Canada’s business leaders favour trade and not aid in helping poor countries succeed economically. While Canada’s government organized trade missions are seen as being somewhat good, business leaders agree that governments should focus their efforts on removing barriers rather than encouraging trade, which would come naturally. With respect to foreign aid, respondents support continuing to give aid to poor countries however they are concerned that sometimes foreign aid improves the lifestyles of the politically connected elements of poor countries but does little to help the productive elements.

These are the key findings of this week’s web survey of Canadian business leaders, conducted under the sponsorship of the BDO Dunwoody and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce for publication in the Financial Post.

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