Paradis defends mining executive on advisory panel on international aid

OTTAWA – Canada’s new development minister is standing firm on two controversial policies — using a mining executive as one of his key advisers and not funding abortions in cases of war rape.

International Development Minister Christian Paradis says both policies will remain as he moves forward with integrating the former Canadian International Development Agency into Foreign Affairs.

The merger was first publicized, with no fanfare, in this year’s federal budget.

Paradis is carrying forward the Conservative government’s plan to integrate private businesses into Canada’s overall development strategy.

Paradis defended the appointment of the chief executive of Rio Tinto Alcan to a five-person advisory panel on the restructuring of his department, saying the private sector can be valuable in helping break the cycle of poverty.

The approach has been tried in places such as the United Kingdom, but remains unpopular with some aid groups.