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PM announces $105M in Canadian aid for Africa
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CTV.ca News Staff
Date: Mon. Nov. 26 2007 4:23 PM ET
Prime Minister Stephen Harper announced today that Canada will contribute more than one-fifth of the funding for a $500-million health improvement program for Africa and Asia.
However, the contribution is still far from what the government promised to spend on financial aid, according to documents obtained by CTV.
Harper outlined details of the Canadian-led Initiative to Save a Million Lives during a visit to Tanzania on the final day of his trip to Africa.
In total, Canada is donating $105 million over five years to help train about 40,000 frontline health workers to deliver a wide-ranging list of services, said Harper.
The workers will specifically carry out services such as:
- Measles and DPT (diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus) shots to prevent deadly communicable diseases
- Insecticide-treated bednets to protect children under five and pregnant women from malaria
- Re-hydration therapy to prevent deaths from diarrhea
- Antibiotics to fight pneumonia
- Drugs to prevent mother-to-child transmission of HIV/AIDS
- Micronutrients such as vitamin A to fight malnutrition
- Breastfeeding education for new mothers
"These actions are getting real results, including lower rates of HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, increased peace and security, stronger economic growth, and better governance," said Harper.
The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, UNICEF, the World Health Organization, the World Bank, and several other countries including Norway are also involved in the initiative.
Overall, Canadian funding alone is expected to help save 200,000 lives in Africa.
"Once fully implemented, the initiative will save over 500 children's lives every day,'' said Harper.
"Canada is on track to double its aid to Africa by 2008-09."
But CTV's David Akin, travelling with the prime minister, said Canada is not yet meeting its original global aid targets.
"In 2005, MPs... voted to move our level of aid up to 50 cents of every $100 of GDP but in fact just last year Canada only spent 30 cents," he said.
Documents obtained by CTV News show that Canada is going to be spending just 29 cents of every $100 of GDP by 2010, said Akin.
As a result, some aid organizations may criticize Canada for not doing more, said Akin.
Harper said his government knows more has to be done.
"We recognize we still have some work to do to achieve the targets we have set for ourselves," he said.
Harper made the announcement following a lunch meeting with Tanzanian President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete.
The Initiative to Save a Million Lives is one of the main components of the Africa Health Systems Initiative announced by Harper at the 2006 G8 Summit.
Earlier in the day, Harper toured a primary school greeting children and watching them recite the names of animals in English.
The prime minister was in Uganda last week for the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, which involves member states all linked together by Britain's colonial legacy.
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I applaud the budget, even though Health Care and education may stay unscathed. Sadly this cannot last and I worry to later this year where cuts will become enviable. If anything, this provides the Wildrose Alliance plenty of ammo when an election is called.
Comments are now closed for this story
Harvey D
said
Eric
said
hollinm
said
Lowell
said
Travis
said
Do you not know the absolute privilege we have in Canada? Forbid that we actually look past ourselves and do something for dying children in other countries. There are a lot of things to complain about in this world. Helping dying kids get medical treatment isn't one of them.
You are complaining that we don't have enough in Canada. Try living in a poor African community for a few months. That'll fix your concerns like no heavily subsidized health care program will ever do.
Alberta, Canada.
RRO
said
For all those who say our international influence is waning under Harper should remember that it was the Chretien and Martin Governments that cut international aid, and decreased funding to our foreign service. Harper is making an effort to show Canada still plays a role in the world through announcements like this and Canadians should be proud of the warm reception he is receiving. The Harper Government is closer to meeting our foreign obligations than the past three governments.
RRO
said
It is common when doing major announcements for new initiatives for the partner who contributes the largest single amount to take front and center. In this case Canada is the largest single contributor and was the leader of getting it started. It was a Canadian initiative, backed by a large chunk of Canadian money.
Many top experts agree Harper has been one of the most active Prime Ministers on foreign affairs in recent memory trying to define Canada as a player on the world stage. This is a start, does more need to be done yes, but that won't be accomplished by putting down every attempt. Harper has certainly done more than Martin and Chretien both who cut foreign aid spending, made these big promises to Africa and knowing full well they would never deliver and cut spending to the foreign service.
Nancy
said
Jeebus
said
DCG
said
Ryan
said
Canada was just recently slammed by the UN for NOT providing enough money to our own children, so how about taking that $105 Million and put it there to shut the UN up?
Perhaps we should just stop taking orders from the UN! I know, Bill Gates can make the donation for us!
Canadian interests FIRST, international second!
Rob P
said
Maxwell
said
The problem of giving money to Africa is that at the end of the day those money still find their ways back to banks here in western countries. The only difference is that this time it will be under a different account name of African leaders, their children or cronies.
I will urge the Canadian govenrment to monitor every single cents of this money to see that it is judiciously utilize for the good of ordinary people in the street of Africa. I hope this won't be another money to be squandered by African corrupt leaders and their cronies.
hollinm
said
forte
said
Mike Johnson
said
Why look after others when we need help ourselves.
James McEwen
said
JB
said
Sure, we have decent health care and most appreciate it. But don't get tunnel vision and ignore the fact that it has some serious issues. As an example; we have people who have been waiting 4 years for simple knee surgery - evidently our health care system thinks it's cheaper to provide an infinite supply of pain-killers (which creates yet more health issues). The amount of money in lost wages due to such delays is staggering.
Imagine how far that 500 Million could have gone toward homeless families/children in Canada. I'm not heartless, but I'd rather see my tax dollars go to helping Canadians first. Instead, we put so-called Mexican "refugees" up in decent housing, and provide them with income, food, health care, etc while many Canadian children are living in squalor and fail to qualify for such programs.
If you prefer your money to help people in Africa, there are many charitable foundations through which to do so. Our tax dollars should go to providing for the needs of Canadians first.
nancy
said
Review your history as Pearson won the Nobel award way after WWII. Also, the Canadian government was not in a position in the late 80s and all of the 1990s to make substantive aid payments due to domestic fiscal problems. Once the Liberals settled the debt to GDP ratio problem left by Mulroney then we've had an opportunity to get back into aid giving.
Ryan O
said
If you look at the story, Tanzania is one of the most stable democracies in Africa which is why Harper choose to do the announcement there as a statement to the rest of the continent about the value of Democracy. He showed how stable democracies can work with the world to accomplish good things.
Joel
said
Greg from Kitchener
said
Way to go Harper!
Couver
said
RJT
said
Maxwell: I agree, a heavy monitoring and accountablity should be attached to the money.
Jeebus: Our native population is suffering because of corruption, isolation, marginalization, intentional exclusion and plain old racism. Not to mention our governments refusing to honor legal land agreements.
JB:I have made the same statements as you have about our health care, it is in dire straights. Our Mexican workers are here on visas and as imported labour there are rules and standards that must ensure the safety of our guests and our food chain supply. Please dont be unkind, they're not stealing or here illegally, these are people with families making an honest living. Nothing wrong with that.
CTV: thank you for providing this forum as a means of connecting Canadians on all issues relevant to our world.
AJW
said
Sean
said
I don't care one damned bit if people are starving and dying from disease in foreign countries because of corrupt governments and overpopulation. I've had to struggle hard for every single thing my Son and I have too. Charity begins at home and as far as I and many Canadians are concerns, it ends there too.
T-roy
said
"Canada hasn't been a leader on the world stage since world war 2."
So your definition a world leader is one that is killing people in other countries?
Our influence is waning under Harper. Big time. Our influence WAS getting others on board and progressing forward together, peacefully. Your view seems to be get what you want, screw everyone else and then wait for what the US got with the same horrible foreign policy. One I might add that Harper is also vocalizing the intent of by attacking those of other nationalities in the HOC such as Mr Bains, a very fine individual.
BWG
said
Good show Mr. PM, good show.
David
said
FreakAlert
said
Lart from Above
said
Michele
said
after reading JB's post, "if you prefer your money to help people in Africa,
there are many charitable foundations through which to do so", I have to say
I agree with him. Taxes are collected to run the government of Canada; therefore,
should be used for that purpose. Any extra should go to pay down the debt until it is paid off, then lower our taxes to cover ONLY what is needed to run the country. Each individual Canadian can choose which charity they would like to support and donate to it if they choose. I'm sure not everyone would choose to support the same cause (as what effectively happens when government chooses). I think governments should be limited in how they spend our tax dollars.
This would also limit them 'buying votes'.
Mike
said
cc
said
Amanda
said
jenna
said
Ian
said
It is unethical and sickening for the government to force its citizens to donate to a charity of the government's choosing.
Stick to your responsibilities Harper and return freedom to the individual.
JWS
said
BW NS
said
Barbara Watson
said
This movie is riveting, informative, and to those just becoming aware of the atrocities - the truth behind the mask - it will be an eyeopener. A must see movie!