Prime Minister Stephen Harper is killing the Canadian
International Development Agency by folding it into the Department of Foreign
Affairs and International Trade.
It’s a callous and greedy move.
When CIDA was formed, the goal was to share seven-tenths of
one per cent of Canada’s wealth to help the poorest people in the poorest
nations.
Canada never came close to reaching that goal.
But thousands of Canadians, through personal donations of
money, time and talents have far surpassed that goal of seven-tenths of one per
cent.
The government has been encouraging them with tax breaks and
with support for many international relief and development projects.
Most of these are carried out by NGOs – non-government
organizations – and Christians are prominent among them, charities such as the
Mennonite Central Committee, the Roman Catholic’s Justice and Peace, Lutheran
World Relief, World Renew, World Accord, World Vision, the Canadian Foodgrains
Bank.
But now the Harper government talks about forming new
partnerships with mining companies, finance companies, etc.
These are organizations whose main goal is garnering
profits. It is totally different from the goal of the NGOs, which is to help
needy people.
Harper is making a huge mistake. His approach will not work
to help needy people. Whenever a choice arises between profit and aid, his new
partners will trash their programs and budgets for compassion and help for
needy people.
And so will Harper trash government budgets for the same
goals. He is really only continuing the trend he began when he took office.
I am distressed by what’s happening. I used to be proud of
Canada’s generosity, but this makes me ashamed.
