Minister Beverley Oda Stresses More Accountability in International Development at the Munk School of Global Affairs G-8 Conference

June 16, 2010

Ottawa, Ontario―The Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, delivered the keynote address at the start of the Munk School of Global Affairs conference on Governing Global Development: The Role of the G-8 in Health, Nutrition and Food. Minister Oda's speech outlined key international development priorities for Canada prior to the start of the Muskoka 2010 G-8 Summit.

As G8 countries represent almost 70 % percent of worldwide international development support, Minister Oda outlined the importance of the need for more accountability in global development to make a real difference.

"This means a greater focus on priorities, effectiveness and more accountability in how we spend aid dollars―a view Prime Minister Harper will emphasize in Huntsville and in Toronto later this month."

Development is not only about inputs and dollars spend, it's about sustainable outcomes and getting value for those aid dollars," said Minister Oda before noting, "our government is leading the G-8 to fulfill commitments and be accountable to taxpayers and those living in poverty.

The Minister pointed out that Canada has met its key G-8 commitments, among them: in 2008 Canada doubled aid to Africa at $2.1 billion a year, and Canada is on track to double its international assistance to $5 billion a year by March 2011. She also focused on the importance of accountability in Canada's signature G-8 initiative on maternal and child health.

The University of Toronto's Munk School of Global Affairs is a center for discussion in global affairs. The two day Governing Global Development: The Role of the G-8 in Health, Nutrition and Food conference brings together experts and leaders to discuss the role of the G-8 in addressing key development issues.

• Speaking Notes for the Honourable Beverley Oda, Minister of International Cooperation to the Munk School of Global Affaires

Information:

Jessica Fletcher
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Cooperation
Telephone: 819-953-6238

Media Relations Office
Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA)
Telephone: 819-953-6534
E-mail: media@acdi-cida.gc.ca