To the Editor,
Domestic issues are at the forefront of Canadian news as we near the federal election on May 2. Health care, tax rates and education litter the headlines and news broadcasts.
While these domestic issues are of critical importance to the Canadian public, so too are international issues. Given that the Canadian government annually invests $4.5 billion in foreign assistance, all of which is taxpayer money, Canadian foreign policies and international development programs also deserve due consideration.
Foreign aid can promote long-term growth, help develop markets, and increase investment and trade.
Canada’s future prosperity and economic health depends heavily on global networks. By focusing on international issues and aid policies in the present we are investing not only in the future of aid recipient countries but in Canada’s future.
This election, we need to think about the long term and the future of our country. That means putting international issues firmly on the agenda.
Lauren Hockin,
Oakville, Ont.