C-204
First Session, Thirty-ninth Parliament,
55 Elizabeth II, 2006
HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA
BILL C-204
An Act respecting the provision of development assistance by the Canadian International Development Agency and other federal bodies
first reading, April 6, 2006
Mr. Kramp
391197
SUMMARY
This enactment sets out criteria respecting resource allocation to international development agencies and enhances transparency and monitoring of Canada’s international development efforts.
Also available on the Parliament of Canada Web Site at the following address:http://www.parl.gc.ca
.vis1 {position: absolute;display:block;}
.vis2 {position: static;}
1st Session, 39th Parliament,
55 Elizabeth II, 2006
house of commons of canada
BILL C-204
An Act respecting the provision of development assistance by the Canadian International Development Agency and other federal bodies
Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:
SHORT TITLE
Short title
1. This Act may be cited as the Development Assistance Conditions and Accountability Act.
PURPOSE
Purpose
2. (1) The purpose of this Act is to ensure that all Canadian development assistance abroad is provided with a central focus on poverty reduction and in a manner consistent with Canadian values, Canadian foreign policy and international human rights standards.
Sustainable development
(2) All Canadian development activities abroad shall be provided in accordance with the principles of sustainable development, that is, development that meets the needs of present generations without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
INTERPRETATION
Definitions
3. The following definitions apply in this Act.
“competent minister”« ministre compétent »
“competent minister” means any minister des­ignated by the Governor in Council to provide development assistance.
“development assistance”« aide au développe-
ment »
“development assistance” means official development assistance as defined by the Development Assistance Committee of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. 
“international agency”« agence internationale »
“international agency” means any intergov-ernmental organization whose objectives include global poverty reduction or international humanitarian assistance.
“Minister”« ministre »
“Minister” means the Minister of International Cooperation.
“non-governmental organization”« organisation non gouverne- mentale »
“non-governmental organization” means a not-for-profit or charitable organization whose governing structure is independent of government direction and whose objectives include global poverty reduction or international humanitarian assistance.
DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE
Development assistance
4. (1) Development assistance may be provided only if the competent minister is of the opinion that it
(a) contributes to poverty reduction;
(b) takes into account the perspectives of the poor; and
(c) is consistent with Canada’s international human rights obligations.
Consultation
(2) In arriving at the opinion described in subsection (1), the competent minister may consult with international agencies and Canadian non-governmental organizations.
HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
Humanitarian assistance
5. The competent minister may provide any person, body or agency with assistance for the purpose of alleviating the effects of a natural or artificial disaster or other emergency occurring outside Canada.
REPORTS
Reports to Parliament
6. (1) The Minister, after consultation with every competent minister, shall cause to be submitted to each House of Parliament, within six months after the termination of each fiscal year or, if that House is not then sitting, on any of the first five days next thereafter that the House is sitting, a report containing
(a) a description of any activity or initiative taken under this Act;
(b) a summary of the annual report submitted under the Bretton Woods and Related Agreements Act;
(c) a summary of any representation made by Canadian representatives with respect to priorities and policies of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund; and
(d) a summary of the Departmental Performance Report of the Canadian International Development Agency.
Statistical report
(2) The Minister shall issue a statistical report on the disbursement of development assistance within one year after the end of each fiscal year.
Bretton Woods and Related Agreements Act
7. The Minister of Finance shall cause to be submitted to each House of Parliament, on or before September 30 in each year or, if that House is not then sitting, on any of the thirty days next thereafter that the House is sitting, a report containing
(a) a summary of operations under this Act;
(b) a summary of any representation made by Canadian representatives with respect to the priorities and policies of the Bretton Woods Institutions;
(c) a summary of the manner in which Canada’s activities under the Bretton Woods and Related Agreements Act have contributed to carrying out the purposes of this Act; and
(d) details of any operation that has directly affected Canada, including, but not limited to, the resources and lending of the World Bank Group, the funds subscribed or contributed by Canada, borrowings in Canada and procurement of Canadian goods and services.
Published under authority of the Speaker of the House of CommonsAvailable from:Publishing and Depository ServicesPublic Works and Government Services CanadaOttawa, Ontario K1A 0S5Telephone: (613) 941-5995 or 1-800-635-7943Fax: (613) 954-5779 or 1-800-565-7757publications@pwgsc.gc.cahttp://publications.gc.ca