Montreal -- Your statement that Paul Martin "endorsed an agreement at the Group of Eight summit to double aid, while knowing full well that Ottawa's private figures no longer matched his public promises" is unfounded (A Sorry Story On Aid To Africa - editorial, June 7).
As a senior policy adviser in the Paul Martin government, I know that when the 2005 budget was being prepared, the level of aid provided by Canada to Africa in the last completed fiscal year (2003-04) was expected to reach $1.4-billion; the budget committed to double that level to reach $2.8-billion by 2008-09. In fact, the final numbers for 2003-04 came in at $1.05-billion in Canadian aid to Africa.
But these technical annual cash-flow issues did not change Canada's overall commitment to Africa. The Liberal commitment never changed - even if it meant making up for the shortfall through additional aid (beyond a doubling) to Africa. Our government was on track to exceed our target by the time we left office.
Only the most mean-spirited government would rely on figures that would result in giving less aid to those who need it the most.
