Liberals looking to cut red tape for international aid, minister says

International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen says he's focused on speeding up aid funding while cementing the Trudeau government's feminist approach to development abroad.

International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen says he’s focused on speeding up aid funding while cementing the Trudeau government’s feminist approach to development abroad.

In his first interview about taking on the role since he was sworn in July 26, Hussen said his mandate letter calls for a continued focus on Canada’s feminist international assistance policy, and to prioritize clearing bureaucratic hurdles that prevent that policy from fulling taking shape.

“We know that when women and girls are included in society, those societies do better, that poverty comes down, gender-based violence comes down (and) economic development takes off,” he said.

Hussen previously helmed the government’s housing and immigration portfolios.

His new job focuses on managing a $6.5-billion budget for development aid such as building schools, as well as helping send out humanitarian funding in response to crises such as major earthquakes.

The goal is to try creating a more prosperous, inclusive world that presents fewer security risks for Canada and its allies, even as the international community faces increasing climate chaos, pandemics and a historic number of refugees.

Hussen takes on a file at a time where Canada has joined some of allies in cutting back on foreign aid.

This past spring’s budget called for a $1.3-billion drop in funding, amounting to 15 per cent less than the year before. The Liberals insist this is not a cut, since the budget remains larger than Canada’s aid expenditures before the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.