ABBOTSFORD ISSUES

Libya

Canada is proud of its commitment to freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law.  That is why Canada has joined NATO allies and extended its mission to defend these ideals in Libya. Our Conservative government has pledged to support Libya’s civilian population, which is fighting an oppressive, murderous regime that continues to violate basic internationally-recognized human rights. Canada’s role inprotecting Libyan civilians includes enforcing a no-fly zone and maintaining an arms embargo against the Qadhafi regime. Canada’s Armed Forces are playing a leading role in preventing attacks against unarmed civilians. Our mission is to intensify pressure on the Qadhafi dictatorship and hold those who have violated international law criminally responsible. Canada’s mission has been extended until the end of September 2011.

International Aid

While we are blessed to live in a prosperous and free country, we can never forget about those who are less fortunate than us. Our Conservative government is dedicated to helping the less fortunate in the developing world.  The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) has taken a leadership role on the world stage by supporting initiatives to increase access to medicine, housing, education and infrastructure in Third World Countries.

Our Conservative government is determined to achieve meaningful and sustainable results. Spearheading the G-8 and G-20 summits in July 2010, Canada championed the Muskoka Initiative. This global effort to improve maternal, newborn and child health in developing countries was designed by Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Through this initiative, $7.3 billion was raised by the G8 and other partners to focus on strengthening health systems and providing comprehensive, high-impact, and integrated health interventions at the community level.

On September 21, 2010 at the Millennium Development Goals summit in New York City, Prime Minister Harper announced Canada’s commitment of $540 million to a global fund which is focused on preventing and treating HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria.  This represents a 20% increase in Canada’s financial commitment to this effort, with a total Canadian contribution to date of $1.5 billion since the fund’s inception in 2002.

Our Conservative government is pleased that Canada is a global leader in development assistance. Through its $100 million commitment, Canada was the largest donor to the World Health Organization’s 3 by 5 initiative, which helped three million people world-wide receive life prolonging anti-retroviral treatment for HIV by the end of 2007.  Canada has also contributed $40 million to the WHO’s Universal Access Plan under which a portion of the funding has been designated for the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV.

Disaster Relief

When disaster strikes, our Conservative government recognizes its responsibility and obligation to help others in need. Canadian troops are always among the first to offer assistance.

After Haiti was devastated by a catastrophic magnitude 7.0 M w earthquake on January 12, 2010, our government took action.  Ours was one of the first countries on the ground to respond to this terrible event. Canada’s rapid response included the sending of our Canadian Forces Disaster Assistance Response Team; Canadian Forces aircraft with emergency supplies, personnel and search and rescue helicopters; dispatching relief equipment such as food, water, medical equipment and humanitarian supplies; construction of a hospital; funding of the UN World Food Programme and Red Cross in their efforts to deliver aid; and safely bringing Canadians citizens home. As part of our commitment to standing behind the Haitian people, on January 25^th, 2010 our Conservative Government hosted a meeting in Montreal which included foreign ministers and key multilateral players.  The purpose of the meeting was to lay the foundation for the reconstruction of Haiti.  At the meeting, Prime Minister Harper rallied the international community to a strategic and coordinated effort to help rebuild Haiti, focussing on sustainability, effectiveness and accountability.

Our disaster relief efforts have extended to Pakistan after it was hit by devastating floods. In order to further encourage donations towards relief, our government pledged to match dollar for dollar donations made to Haiti and Pakistan. In fact, our government has provided the world's largest per capita contribution to relief efforts in the Pakistan disaster.

When an earthquake struck Chile, Canada again responded. We have contributed $2 million to relief efforts as follows: $750,000 to the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies for the provision of essential non-food items and emergency shelter materials; $500,000 to the Pan American Health Organization toward re-establishing health and medical services and replenishing emergency stocks of medicines; $500,000 to World Vision for emergency shelter materials and hygiene supplies, improved access to clean water and provision of child protection services; and $250,000 to Oxfam Canada to help improve access to safe water and ensure safe reconstruction of houses and livelihoods.

In the wake of Japan’s earthquake and tsunami, our Conservative government acted immediately to offer expertise and technical assistance to those involved in responding to this disaster.  The offered assistance included chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear technical expertise, Canadian Forces strategic airlift services, and emergency medical and engineering capabilities.