NDP calls on Conservative government to increase funding to Global Partnership for Education (GPE)

Canada has yet to reveal its contribution to conference beginning tomorrow

Today, New Democrat International Development critic, Hélène Laverdière (Laurier – Sainte-Marie) renewed her call on the Canadian government to provide increased funding at the second international Global Partnership for Education (GPE) Replenishment Conference, to be held June 25 and 26 in Brussels.

“Education is essential to development and investment in education pays off. If all students in low-income countries completed school with basic reading skills, 171 million people could be lifted out of poverty, equalling a 12 percent cut in global poverty” said Laverdière.

Canada missed the May 30th deadline to commit its pledge to the GPE in advance and Laverdière expressed concern that Canada is lagging behind other countries on this issue. The Global Partnership for Education has a proven track record of success, helping 46 partner countries get nearly 22 million more children in school since 2003.

“Funding for global education would complement Canada’s approach to Maternal, Newborn and Child Health,” said Laverdière, noting “education has major secondary impacts on the health of women and children by reducing the number of preventable deaths. Canada must renew our commitment to the Global Partnership for Education this week.”

Laverdière wrote to Minister Christian Paradis in April regarding the GPE Replenishment but never received a response. The letter is available upon request.