U2 lead singer Bono is once again trying to use his influence in the political world. The frontman, a keen philanthropist and heavily involved in charitable causes, met with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and other non-governmental organisations on Monday (June 15th) to discuss foreign aid.

CTV News reported that the 55 year old rock star came straight from a show in Montreal, where U2 had been playing the latest leg of their Innocence + Experience world tour, to the National Arts Centre near Parliament Hill in Ottawa for a day of meetings to push the agenda for foreign aid from Canada.

BonoBono reportedly met with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper, and other political parties, to discuss foreign aid

Before he went in for his meeting with Prime Minister Harper, he told assembled reporters: “I actually want to thank Canada for its generosity, particularly to vulnerable women and children. It’s amazing work that you’re doing.”

Harper’s Conservative government has committed $3.5 billion of federal funding over the last half a decade toward the cause of improving maternal and child health in the developing world. “Of course, we’d like you to do more,” Bono added. “If you ask any leader, I’m the person who is always asking for more. But I think it’s important right now to say thank you for what you’re doing.”

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The rocker also held meetings with the leaders of the two main opposition parties in Canada – the NDP’s Tom Mulcair and the Liberal Party’s Justin Trudeau, and sat in observation on a day of policy discussions in the Canadian Parliament.

In a separate interview, Bono said “the world needs more Canadas”, and that the principle of “development assistance, or foreign aid as you call it here, is a really good way of showing who you are to the rest of the world.”

Michael Messenger, president World Vision Canada, a children’s charity, said: “It's my hope that Bono's visit will boost Canadian awareness and engagement on international development priorities.”

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