 |
|
|
|
|
| NEWS - FULL STORY |
|
January 3rd, 2008: Bill C-293, Canada's Better Aid BillCheck out this article written by Mike Spagnolo, a volunteer with YCI in Guyana this past summer. Mike is currently interning with Free the Children.
BILL C-293: Canada’s Better Aid Bill
Bill C-293 (also known as the Better Aid Bill) is a private member’s bill that was sponsored by MP John Mckay in May 2006. The bill proposes that Canadian foreign aid spending be provided with a specific focus on poverty reduction and the promotion of international human rights while remaining accountable to the priorities and concerns of the poor. If passed, the law would require government officials to annually review aid spending that is made by CIDA, Foreign Affairs and other departments.
In its analysis of Canada’s development assistance practices, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) stated that Canada’s foreign aid policy does not reveal a stable or clear direction. It reports that "Canada needs a clear, simple and consistent vision for development assistance which would give CIDA a clear purpose and specific objectives that can be monitored by Parliament."
Advocates of the bill include Senator Romeo Dallaire (former Force Commander of the UN Mission to Rwanda), Alexa McDonough (NDP Foreign Affairs Critic) and Caroline St-Hilaire (Bloc Québecois international cooperation critic) who believe that the Better Aid Bill would drastically improve the provision of development assistance abroad as well as place Canada as a major player in the fight for global poverty reduction.
On March 28, 2007, the bill had passed a third reading in the House of Commons with the support of the Liberals, New Democratic Party and Bloc Quebecois who had all voted in favour of the legislation. Although Prime Minister Stephen Harper had called for a legislative mandate for foreign aid when he was leader of the opposition, his government now shows resistance to the Bill.
In the last several months, over 11,000 Canadians across the country have been pushing for the passing of the bill through rallies, petitions and emails targeted to the Canadian government. This act of civic action had paid off on December 12, as Bill C-293 was approved in a second reading in the Canadian Senate. Now that the bill as left the full Senate Chamber, the next step is for the bill to be considered by the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade.
Take Action Now!
Let your voice be heard by contacting Senator Consiglio Di Nino (Chair of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade) and show your support for Bill C-239!
Email: senatorcon@sen.parl.gc.ca
Phone: (613) 943-1454
Mail: Senator Consiglio Di Nino,
The Senate of Canada,
Ottawa, Ontario,
K1A 0A4
| | | |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
