Apr 18, 2024 - 13:07
By cbc.ca

Liberals 'doubling down' on foreign aid as G7 allies pull back

Foreign aid groups are hailing 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.

International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen would not confirm the total amount of Canada's foreign aid, though Higgins pegs that total at just over $7 billion this year, and $7.2 billion next year.

«We can talk about the details at another time, in terms of the number-crunching. What I can tell you because the budget was just introduced, is we're very happy with the fact that our government is doubling down on international assistance,» Hussen said Wednesday.

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.

Global Affairs Canada has been asked to confirm whether the total amount of aid for this year is indeed $7 billion. Higgins said the government needs to be more transparent in how it reports data.