What you're pointing to is a change of rules at CIDA, and the change of rules means two things. On the one hand, it is positive that CIDA requires projects to offer concrete evidence that they are doing something for the poor. On the other hand, the same rules become so stringent that many positive projects for the poor are filtered out. And those that tend to be filtered out are the ones that promote education, the ones that promote capacity-building, the ones that have a long-term vision for promoting the participation of the citizenry in the development of their own country, especially with respect to their governments. It's important that those not be filtered out, primarily because they are the basis of development for the future. They provide the possibility for change in the future, by allowing people to participate in decision-making.
The trade unions are capable of participating in that process through workplace action in concert with their employers. Changing attitudes and awareness in the workplace is a springboard for making changes in the communities. These new rules make it virtually impossible for us, as trade unions and NGOs, to focus on some of these aspects of development.