Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Earlier, you talked about the OECD. I read the OECD report on CIDA. It contains many positive comments regarding the fact that much of the aid is untied. The report refers to the decentralized way of structuring aid in various countries. However, your action plan is criticized. The report states that it took you 18 months to prepare your report, but that it did not contain any results pertaining to development and mutual accountability. In addition, the report indicated that you had tied the performance contracts of employees in India to effectiveness objectives.
Criticism was also levied against your choice of 20 countries of focus for Canadian aid and the fact that you emphasized three of the five major Canada-wide priorities for international aid, namely: enhancing food security, stimulating sustainable economic growth and providing for the future of children and youth. The objective to promote democracy and the objective to guarantee security and stability were not given priority by CIDA. You were also criticized for the fact that you have not integrated issues such as the environment in your action plan. Finally, the lack of enlightened public debate in Canada on the issue of international aid was noted.
I would like to hear your comments.