Liberals buck global trend by increasing foreign aid
Foreign aid groups have hailed the federal Liberal government’s return to a policy of increasing humanitarian and development spending each year, while asking for a plan to push allies to reverse a global decline in aid.
“It was a good moment for Canada to step up and show global leadership by making this commitment of additional, new humanitarian money,” said Kate Higgins, the head of Cooperation Canada, which represents more than 100 non-profits.
The Liberals pledged in their Tuesday budget to increase humanitarian aid by $150 million in the current fiscal year and $200 million the following year.
Global Affairs Canada says that means total foreign aid for this fiscal year “is projected to exceed $7 billion,” though the department did not offer a precise number.
“When others are withdrawing, or talking about withdrawing from the world, we are doubling down on our engagement,” International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen said this week.
The Liberals faced persistent criticism a year ago from the aid sector when they earmarked $6.9 billion in funding for development and humanitarian needs, a 15 per cent decline from the previous year.
The Trudeau government has pledged to increase foreign aid ever year they’re in office, but the Liberals said they made exceptional increases to aid spending to account for the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, eventually exceeding $8 billion.
The new humanitarian funding comes at what Higgins calls an unprecedented state of need and complexity, with major wars in the Gaza Strip, Ukraine and Sudan, along with conflict and mass migration crises in Myanmar, Nigeria and Venezuela.
Countries known for their aid spending, such as the U.K. and France, have cut back on foreign aid, citing pressures on their domestic economies. UNICEF Canada says nearly a quarter of the world’s children are living in or fleeing from conflict zones.
Hussen said Canada’s aid will continue to put a focus on supporting women and helping them create the conditions for peace.
“Our government believes and knows the value of international aid, and the results that it delivers all around the world, and right here at home,” he said.
The budget reaffirmed Canada’s pledges to push for the reform of multilateral financing institutions like the World Bank.
The aim is to help poor countries escape debt traps and the financial burden of catastrophic natural disasters, moving instead toward being able to invest in infrastructure that’s more resilient to climate change.
Higgins was glad to see that commitment reiterated, but stressed Ottawa needs to be more transparent in how it reports its data, especially since the budget did not outline the cumulative figure of foreign aid for this fiscal year.