World Bank

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.

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.

CSO letter to WB President regarding World Bank governance reform - August 28, 2008

This letter calls for significant reform of World Bank governance, including parity of voice between developed, developing and transition countries, within an agreed time frame, as well as a transparent, merit-based election process for Bank president.

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.

Acquittal of Congolese Soldiers and Canadian Mining Employee in War Crimes Trial Criticized - July 20, 2007

This statement from Congolese and international NGOs brings attention to the trial and acquittal of nine Congolese soldiers for war crimes, and three employees of Anvil Mining for complicity in war crimes in relation to the deaths of at least 73 civilians in Kilwa, DRC in October 2004. It was the first time in the DRC that foreign employees of a multinational company – including one Canadian – have been charged with complicity in war crimes. Citing obstructions, irregularities, and political interference, NGO observers claim the trial failed to conform to international legal standards. Included is a link to the full report.

Letter to Minister Flaherty re the Paul Wolfowitz scandal - May 11, 2007

This letter urges the Canadian government to call on Paul Wolfowitz to resign in light of the recent Bank Committee report that found him guilty of a conflict of interest, and to call for an open, transparent and merit-based process for the selection of the next World Bank President. Not doing so will only further threaten the Bank’s credibility.

Letter to Canadian ED to the World Bank, Samy Watson - April 20, 2007

This letter expresses deep concern that the World Bank’s new Health, Nutrition, and Population (HNP) Strategy, due to be discussed by the World Bank Board of Directors on April 24th, has a number of weaknesses including effectively omitting all commitments to Bank funding for family planning. It encourages Canadian ED to the World Bank, Samy Watson, to address these major shortcomings and push for stronger family planning, and sexual and reproductive health and rights.

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 from the IFC in response to "One Step Forward, One Step Back" - September 29, 2006

This letter from the International Finance Corporation's Director of the Environment and Social Development, Rachel Kyte, responds to a number of issues raised in our report on the IFC's new Performance Standards, "One Step Forward, One Step Back", and attempts to set the record straight "as a matter of public record". The detailed response to a number of issues is included in annex 1, with a statement on IFC's approach to human rights in Annex 2, both included here as a pdf.

Letter to Minister Flaherty - April 11, 2006

Having cancelled the meeting with Civil Society prior to the World Bank and International Monetary Fund Spring meetings due to preparations around the upcoming Federal budget, this letter requests that the new Finance Minister continue the tradition of meeting with Canadian non-governmental organizations in the fall.

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 the Honourable Ralph Goodale - July 6, 2004

RE: Request for Canada to call for an extension of EIR Comment Period

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 Finance Minister re Safeguard Policies (November 2005)

As IFC nears the final stages of its safeguard policy revision process, it is essential that Governments and Board members actively encourage International Finance Corporation (IFC) to make further improvements to its Sustainability Policy and Performance Standards during the public comment period, which ends November 25th.

Letter to President Wolfowitz to Mark his First Day (June 2005)

As Paul Wolfowitz begins work today (June 1) as the 10th President of the World Bank, 303 civil society groups from 62 countries have sent him a letter protesting the World Bank's destructive policies as well as the lack of democracy and accountability that allowed him to become its president. Halifax Initiative worked with international colleagues to help draft the letter and a number of Canadian organizations and coalitions have endorsed it.

Letter to IFC Executive Directors re Glamis Gold mine - May 31, 2005

This letter to the Executive Directors of the World Bank underscores the completely inadequate due diligence the International Finance Corporation conducted with respect to the Marlin Mine project in Guatemala, for which it provided $45 million, and asks for their assistance in clarifying a number of issues with respect to indigenous rights, consultation, the environmental impact assessment, and the rationale for an investment that would bring little benefit to Guatemala.

Government of Canada Response to HI (March 2005)

Thank you for your correspondence of March 17, 2005, in which you raised concerns about the U.S. nominee, Dr. Paul Wolfowitz, for the position of President of the World Bank. I appreciate your views.

Government of Canada Response to HI letter (January 2005)

Thank you for your correspondence of January 28, 2005 regarding debt relief, additional financing and other development issues. I apologize for the delay of my reply.

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