http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24433188

can someone here tell me why we shouldn't?

I have always found this old boys club rather quaint

In this very rare instance i agree with Harper 100%

$20 million to the commonwealth

"Canada contributes about 20 million Canadian dollars ($19.4m; £12m) each year to the Commonwealth, including C$5m to the secretariat, which runs the group. A loss of Canadian financing could threaten the organisation, analysts say."

versus foreign aid. I say cut the foreign aid

Canada’s Foreign Aid Spending

"Canada’s foreign aid spending totaled CAD$ 5.67 billion in 2012 (CAD$ 5.7 billion on gross basis), compared to CAD$ 5.66 billion in 2011. This equates to about C$ 165.30 per Canadian. Aid spending was 2.5% of total 2012 budget expenditure, or 0.32% of Gross National Income.

The largest recipient was Ethiopia (CAD$ 207 million), followed by Haiti, Tanzania, Afghanistan, Ghana, Sudan and South Sudan, Mozambique and Pakistan."

- See more at: http://cidpnsi.ca/blog/portfolio/can....brjerv46.dpuf

good point

Both should go

They say that charity begins at home and we are not exactly rich to the point of giving it away

I would rather see this money spent at home and help immigrants when they arrive who, at least in time, will likely become productive contributors to the economy

To me foreign aid is like charities, who the hell knows how it gets spent and whose pockets gets lined?

And what of those so called loans to third world countries that inevitably and predictably will get written off!

According to the Mercer Report I saw at 4:00 (not sure what vintage), Harper spent $20 million on advisors from Bay Street to tell him how to save money. It costs a million per to fly his bullet-proof limo around.... a million doesn't buy what it used to.

The commonwealth is just a voluntary organisation of countries, the majority of which are republics. I presume countries participate as it provides another avenue to shape world affairs.

Whether the cost is outweighed by the chance to push Canada's interests and values is something only an expert in these things would know. It would be an awkward decision to leave the commonwealth while still a constitutional monarchy I imagine.

Harper's stance against the incumbent Sri Lankan government seems a brave and unusual one and may be worthy of support.

yes i watched that old comment from rick mercer and wasn't quite sure whether he (mercer not harper) was being serious or not

to add ... such as the Canadian government spends or wastes attending or holding G8/G20 conferences, especially the last one held in Canada in 2010, it alone blew close to a lifetime of commonwealth contribution

http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/mini...ding-1.1045354

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/10385483

I disagree

you certainly are winding up today Mike

"charity begins at home"

Lets add to the charity bucket the Refugee & Asylum seekers cost to the taxpayer

http://www.settlement.org/sys/faqs_d...faq_id=4000348

From the Government of Canada website ....

The Government is increasing the number of refugees and other persons in vulnerable circumstances that this country resettles each year by 20%. By 2013, Canada will resettle up to 14,500 refugees and other vulnerable persons a year.

As a member of the international community, Canada helps find solutions to prolonged and emerging refugee situations and helps emerging democracies try to solve many of the problems that create refugee populations.

To enhance services for government-assisted refugees in Canada, the funding for the Resettlement Assistance Program has also increased to $54 million a year.

The amount of monthly income support provided to government-assisted refugees is based on current provincial social assistance rates. It provides the minimum amount required to cover only the most basic food and shelter needs until the refugees are able to support themselves.

This support is normally available for up to one year but may extend up to two years for refugees with special needs.

The Resettlement Assistance Program provides income support to government-assisted refugees and offers other essential services such as:

welcoming at the point of entry
temporary housing
help to find permanent housing
other settlement services, including financial assistance.
These resettlement services are in addition to settlement services and programs funded by CIC to help all newcomers, including refugees, settle and integrate into their new communities.

It's not really any of our business what the Canadians choose to spend their money on. Nonetheless, it's a bit rich for immigrants to suggest that they cut down their aid to immigrants.

[QUOTE=

I disagree

you certainly are winding up today Mike[/QUOTE]

yes indeed I am dead serious

Perhaps i am a bit naive, but i consider an immigrant as a long term investment who needs a head start and who hopefully will turn out to be a law-abiding tax payer who contributes to the economy and who is hard working and avoids being kept on employment insurance and, worse still, welfare.

+1. All that money in aid, yet improvements seem scarce.

Not just the aid from Canada but not forgetting these countries receive aid from many westernized countries.

TBH Canada can bugger right off if they want and that way they could stick their tongues even further up the US' backside. Its not like they play any of our sports to any degree. So naff them.

You must be trolling.

i am dead serious

can someone give me a reasoned argument as to why we should stay, other than the obvious emotional/historic attachment to the UK?

If Canada got it's act together it could have way better trade and migration options with our friends in the commonwealth.

But the obvious reason you posted suffices for me regardless.