Anything you can do, we can do better.

Johnny - posted on 04/25/2011

Are you referring to the Muskoka Initiative Nikki?

Johnny - posted on 04/25/2011

Here is what Action Canada for Population and Development had to say:

Today, April 21, 2011, Hon. Bev Oda, Minister of International Cooperation, issued a statement with regard to the funding of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) which has been awaiting approval since 2009.
IPPF submitted the original proposal in 2009 for a multi-year funding agreement of $18 million over 3 years. This was not successful, although they never actually received official notification of this.

As a consequence of changes made to the funding streams within CIDA in 2009-10 the budget line IPPF had originally applied to in 2009, no longer existed.

Therefore, in 2010 they submitted a proposal based on what they understood were the Canadian Government’s priorities under the Muskoka Initiative.
This proposal explicitly excluded provision of abortions since the government had made it clear that it would not fund actual abortions.
Information suggests that this proposal reached Minister Oda’s desk in March 2011.
However at the end of March (and the end of the financial year for receiving funding for their work in 2010) they had not heard anything in regard to how the proposal was proceeding.

Since then the election has intervened.

For the first time in over 40 years IPPF is not receiving funding from Canada, although in response to the statement by Brad Trost, MP, Minister Oda issued a statement this morning which can be seen below.

Oda’s statement:
”The Canada-led Muskoka Initiative, introduced by Prime Minister Stephen Harper is about making a difference in the lives of the world’s most vulnerable people. Our goal is simple and straightforward: saving the lives of mothers, newborns and children in developing countries. We will do this by expanding life-saving services and programs such as better nutrition, treatment and prevention of diseases, proper medication, clean water and sanitation. Canada’s generous contribution is part of a $7.3 billion overall commitment announced by G-8 leaders in Muskoka last June. Eighty per cent of the Canadian contribution will flow to sub-Saharan Africa which has the greatest incidence of maternal and child mortality.

If Planned Parenthood submits an application that falls within the government’s parameters for the G8 Muskoka Initiative, there will be funding. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Stephen Harper our Conservative government is focused on issues that matter to Canadians such as completing our economic recovery and providing Canadians greater financial security and a stable government.”

Comments on Oda’s statement:
It appears that Oda’s office or the Minister herself, is unaware or is once again misleading the public in terms of decision
-making on funding of key organizations who have and will continue to make a difference globally to save women’s and children’s lives.

Further, she appears to be completely unaware or is disregarding the fact that a proposal has already been submitted which IPPF believes is consistent with the government’s priorities under the Muskoka Initiative.
IPPF is the leading organization worldwide working to ensure universal access to reproductive health services. Strong and effective civil society organizations (CSOs), such as IPPF, occupy a specific niche in the current development context. They are in a position to deliver specialized sexual and reproductive health services, especially to poor and marginalized people who are beyond the reach of government assistance. Civil society participation is essential to ensuring progress towards sexual and reproductive health in particular and the MDGs in general. Women’s health issues are rarely high on political agendas without it.

Dana - posted on 04/25/2011

Nikki Johnson, care to elaborate?

Jenn - posted on 04/25/2011

I'm confused. PP hasn't received the funding they applied for over a year ago. Why is this new news? Just because of what some looney toon said? I'm pretty sure the rest of the PC's don't support his statements.

Nikki - posted on 04/25/2011

Have you even read the amendment? Maybe you should before you blindly decide it is wrong.

Johnny - posted on 04/21/2011

Back in the 90's when I lived in a different riding, there was an anarchist candidate. I found that hilariously amusing.

He also runs for the mayor's office every election. He calls himself Godzilla.

Firebird - posted on 04/21/2011

Ok... I am primarily an Anarchist, but I think this time I'm actually going to .....vote. There, I said it! *shudders*

I've never done it before, I don't really support any of the government parties, but that man's got to go! I can't believe Harper allowed this. Guess I'm gonna have to do a little bit of reading.

Lady Heather - posted on 04/21/2011

You don't know PP operates here because you don't see PP signs. You see clinics with other names that are funded by PP. So my local youth clinic is technically part of PP even though it doesn't say so on the sign. When I was under 21 I went to a similar clinic where I could access free birth control, gynecological care and counseling. It was convenient to have it all in one place and it was totally judgment free. I didn't have to worry about seeing some weird doctor like I would if I went to the walk in clinic. Some smaller places that don't have very good access to doctors and hospitals have these clinics. I think they need to be expanded personally. There are virtually no resources in the northern part of the country. If you think it is easy to get an abortion, try living in some obscure place in Nunavut.

Johnny - posted on 04/21/2011

It's not about Canada, as Heather said. It's the international arm which is being effected by this. Support for women in developing countries.

Isobel - posted on 04/21/2011

yeah...he and Bush were great buddies :(

Dana - posted on 04/21/2011

That's very true, Laura. Still, it's the act that it represents that I find frustrating and I'm not even Canadian.

Isobel - posted on 04/21/2011

I didn't even know PP operated here so how can it make that big of a difference?

Isobel - posted on 04/21/2011

In fairness, it upsets me less here than it does in the States. We have universal health care, free clinics everywhere and abortions are provided in hospitals for free up until 12 weeks and in other clinics until 20.

You can get free condoms in any youth center and if you are on welfare, all your prescriptions are free.

Lady Heather - posted on 04/21/2011

So apparently the Tories are denying it now! ahahaha. What a crock.

Lady Heather - posted on 04/21/2011

I think what a lot of people forget too is that this is not just a question of sexual health in privileged places like North America. This organization operates in third world countries, offering service to women that really can't be had in any other way. It's all well and good to get on your high horse and say "people should act responsibly and then we wouldn't need abortion". Tell that to the woman in some starving nation who was raped. Tell that to the woman who couldn't access birth control and is now facing another pregnancy and baby that will be impossible to feed and clothe. Tell that to the woman who knows she has AIDS and knows it is likely her baby will too and there is no medical care to help them.



Sometimes we forget how lucky we are in this part of the world. Throw yourself in someone else's shoes for a fucking change. Thousands upon thousands of women die every year because they can't access a safe abortion. Overpopulation is a serious problem in impoverished nations. They have tons of babies, but few of them live a life worth living. I'm sorry, but STFU about what makes sense in the US. I want this shit funded for the good of the fucking world.

Johnny - posted on 04/21/2011

More abortions and STD's. Just what we all wanted. Even many pro-life people I know are opposed to defunding PP. Women unable to access birth control won't necessarily abstain from sex because of it. Just more unplanned pregnancies and chlamydia. Joy!

Jenni - posted on 04/21/2011

I'm sorry but am I wrong to believe defunding a program that encourages safe sex practices is going to cost us more tax dollars in the long run in social assistance and public health care?

Dana - posted on 04/21/2011

No, Nikki, it doesn't make sense, it's utterly ridiculous.

If half the people had sense they'd see that. Cutting aid to women who need birth control is not going to lower abortion rates it's going to raise them.



Bunch of freaking idiots....

Dana - posted on 04/21/2011

Wow, that really sucks. Maybe you should have taken a page from us "silly Americans" and debated it some more. :P

Jenni - posted on 04/21/2011

Ummm considering almost 70% of our country is pro-choice... I think going against the majority is a little disingenuous and considering unlike the US we have no written policy against funding abortions. This is not what our majority wants... it's what the Harper administration wants.

Nikki - posted on 04/21/2011

Good for them! FInally making decisions that make since. I am completely supportive of this measure and I hope the US follows suit.

Jenni - posted on 04/21/2011

@Jen I wish there was a button for 'discouraging'. :(

Jen - posted on 04/21/2011

They are taking over is what's happening. There goes your 2nd place as happiest country.

Isobel - posted on 04/21/2011

AAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHHH

I hate that fucktard...he should be arrested

Tara - posted on 04/21/2011

We are being taken for a ride by a right wing conservative government with ulterior motive largely influenced by the Christian right and that is a disgrace to our freedoms.
Another reason to ditch Harper and make a turn to the left for at least a term, let's see what someone less influenced by Money and Religion can do with our country.
Before it's too late...

Lady Heather - posted on 04/21/2011

He was found in contempt of parliament, so I guess that's maybe what you read about Mary. Now he's probably about to win at least a minority government again. I really hope it's not a majority. If they can just do away with funding like this in a minority governent, imagine what they could do with a majority! I honestly didn't think we had to worry about abortion or gay marriage anymore, but I guess we do.

Jenni - posted on 04/21/2011

Yeah, he's a douche. We call him Baby Bush around here (or maybe that's just me). I was totally blind sided by this one. Here I was bashing American's for believing the hogwash about PP by the Republicans, at least you guys have a choice in the matter!
Harper's turning our gov't into a dictatorship. The arrogant bastard!!!

ME - posted on 04/21/2011

Wow...I feel closer to all of the Canadians all of a sudden...you CAN feel our pain! Not that I want you to tho...I thought I heard something about your president Harper getting into some political trouble lately....maybe I'm imagining that tho...

Johnny - posted on 04/21/2011

Just to steal a line from another thread, "fat evil demonic Ken doll" is at it again. Make no mistake. If the Conservatives win a majority they will seek to make abortion restrictions and rescind gay marriage. Their base demands it.

Jenni - posted on 04/21/2011

Arrrg! Get Harper out!!!! I want to be Canadian again! :(