December 14, 2007 2007-099
The Honourable Jim Flaherty, Minister of Finance, today announced that Canada will contribute $1.3 billion to the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA), an organization that provides interest-free loans and grants to the world's poorest countries.
"Our government is committed to ensuring Canada's international assistance is effective, and that taxpayers' money is well spent," said Minister Flaherty. "Today's contribution, a 25-per-cent increase, is a perfect example of that commitment. IDA has a long history of providing assistance to countries that need it most, and has established a reputation as one of the most effective development institutions."
Today's three-year contribution to the 15th replenishment of IDA (IDA15), confirmed at the Fifth IDA15 Replenishment Meeting in Berlin, Germany, on December 1314, represents an increase of $262 million and will push Canada's share of IDA funding to nearly 4 per cent, Canada's highest share in 10 years.
The contribution is part of the Budget 2007 commitment to double Canadian development assistance by 201011 from 200102 levels. It is also part of the Government's intention, reaffirmed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper at this year's Group of Eight (G8) summit, to double international assistance to Africa by 200809 from 200304 levels, as more than 50 per cent of IDA's resources are expected to go towards Africa.
The International Development Association is the World Bank's principal financing tool for the world's poorest nations, providing 81 countries with interest-free loans and grants. The new financing will allow IDA to enhance its focus on effective delivery of aid, financing for large regional projects like infrastructure, and special assistance for fragile states such as Afghanistan and Haiti, while ensuring countries do not take on unsustainable levels of debt.
___________________________________ For further information, media may contact:
Chisholm Pothier
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Finance
613-996-7861
David Gamble
Media Relations
Department of Finance
613-996-8080
