EFC Election Kit 2008: Fact Sheet on Global Poverty Reduction

Care for the Vulnerable Globally

As Christians, we are called to care for the poor. We are also called to uphold the dignity of all persons. We can encourage our national leaders to do the same.

In 2000, Canada signed the Millennium Declaration, committing itself to achieve the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), aimed at cutting abject global poverty in half by 2015. The eight MDGs Canada committed to are:

• Eradicate extreme poverty and hunger
• Achieve universal primary education
• Promote gender equality and empower women
• Reduce child mortality
• Improve maternal health
• Combat HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases
• Ensure environmental sustainability
• Develop a global partnership for development

Canada also committed to increase its contribution to Official Development Assistance (ODA) to 0.7% of its Gross National Income (GNI).

It is an achievable goal that six countries have already reached and five more are on their way. Canada has neither met the goal nor made a plan to do so. Our current ODA contribution is less than half of the goal, at 0.33% GNI.

Questions to ask on this issue:

• What steps will you take to ensure that global poverty reduction is a priority in Canada’s international policy?
• Do you support the commitment to increase Official Development Assistance to 0.7% of Gross National Income? Will you commit to a timeline for achieving that goal, including interim targets?
• What concrete measures will you take to make agricultural trade fair and beneficial for poor countries?