Foreign Affairs Committee on May 6th, 2024

[Omar Alghabra, Liberal, Mississauga Centre, ON]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Ali Ehsassi]

Thank you, Mr. Alghabra.

Next we go to Mr. Bergeron.

You have six minutes, sir.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

Thank you.

I want to thank the witnesses for staying with us and continuing to answer our questions. When you see the minister, I'm counting on you to greet him on my behalf. I didn't get a chance to do so before he left so hastily.

For parliamentarians, figuring out how much the Canadian government spends on official development assistance is often like trying to find Waldo. Can you tell us how much the Canadian government invests each year in official development assistance, without taking into account past or future years? What percentage of our gross domestic product, or GDP, does this amount to?

[Christopher MacLennan]

We have the figures. As you know, the Government of Canada works on a fiscal year basis, but the OECD works on a calendar year basis. The figures just released for 2023 show that Canada invested 0.38% of its GDP, or $10.9 billion.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

You said $10.9 billion.

[Christopher MacLennan]

Yes, $10.9 billion for 2023.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

That's 0.38% of the GDP. You must admit we're a long way from 0.7%. With last year's downturn, how can we show that we're aiming for 0.7% of the GDP?

[Christopher MacLennan]

The government currently isn't committed to achieving a target of 0.7% of the GDP. There isn't any specific plan. However, the government made a commitment to keep increasing the funding each year. Since 2016, the funding has increased every year.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

It didn't last year.

[Christopher MacLennan]

I was talking about up to 2023, the most recent year for which we know the figures.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

Okay.

I would like to address the Haiti issue. I understand that it isn't necessarily possible to provide the figures on how much has been spent so far.

However, I want to touch on something that I wasn't able to discuss in my last turn. I had only two and a half minutes. Why hasn't Canada increased its contribution, given the situation in Haiti? Obviously, this question is more political in nature. That said, can you give me an administrative answer?

[Christopher MacLennan]

You asked why this contribution hasn't increased. Since 2022, Canada has spent $380 million, which is quite significant. This includes international aid for development, but also support for the mission approved by the United Nations Security Council. In my opinion, our contribution has increased.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

I was talking earlier about the $28.3 million announced in 2023‑24 as part of Canada's response to the crisis in Haiti. Now you're talking about $380 million. Please explain, because I'm not sure that I understand.

[Christopher MacLennan]

I was referring to the period since April 1, 2022.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

Okay. We'll try to find Waldo then.

On that note, there was an announcement of additional funding of $350 million over two years, beginning in 2024‑25, to enhance Canada's ability to respond to large‑scale crises and deteriorating humanitarian crises around the world.

My questions relate somewhat to my question about Haiti. How much of the $350 million announced over two years has been spent so far? In addition, given the growing number of crises, why hasn't this amount increased?

[Christopher MacLennan]

This $350 million in funding was just announced in the 2024 budget. It must still be approved by the House of Commons, so none of it has been spent yet.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

So this was an announcement in the budget.

In the previous budget, was any funding allocated to enhance Canada's ability to respond to large‑scale crises and deteriorating humanitarian crises around the world?

[Christopher MacLennan]

Yes. However, these amounts were specifically earmarked for certain crises.

Mr. MacDougall, can you think of an example of extra‑budgetary humanitarian assistance?

[Peter MacDougall]

Are you talking about last year?

[Christopher MacLennan]

Yes.

[Peter MacDougall]

The money wasn't announced in the budget, but came from the crisis pool.

[Christopher MacLennan]

Mr. Bergeron, in the funding allocated to international aid, $200 million is set aside each year for special cases, specifically to enhance support in response to a humanitarian crisis when it occurs. For example, in 2022‑23, Canada spent $1.3 billion on humanitarian assistance. At Global Affairs Canada, our budget for humanitarian assistance is $609 million a year. These amounts are added up every year.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

Does this $350 million come on top of the $200 million?

[Christopher MacLennan]

The $350 million will come on top of Global Affairs Canada's reference levels, specifically its humanitarian assistance program, which has an annual budget of $609 million. During a crisis, the department could dip into what we call our crisis pool. However, the $350 million—$150 million this year and $200 million next year—will be part of our humanitarian assistance program.

[Stéphane Bergeron, Bloc, Montarville, QC]

Is that—