Official Development Assistance Accountability Act

Marginal note:Definitions

3 The following definitions apply in this Act.

Canadian values

Canadian values means, amongst others, values of global citizenship, equity and environmental sustainability. (valeurs canadiennes)

civil society organization

civil society organization means a not-for-profit or charitable organization whose governing structure is independent of government direction, and includes, but is not limited to, registered charities, non-governmental development organizations, community groups, women’s organizations, faith-based organizations, professional associations, trade unions, self-help groups, social movements, business associations, coalitions, human rights organizations and advocacy groups. (organisme de la société civile)

competent minister

competent minister means the Minister for International Development, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Foreign Affairs or any other minister who is providing official development assistance. (ministre compétent)

democracy

democracy includes, but is not limited to, political and civil rights as defined by the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. (démocratie)

international agency

international agency means any organization whose objectives include global poverty reduction or international human­itarian assistance. (agence internationale)

international assistance

international assistance means funding provided by government for international development, international financial institutions, global peace and security, crises overseas and international development research. (aide internationale)

international human rights standards

international human rights standards means standards that are based on international human rights conventions to which Canada is a party and on international customary law. (normes internationales en matière de droits de la personne)

Minister

Minister means the Minister for International Development or any other minister designated by the Governor in Council as the Minister for the purposes of this Act. (ministre)

official development assistance

official development assistance means international assistance

• (a) that is administered with the principal objective of promoting the economic development and welfare of developing countries, that is concessional in character, that conveys a grant element of at least 25%, and that meets the requirements set out in section 4; or

• (b) that is provided for the purpose of alleviating the effects of a natural or artificial disaster or other emergency occurring outside Canada. (aide au développement officielle)