Fact Sheets, Issue and Policy Briefs

Policy Brief: Implications of the “better aid bill” for the RDBs - July 2008

On May 29, Bill C-293 or the “better aid bill”, received royal assent, now legally requiring Canadian official development assistance (ODA) to contribute to poverty reduction, take into account the perspectives of the poor, and be consistent with international human rights standards (see our "Issue Update" for more). The Canadian International Development Agency and Foreign Affairs Canada, among others, are in the process of developing plans on how to implement the Bill in practice. These comments are intended to help CIDA in its interpretation of the Bill for the various international financial institutions (IFIs) for which it is the lead agency.

Policy Brief: Implications of the "better aid bill" for the BWIs and EBRD - June 2008

On May 29, Bill C-293 or the “better aid bill”, received royal assent, now legally requiring Canadian official development assistance (ODA) to contribute to poverty reduction, take into account the perspectives of the poor, and be consistent with international human rights standards(see our "Issue Update" for more). Finance Canada, among others, is in the process of developing plans on how to implement the Bill in practice. These comments are intended to help Finance Canada in its interpretation of the Bill for the various international financial institutions (IFIs) for which it is the lead agency.

The Invisible Hand - How the IMF undermines health systems in developing countries

This powerpoint presentation was made by Paul Jensen, Global Research Coordinator with the Results Educational Fund, at the Halifax Initiative member's meeting and workshop. It explains how the IMF puts in place policies that essentially fix the size of government's budgets and determine how much of that budget they can dedicate towards their own national development priorities.

Issue Brief: 15th Replenishment of the International Development Association - June 2007 (Revised September 2007)

Approximately one tenth, or $320 million, of all of Canada's aid money currently goes to the World Bank's soft loan and grant-making facility, the International Development Association.

Every three years, the World's donors - including Canada - meet to discuss how much money is needed to replenish this facility and how they want that money to be lent. The International Development Association (IDA), was established to support economic growth, reduce poverty and improve living conditions. It provides long-term interest-free loans and grants to 81 of the world’s poorest, or low-income, countries.

Policy Brief: Canada at the World Bank and IMF - time for a systematic review of our involvement and our role - March 2007

The Annual Report to Parliament on the World Bank and IMF, even in their new format, fail to identify two things: (1) Canada’s long-term strategy, goals and objectives at these institutions, and (2) how our involvement helps contribute to a development agenda driven by poverty eradication and the promotion of human rights. It is time for a systematic review of Canada’s record at these institutions and for tools to enhance the government’s accountability and transparency at the Bank and IMF.

Policy Brief: The World Bank and IMF: creating greater parliamentary accountablity - October 2006

The World Bank and IMF are two of the most powerful and influential institutions in the world. To date, there have been few opportunities for Canadian parliamentarians to review the operations of the Bank and the Fund and to assure accountability for the decisions that Canada takes at these important institutions. No parliamentary hearings have been held on the role of the Bank and the Fund since 1995.

IFI Backgrounders for the National Roundtables on Extractives and CSR

In preparation for the 2006 National Roundtables on Corporate Social Responsibility and Extractives in Developing Countries, the Halifax Initiaitive has prepared three backgrounders on IFI issues related to the Roundtables. PDF versions are available in the below links.

• Issue brief on the Private Sector Lending and the World Bank Group - IFC and MIGA
• Issue brief on The World Bank and Extractive Industries Review - Lessons Learned (and promptly ignored)
• Issue brief on The International Finance Corporation's Performance Standards - the new 'gold standard' or 'fool's gold'?

• Policy brief on "Export Development Canada and Human Rights - Risk or Rights?"

Issue Brief: World Bank Extractive Industries Review - June 2006

In preparation for the 2006 National Roundtables on Corporate Social Responsibility and Extractives in Developing Countries, the Halifax Initiative has prepared this issue brief backgrounder, "World Bank Extractive Industries Review - Lessons Learned (and promptly ignored)"

Issue Brief: Private Sector Lending and the World Bank Group - June 2006

In preparation for the 2006 National Roundtables on Corporate Social Responsibility and Extractives in Developing Countries, the Halifax Initiative has prepared this issue brief backgrounder, "Private Sector Lending and the World Bank Group - IFC and MIGA"

Issue Brief: The IFC's Performance Standards - June 2006

In preparation for the 2006 National Roundtables on Corporate Social Responsibility and Extractives in Developing Countries, the Halifax Initiative has prepared this issue brief backgrounder, "The International Finance Corporations's Performance Standards - the New 'Gold Standard' or 'Fool's Gold?'"

Policy Brief : "Export Development Canada and Human Rights" - June 2006

In preparation for the 2006 National Roundtables on Corporate Social Responsibility and Extractives in Developing Countries, the Halifax Initiative has prepared this policy backgrounder, "Export Development Canada and Human Rights - Risk or Rights?"

Issue Brief - Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers - September 2005

To receive debt reduction through the World Bank and IMF, low-income countries must prepare of a Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper(PRSP). Learn more about why this process is under fire from critics, including the institutions themselves.

Issue Brief - The Belgian Model

“The Belgian Model” - A national response to enhancing corporate accountability through tying public support to a set of environmental and human rights standards

KAIROS Statement on Global Day of Action Against Debt Domination (December 2004)

A statement by KAIROS calling for multilateral debt relief, greater action on the part of G7 nations and recognition that odious and illegitimate debt should not have to be repaid.

Issue Brief - Export Development Canada and the Environment - October 2004

Informed public consultation is the foundation of good environmental impact assessment (EIA) and review. Yet the EIA policies of Export Development Canada (EDC), a Crown Corporation mandated to promote Canadian trade abroad, falls far short of both national and international standards.

Issue Brief: The World Bank & Water Privatization - March 2004

A short summary of the influential role the World Bank plays in the privatization of water in developing countries

Where the HIPC Initiative is Failing - October 2003

This factsheet evaluates whether the HIPC Initiative has met its own objectives of providing a sustainable exit from debt relief and concludes that it has failed to meet even its own limited goal.

Canada's position on Third World debt - September 2003

This factsheet summarizes the Government of Canada's position on debt cancellation and documents actions to date. For analysis and critique of this position, see our other documents in the Issues-Debt Section.

Reality Bites: A Rebuttal of the IMF's 'Common Criticisms: Some Responses.' (September 2003)

The IMF often seems to think its lack of popularity is due to misunderstandings or misrepresentation of its role. A recent IMF promotional publication ("Common Criticisms: Some Responses"), using a question and answer format, attempts to present its actions in a more favorable light. Questions include: "Do IMF-supported programs favor bankers and elites?" and "Is the IMF dominated by the G-7 (especially the U.S. Treasury)?" The answers to those questions, which could most accurately be a simple "yes," are, for the IMF, an opportunity to do a little spinning. Our rebuttal tries to unwind the spin, and give the straight story on the IMF.

Tobin Tax

Currency transactions taxes such as the Tobin-type tax are often dismissed by critics before all the arguments have been heard. They view the tax as too difficult to adopt and too easy to avoid. Much criticism is ill-informed or designed to stifle debate. Here are the most common myths and our response to them:

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