Mr. Speaker, as I was saying, my colleague's motion assumes that international assistance can have a positive impact on our domestic economy.
The motion does not say that the government should stop funding international organizations or put a stop to more traditional assistance, but rather that it should encourage projects that are mutually beneficial. On this point, we agree.
Of course, there is no denying that corruption is present in the development assistance sector. In our view, by ensuring that international assistance benefits businesses here as well, we can mitigate the risk that funds will be misspent due to corruption. We would also be ensuring that some of the money stays in this country.
Still, make no mistake: Provided that the money is properly invested, development assistance is not a waste of public funds. This is partly why I support my colleague's motion. However, I do have some concerns.
I am concerned that the Liberal government is using the motion as a way to withdraw from international assistance. I am concerned that the government's economic ambitions will unfortunately influence its decisions on funding international assistance.
Yes, funding projects that provide reciprocal economic benefits can be a way to help other countries while keeping some of the money in our economy. However, I fear that the federal government is looking only at the economic benefits, without considering any other official development assistance objectives.
For example, it is not hard to imagine the Liberal government funding mining companies abroad under the pretext that it creates jobs, even though we are well aware of many horror stories about local populations being exploited, not to mention all the other impacts it can have on communities.
I am also concerned that the smaller players in the development assistance sector will be at a disadvantage when it comes to securing funding for their projects, which may be smaller but are just as important and beneficial for communities.
My riding is home to the Centre de solidarité internationale du Saguenay—Lac-Saint-Jean. It is headquartered in Alma and does exceptional work. Its work is often very concrete and measurable, and it has a direct, local impact on the people.
That is why the Bloc Québécois would like to amend the motion moved today in order to emphasize the role of non-profit organizations and small international co-operation centres. In my opinion, this amendment befits the principle of the motion moved by my colleague from York South—Weston—Etobicoke.
We will support the motion, but we hope that the member who moved the motion today will agree to the following amendment.
I move:
That the motion be amended by removing “and” at the end of (b) and by adding the following at the end of (c):
“; and (d) by ensuring that small non-profit organizations (NPOs) and international cooperation centres located outside major urban areas have the same opportunities for federal funding as larger organizations”.