Development and Peace is concerned by recent comments made by the Minister of International Cooperation that Canadian foreign aid will be increasingly directed towards private-sector initiatives. In our Fall 2012 Education Campaign, we asked Canadians to reflect on the principles that should guide Canadian international aid, as a significant shift in policy appeared to be taking place.
Minister Fantino’s statements have now made it clear that CIDA’s new emphasis is on corporate partnerships and the promotion of Canada’s economic interests abroad, with priority given to support for corporations involved in resource extraction.
In response to these announcements, we have sent a letter to Minister Fantino expressing our concerns and those of our partners in the Global South, who witness daily the often negative impacts of foreign direct investment on their countries, in particular in relation with extractive industries.
We invite you to read the letter to Minister Fantino.