Minister of International Development and Minister responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada appearance before the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE) on mandate letter

2022-03-03

Meeting scenario

• Your in-person one-hour appearance before the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE) begins at 3:30 p.m.
• The following officials are accompanying you during the appearance and may be called upon to respond to questions. They will remain behind for the second hour of the committee meeting.

Global Affairs Canada

In-person

• Peter MacDougall, a/Deputy Minister of International Development and Assistant Deputy Minister, Global Issues and Development

Virtually

• Caroline Leclerc, Assistant Deputy Minister, Partnerships for Development
• Paul Thoppil, Assistant Deputy Minister, Asia Pacific
• Sandra McCardell, Assistant Deputy Minister, Europe, Arctic Middle East and Maghreb

Motion to appear

That the Committee invite the Minister of International Development to appear on the subject of his mandate letter for two hours.

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)
• Conservative (5 minutes)
• Liberal (5 minutes)

• Any additional rounds of questioning would follow the order and timing of the second round
• For further information on committee membership, please see the committee bios included in this briefing binder.

Committee membership & interests

• So far, during this 44th Parliament, the committee has studied the situation at the Russia- Ukraine border and implications for peace and security, and the situation in the Taiwan Strait. The committee has also received briefings on the current situation in Haiti, and on the current situation in Ethiopia.
• During the 43rd Parliament, the committee studied the human rights situation in China (Uighurs), the impact of COVID-19 on displaced persons from Venezuela and Myanmar, the vulnerabilities created and exacerbated by COVID-19 (child rights crisis, ensuring global response and reaching the most vulnerable), and arms exports to Turkey.
• Committee members’ questions during the 43rd and 44th Parliaments have focused on the following issues:
  • Conservative Members – Ukraine, Russian aggression, Crimean Tartars, 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
  • Liberal Members – Russia-Ukraine, Russia’s militarization of Artic and Baltic nations, COVAX, Haiti, Turkey, human rights, France and Islamic terrorism, freedom of expression, Canada-China relations, situation in Xinjiang, human rights (Uighurs), Rohingya, Venezuela, consular cases, rules-based international order, UN, NATO, OSCE
  • Bloc Quebecois Member – Situation in Haiti, Russia and Belarus, Israel, France and Islamic terrorism, including freedom of expression
  • NDP Member – Ukraine, COVAX, FIAP, arms exports to Turkey, conflict in Nagorno- Karabakh, human rights, relations with China

Sven Spengemann P.C. (LPC – Mississauga - Lakeshore, ON)

Chair

Key Interests

• Human Rights
• Gender Equality
• Palestine
• COVID-19
• Defence Policy

Parliamentary roles

MP Spengemann has been a member of numerous parliamentary associations and interparliamentary groups since his election in 2015. He became Co-Chair of the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (CAAF) since February 2020. He has been a member of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (CAEU) since 2015, the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (CANA) since 2016, the Canadian Group of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (UIPU) since 2015, and was a member of the Canada-China Legislative Association (CACN) from November 2016 to March 2017.

Notable committee memberships

• Chair, Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE), December 2021 – present, October 2020 – August 2021, Member, February 2020 – August 2020
• Member, National Defence (NDDN), December 2021 – present, October 2020 – August 2021, February 2020 – August 2020, January 2016 – Sept 2019
• Member, Liaison (LIAI), December 2021 – present, October 2020 – August 2021
• Member, Public Safety and National Security (SECU), January 2016 – September 2019

Background

MP Spengemann completed his Law degree at Osgoode Hall and was called to the Bar of Ontario in June 2000. He pursued graduate degrees at the College of Europe in Belgium and Harvard Law School. His academic work earned him numerous awards and distinctions, including a Canada-US Fulbright Scholarship.

MP Spengemann worked in the Government of Canada’s Privy Council as a Senior Policy Analyst, where he led federal interdepartmental policy processes in the areas of risk management, international cooperation and national security. He also served as a UN official in Baghdad with the UN Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI). In Iraq, MP Spengemann negotiated operational protocols with the US Coalition Forces to ensure operational, security and medical support for the UN Mission (2005 – 2012).

Issue specific statements

In June 2021, MP Spengemann delivered multiple speeches to the National Defence Committee regarding sexual misconduct in the military, characterizing it as a multi-national issue. He also spoke in the House regarding the violence in Gaza and questioning what the government was doing to “build a foundation for lasting peace”.

During the 43^rd Parliament, MP Spengemann spoke on various international topics. On March 9, 2020, during Question Period, he asked about the violence in Delhi. MP Spengemann stated that one of the elements that caused dissension was the Citizenship Amendment Act that was recently adopted by the Indian government.

On February 6, 2020, MP Spengemann rose in the House of Commons to speak about his visit to the Rohingya refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar. He and Cheryl Hardcastle were scheduled to appear before SDIR on March 24, but the meeting was cancelled.

Marty Morantz (CPC – Charleswood – St. James – Assiniboia - Headingley, MB)

Vice-chair

Key Interests

• Import/Export Policies
• Human Rights
• Tigray
• China
• Israel

Parliamentary roles

Martin Morantz was first elected in October 2019. He served as the National Revenue Critic from March to August 2020.

MP Morantz is a newer MP, but has involved himself in many Parliamentary groups, such as the Canada- Europe (CAEU), Canadian NATO (CANA), Canada-US (CEUS), and the Canada-UK (RUUK) Parliamentary Associations, as well as the Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (SECO). He is also the Vice-Chair for the Canada-Israel Inter- Parliamentary Group (CAIL).

Notable committee memberships

• Member, Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE), October 2020 – August 2021
• Member, Finance (FINA), January 2020 – August 2020

Background

MP Morantz holds a BA in political studies from the University of Manitoba and a law degree from Osgoode Hall Law School. Prior to his election to Parliament he served as City Councilor on the Winnipeg City Council (2014-2018) where he chaired the Finance and Infrastructure Committee. Prior to his tenure as City Councilor, MP Morantz was a lawyer for 23 years in a Winnipeg law firm. He also presided Jernat Investment Ltd., a property investment and financial services firm. He also served on the boards of many community groups focusing on autism advocacy and research, assisted living and numerous groups in the Jewish community.

Issue specific statements

In February 2021, MP Morantz delivered a speech comparing the Uyghur genocide to the Holocaust, demanding that the Prime Minister do more to help liberate them, and that the government “call out the Chinese Communist regime’s heinous acts for what they truly are: a genocide.”

In March 2021, MP Morantz presented three petitions to the House of Commons regarding: (1) ending the violence in Tigray; (2) allowing humanitarian access to the region; and (3) calling for international investigations into war crimes and human rights violations.

On October 8, 2020, MP Morantz rose in the House of Commons and presented a petition regarding the persecution of the Uyghurs. He stated, “The petition says in part that it is clear that the UN conventions around the prevention and punishment of the crime of genocide have been breached. Canada cannot remain silent in the face of this ongoing atrocity. The petition formally requests we recognize that Uighurs in China have been, and are being, subject to genocide and to use the Magnitsky Act in this case”.

On social media, he criticized the government’s vote at the U.N. on the right of Palestinians to self- determination. On November 4, 2020, MP Morantz rose in the House at QP to ask the PM whether he approved the export of drones to Turkey. On January 27, 2021, during QP, he declared that Canada’s funding to UNRWA is being used to fund UNRWA's indoctrination of children by inciting violence toward Jews. He further asked the government to suspend its funding stating that classroom materials distributed to Palestinian students encourage them to “defend the motherland with blood”, portray child-murdering terrorists as heroes and call Israel the enemy.

Stéphane Bergeron (BQ – Montarville, QC)

Vice-Chair

Key Interests

• Canada-China Relations
• Taiwan 
• Human Rights
• 5G

Parliamentary roles

MP Bergeron is currently the Bloc Québécois’ (BQ) Critic for Foreign Affairs, International Development and Canada-China Relations. He has been a member of numerous parliamentary associations and interparliamentary groups, particularly the Canada-China Legislative Association (CACN) and the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (CANA). He also served as Vice-Chair for the Subcommittee on International Trade, Trade Disputes and Investment of the Standing Committee from 2002-2004, and the Whip for the BQ from 1997 to 2001.  

Notable committee membership

• Vice-Chair, Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE), December, 2021 – present, February 2020-August 2021
• Vice-Chair, Special Committee on Canada-China Relations (CACN), January 2020-August 2021

Background

MP Bergeron served as a BQ member of the House of Commons from 1993 to 2005 and a member of Quebec’s National Assembly from 2005 to 2018. In 2019, he returned to the House of Commons as a BQ member.  MP Bergeron has a bachelor’s and master’s degree in Political Science. After first leaving the House of Commons and serving in Quebec’s National Assembly for 13 years, he was Registrar of Rimouski’s CEGEP. He was previously a political advisor and a teaching assistant at Université Laval within the Political Science department. From 1984 to 1993, he served in the Canadian Forces as a naval Cadet Instructor Cadre officer.  

Issues-specific background/statements

During a recent opposition day on December 7^th, 2021, regarding the creation of a Special Committee on Afghanistan (AFGH), MP Bergeron rose to criticize the government on calling an election as the situation in Kabul was escalating. He subsequently proposed an amendment to the motion, mitigating the paragraph which would automatically compel departments to produce documents on the topic of Afghanistan (which ultimately passed). During this debate, he also linked escalation by Russia at the Ukraine border to Afghanistan as “countries who do not share Canada’s values taking advantage of the coalition’s supposed weakness to impose their views.”

The majority of MP Bergeron’s statements have been related to China, including the eight-month vacancy of the Ambassador position and the related impact on the bilateral relationship.

He has raised concern regarding the possible invasion of Taiwan by the People’s Republic of China. In Question Period, MP Bergeron has focused on human rights, asking “What will it take for the government to take action and finally get Raif Badawi released?” Then, following up his question by stating, “it is scandalous that Raif Badawi is languishing in prison after seven years without having committed any crime. If the government can sit down with Saudi Arabia at the G20, if it can sit down with Saudi Arabia to do business and sell the country weapons, then it can certainly sit down with Saudi Arabia to demand the release of Raif Badawi.”

On social media, MP Bergeron advocated for the government to repatriate Canadian children in Syrian refugee camps, denounced privatization and social injustices in Chile, and criticized Canada’s lack of action regarding Israel’s annexation plan.

Following Canada’s announcement on lifting the ban on the export of military goods to Saudi Arabia, MP Bergeron tweeted: “Aurait-on profité de la crise (COVID-19) pour aller de l’avant en catimini avec cette décision controversée, en espérant qu’elle passe sous le radar?”

On COVID-19, MP Bergeron criticized the government on social media for not closing its borders with the US. He also commented on the repatriation of Canadians saying that Minister Champagne needed to keep his promise to offer consular and financial support to Canadians abroad.0

Ziad Aboultaif (CPC – Edmonton Manning, AB)

Key Interests

• Canada-US relations
• Oil and gas industry
• International Trade
• Afghanistan

Parliamentary roles

MP Aboultaif has been a member of numerous parliamentary associations and friendship groups. He has been a recurring member to multiple groups, such as the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (CANA), the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (CAEU), the Canada-UK Inter-Parliamentary Association (RUUK), and the Canada-US Inter-Parliamentary Association (CEUS). MP Aboultaif was also Conservative Critic for digital government from November 2019 to September 2020 and previously served as the Critic for International Development and the Critic for National Revenue.

Notable committee memberships

• Member, Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE), December 2021 – Present, September 2017 – September 2019
• Member, International Trade (CITT), October 2020 – August 2021
• Member, Government Operations and Estimates (OGGO), February 2020 – August 2020

Background

MP Aboultaif was first elected in 2015, and has been re-elected since. He is a small business owner, working in logistics and distribution. He has stated that he has dealt with the process of international trade, dealing with Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States for his own business commitments. His 2015 campaign pledged to support small businesses and to support pipeline development.

Issue specific statements

MP Aboultaif has made multiple pointed statements regarding his support for the Oil and Gas Industry, stating “If Line 5 is shut down, all Canadians from coast to coast to coast will feel the economic downturn”. He has also made statements regarding the importance of diversification in trade, and has questioned if Canada has a plan for investing in other markets, should there be need.

During an FAAE appearance with former MINE, Minister Monsef, MP Aboultaif had a contentious exchange regarding free trade, he described the government’s relations with India, China and the Arab world as “broken”.

Rachel Bendayan (LPC – Outremont, QC)

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of finance

Key Interests

• International Trade
• Climate change
• Immigration

Parliamentary roles

MP Bendayan was first elected in a by-election in February 2019. She is currently serving as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance, and has previously served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Small Business, Export Promotion and International Trade. She has also been a member of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (CAEU), the Canadian Delegation to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Parliamentary Assembly (SECO), and is a Member of the Executive to the Canada-France Inter- Parliamentary Association (CEUS).

Notable committee memberships

• Member, Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE), December 2021 - Present
• Member, International Trade (CIIT), October 2020 – August 2021, January 2020 – August 2020
• Member, Economic Relationship between Canada and the United States (CAAM), August 2021

– February 2021

• Member, Status of Women (FEWO), April 2019 – September 2019
• Member, Finance (FINA), May 2019 – September 2019

Background

Before entering politics, MP Bendayan was a lawyer with Norton Rose Canada in Montreal in the fields of litigation and international arbitration, specializing in international trade law. While in private practice, Bendayan also taught at the Université de Montréal’s Faculty of Law. She ran for the Liberal Party in Montreal in 2015, losing to Thomas Mulcair. After the election, she was hired as the Chief of Staff to the former Minister of Small Business and Tourism Bardish Chagger.

Issue specific statements

In recent committee meetings, MP Bendayan has stressed the importance of protecting Canada’s supply chains in international trade agreements. She also gave a speech on vaccine access where she stated “The pandemic is not over anywhere until it is over everywhere.” (May 2021).

In the past (October 2020) MP Bendayan has mentioned her concern about the decision of the United States to investigate the export of blueberries and stated her party will advocate for exporters. She has expressed interest in tariffs, exports, and bilateral trade with the United States.

Hon. Michael D. Chong, P.C. (CPC—Wellington – Halton Hills, ON)

Official opposition critic for foreign affairs

Key Interests

• Foreign Policy
• Human Rights
• Iran + Flight PS752
• Climate Change

Parliamentary Roles

MP Chong is currently serving as the Official Opposition Critic for Foreign Affairs. MP Chong previously occupied the positions of President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada, the Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and the Minister for Sport from February to November 2006. He has been a member of the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (CANA), the Canada-China Legislative Association (CACN), and the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (CEUS), among others.

Notable Committee Memberships

• Vice-Chair and Member, Special Committee on Afghanistan (AFGH), Vice-Chair and Member, December 2021 – Present
• Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE), October 2020- Present
• Member, Subcommittee on International Human Rights (SDIR), March – August 2021.
• Member, Standing Committee on Industry, Science and Technology (INDU), September 2018- 2019, 2009-2010,
• Member, Standing Committee on Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (TRAN), September 2017-2018
• Member, Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security (SECU), October 2013- January 2014

Background

MP Chong was first elected to Parliament in 2004 and has been Chair of several House of Commons Standing Committees. He is a co-founder and member of the All Party Climate Caucus since it was formed in 2011. In the 42^nd Parliament, MP Chong served as the Official Opposition’s Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and Shadow Minister for Science. In 2015, Chong’s Reform Act passed in Parliament and became law.

Prior to his election, MP Chong acted as Chief Information Officer for the National Hockey League Players’ Association and as a Senior Technology Consultant to the Greater Toronto Airports Authority for the redevelopment of Pearson International Airport. MP Chong also co-founded the Dominion Institute, now known as Historica Canada, an organization committed to raising Canadians’ awareness of history and civics. He currently sits on its Board of Governors. MP Chong attended Trinity College in the University of Toronto where he obtained his BA in Philosophy.

Issue Specific Background & Social media

MP Chong has made several statements on Afghanistan, most recently during the CPC Opposition Day on December 7, 2021. He characterized the Canada’s withdrawal as “a betrayal of the legacy of the hundreds of thousands of soldiers of the NATO alliance who fought in the war in Afghanistan for freedom, democracy and the rule of law.”

MP Chong has been interested and vocal on a variety of issues including China, the mistreatment of Uyghurs, arms export controls, Iran, and Armenia.

On January 8, 2022, MP Chong released a statement accusing the Trudeau government of “failing to take serious action against the Iranian regime for the downing of Flight PS752”.

On March 26, 2021, during Question Period, he raised the secret trials of Michael Kovrig and Michael Spavor and questioned the government on its participation in the Asian Infrastructure and Investment Bank (AIIB). On March 30, he expressed concerns on Twitter that the Chinese were limiting access to the WHO investigating team.

On April 12, he accused the government of threatening to cancel funding for the Halifax Security Forum if it awarded the John McCain Prize to Taiwan’s President and wanted to know whether Canada supports Taiwan’s participation at the WHO’s meeting in May 2021.

On September 30, 2020, MP Chong stated that China was violating human rights and international treaties in its treatment of Michael Spavor, Michael Kovrig, the Uyghurs, and the people of Hong Kong. He asked if the government would impose sanctions on those responsible in China.

MP Chong and MP Garnett Genuis have focused significant attention on the human rights situation of the Uyghur population in China. On January 24, 2021, the two MPs issued a Conservative statement calling on the government to recognize the Uyghur genocide, encourage allies to do the same, and update its travel advisories to reflect the potential threats to Canadians when travelling to China. He led the charge on the motion adopted by the House recognizing the genocide of Uyghurs on February 22, 2021. On March 27, MP Chong, along with members of SDIR, was specifically targeted by Chinese sanctions to which he responded that he would wear it as a badge of honour. He is now advocating for Canada to put in place systems to prevent imports of goods issued of forced labour.

On May 13, MP Chong expressed concerns on social media about reports of Azerbaijani troops crossing into Armenia. He declared “Having approved arms exports that upset the balance of power in the Nagorno-Karabakh war, the Trudeau government must speak up to defend the territorial integrity of Armenia.”

On social media, MP Chong has been most vocal on the following issues: China Uyghur genocide, Taiwan, Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the democracy movement in Hong Kong. Since his nomination as Foreign Affairs Critic in October 2020, he has been meeting with ambassadors and posting reports of their discussions on Twitter. Of late, he met with the ambassadors of Saint-Kitts-and-Nevis (May 11), Colombia (May 11) and Serbia (Apr 23).

Ali Ehsassi (LPC – Willowdale, ON)

Key Interests

• Canada-China Relationship
• Iran flight PS752
• International Trade

Parliamentary roles

MP Ehsassi served as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry (December 2019 – August 2021). He was Vice-Chair for the Canada-China Legislative Association (CACN) (April 2019 – Feb 2020), which he has been a member of since Dec 2015. He has also been a member in both the Canadian NATO (CANA) and Canada-Africa (CAAF) Parliamentary Associations.

Notable committee memberships

• Member, Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE), December 2021 - Present
• Member, Industry, Science and Technology (INDU), October 2020 – August 2021, February 2020 – August 2020
• Member, Justice and Human Rights (JUST), September 2017 – September 2019
• Member, Scrutiny of Regulations (REGS), February 2016 – January 2019
• Member, Access to Information, Privacy and Ethics (ETHI), March 2017 – September 2017
• Member, Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM), January 2016 – March 2016

Background

MP Ehsassi was born in Geneva and raised in New York City and Tehran. He 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 Georgetown University in Washington, DC (LL.M).

Previously, MP Ehsassi worked as a lawyer in the private sector and as a civil servant at the provincial and federal levels.

Issue specific statements

During the first FAAE committee meeting of the 44^th Parliament, MP Ehsassi highlighted the Canada- China relationship as an important issue to address.

He has previously been outspoken about Iran and flight PS752, questioning compensation, requesting an assessment on Iran’s draft report, as well as a transparent investigation. He considered whether the matter should be addressed within the International Court of Justice.

On March 12, 2021 during Question Period, MP Ehsassi rose in the House to deliver the following statement: “It is important for our government that there is a just global recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Canada is a strong proponent of a multilateral rules-based system within the WTO context. We are committed to ensuring strong, resilient global medical supply chains and have reached out to the waiver proponents to better understand their concerns.”

Hon. Hedy Fry (LPC – Vancouver Centre, BC)

Key Interests

• Women+ Sexual and Reproductive Health
• Ukraine
• Canadian Heritage
• Population development

Parliamentary roles

Dr. Fry served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration and the Minister of Human Resources and Skill Development (Internationally Trained Workers Initiative) from July 2004 to November 2005. She also served as the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration from December 2003 to June 2004. Dr. Fry has been a member of many Parliamentary committees, associations, and interparliamentary groups since 2002. She currently serves as head of Canada’s delegation to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly (OSCEPA), and is the OSCEPA’s Special Representative for Gender Issues. She also Chairs the Canadian Association of Parliamentarians for Population Development (CAPPD).

Notable committee memberships

• Member, Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE), December 2021- present, February 2020 – August 2021.
• Member, Liaison (LIAI), December 2021 – present, February 2016 – February 2018
• Chair, Canadian Heritage (CHPC), December 2021 – present, February 2016 – Feb 2018,
• Vice-Chair, Health(HESA), October 2014 – January 2014, September 2012 – September 2013,
• Member, National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP), 2017- 2020

Background

Dr. Fry is a Trinidadian-Canadian politician and physician. She completed her medical training at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. She is currently the longest-serving female Member of Parliament, winning nine consecutive elections in the constituency of Vancouver Centre. Ms. Fry worked at St. Paul's Hospital in Vancouver for 23 years. She served as president of the British Columbia Federation of Medical Women in 1977. She was president of the Vancouver Medical Association in 1988 to 1989, the BC Medical Association in 1990-1991, and chaired the Canadian Medical Association's Multiculturalism Committee in 1992-1999.

Issue specific statements

In a previous FAAE committee meeting (June 1, 2021), MP Hon. Fry said “it would be so very important to have Ukraine as an eastern European democratic country committed to all the international rules and all the tenets of democracy”. She also questioned what officials will be doing to protect women and girls’ sexual and reproductive rights, specifically when they are fleeing their countries (and at high risk of being abused). Her comments regarding Ukraine often focus on the protection of democracy, given her role in the Canadian Delegation to the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly.

Ms. Fry rose in the House in February 2020 to speak on female genital mutilation (FGM), noting, “In 1997 the Liberal government criminalized FGM in Canada. Now we are engaging with other nations, donors, UN organizations and civil society to take action to eliminate FGM globally… More needs to be done. Ending FGM requires governments to act with legislation to protect the human rights of women and girls, with policies that empower them and, most importantly, in this year of Beijing+25, to remember that women's rights are human rights.”

In 2017, Ms. Fry rose in the House to speak on refugee and migrant women and girls worldwide, “Of the 65 million people displaced by conflict, 55% are women and children. Displaced women and girls often experience rape, forced marriages, and sexual slavery… As we laud our own progress, let us remember that women's rights are human rights, and we cannot celebrate fully until all women enjoy those rights.”

Garnett Genuis (CPC – Sherwood Park – Fort Saskatchewan, AB)

Official opposition critic for international development and human rights

Key Interests

• China and Human Rights
• Vaccine mandates/regulations
• International Human Rights
• Organ harvesting

Parliamentary roles

MP Genuis is currently the Conservative Critic for International Development and Human Rights. He previously served as the Conservative Critic for Canada-China Relations and Multiculturalism. He was a member of the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (CANA) from September 2018 to March 2019 and a member of the Canada-United States Inter-Parliamentary Group (CEUS) from February to March 2017. In September 2017 he triggered an emergency debate in the House of Commons concerning the plight of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, and he has presented a private member’s bill and numerous petitions over the past two Parliaments to draw attention to the combat against trafficking in human organs.

Notable committee memberships

• Member, Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE), December 2021 – present, October 2020 – August 2021, September 2017 – September 2018
• Vice-Chair, Canada-China Relations (CACN), October 2020 – August 2021, Member, February 2020 – August 2020,
• Member, Subcommittee International Human Rights (SDIR), February 2020 – August 2020

Background

MP Genuis was elected in 2015, 2019 and again in 2021. He grew up in Strathcona County and got involved in his community through volunteering with various organizations, including a local care centre. At age 15, he began writing a column for Sherwood Park News for which he continues to be a regular contributor as an MP.

MP Genuis holds a Bachelor of Public Affairs and Policy Management from Carleton University and Master’s of Science in Philosophy and Public Policy from the London School of Economics. Prior to his election, he worked in the Prime Minister’s Office.

On his website, he cites three of his priorities being: the development of pipelines, advancing human rights, and immigration.

Issue specific statements

During a meeting at CACN (May 25, 2020), MP Genuis delivered the following statement, comparing the situation in Hong Kong, to Russia’s previous invasion of Ukraine: “There is no honour in trying to play the disinterested and neutral broker between the oppressor and the oppressed. There is only honour in championing the cause of the oppressed and working to advance the cause of justice. That is what Canada did after Putin's invasion of Ukraine. We drove an international consensus which isolated the Kremlin, punished it for its actions and supported the Ukrainian people. We used a combination of economic and political measures to support victims of violence and to deter future aggression. A government with a principled foreign policy would be doing the same today.”

MP Genuis recently presented petitions in the House for: 1) increased support of the Haraza community in Afghanistan; and 2) asking Parliament to use Magnitsky sanctions against those responsible for human rights violations in China. In June, 2021, he also spoke on Canada being the only G7 country to have drawn from COVAX supply, characterizing it as a “real failure”.

Mr. Genuis often rises in the House of Commons to speak about a variety of foreign affairs-related issues. In the 43rd Parliament, he has asked the government about Iran, Sri Lanka, Canada-China relations, and Taiwan during Question Period. He also sparked an emergency debate in the House of Commons concerning the genocide of Rohingya Muslims in Burma and is sponsoring Senator Ataullahjan’s Bill S-204 (trafficking in human organs) in the House of Commons (currently at second reading).

During a briefing on International Development by departmental officials on October 15th, 2020, MP Genuis asked for details related to the Canadian Centre for Peace, Order and Good Governance.

On Nov. 26, 2020, he introduced a motion (M-55) to combat foreign state interference in Canada.

On January 24, together with Foreign Affairs Critic Chong, he issued a Conservative statement calling on the government to recognize the Uyghur genocide, encourage allies to do the same, and update its travel advisories to reflect the potential threats to Canadians when travelling to China. Although MP Chong presented the motion for the House to recognize the Uyghur genocide, MP Genuis has been a strong advocate on this topic and spoke quite often on the issue in the House.

Of late, MP Genuis raised the situation in the Tigray region on a number of occasions, China, funding of UNRWA and antisemitism, Iran at the UN Commission on the Status of Women, and expressed his support of Taiwan at the WHA.

Heather Mcpherson (NDP – Edmonton Strathcona, AB)

Critic for foreign affairs and international development

Key Interests

• Human Rights
• Global vaccine access
• Gender equality
• Development

Parliamentary roles

In the 44th Parliament, MP McPherson was appointed as the NDP Deputy Whip, Critic for Foreign Affairs, International Development, and Deputy Critic for Canadian Heritage. She was previously the Deputy House Leader for the NDP. McPherson is also a member of numerous parliamentary associations and interparliamentary groups, such as the Canadian Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CCOM), Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (CANA), Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (CAEU), and Canada-Israel Interparliamentary Group (CAIL). She is Vice-Chair of the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (CAAF), which she has been a member of since 2019.   

Notable committee memberships

• Member, Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE), December 2021 - present
• Member, Subcommittee on International Human Rights (SDIR), December 2021 – present, October 2020 – August 2021, February 2020 – August 2020
• Member, Canadian Heritage (CHPC), October 2020 – August 2021, February 2020 – August 2020

Background

Heather McPherson is the Member of Parliament for Edmonton Strathcona. She was elected in 2019 and 2021. McPherson was a member of the Canadian delegation to the United Nations and the former Executive Director of the Alberta Council on Global Co-operation. MP McPherson’s website states that she has an interest in poverty reduction, human rights, environmental protection, and gender equality.

Issues specific statements

MP McPherson put forward two motions at FAAE’s December 13, 2021 meeting: 1) that the committee undertake a study on global vaccine access at the earliest possible opportunity and that the study focus on Canada's contribution to COVAX, as well as the impacts of intellectual property rights on global access to COVID-19 vaccines; and 2) that the committee hold at least two meetings on the situation unfolding in Ukraine and that witnesses include officials from Global Affairs Canada and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.

MP McPherson has also repeatedly raised Canada’s Official Development Assistance at both FAAE and SDIR. For example, at the November 26, 2020 SDIR meeting, she stated that “Canada has not played a strong enough role in development” and asked witnesses to speak to the importance of humanitarian aid. 

MP McPherson has been a strong voice on Afghanistan, especially on women and girls in the region. Tweet from December 16, 2021: “I am completely devastated by this news. A 10-year-old girl, a child, died because her family supported the Canadian military and Canada did not protect them. The Liberals have failed this girl, this family, and all the Afghans who have been abandoned.”

Hon. Robert Oliphant P.C. (LPC – Don Valley West, ON)

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs

Key Interests

• Multiculturalism
• Rules based international order
• International Trade
• LGBTQ+ support

Parliamentary roles

Rob Oliphant was made the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs in May 2019 and retained this role in the 43^rd and 44^th Parliaments.  He is actively involved in parliamentary associations. He is currently Vice-Chair of the Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (CAAF) and is a member of the Canada-Europe Parliamentary Association (CAEU), Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (CANA), and the Canada-China Legislative Association (CACN), among many others.

Notable committee memberships

• Member, Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE), December 2021 – present, October 2020- August 2021, February 2020-August 2020
• Member, Canada-China Relations (CACN), October 2020 – August 2021, January 2020 – August 2020
• Chair, Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM), September 2017 – May 2019, Member, Sept 2010 – Mar 2011, March 2010 - Sept 2010
• Chair, Public Safety and National Security (SECU), February 2016 – September 2017; 2009

Background

PS Oliphant was first elected to the House of Commons in October 2008. He was defeated in the 2011 federal election but was re-elected in 2015, 2019 and 2021.  He graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Toronto in 1978. During his time at U of T, he was active in the University of Toronto Liberal Club, as well as the Ontario (New) Young Liberals.  After obtaining a Master of Divinity from the Vancouver School of Theology, he was ordained as a United Church Minister in 1984.  His official title is The Reverend Doctor Robert Oliphant, MP.    

PS Oliphant worked in Premier David Peterson’s office in 1989. He later worked for two provincial ministers, Christine Hart, Minister of Culture and Communications, and Mavis Wilson, Minister Responsible for Women’s issues. 

He has been vocal on issues of support for people living with disabilities, the LGBTQ+ community, and encouraging multiculturalism. From 2008-2011, he served as the Official Opposition Critic for Veterans Affairs and for Multiculturalism.

Issue specific background

In a Global Affairs Canada news release from January 6, 2021, Parliamentary Secretary Oliphant reaffirmed support for advancing non-proliferation and disarmament during the third meeting of foreign ministers of the Stockholm Initiative for Nuclear Disarmament.

On the Afghanistan situation, he 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.’ (Tweet – Jan 1, 2022).

PS Oliphant frequently defends Canada’s foreign policy model, stating it “is based on renewing a rules- based international order that Canadians have built together, protecting universal human rights, supporting democracies,” and noting, “We are a leader in the world on critical issues, whether it is in Venezuela, or in the Middle East or in China, all around the world.

We will continue to stand with our allies, with NATO partners, as we continue to ensure Canada's leadership is strong and heard in our world with allies and like-minded who work with us.”

PS Oliphant raises Canadian consular services abroad in a number of contexts, including committee, social media, and House debate.

Randeep Sarai (LPC – Surrey Centre, BC)

Key Interests

• Human Rights
• Vaccine inequity
• Climate change
• Labour Mobility

Parliamentary roles   

MP Sarai was first elected in 2015. Previously, he has been involved in many parliamentary groups, such as the Canada-China Legislative Association (CACN) from 2015-2020, the Canadian NATO Parliamentary Association (CANA) from 2016-2019, and the Canada-Israel Interparliamentary group (CAIL) in 2016.

Notable committee memberships

• Member, Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE) – December 2021 – present
• Chair, Justice and Human Rights (JUST), December 2021 – present, Member, February 2021 – August 2021
• Member, Economic Relationship between Canada and the United States (CAAM), February 2021 – August 2021
• Member, International Trade (CIIT), October 2020 – August 2021, January 2020 – August 2020
• Member, Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM), January 2016 – September 2019

Background

MP Sarai is a lawyer by training, with experience in real estate development and urban planning. He has a Bachelors degree from the University of British Columbia, majoring in Political Science, and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Queen’s University. He has served on the boards of a number of community organizations dedicated to combatting youth violence in Surrey. 

Issues specific statements   

MP Sarai has raised issues regarding the inequities of vaccination, and the socioeconomic impact that vaccine inequality presents worldwide. Additionally, he raised concerns about climate change and the need for more sustainable and green processes. He has also made statements regarding international organ trafficking, voicing his support for Bill S-204, An Act to Amend the Criminal Code and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (trafficking in human organs) during its second reading.

Afghanistan

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

Update

It has been six months since the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan on August 15, 2021. Canada is deeply concerned by the full-fledged humanitarian crisis and worsening human rights situation, including increased reports of missing and detained Afghan women activists. On December 21, Canada announced a further $56 million in humanitarian support, bringing our total humanitarian assistance funding committed in 2021 to $133 million. We also continue to use every forum available to urge the de facto authorities to uphold international human rights obligations. Canada engages the Taliban informally through the Senior Official for Afghanistan in Doha.

Canada’s priorities in Afghanistan remain: (1) safe passage of Canadians, foreign nationals and Afghans; (2) mitigating a humanitarian and refugee crisis; (3) continuing to advocate for inclusive and representative governance and respect for fundamental rights, including for women, girls and other vulnerable groups; and, (4) counter- terrorism cooperation.

Supporting facts and figures

• Canada has provided nearly $3.7 billion in international assistance since 2001, largely focused on improving health, education, and the rights and empowerment of women and girls.
• In 2021, Canada announced a total of $133 million in humanitarian assistance funding in response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
• Canada has long been one of top 10 donors to Afghanistan, and is currently the 9th largest single-country humanitarian assistance donor to the country.

Background

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

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

Canada’s legacy in Afghanistan

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

Supplementary Messages

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

Supporting facts and figures

• Since 2001, Canada has provided close to $3.9 billion in assistance to the country.
• Canada’s support for healthcare contributed to the under-5 mortality rate significantly decreasing from 121.7 per 1,000 live births in 2002 to an estimated 67.9 in 2018 and the percentage of births attended by skilled attendants increasing from 12% in 2000 to 55% in 2015.
• Since 2007, thanks to contributions from Canada and other donors, the literacy rate has grown nearly 40%, to 35% country-wide in 2018. 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 2021, Canada announced a total of $133 million in humanitarian assistance funding, with the most recent contribution of $56 million announced on December 21, 2021. 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. During this time, 158 Canadian Forces members and one Canadian diplomat died.

International response to the crisis in Afghanistan

• The international community is particularly concerned about the escalating humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.
• It is critical that the international community works collectively to meet the needs of vulnerable Afghans.
• Canada remains committed to supporting the basic needs of Afghans, while minimizing the benefit to the Taliban regime.

Supplementary Messages

• Canada continues to collaborate closely with allies and regional countries in addressing the humanitarian crisis and its implications for regional and global stability and security.

Background

Following the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul on August 15, 2021, Canada and allies closed Embassies in Kabul due to the deteriorating security situation. Eighteen likeminded countries, as well as the EU, now have representatives for Afghanistan based in Doha, where they engage informally with the Taliban. The EU, Germany, the Netherlands, the U.K., Norway and Japan have undertaken short-term visits to Kabul to meet with the Taliban. Many regional countries maintain embassies in Kabul, including Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Russia, Pakistan and China. The EU has reopened minimal operations in Kabul to support the coordination and delivery of humanitarian aid.

Overall, while there are predictable geo-strategic divisions, there is general agreement within the international community on a range of issues, including: humanitarian access; inclusive governance; respect for women and girls’ rights; stability, countering and controlling irregular migration and narcotics flow; and, counter-terrorism.

International donors are considering how to apply values-based conditionality to development assistance. [REDACTED].

The UN's 2021 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) for Afghanistan – including a September 2021 Flash Appeal – requested nearly USD $1.5 billion and intended to reach 17.7 million Afghans. Canada was the 9th largest single-country donor to the plan, with a total commitment of $133 million. Top donors include the US (USD 474 million pledged for 2021, and additional USD 308 million announced in January 2022), Germany (total of EUR 600 million pledged in 2021), the EU (EUR 268 million contracted in 2021) and the UK (total of GBP 286 million pledged in 2021).

The 2022 Afghanistan Humanitarian Response Plan and the Afghanistan Situation Regional Refugee Response Plan were officially launched by the UN in Geneva on January 11, 2022; combined, the plans request over USD 5 billion. Donor pledges in response to the 2022 HRP will be solicited in the coming weeks.

Following the Taliban takeover, most like-minded countries paused their international assistance programs in Afghanistan that go beyond humanitarian assistance. In response to the deteriorating humanitarian situation, the UN Security Council has come together and passed a temporary exemption on UNSC sanctions on December 22, 2021, allowing for humanitarian assistance and other activities that support basic human needs.

Sanctions and Criminal Code listing

• The Taliban is a listed terrorist entity under the Criminal Code. The Criminal Code has strong counter-terrorism provisions, including a wide range of terrorism-related offences, and prevents Canadians from providing benefit to the Taliban.
• Furthermore, Canada implements UN obligations to impose sanctions related to the Taliban via regulations that prohibit Canadians from providing financial benefit or weapons to the specific members of the Taliban who are listed by the UN Security Council.
• Canada is addressing the needs of Afghanistan’s most vulnerable through experienced humanitarian partners, and has strong measures in place to prevent any assistance from benefiting the Taliban, including counter-terrorism provisions in its contractual agreements with partners.

Supplementary Messages

• As a listed terrorist organisation, the Taliban’s takeover of the government of Afghanistan has significantly changed the context, making it more complex to carry out humanitarian, development assistance, and other related activities in the country without risk of contravening Canada’s Criminal Code.

Background

UN Sanctions: Canada implements its UN obligations related to the Taliban through the United Nations Act and the United Nations Al-Qaida and Taliban Regulations (UNAQTR). The UNAQTR prohibits Canadians from: dealing in the assets of specified persons associated with the Taliban (‘listed persons’); from making property or financial services available to listed persons; and from supplying selling or transferring arms and technical assistance to them. Penalties for offences may include fines of up to $100,000 or up to ten years’ imprisonment. Exemption certificates to these prohibitions may be issued by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, when deemed justified, and when the exemption has received advance approval from the UN Security Council (UNSC). In December 2021, the UNSC issued an exemption for humanitarian assistance and other activities that support basic human needs from sanctions imposed by the UN related to the Taliban.

Criminal Code: In 2013, the Government of Canada listed the Taliban as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code. The Criminal Code carries a wide range of prohibitions and significant consequences to deter terrorist activity in Canada, or support from Canada. Pursuant to paragraph 83.03(b) of the Criminal Code, it is a crime to directly or indirectly collect property, provide, invite a person to provide, or make available property (including funding) or financial or other related services knowing that, in whole or in part, they will be used by, or will benefit a terrorist group. A terrorist group is defined in Criminal Code in two ways: (i) an entity that has as one of its purposes or activities facilitating or carrying out any terrorist activity, or (ii) a listed entity, and includes an association of such entities. There is currently no existing mechanism to provide exemptions from the anti-terrorism prohibitions of paragraph 83.03(b) for humanitarian or any other activity. A listed entity’s assets are also frozen and can be subject to future seizure and restraint, and even forfeiture. Canadians are prohibited from dealing with property of listed entities. Financial institutions are also subject to reporting requirements and must not allow those entities to access the property. Penalties for offences may include fines of up to $100,000 or up to ten years’ imprisonment.

Humanitarian Assistance: Canada continues to deliver humanitarian assistance through established UN humanitarian partners and the ICRC and has strong counter-terrorism provisions in its contractual agreements with humanitarian partners. The Government of Canada is actively engaged with its partners to ensure programming is designed to avoid the provision of direct or indirect benefits – such as monetary benefits – to terrorist groups. This could include the funding of select activities and additional assurances that Canadian funds will not be used to support activities that are subject to taxation, which could be directed toward the Taliban-controlled Government of Afghanistan.

Additional funding to enhance COVID-19 testing and vaccine production

• Canada is committed to supporting equitable global access to COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics by working hand in hand with the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator and the COVAX Facility.
• Canada is working to increase access to vaccines by improving global capacity to manufacture them, including through a COVAX mRNA Technology Transfer Hub in South Africa.
• Canada has committed to increasing the availability of COVID- 19 testing through trusted ACT-Accelerator partners to improve countries’ ability to test and treat people for COVID-19.

Supplementary Messages

• Canada’s additional funding to enhance COVID-19 vaccine production and testing contribute to Canada’s broader commitment of $1.3 billion to the ACT-Accelerator and to Canada’s $2.7 billion global COVID-19 response.
• Canada recognizes the importance of upstream investments in research, development and manufacturing of COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics to end the acute phase of the pandemic and strengthen pandemic preparedness for the future.

Update

At the G20 Summit on October 2021, Canada announced the investment of $15 million to COVAX Manufacturing Taskforce partners in support of the mRNA Technology Transfer Hub and $70 million in previously unallocated funding for vaccine distribution and delivery and COVID-19 diagnostics through existing ACT-Accelerator partners.

Supporting facts and figures

• Canada has committed over $2.7 billion to the global COVID-19 response includes $1.3 billion for the ACT-Accelerator, over $740 million in humanitarian and development assistance, and adapted funding arrangements with organizations to address COVID-19 needs worth over $613 million.
• Canada will invest up to $15 million to increase regional development of vaccines by supporting COVAX and a South African consortium to set up an mRNA technology transfer hub and share mRNA vaccine technology with recipient manufacturing facilities.
• Canada’s investment of $90 million to the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI) for COVID-19 vaccines also contributes to more equitable vaccine research, development and production.
• Canada has provided $125 million in support of the ACT-Accelerator diagnostics pillar to ensure equitable access to effective COVID-19 testing.
• Funding for diagnostics includes $90 million for the Global Fund’s COVID-19 Response Mechanism to support procurement and distribution of COVID-19 Rapid Diagnostic tests and $35 million to the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) to expand testing in targeted countries.

Background

Since February 11, 2020, the Government of Canada has committed over $2.7 billion to the global response to COVID-19, including $1.3 billion for the ACT-Accelerator. Canada is a leading contributor to the ACT-Accelerator, an unprecedented global partnership and the premier multilateral platform supporting equitable and affordable access to vaccines, diagnostics and therapeutics to help end the pandemic. The ACT- A Accelerator is comprised of three pillars: Vaccines (also known as COVAX), Diagnostics and Therapeutics, with a Health Systems Response Connector (HSRC) working across all three pillars.

Canada supports ACT-Accelerator efforts to strengthen the health systems, health workers and community networks that are on the front lines of testing, treating and vaccinating people. Canada’s commitments to provide additional funding for testing and vaccine production will support countries to achieve their national goals to reach global targets of 70% vaccination and 100 tests per 100,000 people every day. Increasing regional production will also help countries be better prepared for future pandemics.

COVID-19 vaccine equity and COVAX

• Canada is committed to a robust international effort to stop COVID-19 and to address its devastating health, social, economic and security impacts on people around the world.
• Canada is supporting equitable global access to COVID-19 vaccines by working hand in hand with the COVAX Facility to ensure vaccines reach those who need them most.
• Canada has committed to sharing the equivalent of at least 200 million vaccine doses through the COVAX Facility. This includes a combination of financial contributions and physical doses deemed surplus from Canada’s domestic supply.

Supplementary Messages

• Vaccinating the world against COVID-19 is the best way of protecting everyone from COVID-19, because no one is safe until everyone is safe.
• Canada will continue to prioritize dose sharing through the COVAX Facility, while exploring other options on an exceptional basis, to ensure vaccines get to those who need them most, and to minimize wastage.
• The COVAX Facility uses a transparent, equitable allocation framework to determine where doses are sent, which contributes to global health equity and is the best way to slow the spread of the pandemic.

Update

Canada has committed to donate the equivalent of at least 200m doses to the COVAX Facility by the end of 2022. This includes over 50 million donated vaccine doses deemed surplus from Canada’s domestic procurements, financial contributions to the vaccines pillar of the ACT-Accelerator to support the procurement of approximately 87 million vaccine doses, as well as potential future donations of doses and further financial contributions. To date, COVAX has delivered over 13.9 million of Canada’s surplus doses. In total, Canada has made the equivalent of over 100 million doses available to COVAX to date.

Supporting facts and figures

• Canada has committed over $2.7 billion to the global COVID-19 response.

Canada’s Commitment for COVID-19 Response

Canada’s Financial Commitments to ACT-Accelerator by Pillar

Canada’s Dose Donation Commitments to COVAX

* Calculated using G7 approved methodology of $6USD a dose

**Note that Canada has also donated 782,000 surplus doses bilaterally, to countries in LAC region

Background

The COVAX Facility is a global pooled procurement mechanism for COVID-19 vaccines. It has 2 windows: a self-financing window for upper-middle- and high- income economies and an Advance Market Commitment (AMC) window to support low- and lower-middle- income economies.

At the G20 Summit in October 2021, Canada committed to donate the equivalent of at least 200m doses to the COVAX Facility by the end of 2022. This will include:

• Donated vaccine doses: To date, Canada has committed over 50 million doses deemed surplus from Canada’s domestic procurements of AstraZeneca, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson (Janssen). These doses are donated on a rolling basis as they are released by the manufacturers, and allocated and delivered to the recipient countries by COVAX.
• Financial support to the COVAX Facility: To date, Canada’s financial contributions to COVAX have supported the procurement of approximately 87 million vaccine doses for low and middle income countries.
• Potential future donations of doses procured by Canada through Advance Purchase Agreements that have yet to be released by the manufacturers and/or potential future financial contributions to the COVAX Facility.

COVAX adheres to a WHO-led Fair Allocation Framework, which aims to ensure that all participants reach the 20% population coverage threshold necessary to protect vulnerable populations. The COVAX Allocation Framework is used to allocate all doses being delivered by COVAX.

WTO TRIPS Agreement waiver proposal

• The Government of Canada has always been, and always will be, a strong advocate for vaccine equity.
• On intellectual property (IP), Canada remains committed to finding solutions and reaching an agreement that accelerates global vaccine production and does not negatively impact public health.
• Canada continues to work closely with all WTO Members in seeking a consensus-based outcome to any IP challenges related to the pandemic, including in respect of a waiver for COVID-19 vaccines.

Supplementary Messages

• Canada can support a consensus-based, multilateral outcome on the TRIPS waiver.
• The Government of Canada also recognizes that the global access to, and distribution of, COVID-19 vaccines is informed by a broad range of factors beyond IP, including supply-chain and distribution challenges.
• Canada is actively working with international partners and other WTO Members to address vaccine supply and accessibility, notably by leading the WTO Ottawa Group, to address supply chain constraints and export restrictions under the WTO Declaration on Trade and Health.
• Canada is also actively involved in a range of international initiatives, including as a leading donor to the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator and its vaccines pillar, the COVAX Facility, and has committed to donating the equivalent of 200 million doses to the COVAX Facility by the end of 2022.

Update

WTO Members continue to discuss proposals for a COVID-19-related waiver from the Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS), in both plenary and small-group meetings. The WTO TRIPS Council last met on December 16, 2021 to update on these discussions, and agreed to keep the TRIPS Council open for further informal discussions in early-2022, in addition to the next, formally-scheduled TRIPS Council meeting on March 8-9, 2022.

Supporting facts and figures

• In June 2021, the WTO TRIPS Council agreed to undertake text-based negotiations on the basis of a revised proposal to suspend obligations in the TRIPS Agreement in respect of certain intellectual property rights such as patents in relation to vaccines, diagnostics, therapeutics, and other COVID-19-related health technologies for a renewable three-year duration (IP/C/W/669/Rev.1), which has been co-sponsored more than 60 WTO Members, including India, South Africa, the African Group and the Group of Least-Developed Countries.
• The TRIPS Council also continues to discuss a proposed EU declaration on legal certainty around existing TRIPS compulsory patent licensing flexibilities and the pandemic (IP/C/W/681).
• In parallel with WTO discussions on TRIPS, Canada is actively pursuing a range of critical near-term solutions that support broader access to COVID-19 vaccines and therapies.
• Canada remains actively committed to the WTO Declaration on Trade and Health (WT/GC/W/823), which has been co-sponsored by 33 WTO Members, and which addresses challenges related to supply chain constraints and export restrictions, all of which delay or curtail access to COVID-19 vaccines.
• Canada has committed $1.3 billion to the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator to ensure access to equitable medical interventions by low- and middle-income countries.
• Canada has committed to donating the equivalent of 200 million doses to the COVAX Facility by the end of 2022, which includes over 50 million doses deemed surplus from Canada’s domestic procurement, financial contributions to COVAX in support of the procurement of 87 million doses, and potential future donations and financial contributions.
• To date, through financial contributions and donated surplus doses, Canada has made available the equivalent of approximately 100 million doses via COVAX.

Matching fund – Ukraine – 2022

• To date in 2022, Canada has committed $125 million in humanitarian assistance to respond to the needs of people affected by the Ukraine crisis.
• This includes a matching fund of $10 million to support the Canadian Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal, launched on February 25, 2022.
• Funding will go to the Red Cross Movement, including the Ukrainian Red Cross, to help support preparedness, provide immediate and ongoing relief efforts to people affected by the conflict such as access to emergency health services, food and shelter.

Update

• To date, Canada has committed $125 million in humanitarian assistance to people affected by the crisis in Ukraine in 2022, including through a matching fund with the Canadian Red Cross.
• For every dollar donated by individuals to the Canadian Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal between February 24 and March 18, 2022, the government will provide one dollar, up to a total of $10 million.
• These funds will support humanitarian assistance by the Red Cross Movement in Ukraine, including through the Ukrainian Red Cross and the International Committee of the Red Cross.
• The matching fund has been extremely successful in delivering on its objective of engaging the Canadian public. As of end of day March 1, the Canadian Red Cross public appeal had already raised over $24 million in donations.
• Global Affairs Canada will quickly be disbursing the $10 million to ensure it can be used quickly to support the response in Ukraine.
• Canada's humanitarian funding through the Matching Fund will help support preparedness, provide immediate and ongoing relief efforts to people affected by the conflict inside Ukraine, including ensuring people's access to basic services such as health, water and sanitation, shelter, and food.

Supporting facts and figures

• To date in 2022, Canada has committed $125 million in humanitarian assistance to respond to the needs of people affected by the Ukraine crisis. This includes:
  • $15 million provided in January 2022 to the ICRC, the UN managed Ukraine Humanitarian Fund, the Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and the UNHCR in response, to the evolving humanitarian situation in Ukraine.
  • $10 million to the Canadian Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal through a matching fund launched on February 25, 2022.
  • $100 million in response to the Humanitarian Flash Appeal and the Regional Refugee Response Plan for Ukraine, announced on March 1, 2022.

Background

Since the onset of the crisis in 2014, Canada has provided over $174 million in humanitarian assistance funding to respond to the crisis in Ukraine. Humanitarian needs have already started to rise significantly and include civilian casualties, damage to power and water infrastructure, and displacement of Ukrainians largely towards the west of the country and into the wider region.

Canada has committed $125 million in humanitarian assistance in 2022 to respond to the needs of people affected by the Ukraine crisis. This includes the $10 million to the Canadian Red Cross through the Matching Fund for their Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal.

The matching fund is a tool for the Government to recognize the generosity and engagement of Canadians in response to this humanitarian crisis. It is also a means to reinforce the response of the Red Cross Movement to address the immediate humanitarian needs stemming from the crisis.

Canada chose to partner with the Canadian Red Cross as the Red Cross Movement is expected to have the earliest and best access to affected populations as well as the ability to provide multi-sector support.

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 August 2021, a report from a group known as UN Watch alleged that UNRWA personnel promoted violence and hate through social media channels. UNRWA launched an investigation into these allegations; Canadian officials are expecting a conclusion and that UNRWA would apply administrative or disciplinary action as deemed appropriate. Early in 2021, allegations arose regarding certain ‘self-learning’ materials used by UNRWA that contained problematic content (i.e. certain references that violated UN values); in response, UNRWA instituted a ‘digital learning platform’ that includes a structured review process. In January 2022, allegations emerged regarding problematic content in learning material produced for Palestinian Authority schools; this material was not used in UNRWA schools.

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 shortfall impacts the Agency’s ability to provide services to vulnerable Palestinian refugees, whose needs are rising. In January 2022, UNRWA released its 2022 budget proposal and has pleaded with the international community to provide adequate and predictable funding. UNRWA has stated its commitment to investing in comprehensive programmatic reforms and modernization to meet refugees’ needs in a cost-effective and efficient manner.

Allegations regarding Canadian funding for Union of Agriculture Work Committees

Last Modified: 2022-02-28

Issue:

Allegations regarding possible linkages between Canadian funding for Palestinians and terrorist organizations.

• Canada rejects terrorism in all forms, and takes all allegations of terrorism seriously. Global Affairs Canada provides assistance for Palestinians through organizations with proven track records of delivering assistance effectively and in accordance with Canadian requirements.
• For all international assistance funding for Palestinians, Global Affairs Canada employs a formal enhanced due diligence process to ensure that funds are not misused or diverted to terrorist groups.
• The Department has taken note of the conclusions of an investigation into the Union of Agriculture Work Committees (UAWC) commissioned by the Netherlands.
• While Canadian-funded projects with experienced international and Canadian partner organizations have included UAWC as a sub-implementer in the past, the Government of Canada does not have any active projects involving UAWC.
• Global Affairs Canada has an ongoing project with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) to support economic growth in the West Bank. The FAO has confirmed that UAWC's role in helping to deliver this project concluded some time ago.

In line with Canada's Feminist International Assistance Policy, Canada helps to meet the development and humanitarian needs of vulnerable Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. Canada exercises enhanced due diligence for all international assistance funding for Palestinians. This includes ongoing oversight, regular site visits, a systematic screening process, and strong anti-terrorism provisions in funding agreements.

On July 21, 2020, the Dutch Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation tabled a formal answer to a Parliamentary question related to allegations of linkages between the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) - a listed terrorist entity in Canada - and the Union of Agriculture Work Committees (UAWC). The answer indicated that the Netherlands has suspended further payments to UAWC pending a review related to Israel's arrest of two suspects in a terrorist attack in the West Bank in 2019. The two individuals had been employees of UAWC and had received some compensation, via overhead, attributed to Dutch funding.

On January 5, 2022, the Government of the Netherlands caretaker Ministers of Foreign Affairs and International Trade and Development Cooperation tabled a letter in Parliament summarizing the key findings of an 'external review' by an independent consultancy firm into possible links between UAWC and the PLFP, and the Dutch government's assessment and decisions in this regard. While the Dutch government will “no longer fund the UAWC's activities”, the letter also indicates that no evidence was found regarding financial flows between the UAWC and PFLP, and that the Dutch government's due diligence process was followed.

No projects in the current portfolio of Canadian assistance for Palestinians involve UAWC. Past projects that did include activities implemented by UAWC were managed in accordance with Global Affairs Canada's enhanced due diligence process. An ongoing Canadian-funded project with the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) supports economic growth in the West Bank; the FAO has confirmed that UAWC's role in helping to deliver this project concluded some time ago.

Ethiopia – conflict in the North

• Canada is profoundly alarmed with the ongoing conflict in northern Ethiopia and continues to call for all parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire and to enter negotiations without preconditions towards a political solution to the crisis as well as for a wider inclusive national reconciliation process.
• Canada calls on all parties to the northern conflict in Ethiopia to facilitate immediate humanitarian access to conflict-affected populations and remains committed to supporting its humanitarian partners to meet the immediate, critical needs of the millions of civilians affected by this crisis.
• Canada urges all parties to the conflict to implement the recommendations in the joint report of the United Nations and the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission on human rights violations in Tigray.

Supplementary messages

• According to the UN, 9.4 million people in Tigray, Afar, and Amhara now require humanitarian assistance as a result of the conflict, including 5.2 million people (90% of the population) in Tigray.
• In the rest of the country, at least another 16.5 million Ethiopians are facing crisis due to drought, intercommunal violence, and the COVID pandemic.
• In 2021, Canada provided $43 million in humanitarian funding to UN, Red Cross, and NGO partners to address humanitarian needs in Ethiopia, including in response to the conflict in Tigray.
• Canada’s international assistance in Ethiopia is adapting to the ongoing conflict and will be prioritizing support to areas such as the provision of basic human needs and essential services, stabilization of livelihoods and peace and security.

Supporting facts and figures

• On November 8, Minister Joly spoke with African Union Commission Chairperson, Moussa Faki Mahamat, and reiterated Canada’s commitment to supporting ongoing peace efforts. Minister Joly also spoke to Ethiopia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister on November 26, 2021.
• On November 5, 2021, the Ministers Joly and Sajjan issued a joint statement expressing concern at the finding outlined in the joint Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and Ethiopian Human Rights Commission (EHRC) report that there are reasonable grounds to believe that all parties to armed conflict have committed international humanitarian, human rights and refugee law violations. Canada provided $604,000 (30% of total cost) to OHCHR for this work.
• Worsening drought conditions affecting the Horn of Africa have left an estimated 13 million people facing acute hunger including 6.8 million in southern Ethiopia.
• Ethiopia is host to more than 800,000 refugees, mostly from South Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea, and Sudan, who rely on international assistance to survive.
• In 2019-20, Canada’s international assistance to Ethiopia totaled more than $175 million through all channels, being delivered mainly through Canadian, international and local organizations as well as multilateral institutions.

Background

The conflict is in its second year, affecting the regions of Afar, Amhara, and Tigray. Eritrean forces remain in Tigray and Amhara regions. The Ethiopian government has maintained a de facto blockade on Tigray since July 2021, effectively limiting the delivery of humanitarian aid to only a fraction of needs. On November 2, Prime Minister Abiy declared a six-month nationwide state of emergency and called on residents to arm themselves to counter a Tigrayan advance. Following military success, in December the Government of Ethiopia toned down inflammatory ethnic discourse, released political prisoners and committed not to make military advances into Tigray. The state of emergency was lifted in February. On January 21, the Government announced measures to improve humanitarian access to the north, but the impact remains to be seen. In January-February, Tigrayan forces advanced into several towns in the Afar region, to threaten the Addis Ababa-Djibouti highway, the main supply route for Ethiopia, which remains open. However, this same fighting has cut the only functioning land route for humanitarian supplies into Tigray.

On November 3, the OHCHR and EHRC issued a joint report on allegations of violations of international law committed in Tigray. Prime Minister Abiy committed to implementing the recommendations; to date, limited action has been taken. The main mediation effort underway is led by the AU High Representative for the Horn of Africa, former Nigerian President Obasanjo (with UN Secretary General and US support).

Global Affairs Canada advises travellers against travel to Ethiopia, due to ethnic conflicts, civil unrest, armed conflicts in the north of the country.

Increasing Canada’s international development assistance every year towards 2030

• The Government has committed to increase international development assistance every year towards 2030 to realize the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
• In Budget 2021, the Government of Canada announced over $1 billion in new and renewed international assistance funding.

• Canada’s international assistance budget is projected to reach $7.5 billion this fiscal year, on par with last year’s historic high and placing Canada in the top 10 of OECD donors.

Supplementary Message

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

Update

The November 2021 Speech from the Throne and your December 2021 mandate letter both reaffirm the commitment to increase Canada’s international development assistance every year towards 2030.

Budget 2021 and subsequent funding decisions provided over $2.4 billion in additional international assistance over five years, including the doubling of Canada’s international Climate Finance to $5.3 billion over five years along with investments in education, care-work, global COVID-19 vaccine rollout, the IMF Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust, and peace and stabilization efforts.

Supporting facts and figures

• Since 2020, Canada has allocated over $2.7 billion in international assistance resources for COVID-19 pandemic recovery in developing countries, including over $1.7 billion in new resources.
• In Budgets 2018 and 2019, the Government of Canada committed $2.7 billion in new resources to strengthen the impact of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP).

Background

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

Feminist international assistance policy

• Through the Feminist International Assistance Policy, Canada has transformed its international assistance (both what we do, and how we do it) to achieve improved results and impact for the poorest and most vulnerable around the world, including those in fragile states.
• Since its adoption in 2017, the Policy has continued to provide a robust strategic framework to guide our international assistance. The Policy’s focus on the poorest and most vulnerable populations remains particularly relevant in light of global developments such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The Policy has strengthened Canada’s reputation as a feminist donor. In the last two years, Canada has become the top donor supporting investments in gender equality and empowerment of women and girls.

Supplementary Messages

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

Supporting facts and figures

• The COVID-19 pandemic is estimated to have increased the number of extreme poor by 97 million in 2020, representing the first rise in global poverty since the Asian financial crisis of 1998. The World Bank estimates that the increase in poverty due to COVID-19 will continue to linger.
• Through the Feminist International Assistance Policy, Canada committed to ensuring that 95% of bilateral international development assistance will advance gender equality by 2021-2022. Progress was made toward meeting this goal in 2020-2021, with 93% of programming targeting or integrating gender equality^{Footnote 1}. Canada is on track to meet this target in 2021-2022.
• The Policy also commits to ensuring that 15% of bilateral international development assistance specifically targets gender equality. Canada has significantly increased its investments in gender-targeted initiatives since adoption of the Policy. In 2020- 2021, nearly 12% of bilateral international development assistance specifically targeted gender equality (compared to only 3% in 2017-2018). Global Affairs Canada is not expecting to reach the 15% target in 2021-2022. However, the department is taking action to address these challenges by continuing to advance gender-equality targeted programming across all FIAP action areas, and introducing new gender equality programming.
• And the Policy committed Canada to direct 50% of its bilateral international development assistance in support of sub-Saharan Africa by 2021-2022. In 2020- 2021, 47% of Canadian bilateral international development assistance was directed to sub-Saharan African countries. Canada is not expecting to meet the 50% target in 2021-2022, due in part to important investments in other regions including the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
• Several signature initiatives have been advanced in support of the Policy and they are on track, achieving results in partner countries.
• In March 2020, Canada successfully fulfilled the commitment of allocating 3.5 billion over five years for Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) and the Her Voice, Her Choice commitment of $650 million over three years for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).
• $150 million over five years was committed for Women’s Voice and Leadership. The program has supported over 800 women’s rights organizations in over 30 countries and regions, including with fast, responsive funds to help them adjust to the pandemic’s impacts.
• Canada has met its $400 million commitment to improve access to quality education for women and girls in crisis and conflict situations, as part of the 2018 Charlevoix G7 Leaders’ commitment of close to $3.8 billion. 55 projects have received Charlevoix funding, and a number of these have scaled up in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
• Through the Small and Medium Organizations for Impact and Innovation Initiative, Canada has committed $123 million to fund Canadian SMOs in areas consistent with the Feminist International Assistance Policy. To date 40 SMOs have been approved for funding to implement development projects, 41 have been approved for funding to test innovative solutions, and over 360 have participated in capacity building activities. A third call for concept notes under the Development Impact Window closed in September 2021 and evaluation is ongoing.
• Canada met its 2015 commitment of $2.65 billion over five years to help the most vulnerable countries adapt to and mitigate climate change. To date, the programs and projects supported under this previous commitment are expected to reduce or prevent greenhouse gas emissions by over 222 megatons – the equivalent of removing 47 million cars from the roads for one year – and help 5.9 million people adapt to the effects of climate change. In June 2021, the Government of Canada announced that it is doubling its international climate finance commitment to $5.3 billion over the next five years (2021-2026), which includes increased funds for adaptation and biodiversity.
• Canada contributed $300 million to work with the Equality Fund consortium to establish a “first of its kind” innovative global funding platform, to mobilize unprecedented levels of resources for women’s organizations and movements in developing countries. As of March 2021, the Equality Fund has supported the work of over 100 women’s organizations in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe, including through an Emergency Covid Response Fund.
• Canada has initiated the implementation of $100 million over 5 years to support programming that addresses the unequal distribution of paid and unpaid care work in low- and middle-income countries.
• Canada is showing leadership on the Women, Peace and Security agenda including through the development of our third National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security. Following an initial pilot phase, Canada is also extending the Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations, to build on early gains to increase the meaningful participation of uniformed women in peacekeeping roles.

Education in conflict and crisis

• Education is critical to social and economic stability and an important tool in conflict situations and humanitarian crises for ensuring safety and stability for children and youth.
• The $400 million G7 Charlevoix Education Initiative is reaching over 4 million girls and women through 55 projects that address barriers to education in conflict and crisis-affected settings.
• In February of 2021, our government launched the Together for Learning Campaign to promote quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for refugee, other forcibly-displaced and host community children and youth.

Supplementary Messages

• Canada’s education programming focuses on the most marginalized populations, including girls and adolescent girls and children and youth in conflict and crisis-affected areas.
• Engaging with youth is key to building more sustainable and resilient education systems. On March 30-31, Canada will host a high level youth-led summit with youth, Ministers and global leaders on education for displaced youth.

Update

On February 8, 2021, Canada launched the ‘Together for Learning/Ensemble pour l’apprentissage’ to promote quality education and lifelong learning opportunities for refugee, other forcibly-displaced and host community children and youth. The Campaign comprise four key areas: 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 will host a youth-led summit March 30-31 to provide an opportunity for youth who have experienced displace to speak directly with the Minister and other global leaders on actions required to ensure their educational success.

Supporting facts and figures

• Long-standing champion for education in fragile and conflict-affected states.
• Canada supports multilateral partners who work in crisis setting, notably the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) $407 million) and Education Cannot Wait $82.5 million). This includes a new a pledge to GPE in June 2021 of $300 million over 5 years.
• In 2019 Canada committed to spend 10% of bilateral aid to education. In 2020-21, GAC bilateral development assistance for education remained stable compared to 2019-20 levels. However, the proportion allocated to education decreased from 11.7% in 2019-20 to 7.2% in 2020-21 due to additional spending related to COVID-19.
• Canada’s international COVID-19 response allocated $78.9 million in additional funding for education, including $24.5 million for initiatives targeting refugees, displaced persons and host communities.
• 68% of refugee children have access to primary education, 34% have access to secondary education, and tertiary education are extremely limited^{Footnote 2}. Refugee girls and women are 2.5 times more likely to drop out of school than boys^{Footnote 3}.

Background

Education is a human right and a critical intervention in crisis situations, particularly for girls. In protracted crises, education becomes even more important to ensure that children and youth get access to knowledge, skills and other supports (nutrition, mental health, protection) they need to contribute economically and socially to rebuild their communities. COVID-19 has caused the largest disruption to education in history. Displaced and refugee students are at a particular disadvantage with a risk that recent progress in increased enrolment may be eroded.

Canada’s Leadership on Financing for Development

• Mobilizing resources to achieve the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals is an important part of my mandate as Minister of International Development.
• Canada has shaped pandemic recovery discussions through the Financing for Development in the era of COVID-19 and Beyond Initiative, to identify concrete solutions to respond to the socio-economic impacts of the pandemic.
• Canada is piloting the use of innovative development finance tools through the International Assistance Innovation Program.

Supplementary Messages

• Canada will continue to lead in key development finance areas such as financing for gender equality and women’s economic empowerment; climate finance; financing for COVID vaccines; and advocacy on behalf of Small Island Developing States (SIDS).
• The International Assistance Innovation Program and Sovereign Loans Program expand Canada’s suite of development finance tools to mobilize additional public and private financing to support the COVID-19 recovery in line with the objectives of the Feminist International Assistance Policy.

Update

Important progress has been made on key financing for development issues in the UN, G7 and G20, and among international financial institutions. During the 2021 G20 Leaders’ Summit, Prime Minister Trudeau announced that Canada Canada will channel 20% ($3.7 billion) of its recent Special Drawing Rights allocation to support low-income and other vulnerable countries. The first phase of this commitment will include almost $1 billion in support for the IMF’s Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust.

In the lead-up to COP-26, Canada co-led the development of an international climate finance action plan with Germany. In 2022, Canada announced its offer of a sovereign loan for Ukraine with a goal of supporting Ukrainian economic resilience amid Russian destabilization.

Supporting facts and figures

• $1.59 billion over five years, starting in 2018-2019, for The International Assistance Innovation Program ($935.6 million) and the Sovereign Loans Program ($657.7 million).
• Canada has doubled its Climate Financing commitment to $5.3 billion over five years.
• Canada announced $128 million in development projects funded through the International Assistance Innovation Program in 2020-21.

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. In 2018, Canada launched FinDev Canada. Through its 2018 G7 Presidency, Canada launched a number of initiatives under the Charlevoix Commitment on Innovative Financing for Development, including the 2X Challenge on Financing for Women. In May 2020, Canada, Jamaica and the UN Secretary General launched the Financing for Development in the Era of COVID-19 and Beyond Initiative.

Increasing effectiveness, and transparency and accountability

• To accelerate Canada’s response to the pandemic, the Department increased consultation and dialogue with all of our partners.
• This has led to greater donor coordination, as well as more timely and efficient processes to adjust existing projects and approve new ones, allowing Canada to respond to the concrete needs of our partners and get better results.
• To continue increasing the transparency of Canada’s international assistance, the Government of Canada will table its second consolidated report on Canada’s international assistance at the end of the current fiscal year.

Supporting facts and figures

• The Department’s response to the pandemic includes securing additional funding through the crisis pool, providing greater flexibility to partners to repurpose existing projects, developing simplified approval processes for COVID-19-related projects, providing targeted responses to more vulnerable groups such as women, and strengthening engagement with partners. Some of these exceptional measures are now being integrated into regular project approval processes.
• The recent publication of a rolling 12-month calendar of upcoming calls on the GAC Web site is a concrete step to enhance transparency and predictability of funding opportunities for partners.
• Canada was quick to engage. Canada and the UK brought together like-minded development partners at the outset of the COVID-19 pandemic though the Development Ministers Contact Group. This allowed donors to coordinate their COVID-19 responses across various themes such as: food security, education, Small Island Developing States (SIDS), gender equality, green recovery and global health.
• Canada has taken action within the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) to increase development effectiveness. This includes work on the Sounding Board on Development Effectiveness to re-confirm members’ commitment to the Busan principles of ownership, focus on results, inclusiveness, transparency and accountability, and their heightened importance in the COVID-19 context. This group builds on the Informal Reference Group that Canada co-chaired in 2020 on updating development effectiveness benchmarks.
• Canada leads the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation work on triangular cooperation, recognizing the importance of new development actors and inclusive partnerships in the contemporary development landscape.
• Global Affairs Canada’s website provides access to the department’s open data on international assistance projects via its Project Browser. Continued improvements to its information enabled the department to achieve a score of 80.9% in the 2020 Aid Transparency Index (up from 79.6% in 2018).
• Canada is an active member of the International Aid Transparency Initiative, where it helped increase members’ focus on inclusion (e.g. Francophone Africa) and data use. The Department works with civil society and multilateral partners to foster effectiveness, transparency and accountability for Canada’s funding.

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 now the top OECD ranked donor supporting gender equality with 93% of bilateral international development assistance either directly targeting or integrating gender equality results.

Supplementary Messages

• Prioritizing gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls has proven an effective framework for responding to the COVID-19 pandemic which disproportionately affects women and girls, notably with increased care work, economic vulnerability and sexual and gender-based violence.
• Under the FIAP, Canada has established itself as a top donor globally supporting women’s rights organizations and feminist movements, with over $450 million in signature investments and the announcement of the creation of a Global Alliance for Sustainable Feminist Movements in March 2021.
• Canada’s Women’s Voice and Leadership flagship initiative has far exceeded its original target of supporting 400 women rights organizations and now supports over 800 WROs.

Update

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

Supporting facts and figures

In 2020-2021, GAC continued to make progress towards the implementation of the Feminist International Assistance Policy, based on preliminary data:

• 93% of its bilateral international development assistance either directly targeting or integrating gender equality results (target set at 95% by 2021-2022), of which, close to 12% fully targeted gender equality results (target set at 15% by 2021- 2022).
• For the second year, Canada ranked as the top OECD bilateral donor for the share of its overall ODA supporting gender equality, as well as for investments supporting women’s rights organizations and ending violence against women and girls.
• Canada advanced signature investments supporting and strengthening women’s rights organizations including its $300 million contribution to establish the Equality Fund and the $150 million over 5 years for the Women’s Voice and Leadership program.
• In addition to maintaining an overall gender-responsive programming approach – as set out in the FIAP – to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada targeted specific areas to mitigate the negative impacts of the Pandemic on gender equality. This includes $2 million to the UN Trust Fund on Violence Against Women; $3 million to support local women’s rights organizations’ COVID-related work; and, $8.9 million to ensure continued access to sexual and reproductive health services.

Background

The Women’s Voice and Leadership program was announced in 2017 and committed $150 million over five years (2018-2023) to support over 400 women’s rights and LBTQI+ organizations. Thus far, WVL has far exceeded its target for support to local WROs, with support to over 800 WROs in 2020/21.

Addressing paid and unpaid care work

• Care work is essential for human well-being and sustainable economic growth but its unequal distribution infringes on the rights of women and girls.
• Addressing care work is essential to advancing gender equality, inclusive economic growth and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Canada is implementing $100 million in programming to address this issue in low- and middle-income countries, which confirms Canada’s role as a leading advocate internationally on the issue.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated both the unequal nature of unpaid care work and the care crisis, undermining human rights and driving women out of the workforce and public space.

Update

Canada is working towards the implementation of the $100 million commitment on standalone programming on paid and unpaid care by engaging with multiple stakeholders, including Canadian and international WROs and CSOs, multilaterals, philanthropies, and unions.

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 million 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.
• One programming example, as part of our COVID response, is with UN Women in Rwanda, Senegal, and South Africa ($5 million). This project will enable national and local governments to develop laws, policies and services that recognize and address the disproportionate share of unpaid care work by women and girls.

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 million over the next five years to address the unequal distribution of paid and unpaid care work in low and middle- income countries through stand-alone care work programming.

Canadian centre for democracy

• Canada has been a long-time supporter of democratic development around the world, and has committed to establishing a dedicated Canadian centre to promote peace, human rights, democracy, and inclusive governance worldwide.
• To enact this commitment, I will support Minister Joly in the establishment of the Centre through providing an international development perspective on its design and policy options.
• My department and I will also work closely with civil society stakeholders as we develop the Centre.

Supplementary Messages

• The Center was announced as one of Canada’s commitments for the Year of Action following the US-led Summit for Democracy, held December 9-10, 2021.
• GAC is conducting informal consultations with stakeholders, and will be launching more formal stakeholder engagement activities soon.

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 commitment to the Centre in the mandate letters of December 2019 and reiterated in the December 2021 letters.
• The 2021 Liberal Party of Canada election platform indicated the Centre will have an annual budget of $25M in its first year and $50M in subsequent years.

Background

In December 2021, the Prime Minister gave the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of International Development the mandate to “establish a Canadian Centre 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.” This followed similar mandates issued in December 2019. 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 the Canadian centre for Democracy (placeholder name), to be established as the central piece of existing and new Canadian efforts to advance the vision of a peaceful and just global society. Stakeholder consultations are underway to support this work.

In 2019, in its report entitled Canada’s Role in International Support for Democratic Development, the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development recommended the creation of an independent institution that would:

• Work directly in partner countries;
• Engage Canadian federal political parties & CSOs;
• Include a transparent leadership selection in consultation with political parties; and
• Reports to Parliament annually.

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 throughout the implementation of the Feminist International Assistance Policy.
• However, despite these efforts, there is more to be done. The current global context is exacerbating and deepening inequalities. Strong voices are needed to successfully advocate for gender equality and human rights.
• The mandate commitment to support women leaders and feminist groups, including new funding for the Women's Voice and Leadership program, will allow the Government of Canada to further its support for these organizations and their critical role in advancing gender equality, promoting peace, and protecting the rights of women and other marginalized groups.

Supplementary Messages

• Women’s rights organizations 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 women’s rights organizations.

Update

This is the first briefing on this mandate commitment.

Supporting facts and figures

• Despite their proven track record in advancing gender equality and human rights, women’s rights organizations (WROs) are critically underfunded, receiving 0.13% of Official Development Assistance and 0.42% of philanthropic funding, globally (2017/18 figures).
• Investments by the Government of Canada to fund WROs globally since the launch of the Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) – including through the Women’s Voice and Leadership program (2017 - $150 million /5 years) and the Equality Fund (2019 - $300 million) – have resulted in Canada being the top OECD donor for WROs for the past two years.
• The Women’s Voice and Leadership (WVL) program was announced in 2017 and committed to support over 400 women’s rights and LBTQI+ organizations.
• Thus far, WVL has far exceeded its target for support to local WROs, with support to over 800 WROs in 2020/21.

Background

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

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

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

Canada fund for local initiatives

• The Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) is a contributions program delivered through Canadian diplomatic missions which covers 130 countries eligible to Official Development Assistance, and is a key Canadian presence in many countries where Canada has no other visibility or programming.
• The CFLI supports projects that are comparatively modest in scope and cost, and that are designed and implemented largely by local organizations to ensure high local impact, and build local civil society capacity.
• The CFLI is a flexible tool that supports locally-relevant themes selected by local organisations themselves but which match with Canadian priorities, and aligns with the action areas established under Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP).

Supplementary Messages

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

Update

The CFLI budget has gradually increased from $14 million FY 17/18 to $26.9 million FY 22/23.

Supporting facts and figures

• The CFLI is managed through 71 missions accredited to 135 countries that qualify for Official Development Assistance, and funds over 600 projects per year.
• Projects are one year in length, but can go up to two years. While the maximum contribution can be $100,000, the average contribution amount is $30,000.
• CFLI project themes cover all six of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy action areas with special emphasis on gender equality, human rights, including LGBTQ2 rights, democracy, as well as peace & security.
• The program can reach a wide range of people and advocate Canada’s values and interests. Last year, 1.2 million people directly benefitted from CFLI projects and 50M people were reached through advocacy activities.
• In 2020-2021, 86% of projects were implemented by local organizations.
• 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 will celebrate its 50^th anniversary in 2022. CFLI funding is International Assistance funding. Since 2012, the program authority is the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The program’s smaller contributions and the local approach allows 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.

Canada’s international assistance response to COVID-19

• The COVID-19 pandemic is a global threat that does not recognize borders and will only be overcome through coordinated global action.
• Canada is committed to a robust international effort to stop COVID-19, address its devastating impacts, and strengthen pandemic preparedness going forward.
• Canada is committed to supporting equitable global access to COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics and is working hand in hand with the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator and the COVAX Facility in support of this.

Supplementary Messages

• In line with the Feminist International Assistance Policy, Canada’s response focuses on the world’s poorest and most marginalized, and considers the differentiated needs of women and girls.
• The emergence of COVID-19 has also underscored the need to reinforce and deliver on joint commitments by the international community to strengthen health systems and reinforce prevention, detection, emergency planning and preparedness capabilities worldwide.

Update

Since February 11, 2020, the Government of Canada has committed over $2.7 billion to the global response to COVID-19. Canada has also made an additional $1 billion available for International Monetary Fund loans related to COVID-19. Canada has committed to donate the equivalent of 200 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to the COVAX Facility by the end of 2022.

Supporting facts and figures

Canada’s Commitment for COVID-19 Response

Canada’s Financial Commitments to ACT-Accelerator by Pillar

Canada’s Dose Donation Commitments to COVAX

* Calculated using G7 approved methodology of $6USD a dose

**Note that Canada has also donated 782,000 surplus doses bilaterally, to countries in LAC region

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

• At the 2021 G20 Summit, the Prime Minister announced Canada’s commitment to donate the equivalent of at least 200 million doses to the COVAX Facility by the end of 2022. To date, Canada has committed 137.6M doses against its 200M dose/equivalent commitment [50.6M donated doses surplus to Canada’s domestic needs and 87M doses in cash equivalent calculated using G7 approved methodology of $6USD a dose]. To date, 13.3 million of the 50.6 million doses Canada committed through COVAX have been delivered. In addition, Canada has also donated 782,000 surplus doses bilaterally, to countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Prime Minister also announced an investment of up to $15 million to COVAX Manufacturing Task Force partners.

Background

ACT-Accelerator

Canada has consistently championed a comprehensive approach to our COVID-19 response across all three pillars of the Act-Accelerator and is one of 5 donors to have met its 2021 burden share. On February 9, 2022, ACT-A published the 2022 Financing Framework to help guide voluntary contributions to ACT-A in 2022 and help meet the grant funding request of US$16.8 billion for tests, treatments, vaccines, and the health systems connector. Canada’s fair share target for 2022 is US$ 620 million.

Support for Vaccine Distribution and Delivery

The COVAX Facility, supported by funding from Canada among others, has, as of February 14 2022, delivered 1.15 billion doses to 144 participants.

As vaccine supply increases steadily in 2022, constraints are increasingly seen around country-level vaccine delivery and administration. While supply may be available, the ability to administer the doses prior to expiry is a significant challenge for countries with weak health systems. Canada is actively working across multilateral, bilateral, and Canadian partnerships channels to address bottlenecks to vaccine roll-out, including providing up to $70M to COVAX to support countries distribution and delivery efforts in 92 AMC countries.

Strengthening Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response

Canada is engaged in discussions, including at the World Health Organization (WHO), G20 and G7, on how to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness and response (PPR) based on the lessons learned of COVID-19. COVID-19 review bodies, including the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response (IPPPR) and the G20 High Level Independent Panel on Financing the Global Commons for Pandemic Preparedness and Response (HLIP), have made ambitious recommendations, particularly with regard to strengthening global governance and financing PPR. In response to those recommendations, the WHO has launched a process to draft and negotiate an international instrument to strengthen PPR, and WHO Member States continue discussions on how to sustainably finance WHO. A US championed, $10B pandemic preparedness financing facility, potentially housed at the World Bank, is being considered in the context of the G20.

Climate finance

• In June 2021, the Government of Canada announced that it is doubling its international climate finance commitment to $5.3 billion over the next 5 years (2021-2026).
• Canada is increasing the proportion of its financing for climate adaptation to at least 40%, to help developing countries build greater resilience against the devastating impacts of climate change.
• Canada will also allocate at least 20% of its international climate finance to nature-based solutions and projects with biodiversity co-benefits.

Supplementary Messages

• Through its Feminist International Assistance Policy, Canada is committed to ensuring that international climate finance addresses the particular challenges faced by women and girls.
• Canada recognizes that climate action is most effective when women and girls play an active role. Although women and girls are disproportionately affected by climate change, they can also be powerful agents of change in climate action.
• Canada recognizes that, to achieve maximum results, our actions to protect and conserve nature and our efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change must be closely aligned.

Update

In June 2021, at the G7 Leaders’ Summit, the Prime Minister announced a doubling of Canada’s international climate finance commitment to $5.3 billion over the next five years. On November 2, 2021, the Prime Minister announced up to $57.5 million for three targeted initiatives dedicated to building resilience in developing countries.

These include: up to $37.5 million for the Least Developed Countries Fund; up to $10 million for the Adaptation Fund; and up to $10 million for the National Adaptation Plan Global Network. Canada also announced on November 2, 2021 that it will provide $55 million over three years to CGIAR, a global research partnership that aims to transform food, land, and water systems to not only strengthen food security and end hunger, but also promote gender equality, create new jobs and livelihoods, and deliver climate and environmental benefits around the world. On October 25, 2021, after working together, Canada and Germany published a plan showing the trajectory to deliver on the developed countries’ collective goal of mobilizing US$100 billion per year in climate finance.

Supporting facts and figures

• Canada’s previous climate finance commitment of $2.65 billion concluded on March 31, 2021.
• The investments from this commitment are expected to reduce or avoid more than 222 megatons of greenhouse gas emissions, and help about 5.9 million people adapt to the effects of climate change.
• Recently funded projects include the $132.9 million Canada-African Development Bank Climate Fund, which aims to enhance women’s economic rights and participation in climate action while supporting the region to build resilience and move to low-carbon economic pathways.

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, including in response to the pandemic.
• With their strong local networks, CSOs possess valuable expertise, understand local challenges and opportunities, and mobilize the voices of the poorest and most vulnerable, helping to achieve sustainable results that complement government and multilateral institutions’ efforts.
• Rooted in communities across Canada, CSOs help us leverage Canadian expertise, resources and innovation, strengthen policy dialogue and engage Canadians to raise awareness, support and action related to international assistance.

Supplementary Messages

• Accountability for results is a central tenet of Canada’s development assistance.
• GAC has implemented a number of changes since the launch of the Feminist International Assistance Policy to improve the predictability and accessibility of funding, including for small and medium-sized organizations.
• The Department recognizes that charities have raised concerns with respect to the existing rules related to direction and control.
• While changes to the Income Tax Act fall under the purview of the Minister of Finance, we support local ownership and the streamlining of aid delivery, in accordance with principles of aid effectiveness, including transparency, accountability and financial stewardship.
• Canada’s feminist approach means taking an intersectional human rights-based approach and concerted and intentional anti-racist action in our programming and processes.

Supporting facts and figures

• Based on initial figures, GAC allocated $1.04 billion in international development assistance to Canadian CSOs in 2020-21 (17%) up from $952 million (24%) in 2019-20. While this represents an increase in overall volume, the proportion of funding to Canadian CSOs has declined as a result of exceptional funding to support the international response to COVID-19 largely directed to multilateral organizations.
• For international assistance, GAC allocated $1.06 billion in international assistance to Canadian CSOs in 2020-21 (16%), compared to $971 million in 2019-20 (22%).

Background

Accountability for performance: Funding requests are assessed in terms of expected results, and the proven capacity of the applicant to contribute to sustainable development. Funding recipients are required to monitor progress towards results and report regularly to the Department on the use of public funds.

Predictable and accessible funding: To increase predictability, the Department has published an annual calendar of calls for proposals, issued detailed information on funding processes and communicates more frequently with partners. To increase accessibility, new processes have been introduced such as the use of concept notes to lower applicant’s burden. We are also piloting the Small and Medium Organizations (SMOs) for Impact and Innovation Initiative. Over 360 SMOs have benefited from capacity-building activities and there have been 471 applications to the three calls for proposals. To date, 40 SMOs have been approved for funding to implement development projects.

Direction and control: Senator Omidvar proposed Bill S-216, which seeks changes to the Income Tax Act (ITA) related to the transfer of charitable funds to local organizations in developing countries. The Bill passed first reading in the House of Commons on February 3, 2022. MP Garnett Genius, CPC, wrote to you on February 23 seeking your collaboration for the passage of the Bill.

Under the current legislation, when a charity transfers resources to another organization, it must direct and control the use of those resources, including monitoring and supervising activities. For example, Canadian charities must create written agreements when transferring funds to a local partner, and maintain records to ensure their appropriate and accountable use. Charities argue the requirements are costly and labour intensive, conflict with principles of local ownership, and support an out-dated colonial approach to working with local partners. They believe that Bill S-216 proposes a results accountability regime that would be as effective and less burdensome than the current.

The Department of Finance is the lead for responding to the Bill. The Bill is very slim on details with respect to how the new proposed regime applies. [REDACTED].

Diversity and inclusion: Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy provides a strong foundation for inclusion, diversity and anti-racism. The Department is examining its approach to inclusion and diversity in international development to make it more concerted and intentional. Canadian CSOs are also seized with the issue. Some 70 organizations, including member associations representing over 350 diverse sector organizations formally committed to an Anti-Racism Framework for Canada’s International Assistance Sector. GAC is providing a $1 million to Cooperation Canada to develop an Anti-Racism Cooperation Hub that will help Canadian organizations provide more racially sensitive and inclusive intersectional feminist assistance to local populations.

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. It is building a diversified portfolio that will help it achieve self-sustainability while delivering development results.

Supplementary Messages

• In response to COVID-19, FinDev Canada has pursued an interim investment strategy focused on working with local financial institutions to deliver much needed financing to micro, small and medium sized enterprises impacted by the pandemic.

Update

[REDACTED]. Funded by GAC’s International Assistance Innovation Program, 2X Canada: Inclusive Economic Recovery represents a whole of Canada approach to help address COVID-19 economic recovery in Sub- Saharan Africa and Latin America & the Caribbean. The project was announced virtually by Prime Minister Trudeau at the Financing for African Economies Summit on May 18, 2021 in Paris. In January 2022, FinDev Canada announced the facility’s first investment in the Energy Entrepreneur Growth Fund to improve access to clean energy and advance women’s economic empowerment in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Supporting facts and figures

• From its launch in early 2018 to October 2021, FinDev Canada has made 34 investments totalling US$489.3 million (approximately $621 million) in Latin America & the Caribbean and Sub-Saharan Africa, across its priority sectors (agribusiness, green growth, the financial industry).
• It was launched with an initial $300 million in capital from Export Development Canada (EDC) retained earnings. Budget 2021 announced an additional $300 million of capitalization starting in 2023-2024, to support the growth of FinDev Canada. Expected to become self-financing, current analysis suggests this can be achieved by 2026, when FinDev’s Canada’s portfolio reaches approximately $1.4 billion.
• FinDev Canada’s five-year operational review (in 2020) noted its considerable progress as a new Development Finance Institution within a field of long- established peers; highlighted its established niche as a leader in gender-lens investing; and recommended ongoing improvements including to its environmental and social policies.
• As of December 2020, FinDev Canada’s development results achieved include:

Background

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

Global health and SRHR

• Good health, including addressing sexual and reproductive health and rights, is critical to reducing poverty and contributing to gender equality.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has increased poverty and negatively affected health systems and services globally, especially in developing countries.
• Canada has been a longstanding leader in advancing global health, especially women’s, adolescents’ and children’s health.
• As a leader in global health, Canada has made a historic 10- year commitment 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.

Update

The next phase of Canada’s leadership in global health comes through implementation of Canada’s 10-year commitment to global health and rights, including a significant annual investment to close persistent gaps in sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) including in relation to the prevention of sexual and gender- based violence. Building on two decades of leadership in maternal, newborn and child health (MNCH); sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR); nutrition; as well as combatting infectious disease through global health platforms like the Global Fund, among others, this commitment will deliver long-term investments for impact.

Recognizing the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Minister of International Development will work with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of Health to “continue to reinforce international efforts to ensure that people around the world have access to health interventions to fight COVID-19.” In addition, Canada must continue to support pandemic response efforts, as well as a reform agenda to 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 (20-30%), except for the US.
• Canada supported two phases of the Muskoka Initiative for MNCH between 2010- 2020, and more recently, the Her Voice Her Choice $650 million commitment, with additional focus on the SRHR of women and girls.
• In 2019, Canada made a new 10-year commitment to global health including to raise funding to an average of $1.4 billion annually by 2023, with an average of $700 million annually for SRHR.
• This global leadership includes roughly $100 million per year on nutrition programming and significant support to global health platforms to ensure effective and coordinated support for developing countries (including via the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance; the Global Polio Eradication Initiative; and the Global Financing Facility).
• Women and girls have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 crisis. In addition to directly contracting the virus, there have been significant effects on women’s and girls’ health as a result of disruptions to health and social services access, as well as increased risk of infection given their role in the care economy, representing almost 70% of the healthcare workforce, and in their families and communities.

Background

Canada’s focus on women and children’s health and rights is delivered through global programming in three priority sectors – SRHR, nutrition and infectious disease response, including exceptional support to address the COVID-19 pandemic. Investments are underpinned by support for effective and equitable health systems.

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

Humanitarian response 2022

• Humanitarian needs have reached record highs in 2022, with over 274 million people in need of life-saving humanitarian assistance.

• Canada will continue to respond to humanitarian crises around the world by working through experienced humanitarian partners, including the UN, Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, and NGOs, to provide urgent humanitarian assistance where it is needed most.

Update

Canada’s flexible, timely and responsive humanitarian funding in 2020 and 2021 allowed partners to adapt to rapidly evolving needs in the context of COVID-19, and the sudden deterioration of many humanitarian situations. In particular, emergency food and nutrition support was scaled up to meet acute hunger needs and stave off famine in several countries. In 2022, Canada will continue to closely monitor humanitarian situations around the world, and continue to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance to meet urgent needs.

Supporting facts and figures

• In FY 2020-2021, Canada provided over $1.14 billion in humanitarian assistance to help save lives, reduce suffering, and maintain the dignity of people affected by crisis, which included over $370 million in funding to address the impacts of COVID-19 in humanitarian contexts.
• Canada’s total spending for humanitarian assistance has averaged over $900 million annually over the last five fiscal years.
• Canada, along with other donors, helped to meet the needs of over 115 million people affected by humanitarian crises in 2020.
• Gender equality considerations were integrated into 98% of Canada’s humanitarian assistance projects in FY 2020-2021.
• Close to 30% of Canada’s bilateral humanitarian assistance is provided to civil society organizations, the majority of which are Canadian.
• Canada remains a committed and generous humanitarian donor, ranking as the 8^th largest humanitarian donor in 2021.

Background

Canada’s humanitarian action is focused on saving lives, alleviating suffering and maintaining the dignity of those affected by conflicts and natural disasters. Needs continue to be driven by protracted and violent conflict, contributing to a record 82 million forcibly displaced persons. Rising acute hunger is also compounded by the effects of climate change and the pandemic on food systems worldwide. Over 45 million people currently find themselves on the brink of famine - up starkly from 27 million in 2019 – including in South Sudan, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Nigeria and Yemen. These needs have resulted in an unprecedented USD $41 billion UN Global Humanitarian Appeal in 2022, as a number of large scale humanitarian crises, notably Afghanistan and Ethiopia, continue to deteriorate.

Canada's humanitarian funding by country in 2021

International development research centre

• For over 50 years, the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) has been a valuable and unique part of Canada’s international assistance toolkit, investing in knowledge, innovation, and evidence-based solutions to improve lives in the developing world.
• IDRC’s Strategy 2030 outlines the Centre’s plan for driving change in developing countries through programs in climate- resilient food systems, global health, education and science, democratic and inclusive governance, and sustainable inclusive economies.
• IDRC provides funding to researchers in developing countries to help adapt food systems to the dual shock of the pandemic and climate change; support the continuity of education for children, including refugees; and fill knowledge gaps to prepare for epidemics at the interface of human, animal, and environmental health.

Supplementary Messages

• IDRC is investing more than $50 million in programming specifically related to the COVID-19 pandemic, including a rapid-response research initiative in 42 countries in the Global South to understand the social and economic impacts of the pandemic, advance gender equality, improve existing responses, and generate better policy options for recovery.
• IDRC’s Strategy 2030 aligns well with Canada’s international assistance priorities and the 2030 Agenda, and emphasizes knowledge sharing.
• Climate change and inequality, including gender inequality, are the key global challenges guiding IDRC’s work.

Update

• At the November 2021 launch of the Adaptation Research Alliance at COP26, UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office announced its 88 million GBP Climate Adaptation and Resilience program, to be implemented in large part by IDRC through CLARE (Climate Adaptation and Resilience Program). IDRC will contribute $17 million (10 million GBP).
• In December 2021, IDRC signed an agreement for the second phase of the Joint Canada-Israel Health Research Program, a $21.5 million initiative on biomedical research, in partnership with the Azrieli Foundation, CIHR and the Israel Science Foundation. The first call for proposals has been launched.

Supporting facts and figures

• IDRC’s total budget for FY2020-2021 was $203.1 million, of which $145.7 million came from its parliamentary appropriation, representing about 3% of Canada’s total international assistance envelope. More than a quarter of IDRC’s budget came from donors such as private foundations and bilateral donors.
• Between 2015 and 2020, the value of co-funding agreements signed by Global Affairs Canada for IDRC-implemented joint initiatives was $68 million, or approximately 27% of the total value of the Centre’s joint funding agreements.
• In addition to its head office in Ottawa, IDRC maintains regional offices in Montevideo, Amman, Nairobi, New Delhi, and Dakar.

Background

IDRC was established by an act of Canada’s Parliament in 1970, with a mandate to initiate, encourage, support, and conduct research into the problems of the developing regions of the world and into the means for applying and adapting scientific, technical, and other knowledge to the economic and social advancement of those regions.

LGBTQ2I support and the feminist international assistance policy

• Canada considers the human rights of all persons to be universal and indivisible, including the human rights of LGBTQ2I persons.
• 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 LGBTQ2I people in developing countries.
• This funding is supporting projects that enhance the capacity of Canadian and local grassroots LGBTQ2I actors working in developing countries and contributing to policy, advocacy and research efforts. It has also provided COVID-19 emergency support to help local LGBTQ2I communities in need.

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 address the particular barriers faced by LGBTQ2I persons in contributing to and benefiting from sustainable development.

Update

Since 2019, Canada has committed $14.3 million (of which $3.9 million is disbursed to date) to projects through the LGBTQ2I International Assistance Program to advance human rights and improve socio-economic outcomes for LGBTQ2I people in developing countries.

Supporting facts and figures

According to the latest Global Resources Report in 2017-2018, Canada ranked 8th amongst governments and multilateral funders to LGBTQ2I funding, having invested just over US$5 million in 2017-2018. Building on its previous investments, the $30 million LGBTQ2I International Assistance Program is increasing Canada’s standing among government and multilateral donors supporting these issues.

Background

In line with the Feminist International Assistance Policy, GAC is working with civil society to ensure the meaningful inclusion of LGBTQ2I persons in its international assistance efforts. The department has taken steps to prioritize the implementation of a feminist approach that is intersectional across its policy and programming work in order to fully consider the inequalities that various groups experience. 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 and calls for the application of a gender based analysis plus, human rights-based approach and intersectional lens to all initiatives.

At the Equal Rights Coalition Global Conference held in 2018, Canada committed to identifying strategies to better address the challenges that LGBTQ2I communities face at home and abroad. This included ongoing meaningful engagement with LGBTQ2I 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 LGBTQ2I persons and their representative organizations.

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

Official development assistance levels

• According to OECD preliminary 2020 data:
  • Canada’s official development assistance (ODA) increased by 7% to $6.7 billion;
  • Canada ranks as the 8th largest donor among OECD members in terms of ODA volume.
• In Budget 2021, the Government of Canada announced over $1 billion in new and renewed funding for international assistance including $375 million to respond to COVID-19.
• Since 2020, Canada has allocated over $2.7 billion in international assistance resources for COVID-19 pandemic recovery in developing countries, including nearly $1.7 billion in new resources.

Supplementary Messages

• In Budgets 2018 and 2019, the Government of Canada committed $2.7 billion in new resources to strengthen the impact of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy.
• Canada’s international assistance efforts go beyond what it contributes in aid funding alone. The government is committed to improving aid effectiveness to generate better results for the poorest and most vulnerable and by mobilizing additional public and private financing for sustainable development.
• The development of multi-stakeholder partnerships in support of the 2030 Agenda are essential to fully finance the Sustainable Development Goals.

Supporting facts and figures

• The ODA-eligibility of vaccine-related investments will be determined post- facto, as per OECD-DAC procedures. For this reason, all additional resources mobilized for Canada’s pandemic response are referred to as ‘international assistance’. The exact amount considered ODA will be determined through downstream OECD-DAC reporting procedures.
• Canada reports domestically, on a fiscal year basis, on International Assistance which includes ODA and initiatives funded through the IAE as mandated by the Official Development Assistance Accountability Act.
  • In 2019-2020, Canada reported $6.6 billion in international assistance to Parliament of which $6.1 billion was ODA.
  • Preliminary data for 2020-2021 indicates that Canada provided more than $8.4 billion in international assistance, mainly due to a significant, time-bound increase for the COVID-19 pandemic response. Of this amount, $8.2 billion is considered ODA.
• The OECD-DAC calculates each donor country’s ODA volume and ODA to GNI ratio on a calendar year basis using all official sources of ODA (i.e. national and sub-national entities).
• In 2020, Canada’s net ODA rose by $463 million for a total of $6.7 billion, and it remains the 8th largest DAC donor in total volume.
• In 2020, Canada ranked 13^th among DAC member countries with an ODA/GNI ratio of 0.31 percent, an increase from 0.27 percent in 2019, following Canada’s economic contraction due to the global pandemic (- 6%), and an increase in ODA volume. This is Canada’s highest ODA/GNI level since 2012. Canada’s ODA/GNI ratio of 0.31% compares with an OECD-DAC average of 0.41% and a weighted average of 0.32%.
• In the past 5 years, five countries (Sweden, Luxembourg, Norway, Denmark and UK) have consistently equalled or exceeded an ODA to GNI ratio of 0.7%. Preliminary 2020 ODA/GNI data for other DAC donors includes: Germany (0.73%), France (0.53%), Japan (0.31%), New Zealand (0.27%), Italy (0.22%), Australia (0.19%), and the United States (0.17%).
• Beyond the mandate commitment to increase development assistance every year towards 2020, the government has not made a public commitment to reach an ODA to GNI ratio of 0.7%.
  • In 2020:
    • Bilateral ODA increased by $894 million following exceptional contributions to the Equality Fund of $296 million, support to refugees in Canada (+$214 million, non-IAE), budget increases for innovative climate financing (+$197 million) and timing of payments planned on a fiscal year and reported on a calendar year basis.
    • Multilateral ODA decreased by $432 million due to Finance Canada’s one-year exceptional contribution to the IBRD in 2019 ($250 million), and to the timing of payments planned on a fiscal year and recorded on a calendar year basis, such as GAVI (-$32 million), Global Environment Facility (GEF) (-$30 million) and UN Department of Peace Operations (-$15 million).

Support for democratic institutions

• Canada's feminist foreign policy and Feminist International Assistance Policy highlight democracy as a key driver for sustainable development.
• Today, we see democratic values, processes, and institutions increasingly under threat across the world.
• Canada is working to overcome these harmful trends – in part – through support to democratic institutions, such as elections monitoring bodies, in developing countries.
• The “Year of Action” following the recent US-hosted Summit for Democracy will enable Canada to develop new initiatives to support and strengthen democracy globally.

Update

In the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, democratic systems of governance built on strong institutional capacity, transparency and the trust of the governed have faced increasing challenges from forces of authoritarianism and populism. With growing threats to democracy and democratic institutions globally, there is a renewed impetus to strengthen international cooperation on democracy support among like-minded countries, partner organizations, and civil society. The recent Summit for Democracy convened by President Biden in December 2021 launched a “Year of Action” which provides a framework for Canada’s new initiatives, including our commitments made at the Summit, to situate democracy, human rights, and the rule of law at the centre of our foreign policy. At the Summit, the Prime Minister announced the establishment of a new Canadian centre to support democracy and good governance. Canada will also strengthen its capacity to provide fast and flexible support to fragile or emerging democracies through international assistance and diplomatic efforts.

Supporting facts and figures

• According to a 2021 report by Freedom House, nearly 75 percent of the world’s population live in countries that experienced some form of democratic erosion in the past year, including in both newer and established democracies.
• In 2020-21, Canada disbursed $156 million in democracy support that contributed to activities such as strengthening electoral processes, media freedom, human rights, legislatures, political parties and civil society in 78 countries, out of $353 million in total spending for the Inclusive Governance Action Area.

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.

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

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

Support for people with disabilities in developing countries

• Inclusive development for all marginalized groups, including persons with disabilities, is an important part of our Feminist International Assistance Policy.
• 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 through advocacy in multilateral forums and international development assistance programming, Canada advocates for the full inclusion of persons with disabilities in all aspects of society and is committed to supporting their human rights through our multilateral initiatives and international assistance activities.

Supplementary Message

• Canada’s development programs seek to ensure our initiatives across all sectors respond to the needs of vulnerable and marginalized groups including persons with disabilities.

Update

At the 2018 Global Disability Summit, Canada announced a suite of seven commitments towards disability inclusion in Canada’s international assistance efforts. These commitments have been met, notably, by ensuring that the interests and priorities of girls with disabilities were taken into account in the development and delivery of Canada’s $400 million G7 commitment on girls’ education, by hosting the Global Action on Disability Network’s Annual General Meeting in 2019, and by tracking and reporting on its international assistance using the new disability marker agreed upon by members of the OECD to provide greater accountability and accuracy in reporting.

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

Supporting facts and figures

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

Background

In addition to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (ratified by Canada in 2010), Canada is bound by the following international commitments to ensure inclusive development for persons with disabilities:

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

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

International migration

• Safe, orderly and regular migration can make a significant contribution to inclusive growth and sustainable development, which is especially relevant in the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Irregular migration is a global challenge which requires more effective international cooperation to protect the rights of migrants and facilitate the positive benefits of migration.
• Canada is a strong supporter and Champion country of the Global Compact for Migration (GCM), including as a means for cooperation between nations to manage migration effectively.

Supplementary Messages

• On the basis on needs, Canada provides humanitarian assistance to persons on the move in vulnerable situations. Canada also provides long-term development assistance to address the root causes of irregular migration and improve the safety and security of migrants.
• Canada recognizes that women, girls, marginalized and vulnerable groups experience migration differently, and responds with tailored programming to ensure no one is left behind.
• The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated existing situations of vulnerability for some migrants, while also demonstrating the invaluable contributions of migrants on the front lines in key sectors. A sustainable recovery from the pandemic requires migrants and migration.

Supporting facts and figures

• The International Organization for Migration (IOM) estimates that there are currently 281 million international migrants, constituting 3.6% of the world population; a trend that has continued to increase over the past 5 decades.
• On December 18, 2021, a joint statement was released by Ministers Sajjan, Joly and Fraser in recognition of International Migrants Day.
• Canada joined 151 UN member states to adopt the GCM in 2018 and is one of 29 GCM Champion countries.
• Canada participated at the Ministerial-level in two regional reviews of the GCM: Minister Mendicino represented Canada at the November 2020 review for the European region, while Minister Gould represented Canada at the April 2021 Latin America and Caribbean regional review.
• In May 2022, Canada will participate at a high-level in the first Global Review of the GCM, the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF).

Background

Most migration is through regular channels and can contribute significantly to social and economic development. Some migrants resort to irregular migration, notably when regular channels are limited, undertaking dangerous journeys often facilitated by smugglers, leaving migrants (especially women, girls and LGBTI persons) more vulnerable to trafficking of persons, human rights abuses, exploitation, physical and sexual violence. Canada’s international assistance provides funding to a multitude of partners for programming in several regions to address the root causes of irregular migration, combat migrant smuggling and human trafficking, deter irregular migration, and meet the needs of migrants.

Migration is a development issue that benefits from multilateral cooperation within a rules-based international system. To this end, Canada actively participated in the negotiation of the GCM - the first inter-governmentally negotiated document to cover all aspects of the international migration journey - and remains committed to its principles and objectives. In 2020, Canada accepted an invitation from the UN Network on Migration to act as a GCM Champion country. In this role, Canada shares helpful practices in four priority areas: 1) integration and social cohesion; 2) balanced narratives on migration; 3) creating more regular migration pathways; and 4) a gender-responsive approach to migration management. Canada recognizes the explicit linkage between the implementation of the GCM and the attainment of the 2030 Agenda.

Canada’s GCM efforts are distinct from, yet complementary to, its approach to protection diplomacy. The Global Compact on Refugees (GCR) is intended to support the building of a stronger, fairer response to global refugees, who are defined and protected in international law. The GCR and GCM were developed through two distinct processes with different objectives, but with the overarching aim of establishing clear frameworks for their respective areas. However, a number of the key initiatives Canada is leading in support of GCR implementation, including the chairmanship of the Central America and Mexico Comprehensive Regional Protection and Solutions Framework (MIRPS) Support Platform and acting as a champion of the Task Force for Complementary Pathways with the UNHCR, have indirect effects on advancing the GCM. For instance, the MIRPS Support Platform, as a mechanism to support comprehensive responses to regional situations of forced displacement, contributes to wider efforts to minimize irregular pathways.

Food security in the Horn of Africa^{Footnote 4}

• Canada is concerned about the present food security crisis in the Horn of Africa. The region is experiencing the driest conditions recorded since 1981, with severe drought leaving an estimated 13 million people across Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia facing severe hunger in the first quarter of this year.
• As the 4th largest bilateral donor of the United Nations World Food Programme (394 million in 2021, including over 306 million in humanitarian assistance) Global Affairs Canada closely cooperates with WFP and is monitoring the crisis situation.
• Alongside specific food security programming in Sub-Saharan Africa, including in the Horn of Africa, Canada supports agriculture and food systems programming that helps increase food security and reduce poverty for vulnerable populations, especially women and girls. For example, Canada’s long- standing contributions to Ethiopia’s national Productive Safety Nets Program (PSNP) have been successful in increasing access to nutrition, dietary diversity and food security for millions of Ethiopians.

Supplementary Messages

• Canada provides international food security-related assistance via experienced multilateral partners such as WFP, FAO and IFAD, as well as via Canadian partners such as the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Seed Change, Farm Radio International in support of national food security priorities.
• Canada also helps countries better plan, prepare and respond to natural disasters and extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change, including through innovative market-based approaches such as sovereign- level drought insurance.
• Canada actively participates in high-level consultative forums on food security issues to ensure coordinated efforts and to maximize impact. This includes 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 security continues to be at risk in SSA, including in the Horn of Africa, with significant, sustained impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic; many states experiencing high levels of corruption and state fragility or open conflict; and worsening climate risks. Women and girls are amongst the most vulnerable to food insecurity.
• The African continent is currently not on track to meet the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, specifically goal 2, which aims to end hunger and ensure access by all people to safe, nutritious and sufficient food.
• WFP is expected to launch its Regional Drought Response Plan for the Horn of Africa shortly. It will call for US$ 327 million to respond to immediate needs of 4.5 million people over the next six months and help communities become more resilient to extreme climate shocks, shortly.

RESPONSIVE: Will Canada respond?

• GAC has been monitoring the worsening drought conditions in southern Ethiopia, northern and eastern Kenya, and Somalia for several months. These needs will be addressed as part of Canada’s initial humanitarian assistance allocations to respond to needs around the world for 2022, for which recommendations are currently being prepared.

Supporting facts and figures

• The 2021 Global Food Security Index records weak average performance of Horn of Africa countries. General challenges faced to attain greater food security include high poverty rates, weak agricultural and transportation infrastructure, as well as fragile political environments, such as the conflict in Ethiopia.
• Canada supports climate-smart agriculture, gender-transformative approaches in agriculture and the development of sustainable food systems. These are principal areas of focus to deliver on the Environment and Climate Action, and Growth that Works for Everyone action areas of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy.
• In 2021, Global Affairs Canada provided a total of $34.35 million in humanitarian funding to WFP to provide food and nutrition assistance to people affected by crisis, as well as logistics services to support the humanitarian response, in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia.

Background

• Historically, efforts to improve agriculture and food systems focused on increasing the supply of food. Now, the global community addresses the root causes of food insecurity by using a food systems approach, considering production to consumption and final use, taking into account social, economic and environmental elements.
• The impacts of food insecurity are compounded by increases in staple food prices, inflation, and low demand for agricultural labour, further worsening families' ability to buy food. Malnutrition rates remain high across the region.
• In the Horn of Africa as across Sub-Saharan Africa, women play a vital role in food production, distribution, and preparation, and often comprise the largest percentage of the workforce in the agricultural sector.
• In February 2022, WFP reported that a worsening drought threatens 13 million people in the Horn of Africa with severe hunger, as the region grapples with several seasons of failed rains leading to the driest conditions since 1981.

Security and humanitarian challenges in Cameroon

• Canada is deeply concerned by the continuing violence in the Northwest and Southwest regions (NWSW) of Cameroon, especially its devastating impact on children and their right to access education safely. We urge all parties involved to end violence against children and to seek an inclusive mediated solution.

• In 2019-2020, Canadian aid to Cameroon totaled more than $35 million across all channels. In 2021, Canada allocated a total of $5.81 million in gender-responsive humanitarian assistance, including in protection, health, food security, nutrition, water, sanitation and hygiene, and shelter to assist conflict-affected populations.

Supplementary Messages

• Rising violence and deaths in the far North and Lake Chad basin due to intercommunal conflict between herders and pastoralists, as well as ongoing attacks by Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa, are also concerning. We encourage the Government of Cameroon to take effective measures to address the root causes of this conflict to manage conflict over scarce resources and reduce the influence of violent extremism.
• [REDACTED].

Supporting facts and figures

• On February 14, the High Commission of Canada in Cameroon issued a joint statement (together with Norway, South Africa, Switzerland, UK and the US) on the right to education, urging all parties to the conflict to ensure that children can attend school in safety: to stop attacking schools, teachers and children; to support the right to attend school; and to hold accountable those who work to deny access to places of learning. This followed a recent attack, on February 11, claimed by the Ambazonia Restoration Forces (a separatists group), where a girls-only school dorms and classrooms was torched in retaliation for the school preparing to participate in the National Youth Day activities planned by the Government.
• [REDACTED]. Through the Equality Fund ($300 million), Canada has also been providing since 2019 predictable and flexible funding, along with technical assistance, to women’s organizations and movements in developing countries, including in Cameroon.
• Then-minister Garneau had a phone call with Cameroon's Minister of External Relations, Lejeune Mbella Mbella, on March 11, 2021, in which he raised concerns about the situation in the North-West and South-West.
• To support Cameroon’s response to the impacts of Covid-19, Canada allocated $800,000 to fund nine small-scale projects providing preventive health programs in crisis-affected areas and to the most vulnerable, as well as to shore up frontline workers’ capacities. Canada also allocated $1 million to UNICEF as part of its “Equitable Access to Inclusive Education in Cameroon”. Since February 2020, Canada has committed over $2.6 billion towards the global COVID-19 response.

Background

Cameroon faces significant security and humanitarian challenges on three fronts: in the Far North region, where the terrorist group Boko Haram regained momentum in 2019 and recent intercommunal clashes over dwindling natural resources have led to displacement and substantial loss of livelihood; in the North-West and South-West regions, where long-standing grievances of the Anglophone minority community have since 2016 turned into an armed conflict; and in the eastern region with the spillover from the Central African Republic and a recent influx of refugees.

In 2019, Switzerland nominated a special envoy to mediate between the government and the armed groups. Unfortunately, since this nomination, the first face-to-face meeting to discuss a mediated settlement has not yet materialized.

From early 2017, separatist fighters began to order and enforce a school boycott, citing their opposition to Francophone education imposed by the central government. Attacks by armed separatist groups on students, teachers, and schools in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions have had a devastating impact on children’s right to education (according to the UN, about 800,000 children are out of school). Working with like- mindeds, Canada is focussing its leadership on protecting access to education in conflict.

The general humanitarian situation in Cameroon has deteriorated sharply over the last year due to the interplay of these protracted crises. The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on the economy, exacerbated existing vulnerabilities and food insecurity, particularly in regions already impacted by displacement and climatic shocks. According to UN OCHA, in 2022, there are 4 million people in Cameroon in need of lifesaving humanitarian assistance. With more than 467,000 refugees and more than 1.4 million internally displaced in Cameroon, the recurring violence and attacks continue to aggravate the prevalence of food insecurity.

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.
• 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.
• Our development assistance focusses on health and nutrition, education, economic growth, inclusive governance, climate change, and peace and security.

Supplementary Messages

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

Supporting facts and figures

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

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 and recent military coups in Burkina Faso (January 2022), Mali (August 2020 and May 2021) and an unconstitutional transition in Chad (April 2021).

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

Assistance to China

• In 2020-21, $4.41 million was channeled to China-related programming though multilateral institutions.
• $2.83 million in bilateral expenditures for China represent primarily funding to the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED), Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) projects, and scholarships.
• All Canadian development assistance activities are carried out in strict accordance with Canadian interests, values and standards.

Supplementary Messages

• Based on its GNI per capita, China is considered an eligible official development assistance (ODA) recipient under the OECD-DAC definition. Canadian ODA in China is provided through experienced organizations on the ground, and not via the Government directly.
• As part of our commitment to promote sustainable development around the world, Canada is a member Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) in which China and many other developing countries meet the eligibility criteria for development assistance.
• MDBs where Canada is a shareholder 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).

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.
• The majority of the AIIB’s active projects are co-funded with other longstanding multilateral development banks, and are accordingly governed by well-established standards, rules and norms.

Background

Assistance to China: Canada’s bilateral development assistance program to China began in 1981 and expired in 2013. However, China remains an eligible ODA recipient under the OECD eligibility criteria, therefore some of Canada’s funding to multilateral development banks constitute international assistance to China. In 2020-21, Canada’s international assistance to China totaled $7.23 million: $2.83 million in bilateral spending and $4.41 million in multilateral spending. Canada's bilateral expenditures are comprised mainly of funding to the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED) ($1.6 million), Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI) ($650,000), and the Canada-China Scholars' Exchange the Program (CCSEP) ($145,200).

The China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED): Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is the departmental lead on Canada’s participation in CCICED. CCICED is an international advisory body that provides research-based policy recommendations on environmental and development issues. Canada recently confirmed its renewed funding contribution for Phase VII of the China Council (2022-2027). Total funding for Phase VII is CAN $8,012,400 million, which is the same as it was for Phase VI. CCICED funding is transferred from GAC to ECCC in annual installments of $1.6 million, for a total of $8 million over 5 years drawn from Canada’s official development assistance (ODA) envelope. Both Canada and China provide approximately equal shares of CCICED’s overall budget (1/3 each) with the remaining 1/3 provided by other participating partners including the EU, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway.

Canadian Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI): Canada provides modest funding for small-scale, short-term (usually 1 to 2 years) and high-impact projects to address local needs. The Canadian Embassy in Beijing administers and manages CFLI projects in China and the Canadian Ambassador to China is responsible for project approval. These projects are implemented mainly by local non-governmental organizations and are focused on the action areas of: equality and the empowerment of women and girls; inclusive governance; human dignity; growth that works for everyone; and environment and climate action.

Canada-China Scholars' Exchange Program (CCSEP): CSSEP was established in 1973 as an official bilateral academic exchange program. Over the past 47 years, more than 1000 scholars have participated in the program. For inbound Chinese recipients, Canada provides a grant of $2,200 per month, which covers medical insurance, visa, work permit, and living expenses, while the Government of China pays for their travel to Canada. For outbound Canadian recipients, Canada covers the cost of travel to China for up to $3,300 per return ticket, while the Government of China covers their tuition and living expenses in China.

Canada’s total CCSEP expenditure for 2020-2021 was $145,200. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, none of the Canadian recipients were able to take up their scholarship due ongoing travel restrictions and border closures established by China. Similarly, only two of the 9 Chinese recipients were able to travel to Canada due to Canada’s COVID-related border measures.

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

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

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 global infrastructure initiatives that seek quality and professionalism, all while respecting international standards 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 debt relief efforts to which it has agreed. China must contribute its share of debt relief and adhere to the terms and spirit of these crucial efforts.

Responsive – BRI and Debt Sustainability

• [REDACTED].
• 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 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.
• Minister Freeland is Canada’s Governor of the AIIB and would be best placed to answer specific questions regarding this institution.

Supporting facts and figures

• China reports that it has signed 203 BRI cooperation documents with 138 countries and 31 international organizations.
• Despite limited transparency, there is 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 surrounding 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. [REDACTED]. 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, advocated for reduced transparency in CF debt treatments and caused significant delays, thus hampering multilateral debt treatment efforts.

G7 Infrastructure Finance: The G7 is exploring a new strategic framework for infrastructure financing in order to provide developing countries with higher standard alternatives to existing funding sources. Canada is supportive in principle of both the UK’s Clean and Green Initiative and the US’s Building Back Better for the World (B3W).

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. The majority 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.

Rohingya crisis

• One year after the Myanmar military coup, Canada is concerned about the intensifying conflict and worsening humanitarian crisis in Myanmar and protracted Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh. It is critical that the international community works collectively to meet the needs of these vulnerable and conflict-affected populations.
• In Budget 2021, it was announced that Canada will dedicate $288.3 million from 2021 to 2024 to continue our development and peace and stabilization efforts in Myanmar and Bangladesh. This will be complemented by life-saving humanitarian assistance, in accordance with needs.
• Canada continues to advocate for all marginalized and conflict-affected communities in Myanmar and a peaceful return to democracy.

Supplementary Messages

• Canada is pursuing a four-pillar policy response to the crisis, with a focus on the restoration of democratic rule and release of political detainees, support for the ongoing needs of conflict-affected populations in Myanmar, continued support for Rohingya refugees and host communities in Bangladesh, and pursuing accountability for serious human rights violations.
• As the prospects for the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of the nearly one million Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh are further diminished by the military coup that took place in Myanmar, Canada continues to work with international partners to ensure that Rohingya refugees live in safety and with dignity.
• As the security situation in Myanmar is dire, Canada will continue to support access to essential services, freedom of movement, and livelihood opportunities for vulnerable populations, including among the estimated 600,000 remaining Rohingya in Rakhine State. Canada will advocate for an inclusive, sustainable peace and return to democracy.

Update

Following the Myanmar military’s large scale and targeted attacks against the largely Muslim Rohingya minority, in August 2017, some 727,000 fled to Bangladesh, joining hundreds of thousands of Rohingya people who fled previous targeted violence over decades. Now close to one million Rohingya live in extremely difficult conditions in Cox’s Bazar, the world’s largest refugee camp. Refugees are reliant on international assistance for their basic needs, including shelter, water and sanitation, healthcare, and food. The influx of refugees has also impacted host communities, depressing wages and increasing competition for resources and services including access to health care. Roughly, 600,000 Rohingya remain in Rakhine State (Myanmar), where they face systematic discrimination limiting their access to essential services, freedom of movement, pathways to citizenship and livelihood opportunities. The military coup that took place in Myanmar on February 1, 2021 and its aftermath have eliminated any progress and the prospect for the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of Rohingya to Myanmar.

Supporting facts and figures

• From 2018 to 2021, with its Strategy to Respond to the Rohingya Crisis in Myanmar and Bangladesh, Canada dedicated $300 million to address the humanitarian, development, and peace and stabilization needs, and international accountability efforts. As of March 31, 2021, Canada has spent the full amount dedicated towards this Strategy.
• A year after the coup, country-wide conflict and the ensuing socio-economic crisis (exacerbated by COVID-19) has nearly doubled poverty, with 14.4 million people in need, 13.2 million food insecure, 9.4 million facing protection risks, and 2.5 million in conflict zones in need of health care.
• From 2021 to 2024, Canada will allocate $288.3 million over three years for the next phase of the Rohingya Strategy in Myanmar and Bangladesh.
• Of this amount, $83 million will support development programming in Myanmar, $145 million for Bangladesh development projects, and $24 million for Peace and Stabilization Operations programming.
• In addition, Canada will continue to provide life-saving humanitarian assistance to populations in need in Bangladesh and Myanmar, in accordance with needs.

Background

In August 2017, systematic, large-scale and targeted attacks by Myanmar’s security forces caused over 727,000 Rohingya in Rakhine State to flee to Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh, where refugees live in difficult conditions. The influx has also resulted in significant humanitarian and development needs in Cox's Bazar.

The humanitarian and security situation in Rakhine State is also dire, with an estimated 600,000 Rohingya remaining in Rakhine State, where they face systematic discrimination limiting their access to essential services, freedom of movement, pathways to citizenship and livelihood opportunities.

The February 1, 2021 Myanmar military coup has eliminated near term prospects for the safe, voluntary, dignified and sustainable return of Rohingya to Myanmar. Bangladesh is seeking repatriation of the Rohingya refugees they host. The Rohingya cannot return to a country governed by those they fled – the same military accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide.

Canada’s Response to the Rohingya and Myanmar Crises

Canada has spent the full $300 million dedicated towards “Canada’s Strategy to Respond to the Rohingya Crisis in Myanmar and Bangladesh” (2018-2021), to address humanitarian, development, peace and stabilization needs, as well as support for positive political developments in Myanmar and accountability efforts.

In Myanmar, bilateral development projects have supported and continue to support efforts to counter sexual and gender-based violence and to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights; strengthen women’s voices and leadership; and strengthen inclusive governance and the capacity of local CSOs.

In Bangladesh, bilateral development funding helped mitigate the impact of the refugee crisis on host communities through programming in areas such as livelihoods, community cohesion, education, and environment. It also provided longer-term learning opportunities and health services for refugees.

Peace and stabilization programming has supported the effective participation of women in the peace process and peacebuilding activities and the pursuit of international justice and accountability for serious human rights abuses and international crimes.

Humanitarian assistance funding has helped address the life-saving needs of Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, as well as of displaced and other vulnerable and conflict-affected populations in Myanmar, with an emphasis on gender-responsive programming.

In Budget 2021, the Government of Canada committed a further $288.3 million (from 2021 to 2024) to support the next phase of this strategy in Myanmar and Bangladesh. Canada will continue to support vulnerable populations in Myanmar, particularly women and ethnic minority groups, working mainly through civil society organizations, champions of democratization, and human rights defenders. Canada continues to work with international partners to ensure that Rohingya refugees live in safety and with dignity and to support Bangladeshi host communities whose lives have been impacted by the crisis.

This will be complemented by life-saving humanitarian assistance to conflict-affected populations in Bangladesh and Myanmar, in accordance with needs.

Indo-Pacific

• The Indo-Pacific region is an area of rising economic and strategic importance for Canada.
• We are committed to diversifying our engagement and deepening our diplomatic, economic, security and development partnerships in the region.
• A free, open and inclusive Indo-Pacific is a priority shared by all G7 countries.

Supplementary Messages

• As a Pacific nation, and given the increasing importance of the Indo-Pacific to Canada’s prosperity and security, we are committed to working with all of our partners in the region.
• If current socio-economic trends continue, the region could miss all of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
• Canada’s ongoing development assistance is supporting country partners to address some of the most pressing development concerns in the region.

Supporting facts and figures

• The Indo-Pacific region will increasingly be central to shaping the international order and addressing global challenges.
• It is home to nearly 60% of the world’s population, including 1.1 billion poor.
• It represents 1/3 of global output, which is expected to grow to 50% in 20 years.
• It faces important challenges with respect to governance, human rights and the rule of law.
• A number of flashpoints threaten regional security and stability, including tensions in the East and South China Seas, on the Korean Peninsula, across the Taiwan Strait, and along the India-China border.
• It is the world’s most disaster-prone region, and is greatly impacted by climate change. It accounts for 53% of global CO2 emissions.
• The region has significant requirements for new infrastructure, with an estimated need of US$26 trillion by 2030.
• It is also a major hotspot for infectious diseases (e.g. COVID-19, SARS).
• The trends and developments in the Indo-Pacific will have a greater impact than any other region on Canada’s security and prosperity in the coming decades.

Background

The Indo-Pacific refers to the vast land and maritime arc situated between Northeast Asia and the Indian sub-continent, and growing interdependence of the Pacific and the Indian Ocean regions. A growing number of Canada’s partners and allies have articulated country and/or institutional level frameworks for the region: Australia (2013), Japan (2016), U.S. (2017), India (2018), France (2018), ASEAN (2019), Germany (2020), Netherlands (2020), the UK (2021) and most recently the EU (2021).

Canada publicly supported a “free and open Indo-Pacific” during its G7 presidency in 2018 and has since signed on to forward-leading Indo-Pacific references in all G7 foreign minister and leader-level communiqués. In joint statements with PM Modi in 2018 and then-PM Abe in 2019, Prime Minister Trudeau reaffirmed the importance of working with India and Japan in the Indo-Pacific.

Haiti

• Canada is deeply concerned about the worsening multi- dimensional crisis in Haiti, and its impact on the daily lives and rights of Haitians.
• Canada is concerned by the rise of insecurity in Haiti, and calls on the international community to work in close collaboration to facilitate a return to stability.
• Canada encourages a Haitian-led solution to the current political crisis, and we urge the Haitian government to advance an inclusive political dialogue that would lay the foundation for free and credible elections.

Supplementary Messages

• Following the August 14 earthquake, Canada contributed over $13 million in humanitarian assistance in 2021 to support the delivery of life-saving humanitarian assistance, and particularly food assistance to vulnerable populations affected by the earthquake.
• Canada announced a financial commitment of $19.5 million at the International Event for the Financing of the Reconstruction of the Southern Peninsula of Haiti on February 16. This funding will contribute to supporting earthquake victims, post-disaster rehabilitation as well as to improving security and integrated health services for women, adolescent girls and children. It also builds on the $50.4 million in funding announced by Canada at January’s foreign ministers’ meeting on Haiti.
• Recognizing the growing food crisis, which is compounded by heightened criminality and fragile public institutions, Canada continues to deliver critical humanitarian assistance and to support community resilience as it relates to food security, health, education and sustainable economic growth.
• We are also closely following the evolution of the COVID-19 pandemic in Haiti, to which Canada contributed $16.6 million through its programming to help address the impacts of the virus, and will continue to assess options for additional support.

Background

Development assistance: Since the 2010 earthquake, Canada has contributed $1.87 billion to Haiti. With an overall annual assistance budget of approximately $89 million, Canada is Haiti’s second-largest bilateral donor, after the United States.

Ministerial meeting on Haiti: Chaired by Canada on January 21, 2022, and marked by the attendance of Prime Minister Ariel Henry, this meeting brought together 27 representatives countries as well as representatives from regional and international organizations. It provided an opportunity for participants to discuss key issues facing the country, including: political dialogue and future elections; insecurity; the humanitarian crisis, and; post-earthquake reconstruction. Canada also highlight the importance of improving coordination of international assistance, and announced a financial commitment of $50.4 million for nine initiatives focused on security, sexual and reproductive health and rights, inclusive economic growth and humanitarian aid.

Political situation: As of February 7, the political situation in Haiti is entirely outside its constitutional framework. This date should have marked the end of the mandate of President Moïse, assassinated in July 2021, and thus that of PM Henry. While a certain level of calm remains, it is possible that groups will call for the departure of PM Henry. PM Henry remains committed to holding elections in 2022, despite an agreement being reached on January 11 between civil society and opposition groups (Montana Group and National Memorandum of Understanding) for a two-year transitional governance (elections in 2023).

Security situation and Canadian initiatives: Over the past year, Haiti has faced a significant deterioration in the security situation, characterized by an increase in gang activity (clashes, kidnappings and assassinations), with gangs, [REDACTED], benefitting from almost total impunity. According to the Haitian National Police, at least 2,344 people were killed, injured or kidnapped as a result of armed violence between January and December 2021. In 2021, 46 police officers were killed, compared to 30 in 2020. Building on more than 11 years of support to the National Police Academy (ANP), Canada plans to continue to support the security sector through the ANP ($10 million, project approved) and the United Nations Development Program Security Basket Fund ($5 million to $10 million).

COVID-19 situation: Facilitated by COVAX, the vaccination campaign in Haiti began in July 2021. However, only 0.83% of the population is fully vaccinated. Through its programming, Canada contributed $16.6 million to help address the impacts of the virus.

Humanitarian situation: 44% of the population is suffering from an acute food crisis, including 1.1 million people experiencing a food emergency. On August 14, an earthquake struck the Southern Region, or ‘Grand Sud’ of Haiti (2,300 dead, 12,800 injured, 690,000 affected). In 2021, Canada provided $13 million in humanitarian and food assistance, including in support of earthquake victims.

International Event for the Financing of the Reconstruction of the Southern Peninsula of Haiti on February 16: Based on the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment which summarizes a total of US$2 billion in funding requirements, a total of US$ 600 million was raised for reconstruction and to address the humanitarian crisis, including a financial commitment of $19.5 million announced by Canada (support to the National Police Academy ($10 million); women’s and girls’ health ($1 million); post- disaster rehabilitation ($4 million); and humanitarian assistance ($4.5 million)).

Venezuela

• Deeply concerned by the crisis in Venezuela and the resulting impacts on Venezuelans, including in the region.
• Canada successfully hosted the International Donors’ Conference in Solidarity with Venezuelan Refugees and Migrants in June 2021, increasing international visibility and funding to the crisis.
• Canada has taken steps to promote the inclusion of women and civil society in negotiation efforts between the Maduro regime and democratic forces.

Supplementary Messages

• Since 2019, Canada has provided over $125 million to support the response to the Venezuela crisis, three-quarters of which were targeted towards a regional response.
• In 2021, Canada commenced development programming inside Venezuela to address longer-term needs in education, health, and livelihoods.
• Budget 2021 announced up to $59.9 million over two fiscal years in new funding to respond to the increasing development, security and migration- related needs arising from the Venezuela refugee and migrant crisis, now the second-largest global displacement crisis.

Update

On November 5, the International Criminal Court (ICC) opened a formal investigation into possible crimes against humanity perpetrated in Venezuela since 2017. After three rounds, the Maduro regime "suspended” its participation in a Norwegian- facilitated negotiation process with the democratic forces in retaliation for the US extradition of suspected regime financier, Alex Saab. The Democratic forces remain ready to resume dialogue but have limited leverage to force the regime back to the negotiation table.

Supporting facts and figures

• According to the 2022 UN Global Humanitarian Overview 7 million people inside Venezuela will require humanitarian assistance in the coming year. Poverty rate is estimated to be above 94% (extreme poverty at 76%).
• Three projects, funded through Peace and Stabilization Operations Program, are supporting the inclusion of women and civil society in the negotiation process.
• Over 6 million Venezuelans have left or fled their country since 2015. Colombia (1.8 million), Peru (1.3 million), Ecuador (508,000) and Chile (448,000) host the largest populations, stretching response capacities, already burdened by Covid-19.
• In 2021, the UN has appealed for US$708 million to cover the needs of 4.5 million inside Venezuela, and US$1.8 billion to respond the regional Venezuelan refugees and migrant crisis (3.8 million people targeted).

Background

[REDACTED]. On June 17, Canada-hosted Conference successfully increased international visibility; mobilized resources, including seven new donors; and expanded stakeholder engagement, including the private sector and Venezuelan refugees and migrants. International donors pledged a total of US$ 2.35 billion, including $957 million USD in grants (a 45% increase from last year) and $1.4 billion USD in loans. Within this amount, Canada pledged $115.4 million CAD, making it the third largest grant-pledging donor, after the U.S. and the EU. Canada’s development program commenced with initial support of $4.1 million in education support in FY 20/21, with an increase to $10 million per year to support education, health and livelihoods in FY 21/22.

Middle East strategy

• Canada is helping make a real difference in Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon, committing over $4 billion since 2016.
• In line with our international feminist policies, we are achieving strong results especially for women and girls and focusing on supporting vulnerable populations.
• Canada’s Strategy expires March 2022, and we are currently considering options for future engagement.

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, needs- based humanitarian support and development assistance.
• Canada supports experienced and principled humanitarian partners, including UN agencies, multilateral organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to ensure timely delivery of critical aid.
• In line with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy, programming aims to address the needs, rights and interests of women and girls by providing assistance to support their economic empowerment and resilience.

Update

The current Whole-of-Government Middle East Strategy expires March 31, 2022 and Canada is considering options to address future needs and challenges in the region.

Supporting facts and figures

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

This paved the way for Canada to:

• help procure 3.5 million vaccine doses for Lebanon, and upgrade ICUs/labs, procure PPE, equipment and supplies for Jordan, in support of inclusive COVID-19 strategies;
• support over 2.6 million children in Jordan and Lebanon with expanded access to public education, including 350,000 refugee children; train 120,000 educators; and help 3,700 schools to provide more inclusive learning environments;
• enhance access to critical water infrastructure and waste management, sanitation and hygiene facilities for over 3 million conflict-affected people in Iraq and Jordan;
• support over 88,000 women and men with improved vocational skills and jobs; and, over 50,000 women and youth-led businesses with the dedicated support and resources needed to grow their businesses;
• Canada is a top-tier humanitarian donor to address the crises in Iraq and Syria, and their impact on Lebanon and Jordan, utilizing a flexible approach that allows partners to better prepare and respond to the evolving situation.
• In 2021, humanitarian assistance helped: provide over 8 million beneficiaries with food assistance each month through the World Food Programme; 5.3 million people benefit from improved lifesaving water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services through UNICEF; and reach 1.5 million beneficiaries with emergency cash assistance through the UN High Commissioner for Refugees.
• In addition, other pillars of the Strategy supported more than doubling of women’s representation in Jordan’s security agencies to advance the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda.

Background

The Middle East Strategy was launched in February 2016 to respond to the crises in Iraq and Syria, and their impact on the region, particularly Jordan and Lebanon. The Strategy committed over $4 billion over six years 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

• Canada remains committed to assisting the Lebanese people and vulnerable communities in the country and has committed over $426 million in international assistance for Lebanon since 2016 under the Middle East Strategy.
• Following the Beirut explosion, Canada provided $30 million to respond to humanitarian and early recovery needs.
• An additional $20 million is being provided for the socio- economic recovery of vulnerable people and businesses.

Supplementary Messages

• Canada provides assistance via experienced partners; no direct support is provided to the Lebanese government.
• Canada, along with likeminded countries, is calling on Lebanon to implement urgent reforms.
• Canada strongly supports the engagement of civil society and women’s organizations in recovery and reform efforts.

Update

Lebanon risks political, economic and societal collapse after decades of misgovernment and corruption. The country faces skyrocketing rates of poverty, inflation, unemployment and public debt – a situation that has been exacerbated by the impacts of COVID-19 and the August 4, 2020 explosion at the Port of Beirut. The conditions for Lebanese citizens are dire and deteriorating quickly, while those for significant populations of Syrian and Palestinian refugees and migrants that reside in the country are worse. The UN estimates that over 80% of the population, including over 90% of refugee households, now live in poverty and are unable to meet their most basic needs.

Supporting facts and figures

• Canada quickly provided $30 million in assistance following the explosion to respond to immediate humanitarian and early recovery needs. This included contributions to UN agencies, the Lebanese Red Cross and $8 million in matching funds to the Humanitarian Coalition and its Canadian NGO members.
• Canada is providing an additional $20 million to the Lebanon Financing Facility to support medium-term recovery. Canada is the second largest donor to this multi- donor fund.
• Canada is currently one of the top three humanitarian donors and one of the top six bilateral donors (humanitarian and development) in Lebanon.

Background

• Canada has ensured high-level participation (PM pre-recorded statements or Ministerial participation) in all three France-UN-hosted International Support Conferences for Lebanon, since August 2020, to reiterate Canada’s support for the Lebanese people.
• The former Minister of Foreign Affairs François-Philippe Champagne visited Beirut in late August 2020 to meet with affected communities and Canadian partners responding to urgent needs.
• The empowerment of women and girls remains a central focus of Canada’s international assistance efforts in Lebanon, from gender-responsive humanitarian action to ensuring an enhanced role for women in a more peaceful, just and prosperous Lebanon.

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), growth that works for everyone, and inclusive governance.
• Canada remains deeply concerned about the humanitarian conditions in Gaza, which deteriorated further following the escalation of violence in May 2021.
• 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

Supporting facts and figures

• Canada helps to meet the development and humanitarian needs of vulnerable Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. Examples of recent commitments include: $18 million over two years for humanitarian needs; $90 million over three years to UNRWA to support Palestinian refugees in the region; and $25 million for urgent needs, recovery, and peacebuilding following the escalation of violence in May 2021 (as of January 2022, $10 million had been allocated to UN agencies with proven track records of delivering assistance effectively and in accordance with Canadian requirements).
• According to the World Bank, due to the May 2021 violence, the poverty rate in Gaza further increased, reaching nearly 60 per cent, over 2 percentage points higher than the COVID-19 induced peak in 2020.
• According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, almost 1 in 2 Palestinians requires humanitarian assistance. Of those in need, approximately 49% are women, 45% are children, and 2.4% are people with disabilities.
• 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 2022: In December 2021, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs released its Humanitarian Response Plan 2022 for the West Bank and Gaza (HRP 2022). Funding needs for HRP 2022 total US $510 million, a 22% increase compared to HRP 2021. Current needs in the West Bank and Gaza reflect the compounding effect of the COVID-19 pandemic and the May 2021 escalation of violence on the ongoing humanitarian situation. Current needs are significant across all humanitarian sectors, including protection; food security and livelihoods; sexual and gender based violence; and emergency water, sanitation, and hygiene.

Yemen

• Canada remains deeply concerned by the situation in Yemen and the humanitarian impact on civilians, particularly women and children, who bear the brunt of the crisis.
• Since the start of the conflict in 2015, Canada has provided over $300 million in humanitarian funding for Yemen.
• Canada continues to call on all parties to the conflict to comply with international humanitarian law. This includes the facilitation of rapid and unimpeded humanitarian relief for civilians in need.

Supplementary Messages

• We note the significant level of humanitarian needs, in particular food insecurity, with 16.2 million people facing emergency levels in 2022.
• We are deeply concerned with the latest escalation of violence in Yemen, as well as in the region, and continue to urge all parties to de-escalate hostilities.
• Canada condemns the continued targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure in Yemen and in neighboring countries.
• We commend and support the efforts of the UN Special Envoy of the Secretary General for Yemen to achieve a lasting ceasefire and encourage an inclusive and sustainable peace process.

Update

Since 2015, over 18,400 civilians have been killed or wounded as a result of actions by all parties to the conflict. This includes recent missile and drone attacks against civilian targets in the UAE and Saudi Arabia by the Iran-backed Houthis. The Saudi- led Coalition continues to attack Houthi targets by air, sometimes resulting in significant collateral damage and civilian deaths. Fighting on the ground between the Houthis and various Coalition-backed forces continues along multiple fronts. The U.N.- led peace process for Yemen remains stagnant.

Supporting facts and figures

• Since the start of the conflict in 2015, Canada has provided over $300 million in humanitarian funding to support food assistance, clean water and sanitation, shelter, protection and health care, including sexual and reproductive health.
• In 2021, Canada provided $72 million to respond to humanitarian needs in Yemen. The department is in the process of finalizing recommendations for its 2022 humanitarian allocation.
• Canada is also supporting through its contributions to the UN Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF). On January 26, 2022, OCHA announced a CERF allocation of $20 million to support the humanitarian response in Yemen.
• Since December 2018, Canada has committed over $22 million in peace and security assistance in Yemen to support the UN-led peace process.
• 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 worst humanitarian crisis, with over 20.7 million people in need of assistance. It hosts overlapping conflicts, most notably, the civil war between the government, backed by Saudi Arabia and a regional coalition, and the Iran-backed Houthis. Despite considerable U.N. and regional efforts, little progress has been made towards achieving a lasting and comprehensive peace, partially because the Houthis are not interested in engaging in the peace process in good faith.

Humanitarian needs continue to grow, driven by protracted conflict, the economic blockade (imposed by the Saudi-led coalition on air and sea routes, obstructing the delivery of food and fuel), and exacerbated by natural disasters such as flooding.

Famine has also returned in parts of the country for the first time since 2018 and approximately 16.2 million people are food insecure. According to the U.N. 2021 Global Humanitarian Overview, an estimated US$3.85 billion in humanitarian assistance is required to address the crisis.