and analysis on complex legal issues while working at the Alberta Court of Appeal and the Alberta Environmental Appeals Board. Jaela has also worked as an Environmental Regulatory Analyst, and in the area of water law and policy in Saskatchewan.

While working as an associate in Saskatchewan, Jaela practiced civil litigation and class action law, with a focus on the environment. She has also worked closely with First Nations in Saskatchewan as the Executive Director of Lands and Resources for the Federation of Saskatchewan Indian Nations. Her practice focuses primarily on advising First Nations and First Nation organizations on development projects and conduct which requires consultation and accommodation of First Nations rights and interests.

In addition, Jaela has training and experience in alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and negotiation. She has volunteered internationally with indigenous groups in Central America and Africa, and is a member of Leaders for Environment and Development - LEAD International. Jaela is active in a number of community social justice organizations, and in her spare time, can be found running, cycling, and teaching yoga.

Clerkships

Alberta Court of Appeal

Education

University of Saskatchewan, LL.B., 2006 (distinction)

University of Saskatchewan President's First and Best Scholar

Year of call

Called to the Alberta Bar, 2007

Called to the Saskatchewan Bar, 2008

Called to the British Columbia Bar, 2010

Affiliations

Member, LEAD International (Leaders for Environment and Development)

Member, Canadian Lawyers for International Human Rights

Member, Canadian Bar Association

Member, Law Society of Alberta

Member, Law Society of Saskatchewan

Member, Law Society of British Columbia

Sarah has experience working on a variety of files involving consultation, negotiation and litigation. Sarah advises clients on strategic approaches to land use, including consideration of the economic, environmental, cultural and social aspects of resource development.  With experience in both the provincial and federal environmental assessment processes, her practice is expanding to include fisheries, forestry, oil and gas, mining and tar sands projects.

A committed advocate for the recognition of aboriginal rights, Sarah works with indigenous individuals, communities and organizations across the country.  She works with senior counsel to prepare submissions to the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, the British Columbia Supreme Court, the British Columbia Court of Appeal, the Federal Court of Canada, and the Supreme Court of Canada.

Sarah’s articling term was shared between JFK and the Environmental Law Centre at the University of Victoria.  While at law school, Sarah volunteered with public interest and access to justice organizations, and worked for departments in the federal and provincial governments. After successful competitions at the regional and national levels, she represented Canada at the 2008 International Client Counselling Competition in Bangalore, India. Prior to law school, Sarah studied biology and geography, worked in education, finance and health care sectors, and traveled and volunteered overseas.

Education

University of Victoria (LL.B., 2009)

Queen’s University (B.Sc. (Hon.), 2003)

Year of call

Called to the British Columbia Bar, 2010

Affiliations

Member, Law Society (British Columbia)

Member, Canadian Bar Association

Virginia joined JFK as an articling student in 2010 after completing a clerkship with the B.C. Supreme Court. During law school, Virginia participated in the University of Victoria's co-operative education program where she gained a wide range of practical experience by completing work terms with both the provincial government and national and international firms. She worked as a law clerk for the Nunavut Court of Justice in Iqaluit and as a researcher for the Constitutional Division of the Government of Nunavut where she worked on issues relating to treaty implementation and constitutional law. During law school Virginia received a scholarship for the highest standing in Constitutional Law and represented the University of Victoria at the 2006 American Bar Association Negotiation Competition. She was a director of the University of Victoria's Aboriginal Cultural Awareness Camp and a student member of the UVic Law Anti-Discrimination Committee.

Virginia enjoys backpacking, camping and exploring.

Year of call

Called to the British Columbia Bar, 2011

Affiliations

Member, Law Society of British Columbia

Member, Canadian Bar Association

Member, Pivot Legal Society

Member, B.C. Civil Liberties Association

Mark is a graduate of the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law, where he earned a McRuer Scholarship in Administrative Law and a McCarthy, Tétrault Prize for academic achievement. During law school Mark was co-editor-in-chief of the Indigenous Law Journal, Canada's first and only Canadian legal journal to exclusively publish articles regarding Indigenous legal issues. Mark also served as an academic advisor to first year law students and led a group of students that successfully developed and proposed three new aboriginal law courses at the Faculty of Law.

Mark comes to the firm with a range of research and litigation experience. During law school Mark received a Callwood Fellowship to work for Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated in Ottawa and Iqaluit where he researched aboriginal language and education rights. Mark also summered with the Ontario Ministry of the Attorney General, Crown Law Office - Civil. Prior to pursuing a law degree, Mark worked as a legal assistant in a New York litigation firm where he assisted in complex commercial litigation matters in the state and federal court systems. Mark obtained a Bachelor of Arts, summa cum laude & departmental honours, from Columbia University.

Mark enjoys woodcarving, hiking, cycling and hopes to some day to have his own dogsled team.

Year of call

Called to the British Columbia Bar, 2011

Affiliations

Member, Law Society of British Columbia

Member, Canadian Bar Association

Member, Phi Beta Kappa Honours Society

Member, American-Scandinavian Foundation

Erin is a graduate of the University of Ottawa, Faculty of Law, where she had the opportunity work on Aboriginal legal issues for First Nations and the United States Embassy. Throughout law school, Erin was an active member in the student-run LEAF Ottawa and was the branch's Communications Coordinator in her second year. She was a student organizer for the University of Ottawa's Conference on criminal law in a Post-Jane Doe Era, and participated in other social justice initiatives. She also volunteered as a court worker with the Elizabeth Fry Society in Edmonton.

Erin joins the firm after working for six years as a journalist. For much of that time she was an associate producer for CBC television and radio where she worked in the newsroom and on arts programs like Zed. She was also a story producer and researcher for documentaries and reality television shows. In 2007, Erin narrated and co-wrote the nationally televised documentary The Bully's Mark, in which she shared her own experiences with bullying as a teen and traced the evolution of bullying in a digital world.

Erin enjoys yoga, jogging with her dog Gracie and, a former dance instructor, she can sing along to most musicals.

Affiliations

Student Member, Law Society of British Columbia

Member, Canadian Bar Association

Member, LEAF

Alison is a graduate of the University of British Columbia, Faculty of Law, which she represented nationally as a member of its 2010-2011 Kawaskimhon Aboriginal Rights Moot team. During her time at law school, Alison gained unique experience in a wide range of practice areas. She took part in an intensive mediation practicum program, and had the opportunity to act as a mediator in B.C. Small Claims Court. She also worked as a legal assistant to a lawyer with a busy personal injury practice and as a research assistant to Professor Susan Boyd, who holds the Chair in Feminist Legal Studies at UBC. In her second year, Alison received the Law Dean's Public Interest Fellowship to complete an internship with Pivot Legal Society. At Pivot, she was able to engage her interests in social justice by assisting in the management of legal aid clinics for low-income members of the Downtown Eastside community.

Prior to obtaining her law degree, Alison worked as a licensed insurance broker with the Insurance Council of B.C. She has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of British Columbia with a Double Major in English Language and Women's and Gender Studies.

In her free time, Alison enjoys reconstructing vintage clothing, blogging, and Zumba.

Affiliations

Student Member, Law Society of British Columbia

Member, Canadian Bar Association

Member, Pivot Legal Society

Working for the Tribal Court Public Defense Clinic, she gained experience in Native American on-reservation criminal law. She also worked for the Northwest Justice Project's Native American Unit, providing legal aid to low-income Natives in civil matters. She gained experience in federal court working as a legal assistant for a solo practitioner involved in trust claims against the federal government regarding natural resource development on native allotment lands. Finally, Michelle pursued an interest in Aboriginal law in her home country through extensive independent research and writing projects supervised by the faculty in the Native American Law Center.

Prior to obtaining her law degree, Michelle was a Fulbright Scholar in Bogota, Colombia where she studied political science at the Universidad de los Andes, while volunteering at various non-profit organizations focused on social development. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from Wellesley College in Massachusetts with a Double Major in International Relations and Latin American Studies.

In her free time, Michelle is an avid backcountry skier, mountain biker, and yogi. She also enjoys travelling back to Colombia whenever possible.