New international co-operation minister Julian Fantino is coming out swinging.
In an interview with Embassy focused on Canada's recent announcement of $227 million for development in Afghanistan from 2014 to 2017, he took issue with a series of recent reports by Toronto Star writer Paul Watson on Canada's legacy in Afghanistan, calling it "childish" and "immature."
Mr. Watson's reports "raise questions about the long-term sustainability of high-profile 'signature' Canadian aid projects into which Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government has sunk $70 million or more," according to a Star editorial July 16.
Mr. Watson travelled to Afghanistan and talked to Afghans, analysts, and the Canadian government.
In the interview, Mr. Fantino also urged other countries to "at least on a relative basis step up to the plate and do as much as we do," in terms of aid disbursement.
A recent Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development review of Canada's aid program recommended that Canada boost its aid as soon as possible to meet the international target of 0.7 per cent of gross national income. It said it fell to 0.31 per cent between 2001 and 2011, and is in danger of falling further because of recent budget cuts.
Other countries such as Norway have reached and exceeded that 0.7 target.
In addition, Mr. Fantino took a hard line on the need for the Afghan government to clean up corruption.
The following interview took place by phone on July 17, less than two weeks after Mr. Fantino started in international co-operation. It has been edited for style and length.
How much of the $227 million that Canada has committed is going to the Afghan government and how much is actually going to other sources?
"The commitment is made to ensure that whatever entity receives the funds is absolutely and totally geared to what Canada values and what Canada has been very committed [towards].
"And that is the whole business of human rights, and of course the whole issue of rights and respect for women and girls—it's a major focus of ours. We feel that there's much to be done in that particular area.
"I was really distressed today actually to get caught up on some of the reporting that the Toronto Star did, which is really unfair.
"I just came back from Afghanistan, my second visit there. This is before I knew I was going to be appointed to this job, so I was more looking at the training mission, particularly with...the Canadian police contingent there. And I was just amazed at the difference I even saw in one year. Mind you, the previous time I was in Kandahar.
"But to see little girls walking down the street, coming and going from school with backpacks on their backs—and they looked like every child you could imagine in our own country here—I thought, 'What a great amount of progress that's being made, and we can't give that up now.'"
You said you were concerned about the Toronto Star reporting. Why specifically?
"I don't think it portrays fairly the amount of contribution, sacrifice, and results that are being achieved in Afghanistan. Even from what I've seen, certainly Canada has paid a very heavy price. We're not the only ones there.
"I had the opportunity to meet with some of the other countries that are there: the Italians, obviously the Americans, and so forth. And everyone's of the same view that it's tough slugging. It's going to take a lot more time, and energy, and resources. And obviously we want the Afghan government to step up to the plate in a much more assertive, proactive way to take up the slack.
"Because that is the expectation that all of us have that the leadership of the country stand up and really be counted when we see these horrible, horrible, tragic circumstances where women are basically executed and badly treated and so forth."
But how much of the money is going to the Afghan government and how much of it is going to other sources?
"I don't have a breakdown for you. It's not a blank cheque. None of it is. There are some very significant expectations and conditions attached to that."
How will you ensure the strong monitoring, evaluation, and accountability on both sides for both the donors and the Afghan government? Some say there needs to be an independent body with representatives from government, donors, opposition groups, and civil society.
"Well, I'm not discounting any kind of an approach that will ensure optimum accountability. And we may be looking at different ways of doing that...
"One of the accountabilities is for senior officials of our government in various sectors to actually go there and witness, and see, and ask questions, and be plugged in.
"To me, that is probably the best way to proceed with things. I don't know that we want to create more layers and more bureaucracy.
"We need to ensure that every nickel...of tax dollars that come out of our good Canadian people is not squandered.
"We're also very concerned about corruption, obviously...There's expectations that we have that don't go wanting."
How much of a role do you think Canada has to play in the continued corruption in the government of Afghanistan? Some argue we've allowed it to continue because we haven't had good, effective monitoring of past investments and agreements.
"I think what you have to come to grips with is that this has been a long journey, with many sacrifices.
"One hundred fifty-eight of our soldiers died in dealing with the issues of instilling human rights, the rule of law, democracy, the kinds of things that our value system has been very much committed to bringing home to Afghanistan, as a whole, and its people of course, in particular."
Aid agency representatives say they need predictability. Can you commit to keeping the same list of focus countries and priority themes?
"In actual fact, the priorities remain the same. My arrival here is not causing a revolution as regards to Canada's priorities, or CIDA's for that matter. We are going to continue the programs.
"But from time to time, adjustments will need to be made. Nothing's fixed and firm. You see how precarious things are around the world and some of the countries that go through these very sudden difficulties.
"But to the extent that I can give you assurances, there's no planned changes forthcoming other than [to] continue to do the work that we're doing in terms of accountabilities, and making sure that we work towards achieving results, being proactive, certainly."
Some say CIDA is being used for purposes other than fighting poverty—for example, choosing focus countries that are more middle-income, or more important to Canadian trade, than poverty reduction. Do you make a distinction between Canada's trade and foreign policy interests and its aid priorities?
"However we spend taxpayer money has to be geared to the government's priorities, and those are defined. We're not going to create a revolution here.
"But what, in fact, CIDA has been doing over the years has been a very calculated approach dealing with even the economic realities of the day. Everyone's had to make adjustments, CIDA's no less impacted.
"But I believe that from what little I know so far, CIDA is doing fantastic work. Canada is doing fantastic work around the world. And other countries should likewise at least on a relative basis step up to the plate and do as much as we do.
"It's really unfair—and that's why I take exception to the Toronto Star article—how you can be so critical of a nation, in our own country, that is so lauded, and appreciated, and recognized elsewhere in the world...be it NGOs, Canadian government, Canadian funds, are touching the most needy people, in the most destitute situations all over the world. And yet right at home here we're being [pilloried]. And that's so, so childish. It's immature. It's total lack of appreciation for the goodness of Canadians and what we're doing around the world."
But in that article, they went there, they went to these places and saw what they saw. They were just observing.
"I think what's wrong is that they captured their moment in time. They haven't recognized what it meant to lose 158 soldiers to achieve the kind of results that are being achieved now."
So, just to get back to that question, do you see that our development priorities should fall in line with our other foreign affairs priorities and trade priorities?
"I think they have to be aligned. There's no question about that. I don't think CIDA's about to go off on a frolic of its own. We have to work in the priorities of government.
"And the priorities of government, as you saw in Tokyo, is to continue helping Afghanistan. For instance, switching from the fighting mission to a training mission is a strategic thing that's been done, not only by us, but by other countries."
CIDA's losing $153 million this year in budget cuts, and that will be ramped up to something like $319 million by 2014-15, including a reduction of about 15 per cent of its workforce. How do you plan on making these cuts without affecting the ability of the agency to fulfill its poverty reduction mandate?
"CIDA over the years—and, again, you're going to have to be charitable with me now, because I can't be the ultimate authority here—but from what I've learned so far they've done a fantastic job of creating efficiencies, becoming more focused, ensuring that there be more accountability, and more results achieved with the funding envelope.
"And, you know, everyone's making adjustments. I just came from National Defence, where things were being tightened up there too. Other areas of government, families have to do that, businesses have to do that."
Other countries have reached the gold standard of 0.7 per cent of ODA per gross national income. When you say other countries should come to the plate, can you name specific countries?
"I don't have specific information. But if you look at the representation of countries in some of these issues, not everyone is signing up to an equal amount, or an equal portion of the load-bearing weight, if you will.
"If we're going to be a caring, conscientious society in the free and democratic world whole value and respect human rights, the rule of law, democracy, and all those kinds of issues, then I think all of us have to create a united front on these issues."
Original Article
Source: embassy mag
Author: Kristen Shane
In an interview with Embassy focused on Canada's recent announcement of $227 million for development in Afghanistan from 2014 to 2017, he took issue with a series of recent reports by Toronto Star writer Paul Watson on Canada's legacy in Afghanistan, calling it "childish" and "immature."
Mr. Watson's reports "raise questions about the long-term sustainability of high-profile 'signature' Canadian aid projects into which Prime Minister Stephen Harper's government has sunk $70 million or more," according to a Star editorial July 16.
Mr. Watson travelled to Afghanistan and talked to Afghans, analysts, and the Canadian government.
In the interview, Mr. Fantino also urged other countries to "at least on a relative basis step up to the plate and do as much as we do," in terms of aid disbursement.
A recent Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development review of Canada's aid program recommended that Canada boost its aid as soon as possible to meet the international target of 0.7 per cent of gross national income. It said it fell to 0.31 per cent between 2001 and 2011, and is in danger of falling further because of recent budget cuts.
Other countries such as Norway have reached and exceeded that 0.7 target.
In addition, Mr. Fantino took a hard line on the need for the Afghan government to clean up corruption.
The following interview took place by phone on July 17, less than two weeks after Mr. Fantino started in international co-operation. It has been edited for style and length.
How much of the $227 million that Canada has committed is going to the Afghan government and how much is actually going to other sources?
"The commitment is made to ensure that whatever entity receives the funds is absolutely and totally geared to what Canada values and what Canada has been very committed [towards].
"And that is the whole business of human rights, and of course the whole issue of rights and respect for women and girls—it's a major focus of ours. We feel that there's much to be done in that particular area.
"I was really distressed today actually to get caught up on some of the reporting that the Toronto Star did, which is really unfair.
"I just came back from Afghanistan, my second visit there. This is before I knew I was going to be appointed to this job, so I was more looking at the training mission, particularly with...the Canadian police contingent there. And I was just amazed at the difference I even saw in one year. Mind you, the previous time I was in Kandahar.
"But to see little girls walking down the street, coming and going from school with backpacks on their backs—and they looked like every child you could imagine in our own country here—I thought, 'What a great amount of progress that's being made, and we can't give that up now.'"
You said you were concerned about the Toronto Star reporting. Why specifically?
"I don't think it portrays fairly the amount of contribution, sacrifice, and results that are being achieved in Afghanistan. Even from what I've seen, certainly Canada has paid a very heavy price. We're not the only ones there.
"I had the opportunity to meet with some of the other countries that are there: the Italians, obviously the Americans, and so forth. And everyone's of the same view that it's tough slugging. It's going to take a lot more time, and energy, and resources. And obviously we want the Afghan government to step up to the plate in a much more assertive, proactive way to take up the slack.
"Because that is the expectation that all of us have that the leadership of the country stand up and really be counted when we see these horrible, horrible, tragic circumstances where women are basically executed and badly treated and so forth."
But how much of the money is going to the Afghan government and how much of it is going to other sources?
"I don't have a breakdown for you. It's not a blank cheque. None of it is. There are some very significant expectations and conditions attached to that."
How will you ensure the strong monitoring, evaluation, and accountability on both sides for both the donors and the Afghan government? Some say there needs to be an independent body with representatives from government, donors, opposition groups, and civil society.
"Well, I'm not discounting any kind of an approach that will ensure optimum accountability. And we may be looking at different ways of doing that...
"One of the accountabilities is for senior officials of our government in various sectors to actually go there and witness, and see, and ask questions, and be plugged in.
"To me, that is probably the best way to proceed with things. I don't know that we want to create more layers and more bureaucracy.
"We need to ensure that every nickel...of tax dollars that come out of our good Canadian people is not squandered.
"We're also very concerned about corruption, obviously...There's expectations that we have that don't go wanting."
How much of a role do you think Canada has to play in the continued corruption in the government of Afghanistan? Some argue we've allowed it to continue because we haven't had good, effective monitoring of past investments and agreements.
"I think what you have to come to grips with is that this has been a long journey, with many sacrifices.
"One hundred fifty-eight of our soldiers died in dealing with the issues of instilling human rights, the rule of law, democracy, the kinds of things that our value system has been very much committed to bringing home to Afghanistan, as a whole, and its people of course, in particular."
Aid agency representatives say they need predictability. Can you commit to keeping the same list of focus countries and priority themes?
"In actual fact, the priorities remain the same. My arrival here is not causing a revolution as regards to Canada's priorities, or CIDA's for that matter. We are going to continue the programs.
"But from time to time, adjustments will need to be made. Nothing's fixed and firm. You see how precarious things are around the world and some of the countries that go through these very sudden difficulties.
"But to the extent that I can give you assurances, there's no planned changes forthcoming other than [to] continue to do the work that we're doing in terms of accountabilities, and making sure that we work towards achieving results, being proactive, certainly."
Some say CIDA is being used for purposes other than fighting poverty—for example, choosing focus countries that are more middle-income, or more important to Canadian trade, than poverty reduction. Do you make a distinction between Canada's trade and foreign policy interests and its aid priorities?
"However we spend taxpayer money has to be geared to the government's priorities, and those are defined. We're not going to create a revolution here.
"But what, in fact, CIDA has been doing over the years has been a very calculated approach dealing with even the economic realities of the day. Everyone's had to make adjustments, CIDA's no less impacted.
"But I believe that from what little I know so far, CIDA is doing fantastic work. Canada is doing fantastic work around the world. And other countries should likewise at least on a relative basis step up to the plate and do as much as we do.
"It's really unfair—and that's why I take exception to the Toronto Star article—how you can be so critical of a nation, in our own country, that is so lauded, and appreciated, and recognized elsewhere in the world...be it NGOs, Canadian government, Canadian funds, are touching the most needy people, in the most destitute situations all over the world. And yet right at home here we're being [pilloried]. And that's so, so childish. It's immature. It's total lack of appreciation for the goodness of Canadians and what we're doing around the world."
But in that article, they went there, they went to these places and saw what they saw. They were just observing.
"I think what's wrong is that they captured their moment in time. They haven't recognized what it meant to lose 158 soldiers to achieve the kind of results that are being achieved now."
So, just to get back to that question, do you see that our development priorities should fall in line with our other foreign affairs priorities and trade priorities?
"I think they have to be aligned. There's no question about that. I don't think CIDA's about to go off on a frolic of its own. We have to work in the priorities of government.
"And the priorities of government, as you saw in Tokyo, is to continue helping Afghanistan. For instance, switching from the fighting mission to a training mission is a strategic thing that's been done, not only by us, but by other countries."
CIDA's losing $153 million this year in budget cuts, and that will be ramped up to something like $319 million by 2014-15, including a reduction of about 15 per cent of its workforce. How do you plan on making these cuts without affecting the ability of the agency to fulfill its poverty reduction mandate?
"CIDA over the years—and, again, you're going to have to be charitable with me now, because I can't be the ultimate authority here—but from what I've learned so far they've done a fantastic job of creating efficiencies, becoming more focused, ensuring that there be more accountability, and more results achieved with the funding envelope.
"And, you know, everyone's making adjustments. I just came from National Defence, where things were being tightened up there too. Other areas of government, families have to do that, businesses have to do that."
Other countries have reached the gold standard of 0.7 per cent of ODA per gross national income. When you say other countries should come to the plate, can you name specific countries?
"I don't have specific information. But if you look at the representation of countries in some of these issues, not everyone is signing up to an equal amount, or an equal portion of the load-bearing weight, if you will.
"If we're going to be a caring, conscientious society in the free and democratic world whole value and respect human rights, the rule of law, democracy, and all those kinds of issues, then I think all of us have to create a united front on these issues."
Original Article
Source: embassy mag
Author: Kristen Shane
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