Caroline Hossein is a Sessional Assistant Professor of Business and Society at
York University. She holds a PhD in Political Science, an MPA from
Cornell, and an LLB from the University of Kent at Canterbury. In addition to her research, Caroline has 
The Harper government commercializes international development.
by Dr Caroline Shenaz Hossein
In the 2013 Federal budget, Minister Jim Flaherty announced that activities currently carried out by CIDA (the Canadian International Development Agency) will now be under Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT), a ministry focused on political relations and trade. The new department will be called Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFTD).
Prime Minister Harper’s adding the “D” for “development” is gimmicky. It is unclear whether this new agency will support alternative models from the so-called "third sector," civil society, made up of an array of organizations such as non-profits, cooperatives, self-help groups, microfinance institutions, women’s associations, faith-based organizations and advocacy organizations looking at business and social issues in new ways.