International Monetary Fund
Section Articles
Comments to Finance on its consultation under the Official Development Assistance (ODA) Accountability Act - December 22, 2008
This is the first occasion under which any Department has consulted with groups in relation to the Official Development Assistance Accountability Act. Accordingly, the Halifax Initiative and CCIC have chosen to provide both extensive feedback on the consultation process and to provide some broad principles for Finance Canada to consider in terms of how Canadian policy at the IFIs might be made consistent with the Act. This submission also complements two Briefing Notes that CCIC will submit independently and should be read taking these Briefing Notes into account.
Statement on the proposed “Global Summit” to reform the international financial system - October 29, 2008
In recent weeks, leaders worldwide have recognized the deficiencies of the existing system and the need to meet to address a broader set of proposals to reform the global financial system and its institutions. The G20 are now set to meet in Washington DC on November 15 to begin the discussions. We are deeply concerned that the proposed meetings will be carried out in a rushed and non-inclusive manner, and as a result, will not address the comprehensive range of changes needed, nor fairly allocate their burden.
Response from Minister Cannon re Financing for Development - November 27, 2008
This letter responds to the HI letter on issues to be addressed at the upcoming Financing for Development meeting in Doha, Qatar, and lays out the Canadian position on a range of topics.
Letter to Minister Emerson re Financing for Development - October 10, 2008
In November, civil society organizations (CSOs) and government leaders from around the world will convene in Doha, Qatar to review progress on the 2002 Monterrey Financing for Development (FfD) agenda, and plot a course for the years ahead. We, the undersigned Canadian CSOs are writing to urge the Canadian government to support a strong and specific outcome document for action and for change in Doha that puts effective development, poverty eradication, international human rights, gender equality, decent work, and environmental sustainability at the fore.
Letter to UN Secretary-General on external debt - February 29, 2008
At the end of this year, governments of the world will meet in Doha, Qatar to evaluate progress in implementing the Monterrey Consensus. One of the critical elements of this consensus is the issue of external debt and its role in financing for development. This letter highlights the critical policy issues around external debt today.
Response from Minister Flaherty on changes to the Annual Report - December 20, 2007
This letter from the Minister - the first response that the Halifax Initiative has received from the Department of Finance in almost two years - provides an overview of the changes that the Department has made to the Annual Report to Parliament on the Bretton Woods [World Bank and IMF] and Related Agreements Act.
Letter to Minister Flaherty - January 31, 2007
This letter thanks Finance Canada for taking the initiative to revise the Annual Report to Parliament on the Bretton Woods Institutions (BWIs), and provides an overview of four broad areas of concern that we would like to see addressed in the new report. The letter includes detailed comments and suggestions on both format and content for the new report, as well as a short list of potential issues to be included.
Letter to Minister Flaherty - January 12, 2007
This letter asks Minister Flaherty to clarify the Canadian government’s position with respect to the issue of conditionality, and the recent review of World Bank conditionality conducted by the Bank and Norwegian government.
Letter to Minister Flaherty (March 2006)
This letter draws attention to the extent to which the World Bank, through its International Development Association, has backtracked on the commitments made at the G8 summit in Gleneagles under the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative, and how it is inconsistent with how the IMF has implemented the same initiative. The letters asks the Canadian Executive Director to ensure when the modalities of the deal are discussed on March 28th, that all countries receive immediate full debt cancellation as of July 1, 2006.
Letter to Minister Goodale (December 2005)
The IMF is proposing to delay debt cancellation for 6 of the 18 countries that have already reached HIPC Completion Point. The IMF Board will decide to accept or reject the staff recommendation to further require 6 countries to undertake structural reforms next Wednesday.
Letter to Auditor-General of Canada - November 8, 2005
Halifax Initiative Coalition is requesting an audit of Canada's participation in the Bretton Woods Institutions. The last audit was done in 1992.
Letter to the Honourable Ralph Goodale (August 2004)
We are writing to express our deep concern regarding the decision to exclude civil society from participation in the Fall meetings of the 60th anniversary of the Bretton Woods institution by canceling the NGO/PRESS pass.
Letter to Canadian IMF Director on Proposed New Debt (December 2002)
Letter to Canadian IMF Director on Proposed New Debt Restructuring Mechanism: On December 18, the Board will discuss the IMF’s most recent version of an insolvency procedure for states, labelled the “Sovereign Debt Restructuring Mechanism” (SDRM).
Letter to Minister Manley on Southern Africa (July 2002)
Southern Africa is facing its worst food crisis in over a decade, with millions of people facing starvation. The UN World Food Programme has launched an emergency appeal for assistance, and Canada is responding promptly and generously.
Open letter to the G7 finance ministers - June 2002
When the G7 heads of government met in Halifax in June 1995, leaders made a commitment to a series of measures to reform the Bretton Woods Institutions. The G7 called for the provision of multi-lateral debt relief for the poorest countries, the promotion of environmentally sustainable development and the reduction of poverty.
Letter to Ecuadorian President Noboa (Feburary 2001)
We write to you as representatives of civil-society organizations concerned about the impact of IMF- and World Bank-imposed structural adjustment programs around the world. We are alarmed by reports of violent suppression by your government of the legitimate public protests against the most recently implemented adjustment program in Ecuador.
Excerpts from a letter sent to the IMF & WB (July 1999)
Excerpts from a letter sent to: Tom Bernes, Executive Director for Canada, International Monetary Fund and Terrie O'Leary, Executive Director for Canada, World Bank
The IMF's Structural Adjustment Programme for Canada 1994-1995 (December 1995)
This report outlines the Structural Adjustment programs that Canada must adhere to governed by the IMF.
