Foreign aid organizations fret that more cuts are coming in federal budget

OTTAWA – Foreign aid advocates are fearful the Conservative government is planning to make even deeper cuts to foreign aid in next week’s budget.

A coalition of non-governmental organizations has launched an online petition urging the government to spare foreign aid from the chopping block.

It urges the government to preserve funding that supports childhood vaccinations, promotes healthy newborns and mothers and helps lift millions out of poverty.

In 2012, the Conservatives announced they were cutting almost $380 million, or 7.5 per cent, from Canada’s $5.3-billion annual aid budget. That included $290 million in unspent funds that were returned to the treasury.

The government made no further cuts in last year’s budget, but did merge the Canadian International Development Agency with the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade.

That move raised concerns from aid groups that Canada’s commitment to reducing poverty would take a back seat to pursuing trade and investment opportunities for corporate Canada in developing countries.

Just this week, International Development Minister Christian Paradis said promoting economic growth and fighting poverty go hand in hand. He made the remarks upon his return from a South African mining conference.