Deputy Minister of International Development appearance before the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (AEFA) on the study on International development issues and how Canada is contributing to addressing key challenges

February 9, 2023

Published: September 12, 2025

Overview
Russian Invasion of Ukraine
Afghanistan
Haiti
Other Hot Issues
Mandate
Other Programming and Policy

Overview

Meeting Scenario

Appearance Before the Senate Committee On Foreign Affairs and International Trade

Your in-person, one-hour appearance begins at 12:30 p.m.
The following officials are also accompanying you in-person during the appearance:

Accompanying Panelists:

Antoine Chevrier, Assistant Deputy Minister, Sub-Saharan Africa Branch
Peter MacDougall, Assistant Deputy Minister, Global Issues and Development
Patricia Peña, Assistant Deputy Minister, Partnerships for Development Innovation

Accompanying in Audience:

Andrew Smith, Director General, International Assistance Policy
Christopher Gibbins, Executive Director, Afghanistan-Pakistan
Sébastien Sigouin, Executive Director, Haiti

Committee Context

After your opening remarks of 5 minutes the committee will move to rounds of questions.
Unlike House of Commons Committee practice, questions will be asked on a first come, first served basis. Senators catch the eye of the Clerk by raising their hand indicating they wish to be added to the list of questions. Senators will typically be afforded up to 4 minutes per round of questions unless otherwise indicated by the Chair.
Any Senator can show up to a Senate committee meeting and pose questions, even if they are not a member of that committee.

Committee Membership & Interests

For further information on committee membership, please see the committee bios included in this briefing binder.
So far during this 44^th Parliament, the committee has studied:
- The conflict in Ukraine and its implications for peace and security,
- The Frozen Assets Repurposing Act,
- The study on the Canadian Foreign Service and elements of the foreign policy machinery within Global Affairs Canada, and,
- A comprehensive review of the provisions and operation of the Sergei Magnitsky Law, and the Special Economic Measures Act
In hearings on this study since it opened in April of this year, Committee members’ questions on international development have focused on the following issues:

Ukraine

Humanitarian assistance: Refugees, Electricity and water supply infrastructure (Senator Ravalia), Canada’s delivery/capacities in terms of assistance (Senator Richards)
Women/Children: What Canada is doing to help women victims of sexual violence and prosecute war crimes. (Senator Coyle)
Food security in Ukraine and Ukrainian wheat not being shipped to other countries, particularly Africa (Senator Gerba)

GAC ‘Fit for Purpose’: Amalgamation of CIDA and DFAIT

Amalgamation and the loss of development expertise, filling vacant positions.
Senator Coyle asked Minister Sajjan on November 3, 2022 if there are areas of expertise in the development and cooperation sphere that will help the department be fit for purpose and where would the minister find the expertise.
Senator Gerba sought the views of Minister Sajjan on the reorganisation/ amalgamation of the department and in particular Canada's diplomatic presence in Africa.

Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI)

On November 3, 2022, Senator Manning enquired about the total amount of funding allocated to CFLI and how much of the funding is programmed in countries where women’s rights and LGBTQ rights are not respected.

Other possible questioning that may arise during the appearance based on other parliamentary committees’ studies:
Afghanistan: The Standing Senate Committee on Human Rights (RIDR) published their report titled “Federal inaction limiting needed Afghanistan aid– report on the situation in Afghanistan and humanitarian assistance” -- there could be questions related to this.
Humanitarian crisis – Nagorno Karabakh: Given that the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE) is currently holding meetings on the topic, the department could expect questions on humanitarian assistance with regard to the blockade of the Lachin Corridor.

Opening Remarks

Appearance Before the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (AEFA)

World has changed since FIAP introduced 6 years ago and since global community agreed to 2030 Agenda in 2015
International arena increasingly complex – new geopolitical competition, actors undermining the RBIO, with more protracted crises
New era of “polycrisis”: COVID-19, Ukraine, Afghanistan, food security and energy crises, impacts of climate change – increasing global needs
All occurring against backdrop of women and equality-seeking human rights defenders increasingly under attack, voices of activists being silenced, erosion of democratic institutions and public trust in governments
Living in a world of extremes – increasingly polarized landscape, with middle hollowing out between LDCs and MICs (i.e., some LICs falling back into LDCs, others moving up to MICs)
Consequences for development – MICs look for a different relationship, more governance and economic growth priorities – versus continued need to invest in meeting basic needs in LDCs (health, education, food)
Global landscape discouraging but also brings clarity of purpose and resolve – FIAP remains relevant in challenging global environment
Canada continues to address key challenges through the FIAP –
- Canada ranked as a top bilateral donor for GE for third year in a row;
- implementing 10 Year Commitment to Global Health and Rights;
- support to women’s rights organizations and movements
- feminist approach to address unpaid and paid care work
As we mark midpoint to 2030 Agenda, more important than ever to apply intersectional, gender-responsive, and human rights-based approaches
Focus remains on addressing root causes of poverty and inequality – but must ensure capacity to address pressing global issues: food security, Ukraine reconstruction and the existential threat of climate change
Need to continue investing in long-term development that benefits Canadians and international partners by maximizing effectiveness through innovation and learning from best practice – including coherence across three GAC streams

Member Biographies

Peter M. Boehm

ISG – Ontario

Appointment to the Senate

Appointed: November 3, 2018

Professional background

Studies:D. in History from the University of Edinburgh, a Master's degree in International Affairs from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University, and a Bachelor's degree in English and History from Wilfrid Laurier University
Public Servant: Various positions at Global Affairs from 1983 – 2018, including: Deputy Minister for the G7 Summit, Deputy Minister of International Development, Senior Associate Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Canadian Ambassador to Germany, and Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the Organization of the American States.

Political and parliamentary roles

Senate group: Independent Senators Group (November 3, 2018 – Present)
Member: Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (2018 – Present)

Committee membership

Chair: Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (2020 – Present)
Member:
- Standing Senate Committee on National Security and Defence (2018 – Present)
- Standing Senate Committee on National Finance (2018 – Present)
- Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (2018 – Present)
Former member:
- Standing Senate Committee on Aboriginal Peoples (2018 – 2019)
- Standing Senate Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration (2019 – 2020)
- Committee of Selection (2019 – 2020)

Points of interest to GAC

Ukraine

In June 2022, Senator Boehm asked if the government had a plan to look at the long-term assistance that Canada could provide to Ukraine from a post-hostility perspective.
In June 2022, he asked for details regarding the distribution of the $500 million in terms of stocks, new acquisitions and direct transfers to Ukraine.

Peacekeeping

Senator Boehm frequently highlights the importance of United Nations peacekeeping missions. From his perspective, the UN's role is to maintain international peace and security, by working to prevent conflicts, and by working proactively to lay the foundations for peace.

GAC ‘Fit For Purpose’

In November 2022, Senator Boehm asked Minister Sajjan whether the Government finds time to have comparative discussions with counterpart organizations like USAID and FCDO around what is working and what isn’t for their respective organizations.
During this study, he has repeatedly questioned other government departments on whether they are using GAC’s training center for their personnel working abroad.

Other interests

Indigenous Relations

During a Senate debate on Bill C-15 (An Act respecting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples) in 2021, Senator Boehm expressed his support for Indigenous Peoples, and the importance of ensuring their meaningful inclusion in Canadian society.

Peter Harder

PSG – Ontario

Appointment to the Senate

Appointed: March 20, 2016

Professional background

Studies: Bachelor’s degree in Political Science
Public Service: 30 years of experience in the Federal Public Service, including in the departments of immigration, public safety, industry, the treasury board and foreign affairs.
Immigration: Senator Harder served as the founding Executive Director of the Immigration and Refugee Board.
Foreign Services/GAC: He joined the Foreign Service in 1977; Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (2003 – 2007)

Political and parliamentary roles

Senate groups:
- Independent (2016 – 2020)
- Leader of the Government in the Senate (2016 – 2020)
- Progressive Senate Group (2020 – Present)

Committee membership

Deputy Chair: Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (2020 – Present)
Member:
- Special Joint Committee on the Declaration of Emergency (2022 – Present)
- Standing Committee on Ethics and Conflict of Interest for Senators (2020 – Present)
- Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs (2020 – Present)
Former member:
- Standing Committee on National Finance (2019 – 2020)
- Standing Committee on National Security and Defence (2019 – 2020)
- Standing Committee on Transport and Communications (2020 – 2022)
- Standing Committee on Human Rights (2021 – 2022)
- Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology (2021 – 2022)

Points of interest to GAC

Humanitarian aid

Senator Harder closely follows humanitarian operations, and regularly asks questions about the logistics, resources and results of these operations.

Ukraine

In March 2022, Senator Harder asked the Government Representative in the Senate what means Canada is considering to support military efforts and combatants in Ukraine other than a no-fly zone.

COVAX

In December 2021, Senator Harder criticized the fact that while Canada promised 51 million doses to COVAX out of its own surplus of stock and through bilateral donations, only about 10 million of those vaccines had been delivered.

GAC ‘Fit For Purpose’

In October 2022, Senator Harder stated that locally engaged staff are an important element of our international footprint and inquired about their recruitment, role, security issues, and how they are managed.
In November 2022, he asked about the inter-pollination of human resources between GAC and DND, and whether there have been recent lessons from a kinetic and policy perspective.

Gwen Boniface

ISG – Ontario

Appointment to the Senate

Appointed: November 11, 2016

Professional background

Police/Security: Served internationally for 10 years, including as Deputy Chief Inspector of Ireland’s Garda Síochána Inspectorate tasked with reforming Ireland’s national Police Service, as a Transnational Organized Crime Expert with the United Nations Police Division and as Deputy Executive Director of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
Commissioner: Served with Law Commission of Canada for 5 years as a Commissioner.
Indigenous: Initiated a truth and reconciliation project in her home community of Orillia in 2019 with Indigenous and non-Indigenous members.

Political and parliamentary roles

Senate group: Independent Senators Group (2016 – Present)
Member:
- Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (2017 – Present)
- Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (2017 – Present)

Committee membership

Co-Chair: Special Joint Committee on the Declaration of Emergency (2022 – Present)
Member:
- Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (2020 – Present)
- Special Joint Committee on the Declaration of Emergency (2022 – Present)
- Standing Committee on National Security and Defence (2017 – Present)
- Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs (2017 – Present)
Former member:
- Standing Committee on National Security and Defence (2020 – 2021)
- Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament (2021 – 2022)

Points of interest to GAC

GAC ‘Fit For Purpose’

In June 2022, Senator Boniface stated that the Foreign Service has a risk-averse culture and she asked how to rebuild an organization in a way that actually values contrary views.
During this study, she has demonstrated an interest in the Government of Canada’s footprint abroad.

Sanctions Against Russia

In June 2022, Senator Boniface asked if sanctions that Canada and its allies have put on Russia are affecting the Russian economy and the Russian people and if there is evidence that suggests international sanctions are producing a behavioural change in the Russian regime.

Unfair Trade Practices

In May 2022, Senator Boniface wanted to know how CBSA and the CITT investigate instances in which importations are being dumped or subsidized and if these practices have caused injury to Canadian producers.

Other interests

Defence & Security

With a background in law enforcement, Senator Boniface has a special interest in security issues, particularly those related to human trafficking and CBSA-related work.

Mary Coyle

ISG – Nova Scotia

Appointment to the Senate

Appointed: December 04, 2017

Professional background

Studies: Bachelor’s degree in in languages and literature with a major in French and a minor in Spanish and a Master’s degree in rural planning and development.
Rural Development: She subsequently worked as a Rural Development Advisor in Indonesia and later to support two State Islamic Universities develop their community engagement strategies.
Involvement:
- Vice President and Director of the school’s Coady International Institute (1997 – 2014)
- Executive Director of the Frank McKenna Centre for Leadership (2014 – 2017)

Political and parliamentary roles

Senate group: Independent Senators Group (2018 – Present)
Member:
- Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (2017 – Present)
- Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (2017 – Present)

Committee membership

Member:
- Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (2019 – Present)
- Standing Committee on Indigenous Peoples (2017 – Present)
Former member: Standing Committee on Transport and Communications (2020 – 2022)

Points of interest to GAC

GAC ‘Fit For Purpose’

In April 2022, Senator Coyle described the loss of many development assistance experts following CIDA’s amalgamation with DFAIT, and asked whether the role of Global Affairs as a link to development assistance expertise has been weakened.
In June 2022, she showed interest in GAC's recruitment process and asked if there was a strategy on the part of the department to attract senior or mid-career professionals.
In June 2022, Senator Coyle wanted to know the role of Canada or any other country or international organization in supporting diplomatic channels of negotiation between Russia and Ukraine and asked if there was still a possibility of de-escalation through diplomacy.

Ukraine

Seized Russian Assets

In May 2022, Senator Coyle wanted to know how the Russian assets seized by the government will be used.

Atrocities in Ukraine

In April 2022, Senator Coyle, noted that “rape is a brutal weapon of war” and that atrocities and human rights violations throughout Ukraine have already been documented. She asked what Canada is doing to support the Ukrainian government, or other organizations on the ground, to protect women and children from further sexual violence and what Canada is doing to support the preparation of the evidence required to support the eventual prosecution of war crimes.

Other interests

Russian Disinformation

During a Senate question period in April 2022, Senator Coyle showed concern about Russian disinformation campaigns which she considers very dangerous for Canadian democracy and world stability, and she asked what Canada is doing to counter these campaigns and what concrete actions are being taken to promote awareness of these dangers amongst Canadians active on social media platforms.
Senator Coyle is an advocate for gender equality in the in Canadian public institutions and in Canadian society.

Marty Deacon

ISG – Ontario (Waterloo region)

Appointment to the Senate

Appointed: February 28, 2018

Professional background

Commonwealth Games Canada: Executive Board Member & Chef de Mission (2012 – Present)
Canadian Olympic Committee: Director, Executive Board (2009 – Present)
Independent Consultant: Education consultation at the elementary and secondary school level (2016 – 2018)
Waterloo Region District School Board:
- Superintendent & Executive Officer (2010 – 2016)
- Principal (2000 – 2010)

Political and parliamentary roles

Senate group: Independent Senators Group (2018 – Present)

Committee membership

Member:
- Standing Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs (2020 – Present)
- Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (2020 – Present)
- Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament (2022 – Present)
Former member: Standing Committee on Official Languages (2022 – 2022)

Points of interest to GAC

Russia

In June 2022, Senator Deacon expressed concern about the risk of Russian use of chemical weapons in Ukraine and asked what options are available to Canada and other signatories to the Chemical Weapons Convention if it does so.
During the same meeting, she also expressed concern regarding physical violence on women and children done by Russia in Ukraine and asked how Canada can help hold perpetrators accountable for sexual violence in Ukraine.

GAC ‘Fit For Purpose’

In June 2022, Senator Deacon stated based on the comments of previous witnesses that “there are too many supervisors and not enough leash to allow Canadian foreign affairs officers to operate independently and with autonomy in their postings.”
She also asked what direction Canada should take as a middle power in its diplomacy given major changes on the international scene.
Senator Deacon considers that the development aspect in diplomacy is very important for a rich, medium-sized country like Canada. She regularly asks questions about Canada's development assistance efforts and resources.

Seized Russian Assets

In March 2022, Senator Deacon wanted to know how the Russian assets seized by the government will be used and if unfreezing of Russian assets could be a condition of any peace agreement.

Other interests

Afghanistan

In 2021, Senator Deacon was contacted by several athletes, coaches, sports leaders and leaders in the LGBTQ2+ community to help them get out of Afghanistan.
In a Senate question period in February 2022, she also reiterated he importance of the work involved in getting Afghans out of Afghanistan.

Culture Change

During a debate in the Senate on the Government’s role in combating racism in 2020, Senator Deacon asked what specific work has been done across the government to support black Canadians and Indigenous peoples.

Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia

ISG – Newfoundland and Labrador

Appointment to the Senate

Appointed: June 1, 2018

Professional background

Studies:

Medical degree (MB.ChB.) and a Certification in Family Medicine (CCFP)
- Medicine: Practiced family medicine in Twillingate, NL (1984 – 2018)
Community Engagement : Involvement with local minor hockey, community outreach initiatives, and fundraising for the Lions Club and support of the Anglican Church Sunday school program.

Political and parliamentary roles

Senate group: Independent Senators Group (2018 – Present)
Member: Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (2019 – Present)

Committee membership

Member:
- Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (2020 – Present)
- Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans (2018 – Present)
- Standing Joint Committee on the Library of Parliament (2019 – Present)
Former member: Standing Committee on National Security and Defence (2022 – 2022)

Points of interest to GAC

GAC ‘Fit For Purpose’

In April 2022, Senator Ravalia suggested that in the context of evolving global challenges, Canada appears to be under-represented in some jurisdictions, such as on the African continent.
In June 2022, he recognized the importance of modernizing Canada's diplomacy as well as modernizing its digital technologies to revitalize the foreign service. He asked if Canada has an infrastructure capable of addressing potential cybersecurity threats and whether it is working with its Fives Eyes allies on this issue.
In November 2022, he asked DND about their involvement with GAC in the development of the Indo-Pacific Strategy given the potential threats in that region of the world.
Humanitarian aid to Ukraine:
In June 2022, Senator Ravalia asked what Canada can do to help maintain an adequate supply of equipment and medicines to organizations assisting Ukrainians on the ground.
Space Industry and Cooperation:
In May 2022, Senator Ravalia asked for more details about the memorandum of understanding signed by Canada and the United States concerning the cooperation on the civil Lunar Gateway. He also asked if there will be competition between private industry and this particular program in the long term.

Vaccine Equity

Senator Ravalia has been a strong advocate for the redistribution of COVID-19 vaccines to disadvantaged countries and has repeatedly called for Canada's involvement in vaccine distribution in needy and underdeveloped countries.

Yuen Pau Woo

ISG – British Columbia

Appointment to the Senate

Appointed: November 10, 2016

Professional background

Research:
- Senior Fellow in Public Policy, Asian Institute of Research at The University of British Columbia (2014 – 2021)
- Senior Fellow, Asia Pacific Business Studies, Simon Fraser University (2014 – Present)
Asia Pacific:
- President and CEO of the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (2005 – 2014)
- Distinguished East Asia Fellow at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (2014 – 2021)
- President of China Global: The Vancouver Society for Promotion of Chinese Art and Culture (2014 – 2020)

Political and parliamentary roles

Senate group: Independent Senators Group (2016 – Present)
ISG Facilitator (2017 – 2021)

Committee membership

Member:
- Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (2017 – Present)
- Standing Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce (2021 – Present)
- Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament (2021 – Present)
- Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations (2017 – Present)
- Standing Committee on Transport and Communications (2022-Present)
Former member:
- Committee of Selection (2019 – 2020)
- Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration (2021 – 2022)

Points of interest to GAC

GAC ‘Fit For Purpose’

In June 2022, Senator Woo showed a great interest in the recruitment process for the foreign service and how to optimize it.
Senator Woo has said he is in favor of greater recruitment into the Foreign Service of officials from other departments.
During Minister Sajjan’s November 2022 appearance, the Senator suggested on behalf of BC’s young people that given its international role, GAC should rank the intrinsic global savvy and skills that some Canadians have — such as foreign language ability, having lived abroad, understanding cultures around the world — higher in counterbalance to their deficiency in French, to help overcome structural barriers they face in joining the department.

Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties

In May 2022, Senator Woo underscored the importance of addressing anti-dumping and countervailing duties to protect producers and their workers and asked how the interests of consumers and importers of intermediate goods are addressed in these protectionist measures.

Russia Invasion of Ukraine

In April 2022, Senator Woo expressed dissatisfaction with the fact that the government seems to want the conflict in Ukraine to continue over the long term and asked what Canada is doing to try to negotiate a quick end to the war to reduce human suffering.

Russia Sanctions

In March 2022, Senator Woo noted his agreement with using the Magnitsky act to punish Russian leaders. However, he expressed some reluctance regarding SEMA and FACFOA, which he believes may not achieve the goal of changing the behavior of these Russian actors.

Amina Gerba

PSG – Quebec (Rigaud)

Appointment to the Senate

Appointed: July 29, 2021

Professional background

Studies: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and a Master’s degree in Business Administration
Business: Co-founded two companies manufacturing hair and body care products: Kariliss Laboratories Inc. and Kariderm
Consulting: Founder (2003) of non-profit Afrique Expansion Inc., in order to build bridges between Canada and Africa, and encourage business opportunities

Political and parliamentary roles

Senator: Progressive Senate Group (2021 – Present)
Member:
- Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (2021 – Present)
- Canada-France Inter-Parliamentary Association

Committee membership

Member:
- Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (2021 – Present)
- Standing Committee on Human Rights (2021 – Present)
Former member:
- Standing Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources (2021 – 2022)
- Standing Committee on National Finance (2021 – 2022)
- Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology (2021 – 2022)
- Standing Committee on Transport and Communications (2021 – 2022)

Points of interest to GAC

GAC ‘Fit For Purpose’

In April 2022, Senator Gerba asked if there have been any significant changes as a result of GAC's announced plan to increase its number of Black and Indigenous executives.
In June 2022, Senator Gerba congratulated Canada for its participation in the African Development Bank. She went on however to deplore the reduction over the years of the Canadian diplomatic network on the continent and asked why a country like Canada, as one of Africa’s main donors, has such a small diplomatic network there.
In October 2022, Senator Gerba asked whether Canada’s whole diplomatic machinery should turn to economic foreign policy to avoid missing opportunities.
In November 2022, Senator Gerba criticized DND witnesses on their footprint in Africa, having been surprised to learn that one Defense Officer was covering 13 countries.

Global Food Crisis

In June 2022, Senator Gerba noted the global food issues related to the conflict in Ukraine and asked what role Canada can play in limiting this crisis particularly in the most affected African countries.

Trade Remedy System: SME

In May 2022, Senator Gerba underscored the need to improve access to the trade remedy system for small and medium-sized enterprises and asked what actions have been taken by the government simplify access to the system for small and medium-sized businesses.

Bill S-217 (An Act respecting the repurposing of certain seized, frozen or sequestrated assets)

In April 2022, Senator Gerba acknowledged the importance of this legislation, but expressed concern about the effects of such legislation on investment by foreign nationals in Canada.

Stephen Greene

CSG – Nova Scotia (The Citadel, Halifax)

Appointment to the Senate

Appointed: January 2, 2009

Professional background

Politics: Candidate for the Reform Party in the 1993 and 1997 federal elections; served as Chief of Staff to Preston Manning of the Reform Party of Canada (1993 – 1996).
Insurance: He worked in the insurance industry and became engaged in national and international insurance issues (1996 – 2009).
Foreign Service: Early in this career, he worked at the Canadian embassy in Washington D.C. where he covered United States fisheries policy; Worked in the Canadian Consulate in Boston where he managed the new boundary in the Gulf of Maine.

Political and parliamentary roles

Senate groups:
- Conservative Party of Canada (2009 – 2017)
- Independent Senators Group (2017 – 2019)
- Canadian Senators Group (2009 – Present)
- Deputy Liaison (2022 – Present)
- Deputy Government Whip in the Senate (2010 – 2015)
- Deputy Opposition Whip in the Senate (2016 – 2017)

Committee membership

Member:
- Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (2019 – Present)
- Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament (2020 – Present)
- Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations (2019 – Present)
Former member: Standing Committee on Official Languages (2022 – 2022)

Points of interest to GAC

GAC ‘Fit For Purpose’

In June 2022, Senator Greene noted his view that the conflict in Ukraine will significantly change Canada's international policies and asked if GAC will be seeking the assistance of academics and experts to help adapt.

UN Update

In April 2022, Senator Greene mentioned the lack of relevance that the UN has in the conflict in Ukraine and whether Canada should have as an objective to initiate discussions and work on the creation of the “United Nations, Part II”.

Ukraine

Since the beginning of the conflict, Senator Greene has advocated for more aid to Ukraine as well as the imposition of a no-fly zone.

Free Trade Agreements

In May 2019, Senator Greene stated that he was in favour of free trade agreements because they benefit Canada, our trading partners, and the global economy in general.

David Richards

CSG – New Brunswick

Appointment to the Senate

Appointed: August 30, 2017

Professional background

Writer : He is novelist, essayist, screenwriter and poet, whose commitment to the Miramichi River valley, his province, and the country is reflected in his body of work. His writings, through which he gives voices to the marginalized and helps to deepen the reader’s understanding of the human experience, have been translated into 12 languages, and are part of the curriculum of Canadian and U.S. universities.
Recognition: In 2007, he was awarded the regional Commonwealth Writers’ Prize award. He is also a member of the Order of New Brunswick and the Order of Canada.

Political and parliamentary roles

Senate groups:
- Independent Senators Group (2017 – 2018)
- Non-affiliated (2018 – 2019)
- Canadian Senators Group (2019 – Present)
Member: Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (2019 – Present)

Committee membership

Member:
- Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (2021 – Present)
- Standing Committee on National Security and Defence (2017 – Present)
- Standing Senate Committee on National Security, Defence and Veterans Affairs (2021 – Present)
Former member:
- Standing Committee on Indigenous Peoples (2013 – 2015)
- Standing Committee on National Finance (2019 – 2022)
- Standing Committee on Transport and Communications (2020 – 2021)

Points of interest to GAC

Afghanistan

In June 2022, Senator Richards showed a strong interest in Canada's relationship with Afghanistan, particularly with respect to immigration issues and Afghan employees working at the Canadian embassy.

Russia

In June 2022, Senator Richards wanted to know if the diplomatic approach was still possible with Russia and if there are discussions behind the scenes to calm the situation.

Ukraine

Senator Richards has been in favor of imposing a no-fly zone in Ukraine and providing more military aid from Western countries.

Havana Syndrome

In April 2022, Senator Richards asked several questions about Havana syndrome to better understand its repercussions, its frequency and its origin.

GAC ‘Fit For Purpose’

In April 2022, Senator Richards deplored the state of Canada’s military, suggesting that greater collaboration between GAC and DND would improve the situation from a defence and security perspective.

Leo Housakos

C – Quebec (Wellington)

Appointment to the Senate

Appointed: January 8, 2009

Professional background

Studies : Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration
Business: Had a career in business, served two terms as Vice-President of the Hellenic Congress of Quebec and as a founding member of the Hellenic Board of Trade of Metropolitan Montreal

Political and parliamentary roles

Senator Group:
- Conservative Party of Canada (2009 – Present)
- Deputy Whip of the Opposition (2020 – Present)
- Speaker of the Senate (2015)
- Speaker Pro Tempore (2014 – 2015)

Committee membership

Chair: Standing Committee on Transport and Communications (2021 – Present)
Member:
- Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (2009 – 2021 | 2022 – Present)
- Standing Committee on Transport and Communications (2009 – 2016 | 2021 – Present)
- Committee of Selection (2021 – Present)
Former member:
- Standing Committee on Internal Economy, Budgets and Administration (2013 – 2016)
- Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament (2017 – 2019)
- Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament (2009 – 2022)
- Special Joint Committee on the Declaration of Emergency (2022 – 2022)

Points of interest to GAC

Sanction Regime

In May 2022, Senator Housakos introduced Bill S-247 An Act to amend the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act (Sergei Magnitsky Law).
During a debate on Bill S-217, An Act respecting the repurposing of certain seized, frozen or sequestrated assets, in June 2022, Senator Housakos spoke in favor of the bill by mentioning that “it will further strengthen the Magnitsky Act and strengthen our ability as a country to properly deal with corruption and human rights abuses around the world”.

Foreign Interference

In October 2022, Senator Housakos spoke to an increase of foreign interference in Canada and asked the witnesses what kind of legislation would identify and protect Canada in this regard.

Afghanistan

In October 2022, Senator Housakos deplored what he described as Canada having let down our friends and supporters in Afghanistan, asking if the failure was because of a lack of intelligence or because of an error from GAC or IRCC.

Michael L. MacDonald

CPC – Nova Scotia (Cape Breton)

Appointment to the Senate

Appointed: January 1, 2009

Professional background

Studies: Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and History
Provincial Politics: He ran twice provincially for the Nova Scotia Progressive Conservative Party in 1993 and 1998
Business: President and owner of the Fortress Inn Louisbourg (1988 – Present)

Political and parliamentary roles

Senate Group Member: Conservative Party of Canada (2013 – Present)
Co-chair : Canada-US Inter-Parliamentary Group (2019 – Present)
Treasurer: Canada-Korea Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group (2020 – Present)

Committee membership

Chair: Committee of Selection (2021 – Present)
Member: Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (2009 – Present)
Former member:
- Standing Committee on Transport and Communications (2015 – 2017 | 2020 – 2021)
- Standing Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources (2017 – 2019)

Points of interest to GAC

Russia

In June 2022, Senator Deacon expressed concern about the risk of Russian use of chemical weapons in Ukraine and asked what options are available to Canada and other signatories to the Chemical Weapons Convention if it does so.
During the same meeting, she also expressed concern regarding physical violence on women and children done by Russia in Ukraine and asked how Canada can help hold perpetrators accountable for sexual violence in Ukraine.

GAC ‘Fit For Purpose’

In June 2022, Senator MacDonald asked about the impact of selecting non-career diplomats to be ambassador.

UN - Ukraine

Since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, Senator MacDonald has on several occasions raised concerns about the impact of the conflict on the functioning of the UN.

China

Senator MacDonald has demonstrated particular concern about China's intentions. In April 2022, he posited that China is currently learning from the conflict in Ukraine about tactical and operational matters, as well as what is happening in terms of information and technological environment.

Agriculture Producers

In March 2020, Senator MacDonald expressed his concern about the impact of the Carbon Tax, which he said would make it difficult for Canadian agriculture to compete with American producers in a free trade environment.

Supply Management

In March 2020, Senator MacDonald stated that he “is not a big fan of supply management in principle”.

Global Affairs Canada - 2022-23 Supplementary Estimates (C)

Funding Requests -- $583.1M

New funding requests (Adjustments) include $576.5M in Voted Appropriations and $6.6M in Statutory funding.

Funding to help developing countries address the impact of climate change – $370.0M

Global Affairs Canada is requesting funding to help developing countries address the impact of climate change. This amount takes into account the following:

1) Funding in support of Green Economy Transition for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development countries -$250.0M

Global Affairs Canada is requesting funding of $250M for 2022-23 via Supplementary Estimates (C) to support Climate Finance.
In June 2021, at the G7 Leaders’ Summit, Canada announced funding of $5.3B over five years in climate finance.
The High Impact Partnership for Climate Action is a multi-donor facility to address climate change and support a Green Economy Transition in the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development countries of operation.
Thus far, High Impact Partnership for Climate Action has received contributions from the following donors: UK, Netherlands and Taiwan. Advanced discussions are ongoing with Austria, Switzerland and Finland.

2) Funding in support of the Accelerating Coal Transition Investment Program - $120.0M

Global Affairs Canada is requesting funding of $120.0M for 2022-23 via Supplementary Estimates (C) to support the Accelerating Coal Transition Program.
On November 1, 2021, Prime Minister Trudeau announced $1B for the Climate Investment Funds Accelerated Coal Transition Investment Program, through Canada’s five-year $5.3B climate finance contribution.
This project aims to accelerate the transition from coal-powered to clean energy while ensuring a holistic, integrated, socially-inclusive and gender-equal just transition in recipient countries: India, Indonesia, Philippines and South Africa for the first phase of the project.
This project aims to benefit the communities in the Climate Investment Funds Accelerated Coal Transition Investment Program’s recipient countries, particularity workers affected by the coal-to-clean transition, including women and other traditionally marginalized groups such as Indigenous peoples, youth and persons living with a disability.

Funding for Canadaʼs Middle East Strategy – $67.5M

Global Affairs Canada is requesting incremental funding of $67.5M for 2022-23 via Supplementary Estimates (C) to support the extension of the Middle East Strategy.
Existing departmental funding of $91.2M in 2022-23 will also be allocated within Global Affairs Canada’s Grants and Contributions programs to support the update of the Strategy
Canada’s whole-of-government Middle East Strategy was initially launched in February 2016 to respond to the ongoing crises in Iraq and Syria, and their impact on the region – in particular Jordan and Lebanon. The Strategy was recently extended until March 2025, as announced in Budget 2021.
The Strategy invests over $4B to help set the conditions for security and stability, alleviate human suffering, enable civilian-led stabilization programs, and support governance and longer-term efforts to build resilience.

Funding in support of the financial intermediary fund for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response – $50.0M

Global Affairs Canada is requesting funding of $50M for 2022-23 via Supplementary Estimates (C) to support the Financial Intermediary Fund for Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response.
The Department of Finance Canada approved funding of $50M for one year to continue Canada’s leadership in global health and the COVID-19 response and to avoid future health outbreaks globally.
Since the beginning of the pandemic, Canada has been a global leader in the effort to respond to COVID-19, and has provided significant and targeted support in response to international, regional, and bilateral calls for assistance. Since February 2020, the Government of Canada has committed more than $3.4B in international assistance in response to COVID-19.
Canada’s contribution to the Financial Intermediary Fund for Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response will reinforce Canada’s position as a global leader and multilateral player in the fight against COVID-19, global health, and global health security moving foward.

Funding for humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan – $41.3M

Global Affairs Canada is seeking approval to access $41.3M currently residing in the fiscal framework for 2022-23 via Supplementary Estimates (C) to support Canada’s contribution to the humanitarian response in Afghanistan.
This amount was originally approved for security sector programming in Afghanistan in 2022-23. Finance Canada has agreed that these funds can be repurposed in light of the extraordinary developments in Afghanistan, under some conditions.
Funding will primarily aim to support experienced partners to address the most pressing needs affecting vulnerable populations in Afghanistan, with an anticipated primary focus on responding to crisis-level food insecurity.

Funding for the provision of non-lethal military equipment to Ukraine – $18.0M

Global Affairs Canada is requesting funding of $18M for 2022-23 via Supplementary Estimates (C) to support the Weapons Threat Reduction Program.
This $18M is part of the $25M in military aid to support Ukraine that was announced by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of National Defence on February 28, 2022.
Of this amount, $18M was allocated to Global Affairs Canada’s Weapons Threat Reduction Program for the acquisition of high-priority non-lethal military equipment for Ukraine.

Funding for increased related to foreign service allowances and payments of assessed contributions (Non-Official Development Assistance portion) – $11.0M

Global Affairs Canada is requesting funding for increased costs related Foreign Services Allowances, and to cover increase cost for payments of assessed contributions in the total amount of $11M. This amount takes into account the following:

Funding for increased costs for payments of assessed contributions – $6.8M, and
Funding for Inflation on Foreign Service Allowances (Non-Official Development Assistance portion) - $4.2M.

Reinvestment of revenues from the sale or transfer of real property – $9.1M

Global Affairs Canada is seeking access to $9.1M of proceeds for sale in the Capital Vote in order to address in-year pressures.
This can mostly be explained by the following:
- Increased costs due to inflation;
- Additional staff quarters purchase; and
- GAC Reno increased costs.

Funding to support the reinforcement and modernization of the Consular Program – $7.4M

Global Affairs Canada is requesting funding of $7.4M for 2022-23 via Supplementary Estimates (C) to reinforce and modernize core consular capacity to assist Canadians abroad.
In July 2022, Budget 2022, announced a funding decision in the amount of $101.4M over 6 years and $18.5M ongoing, starting in 2022-23, to support Global Affairs Canada Consular and Emergency Management programs.

Funding for the CanExport Program – $7M

Global Affairs Canada is requesting funding of $7M for 2022-23 via Supplementary Estimates (C) to support Canadian businesses in securing their intellectual property in foreign markets.
Budget 2022 announced an increase of $35M over five years for the CanExport Program as part of an initiative to invest in and protect Canada’s Intellectual Property.

Funding for Canada's participation at the World Expo in Osaka - $5.2M

Global Affairs Canada is requesting funding of $5.2M for 2022-23 via Supplementary Estimates (C) to support Canada's Participation at World Expo Osaka 2025.
Budget 2022 announced funding of $54.4M over four years.

Funding to address irregular migration to Canada (horizontal item) – $4.5M

Global Affairs Canada is requesting funding of $4.5M for 2022-23 via Supplementary Estimates (C) to support the Safe Third Country Agreement Modernization.
In July 2022, the Prime Minister and Minister of Finance approved an off-cycle funding request of up to $39.1M over 5 years (2022-23 to 2026-27) to implement and apply the Additional Protocol to the Canada-U.S. Safe Third Country Agreement between Canada and the U.S.
With this funding, Global Affairs Canada’s Anti-Crime Capacity Building Program will deliver on joint efforts to address irregular migration and forced displacement in the Americas.

Funding to renew and expand the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism – $2.1M

Global Affairs Canada is requesting funding of $2.1M for 2022-23 via the Supplementary Estimates (C) to support renewing and expanding the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism.
Budget 2022 announced $13.4M over five years, starting in 2022-23, with $2.8M ongoing to renew and expand the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism.

Funding to enhance Canada’s research security capacity (horizontal item) – $154,963

Global Affairs Canada is requesting funding of $154,963 for 2022-23 via the Supplementary Estimates (C) to support the establishment of the new Research Security Unit.
Budget 2022 allocated $2.2M from 2022-23 to 2026-27 and $0.5M on an ongoing basis to Global Affairs Canada for the establishment of the new Research Security Unit.

Transfers – ($12.6M)

Transfer from the Department of Citizenship and Immigration in support of the Afghan Refugee Resettlement task force – $1M

Through the Supplementary Estimates (C), the Department of Citizenship and Immigration is transferring $1M to Global Affairs Canada to support the ongoing Afghanistan Taskforce.
The Government of Canada has publicly committed to resettle 40,000 Afghan refugees. Minister of Foreign Affairs’s mandate letter includes a commitment to "Continue to support the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to facilitate the safe passage and resettlement of vulnerable people from Afghanistan, with an emphasis on individuals who supported Canada and our allies over the past two decades, women, LGBTQ2 people, human rights defenders, journalists and members of religious and ethnic minorities."

Transfer to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to adjust funding previously provided for departmental staff located at missions abroad – ($248,189)

Through the Supplementary Estimates (C), Global Affairs Canada is doing a transfer for the amount of $248,189 to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police to adjust funding previously provided for departmental staff located at missions abroad.
Transfers to/from Global Affairs Canada are to cover the common services costs for new staff posted abroad to support Canada’s network, including those related to: Foreign Services Directives and relocation, Real Property, Security, Information Management and Information Technology and all the common services costs incurred at missions abroad to support their staff.

Transfer to the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs for the Ktunaxa Nation Council, the Okanagan Nation Alliance and the Shuswap Nation Tribal Council to support the consultation and engagement activities related to the Columbia River Treaty – ($1.0M)

Through the Supplementary Estimates (C), Global Affairs Canada is transfering $1M to the Department of Crown-Indigenous and Northern Affairs to provide funding to three Columbia River Basin Indigenous Nations (Ktunaxa, Okanagan-Syilx and Secwepemc Nations) to enhance their capacity for activities related to the modernization of the Columbia River Treaty.

[REDACTED]

Transfer to Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation for the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy – ($1.3M)

Through the Supplementary Estimates (C), Global Affairs Canada is transfering $1.3M to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation for the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy.
Because of travel restrictions during the pandemic, Global Affairs Canada’s International Youth Internship Program under the Department of Employment and Social Development - Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Initiative won’t be able to operate to its full capacity in 2022-23.
[REDACTED] The mid-year reallocation is an annual process designed to fully utilize Youth Employment and Skills Strategy funding.

Transfer to the Department of the Environment in support of the Partnership for Market Implementation – ($11.0M)

Through the Supplementary Estimates (C), Global Affairs Canada is transfering $11M for 2022-23 via Supplementary Estimates (C) to Environment and Climate Change Canada in support of the Partnership for Market Implementation.
This funding falls under the Emerging Priorities Fund portion of $5.3B for 2021-2026 Climate Finance commitment.

Adjustments – $2.6M

Internal reallocation of resources from contributions to Grants from the International Development Assistance for Multilateral Programming

Global Affairs Canada is requesting a grant authority increase of $100M in 2022-23 via Supplementary Estimates (C) in Grants Multilateral Programming.
This increase will be financed by a decrease to Contributions for Multilateral Programming.
The department is requesting additional grant ceiling authority, to enable its ability to make strategic decisions and provide programming flexibility in 2022-23.

Internal reallocation of resources ($2.6M) from Grants to International Financial Institutions – Direct Payments

Global Affairs Canada is requesting an additional pledge of $2.6M in 2022-23 to the eleventh replenishment of the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol. This increase is funded from the existing vote 10 reference levels by freezing this amount from the International Assistance Envelope contributions.
It is the result of an accelerated payment from 2023-24 commitment, Global Affairs Canada is therefore also requesting a vote transfer from International Financial Institutions – direct payments to Vote 10 of $2.6M in 2023-24.
This $2.6M would count towards Canada’s assessed share to the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol.
The funding would permit the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol to provide continued assistance to help developing countries meet their obligations under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol (actively supported by Canada in 2016) for the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are potent greenhouse gases.
A change in vote wording is required in order to increase the spending authority for the statutory transfer payments from the existing $335.6M to $338.2M. A $1 item allows Parliament to approve a change to the Vote wording, which sets the maximum amount that can be paid.

Internal reallocation of resources for Aid of Academic Relations

Global Affairs Canada is requesting a transfer of $400,000 for 2022-23 from Operating to contributions via Supplementary Estimates (C) to support Canada-in-Asia Alumni Conference co-hosted by the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada and Universities Canada in Singapore in February 2023.
The Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada is a not-for-profit organization established by an Act of Parliament in 1984. Asia Pacific Foundation Canada is mandated to develop closer ties between the peoples and institutions of Canada and the peoples and institutions of the Asia-Pacific region, and to promote capacity development in persons and entities that share an interest in the Asia-Pacific region and the building of networks between them.

Internal reallocation of resources related to inflation on foreign services allowances (ODA portion)

The department is requesting funding for inflation on Foreign Service Allowances under the established Quasi-Statutory Framework through these Supplementary Estimates. The department is requesting a transfer from Vote 10 (Grants and Contributions) to Vote 1 (Operating) which is equivalent to the ODA portion.

Russian Invasion of Ukraine

Ukraine Situation Brief

Canada strongly condemns President Putin’s unprovoked and unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine, which is an attack on the rules-based international order, including the UN Charter.
Canada moved quickly, in coordination with G7 and NATO partners, to provide substantive and meaningful support to Ukraine and to isolate Putin’s regime politically and economically.
Canada will continue to support Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and will continue to stand in solidarity with the brave and resilient people in Ukraine.

Supplementary Messages

Canada continues to engage in intense diplomacy with partners and allies, and the broader international community, to reinforce our support for Ukraine and call on Russia to end its war.
Canada remains deeply concerned about the worsening humanitarian crisis, particularly in light of Russia’s unrelenting bombing of civilian energy infrastructure across Ukraine and the resulting energy and water supply crisis ahead of the winter.
Canada is working in coordination with international partners to help mitigate the secondary effects of the war globally, as well as counter Russian disinformation attributing the devastating impacts of Russia’s war, including the global food crisis and increasing energy prices, to the West and Ukraine.

Update

Since early September, Ukrainian forces have recaptured significant territory (over 12,000 km sq), primarily in Kharkiv and Kherson oblasts. Russia’s dangerous escalations, such as attacking civilian targets and critical infrastructure, will likely continue, as the Kremlin attempts to destabilize Ukraine, undermine Ukraine’s ability to wage war, and appease hardliners in Moscow in response to its setbacks on the battlefield. Russia continues missile and kamikaze drone attacks against energy and water infrastructure across Ukrainian cities; Ukrainian officials estimate that almost half of the country’s electricity infrastructure is damaged. Many areas in Ukraine now face “scheduled supply” in which they only receive two or three hours of electricity per day. The worst-affected areas are experiencing days-long blackouts. Russia’s continued attacks on energy facilities are deepening Ukraine’s humanitarian catastrophe. As winter approaches, Canada is also prioritizing supporting winterization initiatives to help Ukrainians prepare for the colder months.

Supporting facts and figures

In 2022, Canada has committed over $5 billion in multifaceted support to Ukraine.
Diplomacy and coordination continue at the UN, NATO, OSCE, and G7, including with non-traditional partners. Most recently, the Prime Minister continued to strongly advocate for Ukraine at the G20, ASEAN, APEC and Francophonie Summits in November.
In 2022, Canada has committed $320 million to support the humanitarian response in Ukraine and other impacted countries in the region.
Since January 2022, Canada has committed over $1 billion in military aid to support Ukraine.
Canada has fully disbursed $1.95 billion in new loan resources to the Ukrainian government. This amount includes a $500 million bilateral loan to help sustain Ukraine’s economic resiliency, as well as $1.45 billion through a new Administered Account for Ukraine at the International Monetary Fund.
In November, Canada issued a 5-year, $500 million Ukraine Sovereignty Bond with equivalent proceeds being channeled to Ukraine through the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) Administered Account. The funds will assist the Government of Ukraine so it can continue to provide essential services to Ukrainians this winter, such as pensions, the purchasing of fuel, and restoring energy infrastructure.
Canada has undertaken significant efforts to combat Russian disinformation, including improving public awareness and debunking myths, as well as providing $13.4 million to the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism (RMM) to counter disinformation. The Rapid Response Mechanism has enabled real-time information sharing and collaboration with respect to the Russia-Ukraine crisis and is ramping up engagement with social media platforms and civil society organizations to address Russian disinformation with greater coherence.
Since the invasion, the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program (PSOPs) has scaled up our security and stabilization programming in Ukraine, and has committed to support over $40 million in new programming. This includes targeted support to Ukrainian civil society and human rights organizations, providing support to Ukraine’s security sector, scaling up mine action efforts, monitoring and documenting human rights violations, countering disinformation, and advancing accountability efforts.
Canada has committed an additional $96 million in development assistance to support the resilience of Ukraine's government institutions and civil society organizations; victims of sexual and gender-based violence; and food security efforts, including providing essential grain storage solutions.
On March 1, Canada, along with several other member states, referred the situation in Ukraine to the International Criminal Court (ICC), due to allegations of international crimes in Ukraine by Russian forces, including war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Since February 2022, Canada has imposed sanctions on over 1,500 Russian, Belarusian, and Ukrainian individuals and entities implicated in Putin’s war.
Canada announced two new immigration streams for Ukrainians coming to Canada – the Canada Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (temporary) and an expedited path for permanent residency through a new family sponsorship program (permanent) - and $117 million to implement these measures.
Canada’s three federal chartered flights, which landed in Winnipeg, Montreal, and Halifax, carried over 950 Ukrainians fleeing the war.

Ukraine Humanitarian Response

In the face of persistent humanitarian needs, Canada continues to support for the millions of people affected by the conflict in Ukraine, including as they face the onset of winter.
To date in 2022, Canada has committed $320 million in humanitarian assistance to UN, Red Cross and non-governmental organizations in Ukraine and the region.
Despite the challenging context partners continue to deliver, having reached over 13.4 million people with humanitarian assistance since the onset of the crisis.

Supplementary Messages

Responding to winterisation needs is the current priority for humanitarians, in close coordination with Ukrainian authorities, helping at least 2.4 million Ukrainians prepare for and cope with the winter cold in the midst of the war.
This includes provision of generators, which is a response that Canada has directly supported with $10 million to support IOM’s distribution of over 800 generators of varying sizes.

Update

On November 25, Prime Minister Trudeau announced $30 million to WFP to cover the cost of transport, storage and distribution of grains donated by Ukraine for countries experiencing high level of food insecurity.

Supporting facts and figures

Funding announced for WFP includes $10M for the Ukraine Grain Initiative and $20M to support the transport of grains to Afghanistan that could be included under the Initiative should Ukraine decide to include Afghanistan in the list of beneficiary countries. Yemen and Sudan have already been identified as recipient countries.
On October 28th Prime Minister Trudeau announced $55 million for winterization during the Ukraine Canada Congress triannual meeting in Winnipeg. This allocation is part of the announced $320 million envelope.
With the recent winterization announcement, Canada’s has allocated $292.5 million in humanitarian assistance to experienced Red Cross, UN, and NGO partners to provide life-saving aid to those affected by conflict inside Ukraine and the region.
Canada’s total 2022 humanitarian assistance of $292.5 million represents an approximate 5.3% burden share of the 2022 UN Appeal. Remaining funding from the $320 million envelope will be disbursed before the end of the fiscal year.

Background

The Ukraine conflict has caused the world’s fastest growing displacement crisis since World War II. More than 6.2 million people are estimated to be internally displaced and over 4.4 million people have registered for temporary status in European countries, most of them women and children.

Increased needs due to the fast-approaching winter are the current priority for the humanitarian response. Destruction of energy grids is leaving Ukrainians without access to clean water, reliable health care, and the ability to heat homes and communal centres. The population is under intense mental and physical stress, linked to securing basic human needs and prolonged psychological impact of war trauma.

Since the beginning of hostilities on February 24^th, humanitarian partners have worked intensively to increase the scale and scope of their operations in Ukraine. The humanitarian response is assisting more people every week. As November 2022, the UN and humanitarian partners have reached over 13.5 million people across Ukraine.

Russian Invasion of Ukraine: Impact On Global Food Security

The Russian invasion of Ukraine was a major shock to an already strained food system resulting in record-setting food, fuel, and fertilizer prices.

Canada is supportive of efforts to mitigate export shortfalls from Ukraine due to the invasion, including the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BGSI).

Canada has responded with record levels of humanitarian food and nutrition assistance, and provides development assistance to address root causes of hunger.

Supplementary Messages

Responsive on Russian disinformation: Canadian sanctions against Russia do not target food or fertilizer.

Update

On November 17, the UN Secretary-General confirmed the automatic renewal of the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) for another 120 days, with no changes to the agreement. On November 25, MINE announced that Canada is providing $30 million in humanitarian funding to the World Food Programme to facilitate additional shipments of Ukrainian grain toward countries grappling with acute food insecurity, in support of the “Grains from Ukraine” initiative.

Supporting facts and figures

50 million people are at the brink of famine – nearly 1 million facing catastrophic conditions in: Ethiopia, Haiti, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Somalia and Yemen.
The FAO Food Price Index for October 2022 was virtually unchanged from September, but remains high in comparison to previous years. It fell by 8.6% in July; 1.9% in August and 1.1% in September.
As of November 21, foodstuff exported from Ukrainian ports reached over 11.6 million tonnes to global markets, including through humanitarian shipments.
Fertilizer prices have risen nearly 30% in 2022, following last year’s 80% surge.

Background

The majority of people facing food security and nutrition risks are in sub-Saharan Africa. The Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI) facilitates shipments of Ukrainian grain, fertilizer and foodstuff from three ports in the Black Sea and has helped to stabilize spiraling global food prices.

Russia is weaponizing food and energy issues and spreading disinformation that Western sanctions are to blame. Canada’s sanctions against Russia do not and will not target exports of food and agricultural inputs, like fertilizer, to third countries. Russia has argued for sanctions relief even though it has imposed its own export restrictions on rapeseed, sugar, grain, and fertilizer.

The food crisis is expected to worsen. The current food accessibility crisis will be exacerbated by a food availability crisis as agricultural productivity declines, driven largely by reduced fertilizer affordability, alongside conflict and extreme weather events.

To date in 2022, Canada has allocated a record amount of more than $615 million for humanitarian food and nutrition assistance. Canada also continues to support developing countries’ agriculture and food systems programming, disbursing $602 million in projects and programs in fiscal year 2021-2022.

How Canada’s Development Assistance is Supporting Emerging Needs in Ukraine

Canada has adjusted its development programming in response to the war in Ukraine, by providing fast flexibility to partners to allow them to shift project activities to address immediate needs, protect previous development gains, and mitigate the impact of the invasion on vulnerable populations.
Canada is providing substantive and meaningful support to Ukraine, to strengthen the resilience of government institutions and civil society, provide livelihoods, support victims of sexual and gender-based violence, and support food security efforts in Ukraine.
Canada is deeply concerned by the worsening humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, especially as critical energy infrastructure continues to be targeted, and the impacts of the war are felt across Ukraine, particularly in areas of food security, human rights, gender equality, and the environment.

Supplementary Messages

While our focus remains on addressing urgent needs in Ukraine, Canada is committed to supporting Ukraine in the long-term, ensuring recovery and reconstruction and long-term prosperity of Ukrainians is a priority for Canada.
Canada has committed an additional $96 million in development assistance funding to Ukraine to address emerging priorities. This includes: $35 million to support the resilience of affected communities as well as Ukraine’s government institutions and civil society organizations; $7 million to the United Nations Population Fund to support victims of sexual and gender-based violence; $2 million for the completion of a dairy processing plant in western Ukraine; and $52 million to respond to Ukraine’s urgent need to increase grain storage capacity and agro-lab equipment needs.

Supporting facts and figures

Canada remains steadfast in support of civil society and women’s rights organizations, which have been crucial in responding to emerging needs in Ukraine; Canada is supporting rapid response sub-grants, civic-activist hubs and critical evacuation and emergency response.
Canada is funding development projects that support the economic empowerment, livelihoods and resilience of individual Ukrainians, including supporting individuals through business advisory centres, entrepreneurship training, livelihood and small-business grants.
Canadian development partners continue to work closely alongside various government institutions to provide a wide range of assistance to support the stability and functionality of and coordination between local, regional and national governments in Ukraine.
Canada funds projects that support the most vulnerable, which includes initiatives focused on human-trafficking prevention, psychosocial support for women and girls and LGBTQI+ communities, as well as support for disabled persons.
Canada is funding projects that are assisting local farmers and agricultural co-operatives, including, providing essential supplies like seeds and fuel and access to plots of land for displaced farmers, as well as supporting the Ukrainian government in establishing victory gardens.
Canada is supporting health services in Ukraine, including distributing critical medical equipment and several ambulances to communities in need.
Canada continues to actively engage in promoting greater coordination and communication between the Government of Ukraine, humanitarian actors and civil society. Canada will also remain a key player in coordination as the international community considers recovery and reconstruction efforts.
Canada’s support to Ukraine is aligned with the Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) and focusses on four Action Areas:
1. Inclusive Governance;
2. Growth that Works for Everyone;
3. Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and Girls; and
4. Peace and Security.

Canada’s Support For Women and Girls In Ukraine

Canada is prioritizing support to women and girls, to address needs related to sexual and gender-based violence, human trafficking, and challenges surrounding sexual and reproductive health rights.
Women have played an instrumental role to meet the ongoing emerging needs of Ukrainians, especially the most vulnerable, all the while carrying the burden of emergency support and recovery in their communities and homes.
From humanitarian planning and coordination, to recovery and reconstruction, women need to be actively included and involved at the national, regional, local and community levels.

Supplementary messages

Canada will continue to provide steadfast support to address the needs of women and girls in Ukraine, and ensure they are empowered as agents of change.
Canada is deeply concerned by the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, particularly as women and children are the majority of those displaced and at increased risk of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), conflict-related sexual violence and human trafficking.
Canada is a strong advocate and supporter for women’s empowerment and women’s political leadership; we encourage the inclusion of female voices at all levels of decision making.
Women activists and leaders in Ukraine have been and continue to be at the forefront of the humanitarian and emergency response in the face of Russian military invasion.

Supporting facts and figures

All support to Ukraine from the Government of Canada is aligned with the Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) and is reviewed from a Gender-Based Analysis-Plus (GBA+) This ensures that consideration of how support affects diverse groups of women, men, and non-binary people is considered and integrated in policies, programs and initiatives based on evidence.

Bilateral Development Assistance

Canada has allocated an additional $96 million in development assistance funding this year to address emerging priorities, including supporting victims of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), as well as the resilience of government institutions and civil society, to help meet the needs of Ukrainians, in particular women, girls and vulnerable groups.
Canada understands the importance of gender-responsive, victim-centred, and trauma-informed mental health support to all of those impacted by this invasion. Canada is assisting those impacted by SGBV by providing psychosocial support.
Canada doubled its support to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), for a total of $14 million, to support those impacted by SGBV and to ensure that needs for sexual and reproductive health services are met in Ukraine. This includes actively working to ensure SGBV survivors and people at risk across Ukraine are provided with quality services including mobile psychosocial support teams, safe spaces, and sexual and reproductive health services delivery points.
This complements existing development initiatives that continue to provide support to Ukraine including human trafficking prevention, psychosocial support for women and girls, and gender-based conflict analysis and data collection.
Canada plays a leading role in defending spaces for civil society, including for feminist voices. Canada is supporting the resilience of women’s rights organizations and other civil society organizations across Ukraine, who are integral to addressing urgent needs, combatting disinformation, and protecting development gains in Ukraine; Canada is supporting rapid response sub-grants, civic-activist hubs and critical evacuation and emergency response.

Humanitarian Assistance

Since January 2022, Canada has committed $320 million to support the humanitarian response in Ukraine and other impacted countries in the region by providing funding to an established international humanitarian response system made up of UN agencies, the Red Cross Movement, and experienced non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
Canada is providing un-earmarked humanitarian assistance to organizations to address urgent health needs, including sexual and reproductive healthcare (SRH), and to respond to gender-based violence.

Peace and Stabilization Operations Program; Women, Peace and Security

Canada, through the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program (PSOPs) is providing over $32 million this fiscal year in support of programming to advance security, stabilization and human rights priorities in Ukraine. A significant focus within this support is on advancing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda in Ukraine.
In March 2022, PSOPs provided $1.5M in funding to the United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund to support women’s civil society organizations in Ukraine and Moldova, enabling them to provide protection assistance and psychological support to refugees and internally-displaced women and girls in both countries, and ensure the representation and leadership of women in conflict resolution.
Since 2021, Canada has provided $1M in funding directly to a local women’s rights organization to support the implementation through localization of Ukraine’s 2^nd National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, and supported its ongoing revision in response to the new challenges brought by the Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Canadian Support to Ukraine Cheat Sheet

Humanitarian assistance

Canada is meeting urgent needs in Ukraine and neighbouring countries.
Canada’s support has enabled the deployment of humanitarian and logistics experts to the UN agencies.
Canada’s humanitarian assistance partners are providing emergency health services, support to displaced populations, and essential life-saving services such as shelter, water and sanitation, and food.
Canada sent relief items from its national emergency stockpiles.
Donations by individual Canadians to the Canadian Red Cross have been matched by the Government of Canada (up to 30 million).
Canada has facilitated flights of essential relief supplies to support the response in Ukraine as well as neighbouring countries.
Canada is allocating funding to the International Organization for Migration to procure and distribute generators to critical facilities in Ukraine.

Security and stabilization support

Canada is providing a range of security and stabilization support to Ukraine, seeking to enhance Ukrainian resilience and resistance. This includes:

Support to Ukrainian security sector institutions,
Advancing accountability, including by supporting Ukraine’s case against Russia at the International Court of Justice as well as investigations through the International Criminal Court, the Commission of Inquiry established by the UN Human Rights Council, the OSCE Moscow Mechanism and Ukraine’s domestic criminal justice system,
Providing targeted support to Ukrainian civil society organizations, women’s groups and media,
Enhancing the capacity of the Ukrainian government and organizations to counter disinformation, and
Supporting mine action, including the clearance of unexploded ordnance.

Canada has also supported technical visits by the International Atomic Energy Agency to assess the situation at Ukrainian nuclear facilities.

Development assistance

Canada increased development assistance funding to support the resilience of Ukraine's government institutions and civil society organizations to meet the needs of Ukrainians, in particular women and vulnerable groups. This includes:

Critical assistance to local farmers and agricultural co-operatives.
Support to civil society and women’s rights organizations.
medical equipment to hospitals and municipal clinics.
Psychosocial services and safe-spaces for women and girls impacted by sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).
Support to the Government of Ukraine in strategic communication and countering disinformation.
Provision of livelihood and small business grants and employment and entrepreneurship training for women and vulnerable groups.
Canada has provided funding to UNESCO to protect Ukraine’s cultural and heritage sites.

Economic assistance

Canada has fully disbursed a loan to Ukraine to support economic resilience through the Bretton Woods and Related Agreements Act.
Canada has fully disbursed a loan through the International Monetary Fund designed to provide support to stabilize Ukraine’s economy after the invasion.
Canada is providing a loan guarantee to enable a EUR 300 million European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) loan to Naftogaz , Ukraine’s state-owned gas company, to help keep the heat and lights on in Ukraine this winter.
Canada has temporarily removed tariffs on imports from Ukraine for one year.
Canada and other official creditors to Ukraine agreed to provide a coordinated suspension of debt service due by Ukraine from August 2022, until end of 2023, with the possibility of an additional year extension.
Canada will issue Ukraine Sovereignty Bonds, which will help the government continue operations, including providing essential services to Ukrainians.

Military assistance

Canada has extended and expanded the Canadian Armed Forces Operation UNIFIER, which has supported training of the Security Forces of Ukraine.
Canada has provided non-lethal military equipment (helmets, body armour, gas masks, night vision gear, winter clothing, etc.) .
Canada has provided lethal military equipment (guns, pistols, rifles, ammunition, light anti armour weapons, grenades, M777 howitzers, drone cameras, armoured combat support vehicles, etc.).
Canada has provided funding to buy high resolution modern satellite imagery.
Canada sent additional military personnel to strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defence in Europe.
Under Operation UNIFIER, Canada has deployed Canadian Armed Forces personnel to the UK and to Poland to train new recruits from the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Special immigration and support measures

Canada created an immigration stream Canada Ukraine authorization for emergency travel that allows an unlimited number of Ukrainians to stay in Canada on a temporary basis and work or study.
Canada waived fees for travel and immigration documents.
Canada is providing temporary support services once Ukrainians arrive in Canada including short term income support, temporary accommodations, and services to help settle into communities.
Three targeted charter flights with Ukrainians arrived in Canada.
Canada has opened a new centre in Warsaw, Poland to increase in person services to Ukrainians applying to come to Canada.

Response by the numbers

$320m in humanitarian assistance including
$93m to food security
376,000 essential relief items such as blankets, mattresses, etc.
20 flights delivering relief supplies
$44.05m for security and stabilization initiatives, including demining
$9.7m to support work on accountability for human rights violations
$44m in development assistance
$52m for grain storage equipment
10 shelters
8 crisis rooms (SGBV)
$4.8m to protect heritage sites
$500m to Ukraine for economic resilience
$1.45b via the International Monetary Fund
$50m loan guarantee via EBRD
$500m through Ukraine Sovereignty Bonds
Nearly 35k Military and Security Forces of Ukraine trained
Over $1.4b committed or delivered in military assistance
500 additional personnel to NATO
up to 225 personnel to UK (Operation UNIFIER)
$641.7m for new immigration measures
Over 420k visas issued

Over 110k Ukrainians arrived in Canada

Afghanistan

Canada remains committed to Afghanistan and the Afghan people and we will continue to do all we can to support them.
Canadian and international aid has helped a generation of Afghans exercise more of their fundamental human rights, participate in a more inclusive society, and achieve a higher standard of living, with reduced infant mortality, extended life expectancy, and millions of children – especially girls – attending school.
Despite the current restrictive environment, which has constrained Canada's ability to deliver development assistance programming, Canada continues to address the significant humanitarian needs in Afghanistan and the region.

Update

The Taliban seized control of Afghanistan on August 15, 2021. Canada is deeply concerned by the full-fledged humanitarian crisis and worsening human rights situation, including increased reports of missing and detained activists, the imposition of Sharia law punishments including flogging, crackdowns on journalists, a ban on girls attending secondary school, and restrictions on women’s and girls’ movements and activities in public, including wardrobe edicts and male guardian requirements. We continue to use every forum available to urge the Taliban regime to uphold international human rights obligations. Canada engages the Taliban informally through the Special Representative for Afghanistan in Doha.

Canada’s priorities in Afghanistan remain:

safe passage of Canadians and Afghans approved through our Special Immigration Programs;
unhindered humanitarian assistance;
the Taliban upholding their international human rights obligations and forming an inclusive and representative government; and
counter-terrorism.

Supporting facts and figures

Canada has provided nearly $3.9 billion in international assistance since 2001, largely focused on improving health, education, and the rights and empowerment of women and girls.
In 2022, Canada has allocated $143.4 million in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and Afghan refugees in neighbouring countries.
Canada has long been, and remains, one of top 10 donors to Afghanistan.

Background

Coupled with the loss of access to overseas assets, a liquidity crisis is having a significant impact on Afghanistan’s economy, services and infrastructure. In response to the deteriorating humanitarian situation, the UNSC passed a temporary exemption of UNSC sanctions on December 22, 2021, allowing for humanitarian assistance and activities that support basic human needs.

There is consensus among like-minded donors that humanitarian assistance is not enough to stave off high needs and avoid both a humanitarian catastrophe and further economic collapse. Canada is currently assessing options with regards to programming and some existing development assistance has been able to resume.

Sanctions and domestic anti-terrorism legislation have presented challenges to delivering international assistance in Afghanistan. The Taliban have been listed as a terrorist entity under Canada’s Criminal Code since 2013, making it a criminal offence to provide or make property available, directly or indirectly, knowing that it will be used by or benefit a terrorist group (whether listed or not). Efforts are underway to find solutions to respond to the needs of Afghans, while ensuring implementing partners do not contravene Canadian laws.

Canada’s Legacy in Afghanistan

Over the past twenty years, Canada has worked alongside Afghans to achieve tangible results in terms of democracy, human rights, women’s rights, girls’ education, maternal and child health, and a free press in Afghanistan, despite persistent warfare and instability.
Since 2001, Canada has provided close to $3.9 billion in assistance to Afghanistan, which has helped a generation of Afghans achieve a higher standard of living, with reduced infant mortality, extended life expectancy, and millions of children, especially girls, attending school.
These achievements would not have been possible without assistance from Canada, and they have contributed to an Afghanistan that is fundamentally different from what it was in 2001.

Supplementary messages

We remember and honour the sacrifices made by Canadian Armed Forces, diplomats and other Canadians in Afghanistan and the losses suffered by their families and loved ones.
Canada remains committed to Afghanistan and the Afghan people following the Taliban takeover in August 2021 and the continued uncertain political, security and humanitarian environments.

Supporting facts and figures

Since 2001, Canada has provided close to $3.9 billion in assistance to the country.
Canada’s support for healthcare contributed to the under-5 mortality rate significantly decreasing from 121.7 per 1,000 live births in 2002 to an estimated 67.9 in 2018 and the percentage of births attended by skilled attendants increasing from 12% in 2000 to 55% in 2015.
Thanks to contributions from Canada and other donors, the literacy rate has grown to 35% of the population in 2018; a 40% increase from 2007. The female literacy rate has grown over 65% over the same time span, from 12% to 19.9%.
Canada has directly supported the establishment of more than 9,400 community-based education schools across Afghanistan providing education to approximately 273,000 students, 80% of them girls.

Background

Development Assistance

From 2001 to 2021, Canada made substantial contributions in Afghanistan through development and humanitarian assistance, military support, police training, rule of law reform, demining, public financial management and reform, human rights advocacy and diplomatic engagement with Afghan leaders and the international community. Canada, along with other donors and the Afghan government, contributed to fundamental changes in Afghan society, including a major expansion of primary education enrolment rates for girls, improvement of health care and immunization, a fourteen-year increase in life expectancy, a vibrant and open media, the formation and strengthening of state security forces and the establishment of democratic institutions. Furthermore, a generation of men and women in Afghanistan participated in democratic political processes and enjoyed a free and vibrant media.

Canada’s investments to support basic health, education, human rights and security were targeted toward reducing poverty and building a more stable and secure nation. All Canadian development assistance was delivered through third parties, such as non-governmental organizations, United Nations organizations, the World Bank, and civil society actors.

Humanitarian Assistance

In 2022, Canada has allocated $143.4 million in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and Afghan refugees in neighbouring countries. Funding will be delivered through the UN and other established humanitarian partners with operational capacity to respond to these needs.

Security Assistance

Security sector support was provided through the NATO-managed Afghanistan National Army Trust Fund and the UNDP-managed Law and Order Trust Fund for Afghanistan. Both of these trust funds ceased all operations since the Taliban takeover and are in the process of closing down.

40,000 Canadians served in the NATO mission in Afghanistan from 2001 to 2014, making this the largest Canadian military deployment since the Second World War. 158 Canadian Forces members and one Canadian diplomat died during this time.

International Response to the Crisis in Afghanistan

The international community is deeply concerned about the worsening humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.
It is increasingly evident that the de facto Taliban authorities are unwilling and unable to meet the basic needs of the Afghan people.
Canada remains committed to supporting the basic needs of Afghans while avoiding any action that could benefit, or infer recognition of, the de facto Taliban authorities.

Supplementary messages

Canada continues to collaborate closely with allies and partners in coordinating efforts to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
Canada is concerned by the potential implications of the situation in Afghanistan for regional and global stability and security.

Background

Diplomatic Engagement: Following the Taliban’s takeover on 15 August 2021, Canada and allies closed their embassies in Kabul. Canada engages on Afghanistan through its Special Representative for Afghanistan, who is based in Doha (Qatar), where 18 likeminded countries and the EU also have representatives. The EU has reopened its mission in Kabul at a minimal operation capacity to support the coordination and delivery of humanitarian aid. Of Canada’s like-minded, only Japan has fully reopened its embassy, which it did on 30 September 2022, ahead of its 2023 G7 Presidency and the assumption of its two-year UNSC seat. Most regional states maintain embassies in Kabul.

Humanitarian Response: The 2022 Afghanistan Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) and the Afghanistan Situation Regional Refugee Response Plan were officially launched by the United Nations (UN) on 11 January 2022. Combined, the plans request over USD 5 billion. Donor countries and agencies pledged a total of USD 2.44 billion; Canada’s total commitment for humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan in 2022 to date is CAD $143.4 million. These commitments fall more than USD 2 billion short of the UN appeals. The Afghanistan HRP remains the largest worldwide. The 2023 HRP is expected to have an even higher price tag and is expected to be released in December 2022.

Support to Basic Services

Following the Taliban takeover, most like-minded countries paused their bilateral aid programs in Afghanistan, though humanitarian assistance continued. However, since humanitarian assistance is not enough to respond to the prolonged crisis and growing needs, donors have resumed the delivery of other basic services in the areas of health, food security, education and livelihoods. The Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust Fund (ARTF) and the Asian Development Fund, both implemented through UN organizations, have been the lead mechanisms used to deliver these basic services. All activities are being delivered outside the control of the de facto authorities. Canada’s ability to engage constructively alongside allies to address the ongoing crisis and provide assistance will need to continue be balanced against the counter-terrorism provisions of the Canadian Criminal Code.

Donor Priorities

Notwithstanding some predictable geo-strategic divisions, there is general agreement within the international community on the importance of supporting humanitarian access; inclusive governance; respect for women’s and girls’ rights; stability, countering and controlling irregular migration and narcotics flow; and, counter-terrorism. International donors agree that it is imperative to support activities that go beyond humanitarian assistance, and even the delivery of basic services, to include support for economic stabilization and livelihoods, but donor positions vary as to what level of engagement is appropriate under the circumstances.

Resettlement

Donors and regional countries have also committed to resettling Afghan refugees to varying degrees. Canada has committed to resettling at least 40,000 Afghan refugees.

Human Rights

The United Nations Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) is actively engaged in Afghanistan, and during its last mandate renewal in March 2022, received a strengthened mandate, thanks in part to Canadian advocacy efforts, to monitor and report on human rights, gender equality and donor coordination. The UN Human Rights Council also named a Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Afghanistan whose mandate is to provide detailed reporting on the deteriorating human rights situation on the ground.

Humanitarian Response in Afghanistan

We remain deeply concerned over the worsening humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.
In 2022, Canada provided over $143 million in humanitarian assistance to help provide emergency assistance in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries.
Canada commends the work of humanitarian partners in this challenging context.

Supplementary messages

The $143 million in humanitarian assistance includes $20 million recently announced to help support the transport, storage and distribution of Ukrainian grain to Afghanistan.
Humanitarian needs continue to grow in Afghanistan with the Humanitarian Response Plan for 2023 requiring close to USD 5 billion to support 28.6 million people, up from USD 4.4 billion to support 24.4 million people.
Canada is in the process of determining its 2023 humanitarian response both inside Afghanistan and in neighbouring countries, in line with forthcoming appeals.
Canada is alarmed at the increasing restrictions placed on women’s rights in Afghanistan, including to education, employment, and freedom of mobility.

Update

Humanitarian partners are observing increased access constraints and operational challenges that are happening at the backdrop of severe humanitarian needs. Humanitarian partners are concerned with the de-facto authorities’ (DFAs) operational guideline that aims to regulate and monitor aid organizations. This contributes to shrinking humanitarian space through attempts to influence beneficiary selection, program design, and staff recruitment, and additional bureaucratic hurdles to project implementation. The safety and basic rights of women in Afghanistan are also of heightening concern. DFAs recently imposed additional restrictions on women’s rights including their exclusion from certain public spaces, and are reportedly moving to ban women from universities. This alarming tightening of restrictions on women’s rights may affect female aid workers, who may become subject to the existing mahram requirement limiting women’s mobility without a male relative accompaniment. This would have a detrimental effect on humanitarian delivery as female aid workers are key to responding to the needs of vulnerable women and girls.

Supporting facts and figures

By the end of September 2022, partners reached 24.3 million people with humanitarian support, including 21.7 million people with food assistance and 5.2 million people with nutrition services.
An estimated 18.9 million people, nearly half the population, are facing acute food insecurity, including 6 million facing emergency levels of food insecurity.
An estimated 4.7 million children and pregnant and lactating women in Afghanistan are at risk of acute malnutrition in 2022.

Background

The scale of humanitarian needs is increasing, with 28.6 million Afghans estimated to require humanitarian assistance in 2023, up from 24.4 million in 2022. Humanitarian needs in Afghanistan cut across all sectors, with food and nutrition, health, protection, and water, sanitation and hygiene needs of particular concern. Needs are driven by conflict, drought, COVID-19, food insecurity, displacement, and are exacerbated by the difficult operating context. The broad economic challenges inside Afghanistan risk further deepening the vulnerability of those in need of assistance.

Canada has supported a multi-sectoral humanitarian response across Afghanistan, with a particular emphasis on the provision of life-saving food and nutrition assistance to vulnerable groups. In 2022, Canada allocated a total $143.4 million in humanitarian assistance to help meet lifesaving needs in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries.

Afghanistan Sanctions and Criminal Coding

The Taliban is a listed terrorist entity under the Criminal Code. The Criminal Code has strong counter-terrorism provisions, including a wide range of terrorism-related offences, and includes prohibitions on providing property or services, directly or indirectly, that would be used by or benefit a terrorist group.
Canada also implements UN obligations to impose sanctions on UN-listed persons and entities associated with the Taliban via Regulation.
Canada is addressing the humanitarian situation of Afghanistan’s most vulnerable through experienced international humanitarian and development organizations, and has mitigation measures in place, including counter-terrorism provisions in its contractual agreements with organizations.

Supplementary messages

We recognize that the need for mitigation measures imposes serious constraints on Canadian organizations wishing to carry out activities in Afghanistan.
The Government of Canada is seized with this issue. This is an unprecedented scenario and, in line with the recommendation of the Special Committee’s report on Afghanistan, we are actively considering measures to address it, including a legislative amendment.

Background

UN Sanctions

Canada implements its UN obligations related to the Taliban through the United Nations Act and the United Nations Al-Qaida and Taliban Regulations (UNAQTR). The UNAQTR prohibit Canadians from dealing in the assets of specified persons associated with the Taliban (‘listed persons’); from making property or financial services available to listed persons; and from supplying selling or transferring arms and technical assistance to them. Penalties for offences may include fines of up to $100,000 or up to ten years’ imprisonment.

Exemption certificates to these prohibitions may be issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, when deemed justified, or when the exemption has received advance approval from the UN Security Council (UNSC). In December, the UNSC passed a resolution creating a new exemption for humanitarian assistance and other activities that support basic human needs from sanctions imposed by the UN related to the Taliban.

Criminal Code

The Taliban is considered a terrorist group under Canadian domestic law. The Criminal Code carries a wide range of prohibitions and significant consequences to deter terrorist activity in Canada, or support from Canada. The Criminal Code applies to all persons in Canada, as well as Canadian citizens living abroad. International organizations are generally not subject to Canadian Criminal Code jurisdiction, except with regard to their operations in Canada.

Under Canadian domestic law, it is a crime to directly or indirectly, collect property, provide, invite a person to provide, or make available property (including funding) or financial or other related services, knowing that, in whole or in part, they will be used by, or will benefit a terrorist group. A terrorist group is defined (in Criminal Code) either as: (i) an entity that has as one of its purposes or activities facilitating or carrying out any terrorist activity, or (ii) a listed entity, and includes an association of such entities.

There is currently no existing mechanism to provide exemptions from the anti-terrorism prohibitions of paragraph 83.03(b) for humanitarian or any other activity.

Humanitarian Assistance

In 2022, Canada has allocated over $143 million in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and neighbouring countries – includes $50 million announced on March 31, 2022.

Canada has found ways to deliver on its humanitarian assistance and some development commitments through experienced international humanitarian organizations, such as United Nations agencies and the ICRC, and has strong counter-terrorism provisions in its arrangements with these organizations. The Government of Canada is actively engaged with these organizations to ensure programming is designed to avoid the provision of direct or indirect benefits – such as monetary benefits - to terrorist groups. This includes the funding of select activities, inclusion of explicit taxation provision in arrangements and additional assurances that Canadian funds will not be used to support activities that are subject to taxation, which could be directed toward the Taliban-controlled Government of Afghanistan.

Haiti

General

Canada is deeply concerned about the ongoing humanitarian, security and political crisis in Haiti and its impact on Haitians.
Canada is responding to the crisis through its development and humanitarian assistance programs, by supporting dialogue efforts, by putting pressure on those who support violence and by strengthening security in Haiti.
Canada aims to respond to the most pressing humanitarian needs of crisis-affected people and to support longer-term initiatives to improve security, rule of law and democracy.

Supplementary messages

Canada’s response to the current crisis in Haiti is structured around 4 integrated pillars:
1. supporting dialogue efforts;
2. imposing sanctions on those who support violence and instability;
3. addressing the humanitarian and development needs of the population; and
4. strengthening security in Haiti, particularly the capacity of the HNP.
The international community must assist Haitian authorities in reinforcing security and re-establishing political dialogue.

Supporting facts and figures

Since the 2010 earthquake, Canada has contributed $1.87 billion to Haiti in ODA and is Haiti’s second-largest bilateral donor, after the United States.
In 2022-2023, Canada’s annual assistance budget to Haiti is $95M.
In 2022, Canada provided $12.5M in humanitarian assistance to Haiti, including $8M in response to food insecurity and the cholera outbreak. This includes $5M in response to the November 2022 UN Flash Appeal (valued at US $145.6M).
According to OCHA, the anticipated annual humanitarian funding requirements for 2023 should be over $700M.
More than 96,000 people (according to IOM), have been displaced by recent gang violence in Port-au-Prince. Massive deportation of Haitians by the Dominican Republic continues.
There is an increasing number of sexual and gender based violence crimes in Haiti. Rape is systematically used against women and girls to a level and manner unprecedented in Haiti, and is both used as a tactic of terror and recruitment in gangs.
Nearly 50% of the 11.5 million population is experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, including over 19,000 people experiencing catastrophic levels.
As of November 29, 2022, there were 11,953 suspected cholera cases, 1,031 confirmed cases and 227 deaths.
Since 1995, Canada has invested over $225 M in security in Haiti, including close to $150M for the PNH and $75M to various United Nations missions.
To support security in Haiti, Canada has recently contributed 10M$ to the UNDP Security Basket fund, $12.5M to strengthen the Haitian National Police and $10M to strengthen the National Police Academy. The Basket Fund budget now totals approximately $19M out of an amount sought of US$28M, with contributions from the United States (US$3M), Japan (US$3M), Italy (EU150,000) and Norway (US$550,000), while the EU has been considering a contribution.
Prime Minister Trudeau has announced two new initiatives at the Francophonie Summit: $5M to UNDOC/OAS to strengthen Haiti’s capacities to investigate cases of corruption, economic crimes including money laundering, and $3.5M to Lawyers Without Borders Canada to strengthen the legal and judicial services of civil society organizations and justice actors in order to help victims of gender-based violence.
At UNGA, Prime Minister Trudeau also announced a $20M contribution for reconstruction following the 2021 earthquake
Haiti ranks 170th out of 189 countries according to the 2020 human development index.

Haiti Sanctions and Measures

The international community has an important role to play in responding to the current humanitarian, political and security crisis in Haiti.
We need to limit the flow of financial support to the armed gangs and the trafficking of arms and ammunitions that contribute to violence and insecurity in Haiti.
Sanctions help to maintain and restore peace and security by undermining the control and influence of armed gangs and those who support them.

Supplementary messages

Canada is at the forefront of the international community in terms of announcing sanctions.
Our objective is to change behaviours amongst those who support the violence. Those targeted maybe have assets in Canada and we believe that these sanctions are impactful.
Canada will continue to use all the tools at its disposal to support Haitian-led solutions and political dialogue in order to end the current political stalemate and put the country on a sustainable path towards peace, prosperity and development.

Supporting facts and figures

In November 2022, Canada issued sanctions against 9 individuals in November 2022:
1. Former President Michel Joseph Martelly;
2. Former Prime Minister Laurent Salvador Lamothe;
3. Former Prime Minister Jean-Henry Ceant;
4. Senator Rony Célestin;
5. Former Senator Hervé Fourcand;
6. Former President of the Chamber of Deputies Gary Bodeau;
7. Former President of the Senate Youri Latortue;
8. President of the Senate Joseph Lambert, and
9. Haitian Gang leader Jimmy Chérizier (UNSC Sanctions Regime).

Background

On November 3, 2022, the Special Economic Measures (Haiti) Regulations (the Regulations) entered into force, listing two individuals. On November 17, 2022, these regulations were amended, listing six additional individuals. The Regulations allow Canada to target sanctions at key individuals who finance, support or benefit from the activities of armed gangs.

On November 10, 2022, the Regulations Implementing the United Nations Resolutions on Haiti came into force. These regulations will implement the decisions of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). On October 21, 2022, the UNSC adopted by consensus resolution 2653, which imposes a sanctions regime on Haiti, including a targeted assets freeze, travel ban and arms embargo. The UN Resolutions on Haiti target individuals engaging in, or supporting criminal activities and violence involving armed groups and criminal networks that promote violence. This includes the forcible recruitment of children by groups and networks, kidnappings, trafficking in persons and the smuggling of migrants, and homicides and sexual and gender-based violence. The resolution establishes a UNSC Sanctions Committee, supported by a panel of experts, who will be responsible for identifying individuals and entities that should be the subject of sanctions. Pursuant to the regulations referenced above, these individuals will be automatically sanctioned by Canada.

Canada’s sanctions regimes are not applied to individuals that are Canadian citizens or permanent residents. There could be individuals fomenting violence in Haiti that reside in Canada, as we recently saw with the arrest in Levis. GAC will continue to engage with Canadian law enforcement authorities (such as FINTRAC, RCMP) that lead on money laundering and criminal activities at the national level to ensure that our efforts at the national level match our engagement on sanctions.

Haiti Humanitarian Response

We are concerned over the impact of current insecurity on the already challenged humanitarian situation in Haiti, with 4.9 million people requiring humanitarian assistance in 2022.
We are committed to supporting the humanitarian response, including through an additional $8 million announced by the PM at the November 2022 Francophonie Summit, bringing our 2022 total humanitarian assistance to $12.5 million.
It is essential that we continue to advocate for our humanitarian partners to have access to the populations who are most in need of assistance.

Supplementary messages

Canada’s humanitarian assistance helps provide food assistance, emergency health and nutrition services, as well as logistical support.
Canada is in the process of determining its response to forthcoming 2023 humanitarian appeals.

Update

In light of the current insecurity, humanitarian needs continue to climb. On November 15, the UN issued a Flash Appeal requesting US $145.6M on top of the existing request for US $373.2 million to provide humanitarian assistance in Haiti. To date in 2022 Canada has committed $12.5 million in humanitarian assistance to respond to the needs outlined in these appeals. This includes the $8 million announced by the PM on the margins of the Francophonie Summit which will support partners such as the World Food Programme, the Pan American Health Organization and the United Nations Children’s Fund. According to OCHA, the anticipated humanitarian funding requirements for the 2023 will be US$715 million. Canadian support will be required to respond to this significantly higher ask, particularly as it relates to cholera, water, sanitation and hygiene, health, food security, logistics and protection.

Supporting facts and figures

To date in 2022, Canada has committed $12.5 million in humanitarian assistance.
Canada currently ranks 2^nd largest bilateral humanitarian donor to Haiti (source: UN managed humanitarian Financial Tracking System).
965 cases of cholera have been confirmed as of November 23, 2022 and 12,016 cases are suspected.
7 million people, almost half of the population is experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, with 19,200 of these people in the disaster category (IPC Phase 5).

Background

Haiti is a context with longstanding humanitarian needs. The overlapping security and political crises are impacting economic activity and exacerbating humanitarian needs. Armed gang activity hinders access to key parts of the country, limiting the flow of fuel, food and medicine and the ability of humanitarian organizations to reach most vulnerable people.
Cholera, which has re-emerged in the country after three years, has not expanded as much as expected, though this may change as more freedom of movement becomes possible.
7 million people in Haiti (nearly 50% of the population) are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, including over 19,000 people experiencing catastrophic levels.
More than 96,000 people have been displaced according to IOM by recent gang violence in Port-au-Prince. There are also increasing informal reports of human rights abuses, including sexual and gender-based violence.

Other Hot Issues

Indo-Pacific Strategy

The Indo-Pacific is a region of rising economic and strategic importance for Canada.
We have announced a new, integrated and whole-of-government Indo-Pacific Strategy aimed at intensifying and diversifying our engagement in the region.
A free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific is a priority shared by all our key partners in the region, as well as all G7 countries.
Canada’s engagement in the Indo-Pacific is a key priority and central to Canada’s global sustainable development objectives.
Canada’s international assistance will be visible, sustained, and responsive to the needs of Indo-Pacific countries.

Supplementary messages

Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy puts forward an ambitious, comprehensive and integrated policy framework for Canadian engagement across the Indo-Pacific region.
It reflects a recognition that the future trajectory of the Indo-Pacific is critical to Canada’s prosperity, security, public health and capacity to address climate change.
Canada’s approach to China is a key part of the Indo-Pacific Strategy and is shaped by a clear-eyed assessment of today’s China, aligned with that of our partners in the region and around the world.
We have listened to our allies and partners – Canada is determined to do more; to provide added value; to be a responsive and consequential partner of choice; and, most importantly, to work with partners in upholding a free, open, inclusive, and sustainable Indo-Pacific based on the rule of law.

Supporting facts and figures

The Indo-Pacific region will increasingly be central to shaping the international order and to addressing global development and sustainable environment challenges.
It represents 1/3 of global economic output, which is expected to grow to 50% in 20 years.
It is home to nearly 60% of the world’s population, including 1.3 billion multidimensional poor people.
It is regressing on some of the Sustainable Development Goals; facing important challenges such as increasing political instability, human rights violations, and gender inequality.
It is the world’s most disaster-prone region, and is greatly impacted by climate change. It accounts for 53% of global CO₂
The region has a growing $2.1 trillion infrastructure investment gap, as estimated by the Asian Development Bank.
It is also a major hotspot for infectious diseases (e.g. COVID-19, SARS).
The World Bank highlights that COVID-19 created a “new poor” who are more likely to live in middle-income countries and urban environments.
Since 2017, Canada has provided approximately $1B/yr annually in international assistance to the Indo-Pacific region, aligned with the Feminist International Assistance Policy.

Background

Launched in November 2022, Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy funds 24 new initiatives spanning 17 government departments and agencies, as well as FinDev Canada and the Asia Pacific Foundation. It is signed by the three ministers of Global Affairs Canada, the Minister of National Defence, and the Minister of Public Safety

The Strategy is structured under five strategic objectives:

Promoting peace, resilience and security ($720.6 M /4 initiatives)
Expanding trade, investment and supply chain resilience ($244.6 M/ 9 initiatives)
Investing in and connect people ($261.7M secured / 7 initiatives)
Building a sustainable and green future ($913.3 M including $750M recapitalization for FinDev/ 4 initiatives)
Canada as an active and engaged partner to the Indo-Pacific ($147 M/ 3 initiatives)

Underpinning this Strategy is the recognition that Canada must expand its presence and strengthen its partnerships in the region in order to effectively protect and promote Canadian interests. The framework of the Strategy results from a consultative policy development process led by Global Affairs Canada, including the recommendations of a national Indo-Pacific Advisory Committee (IPAC) launched in June 2022. The new initiatives under the Strategy will support a diversification and an expansion Canada’s regional partnerships, strengthen Canada’s credibility as a reliable and engaged regional stakeholder, and thereby position Canada to reinforce the rules-based order and support a free, open, inclusive and sustainable Indo-Pacific.

The Indo-Pacific Strategy identifies China as an “increasingly disruptive global power” and sets our approach at the bilateral, regional, and international level. To date, 12 countries and organizations have adopted regional frameworks for the Indo-Pacific:

Australia (2013),
Japan (2016),
U.S. (2017, updated in 2022),
India (2018),
France (2018, updated in 2022),
ASEAN (2019),
Germany (2020),
Netherlands (2020),
the UK (2021),
the EU (2021),
Canada (November 2022),
South Korea (December 2022).

International Assistance Initiatives

Objective 3: Investing In and Connecting People

Expanded SEED Scholarship Program

$14.2M over five years; $3.9M ongoing
Provides new scholarships and fellowships for Canadian and ASEAN students
Encourages exchanges in key areas of interest for Canada and partners (eg. STEM, climate change)

Feminist Canadian Civil Society Organizations Call for Proposals

$32.8M over five years; $8.1M ongoing
Creates new regional engagement opportunities between Canadian and Indo-Pacific civil societies
Forms critical partnerships that strengthens local civil society; important for a resilient and democratic Indo-Pacific

Feminist Responsive Bilateral Assistance Programming

$100M over five years; $12M ongoing
Increases Canada’s feminist bilateral assistance to the region
Addresses growing international development needs in the region
Responds to the unique priorities of Indo-Pacific countries
Works in partnership with countries to champion democratic governance, foster inclusive economic growth, and advance the Sustainable Development Goals

Objective 4: Building a Sustainable and Green Future

Infrastructure Contribution

$750M over three years through recapitalization by Export Development Canada (EDC)
Shares Canadian expertise on sustainable infrastructure
Brings Canada’s Development Finance Institute – FinDev Canada – to the region
Helps address the $1.7 trillion infrastructure investment gap (estimated by the Asian Development Bank), in concert with G7 partners
Aligns with G7 commitment to the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment

Disaster Risk and Resilience

$52.4M over five years
Shares Canadian expertise on disaster risk resilience
Helps Indo-Pacific countries address the gap for resilience and preparedness initiatives
Contributes to saving more lives, and reduces the numbers of disaster-affected people, damage to critical infrastructure, direct economic losses

Objective 5: Canada as a Reliable and Engaged Partner in the Indo-Pacific

Canada-ASEAN Plan of Action Trust Fund

$13.1M over five years; $2.6M ongoing
Supports ASEAN Centrality in concert with like-minded partners
Reinforces our status as an ASEAN Strategic Partner
Additional contributions advance the Canada-ASEAN Plan of Action
Supports ASEAN Member States in Canada-ASEAN Free Trade Agreement negotiations

Canada’s International Assistance Response To Covid-19

Canada has helped lead a robust international effort to stop COVID-19, address its devastating impacts, and strengthen pandemic preparedness going forward.
The pandemic has evolved, yet COVID-19 is still a threat. Canada will continue to support collective efforts to improveequitable global access to COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics, working with the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator and COVAX Facility.
In response to country needs, Canada is increasing support for vaccine delivery, distribution and health systems strengthening to help countries turn vaccines into vaccinations and be better prepared for future crises.

Supplementary messages

Canada’s COVID response and recovery focuses on the world’s poorest and most marginalized, and considers the differentiated needs of women and girls.
Canada is investing in COVID-19 vaccine roll-out, diversified local vaccine manufacturing and health systems strengthening, including CA$200M for Canada’s signature Global Initiative for Vaccine Equity (CanGIVE).
Canada has delivered the equivalent of over 140 million doses to date and is on track to meet the commitment to donate the equivalent of 200M doses by year-end.

Update

Since February 11, 2020, the Government of Canada has mobilized more than $3.4 billion in international assistance to the global response to COVID-19.
On November 16, 2022, at the G20, Prime Minister Trudeau announced $50 million to the World Bank-hosted Pandemic Fund to address critical gaps in pandemic prevention, preparedness and response at national, regional, and global levels, with a focus on low and middle-income countries. He also announced $15 million for the COVID-19 mRNA Technology Transfer Hub in South Africa and $15 million to the Pan-American Health Organization in support of vaccine manufacturing in the Americas.
On September 21, 2022, Prime Minister Trudeau announced support for ACT-A’s therapeutics and diagnostics pillars, including $100 million for the Global Fund’s COVID-19 Response Mechanism, $25 million to support Unitaid’s medical oxygen response and $5 million for FIND’s work on novel diagnostics.
Canada has committed to donating the equivalent of 200M doses by 2022. To date, Canada has donated the equivalent of over 140M doses, comprised of doses deemed surplus from Canada’s domestic procurements, as well as financial contributions (dose equivalents). The balance of this commitment will be met through financial contributions toward vaccine delivery and health system strengthening.

Supporting facts and figures

Canada’s Commitment for COVID-19 Response

Global Commitments	Commitments
Commitments to ACT-A	$2.062B
Humanitarian response	$846M
Adapted programming	$573M
Total	$3.481B*

Canada’s Financial Allocations to the ACT-Accelerator by Pillar

Pillar	Allocations
Vaccines – COVAX	$1.155B
Therapeutics	$290M
Diagnostics	$265M
Health Systems Connector	$265M
Total	$1.9B

Canada’s Dose Donation Commitments to COVAX

Dose Donation Commitment to COVAX	200 million
In-kind doses made available**	~53.76 million
Financial Contributions Delivered (dose equivalents***)	87 million
Balance remaining	59.24 million

*Note that the total figure includes Finance Canada’s $107M contribution to the IMF Poverty Reduction and Growth Fund (PRGT)

**Includes doses donated to COVAX and bilaterally

***87M calculated using 2021 G7 approved methodology of $6USD a dose. Additionally, 49.86M has been committed but not yet disbursed using 2022 OECD approved methodology of $6.72USD a dose from 2022 COVAX commitment. The remaining delta will be filled through vaccine-related financial contributions to ACT-Accelerator partners from Budget 2022.

Background

ACT-Accelerator

Budget 2022 provides $732 million in 2022-23 to Global Affairs Canada to further support the efforts of the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator and to ensure that Canada continues to provide its fair share to global efforts to improve access to vaccines, therapeutics, and other tools to fight COVID-19.

Dose donation and vaccine delivery

As vaccine supply increased steadily in 2022, the need for dose donations from donor countries has declined. Currently, the biggest barriers to increased vaccination are limited delivery capacity and low demand. Canada is doing its part to support country vaccination targets through investments in the COVAX Facility and the donation of surplus doses. Canada has committed approximately $625 million for vaccine roll-out and health systems strengthening in response to COVID-19, including CA$200M for Canada’s signature Global Initiative for Vaccine Equity (CanGIVE). As countries approach endemic COVID-19 response, Canada will work to strengthen the equity and resilience of health systems so countries can better respond to health crises, while maintaining routine immunization and essential public health care.

Strengthening Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response

Canada is engaged in discussions, including at the World Health Organization (WHO), G20, G7, and the UN General Assembly (UNGA), on how to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPR) based on the lessons learned from COVID-19 and other health security crises. The World Health Assembly has launched processes to draft and negotiate a WHO convention, agreement or other international instrument to strengthen pandemic PPR, and to consider amendments to the International Health Regulations (2005). A new World Bank-housed financial intermediary fund for pandemic PPR (i.e. the Pandemic Fund) was launched on September 8, 2022, to help strengthen pandemic PPR at national, regional and global levels, with a focus on low and middle-income countries. Prime Minister Trudeau announced Canada’s $50M contribution to the Pandemic Fund at the G20 Summit in November 2022. This commitment will help address critical gaps in, inter alia, disease surveillance, laboratory systems, the health workforce, emergency communications and management and community engagement. The UNGA has also agreed to host a High-Level Meeting on pandemic PPR before the end of its 78^th session in September 2023.

WTO TRIPS Agreement waiver proposal

Canada takes note of the December 20, 2022 decision of the World Trade Organization (WTO) General Council to extend the decision deadline on the extension of the WTO Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) waiver to cover the production and supply of COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics.
The General Council has committed to deciding on a new deadline at its next meeting in March 2023.
Canada continues to promote evidence-based engagement on this matter among WTO Members in the TRIPS Council.

Supplementary messages

Canada remains interested in engaging WTO Members in an evidence-based exchange on the extension of the TRIPS waiver, with a view to identifying whether Members have experienced challenges in the production and supply of COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics, related to or arising from the TRIPS Agreement.
Canada continues to support a range of near-term solutions to enhance access to COVID-19 vaccines and medical countermeasures globally, including by supporting in-country delivery, demand, and production.
Canada is also addressing supply chain constraints and export restrictions as part of the WTO Response to the Pandemic.

Update

At the twelfth WTO Ministerial Conference on June 17, 2022, Ministers agreed to a Ministerial Decision on the TRIPS Agreement (e.g. the TRIPS waiver), which enables eligible developing country Members to authorize the use of patent-protected subject matter of COVID-19 vaccines to address the pandemic. The decision, which has a five-year duration, also committed WTO Members to decide by December 17, 2022 whether to extend the scope of the waiver to also cover patents for the production and supply of COVID-19 diagnostics and therapeutics. During the December 19-20 meeting of the WTO General Council, Members agreed to further extend the decision deadline, with the General Council to decide on a new deadline at its March 2-3, 2023 meeting. The General Council decision will be followed by a formal meeting of the TRIPS Council on March 16-17.

Supporting facts and figures

As a non-eligible Member, the TRIPS waiver has no legal effect for Canada, and will not require any changes to Canada’s domestic IP regime.
Under the decision, eligible Members are defined as “all developing country Members”, with a clarification that “[d]eveloping country Members with existing capacity to manufacture COVID-19 vaccines are encouraged to make a binding commitment not to avail themselves of [the] Decision”; China has made a commitment to this effect.
In addition to discussions on the waiver in TRIPS Council, Canada also continues to support a range of near-term solutions in support of vaccine equity and access to other COVID-19 medical countermeasures:
- Canada has contributed approximately $625 million to enhance in-country vaccine demand, distribution, delivery and health system strengthening, including Canada’s $200 million signature Global Initiative for Vaccine Equity (CanGIVE).
- To improve local vaccine manufacturing capacity in Africa, Canada has contributed $15 million in support of the efforts of the World Health Organization and Medicines Patent Pool to establish an mRNA technology transfer and manufacturing hub in South Africa.

United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA)

Canada is committed to helping vulnerable Palestinians, including refugees whom UNRWA is mandated to serve.
Sufficient and predictable resources is important for meeting the needs of refugees and to support regional stability.
Canada expects UNRWA to uphold UN values and humanitarian principles, including neutrality, in all activities.

Supplementary messages

Canada’s support to UNRWA contributes to ensuring that the Agency operates in an effective, transparent, and accountable manner.
Canadian officials are monitoring UNRWA’s activities. Our close engagement allows us to insist on accountability if UNRWA faces allegations of neutrality violations.
Canada expects UNRWA’s approach to include timely follow-up, including the implementation of corrective or disciplinary actions (as deemed appropriate and in line with due process).
In all of its activities, UNRWA has a zero-tolerance policy for incitement to violence or discrimination.

Update

Issues related to UNRWA’s neutrality or to educational materials used in UNRWA schools periodically draw attention from stakeholder groups. In June 2022, a report from a group known as UN Watch alleged the misuse of social media by UNRWA personnel. UNRWA completed an investigation into these allegations; administrative and disciplinary actions have been applied against the concerned individuals. In July 2022, a report from an interest group, made allegations regarding certain ‘self-learning’ materials used by a select number of teachers in UNRWA schools allegedly contained problematic content (i.e. certain references that violated UN values) appeared on social media platforms. In response, UNRWA has launched an investigations into these allegations. UNRWA indicates ongoing efforts to take preventative measures and ensures responsiveness into investigations of allegations.

Supporting facts and figures

Canada has committed $90M to UNRWA from 2020 through 2022.
Canada’s support helps more than half a million Palestinian children who rely on UNRWA for education services.
UNRWA also delivers critical food or cash assistance to approximately 2 million beneficiaries, with a focus on the very poorest.
Canadian funding reinforces UNRWA’s ongoing efforts on neutrality, including work by UNRWA staff to identify, monitor, and follow up on violations of this principle.
Canada exercises enhanced due diligence for all international assistance funding for Palestinians, including funding for UNRWA.

Background

Since 1948, UNRWA has been the only UN organization mandated to provide basic services to over five million Palestinian refugees in the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. UNRWA is almost entirely funded through voluntary contributions by international donors, and continues to face chronic and significant funding shortfall resulting from growing needs and growing operating costs, against falling contributions and a volatile environment. This regular year-on-year shortfall impacts the Agency’s ability to provide services to vulnerable Palestinian refugees, whose needs are rising. In January 2023, UNRWA released its new Strategic Plan and its accompanying budget proposal for the Programme Budget amounting to $848 million for the year. UNRWA has stated its commitment to investing in comprehensive programmatic reforms and modernization to meet refugees’ needs in a cost-effective and efficient manner.

Canada’s International Assistance to Pakistan

Canada has a history of over 70 years of successful development cooperation with Pakistan.
The scale of the flood damage compels Canada to do our part, along with the international community, to respond to both immediate and long-term impacts.
Canada’s total announced flood crisis response and recovery assistance to Pakistan $33 million, including a matching fund of up to $7.5 million.
Canada’s existing development assistance to Pakistan, $24 million annually, supports women’s and girls’ reproductive health and rights; girls’ access to education; women’s political participation and economic empowerment; and polio eradication.

Supplementary messages

The flood crisis affected more than 33 million people; took over 1,700 lives and threatens hundreds of thousands in Pakistan.
The revised (4 October) Pakistan flood appeal was for USD $816 million, to respond to lifesaving needs of the people of Pakistan.
The most urgent requirements identified are health, food security and rehabilitation.

Supporting facts and figures

The floods caused an estimated $10 billion in damage since mid-June.
Pakistan already had the 9th largest food crisis globally, with food insecurity impacting 20-30% of the total population.
It has the world’s second-highest number of children out of school. Around 22.8 million children between 5 to 16 years of age are out of school.
The country ranks 145^th of 146 countries in the 2022 Global Gender Gap Report (World Economic Forum), with 18% of women marrying before the age of eighteen and 4% before the age of fifteen.
Pakistan is one of two countries in the world where polio remains endemic. There is a polio outbreak in North Waziristan, Pakistan with 17 new cases reported.

Background

The flood crisis exacerbated pre-existing development challenges, including fragility, poverty, a weak health system and food insecurity, limited access to education for girls, gender-based violence and humanitarian needs. Pakistan’s economy was struggling due to an ongoing balance-of-payments crisis, surging inflation, political uncertainty, the on-going pandemic and the fallout from the war in Ukraine.

Even prior to these major crises, Pakistan faced deeply rooted development challenges. It has some of the lowest human, social and gender development indicators in Asia. While strong economic growth since 1991 has reduced overall poverty, particularly in rural areas, poverty remains pervasive.

In 2020/21, Canada’s overall development assistance to Pakistan was $100.7 million, of which $68.29 million was disbursed via Global Affairs Canada. The adverse impacts of the pandemic and now the flood crisis – including the diversion and interruption of regular education and health services (e.g. maternal and reproductive health care), reduced livelihoods, and the disproportionate socio-economic impacts on women and girls – risk reversing the gains attained through Canada’s over 70 plus years of development assistance to Pakistan.

Pakistan is home to approximately 3 million registered and unregistered Afghan refugees, many of whom have been in Pakistan for decades. Since the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021, it is estimated that at least 300,000 more Afghans of varying status, mainly refugees, have crossed into Pakistan. This places additional pressure on services in a context where host communities and overcrowded camps already face strained resources. Unregistered Afghans are less likely to receive assistance distributed through the Government of Pakistan’s flood response activities.

WHO Sexual Misconduct

Canada has zero tolerance for and strongly condemns all forms of sexual misconduct, including sexual exploitation and abuse and sexual harassment.
Canada has called on and continues to call on WHO senior officials to fully and immediately investigate allegations, hold perpetrators to account, and implement strong victim/survivor-centred measures to prevent and respond to sexual misconduct.
Canada expects the WHO to ensure that individuals affected by sexual misconduct have access to the necessary physical and psychosocial support they need.

Supplementary messages

Canada championed a WHO decision in 2021 to call on Organization’s senior management to address sexual misconduct and regularly follows up for progress updates.

Background

Dozens of incidents of sexual misconduct, including rape, by WHO staff during the WHO-led Ebola response in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), were reported by the media in late 2020, which the WHO’s internal mechanisms and processes failed to prevent or detect. These investigations are still ongoing.

Canada has been at the forefront of efforts to hold WHO accountable, championing a decision at the Executive Board in January 2021 and regularly following up with WHO senior management on updates and progress of organizational response. We continue to emphasize the importance of a survivor/victim-centred approach and our zero tolerance for inaction.

In response to the Executive Board decision, since the fall of 2021, WHO has put in place a dedicated Management Response Plan to address recommendations from an Independent Commission which investigated sexual misconduct in DRC. The plan addresses three areas of work:

Support for victims and survivors of sexual misconduct;
Engagement of WHO staff on zero tolerance towards sexual misconduct; and
WHO’s culture and processes to reinforce zero tolerance. As of September 2022, approximately 70% of planned activities have been implemented.

The Management Response Plan, once fully implemented, will be replaced by a dedicated 3-year strategy which is currently in development. Canada will be reviewing a draft version of this strategy in a lead up to the WHO Executive Board meeting in January 2023 and will continue to emphasize a victim/survivor-centered approach as well as the importance of close collaboration between WHO and key UN entities on this matter.

As of November 2021, WHO has maintained a dashboard tracking the status of investigations into sexual misconduct (including sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment). The dashboard tracks cases by category, geographic office regions, and by status (open/closed) but does not reflect cases related to the WHO-led Ebola response in the DRC which are being investigated through a separate process.

Food Security and Agriculture in Africa

An estimated 140 million people in Africa face acute food insecurity, according to the 2022 Global Report on Food Crises Mid-Year Update with 13 million in the Horn of Africa [1] facing acute hunger as the region faces the worst droughts in recent decades, compounded by years of conflict and instability, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and rising food prices due, in part, to the war in Ukraine.
Canada made significant commitments to global humanitarian food and nutrition assistance, including a record $615.5 million allocated in 2022. In 2020-21, Global Affairs Canada disbursed $828 million globally to support food systems and agriculture, the highest levels of support to this area in 10 years.
Canada supports agriculture and food systems programming that helps increase food security and reduce poverty for vulnerable populations, especially women and girls.

Supplementary messages

In line with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP), Canada supports sustainable agriculture and food systems programming that helps reduce poverty for vulnerable populations, especially women and girls.
Canada provides international food security-related assistance through direct support to a few key governments and regional institutions, as well as via experienced multilateral partners such as WFP, FAO and IFAD, as well as via Canadian partners such as the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Seed Change, Farm Radio International, in support of national food security priorities in Sub-Saharan Africa.
GAC development programming in SSA supports a broader food security agenda through investments in health and nutrition, improving climate-smart agricultural practices, building capacity to manage natural disasters, and building farmer’s capacities to grow nutritious and marketable food.

Update

Food insecurity and nutritional challenges have increased across the continent, coupled with generalized inflation, severely undermining the food purchasing power and access of the poorest segments of society.
The Horn is currently experiencing worsening conditions, including drought, that threaten over 13 million people with severe hunger, as the region grapples with several seasons of failed rains leading to the driest conditions since 1981.
In addition to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Russian invasion of Ukraine is disrupting global and local food and agricultural input supply chains, particularly grain and fertilizer exports, causing food prices to rise in several countries across the African continent.

Supporting facts and figures

In 2021, Canada provided over $500 million in food assistance to help meet the needs of people facing acute hunger across the world.
In August 2021 Canada allocated $135 million in humanitarian assistance to address acute malnutrition and food security in emergency contexts.
In 2020-21, Global Affairs Canada disbursed $828 million to food systems and agriculture.
Canada consistently ranks among the top donors to the WFP and was the fourth-largest single-country donor in 2020 and 2021. In 2021, Canada provided more than $390 million to the WFP for its operations, including $306 million in humanitarian assistance. Canada's support to the WFP is mainly through humanitarian funding.
In 2022, Canada recently announced an additional $250 million to help address the global food security crisis, building on the $514.5 million already allocated in 2022 for emergency food and nutrition assistance. This funding will help address the increasing global food and nutrition needs, with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa.
Canada has contributed to multiple Bilateral and Regional Projects in Africa that target improving food security including:
- Ethiopia – Rural Social Protection: Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) ($125M, 2016-2021, Government of Ethiopia). This project aims to enhance household and community resilience to shocks, such as droughts, and improve household food security, nutrition and economic well-being in Ethiopia's most vulnerable communities.
- Ghana – Modernizing Agriculture in Ghana ($135M, 2017-2023, Government of Ghana). This project supports the Government of Ghana’s efforts to improve food security by transforming the agriculture sector to one that is more modern, equitable and sustainable.
- Mali – Strengthening Irrigated Agriculture in Mali (REAGIR) ($75M, 2014-2019, German Society for International Cooperation). The project aims to sustainably develop irrigated agriculture and increased production in Mali in order to improve food security.
- South Sudan – Food-for-Work to Build Community Assets ($20M, 2016-2019, World Food Programme). This project supports the provision of food to women and men in exchange for their work on community assets, such as farmland restoration, construction of access roads, and small-scale irrigation.
- Enhancing Farmers’ Access to Markets in East and West Africa ($10.3M, 2014-2022 International Finance Corporation). This project aimed to improve the livelihoods of small-scale farmers by increasing their access to local, regional, and international markets.
- Improving Bean Productivity Markets in Africa (IBPMA) ($11.1M, 2016-2022, The Alliance of Biodiversity International and the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT). This project aims to contribute to poverty reduction among smallholder farmers across the continent by enhancing food and nutrition security, increasing income, promoting gender equality and strengthening climate-smart agriculture.
Responsive: Canada supports climate-smart agriculture, gender-transformative approaches in agriculture and the development of sustainable food systems. These are principal areas of focus to deliver on the Environment and Climate Action, and Growth that Works for Everyone action areas of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy. In 2020-21, Sub-Saharan Africa accounted for 68% of Canada's total spending by country in agriculture and food systems.

Background

Acute food insecurity in Africa is on the rise – largely as a result of COVID-19, conflict and climate change. Rising oil, natural gas and ocean freight prices are impacting transport costs and subsequently the price of groceries and other consumer goods across the African continent, exacerbating poverty and inequality. These disruptions are expected to severely limit people’s access to food, stretch social safety nets in crisis-affected or vulnerable contexts, resulting in more communities requiring humanitarian assistance.
The 2021 Global Food Security Index records weak average performance of Horn of Africa countries. General challenges faced to attain greater food security include high poverty rates, weak agricultural and transportation infrastructure, and fragile political environments, such as the conflict in Ethiopia.
In 2021, the African Union Commission (AUC) and African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) worked with African countries to create the African Common Position ahead of the Food Systems Summit in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the SDGs. The African Common Position is a synthesis and unified view on how to transform Africa's food systems over the next decade, primarily on resilience in the face of growing vulnerability and shocks. The Africa Common Position identifies rapid expansion in agricultural and food productivity and production as one of the game-changing solutions, which would reduce the reliance on wheat and grain imports from Russia and Ukraine, promote intra-African trade and grow Africa’s agribusiness sectors.
The African Development Bank has developed a US$1.5 billion emergency food production plan for Africa to avoid food shortages and bring down inflation; it aims to support 20 million farmers by providing access to climate-resilient agricultural technologies to boost food production by an estimated 37.6 million metric tons of wheat, maize, rice and soya beans (total production valued at some US$12 billion).

Mandate

Increasing Canada’s International Development Assistance Every Year Towards 2030

The Government has committed to increase international development assistance every year towards 2030 to realize the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
In Budget 2022 and over the past year, the Government of Canada announced over $3.6 billion in new international assistance funding.
Canada’s international assistance budget is projected to reach $10.5 billion this fiscal year, an increase of almost $3 billion from last year.

Supplementary message

Guided by the Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP), the Government of Canada’s international assistance investments directly support the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Update

The Government has provided over $2.1 billion in new international assistance for Ukraine, largely through loans distributed by Finance Canada.

Since Budget 2022, off-cycle funding decisions have further provided an additional $513 million in international assistance resources, including for global food security ($250 million), the Indo-Pacific Strategy ($213 million), and pandemic preparedness ($50 million).

Supporting facts and figures

Since early 2022, Canada has allocated over $2.4 billion in international assistance resources in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Since 2020, Canada has allocated close to $3.5 billion in international assistance resources for COVID-19 pandemic recovery in developing countries.
In fiscal year 2021-2022, the Government of Canada committed $2.4 billion in additional international assistance over five years, including the doubling of Canada’s international climate finance, along with investments in education, care work, global COVID-19 vaccine rollout, the IMF Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust, and peace and stabilization efforts.

Background

Your mandate letter sets a commitment to “increase Canada’s international development assistance every year towards 2030 to realize the United Nations’ (UN) Sustainable Development Goals”, which is consistent with recent growth in the international assistance funding envelope.
Budget 2022 reaffirmed this general commitment to “increasing international assistance funding towards 2030.”
In line with the 2030 Agenda and the FIAP, Canada is actively encouraging a coordinated global response to the pandemic, the war in Ukraine and the corresponding food and energy crisis, and is focused on reaching the poorest and most vulnerable so that no one is left behind.

Feminist International Assistance Policy

Through the Feminist International Assistance Policy, Canada has transformed its international assistance (both what we do, and how we do it) to achieve improved results and impact for the poorest and most vulnerable around the world, including those in fragile states.
Since its adoption in 2017, the Policy has remained Canada’s roadmap, setting overarching objectives for our international assistance.
The Policy’s feminist, intersectional and human rights-based approach to international assistance provides an effective framework for addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality, and responding to emerging challenges in the development landscape.
The Policy has strengthened Canada’s reputation as a feminist donor. For the third year in a row, Canada has topped the list of bilateral donors supporting investments in gender equality and empowerment of women and girls on a proportional basis.

Supplementary messages

In 2020-21, Canada reached nearly 29 million people through projects aimed at ending sexual and gender-based violence. We also provided close to $1.2 billion in life-saving assistance (food, clean water, health care) to meet the humanitarian needs of some 115 million people around the world.
Canada continues to deliver on the Policy’s signature initiatives, such as the Equality Fund and Women’s Voice and Leadership program, and is mobilizing more funding for women’s organizations and movements around the world. Through its efforts, in 2020-21, Canada and its partners have helped more than 1,900 women’s organizations and networks to strengthen their capacity to advance women’s rights and gender equality.
Canada and its development partners are focused on addressing the impacts of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the COVID-19 pandemic on global poverty, which are expected to be long-lasting.
Canada has become one of the main voices on the global stage calling for greater attention to the issue of paid and unpaid care work, and has recently begun the implementation of its $100 million programming commitment to address the issue and the disproportionate impact the pandemic has had on women’s care work.

Supporting facts and figures

The COVID-19 pandemic is estimated to have increased the number of extreme poor by 97 million in 2020, representing the first rise in global poverty since the Asian financial crisis of 1998. The World Bank estimates that the increase in poverty due to COVID-19 will continue to linger.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine will impede economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic in emerging and developing economies in Europe and Central Asia, and continues to have wide-spread impacts on food and fuel supply chains globally, worsening the pre-existing impacts of climate change and the global food security crisis, driving more people into poverty.
Several signature initiatives have been advanced in support of the Policy and they are on track, achieving results in partner countries:
- successfully fulfilled the commitment of allocating $3.5 billion over five years for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) and the Her Voice, Her Choice commitment of $650 million over three years for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR);
- supported over 800 women’s rights organizations in over 30 countries and regions through the Women’s Voice and Leadership program;
- met $400 million commitment to improve access to quality education for women and girls in crisis and conflict situations;
- met commitment of $2.65 billion over five years to help the most vulnerable countries adapt to and mitigate climate change;
- contributed $300 million to work with the Equality Fund consortium to mobilize unprecedented levels of resources for women’s organizations and movements in developing countries;
- development of our third National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security;
- allocating a record amount of more than $615 million for humanitarian food and nutrition assistance, and committing over $320 million to respond to growing humanitarian needs in Ukraine and in the region.

Education in Conflict and Crisis

Access to quality education in times of conflict and crises is essential to ensuring safety and stability for all children and youth.
Canada is a global leader in education programming in conflict and crisis. In 2018, Canada lead the G7 Charlevoix Education Initiative that garnered $4.2 billion of financial support, including $400 million from Canada.
Earlier this year, as part of our Together for Learning campaign, Canada hosted a youth-led Summit on education for displaced children and youth; and announced $67.2 million of new funding.

Supplementary messages

The combined impact of COVID, conflict and climate change has lead to an unprecedented education crisis requiring urgent global attention.
Canada’s education programming focuses on the most marginalized populations, including girls, adolescent girls, and children and youth in conflict and crisis-affected regions.
Listening to the voices of youth with lived experience is essential to building more sustainable, resilient education systems.

Update

In March 2022, Minister Sajjan hosted the youth-led Together for Learning Summit. The Summit resulted in the release of a Youth Manifesto, and a Summit Outcome Document, as well as the announcement of $67.2M of new programming for education for refugees and displaced children and youth.

In September 2022, the UN Secretary General convened the Transforming Education Summit. During this Summit, Canada:

showcased leadership in global education;
advanced the outcomes of the Together for Learning Summit, including amplifying the voices of displaced youth; and
affirmed Canada’s commitment to advance efforts to access quality education for displaced children and youth. Seven new global initiatives were launched at the TES . Initiative 4 - transforming education systems to enable all crisis-affected children/youth to access inclusive, quality, safe learning opportunities and continuity of education - aligns with Canada’s global work in education.

In February 2023, Education Cannot Wait will host a High-Level Financing Conference to raise funding for education in emergencies, a chronically underfunded area. The event will be co-hosted by Switzerland, and co-convened by Germany, Niger, Norway and South Sudan.

Supporting facts and figures

Canada provides support for education through bilateral, Canadian and multilateral partners working in crisis setting, including the Global Partnership for Education ($407 million since 2007), and Education Cannot Wait ($82.5 million since 2016).
Canada’s $400 million commitment to the G7 Charlevoix Education Initiative is reaching over 4 million girls and women through 55 projects addressing gender-based barriers to education in conflict and crisis-affected settings.
Canada’s international COVID-19 response included $78.9 million of additional funding for education, including $24.5 million for initiatives targeting refugees, displaced persons and host communities.
68% of refugee children have access to primary education, 34% to secondary education, Girls affected by conflict are 2.5 times more likely to drop out of school than boys.

Background

Education is a human right and a critical intervention in crisis situations, particularly for girls. In protracted crises, education becomes even more important to ensure that children and youth have access to knowledge, skills and other supports (e.g. nutrition, mental health, protection) to be able to contribute economically and socially to rebuild their communities.

In February 2021, Canada launched the three-year international Together for Learning Campaign to promote quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for refugees, other forcibly-displaced and host community children and youth. The Campaign includes four key areas:

programming excellence;
diplomatic engagement;
amplifying local voices; and
building the evidence base on education for refugee and displaced children and youth.

Canada’s Leadership on Financing for Development

Mobilizing resources to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is an important part of my mandate as Minister of International Development.
Canada has expanded its development assistance toolkit in an effort to work with new partners, particularly the private sector, to increase investments in the SDGs.
Canada is piloting the use of innovative development finance tools, particularly repayable instruments, through the International Assistance Innovation and the Sovereign Loans programs.

Supplementary messages

Canada will continue to lead in key development finance areas such as financing for gender equality and women’s economic empowerment; climate finance; and advocacy on behalf of Small Island Developing States.
The International Assistance Innovation Program complements existing resources for international development assistance, and the work of Canada’s development finance institution, FinDev Canada.

Update

The Financing for Development agenda continues to feature prominently in discussions at the UN, G7 and G20. Important progress has been made on the commitment by G7/G20 countries to channel a portion of their newly allocated Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) to benefit low-income and other vulnerable countries, with about 80 per cent of the US$100 billion target having been reached as of October 2022. Canada has exceeded its channeling commitment by rechanneling 26 per cent of its SDRs, including by scaling up its contributions to IMF-managed trust funds.

Supporting facts and figures

Canada scaled up its contributions to the IMF’s Poverty Reduction Growth Trust by providing a new contribution of $1 billion, and also made a new $2.44 billion contribution to the IMF’s Resilience and Sustainability Trust.
Canada provided almost US$100 million in temporary debt service relief for the poorest countries through the Debt Service Suspension Initiative, which expired at the end of 2021.
Canada has doubled its Climate Financing commitment to $5.3 billion over five years.
The International Assistance Innovation Program has six repayable initiatives to date, valued at almost $300 million, to support climate-smart agriculture, infrastructure, clean energy, and financing for small and medium-sized enterprises. The program also supports work to strengthen the field of blended finance generally and gender-lens investing specifically.

Background

Canada has played a leadership role in global financing for development discussions, including as co-chair of the UN Group of Friends of SDG Financing since 2016, and as co-convenor of the Financing for Development in the Era of COVID-19 and Beyond initiative with the UNSG and the Prime Minister of Jamaica, launched in May 2020. In his new role as co-chair of the SDG Advocates, Prime Minister Trudeau will sustain and expand on Canada’s leadership in mobilizing support, both financial and political, for the SDGs.

Management of International Development Assistance for Greater Effectiveness, Transparency and Accountability

Canada continues to improve its processes, in consultation and dialogue with all partners, to increase our effectiveness, transparency and accountability of our international assistance. Canada now provides partners greater flexibility to adjust existing projects, simplified approval processes to bring new ones online faster, and targeted responses to vulnerable groups such as women.
This has allowed for more timely and efficient responses to the pandemic and other crises. Most importantly, this has allowed Canada to better meet the needs of our partners and achieve enhanced results.
To continue increasing the transparency of Canada’s international assistance, on March 31, 2022, the Government of Canada tabled its most recent consolidated report on Canada’s international assistance for 2020-2021. The report was published shortly after via a user-friendly web page.

Supplementary messages

An annual consolidated report on international assistance reconciles International Assistance Envelope (IAE) allocations with expenditures, providing Canadians with clearer information and examples on Canada’s official development assistance and progress implementing the Feminist International Assistance Policy.

Supporting facts and figures

The publication of a rolling 12-month calendar of current and upcoming funding opportunities on the Global Affairs Canada website is a concrete step to enhance transparency and predictability of funding for partners.
The Global Affairs Canada website also provides access to the department’s open data on international assistance projects via its Project Browser. A new interactive dashboard, DevData, showcases Canada’s international assistance statistics in a user-friendly interface.
Canada is an active member of the International Aid Transparency Initiative, where it helped increase members’ focus on inclusion (e.g. Francophone Africa) and data use. The Department works with civil society and multilateral partners to foster effectiveness, transparency and accountability for Canada’s funding.
Canada has taken action within the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) to improve development effectiveness. This includes encouraging the DAC and its Members to re-confirm their commitment to the Busan principles for effective development cooperation (country ownership, a focus on results, inclusive partnerships, transparency and mutual accountability), and their heightened importance in the current development landscape.
As a Steering Committee member for the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (GPEDC), Canada works with partners to foster the implementation of the aid effectiveness principles at the country level including through the promotion of gender equality.

The Gender Equality Focus Behind Canada’s International Assistance Investments

The Government of Canada believes that putting gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at the heart of its international assistance efforts is the most effective way to foster a more peaceful, inclusive and prosperous world.
As a result of the bold targets set out in the Feminist International Assistance Policy, Canada is the top OECD- ranked donor for the third year in a row for the share of aid contributing to gender equality. In 2021-2022, 99% of Canada’s bilateral international development assistance either targeted fully or integrated gender equality results, representing $3.7 billion.

Supplementary messages

Prioritizing gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls has proven an effective framework for responding to global crises, reducing poverty and leaving no one behind. Women and girls are persistently and disproportionately impacted by global crises
Under the FIAP, Canada has established itself as a top donor globally, supporting women’s rights organizations and feminist movements, with over $450 million in signature investments and the co-creation of the Alliance for Feminist Movements, officially launched in September 2022.
In 2021-22, Global Affairs Canada supported over 1,800 women’s rights organizations and networks. This was achieved in great part through the Women’s Voice and Leadership program which supported more than 900 WROs and networks in over 30 developing countries and regions.

Update

No update since last submission.

Supporting facts and figures

In 2021-2022, GAC continued to make progress towards the implementation of the Feminist International Assistance Policy, based on preliminary data:

99% ($3.7 billion) of its bilateral international development assistance either directly targeting or integrating gender equality results (target set at 95% by 2021-2022), of which, 10% ($388 million) fully targeted gender equality results (target set at 15% by 2021-2022).
For the third year, Canada ranked as the top OECD bilateral donor for its share of overall official development assistance (ODA) supporting gender equality, as well as its investments supporting women’s rights organizations and ending violence against women and girls.
Canada advanced signature investments supporting and strengthening women’s rights organizations including its $300 million contribution to establish the Equality Fund and the $150 million over 5 years for the Women’s Voice and Leadership program.

Reducing the Unequal Distribution of Paid and Unpaid Care Work

Care work is essential for human well-being and sustainable economic growth but its unequal distribution infringes on the rights of women and girls.
Addressing care work is essential in pandemic recovery efforts to advance gender equality, inclusive economic growth, and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Canada has committed to address this issue in low- and middle-income countries, reinforcing its role as a leading advocate internationally on the issue.

Supplementary messages

The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated both the unequal nature of unpaid care work and the care crisis, undermining human rights and driving women out of the workforce and public spaces. Without proactive interventions, long-lasting negative effects are anticipated for women, families and those receiving care.

Update

To address the unequal distribution of unpaid and domestic care work and support outcomes for childcare and women’s economic empowerment in low-and middle-income countries, Canada contributed $10 million to the World Bank’s Invest in Childcare initiative. In Peru, Canada provided $3 million to a project called Opening Doors: More and Better Decent Work Opportunities for Domestic Workers in partnership with the International Labour Organisation. Canada provided $10 million to a project called Build Back Equal, in partnership with UN Women, to ensure that care services are included in gender-responsive social protection systems while advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights in four Eastern Caribbean countries. In November 2022, the Department launched ‘Action for Paid Care Workers Initiative’, a funding opportunity by invitation only to selected Canadian organisations meeting the eligibility criteria. Under this $36 million initiative, four to six projects will be selected. These will be of approximately $6 million to $9 million dollars each, and address paid care work issues, or both paid and unpaid care work challenges.

Supporting facts and figures

Based on International Labour Organization (ILO) data, globally, 4 billion hours/day are spent in unpaid care work, the equivalent of US$11 trillion or 9% of global GDP. This is twice as large as the global agriculture sector.
Globally, women aged 15 and older perform on average 3.2 times more unpaid care work than men. This imbalance is apparent in every region, ranging from 1.7 times more in the Americas to 4.7 in the Arab States. (ILO).
3% of global female employment is in the paid care sector. Care work is extensive and varied, and a disproportionate number of these jobs are taken up by women, who may be further marginalized by race, ethnicity or migration status. Global Affairs Canada continues to build its portfolio of standalone unpaid and paid care work initiatives in developing countries through the Prime Minister’s $100M commitment on care work.

Background

The unequal distribution of care work leads to time poverty among women and girls: less time for education and training, employment and entrepreneurship, political and civic activities, rest and care of their own health. This inequality is unjust and holds back socio-economic development for women, families, communities and societies. Prior to and since the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada has continued to draw attention to the disproportionate share of paid and unpaid care work shouldered by women and girls, as an issue critical to address in the implementation of its Feminist International Assistance Policy. To address this inequality, Canada is implementing the Prime Minister’s commitment made on June 30, 2021, at the Generation Equality Forum, to invest $100 million over the next five years to address the unequal distribution of paid and unpaid care work in low and middle-income countries through stand-alone care work programming.

Canadian Centre for Global Democracy

Canada has been a long-time supporter of democratic development around the world.
Through his mandate letters to both the Minister for International Development and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, along with public commitments made at the first Summit for Democracy, the Prime Minister has reaffirmed Canada’s intention to expand the availability of Canadian expertise and assistance to those seeking to build peace, advance justice, promote human rights, inclusion and democracy, and deliver good governance.
To enact this commitment, my Department is currently advancing plans for the establishment of the Centre.

Supplementary messages

GAC conducted formal and informal consultations with stakeholders in Spring 2022, and has sought the direction of Ministers on the proposed path forward.
A further update on progress to establish the Centre will be provided in the context of the second Summit for Democracy, which has been announced for March 29-30, 2023.

Supporting facts and figures

This mandate commitment follows on recommendations from the 2007 and 2019 Reports of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development to establish a dedicated Canadian institution to support democratic development globally.
A number of civil society organizations, including think tanks and non-governmental organizations engaged in democratic development programming, have released analyses and provided input on the Centre - particularly since the announcement of the mandate letter commitment in December 2019.

Background

In December 2019, the Prime Minister gave the Minister of Foreign Affairs the mandate to, with the support of the Minister of International Development, “establish the Canadian Centre for Peace, Order and Good Government* to expand the availability of Canadian expertise and assistance to those seeking to build peace, advance justice, promote human rights and democracy, and deliver good governance.” In May 2021, building on work from 2019 and early 2020, GAC struck a task force to work on the design and policy options for a Centre for democracy, to be established as the central piece of existing and new Canadian efforts to advance the vision of a peaceful and just global society.

ATIP protected background

[REDACTED]

Mandate Commitment to Increase Funding to Feminist Leaders and Organizations

Supporting women’s rights organizations is a cornerstone to Canada’s feminist approach to international assistance, and has been an important area of leadership for Canada.
Feminist human rights defenders and organizations are increasingly facing the violent suppression of their voices as well as restrictions to their access to resources used as deliberate tools to repress progress toward gender equality.
The Government of Canada is committed to furthering its support to women leaders and feminist groups as their role is evermore critical in advancing gender equality, promoting peace, and protecting the rights of women and other marginalized groups in the face of compounding global crises.

Supplementary messages

Women’s rights organizations (WROs) and feminist movements play a critical role in bringing about transformative social change and gender equality.
Despite their indisputable contributions, less than 1% of international assistance funding allocated to gender equality goes directly to WROs.

Update

On September 21, 2022, Canada and the Ford Foundation co-hosted the official launch of the Alliance for Feminist Movements at Ford Foundation headquarters. The event celebrated the role of WROs, feminist movements and women’s funds in advancing gender equality, peace and security, showcased Canada’s leadership in this space, and provided an opportunity to recruit new donors to the Alliance and to supporting women’s organizations. The Alliance has powerful potential to bring government donors, women’s funds and philanthropic foundations into dialogue and coordination to increase support for these critical organizations.

Supporting facts and figures

Despite their proven track record in advancing gender equality and human rights, WROs are critically underfunded, receiving 0.13% of Official Development Assistance and 0.42% of philanthropic funding, globally.
Investments by Canada to support WROs globally including through the Women’s Voice and Leadership program (2017 - $150M/5 years) and the Equality Fund (2019 - $300M) – have resulted in Canada being the top OECD donor for WROs for the past three years.
The Alliance for Feminist Movements has more than 400 members including Canada, the Netherlands, Sweden, Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, Malawi, Mexico, Colombia and Chile. In 2021-22, Global Affairs Canada supported over 1,800 women’s rights organizations and networks. This was achieved in great part through the Women’s Voice and Leadership (WVL) program which supported more than 900 WROs and networks in over 30 developing countries and regions.

Background

Supporting WROs and feminist movements is at the core of Canada’s FIAP, developed following extensive consultations with Canadians. During those consultations and through direct engagement with the Minister of International Development in 2016, Canadian NGOs and women’s rights defenders advocated strongly for more and better funding for local WROs, as an effective means to advance gender equality and an essential component of a feminist approach to international assistance.

Global Affairs Canada is continuing to develop options to implement the Minister’s mandate letter commitment to support women leaders and feminist groups' efforts to promote peace and protect the rights of women and marginalized groups, including new funding to the Women's Voice and Leadership program.

The mandate commitment aligns with Canada’s global leadership as an advocate for supporting women’s rights organizations and feminist movements, including through its co-leadership of the Feminist Movements and Leadership Action Coalition and launching of the Alliance for Feminist Movements.

The Alliance for Feminist Movements is a multi-stakeholder initiative focused on exponentially increasing, sustaining and improving financial and political support for women’s rights and feminist organizations and movements globally. The Alliance has more than 400 members including Canada, the Netherlands, Sweden, Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, Malawi, Mexico, Colombia and Chile.

ATIP protected background

[REDACTED]

Canada Fund for Local Initiatives

The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) is a contributions program delivered through Canadian diplomatic missions, covering over 120 countries eligible to Official Development Assistance, and in non-resident countries of accreditation, the CFLI is often the only Canadian presence.
The CFLI supports projects that are comparatively modest in scope and cost, that are designed and implemented largely by local organizations to ensure high local impact, and that build local civil society capacity.
The CFLI is a flexible tool that supports locally-relevant themes selected by local organisations themselves – but which match with Canadian priorities and align with the action areas established under Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP).

Supplementary messages

The CFLI program will amount to $26.9M in Fiscal Year 2022/23.
CFLI programming is usually highly visible, which makes it a key advocacy tool providing Canadian diplomatic missions with opportunities to raise awareness and foster discussion on issues of importance to Canada.
By supporting local organizations that may not otherwise qualify for funding from larger donors, the CFLI is helping local civil society organizations to flourish. The CFLI also assists in advocating Canadian values and interests as well as strengthening Canada’s bilateral relations with foreign countries and their civil societies.

Update

Based on the 2018 decision to increase the International Assistance Envelope budget by $2B, the CFLI budget has increased from $14.7M in 2017/18 to $26.9M in 2022/23. [REDACTED]

Supporting facts and figures

CFLI funding is IA funding. Since 2012, the program authority is MINA.
The CFLI is managed through 68 missions accredited to over 120 countries that qualify for Official Development Assistance, and funds almost 700 projects per year.
Projects are generally one year in length, but can go up to two years. While the maximum contribution can be $100,000, the average contribution amount is $34,000.
CFLI project themes cover all six of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy action areas, with special emphasis on the three themes linked to the Mandate Letter Commitment: women’s empowerment, 2SLGBTQI+ rights and human rights; as well as those mandated under the CFLI Terms and Conditions: democracy, and peace & security.
The program can reach a wide range of people and advocate Canada’s values and interests. Last year, 2.3M people directly benefitted from CFLI projects and over 56M people were reached through advocacy activities.
In 2021/22, 87.8% of projects were implemented by local organizations or governments.
The CFLI also provides financing to local organizations to respond quickly to natural disasters and other emergencies. These projects are maximum $50,000.

Background

The program is celebrating its 50^th anniversary in 2022. The program’s smaller contributions and the local approach allow for high responsiveness to grass-roots needs, as well as greater connections to local civil society organizations and local authorities. Strong civil societies are core to supporting democratisation. Canadian diplomatic missions support projects with themes of local relevance and alignment with key Canadian priorities, showcasing Canada, and expanding the missions’ footprint, networks and influence.

ATIP protected background

[REDACTED]

Other Programming and Policy

General

Climate Finance

Canada has doubled its previous commitment to international climate finance and will provide $5.3 billion over 2021−26 to help developing countries fight climate change and build resilience against its impacts.
At least 80% of projects will integrate gender equality, in line with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy.
40% of funding will go toward adaptation, up from 30% previously, and at least 20% will support projects that leverage nature-based solutions or provide biodiversity co-benefits.

Supplementary messages

Canada recognizes that climate action is most effective when women and girls play an active role. Through its Feminist International Assistance Policy, Canada is committed to ensuring that international climate finance addresses the particular challenges faced by women and girls and empowers them to be effective agents of change in climate action.
The private sector plays a key role in reaching the investment levels required to shift the world towards a low-carbon and climate resilient path. Canada will capitalize on its $5.3-billion international climate finance commitment to respond to developing countries’ needs and priorities – using innovative financial instruments to mobilize important private sector finance and expertise for climate action – and promote public-private partnerships.
Canada recognizes that in order to achieve maximum results, actions to protect and conserve nature, as well as efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change, must be closely aligned.

Update

In June 2021, at the G7 Leaders’ Summit, the Prime Minister announced a doubling of Canada’s international climate finance commitment to $5.3 billion over the next five years. At COP 26 in November 2021, the Prime Minister announced up to $57.5 million for three targeted initiatives dedicated to building resilience in developing countries. These include: up to $37.5 million for the Least Developed Countries Fund; up to $10 million for the Adaptation Fund; and up to $10 million for the National Adaptation Plan Global Network. Canada also announced that it will provide $55 million over three years to CGIAR, a global research partnership that aims to transform food, land, and water systems to not only strengthen food security and end hunger, but also promote gender equality; create new jobs and livelihoods; and deliver climate and environmental benefits around the world. Ahead of COP27, Canada and Germany released a Progress Report on the Climate Finance Delivery Plan looking at the collective progress and key actions still required to deliver on the goal of mobilizing US$100 billion per year in climate finance to support developing countries.

Supporting facts and figures

Canada fully delivered on its commitment to provide $2.65 billion over 2015−21 to help developing countries tackle climate change, and in 2021, doubled its commitment to $5.3 billion for 2021−26.
As of 2022, the programs and projects supported under the $2.65 billion commitment are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 228 metric megatons, help at least 6.6 million people adapt to the effects of climate change, and mobilize important climate finance contributions from the private sector.

Background

Canada’s international climate finance counts as Official Development Assistance and is aligned with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy.

Canadian Civil Society Organizations

Canadian civil society organizations (CSOs) play a frontline role in the delivery of Canada’s international development priorities.
Rooted in communities across Canada, CSOs help us leverage Canadian expertise, resources and innovation; understand local challenges and opportunities; strengthen policy dialogue; and engage Canadians to raise awareness, support and action related to international assistance.

Supplementary messages

Accountability for results is a central tenet of Canada’s development assistance.
GAC has implemented a number of changes since the launch of the Feminist International Assistance Policy to improve the predictability and accessibility of funding, including for small and medium-sized organizations.
The Department recognizes that charities have raised concerns with respect to direction and control and welcomes the amended Income Tax Act, and the development of new guidance by the Canadian Revenue Agency to replace the current direction and control provisions, in consultation with the sector.
Canada’s feminist approach means taking an intersectional human rights-based approach and concerted and intentional anti-racist action in our programming and processes.
Canada recognizes the important role of local, Canadian and international civil society organizations in the delivery of international assistance, and values ongoing dialogue and exchange as we collectively pursue greater localization and effectiveness of international assistance.

Supporting facts and figures

Based on preliminary figures, GAC allocated $903 million in international assistance to Canadian CSOs in 2021-22 (16%), down from $1.06 billion (16%) in 2020-21. While the funding to Canadian CSOs declined in 2021-2022 as a result of the end of exceptional funding to support the international response to COVID-19 in 2020-21, the percentage (16%) of international assistance funding directed to Canadian CSOs remained the same.
In 2021-2022, based on preliminary figures, approximately 185 Canadian organizations received GAC funding to implement international assistance projects, of which 35 were small and medium-sized organizations.

Background

Predictable and accessible funding

To increase predictability, the Department publishes a semi-annual calendar of calls for proposals, issues detailed information on funding processes and communicates more frequently with partners. To increase accessibility, new processes have been introduced such as the use of concept notes to lower applicants’ burden. We are also piloting the Small and Medium Organizations (SMOs) for the Impact and Innovation Initiative. Over 433 SMOs have benefited from capacity-building activities and there have been 471 applications to the three calls for proposals. To date, 38 SMOs have received funding to implement development projects, in addition to 54 SMOs that have been selected to test innovative solutions through the Fund for Innovation and Transformation (FIT). In addition, the 5-year Grants and Contributions Transformation includes new ways of working with partners to reduce the administrative burden and increase the transparency, responsiveness and predictability of our international assistance.

Direction and control

In response to the sector’s advocacy related to some elements of the Income Tax Act applicable to Canadian charities carrying on activities outside Canada, Finance Canada introduced Bill C19 in Budget 2022, which received Royal Assent in June 2022. The Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) has developed new related guidance for Canadian charities in consultation with the sector. Bill C19 was introduced by Finance Canada as a counterproposal to Bill S-216 on direction and control, which was introduced earlier by Senator Omidvar and still pending second reading.

Under the current guidance, when a charity transfers resources to another organization, it must direct and control the use of those resources, including monitoring and supervising activities. For example, Canadian charities must create written agreements when transferring funds to a local partner, and maintain records to ensure their appropriate and accountable use. Charities argue the requirements are costly and labour intensive, conflict with principles of local ownership, and support an out-dated colonial approach to working with local partners. The approved changes of Bill C19 allow for greater flexibility for charities to support the work of other organizations, while ensuring appropriate due diligence and accountability measures so funds are used for charitable purposes and measures are in place to detect and prevent fraud. While changes to the legislation will not directly affect GAC’s programming, the amended Income Tax Act and CRA’s related guidance align with GAC’s contribution agreements, as required under the Treasury Board Transfer Payment Policy.

FinDev Canada

FinDev Canada supports sustainable development, women’s economic empowerment and gender equality, as well as climate change mitigation and adaptation, through financial support to the private sector in developing countries.
FinDev Canada has become an important element of Canada’s development finance ecosystem.
FinDev Canada is still in a growth phase and will expand its activities to the Indo-Pacific region including in the sustainable infrastructure sector. It is building a diversified portfolio that will help it achieve self-sustainability while delivering development results.

Supplementary messages

FinDev Canada’s additional $750 million in capital announced under our Indo-Pacific Strategy will bring our development finance institution to the Indo-Pacific region. FinDev Canada’s investments will help meet the demand for sustainable infrastructure, reduce poverty, build climate resilience, advance gender equality, and promote the economic development of economies and communities to benefit everyone.

Update

In November 2022, the government launched its Indo-Pacific Strategy and announced an additional $750 million in capital for FinDev Canada. The funding was announced on November 16, 2022 by the Prime Minister at the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia.

Supporting facts and figures

From its launch in early 2018 to October 2022, FinDev Canada has made 36 investments totalling US$557 million (approximately $724 million) in Latin America & the Caribbean and Sub-Saharan Africa, across its priority sectors (agribusiness, green growth, the financial industry).
It was launched with an initial $300 million in capital from Export Development Canada’s (EDC) retained earnings. Budget 2021 announced an additional $300 million of capitalization starting in 2023-2024, to support the growth of FinDev Canada. More recently, Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy announced an additional $750 million in capital which will help FinDev Canada expand its operations to the Indo-Pacific region and significantly expand its global efforts to meet demand for sustainable infrastructure to spur economic growth and contribute to cleaner future. The latest capital addition brings FinDev Canada’s approved shareholder capital to $1.35 billion.
FinDev Canada’s five-year operational review (in 2020) noted its considerable progress as a new Development Finance Institution within a field of long-established peers; highlighted its established niche as a leader in gender-lens investing; and recommended ongoing improvements including to its environmental and social policies.
As of December 2021, FinDev Canada’s development results achieved include:

Number of quality jobs created or supported: 12,530 (including 4,858 for women)
Number of MSMEs financed: 161,727 (including 57,755 women owned MSMEs)
Number of people receiving improved access to services (e.g. access energy via off-grid solar home systems): 3,662,649
Amount of clean energy produced (GWh): 1,401 GWh

Background

FinDev Canada is Canada’s Development Finance Institution. Launched in 2018, its mandate is to provide financing at commercial rates to the private sector and mobilize private investment in developing countries. It aims to economically empower women, develop local markets, and combat climate change, consistent with Canada’s international assistance priorities. A wholly-owned subsidiary of EDC, FinDev Canada has its own mandate, governance and investment strategy. EDC is accountable to Parliament for FinDev Canada through the Minister of International Trade, in consultation with the Minister of International Development. Lori Kerr is the CEO of FinDev Canada since June 2021.

Global Health and SRHR

Good health, including addressing sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), is critical to reducing poverty and contributing to gender equality.
The COVID-19 pandemic has increased poverty and negatively impacted health systems and services globally, especially in developing countries.
Canada has been a longstanding leader in advancing global health, especially women’s, adolescents’ and children’s health and rights. In 2020-2021, Canada's funding to global health was over $1.22 billion, including $489 million to SRHR.

Supplementary messages

As a leader in global health, Canada has made a historic 10-year commitment (2020-2030) to improve the health and rights of women and girls around the world. This will reach $1.4 billion annually, starting in 2023, with $700 million of the annual investment dedicated to sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).

Update

The current phase of Canada’s leadership in global health comes through the continued implementation of Canada’s 10-year commitment to global health and rights, including a significant annual investment to close persistent gaps in SRHR. This commitment is helping to deliver long-term investments for impact, building on two decades of leadership in maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH); SRHR; nutrition; as well as combatting infectious disease through global health platforms like the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM), among others. Recognizing the devastating impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada continues to support pandemic response efforts, as well as a reform agenda to strengthen health systems and build resilience to future pandemics.

Supporting facts and figures

Canada has traditionally allocated a higher percentage of its Official Development Assistance to global health than any other donor (30%), except for the US.
Canada supported the Muskoka Initiative for maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) from 2010 to 2015, MNCH 2.0 from 2015 to 2020, and more recently, the Her Voice Her Choice $650 million commitment, with additional focus on the SRHR of women and girls.
In 2019, Canada made a 10-year commitment (2020-2021 to 2029-2030) to global health and rights, including to raise funding to an average of $1.4 billion annually by fiscal year 2023/2024, with an average of $700 million annually for SRHR.
This global leadership includes roughly $100 million per year on nutrition programming and significant support to global health platforms to ensure effective and coordinated support for developing countries (including via the GFATM; Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; the Global Polio Eradication Initiative; and the Global Financing Facility).
In fiscal year 2020-2021, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) disbursed a total of $1.22 billion under the 10YC. This includes $730 million for global health and $489 million for SRHR investments. During this same fiscal year, GAC received additional, one-time financing to support Canada’s international response to COVID-19. This funding raised GAC’s total health-related disbursements to close to $2.31 billion, including $1.76 billion and $543 million for global health and SRHR investments, respectively. Canada is on track to meet its funding target of $1.4 billion annually by 2023/24 to support the health of women, children and adolescents around the world.
Women and girls have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. In addition to directly contracting the disease, there have been significant effects on women and girls’ health as a result of disruptions to health and social services access, as well as increased risk of infection given their role in the care economy, representing almost 70% of the healthcare workforce.

Background

Canada’s support for women and children’s health and rights is funded under the 10-year commitment, which includes a policy and programmatic focus on three priority sectors: SRHR, nutrition and infectious disease response – including exceptional support to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Investments are underpinned by support for effective and equitable health systems.

Canada’s SRHR investments under the 10-year commitment focus on key neglected areas: family planning and contraception; safe abortion services and post-abortion care; age-appropriate comprehensive sexuality education; and SRHR advocacy. Prevention and response to sexual and gender based violence is also critical to realizing SRHR.

Humanitarian Response 2022

Humanitarian needs have reached record highs in 2022, with over 274 million people in need of life-saving humanitarian assistance. In FY 2020-2021, Canada provided over $1.167 billion in humanitarian assistance.
Canada will continue to respond to humanitarian crises around the world by working through experienced humanitarian partners to provide urgent humanitarian assistance where it is needed most.
In 2022, Canada has committed more than $615 million for humanitarian food and nutrition assistance in response to growing global acute hunger, and $320 million to respond to growing humanitarian needs in Ukraine and the region.

Update

To address an unprecedented level of humanitarian needs, Canada continues to respond to the increasing number of humanitarian crises around the world. In particular, Canada has continued to respond to hot spot humanitarian situations, including in Ukraine, Pakistan and Haiti, and is actively addressing global food insecurity.

Supporting facts and figures

In FY 2020-2021, Canada provided over $1.167 billion in humanitarian assistance, which included over $370 million in funding to address the impacts of COVID-19 in humanitarian contexts.
Canada’s total spending for humanitarian assistance has averaged over $900 million annually over the last five fiscal years.
Gender equality considerations were integrated into approximately 99% of Canada’s humanitarian assistance projects in FY 2021-2022.
Canada continues to step up to respond to large-scale and deteriorating humanitarian situations. To date in 2022, Canada committed $320 million to respond to humanitarian needs in Ukraine and the region, and has provided over 377,000 essential items from national stockpiles.
Further, in response to the growing global acute hunger, Canada has allocated a record amount of more than $615 million for humanitarian food and nutrition assistance in 2022.
Canada remains a committed and generous humanitarian donor, ranking as the 7^th largest humanitarian donor in 2022.

Background

Canada’s humanitarian action is focused on saving lives, alleviating suffering and maintaining the dignity of those affected by conflicts and natural disasters. Needs continue to be driven by protracted and violent conflict, contributing to a record 100 million forcibly displaced persons. It is estimated that some 345 million people are acutely food insecure in 82 countries. Of these, 50 million people are now at the brink of famine and nearly 1 million people are facing catastrophic conditions across six countries: Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Haiti, Somalia, South Sudan, and Yemen. These needs have resulted in an unprecedented USD $41 billion UN Global Humanitarian Appeal in 2022, as a number of large scale humanitarian crises, notably Ukraine, Afghanistan, and Ethiopia, continue to deteriorate.

International Development Research Centre

A Crown corporation established in 1970, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) contributes to Canada’s foreign affairs and development efforts by championing and funding research and innovation to drive global change within and alongside developing regions
IDRC’s Strategy 2030 affirms the Centre’s vision for a more sustainable and inclusive world through investment in research and innovation in climate-resilient food systems, global health, education and science, democratic and inclusive governance, and sustainable inclusive economies.
Whileworking to strengthen science and research systems, IDRC provides funding to researchers in developing countries to help transform food (agriculture and livestock) systems to the dual shock of the pandemic and climate change; strengthen inclusive and accountable governance institutions; redress health inequalities and build resilient health systems and services; support the continuity of education for children, including refugees; strengthen women’s economic empowerment; and foster an inclusive energy transition.

Supplementary messages

Recently launched programming includes:
- Second phase of Step Change, a global initiative with the Dutch government that mobilizes evidence and knowledge to foster socially inclusive climate adaptation solutions in developing countries;
- Collaboration with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Social Sciences Humanities Research Council, looking at how women’s health and paid and unpaid work intersect and interact in the context of responding to and recovering from COVID-19;
- New work on artificial intelligence for global health, focused on improving access to sexual reproductive and maternal health services and pandemic preparedness.
During International Development Week, the Centre will launch a second five-year $114 million collaboration, the Knowledge Innovation Exchange, with the Global Partnership for Education.

Update

In June 2022, IDRC welcomed a new Chairperson, Dorothy Nyambi.
As the second term of President Jean Lebel will end in May 2023, an open search for IDRC’s next President is currently underway.

Supporting facts and figures

IDRC’s total budget for FY 2021-2022 was $216.1 million, of which $148.6 million came from its parliamentary appropriation, representing about 3% of Canada’s total international assistance envelope. Almost one-third of IDRC’s budget came from donors, such as private foundations and bilateral donors.
In addition to its head office in Ottawa, IDRC maintains regional offices in Montevideo, Amman, Nairobi, New Delhi, and Dakar.

Background

IDRC was established by an Act of Canada’s Parliament, with a mandate to initiate, encourage, support, and conduct research on the problems of the developing regions of the world, and how to apply and adapt scientific, technical, and other knowledge to the economic and social advancement of those regions.

2SLGBTQI+ Support and the Feminist International Assistance Policy

In 2019, Canada announced $30 million in dedicated international assistance funding over five years and $10 million per year thereafter to advance human rights and improve socio-economic outcomes for 2SLGBTQI+ people in developing countries.
This funding is supporting projects that enhance the capacity of Canadian and local grassroots 2SLGBTQI+ actors working in developing countries.

Supplementary message

As per commitments made at the Equal Rights Coalition Conference in 2018, Canada is collaborating closely with Canadian civil society to ensure that efforts to implement the FIAP will address the particular barriers faced by 2SLGBTQI+ persons in contributing to and benefiting from sustainable development.

Update

Since 2019, Canada has disbursed over $6 million and has committed an additional $21.4 million through the LGBTQ2I International Assistance Program to advance human rights and improve socio-economic outcomes for 2SLGBTQI+ people in developing countries.

Supporting facts and figures

In June 2022, the Global Philanthropy project launched the 2019–2020 Global Resources Report. Canada was ranked among the top donors for LGBTI initiatives. Canada committed nearly $17.5M to LGBTI-targeted initiatives, a significant increase from $5M documented in the 2017-2018 report.
Canada’s programming aims to enhance the capacity of Canadian and local grassroots 2SLGBTQI+ actors working in developing countries, as well as contributing to 2SLGBTQI+ related policy, advocacy and research efforts.

Background

In line with the FIAP, Canada considers the human rights of all persons to be universal and indivisible, including the human rights of 2SLGBTQI+ persons. GAC is working with civil society to ensure the meaningful inclusion of 2SLGBTQI+ persons in its international assistance efforts. Canada’s feminist approach adopts an expanded definition of gender equality that takes into account diverse sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, and sex characteristics identity factors. It also calls for the application of a gender based analysis plus, human rights-based approach and intersectional lens to all initiatives.

At the 2018 Equal Rights Coalition Global Conference, Canada committed to identifying strategies to better address the challenges that 2SLGBTQI+ communities face at home and abroad. This included ongoing meaningful engagement with 2SLGBTQI+ persons and their representative organizations to ensure they are able to contribute to and benefit from Canada’s international assistance efforts. The LGBTQ2I International Assistance Program ($30 million), developed as a direct result of this commitment, is informed by the needs and realities of 2SLGBTQI+ persons and their representative organizations.

The COVID-19 pandemic, as well as recent conflicts and humanitarian crises have worsened the challenges faced by 2SLGBTQ2I+ persons and communities around the world. In line with the feminist approach to international assistance, Canada is ensuring its response to these crises is human rights-based and inclusive of those who face discrimination and marginalization. For example, through its LGBTQ2I International Assistance Program, Global Affairs Canada has provided COVID‑19 emergency financial and practical support to help local LGBTQI+ communities and organizations create tailored responses, based on the needs of the people they serve.

Support for Democratic Institutions

Democratic values, processes and institutions, cornerstones of sustainable development, are increasingly under threat across the world.
Canada is working to overcome these harmful trends – in part – through support to democratic institutions such as elections monitoring bodies in developing countries.
Canada is developing new initiatives to support and strengthen democracy globally as part of the current “Year of Action” following last year’s Summit for Democracy.

Update

The Summit for Democracy convened by President Biden in December 2021 launched a “Year of Action” which provides a framework for Canada’s new initiatives, including our commitments made at the Summit, to situate democracy, human rights, and the rule of law at the centre of our foreign policy. At the Summit, the Prime Minister announced the establishment of a new Canadian centre to support democracy and good governance. Canada will also strengthen its capacity to provide fast and flexible support to fragile or emerging democracies through international assistance and diplomatic efforts.

Supporting facts and figures

According to the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA)’s Global Report (2021), 70 percent of the global population now live in non-democratic regimes or in backsliding countries, and only 9 percent live in a high-functioning democracy.
In 2020-21, Canada disbursed $169 million in democracy support that contributed to activities such as strengthening electoral processes, media freedom, human rights, legislatures, political parties and civil society in 78 countries, out of $317 million in total spending for the Inclusive Governance Action Area of the Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP).

Background

Supporting democracy, and democratic institutions in particular, is central to Canada’s strategic foreign policy interests and is reflected in the FIAP’s Inclusive Governance Action Area, which addresses human rights, access to justice, participation in public life, and public services that work for everyone.

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, democratic systems of governance built on strong institutional capacity, transparency and the trust of the governed have faced increasing challenges from forces of authoritarianism and populism. With growing threats to democracy and democratic institutions globally, there is a renewed impetus to strengthen international cooperation on democracy support among like-minded countries, partner organizations, and civil society.

Canada takes a comprehensive approach to supporting inclusive governance and democracy. This includes:

Investing in public sector institutions to ensure they are effective, accountable, transparent and responsive, including support for public financial management.
Promoting the full participation of all persons in the decision-making processes and institutions affecting their lives, including with an emphasis on the inclusion of women, youth and marginalized groups.

Official Development Assistance Levels

According to OECD preliminary 2021 data:
Canada’s official development assistance (ODA) increased by 17% to $7.95 billion for calendar year 2021.
Canada ranks as the 6th highest donor among OECD members in terms of ODA volume.
In Budget 2022 and throughout the year, the Government of Canada announced over $3.6 billion in new international assistance funding.
Since 2020, Canada has allocated close to $3.5 billion in international assistance resources for COVID-19 pandemic recovery in developing countries.

Supplementary messages

Canada’s international assistance efforts go beyond what it contributes in aid funding alone. The government is committed to improving aid effectiveness to generate better results for the poorest and most vulnerable, and by mobilizing additional public and private financing for sustainable development.
The development of multi-stakeholder partnerships in support of the 2030 Agenda are essential to fully finance the Sustainable Development Goals.

Supporting facts and figures

Canada reports domestically, on a fiscal year basis, on International Assistance which includes ODA and initiatives funded through the IAE as mandated by the Official Development Assistance Accountability Act.
- In 2020-2021, Canada reported $8.4 billion in international assistance to Parliament, of which $8.3 billion was ODA. Of this, federal international assistance totalled $8.2 billion, of which $8 billion was ODA.
The OECD-DAC calculates each donor country’s ODA volume and ODA/GNI ratio on a calendar year basis using all official sources of ODA (i.e. national and sub-national entities)
- According to preliminary data, in 2021, Canada’s net ODA rose by $1.2 billion to $7.96 billion, and Canada became the 6th largest DAC donor in total volume.
- In 2021, Canada’s preliminary ODA/GNI ratio increased to 0.32 percent, from 0.31 percent in 2020, following a significant increase in ODA volume. This is Canada’s highest ODA/GNI level since 2012.
- The increase in international assistance is attributable to a $2.1 billion increase in IAE resources, mainly to address the global pandemic ($1.6 billion) and climate change. This was partially offset by a decrease in refugee support ($265 million), following an exceptional payment to the Interim Housing Assistance Program in 2019/20, and imputed student costs ($36 million).

Support For People With Disabilities In Developing Countries

Canada’s engagement on disability inclusion in international assistance is guided by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, commitments made at the 2018 and 2022 Global Disability Summits, and our work with the Global Action on Disability Network.
In accordance with the mandate letter commitment to provide greater assistance to people with disabilities in developing countries, Canada advocates for the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society.

Supplementary message

In response to the crisis in Ukraine, GAC partners have provided support to persons with disabilities, in line with the FIAP, both ensuring their access to humanitarian programming and targeting activities to them specifically.

Update

At the 2022 Global Disability Summit, Canada announced a new series of commitments that focus on strengthening disability inclusive programming, advocacy and capacity development. This will be accomplished, notably, by supporting local disability rights organizations and organizations of persons with disabilities in developing countries; by advancing disability inclusion in the paid and unpaid care agenda and with the multilateral development banks; by improving disability-inclusive data collection and disaggregation; and by formalizing disability inclusion training for GAC staff.

Supporting facts and figures

An estimated 15% of the world's population (1 billion people) live with a disability; globally, one in five women has a disability.
In 2020-2021, $19 million of GAC’s international assistance had disability issues as an explicit objective of the investment.
GAC’s Disability Inclusion initiatives include: programs to strengthen health and education systems to make them more inclusive; measures to increase access to physical and functional rehabilitation and psychosocial support services for people with functional limitations; support for women with disabilities who are survivors of sexual and gender-based violence; and programs to help persons with disabilities to gain skills for meaningful employment.

Background

Inclusive development for all marginalized groups, including persons with disabilities, is an important part of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy. In addition to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (ratified by Canada in 2010), Canada is bound by the following international commitments to ensure inclusive development for persons with disabilities:

Agenda 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals, adopted in 2015.
The Charter on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action, endorsed in 2016.
The Global Disability Summit Charter for Change, signed in London in 2018.

Canada is also a member of the Global Action on Disability Network, which is the main global platform for multi-stakeholder coordination and cooperation to enhance the inclusion of persons with disabilities in international development and humanitarian action.

Africa

Ethiopia – Current Situation

Canada welcomed the November 2 peace agreement between the Government of Ethiopia and Tigray People’s Liberation Front as a significant step toward a comprehensive and lasting peace, inclusive national dialogue and reconciliation.

Canada continues to play an active role in promoting greater peace and stability in Ethiopia through our diplomatic engagement and provision of international assistance to Ethiopia. Canada continues to call for safe and unhindered humanitarian access to those in need throughout Ethiopia.

Canada has consistently registered its deep concern over human rights violations in northern Ethiopia and calls on all parties to stop violations, support accountability processes, and ensure justice for victims and survivors.

Update

On November 2, the Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) signed a historic peace agreement ending a two-year war. The agreement calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire, and TPLF demobilization within 30 days of the signing of the agreement. The signatories agreed to allow unimpeded humanitarian access to all parts of northern Ethiopia, which has facilitated the entry of some humanitarian assistance to Tigray. Canada has been consistently engaged on the crisis in Ethiopia at the highest levels. The Prime Minister has spoken with Prime Minister Abiy seven times since the start of the crisis in 2020, most recently on October 24.

Supporting facts and figures

So far in 2022, Canada has allocated more than $65 million in humanitarian assistance to provide food, treatment for acute malnutrition and other critical healthcare, access to safe water and sanitation, emergency shelter and essential household items, and protection services to those in need.
In 2020-21, Canada’s total international assistance to Ethiopia (through Canadian, international, local and multilateral institutions) equaled more than $215 million.

Background

Human rights

In 2021, Canada contributed $600,000 to the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) for a joint investigation with the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) into allegations of human rights and humanitarian law violations. Canada continues to urge meaningful action towards the implementation of the OHCHR-EHRC report’s recommendations and to press the Government of Ethiopia to deliver on its commitments. Canada also encourages Ethiopia to collaborate with credible and independent international investigations, such as the International Commission of Human Rights Experts on Ethiopia (ICHREE). The ICHREE’s September 2022 report found reasonable grounds to believe that violations of international humanitarian law have been committed, including extrajudicial killings, rape, sexual violence, and starvation of the civilian population as a method of warfare have been committed. Canada expressed its deep concern through a social media statement on September 22, 2022.

Humanitarian situation

The conflict in the north, a drought affecting southern and eastern regions and other factors are driving up humanitarian needs, with more than 30 million people in need of assistance in 2022. In the three weeks since the signing of the peace agreement, humanitarian access to Tigray has been slowly improving.

Sahel

Canada is concerned by the growing insecurity as well as the development challenges and humanitarian crises in the Sahel.
Canada provides assistance through its humanitarian, development, counter-terrorism and peace and security programs in the region.
Our development assistance focusses on health and nutrition, education, economic growth, inclusive governance, climate change, and peace and security.
Gender equality, respect for human rights, including the rights of women and girls, the protection of civilians and the restoration of peace are at the core of our actions.

Supplementary messages

Concerned by the recent coups d’État in the Sahel, we are closely following the transitions towards the return to democracy and constitutional order in Burkina Faso, Mali and Chad.
Following the August 2020 coup in Mali and the January 2022 coup in Burkina Faso, Canada suspended direct budgetary support to the governments of Mali and Burkina Faso but is continuing other critical programming that supports vulnerable populations.
Canada coordinates its efforts with international partners, notably through the Coalition for the Sahel and Sahel Alliance.

Supporting facts and figures

In 2020-21, Canada contributed $328 million in international assistance to the Sahel and currently has over a hundred on-going projects contributing to Canada’s engagement in Sub-Saharan Africa. Over the same period, programming for peace and stabilisation totalled approximately $12 million, while $73 million was allocated to gender responsive humanitarian assistance to meet immediate needs in the region.
In March 2021, the Minister of Foreign Affairs participated in the Sahel Coalition Foreign Ministers' meeting where a roadmap for international action was adopted. In February 2021, former Minister of International Development K. Gould participated in the Sahel Alliance General Assembly and reiterated Canada's commitment to the Sahel. The ADM for Sub-Sahara Africa participated in the 2022 General Assembly of the Sahel Alliance where he confirmed Canada’s membership.

Background

One of the poorest regions in the world, the Sahel is impacted by humanitarian crises exacerbated by the presence of criminal organizations and terrorists affiliated with al-Qaeda and the Islamic State; climate change and Covid-19; recent military coups in Burkina Faso (January 2022) and Mali (August 2020 and May 2021); and an unconstitutional transition in Chad (April 2021).

Canada's development assistance addresses insecurity by supporting the delivery of basic social services (education, health, nutrition, actions against gender-based violence, including sexual and reproductive services).

Asia

Assistance To China

In 2020-21, Canada’s China-related international assistance totalled $7.23 million, of which $4.41 million was channelled though multilateral institutions and $2.83 million through bilateral expenditures.
Bilateral expenditures represent primarily funding to the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED), [REDACTED] and scholarships.
All Canadian development assistance activities are carried out in strict accordance with Canadian interests, values and standards.

Supplementary Messages

Based on Gross National Income (GNI) per capita, China is considered eligible for official development assistance under the OECD-DAC definition.
As part of the Government’s commitment to promote sustainable development around the world, Canada is a shareholder of Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs), of which China is also a shareholder, and can access non-concessional development financing if the institutional eligibility criteria are met.
MDBs where Canada and China are shareholders and in which China is eligible for development assistance are: the World Bank Group (WBG), Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB).
[REDACTED]

Responsive: AIIB and the Belt and Road Initiative

Minister Freeland is Canada’s Governor of the AIIB and would be best placed to answer specific questions regarding this institution.
The BRI is a Chinese national foreign policy and development strategy, while the AIIB is a multilateral development bank with the governance structures, policies and best practices of similar and longstanding MDBs.
Canada’s investment in the AIIB is alongside its long-time partners of Australia, France, Germany, India, Italy, South Korea and the UK.
Many of the AIIB’s active projects are co-funded with other longstanding multilateral development banks, and are accordingly governed by well-established standards, rules and norms.

Background

Assistance to China

Canada’s bilateral development assistance program to China began in 1981 and ended in 2013. However, China remains an eligible ODA recipient under the OECD eligibility criteria, therefore some of Canada’s funding to multilateral development banksconstitute international assistance to China. In 2020-21, Canada’s international assistance to China totalled $7.23 million: $2.83 million in bilateral spending and $4.41 million in multilateral spending. Canada's bilateral expenditures are comprised mainly of funding to the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED) ($1.6 million),[REDACTED] and the Canada-China Scholars' Exchange Program (CCSEP) ($145,200).

The China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED)

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is the departmental lead on Canada’s participation in CCICED. CCICED is an international advisory body that provides research-based policy recommendations on environmental and development issues. Canada recently confirmed its renewed funding contribution for Phase VII of the China Council (2022-2027). Total funding for Phase VII is CAN $8,012,400 million, which is the same as it was for Phase VI. CCICED funding is transferred from GAC to ECCC in annual installments of $1.6 million for the first two years of the five-year funding cycle. After two years, ECCC will take over funding the initiative. Both Canada and China provide approximately equal shares of CCICED’s overall budget (1/3 each), with the remaining 1/3 provided by other participating partners including the EU, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway.

[REDACTED]

Canada-China Scholars' Exchange Program (CCSEP)

CCSEP was established in 1973 as an official bilateral academic exchange program. Over the past 47 years, more than 1000 scholars have participated in the program. For inbound Chinese recipients, Canada provides a grant of $2,200 per month, which covers medical insurance, visa, work permit, and living expenses, while the Government of China pays for their travel to Canada. For outbound Canadian recipients, Canada covers the cost of travel to China for up to $3,300 per return ticket, while the Government of China covers their tuition and living expenses in China. Canada’s total CCSEP expenditure for 2020-2021 was $145,200. Due to the COVID19 pandemic, none of the Canadian recipients were able to take up their scholarship due ongoing travel restrictions and border closures established by China. Similarly, only two of the 9 Chinese recipients were able to travel to Canada due to Canada’s COVID-related border measures. The CCSEP is closed for the 2022-2023 academic year. The program will be reviewed in the coming months.

Asian Infrastructure Investment Banks (AIIB)

As the lead on AIIB, questions should be directed to Finance Canada. Canada owns 1% of AIIB, which has adopted the operating framework, governance structures and best practices of similar longstanding MDBs and includes as members Australia, France, Germany and the UK. Many of the AIIB’s active projects are co-funded with other multilateral development banks, and are accordingly governed by well-established rules and norms. To date, the AIIB has approved funding for seven projects in China. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a national foreign policy and development strategy, while the AIIB is a multilateral development bank.

Asian Development Bank (ADB)

Canada is a founding member of ADB and is currently the 7th largest shareholder (2nd non-regional after the US), owning 5.23% of ADB’s capital subscription. The ADB’s five largest shareholders are Japan and the United States (15.6% each), China (6.4%), India (6.3%), and Australia (5.8%). The Minister of International Development is Canada’s Governor to the ADB. As China transits to high-income status and approaches the point of graduation from ADB’s assistance, ADB operations will focus on three main strategic priorities: environmentally sustainable development; climate change adaptation and mitigation; as well as an aging society and health security.

[REDACTED]

Belt And Road Initiative

Canada calls on China to address concerns raised by the international community around transparency, environmental protection, governance and financial sustainability, and to fulfill its obligations under established rules and norms.
Canada is committed to collaborating with G7 partners, multilateral development banks (MDBs) and institutional investors to address global infrastructure gaps in ways that promote high standards and sustainable economic growth.
We support opportunities for Canadian companies to engage in high quality global infrastructure initiatives that respect international standards, including on transparency and governance.

Supplementary Messages

Canada strives to ensure that China’s activities do not undermine globally coordinated efforts to promote transparency, debt sustainability, environmental protection, and the development of institutions that support democracy, human rights and the rule of law.
Canada is closely monitoring China’s implementation of the G20 Common Framework for Debt Treatments initiative to which it has agreed. China must provide timely, orderly, and coordinated debt treatments as a participant in these crucial efforts.

Responsive – BRI and Debt Sustainability

Canada is closely monitoring China’s lending, investment and development assistance practices, which often lack transparency, can carry debt collateralization and seniority clauses, and may lead to over-indebtedness.
Canada, along with likeminded partners at the G20 and International Financial Institutions, continue work to improve international standards and best practices on debt transparency and sustainability, to ensure actions by borrower and creditor countries are not contributing to over-indebtedness and are supporting sustainable economic growth.

Responsive – BRI and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)

The BRI is a Chinese national foreign policy and development strategy, while the AIIB is a multilateral development bank with the governance structures, policies and best practices of similar and longstanding MDBs.

Supporting facts and figures

China reports that it has signed more than 200 BRI cooperation documents with at least 140 countries and 30 international organizations.
Despite limited transparency, there is a general consensus among leading researchers that BRI-linked spending could approximate USD 1 trillion overall.
Canada's official engagement with the BRI is limited to the inaugural meeting of the Belt and Road Forum for International Cooperation (BRF) in May 2017 in Beijing, where Canada was represented by Parliamentary Secretary for International Trade, Pamela Goldsmith-Jones. The second BRF was held April 25-27, 2019 in Beijing. The Government of Canada did not participate.

Background

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)

Established in 2013 as President Xi Jinping’s signature foreign policy strategy, the BRI aims to foster economic linkages and improve trade routes across the Eurasian, African and South American continents. The BRI allows China to leverage its economic capacity to diversify its international commercial relationships, secure strategic supply chains and gain regional and global influence. No time limit has been imposed on the BRI, nor is there a defined budget, fixed list of projects, or definition for what constitutes a BRI project. Widespread concerns have been raised as to whether the BRI conforms to established principles, rules and norms for international development regarding human rights, financial sustainability and environmental protection. China seeks international participation in the BRI and has called on Canada for endorsement on multiple occasions.

China’s Lending

China is the world’s largest official creditor, the largest official bilateral lender in nearly all countries in which Canada is a creditor, and a driver of unsustainable debt levels in many developing countries. Concerns with China’s lending include a lack of transparency, the collateralization of debt and debt seniority clauses. The economic impacts of COVID-19 have made addressing Chinese lending and debt treatment practices a key policy objective for many countries in international fora such as the G7, G20, IMF, World Bank, Paris Club, the OECD and the UN. China’s participation in the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative (DSSI) and Common Framework (CF) represents its first participation in multilateral debt

[REDACTED]

G7 Infrastructure Finance

In 2021, G7 Leaders laid out a vision to increase collaboration and partnerships on infrastructure finance in order to address developing country financing gaps. Under the 2022 German G7 presidency, this work coalesced as the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (G7 PGII). At the June 2022 Leaders’ summit, the G7 announced that it would “aim at collectively mobilising up to US$600 billion in public and private investments with a particular focus on quality infrastructure over the next five years”. Japan plans to continue this work under its 2023 G7 Presidency, and has signalled its intention to focus on debt sustainability. Canada announced a PGII contribution on November 27 as part of the Indo-Pacific Strategy: “$750 million to enhance the capacity of FinDev Canada to expand its operations into the Indo-Pacific and accelerate its work in priority markets in order to support high-quality, sustainable infrastructure”.

BRI and AIIB

As the lead on AIIB, all questions should be directed to Finance Canada. The BRI is a national foreign policy and development strategy, while the AIIB is a multilateral development bank. Canada’s investment in the AIIB is alongside its long-time partners of Australia, France, Germany, India, Italy, South Korea and the UK. The AIIB has adopted the operating framework, governance structures and best practices of similar longstanding MDBs. Many of the AIIB’s active projects are co-funded with other multilateral development banks and are accordingly governed by well-established rules and norms, including those regarding financial sustainability.

ATIP protected background

[REDACTED]

Rohingya Crisis

Canada is concerned about the intensifying conflict and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, and the protracted Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh.
On June 20, 2022, Canada announced its strategy to further respond to the Rohingya and Myanmar crises, committing $288.3 million from 2021 to 2024 for development and peace and stabilization efforts in Myanmar and Bangladesh. This is complemented by life-saving humanitarian assistance, in accordance with needs.
Since the 2021 coup, Canada has levelled five rounds of sanctions against the military regime, and continues to work with international partners to advocate for rights for marginalized and conflict-affected communities, including the Rohingya.

Supplementary messages

Critical that the international community unite to address the political crisis in Myanmar, advance durable, inclusive peace in Myanmar and find a long-term solution for the Rohingya.
To help achieve these objectives, Canada has announced the intention to appoint a new (second) Special Envoy on the Rohingya and Myanmar crises who will play a leading role in coordinating with ASEAN, UN, and other international partners to develop and advance peaceful solutions to the interlinked and complex crises in Myanmar and Bangladesh.
Justice is imperative for building lasting peace and reconciliation. Canada is dedicated to pursuing accountability for perpetrators of human rights abuses in Myanmar, including for the Rohingya people.
Conditions do not permit the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of the nearly one million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
Committed to ensuring that the nearly one million Rohingya refugees who fled to Bangladesh live in safety and with dignity.
Canada supports ASEAN centrality and resolute ASEAN efforts to address this crisis. We regret the regime’s continued intransigence and refusal to genuinely engage on the ASEAN 5-Point Consensus.

Update

In February 2021, the Myanmar military deposed the civilian government, arresting the democratically elected civilian leadership, protesters, journalists and pro democracy activists. However, the regime has failed to fully consolidate its power, and violent resistance and armed conflict across the country has grown, pushing Myanmar close to failed state status and economic collapse, reversing previous democratic and economic gains with serious regional implications, and diminished prospects for any safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of the displaced Rohingya people. The coup reversed Myanmar’s nascent and fragile democratic trajectory and quashed the democratic aspirations of the Myanmar people who turned out to vote in large numbers in the November 2020 elections.

Supporting facts and figures

As of May 2, 2022, the number of new Internally Displace People (IDPs) in Myanmar since the military takeover in February 2021 stands at 578,200 according to UN figures, bringing the total number of IDPs across the country to more than 924,000. The total number of civilians displaced from their homes in north-west Myanmar, which includes Sagaing and Magway regions as well as Chin State, has exceeded 300,000 for the first time.

Background

Following the Myanmar military’s large scale and targeted attacks against the Rohingya minority, in August 2017, some 727,000 fled to Bangladesh, joining hundreds of thousands of Rohingya who fled previous targeted violence over past decades. Now, close to one million Rohingya live in extremely difficult conditions in Bangladesh, concentrated in the world’s largest and most congested refugee camp in Cox’s Bazar District. The influx of refugees has also impacted host communities, depressing wages and increasing competition for resources and services, including access to health care. Roughly, 600,000 Rohingya remain in Rakhine State (Myanmar), where they face systematic discrimination limiting their access to essential services, freedom of movement, pathways to citizenship and livelihood opportunities.

On February 1, 2021, the military forces of Myanmar (Tatmadaw) deposed the civilian government, arresting the democratically elected civilian leadership, protesters, journalists, and pro-democracy activists. The regime responded brutally to protests and opposition, elements of which have now become armed. The regime has failed to fully consolidate power, and violent resistance has grown across the country, pushing Myanmar close to failed state status and economic collapse, reversing previous democratic and economic gains. People’s Defense Forces have been formed throughout the country and are engaging in guerilla style fighting against the regime; meanwhile, Ethnic Armed Organizations continue decades-long conflicts with the Tatmadaw. Political opposition has crystallized around a National Unity Government, which has formed a shadow government and is vying for international recognition, recently moving from political into armed resistance.

Canada has had a sanction regime in place against Myanmar since 2007. Two rounds of new sanctions were put in place following the 2017 Rohingya Crisis. Since the coup Canada has announced a further five (5) rounds of sanctions against the Myanmar regime leadership, members and related entities, coordinated with likeminded countries – the most recent of which were announced on March 25 with the US and UK. This includes an arms embargo and a dealings ban on listed persons, targeting both entities and individuals.

Since the outset of the Rohingya crisis, Canada has been a leader internationally in responding to the needs of the Rohingya people. Canada has worked to encourage positive political developments in Myanmar; ensure accountability for the crimes committed; enhance international cooperation; and alleviate the humanitarian crisis.

Canada’s first Strategy to Respond to the Rohingya Crisis in Myanmar and Bangladesh (2018-2021) dedicated $300 million to ease the crisis facing Rohingya in Bangladesh and Myanmar. On June 20, 2022, World Refugee Day, Canada announced the next phase of its Strategy to respond to the Rohingya and Myanmar crises. Canada has dedicated $288.3 million over three years (2021-2024) to this new phase of the strategy. Of this amount, $83 million supports development programming in Myanmar, $145 million for development projects to support Rohingya refugees and impacted host communities in Bangladesh, and $24 million for Peace and Stabilizations Operations programming in Myanmar. To help achieve these objectives and continue Canada’s diplomatic engagement and coordination with key international partners, Canada announced the intention to appoint a second Special Envoy to the Rohingya and Myanmar Crises as part of the second phase.

Now in the second year of the strategy, Canada continues to pursue a four-pillar policy response to the crisis, with a focus on the restoration of democratic rule and release of political detainees, support for the ongoing needs of conflict-affected populations in Myanmar, continued support for Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh, and pursuing accountability for serious human rights violations in Myanmar.

Canada also continues to provide humanitarian assistance funding to support the immediate needs of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh and vulnerable and conflict-affected populations in Myanmar, in accordance with needs. To date in 2022, Canada has contributed $10.3 million in immediate humanitarian assistance to address the needs of crisis-affected people in Myanmar, including support to the Rohingya population. Canada has also contributed $15.3 million in humanitarian assistance in Bangladesh, to help address the needs of Rohingya refugees.

Latin America

Venezuela

Deeply concerned by the ongoing crisis in Venezuela and the resulting impacts on Venezuelans, including in the region.
Canada is meeting its international commitments with additional international assistance to respond to the Venezuela crisis, including the socio-economic integration needs of Venezuelan refugees and migrants in the region.
Canada seeks a peaceful resolution to the multi-dimensional crisis in Venezuela.

Supplementary messages

Since 2019, Canada has contributed over $180 million in humanitarian, development and stabilization assistance to support those affected by the Venezuela crisis.
Canada’s development programming addresses longer-term needs related to the Venezuela crisis in education, health, nutrition, inclusive governance, protection and livelihoods, particularly for women and girls.
Canada is very concerned by the continued persecution of perceived political opponents in Venezuela, including human rights defenders, pro-democracy forces and independent media.

Update

On November 26, 2022, after a year-long hiatus, the Maduro regime and the Unitary Platform representing Venezuelan democratic forces resumed the negotiation process in Mexico. A partial social agreement was signed to invest in the areas of electricity, healthcare networks, food security, education and natural disaster prevention. The agreement includes the creation of a Trust of about $3 billion in frozen overseas funds to be administered by the UN to address the country’s urgent humanitarian needs. Subsequent talks are expected to address democratic issues, including steps needed to ensure free and fair elections in 2024 (presidential) and 2025 (parliamentarian). In accordance with Canada’s ongoing commitment to maintain the international visibility of the Venezuelan refugee and migrant crisis, Canada and the E.U. have agreed to co-host the next Solidarity Conference for Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants, and their Host Countries and Communities on March 16-17 2023 (hybrid event in Brussels).

Supporting facts and figures

According to the 2022 UN Global Humanitarian Overview, 7 million people inside Venezuela will require humanitarian assistance in the coming year. Poverty rate is estimated to be above 81% (extreme poverty at 53.3%).
Over 7.1 million Venezuelans have left or fled their country since 2015. Colombia (2.5M), Peru (1.5M), Ecuador (502,000) and Chile (448,000) host the largest populations, stretching response capacities.
In 2022, the UN appealed for US$795 million to cover the needs of 5.2 million inside Venezuela, and US$1.8 billion to respond the regional Venezuelan refugees and migrant crisis (3.8 million people targeted).
Inside Venezuela, Canada is supporting $10 million/year in development programming in the areas of health, nutrition, inclusive governance, education, protection and livelihoods.
To respond to the increasing development, security and migration-related needs arising from the Venezuela refugee and migrant crisis, Treasury Board approved $59.8 million in new funding over two fiscal years (2021-23). Sixteen new projects have been launched largely in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru; areas of support include access to employment, education, health (SRHR), regularization, protection, as well as human trafficking and institutional strengthening.
In June 2021, Canada successfully hosted the International Donors’ Conference in Solidarity with Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants which resulted in US$2.35 billion in pledges. Canada and the EU will co-host the next Solidarity Conference for Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants, and their Host Countries and Communities on March 16-17 2023 (hybrid event in Brussels).

Middle East & Gulf

Middle East Strategy

Canada is helping make a real difference in Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon, committing over $4 billion since 2016.
In line with our international feminist policies, we are achieving strong results especially for women and girls and focusing on supporting vulnerable populations.
Going forward, Canada’s Strategy will be looking at integrating emerging priorities, such as food security and climate change.

Supplementary messages

Since 2016, with our partners, we have helped to liberate millions of people from Daesh and have provided millions more with gender-responsive development assistance and humanitarian support.
Canada supports experienced and principled partners, including UN agencies, multilateral organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to ensure timely delivery of critical aid.
In line with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy, programming aims to address the needs, rights and interests of women and girls by providing assistance to support their economic empowerment and resilience.

Update

The current Whole-of-Government Middle East Strategy has been extended to March 31, 2025 pending a decision from Finance on the funding.

Supporting facts and figures

Canada is consistently among the top 6 official development assistance donors in each of the four countries of the Middle East Strategy.
Through the Strategy, development assistance coupled with targeted policy dialogue helped to secure the adoption of inclusive policies to safeguard refugees’ and internally displaced persons’ legal status and expand their access to services and jobs.

This paved the way for Canada to:

help procure 3.5 million vaccine doses for Lebanon, and upgrade ICUs/labs, procure PPE, equipment and supplies for Jordan, in support of inclusive COVID-19 strategies;
support over 2.6 million children in Jordan and Lebanon with expanded access to public education, including 350,000 refugee children; train 120,000 educators; and help 3,700 schools to provide more inclusive learning environments;
enhance access to critical water infrastructure and waste management, sanitation and hygiene facilities for over 3 million conflict-affected people in Iraq and Jordan;
support over 88,000 women and men with improved vocational skills and jobs; and, over 50,000 women and youth-led businesses with the dedicated support and resources needed to grow their businesses.
In addition, other pillars of the Strategy supported more than doubling of women’s representation in Jordan’s security agencies to advance the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda.

Background

The Middle East Strategy was launched in February 2016 to respond to the crises in Iraq and Syria, and their impact on the region, particularly Jordan and Lebanon.

[REDACTED]

The Strategy has committed over $4 billion since 2016 to help set the conditions for security and stability; alleviate human suffering; enable civilian-led stabilization programs; and support governance and longer-term efforts to build resilience.

Lebanon & Canadian Assistance

Lebanon is a focus country of Canada's Middle East Strategy; Global Affairs Canada has committed over $461 million in international assistance for Lebanon since 2016.
Canada is deeply concerned by the current crisis in Lebanon, its worsening humanitarian consequences, and the lack of action by Lebanon’s leaders to address it.
Canada remains committed to assisting the Lebanese people and other vulnerable and marginalized communities in the country.

Supplementary messages

Canada does not provide direct support to the Lebanese government; our assistance is provided to trusted, experienced partners based on credible needs assessments.
Canada has repeatedly stressed that Lebanon needs to elect a president without delay to avoid further political gridlock, and to form a new government capable of implementing the reforms necessary to secure an agreement with the IMF regarding a bailout and set the country on the path to economic recovery.
Canada continues to stress that any refugee returns to Syria from Lebanon should be safe, dignified and voluntary in accordance with international law.

Update

An IMF mission visited Beirut September 19-21 to discuss recent economic developments and progress in implementing the prior actions agreed under the April 7, 2022 Staff Level Agreement (SLA) for a Four-Year Extended Fund Facility. Despite the urgency for action to address Lebanon’s deep economic and social crisis, the reforms agreed under the SLA are not being implemented. On November 24, Lebanon’s Parliament held a seventh round of voting to elect a new president, failing again to reach consensus. Another vote will be held December 1, but observers predict that a president will likely not be elected until the new year.
In July 2022, Lebanese authorities announced plans to begin returning up to 15,000 Syrian refugees per month, despite objections from the UN and human rights groups pointing to ongoing risks in Syria. To date, about 700 to 900 refugees have returned as part of two Lebanese-facilitated “voluntary movements”. Officials will likely continue citing Syrian refugees as a factor in Lebanon’s worsening economic situation to draw attention away from the actual causes.

Supporting facts and figures

Canada has been actively involved in the international response to the crisis in Lebanon, and is currently the 6^th largest bilateral (development and humanitarian) donor in Lebanon (As of the end of 2021, UN gathered data).
Since 2016, Canada has committed over $325 million in humanitarian assistance, $95 million in development assistance and $40 million in security assistance as part of the MES. Canada has also contributed an additional $110 million in humanitarian assistance since 2021.
Canada is currently exploring ways to further support the economic and social security of the Lebanese people.
The empowerment of women and girls remains a central focus of Canada’s international assistance efforts. It includes gender-responsive humanitarian action that directly addresses the needs and aspirations of women and girls, and longer-term support to enhance their role in a more peaceful, just and prosperous Lebanon.
Then-Foreign Minister Champagne visited Beirut in August 2020, to observe the humanitarian response to the port explosion.
Canada participated in three international support conferences for Lebanon co-hosted by France and the UN; Canada announced $30 million in humanitarian/early-recovery assistance in the aftermath of the 2020 Port explosion and a further $20 million in August 2021 to support early business-recovery efforts.

Background

Lebanon risks political, economic and societal collapse after decades of misgovernment and corruption. The country is experiencing skyrocketing rates of poverty, inflation, unemployment and public debt – a situation that has been exacerbated by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the August 4, 2020 explosion at the Port of Beirut, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, including its impacts on food security and local agricultural production. The country is also facing its first cholera outbreak in over 30 years. A 2021 World Bank report stressed that Lebanon would likely reach the top 10, if not 3, most severe global financial and economic crises since the mid-19th century. The country’s GDP plummeted from close to USD 52 billion in 2019 to a projected USD 21.8 billion in 2021 – a 58.1% contraction and the highest in a list of 193 countries. Such a contraction is usually associated with conflicts or wars. To date, Lebanon’s leaders, protecting vested interests, have not taken effective action to address these crises.

West Bank and Gaza

Canada has a strong and long-standing commitment to the goal of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in the Middle East, including the creation of a Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel.
In line with Canada's Feminist International Assistance Policy, our international assistance is helping Palestinians to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
We exercise enhanced due diligence for all our funding.

Supplementary messages

Canada’s international assistance helps to address the development and humanitarian needs of vulnerable Palestinians while advancing the cause of peace, by supporting the Palestinian people to build the socio-economic conditions that are necessary for a two-state solution.
Canadian programming is aligned with Palestinian needs and Canadian priorities. It provides targeted and integrated support for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. Our focus includes human dignity (through gender-responsive humanitarian assistance, and access to quality education), inclusive governance, and growth that works for everyone.
Canada remains deeply concerned about the humanitarian conditions, especially in Gaza.
Canada provides substantial humanitarian assistance in the West Bank and Gaza. This includes projects that focus on: providing services and support to vulnerable women-headed households (including women with disabilities and survivors of gender-based violence); improving food security and livelihoods; and providing water, sanitation, and hygiene activities and infrastructure.
Canada also supports assistance to Palestinian refugees through UNRWA, the UN agency mandated to provide the basic services to over 5.9 million refugees in the West Bank, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan.

Supporting facts and figures

Canada has a substantial program of assistance to help meet the development and humanitarian needs of vulnerable Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, and Palestinian refugees in the region. Canada supports efforts to help advance the peace process, promote security and the rule of law, and stimulate economic growth. Through continued commitment to UNRWA, Canada supports the delivery of core services for Palestinian refugees, such as programs that provide basic education, health care, social services, livelihood opportunities, and humanitarian assistance.
The humanitarian assistance that Canada provides focuses both on responding to immediate shocks such as the May 2021 crisis, and on reaching vulnerable people in need as a result of the protracted crisis. To address needs in 2023 and 2024, the department will support food security, livelihoods, protection, and the promotion of humanitarian principles.
Canada’s development assistance programming has focused on enhancing access to justice for Palestinians, supporting women and youth economic empowerment and employment opportunities, including for people with disabilities and addressing gender-based violence.
Canada exercises enhanced due diligence for all humanitarian and development assistance funding for Palestinians. This work includes ongoing oversight, regular site visits, a systematic screening process and strong anti-terrorism provisions in funding agreements.

Background

Humanitarian Response Plan 2023

On January 26^th 2023, the UN OCHA released its Humanitarian Response Plan 2023 for the West Bank and Gaza (HRP 2023). Humanitarian needs in the West Bank and Gaza reflect the compounding effect of multiple factors on the ongoing humanitarian situation. The HRP estimates that 2.1 million Palestinians (almost 50 percent) will require some form of humanitarian assistance. The sectors with the highest number of people in need are protection (1.9 million people), followed by health (1.6 million people), food security (1.5 million people) and WASH (1.4 million people).

Canada support Palestinian refugees through UNRWA, the Agency mandated to meet the needs of vulnerable refugees to deliver critical education, health and protection services. Since 2020, Canada has provided over $90 million to the Agency.

Socio-economic progress is limited by the constraints on movement, access, and trade which impedes economic growth. Further, the declining democratic space affects inclusivity, transparency and effectiveness of judicial systems and rule of law.

Yemen

Canada supports the Government of Yemen and hopes that all parties, in particular the Houthis, exercise restraint and engage constructively towards a negotiated political solution in the interest of all Yemenis.
Canada remains committed to assisting the people of Yemen and has been a top-tier donor since the war started in 2015.
Canada continues to support the ongoing efforts of the U.N. Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, to help bring about a durable peace in the country.

Supplementary messages

Canada is deeply concerned by the deteriorating food security situation in Yemen, and the scale of this ongoing humanitarian crisis.
Canada has provided over $364 million in humanitarian funding to Yemen since 2015, with over $75million in 2022.
This includes $13 million for Yemen from the $250 million that Canada recently announced to help address the global food security crisis.
Additionally, since 2018, Canada has contributed over $22 million in peace and security assistance.
Canada is deeply concerned by the imminent environmental and humanitarian risks posed by the FSO Safer, a decaying oil tanker moored off Yemen’s Red Sea Coast. Canada provided $2.5 million to a U.N.-led initiative to salvage the tanker and avoid a catastrophic oil spill.

Update

A U.N.-brokered truce between the Government of Yemen, the Saudi-led coalition and the Iran-backed Houthis began on April 2 and expired on October 2 without the parties reaching an agreement or extension. The truce held longer than many expected and resulted in a decrease in the number of civilian casualties, the delivery of fuel via Yemeni ports and the opening up of a limited amount of commercial flights between Sana’a, Amman, and Cairo. However, the peace was extremely uneven and failed to achieve progress on major confidence-building measures. Backchannel efforts continue and parties are avoiding significant escalation that would deviate too far from the terms of the truce. However, since October 2, the Houthis have engaged in hostile and escalatory acts, such as drone strikes against Yemeni oil infrastructure, threatening to the return the country to war. In negotiations, the Houthis insist on maximalist demands and are focused on advancing their political and military capacities with the support of the Islamic Republic of Iran.

Supporting facts and figures

Canada has provided over $364 in assistance to Yemen since 2015, with over $75million in 2022.
This includes $13 million for Yemen from the $250 million that Canada recently announced to help address the global food security crisis.
Since 2018, Canada has contributed over $22 million in peace and security assistance.
Canada has provided $3 million, and has seconded a Canadian diplomat, to the office of the Special Envoy of the U.N. Secretary-General for Yemen.

Background

Yemen continues to be one of the world’s largest humanitarian crises. According to the U.N.’s forthcoming 2023 Humanitarian Response Plan, at least 21.6 million people in Yemen need humanitarian assistance, with funding requirements estimated at US $4.3 billion. The humanitarian response has faced chronic underfunding in recent years.

Humanitarian needs persist, driven by conflict, the economic blockade, and exacerbated by natural hazards such as flooding, and more recently, the economic impacts of the conflict in Ukraine. Food insecurity is widespread, and child malnutrition rates continue to be amongst the highest globally. Avoiding famine remains an urgent priority.

Yemen is mired in overlapping conflicts in the form of a civil war between the government and the Houthis, as well as a proxy conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The Government of Yemen is backed by Saudi Arabia and a regional coalition including the UAE, which are directly engaged in the conflict, while the Houthis are backed by Iran. The presence of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, Daesh and the prospect of southern secession pose additional security and political challenges.

The current conflict escalated in 2015 when the Houthis staged a coup against the Government of Yemen and took control of the capital, Sana’a. Today, the Houthis control vast areas, mostly in the country’s north. Attacks on both sides of the conflict disproportionately affected civilians, in particular women and children, who would once again be most impacted if the situation escalated back into war. Canada supports and has good diplomatic relations with the Government of Yemen.

In June 2022, the U.N. launched an urgent appeal for funds to undertake a $75 million emergency operation to prevent imminent ecological and humanitarian disaster posed by the FSO Safer, a decaying floating storage vessel (oil tanker) holding 1.1 million barrels of crude oil anchored off Yemen`s Red Sea Coast, at risk of leaking, breaking apart or exploding, causing a major oil spill. On September 6, Canada announced a contribution of $2.5 million to the U.N.-coordinated international operation, together with the governments of the Netherlands, Germany, the U.K., the U.S., the E.U. and others. The U.N. announced on September 21 that it had reached its funding target. Preparatory work for the FSO Safer Salvage Operation has been underway since October 31 and the project will continue into 2023.

Date modified:: 2025-09-12

Deputy Minister of International Development appearance before the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (AEFA) on the study on International development issues and how Canada is contributing to addressing key challenges

Table of contents

Overview

Meeting Scenario

Committee Context

Committee Membership & Interests

Ukraine

GAC ‘Fit for Purpose’: Amalgamation of CIDA and DFAIT

Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI)

Opening Remarks

Appearance Before the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (AEFA)

Member Biographies

Peter M. Boehm

Appointment to the Senate

Professional background

Political and parliamentary roles

Committee membership

Points of interest to GAC

Ukraine

Peacekeeping

GAC ‘Fit For Purpose’

Other interests

Indigenous Relations

Peter Harder

Appointment to the Senate

Professional background

Political and parliamentary roles

Committee membership

Points of interest to GAC

Humanitarian aid

Ukraine

COVAX

GAC ‘Fit For Purpose’

Gwen Boniface

Appointment to the Senate

Professional background

Political and parliamentary roles

Committee membership

Points of interest to GAC

GAC ‘Fit For Purpose’

Sanctions Against Russia

Unfair Trade Practices

Other interests

Defence & Security

Mary Coyle

Appointment to the Senate

Professional background

Political and parliamentary roles

Committee membership

Points of interest to GAC

GAC ‘Fit For Purpose’

Ukraine

Other interests

Russian Disinformation

Marty Deacon

Appointment to the Senate

Professional background

Political and parliamentary roles

Committee membership

Points of interest to GAC

Russia

GAC ‘Fit For Purpose’

Seized Russian Assets

Other interests

Afghanistan

Culture Change

Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia

Appointment to the Senate

Professional background

Political and parliamentary roles

Committee membership

Points of interest to GAC

GAC ‘Fit For Purpose’

Vaccine Equity

Yuen Pau Woo

Appointment to the Senate

Professional background

Political and parliamentary roles

Committee membership

Points of interest to GAC