One in Four Canadians Favour Cut in Foreign Aid: Federal Report

The Canadian flag flies near the Peace Tower on Parliament Hill in Ottawa in a file photo. Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press

Canadians have expressed “fairly negative views” about foreign aid with a quarter nationwide favouring a cut in funding, according to in-house research by Global Affairs Canada.

“Survey results reveal some fairly negative views about certain aspects of international aid,” said the department’s report, titled “Canadian Views On International Assistance Tracking Study.”

Obtained by Blacklock’s Reporter, the study noted that most concerns stem from questioning who eventually benefits from the funding.

“More than half of Canadians say a lot of international aid from Canada ends up in the pockets of corrupt politicians in the developing world (56 percent) and that most international aid does not get to the intended recipients (54 percent),” it said.

“Moreover 41 percent agree [that] most international aid is spent on programs that don’t help reduce poverty.”

‘Less Confident’

The findings were based on questionnaires with 3,059 people nationwide. Global Affairs Canada paid $76,670 for the study by Ekos Research Associates.

Only nine percent of respondents said they think the world “is getting better” with all things considered, compared to 76 percent who said otherwise.

When asked to what extent various organizations are able to make a difference in reducing poverty in poor countries, the report noted respondents placed more confidence in the private sector.

“Canadians feel many organizations can make a difference in reducing world poverty but are less confident in the Government of Canada’s capacity,” researchers wrote.

Only 42 percent said the Canadian government made a big difference in reducing global poverty compared to private charities (cited by 54 percent of respondents), the United Nations (60 percent) and private corporations (62 percent), they added.

Respondents were also asked if they would feel “very guilty” if they “ignored the needs of poor people in poor countries.” Half of them agreed while 22 percent disagreed.

“Do you think the government should increase or decrease the amount of money it spends on international aid?” researchers asked.

Only 33 percent favoured more spending. Twenty-five percent preferred funding cuts, the report said.

‘Aren’t Taking Care of Our Own House’

Support for cuts varied across provinces from 13 percent in Quebec to 24 percent in Atlantic Canada. Ontario had it at 26 percent, while B.C. garnered 27 percent. Support was highest in Alberta (37 percent) while both Saskatchewan and Manitoba trailed slightly at 32 percent.

The study follows 2019 focus group research by Global Affairs that found Canadians were not very keen on foreign aid.

“We aren’t taking care of our own house,” said one participant who was quoted in the report, titled “Qualitative Research On International Assistance,” obtained by Blacklock’s Reporter.

“Canada is suffering,” another participant said. “I’d like to know what the government’s priorities are.”

In Budget 2023, the federal government committed to spend $6.8 billion on foreign aid over the next year. The amount does not include extraordinary funding for pandemic relief or Ukraine’s war effort.