The programs you mentioned are important. Announcements are coming, but we're talking about large amounts of money. We need to make sure we align our efforts with those who will benefit from the aid and those managing it, as well as the other donor countries. That's what we are committed to doing. We want to achieve the best possible outcomes while ensuring transparency. Even though the merger is said to be done, a lot of work is still under way. There are a significant number of programs, and that's why a review was undertaken. We are satisfied overall. And, yes, announcements on those issues are coming.
As for the amounts being put back, I can tell you that the two big reasons that the amounts were put back in last year's case are very straightforward. First, because of the instability in Africa, Mali specifically, we weren't able to allocate all of the planned funding, in spite of the commitments that had been made. The region was just too unstable.
Second, there was the matter of forgiving Pakistan's debt. The Paris Club makes those decisions. Certain requirements have to be met. We aren't the only ones with a say in the matter. These are things that happen. From an operating budget standpoint, however, and overall, we're still ahead and we always kept our commitments.
I repeat, this is what we tell other countries: pledging money is nice, but you have to follow through on that pledge. No one in the world can say that Canada doesn't honour its commitments.