Prime Minister Mark Carney is in South Africa for the G20 summit, where he’ll meet with the country’s president. His visit comes as Canada focuses on growing trade with regions outside the United States, while also planning major cuts to foreign aid.
A senior Canadian official said Carney’s government is mainly looking to expand trade with Europe and Asia. They said Canada is still committed to Africa, but it’s not Carney’s main priority right now.
Canada launched a new Africa strategy in March, but the recent federal budget didn’t mention it or include new funding. Some experts say Carney hasn’t talked about the strategy enough and could face questions about where Africa fits into his foreign policy.
Canada has provided about $4.5 billion in aid to Africa over the past five years. But the new budget will cut foreign aid by $2.7 billion over four years. One of the first cuts was a reduced contribution to the Global Fund, which fights diseases like AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. Canada’s new $1-billion pledge is 17 per cent lower than its last contribution.
Some experts say these cuts may create tension with South Africa’s president, while others argue African countries are now focused on investment, not just aid. Still, critics warn the cuts come at a time when global crises and climate challenges are increasing.
A senior official said Canada still wants to strengthen diplomatic and commercial ties with South Africa and hopes to announce new agreements after Carney’s meeting there.
