Why is Canada giving foreign aid to China ?

28 September 2005
News release by
Helena Guergis
Conservative
Member of Parliament
OTTAWA CANADA

OTTAWA –Conservative Member of Parliament Helena Guergis, Official Opposition Critic for International Cooperation, today questioned why Paul Martin continues to give foreign aid to Communist China after the OECD released a report predicting China will overtake both the U.S. and Germany as the world’s largest exporter within five years.

“Over the past decade the Liberal government has given one billion dollars to China in foreign aid as the Chinese economy has grown to be the second largest in the world,” said Helena Guergis. “China has now replaced Canada as the largest trading partner of the United States, so why is Paul Martin still giving over $50 million a year to China?”

The report goes on to say that China’s economy shows no sign of slowing down and at its current pace of economic growth China’s exports will represent 10% of global trade within five years compared with 6% at present.

“It is clear that China is no longer a have-not country, so why should Canadian taxpayers continue to give China millions in foreign aid annually?” asked Guergis. “Every foreign aid dollar that Paul Martin gives to the government of China is a dollar that truly developing nations with good governance cannot receive.”

michael mccafferty comments:

It is a real outrage that the Liberal government in Ottawa is giving over $50 million a year to China at a time when the average Canadian is facing very very high gasoline and fuel prices.

The time has come for Ottawa to quit playing Santa Claus with China and take care of the needs of average Canadians by using the $50 million a year to help bring down gasoline costs.

What do you think ?