ABSTRACT
This chapter presents Canada’s rationale for aid, its foreign policy statement relevant to all its international assistance, and its International Assistance Envelope as well as its Official Development Assistance. The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) administers 78% of Canada’s foreign aid. CIDA’s mandate and purpose are outlined, along with its objectives and priorities, its ways of delivering programs, and its expected results of its program priorities. Canada’s program of international development started in 1946, through contributions to the United Nations and its agencies via its Department of External Affairs. Canada’s total international assistance since 1991 reaches beyond the above ODA definition, with its programs for Central and Eastern Europe and the Newly Independent States. Canada is one of the most fortunate and liberal countries in the world and its people have a strong ethic for sharing its good fortunes, manifested in part, in its international assistance program.
