My office occasionally receives calls from constituents wondering why the Canadian government regularly sends money to areas of conflict outside of our borders. They have a legitimate question: Why should money earned in Canada by hardworking Canadian taxpayers flow to developing countries and/or countries in crisis; most recently, Libya and Sudan?

Throughout its 144 years, Canada has achieved a reputation for generosity, peace-making, and fairness in its relations with other countries. It has also become well known for its readiness to send troops into arenas enduring humanitarian, social, and military crises, bringing much-needed crucial aide to fellow human beings in distress.

Major-General J.P.Y.D. Gosselin, freshly retired Commander of the Canadian Defence Academy, acknowledges our long history of assisting developing countries to find their way to a better existence. But Canada has benefitted, too, he says in the preface to the recently published book, The Other Cold War by Christopher R. Kilford. “Offering such assistance, from time-to-time and to specific developing countries, served (our) domestic and foreign policy interests very well.”

Three such countries have recently filled Canada’s foreign sights as hotspots in need of assistance: Afghanistan, Libya and Sudan. Our assistance to Afghanistan (in its final stages) and Libya (ongoing, for a limited time) are frequently in the news. Not so well-known are Canada’s efforts to assist Sudan.

Civil war raged for a decade in Sudan as the South attempted to gain independence from the North. Some two million people died to win that independence. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) was signed in 2005, ending that war.

Canada has sent significant humanitarian assistance and development aid to Sudan. Since 2006, Canadian troops have had a presence there, their mission to build peace and maintain security. Our contributions—$885 million—have focused mainly on resolving the humanitarian and human rights crisis in Darfur, and supporting the full implementation of the CPA

The South voted to separate from the North in January, 2011, but as the July 9th date for the formal separation neared, Sudan`s President ordered the army to cleanse South Kordofan of “rebels.” Hopes for a peaceful separation have faded with increased reports of bombings, rapings, and torture of innocent civilians, including children.

In a mid-June statement, John Baird, Canada's Foreign Affairs Minister, expressed great concern. “Canada condemns the aerial bombings and attacks against civilians that have displaced more than 60,000 people, according to the UN.”

Our government recognizes the importance of responding without violence—through negotiation and consultation—to the atrocities occurring in South Kordofan, Sudan. It has called for an immediate stop to the hostilities, urging all involved parties to protect civilians and provide “full, safe and unhindered humanitarian access to those in need.

Regarding Canada`s military presence in Libya, all but one Member of Parliament (Elizabeth May, Green) voted to extend Canada`s mission. This is one thing the parties seem to agree on: it is vital that Canadian taxpayers` money continue to flow to aide fellow human beings living in nations whose ideologies freely trample innate human rights. Though progress may be slow, and the expenditure steep, doing so is our responsibility. It’s also the right thing to do.

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The audio version of Garry's July 11, 2011 op-ed column can be heard by clicking here