International aid groups named Canada as a laggard on development aid for Africa and accused Stephen Harper's government of trying to water down a G8 statement on support for health care in the world's poorest continent.
As the G8 summit opened in Toyako, Japan on Monday, aid groups Oxfam and One said that Canada's own 2005 promise to double aid to Africa was small compared to other countries in the Group of Eight, placing them in a group of laggards with Italy, France and Japan.
They also said Canada is trying to water down a draft communiqué on supporting health measures, backed by U.S. President George W. Bush – so that instead of G8 leaders saying they will “commit” to the measures, they would only acknowledge that health experts recommend them.
“We must see strong language and commitments in that health communiqué, too. We know that a number of countries are trying to water down that language. We're very concerned about the Canadians, in particular,” said Oxfam spokesman Max Lawson.
The Canadian minister responsible for aid, International Co-operation Minister Bev Oda, refused to confirm or deny the accusation that Canada is trying to water down the G8's statement on health measures for Africa.
But she said Canada is already spending sizable sums on health in Africa and suggested Canada doesn't want to make an easy commitment that might not be kept. More...
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