We're very delighted to be here and that we're not going to be talking about taxation today. I am pleased that we're among the last of your speakers, because the issue we're bringing to the table is critically important, so I'm delighted to have your attention.
The Canadian Partnership for Women and Children's Health is a network of Canadian non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, health professional associations, researchers, doctors, nurses, and midwives from coast to coast across Canada, who work together to improve the health and lives of women and children in the world's poorest countries. Our colleagues are working in over 1,000 regions around the world.
Our partnership is focused on getting the most out of every dollar invested in global health, through efficiency and collaboration. We know that healthy women and children are foundational to building healthier and more productive economies, and our research shows us that Canadians care greatly, as I know all of you do around this table.
Budget 2018 is the time for Canada to ensure that empowered women and girls can take full advantage of economic opportunities and decisions critical to their health, daily lives, and livelihood. This vision is reflected in Canada's new feminist international assistance policy and in the universal sustainable development goals.
To meet this vision, we have two recommendations for budget 2018. First, we strongly recommend that Canada meet its international commitment and do its fair share to build a prosperous and peaceful world by committing to a timetable of at least a 12% annual increase to our international assistance envelope, starting in 2018.
We're proud that Canada's development assistance is reducing global poverty and making the world a safer place while also advancing Canada's security, prosperity, and values at home and abroad. Opportunities and productivity for Canadians are directly linked to inclusive and stable global growth that works for everyone. In a global economy, that means greater prosperity for Canadians by strengthening our international market share.
Research indicates that countries receiving development assistance import more Canadian goods than they would without aid, and although it is absolutely not the purpose of international aid, this is a positive by-product. In fact, $1 in aid can contribute to $1.19 in exported goods.
The Government of Canada has stated that it will restore and renew Canada's international assistance and re-engage globally. Since Canada is at its lowest official development assistance level in decades, responsible increases are urgently needed to ensure continued Canadian global leadership.
Second, we recommend that Canada affirm and expand its current commitments to women and children's health. This is the smartest investment with the greatest dividend. Since 1990—and I want you to really listen to this—rates of maternal and child death have been cut in half around the world, and that has been with great thanks to Canadian leadership and investment. It is the first time in history that rates have been cut in half, and Canadians have had a big role in this.
At current funding levels, we are at risk of losing these significant gains. The stakes are high. One woman dies around the world every two minutes from pregnancy and childbirth-related complications. Sixteen thousand children will die today from completely preventable causes, and we know exactly what to do. With basic, quality health care and modern contraception, maternal deaths will be decreased by 67% and newborn deaths by 77%.
The hardest hit by extreme poverty, the effects of climate change, and humanitarian crises are women and girls, and they must be at the heart of ending extreme poverty. The investment case is crystal clear. Investing in women and children's health yields at least a tenfold return through better educational attainments, workforce participation, and social contributions. Investments in early childhood and adolescent health and development yield at least $100 billion U.S. in demographic dividends.
Canada's history of contributing to a healthy and prosperous world by investing in the health and rights of the most vulnerable populations is at risk and can only be safeguarded with renewed investment now.
In closing, we urge you to strengthen Canada's international assistance in budget 2018 to reflect these important Canadian values so that together we can continue to ensure that every woman, every adolescent, and every child survives and thrives everywhere.
Thank you.