Canada announces $1.1B in new maternal health funding

The leaders of the world's richest nations delivered a multi-billion dollar package for maternal health and child health care during the G8 meeting in Huntsville, Ont., on Friday.

CTV National News: John Vennavally-Rao reports

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Despite tackling topics ranging from the economy to maternal health in the poor countries, there were moments of levity at Friday's G8 summit in Huntsville, Ont.

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Prime Minister Stephen Harper holds a press conference to answer questions from the media on the G8 meeting in Huntsville, and what he hopes will be accomplished at the G20 summit in Toronto.

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According to CTV's Tom Clark, Prime Minister Stephen Harper's refusal to divulge the amounts contributed to his maternal and child health initiative by specific G8 nations suggests some wealthy countries may not have offered much support.

CTV News: Martin Baccardax on the agenda

World leaders seem to be more focused on the upcoming G20 summit in Toronto than the G8 in Muskoka, as nations are set to debate the importance of their respective debt issues.

CTV News Channel: Katherine McDonald on the aid

The executive director for Action Canada for Population says the money contributed to the maternal and child health initiative so far is still not enough to fill its $30 billion aid requirement.

Power Play: Lawrence Cannon, foreign affairs

Lawrence Cannon says the money going towards Africa has an objective to prevent the death of young children and woman who give birth. This initiative is designed to strengthen and provide better healthcare services.

CTV Toronto: John Musselman at the G8 Summit

Unlike the streets of Toronto, Huntsville enjoyed a quiet afternoon as world leaders arrived for their G8 Summit. John Musselman reports.

CTV News Channel: Tony Grace, 'A' News

Hundreds of people are lining the streets of Huntsville, Ont. in the hopes of catching a glimpse of the motorcades of G8 leaders on their way from the Deerhurst Resort.

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CTV News Channel: Chris Alexander on funds

The former Canadian ambassador to Afghanistan explains the significance of maternal health in developing nations and the critical, yet, controversial role Canada is playing in the maternal health funding issue.

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There are neither security-related traffic jams nor protesters filling the streets in Huntsville as G8 gets underway. Galit Solomon reports from cottage country.

CTV News Channel: Briefing in Huntsville, Ont.

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CTV News Channel: Derek Burney, fmr ambassador

The former Canadian ambassador to the United States says the major challenge for the G8 summit is the leaders' commitment to Prime Minister Stephen Harper's intiative on maternal health, while also saying the G20 will focus on global recovery.

Canada AM: Tony Clement, industry minister

The industry minister talks about the G8 getting underway in his Muskoka riding, the maternal health agreement among the leaders and says he is satisfied with the cost of the summit.

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Prime Minister Stephen Harper responds to a question during a news conference at the G8 Summit in Huntsville, Ont., on Friday June 25, 2010. (Adrian Wyld / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

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CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Fri. Jun. 25 2010 8:08 PM ET

Canada has committed nearly $3 billion for maternal-and-child health in the developing world over the next five year, Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced Friday at the G8 meeting in Huntsville, Ont.

About $1.1 billion of the figure is new money, while the remaining $1.75 billion had been previously announced.

Maternal health was Harper's signature initiative going into this week's G8/G20 meetings.

The issue became controversial earlier this year when the Conservative government said that no Canadian money will go towards funding abortion abroad.

Some aid groups, experts and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton criticized the abortion caveat, but the U.S., along with the U.K. and France, have supported the wider initiative.

Germany and Russia may also donate cash for the program.

Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon said that depending on the country, Ottawa will use either governments or NGOs -- based on accountability measures -- to ensure the funds are used appropriately.

Cannon mentioned that countries such as Haiti, Afghanistan, Mali, Tanzania and Mozambique will all benefit from the measure.

When asked about the abortion controversy, Cannon told CTV's Power Play that other rich countries donating money will be able to put funds to whichever procedures they wish.

Meanwhile, negotiations are currently underway for how much other nations will pledge. The Prime Minister's Office expects the so-called "Muskoka Initiative" to pass.

Private organizations as well as non-G8 countries are being pushed by Canada to contribute as well.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has already committed more than $1 billion to the initiative.

Still, former prime minister Paul Martin cautioned that past grand global commitments -- such as funds for AIDS drugs and curbing climate change -- have failed to live up to expectations.

"When a country makes a commitment, it should be held to account for it," Martin told Power Play.

Martin said that the G8 countries must ensure the maternal health funds flow in order to "maintain credibility."

Comments are now closed for this story

Roger the Grey
said

Good for Harper! I think it's wise for Harper to avoid funding controversial issues and stick to funding what he initially promised. As the article rightly points out, there are other countries that have an opportunity to fund abortions if they so desire.Attempting to turn this into "rights" debate will not resolve anything. Those who are pro-abortion will argue for the mother's right to choose whether their unborn child will live or die. Those who are pro-life will argue for the unborn child's right to live, even if the mother chooses to give her child up for adoption after he or she is born. This debate has been raging in North America for decades, with violence on both sides. Claiming that this is merely a religious debate is false; there are religious and non-religious people (even atheists) who argue on both sides of this debate. This is also an ethical issue, which overlaps into matters of morality, responsibility and accountability.So I applaud Harper for his decision to avoid abortion altogether, and support issues that MOST CANADIANS can agree on. Bravo!

Bill W James
said

The way Reverend Harper is blowing our tax dollars.

Armageddon best be tomorrow.

Robin
said

@Jon in London ON,Newsflash: Canada is NOT a theocracy. There is meant to be a separation of church and state. Ergo, one's faith should have NO PART in the creation of social policy, period! If that's too much for you, then move to the Middle East.

Michael
said

Great for Harper on maternal health and especially the refusal to finance abortion. Some misguided person said that Harper has lost every woman's vote by his decision -- take a look at the percentage who agree with him on this site and you'll see you are so wrong. Abortion is simply a shocking and terrible form of contraception for people who get pregnant because of the lack of sexual self-control -- a 2-minute orgasmic thrill at the cost of a life. It has nothing to do with maternal health.Teach self-control and don't take no for an answer. It's good for the psyche and society as a whole.

Katie
said

Unless the 3 billion dollars is going to help fund legal and safe abortions and providing condoms and birhtcontrol options it may as well go to buying crayons - or fake lakes. Maternal health is a necessary element to fund world wide and I am proud that Hiliary Clinton came up here and made her opinion known. Who are we to legislate what occurs in another country and more importantly who are we to say what a doctor can advocate to a patient. Around the world, the countries with the highest rates of mortality of the mother due to abortion are where it is illegal and underfunded. Smarten up and fund what is really needed! Maternal health includes abortion and birthcontrol.If you disagree with abortion than don't have one!!!!!!!!!!!

Jossie
said

I'm sick and tired of seeing one more penny of our hard earned money go abroad. Truth is that these African Governments are so corrupt that nothing will ever come of any of these countries or the people in them. Maternal health is baloney because they have no respect for women at all and that can't be legislated by the western world.Save more African mothers and babies? Why so that the African leaders can come here 20 years from now and demand food for those we saved because they certainly won't ever learn to produce it themselves. I remember unicef collecting funds to feed Aftricans in the '40s already and the problem is still there. Why? Because of corruption. If they can afford to buy guns why can't the African Governments learn to feed their own people and provide their own health care. It's easier to come and hold out your hand to other countries who constantly have to look good and generous to the rest of the world.There are plenty of poor people right here in Canada who could use these funds. What about the disabled? This is truly a disgrace.

Rick @ Ottawa
said

It's bad enough that Canadian taxpayers have to pay millions of dollars for abortions in this country. I certainly do not want to pay for abortions in another country.I'm sick of paying for service that I never use and believe most Canadians feel the same way. Real Canadians are hard working and self-reliant and do not need or want socialist hand-outs. It was these same attributes that built this country in the first place and it's the socialist left that's tearing it apart one dollar at time.

Ryan
said

"If the maternal health funding doesn't include access to safe abortion, it's a waste of money. Each year half a million women & 9 million children die because they don't have access to safe abortions. Women in Canada have these rights & they should be given to women around the world. It's shameful Harper not allowing women to make choices concerning their own bodies."Marg, half a million women a year die from lack of medical care during or shortly after pregnancy. Of which 3% are due to botched abortions. Children don't die from lack of abortion options, let alone 9 million! The number of children dieing from lack of abortions is precisely 0. Of the 9.5 million deaths related to lack of maternity care in the third world 15,000 are related to abortions. A good portion of those 15,000 deaths are from countries where abortion is illegal; g20 money would not support abortions in these countries. It is pretty telling about ones ideology when you suggest trying to save 9.4 million people is a waste of time because we aren't helping a few thousand abort their children. Lastly when aid money is limited the biggest bang for the buck is where we should be aiming our funds. That is precisely where Canada is aiming its funds.

Lynne Hollingsworth
said

I am very annoyed at the complaints I am hearing on the CTV news channel coverage of those whining about being asked questions by security personnel. Get over yourselves, people! I live just outside of Huntsville ON the site of G8 and I am delighted that the security services are doing such a good and responsible job in protecting both the world leaders who are here, and us as well! I found OPP who I encountered friendly, kind and reassuring. People who cry about their 'rights' are only using this public venue to be self-important.. these are world LEADERS, and not only SHOULD be protected, but must be protected--for all of us! Get over yourselves people!

Dave in Manotick
said

Great---take it out of whatever is left over after the security costs are paid.Here we are picking the pockets of every single Canadian, McGuinty has grabbed everything that is not nailed down, government is not providing the services we are supposed to get for our money, and Mr. Big Shot here just gives it away.Let's not forget this come the next election!

MD
said

So if we(Canadians) are spending billions in the third world to improve quality of life, does that mean we'll stop spending billions trying to bring the third world to Canada to lower our quality of life?

happy
said

If there is any justice Mr. Harper and the regressive conservatives will have lost every Canadian woman's vote today. He's a disgrace and an embarrassment yet again.

James
said

You want the money to be well spent? Spend the money here on our own people first. A billion dollars invested wisely would go along way to aleviate the coming pensioner issue.

maz in AB
said

People , (CANADIANS) are dying, waiting to get into the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton for Treatment and we're sending billions to WHERE for WHAT???????

Marc - Toronto
said

Listen to the liberal winers on this site. The attitude of what about me and I want money too is sickening. And it just seems no matter what the PM does the liberals hate it. 1 billion for maternal health and the initiave to bring others on board. What is the matter with that?Shake your heads folks....

Eldiablo
said

All you that are thumping the right to access abortion get one thing straight. The rest of the world is not like Canada. You are talkin about countries that socially are still in the dark ages with regards to abortion. If you want to let women in these countries have access to abortion let me buy you a ticket to Sudan and protest there and see how fast you run back to Canada. So before you start demonizing Harper think before you type.

Dave in Qc.
said

And just where will this money come from?you and me that's who.Enough with this drunken spending of our own childrens future.The best change to our constitution in Canada would be a way and means to impeach this buffoon of a PM.

TVic
said

Mr. Harper sure has a thing about 'billion dollars'. Maybe the mint could create a new billion dollar bill with his picture on it. This would sure save time and wear and tear on bureaucrats who have to fill so many suitcases so many of those smaller denomination bills. Let's see: $1billion for G8G20, $ billion for new prisons, $1 billion for maternal care, and 50 crisp new $1billion bills for the economic stimulus plan. Wow!

Pam
said

Since abortion is a high rated topic and should be available to all women in the world why cannot, we women, come up with something that would stop the men in an equal situation, like vascectomy (sorry about the spelling). If they all had to have that as it can be reversed then we may get some action for abortions. Religion is their answer to everything. Who said religious leaders had to be men, we do have a women at the helm of the Anglican church. Women go through the hell of childbirth, some even die, and then have to put up with the male saying "oh I can't accept the responsibility, it was only meant to be fun".

John Global
said

Having spent the last 7 years in underdeveloped countries, mostly Eastern Europe, I am ashamed of the selfish comments made by spoiled Canadians in this news article. The old adage is still true. By giving to others we receive great rewards in return. Our relatively quick bounce out of the Great Recession can be linked to the generosity of Canada even in troubled times

Bryan
said

This money should go towards funding family planning services and contraceptives in countries with huge birth rates. Controlling the population is a key stop to controlling climate change.

Against hypocrisy
said

Wow...some of you are really ignorant of what it takes to be a leader among countries; and some of you are truly ignorant of all the facts concerning maternal health in other countries. You listen to a single point about how many women worldwide have "unsafe" abortions and think that is the leading concern about maternal health??? Talk about brainwashing...Many, many countries/cultures do not approve of abortion and yet we push a western moral [immorality] upon them. Many, many of the countries needing maternal health have to do with nutrition, education and medical needs. Abortion is the very least of their concerns. We're all about apologizing for the gross indoctrination of the first nations of Canada, yet some of you have no problem with pushing your western morality on an intenrational level.

simon
said

***Canada announces $1B in new maternal health funding*** WHEN WAS THIS APPROVED BY PARLIAMENT?

Paul
said

I for one can say I'm extremely happy with how this government has preformed. For once someone is standing up for the quiet majority of Canadians.

Sask Ex-Libber
said

Way to go Steve and way to go Huntsville...show Toronto how to do it...

Jon in London ON
said

@ Marg Alberta; WHAT? Each year half a million women and 9 million children die because they don't have access to safe abortions? How does a safe abortion "save" a childs life?

Jon in London ON
said

@ West Coast Paul & RobinYour logic as follows;Liberals have no religious beliefs. Conservatives are hopeless religious zealots. Abortion is a an unaffordable medically necessary "life choice" procedure in underdeveloped countries. Therfore, the west must have all underdeveloped third world countries abandon their religious beliefs in order to reduce their birth rates. And we pick up tab.

Joe Canadian says this is Obscene
said

Dang, they take $1.3B from us for this stupid G20 Conference, then they promise $3B for Health Care to OTHER countries, while we get the finger, and our wait times for treatment get worse, and worse.

So far, we have given away a total of $4.3B, while our own people die waiting for health care, our pensioners eat cat food, NORTEL Pensioners and Long Term Disability people get the finger from the Feds, and the rest of us pay exhorbitant taxes to cover these giveaways. And all of this is just in the last several months.

And we wonder what is wrong with our country!! We should be asking what is right with our country.

My name is JOE, and I AM CANADIAN

Rick - Ottawa
said

Although the controversial topic of abortion is settled Law of the Land in Canada, this is not so with the rest of the world - especially the very areas that would benefit most from this type of aid. No matter how imperfect, (or how Canadians may personally feel about the abortion issue) we should be proud of this initiative and we should stop tossing around terms like "religious right" & "extremist" in describing our government. After all, we're above that sort of American-style stereotyping, aren't we?

Michael Vallins
said

Well done, Harper, you are commendable, faithful to your values and principles and are a beacon of light. We don't need to spend money aborting babies as a form of contraception, because that is precisely what it is. Let's hope the money will be well-spent educating women and men to have self-control and that sex without birth control is likely to produce babies. We should do the same here.

Laureen
said

Way to go Prime Minister for providing the worlds women and children with real compassion and care.

Wendy
said

Over 1 billion dollars spent, to showcase Stephen Harper's views on womens rights and make our entire country look like a bunch of hillbillies.

MAL of TO
said

107 applications and resume's this week - 1 call back. Do something for your own 50 year olds Steven before you save the world.

GWALLIS
said

Do you have an idea of what a real "Police State" is ? Face to Face meeting are required and continue to be relevant. A couple of security guards and K9 Unit don't cut it.

Marg Alberta
said

If the maternal health funding doesn't include access to safe abortion, it's a waste of money. Each year half a million women & 9 million children die because they don't have access to safe abortions. Women in Canada have these rights & they should be given to women around the world. It's shameful Harper not allowing women to make choices concerning their own bodies.

Pam
said

Why doesn't he do the same for all Canadians? There are numerous people who would like to have their own children but need IVF treatments but NO he has to give their hard earned money to other countries to fight over population. Weird.

Claude Demarinis
said

Canada should spend this locally. We have the2nd higest childhood obesity and type 2 diabetes in the G8. This a shame . Our seniors need care and our women need more time off on maternity and better compensation for caregivers. This is all politics.

Robin
said

Reverend Harper's signature initiative has been tarnished with the preacher's faith-based and ideologically-driven drivel.

Paul West Coast
said

Stephen Harper could have provided $2 billion if he did this over the phone; instead he wasted a Billion Dollars to create a police state in downtown Toronto and in Ontario cottage country. Harper is so influenced by the religious right in our country he refuses to acknowledge all life choices for women; particulary women in underdeveloped countries who cannot afford medically necessary procedures.

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