Let’s End Foreign Aid – by Ending Poverty

The Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade’s report on Sub-Saharan Africa has ignited a much-needed debate on aid to that continent. Far too many citizens of Africa continue to live in grinding poverty, despite the billions of dollars spent by well-meaning western agencies and individuals. Yet amidst the challenges posed by under-development, conflict, corruption and HIV/AIDS, we should remember that there are many examples where assistance has made a real difference in people’s lives.

However, our organizations agree with the committee’s call for aid to be better rooted in the actual realities of Africa. More decision-making powers on how aid is spent should be in the hands of the communities directly affected. That’s how most volunteer-cooperation agencies work -- in partnership with community groups trying to reduce poverty.

We do need improvements to the way Canada administers its Official Development Assistance through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) - both in what we support and how best to administer this assistance. But we shouldn’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. We must not lose sight of the many successes the agency supports; for example, the efforts of the dedicated Canadian volunteers we send to the field who are responding to development needs as expressed by Africans themselves.

Aid, of course, has never been the full answer to poverty reduction. As called for by the Senate committee, we must look at Canada’s trade policies, to ensure our borders are open to African businesses. It does not help Africa if international trade policies are skewed in favour of heavily subsidized industries in the west, while dumping below-cost goods on fragile markets in developing countries.

We must also continue to advocate for debt cancellation for the world’s poorest countries, and ensure that future World Bank and IMF grant and loan conditions do not diminish a national government’s ability to invest in health and education. And we must take action on threats to life and human rights in Africa – in Darfur and elsewhere on the continent.

While we agree with the Senate report’s call for greater economic development, we caution that support for health, education and an active civil society remain critical. In fact, these investments in people are prerequisites for the sustained economic growth envisioned in the report. Failure to invest in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment programs, including access to affordable medicines, will doom economic development efforts. In countries most burdened by the disease, the pandemic ravages people in their most productive years and lays waste to local economies.

While the Senate committee is wary of direct support to African governments, we believe that within a framework of accountability and results, Canadian funding to democratic and effective governments can help ensure appropriate investment in basic health and education systems to meet the needs of their citizens.

One of the committee’s boldest recommendations is to create an Africa Office that would see development, diplomatic and trade personnel working under one roof. While it may sound logical, it may in fact weaken the committee recommendation to better ground aid in the realities of Africa -- Canadian trade and geo-political interests could take precedence over ending poverty. Trade, aid, diplomacy and security have interconnected but separate goals.

We believe that wide-ranging reforms at CIDA can lead to the improved aid programs the Senate report calls for, along with the appointment of a senior Minister, a proposed legislative framework on aid making its way through Parliament, and clear and measurable objectives.

By all means, let’s take a clear-eyed view of our involvement in Africa’s development. Ultimately, the best way to end debates on foreign aid is to build local economies and end poverty. From first-hand experience, Canada’s volunteer-cooperation agencies have seen that a better future is possible and within our reach. We hope the Senate report will help feed a sense of urgency - not despondency - for continued and constructive Canadian engagement with Africa.

Signed by

A Coalition of Canadian VOLUNTEER COOPERATION AGENCIES

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For more information: 

Patrick Lohier,
Public Engagement Officer
Tel: (416) 961-2376 Ext. 236
plohier@ceso-saco.com