The untying of food aid was a very significant move because it allowed for purchasing food and other resources closer to where an emergency might have taken place. So in actual quantity terms, it results in much more assistance being able to be delivered much more quickly, and often supporting local farmers and local economies. So it is a very significant move.
It's true what Mr. McKay said earlier, that we can't expect Canadian aid effectiveness to improve overnight, but I do think it's beginning to move in the right direction and we need to keep pushing for that.
A really important point here is that Mr. McKay's bill does require that Canadian aid be oriented towards poverty reduction. We do have concerns about shifting aid away from some key African countries to others in Latin America that are not as clearly in need of assistance. We think that may be because there are more economic opportunities there for Canadian business. So we would question that aspect, while recognizing that things like untying food aid are a positive initiative. We would say we can't turn our back on Africa now that we have kept our promise about doubling aid to Africa. We need to continue to be there. That's where the need is greatest. So we need to make sure the aid is going to poverty reduction and not to other foreign policy goals.
So I agree with you on some things, but I would urge you to consider rethinking that aspect of your government's policy.