As a result of their deliberations, committees may make recommendations which they include in their reports for the consideration of the House of Commons or the Government. Recommendations related to this study are listed below.

Recommendation 1

The Government of Canada should design its DFI to prioritize the achievement of impactful and sustainable development and to strive to develop innovative solutions to current development challenges, while working to anticipate and adapt to future challenges.

Recommendation 2

The mandate of Canada’s DFI should focus on the core objective of catalyzing private investment for international development; clearly state the institution’s objective of balancing development goals with financial returns; affirm that the DFI is a complement to, not a substitute for, official development assistance and aid agencies; and acknowledge that an emphasis on development impact requires the acceptance of greater financial risk.

Recommendation 3

The DFI’s board of directors should be made up of independent professionals that provide the institution with balanced expertise related to both financial management and international development.

Recommendation 4

The Government of Canada and Export Development Canada should allow the new DFI to pursue its mandate in an independent manner, free from requirements to align its operating processes with broader government or corporate policies. At the same time, the DFI should ensure that it operates in a way that is not discordant with Canadian values and interests.

Recommendation 5

The Government of Canada should provide the DFI with a minimum period of 10 years to demonstrate that it can fulfil its mandate in a financially sustainable manner, and commit to providing additional funding to the institution during this period, as necessary.

Recommendation 6

Canada’s DFI should put in place transparency and accountability mechanisms that match or exceed the standards currently set by DFIs in other countries.