NDP Leader Jack Layton on Canada's role in Africa

Home » Articles, Interview, Opinion, Politics

NDP Leader Jack Layton on Canada’s role in Africa

6 June 2011 No Comments

NDP Leader Jack Layton

By Samuel Getachew

Canada has always been a major player in Africa when it comes to international aid, human rights and good governance. In the just concluded Canadian election, for the first time in its 145 year history, there would be a far left leaning, socially conscious party as the official opposition or as government waiting. The NDP rose from mere 37 seats to 103 seats in the Canadian House of Commons.

Sway’s Samuel Getachew had a rare chance to interview the newly reelected Member of Parliament (for Toronto Danforth) and Leader of the New Democratic Party of Canada, Jack Layton on important and leading African issues such as maternal health and how Canada could be a major player in areas of poverty reduction throughout the continent.

SG: Congratulations Mr Layton on a great showing in the just concluded federal election. It is rare to have a left leaning socialism inspired NDP government in waiting in federal politics in Canada. Please share with us some of your policies / vision when it comes to International Development?

JL: Thank you – we’re very pleased that Canadians sent such a strong team of New Democrats to Ottawa. On international development, I believe that Canada has a vital role to play in improving health, reducing poverty, supporting social and economic development and promoting human rights around the world.One example of the kind of development policies that New Democrats are advancing, that I’m especially proud of, is our work on the Medicine for All bill – basically, it would remove bureaucratic red tape and enable Canadian pharmaceutical companies to export affordable, generic versions of life-saving medicine for people suffering from HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria and other diseases in the developing world. This could save thousands of lives in Africa, and it’s something Canada can do right now. New Democrats are going to work hard to advance this kind of practical, concrete international development policy in the coming Parliament.

SG: In Africa, it is not unusual to find kids named in tribute to great Canadians such as (former UN Africa HIV / AIDS envoy) Stephen Lewis and (A Nobel Peace Prize winning diplomat in peacekeeping) Lester B Pearson. What role do you envision for Canadians and also for Canada to play when it comes to contributing to the development of Africa?

JL: Canada has particular expertise in the areas of health and education, as well as human rights, and many Canadians are sharing these skills with partners in Africa right now. I believe that the Canadian government should be there to support that kind of work. I agree Stephen Lewis is indeed a great Canadian. His passion for Africa has had a significant impact on how Canadians understand global injustice and inequality. I think of one of the most important things Canada can do to achieve advance development in Africa, and around the world, is to promote women’s equality. Working with our partners in Africa and elsewhere, I know we can make real progress on achieving gender equality. And in terms of the great Canadian leadership shown by Lester Pearson, we need to get Canada on a path towards meeting the United Nations’ goal – that Pearson advocated – of eventually allocating 0.7% of our GNP to overseas aid. Setting a timetable for achieving 0.7% would mean that for the first time, Canada would be playing a significant, predictable and long-term role in international aid investments and global poverty reduction.

SG: The Prime Minister has been quoted by many leaders and the media as saying Africa is no longer a “sole focus” and the new focus for Canada would be Latin America. What is your take on that and why should Africa still be a priority for Canadians and Canada.

JL: Like many Canadians, I was very disappointed to see Mr. Harper dropping eight African nations from Canada’s list of priority countries receiving aid and development help. It’s very important for Canada to turn our focus back to Africa. We’re at a key moment: the youth of Africa represent an incredible resource and an opportunity for the world – their talents, ideas, innovation, and engagement with new technology – coupled with Africa’s vast natural resources – means there is a potential for enormous achievements. Canada needs to be there as an active partner to work with Africans in realizing that potential.

SG: You have a huge mandate from Canadians. You have attained 103 seats when most predicted the great showing of the Ed Broadbent’s NDP of the 1988 Federal election was the ceiling for the NDP. The just concluded federal election proved that theory wrong in so many ways. What do you plan to accomplish before the next federal election when it comes to Canada’s role in the world.

JL: My goal for foreign affairs will be in many ways the same as my goal in every other area – to bring people together, put aside political games, and achieve real, meaningful results that improve people’s lives. Together, my team and I will be working to advance a range of issues from democratic development to immigration reform, maternal health and a just international trade policy. We’ll be holding Mr. Harper to account every day and looking for those concrete results.

SG: Just under a decade ago, superstar HIV/AIDS activist Bono said – “The world needs more Canada” – how true is that statement today?

JL: I would say that it’s truer now more than ever before. With the right policies, Canada has an opportunity to be a world leader in international development. And given its place in the world, Canada also has a responsibility to be a leader on international development.It may mean looking at existing relationships in a new way. For example, Canadian companies are major players in mining in Africa. Consequently, Canada can also become a force for corporate social responsibility in Africa by ensuring that Canadian corporations operating outside Canada meet international human rights and environmental standards in all their operations.We have been working to put that legislation in place, and I see this as exactly the kind of practical leadership role that most Canadians want Canada to play on the international stage.

SG: There was a time when then UN Canadian representative Stephen Lewis, Canada’s then foreign Minister Joe Clark and CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Television) personality Brian Stewart opened a window to the misery of the famine victims of Ethiopia. Millions was raised and Canadians truly opened their hearts and wallets to Ethiopia and Ethiopians. Why should Canadians and the taxpayers of Canada still care about what is happening in a far away place like Ethiopia?

JL: Today we live in a world where increasingly, we are all connected – and nowhere is this more evident than in Canada, where so many Canadians come from or have family in other parts of the world. When we make investments to support development in Africa, we’re investing in a more peaceful and prosperous world – and that benefits everyone.The Federal NDP has a real chance to form the next Canadian Federal government more than ever in the history of the party.

SG: Please share with us who your party critics are for foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and what qualities do they bring to their unique portfolios.

JL: I’m very pleased that we have excellent critics. Returning as our Foreign Affairs Critic will be Paul Dewar, who you may know for his work on the Medicine for All bill, conflict minerals, and women’s role in peace-building. Our new critic for International Cooperation is Hélène Laverdière, who has a wealth of international experience through her work with Canada’s Foreign Service at diplomatic postings in Washington, Senegal and Chile.Working together, they will propose practical ideas around improving Canada’s role in international affairs while holding the Conservative government to account for its action – or inaction.

SG: Any parting words?

JL: I’m looking forward to getting down to work – Canadians sent us here to propose solutions where we can, and oppose when we must – and my team and I are ready to take on that responsibility.