In June 2005, Stockwell Day stated Canada must play a G8 leadership role and commit to a timetable to spend 0.7 per cent of GDP on foreign aid. The Conservatives have since avoided a commitment. In January 2006, Stephen Harper promised an extra $425-million on aid over five years, largely based on previous Liberal-initiated increases. At the same time, he promised to move Canadian aid to the average of the 22 wealthiest nations. The OECD average is about 0.45 per cent while Canada's contribution actually dropped from 0.30 per cent to 0.28 per cent last year. The verdict? It's a pity, but Canada's foreign aid has had more recent busts than the TSX.

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