Press Releases

The 2010 G8 Summit has ended with little to justify its existence or the costs incurred to host it.

Make Poverty History, Canada’s largest coalition of NGOs, faith-based groups, labour and student unions says the 8 leaders are offering the world’s poorest people a pittance in the midst of a growing economic and climate crisis.

In spite of Prime Minister Harpers declaration that this would be the "accountability" summit, there is barely a mention of what happened to past promises still unfulfilled. ► More

Pregnant women and young children can draw little comfort from the G8 leaders’ meager offering to alleviate their suffering.  

Stephen Harper’s announcement that his signature initiative has raised only $5 billion dollars from his G8 partners is nothing short of “shameful” says the anti-poverty coalition Make Poverty History. ► More

On eve of G8 and G20 Summits, representatives of more than 150 million students release public statement on the global summits

Canadian Federation of Students

Thursday, June 24, 2010

OTTAWA-- On the eve of meetings of the G8 and G20, students' organisations from across the world, collectively representing more than 150 million secondary and post-secondary students, have released a public statement calling for a commitment to education and public services.

"Protecting public services and investing in education are vital to building a secure and prosperous global future," said David Molenhuis, National Chairperson of the Canadian Federation of Students. "Students from across the world are united in calling on the leaders of the G8 and G20 to invest in people and the planet, not privatise public services and resources." ► More

CANADIAN AND AFRICAN ACTIVISTS CALL ON G8/G20 LEADERS TO TAKE ACTION ON AIDS CRISIS AT HOME AND ABROAD

Statement by Stephen Lewis, Co-Director, AIDS-Free World

released at a press conference in Toronto, June 22, 2010, 11:00 am EDT

At the Gleneagles G8 Summit in 2005, the G8 countries committed themselves to providing Africa with $25 billion additional dollars by 2010.

Three reports have emerged in the last short time assessing the actual achievements.

According to the Muskoka Accountability report, released this week by the G8 itself, the commitment has fallen short by at least $7 billion. The report is so self-serving and opaque that it's frankly impossible to divine the exact figure, but even taking it at its best, it means that the G8 will fall short by almost 30%. ► More