The editor:
It鈥檚 somewhat of a tradition for Canadian politicians to throw around money at election time, wooing voters with promises of financial largess for themselves and their communities. This appeals to a very low human impulse: what鈥檚 in it for me?
For more than 40 years Canada has been part of an international agreement committing to spend 0.7 per cent of gross national income on global development assistance, and we鈥檝e never been further from this goal, which is currently at 0.24 per cent. Most developed nations are above 0.3 per cent, with several at the agreed-upon target.
Canada repeatedly ranks among the top of all nations in terms of quality of life and standard of living. The vast majority of the world鈥檚 people live far below Canadian standards of nutrition, sanitation, clean water and security.
As the election season winds up, with the inevitable promises of more money 铿倅ing out of Ottawa, I鈥檓 waiting for all party leaders to acknowledge the wealthy and enviable position Canada already enjoys, and rather than showering us with more money, af铿� rm their commitment to raising our global development contributions to the long-delayed 0.7 per cent.
Nathaniel Poole
Victoria, B.C.
听
