The ONE campaign's pre-G7 protest took place in Calgary promoting trade relations between Canadian and African businesses.It claims that by 2030, Canadian importers could earn an extra $3.3 billion from more business being done with the continent. The ONE Campaign highlights the trade roadblocks between the two: there are no free trade deals currently with any African countries, nor any strong economic ties. ."The cost of capital in Africa and the debt loads that African countries and businesses are no more than Canadian GDP or G7 countries. But it's the interest rates that they get charged by institutions that are higher," said spokesman Justin McAuley."The prime minister can tackle the cost of capital so that the innovation and opportunity aligns, as a member of the World Bank and the IMF. Because, this shouldn’t be charity. We should be approaching this continent with a partnership and economic opportunity."With the G7 taking place starting Sunday in Kananaskis, Prime Minister Mark Carney has made promises for Canada to be "an energy superpower and expand trade relations, then that's why now is a perfect opportunity to deliver on those promises," said an Engineers Without Borders Canada (EWBC) spokesperson, which partnered with ONE campaign for this event..Over the past five years, the Canadian government has focused on international assistance to Africa, spending over $4.5 billion. "This is an opportunity for Canada to end the cycle of poverty in Africa, by investing in African businesses, and not just as a charity effort," McAuley claims. The campaign asserts that the most prevalent businesses that African countries have to offer is industries include tech financing, and energy mining.
