LETTER

It's time Canada went back

 

It was Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau that reached the highest level of giving internationally. Under his leadership, Canada was giving 56 cents on every $100 we made to international assistance. Now, his son is giving less than half that at 26 cents on every $100 and he's claiming we're 'back.' I think it's time Canada went back and gave more.  It is estimated that every additional cent invested in international assistance per $100 of gross national income saves a minimum of 25,000 lives. With the budget soon to be released, we will find out what the current government really values, and I hope that the answer is every life. It is time Canada increased its commitment to official development assistance and worked towards the target set nearly 50 years ago to give 0.7% of our national income to international assistance.

Erika Richter, Ottawa