MAKE POVERTY HISTORY - 2005

News Release

For immediate release: July 8, 2005

G8 progress on poverty falls short
Prime Minister Martin fails to adopt 0.7% timetable

Gleneagles Scotland - An unprecedented outpouring of solidarity in Canada and around the world clearly moved the G8 summit, but leaders failed to deliver an historic breakthrough on the fight against poverty. “They took some positive steps, especially with the doubling of aid to Africa,” said Gerry Barr, co-chair of the Make Poverty History campaign. “But a comprehensive package on aid, debt and trade eluded them.”

The leaders consolidated decisions taken in weeks past on aid and debt, and Japan announced a sizable increase in aid. However, the leaders' declaration of US$50 billion in new aid by 2010 falls far short of the $180 billion in additional aid the UN says is needed by that year to achieve the Millennium Development Goals.

Canada only confirmed the gradual increase in aid announced at the Kananaskis G8 in 2002 - which would bring aid to 0.33% of national income by 2010 (not even halfway to the 0.7% target), with no firm commitment for increases after that date.

“We're disappointed in Canada's performance,” Gerry Barr said. “Prime Minister Martin clearly does not share the urgency felt by other G8 leaders, or by Canadians and their Parliamentarians.”

Over 135,000 Canadians have written the Prime Minister urging he commit to achieve 0.7% of national income in aid by 2015. Parliament unanimously called on the government to do what France and the UK pledged prior to Gleneagles: to reach 0.5% by 2010 and 0.7% by 2015.

“Some of the leaders seem to be hoping they can get by with business as usual,” said Mark Fried of Oxfam Canada. “With 50,000 people dying every day from extreme poverty, Make Poverty History will continue to press for dramatic action.”

“On to New York,” said Maria Luisa Monreal, co-chair of Make Poverty History. “If Canada wouldn't move at the G8, we'll take the case to the UN Summit in September, where the international community as a whole will step up the pressure.”

The G8 meeting came to a close just one day after the attacks on London. “We believe that it is imperative for us to work in an ethic of international cooperation, compassion and justice. It is this ethic of collaboration that had framed the G8 agenda,” Says Gerry Barr. “We call on world leaders to continue, despite yesterday's tragic acts, to work towards a world without poverty.”

Read about Make Poverty History Canada at the G8 Summit

For more information contact:

Katia Gianneschi
Media Relations
(613) 241-7007 ext. 311
media@makepovertyhistory.ca