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I founded CIDA, but its death worries me less than Harper’s foreign-aid agenda
MAURICE STRONG
The Globe and Mail
Published Tuesday, Apr. 02 2013, 8:40 AM EDT
Last updated Tuesday, Apr. 02 2013, 9:05 AM EDT
But what Canadians really need to focus upon are the dramatic changes to the purpose and the mandate of Canada’s foreign-assistance program. The deep cuts that the government has made in development assistance have already had a major impact on Canada’s reputation as a leader in the international-development community. Now, the commercialization of our development funding further discredits Canada’s commitment to supporting the progress of developing countries. This commitment has long won us the respect of the international community and a relationship of trust and confidence with developing countries for which Canadians can take pride.
It has always been true that development assistance contributes in varying ways to Canada’s own economic interest. But making commercial interests the main purpose of our program will undermine its effectiveness – quite apart from its damage to our credibility and influence.
This policy – if the government proceeds with its implementation – will further undermine Canada’s respect in the international community. This government’s negative positions on climate change, its repudiation of the Kyoto Protocol, and its withdrawal from other United Nations, environmental and related programs have already transformed us from leader to laggard.
The international community was stunned by the latest example of Canada’s position on international development, when Ottawa withdrew last week from the Convention to Combat Desertification. It is now the only country that does not participate in this convention, which is of such great importance to the poorest developing countries, especially in drought-prone areas of Africa.
It has always been true that development assistance contributes in varying ways to Canada’s own economic interest. But making commercial interests the main purpose of our program will undermine its effectiveness – quite apart from its damage to our credibility and influence.
This policy – if the government proceeds with its implementation – will further undermine Canada’s respect in the international community. This government’s negative positions on climate change, its repudiation of the Kyoto Protocol, and its withdrawal from other United Nations, environmental and related programs have already transformed us from leader to laggard.
The international community was stunned by the latest example of Canada’s position on international development, when Ottawa withdrew last week from the Convention to Combat Desertification. It is now the only country that does not participate in this convention, which is of such great importance to the poorest developing countries, especially in drought-prone areas of Africa.
Full Article: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/commentary/i-founded-cida-but-its-death-worries-me-less-than-harpers-foreign-aid-agenda/article10663501/
