ATCA's letter to IDRC's President, Chair and Members of the Board

Dear ATCA members,

The announcement of the news that the Hon. Barbara McDougall is currently both Chair of the Board of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and a Director of Imperial Tobacco Canada came when ATCA board members are travelling to the INB-4 meeting and we couldn't have time to react sooner. We are very sorry for the delay. On behalf of the board, I would like to thanks Phillippe for this important information.

Please see bellow the letter sent to IDRC yesterday. We will follow up and inform you.

                                        °°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°°

Dr David M. Malone
President
International Development and Research Centre
PO Box 8500,
Ottawa, ON,
Canada
K1G 3H9

Dear Dr Malone,

Barbara McDougall and the IDRC Board,

The African Tobacco Control Alliance (ATCA) has learnt with deep concern that the Hon. Barbara McDougall is currently both Chair of the Board of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and a Director of Imperial Tobacco Canada.

ATCA finds it untenable that a tobacco industry official heads a Canadian crown corporation with the mission of helping to build healthier, more equitable, and prosperous societies in lower and middle income countries (LMICs). ATCA believes there is a clear conflict of interest.

The African continent is a key growth market for tobacco manufacturers and an increase in tobacco use will bring with it addiction, disease, death and an increase in poverty. This is a direct violation of IDRC’s mandate.

The best contribution the Hon McDougall can make to promoting health, equity and prosperity in LMICs is to advice Imperial Tobacco’s owner, British American Tobacco, and other tobacco companies to stop targeting our nations. ATCA urges the IDRC’s Board of Governors to urgently resolve this unacceptable situation and to provide the international community with an assurance that this situation will not recur.

ATCA represents 127 African non-governmental organizations and has undertaken joint projects with the IDRC's programme, Research for International Tobacco Control (RITC).  While we value this relationship, ATCA has a strict policy of not knowingly contracting with any person or organization with direct or indirect ties to the tobacco industry.

Yours faithfully,


Ebeh Adayade Kodjo
Executive Secretary