Deputy Minister of International Development appearance before the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (AEFA) on Canada’s engagements and interests in Africa

February 8, 2024
Published: May 3, 2024

Scenario note

• Your in-person, one-hour appearance begins at 11:30 a.m.
• The following officials are also accompanying you in-person during the appearance and may be called upon to respond to questions:
  • Accompanying Panelists:
    • Cheryl Urban, Assistant Deputy Minister, Sub-Saharan Africa Branch
    • Marcel Lebleu, Director General, West and Central Africa Bureau
    • Caroline Delany, Director General, Southern and Eastern Africa Bureau
  • Accompanying in Audience:
    • Susan Steffen, Director General, Pan-Africa Bureau

Committee logistics

• After your opening remarks of 7 minutes, the committee will move to rounds of questions.
• Unlike House of Commons Committee practice, questions will be asked on a first come, first served basis. Senators catch the eye of the Clerk by raising their hand indicating they wish to be added to the list. Senators will typically be afforded up to 4 minutes per round of questions unless otherwise indicated by the Chair.
• Any Senator can attend a Senate committee meeting and pose questions, even if they are not a member of that committee.

Committee membership & context

• For the full list of committee members, please see the Committee biographies included in the briefing binder.
• Your last appearance before the Committee was on November 22, 2023, on the topic of recent developments on the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
• You also appeared before the Committee on the topic of International Development Week on February 9, 2023.
• As part of the Committee’s study on the Canadian foreign service and elements of the foreign policy machinery within Global Affairs Canada, you appeared twice, on June 9 and November 3, 2022, accompanying then-Minister of International Development, Harjit Sajjan. You also met the Committee members during their site visit at 125 Sussex in March 2023, taking part in a roundtable discussion with them along with other members of EXCO. 
• The Committee concluded its GAC ‘Fit for Purpose’ study and are planning to table their report during the week of February 5. As they conducted the study, the Committee met on individual topics under their general study on foreign relations and international trade. Recent topics and appearances under their general study include:
  • The situation in Sudan, with an appearance by Cheryl Urban (WGM) on November 30, 2023.
  • Women, peace and security, with appearances by Jacqueline O’Neill, Canada’s Ambassador for Women, Peace and Security and Ulrich Shannon (IRD) on November 2, 2023.
  • The situation in Afghanistan, with an appearance by Weldon Epp (OGM) on October 25, 2023.
  • Consular management in emergency situations, including an update on the Israel-Hamas conflict, with appearances by Julie Sunday (CFM) and Sebastien Beaulieu (CSD) also on October 25, 2023.
  • The Situation in Haiti, with an appearance from Lisa Vandehei (FHTI) and Sébastien Sigouin (NDH) on October 5, 2023
  • The situation in Ukraine, with an appearance by Alexandre Lévêque (EGM) on October 4, 2023.
• With respect to the committee’s study on Canada’s engagements and interests in Africa:
  • As this is a new study, the committee has only held one meeting on the topic on December 7, 2023, with WGM.
  • Discussion during this meeting focused broadly on the Canada-Africa Economic Cooperation Strategy (CA-ECS), especially related to security, economic interests, and consular matters. The Committee expressed interest in learning more about Canada’s relations with African nations, international partners, and civil society organizations operating in Africa. During this meeting, the complexity of the subject matter of the study was highlighted by the Chair.
• Other broad Committee lines of inquiry relevant to your upcoming appearance include:
  • Due diligence processes related to Canadian aid: ensuring aid does not fund regional actors like the Taliban, ensuring aid reaches intended recipients;
  • Addressing corruption in countries receiving aid;
  • Logistical challenges in delivering aid to conflict zones and regions with minimal Canadian presence on the ground: e.g., Gaza, Sudan;
  • Women and children: violence in conflict zones, the education of women and girls;
    • The demobilization of child soldiers: e.g., Sudan.
  • Departmental capacity to deliver aid in a ‘poly-crisis’ global environment;
  • Aid “fatigue” in contexts like Afghanistan.
• Other Areas of Interest to the Committee:
  During this 44^th Parliament the Committee has also studied:
  • The Frozen Assets Repurposing Act;
  • A comprehensive review of the provisions and operation of the Sergei Magnitsky Law, and the Special Economic Measures Act;
  • S-225, An Act to amend the Prohibiting Cluster Munitions Act (investments); and;
  • Cultural diplomacy and Canadian Studies programs abroad.

Opening remarks 

Standing Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and International Trade (AEFA) 

Topic: Study on Canada’s interests and engagement in Africa

February 8, 11:30 am – 12:30 pm (International Development Week)

• Thank you for the invitation to speak to you on behalf of Minister Hussen, Minister for International Development, and happy International Development Week. The Minister sends his regrets that his schedule didn’t allow him to engage with you today.
• The Committee’s study is timely as the department is thinking strategically about how to advance Canada’s interests through our international development engagement in Africa.
• Within the next three decades, 1 in 4 people will be living in Africa. The continent will see the fastest increase globally in working age population with a projected net increase of 740 million people.
• Abundant African resources are key to the green economy transition and planetary health. Africa houses 30% of critical minerals, 60% of solar energy potential, 25% of global biodiversity, and a larger carbon capture potential than the Amazon.
• Despite these opportunities, it is undeniable that Africa’s progress is often impeded by ongoing and complex challenges.
• Under current conditions most, if not all, of the world’s least developed countries will be in Africa as of 2030.
• Deterioration of democracy, conflicts, inadequate infrastructure, unfavorable fiscal economic environments coupled with unsustainably high national debts, make achieving sustainable development gains a challenge.
• The lack of market-relevant skills and employment opportunities seriously hinders the continent's ability to benefit from its demographic dividend.
• Climate change and peace and security challenges continue to heighten vulnerabilities, particularly among women and youth, further threatening the futures of Africa’s young people.
• And continuing high burdens of disease compounded by weak health systems mean that maternal and child mortality rates in Africa are the highest in the world.

Unlocking Africa’s Potential

• Africa needs investments to harness the potential of its natural resources, to train and upskill its dynamic youth, to develop sustainable and climate smart infrastructure, and to meet basic needs, particularly in health, education, and food security.
• African governments want to address their national and regional challenges. Through our interactions with the African diaspora in Canada, with African partners and across the private sector and non-state actors, we are hearing that Africans want to improve the terms of engagement.
• They want to diversify their international partnerships and to forge stronger relationships with emerging global economic powers like China and India, as well as with partners like Turkey and Gulf States and fora such as the BRICS and the G20.

Canada’s international assistance in Africa

• In Africa and across the globe, Canada is and will remain a leader and trusted partner in gender equality and feminist approaches. With the Feminist International Assistance Policy, we have put gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at the heart of our international assistance efforts as the most effective way to foster a more peaceful, inclusive, and prosperous world.
• Advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights at global, regional, and country levels is key to supporting the empowerment of diverse groups of women and girls and contributing to gender equality.
• Canada has made a 10-Year Commitment to increase global health funding between 2020 and 2030 to reach an average of $1.4 billion annually by 2024. It represents Canada’s largest and longest sectoral commitment in international development assistance.In 2021-22, 63.9% of health investments under this Commitment were directed to Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Canada has long been committed to supporting education in Africa. Education is a human right, and the key to gender equality, peace, and economic prosperity. We have championed access to inclusive and equitable quality lifelong learning opportunities for girls, adolescent girls, and women, especially those who live in conflict and crisis affected regions. 
• We are actively listening and evolving our engagement with African countries and institutions to reflect the continent’s expressed need to redefine our long-standing relationships, while continuing to work together to address key challenges on the continent.
• We are achieving meaningful results in Africa, thanks to on-the-ground presence in 18 countries, regional and multilateral programming, as well as valuable and long-standing relationships with Canadian civil society partners. You will hear from two of those important partners today, Kate Higgins of Cooperation Canada and Julie Delahanty of IDRC.
• Some examples of the impact of Canada’s development efforts are as follows:
• In Ghana last year, nearly 240,000 adolescent girls and boys had access to quality sexual and reproductive health services, including family planning and sexual and gender-based services, thanks to Canada’s support. When women are empowered to make decisions about when they want to have children and how many, they stay in school longer, have higher earning potential, are more resilient to food insecurity, and are better able to determine their futures.
• In Kenya, we supported the participation of over 1,000 women in political leadership activities and decision-making, including young women and women with disabilities, making it easier to express their needs and interests– as voters, candidates, electoral administrators, or party supporters.
• Through Canada’s partnership with TradeMark Africa, more than 170,000 women traders and farmers have been linked to new markets and trading opportunities. Almost 23,000 women cross-border traders have shifted from informal to formal trade and are significantly increasing their sales, in environments where extortion and sexual violence are no longer the norm.
• Canada’s international humanitarian assistance is also a key feature of our engagement in Africa. Responding to life-threatening situations on the African continent, Canada disbursed $452.6 million through trusted humanitarian partners in 2021-22. The humanitarian needs in the world, as in Africa, are just increasing and Canada continues to play its part.

Looking ahead  

• Canada will continue to work with our partners to address the root causes of poverty and inequality in Africa and support African countries and institutions’ efforts to achieve sustainable development.
• We will engage in collaborative and innovative partnerships that build capacity and empower our African partners to address pressing issues of high youth unemployment, gender inequality, food security, climate change and heightened vulnerabilities among women and youth.

AEFA members’ biographies

Peter M. Boehm (Chair)
Independent Senators Group – Ontario 

Appointment to the senate

• October 3, 2018

Professional background

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

Political and parliamentary roles

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

Committee membership

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

Recent points of interest

Ukraine: 

• During that same meeting in June 2022, Senator Boehm asked if Canada has a plan to look at the long-term assistance that Canada could provide to Ukraine from a post-hostility perspective. 
• At a Senate Standing Committee on National Finance meeting in June 2022, Senator Boehm asked for details regarding the distribution of the $500 million in terms of stocks, new acquisitions and direct transfers to Ukraine.

Peacekeeping: 

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

GAC ‘Fit For Purpose’:

• During the March 2023 visit to 125 Sussex, Senator Boehm underlined that the committee has heard a lot of emphasis on human resources and the need for consistent recruitment. He also suggested that parliamentary diplomacy could be better leveraged.
• In November 2022, Senator Boehm asked Minister Sajjan whether the Government finds time to have comparative discussions with counterpart organizations like USAID and FCDO around what is working and what isn’t for their respective organizations.
• During this study, he has repeatedly questioned other government departments on whether they are using GAC’s training center for their personnel working abroad.

Other interests

Indigenous Relations

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

Peter Harder (Vice-Chair)
Progressive Senate Group – Ontario

Appointment to the senate

• March 23, 2016

Professional background

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

Political and parliamentary roles

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

Committee membership

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

Recent points of interest

Humanitarian Aid:

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

Ukraine:

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

COVAX: 

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

GAC ‘Fit For Purpose’:

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

Gwen Boniface
Independent Senators Group – Ontario

Appointment to the senate

• November 10, 2016

Professional background

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

Political and parliamentary roles

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

Committee membership

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

Recent points of interest

GAC ‘Fit For Purpose’:

• During the March 2023 visit to 125 Sussex, Senator Boniface asked whether, in consultations with other countries, GAC has found they are facing the same issues and hurdles related to human resources.
• In June 2022, the Senator stated that the Foreign Service has a risk-averse culture and she asked how to rebuild an organization in a way that actually values contrary views. 
• Duringthis study, she has demonstrated an interest in the Government of Canada’s footprint abroad.
• Sanctions Against Russia:
• In June 2022, Senator Boniface asked if sanctions that Canada and its allies have put on Russia are affecting the Russian economy and the Russian people and if there is evidence that suggests international sanctions are producing a behavioural change in the Russian regime. 

 Unfair Trade Practice:

• At an AEFA meeting in May 2022, Senator Boniface wanted to know how the CBSA and the CITT investigate instances in which imports are being dumped or subsidized and if these practices have caused injury to Canadian producers. 

Other interests

Defence & Security:

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

Mary Coyle
Independent Senators Group – Nova Scotia (Antigonish) 

Appointment to the senate

• December 4, 2017

Professional background

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

Political and parliamentary roles

• Senate group: Independent Senators Group (2018 – Present)

Committee membership

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

Recent points of interest

GAC ‘Fit For Purpose’:

• During the March 2023 visit to 125 Sussex, Senator Coyle asked for more information around the Department’s Future of Diplomacy work and how much of the input into it is coming from internal vs external.
• On March 9, 2023, she noted that Canada has had 15 foreign ministers in the past 22 years, and expressed the view that some Ministers did not have the time or the power to provide Canadian diplomats with real leadership; she asked John Baird, who was appearing as a witness, to share his views on how these multiple changes affect the Foreign Service.
• In June 2022, the Senator showed interest in GAC's recruitment process and asked if there was a strategy on the part of the department to attract senior or mid-career professionals.
• In April 2022, Senator Coyle described the loss of many development assistance experts following CIDA’s amalgamation with DFAIT, and asked whether the role of Global Affairs as a link to development assistance expertise has been weakened.
• Ukraine
• In June 2022, Senator Coyle wanted to know the role of Canada or any other country or international organization in supporting diplomatic channels of negotiation between Russia and Ukraine and asked if there was still a possibility of de-escalation through diplomacy.

Seized Russian Assets:

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

Atrocities in Ukraine

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

Other interests

• Senator Coyle is an advocate for gender equality in the in Canadian public institutions and in Canadian society.

Marty Deacon
Independent Senators Group – Ontario (Waterloo Region)

Appointment to the senate

• February 28, 2018

Professional background

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

Political and parliamentary roles

• Senate group: Independent Senators Group (2018 – Present)

Committee membership

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

Recent points of interest

Russia: 

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

GAC ‘Fit for Purpose’:

• During the March 2023 visit to 125 Sussex, Senator Deacon asked what the Government learned from the pandemic with respect to emergency management, and what the connection is between the work at NORAD and similar sites and GAC’s Emergency Watch & Response Centre.
• In June 2022, the Senator stated based on the comments of previous witnesses that “there are too many supervisors and not enough leash to allow Canadian foreign affairs officers to operate independently and with autonomy in their postings.”
• She also asked what direction Canada should take as a middle power in its diplomacy given major changes on the international scene.
• Senator Deacon considers that the development aspect in diplomacy is very important for a rich, medium sized‑country like Canada. She regularly asks questions about Canada's development assistance efforts and resources.

Seized Russian Assets:

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

Other interests

Afghanistan:

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

Mohamed-Iqbal Ravalia
Independent Senators Group – Newfoundland and Labrador 

Appointment to the senate

• June 1, 2018

Professional background

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

Political and parliamentary roles

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

Committee membership

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

Recent points of interest

GAC ‘Fit for Purpose’:

• During the March 2023 visit to 125 Sussex, Senator Ravalia asked what GAC is doing to attract “hyphenated-Canadians” so that we can reap the benefits of their language skills, cultural knowledge, etc.
• In November 2022, the Senator asked DND about their involvement with GAC in the development of the Indo-Pacific Strategy given the potential threats in that region of the world.
• In June 2022, he recognized the importance of modernizing Canada's diplomacy as well as modernizing its digital technologies to revitalize the foreign service. He asked if Canada has an infrastructure capable of addressing potential cybersecurity threats and whether it is working with its Fives Eyes allies on this issue.
• In April 2022, Senator Ravalia suggested that in the context of evolving global challenges, Canada appears to be under-represented in some jurisdictions, such as on the African continent.

Humanitarian aid to Ukraine:

• In June 2022, Senator Ravalia asked what Canada can do to help maintain an adequate supply of equipment and medicines to organizations assisting Ukrainians on the ground.

Space Industry and Cooperation: 

• In May 2022, Senator Ravalia asked for more details about the memorandum of understanding signed by Canada and the United States concerning the cooperation on the civil Lunar Gateway. He also asked if there will be competition between private industry and this program in the long term. 

Vaccine Equity:

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

Yuen Pau Woo
Independent Senators Group – British Columbia 

Appointment to the senate

• November 10, 2016

Professional background

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

Political and parliamentary roles

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

Committee membership

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

Recent points of interest

GAC ‘Fit for Purpose’:

• In June 2022, Senator Woo showed significant interest in the recruitment process for the foreign service and how to optimize it. 
• Senator Woo has said he is in favour of greater recruitment into the Foreign Service of officials from other departments.
• During Minister Sajjan’s November 2022 appearance before the committee, the Senator suggested that GAC shouldrank the intrinsic global savvy and skills that some Canadians have‑ higher than we currently do, and place less emphasis on knowledge of French. As examples, he suggested foreign language ability, having lived abroad, and understanding cultures around the world.

Anti-Dumping and Countervailing Duties:

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

Russia Invasion of Ukraine:

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

Russia Sanctions:

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

Amina Gerba
Progressive Senate Group – Quebec (Rigaud) 

Appointment to the senate

• July 29, 2021

Professional background

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

Political and parliamentary roles

• Senate group: Progressive Senate Group (2021 – Present)
• Member: Canada-Africa Parliamentary Association (2021 – Present); Canada-France Inter‑Parliamentary Association

Committee membership

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

Recent points of interest

GAC ‘Fit For Purpose’:

• During the March 2023 visit to 125 Sussex, Senator Gerba sought details on Canada’s Africa Strategy, and what we know about how other countries are positioning themselves in Africa.
• In November 2022, the Senator criticized DND witnesses on their footprint in Africa, having been surprised to learn that one Defense Officer was covering 13 countries.
• In October 2022, she asked whether Canada’s whole diplomatic machinery should turn to economic foreign policy to avoid missing opportunities.
• In June 2022, Senator Gerba congratulated Canada for its membership in the African Development Bank. She went on however to deplore the reduction over the years of the Canadian diplomatic network on the continent and asked why a country like Canada, as one of Africa’s main donors, has such a small diplomatic network there.
• In April 2022, the Senator asked if there have been any significant changes as a result ofGAC's announced plan to increase its number of Black and Indigenous executives.

Global Food Crisis: 

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

Trade Remedy System: SME

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

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

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

Stephen Greene
Canadian Senators Group – Nova Scotia (Halifax – The Citadel) 

Appointment to the senate

• December 22, 2008

Professional background

• Politics: Candidate for the Reform Party in the 1993 and 1997 federal elections; served as Chief of Staff to Preston Manning of the Reform Party of Canada (1993-‑ 1996)
• Insurance: He worked in the insurance industry and became engaged in national and international insurance issues (1996 – 2009) 
• Foreign Service: Early in this career, he worked at the Canadian embassy in Washington D.C., and at the Canadian Consulate in Boston.

Political and parliamentary roles

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

Committee membership

• Member: Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade (2019 – Present); Standing Committee on Rules, Procedures and the Rights of Parliament (2020 – Present); Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations (2019 – Present)
• Former Member: Standing Committee on Banking, Trade and Commerce (2015 – 2017); Special Senate Committee on Senate Modernization (2017 – 2019); Standing Committee on Transport and Communications (2011 – 2013)

Recent points of interest

GAC ‘Fit For Purpose’:

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

UN Update:

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

Ukraine:

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

Free Trade Agreements:

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

David Richards
Canadian Senators Group – New Brunswick 

Appointment to the senate

• August 30, 2017

Professional background

• Novelist, essayist, screenwriter and poet.
• Recognition: In 2007, he was awarded the regional Commonwealth Writers’ Prize award. He is also a member of the Order of New Brunswick and the Order of Canada. 

Political and parliamentary roles

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

Committee membership

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

Recent points of interest

Afghanistan: 

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

Russia:

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

Ukraine:

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

GAC ‘Fit for Purpose’:

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

Leo Housakos
Conservative Party of Canada – Quebec (Wellington) 

Appointment to the senate

• December 22, 2008

Professional background

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

Political and parliamentary roles

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

Committee membership

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

Recent points of interest

GAC ‘Fit For Purpose’:

• During the March 2023 visit to 125 Sussex, Senator Housakos asked what the Department needs to do to address perceived gaps in intelligence gathering, defense against cyber-attacks and theft of intellectual property at a level equivalent to our allies in the US, UK and France.

Sanction Regime:

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

Foreign Interference:

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

Afghanistan: 

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

Michael L. MacDonald
Conservative Party of Canada – Nova Scotia (Cape Breton) 

Appointment to the senate

• January 2, 2009

Professional background

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

Political and parliamentary roles

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

Committee membership

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

Recent points of interest

GAC ‘Fit for Purpose’:

• In June 2022, Senator MacDonald asked about the impact of selecting non-career diplomats as ambassadors. 

UN – Ukraine:

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

China: 

• Senator MacDonald has shown particular concern about China's intentions. In April 2022, he posited that China is currently learning from the conflict in Ukraine about tactical and operational matters.

Agriculture Producers:

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

Canada’s engagement and interests in Africa: scene-setter

• Canada is deepening and broadening its engagement with African countries and institutions, recognizing the continent’s importance to our foreign policy, trade and development objectives.
• This enhanced engagement includes working together with African countries and institutions to reform international systems to better serve Canadian and African interests and improving conditions for economic cooperation.
• Canada’s international assistance remains central to our engagement with African countries and institutions. Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy commits 50% of bilateral international development assistance to Sub-Saharan African countries.

Supplementary messages 

• Canadian priorities in Africa include partnering to address issues on peace and security, democratic governance, human rights, and the rule of law, as well as addressing significant development challenges. We are also committed to working with our African partners on new challenges in particular relating to climate change.
• We have registered the message from our Canadian and African interlocutors that Canada needs to broaden and deepen its engagement on the continent.
• In response, the Department has been engaged over several months in consultations with a variety of stakeholders inside and outside of Canada.
• This Committee’s Study will provide helpful thinking to us as we refine our approach in the coming years. In the meantime, we will not delay in the development of strategies and approaches for the near-term to enhance Canada’s engagement with Africa.

Supporting facts and figures 

• Our diplomatic and trade footprint in Africa includes 22 missions in Sub-Saharan Africa and 5 in North Africa, serving the 54 countries on the continent. Canada has 21 bilateral development programs and one regional development program in Africa.
• In Canada, almost 1.4 million people are of African origin, with approximately 66% first generation (2021 census).
• 60% of Africa’s population is under the age of 25, making Africa the youngest continent in the world.
• Africa is set to outperform rest of the world in economic growth in 2024.
• Nine of Africa’s 35 Low-Income Countries are in or at high risk of debt distress.
• Africa is estimated to have 30% of the world’s mineral reserves.

Background

GAC is refining its interests and priorities as it seeks effective ways of enhancing engagement on the continent. Strengthening relations with the African Union is one part of this wider engagement agenda (see brief #19).  Working with African countries and institutions on items of shared interest within the G7 and G20 is another.

Engagement has also been bolstered by Minister of International Trade Mary Ng’s Mandate Letter, which refers to developing a strategic economic approach to Africa (see brief # 21). Extensive consultations have been conducted in pursuit of this commitment. Complimenting these efforts has been Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs Oliphant’s efforts over the past year to engage a variety of stakeholders, seeking views on how Canada can better engage countries on the African continent.  

Canada's footprint in Africa

• Diplomacy: 27 Missions (22 in SSA and 5 in NA)
  • Includes 5 offices (3 diplomatic and 2 trade) and a new Permanent Observer Mission to the African Union in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
• Development: 23 international assistance programs, including PanAfrica and Sahel regional programs:
  • Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Côte d’Ivoire, DRC, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, South Sudan, Tanzania, Egypt, Tunisia and Morrocco
  • Significant multilateral and Canadian partner engagement (e.g., MEDA, Plan International, Aga Khan, Save the Children) throughout the continent, in countries with and without bilateral programs
• Trade: 15 Canadian Trade Commissioners and 48 locally engaged trade commissioners serving 54 markets.
• Security: Canadian military and police deployments to UN peacekeeping missions in Africa: 68 personnel

MFO (Sinai Peninsula); 39 personnel

MONUSCO (DRC); 20 personnel

UNMISS (South Sudan); 9 personnel

Feminist International Assistance Policy

• Under the FIAP, Canada’s international assistance is improving the lives of the poorest and most marginalized, including in sub-Saharan Africa.
• A feminist, human-rights based approach is proving effective in addressing the root causes of poverty and inequality.

Supplementary messages 

• The FIAP has strengthened Canada’s reputation as a country committed to advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights.
• Need to counter global backsliding on gender equality and rights of women and LGBTQI+ people.

Update 

Global Affairs Canada makes every effort to meet its FIAP targets, while also respecting ongoing commitments in areas such as climate change and global health and responding to humanitarian needs around the world (e.g. Middle East, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Venezuela and Ukraine).   

GAC is actively implementing its response to the three recommendations of the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) report on International Assistance in Support of Gender Equality (March 2023). A Management Action Plan is in place to review the department’s current approaches, strengthen corporate tools, update governance mechanisms and find options to better report on Canada’s international assistance results.

The 33rd Report of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts reiterated the OAG recommendations. GAC is preparing a comprehensive Government Response to the 33rd Report, which will be tabled by March 8, 2024.

Supporting facts and figures

• According to OECD annual reports from 2020 to 2023, Canada has ranked first among bilateral donors for its share of aid supporting gender equality and empowerment of women and girls.
• In 2022-23, preliminary figures show that 97% of Canada’s bilateral international development assistance either directly targeted or integrated gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls (target set at 95% by 2021-22), of which 9% specifically targeted gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls (target set at 15% by 2021-22).
• In 2022-23, preliminary figures show that 40% of Global Affairs Canada’s bilateral international development assistance was directed to Sub-Saharan countries.
• Canada has advanced several signature initiatives in support of the FIAP:
  • Supported over 1500 local women's rights organizations (WROs) and LBTQI+ groups in more than 30 countries since the launch of the Women’s Voice and Leadership initiative (WVL) in 2017. 53% of WVL projects are implemented in Africa. The program was recently renewed, with $195 million over 5 years and $43.3 million annually thereafter, which will expand support in conflict-affected situations.
  • Contributed $300 million to the Equality Fund to create a sustainable source of funding for women’s organizations and movements in developing countries. The Equality Fund has granted $35 million to 119 women’s rights organizations and women’ funds since 2019, and to over 500 women’s rights organizations indirectly through on-grants from women’s funds, to address issues ranging from violence against women to environmental rights. In 2022-23, it granted $5.1M to women’s rights organizations in Africa.
  • Through Canada’s 10-year commitment to global health and rights, Canada contributed to help prevent 5.4 million unintended pregnancies, thereby saving the lives of 14,490 women and 99,987 children, and provided two annual doses of vitamin A to more than 167 million children, preventing over 105,000 child deaths and 730,000 cases of stunting, in 2021-22.

Gender equality and women’s empowerment in Africa

• Advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls is the best way to build a more peaceful, inclusive and prosperous world.
• Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy makes gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls the central pillar of all our efforts in Africa.
• As part of its feminist leadership, Canada advocates for working together with women’s rights and equality-seeking organizations and movements across the continent given the critical role they play in bringing about social change.

Supplementary messages

• We will not reach the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals if women and girls in Africa are not able to have equal opportunities to achieve their full potential.
• Canada centres the voices, leadership, and participation of women’s rights organizations at all levels of policy dialogue and as key partners in the design and implementation of international assistance initiatives to achieve sustainable change.

Supporting facts and figures

• Under the Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP), Canada has committed to ensuring 50% of its bilateral international development assistance goes to Sub-Saharan Africa, and that 95% of its bilateral funding advances gender equality.
• Canada has ranked as the top OECD donor to gender equality for four years in a row.
• The Women’s Voice and Leadership Program has contributed to progress on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, via changes in policies and laws, improved capacity of women’s rights organizations to promote the rights of women, and women’s increased participation in leadership and decision-making. Close to 53% percent of the WVL Program is operating in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

Background

• Across Africa women and girls, especially those in conflict-afflicted and fragile states, are often the hardest hit by poverty because of discriminatory and exclusionary practices linked to deeply rooted gender inequalities.
• The FIAP calls for the transformation of unequal power relations and recognizes that gender stereotypes also restrict men and boys to specific roles. The FIAP adopts an expanded definition of gender equality that includes gender-diverse people, recognizing that gender stereotypes lead to discrimination against 2SLGBTQI+ people. 
• Canada engages with a mix of bilateral, multilateral, international and Canadian partners to pursue gender equality. With Canada’s support, the African Union’s Women, Gender and Development Directorate developed a strategy for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (2017-2027). 

Annex - Results of Canada’s Support 

• The Women’s Voice and Leadership (WVL) Program has contributed to the establishment of information systems to safely collect, store, analyze and share data on gender-based violence in Kenya and Nigeria. 
• In South Africa, the WVL program has provided assistance to 40 Women’s Rights Organizations, including an organization that supports the economic empowerment of LGBTQIA+ persons. The program has directly supported more than 25 queer women business owners and start-ups and has sensitized over 6,000 persons on discrimination against members of the LGBTQIA+ community and its impacts.
• In South Sudan, Canada’s support through this program helped several women-led organizations and networks to collectively lobby and advocate for key gender responsive acts, laws, and budgets. This contributed to South Sudan signing the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa (Maputo Protocol), a treaty which protects the social, political, and economic rights of women and girls. 
• As was referred to in the opening remarks, Canada’s Making Trade Work for Women in Eastern Africa initiative, which promotes the economic empowerment of women traders, has linked thousands of women to new markets and trading opportunities. It has allowed more than 22,000 women cross-border traders to shift from informal to formal trade and increased the sale of their products on average by 43% against a target of 15%.    
• In Tunisia, over 130 women’s rights organizations in Tunisia were supported through the WVL program, empowering them and enabling them to advocate for women’s rights and gender equality. More than 15,000 people, at least 60% of them women, have been involved or benefited from the activities undertaken. 
• Canada has contributed to the improvement of healthy behaviours and practices supportive of women’s autonomy and decision making, through awareness campaigns on SRHR in Morocco. These campaigns reached 1.9 million people, involving 761 civil society organizations and engaging 10,043 men and boys. 
• Canada has created an enabling environment for women to exercise their economic rights and leadership within their communities through the creation of 72 village savings and credit associations and 122 microenterprises in Morocco. 

Sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) in Africa 

• Advancing SRHR at global, regional and country levels is key to supporting the empowerment of women and girls and contributing to gender equality.
• The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted access to essential health services, reversing years of hard-won gains in women and young people’s health in Africa.
• Under its 10 Year Commitment, Canada is providing $1.4 billion annually for global health and rights, including $700 million for comprehensive SRHR. This will be maintained to 2030.

Supplementary messages

• Adolescent sexual and reproductive health indicators are among the poorest in Sub-Saharan Africa due to structural and sociocultural factors.
• A rise in the spread of mis- and dis-information about gender equality and SRHR threaten well-established freedoms around bodily autonomy and access to essential sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services.
• Prevailing sociocultural and religious beliefs across most African countries characterise adolescent sexuality as taboo. This leads to significant opposition to interventions aiming to improve adolescent SRH outcomes.
• With the COVID-19 pandemic hampering economic growth, conditions for adequate financing of SRHR deteriorated. Canada has responded with increased funding to SRHR.

Update

At the Women Deliver Conference in Rwanda in July 2023, then-Minister of International Development Sajjan announced the launch of Canada’s SheSOARS signature initiative (2023-2030), an SRHR program-level commitment funded under the 10-year Commitment (10YC) to Global Health and Rights. He also committed that 50% of Canada’s SRHR spending will fund SRHR neglected area programming as of 2024-25. The minister also announced $200 million in SRHR programing under the SheSOARS initiative to 15 projects in more than 18 countries, with a focus on Africa.

Supporting facts and figures

• In line with the Feminist International Assistance Policy, 65% of bilateral and multilateral health investments were directed to the Sub-Saharan African region in 2021-22.
• 8 of the top 10 country recipients of 10YC funding are in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Canada is on track to reach the $1.4 billion global health target for 2023-24, with $700 million for comprehensive SRHR and increased neglected area spending.
• In 2021-22, Canada invested over $1.2 billion under the 10YC which is 3% more than the previous year. The total comprises $694.8 million for global health and $561.2 million for SRHR.
• In 2023-24, Canada’s investments in the neglected areas of SRHR will increase by almost $100 million from the previous year.

Background

Canada has made a 10-Year Commitment (10YC) to increase global health funding between 2020 and 2030 to reach an average of $1.4 billion annually by 2023-2024. It represents Canada’s largest and longest sectoral commitment in international development assistance.

Under the 10YC, Canada supports a comprehensive approach to SRHR with a focus on neglected areas: safe abortion and post-abortion care; comprehensive sexuality education; family planning and contraception; SRHR advocacy and reform; and prevention of and response to sexual and gender-based violence.

In 2021-22, 63.9% of bilateral and multilateral health investments under the 10YC were directed to the Sub-Saharan Africa region.

Examples of Results of Canada’s Support

• Grand Challenges Canada in Sub-Saharan Africa - In 2021-2022, Grand Challenges Canada (GCC) committed $15.9 million to funding 56 innovations in 33 countries to address challenges in humanitarian settings, maternal, newborn and child health, early childhood development, mental health, sanitation, SRHR, and safe abortion. For example, GCC is supporting transition to scale of South African medical device manufacturer Sinapi Biomedical Limited’s Ellavi Uterine Balloon Tamponade, which has been specifically designed to treat postpartum hemorrhage in low-resource health facilities. As of March 2022, this technology has saved the lives of over 2,800 women and improved the lives of a further 12,000 women in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Canada has contributed to the improvement of healthy behaviours and practices supportive of women’s autonomy and decision making, through awareness campaigns on SRHR in Morocco. These campaigns reached 1.9 million people, involving 761 civil society organizations and engaging 10,043 men and boys.
• Canada’s funding to a Tanzania Health Basket Fund has helped increase the number of birth delivery services to 97% in 2021 from 80% in 2020, and the number women using modern family planning to 50.2% from 42%.  
• In Somalia, Canada has provided training to 760 very young adolescent girls and 760 very young adolescent boys on gender equality and positive social norms addressing female genital mutilation and cutting and child, early, and forced marriage.
• Canadian funding to train 56,000 (54% female) teachers, health workers and peer counsellors across 11 of the 16 regions in Ghana, resulted in over 1.9 million adolescent girls and 250,000 young women and men (82% female) with information about their bodies and sexuality in 2022-23

Climate change in Africa

• Despite limited carbon emissions, Africa is particularly vulnerable to climate change impacts due to its high exposure to climate shocks and low capacity for mitigation and adaptive strategies. 
• Canada will continue to deliver on our international climate finance commitments and to call on contributors to raise their climate ambitions.  

Supplementary messages

• In 2021, Canada announced a doubling of its international climate finance commitment, to $5.3 billion over the next five years (2021-2026). 
• This includes $310 million for Africa to support nature-based solutions that support a transition to sustainable, low-carbon, climate-resilient, nature-positive, and inclusive development.
• COP28 resulted in the adoption of a framework for the Global Goal on Adaptation to strengthen adaptation efforts including by setting comprehensive sectoral targets (e.g., resilience of water, food, health systems and more) by 2030 and progressively beyond.
• COP28 also resulted in the creation of a Loss and Damage fund to assist the most vulnerable and address the adverse effects of climate change. Canada announced a contribution of $16 million to the fund at COP28.

Supporting facts and figures

• Africa contributes less than 10 percent of global emissions, but climate change threatens up to 118 million of the poorest Africans, exposing them to droughts, floods, and extreme heat by 2030.
• In July 2022, the African Union launched its Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy and Action Plan (2022-2032) providing a continental framework for collective urgent action and enhanced cooperation.
• The 2023 Africa Climate Summit in Kenya highlighted African unity in addressing climate change, calling for resource allocation and climate legislation. African leaders proposed new global taxes and reforms to international financial institutions to fund climate change action in the Nairobi Declaration. Minister Hussen participated in the Summit.
• Canada is providing $5M (2023-2025) in financial assistance to the AU’s Green Recovery Action Plan to support people and communities and to grow green businesses.
• At the same time, Canada is committed to reforming and strengthening international financial institutions (IFIs) to better meet the needs of developing countries in confronting the impacts of climate change.

Background

• COP28 was the halfway point between the signing of the Paris Agreement in 2015 and the 2030 target date for the commitments under that Agreement. This year marks the completion of the first Global Stocktaking. At COP28, Canada made important announcements, including:
  • Loss and damage: $16 million contribution to the Fund announced at COP28, providing seed funding that builds on Canada’s efforts to address loss and damage in climate-vulnerable countries. The Fund will be hosted by an independent secretariat with the World Bank as trustee. The Fund has attracted more than US$700 million in contributions.
  • Adaptation: $34.2 million to the Special Climate Change Fund, which supports the adaptation needs of small island developing states and strengthens technology transfer, innovation, and private sector engagement for adaptation.
  • Adaptation: $5 million to the Least Developed Countries Initiative for Adaptation and Resilience, to help put selected least-developed countries on climate-resilient development pathways.

A - Programming Examples (funded from the $5.3B commitment) 

In support of the African Union’s climate action objectives, Canada’s contribution is multifaceted and includes:  

• Africa Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI) ($150M, 2017-2041). AREI is an African-led framework aimed at helping improve access to modern and gender-sensitive renewable energy services. Canada is working with the International Finance Corporation to fulfill its commitment by providing catalytic financing support to renewable energy investments in Africa which is expected to leverage an additional $350M in private sector investment. To date, the Program has provided loans of USD 25M (hydropower in Gabon) and USD 10M (solar in Nigeria) and expects to close additional deals totalling USD 80M by 2025. 
• Advisory Services in support of AREI ($5M, 2018-2027). As a strategic complement to the $150 million investment in support of AREI objectives, this $5 million grant to IFC is maximizing the developmental impact of the private sector investments by exploring bankable investments in off-grid energy solutions in rural areas and by working with private sector firms to expand women’s access to jobs, leadership positions, and entrepreneurial opportunities in corporate value chains within the renewable energy space. 
• African Risk Capacity Agency ($17M, 2023-2026). Through innovative tools such as climate risk insurance, early warning systems and disaster risk planning, this project supports African governments to improve their capacity to better plan, prepare and respond to extreme weather events and natural disasters (e.g. droughts and flooding) improving the resilience of vulnerable African populations, and preserving hard-won development gains.
• Support for the African Risk Capacity’s Replica Program ($12M, 2023-2026).In concert with the UN-World Food Program (WFP), the project will build the institutional capacity of 11 African governments to design and implement gender-responsive climate risk preparedness responses to protect vulnerable women and men, maintain their food security and protect their livelihoods in case of climatic shocks through nature-positive early action interventions funded by climate risk finance mechanisms.   
• Support of Africa Disaster Risk Financing Multi-Donor Trust Fund ($14M, 2023-2026). Hosted by the African Development Bank (AfDB), the trust fund will increase the capacity of governments and private sector actors in 15 African countries for efficient and timely gender-sensitive response to climate disasters by increasing access to climate disaster risk financing Instruments, with a focus on insurance.
• African Climate Change Fund ($7M, 2019-2023). In collaboration with the African Development Bank, this project invests in African women entrepreneurs helping them to practice climate resilient agriculture and deploy technologies, such as renewable energy, that contribute to a low-carbon future. This initiative will also strengthen climate governance by supporting women’s participation and leadership in climate-related negotiations and policy-making.   
• Project: Building Equitable Climate-Resilient African Bean and Insect Sectors ($20M, 2023-2027). The project will foster low-carbon, climate-resilient systems and economies in the bean and insect “corridors” in 15 sub-Saharan African countries by enhancing climate resilience more equitably among women and youth farmers and value-chain actors. This will result in improved and more sustainable food and nutrition security through increased food production and improved access to organic, insect-based fertilizers and bio-pesticides that are not hazardous to human and environmental health, in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
• Gender-transformative Wetland Conservation Project in the Lake Chad Basin ($25M, 2023-2026). The project seeks to improve the climate resilience of marginalized communities, particularly women and youth, and ecosystems that are structurally vulnerable to climate change, through nature-based climate solutions in 6 Lake Chad Basin protected areas registered under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in Cameroon, Chad and Niger.

Annex B – Examples of Results of Canada’s Support 

Climate Action 

• Canada has helped smallholder farmers in East and West Africa become more resilient to climate change through its support to the Green Climate Fund and the Acumen Resilient Agriculture Fund (ARAF).  
  • The ARAF is a US$58 million impact equity fund that aims to enhance the livelihoods and climate resilience of 10 million people in Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria and Uganda by investing in early-stage agribusinesses that support smallholder farmers. As of 2021, ARAF has directly benefitted about 320,000 farmers, 40% of them women, and indirectly benefitted approximately 1.6 million people.   
• In Ethiopia, Canada has supported lasting solutions to the climate crisis. In 2021, Canadian-supported World Bank programming in the country’s urban centres helped to reclaim 3,650 hectares of land, including by planting 527,000 trees and creating 88km of flood barriers. These actions enabled small scale urban gardening to improve nutrition in urban households.

Annex C – Partnering for Climate (Sub-Saharan Africa Component) 

In 2021, the Government earmarked $315M, as part of Canada’s 2021-2026 $5.3B climate finance commitment, to leverage the expertise, innovation, and resources of organizations and Indigenous Peoples in Canada to support climate change adaptation in developing countries through a focus on nature-based solutions.  

Nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation and mitigation are actions that protect, sustainably manage and/or restore natural and modified ecosystems to support climate action, while addressing societal challenges by simultaneously contributing to human wellbeing and biodiversity.   

The $315M Partnering for Climate initiative has two envelopes: one for organizations in Canada using nature-based solutions to support gender-inclusive climate change adaptation and biodiversity conservation in sub-Saharan Africa ($300M); and a second, entitled Indigenous Peoples Partnering for Climate, for Indigenous Peoples in Canada to partner with Indigenous organizations in ODA-eligible countries to increase climate resilience ($15M).  

Snapshot of the $300M Partnering for Climate portfolio:   

• 16 projects covering 25 of the 46 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. 
• 5% of funding ($100.4M) for West Africa, 39.4% ($125.6M) for East Africa, 22.3% ($72.4M) for Central Africa, and 3% ($9.2M) for Southern Africa. 
• An initial target of allocating at least $20M to gender-transformative (GE-03) projects was exceeded: 4 projects ($56.8M) are gender transformative. The other 12 ($261.2M) are gender integrated (GE-02). 
• Projects work across a wide range of ecosystems and support sustainable agriculture, forestry, fisheries, economic diversification, and nature-based value chains that contribute to food security. 

The portfolio is supported by active monitoring, evaluation and learning activities to capture and share real-time lessons learned, strengthen partner capacity, and monitor progress over time. For example: 

• In partnership with the International Institute for Sustainable Development, Global Affairs Canada funds the Nature for Climate Adaptation Initiative, which aims to enhance Global North and Global South civil society organizations’ understanding, knowledge, and capacity to design and deliver nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation that provide biodiversity and livelihood benefits to people of all genders and social groups in developing countries. A free, ecosystem-based e-learning course has been developed and is offered on the initiative’s website to the public.  
• In partnership with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Global Affairs Canada funds the Nature-based Solutions for Climate Adaptation: Monitoring and Accompaniment Project to provide oversight and guidance to GAC’s partners in the implementation of nature-based solutions programming. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature will track partner’s challenges and experiences with the implementation of the Nature-based Solutions Global Standard and provide trouble-shooting support. This overall experience will be shared widely to better inform nature-based solutions and help refine the Global Standard. 
• GAC and the Canadian Coalition on Climate Change jointly launched the Nature-based Solutions for Climate and Biodiversity Community of Practice. The latter includes members from across Canada and the world and is overseen by a steering committee to help guide the efforts to highlight and promote evidence-based, impactful, and gender-inclusive nature-based solutions for climate change adaptation and biodiversity. The steering committee includes representatives from the National Indigenous Organizations. The community of practice places special emphasis on Indigenous knowledge and engagement, and gender equality, and includes an annual practitioner forum during International Development Week. 

Education in Africa 

• Education is more effective if it is equitable, inclusive, gender-responsive, conflict-sensitive, and locally driven. 
• Given education is one of the most powerful tools for reducing poverty and improving health, gender equality, peace, and stability, Canada welcomes the African Union’s designation of 2024 as the Year of Education.
• Providing quality skills and technical and vocational training for Africa’s youth can spur economic growth, innovation, and social development, and contribute to peace and stability.

Supplementary messages

• Canada’s programming aims to ensure that the poorest and most vulnerable have access to quality, inclusive education, with a focus on advancing equal educational opportunities for girls, adolescent girls, and women, especially in crisis contexts.
• Canada supports technical and vocational training programs that are demand-driven and gender transformative, that provide skills to vulnerable populations and facilitate access to decent employment.  

Supporting facts and figures

• Canada has committed to invest at least 10% of our bilateral international development assistance envelope on education, with a focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. 
• In 2021-22, Canada provided $154M in bilateral development assistance to support education in Sub-Saharan Africa. The largest country recipients were Tanzania ($17M), Mozambique ($16M), and Burkina Faso ($13M). 
• Recent Canadian funding has helped 25,883 girls and women in Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo return to school after facing challenges such as closures due to conflict, Covid, inability to pay school fees, pregnancies, or inadequate facilities for girls. Our support helped to improve the teaching and school environment for more than 19,000 students in 24 schools, 73% of whom were refugees or displaced persons, with the aim of encouraging their retention and success in school. In Mozambique, school feeding programs supported by Canada is helping close to 78,000 children from food insecure homes stay in school.

Background

• Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest rates of education exclusion. The out-of-school rate in the region is 21% for children of primary school age (about 6-11 years), 34% for youth of lower secondary school age (12-14 years) and 58% for youth of upper secondary school age (15-17 years). Factors such as lack of learning resources (school supplies and textbooks) and trained teachers, to basic amenities such as access to electricity and potable water, toilet facilities, impact learning.
• Girls are disproportionately impacted due to structural and socio-cultural norms that negatively impact their learning and development. Across sub-Saharan Africa, 9 million girls between the ages of about 6 and 11 will never go to school at all, compared to 6 million boys. This disadvantage starts early hence by adolescence, the exclusion rate for girls is 36% compared to 32% for boys. Overtime, this translates to a lower earning potential and quality of life of women and girls.

Inclusive economic growth

• Canada’s international assistance in Africa advances economic growth that works for everyone to reduce poverty and promote women’s economic empowerment.
• Women’s economic empowerment is central to Canada’s development efforts to achieve gender equality, inclusive economic growth and drive progress toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.
• Our portfolio of investments in this area spans a wide range of initiatives and partners, from small scale micro-finance projects working at the grassroot level to large scale investments through the multilateral development banks.

Supplementary messages

• Canada recognizes the fundamental role of the private sector in driving job creation, innovation, productivity and economic growth, including in developing countries. Canada’s innovative financing tools help to mobilize capital and expertise from the private sector for sustainable development. 
• Canada helps individuals and enterprises to become more competitive, innovative, and green; to increase their employment and market opportunities; and to ensure that markets work better for the poorest and most marginalized, especially women and youth. Canada’s assistance helps to build the capacity of institutional structures, supports entrepreneurship, expands access to capital and encourages private sector investment in inclusive growth initiatives.
• FinDev Canada, our Development Finance Institution, supports private sector growth and investment in emerging markets and developing countries. Sub-Saharan Africa is one of FinDev Canada’s three priority regions.

Supporting facts and figures

• In 2021-22, 14.3% of Canada’s international assistance to Sub-Saharan Africa was in the Growth that Works for Everyone action area.
• In 2022, Sub-Saharan Africa represented 40% of FinDev Canada’s investment portfolio or approximately USD 269 million across three sectors: sustainable infrastructure, financial services and agribusiness, and forestry value chain. This had a positive impact on women’s economic empowerment, climate action and local market development.
• The AfDB Group is one of Canada’s key multilateral development partners, contributing to sustainable economic growth in Africa. Canada joined the AfDB in 1982 and is the fourth-largest non-African shareholder in the Bank (following the United States, Japan and Germany) with a 3.68% voting share. 

Background

Inclusive growth: Despite rapid economic growth and decline in poverty rates in Sub-Saharan Africa in recent decades, growth remains uneven on the continent. According to the World Bank, growth in Sub-Saharan Africa is projected regain its momentum, growing 3.8% in 2024 and 4.1% in 2025, up from 3.6%. Rising conflict and violence across the region exerts a dampening effect on economic activity, with climate shocks exacerbating this fragility. About 462 million people in Africa are still living in extreme poverty in 2023.

Annex – Programming Examples

Accelerating Regional Business Growth (ARBG) in East Africa ($18.2M, 2022-2029) - RENEW International Canada Ltd and RENEW LLC

• Creates an innovative network across eight East African countries that will help African SMEs trade regionally, become gender-responsive and climate-smart. This will accelerate economic growth in the region and create decent jobs. Evidence derived from project results will be used to advocate for national and regional gender-responsive policy reforms and increases in gender-lens investments from regional and international investors.

Growth that Works for Everyone

• Canada supports initiatives that are improving bean productivity, and market linkages among smallholder farmers in 31 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa, helping to improve food security for Sub-Saharan African households.
  • Between 2017 and 2022, a key regional project improved market opportunities for 3.7 million farmers (50% women) by directly linking them with 298 small and medium enterprises (28% women-led) involved in bean processing and trading.
  • The volume of beans traded across major bean corridors in Sub-Saharan Africa has increased by 3.6 million tons (from 1.9 million tons in 2017 to 6.5 million tons in 2022), contributing to significant export revenue.
  • Climate-smart seeds have been distributed to 19.4 million farmers (48% women).
• Canada has contributed to improving access to decent work and self-employment opportunities for women in Egypt, by increasing market access for 35 women-led start-up businesses, improving the employability of 1,100 women, 19% of whom are living with disabilities, and enhancing access to tailored financial and non-financial services for 1,940 women entrepreneurs.
• Canada has created an enabling environment for women to exercise their economic rights and leadership within their communities through the creation of 72 village savings and credit associations and 122 microenterprises in Morocco.
• Canada has helped strengthen financial security and economic resilience for of rural women in Tunisia by strengthening women's entrepreneurship, improving their skills, facilitating their access to financial services, and increasing their income. As part of a Canadian-supported project, over 400 women participated in commercial fairs, enhancing product visibility and enabling networking.

International Assistance Innovation Program: The IAIP is a 5-year pilot program that makes strategic investments to catalyze private funding for projects that have a positive impact on international development. Canada’s funding must be repaid but may also include non-repayable technical assistance to help achieve impact. Canada has committed $530 million to date through the IAIP for investments supporting climate-smart agriculture and infrastructure, renewable energy, financing for small and medium-sized enterprises, and gender-lens investing. More than half of the IAIP portfolio is in sub-Saharan Africa. The IAIP complements existing resources for international development assistance, and the work of Canada’s development finance institution, FinDev Canada.

Peace and security in Africa

• Through programming, diplomatic engagement, and a network of Defence Attachés, Canada advances an approach to peace and security in Africa that is rooted in partnership and is responsive to the region’s multifaceted and evolving threat landscape.
• Canada welcomes the continued efforts of the African Union Commission to support returns to constitutional order and democracy in impacted countries.
• Canada’s contributions to peace and security in the region include engagement with the African Union Special Envoy on Women, Peace, and Security; Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building initiatives; Peace and Stabilization Operations; and programming on chemical, biological, and nuclear threats.

Supplementary messages

• Peacekeeping: Canada was pleased to co-sponsor Security Council Resolution 2719 in December, which established a framework for funding African Union (AU)-led peace operations using United Nations (UN) assessed contributions on a case-by-case basis. Canada looks forward to working with partners to resolve outstanding questions, including through our role as Co-Chair of the UN Special Committee on Peacekeeping (C-34) and through UN General Assembly’s Fifth Committee.
• NATO: Our Embassy in Addis Ababa will serve as a NATO Contact Point Embassy until 2026. Through this public diplomacy role, and under the leadership of Canada’s newly appointed Permanent Observer to the AU, we look forward to helping advance the AU-NATO partnership.
• Elsie Initiative: We are pleased that our three bilateral partnerships under the umbrella of the Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations are AU Member States: Ghana, Senegal, and Zambia.
• Weapons of Mass Destruction: Threats posed by weapons and materials of mass destruction do not know boundaries. That is why Canada’s engagement with African countries and partners is an important part of our engagement on this issue. This includes the Canada-led Signature Initiative to Mitigate Biological Threats in Africa and capacity building activities via the international Atomic Energy Agency.

Supporting facts and figures

• Grant to AUC: Canada has a $10M, 5-year grant to the AUC (2020 to 2024), with approx. $2.5M dedicated to peace and security (with a focus on WPS). Future funding is currently under consideration.
• Canada’s Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Programme (CTCBP): Since 2018, CTCBP has contributed up to $15.84M in Lake Chad Basin countries, over $10.9M in East Africa towards capacity building projects that address threats posed by Al Shabaab, and C$11.3M in North Africa. Programming has focused on law enforcement and airport security capacity, local drivers of radicalization, and empowering communities with vulnerable groups, including young men and women, who may be susceptible to recruitment by violent extremist organizations.
• The Weapons Threat Reduction Program (WTRP) is Canada’s contribution to the G7-led (and 31-member) Global Partnership Against the Spread of Weapons and Materials of Mass Destruction. Since 2012 WTRP has delivered over $100M in programming in Africa with focus on biological, chemical and nuclear threats.
• Peace and Stabilization Operations Program (PSOPs): Since 2018/2019, PSOPs has contributed over $100 million in Africa, including in Sudan (2023) and Ethiopia (2021) by supporting conflict affected civilians – including human rights defenders – as well as mediations and dialogues. In the Sahel, focus has included conflict resolution, weapons/ammunition management, and disinformation.
• Peacekeeping in Africa: Canada is the 8^th largest contributor to assessed UN peacekeeping contributions, contributing approx. $191M for 2023-2024, with the most of this funding peacekeeping missions in Africa. Canada also has 38 police and military personnel deployed to UN missions in Africa.
• Elsie Initiative: Canada is taking concrete action to advance the meaningful participation of women in peace operations, which includes 1) building long-term partnerships with three Troop and Police Contributing Countries (Ghana, Senegal, Zambia); 2) supporting the UN to foster receptive environments in UN missions; and 3) launching (2019) and supporting the multi-donor UN Elsie Initiative Fund for Uniformed Women in Peace Operations. Canada is the fund`s largest donor.

Canada’s bilateral development assistance in Ethiopia 

• Canada’s largest development program with $207M in international assistance in 2021/22
• Canadian assistance supports gender equality, food security and nutrition, economic growth, and peace and security
• Nearly 16 million in Ethiopia are experiencing severe food insecurity, made worse by conflict

Supplementary message     

• Conflict is worsening food insecurity in Amhara and Oromia, despite a Cessation of Hostilities Agreement in Tigray

Supporting facts and figures

• Among the world’s poorest countries, ranking 175 (out of 191 countries) in the 2023 Human Development Index
• Ethiopia suffers from among the lowest gender equality indicators in the world
• 23% of women and girls suffer high rates of sexual and gender-based violence
• Approximately 32.4 million Ethiopians live on $2.15 USD or less per day
• 8 million people across Ethiopia are experiencing severe food supply gap
• Canada’s continuing support to social safety nets has helped increase almost 9 million peoples’ resilience to climate shocks and stresses
• Canada’s review of revenue sharing between the federal government and regions led to an increase in regional government revenues by an average of 410%
• In 2021/22, Canada provided $207 million in international assistance to Ethiopia
• In 2023, Canada allocated $54.5 million to humanitarian assistance to UN, Red Cross/Red Crescent, and NGO partners
• Canada’s Peace and Stabilization Program disbursed over $9.9M to address conflict in Tigray

Background

Food insecurity and malnutrition remain one of Ethiopia’s largest development challenges. Severe food insecurity, acute malnutrition, and significant population displacement can be found across Ethiopia. An estimated 32.4 million Ethiopians live on $2.15 USD or less per day.

The conflicts in northern Ethiopia and insecurity in or between several other regions have resulted in severe civilian casualties, long-term disruption of essential services, displacement, and a reversal of important development gains. An estimated 3.1 million people are internally displaced, while more than 925,000 refugees and asylum seekers, mainly from South Sudan, Somalia, Eritrea, Sudan (over 62,000 because of the current conflict), have sought refuge in Ethiopia. 

The country also suffers from low gender equality performance indicators. The Gender Inequality Index, which measures gender-based inequalities in reproductive health, empowerment and economic activity, ranks it 125 out of 162 countries.

Canada’s bilateral development program is delivered through Canadian, international, local, and multilateral institutions. The program does not provide, and has never provided, direct budget support to the Government of Ethiopia. Canada’s funding is helping to provide food, treatment for acute malnutrition and other critical health care, access to clean water and sanitation, emergency shelter and essential household items, and protection services to those in need. To adapt to the challenging development context in Ethiopia, Canada has refocused development programming to strengthen the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, build resilience, support survivors of conflict and other vulnerable groups, and focus on programming that supports basic human needs.

Canada’s bilateral development assistance in Mali 

• Canada suspended direct financial aid to the government of Mali after the August 2020 coup.
• Canada’s humanitarian assistance to Mali continues, along with development projects implemented by non-governmental organisations and multilateral partners, guided by restrictions regarding activities involving the Malian government.
• Canada's international assistance benefits the most vulnerable population, particularly women and girls, and contributes to the social and political stability of Mali.

Supplementary messages

• Canadian assistance is focused on basic social services (health, food security and education), particularly for women and girls.
• It is essential to preserve the social gains of recent years, particularly as they relate to the empowerment of women and girls.
• The Sahel regional program aims to contribute to the stabilisation and development of the Sahel countries, including Mali.
• Due to the presence of Russian mercenaries in Mali and the human rights violations that remain unpunished, including the Moura massacre, the planning of new bilateral development projects has been suspended.

Update

Over the last 10 years, Canada contributed to reducing inequalities between women/girls and men/boys in accessing basic health services, education and justice. It contributed to reducing food insecurity, malnutrition and gender-based violence in all regions of the country, including in conflict zones. Some progress has been noted. The rate of births assisted by qualified personnel increased from 26% in 2012 to 42% in 2019. Canada is one of the major players in local irrigation, with interventions totaling nearly $100 million over the past ten years, supporting the operations of new hydro-agricultural infrastructures and the diversification of agricultural production. Canada helps improving girls’ access to quality education and supports education and vocational training for displaced and conflict-affected populations, notably for the G7 Charlevoix Education Initiative.

Supporting facts and figures

• In 2022-23, Canadian international assistance from Global Affairs Canada reached $95.7 million.
• In 2022, 45.4% of the Malian population was living below the poverty line.
• Over 40% of the population (8.8 million people) will require humanitarian assistance in 2024.
• Mali ranks 186th out of 191 countries on the United Nations Development Programme's Human Development Index (2022).
• Infant and maternal mortality rates are among the highest in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Background

Canada has been working in Mali since 1972. Its international assistance program is recognized and appreciated. Since 2000, Canada has invested over $1.81 billion in international assistance to Mali. In 2020-21, Canada was the 4th largest donor to Mali, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. International assistance to Mali from all Canadian sources totalized $111.8 million in 2021-22, of which $98.9 million came from Global Affairs Canada.

Moura massacre: The Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights has concluded that at least 500 civilians, including twenty women and seven children, were massacred in Moura between March 27 and 31, 2022 by Malian armed forces and foreign military personnel.

The last bilateral project in Mali was approved in February 2022.

Canada’s bilateral development assistance in Mozambique

• Mozambique is the 9th largest recipient of Canadian international assistance, including over $1.45B since 2010 and $131.3M in 2021-22.
• Canada’s assistance targets Health, SRHR, Education, Gender Equality, and Peace and Security programming.
• Canada’s supports a diverse range of partners, including Canadian NGOs, international NGOs, multilateral partners, and local Mozambican organizations.

Supplementary messages

• Canada has supported lasting peace through $5M CAD (2019-2024) to the peace process basket fund, to which Canada has been Donor Representative for four years. The project has successfully concluded disarmament and demobilization, closing all 16 opposition bases and is reintegrating over 5,221 former combatants.
• Canada has recently partnered with Norway in Mozambique to co-chair and create a “Group of Friends on Children and Armed Conflict”, working for the promotion and protection of rights of children affected by armed conflict.
• Mozambique joined the United Nation’s Security Council (UNSC) as a new non-permanent member for Jan 1st, 2023-Dec 31st, 2024, assuming the presidency in May 2024. Canada welcomes focus on Women, Peace and Security as well as Peacebuilding.

Supporting facts and figures

• Mozambique ranks 185th of 191 countries on the 2022 Human Development Index, and 136th of 170 countries on the Gender Equality Index with poverty affecting 71% of the population.
• Mozambique is ranked 142 out of 180 by Transparency International’s 2022 Corruption Perceptions Index. The October 2023 municipal elections were marked by irregularities, formal complaints, accusations of fraud, and protests.
• The ongoing insurgency in Mozambique’s north continues to result in southern Africa’s greatest humanitarian crisis, with more than one million internally displaced persons. From 2019 to 2023, Canada provided $31M in humanitarian assistance, with $9.75M in 2023 in response to the conflict in the north, and to help mitigate the effects of cyclone Freddy in 2023. As a coastal country with frequent cyclones, Mozambique is vulnerable to climate shocks.
• In 2021-22, Canada provided $131.3M, with $99.2M from Global Affairs $21.3M from Finance Canada and $10.1M from Public Health Canada, in support of various causes including COVID-19, energy, and water and sanitation
• Mozambique partners with Canadian organizations at an average of around $6M per year. Partners currently include Oxfam Canada, Right to Play Canada, Save the Children Canada, the University of Saskatchewan, Aga Khan Foundation Canada, Mission Inclusion, and Canadian Foodgrains Bank, mainly in the areas of health (particularly SRHR), climate change, education, and gender equality.

Background

Mozambique continues to suffer from the legacy of colonialism and the consequences of a 16-year civil war, which left it ill-equipped in terms of institutions and socio-economic development, governance dominated by one party, and lacking an independent legislature, judiciary, and strong civil society. Following a hidden debt scandal in 2016, development partners ceased direct budget support. With compounding and reoccurring crises of conflict, climate change), weak ability of the government to deliver core health and education services, corruption and widespread poverty, the outlook for the majority of Mozambicans is quite challenging.

The bilateral program focuses on improving health (including SRHR); quality education and training; gender equality, and economic resilience and conflict resolution.

Canada’s bilateral development assistance in Tanzania

• Tanzania is a top recipient of Canadian bilateral assistance, totalling more than $3.5 billion since its independence in 1961 and $127M in 2021-2022.
• Canada is a leader on gender equality in Tanzania with programming supporting sexual and reproductive health & rights, girls’ access to education, women’s economic empowerment, and building capacity of women’s rights organizations.
• Canada is the largest bilateral contributor to the Health Basket Fund ($75 million, 2021-26), which aims to improve the health status of the Tanzanian population and strengthen health systems nationwide.

Supporting facts and figures

• Former Minister of International Development Sajjan travelled to Tanzania in July 2023 and PSA Oliphant in May 2022.
• Canada’s partnership with Tanzania includes decades of working together on agriculture, railways, and governance. More recently, Canada’s international assistance has supported core accelerators of poverty reduction (health, education) with a focus on gender equality.
• Some results of Tanzania’s development progress include decreased early child mortality (81 per 1,000 live births in 2010 to 43 per 1,000 live births in 2022); increased number of babies delivered by a skilled birth attendant (51% in 2010 to 81% in 2022); decreased infant mortality from 43 to 33 deaths per 1,000 live births, and gender parity in primary and secondary school enrolment.
• Tanzania ranks 160th out of 180 countries on the 2022 Human Development Index and 146th out of 191 on the Gender Inequality Index.
• Needs remain high in all sectors: there is a 53% deficit of skilled health care workers; 200,000 teachers and 90,000 classrooms are needed in the next 5 years to meet demand; 70% of Tanzania’s rural population depend on rain-fed subsistence agriculture; over 40% of women experience physical violence by age 15; 2 out of 5 girls are married before age 18; 30% of children under 5 are stunted.
• Of the $127 million international assistance provided to Tanzania in 2021-2022, $54.41 million was allocated to multilateral institutions (e.g. World Bank, African Development Bank, Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria).
• Over the last five years, Global Affairs Canada’s Partnership for Development Innovation branch provided $72.3 million to Canadian civil society organizations working in partnership with local organizations in Tanzania on areas such as inclusive economic growth and climate change.

Background

Tanzania graduated from low-income to lower-middle income country status in July 2020. Despite improvements in the economy, growth has not been inclusive to benefit the poorest and most vulnerable. While Tanzania’s poverty rate declined over the last decade, the absolute number of poor people increased from 13 million in 2007 to 14 million in 2020 due to high population growth. Moreover, growth has not translated to improved access to vital resources such as education, employment and health, particularly for women, girls and youth. Women and girls remain the most vulnerable to gender-based violence as well as early, child and forced marriages. Tanzania is at a critical juncture, where increased investment in an engaged population will accelerate the achievement of its goals. Empowering disadvantaged youth, especially women, with knowledge, skills and rights will be critical to the success of the Government’s Development Vision 2050.  However, if this growth is not adequately supported through targeted investments in early child development, education, health, including sexual and reproductive health and rights and nutrition, employment skills and food systems the country could backslide significantly.

Canada’s bilateral development assistance in South Sudan

• Canada is the fourth largest bilateral donor of international assistance to South Sudan, working through development, humanitarian and peace and security programs.
• In 2023, Canada allocated over $40M in gender-responsive humanitarian assistance funding to meet the urgent needs of crisis-affected populations in South Sudan, including over 500,000 people who have fled the conflict in Sudan.
• As a lead donor in the health sector, Canada’s assistance has contributed to tripling the number of patients accessing care and a six-fold increase in the number of women delivering babies attended by skilled birth attendants since 2022.

Supplementary messages

• South Sudan plans to hold its first national elections in December 2024. Canada is working with international partners to support an enabling environment for credible, peaceful, and inclusive elections.

Update

An estimated 9 million people are projected to require humanitarian assistance in 2024, constituting more than 80% of South Sudan’s population. The crisis in Sudan has triggered the cross-border movement of more than 520,000 people into South Sudan, creating additional stressors on South Sudan’s already stretched humanitarian system. As plans are underway to hold elections in December 2024, however delivery will be complex and a number of essential elements still need to be established.

Supporting facts and figures

• Canada’s international assistance to South Sudan since its independence in 2011 exceeds $1 billion.
• In 2022, Canada ranked as the fourth largest bilateral donor of international assistance to South Sudan, behind the United States (1^st), Germany (2^nd) and the United Kingdom (3^rd).
• In 2023, Canada was the 6^th largest single-country donor to the South Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan.
• In 2021-2022, Canada’s international assistance in South Sudan totalled $137.5 million, including $58 million in bilateral development funding.
• Since 2015-2016, Canada has helped to address food needs, protect livelihoods, and strengthen the resilience of more than 1,000,000 people by supporting food security and agricultural development initiatives.
• As part of the G7 Charlevoix Declaration on Girls’ Education, Canada is investing over $40 million (2020-2024) to improve education for girls in South Sudan. As a result, girls made up 50% of total enrolment in 2022, up from 45% in 2019.

Background

In 2021, South Sudan ranked last out of 191 countries on the UNDP Human Development Index (latest data available), scoring poorly in all measured categories including life expectancy, years of schooling, and per capita gross national income.

Canada’s development programming in South Sudan targets health, food security, education and governance. As a lead donor in the health sector, Canada’s funding focuses on improving basic health services, including sexual and reproductive health and rights, and promoting the rights of women and girls to make their own decisions about their health. Canada also supports initiatives in inclusive governance, notably to improve transparent public financial management. Through the peace and security programming, Canada’s support includes countering the negative effects of mis/disinformation in the lead up to elections.

Canada’s international assistance in Egypt

• Canada has invested more than $29M over the past 5 years through its bilateral development programming in Egypt ($40M across all GAC channels).
• Canada’s programming in Egypt focuses on gender equality and empowerment of women and girls, growth that works for everyone, human dignity, and environment and climate action.

Supplementary messages

• Egypt faces multiple challenges, including rising poverty, a precarious economy and political instability. Moreover, approximately 60% of the population is under the age of 30: this is the biggest “youth bulge” in the country’s history.
• In January 2024, Canada approved a new $10M technical and vocational education and training (TVET) project with Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICAN), which seeks to improve the employability and climate-smart skills of youth within agribusiness in Egypt.
• By increasing employment and self-employment opportunities in some of the poorest and most vulnerable governorates of Egypt, Canada's programming supporting employment has benefited almost 1 million people.

Update

The Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza and the recent attacks in the Red Sea have put significant strain on Egypt’s economy: Egypt has lost around USD $150 million in revenue due to a decrease in transit in the Suez Canal, and to a 10-12% increase in tourism-related cancellations. The impact on the tourism sector is expected to continue until the conflict is over.

Supporting facts and figures

• With a population of over 110 million, Egypt is the most populous country in the Arab world, with 28% of Egyptians (over 30 million) living below the national poverty line.
• Egypt ranks 97^th out of 191 countries in the UN Human Development Index and 134^th out of 146 countries in the 2023 World Economic Forum’s Global Gender Gap Index.
• Egypt's annual inflation rate reached a historic high of 38% in September 2023.
• Food inflation in particular has made it difficult for millions of Egyptians to purchase nutritious food, causing rising food insecurity and malnutrition rates.
• Over 70% of Egyptians depend on government food subsidy programs to meet their dietary needs.
• The agriculture sector is highly vulnerable to climate change and less prepared to address climate change threats, leading to loss of fertile land and decrease in agriculture productivity levels, further contributing to food insecurity.
• High unemployment rates, especially amongst youth (25%) and women (80%), limits economic growth.
• 63% of Egyptians are informally employed, with women more likely to be employed in the informal sector.
• Inadequate female participation in the labour market and inadequate sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) services are key factors contributing to the high total fertility rate, particularly in rural, under-served areas.

Background

Canada’s bilateral development program in Egypt, valued at approximately $6.5M per year, focuses on sustainable economic growth, climate action and women’s and girls’ health. More specifically, Canada’s operational projects in Egypt focus on supporting micro, small, and medium enterprise development, enhancing employment skills among women and youth, strengthening Egypt’s resilience to the impacts of climate change, food security, and improving sexual and reproductive health rights for women and girls.

Canada’s international assistance in Morocco

• Canada has invested more than $41M over the past 5 years through its bilateral program in Morocco and more than $51M through all GAC channels.
• Canada’s programming in Morocco focuses on gender equality and empowerment of women and girls, growth that works for everyone, and environment and climate action.

Supplementary messages

• Morocco continues, worldwide, to rank among the 20 most internally unequal countries. Morocco suffers from major inequalities between urban and rural populations, and between men and women.
• The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change also considers Morocco to be one of the countries most threatened by climate change in Africa.
• International assistance in Morocco is crucial to further strengthen gender equality, women rights and women’s economic empowerment and resilience to climate change.
• Canadian programming focuses on increasing employment and entrepreneurship opportunities for the poorest and most vulnerable and on promoting female empowerment and gender equality.

Update

• On September 8, 2023, a magnitude-6.8 earthquake hit Morocco near Marrakesh, killing more than 2,900 people and injuring more than 5,600. As an immediate response, Canada provided $5M in humanitarian assistance, followed later by $2M to Care Canada/Care Maroc to support the economic recovery of affected communities. After the earthquake, Minister Hussen visited the affected area, where the Care Canada/Care Maroc project is implemented.

Supporting facts and figures

• 25% of the population is illiterate and 20% lives on less than 4$ a day.
• Morocco ranks 136^th out of 146 countries on the World Economic Forum's 2023 Global Gender Gap Index.
• It remains in the “average human development” category of the UN’s Human Development Index (HDI), ranking 123^rd out of 191 countries.
• Effective implementation of laws addressing gender inequality is a major challenge, as is the eradication of gender discrimination surrounding socially and culturally sensitive issues.
• The agriculture sector accounts for 19% of GDP and 40% of jobs. Less than 20% of Morocco is arable, and it is frequently prone to erratic weather conditions (e.g. drought for the past 6 years, and heatwaves).

Background

Canada’s bilateral development program in Morocco totals approximately $5M per year. The program aims to steer Morocco's development towards greater inclusion of its most vulnerable women and youth by supporting national priorities working to increase 1) their participation in the economy, and 2) gender equality. In addition, Canada’s program contributes to climate action, supporting Morocco's implementation of its Forests 2030 Strategy by providing assistance in the form of technical support, expertise and guidance in the field.

Canada’s international assistance in Tunisia

• Canada has invested $48M over the past 5 years through its bilateral and multilateral development programming in Tunisia.
• Canada’s programming focuses on gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, growth that works for everyone, inclusive governance, and environment and climate action.

Supplementary messages

• Following the Arab Spring in 2011, Tunisia’s democratic development was considered the region’s most promising. Its current trajectory is now uncertain, with President Kais Saied citing political paralysis to implement unilateral and exceptional measures to reshape Tunisian state institutions.
• The Tunisian economy was heavily impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine. It faces ongoing challenges including food shortages and high inflation. President Saied is resisting major economic reforms. The country risks default, with US$3.9B in external debt repayments scheduled for 2024.
• Tunisia is also highly vulnerable to climate change. Drought, rising sea levels, and pressure on water resources are major challenges.
• Canada’s international assistance in Tunisia promotes the inclusive participation of women and youth in social and political decision-making structures, and improves employment and entrepreneurship skills amongst vulnerable Tunisians.
• In 2024, Canada approved a new $11.5M project with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, which aims to strengthen the adaptation and resilience of Tunisian municipalities to climate change.

Update

Tunisia's GDP has fallen from 2.4% in 2022 to 0.9% in 2023, due to a drought that has impacted agricultural GDP and an unfavorable global environment marked by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Inflation has continued to rise, from 8.3% in 2022 to 9.4% in 2023.

Supporting facts and figures

• Russia's invasion of Ukraine has had a negative economic impact, increasing the country's need to support its system of subsidized commodity and fuel prices.
• The unemployment rate in the third quarter of 2023 was 15.8%.
• The workforce remains unequally distributed between sexes, as men represent 72.7% of the working population.
• 42% of the population under the age of 24 was unemployed in 2022.
• Tunisia is ranked 128^th in the world on the World Economic Forum’s 2023 Global Gender Gap Index, and 97^th out of 191 countries on the UN’s 2021 Human Development Index.
• 2 million people are illiterate (17.7% of the population); the illiteracy rate among women is 23% (65% in rural areas).
• Desertification currently affects 75% of Tunisia’s territory. Water scarcity and the degradation of natural resources and of biodiversity are also major environmental challenges.

Background

Bilateral programming in Tunisia, valued at approximately $5.5M per year, focuses on the socio-economic empowerment of vulnerable populations, particularly women and girls; green and sustainable economic growth; and inclusive and accountable governance.

10-year commitment to global health and rights

• Starting this fiscal year, we have committed to provide an average of $1.4 billion annually, with $700 million dedicated to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health and rights.
• The 10-Year Commitment is a key vehicle for implementing Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy and supporting the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• Our investments are making a difference in the lives of women and girls around the world, and are addressing critical gaps in the global health landscape.

Update

• On November 23, 2023, Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and the Canadian Partnership for Women and Children’s Health co-hosted the 2^nd annual Stakeholder Engagement Workshop on Canada’s 10-Year Commitment (10YC). Minister Hussen delivered keynote remarks.
• In January 2024, Minister Hussen signed on to be a SheDecides Champion with other likeminded SRHR advocates globally.
• At the Women Deliver Conference in July 2023, (previous) Minister Sajjan announced $200 million in SRHR programing under the SheSOARS initiative to 15 projects in over 18 countries, with a focus on Africa.

Supporting facts and figures

• Historically, Canada allocates approximately 30% of its ODA budget to global health, just behind the U.S. in terms of sectoral percentage allocation.
• Globally, Canada ranks 4^th in the list of top 5 donors to SRHR and ranks 2^nd in its funding for SRHR as a percentage of total ODA allocations.
• In 2021-22, Canada disbursed $1.278 billion under the 10YC (most recent official figures). This includes $567 million for SRHR, with $208.2 million to the neglected areas. Over $342 million was channeled through civil society organizations.
• Canada’s investments in global health deliver concrete results. For example:
• Based on GAC’s key performance indicators, our funding reached over 12 million people through over 70 projects globally in 2021-22.
• Canada continued to support the life-saving work of the Global Fund in 2022, which provided access to antiretroviral therapy for 21.9 million people with HIV, treated 4.7 million with TB and distributed 188 million mosquito nets.
• In 2021-22, our work with Nutrition International enabled teachers to deliver weekly iron and folic acid supplements to over 2 million adolescent girls, averting thousands of cases of anemia and enabling girls to stay in school.

Background

• Canada’s 10YC supports healthy and peaceful societies where women and girls are empowered and rights are respected. It builds on over two decades of Canada’s leadership in global health and nutrition. It is the government’s largest and longest sectoral commitment in international assistance.
• Half of the 10YC is dedicated to SRHR, and in particular – to advancing action in the neglected areas of safe abortion, family planning, comprehensive sexuality education, advocacy and sexual and gender-based violence. Other key priorities include: infectious diseases, nutrition and immunization.
• The 10YC is implemented through a range of partners including civil society organizations, multilateral and global institutions, and local governments.
• We report annually on spending and results achieved through the 10YC as a commitment to transparency and accountability to our partners and to Canadians.’

Global partnership for education

• Access to quality, safe and inclusive education, especially for girls, is a right and fundamental to sustainable development.
• GAC has supported the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) since its inception (2002). GPE is the largest global fund and partnership dedicated to improving education in 90 of the world’s poorest countries (half of these countries in Africa).
• Since creation in 2002, 160 million more children, more than half of them girls, are in school in GPE partner countries.

Supplementary messages

• Canada’s latest pledge of $300 million over five years (2021-2025), along with funding from other donors, is supporting GPE partner countries (including in Africa) to build stronger education systems and deliver quality education to every boy and girl.
• GPE promotes country ownership and capacity, puts gender equality at the heart of education systems, and focuses on the places and children with the greatest needs.

Supporting facts and figures

• Of all regions, sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has the highest rates of education exclusion. There are 98 million children out of school in SSA (UNESCO).
• There is a learning crisis, with an estimated 87% of 10-year-old children in SSA unable to read and understand a simple text (UNICEF).
• The pandemic has widened the gap in access to inclusive education. Children in SSA are the most significantly affected, nearly 9 in 10 children lacking online access at home (UNICEF).
• With three out of five people under the age of 25, Africa has the youngest population of any continent. Young people can drive economic growth and development, if they are given the education and skills they need (UNICEF).
• Canada has provided $470M to GPE since 2006/07.
• Canada’s latest pledge of $300M over 5 years (2021-2025) includes $35M that was disbursed in March 2021 for GPE’s COVID response.
• Canada currently ranks 6th among donors to the GPE.
• Canada has been actively involved in GPE’s governance.
• Canada is currently the Board member in the Canada-UK constituency on the GPE’s Board of Directors, and a member of the Finance and Risk Committee.
• GPE’s Knowledge and Innovation Exchange (KIX), a joint endeavour between GPE and Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC), supports 40 African partner countries with expertise, innovation, and knowledge to build stronger education systems.

Background

Hosted by the World Bank, GPE is the world’s largest multi-stakeholder partnership and fund dedicated to improving education in the world’s poorest countries, including in 42 African countries. GPE targets countries with the largest out-of-school children and the most vulnerable populations (focusing on girls and fragile states). To ensure local ownership and capacity building, GPE works directly with partner governments and organizations at the country level to develop, fund and implement transformative national education strategies. GPE transforms education systems through focusing on access and quality education, and works across sectors such as health, nutrition, child protection, gender-based violence, and climate resilience.

GPE KIX ($88M, 2024-2027) is a joint endeavor between IDRC and GPE (with $80M from GPE and $8M from IDRC) to connect expertise, innovation, and knowledge to support low- and middle-income countries to build stronger education systems and accelerate progress toward SDG 4. KIX has two regional hubs in Africa that build research and evidence to identify gaps and inform policy making in national education sectors.

Education cannot wait 

• All children and youth in crisis situations should have access to safe, inclusive quality learning environments, with a focus on refugee and displaced children and youth, particularly girls.
• GAC has supported Education Cannot Wait since its inception (2016). ECW is the only global fund dedicated to supporting education in emergencies and protracted crises.
• ECW has reached over 6 million children and adolescents – half of whom are girls – with equitable, inclusive, quality education in some of the most difficult places to work.

Supplementary messages

• Education is a human right - and a protective, life-saving and a life-sustaining intervention.
• ECW works between humanitarian, development and peace programming, and across sectors such as health, nutrition, child protection and gender-based violence.

Supporting facts and figures

• There is an education crisis caused by COVID (over 1.6 billion children’s education was disrupted), conflict and climate change.
• There is also a learning crisis, with an estimated 70% of 10-year-old children in low- and middle-income countries unable to read and understand a simple text.
• There are 224 million crisis-affected children and adolescents in need of education support, in particular girls and adolescent girls.
• Canada has provided $170M to ECW since 2016.
• Most recent announcement was $87.5M at ECW’s High Level Financing Conference (February 2023).
• Canada currently ranks as the 6^th largest donor to ECW. 
• Canada has been actively involved in ECW’s governance.
  • MINE is a member of the High-Level Steering Group (HLSG), which is chaired by UN Special Envoy for Education, Gordon Brown, former Prime Minister of the UK.
  • Canada has been a member of the Executive Committee (ExCom) since 2016 and served as Chair from July 2018 to June 2020.  

Background

Hosted by UNICEF, ECW is the only global fund dedicated to supporting education in emergencies and protracted crises.  ECW works across the humanitarian-development nexus, applying a whole-of-child approach, and integrating gender equality, inclusion, protection, and mental health and psychosocial support. ECW’s key programming mechanisms include:  

• First Emergency Response (FER) - for the most immediate education needs when a crisis suddenly occurs or escalates; 
• Multi-Year Resilience Program (MYRP) - to provide medium-term support to meet the education needs of learners living in countries affected by crisis; and 
• Acceleration Fund - a mechanism to fund strategic initiatives to tackle systemic barriers to the effective provision of inclusive, quality education in emergencies and protracted crises.

ECW operates in approximately 45 countries including a large focus in Africa including in: Burkina Faso; Burundi; Cameroon; Central African Republic; Chad; Comoros; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Egypt; Ethiopia; Kenya; Libya; Madagascar; Malawi; Mali; Mozambique; Niger; Nigeria; Somalia; South Sudan; Sudan; Tanzania; Uganda; Yemen; Zambia; and Zimbabwe.

Humanitarian assistance in Africa 

• Of the estimated 300 million people expected to require humanitarian assistance in 2024, 139 million (46%) are in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Key drivers of humanitarian needs continue to be conflicts, climate change, and economic downturn.
• Sub-Saharan Africa is a priority for Canada’s humanitarian assistance funding, with over $350M allocated to UN, Red Cross, and NGO partners, across 29 countries in 2023.

Supplementary messages

• GAC is in the process of finalizing its 2024 humanitarian allocations, which will again include support for the humanitarian response in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Canada was troubled to learn of diversion of humanitarian aid in Ethiopia and Somalia in 2023 and has been working closely with its partners to help mitigate against future diversion, in these contexts and others.

Background

High Level Overview of Humanitarian Needs: In 2024, according to the UN’s Global Humanitarian Overview 139.2 million people will need humanitarian assistance in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This includes 74.1 million people in East and Southern Africa, with the crisis in Sudan accounting for almost 40 per cent of this total; and 65.1 million in West and Central Africa. Across the continent, food security continues to deteriorate. Of the five countries facing potentially catastrophic levels of food insecurity globally, four are in sub-Saharan Africa – Burkina Faso, Mali, South Sudan and Sudan. By September 2023, over 114 million people globally were estimated to have been forcibly displaced, with Sudan (9 million people displaced) being the largest internal displacement crisis. With new or resurging conflict, including in Mali and the DRC, the number of internally displaced people is expected to continue to climb in 2024.

2024 Humanitarian Appeals: For 2024, the UN and partner organizations are appealing for USD 46.4 billion to assist 180.5 million people across 72 countries, with USD 19.2 billion for SSA (East and Southern Africa requires $10.9 billion and West and Central Africa $8.3 billion). 

Canada’s Humanitarian Funding: In 2023, Canada allocated $351.2 million to its UN, Red Cross and NGO partners in SSA. GAC is in the process of determining its 2024 country allocations; however, like many other donors, Canada expects to see its humanitarian assistance return to pre-COVID levels in 2024.

Canada’s Gender Responsive Humanitarian Programming and FIAP: Sexual and reproductive health in SSA lags far behind other world regions, with a staggering percentage of global maternal deaths and HIV infections relative to population – these gaps deepen in countries facing humanitarian crisis. Canada has committed $10 million over the next two years (2024-25) to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to support vital sexual and reproductive health programming in 13 countries in SSA. This funding aligns with Canada’s FIAP priorities and contributes to our commitment of 50% humanitarian assistance to sub-Saharan Africa.

Aid Diversion: 2023 was marked by the discovery of widespread diversion of humanitarian assistance in both Ethiopia and Somalia. Although the situations differed in how the diversions occurred, both have led the UN to review the safeguards in place to protect donor assistance. At the country-level and at HQs, Canada has been working with its partners to ensure that measures are in place to satisfactorily safeguard Canada’s funding and ensure beneficiaries receive the allocated assistance.

Annex: Supporting facts and figures

Humanitarian Funding (2019-2023), excluding West Bank/Gaza

2023 Humanitarian Funding (Sub-Saharan Africa)

Engagement with the African Union

• The African Union (AU) is critical to Canada’s enhanced ambitions for engagement serving as an important entry point to advance multilateral and regional interests spanning foreign, development, and trade policy.
• As the G20 takes measures to bolster sustainable growth, development, and rules-based trade that benefits all, the AU – as a new G20 member – will be a key partner for Canada.
• Canada continues to institutionalize our partnership with the AU, including through our new AU dedicated mission and political, trade and development dialogues. 

Supplementary messages

• Canada is proud to have opened a dedicated Permanent Representative Office to the AU as we continue to enhance and fortify Canada’s engagements and relations with the AU and across the African continent.
• Canada appreciates the AU joining the G20 as a full and permanent member and is seeking to strategically engage with the AU in this forum.
• Canada is committed to strengthening its relationship with the AU, including through meeting the commitments made after the Canada-African Union Commission (AUC) High Level Dialogue (HLD) held in October 2022 and the Trade Policy Dialogue (TPD) in May 2023.
• Canada looks forward to launching the first Canada-African Union Commission Development Policy Dialogue (DPD) in 2024.

Supporting facts and figures

• Canada has provided a $10M (2020-2024) grant to the AUC, with $2M disbursed annually to the Program Budget through a Joint Financing Agreement.
• Canada funds many projects in support of AU priorities, including the Africa Risk Capacity Agency (2023-2026/$17M) and a project to support the AU’s Green Recovery Action Plan (GRAP) through the Global Green Growth Initiative and African Capacity Building Foundation (2023-2026/$5M).

Background

Overview of the AU: Led by its assembly composed of 55 African Heads of State and Government, the AU is the leading multilateral forum and principal conduit for engagement among African leaders on issues including peace and security, socio-economic development, governance, climate change, and continental integration. The AU Commission is the secretariat for the AU.

AU-G20: Canada supported the AU joining the G20 as a permanent member. Joining the G20 goes to the AU’s Agenda 2063 aspiration for the AU to be an “active and equal participant in global affairs and multilateral institutions”.

Canada-AUC DPD: In May 2023, then-Minister Sajjan signed a letter of intent with the AUC to establish the Canada-AUC DPD. Tentatively scheduled for May 2024 in Addis Ababa, the first DPD will focus on Canada’s common priorities with the AUC, including the trade-development nexus, education, climate change and food security.

Canada-AUC HLD: Following a 2020 PM Trudeau commitment, in October 2022, Canada hosted AUC Chairperson Faki and a senior AU delegation in Ottawa for a first Prime Minister-led Canada-AUC HLD with the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, International Development and Trade in attendance for two days of policy discussions. Outcomes of the HLD included a commitment to hold HLDs regularly. The next HLD is tentatively planned for October 2024 in Addis Ababa. 

Engagement and economic cooperation with Africa

• Africa, with its rising political and economic importance, is critical to our shared global future.
• Africa is outperforming the rest of the planet in economic growth. Its abundant resources are key to the green and digital economy transition and planetary health.
• Canada is broadening and deepening its engagement, particularly on economic cooperation, with Africa. We will seek to increase and diversify trade and investment relationships with African partners, in line with Canada’s export diversification strategy.

Supplementary messages

• Expanding and diversifying trade and investment will deliver shared benefits, including supply chain resilience, job creation and inclusive economic growth.

Supporting facts and figures

• Africa accounts for 30% of the world’s critical minerals, 60% of its solar energy potential, 25% of global biodiversity, and larger carbon capture potential than the Amazon.
• 15 Trade Commissioners and 48 locally engaged trade commissioners support Canadian companies wishing to work in the 54 markets on the continent.
• Canada’s two-way merchandise trade with the African continent is low in relative terms, totalling $15.1 billion in 2022 ($5.6 billion exports; $9.6 billion imports). It does, however, represent an increase of 14.5% from 2021.
• Top Canadian exports were cereals, machinery, mineral ores, and motor vehicles & parts. Top Canadian imports were precious stones & metals, mineral fuels & oils, copper & related products, fertilizers, and fruit & nuts. Our five biggest trading partners on the continent over the last five years have been Algeria, Egypt, Nigeria, Morocco, and South Africa.
• Canadian Direct Investment Abroad (CDIA) in Africa was $16.0 billion in 2022. A large share of CDIA in Africa is in the mining sector: Africa is home to the second-highest value of Canadian mining assets, after the Americas.

Background

Minister of International Trade Mary Ng’s Mandate Letter (2021) included a reference to developing a strategy for economic cooperation across Africa. To that end, the Department has been engaged in consultations with a variety of stakeholders inside and outside of Canada. 

As part of enhanced engagement with Africa, Minister Ng launched the inaugural Trade Policy Dialogue with the African Union Commission in October 2022.

Canada’s international assistance portfolio includes programming in Africa that aims to improve the enabling environment for economic growth. Efforts to support the negotiation and successful implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area, as well as programming in areas such as regulatory reform, business development capacity building and trade related infrastructure, are examples of initiatives that will help build a more attractive business environment for African as well as Canadian businesses.

African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement

• Canada believes in the potential of the AfCFTA to increase incomes and reduce poverty in Africa while creating investment opportunities.
• Canada is contributing to the success of the AfCFTA through its regional development programming, including support for the African Trade Policy Centre (ATPC) to support to regional trade facilitation and national implementation of the Agreement.

Supplementary messages

• Canada and the African Union Commission held the first Trade Policy Dialogue on May 17, 2023, where AfCFTA-related issues were featured.
• Canada views the successful implementation of the AfCFTA as a priority area for increased engagement, including with other G7 partners.
• All G7 nations are engaged on the AfCFTA, recognizing its potential to provide game-changing economic benefits and market opportunities for Africans and partner states alike.
• Canada’s contribution to AfCFTA’s implementation also includes gender-sensitive trade facilitation efforts that promote inclusive economic growth.

Supporting facts and figures

• The AfCFTA framework agreement was signed by 54 of 55 AU members (all but Eritrea) in 2018.
• 47 of the 54 signatories have ratified the agreement as of present.
• AfCFTA members have committed to eliminating tariffs on 90% of tariff lines over 5 years (10 for least developed countries).
• Canadian support to the ATPC: $19.6 million 2003-2014; $13.2 million 2016-2021; $15.2 million 2021-2025.
• The AfCFTA is expected to create a free trade area for 1.3 billion people and increase GDP by 3.4 trillion USD.
• UNECA estimates the AfCFTA will increase intra-African trade by 15-25% ($50B-$70B USD) by 2040.
• Women represent over 70% of cross-border informal traders who could benefit from the AfCFTA’s support to small-scale, cross-border traders and smallholder farmers.

Background

The AfCFTA Secretariat is based in Accra, Ghana.

Once implemented, the AfCFTA will benefit Canadian exporters by creating a rules-based, predictable and transparent trade and investment environment. This will help Canadian companies develop clear business and investment strategies, promote economic development and create new opportunities for Canadian and African businesses. Any direct benefits to Canadian companies will appear in the medium term.

Through the Trade Commissioner Service, the Government of Canada continues to help Canadian companies access opportunities in a number of sectors including clean tech, climate-friendly agriculture, education, mining and information and communications technology (ICT).

The prospects for Canada pursuing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the AU, individual Regional Economic Communities (RECs) or specific AU Member States remain limited in the near term, as AfCFTA members are focussed on concluding negotiations toward their internal agreement. This is compounded by the fact that AfCFTA parties can only conclude preferential trade agreements with third parties as long as they will not impede or frustrate the objectives of the AfCFTA.

African Development Bank

• The African Development Bank is a key development and policy partner for Canada across Africa where priorities important to Canadians, like gender equality and climate action, can be jointly advanced.
• The Bank’s financial operations generate up to 4 dollars for every dollar invested, allowing Canada to maximize the value of our support for Africa’s increasing funding needs in critical areas like sustainable infrastructure and clean energy.
• Canada’s important shareholding in this Bank provides us considerable influence and visibility in Africa’s work to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and sustainable economic growth.

Supplementary messages

• Canada’s programming through the Bank gives Canada continent-wide visibility at the highest levels in critical issues including climate action and food security, such as through our flagship funds which include the Canada-African Development Bank Climate Fund and the Agri-SME Catalytic Financing Mechanism.
• Canada continues to support the poorest countries of Africa through its engagement with the Bank’s concessional fund and pledged $369.4 million over 2023-2025 to the African Development Fund, a 10% increase that will provide grants to further progress in climate action and food security, amongst other priorities.
• The African Development Bank is a global leader in innovative solutions to stretching limited development financing, which is critical in our post-COVID global economy.

Supporting facts and figures

• Canada is the fourth largest non-regional shareholder in the African Development Bank, holding 3.8% of voting power, representing approximately $10.5 billion.
• Our shareholding ensures Canada retains a seat on the Board of Directors and continues to serve as head of our constituency.
• As head of the constituency, Canada also represents China, Korea, Kuwait, and Turkey at the Board of Directors.
• Canada is also the 7^th largest contributor to the African Development Fund (ADF), the concessional arm of the Bank, which provides grants and low-interest loans to the poorest countries of Africa.
• In December 2022, at the 16^th replenishment of the ADF, Canada pledged $369.4 million for the 2023-2025 programming period. This compares to $355.2 million for the previous 3-year cycle.
• Including the December 2022 pledge, Canada has donated over $1.3 billion in support to the ADF since 2017.
• Apart from core resources noted above, Global Affairs Canada has also created or otherwise contributed to ongoing trust funds, including:
  • 2021/22 – Canada-led $100 million Agri-Food SME Catalytic Financing Mechanism (ACFM). Program aims to increase financing for underserved gender-oriented and climate-smart agricultural small and medium-sized enterprises across the African continent.
  • 2020/21 – $133 million Canada-AfDB Climate Fund (CACF). This program aims to catalyze public and private sector investments in climate change mitigation and adaptation across Africa, while promoting gender-responsive, sustainable economic development.
  • 2019/2020 – $12.5 million contribution to the Affirmative Finance Action for Women in Africa (AFAWA). Canada’s contribution to this multi-donor fund helps to increase African women entrepreneurs’ access to financing by guaranteeing loans to women-owned enterprises and helps promote a shift towards gender-sensitive lending.
• The AfDB has adopted climate and gender as cross-cutting issues in its programming. The latest replenishment of the ADF (December 2022) saw the Fund Strategy commit to tying 40% of programming as climate financing, while the new Ten-Year Strategy currently being considered by Directors proposes the same for its non-concessional lending.
• On gender, the ADF has committed to ensuring 80% of public-sector concessional operations have direct outcomes that benefit women and girls by 2025.
• Minister Sajjan participated in the AfDB’s Annual Meetings in May, 2023 in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt.

G7 and Africa

• Since the G8 Kananaskis Summit in 2002 and the development-focused Africa Action Plan, Africa has been on the agenda of the G7.
• The G7 Africa Directors track, conceived of during Canada’s G8 Presidency in 2002, facilitates the engagement of African governments, regional organizations and other key stakeholders on African issues in G7 contexts.
• G7 members are redoubling engagement with African partners to protect their long-term geopolitical partnerships and interests.

Supplementary messages

• The G7 Africa Directors group deploys its collective policy and technical expertise to initiate discussions with African partners to influence the direction of the G7 Presidency’s proposed Summit deliverables.
• Italy’s G7 engagement strategy places a strong emphasis on Africa and working more closely with African institutions. They recently announced 5.5 billion euros of investments towards pilot projects in Africa in key sectors including Education, Health, Agriculture, Water, and Energy.
• Canada is working closely with Italy in anticipation of its own presidency, including considering ways to engage African interlocutors in 2025.

Supporting facts and figures

• China’s growing influence in Africa and, since 2022, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and its activities in Africa, have remained top G7 issues.
• The Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investments, launched in 2022, has pursued an ambitious $600 billion mobilization strategy to counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Both initiatives support infrastructure development in developing countries with many projects already announced or in the case of the BRI completed, in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• African countries are advocating for renewed emphasis on International Financial Institution reform, in part due to rising debt and the fiscal impacts of the COVID pandemic. This issue remains a cross-cutting priority for the G7/G20.
• All current G7 members have expressed their unanimous support for the AU's accession to the G20.
• Japan, Germany, United Kingdom and the European Union have appointed special representatives to Africa in the last two years.
• The United States, Germany, Italy, the European Union, France, and the United Kingdom have or are developing new policy frameworks for Africa.

Background

G7 Africa Directors meetings: The G7 Africa Directors group was conceived of and applied during Canada’s G8 Presidency in 2002 and marked the first time that representatives from African countries and the United Nations attended a G8 meeting to discuss the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) initiative. Indeed, many have credited Canada for putting Africa’s development priorities at the top of the G8 agenda at that time. The G7 Africa Directors is a working group under the G7 calendar of meetings and is represented by the Assistant Deputy Minister for Sub-Saharan Africa Branch.  

Russia, China and the BRICS in Africa

• Russia/Wagner: Canada remains concerned by the presence of state-funded private military company Wagner in the region, as it is a major threat to democracy and rule of law in Africa.
• China: China's political and economic footprint in Africa is significant and has long-lasting impacts and influence on the continent's development. We also recognize the significant historical engagement of China in the region, including through its Belt and Road Initiative.
• BRICS: Canada respects the right of African countries to freely pursue partnerships with countries and groupings of their choice such as the BRICS. We are also broadening and deepening our own engagement with African countries and institutions.

Supplementary messages

• Wagner Group advertises its provision of security services for African governments, but it delivers this in exchange for payment in the form of concessions for natural resources, substantial commercial contracts, or access to strategic locations. This Wagner dynamic has created extreme uncertainty for foreign investors.

• Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy is informed by its clear-eyed understanding of China. Canada's approach to China, including in Africa, is aligned with those of our partners. Canada will pursue cooperation with China as necessary to address some of the world's existential pressures, such as climate change and biodiversity loss, global health, and nuclear proliferation.
• Canada seeks to advance cooperation with individual BRICS members on a range of themes of common interest, from economic cooperation to advancing democracy and human rights worldwide.

Supporting facts and figures

• Russia portrays itself to African partners as a specialist in counterterrorism and regime security, including via Private Military Companies (e.g. Wagner). Foreign Minister Lavrov has made four multi-country visits to Africa since February 2022.
• Russian propaganda has overtones matching Pan-African and anti-colonial sentiments of the 1960s/70s. Key tools include proxies (e.g., Wagner), social media influencers, local print/digital media, and Africa based Russia news outlets.
• China is Africa’s largest trading partner in total volume. Major investor in IT infrastructure (ITI) (Huawei constructed up to 70% of Africa’s ITI). Over 50 African countries are members of the Belt and Road Initiative.
• The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation was established in 2000 as a platform between China and 53 African states (all except Eswatini, which maintains diplomatic relations with Taiwan). Leader level summits held triennially.
• BRICS: In August 2023, at the 15th BRICS Summit in Johannesburg 6 countries (Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE) were invited to join the bloc. They were formally admitted in January 2024. Russia chairs BRICS in 2024.

Canadian international assistance spending in Africa

*Total international assistance disbursements in 2020-21 were higher due to the influx of COVID-19 pandemic-related funding.

GAC’s Top 8 Recipient Countries in Africa, 2021-22

Global Affairs Canada’s international assistance to Africa is delivered via

• Global Issues and Development Branch ($1,911.8M in 2021-22)
• Geographic programs ($643.0M in 2021-22)
• Partnerships for Development Innovation Branch ($199.5M in 2021- 22)
• International Security and Political Affairs Branch ($79.1M in 2021-22)

A number of countries receive significant international assistance from GAC even in the absence of a country program, such as Uganda, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia and Madagascar.

Source: DevData, CFO-Stats. All data refers to Global Affairs Canada international assistance spending in Africa via all channels unless otherwise stated.

GAC international assistance spending in Africa

Source: DevData. All data refers to Global Affairs Canada international assistance spending in Africa via all channels.

Global Affairs Canada disbursed $668.9M in international assistance to Africa via Canadian partners (including civil society and private sector organizations) in 2021-22. The majority was disbursed as follows:

• Geographic programs: $239.8M
• Partnerships for Development Innovation Branch: $190.2M
• Global Issues and Development Branch: $136.6M

Top sectors for spending among Canadian partners:

1. Health & SRHR ($132.5M)
2. Governance ($88.0M)
3. Education ($83.5M)
4. Humanitarian assistance ($80.1M)
5. Agriculture ($47.1M)

Global Affairs Canada disbursed $336.8M in international assistance to Africa via foreign partners (foreign governments, civil society and private sector organizations) in 2021-22.

Top sectors among foreign partners :

1. Humanitarian assistance ($77.1M)
2. Health & SRHR ($73.5M)
3. Governance ($41.1M)
4. Education ($33.0M)
5. Energy ($25.3M)

Global Affairs Canada disbursed $1,915.0M in international assistance to Africa via multilateral organizations in 2021-22. The majority was disbursed as follows:

• Global Issues & Development Branch: $1,647.7M;
• Geographic programs: $229.7M
• International Security and Political Affairs Branch: $36.8M

Top sectors among multilateral partners:

1. Health & SRHR ($736.6M)
2. Humanitarian assistance ($295.3M)
3. Agriculture ($186.8M)
4. Energy ($139.7M)
5. Governance ($92.5M)