moved for leave to introduce Bill C-250, an act to establish the Canadian International Development Agency.
Madam Speaker, I rise to introduce a bill, seconded by the hon. member for Red Deer, that will mandate the Canadian International Development Agency to help the poorest nations on earth.
Currently CIDA is not directly accountable to this House. Its funding is scattered over more than 100 nations. Forty per cent of its aid money is spent right here in Canada, yet every day we are confronted with the desperate images of the third world which needs emergency assistance and long term help to become self-sustaining. CIDA could do more to assist in these areas by redirecting its aid toward the third world. However, to change its priorities requires a legislative mandate.
My bill is based on the principles of openness, democratic decision making and accountability to this House. I think all members of Parliament could lend their support to this compassionate effort that will finally mandate CIDA and direct Canadian foreign aid toward those who need it most, the poorest of the poor.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed.)