Editorial March 13
Elimination of global poverty may be heralded, on paper, as the noble aim of foreign aid programs. But it is generally not the intended purpose.
A close look at the Canadian government website on foreign aid clearly exposes the reality of aid programs. Leaving aside a few notable exceptions of humanitarian aid to help people facing major natural disasters, foreign aid is generally provided to ensure national security, to give a boost to mutual trade or economics, or for political, military or other strategic issues.
It is surprising that the subject is visited and revisited virtually every month in the media, but commentators are hardly ever honest enough to clarify the true intent or purpose of the program.
Sris Bhattacharya, Scarborough
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/article/779744--poverty-not-target-of-foreign-aid
