Minister of International Development appearance before the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE) on main estimates 2023-24

May 2, 2023
Published: July 25, 2025

G) Other Programming and Policy

General

Climate Finance
Canadian Civil Society Organizations (CSOs)
FinDev Canada
Global Health and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
Humanitarian Response 2023
International Development Research Centre (IDRC)
2SLGBTQI+ Support and the Feminist International Assistance Policy
Official Development Assistance (ODA) Levels
Support for Democratic Institutions
Support for People with Disabilities in Developing Countries

Asia

Assistance to China
Belt & Road Initiative
Rohingya Crisis

Latin America

Venezuela

Middle East & Gulf

Middle East Strategy
Lebanon & Canadian Assistance
West Bank & Gaza
Yemen

Meeting scenario

Your in-person, one-hour appearance begins at 11:00 a.m.
Although the focus of the appearance is on the 2023-2024 Main Estimates, committee members may ask questions that are only loosely connected to the main estimates; briefing material has been prepared with this in mind.
Christopher MacLennan, Deputy Minister of International Development will accompany you in-person during you appearance and may be called upon to respond to questions.
The following officials are also accompanying you in-person during the appearance and may be called upon to respond to questions. They will remain for the second hour.
- Global Affairs Canada
  - Maher Mamhikoff, Director, Development Finance Statistics
  - Peter MacDougall, Assistant Deputy Minister, Global Issues and Development
  - Patricia Peña, Assistant Deputy Minister, Partnerships for Development Innovation

Committee Context

After your opening remarks of 5 minutes the committee will move to rounds of questions.
- First Round
  - Conservative (6 minutes)
  - Liberal (6 minutes)
  - Bloc Québécois (6 minutes)
  - NDP (6 minutes)
- Second Round
  - Conservative (5 minutes)
  - Liberal (5 minutes)
  - Bloc Québécois (two and a half (2.5) minutes)
  - NDP (two and a half (2.5) minutes)
- Any additional rounds of questioning would follow the order and timing of the second round.

Committee membership & interests

For further information on committee membership, please see the member bios included in this briefing binder.
So far, during the current 44^th Parliament the committee has studied:
- Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights of Women Globally
- Humanitarian Aid in Afghanistan
- The Situation at the Russia-Ukraine Border and Implications for Peace and Security
- The Extreme Flooding in Pakistan
- Security at the borders between Azerbaijan and Armenia
- The Export of Russian Gazprom Turbines
- Human Rights in Repressive States
- Vaccine Equity and Intellectual Property Rights,
- Referendums in Russian-Occupied Parts of Ukraine
- The situation in the Taiwan Strait
Committee members’ questions during the 44^th Parliaments have focused on the following issues:
- CPC: Ukraine, Russian aggression, Crimean Tatars, SWIFT, Haiti, Ethiopia, Canada-China relations, West Bank and Gaza, NATO, COVAX, vaccine equity and intellectual property rights, arms exports to Turkey, Israel (Boycott, Divestment & Sanctions -BDS & antisemitism), humanitarian and development assistance for the Rohingya in Myanmar, UNWRA, Magnitsky sanctions, detention camps in Syria, COVID-19, trade agreements, arbitrary detention, civil and human rights, India, foreign interference, economic sanctions, Uyghurs, and Canada-U.S. relations.
- LPC: Russia-Ukraine, Russia’s militarization of the Arctic and Baltic nations, COVAX, Haiti, Turkey, human rights, France and Islamic terrorism, freedom of expression, Canada-China relations, the situation in Xinjiang, human rights (Uighurs), the Rohingya, Venezuela, consular cases, the rules-based international order, UN, NATO, OSCE civil and human rights, Sri Lanka, Eastern Europe, COVID-19, travel restrictions, status of women, Africa, freedom of conscience and religion, and China.
- BQ: The situation in Haiti, Russia and Belarus, Israel, France and Islamic terrorism, freedom of expression, la fFrancophonie, COVID-19, civil and human rights, political prisoners, travel restrictions, Canada-U.S. relations, culture and creativity, and economic sanctions.
- NDP: Israel, Palestine, arbitrary detention, status of women, Bolivia, electoral observation missions, Ukraine, COVAX, FIAP, arms exports to Turkey, the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh, human rights, and relations with China.

Opening remarks (5 mins)

Thank you, members of the committee.

And thank you all for joining me again here today to discuss Canada’s leadership in international assistance.

It is a pleasure to be in a room with people so engaged in global affairs.

I do not need to tell you about the rising tide of instability we are all facing. You live and breathe this just like I do.

The lingering effects of the pandemic’s ravaging of global supply chains.

Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

The multi-dimensional humanitarian crisis in Haiti.

The devastating outbreak of violence in Sudan.

More frequent and extreme weather events resulting from climate change.

Canada has played, and will continue to play, an important role in rising to meet these immense global challenges. Because we cannot afford to be an island in an ocean of instability.

In light of this, I am proud to report that Canada continues to meet and even exceed its goals for international development assistance under the Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP).

In 2021-22, nearly all (99%) of Canada’s bilateral international development assistance either targeted or integrated gender equality – meeting and then exceeding our target of 95% by 2022.

We continue to address the root causes of poverty and inequality by focusing on those most likely to be left behind, and empowering women and girls in all of their diversity.

We are also committed to constantly improving the quality and effectiveness of our international assistance.

These achievements have not gone unnoticed.

Canada was one of the first countries in the world to put a feminist international assistance policy in place. Others are now following suit.

For the fourth year in a row, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) acknowledged us as the top bilateral donor for gender equality.

Looking forward, we must maintain Canada’s leadership in international assistance.

My colleague, The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, affirmed in Budget 2023 Canada’s commitment to increase its international development assistance every year towards 2030 to realize the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Canada’s official development assistance (ODA) increased by 29% to $10.2 billion in 2022 – resulting in Canada’s highest ODA/GNI level (0.37%) since 1995.

With these investments, we’ve been able to meet our commitments and to lead where we can in response to today’s immense global challenges.

For example, Canada is delivering on its commitments under the Paris Agreement to help keep the 1.5 degrees Celsius goal within reach.

Our global climate investments are expected to prevent or reduce more than 228 megatons of greenhouse gas emissions.

That amounts to taking 49 million cars off the road for one year, or the emissions from powering all homes in Canada for two years!

Or take Canada’s support to the Global Environment Facility. As the seventh-largest donor, our support is helping more than 8 million people adapt to climate change and protect almost 99 million hectares of marine biodiversity.

But we know that funding alone is not enough to address the uneven impacts of climate change.

That’s why we continue to advocate for the resilience and adaptation of developing countries through our engagement in both the Green Climate Fund and Climate Investment Funds.

At the same time, we continue to work with like-minded partners, including multilateral organizations, to phase out coal and promote investments in clean energy.

And we continue to advocate internationally for Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries that contribute the least to climate change yet are most vulnerable to its impacts.

The most vulnerable countries today are at the frontline of some of the most challenging crises of our time, including but not limited to, climate change.

As we speak, in 2023, over 346 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, more than 100 million people are forcibly displaced, and over 345 million people are predicted to be food insecure.

Canada continues to be a leader in addressing humanitarian needs that rise year on year.

In 2022, we were the 5th largest humanitarian donor, providing more than $1 billion in humanitarian assistance.

Last year, we allocated over $400 million in humanitarian assistance to respond to needs in Sub-Saharan Africa, $277 million to respond to needs in Ukraine, and over $143 million to Afghanistan and the region.

We also allocated nearly $650 million for humanitarian food and nutrition assistance in response to the growing global food crisis.

Our assistance helped the World Food Programme to reach a record 158 million food insecure people in 2022 – an impressive 27% increase from 2021!

We also contributed to providing humanitarian assistance and protection to more than 100 million refugees and other forcibly displaced persons through the UNHCR in 2022.

In line with the FIAP, Canada continues to be a strong advocate for gender-responsive humanitarian action.

Canada also remains committed to the Triple Nexus approach that integrates humanitarian, development, and peace and security actions to more effectively respond to – and ultimately prevent – conflict.

Because that is what good development assistance does. It goes hand-in-hand with peace and stabilization actions.

Global Affairs Canada is constantly working to improve the quality and effectiveness of Canada’s international assistance.

This includes how we integrate gender equality, human rights, and intersectional considerations into our projects to ensure we are reaching the poorest and most vulnerable.

Through the ongoing Grants and Contributions Transformation Initiative, Global Affairs Canada is also finding new ways of working that are faster, more transparent, and more flexible.

This will further enhance Canada’s capacity to both report on and deliver sustainable results that make a positive change in people’s lives.

Meaningful climate action and humanitarian assistance go hand-in-hand with gender equality and human rights, to build a more just and more prosperous world for all.

And that is why we are making the most of the transformative potential of Canada’s feminist approach to international assistance – to tackle the root causes of inequality and poverty to transform the lives of those most in need around the globe.

Merci à tous.

Member biographies

Ali Ehassi (Chair)

LPC – Willowdale (ON)

Election to The House of Commons

First Elected: 2015
Re-elected: 2019, 2021

Professional Background

Studies: MP Ehsassi is a graduate of the University of Toronto (B.A.), attended the London School of Economics (M.SC.) and received degrees from Osgoode Hall Law School (LL. B) and a masters of international trade and arbitration law from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. (LL.M).
Law: Lawyer in the private sector
Public Servant: Civil servant at both provincial and federal levels

Parliamentary roles

Parliamentary Secretary: Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry (Innovation and Industry) (2019 – 2021)

Parliamentary Association Vice-Chair: Canada-China Legislative Association (2020 – 2021)

Notable committee membership

Chair: Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (2022 – Present); Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (2022 – Present)

Member: Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (2021 – Present); Liaison Committee (2022 – Present); Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (2021 – Present)

Statements on International Development and Humanitarian Assistance

During Question Period on February 7, 2023, MP Ehsassi made a statement to recognize the devastation and suffering caused by earthquakes that occurred in Turkey and northern Syria. He emphasized Canada’s efforts to support multilateral organizations like the UN agencies in the region and the critical efforts of other humanitarian agencies on the ground.
During Question Period on May 10, 2022, MP Ehsassi raised concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Syria, noting the many displaced Syrians. He asked the Minister of International Development to inform the House on what the government was doing to help Syrians who sought refuge in Canada and in neighbouring countries (Lebanon, Jordan, and Egypt).

Points of Interest to GAC

Ukraine:

MP Ehassi has spoken on multiple occasions in the House on the atrocities committed by Russia in Ukraine. He is supportive of the measures taken by Canada to help Ukrainian civilians.
From July 8 to 10, 2022, MP Ehsassi travelled to the Baltics (Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia) to engage with counterparts, regarding the war in Ukraine. On May 6, 2022, MP Ehsassi travelled to Kyiv alongside an EU parliamentarian delegation.

Iran:

MP Ehsassi has previously been outspoken on the topic of Iran and flight PS752, questioning compensation for families of victims and requesting an assessment on Iran’s draft report and a transparent investigation. He has asked departmental officials if this matter could/should be addressed at the International Court of Justice.

Garnett Genuis (Vice-Chair)

CPC – Sherwood Park – Fort Saskatchewan (AB)

Election to The House of Commons

First Elected: 2015
Re-elected: 2019, and 2021

Professional Background

Studies: Bachelor's degree in Public Affairs and Policy Management with a minor in Economics, and a Master's degree in Public Policy and Philosophy
Policy: Assistant to the Director of Policy at the Office of the Prime Minister (2008 – 2009)
Management: Executive Director at RETA (2011 – 2012); Vice-President Abingdon Research (2012 – 2015)

Parliamentary Roles

Critic: Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (2020 – Present)

Former Critic: Multiculturalism (2019 – 2020); International Development & Human Rights (Justice) (2020 – 2021)

Former Assistant Critic: Justice (Human Rights) (2015 – 2017); Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (Religious Freedom) (2015 – 2017)

Notable committee membership

Vice-Chair: Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (2022 – Present)

Member: Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (2017 – 2018/2020 –Present); Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (2022 – Present)

Former Vice-Chair: Special Committee on Canada-China Relations (2020 – 2021)

Statements on International Development and Humanitarian Assistance

During a February 14, 2023, meeting at FAAE on the Humanitarian Crisis Following a Series of Earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, MP Genuis’ intervention focused on the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan and its impacts on religious and ethnic minority communities and the challenges faced by people who are displaced.
MP Genuis’ interventions during FAAE’s November 21, 2022, meeting focused on justice systems and police reform around the world. He asked witnesses what Canada’s international development assistance can do to strengthen the justice system and promote police reforms around the world.
MP Genuis’ interventions during FAAE’s October 31, 2022, appearance with Minister Sajjan were critical of the government’s policy with respect to the matching fund program, stating that it excludes small, diaspora-led international development organizations. He has on numerous occasions asked that the government reform this policy.
At the FAAE meeting on October 31, 2023, MP Genuis’ intervention focused on the United Nations and other multilateral organizations facing allegations of corruption. He asked the Minister of International Development if he would commit to withdrawing funds from organizations which do not have acceptable human rights standards.

Stéphane Bergeron (Vice-Chair)

BQ – Montarville (QC)

Election to House of Commons

Elected: 1993
Re-elected: 1997, 2000, 2004, 2019, 2021

Professional Background

Studies: Bachelor’s degree in Politics and International relations and a Master’s degree in Politics and International relations.
Provincial Politics: Member of Quebec’s National Assembly for the “Parti Québécois” (2005 – 2018)
Military: Served in the Canadian Forces as a naval cadet instructor cadre officer (1984 – 1993)

Parliamentary Roles

Critic: Foreign Affairs and International Trade (Foreign Affairs) (1996 – 1998/2003 – 2004/2019 – Present)

Parliamentary Association Member: National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (2021 – Present); Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (2019 – Present); Canada-China Legislative Association (2021 – Present); Canada-Germany Interparliamentary Group (2019 – Present); Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (2019 – Present); Canada-France Inter-Parliamentary Association(2019 – Present); Canada-Ireland Interparliamentary Group (2019 – Present); Canada-Israel Interparliamentary Group (2019 – Present); Canada-Italy Interparliamentary Group (2019 – Present); Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group (2019 – Present); Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (2019 – Present); Canadian Branch of the Assemblée parlementaire de la Francophonie (2019 – Present); Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (2019 – Present); Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (2019 – Present); Canadian Section of ParlAmericas (2019 – Present); Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association (2019 – Present); Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (2019 – Present); Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (2019 – Present)

Notable committee membership

Vice-Chair: Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (2020 – Present); Special Committee on Canada-China Relations (2020 – Present)

Member: Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (2020 – Present); Special Committee on Canada-China Relations (2020 – Present); Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (2021 – Present); Subcommittee on Agenda and Procedure of the Special Committee on the Canada–People’s Republic of China Relationship (2021 – Present)

Statements on International Development and Humanitarian Assistance

During a FAAE meeting on February 14, 2023, MP Bergeron’s intervention focused on GAC’s partners in Syria and their local procurement of materials (food, shelter, water, sanitation, etc.) for relief aid to respond to the humanitarian needs of earthquake victims. He asked GAC witnesses to elaborate on the infrastructure in both Turkey and Syria to provide aid to the people in the region.
At the FAAE meeting on February 14, 2023, MP Bergeron asked witnesses what Canada could do to ensure that aid is much more effective on the ground as he was critical of Canada’s regulatory and legislative framework, which in his view undermine humanitarian aid operations on the ground.
MP Bergeron’s interventions during FAAE’s October 31, 2022, appearance with Minister Sajjan focused on Canada’s international climate finance program. He asked the Minister why Canada had not received any applications from Pakistan when multilateral organizations to which Canada contributes have themselves received applications.
On March 29, 2022, MP Bergeron spoke critically of the government’s proposed plan for Ukrainian refugees seeking to come to Canada. He focused specifically on the lack of assurance that health care coverage would be provided.

Rachel Bendayan

LPC – Outremont (QC)

Election to The House of Commons

First elected: 2019
Re-elected: 2021

Professional Background

Studies: Bachelor’s degree in International Development Studies and a Bachelor’s degree in Law
Law: Former lawyer with Norton Rose Canada in Montreal in the fields of litigation and international arbitration, specializing in international trade law (2007 – 2015)
Teaching: Taught at the Université de Montréal’s Faculty of Law (2010 – 2015)

Parliamentary roles

Parliamentary Secretary: Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance (Industry/Finance) (2021 – Present)

Former Parliamentary Secretary: Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade (Industry/Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development) (2019 – 2021)

Notable committee membership

Member: Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (2021 – Present); Special Joint Committee on the Declaration of Emergency (2022 – Present)

Statements on International Development and Humanitarian Assistance

During a FAAE meeting on February 14, 2023, MP Bendayan’s intervention focused on the fair and equitable distribution of humanitarian aid on the ground. She asked witnesses if certain ethnic and religious considerations came into play.
At a FAAE meeting on February 14, 2023, MP Bendayan opposed the idea of lifting sanctions on Bashar al-Assad’s regime or on Vladmir Putin’s government. She asked witnesses whether there was an opportunity to deliver more aid and to work with trusted partners on the ground without giving carte blanche to what she characterized as the two worst regimes in power.
During a March 3, 2022, FAAE appearance by Minister Sajjan, MP Bendayan asked about the quick delivery of assistance to Ukrainians on the ground
During a FAAE meeting on February 28, 2022, MP Bendayan emphasized Canada’s leadership in supporting Ukraine through humanitarian assistance and aid. She asked witnesses if there were sanctions Canada could impose that were not already imposed.
MP Bendayan’s intervention during a meeting at FAAE on February 7, 2022, focused on Canada’s bilateral relationship with Haiti and the monetary value of the development assistance donated by Canada to the region. She asked witnesses to provide suggestions on how Canada can ensure the funds are delivered to the ground quickly.

Michael D. Chong

CPC – Wellington – Halton Hills (ON)

Election to The House of Commons

First elected: 2014
Re-elected: 2006, 2008, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2021

Professional Background

Studies: Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy
Advisor: Senior advisor at Greater Toronto Airports Authority (2001 – 2004); Analyst at BZW (Barclays de Zoete Wedd) (1994 – 1997); Assistant to the President at the Canadian Tire Financial Services (1992 – 1994)
IT: Head of IT at Mackie Research Capital (1997 – 1999)
History: Member Board Of Directors at Historica Canada (1997 – Present)

Parliamentary roles

Critic: Foreign Affairs (2020 – Present)

Former Critic: Infrastructure, Communities and Urban Affairs (2017 – 2018); Science (Industry) (2018 – 2019); Democratic Institutions (2019 – 2020)

Notable committee membership

Vice-Chair: Special Committee on the Canada–People’s Republic of China Relationship (2022 – Present)

Member: Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (2020 – Present); Special Committee on the Canada–People’s Republic of China Relationship (2022 – Present)

Former Vice-Chair: Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (2020 – 2021); Special Committee on Afghanistan (2021 – 2022)

Statements on International Development and Humanitarian Assistance

During a FAAE meeting on March 3, 2022, MP Chong’s intervention focused on UN Resolution 2615 that gave exemption to Resolution 1988. He asked witnesses how this Resolution would allow member states to get humanitarian aid to Afghanistan and the Afghan people while also ensuring that funds would not fall into the hands of the Taliban.
At a FAAE meeting on March 3, 2022, MP Chong also spoke on the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. He asked witnesses what mechanisms were in place to ensure dialogue between like-minded partners (Canada, United States, United Kingdom, and the European Union) to ensure resources are shared for the 900,000 refugees.

Points of interest to GAC

Iran: Flight PS752

During Question Period in October 2022, MP Chong repeatedly pressed the government to increase sanctions on Iran and to register the IRGC as a terrorist entity.
On January 8, 2022, MP Chong released a statement accusing the government of “failing to take serious action against the Iranian regime for the downing of Flight PS752.”

Ukraine:

In a statement in the House in July 2022, MP Chong called on the government to implement strong measures to counter Russian aggression and to strengthen the security of Canada and its allies. He stressed that Canada must continue to advocate for policies that strengthen its relationship with allies like Germany, so they are less reliant on Russian natural gas.

Dave Epp

CPC – Chatham-Kent-Leamington (ON)

Election to The House of Commons

First elected: 2019
Re-elected: 2021

Professional Background

Business: Co-owner of Axxess Furniture Inc., an Edmonton-based furniture distribution business, for 12 years
Recognition: His work on community boards earned him both an Alberta Centennial Medal (2005), and a Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)

Parliamentary roles

Parliamentary Association Member: Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (2021-present); Canada-Germany Interparliamentary Group (2022-present); Canada-France Inter-Parliamentary Association (2021-Present); Canada-Ireland Interparliamentary Group (2022-present); Canada-Israel Interparliamentary Group (2022-present); Canada-Italy Interparliamentary Group (2022-present); Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group (2022-present); Canadian Branch of the Assemblée Parlementaire de la Francophonie (2022-present); Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (2022-present); Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (2021-present); Canadian Section of ParlAmericas (2022-present); Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association (2021-present); Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (2021-present).

Notable committee membership

Member: Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (2022-present)

Former Member: Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food (2020-2022)

Statements on International Development and Humanitarian Assistance

During a meeting on February 14, 2023 at FAAE, MP Epp asked GAC officials about the vetting-processes for selecting humanitarian aid organizations for the Government’s matching program.

Points of interest to GAC

Ukraine: Fertilizer Tariffs

In June 2022, at the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-food (AGRI) MP Epp focused on the commercial exchanges between Canada and Ukraine, especially on the modernization of the commercial agreement between Ukraine and Canada.

Global Food Insecurity

In June 2022, at AGRI, MP Epp showed great interest in Canadian grain, energy, expertise in food production given the impacts of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
He has also been strongly engaged at AGRI regarding fertilizer tariffs.

Hedy Fry

LPC – Vancouver Centre (BC)

Election to The House of Commons

First elected: 1993
Re-elected: 1997, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2021

Professional Background

Studies: PhD in Medicine
Medicine: Family Physician (1970 – 1993); President of the BC Medical Association (1990 – 1991)
Media: Columnist with a focus on medicine, at CBC Television (1985 – 1988)

Parliamentary roles

Parliamentary Association Chair: Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (2020 – Present); Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (2017 – Present)

Parliamentary Association Member: Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (2005 – Present); Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (2004 – Present); Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (2005 – Present); Canadian Section of ParlAmericas (2011 – Present); Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association (2009 – Present); Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (2004 – Present); Canadian Delegation Organization for Security/Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (2009 – Present)

Former Parliamentary Secretary: Minister of Citizenship and Immigration (2004 – 2006); Human Resources and Skills Development with special emphasis on the Internationally Trained Workers Initiative (2004 – 2006); Citizenship and Immigration with special emphasis on Foreign Credentials (2003 – 2004); Multiculturalism & Status of Women (1996 – 2002); National Health and Welfare (Health) (1993 – 1996)

Former Critic: Canadian Heritage (2006 – 2009); Health (2011 – 2015)

Notable committee membership

Chair: Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage (2016 – 2018/2021 – Present)

Member: Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (2020 – Present); Special Joint Committee on Medical Assistance in Dying (2021 – Present); Liaison Committee (2021 – Present)

Former Vice Chair: Standing Committee on Health (2011 – 2015)

Statements on International Development and Humanitarian Assistance

During Question Period on March 10, 2023, MP Fry raised awareness for the need for humanitarian aid for women who live in conflict areas, displaced by war and who become victims of rape, noting that access to health services is especially difficult for these women.
During Question Period on February 17, 2023, MP Fry advocated for universal access to sexual and reproductive health to support the world’s women and girls. She emphasized the lack of access to sexual and reproductive health services and its impacts on women’s disability, disease and death globally.
During a meeting at FAAE on May 2, 2022, MP Fry asked whether the government’s funding for humanitarian aid to Ukraine was sufficient.

Randy Hoback

CPC –Prince Albert (SK)

Election to The House of Commons

First elected: 2008
Re-elected: 2011, 2015, 2019, 2021

Professional Background

Studies: Certificate in Business Administration
Business background: District Sales Manager Southern Alberta at Flexicoil (1990 – 1993); International Marketing Manager Western Europe at CNH Industrial (1996 – 1999); President Hoback Enterprises inc. (1985 – 2005); Chairman at the Western Canadian Wheat Growers Association (2003 – 2005)
Government: Assistant to Parliamentary Secretary, David Anderson (Agriculture) under Minister Chuck Strahl (2006-2007)

Parliamentary roles

Critic: Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (2019 – Present); Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (Canada-U.S. Relations) (2016 – 2017)

Parliamentary Association Member: Canadian Section of ParlAmericas (2011 – Present); Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (2009 – Present); Canada-China Legislative Association (2008 – Present); Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (2008 – Present); Canada-France Inter-Parliamentary Association (2009 – 2013/2022 – Present); Canada-Israel Interparliamentary Group (2009 – Present); Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group (2009 – Present); Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (2008 – Present); Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (2008 – Present); Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (2008 – Present); Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association (2008 – Present); Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (2009 – Present)

Notable committee membership

Former Vice-Chair: Standing Committee on International Trade (2015 – 2019/2021 – 2022)

Member: Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (2022 – Present); Standing Committee on International Trade (2011 – 2022); Special Committee on the Canada–People’s Republic of China Relationship (2011 – Present)

Former Chair: Standing Committee on International Trade (2013 – 2015)

Points of interest to GAC

ASEAN, India:

In June 2022, MP Hoback tweeted about the urgent need for permanent trade agreements with ASEAN, India.

Agricultural Sector:

At the Standing Committee on International Trade (CIIT) meetings, MP Hoback has spoken of the need to protect the interests of the agricultural sector in Canada.

U.K.'s accession into CPTPP:

During a CIIT meeting in May 2022, MP Hoback asked for assurances from Global Affairs Canada that Canada will not approve the UK's accession to CPTPP until Canada has a bilateral agreement in place with the UK.
In April 2022, during the meetings at CIIT regarding its study on the Modernization of the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement, MP Hoback promotes the development of Canadian natural gas as a way to replace Europe's dependence on Russian gas.

Ukraine:

Since the beginning of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, MP Hoback has repeatedly spoken out at CIIT meetings in support of Canada's supply of arms and equipment to Ukraine.

Heather Mcpherson

NDP – Riding (PR)

Election to the House of Commons

Elected: 2019
Re-elected: 2021

Professional background

Studies: Bachelor's degree in Secondary Education and teaching (English Major) and a Master's degree in Theoretical, Culture and International Studies in Education
Cooperation: Volunteer Team Leader Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) (2001 – 2003); Program Officer at the Canada World Youth (2003 – 2007); Executive Director Alberta Council for Global Cooperation (2008 – 2019)

Parliamentary roles

Critic: Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (2019 – Present)

Deputy Whip of the N.D.P. (2021 – Present)

Deputy Critic: Canadian Heritage (2021 – Present)

Parliamentary Association Vice-Chair: Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (2020 – Present)

Former N.D.P. Deputy House Leader (2019 – 2021)

Notable committee membership

Vice-Chair: Special Committee on the Canada–People’s Republic of China Relationship (2022 – Present)

Member: Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (2021 – Present); Special Committee on the Canada–People’s Republic of China Relationship (2022 – Present)

Former Member: Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage (2020 – 2021)

Statements on International Development and Humanitarian Assistance

During a debate in the House Chamber on Bill C-41, on March 27, 2023, MP McPherson was critical of what she perceived as continued restrictions preventing Canadian organizations from providing humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations, namely in Afghanistan, and the risks of weaponizing humanitarian aid through the proposed legislation.
MP McPherson has been a strong voice on Afghanistan, especially on women and girls in the region. During the debate on Bill C-41, in the House Chamber on March 27, 2023, she was critical of the government’s efforts in supporting women and girls through its feminist international assistance policy. She spoke about the impacts of poverty on women and girls in Afghanistan along with what she characterized as disproportionate human rights abuses against this population.
During a meeting at FAAE on March 10, 2023, MP McPherson sought suggestions from witnesses on how Canada can provide better aid to women in Afghanistan, Iran and Saudi Arabia.
During a meeting at FAAE on February 14, 2023, MP McPherson asked GAC officials about Canada’s contribution to a $400-million appeal from the United Nations for aid to support earthquake victims in Syria. She also asked whether the Humanitarian Coalition would be considered for the government`s matching fund program.
During a meeting at FAAE on November 2, 2022, MP McPherson intervened on climate financing. She expressed concern for increasing climate emergencies and emphasized the importance of climate financing to respond to these emergencies with regard to development and humanitarian aid. She asked witnesses to comment on general criticisms around climate financing and the use of debt and equity financing as opposed to grant financing.
During a meeting at FAAE on October 28, 2022, MP McPherson noted a lack of access to humanitarian aid in the Tigray region and asked witnesses what more Canada could do to provide food, medicine, banking and communications to Tigray, all of which have been denied to the region of Tigray.

Robert Oliphant (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs)

LPC – Don Valley West (ON)

Election to The House of Commons

First elected: 2008
Re-elected: 2011, 2015, 2019, 2021

Professional Background

Studies: Bachelor's degree in Trade from the University of Toronto, Master's degree in Theology from the University of British Columbia, and a Doctorate of Ministry (D.Min) from the Chicago Theological Seminary.
Religion : Minister at the Quyon United Church in Quyon, QC (1984 – 1986); Associate Minister at the Timothy Eaton Memorial Church in Toronto, ON (1984 – 1986); Interim Senior Minister at the Bloor Street United Church in Toronto, ON (1991 – 1993); Minister at the Whitehorse United Church in Whitehorse, YT (1991 – 1993); Minister at the Eglinton St. George's United Church in Toronto, ON (1999 – 2008)
Management: President and CEO at the Asthma Society of Canada (2011 – 2015)

Parliamentary roles

Parliamentary Secretary: Minister of Foreign Affairs (2019 – present)

Parliamentary Association Vice-Chair: Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (2022 – Present)

Parliamentary Association Member: Canada-China Legislative Association (2015 – Present); Canada-Germany Interparliamentary Group (2016 – Present); Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (2015 – Present); Canada-France Inter-Parliamentary Association (2018 – Present); Canada-Ireland Interparliamentary Group (2016 – Present); Canada-Israel Interparliamentary Group (2015 – Present); Canada-Italy Interparliamentary Group (2016 – Present); Canada-Japan Inter-Parliamentary Group (2016 – Present); Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (2015 – Present); Canadian Branch of the Assemblée Parlementaire de la Francophonie (2020 – Present); Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (2015 – Present); Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (2015 – Present); Canadian Section of ParlAmericas (2015 – Present); Canada-United Kingdom Inter-Parliamentary Association (2017 – Present); Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (2015 – Present); Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (2016 – Present)

Former Critic: Citizenship and Immigration (Multiculturalism) (2010 – 2011); Veterans Affairs (2009 – 2010)

Notable committee membership

Member: Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (2019 – Present); Special Committee on the Canada–People’s Republic of China Relationship (2022 – Present)

Former Chair: Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (2017 – 2019); Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security (2016 – 2017)

Former Vice-Chair: Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs (2009 – 2010)

Points of interest to GAC

China:

At FAAE on May 5, 2022, PS Oliphant voted in favour of MP Chong’s motion regarding the Sino-Tibetan dialogue, that Canada should support the facilitation of negotiations between the People’s Republic of China and the Central Tibetan Administration, while adding an amendment to “[enable] Tibet to exercise genuine autonomy within the framework of the Chinese Constitution”.

Ukraine:

During a FAAE meeting in May 2022, PS Oliphant strongly condemned Russia's invasion of Ukraine, calling it ”barbaric” and stating that Canada will continue to stand in solidarity with Ukraine.

Afghanistan:

On January 1, 2021, PS Oliphant tweeted: “Canada and Canadians cannot and will not abandon the Afghan people. Despite the tremendous challenges on the ground, we continue to get humanitarian assistance through using trusted multilateral partners.”

Randeep Sarai

LPC – Surrey Centre (BC)

Election to The House of Commons

First elected: 2015
Re-elected: 2019, and 2021

Professional Background

Education: Bachelor's degree in Political Science and Government and a Bachelor's degree in Law
Law: Lawyer at Sarai & Associates (2002 – 2005); Lawyer at TDS Lawyers (2014 – 2015)
Administration: Officer at Alpenglow Development (2005 – 2009); Vice President - Loan Remediation at Sprott Resource Lending (2008 – 2011); Principal of the Sarai Group of Companies (2006 – Present)

Parliamentary roles

Nil

Notable committee membership

Chair: Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (2021 – Present)

Member: Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (2021 – Present); Liaison Committee (2021 – Present); Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (2021 – Present)

Former Member: Standing Committee on International Trade (2020 – 2021); Standing Committee on Public Accounts (2018 – 2019); Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (2016 – 2019)

Statements on International Development and Humanitarian Assistance

During a FAAE meeting on February 14, 2023, MP Sarai raised concerns about humanitarian aid improperly going to the Assad regime. He asked GAC officials to provide details on the mechanisms in place to prevent this and ensure that humanitarian assistance was delivered directly to individuals impacted by the humanitarian crisis in Syria.
In this same meeting, MP Sarai asked GAC officials whether humanitarian aid was being delivered to places based on need and not based on the ethnic background of groups in Turkey.
On August 4, 2022 at a FAAE appearance by Minister Joly, MP Sarai’s intervention focused on Canada’s sanctions against Russia. He asked witnesses if the sanctions were designed to be punitive in terms of any humanitarian needs of the Russians or any of the neighbouring countries, or if they were designed only to economically and militarily sanction Russia.

Points of interest to GAC

Ukraine: Human Rights

At SDIR on May 3, 2022, MP Sarai underlined the “egregious” and “appalling” human rights violations in Ukraine, including “war crimes and crimes against humanity that were being committed by Russian forces against civilians”.

China: Human Rights

At FAAE on March 28, 2022, MP Sarai questioned departmental officials on the upcoming trip by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Michelle Bachelet, to China and her expected report on the human rights situation in Xinjiang.

Sameer Zuberi

LPC – Pierrefonds – Dollard (QC)

Election to The House of Commons

First elected: 2019
Re-elected: 2021

Professional Background

Studies: Bachelor's degree in Pure and Applied Mathematics and a Bachelor's degree in Law
Law: Legal Researcher at Law Office Montreal (2010 – 2012)
Administration: Diversity & Engagement Officer at the Faculty of Medicine of McGill University (2016 – 2019)
Advocacy: Media Relations and Human Rights Coordinator for the National Council of Canadian Muslims (2006-2008)
Military: Reservist in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserves (1997 – 2002)

Parliamentary roles

Nil

Notable committee membership

Chair: Subcommittee on International Human Rights of the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (2022 – Present)

Vice-Chair: Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations (2022 – Present)

Member: Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (2022 – Present); Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations (2020 – Present)

Former Member: Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security (2021 – 2022); Standing Committee on Veterans Affairs (2021); Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights (2020 – 2021); Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations (2020 – 2021)

Statements on International Development and Humanitarian Assistance

During a FAAE meeting on February 14, 2023, MP Zuberi shared the concerns of stakeholders who appeared before FAAE regarding the government’s matching fund and the selection-criteria. He then asked GAC officials whether the funds for humanitarian aid from Canada were going to the Syrian government or if they are directed through NGOs.

Points of interest to GAC

Ukraine:

On March 24, 2022, at a FAAE meeting, MP Zuberi asked whether Canada is working with its allies to create an off-ramp for Vladimir Putin that allows him to save face to end the conflict.
On May 6, 2022, MP Zuberi met with Canada’s Ambassador to the UN to discuss the human rights situation in Ukraine.

Russia:

On Twitter, MP Zuberi has condemned Russian actions to silence independent journalists within the country.

China: Uyghurs

At FAAE meetings MP Zuberi has repeatedly condemned China's actions against the Uyghur minority, and has supported the use of Magnitsky sanctions to target those responsible for these crimes.

Summary of proposals

2023-24 main estimates year-over-year changes - Net increase of $107.6m

The Department’s total funding requested in the 2023-24 Main Estimates is $7.6B, which represents a net increase of $107.6M over the 2022-23 Main Estimates of $7.5B.

Funding increases include:

Funding to implement the Feminist International Assistance Agenda - $76.8M

The 2023-24 Main Estimates include a net increase of $76.8M compared to the 2022-23 Main Estimates to implement the Feminist International Assistance Agenda.
Global Affairs Canada has funding of $901.5M in 2023-24 compared to $824.7M in 2022-23 (increase of $76.8M), to further the implementation of the Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP). The funding is broken down as follow:
- $587.3M of International Assistance Envelope (IAE) resources to support initiatives in the following four priority areas, aligned with the FIAP and Canada’s commitments:
- regularize humanitarian assistance and apply gender-responsive approach to humanitarian action;
- breakdown barriers to girls, adolescent girls and women's empowerment;
- project Canadian leadership and deploy Canadian expertise; and
- augment Canada's support to Sub-Saharan Africa.
$314.2M to support the implementation of Innovative Financing Programs composed of the International Assistance Innovation Program (IAIP) and the Sovereign Loans Program (SLP). Initiatives pursued under these programs will support innovative approaches and partnerships, including with the private and public sectors.
Budget 2018 provided $2.0B over five years from existing unallocated IAE resources to accelerate the impact of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy. The overall approach to deploying these incremental resources was to distribute the funding through four priority areas aligned with the Feminist International Assistance Policy and ministerial mandate letter commitments.
Budget 2018 also allocated $1.5B over five years for the creation of two Innovative Finance programs: The International Assistance Innovation Program (IAIP) and the Sovereign Loans Program (SLP).

Funding for Canada's engagement in United Nations Peace Operations and Peacebuilding - $32.9M

The 2023-24 Main Estimates include an increase of $32.9M related to funding to support Canada’s Engagement in United Nations Peace Operations and Peacebuilding.
At the December 2021 UN Peacekeeping Ministerial, hosted by the Republic of Korea, the Minister of National Defence announced increasing funding to the UN Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund and providing it on a multi-year basis ($70.0M over 3 years).
The Economic and Fiscal Update 2021 included $179.7M over five years for Global Affairs Canada, including $30.0M over three years from existing resources, to renew Canada’s engagement and advance Canadian initiatives to make peace operations and peacebuilding more effective and inclusive. 
Through this initiative, Global Affairs Canada will:
- Improve policies, practices and effectiveness of multilateral and global organizations;
- Enhance Canadian leadership and constructive engagement on issues of peace and security, including human rights, democracy and inclusion;
- Improve inclusive and gender-responsive prevention of violent conflict, response to crisis, and peacebuilding in fragile and conflict-affected states and situations where PSOPs engages; and
- Enhance inclusive and gender-responsive multilateral prevention, mitigation and response to violent conflict, threats, insecurity and fragility in the world.

Transfers from other government departments to provide support to departmental - $32.3M

The 2023-24 Main Estimates include an increase of $32.3M related to transfers from other government departments to provide support to departmental staff located at missions abroad.
As part of the memorandum of understanding with other government departments, Global Affairs Canada is a common service provider for the Government of Canada operations abroad and receives or returns funds for the adjusted cost of operations resulting from staff being posted at Canadian missions abroad by other government departments.
Transfers to 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 and all the common services costs incurred at missions abroad to support their staff.

Funding to help developing countries to address the impact of climate change - $23.1M

The 2023-24 Main Estimates include a net increase of $23.1M compared to the 2022-23 Main Estimates for the funding to help developing countries to address the impact of climate change.
The incremental resources support climate adaptation efforts and nature-based solutions in low-income countries, while accelerating the global transition beyond coal.
In June 2021, the Prime Minister announced a doubling of Canada's climate finance, from $2.7B to $5.3B over the next 5 years from 2021-22 to 2025-26 which includes increased funding for adaptation and biodiversity.
Four priority thematic areas were identified for the climate finance funding: 1) Clean Energy Transition and Coal Phase-out; 2) Nature-based Solutions and with biodiversity co-benefits; 3) Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Systems; and, 4) Climate Governance to focus funding in areas of greatest need and where Canada can be the most effective while reflecting lessons learned including opportunities for scale-up based on the previous commitment.

Funding for inflation on overseas operating costs - $21.4M

The 2023-24 Main Estimates include an increase of $21.4M (Non-ODA portion) related to inflation on overseas operating costs.
Global Affairs Canada presents a situation unique to government in terms of inflation compensation requirements. As the common service provider for the Canadian Government abroad, the Department expends resources outside of Canada that are subject to foreign inflation rates which can vary significantly from Canadian domestic rates. Excess foreign inflation can quickly erode the purchasing power of mission budgets.
Like domestic departments, Global Affairs Canada is expected to absorb the Canadian rate of inflation. Since 1986-87, the Department has sought budgetary compensation for the effects of foreign inflation in excess of Canadian rate of inflation and has been compensated annually through its Annual Reference Level Update submission.

Funding for reinforcing and modernization core consular capacity to assist Canadians abroad - $16.8M

The 2023-24 Main Estimates include an increase of $16.8M related to funding to reinforce and modernize core consular capacity to assist Canadians abroad.
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.
The funding will allow the Consular Program to adapt and modernize service delivery in an evolving international landscape, to leverage consular diplomacy and engage constructively with domestic and international stakeholders to advocate for a number of issues affecting Canadians. It will also allow the Program to improve prevention efforts to increase awareness of consular services with continued emphasis on client-focused services to better serve Canadians, contributing to their safety and security.

Funding for locally engaged staff salaries and related benefits incurred at missions abroad - $16.6M

The 2023-24 Main Estimates include an increase of $16.6M (Non-ODA portion) related to the revisions of locally engaged staff salaries and related benefits at missions abroad.
To ensure that Global Affairs Canada abides by the employment laws abroad and provides salary and benefit increases that are in line with the local economy so as to keep compensation comparable to that of local employers.
The adjustment includes all locally engaged staff that provide services to Global Affairs Canada and several other government departments.

Funding for payments, in respect of pension, insurance and social security programs or other arrangements for employees locally engaged outside of Canada - $10.7M

The 2023-24 Main Estimates include an increase of $10.7M compared to the 2022-23 Main Estimates for payments, in respect of pension, insurance and social security programs or other arrangements for employees locally engaged outside of Canada.
The department's budget (Vote 15) goes from $91.8M to $102.5M for fiscal year 2023-24.
Global Affairs Canada manages Locally Engaged Staff Pension, Insurance and Social Security Program. The Program consists of pension and insurance plans and affiliation with local social security.
Locally Engaged Staff pension and insurance plans are established when required by local law; are comparable to other employers within each country. The Government of Canada participates in local social security systems unless there is a good reason not to.
The Program was transferred to Global Affairs Canada from Treasury Board Secretariat effective January 1, 2012, at an annual base funding level of $50.8M. However, annual costs, as evidenced by actual expenditures both prior and subsequent to the transfer, have consistently exceeded the base funding level.

Funding for Canada's participation in World Osaka 2025 - $10.7M

The 2023-24 Main Estimates include an increase of $10.7M related to funding to support Canada's Participation at World Expo Osaka 2025.
Budget 2022 announced funding of $54.4M over four years.
Through this initiative, Global Affairs Canada will organize and deliver Canada's participation at Expo 2025 Osaka, to ensure alignment with Canada's Foreign Policy and upcoming Indo-Pacific Strategy.

Funding for compensation for EX group - $9.3M

The 2023-24 Main Estimates include an increase of $9.3M compared to the 2022-23 Main Estimates for compensation related to the impact of the approval of pay increases for executives and senior leaders.

Funding for safe third agreement modernization - $8.7M

The 2023-24 Main Estimates include an increase of $8.7M related to funding to support the Safe Third Country Agreement Modernization.
[REDACTED]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 for the administration of trade controls - $7.0M

The 2023-24 Main Estimates include an increase of $7.0M related to funding to support Trade Controls.
Budget 2021 announced funding of $38.2M over 5 years and $7.9M ongoing thereafter.
Through this initiative, Global Affairs Canada will provide the additional resources required to deliver Canada's trade controls regime in four areas: 1) new tariff rate quotas under the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Canada-US-Mexico Agreement; 2) steel and aluminum import monitoring programs; 3) new arms control export requirements agreed to as part of Canada's accession to the Arms Trade Treaty; and 4) export and import control requirements related to the new prohibition of certain firearms. The initiative will enable the effective and efficient administration of trade controls that are critical to the Canadian economy.

Funding for CanExport – intellectual property support - $6.9M

The 2023-24 Main Estimates include an increase of $6.9M related to funding to support Canadian businesses in securing their intellectual property in foreign markets.
The CanExport program supports increased and more diverse trade and investment to raise the standard of living for all Canadians and enable Canadian businesses to grow internationally; to create economic opportunities; help Canadian exporters be successful in their business development efforts; and facilitate, expand or retain foreign direct investment.
Budget 2022 announced an increase of $35.0M over five years for the CanExport Program as part of an initiative to invest in and protect Canada's Intellectual Property.
The funding will help increase the percentage of Canadian organizations having secured their Intellectual Property in foreign markets, which will contribute to the diversification of their export markets.

Strengthening Canada's capacity for a global China - $6.7M

The 2023-24 Main Estimates include an increase of $6.7M related to funding to support the creation of the Centre of China Policy Research and Coherence.
The Budget 2022 announced the initial funding of $32.5M over five years and $6.9M ongoing.
The funding is for enhancing Canada's capacity to sustainably advance and defend our interests related to China's growing global influence. This proposal pivots Canada's China capacity from a previously Global Affairs Canada / bilateral-focused frame to a whole-of-government frame.

Adjustment related to the inflation on foreign service allowances - $4.2M

The 2023-24 Main Estimates include an increase of $4.2M (Non-ODA portion) related to inflation on foreign service allowances.
Global Affairs Canada provides the foreign service allowances to Government of Canada employees who are serving abroad as per the Foreign Service Directives which ensure that the terms and conditions of employment for employees serving abroad are current.
Global Affairs Canada pays foreign service allowances to its own overseas staff and to employees from over ten other government departments with whom there is a memorandum of understanding.

Statutory forecasts - contributions to employee benefits plans - $4.2M

The 2023-24 Main Estimates include an increase of $4.2M related to the contributions to employee benefits plans (EBP).
The 2023-24 Main Estimates include $126.9M for contributions to employee benefits plans compared to $122.7M in 2022-23 Main Estimates.
The statutory item "employee benefit plans" (EBP) includes costs to the government for the employer's matching contributions and payments to the Public Service Superannuation Plan, the Canada and the Quebec Pension Plans, Death Benefits, and the Employment Insurance accounts.

Funding for Office of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise - $3.2M

The 2023-24 Main Estimates include an increase of $3.2M to provide additional resources to support the mandate of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE).
Budget 2021 announced funding of $16.2M over 5 years and $3.3M ongoing thereafter.
The funding will enable the office of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise (CORE) to expand its operating budget and personnel, relocate to new offices, and complete the development and implementation of an electronic case and customer relations management system (eCRM) to enable the CORE to securely and effectively capture and track client engagement, case management and monitoring of recommendations.

Funding for establishing a Ukraine Action Team - $2.9M

The 2023-24 Main Estimates include an increase of $2.9M related to funding for Establishing a Ukraine Action Team.
Global Affairs Canada requested new funding of $7.8M over three years to establish an integrated Ukraine Strategic Action Team to support Canada's core foreign policy, peace, and security objectives in Ukraine.

This funding is to implement the following activities. To support Canada's engagement in Ukraine, GAC established an integrated Ukraine Strategic Action Team;
Efforts under the Ukraine Strategic Action Team aims to enhance strategic direction, support coordination, and strengthen coherence in Canada's whole-of-government engagement while increasing visibility for investments in Ukraine; 
Additional operational capacity in human resources is needed to scale up the focus on Ukraine, as Canada's current footprint is relatively modest in comparison with like-minded partners.

Funding for Rapid Response Mechanism Initiative - $2.6M

The 2023-24 Main Estimates include an increase of $2.6M related to funding 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.
The increased funding will strengthen Canada's efforts to monitor foreign interference and coordinate information exchange on threats to democracy, such as disinformation, amongst G7 partners.

Funding for Foreign Cyber Operations to Protect Critical Infrastructure - $1.9M

The 2023-24 Main Estimates include an increase of $1.9M related to funding to support Foreign Cyber Operations to Protect Critical Infrastructure.
Budget 2022 allocated $875.2M over five years to the Communications Security Establishment beginning in 2022-23, and $238.2M ongoing, for additional measures to address the rapidly evolving cyber threat landscape.
Through this initiative, Global Affairs Canada will be funded to carry out its mandated role in ensuring that the government's foreign cyber operations align with Canada's foreign policy priorities, reflect Canadian international interests, comply with our international legal obligations, and respect global cyber norms, all while maintaining a robust governance framework with the Communications Security Establishment and supporting the work of security and intelligence review bodies. This capacity will allow Global Affairs Canada to meet current and expanding operational demands from the Communications Security Establishment.

Funding for Special Envoy on Combatting Antisemitism - $0.5M

The 2023-24 Main Estimates include an increase of $0.5M to support the mandate of the Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism.
Budget 2022 announced initial funding of $5.6M over 5 years and $1.2M ongoing thereafter.
The Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism (Special Envoy) was established as part of the Government of Canada's commitment to combat antisemitism, hatred and racism, and to promote and defend democracy, pluralism, inclusion and human rights.

Funding for building Canada's research capacity - $0.5M

The 2023-24 Main Estimates include an increase of $0.5M related to funding 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.
The new Research Security team would support Global Affairs Canada involvement in the interdepartmental effort to implement the Guidelines by contributing its expertise and applying its legislated authorities related primarily to foreign policy and reputational risks for Canada.

Funding decreases include:

Funding from the Strategic Priorities Fund - ($97.0M)

The 2023-24 Main Estimates include a decrease of $97.0M related to International Assistance funding to replenish the Strategic Priority Fund.

[REDACTED] funding for currency exchange fluctuations on expenditures at missions abroad - ($23.0M)

The 2023-24 Main Estimates include a decrease of $23.0M (Non-ODA portion) related to the impact of foreign currency fluctuations incurred on expenditures at missions abroad.
To ensure that Global Affairs Canada maintains its purchasing power, and is not positively or negatively impacted by foreign exchange rate fluctuations, Global Affairs Canada's budget is adjusted for currency fluctuations on an annual basis.

The items that are impacted by currency fluctuations include: Locally engaged staff (LES) salaries; and
Operating expenditures at missions abroad, including those managed at headquarters.

The Softwood Lumber funding - ($19.7M)

The 2023-24 Main Estimates include a decrease of $19.7M related to the sunset of the Softwood Lumber funding.
Budget 2018 has announced $191.0M over five years (from 2018-19 to 2022-23) to Global Affairs Canada and Natural Resources Canada to support softwood lumber jobs, including through litigation under the World Trade Organization and the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA) (previously North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)) dispute settlement mechanisms.
The requested funding allowed Global Affairs Canada to negotiate a new Softwood Lumber Agreement with the United States; administer and implement any managed trade agreement; defend Canadian softwood interests during any trade disputes; and issue permits for exports to the United States. This amount included a $90.5M (over five years) Special Purpose Allotment entitled "Softwood Lumber Legal and Litigation Costs" for any legal and litigation costs associated with the management of the file.
Through this initiative, the Government of Canada aimed to secure a softwood lumber managed trade agreement which brings predictability and stability to the Canadian forest industry. In addition, it looked to vigorously defend Canadian interests in any trade disputes, including under the CUSMA and before the World Trade Organization.

Funding for the Migrant Smuggling Strategy- ($9.1M)

The 2023-24 Main Estimates include a decrease of $9.1M related to the sunset of the funding to support the Migrant Smuggling Prevention Strategy.
Budget 2018 announced an investment of $91.6M over five years (starting in 2018-19) to renew and expand Canada's coordinated effort across law enforcement, intelligence, border protection and diplomatic spheres through Global Affairs Canada, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Canadian Security Intelligence Service and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, to identify and respond to threats associated with migrant smuggling ventures targeting Canada and across multiple modes of transportation and geographic locales.
This funding allowed Global Affairs Canada to support the Migrant Smuggling Prevention Strategy (MSPS) which was a prevention policy aimed at identifying and disrupting mass marine migrant smuggling ventures before they launch, by assisting source and transit countries to take preventative action within their respective jurisdictions, thereby avoiding the significant implications of arrival in Canada.

Adjustment related to the cost of assessed contributions - ($6.5M)

The 2023-24 Main Estimates include a net decrease of $6.5M (Non-ODA portion) related to the cost of assessed contributions due to changes in the international organizations' budget, changes to the Canada's rate of assessment and the impact of currency fluctuations resulting from the payment of the contributions in foreign currencies.
Assessed contributions are treaty-based membership fees for international organizations such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization.
On behalf of the Government of Canada, Global Affairs Canada pays annual assessments to 59 international organizations including 12 that relate to United Nations peacekeeping operations.
The assessments vary each year due to fluctuating foreign currency rates (most assessments are in USD or Euro), changes to the organizations' budgets, and adjustments to Canada's rate of assessment.

Other small items - ($37.0M)

The 2023-24 Main Estimates include a net decrease of $37.0M related to adjustments and fluctuations in the funding profile of small items.

Canada’s Humanitarian Response

Afghanistan Humanitarian Response

We remain deeply concerned over the worsening humanitarian situation in Afghanistan, with over 28 million people requiring humanitarian assistance in 2023.
Canada has continued to support the humanitarian response in Afghanistan, having provided over $143 million in emergency assistance in Afghanistan and neighbouring countries in 2022.
Canada is alarmed by the ban on female NGO workers, and is supporting the international efforts to call for a reversal of the ban and to ensure assistance is delivered where women can be accountably reached.

Supplementary messages

Humanitarian needs remain high in Afghanistan with the Humanitarian Response Plan requiring USD 4.6 billion to support 23.7 million people in 2023, up from 15.7 million people prior to the Taliban takeover.
Canada’s 2022 assistance helped provide emergency food and nutrition assistance to address one of the world’s most significant food crisis. It also helped provide emergency health, shelter, and protection services.
Canada has continued to respond through experienced humanitarian partners, such as United Nations agencies both inside Afghanistan and in neighbouring countries.
[REDACTED] Canada is alarmed at the increasing restrictions placed on women’s rights in Afghanistan, including to education, employment, and freedom of mobility.

Update

On December 24, the Taliban imposed new restrictions barring female Afghan employees from working for domestic and international NGOs. This ban has had a significant impact on the ability of NGOs to deliver assistance in Afghanistan. However, its implementation has been uneven across provinces, and sectoral exemptions have been secured for health and education. Partners are continuing to find ways to deliver while ensuring women and girls are accountably reached. These new restrictions on women have been widely criticized by the international community, including by the Government of Canada and G7 countries.

Supporting facts and figures

In 2022, partners reached 26.1 million people with humanitarian support, including 22.3 million people with emergency food assistance and 6.2 million children and pregnant and lactating women with nutrition services.
An estimated 20 million people, nearly half the population, are facing acute food insecurity, including over 6 million facing emergency levels of food insecurity.
An estimated 4 million children and pregnant and lactating women in Afghanistan are facing acute malnutrition in 2023, including 3.2 million children under 5 years.

Background

The scale of humanitarian needs is increasing, with 23.7 million Afghans estimated to require humanitarian assistance in 2023, up from 24.4 million in 2022 and 18.4 million in 2021 prior to the Taliban takeover. 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 broad economic decline, conflict, drought, COVID-19, food insecurity, displacement, and are exacerbated by the difficult operating context.

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.

Humanitarian partners are observing increased access constraints and operational challenges, including 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 added bureaucratic hurdles to project implementation. The safety and basic rights of women in Afghanistan are of heightening concern. In this context, humanitarian partners are continuing to engage with local authorities and to find ways to deliver principled humanitarian action that reaches the most vulnerable.

Haiti Humanitarian Response

Canada is committed to supporting the humanitarian response in Haiti and has to date allocated $12.3 million in humanitarian funding to help meet the needs of crisis-affected people in Haiti in 2023.
Canada continue to call for improved humanitarian access and the protection of humanitarian personnel, to ensure that they can reach the populations who are the most in need.
We continue to ensure that Canada’s humanitarian assistance helps meet the specific needs of those affected by the crisis, particularly women and girls, who are disproportionately affected by the ongoing violence.

Supplementary messages

Canada’s humanitarian assistance helps provide emergency food and nutrition assistance, water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), health and protection services, as well as logistical support.
Canada’s humanitarian assistance includes the provision of emergency sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services, and protection from and rapid response to gender-based violence.

Update

In 2023, the UN is expected to appeal for US $715 million humanitarian appeal to address emergency needs of 3 million people in Haiti, an increase of US $342 from 2022.

As announced by the Prime Minister on February 16, to date in 2023 Canada has allocated $12.3 million in humanitarian assistance to partners in Haiti.

Supporting facts and figures

To date in 2023, Canada allocated $12.3 million in humanitarian assistance.
9 million people, almost half of the population, is experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 and above).
According to PAHO, as of March 21, 2023, there were 36,544 suspected cholera cases, 2,615 confirmed cases and 632 deaths.

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.

The most acute humanitarian issues currently include cholera, food insecurity and displacement along with the associated protection risks. Cholera, which has re-emerged in the country after three years, has now confirmed cases in all departments. Access to safe drinking water remains a challenge and a major cause of the spread of the disease.

Approximately 4.9 million people in Haiti (nearly 50% of the population) are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, an increase of 200,000 people from the IPC analysis published in September, 2022.

According to IOM, more than 155,000 people have been displaced by gang violence in Greater Port-au-Prince. There are also increasing reports of human rights abuses, including sexual and gender-based violence.

Canada’s 2023 funding will continue to provide support, particularly as it relates to cholera, water, sanitation and hygiene, health, food security and nutrition, logistics and protection assistance. It is being provided through: The World Food Programme, the Pan American Health Organization, the United Nations Children’s Fund, the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the United Nations Population Fund, and the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Ukraine Humanitarian Response

The ongoing humanitarian impact of the conflict in Ukraine remains a concern for Canada.
There is a serious need for humanitarian access on and near both sides of active front lines, where humanitarian needs are currently the most severe and populations are hardest to reach.
In 2022-23, Canada allocated $320 million in humanitarian assistance to UN, Red Cross and non-governmental organizations in Ukraine and neighbouring countries.

Supplementary messages

Humanitarian partners continue to deliver life saving aid where most needed. As of February 2023, they had reached over 15.8 million people with life-saving assistance, food, water, shelter and basic health services in Ukraine the onset of the invasion.

Update

Budget 2023, released on March 28, 2023, included $84.8 million to fund exceptional international assistance support to Ukraine from internal Global Affairs Canada reference levels in 2023-24, including $32.5 million for humanitarian assistance. These funds will be sourced from the department’s reference levels.

Supporting facts and figures

Canada’s $320 million commitment for humanitarian assistance in 2022 has been fully allocated and disbursed to experienced Red Cross, UN, and NGO partners to provide life-saving aid to those affected by conflict inside Ukraine and those fleeing to neighboring countries.

Background

The Ukraine conflict has caused the world’s fastest growing displacement crisis since World War II, with over 13 million people initially uprooted in less than two months. Currently, over a quarter of Ukraine’s population have fled their homes, including more than 5.6 million people now estimated to be internally displaced and over 4.9 million Ukrainian refugees registered for Temporary Protection or similar national protection schemes in Europe, most of them women and children. Nearly two-thirds of the children in Ukraine have been displaced.

Humanitarian needs in Ukraine continue to be significant. The 2023 Global Humanitarian Overview (GHO) indicates a need for US $3.9 billion to support 9.4 million people with humanitarian assistance this year. Priority needs result largely from attacks on energy and shelter infrastructure, which hampers access to water, food, health care, transportation, telecommunications, and other essential services. The war is impacting women and men in different ways and is exacerbating pre-existing inequalities.

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 of February 2023, the UN and humanitarian partners have reached over 15.8 million people across 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. Approximately 17.6 million people (over 30% of the population) are estimated to require humanitarian assistance.
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

Heavy fighting between Ukrainian and Russian forces continues in eastern and southern Ukraine. Despite the recapture of territory by Ukraine since last September (over 12,000 km2), Russian forces have recently made some small gains through their winter offensive. 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. Russia’s continued attacks on energy facilities are deepening Ukraine’s humanitarian catastrophe. Sustaining supplies of the four “As” – ammunition, armour, air defence, and artillery – remains the priority ahead of a Ukrainian counteroffensive.

Supporting facts and figures

Since 2022, Canada has committed over $8 billion in multifaceted support to Ukraine, including an additional $2.4 billion announced in Budget 2023 through the Administered Account for Ukraine at the International Monetary Fund.
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 $1.3 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 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 $81 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.
In March 2022, 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 1517 individuals and 312 entities in Russia, Belarus and Ukraine.
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 $707.2 million allocated to welcome those fleeing the war in Ukraine.
Canada’s three federal chartered flights, which landed in Winnipeg, Montreal, and Halifax, carried over 950 Ukrainians fleeing the war.

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 EU Solidarity Lanes, the Black Sea Grain Initiative and Grains from Ukraine.
Canada has responded with record levels of humanitarian food and nutrition assistance, and provides development assistance to address root causes of hunger and malnutrition.

Supplementary messages

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

Update

On March 18, the UN Secretary-General confirmed the automatic renewal of the Black Sea Grain Initiative with no changes to the agreement. Although Russia agreed, it unilaterally claimed the extension period would be cut in half to 60 days.

Supporting facts and figures

828 million people are estimated to be facing hunger. 43 million people are at the brink of famine – nearly 1 million facing catastrophic conditions concentrated in: Burkina Faso, Haiti, Mali, Nigeria, South Sudan, Somalia and Yemen.
The FAO Food Price Index in February 2023 was down 0.6% from January, continuing the downward trend for the eleventh consecutive month. The index has fallen 18.7% from the peak it reached in March 2022, but remains significantly above pre-pandemic levels and domestic food price inflation remains high (above 5 percent) in almost all low and middle income countries, with many experiencing double-digit inflation.
Fertilizer prices continued to fall in February, but remain high and volatile. Across Africa, it is estimated that fertilizer use declined by 25% in 2022 largely due to reduced affordability.

Background

The food crisis is expected to worsen as agricultural productivity declines, driven largely by reduced fertilizer affordability, alongside conflict and extreme weather events. Existing gender inequalities lead to women and girls eating least and last, disproportionately deepening their hunger, malnutrition and poverty rates. Russia is weaponizing food and energy issues, spreading disinformation that Western sanctions are to blame, and bartering for sanction relief while imposing its own export restrictions.

In 2022, Canada has allocated a record amount of more than $650 million for humanitarian food and nutrition assistance. Canada also continues to support developing countries’ agriculture and food systems programming, disbursing $600 million in projects and programs in fiscal year 2021-2022.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative facilitates shipments of Ukrainian grain, fertilizer and foodstuff from three ports in the Black Sea and has helped to stabilize spiraling global food prices. This also enables humanitarian shipments under Grains from Ukraine. The EU launched their Solidarity Lanes in May 2022 to enable Ukrainian exports and imports of any commodity via alternative routes through land, water and rail.

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 flexibility to existing partners to allow them to quickly 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.
Since 2022, 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.
This support builds on over $1.48 billion in international assistance support that Canada has provided to Ukraine since 1991.

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 through entrepreneurship and employment skills training, livelihood and small-business grants, and supporting the economic integration of internally displaced in host communities.
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. For example, a Canadian development partner recently signed a memorandum of cooperation with Ukraine’s Ministry of Restoration to support Ukraine’s reform and recovery efforts.
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 a $52 million contribution to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to provide essential temporary grain storage equipment for Ukrainian farmers.
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 three Action Areas: 1) Inclusive Governance; 2) Growth that Works for Everyone; 3) Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and Girls.

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 in meeting the emerging needs of Ukrainians, especially of 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, including in any eventual peace process.
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 the 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+) perspective. 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:
- Since 2022, 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, and trauma-informed mental health support to all of those impacted by this invasion. Canada is assisting those impacted by SGBV by providing survivor-centred 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, protecting development gains in Ukraine and working towards inclusive recovery objectives; Canada is supporting rapid response sub-grants, civic-activist hubs and forums and trainings on feminist capacity building.
Humanitarian Assistance:
- Since January 2022, Canada has allocated $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 as well as advancing accountability for conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV).
- Since 2021, Canada has supported the Ukrainian Women’s Foundation with $1M in funding to advance the implementation of Ukraine’s 2^nd National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, and support its revision in response to the new challenges brought by the Russia’s full-scale invasion.
- Canada has provided over $9.7 million to experienced partners to advance accountability for human rights violations in Ukraine, with a strong focus on cases of conflict-related sexual violence. Partners include the International Criminal Court, Women’s Initiative for Gender Justice, and Justice Rapid Response.

Canada’s Support to Ukraine

November 29, 2022

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
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
Canada sent relief items from its national emergency
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
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 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
Canada has also supported technical visits by the International Atomic Energy Agency to assess the situation at Ukrainian nuclear

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 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

Economic Assistance

Canada has fully disbursed a loan to Ukraine to support economic resilience through the Bretton Woods and Related Agreements
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
Canada has temporarily removed tariffs on imports from Ukraine for one
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
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, )
Canada has provided funding to buy high-resolution modern satellite
Canada sent additional military personnel to strengthen NATO’s deterrence and defence in
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 Securit 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

For more information on the Canadian response: https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/issues_development-enjeux_developpement/response_conflict-reponse_conflits/crisis-crises/ukraine.aspx?lang=eng

Afghanistan General Note

Canada remains committed to supporting the Afghan people.
Canada has no intention of recognizing the Taliban, which remains a listed terrorist organization, as the Government of Afghanistan.
Our engagement with Afghanistan will continue to focus on ensuring the resettlement of eligible Afghans, providing humanitarian assistance, advocating for human rights, and counterterrorism. Canada will continue to stand up for the rights of Afghan women and girls.

Supplementary messages

Bill C-41’s proposed amendment to the Criminal Code will facilitate Canada’s engagement alongside our allies to address humanitarian crises and advance human rights not only in Afghanistan but also globally.
Canada continues to judge the Taliban based on their actions, not their words, noting their countless empty promises.
Canada is working to safely resettle at least 40,000 Afghan refugees, more than 30,000 of whom have arrived and begun their new lives across Canada.

Background

Canadian engagement on Afghanistan is guided by four key priorities: safe passage and resettlement of at least 40,000 Afghans to Canada (29,000 of whom have been resettled); delivery of humanitarian assistance and support for basic needs; promoting human rights, particularly those of women and girls; and counterterrorism efforts to ensure that Afghanistan does not once again become a safe haven for transnational terrorist groups.

Canada’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, based in Doha, engages the Taliban informally, alongside key allies, to convey key messages: calling on the Taliban to ensure safe passage of Canadians and Afghans approved through our Special Immigration Program; to ensure unhindered humanitarian access; to respect Afghanistan’s international human rights obligations, including the protection of fundamental rights of women, girls, minorities and other vulnerable groups; to form an inclusive and representative government; and, to prevent Afghanistan from becoming a safe-haven for terrorism.

Future Engagement: Looking forward, Canada will continue to work to advance its priorities, in line with Ministerial mandate letters. As part of this work, Canada will continue to advocate for respect for human rights, particularly those of women and girls, and the formation of an inclusive government. This will include close coordination with allies to seek a reversal of restrictions placed on women and girls.

Canada’s Support for Afghan Women and Girls: Canada uses every opportunity to forcefully advocate for the full realization of Afghan women’s and girls’ rights, and supports a strong, coordinated effort by the international community in this regard. Canada has been vocal in expressing our condemnation of decisions by the Taliban barring Afghan women and girls from education and their exclusion from public life, most recently by joining a statement on International Women’s Day. Canadian officials continue to consult with a broad range of Afghan women leaders and human rights defenders. On February 2, 2023, Minister Sajjan met with a group of Canada-based Afghan women civil society leaders to listen to their views on, and potential response to, the Taliban’s restrictions on women.

Canada, along with allies and likeminded partners continue to urge the Taliban to respect the human rights to which every Afghan is entitled.

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 Humanitarian Crisis in Afghanistan

Canada shares the international community’s deep concern about the worsening humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.
It is clear that the de facto Taliban authorities are unwilling and unable to meet the basic needs of the Afghan people.
Canada works closely with the international donors to exert coordinated pressure on the Taliban and to ensure we address the needs of Afghans.

Supplementary messages

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.
Canada is deeply concerned by the potential implications of the situation in Afghanistan for regional and global stability and security as well as the troubling reports of grave human rights violations, especially against women and girls.

Background

Humanitarian Response: The Afghanistan Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) remains the largest globally in terms of required funding. The 2023 Afghanistan HRP requires USD 4.6 billion to meet the needs of 28.3 million people in need. The 2022 HRP, required USD 4.4 billion and was 73 percent funded.

Diplomatic Engagement: Following the Taliban’s takeover on 15 August 2021, Canada and allies closed their embassies in Kabul. Canada engages the Taliban, as required, 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 a mission in Kabul with minimal staff to support the coordination and delivery of humanitarian aid. Of Canada’s like-minded, only Japan has fully reopened its embassy (Sept 2022) Most regional states maintain embassies in Kabul.

Support to Basic Services: In addition to humanitarian assistance donors support the delivery of basic services in the areas of health, food security, education and livelihoods.

Donor Priorities: There is general agreement within the international community on the importance of supporting humanitarian access; inclusive governance; respect for women’s and girls’ rights; countering and controlling irregular migration and narcotics flow; and, counterterrorism. Donor positions vary as to what level of engagement is appropriate under the circumstances, and as to what elements should or should not be included in the definition of basic needs and support for livelihoods.

Human Rights: The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), whose mandate was renewed for another year in March 2023 by the UN Security Council, is tasked with, among other objectives, monitoring and reporting on human rights and gender equality. The UN Human Rights Council named a Special Rapporteur for Human Rights in Afghanistan whose mandate is to provide detailed reporting on the situation on the ground.

Bill C-41

The proposed amendment to the Criminal Code will facilitate Canada’s engagement to address humanitarian crises and advance human rights globally, including in Afghanistan.
The new authorization(s) will provide certainty for Canadians that they will be shielded from the risk of criminal liability for the activities covered by the authorization.
Work is underway to support the timely and streamlined provision of authorisations as quickly as possible once the regime becomes law.

Supplementary messages

Through these legislative amendments, the Government of Canada is responding to the crisis in Afghanistan by facilitating the provision of international assistance, and the safe passage of vulnerable individuals destined for Canada, while balancing the need to maintain strong anti-terrorist financing provisions.

Update

Status of Bill C-41: On March 9, 2023, the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-41 to create an authorization regime to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance, health services, education, human rights programming, support to livelihoods, resettlement, immigration processing, safe passage activities, and other government operations. The Bill was debated at second reading on Monday, March 27 after which, it was deemed read a second time and referred to the House of Commons Committee on Justice and Human Rights (JUST). The Bill could be discussed at the JUST as early as April 17. Budget 2023 includes a reference to new resources to support GAC, PS, RCMP and CSE for this authorization regime, with some of these resources sourced from internal departmental resources.

Initial reactions to Bill C-41 have been mixed. A coalition of 18 Canadian charitable organizations, including GAC implementing partners, have expressed support. At the same time, the International Committee of the Red Cross and Médecins Sans Frontières have called for a humanitarian exemption instead of an authorization regime, and questions have been raised about timing for issuing authorizations, and the ability for smaller NGOs to get authorizations. There also have been concerns expressed by some Afghan-Canadian diaspora groups regarding the need to deliver aid in a manner that does not benefit the Taliban. During second reading, criticisms raised by opposition MPs include the delay in introducing the legislation, the decision to have an authorization regime rather than a clear exception, the ability to issue authorizations in a timely manner and of smaller diaspora groups to access authorizations.

Background

Overview of Bill C-41: Under the proposed authorization regime, the Minister of Public Safety (PS) or a delegate would have the authority to issue authorizations to shield from criminal liability activities for the above purposes that would otherwise be at risk of violating the Criminal Code due to the unavoidable benefit to a terrorist group from carrying out that activity. In deciding whether to issue an authorization, the Minister of PS would consider referrals by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and IRCC on specific assessment criteria, including the need for the activity, whether the area is controlled by a terrorist group, and the capacity of the applicant to manage and report on funds. The Minister would balance this information against the results of a national security review in a risk-benefit analysis and make a decision on the request, including associated terms and conditions of any authorization. The proposed regime, while responsive to the current situation in Afghanistan, would also be applicable outside of Afghanistan and enables Canada to better anticipate responses to future crises in any area where terrorist groups exert control.

Criminal Code: With the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban, a listed terrorist entity in Canada, is likely to receive revenue from any payment made to the de facto authorities in Afghanistan, including taxes, import tariffs, and the payment of administrative fees. Any Canadian authorizing such payments risks contravening the provision 83.03 of the Criminal Code. As a result, it has been difficult for Canadian NGOs and the Government of Canada officials to support activities in Afghanistan.

Sensitive Q&A Document - Bill C-41

Why does Bill C-41 propose to amend the Criminal Code to create an authorization regime rather than legislating a humanitarian carve-out or exemption from the provision?
- The current proposal as captured in the Bill presents the best balance between facilitating the delivery of international assistance and maintaining the integrity of robust counter-terrorism measures.
- An authorization regime provides flexibility to consider a wider range of eligible applicants and activities, such as education, human rights, and livelihoods support, compared to a carveout for exclusively humanitarian activities.
- A carve-out may not have provided the desired certainty for affected organizations and third parties (such as banks) that their activities were covered by any exemption, and that the risk of contravening Canada’s Criminal Code was sufficiently reduced or mitigated.
Why did it take the Government of Canada so long to finally propose an amendment to the Criminal Code?
- Amendment to any legislation is a complex exercise and require the input and considerations of many departments and agencies across the Government of Canada.
- It was imperative that the regime considers the risks associated with authorizing activities that would benefit a terrorist group, and quite possibly their actions.
- The proposed regime took time to develop to ensure that a rigorous framework of checks and balances would be in place to minimize the risk of terrorist financing while enabling important humanitarian and immigration activities including safe passage work to help vulnerable people, especially those made vulnerable due to terrorist activity.
- Furthermore, the proposed regime possesses the flexibility to respond to similar crises in the future.
How will the Government of Canada ensure that the Taliban do not benefit from Canadian funding?
- Canada has among the strongest regimes to counter the financing of terrorism in place in the world.
- Though Bill C-41, Canada is establishing the flexibility to facilitate needed international assistance in areas under terrorist control, including in Afghanistan.
- The Government of Canada remains committed to counteracting terrorist financing, and the authorization regime will be implemented in such a way as to minimize as much as possible any benefit and possible diversion of funds to any terrorist organization.
- All authorization requests will be subject to national security screening, which will be considered along with the referral by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Immigration and Refugee and Citizenship, in a risk benefit analysis, to inform the decision of the Minister of Public Safety.
- Authorizations will be subject to terms and conditions and require organizations to report on their activities.
- As per Budget 2023, the Government is planning to allocate resources to Public Safety, the RCMP, Global Affairs Canada and CSE to support the new authorization regime proposed under the amendments to the Criminal Code, including the monitoring of the authorizations.
- With this amendment, the Government of Canada is balancing the need to maintain strong anti-terrorist financing provisions with the need to allow Canadian and international organizations to deliver international assistance to people in need living in geographic areas controlled by a terrorist group.
How will the government address concerns around the perceptions of neutrality and impartiality of humanitarian organizations?
- A list of authorization holders will not be published.
- Publishing the names of individuals or organizations coordinating humanitarian activities, human rights programming, the delivery of basic services and activities supporting immigration including safe passage in a specified geographic area that is controlled by a terrorist group could pose an unnecessary and grave threat to the safety of personnel.
- Therefore, the names of individuals or organizations who are granted authorizations will not be made publicly available, nor will the authorizations themselves.
- Each organization may exercise its discretion to determine whether they will publicly share the status of their authorization during the delivery of activities.
How will the government be able to process applications in a timely manner?
- The Government of Canada is working to ensure that this process is as timely and streamlined as possible.
- Work is underway on a standardized electronic form for applications and clear guidance documents to facilitate applications from all organizations.
- Following passage of the legislation, the Government of Canada is also planning to hold stakeholder information sessions.
- As announced in the Budget 2023, the Government of Canada is allocating new resources to standing up the authorization regime to the departments and agencies involved in processing applications, as well as funding for an IT solution.
What mechanism will be put in place to track results and monitor progress and to ensure transparency in how this exemption is applied?
- An annual Government of Canada report will be tabled in Parliament to provide information regarding the operation of the authorization regime.
What are Canada’s allies doing to reduce terrorist financing risks while providing humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan?
- This amendment largely aligns with and even goes beyond what some of our closest allies, including Five Eyes counterparts, are doing, in terms of having the ability to issue authorizations for many of the same activities (e.g., humanitarian and some key development assistance) and to individuals and organizations including Canadian NGOs and charities.
- This approach is consistent with the December 2021 United Nations Security Council Resolution 2615 that carved out an exemption for the delivery of humanitarian aid and other actions in support of basic human needs from its sanction regime for Afghanistan, including the payment of taxes or other fees. It is also consistent with the December 2022 United Nations Security Council Resolution 2664 that carved out a similar exemption for UN agencies and UN-linked agencies, from all other UN sanctions regimes.
- The authorization regime will prepare Canada to better respond to other situations and places as well, if needed. While the situation in Afghanistan has prompted this effort, the authorization regime is not restricted to Afghanistan and will allow the Minister of PS to grant an authorization to an eligible individual or organization, in any geographic area that is controlled by a terrorist group, to undertake activities for certain purposes, that would otherwise be prohibited under the current terrorist financing offence in paragraph 83.03(b) of the Criminal Code.
- The proposed authorization regime is not limited exclusively to Afghanistan and is intended to cover programming in existing or future fragile and crisis-affected contexts similar to Afghanistan. Activities meeting the listed “purposes” (humanitarian, health, education, livelihoods, human rights and immigration processing/safe passage) correspond with the recommendations of the Special Committee of Afghanistan in their report, Honouring Canada’s Legacy in Afghanistan: Responding to the Humanitarian Crisis and Helping People Reach Safety and also provide flexibility for an immediate and effective crisis response. This approach permits the Government of Canada to fulfill its various international assistance and immigration processing / safe-passage mandates.

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 structure its response to Haiti’s current crisis around 4 integrated pillars: 1) supporting dialogue efforts; 2) imposing sanctions on those who support violence; 3) addressing the humanitarian and development needs; and 4) strengthening security, particularly the HNP’s capacity.
Canada recently announced a $100M contribution in security assistance to support the efforts of Haiti’s National Police in restoring security and order.

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 $715M.
According to IOM, more than 155,000 people have been displaced due to recent gang violence in Port-au-Prince. The Dominican Republic continues the mass deportation of Haitians resulting in 21,391 Haitians repatriated since January 2023.
There is an increasing number of sexual and gender based violence crimes in Haiti. Rape is 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.
Approximately 4.9 million people in Haiti (nearly 50% of the population) are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity, an increase of 200,000 people from the IPC analysis published in September, 2022. As of April 5, 2023, there were 37,487 suspected cholera cases, 2,583 confirmed cases and 644 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 HNP 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$2.1M) and EU (US$3.2M) are considering contributing.
Canada has also facilitated the delivery of armoured vehicles purchased by the Haitian government, has deployed a CP-140 surveillance aircraft over Haiti as well as two maritime coastal defence vessels.
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. At CARICOM, we also announced a $10M contribution to IOM to help women migrant.

Haiti Sanctions and Measures

The international community has an important role to play in the current humanitarian, political, and security crisis in Haiti.
We need to limit the flow of financial support to armed gangs and trafficking of weapons that contribute to violence in Haiti.
Sanctions help to restore peace and security by undermining the control and influence of armed gangs and their supporters.

Supplementary messages

Canada is at the forefront of the international community in terms of announcing sanctions.
We believe they contribute to change behaviours of those who support violence, as our sanction target individual with assets in Canada.
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

Since November 2022, Canada issued sanctions against 19 individuals: 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, 9) Gilbert Bigio, 10) Reynold Deeb, 11) Sherif Abdallah, 12) Former minister Berto Dorce, 13) Former Minister Liszt Quitel, 14) Charles Saint-Rémy, 15) Arnel Bélizaire, 16) Former interim Haitian President Jocelerme Privert, 17) Salim Succar, 18) Nenel Cassy and 19) Steeve Khawly.

Background

On November 3, 2022, the Special Economic Measures (Haiti) Regulations (the Regulations) entered into force, listing two individuals. Since then The Regulations have sanctioned 19 individuals with the 7^th autonomous round of sanctions announced on March 23, 2023. 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, human trafficking and the smuggling of migrants, 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, Canada will automatically sanction these individuals.

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.

Canada highly values the close and sustained collaboration with the U.S. in addressing the crisis in Haiti. In that regard, we believe much stronger coordination is necessary to maximize any security assistance scenario. To that end, we are working on the creation of a joint civilian-military-police cell to improve strategic coordination of international assistance, very similar to the model used to coordinate assistance in Ukraine.

Situation in Sudan – Background

Description of Conflict

The fall of President Omar al Bashir in a popular uprising in 2019 led to the establishment of a joint transitional government between civilians and the military, led on the military side by the head of the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF), Lieutenant General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, as the Head of State, and Lt. General Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, known as ‘Hemedti’, as his deputy. Hemedti retained control of the paramilitary group, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). On October 25, 2021, the Sudanese military unconstitutionally dismissed the country’s civilian transitional government.

The military coup was greeted by widespread international condemnation and sparked persistent street protests.

Since January 2022, there have been on again/off again consultations on a political process for a return to civilian rule. On December 5, 2022, the military and a civilian bloc signed a Framework Political Agreement (FPA) which was to address several sensitive topics, including security sector and military reform. Particularly contentious was the question of integrating the RSF into the SAF, including how long the process should take and what command structure would apply to an integrated force.

On April 15, 2023, a direct confrontation began between the SAF and RSF in Khartoum and several locations throughout the country. Neither side appears willing to consider negotiations, and both have sufficient supplies to continue fighting for weeks. Civilians have not been targeted, although they have been caught in the crossfire. Civilians are sheltering in place or travelling by road away from the fighting, with limited access to food, fuel and water. The main airport in Khartoum is closed and occupied by the RSF. The two sides agreed to a cease fire that started on April 24^th, but was never full respected and had broken down completely by April 30^th with significant fighting reported in Khartoum and Darfur.

With its strategic location straddling the boundary between sub-Saharan Africa and northern Africa and the Gulf, Sudan is a key regional actor with political links with surrounding countries, notably Egypt, Libya, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan, Central African Republic, and Chad, as well as the Gulf countries. On April 16, the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Council announced that the AU Chairperson would travel to Sudan to facilitate dialogue. That same day, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) announced it would send Presidents Kiir (South Sudan), Ruto (Kenya), and Guelleh (Djibouti) to reconcile the conflicting groups. Most recently, IGAD announced that President Kiir would host mediation talks in South Sudan. The collapse of the ceasefire and renewed fighting on April 30 has dashed these hopes.

A Quartet of international actors (US, UK, Norway, Saudi Arabia) provide support to the transition process in Sudan and negotiated the first and second 72-hour ceasefires. The US announced plans to establish a broader committee to support a return to the transitional political process, although the commitment of the SAF and RSF to military victory has kept this US intervention stalled. Russia is seeking a naval base in Sudan; there are recent media reports that the Wagner Group may be providing support to the RSF.

Embassy of Canada to Sudan

After the fall of President Bashir, Canada announced its intent to deploy an Ambassador (the mission had previously been headed by a Chargé d’affaires) and a new bilateral development program. The mission in Khartoum hosted 6 CBS (2 dependents) and 12 LES. Of the CBS and dependents, 6 were in-country and 2 were outside the country when fighting broke out. On April 22, all 6 were evacuated and a temporary suspension of operations at the Khartoum Mission was announced. Over the week that followed, the Canadian Armed Forces evacuated hundreds of Canadians, permanent residents, locally-engaged embassy staff and others on six flights before security constraints closed the airfield on April 29. On April 30, the Government of Sudan announced plans to temporarily relocate the capital for a three-month period to Port Sudan, a major commercial hub on the Red Sea with good port facilities and an airport.

Impact on Civilians

The death toll (civilian and military) reportedly exceeds 500, with another 3700 people injured (likely an underestimate), including the death of three World Food Programme (WFP) employees and the injury of two others. The April 30 resurgence of military action, including air bombardment, puts civilians at greater risks, exacerbated by widespread power and water outages, and many people are unable to leave their homes to purchase food, water, and fuel. There are increasing reports of looting of private homes and violence and sexual assaults against civilians, diplomats, and humanitarian staff.

Canada’s International Assistance to Sudan

Following the uprising in 2019, and prior to the outbreak of the current violence, Canada was providing humanitarian assistance, development, and peace and security programming in Sudan. In 2021-22, Canada’s international assistance delivered through organizations active in Sudan totaled CAD $82.32 million. Of this amount, Canada’s development assistance totalled approximately $16M and worked to improve access to education, strengthen sexual and reproductive health and rights, support women’s economic empowerment and reinforce the resilience of the poorest and most marginalized. Canada’s peace and security funding has contributed to peacebuilding efforts and Canada’s Women, Peace and Security thematic funding has been supporting a regional initiative that aims to promote a conducive environment receptive to women’s inclusion in decision-making processes. Canada’s humanitarian assistance funding, which amounted to $40.95 million in 2022, helps meet the life-saving needs of crisis-affected people, with a particular focus on the needs and priorities of women and girls.

Assessments of the impacts of the fighting on international assistance programming are still being undertaken, but early reports indicate that activities have been severely interrupted due to widespread insecurity and the evacuation of large numbers of program staff. In Khartoum, many have lost power and water, and looting has been reported, including of warehouses holding critically needed aid, and offices of agencies like the World Food Program and UNICEF.

GAC officials are monitoring the situation, assessing impact and investigating options for Canadian assistance.

MINE Sudan Key Messages:

Canada is extremely concerned by the impacts of the current violence on the people of Sudan, including on the 15.8 million people who already required humanitarian assistance in 2023.
We are also concerned about the potential impact on neighbouring countries due to what is expected to be significant population movements.
Canada is providing international assistance in Sudan and is supporting the humanitarian response with over $30 million [Unannounced] in humanitarian assistance allocated in 2023.
Canada also provides development assistance in Sudan to improve access to education, strengthen sexual and reproductive health and rights, support women’s economic empowerment, and reinforce the resilience of the poorest and most marginalized. In 2021-2022, Canada’s development assistance totalled approximately $16 million and was delivered through multilateral organizations active in Sudan and Canadian civil society partners working with local NGOs.
[Unannounced] Canada has also allocated over $100 million in humanitarian assistance in 2023 for neighbouring countries - the Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia, and South Sudan.
Canada continues to engage with its humanitarian partners on their operations as they work to sustain the humanitarian response to the extent feasible and help address evolving needs.
Most development project activities, including some social safety net programming, have been paused until the military confrontation eases.
Canada continues advocacy efforts for the safety of humanitarian workers, civilians and access to populations in need.
GAC officials are in contact with international partners to assess the full impact of the crisis and next steps.

Canada’s Humanitarian Response to Conflict in Sudan – Key Messages

Humanitarian needs in Sudan had already reached historically high levels:

Driven by rapidly rising food insecurity, displacement arising from localized conflict and economic effects tied to climate-induced shocks, the UN estimated USD 1.7 billion was required to support 12.5 million people in 2023.

The recent fighting has severely exacerbated needs and vulnerability:

Over 500 people have been killed and at least 4,000 others have been injured (as of 30 April). At least 55 hospitals across the country have closed
Partners are reporting acute shortages of food, water, medicines and fuel across the country, as well as increased risk of sexual and gender-based violence
Internal displacement is increasing, and changing – according to IOM, more than 334,000 IDPs have been displaced across Sudan
Refugee flows are increasing, including into already-insecure neighbouring states –with estimates of over 80,000 people displaced across borders to date (as of 30 April):
- Up to 42,000 people displaced to Chad.
- Over 13,000 people displaced to South Sudan.
- Over 12,000 people displaced to Central African Republic.
- Over 14,000 people displaced to Egypt, according to its foreign ministry.
- At least 2,000 people displaced to Ethiopia.
A full assessment of needs resulting from the conflict remains impossible given ongoing hostilities.

However, existing humanitarian operations have been interrupted by the ongoing hostilities:

Humanitarians have been directly affected by the conflict – at least 18 humanitarian and health workers have lost their lives. Some UN and NGO staff (and/or their dependents) have been evacuated.
UN, Red Cross and NGO partners have reported widespread looting of their operations and warehouses, and the conflict is affecting mobility. Most humanitarian operations across the country have been suspended due to restricted movements.
More than 250 UN programs have reported a partial reduction or complete pause on activities. UNHCR has ceased activities in Khartoum, across Darfur and in the Kordofans. WFP’s operations were temporarily suspended, affecting the planned support to 7.6M people in 2023; however as of May 1^st, this suspension has been lifted and WFP will resume food assistance in areas such as Gedaref, Gezira, Kassala and White Nile.
UN leadership is travelling to the region to engage directly on the Sudan crisis. UN Humanitarian Affairs chief Martin Griffiths is in the area and UN DSG is in Ethiopia where it is expected that Sudan will be discussed.

Humanitarian partners are preparing for various scenarios:

A lasting ceasefire or cessation of hostilities will allow humanitarian partners to resume operations:
- Rapid and coordinated needs assessments will be required
- Scale-up of activities will be impacted by a reduced operational footprint due to staff evacuations
- Immediate response needs will include flexible financing, surge of personnel, rapid procurement of food and other humanitarian stocks (including to address impact of looting)
Ongoing hostilities: will further curtail humanitarian access and lead to increased refugee flows.
- Limited ability to scale up operations in Sudan, and increased reliance on partners such as the ICRC and MSF to access difficult to reach populations
- Refugee and/or returnee flows to neighbouring countries expected to increase significantly, requiring a regional response. Humanitarian partners such as WFP and UNHCR are prepositioning supplies and working with local authorities on preparedness.

In this context, Canada continues to provide humanitarian support through a coordinated humanitarian system that is well-placed to deliver life-saving assistance where and when conditions permit:

Canada is working with partners and like-minded stakeholders to support a coordinated response:

A pre-positioned officer in Ethiopia has allowed for timely and effective coordination with regional partners
Field and capital outreach is ongoing to understand needs and the impact of hostilities on partner operations
Donor coordination is ongoing.

Our flexible funding will allow partners to respond to evolving needs in Sudan:

[UNANNOUNCED] To date in 2023, Canada has allocated $30.69 million in humanitarian assistance to UN, Red Cross and NGO partners in Sudan, including:
- $14.5 million to WFP to provide food assistance and support the critical logistics work of the UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS)
- $3 million to UNICEF to address acute malnutrition in children and pregnant and lactating women
- $3.5 million to the Country-Based Pooled Fund for a flexible response to address needs of communities, including through local organizations.
- $9.69 mill to other partners: UNHCR, OCHA, ICRC, Canadian Red Cross, ACF Canada, CARE Canada, Development and Peace and Save the Children Canada.
MHD will work with partners to ensure funds can be pivoted to address evolving needs and sustain the humanitarian response to the extent feasible as the situation evolves.

… And in the region:

[UNANNOUNCED] Flexible funding to humanitarian partners in neighbouring countries - South Sudan ($31.12M), Ethiopia ($52.3M), Chad ($8.15M), and the Central African Republic ($10M) - will allow partners to pivot operations to help support the needs of refugees, returnees and host communities affected by the conflict.
Flexible funding at the regional level to UNHCR ($5M), ICRC ($5.35M) and OCHA ($0.5M), will also help support the humanitarian response adapt and scale-up efforts as the situation evolves in and around Sudan.

We are positioned to support a rapid scale-up of operations, if and when it is required:

Canada’s contributions to global pooled funds including the UN Central Emergency Fund, the WFP Immediate Response Account and the WHO Contingency Fund for Emergencies allow for a rapid influx of funds and scale up of the UN-led humanitarian response.

On 26 April, the CERF released a USD 3M allocation to for an urgent response to the arrival of Sudanese refugees and others in Chad.
The Sudan Humanitarian Fund has prepositioned USD $15 million with partners, including local NGOs, to respond as conditions permit.

Canada has also invested in a humanitarian toolkit that supports a broader scale-up across UN, Red Cross and NGO responses, and MHD is working closely with partners to ensure timely activation of tools on the basis of needs:
Drawdown tools with the CRC, CFGB and Humanitarian Coalition allows Canada to leverage pre-existing presence and operations
- To date, through the Emergency Disaster Assistance Fund (EDAF) Canada has provided:
  - $40,000 to support the Sudan Red Crescent Society (SRCS) with provision of health services in remaining hospitals.
  - $20,000 to support the Chad Red Cross Society (CRCS) provision of immediate first aid, and emergency assistance in health, and protection to 10,000 displaced people in Eastern Chad.
- Deployment of experts through the CRC and CANADEM help address critical needs in personnel needs in the early days of the response
- Deployment of humanitarian supplies through a coordinated IFRC response

And we will respond to appeals as needed

Canada will continue to liaise closely with OCHA and other humanitarian partners and respond to evolving needs through existing and new appeals.

Situation in Sudan – Key Messages

The Government of Canada condemns the ongoing violence between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces.
Canada continues to call for an end to violence and stands with the Sudanese people as they strive for peace.
We urge all parties to agree to and respect an immediate ceasefire and to engage in mediation efforts supported by regional partners that promote dialogue and a lasting peace.
We are deeply saddened by the casualties and injuries to civilians this fighting has caused and stand with the people of Sudan in their demand for a peaceful and democratic future.
The Government of Canada evacuation flights have ended. Close to 540 people have been evacuated by Canadian evacuation flights. Of these people, approximately 175 are Canadians and permanent residents.
The Government of Canada takes the safety and security of Canadians abroad very seriously and provides credible and timely information in its Travel Advice and Advisories.
Due to armed conflict, civil unrest and the volatile security situation, Global Affairs Canada is now advising Canadians to avoid all travel to Sudan.
Canadian officials continue to reach out to Canadians affected by the situation to offer information and advice.

Responsive Only:

Given the current exceptional circumstances in Sudan, Canada has extended limited assistance to permanent residents, and their family members to leave Sudan to a nearby location.

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, inclusive, and sustainable 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 feminist international assistance in the region is responsive, substantial, sustained and directly addressing the priorities 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, trade and capacity to address climate change and environmental degradation.
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 sustainable development goals, particularly environmental 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.
Indo-Pacific nations are set to miss all 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 and threatened by forced migration. 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 16 government departments and agencies, as well as FinDev Canada and the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada.

The Strategy is structured around five strategic objectives:

Promoting peace, resilience and security ($720.6 M /4 funded initiatives)
Expanding trade, investment and supply chain resilience ($244.4 M/ 8 funded initiatives)
Investing in and connect people ($261.7M secured / 5 funded initiatives)
Building a sustainable and green future ($913.3 M including $750M recapitalization for FinDev Canada/ 4 initiatives)
Canada as an active and engaged partner to the Indo-Pacific ($147.1 M/ 3 funded 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, updated in March 2023), 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), and 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 scholarships to students from Indo-Pacific countries for studies and research in Canada
Encourages knowledge building in key areas of interest for both Canada and ASEAN member states (e.g. STEM, climate change)

Feminist Canadian Civil Society Organizations Call for Proposals

$32.8M over five years; $8.1M ongoing
Increases 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 key international development needs in the region, particularly in Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, and the Pacific Island Countries, among others
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: INSERT LABEL HERE

Infrastructure Contribution

$750M recapitalization of FinDev Canada over three years
Shares Canadian expertise on sustainable infrastructure
Brings Canada’s development finance institution – 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
Reinforces our commitment to ASEAN as we establish ASEAN Strategic Partnership
Additional contributions to the Trust Fund demonstrate Canada’s commitment to cooperation agreed upon in the ASEAN-Canada Plan of Action
Supports ASEAN Member States in ASEAN-Canada Free Trade Agreement negotiations

Canada’s International Assistance Response to Covid-19

Canada helped lead a robust international COVID-19 response. The pandemic has evolved, yet COVID-19 is still a threat.
Canadaremains committed to strengthening health systems and pandemic preparedness in low- and lower-middle income countries as part of an inclusive and sustainable recovery.
Over 2023, Canada will continue to work with global partners to support vaccine delivery, reinforce health systems and strengthen local vaccine manufacturing.

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.
Over 2023, Canada will continue to work with ACT-Accelerator partners to reinforce health systems and integrate COVID-19 response into routine health care, including through Canada’s signature CA$275M Global Initiative for Vaccine Equity (CanGIVE).
Canada has delivered the equivalent of over 196M vaccines to date, a significant contribution that helped meet country demand for vaccines. Where country requests materialize over 2023 and supply is available, Canada will continue to donate doses primarily through the COVAX Facility.

Update

Since February 11, 2020, the Government of Canada has mobilized over $3.5B in international assistance to the global response to COVID-19.
On January 13, 2023, Canada increased the CanGIVE initiative to $275M. CanGIVE was originally launched in June 2022 to support 12 countries in their efforts to enhance vaccine roll-out, increase vaccine confidence among high-risk groups, support local vaccine production and strengthen health systems.
Canada committed to donating the equivalent of 200M doses by the end of 2022. To date, Canada has donated the equivalent of over 196M doses, comprised of doses deemed surplus from Canada’s domestic procurements, as well as financial contributions (dose equivalents).

Supporting facts and figures

Canada’s Commitment for COVID-19 Response

Canada’s Commitment for COVID-19 Response
Global Commitments	Commitment
Commitments to ACT-A	$2.107B
Humanitarian response	$850M
Adapted programming	$572M
Total	$3.53B*

Canada’s Financial Allocations to the ACT-Accelerator by Pillar
Pillar	Allocations
Vaccines – COVAX	$1.242B
Therapeutics	$290M
Diagnostics	$265M
Health Systems Connector	$310M
Total	$2.107B

Canada’s Dose Donation Commitments to COVAX
Dose Donation Commitment	200 million
In-kind doses made available**	~45.26 million
Financial Contributions Delivered (dose equivalents***)	150.74 million
Balance remaining	~4 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

***100.88M calculated using 2021 G7 approved methodology of $6USD a dose, and 49.86M calculatedusing 2022 OECD approved methodology of $6.72USD a dose from 2022 COVAX commitment.

Background

Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-Accelerator)

Budget 2022 provided $732M in 2022-23 to Global Affairs Canada to further support the efforts of the ACT-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. As the world transitions to long-term COVID-19 control, ACT-A is adjusting its approach to ensure countries continue to have access to COVID-19 tools, while integrating efforts into primary health systems.

Dose donation and vaccine delivery

Canada is doing its part to support country vaccination targets through investments in the COVAX Facility and the donation of surplus doses. To date, Canada has donated the equivalent of over 196M doses, comprised of doses deemed surplus from Canada’s domestic procurement, as well as financial contributions (dose equivalents). Canada stands ready to donate vaccine doses, primarily through COVAX, in 2023 based on supply and demand. Canada has committed approximately $745M for vaccine distribution and delivery and to strengthen health systems in response to COVID-19 across LMICs, including CA$275M for CanGIVE. CanGIVE partners include UNICEF, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), and Medicines Patent Pool (MPP). As countries move from COVID-19 response into recovery, Canada will continue to invest in the equity and resilience of health systems so countries can better respond to health security crises, while maintaining routine immunization and essential public health care.

Strengthening Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response

Canada is engaged in discussions, including at the 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 9, 2022, to help strengthen pandemic PPR at national, regional and global levels, with a focus on low and middle-income countries. Canada has contributed $50M to the Pandemic Fund to 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 on September 20, 2023.

Health Security Capacity Building

Canada’s flagship contribution to the G7-led Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction has funded-biological containment laboratories in Ghana (x3), Nigeria (x2), and South Africa to support COVID-19 diagnostic efforts; the ASEAN Emergency Operations Center Network for timely pandemic information sharing; the ASEAN BioDiaspora Virtual Centre, pioneered by Toronto-based BlueDot; and the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, including $90M committed for COVID-19 vaccine development. During the pandemic, Canada also provided in-kind PPE to Africa CDC and ASEAN partners, valued at over $38M in 2021, through GAC’s Weapons Threat Reduction Program.

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 scope 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 continues to consider a new decision deadline on the scope of the TRIPS waiver, with discussions on this topic ongoing in the TRIPS Council.
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 other 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. The TRIPS Council was unable to reach consensus on the scope of the waiver for diagnostics and therapeutics by the December deadline. On December 22, 2022, the General Council agreed to consider a new decision deadline on the scope of the waiver, with discussions on this matter to continue in the TRIPS Council. The next meeting of the TRIPS Council will be held June 14-15, 2023.

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 March 2023, a joint report produced by UN Watch and IMPACT-se was released. The report alleges it has uncovered cases in which UNRWA staff have incited hate and violence and glorified terrorism. It points to online posted material that use UNRWA’s logo and identifies social media content of UNRWA educators. In response, UNRWA has launched an investigation into the staff members listed and has issued a cease and desist letter to the third party platforms that have misused UNRWA’s logos. UNRWA is taking the matter very seriously and as in previous cases, will apply administrative and disciplinary actions against individuals found of wrong doing. UNRWA is also continuing to take action through preventative measures, focusing specifically on training for staff and updating its social media policy.

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 over 70 years of successful development cooperation with Pakistan.
Canada remains focused on providing relief and recovery support to the people of Pakistan in response to the devastating floods of 2022.
Canada has committed $58 million in humanitarian and development assistance to support Pakistan’s flood relief and recovery.
In addition, Canada’s bilateral development assistance program also delivered over $22 million in 2022/23 to support women’s and girls’ reproductive health and rights; girls’ access to education; women’s political participation and economic empowerment; and polio eradication in Pakistan.

Supplementary messages

The flood crisis affected more than 33 million people; took over 1,700 lives and threatens hundreds of thousands in Pakistan.
The most urgent needs and requirements identified remain health, food security and rehabilitation.

Supporting facts and figures

The floods caused an estimated USD 10 billion in damage since mid-June 2022.
On January 9, 2023, the Government of Pakistan and the United Nations co-hosted the “International Conference on Climate Resilient Pakistan” in Geneva, securing over USD 9 billion in pledges for relief and reconstruction in flood-affected areas.
Pakistan already had the 9th largest food crisis globally, with food insecurity impacting 20-30% of the total population and with acute malnutrition exceeding emergency levels (15%).
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. In 2022, there were 20 polio cases detected and only one polio case has been reported since the beginning of 2023.

Background

The 2022 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 is facing an unprecedented economic crisis and has a dynamic political landscape and unpredictable security situation.

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 international 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 – continue to 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 condemns all forms of sexual misconduct, including sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and sexual harassment (SH), and is working to strengthen prevention and response efforts.
Canada expects WHO senior officials to fully and immediately investigate any allegations, hold perpetrators to account, and ensure that individuals affected by sexual misconduct have access to the physical and psychosocial support they need.
We recognize the WHO’s recent steps toward implementing organizational changes to address sexual misconduct. Transparency, accountability and victim/survivor-centred measures will be critical for sustained change.

Supplementary messages

We are closely monitoring the implementation of the WHO’s Three-Year Strategy for Preventing and Responding to Sexual Misconduct to ensure WHO is fit for purpose to meaningfully address SEA and SH.

Background

Dozens of incidents of sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) by WHO, UN and other non-governmental organization 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 had failed to prevent or detect.

Canada has been at the forefront of efforts to hold WHO accountable, championing a decision at the Executive Board in January 2021 which called for stronger institutional measures to prevent SEA and SH. We continue to emphasize zero tolerance for inaction, the importance of a survivor/victim-centred approach, and the need for close collaboration between WHO and key UN entities, and regularly follow up with WHO senior management for progress updates.

In response to the 2021 Executive Board decision, the WHO enacted a dedicated Management Response Plan to address recommendations from an Independent Commission investigation on SEA in DRC. In January 2023, WHO launched a Three-Year Strategy (2023-2025) for preventing and responding to all forms of sexual misconduct. On March 8, 2023, a new Policy on Preventing and Addressing Sexual Misconduct came into effect, which aims to address gaps, loopholes, and lack of clarity in previous policy documents; align with international and UN requirements and protocols; and clearly outline responsibilities of WHO staff and of collaborators.

While supportive of this progress, Canada and likeminded remain concerned about accountability for the management of allegations. At the WHO Executive Board meeting held in January-February 2023, the UK delivered a statement on these issues on behalf of 54 countries, including Canada. The statement underscored the importance of a victim and survivor-centred approach; strengthening organizational capacity and ensuring accountability; and safeguarding in high-risk settings.

In January 2023, the UN Office of Internal Oversight Services released a confidential investigation report on WHO’s mid-level staff response to allegations of SEA during the Ebola outbreak in DRC between 2018 and 2020. Canada and likeminded continue to assess the findings and await a response from WHO senior management.

WHO Syria Chief Allegations of Corruption, Abuse, and Fraud

Canada takes all allegations of corruption in multilateral organizations seriously, whether abuse or fraud, including at the WHO.
Canada has not provided direct funding to the WHO country office in Syria; and we continue to monitor WHO’s institutional response to these allegations.
We have communicated to WHO that we expect them to investigate allegations swiftly, hold individuals to account, and ensure robust safeguards to prevent corruption, abuse or fraud.

Supplementary messages

In 2020, the WHO allocated funding from its Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan for the COVID-19 pandemic to their country office in Syria. Canada was a contributor to this fund.
We continue to seek updates from the WHO on whether any of this funding was mismanaged and await the completion of the WHO investigation in the near future.

Update

As of March 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) investigation of various fraud and mismanagement allegations within their office in Syria continues, and is expected to be completed in the near future. WHO has indicated that its COVID-19 Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan falls within the scope of the investigation. Canada provided funds to this global COVID-19 Plan which were then allocated by the WHO to countries with the greatest needs, including Syria.

Canada continues to monitor WHO’s institutional response to the allegations and the extent to which Canadian funding has been impacted. Canada regularly calls on the WHO to strengthen its oversight mechanisms to ensure that fraud or mismanagement of funds is detected early and addressed comprehensively within a sound risk management approach that maximizes accountability. We will encourage the WHO to review lessons from this incident to improve their oversight mechanisms.

Background

In October 2022, several media outlets reported that Dr. Akjemal Magtymova, the former WHO Country Representative to Syria, was accused of corruption, abuse and fraud. According to media, millions of dollars were mismanaged under her leadership between 2020-2022. WHO has not commented publicly on these allegations. Dr. Magtymova has been on administrative leave since May 2022.

Canada has not provided direct funding to the WHO country office in Syria. In 2020, however, the WHO allocated $2.2 million CAD from Canada’s COVID-19 contribution for the WHO’s Strategic Preparedness and Response Plan to their country office in Syria. Allocations to country offices were informed by the needs of countries in line with the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Global Humanitarian Response Plan from March-April 2020.

Canada’s long-standing position is to reinforce the ability of multilateral organizations to prevent, detect and address instances of corruption, abuse or fraud. Canada does not comment on or engage in investigations of individual cases of misconduct or mismanagement of funds and relies on proper internal mechanisms of international organizations to undertake investigations and determine measures in response to findings.

Food Security in the Horn of Africa

Top Line Messages

The Horn of Africa is one of the most food insecure regions in the world, exacerbated by Russia’s unjustified war on Ukraine, which has disrupted grain supplies and increased food prices. An estimated 43.6 million people in the Horn require urgent support.
As the 5th largest bilateral donor to the United Nations World Food Programme ($442 million in 2022), Global Affairs Canada closely cooperates with WFP to respond to the crisis.
Through the Feminist International Assistance Policy Canada supports climate-smart and gender-transformative approaches in agriculture and the development of sustainable food systems.
(Example) Canada was a main architect of Ethiopia’s Productive Safety Net Project (PSNP) in 2005 and has provided over $491M since then to phases of this important food and cash relief project.

Supplementary messages

Canada provides food security related assistance through experienced multilateral partners such as WFP, FAO and IFAD, and through Canadian partners such as the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Seed Change, and Farm Radio International to support national food security priorities.
Canada engages at the highest levels on food security including the G7 Famine Prevention and Humanitarian Crises Panel, as well as the G7 InsuResilience Global Partnership (IGP) which commits to gender mainstreaming for climate and disaster risk insurance activities.

Update

Food insecurity continues at extreme levels in the Horn of Africa which is also experiencing high levels of instability, fragility, open conflict and worsening climate shocks. Women and girls are amongst the most vulnerable.
Canada has made significant new commitments to humanitarian food and nutrition assistance, including a record $650 million allocated in 2022. Canada has increased the share of humanitarian budget spent on emergency food and nutrition assistance from 30% in 2017 to 48% in 2022.

Supporting facts and figures

22 million people are acutely food insecure across the Horn of Africa because of the devastating drought. This is almost double the 13 million at the beginning of 2022.
PSE Vandenbeld attended the Dakar 2 Summit on Food Sovereignty and Food Resilience in Africa in January 2023, meeting with AfDB President Adesina who recognized Canada’s focus on supporting SMEs and climate action.
In 2020-21, GAC disbursed $828 million to strengthen food systems and agriculture programs; that year SSA accounted for 68% of total spending by country in agriculture and food systems.
Examples of Canadian support to food security include large programs and localized support:
- Ethiopia – Strengthening Ethiopia’s Adaptive Safety Net (SEASN) project ($50M, 2022-2026, World Bank). Ethiopia’s flagship social protection project provides food or cash to 8M rural people (52% women) in six regions of the country, including Tigray. The project improves health and nutrition outcomes, stabilizes households during economic shocks, enhances livelihoods during stable times and reduces people’s vulnerability to food insecurity. [Not yet announced]
- Kenya – More Food: Empowering Kenyan Women ($1M, 2019-2024, Farmers Helping Farmers). This project involves improving food and nutrition security of farm families (women, girls, boys and men) in the Buuri Dairy milk collection area and adjacent rural communities in Meru County, Kenya. The project integrates a number of innovative approaches to increase agricultural productivity, income, nutritional knowledge and skills among the target population. Women are the focus of the project as they are eager to learn and apply knowledge and skills that help improve the lives of their families.

Background

Across Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia, an estimated 22 million people are now acutely food insecure due to extremely low rainfall and subsequent drought conditions. Malnutrition is increasing and will likely affect up to 5.1 million children in 2023.
Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine continues to impact food supply.
The Dakar 2 Food Summit in January 2023 addressed food insecurity across Africa and promoted domestic agricultural production. A key outcome was participants’ endorsement of Country Food and Agriculture Delivery Compacts which are led by each African country to complement existing African Union food security monitoring, namely the biennial Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Program reports.

Increasing Canada’s International Development Assistance Every Year Towards 2030

The Government has committed to increasing international development assistance every year towards 2030 to realize the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
In Budget 2023, the Government projected the International Assistance Envelope to total $6.89 billion in 2023-24, a 49% increase from 2015-16.
Over the last several years, Canada has made significant and exceptional international assistance investments to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.

Supplementary messages

In line with the principles for effective development cooperation, Canada continues to improve its processes to make its international assistance more effective, transparent and accountable.

Update

Budget 2023 announced an additional $2.4 million loan for Ukraine to be administered by the International Monetary Fund. Budget 2023 did not announce any new international assistance funding for Global Affairs Canada.

In December 2022 at 15th meeting of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biodiversity, the Prime Minister announced $350 million in new international assistance to help developing countries advance conservation efforts.

Supporting facts and figures

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Government of Canada has allocated over $10.9 billion in new international assistance resources, including:
- Over $4.6 billion in response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine;
- Over $3 billion for COVID-19 response and recovery;
- Over $1.3 billion for international climate finance;
- $350 million to support biodiversity and conservation in developing countries;
- $296 million for the Global Fund to Fight Aids, Tuberculosis and Malaria;
- $287 million as part of the Indo-Pacific Strategy;
- $250 million in response to the global food crisis;
- $208 million to respond to the Rohingya crisis;
- $174 million for the Middle East Strategy;
- $165 million to respond to increased humanitarian needs;
- $85 million for the Global Partnership to Education;
- $56 million to respond to the Venezuelan migrant and refugee crisis; and
- $25 million for care work.

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 reflected in recent growth in the international assistance funding envelope.
Budgets 2023 and 2022 reaffirmed this commitment.
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 its Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP), 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 marginalized 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 has strengthened Canada’s reputation as a feminist donor. For the fourth 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

The FIAP’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 global development challenges.
Canada is committed to constantly improving how its international assistance is delivered, including by integrating across its portfolio the human rights principles of participation and inclusion, equality and non-discrimination, and transparency and accountability.
In 2021-22, Canadian-funded programs reached more than 42 million people through projects aimed at ending sexual and gender-based violence, including harmful practices such as child, early and forced marriage, and female genital mutilation/cutting.

Supporting facts and figures

The COVID-19 pandemic led to the first rise in global poverty rates since the Asian financial crisis of 1998. An estimated 122 million people were pushed back into extreme poverty in 2020. As a result, the World Bank estimates 7% of the global population will continue to suffer from extreme poverty in 2030, putting the global goal of 0% out of reach.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues to disrupt global food, fertilizer and fuel supply chains, contributing to historically high prices and ongoing price volatility. High food prices disproportionately affect the poor, who spend most of their income on food and other basic needs and also push people towards cheaper and less nutritious food, exacerbating malnutrition rates.
Trade and development are mutually reinforcing. Their integration fosters inclusive growth and promotes developing countries’ participation in global trade. Canada’s Aid for Trade contributions have averaged above $600 million in recent years, and reached over $1 billion per year in 2020-21 and 2021-22.
- Aid for Trade helps developing countries build trade capacity and infrastructure that they need in order to benefit from trade liberalization (e.g. building roads, ports and telecommunications networks to connect domestic markets to the global economy).
- Many Canadian projects advance international assistance priorities like energy and climate action, food security (agriculture), and gender equality.
- For example, since 2015, Canada has been supporting the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation which operates at the nexus of trade and development, providing timely expertise on ways of overcoming trade barriers for MSMEs, including women-owned enterprises, in developing and least developed countries.
Through the ongoing Grants and Contributions Transformation Initiative, Canada is working to revamp, from start to finish, how it manages international assistance grants and contributions. The focus is on creating ways of working that are faster, more transparent and more flexible, enhancing Canada’s capacity to deliver results and sustainable impact that brings positive change in people’s lives.
Several signature initiatives have been advanced in support of the FIAP:
- successfully fulfilled the first phase of the Muskoka Initiative ($2.85 billion from 2010-2015), which contributed to reducing under-five and maternal mortality; strengthening health systems; improving nutrition; and combatting HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases in Africa, Asia and Latin America;
- successfully fulfilled the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) 2.0 ($3.5 billion from 2015-2020) and the Her Voice, Her Choice commitment of $650 million over three years (2017-2020) for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), which contributed to addressing the SRHR gap by supporting access for women and adolescent girls to the full range of sexual and reproductive health services, including by supporting 189 health projects across 65 countries;
- supported over 900 women’s rights organizations (WROs) in over 30 countries and regions through the Women’s Voice and Leadership program ($150M, 2017-2023). Through this support, WROs are strengthening the management of their organizations and delivering services to diverse women and girls in situations of vulnerability. They are also successfully advocating and building networks to influence policy, legal and social change for gender equality and the rights of women and girls. For example, WROs in Mozambique were behind the adoption of legislations on Child Early and Forced Marriage, women’s property rights and SRH services;
- met $400 million commitment to improve access to quality education and skills training for over 4 million women and girls in crisis and conflict situations, in part by addressing the multi-sectoral barriers that prevent girls from accessing and completing quality education;
- met commitment of $2.65 billion over five years to help the most vulnerable countries adapt to and mitigate climate change, with over 228 megatonnes of greenhouse emissions reduced or avoided, helping 6.6 million people with increased resilience to the effects of climate change, and supporting 126 projects in developing countries to mitigate and adapt to 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 including through gender-lens and impact investing. Since launching in 2019, the Equality Fund has committed $53M to resource over 300 women's rights organizations working in 85 countries to address issues ranging from violence against women to environmental rights.
- developed Canada’s third National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to strengthen women’s full inclusion in all matters of peace and security, recognising their role as solution bearers, knowledge holders and essential partners for peace.
Canada’s international assistance contributes to development results. For instance, in 2021-22:
- Nearly all (99%) of Canada’s bilateral international development assistance either targeted or integrated gender equality;
- Canada’s 10-year commitment to global health and rights contributed to help prevent 5.4 million unintended pregnancies, thereby saving the lives of 14,490 women and 99,987 children, and provided two annual doses of vitamin A to more than 167 million children, preventing over 105,000 child deaths and 730,000 cases of stunting;
- Along with other donors, Canada provided humanitarian assistance that reached a record 128.2 million food insecure people through the World Food Programme and its partners (in 2021) and provided assistance and protection to 94.7 million refugees and internally displaced persons through the UNHCR;
- Canada, along with other multilateral and global partners, contributed to train over 27,000 teachers (12,825 women; 12,925 men; and 1,797 people whose gender was not indicated) according to national standards or approved teacher training programs and helped nearly 4,000 schools create welcoming spaces that respond to the specific needs of girls;
- Canada contributed to two precedent-setting verdicts in sexual violence cases in Guatemala perpetrated by teachers against Indigenous girls by bringing media attention to the issue of sexual and gender-based violence;
- Canada trained 8,473 military police and civilian personnel (including 1,214 women) in peacekeeping competencies that incorporated gender equality and addressed sexual and gender-based violence, sexual exploitation, and abuse.

Education in Conflict and Crisis

Access to quality education in times of crises is essential to ensuring safety and stability for children, youth, and their communities.
Canada is a global leader in education programming in conflict and crisis situations.
In February 2023, Canada pledged $87.5 million of new funding to Education Cannot Wait (ECW) in support of quality education for children in emergency and crisis situations worldwide.
As part of the Together for Learning campaign, Canada continues to amplify the voices of youth during key global education moments, including the Transforming Education Summit and ECW High-level Financing Conference.

Supplementary messages

There is an education crisis due to the combined impacts of conflict, climate change, and COVID-19 – making support more crucial than ever.
Incorporating the views of youth is key to building appropriate, sustainable, resilient education systems.

Update

Canada hosted a youth-led Together for Learning Summit in March 2022. The Summit provided an opportunity to hear and learn from refugee and displaced youth, engaging them as problem-solvers and decision-makers. The youth released a Youth Manifesto, including calls to action in five priority areas: inclusion, mental and psychosocial support, digital learning, gender equality and accountability. During the Summit, Canada announced $67.2M of support for the education of refugee, displaced and host community children and youth.   

Canada continues to amplify the Summit outcome documents and the voices of youth, including at key international events such as the UN Secretary General’s Transforming Education Summit (Sept 2022) and the Education Cannot Wait’s High-Level Financing Conference (Feb 2023). Canada will continue to amplify the voices of refugee youth in the lead up to the second Global Refugee Forum (GRF) in December 2023.   

Seven Global Initiatives emerged from the UN Secretary General`s Transforming Education Summit (Sept 2022). Three of these initiatives are particularly well aligned with Canada’s priorities, namely: transforming education systems to enable all crisis-affected children and youth to access inclusive, quality, safe learning opportunities and continuity of education; advancing gender equality and girls’ and women’s empowerment in and through education; and foundational learning.

Education Cannot Wait hosted a High-Level Financing Conference in February 2023 to increase funding for education in emergencies, a chronically underfunded area. Canada announced $87.5 million over four years, of which $27.5M is earmarked for the Bangladesh Multi-Year Resilience Program (MYRP), as part of Canada’s Strategy to Respond to the Rohingya and Myanmar Crisis.   The event was co-hosted by Switzerland, and co-convened by Colombia, Germany, Niger, Norway and South Sudan, in Geneva.    

Supporting facts and figures

Canada supports bilateral partners, Canadian organizations and key multilateral partners who work in crisis settings, notably the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) ($407 million) since 2007, and Education Cannot Wait ($170 million including the $87.5 million pledged in February 2023) since 2016.
The $400 million G7 Charlevoix Education Initiative is reaching over 4 million girls and women through 55 projects that address gender-based barriers to education in conflict and crisis-affected settings.
Canada’s international COVID-19 response allocated $78.9 million in additional funding for education, including $24.5 million for initiatives targeting displaced persons.
68% of refugee children have access to primary education, 34% to secondary education, ^{Footnote 1}
Girls affected by conflict are 2.5 times more likely to drop out of school than boys^{Footnote 2}.

Background

The provision of education is a human right and critical in crisis situations, particularly for girls. In protracted crises, education ensures that children and youth have access to the knowledge, skills and other supports (nutrition, mental health, protection) that they need to contribute economically and socially to the rebuilding of their communities. COVID-19 caused the largest disruption to education in history, and eroded progress in enrolment rates. Displaced and refugee learners have been particularly disadvantage.  

In February 2021, Canada launched the three-year international Together for Learning campaign to promote quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for refugee, displaced and host community children and youth. The Campaign includes four key areas of work: 1) programming excellence; 2) diplomatic engagement; 3) amplifying local voices; and 4) building the evidence base on education for refugee and displaced children and youth. 

Canada’s Leadership on Financing for Development

Canada champions the financing for development agenda to improve access to finance for developing countries and to accelerate progress toward meeting the SDGs.
Canada is working 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 has demonstrated leadership in key development finance areas such as financing for gender equality and women’s economic empowerment, climate finance, and supporting improved access to finance for Small Island Developing States.
The International Assistance Innovation Program complements existing ODA resources, 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 almost 30 per cent of its SDRs, including by scaling up its contributions to IMF-managed trust funds, the Poverty Reduction Growth Trust (PRGT) and the Resilience and Sustainability Trust (RST).

Supporting facts and figures

Canada scaled up its contributions to the IMF’s PRGT by providing a new contribution of $1 billion, and also made a new $2.44 billion contribution to the IMF’s RST.
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 IAIP has committed about $530 million via 10 blended finance projects and technical assistance, that support climate-smart agriculture and infrastructure, clean energy, and financing for small and medium-sized enterprises. The Program also supports non-repayable initiatives to help continue strengthening the field of blended finance and its support for gender-lens investing.

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 UN Secretary General and the Prime Minister of Jamaica, launched in May 2020. In his 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

In line with the principles for effective development cooperation, Canada continues to improve its processes to make its international assistance more effective, transparent and accountable.
Efficient processes and reduced administrative burdens on partners allow for more timely responses to crises and enhanced results. This is why Global Affairs Canada is undertaking an ambitious Grants and Contributions transformation. It will lead to greater responsiveness, effectiveness, transparency and accountability.
The recently tabled annual consolidated report on Canada’s international assistance for 2021-2022, is an important measure of the Government’s commitment to aid transparency and accountability.

Supplementary messages

Global Affairs Canada is improving its processes by providing partners greater flexibility to adjust projects and simplifying approvals to bring new projects online faster.
The International Assistance Report reconciles International Assistance Envelope allocations with results and expenditures, providing Canadians with clear information and examples on progress implementing the Feminist International Assistance Policy.
Global Affairs Canada is completely transforming the way it manages its grants and contributions for international assistance. The Gs&Cs Transformation work plan was approved in June 2022. This 5-year initiative will transform (1) our processes, (2) our technology, and (3) our people and our culture.

Supporting facts and figures

Gs&Cs Transformation is in line with mandate commitments and the FIAP, and is a core element of the department’s response to the recent audit.
Key process improvements that enhance transparency and effectiveness include:
- the publication of a rolling 12-month calendar of current and upcoming funding opportunities on the Global Affairs Canada website;
- a two-month service standard to respond to concept notes.
Global Affairs Canada’s Project Browser offers individual project profiles, while DevData showcases Canada’s international assistance statistics in an interactive dashboard.
Canada engages globally in support of development effectiveness:
- As an active member of the International Aid Transparency Initiative, Canada fosters effectiveness, transparency and accountability for development finance;
- Within the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation, Canada enables country level monitoring of the implementation of the principles for effective development cooperation.

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 fourth year in a row for the share of aid contributing to gender equality. In 2021-22, 99% of Canada’s bilateral international development assistance either targeted fully or integrated gender equality results, representing $3.7 billion.

Supplementary messages

Women and girls are persistently and disproportionately impacted by global crises. 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.
Under the Feminist International Assistance Policy, 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 co-creating the Alliance for Feminist Movements, launched in September 2022.
In 2021-22, Global Affairs Canada supported over 1,800 women’s rights organizations and networks. This was achieved in large part through the Women’s Voice and Leadership program which supported more than 900 organizations and networks in over 30 developing countries and regions.

Update

For the fourth consecutive year (since 2020), Canada was ranked as the top OECD bilateral donor for its share of overall official development assistance (ODA) supporting gender equality.

Supporting facts and figures

In 2021-22, GAC continued to implement the Feminist International Assistance Policy with 99% ($3.7 billion) of bilateral international development assistance either directly targeting or integrating gender equality results (target: 95% by 2021-22), of which 10% ($388 million) fully targeted gender equality results (target: 15% by 2021-22).
Since the launch of the Policy, GAC has increased the percentage of international assistance integrating or targeting gender equality results by 23 percent, from a baseline of 76% in 2015-16 to 99% in 2021-22.
With regards to investments that specifically target gender equality results, while the target of 15% has not yet been reached, there has been a six-fold increase in annual dollars spent from $61 million in 2015-16 to $388 million in 2021-22. There was a peak (of $611 million) in 2020-21 due to a $195 million disbursement to establish the Equality Fund and a subsequent dip due funds being required for responses related to COVID-19 and other crisis.

Addressing Paid and Unpaid Care Work

Top Line Messages

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed and 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 space.
Addressing unpaid and paid care work is essential to advancing gender equality, inclusive economic growth and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals.
Canada is implementing $100.0 M in programming to address this issue in low- and middle-income countries, reinforcing Canada’s role as a leading advocate internationally on the issue.

Update

To drive more and better-quality investments in childcare in low- and middle-income countries to improve outcomes for women, children, families, businesses and economies, Canada contributed $10 million to the World Bank Group’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 the “Action for Paid Care Workers Initiative”, a funding opportunity by invitation only to selected Canadian organizations meeting the eligibility criteria. Under this $36 million initiative, four to six projects will be selected. These will address paid care work issues or both paid and unpaid care work challenges. Additional projects are under development and will be announced in due course.

Supporting facts and figures

Based on International Labour Organization (ILO) data, globally, 16.4 billion hours/day are spent on unpaid care work, the equivalent of US$11 trillion or 9% of global GDP. Women, aged 15 and older, perform on average 3.2 times more of this work than men. Furthermore, 19.3% of global female employment is in the paid care sector.
Global Affairs Canada is building its portfolio of standalone unpaid and paid care work initiatives through both COVID-19 response initiatives and the $100.0 M commitment on standalone care work programming by taking a “5Rs” approach.
This approach seeks to: recognize the value of unpaid and poorly paid care work; reduce drudgery and hours spent on unpaid care work; redistribute responsibility for care work more equitably, both within the household and outside it; ensure unpaid and paid care workers are represented and have a voice; and respond to the rights and needs of unpaid and paid care workers.

Background

Prior to and during 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. The inequitable 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, and rest and care of their own health. To address this inequality, Canada is implementing a commitment made on June 30, 2021, at the Generation Equality Forum, to invest $100.0 M 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.

Centre for 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.
An update on progress to establish the Centre has been published in the context of the second Summit for Democracy, which took place 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.

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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 and restrictions to their access to resources - used as 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 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 local WROs.

Update

In October 2022, Canada was selected to Co-chair the Alliance for Feminist Movements along with RESURJ, a global-south based network of women’s rights 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 (2017-2022 - $150M) and the Equality Fund (2019 - $300M), have resulted in Canada being among the top OECD donors to WROs for the past four years.
In 2021-22, Global Affairs Canada supported over 1,800 women’s rights organizations and networks. This was achieved in large 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.
The Alliance for Feminist Movements has more than 400 members, including Canada, Chile, Colombia, France, Ireland, Malawi, Mexico, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

Background

Supporting WROs and feminist movements is core to Canada’s FIAP. During the consultations to develop the FIAP, 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 continues to look for ways 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.

The mandate letter commitment aligns with Canada’s global leadership as an advocate of women’s rights organizations and feminist movements, including through the co-leadership of the Feminist Movements and Leadership Action Coalition, and the 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, Chile, Colombia, France, Ireland, Malawi, Mexico, the Netherlands, Sweden, and the United Kingdom.

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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. In non-resident countries of accreditation, the CFLI is often Canada’s only presence.
The CFLI supports projects that are comparatively modest in scope and cost, 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 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 $26.8M in Fiscal Year 2023/24.
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 $26.8M in 2022/23 and remained the same in 2023/24. The CFLI was not included in the 2023 Budget announcement.

Supporting facts and figures

CFLI funding is IA funding. Since 2012, the program authority is MINA.
CFLI is managed through 68 missions accredited to over 120 countries that qualify for Official Development Assistance and funds over 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 $33,000.
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 60M 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 celebrated its 50^th anniversary in 2022. The CFLI’s five year Grants and Contributions Evaluation was completed in 2023. 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.

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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. The additional funding for climate in the Main Estimates is based on the planned increase from the funding decision in 2021.
At least 80% of projects will integrate gender equality, 40% of funding will go toward adaptation, and at least 20% will support projects that leverage nature-based solutions.

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 2021−2026. Budget 2021 provided the associated Record of Decision on June 15, 2021 and the financial authority for Canada’s new $5.3 billion climate finance commitment. Canada’s climate finance is targeting four thematic areas of focus (Clean Energy Transition and Coal Phase Out; Nature-based Solutions and Biodiversity; Climate-smart Agriculture and Food Systems; and, Climate Governance) and has three public policy targets (40% of funding for adaptation, up from 30% previously; 20% of funding for projects that leverage nature-based climate solutions and projects that contribute biodiversity co-benefits; and having at least 80% of climate projects integrate gender equality).

Since 2015, Canada’s climate finance programming has achieved concrete results in helping developing countries transition toward low-carbon, climate-resilient economies, has mobilized important investments from the private sector, and continues to support women’s leadership and decision-making in climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts.

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.
The programs and projects supported under the $2.65 billion commitment are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 228 metric megatons (equivalent to removing 49 million cars from roads for one year), help at least 6.6 million people adapt to the effects of climate change, and mobilize important climate finance contributions from the private sector.
Global Affairs Canada is seeking an increase of $23.1 million in the 2023-24 Main Estimates compared to the 2022-23 Main Estimates related to funding to help developing countries to address the impact of climate change. This includes:
- An increase of $133.1 million in the 2023-24 Main Estimates compared to the 2022-23 Main Estimates is related to the Canada’s International Climate Finance and Biodiversity Programs; and
- A decrease of $110 million in the 2023-24 Main Estimates compared to the 2022-23 Main Estimates is related to the Canada’s contribution to the first replenishment of the Green Climate Fund.
The increase of $133.1 million represents GAC’s Climate Finance Program’s portion of the $5.3 billion climate finance envelope as approved (not NEW funding). The year-over-year adjustment of $23.1 million for climate is explained by the net increase in grants and contributions (from $152 million compared to $174.56 million for this year).
The decrease of $110 million is a result of MLC’s programming of Unconditionally Repayable Contributions (URCs) for Year 1 (2021−22) of the $5.3 billion Climate Finance Envelope. The Green Climate Fund (GCF) was able to effectively use the funding immediately, so the payment was brought forward. This is not a decrease to the overall $5.3 billion Climate Finance Envelope, the payment to GCF for the first replenishment was brought forward by one year to Year 1 (Fiscal Year 2021−22) of the $5.3 billion Climate Finance Program, instead of Year 2 (Fiscal Year 2022−23). The reason for it is that the GCF is scaling up programming for this replenishment period.

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

Global Affairs Canada is determined to ensure that the delivery of international assistance is efficient and inclusive of all who face discrimination and marginalization, and recognizes that more needs to be done.
GAC is committed to continuing to strengthen its gender equality, human rights, and project management training and processes to further improve how we consider intersecting identity factors and account for results.
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.
GAC recognizes that charities have raised concerns with respect to direction and control and welcomes the amended Income Tax Act, and the development of guidance by the Canadian Revenue Agency to replace the current direction and control provisions, in consultation with the sector.

Supporting facts and figures

GAC allocated $898 million in international assistance to Canadian CSOs in 2021-22 (16%), down from $1.06 billion (16%) in 2020-21. While the volume of GAC 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

Canadian CSOs value in the delivery of Canada’s IAE: The Department partners with Canadian CSOs to: 1) deliver international assistance programming; 2) dialogue on policy, process improvements & innovation, and 3) engage, inform, and inspire Canadians on international development.

Delivery of International Assistance: To increase predictability, the Department publishes a semi-annual calendar of calls for proposals and issues detailed information on funding processes. To increase accessibility, and to lower applicants’ burden, new application processes have been introduced such as the use of proposal “concept notes”. Through the Small and Medium Organizations (SMOs) Initiative, over 433 SMOs have benefited from capacity-building activities and there have been 468 applications to the three calls for proposals. 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.

Budget 2023 and OAG report: A coalition of over 90 Canadian international development organizations, including Cooperation Canada, expressed disappointment as they feel Budget 2023 undermines Canada's position in the world. This coalition also reacted to the OAG report by noting the department’s ongoing collaborative commitment to addressing issues raised, reaffirming its support of the FIAP and working with GAC to better track and communicate impact.

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 changes to Bill C19 were introduced in response to charities views that the previous requirements were costly and labour intensive, conflicted with principles of local ownership, and supported an out-dated colonial approach to working with local partners.

The Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) has drafted new related guidance for Canadian charities in consultation with the sector. Cooperation Canada recently commented that while they appreciate the efforts made to address the sector’s concerns, the guidance continues to over emphasize risk and impose onerous requirements for charities. CRA has yet to publish a revised version based on the public consultation that concluded in January 2023. 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.

Localization: Canada and a community of likeminded donors issued a statement in December 2022 that reflects actions to foster locally sustained change, tied to local contexts.

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 January 2023, FinDev Canada has made 36 investments totalling US$658 million (approximately $855 million) in Latin America & the Caribbean and Sub-Saharan Africa, across its priority sectors (sustainable infrastructure, agribusiness, 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 help meet the demand for sustainable infrastructure. This brings FinDev Canada’s approved shareholder capital to $1.35 billion.
Global Affairs Canada has identified the need for further clarity around the parameters of the $750 million recapitalization decision. Over the coming months, GAC Ministers will jointly establish parameters for the $750 million that will be officially communicated to FinDev Canada. Subsequently, the strategy for operationalizing FinDev Canada’s expansion into the Indo-Pacific region will be outlined in the institution’s 2024-2028 rolling corporate plan.
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 March 2023, FinDev Canada’s development results achieved include^{Footnote 3}:

Number of quality jobs created or supported	60,685 (including 29,215 for women)
Number of MSMEs financed	910,693 (including 280,984 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)	3,175 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 in developing countries, as well as 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 Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights

Good health, including addressing comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), is critical to reducing poverty and contributing to gender equality.
The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated poverty and negatively impacted health services globally, especially in low- and lower-middle income countries. Canada helped lead a robust international COVID-19 response and remains committed to strengthening health systems and pandemic preparedness as part of an inclusive and sustainable recovery.
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. In addition, Canada provided additional one-time financing to support health programming under our international COVID-19 response which raised GAC’s total health-related disbursements to close to $2.31 billion.

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 financing mechanisms 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, followed-by MNCH 2.0 from 2015 to 2020, as well as, the Her Voice Her Choice $650 million commitment between 2017 to 2020 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 $90 million per year on nutrition-specific programming and significant support to global financing mechanisms 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.
Canada’s global health leadership continued in response to COVID-19, which had a disproportionate impact on women and girls.
Canada has committed over $3.5 billion in international assistance to the global response to COVID-19.
In the wake of the pandemic, Canada remains committed to equitable and resilient health systems that deliver quality services for women and girls and help stop outbreaks from becoming pandemics.

Background

Canada’s support for women and children’s health and rights has a policy and programmatic focus on three priority areas: increasing the quality and accessibility of health services, SRHR, and nutrition. This encompasses infectious disease response – including exceptional support to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Investments are underpinned by support for effective and equitable health systems.

In addition to working towards increasing Canada’s overall investments in SRHR, the 10-year commitment aims to increase awareness and funding for key neglected areas including: family planning and contraception; safe abortion services and post-abortion care; comprehensive sexuality education; SRHR advocacy; and prevention and response to sexual and gender based violence.

Humanitarian Response 2023

Humanitarian needs have reached record highs in 2023, with over 346 million people in need of life-saving humanitarian assistance. Canada continues to be a top ten humanitarian donor. In FY 2021-2022, Canada provided more than $1 billion in humanitarian assistance.
Canada will continue to respond to humanitarian crises around the world by working through experienced humanitarian partners, including the UN, Red Cross, and NGOs, to provide urgent humanitarian assistance where it is needed most.
In 2022, Canada committed nearly $650 million for humanitarian food and nutrition assistance in response to the growing global food crisis.

Update

To address an unprecedented level of humanitarian needs, Canada continues to respond to the increasing number of humanitarian crises around the world. Canada has continued to respond to complex humanitarian situations, including in Ukraine, Afghanistan and Haiti, as well as sudden-onset emergencies such as the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, and is actively addressing global food insecurity.

Supporting facts and figures

Canada remains a committed and generous humanitarian donor, ranked as the 5^th largest humanitarian donor in 2022.
Canada continues to respond to large-scale and deteriorating humanitarian situations. For example, in 2022, Canada allocated $277.5 million to respond to needs in Ukraine and the region, and provided over $143 million in assistance in Afghanistan and the region.
Needs continue to grow. In 2023, the UN is appealing for more than $54 billion to respond to rising humanitarian needs.
To date in 2023, Canada allocated $12.3 million in humanitarian funding in Haiti, and announced $50 million to support the earthquake response in Türkiye and Syria.
In line with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy, gender equality considerations were integrated into approximately 99% of Canada’s bilateral humanitarian assistance projects in FY 2021-2022, with the exception of funding for humanitarian logistics operations.

Background

Over the last decade, the scope, scale, and complexity of the humanitarian system has significantly grown, characterized by a more than 80% increase in the number of conflicts and natural disasters, exacerbated by climate change. Further, more than 100 million people are forcibly displaced and global public health is worsening. It is projected that over 345 million people will be acutely food insecure in 2023. Of these, over 43 million people are at the brink of famine and nearly 1 million people are expected to face catastrophic conditions. In response, the humanitarian system has expanded, with the UN global appeal tripling to more than $54 billion in 2023.

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 promoting and funding research and innovation to drive global change within and alongside developing regions.
IDRC’s Strategy 2030 sets out a 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.

Supplementary messages

As part of its program for the coming fiscal year, IDRC will invest $277.6 million, including $157.6 million from external partners. Its program will focus on solutions to build greater community resilience to climate change, healthier and more inclusive food systems and low-carbon energy futures. Education and skills for the future of work, and inclusive and accountable institutions are also part of that program.
Recently signed programming with Global Affairs Canada includes a $1.5 million research initiative exploring the impacts of the war in Ukraine on food security in low-income countries (March 9, 2023), and a $25 million research initiative (GAC: $20 million; IDRC: $5 million) to scale innovations in unpaid care in sub-Saharan Africa.
New sources of funding include programming with the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC), the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Global Partnership for Education, and Hewlett.

Update

President Jean Lebel’s second term ends on May 3, 2023. Julie Shouldice, Vice-President, Strategy, Regions and Policy will be Acting President from May 3, 2023 to July 2, 2023. If a President is not confirmed by May 3, an interim President will be appointed until a new President is named.
There is an open and ongoing process for Governor-In-Council appointments to fill four vacancies on the Board of Governors.

Supporting facts and figures

IDRC’s last FY 2022-23 budget is estimated at $233.7 million, of which $158.8 million came from parliamentary appropriation, representing about 3% of Canada’s total international assistance envelope. That year, almost one-third of IDRC’s budget came from donors (private foundations and bilateral donors).
IDRC has regional offices in Montevideo, Amman, Nairobi, New Delhi, and Dakar.

Background

IDRC is governed through a board. The chairperson is Dorothy Nyambi, appointed in June 2022.

2SLGBTQI+ ^{Footnote 4} 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 $15 million to specific initiatives 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, a human rights-based approach and an intersectional lens to all initiatives.

At the 2018 Equal Rights Coalition Global Conference, Canada committed to identifying strategies to address more effectively 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.

An increase in anti-gender discourses and policies, as well as recent conflicts and humanitarian crises are contributing to the erosion of human rights and worsening 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 challenges 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 advocacy support, as well as emergency financial and practical assistance to help local 2SLGBTQI+ communities and organizations create tailored responses responding to the needs of the people they serve.

Official Development Assistance Levels

According to OECD preliminary 2022 data:
- Canada’s official development assistance (ODA) increased by 29% to $10.2 billion for calendar year 2022.
- Canada ranks as the 6th highest donor among OECD members in terms of ODA volume, and 16^th based on ODA/GNI.
- In 2022, Canada’s preliminary ODA/GNI ratio increased to 0.37 percent, from 0.32 percent in 2021. This is Canada’s highest ODA/GNI level since 1995.
The significant ODA increase in 2022 was largely due to Canada’s exceptional allocations for Ukraine, refugee support, World Bank institutions and the Green Climate Fund.

Supplementary messages

Canada’s international assistance efforts go beyond what it contributes in aid funding alone.
The government remains committed to improving the quality and effectiveness of its aid to generate better results for the poorest and most vulnerable.
In Budget 2023, the Government’s projected an International Assistance Envelope of $6.89 billion, a 49% increase from 2015-16.
To complement its ODA, Canada strives to mobilize additional public and private financing for sustainable development.

Supporting facts and figures

Canada reports domestically, on a fiscal year basis, on International Assistance, which includes ODA and initiatives funded through the International Assistance Envelope (IAE) as mandated by the Official Development Assistance Accountability Act.
- In 2021-2022, Canada provided $8.4 billion in international assistance, of which $8.0 billion was ODA. Of this, federal international assistance totalled $7.9 billion, of which $7.5 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 2022, Canada’s net ODA rose by $2.3 billion to $10.2 billion, and Canada remained the 6^th largest DAC donor in total volume, and dropped to the 16^th position among DAC countries, compared to 13^th in 2021, when ODA is taken as a share of GNI.
- The increase is attributable to Canada’s exceptional increases to Ukraine ($1.1 billion), refugee support ($642 million), World Bank institutions ($590 million) and the Green Climate Fund ($235 million).

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 Supreme Audit Institutions in developing countries.
Advancing democracy and human rights is a core priority for Canada’s international engagement. It is also a key component of Canada’s Feminist Foreign Policy and our Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP).

Update

Canada is taking active steps to adapt our approach to democracy support in the face of new challenges globally, including disinformation which is enabled by digital and emerging technologies, as well as backsliding of human rights including women’s human rights. This includes a new Democracy in la Francophonie initiative.

Supporting facts and figures

According to the recent Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Democracy Index Report for 2022, more than one-third of the world’s population live under authoritarian rule (37%) and less than half (45%) live in a democracy.
In 2021-22, Canada disbursed $157 million in democracy support that contributed to activities such as strengthening electoral processes, media freedom, human rights, legislatures and civil society, out of $488 million in total spending for the Inclusive Governance Action Area.
Over the last decade, Canada has spent on average $158 million annually in democracy support.

Background

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

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, civil society and the private sector.

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 and girls, youth and marginalized groups.
Working to support democracy, countering disinformation and promoting information integrity through multi-stakeholder engagement and advocacy, including the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism, the Freedom Online Coalition, the Media Freedom Coalition, International IDEA, the Community of Democracies, and through capacity building programmes.

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 Russia’s war 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 16% of the world's population (1.3 billion people) live with a disability; globally, one in five women has a disability.
In 2021-22, GAC investments towards advancing disability inclusive development outcomes totalled $353 million. Investments targeting disability issues as a principal objective totalled $8 million, while the remaining $345 million targeted disability issues as a significant objective.
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, the main global platform for multi-stakeholder coordination and cooperation to enhance the inclusion of persons with disabilities in international development and humanitarian action. In January 2023, Canada began a term as co-chair of GLAD’s gender equality working group to ensure women and girls with disabilities are meaningfully integrated into the network’s mandate, in line with the FIAP.

Ethiopia – Current Situation

Canada welcomes continued progress on the implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement between the Government of Ethiopia and Tigray People’s Liberation Front as a critical path towards sustainable peace in Ethiopia.
Canada plays 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 Ethiopia and calls on all parties to support accountability processes and ensure justice for victims and survivors.

Update

On November 2, 2022, the Government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People’s Liberation Front (TPLF) signed a permanent Cessation of Hostilities Agreement (CoHA) to end a two-year civil war. While implementation of the agreement has been slow, Canada welcomes the progress made to date, including the launch of the AU-led Joint Monitoring, Verification Compliance Mechanism (MVCM), the restoration of humanitarian access, the resumption of basic services, and the launch of the disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process. Additional challenges remain, including immense humanitarian needs and the establishment of an interim administration in Tigray.

Supporting facts and figures

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 war in 2020, most recently on October 24, 2022.
In 2022, Canada 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: 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 resulting from the conflict in northern Ethiopia. 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, while encouraging its cooperation with independent international investigative mechanisms. In announcing the release of its 2022 Human Rights Report, the U.S. State Department determined that war crimes had been committed by all sides of the conflict. The Government of Ethiopia rejected the statement as “untimely” and “inflammatory”. Beyond Tigray, increasing intercommunal conflict throughout the country have led to the spread of human rights violations in other parts of Ethiopia. Early in 2023, Canada contributed $2M to support the OHCHR’s human rights monitoring, reporting and advocacy work in Ethiopia and strengthen the capacity of Ethiopian national institutions and civil society actors to respond to human rights violations. Opportunities to have MINA publically announce this support are under review.

Humanitarian situation: The compounding effects of the two-year conflict in northern Ethiopia, a devastating drought in southern and eastern regions, deteriorating security and increasing violence throughout much of the country, and ongoing fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic have kept the number of people targeted for humanitarian assistance to 20 million for 2023.

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 international 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 military coup in Mali and the January 2022 military 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 $327 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 2022, Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant participated to the ministerial meeting of the Coalition for the Sahel and reiterated Canada’s engagement in the region. The ADM for Sub-Sahara Africa participated in the 2022 General Assembly of the Sahel Alliance where he confirmed Canada’s new 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 and September 2022) and Mali (August 2020 and May 2021); and an unconstitutional transition in Chad (April 2021).

Canada's international assistance supports the delivery of basic economic and social services (education, health, nutrition, and actions against gender-based violence, including sexual and reproductive services).

Assistance to China

In 2021-22, Canada’s China-related international assistance totalled $7.35 million, of which $4.39 million was channelled though multilateral institutions and $2.96 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

[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 treatment. However, China has been selective in its application of the DSSI terms, has advocated for reduced transparency in CF debt treatments and has caused significant delays, thus hampering multilateral debt treatment efforts.

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 is continuing this work under its 2023 G7 Presidency, with a 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

An Information Memo to Ministers outlining Canada’s approach to the BRI was delivered in April 2021. The Department is conducting ongoing analysis on global economic exposure to China to inform forthcoming policy recommendations and strategic collaboration with likeminded partners.

Rohingya Crisis

Canada is concerned about the intensifying conflict and humanitarian crisis in Myanmar, and the protracted Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh.
Since the 2021 coup, Canada has levelled seven 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.
I recently travelled to Bangladesh and had a chance to hear from Rohingya refugees living there about their hopes and needs, and the enormous challenges they continue to face. Canada continues to support the rights and needs of Rohingya refugees and host communities.

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.
Canada announced on June 20, 2022 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 address the medium- and longer-term needs and human rights of Rohingya refugees and other crisis-affected populations in Myanmar.
Canada will continue to work with the 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 violations in Myanmar, including for the Rohingya people.
Current conditions do not permit the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of Rohingya refugees, including the nearly one million Rohingya refugees living in Bangladesh.
Committed to working with international partners to ensure that Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh live in safety and with dignity.
The situation of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh is at a critical juncture. International attention and funding is fading despite a continued crisis for nearly 1 million refugees in Bangladesh.
Committed to help meet the needs of Rohingya refugees, including through opportunity to increase their self-reliance while they are living in Bangladesh. Access to education and employment opportunities are critical to their sense of dignity and needs now, as well as to prepare for eventual and successful reintegration to society.
Canada supports ASEAN’s efforts to address this crisis. We regret the regime’s continued intransigence and refusal to genuinely engage on the ASEAN peace plan (5-Point Consensus).

Update

Since the Myanmar military deposed the civilian government in February 2021, the regime has failed to fully consolidate its power, and violent resistance and armed conflict has grown. Myanmar is now 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.
Across the border in Bangladesh, Rohingya live in increasingly difficult conditions in the sixth year of the refugee crisis, with dwindling international attention and donor funding, with direct impact on the lives of refugees who are reliant on international assistance for their daily needs.

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.
More than 960,000 Rohingya refugees live in continued crisis in Bangladesh. The vast majority are women and children, and more than 40% per cent are under age 12 and more than 50% under age 18.
With no near-term prospects of a return to Myanmar and increasingly difficult and unsafe conditions in Bangladesh, Rohingya are increasingly fleeing to other countries in Southeast Asia. UNHCR reported a 360% increase in attempted sea crossings in 2022, or more than 3500 people in 39 boats, mostly departing from Bangladesh.

Background

Following the Myanmar military’s 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, 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 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 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, pushing Myanmar close to failed state status and economic collapse, reversing previous democratic and economic gains. People’s Defense Forces have been formed are engaging in guerilla style fighting against the regime; meanwhile, Ethnic Armed Organizations continue decades-long conflicts with the regime forces. 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.

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.

Canada has had a sanctions 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 seven rounds of sanctions against the regime leadership, members and related entities, coordinated with likeminded countries – the most recent of which was announced on January 31, 2023. The sanctions include an arms embargo, a prohibition on the export, sale, supply or shipment of aviation fuel to the Myanmar military regime, and a dealings ban on listed persons, targeting both entities and individuals.

Canada has maintained a strong stance on accountability for the atrocities committed against the Rohingya, including through support to the IIMM and calls for the International Criminal Court (ICC) referral and support to the ongoing ICC Prosecutor’s investigation into forced deportation. Canada has also announced an intention to intervene, jointly with the Netherlands in The Gambia’s Genocide case at the International Court of Justice.

Now in the final 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, 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 2022, Canada contributed $10.3 million in immediate humanitarian assistance to address the needs of crisis-affected people in Myanmar, including support to the Rohingya population. This includes assistance in sectors such as food, nutrition, shelter, and protection. Canada has also contributed $15.3 million in humanitarian assistance in Bangladesh, to help address the needs of Rohingya refugees. In March 2023, Canada announced $6 million to support the immediate needs of the most vulnerable Rohingya refugees and host communities, especially women and girls.

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, negotiated 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. In March 2023, Canada announced an additional CAD $58.55 million in international assistance funding at the International Conference in Solidarity with Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants and their Host Countries and Communities, which Canada co-hosted with the European Union.
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 yearlong 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, 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 December 2022, the democratically elected Venezuelan National Assembly of 2015 voted in favor of effectively dissolving the Interim Government. Moving forward, the Democratic Forces plan on choosing a candidate via the primaries to run against the Chavismo candidate – likely to be Maduro – in the 2024 elections.

In accordance with Canada’s commitment to maintain the international visibility of the Venezuelan refugee and migrant crisis, in March 2023 Canada and the E.U. co-hosted the International Solidarity Conference for Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants and their Host Countries and Communities. The event successfully raised CAD$1.2 billion in pledges (including CAD$744 in grants), including CAD$58.55 million in international assistance funding from Canada. This was a follow-up event to the 2021 International Donors’ Conference, hosted by Canada.

Supporting facts and figures

As per the 2023 UN Global Humanitarian Overview, 7.7 million people inside Venezuela require humanitarian assistance.
Over 1 million Venezuelans have left or fled their country since 2015. Colombia (2.5M), Peru (1.5M), Ecuador (>500K) and Chile (>440K) host the largest populations, stretching response capacities.
In 2023, the UN appealed for US$720 million to respond to the needs of 5.2 million people inside Venezuela, and US$1.72 billion to respond the regional Venezuelan refugees and migrant crisis (3.4 million people targeted).
Inside Venezuela, Canada is supporting $10 million/year in development programming in health, nutrition, inclusive governance, education, and livelihoods.
To respond to the displacement crisis, Treasury Board approved $59.8 million in new funding over two fiscal years (2021-23). Seventeen new projects were launched last year, 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.

Middle East Strategy

Canada is helping make a real difference in Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon, committing over $4.7 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 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.

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 – Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.
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.
The Strategy’s support has also contributed to a doubling in women’s representation in Jordan’s security agencies, advancing the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda.

In addition, the Strategy’s development assistance 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.

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. The current Whole-of-Government Middle East Strategy was extended for three-years, to March 31, 2025.

The Strategy has committed over $4.7 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 $460 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; 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, and that these conditions do not currently exist in Syria.

Update

Lebanon has been governed by a caretaker government since the legislative elections in May 2022, and the country has been without a president since the expiration of President Michel Aoun’s term on October 31, 2022. There is no consensus as to who the next president will be. Only once a president is elected by parliament can a new government be formed.
In April 2022 Lebanon agreed to a working-level agreement with the IMF regarding a $3 billion bailout. On March 23, 2023, the IMF warned that Lebanon was “in a very dangerous situation,” and that it had not made any progress toward the reforms needed to secure the agreement.
In July 2022, Lebanese authorities announced plans to return up to 15,000 Syrian refugees per month, despite objections from the UN and human rights groups. Observers doubt that Lebanon has the state capacity to mount such a large scale repatriation effort.

Supporting facts and figures

Canada is the 6^th largest bilateral donor in Lebanon (as of December 2022).
Since 2016, Global Affairs 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’s people-centered international assistance includes a gender-responsive focus, which addresses the needs and aspirations of women and girls, to enhance their role in a more equitable, just and prosperous Lebanon.
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 COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 explosion at the Port of Beirut, and the impacts of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on food security and local agricultural production. 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.

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, refrain from hostilities and constructively engage towards a negotiated political solution in the interest of all Yemenis.
Canada is committed to assisting the people of Yemen and has been a top-tier donor since the war started in 2015.
Canada strongly supports the 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 Yemen’s humanitarian crisis.
Canada has provided over $410 million in announced humanitarian funding to Yemen since 2015, with over $77 million in 2022 and over $46 million in 2023.
This includes $13 million for Yemen from the $250 million that Canada announced in Fall 2022 to help address the global food security crisis.
Additionally, since 2018, Canada has contributed over $22 million in peace and security assistance toward resolving the conflict.
Canada is concerned by the environmental and humanitarian risks posed by the FSO Safer, a decaying oil tanker moored off Yemen’s Red Sea Coast. In 2022, 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 lasted from April 2, 2022, until it expired on October 2, 2022, without the parties reaching an agreement. 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, Jordan and Egypt. Backchannel negotiation efforts continue and parties are avoiding significant escalation that would deviate too far from the terms of the truce. While the situation has improved, the Houthis continue to engage in hostile and escalatory acts, such as drone strikes against Yemeni oil infrastructure, and 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. On March 21, the U.N. Special Envoy for Yemen and the International Committee of the Red Cross announced an agreement between the parties to the conflict to release hundreds of prisoners of war. Canada welcomed this as a confidence-building measure toward peace in Yemen.

Supporting facts and figures

Canada has provided over $410 in announced assistance to Yemen since 2015, with over $77 million in 2022 and $46 million announced for 2023.
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 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 among the highest globally. Avoiding famine remains an urgent priority.

Politically, 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, 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. In March, the U.N. announced that costs to implement the project had risen, and that it is seeking to quickly close a funding gap of $34 million.

Date modified:: 2025-09-04

Minister of International Development appearance before the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE) on main estimates 2023-24

Table of contents

A) Overview

B) Russian Invasion of Ukraine

C) Afghanistan

D) Haiti

E) Other Hot Issues

F) Mandate

G) Other Programming and Policy

General

Africa

Asia

Latin America

Middle East & Gulf

Meeting scenario

Committee Context

Committee membership & interests

Opening remarks (5 mins)

Member biographies

Ali Ehassi (Chair)

Election to The House of Commons

Professional Background

Parliamentary roles

Notable committee membership

Statements on International Development and Humanitarian Assistance

Points of Interest to GAC

Garnett Genuis (Vice-Chair)

Election to The House of Commons

Professional Background

Parliamentary Roles

Notable committee membership

Statements on International Development and Humanitarian Assistance

Stéphane Bergeron (Vice-Chair)

Election to House of Commons

Professional Background

Parliamentary Roles

Notable committee membership

Statements on International Development and Humanitarian Assistance

Rachel Bendayan

Election to The House of Commons

Professional Background

Parliamentary roles

Notable committee membership

Statements on International Development and Humanitarian Assistance

Michael D. Chong

Election to The House of Commons

Professional Background

Parliamentary roles

Notable committee membership

Statements on International Development and Humanitarian Assistance

Points of interest to GAC

Dave Epp

Election to The House of Commons

Professional Background

Parliamentary roles

Notable committee membership

Statements on International Development and Humanitarian Assistance

Points of interest to GAC

Hedy Fry

Election to The House of Commons

Professional Background

Parliamentary roles

Notable committee membership

Statements on International Development and Humanitarian Assistance

Randy Hoback

Election to The House of Commons

Professional Background

Parliamentary roles

Notable committee membership

Points of interest to GAC

Heather Mcpherson

Election to the House of Commons

Professional background

Parliamentary roles

Notable committee membership

Statements on International Development and Humanitarian Assistance

Robert Oliphant (Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs)

Election to The House of Commons

Professional Background

Parliamentary roles