Tuesday, November 3, 2009

The Honourable James Flaherty
Minister of Finance
Department of Finance
140 O’Connor Street
Ottawa, ON  K1A 0G5

Dear Finance Minister,

Re: Making it easier for developing countries to secure the benefits of a new cooperative tax environment

In the run-up to the G20 Finance Ministers’ meeting in St Andrews, civil society organisations from around the world are writing with regard to the G20 Heads of States’ commitment at the London Summit in April to 'develop proposals by end 2009 to make it easier for developing countries to secure the benefits of a new cooperative tax environment.'

Executive Summary
2010 will be a decisive year for Canada, and for the world.  The deadline for meeting the world’s Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) is only five years away.   Our decisions on economic reform and climate change will determine the success of world’s efforts to reduce poverty and reverse dangerous global warming for the next generation and beyond.  As host of the next G8 and G20 Summits, Canada can make the difference between relegating these aspirations to a distant hope in an uncertain future and confirming the possibility of achieving these goals in our lifetime.  The consequences of reneging on our promises are unthinkable for the millions around the world looking towards a new model of globalization that is socially responsible, economically sustainable and environmentally just.

Since September 2008, when the financial crisis took on global dimensions, the Group of Twenty has met three times at the level of Heads of State, and with a seeminly impressive array of commitments on tax issues, emergency finance, trade finance, global governance, regulating private capital, and redefining new roles for existing and new global institutions. But what is missing in their response to the global crisis? Who are the real winners and losers? What has really changed, and what hasn't? And are the levels of change commensurate with the tectonic shifts taking place in the global economy and with the degree of impact on the ground? Perhaps more importantly, are these the type of changes to ensure a crisis like this never happens again? What: What's missing in the response ot the global financial crisis?  Rethinking the international financial system during a time of crisis Who: Organized by the Halifax Initiative Coalition; co-hosted by The North-South Institute and the University of Ottawa. When: October 19 - 20, 2009. Why: The conference will look at current responses to the financial crisis, identify where those responses are falling short, and propose some policy alternatives ahead of Canada hosting the Group of Eight Summit in 2010.

IN THIS SECTION CONFERENCE DETAILS Final Conference Agenda, Speaker and Chair bios, Participant's list PDF / Word Glossary of Financial Terms Conference Sponsors Presentations and speeches (podcasts) Policy Brief - Implications for the Canadian Government (PDF)

A Focus on Poverty, Economic Reform and Climate Change
In 2010 Canada will play host to the world.  The Vancouver Olympics and the G8 and G20 Summits in Muskoka and Toronto will draw the attention of millions to Canada, its geography, its values, policies and practices. If 2008 was the year of China, then 2010 can be the year of Canada.  Around the globe, Canadians proudly sport the Canadian flag in traveling as a symbol of Canadian democracy, openness and concern for human rights.  Yet our great international achievements of the past—Canadian contributions to the establishment of international peacekeeping, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Ottawa Treaty to Ban Landmines and the International Criminal Court—are today clouded by concerns about Canada’s current role in climate change negotiations, Afghanistan, reform of the global economy and addressing global poverty.

For pdf, click here.

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The Hon. David Emerson
Minister of Foreign Affairs
Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON  K1A OG2  

October 10, 2008

Re.: Canadian priorities leading up to the Doha Financing for Development Review.  

Dear Minister Emerson:   

The Halifax Initiative would like to thank John Foster, North-South Institute, for his help in developing these FAQs

Revised November 2007

The road from Monterrey How is development normally financed? What are the origins of the discussions around financing for development? What happened at Monterrey? What did the Monterrey conference seek to achieve? Who participated? What were the major outcomes? What was the Monterrey consensus? What were some of the other key outcomes?

The Road to Doha What is Doha and how does it work? Who is involved? The UN has held hearings with business and civil society about Financing for Development. What is this all about? What are the themes which the General Assembly FfD Dialogues hopes to address? What do these High Level Dialogues hope to achieve? Was Canada at Monterrey, what role did they play, and how are they involved in Doha? How do I get involved? Does this mean we don’t need to worry about ODA?