Canada still send millions of dollars in foreign aid to China – but ony 4% of Canadians realize it, says Blacklock’s Reporter..Money for local Chinese projects on “empowerment” and “environmental justice,” was included last year..“The goal of the department is to increase the awareness of Canadian international development issues,” researchers wrote in a Foreign Affairs department report..“The immediate need is to find out the best ways to connect with Canadians,” said the report, adding “current messaging does not seem to work.”.Findings were based on questionnaires with 1,200 people nationwide. The department paid Narrative Research of Halifax $47,968 to conduct the survey..Asked, “What if anything have you read, heard or seen recently on Canada’s international development efforts?” 72% replied, “Nothing.” Only 19% said they “strongly support” foreign aid..Asked, “When thinking about Canada helping people in developing countries, how does it make you feel?” 35% relied “it feels good” but 13% replied, “We need to look after Canadians.”.Five percent said, “It depends on the country getting aid.”.Federal agencies paid out a total $6.5 billion in foreign aid worldwide in 2020 according to government stats. A total $14.2 million went to China..Cabinet in a separatereport tabled in the Commons detailed a portion of Chinese aid, a total $941,140 in grants awarded through a Canada Fund for Local Initiatives..“The Fund provides modest funding for small scale, but high impact projects,” said the report..Spending included:.• $37,654 to “foster dialogue on the challenges of young female offenders” in China;.• $31,791 on “empowerment” to “help low income single mothers and girls grow up happily”;.• $30,801 on “enhancing environmental justice and ecological restoration”;.• $18,668 to “advocate equal reproductive rights for non-married women and lesbians”;.• $1,248 for “increasing understanding” of sanitation workers..Opposition MPs have called for suspension of all foreign aid to China..“I don’t believe Canadian taxpayers should be sending any money to China,” then-Opposition Leader Andrew Scheer told reporters April 17, 2020..“We’re talking about a Communist dictatorial government that abuses human rights, quashes freedoms, violates rights of its citizens, and has a very aggressive foreign policy all throughout the region..“Even before this pandemic there were clear signs China is headed in a direction that is not in alignment with Canadian values when it comes to foreign policy. Add in the fact they’re holding two Canadian citizens hostage (consultants Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor) and that they are blocking exports of Canadian products..“We’ve been calling on this government to stand up for itself, stand up for Canadians, stop being bullied and pushed around on the world stage, especially by China.”.Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.,dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/nobby7694
