Timing is Everything

Paul Martin has gotten a rotten deal, no question about it. His predecessor was a power hungry scoundrel whose corruption is haunting his party and has left Martin in a no win position. Martin addressed the country just a few days ago asking that an election not be called until the Gomery report is released. He knows his minority government is on the ropes. This is not news to anyone in Canada.

However, today the news came out that Bono, in an interview with the CBC, called out Martin for bailing on a promise. It seems Martin promised that Canada would move towards the goal of giving 0.7 per cent of gross domestic product to foreign aid by the year 2015. Now he's changed his mind saying we cannot afford it.

I believe Bono is right in saying that Canada is a blessed nation and we should be sharing of our abundance with those in most need. If Martin needs any proof of where Canadian's hearts are, he merely needs to look at the recent outpouring of support by Canadians for the Tsunami relief effort. I'm not one to compare, but by all accounts our response was commendable. If Canadians are willing to invest their own money in global relief, shouldn't this send a strong enough signal to Ottawa of our expectations of our governance?

Martin's advisors aught to have reminded him that timing is everything. You don't lead by covering up and hoping for the storm to blow over. You lead by casting a vision, being proactive in showing people where your values lie.

I believe whoever is to lead Canada has to set out a bold course for Canada's role in foreign affairs, particularly focusing on foreign aid. Let our blessings be shared and let our blessings continue.

Here's the article.

Out.

Bono 'annoyed' with Paul Martin

Sue Bailey
Canadian Press
Friday, April 22, 2005

OTTAWA (CP) -- If being mired in scandal and threatened with imminent defeat weren't enough, Prime Minister Paul Martin capped off a brutal week by striking a sour note with his most famous fan.

Rock superstar Bono is irked by Martin's refusal to meet a long-stated standard for foreign aid increases.

"I'm annoyed," the U2 frontman says in an exclusive interview to be aired Saturday on CBC Radio's The House.

"I'm bewildered, really. I'm disappointed.

"I can't believe that Paul Martin would want to hold up history."

Bono was interviewed from Vancouver as his band's world Vertigo tour landed on the West Coast.

Martin recently said he won't commit to spending 0.7 per cent of gross domestic product on foreign aid by the year 2015 because he's not convinced the country can afford it.

But Bono, showing a keen knowledge of Canada's domestic prosperity, would not let the prime minister's contention go unchallenged.

Ottawa has racked up successive multi-billion-dollar surpluses, and countries such as Britain, France and Germany commit to the 0.7 benchmark.

"There is a blessing on this country, on Canada," Bono said.

He also said Martin's political problems were no excuse for failing to increase foreign aid.

"It's a time for real leadership. I understand there's problems at home. I understand it's hard to get time to focus on this."

The Irish phenomenon has long lent his star power to Third World causes.

He was also there to add much-needed glitter to the Liberal leadership convention in November 2003 when Martin was crowned.

In return, Bono beseeched the party to share more of Canada's wealth with the world's poor.

The globe-trotting superstar fended off suggestions at the time that he'd been co-opted as Martin's political pawn.

"I'm going to be the biggest pain in his ass," he vowed at the time, before adding with what has turned out to be sharp foresight: "About a year from now he's going to regret tonight."

Canada now commits less than 0.3 per cent of its annual gross domestic product for foreign aid -- about $3.3 billion.

That's rising each year, including an eight per cent hike in the most recent federal budget, said Martin spokesman Scott Reid.

"The prime minister has great respect for Bono, and Canada remains committed to the 0.7 per cent target," Reid said.

"Rather than set an artificial deadline, the prime minister has focused on real increases measured in real dollars each and every year."

It's not enough, Bono said.

"We were looking for Canada to lead rather than be a laggard."

Still, Martin deserves some credit for doubling contributions to the global fund on AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria, he added.

There's also been progress on forgiving Third World debt.

But the needs are acute, Bono stressed.

"Six and a half thousand Africans dying every day of a preventable disease like AIDS is not a cause, it's an emergency.

"I implore this prime minister. I think he's a good man, and I think this is the moment to be a real leader."
© Canadian Press 2005