Supplementary
Report of the New Democratic Party of Canada
The
New Democratic Party agrees with a majority of the recommendations in the
present report. However, we believe the report does not emphasize enough
several points made by witnesses during this study, notably, that development
happens over the long-term, requiring long-lasting partnerships. Consistent and
sustained efforts are required to face the complex challenges faced by children
and youth in developing countries.
We
add the following recommendations:
- The Government of Canada should increase its contributions to
Official Development Assistance (ODA) in accordance with a multi-year timetable
to fulfill Canada’s longstanding commitment to the internationally-agreed upon
goal of 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI). Consistent and predictable ODA
funding, directed where it is most effective - at the poorest and
least-developed countries – will improve children and youth-targeted
programming. As noted in the report, child and youth protection is complex and
takes into account issues and challenges that transcend numerous themes and
fields. Canada’s civil society sector therefore requires predictability and
flexibility in order to achieve development outcomes for children and youth in
rapidly changing circumstances.
- As part of its response to international emergencies, the
Government of Canada should adopt a systems-based approach to tackling problems
faced by children and youth in developing countries. This includes the
strengthening of public health, education and governance systems; prevention of
violence, exploitation and abuse; and basic health interventions and access to
education including the establishment of safe spaces. These interventions reduce
poverty, save lives, help in post-conflict and post-emergency reconstruction
and reduce risks of further crises. Strengthening governance systems is
essential to preventing and reducing conflict and ensures governments are more accountable
to the needs of their populations, including children and youth.
- The Government of Canada should integrate women’s and girl’s
rights, including reproductive and sexual rights, into all development
programming and ensure all international cooperation initiatives reflect our
international obligations to fulfill women’s rights and gender equality.
Programming should focus on economic, social, and political empowerment of
young women and girls in developing countries. Sexual and reproductive health
education and access to family planning and reproductive and sexual health,
including abortion, is a critical part of the empowerment process. When young
women and girls have access to information, services and tools relating to
sexual and reproductive health, they are able to take control of their lives,
learn, grow and contribute to their communities.
We would also like to add
the following notes:
- We
regret that some of the report recommendations do not reflect the testimony of
witnesses and instead promote the government’s own policies. In particular, we
believe Recommendation 4 does not accurately reflect witness testimony during
the course of this study.
- The New
Democratic Party opposes Recommendation 8, given our concerns regarding the
establishment of the government’s Development Finance Initiative (DFI). We note
that, at the Finance Committee, the Conservatives rejected all NDP amendments
that would have ensured the DFI contribute to poverty reduction and act
according to international human rights standards. Therefore the NDP cannot
support the DFI as currently designed. Further, the NDP does not support the
2015 Federal Budget, also known as the Economic Action Plan 2015.
- With
regard to the discussion of reproductive rights within the report, the NDP
would like to highlight that United Nations data[1] shows that abortion is legally permitted to save a women’s life in 49 out of
the 51 countries Canada considers either “countries of focus” or “development partner
countries.” 18 out of 51 countries legally permit abortion to save a woman’s
life, to preserve mental and physical health or in cases of rape or incest.
Only one of the 51 countries has a total ban on abortion. See footnote 198.
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