Dear Friends,

Last week, Finance Minister Jim Flaherty announced a modest but welcome increase in the aid budget, but also a five-year freeze thereafter, breaking Canada’s longstanding promise to provide 0.7 percent of our economy in aid.

Freezing our aid would cement our place as the fifth least generous among all 22 donor countries. By 2015, our aid spending will go from 0.34 percent of the economy to 0.28 percent, despite our longstanding commitment to give 0.7 percent, more than double current spending.

These funds are vital to keeping our promises to the world’s poor. Freezing them will cost some the world’s most vulnerable people their lives.

Earlier this week, Oxfam and dozens of other local and national organizations launched a campaign to demand bold leadership from the G8 and G20 on poverty, climate change and the global economy. [Learn about At the Table at www.atthetable2010.org]

We can all start today by sending a strong message to Finance Minister Jim Flaherty to rescind the freeze on aid.

Send a message today: Ask Canada to show leadership worthy of the G8 and G20 host. Ask Mr. Flaherty to rescind the freeze on the aid budget.   

Use the form below to send a message to Finance Minister Jim Flaherty.

1094 messages have already been sent. View the public list of message senders.

To: Hon Jim Flaherty Minister of Finance Government of Canada Parliament Hill, Ottawa, ON Dear Minister Flaherty, As a proud Canadian I want to see Canada take bold and concrete action in addressing the critical issues of extreme poverty and global inequality.  I want to see Canada lead the world when the G8 and G20 hold their summits in our country. I’m pleased you increased the aid budget for 2011, but I am not pleased with your proposal to freeze it thereafter. We must keep our promise to give 0.7 percent of our economy in aid.  Please rescind your proposed freeze on our aid budget and resume steady increases in aid spending until we reach the 0.7 percent target. Sincerely, Your Name: Your Email: City, Province , - select - Alberta British Columbia Manitoba New Brunswick Newfoundland & Labrador Northwest Territories Nova Scotia Nunavut Ontario Prince Edward Island Quebec Saskatchewan Yukon Postal Code: Include my name and location on the public signature board (your email will not be shown) I wish to receive Oxfam's email Newsletter

 

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