The Day Africa Invaded Canada

"In all my career, I've never seen anything like this," Bob Rae muttered as he looked over an unusual array of 19 African ambassadors appearing as witnesses at Parliament's Foreign Affairs Committee.  Included in the impressive gathering were representatives from the 8 African nations who had been targeted by Canada to have a large percentage of their development assistance cut.The grouping took up half the table and patiently waited their turn to speak. They were clearly exercised in expressing their shock and confusion that CIDA, a friend of many of these countries since the 1960s, would do such an about-face just as many of these nations were finding their feet.  "Transparency involves dialogue and is the best remedy for misunderstandings," said Bawoumondom Amelete, the dean of all the ambassadors assembled.  "We only want to understand why our friend Canada would do this?"It was a good question - one that didn't receive a satisfactory reply in the hour-long session.  But what was unique about the meeting was just the fact that it happened at all.  In no one's memory could it be recalled that an entire grouping of African nations had requested an audience with a committee. In a word, it was unprecedented.  This was a continent marching upon Canada's Parliament to diplomatically demand that they be heard. And they were ambassadors all, skilled in presentation and understanding.Juliette Yameogo from Burkina Faso was the true champion of the meeting, challenging committee members as to why the cut nations had never been consulted prior to a press conference by CIDA in Ottawa. Almost all of them had discovered news of the cuts through the media.  "Canada was a friend who understood the challenges of Africa," she began.  "For us, Canada is a country where its citizens stand solidly with oppressed people both at home and elsewhere in the world.  In international gatherings, Canada has always stood shoulder to shoulder with Africa in defense of our continent's interest."  The moment of truth came when she asked:

Are we to believe that our long time friend, Canada, is leaving?"

It was poignant, and just a touch sad.  Government words to the contrary, these are African representatives themselves - 19 of them - who wonder where their friend went. When one ambassador stated: "We are asking Canada to take her place as a leader of the "world's social voice," the committee members could only stare at the table in front of them.Like it or not, in recent years Canada has been receding from the shorelines of some of the most desperate places on earth. Reducing significant amounts of development aid to African countries cuts both ways. By losing our solidarity with the poorest of the poor we have begun the process of losing our compassionate voice and perhaps our soul.  Lester Pearson must be restless.  Clark, Mulroney, Chretien and Martin must be in torment. It's become so bad that the finest of the African continent have come to our own capital to save us from our preoccupied ways.  As one ambassador put it: "We would like to ask our friend Canada to come back to Africa."  Remarkable. Historic.  Tragic.