Canada's foreign aid should reflect its values of gender equality, democratic governance, health

Nov 28 2012

"As we head into the time of year people usually associate with selflessness and giving, Canadians should stop and think about whether our country is doing enough for international development," Steven Hoffman, an assistant professor at McMaster University, a fellow at the University of Toronto and an instructor at the Harvard School of Public Health, writes in a Globe and Mail opinion piece. "Foreign aid policy is the way a country presents itself and its values to the world," Hoffman writes, adding, "If you ask Canadians, three natural values stand out: gender equality, democratic governance and health for all. These are Canadians' priorities." He continues, "The business case for giving priority to health in our foreign aid policy is particularly strong," and adds, "Global health initiatives contribute to social well-being while also advancing human rights, trade, economic growth, and security." He writes, "Canada is certainly not the world leader it once was and should be on health issues. That role has been abandoned by the current federal government," and continues, "Canada must build on its strengths and the priorities of its citizens to address development needs, especially gender equality, democratic governance, and global health" (11/26).