Scarborough MP's foreign aid bill close to becoming law
Private member's bill introduced by John McKay
A Scarborough MP's Private Member's Bill to focus foreign aid on poverty reduction and the promotion of human rights is one step away from becoming law.
Scarborough-Guildwood MP John McKay first introduced the bill in May 2006.
It is aimed at creating a legislated mandate for Canadian Official Development Assistance. Two years later it is now ready for Royal Assent having passed through both the House of Commons and the Senate. It's final vote was Friday.
"When I was in finance it struck me that CIDA (Canadian International Development Agency) seemed to not always be focused on what it was supposed to be doing," McKay explained was his reason for bringing the bill forward.
As a result it was trying to be "all things to all people," he said, and this wasn't helping the people who needed the aid.
McKay said this area of public policy had been one of weakness for a while, "under our watch as well as under the Conservative's watch."
It was "luck" and "opportunity" that allowed his bill to make it to the floor as there are only a limited number of slots for private member's bills.
The bill is similar to previous bills that have been introduced in recent years, including one by former NDP leader and Halifax MP Alexa McDonough.
Although it ended up with all party support, McKay said it wasn't an easy process.
"The government fought us every step of the way," he said.
In the end a few minor amendments were proposed, which McKay could live with in order to have the bill passed.
His joy at finally seeing it through has been building slowly since.
"The trouble is we fought for this bill for so long and we've had so many ups and downs with the bill," he said. "The elation is building as the word gets out."
McKay believes if changes are made based on the bill, it could make Canada a specialist in poverty alleviation.
"It's a great day for Canada," he said. "This has potential to be a significant piece of legislation."
