Canadian International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen announced $272.1 million in aid to support humanitarian projects in Bangladesh and the Indo-Pacific region on Sunday. The funds will be used to improve health care, empower women, and combat the effects of climate change.

The federal government says the initiative demonstrates Canada’s commitment to strengthening long-term ties with the region, especially as the United States has been drastically cutting off international aid. The Trump administration has all but cut off funding for USAID, calling international projects a waste of American taxpayers’ money. I wonder if Ahmed Hussen has found out what Canadian taxpayers think about his initiative?

Canada, on the other hand, emphasizes the importance of such programs to strengthen the country’s global influence and advance social justice. In particular, the projects are aimed at ensuring gender equality, improving reproductive health, expanding access to education, and reducing poverty. Do you think such projects strengthen Canada’s global influence in these regions?

The aid was announced at a meeting in Vancouver with representatives of the more than 100,000-strong Bangladeshi community, and experts say the support could help the Liberals attract voters ahead of a possible spring election.