Canadian aid cuts will bite deeply in global crisis zones, relief agencies say

Prime Minister Mark Carney and Minister of Finance and National Revenue Francois-Philippe Champagne hold up copies of the budget on Tuesday.

The Carney government’s decision to eliminate $2.7-billion in foreign aid spending will deepen a global crisis of aid cuts that has already left millions struggling for survival in war zones and humanitarian disasters, relief agencies say.

The announcement in Prime Minister Mark Carney’s budget is breaking his campaign promise to protect Canadian foreign aid, the groups say.

Federal budget basics

Here are the highlights of the Carney government’s plan, and how they might affect your personal finances.

The budget says Ottawa will impose the $2.7-billion cut over the next four years “while focusing support for countries that need it the most.”