Sri Lanka  Mr. Speaker, we are deeply concerned with the ongoing flooding in Sri Lanka and our thoughts are with those affected. I can already announce an initial envelope of up to $250,000 to respond to the humanitarian impacts of the flood. Obviously, we remain in close contact with our humanitarian partners.

International Development  Mr. Speaker, I thank my colleague from Davenport for her question. Today, we launched the famine relief fund to help 20 million people facing starvation in South Sudan, Nigeria, Yemen, and Somalia. The government will match every eligible donation made to registered Canadian organizations between March 17 and June 20.

Ways and Means  Mr. Speaker, pursuant to Standing Order 83(1), I wish to table a notice of a ways and means motion to amend the Income Tax Act. Pursuant to Standing Order 83(2), I ask that an order of the day be designated for consideration of the motion.

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, one of the key objectives of the approach is helping those most affected by the crises. To meet this goal, Canada is working with experienced Canadian, local, and international partners to deliver $840 million in humanitarian assistance over three years. Our partners appreciate this multi-year commitment, because it allows them to plan for the long term.

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, Canada has committed to contributing $2.65 billion over five years as part of our international assistance to support efforts and measures taken by the poorest and most vulnerable countries to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change. Canada's contribution will be made through various mechanisms and instruments and will focus on essential actions, such as helping developing countries adapt to climate change, deploy renewable energy technologies, and manage risks associated with severe weather events.

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, Canada has committed $120 million to help the four countries most affected by the famine.

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, I thank my parliamentary secretary for giving me a chance to clarify an answer I gave my colleague from Essex earlier. There was a challenge there with respect to our two official languages, so to avoid confusion, I will say this: DFI will complement other forms of assistance by leveraging additional private sector resources and expertise to support international development goals.

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, yes, the needs are great and, unfortunately, are most keenly felt in a number of countries of the Francophonie that are among the poorest on the planet. At the Madagascar summit, Canada and Benin put forward a joint resolution to fight early and forced child marriage, which is an impediment to the education of girls and, ultimately, to their full participation in the economy.

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, as you know, we have held a lot consultations over the past year. I can guarantee that our partners do not just want money from the Government of Canada. They also want leadership and good policies. We have shown great leadership with the global fund, and we will do so again on other issues.

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, the mandate of the development finance institute will focus squarely on development. Its mandate will be directly linked to the act.

Business of Supply  Madam Chair, the parliamentary budget officer will have the same oversight as he currently does of Export Development Canada's other divisions.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, Canada showed real leadership at the global fund’s fifth replenishment conference. We managed to bring together donor nations, private partners, and the countries that receive assistance but are an integral part of the fight to wipe out AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, we talked about Canada’s development finance institute, which is a concrete example of the efforts we are making to encourage the private sector to contribute to economic growth within the developing world.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, I would like to start by thanking my colleague, the parliamentary secretary, for her contribution to our effort to refocus international assistance. I also thank her for the question, which is very important to both of us. Indeed, we recognize the importance of the initiative on maternal, newborn, and child health that we are pursuing.

Business of Supply  Mr. Chair, currently, 225 million women worldwide have an unmet need for modern contraception, and there are more than four million unintended pregnancies every year. Twenty-two million women and girls put their lives at risk annually by undergoing unsafe abortions. The SRHR investment will contribute to the attainment of SDG target 3.7, which is ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health care services.