Global Affairs Canada: Departmental Plan 2019-20

ISSN 2371-7688

Table of Contents

• Ministers’ message
• Plans at a glance and operating context
• Planned results: what we want to achieve this year and beyond
  • Core Responsibilities
    • Core Responsibility 1: International Advocacy and Diplomacy
    • Core Responsibility 2: Trade and Investment
    • Core Responsibility 3: Development, Peace and Security Programming
    • Core Responsibility 4: Help for Canadians Abroad
    • Core Responsibility 5: Support for Canada’s Presence Abroad
    • Internal Services
• Spending and human resources
  • Planned spending
  • Planned human resources
  • Estimates by vote
  • Future-Oriented Condensed Statement of Operations
• Additional information
  • Corporate information
    • Organizational profile
    • Raison d’être, mandate and role
    • Reporting framework
  • Supporting information on the Program Inventory
  • Supplementary information tables
  • Federal tax expenditures
  • Organizational contact information
• Appendix: definitions

Ministers’ message

The Honourable Chrystia Freeland
Minister of Foreign Affairs

The Honourable James Gordon Carr
Minister of International Trade Diversification

The Honourable Maryam Monsef
Minister of International Development and Minister for Women and Gender Equality

The Honourable Mélanie Joly
Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie

Our focus is on Canadians and their interests at home and abroad.

This means standing up for human rights, women’s empowerment, gender equality, peaceful pluralism, inclusion, respect for diversity, democracy and the rule of law.

We are doing this through Canadian leadership in vital multilateral institutions that uphold our shared principles and the rules-based international order.

We are doing this by pursuing a diversified, rules-based and inclusive approach to trade, one where all segments of society enjoy the economic opportunities flowing from trade and investment.

We are doing this by implementing our Feminist International Assistance Policy, which seeks to eradicate poverty and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. Together with a broad range of partners, we work to support the poorest and most vulnerable, as well as the health, rights and well-being of women and girls. We are doing this through the first ever Gender Equality Advisory Council, created during Canada’s G7 presidency, and this year France will bolster this Canadian initiative.

We are doing this by paying special attention to women and youth in our activities as part of La Francophonie, including the implementation of a strategy for La Francophonie on gender equality, as well as working on setting up a digital platform to share French-language content across La Francophonie.

A more peaceful, prosperous and inclusive world is in our interest and in our sights. Our work continues, and Canada will rise to the challenge.

Plans at a glance and operating context

Global Affairs Canada will continue to deliver results on the Government of Canada’s commitments to preserve and support Canadian prosperity and security, and to contribute to a more just, inclusive, and sustainable world, in a gender-responsive manner.

Global Affairs Canada is implementing Canada’s Feminist Foreign Policy and its suite of feminist international policies, programs and initiatives across its commitments in diplomacy, trade, security, development and consular services. The Feminist Foreign Policy recognizes that fostering rights-based, open and inclusive societies, where all people, regardless of their gender, can fully benefit from equal participation in economic, political, social and cultural life, is an effective way to build a safer and more prosperous world.

To support this work in 2019-20, the department will focus on four priorities:

1. Revitalizing the rules-based international order

Global Affairs Canada will continue to engage constructively with regional, bilateral and multilateral partners in driving positive action on global issues such as strengthening global peace and security operations, promoting the rule of law, advancing inclusive approaches to trade, reducing poverty, advancing gender equality, combatting climate change, and mitigating cyber threats.

Global Affairs Canada will also work with partners to protect, reform, and renew the rules-based international order and to advance Canada’s interests in key international forums, including campaigning for a seat on the United Nations Security Council for 2021–22.

2. Eradicating Poverty

Global Affairs Canada will continue implementing its Feminist International Assistance Policy, released in June 2017, which seeks to eradicate poverty and build a more peaceful, more inclusive and more prosperous world.

Canada recognizes that promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls to reach their full potential is the most effective approach to achieving this goal. Global Affairs Canada’s international assistance will contribute to eradicating poverty, increasing opportunity for people around the world, alleviating suffering in humanitarian crises, and fostering peace and security, and in doing so, advances the Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to eradicate poverty by 2030.

3. Pursuing diversified, modern and inclusive trade

Global Affairs Canada is committed to an inclusive trade agenda that supports all segments of society in taking advantage of the economic opportunities flowing from trade and investment. Global Affairs Canada will continue to champion a more inclusive approach to trade, including by supporting women entrepreneurs with targeted products and services to help them better integrate in the global marketplace, and by promoting a more inclusive approach in Canada’s free trade agreements.

Global Affairs Canada will work to deepen and diversify trade relationships through increased and diversified international trade and foreign direct investment and will contribute to inclusive prosperity to ensure that the benefits of trade are widely shared. Through consultations that inform our approaches, the department will also continue to pursue modern and inclusive approaches with trading partners in important areas such as transparency, labour rights, the environment, small and medium-sized enterprises, gender, and Indigenous peoples.

4. Strengthening Canada’s place in North America

The Government of Canada is committed to further strengthening relations with Canada’s key allies, partners and neighbours to the south — the United States and Mexico.

Global Affairs Canada will deepen engagement with the U.S. and Mexico, including with relevant federal, state and local governments, private sector and civil society organizations on key areas such as trade, investment, innovation, security, energy and the environment.

Global Affairs Canada will collaborate with other government departments and other levels of government, in a whole-of-Canada approach to the two bilateral relationships and the trilateral relationship, to enhance competitiveness; increase commercial ties; advance modern border management; cooperate on energy infrastructure and security; advance environmental action; and support efforts to address global and continental issues and threats.

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The department has a long history of being entrepreneurial and innovative in its work, and is experimenting with new approaches in some areas. Building awareness and capacity related to experimentation, implementing a data strategy, and promoting innovation will continue to enable Global Affairs Canada to deliver better results on its international agenda.

In advancing the above four priorities, Global Affairs Canada may be exposed to a number of factors that stem from the complex and volatile context in which the department operates. This includes pressures related to the rise of protectionism, unilateralism, populism and authoritarianism, and the effects of violent extremism, social instability and poverty.

Through country, regional and multilateral engagements, the department will continue to confront cross-border challenges that impact all citizens. Addressing global issues such as the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, cyber threats, irregular migration and climate change, among many others, requires an international order based on rules and that ensure benefits for all.

For more information on Global Affairs Canada’s plans, priorities and planned results, see the “Planned results” section of this report.

Planned results: what we want to achieve this year and beyond

Core Responsibilities

Core Responsibility 1: International Advocacy and Diplomacy

Description

Global Affairs Canada promotes Canada’s interests and values through the development of policy and the fostering of international law, diplomacy, advocacy, and effective engagement.

Planning highlights

Canada will work with a wide range of partners to protect, reform, and renew the current rules-based international order and to achieve common global goals. Through effective advocacy and diplomacy efforts, Global Affairs Canada will continue to advance Canadian values and interests internationally, including human rights, democratic and inclusive governance, growth that works for everyone, respect for diversity, gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, peace and security, and environmental sustainability.

Canada builds and maintains constructive relationships that advance Canada’s interests.

International cooperation is required to address many of the most important challenges facing the world today. Global Affairs Canada will work with international partners and collaborate with other departments and agencies to advance Canada’s values and interests at home and abroad. This includes continued engagement, diplomacy and advocacy with bilateral partners and through multilateral organizations such as the United Nations, NATO, the G7, the G20, La Francophonie, the Commonwealth and regional organizations. Canada will coordinate the G7 Rapid Response Mechanism, which is mandated to strengthen G7 coordination to identify and respond to foreign threats to democracy.

Global Affairs Canada will deepen engagement with the U.S. and Mexico, including with relevant federal, state and local governments, private sector and civil society organizations. The department will continue targeted diplomacy and advocacy efforts on a range of issues including trade, investment, innovation, security, energy and the environment.

Global Affairs Canada will also work closely with long-standing partners in Europe on a range of foreign affairs, trade and security related, and environmental matters, including through implementation of the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement and Strategic Partnership Agreement, the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement, and various Canada-United Kingdom and Canada-France initiatives.

The department will engage with Arctic and targeted non-Arctic states to advance Canada’s interests in the Arctic, including the areas of science, sustainable socio-economic and cultural development, and environmental protection in the Canadian North, and will explore options toward pursuing consultative status in the Antarctic Treaty System. Canada’s circumpolar interests will be promoted at the Arctic Council and with other relevant bodies, in cooperation with territorial, provincial and northern Indigenous partners.

Global Affairs Canada will advance comprehensive engagement with China while standing up for Canadian values and interests, strengthen engagement with India, Japan and the Republic of Korea, and renew engagement with Pakistan. The department will also reinforce Canada’s role in key multilateral forums in Asia and efforts aimed at enhancing peace and security in the region, with a focus on the Korean Peninsula. Canada will continue to seek a long-lasting and durable solution to the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar and Bangladesh through bilateral and multilateral political engagement, humanitarian assistance, as well as long-term development programming.

In an effort to promote peace, stability and dialogue in the Middle East, Global Affairs Canada will advance Canada’s bilateral and multilateral relationships in Israel, the West Bank, Gaza, Egypt and Maghreb. The department will also support the advancement of democracy and stability in various countries, including Ukraine. In collaboration with Canadian and international stakeholders, the department will continue to implement the whole-of-government strategy for Canada’s diplomatic, development and security/stabilization engagement in Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon.

In Latin America and the Caribbean, Global Affairs Canada will continue to support efforts to advance a progressive, feminist agenda that promotes gender equality, human rights, prosperity, resilience and democratic governance. Canada will leverage international assistance to bring new partnerships to priority sectors and regions. The department will also continue to support reconstruction and longer-term climate resilience in the Caribbean, as well as responses to the political, economic and humanitarian crises in Venezuela and Nicaragua.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, Global Affairs Canada will advance Canada’s political, development, security, and economic interests with a feminist approach, through bilateral and multilateral engagement, including through the African Union, Regional Economic Communities, La Francophonie, the Commonwealth, like-minded partners, and multilateral institutions. The department will continue to leverage engagement in these areas as a means to reduce poverty, contribute to political stability, and advance democracy in the region.

Canada's leadership on global issues contributes to a just and inclusive world.

Global Affairs Canada champions the rule of law and values inclusive and accountable governance, including by promoting democracy, civil society space, human rights, women’s empowerment and gender equality, freedom of religion or belief, inclusion, and respect for diversity, including in digital and online spaces. In support of this, Global Affairs Canada will ensure that gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls are integrated into or targeted across all its international policies and programming. The department will continue to give priority to promoting and protecting the human rights of marginalized and vulnerable groups, including LGBTQ2 and intersex communities and human rights defenders. Through bilateral and multilateral engagements, including at the United Nations, the United Nations Human Rights Council, La Francophonie, the Commonwealth and the Organization of American States, Global Affairs Canada will promote inclusion and respect for diversity. The department will also champion human rights, both on and offline, by addressing human rights abuses and violations internationally, including through sanctions.

Global Affairs Canada will advance its international peace and security interests through continuing efforts on conflict prevention, stabilization, and peacebuilding, and by countering terrorism, crime and violent radicalization through multilateral frameworks and leadership in international institutions. This includes through: active participation in NATO and regional security organizations, such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations regional forum, the Global Coalition against Daesh, and the Global Counterterrorism Forum; shaping the negotiations for a follow-up mechanism to the UN Convention against Transnational Organized Crime and its three Protocols; working with like-minded nations to shape negotiations for an additional Protocol to the Council of Europe Convention on Cybercrime; and active participation in the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs and the G7 Roma-Lyon Group. The department will also work multilaterally and bilaterally with partners to further shared agendas on combatting money laundering and terrorist financing, transnational crime, and cyber threats, and on furthering counterterrorism, non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament.

Canada helps build strong international institutions and respect for international law.

Through advocacy, outreach and engagement with national and international stakeholders, Global Affairs Canada supports the development of, and compliance with, international law in order to strengthen the rules-based international order. Global Affairs Canada will continue to actively engage with international institutions, such as the United Nations, the International Criminal Court, and the International Court of Justice to uphold the international legal framework and meet its obligations. The department will advance, prosecute and defend Canada’s rights and interests, including at meetings of parties to specific treaties, and before international dispute-settlement mechanisms.

Global Affairs Canada will work to strengthen the international human rights architecture by promoting human rights in various forums ranging from United Nations bodies to the G7. The department will actively participate in the United Nations Human Rights Council and the United Nations General Assembly’s Third Committee — the key multilateral institutions mandated to consider human rights issues. Bilaterally, Canadian missions will engage with governments and support the effort of the local and international civil society to promote respect for human rights in country-specific contexts.

Global Affairs Canada will pursue constructive leadership and engagement in international institutions to support innovation and reforms to improve accountability, transparency, effectiveness and results. This includes the United Nations system broadly, and its peace and security architecture and peacekeeping missions specifically, as well as international financial institutions, La Francophonie, and the Commonwealth. Global Affairs Canada will also contribute to the prevention of, and effective response to, global crises—including by strengthening global conflict management and peacebuilding capabilities and improving the effectiveness of international and Canadian sanctions regimes.

Global Affairs Canada will continue to provide strategic international legal advice to the Government of Canada and reflect Canada’s positions in the development and enforcement of international legal instruments and treaties, with a focus on cybercrime, human rights, biodiversity, oceans and the environment. The department will also advance Canada’s interests in the Arctic through the preparation and filing of Canada’s submission on the outer limits of its continental shelf in the Arctic Ocean. This will help protect Canada’s sovereign rights over the shelf’s natural resources and preserve its jurisdiction over other Arctic initiatives and activities, in areas such as shipping, fisheries, and marine scientific research.

Canada’s global influence is expanded and strengthened.

Global Affairs Canada will continue to engage constructively with regional, bilateral and multilateral partners in driving positive action on global issues, especially in areas where Canadian action and advocacy can serve to revitalize a rules-based international order. As a convener, connector and catalyst of inclusive change, Canada will build and maintain like-minded coalitions on issues related to advancing gender equality, promoting human rights and the rule of law, supporting inclusion and diversity, including for LGBTQ2 and intersex persons, defending democracy, and combatting climate change, among others. 

This approach is fundamental to the implementation of Canada’s Feminist Foreign Policy, including the Feminist International Assistance Policy, and will ensure that Canada continues to play an active role in developing the global gender equality agenda, and shaping international norms, legal instruments and multilateral institutions to advance women’s rights and their empowerment. Similar engagement will be used to ensure a leadership role for Canada during humanitarian crises, in conflict zones, and in response to country and regional situations such as those found in Ukraine, Myanmar, Venezuela, and on the Korean Peninsula. 

Canada will demonstrate leadership and cultivate shared interests in support of a more just, inclusive and sustainable world. Bilaterally, Canada will deepen its relationships with traditional and emerging partners to cultivate shared interests and promote Canadian values more broadly. Multilaterally, Canada will build  on its recent success in hosting the G7 by continuing to advance issues of Women, Peace and Security, International Humanitarian Law, innovative financing for development, quality education for women and girls, and responses to threats to democracies on the global stage. Global Affairs Canada will also continue to strengthen Canada’s economic position and implement the Agenda 2030 by advancing work on open and inclusive trade, sustainable development and inclusive growth through active engagement in multilateral forums such as the G7, G20, WTO, APEC, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation, including its Development Assistance Committee, La Francophonie, and the Commonwealth. 

In order to further strengthen Canada’s voice on global issues and allow it to better contribute to decision-making processes at the UN, Canada is pursuing a seat on the United Nations Security Council for 2021–22. The department will continue to promote Canada’s United Nations Security Council campaign through its bilateral and multilateral engagements and will prepare for this potential opportunity to build a more inclusive, peaceful and prosperous world, if elected.

Financial, human resources and performance information for Global Affairs Canada’s Program Inventory is available in the GC InfoBaseFootnote i.

Core Responsibility 2: Trade and Investment

Description

Global Affairs Canada supports increased and more diverse trade and investment to raise the standard of living for all Canadians and to enable Canadian businesses to grow internationally and to create economic opportunities.

Planning highlights

Global Affairs Canada will work to deepen and diversify trade relationships, advocate for a rules-based international trading system focused on economic opportunities for all, and seek increased and diversified foreign direct investment. The department will pursue modern and inclusive approaches with trading partners in important areas such as transparency, labour rights, the environment, small and medium-sized enterprises, gender, and Indigenous peoples.

Canada helps to build and safeguard an open and inclusive rules-based global trading system.

Canada remains committed to advocating for a rules-based open trading system that focuses on economic opportunities for all. New and existing free trade agreements pave the road to a more diversified, modern and inclusive global trading system with benefits to Canadians. Global Affairs Canada will ensure that Canada’s interests are advanced vis-à-vis the global trading system by supporting the expansion of modern and inclusive trade agreements on various multilateral, plurilateral and sectoral levels. This includes the implementation of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement, the Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, the Canada-Ukraine Free Trade Agreement, the modernized Canada-Chile and Canada-Israel Free Trade Agreements, and the newly ratified Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Canada’s inclusive trade interests will also be promoted by efforts to access a more diverse range of markets. Examples of these efforts include: the ratification and implementation of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP); the acceleration of exploratory trade talks with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations; and, the vigorous pursuit of opportunities in fast-growing economies in South Asia, where Canada’s trade has been expanding rapidly in recent years. Canada is also engaged in negotiations toward comprehensive free trade agreements with Mercosur and the Pacific Alliance.

Global Affairs Canada will also continue to advance inclusive approaches to trade, including those that support women and women-owned businesses, Indigenous peoples, small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), newcomers and LGBTQ2 and intersex persons. Through engagement with partners and international organizations in various forums, such as the G7, the G20, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the World Trade Organization (including Canada’s initiative to reform and strengthen the organization), Canada’s interests and priorities will be advanced on the world stage.

Canadian exporters and innovators are successful in their international business development efforts.

Global Affairs Canada recognizes the importance of international commercial activities as a driver for economic prosperity and will work with our partners to ensure that our global engagements are maximizing relationship and partnership opportunities for Canadian businesses and workers.

With the goal of increasing Canada’s overseas exports by 50% by 2025, Global Affairs Canada will pursue an export diversification strategy to provide more support for companies to explore new markets and enhanced trade services to exporters. The department will work with partners to diversify Canadian exporters and trade partners for the benefit of the middle class and increase exports with key global markets, with a particular focus on the Asia-Pacific region.

The strategy will also better serve all businesses looking to do business abroad through an expansion of the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) presence and services in key markets abroad and throughout the TCS regional network across Canada, as well as modernization of TCS tools, including a refreshed digital presence, new online tools for exporters, enhanced market intelligence, and tools to facilitate seamless client referrals between other federal and provincial partners.

Additionally, Global Affairs Canada will work with Employment and Social Development Canada to develop a new international education strategy in order to attract more international students and provide training in support of Canada’s international trade and increased global ties.

Foreign direct investment is facilitated, expanded or retained.

Global Affairs Canada will continue to work with Invest in Canada to increase foreign direct investment, in order to make investing in Canada simpler and more attractive, and to reinforce a positive profile of Canada’s openness to international commerce. The department will also seek to make Canada a top destination for global investment and to attract more foreign direct investment through the implementation of free trade agreements.

Financial, human resources and performance information for the Global Affairs Canada’s Program Inventory is available in the GC InfoBase^{Footnote ii}.

Core Responsibility 3: Development, Peace and Security Programming

Description

Global Affairs Canada programming contributes to reducing poverty, increasing opportunity for people around the world, alleviating suffering in humanitarian crises, and fostering peace and security, and in so doing, advances the Sustainable Development Goals.

Planning highlights

Global Affairs Canada is committed to successfully implementing Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy — a transformative approach to international assistance that recognizes that advancing gender equality and empowering women and girls in a targeted and cross-cutting manner is the most effective approach to make progress towards eradicating poverty, and building a more peaceful, inclusive and prosperous world. Canada’s approach contributes to achieving the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. This policy outlines six interlinked action areas for Canada’s international assistance: gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls; human dignity; growth that works for everyone; environment and climate action; inclusive governance; and peace and security. Across these action areas, Canada will continue to make progress towards ensuring that 95 percent of its bilateral international development assistance advances gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls by 2021-22. Canada will work towards directing 50 percent of its bilateral international development assistance to Sub-Saharan African countries by 2021–22.

In June 2019, Canada will host the next Women Deliver Global Conference in Vancouver, which will bring over 6,000 world leaders, influencers, advocates, academics, activists, and journalists from more than 150 countries to Canada to strengthen global advocacy partnerships and tools, in particular for young people, to influence policy, programs, processes and decisions that impact gender equality and girls’ and women’s health, rights and wellbeing, including sexual and reproductive health and rights.

Improved physical, social and economic well-being for the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly for women and girls, in countries where Canada engages.

When women are able to develop their full economic potential—whether as agricultural producers, employees, entrepreneurs or business leaders—economies thrive and the benefits of growth reach more people. Businesses also benefit when they integrate women and woman-owned enterprises into their supply chains.

Canada recognizes the importance of the full participation of women in economic decision making and is committed to helping improve opportunities for women. This includes assistance for rural women in the area of climate-smart agriculture and support for initiatives that deliver technical and vocational training and encourage women’s entrepreneurship. In addition, Canada will work to support greater financial inclusion, better access to good, well-paying work, and enhanced labour and property rights for women. Canada is also prepared to help local governments develop the policy reforms needed to address issues such as unpaid work and care.

Global Affairs Canada will ensure that the benefits of trade are shared more broadly, which includes closing the gap in women’s participation in trade and the economy. In line with this commitment, Global Affairs Canada will continue to foster economic development and growth by seeking fair trade opportunities for women-owned/operated small and medium-sized enterprises, supporting women exporters, and advancing trade agreements that incorporate a gender perspective to help increase women’s access to economic opportunities and resources. 

To eradicate poverty, all girls, adolescent girls and women must have equal access to quality education and learning opportunities. When women and girls have an equal chance to learn, grow, and succeed, they help build an economy that works for everyone. Canada will continue to strengthen its legacy as a leader in this area, including through targeted investments supporting our G7 commitment to provide $400 million to support Education for Women and Girls in Fragile, Conflict and Crisis Situations.   

Global Affairs Canada will also support multilateral and global health initiatives aimed at improved nutrition as well as infectious disease control for the poorest and most vulnerable in countries where Canada engages. By improving access to nutritious foods and supplements, Canada will help combat anemia and improve birth outcomes. With a focus on equity-based approaches to fighting infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and polio, as well as increased access to new and underused vaccines, Canada will help save the lives of children living in the world’s poorest countries.

Global Affairs Canada will also continue engagement in multi-stakeholder partnerships with organizations that focus on climate smart and environmentally sustainable development. Through the Government of Canada’s $2.65 billion commitment to climate financing to help the most vulnerable countries, through both adaptation and mitigation support, and also through leveraging private sector investment in climate action investments that support developing countries. The Paris Agreement priorities will be advanced while concurrently promoting accountability, transparency, results, gender equality and women’s empowerment, and innovation.

Under Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy, Global Affairs Canada will focus on empowering women, and offer ways to ensure that growth reaches the poorest and the most marginalized. Priority will be given to initiatives with the greatest potential to reduce chronic poverty and gender inequalities, and that promote sustainable growth, economic inclusion and resilience. The department will be looking for inclusive innovative partnerships and finance that will help drive innovation, trade and investment in developing countries, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected environments.

Enhanced empowerment and rights for women and girls in countries where Canada engages.

Canada is committed to eradicating poverty, and building a more peaceful, inclusive and prosperous world. Global Affairs Canada will invest in gender equality and women’s empowerment as the most effective means of achieving these objectives, grounded in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. 

To respond to the needs of local women’s organizations that advance women’s rights in developing countries, Global Affairs Canada will address a significant funding gap experienced by women’s organizations and network by providing them with direct funding and institutional support so that they can promote women’s rights and advance women’s empowerment and gender equality. Canada will be engaging with organizations in 30 countries and regions to help advance gender equality and empower women and girls.

Global Affairs Canada will host the next Global Action on Disability Network meeting in Ottawa from April 29 to May 1, 2019, where discussions will be held on the progress of international cooperation in disability-inclusive development & humanitarian action. This meeting presents an opportunity to further develop shared commitment to disability inclusive development and humanitarian action.

An important step to achieving positive health outcomes for women and girls is closing persistent gaps in sexual and reproductive health and rights. Global Affairs Canada will focus on effective leadership and the coordination of efforts to fulfill the maternal, newborn and child health, and sexual and reproductive rights commitments with international partners.

Reduced suffering and increased human dignity in communities experiencing humanitarian crises.

Canada is recognized as a leader in providing humanitarian assistance to those affected by conflicts and by natural disasters and will continue to support timely humanitarian action with an improved gender-responsive approach, based on humanitarian principles and on needs, to save lives, alleviate suffering and support the dignity of those affected. This includes providing flexible and predictable funding in response to humanitarian crises, in accordance with World Humanitarian Summit and Grand Bargain commitments, including the use of un-earmarked and multi-year funding for longer-term crises, as well as increasing localization to build the capacity of and increase funding to local and national actors in the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

Global Affairs Canada will provide humanitarian assistance to populations affected by natural disasters and human-made conflicts in developing countries and in fragile and conflict-affected states. The department will focus on improving capacity to address the humanitarian and early recovery needs of crisis-affected populations and on improving gender-responsive support provided to crisis-affected populations, including those forcibly displaced.

Due to the specific risks that humanitarian crises create for women and girls, Canada also committed to increasing its support for women and girls in its humanitarian response efforts and for local groups providing emergency assistance, including local women’s organizations.

Women and girls have the potential to be powerful agents of change for development and peace in crisis situations and are already leading many response efforts. They are often uniquely positioned to take on leadership roles, determine priorities and influence more effective humanitarian responses; thereby directly contributing to improving their own lives and those of their families, communities and countries.

Improved peace and security in countries and regions where Canada engages.

Through Canada’s Peace and Stabilization Operations Program, and applying a feminist approach, Canada is buttressing efforts to achieve peace in fragile and conflict-affected states, including through deploying civilian experts and police. The department will continue to provide policy leadership on peace and stabilization; and will continue to deliver conflict prevention, stabilization, and peacebuilding initiatives. The department will support inclusive approaches to building sustainable peace and security by helping women to participate in peacebuilding processes as well as in preventing and resolving conflicts and political crises, and by ensuring that responses account for and meet the needs of women and girls.

Global Affairs Canada will engage with partner states, organizations, and global networks in the prevention and mitigation of terrorism, violent radicalization and transnational organized crime. The department will continue to engage with the international donor community to more effectively co-ordinate capacity-building programming, thereby reducing the potential for duplication and strengthening the impact of programming. Human rights and gender-informed programming to combat violent extremism and transnational crime are critical for more effective and sustainable outcomes. The department will also enhance engagement with the United Nations and other multilateral organizations to support peacebuilding and peacekeeping operations and to continue to advance the Women, Peace and Security agenda. Global Affairs Canada will continue to take a leadership role supporting, among other initiatives, the Vancouver Principles—focused on ending the recruitment and use of child soldiers in the context of UN peacekeeping operations—and the Elsie Initiative for Women in Peace Operations, a pilot project that aims to increase the meaningful participation of uniformed women in UN peace operations.

The department will work to enhance a rules-based international order for non-proliferation, arms control and disarmament to address threats posed by weapons of mass destruction. This includes strengthening the foundations of international arms control and disarmament, notably the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. The department will continue to engage partners to support priorities such as: biological threats and the interface between health and security; the attribution mechanism for the use of chemical weapons, particularly in Syria; the work of the International Atomic Energy Agency and the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization; and efforts to address proliferation concerns arising from Iran and North Korea.

Canada’s international assistance is made more effective by leveraging diverse partnerships, innovation, and experimentation.

Canada’s advances in development innovation and effectiveness will continue through further development and implementation of policies, programs, and partnerships that promote innovation and appropriate risk-taking.  The department will encourage partners to integrate and report on experimentation in their projects, and will also implement the Small and Medium Organizations for Impact and Innovation initiative that will support the testing of innovations in international development.

Global Affairs Canada is an important influencer and actor for peace and sustainable development at home and abroad, and will continue to prioritize partnerships, strategic engagement and policy dialogue with Canadian civil-society organizations and other Canadian stakeholders. Another initiative demonstrating our commitment to work with partners in new ways is the establishment of the Task Force on Improving Effectiveness, which was created to enhance the department’s engagement with partners.  It is an innovative way to work collaboratively to identify solutions to challenges facing the department’s partners and staff as part of wider process-transformation efforts to reduce the administrative burden on partners and staff and to improve effectiveness.

Canada will continue to advance new approaches to financing for development. Canada will co-facilitate the 7^th High Level Dialogue on Financing for Development in New York on September 26^th, 2019. Canada will work closely with co-chair Ghana and all Member States to ensure the dialogue provides innovative, inclusive, and practical solutions to financing the Sustainable Development Goals so that no one is left behind. Canada will implement the Budget 2018 commitment of $1.59 billion over 5 years for the development of new tools to leverage and align more private and public financing towards advancing the Feminist International Assistance Policy and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. Through these initiatives, Canada will continue to show leadership within the G7 on gender equality and implementing the Charlevoix Commitment on Innovative Financing for Development.

Financial, human resources and performance information for the Global Affairs Canada’s Program Inventory is available in the GC InfoBase^{Footnote iii}.

Core Responsibility 4: Help for Canadians Abroad

Description

Global Affairs Canada provides timely and appropriate consular services for Canadians abroad, contributing to their safety and security.

Planning highlights

Global Affairs Canada provides consular services to support Canadians who travel the world; who work, volunteer, or retire abroad; or who participate in international student exchanges. The department is committed to achieving excellence in service delivery to ensure that Canadians are provided with timely and appropriate consular and emergency management services.

Canadians have timely access to information and services that keeps them safer abroad.

Timely information is critical to ensuring that Canadians receive the best possible consular assistance, especially when they are faced with an unexpected situation abroad. The department will enhance its external communications outreach and will continue to inform Canadians through regular updates of the department’s travel advice and advisories, as well as timely response updates during crises and significant events, available on travel.gc.ca.

Global Affairs Canada will also continue to provide high-quality, uninterrupted emergency consular assistance to Canadians faced with unexpected situations abroad. Our highly trained and capable team of core responders is ready to assist Canadians 24/7 through our Emergency Watch and Response Centre.

Canadians abroad receive timely and appropriate government services.

Global Affairs Canada continues to improve the delivery of consular services to Canadians abroad in exceptional circumstances as well as through timely and appropriate government services, such as notarial, passport and citizenship services, needed by the majority of consular clients abroad.

Global Affairs Canada will continue to implement a series of initiatives to address recommendations from the Office of the Auditor General (Report 7—Consular Services to Canadians Abroad—Global Affairs Canada) and the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development study on the provision of consular services (Strengthening the Canadian consular service today and for the future). In response to recommendations from the Auditor General’s Report on Services to Canadians Abroad, Global Affairs Canada will review and update its consular service standards. The updated standards will reflect consultations conducted with consular officers, like-minded states and civil-society organizations and will focus on the most important areas of consular services. In accordance with Treasury Board guidelines, the new standards will be designed to be clear, achievable and measurable.

Global Affairs Canada will continue to consult with partners and stakeholders to address challenges that may impact consular services and will continue to strengthen the training program for consular officers and the tools available for them to advance their work.

Financial, human resources and performance information for the Global Affairs Canada’s Program Inventory is available in the GC InfoBase^{Footnote iv}.

Core Responsibility 5: Support for Canada’s Presence Abroad

Description

Global Affairs Canada manages and delivers resources, infrastructure and services enabling Canada’s presence abroad, including at embassies, high commissions, and consulates.

Planning highlights

Global Affairs Canada manages a global network of 178 missions, including embassies, high commissions and consulates in 110 countries to deliver services to Canadians abroad, provide support to Canadian businesses in reaching global markets, promote Canada’s interests and values internationally, and help improve the lives of the poorest and most vulnerable. The department provides common services and will continue efforts to strengthen them, and will deliver increased investments in support of security at missions, such as infrastructure and training.

Sound management and delivery of resources, infrastructure and services enables Canada’s presence abroad.

The department will continue efforts to strengthen multi-year, whole-of-platform business and investment planning to ensure the long-term sustainability of Canada’s network of missions abroad. This includes developing integrated five-year mission plans and 20-year investment strategies for each mission, as well as implementing a new costing methodology for common services. The department will also optimize the management and delivery of common services by developing and leveraging enhanced business analytics systems and tools; conducting a comprehensive review of the supply chain operations framework; and implementing a real property project management centre of expertise.

Global Affairs Canada will support its workforce at home and abroad by modernizing departmental mobility and collaboration capabilities and updating its information technology infrastructure. It will work with Shared Services Canada to provide secure smartphone technology, increase bandwidth and deploy Wi-Fi access to missions.

Global Affairs Canada will also continue to enhance services for Government of Canada employees at missions. This includes supporting Canada-based staff and their dependents with targeted outreach and modernized business processes, and enhancing the delivery of the newly negotiated Foreign Service Directive payments, and services.

Global Affairs Canada will also enhance engagement with locally engaged staff, including through a locally engaged staff symposium event and other communications efforts. The department will continue to work with key partners in the Public Service Commission and Treasury Board Secretariat on reforms related to employment/terms and conditions, classification and the pension, insurance and social security program for locally engaged staff.

Personnel are safe, missions are more secure and government and partner assets and information are protected.

A key priority for Global Affairs Canada is to ensure the safety and security of Canada-based staff and their dependents, as well as local staff and visitors to missions around the world. The security environment in which missions operate is evolving and dynamic due to unpredictable political situations, hostile actions and/or civil unrest, and natural disasters.

Significant funding is being invested to strengthen security measures at embassies, high commissions and consulates, including through improved security services, infrastructure upgrades, emergency readiness, and training programs. A number of strategies to improve the health and safety of personnel and assets abroad will continue to be implemented, including seismic studies for chanceries, official residences and Crown-owned staff quarters; a potable water quality program; an indoor air quality program; an asbestos management strategy; and an environmental site investigation program. Mandatory training for staff being posted abroad, especially to designated high and critical threat missions, is a key element of Global Affairs Canada pre-posting practices and will be reinforced. The department will also reassess the current mandatory security training for locally engaged staff and will expand training, as required, to ensure that it continues to be appropriate to the threat environment.

Financial, human resources and performance information for Global Affairs Canada’s Program Inventory is available in the GC InfoBase^{Footnote v}.

Internal Services

Description

Internal Services are those groups of related activities and resources that the federal government considers to be services in support of Programs and/or required to meet corporate obligations of an organization. Internal Services refers to the activities and resources of the 10 distinct services that support Program delivery in the organization, regardless of the Internal Services delivery model in a department. These services are:

• Management and Oversight Services
• Communications Services
• Legal Services
• Human Resources Management Services
• Financial Management Services
• Information Management Services
• Information Technology Services
• Real Property Management Services
• Materiel Management Services
• Acquisition Management Services

Spending and human resources

Planned spending

From 2018–19 to 2021–22, Global Affairs Canada’s spending profile varies from $7.0 billion in 2018–19 to $6.3 billion in 2021–22. Significant items contributing to the decrease of $700 million include the following:

• $297.5 million for various climate change initiatives; funding will end over the next two years and renewal is anticipated in 2020;
• $263.4 million to address crises in Iraq and Syria and the impacts on the region; funding will end by March 31, 2019, and is subject for renewal in Budget 2019;
• $108.0 million for the 2015–2020 strategy for maternal, newborn and child health; funding will end by March 31, 2020;
• $56.2 million for Canada’s G7 presidency in 2018 and for hosting the Charlevoix Summit and support events; funding will end by March 31, 2019;
• $42.6 million for the Crises Pool Quick Release Mechanism which is to be used for humanitarian assistance in response to crises;
• $36.7 million for Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria; funding will end by March 31, 2020 and is subject for renewal; and
• $30.9 million for New York Chancery’s Co-Location and Relocation Project; funding will end by March 31, 2019.

Decreases are also attributable to operating and capital carry forward amounts ($113.3 million), which are included in 2018–19 but not future year figures. These decreases are offset by an increase of $266.8 million to support the Feminist International Assistance Policy. Expenditures for 2016–17 and 2017–18 reflect the financial information previously reported in the Departmental Results Reports and the Public Accounts.

Planned human resources

From 2016–17 to 2021–22, Global Affairs Canada’s full-time equivalents (FTEs) increased by 892 FTEs (8%) to deliver new programs and initiatives in support of the department's mandate and priorities. The year-over-year variance in the number of FTEs is attributable to the following:

• Increase in resources for Canada's G7 Presidency in 2018 and hosting the Charlevoix Summit and support events; for protecting our people at Canadian missions abroad through infrastructure, mission readiness, and securing our information; for the Clean Technology initiative; and the enhanced Trade Commissioner Services (2016–17 and 2018–19).
• Increase of FTEs due to new funding such as Feminist International Assistance Policy, Creative Export Strategy and Strengthening Diplomatic and Trade Support with China and Asia and Security Initiatives starting from 2019–20.

Estimates by vote

Information on the Global Affairs Canada’s organizational appropriations is available in the 2019–20 Main Estimates^{Footnote vi}.

Future-Oriented Condensed Statement of Operations

The Future‑Oriented Condensed Statement of Operations provides a general overview of Global Affairs Canada’s operations. The forecast of financial information on expenses and revenues is prepared on an accrual accounting basis to strengthen accountability and to improve transparency and financial management.

Because the Future‑Oriented Condensed Statement of Operations is prepared on an accrual accounting basis, and the forecast and planned spending amounts presented in other sections of the Departmental Plan are prepared on an expenditure basis, amounts may differ.

A more detailed Future‑Oriented Statement of Operations and associated notes, including a reconciliation of the net cost of operations to the requested authorities, are available on the Global Affairs Canada’s website^{Footnote 17}.

The decrease of $746.8 million in 2019–20 Planned Expenses, when compared to the 2018–19 Forecasted Expenses, is mainly attributable to:

• Minor variances in Vote 1 for Operating expenditures and Vote 5 for Capital expenditures attributable to carry forward amounts, which are included in the 2018-19 forecasted results but not in the 2019-20 planned results.
• A significant variance shown under Vote 10 for Grants and Contributions where the planned expenses are expected to be lower in 2019-20 due to sunset at the end of 2018-19 of Climate Change initiatives as well as the funding to address the crises in Iraq and Syria and their impact in the region.

Additional information

Corporate information

Organizational profile

Appropriate ministers: Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs; James Gordon Carr, Minister of International Trade Diversification; Maryam Monsef, Minister of International Development and Minister for Women and Gender Equality; Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie.

Institutional heads: Ian Shugart, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; John Hannaford, Deputy Minister for International Trade; Diane Jacovella, Deputy Minister of International Development; Guylaine Roy, Deputy Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie.

Ministerial portfolio: Global Affairs Canada and the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service. The following federal entities operate at arm’s length and report to Parliament through the Global Affairs Canada ministers: the Canadian Commercial Corporation, Export Development Canada, the International Development Research Centre, and Invest in Canada.

Enabling instrument: Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act, S.C. 2013, c. 33, s. 174^{Footnote vii}

Year of incorporation / commencement: 1909

Raison d’être, mandate and role: Who we are and what we do

“Raison d’être, mandate and role: who we are and what we do” is available on Global Affairs Canada’s website.

Reporting framework

Global Affairs Canada’s Departmental Results Framework and Program Inventory of record for 2019–20 are shown below:

Supporting information on the Program Inventory

Supporting information on planned expenditures, human resources, and results related to Global Affairs Canada’s Program Inventory is available in the GC InfoBaseFootnote viii.

Supplementary information tables

The following supplementary information tables are available on Global Affairs Canada’s website^{Footnote ix}:

• Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
• Details on transfer payment programs of $5 million or more
• Disclosure of transfer payment programs under $5 million
• Gender-based analysis plus
• Up‑front multi‑year funding

Federal tax expenditures

The tax system can be used to achieve public policy objectives through the application of special measures such as low tax rates, exemptions, deductions, deferrals and credits. The Department of Finance Canada publishes cost estimates and projections for these measures each year in the Report on Federal Tax Expenditures^{Footnote x}. This report also provides detailed background information on tax expenditures, including descriptions, objectives, historical information and references to related federal spending programs. The tax measures presented in this report are the responsibility of the Minister of Finance.

Organizational contact information

Global Affairs Canada
Tel.: 1-800-267-8376 (toll-free in Canada);
613-944-4000 (National Capital Region and outside Canada)
TTY: 1-800-394-3472 (toll-free from the U.S. and Canada only); 613-944-1310 (National Capital Region and outside Canada)
Fax: 613-996-9709
www.international.gc.ca

Enquiries Services
Global Affairs Canada
125 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON K1A 0G2
Email: enqserv@international.gc.ca
Tel.: 1-800-267-8376 (toll-free in Canada);
613-944-4000 (National Capital Region and outside Canada)
Fax: 613-996-9709

Other Portfolio Related Contacts

Canadian Commercial Corporation
350 Albert Street, 7th Floor
Ottawa, ON K1A 0S6
Tel.: 1-800-748-8191 (toll-free in Canada);
613-996-0034 (National Capital Region and outside Canada) 
Fax: 613-995-2121
www.ccc.ca 

International Joint Commission (Canadian Section)
234 Laurier Avenue West, 22nd Floor
Ottawa, ON K1P 6K6
Tel.: 613-995-2984
Fax: 613-993-5583
www.ijc.org

Export Development Canada
150 Slater Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 1K3
Tel.: 1-800-229-0575 (toll-free in North America);
613-598-2500 (local)
TTY: 1-866-574-0451
Fax: 613-598-3811
www.edc.ca

Roosevelt Campobello International Park Commission
459 Route 774
Welshpool, NB E5E 1A4
Tel.: 1-877-851-6663 (toll-free)
506-752-2922 (local)
Fax: 506-752-6000
www.fdr.net

International Development Research Centre
150 Kent Street
Ottawa, ON K1P 0B2
Postal address: P.O. Box 8500
Ottawa, ON K1G 3H9
Tel.: 613-236-6163
Fax: 613-238-7230
www.idrc.ca

Invest in Canada
www.investcanada.ca

Appendix: definitions

appropriation (crédit)

Any authority of Parliament to pay money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

budgetary expenditures (dépenses budgétaires)

Operating and capital expenditures; transfer payments to other levels of government, organizations or individuals; and payments to Crown corporations.

Core Responsibility (responsabilité essentielle)

An enduring function or role performed by a department. The intentions of the department with respect to a Core Responsibility are reflected in one or more related Departmental Results that the department seeks to contribute to or influence.

Departmental Plan (plan ministériel)

A report on the plans and expected performance of an appropriated department over a three‑year period. Departmental Plans are tabled in Parliament each spring.

Departmental Result (résultat ministériel)

Any change that the department seeks to influence. A Departmental Result is often outside departments’ immediate control, but it should be influenced by Program-level outcomes.

Departmental Result Indicator (indicateur de résultat ministériel)

A factor or variable that provides a valid and reliable means to measure or describe progress on a Departmental Result.

Departmental Results Framework (cadre ministériel des résultats)

The department’s Core Responsibilities, Departmental Results and Departmental Result Indicators.

Departmental Results Report (rapport sur les résultats ministériels)

A report on the actual accomplishments against the plans, priorities and expected results set out in the corresponding Departmental Plan.

evaluation (évaluation)

In the Government of Canada, the systematic and neutral collection and analysis of evidence to judge merit, worth or value. Evaluation informs decision making, improvements, innovation and accountability. Evaluations typically focus on programs, policies and priorities and examine questions related to relevance, effectiveness and efficiency. Depending on user needs, however, evaluations can also examine other units, themes and issues, including alternatives to existing interventions. Evaluations generally employ social science research methods.

experimentation (expérimentation)

Activities that seek to explore, test and compare the effects and impacts of policies, interventions and approaches, to inform evidence-based decision-making, by learning what works and what does not.

full‑time equivalent (équivalent temps plein)

A measure of the extent to which an employee represents a full person‑year charge against a departmental budget. Full‑time equivalents are calculated as a ratio of assigned hours of work to scheduled hours of work. Scheduled hours of work are set out in collective agreements.

gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) (analyse comparative entre les sexes plus [ACS+])

An analytical process used to help identify the potential impacts of policies, Programs and services on diverse groups of women, men and gender-diverse people. The “plus” acknowledges that GBA goes beyond sex and gender differences. We all have multiple identity factors that intersect to make us who we are; GBA+ considers many other identity factors, such as race, ethnicity, religion, age, and mental or physical disability.

government-wide priorities (priorités pangouvernementales)

For the purpose of the 2019–20 Departmental Plan, government-wide priorities refers to those high-level themes outlining the government’s agenda in the 2015 Speech from the Throne, namely: Growth for the Middle Class; Open and Transparent Government;  A Clean Environment and a Strong Economy; Diversity is Canada's Strength; and Security and Opportunity.

horizontal initiative (initiative horizontale)

An initiative where two or more departments are given funding to pursue a shared outcome, often linked to a government priority.

non‑budgetary expenditures (dépenses non budgétaires)

Net outlays and receipts related to loans, investments and advances, which change the composition of the financial assets of the Government of Canada.

performance (rendement)

What an organization did with its resources to achieve its results, how well those results compare to what the organization intended to achieve, and how well lessons learned have been identified.

performance indicator (indicateur de rendement)

A qualitative or quantitative means of measuring an output or outcome, with the intention of gauging the performance of an organization, Program, policy or initiative respecting expected results.

Performance Information Profile (profil de l’information sur le rendement)

The document that identifies the performance information for each Program from the Program Inventory.

performance reporting (production de rapports sur le rendement)

The process of communicating evidence‑based performance information. Performance reporting supports decision making, accountability and transparency.

plan (plan)

The articulation of strategic choices, which provides information on how an organization intends to achieve its priorities and associated results. Generally a plan will explain the logic behind the strategies chosen and tend to focus on actions that lead up to the expected result.

planned spending (dépenses prévues)

For Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports, planned spending refers to those amounts presented in the Main Estimates.

A department is expected to be aware of the authorities that it has sought and received. The determination of planned spending is a departmental responsibility, and departments must be able to defend the expenditure and accrual numbers presented in their Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports.

priority (priorité)

A plan or project that an organization has chosen to focus and report on during the planning period. Priorities represent the things that are most important or what must be done first to support the achievement of the desired Departmental Results.

Program (programme)

Individual or groups of services, activities or combinations thereof that are managed together within the department and focus on a specific set of outputs, outcomes or service levels.

Program Inventory (répertoire des programmes)

Identifies all of the department’s programs and describes how resources are organized to contribute to the department’s Core Responsibilities and Results.

result (résultat)

An external consequence attributed, in part, to an organization, policy, Program or initiative. Results are not within the control of a single organization, policy, Program or initiative; instead they are within the area of the organization’s influence.

statutory expenditures (dépenses législatives)

Expenditures that Parliament has approved through legislation other than appropriation acts. The legislation sets out the purpose of the expenditures and the terms and conditions under which they may be made.

sunset program (programme temporisé)

A time‑limited program that does not have an ongoing funding and policy authority. When the program is set to expire, a decision must be made whether to continue the program. In the case of a renewal, the decision specifies the scope, funding level and duration.

target (cible)

A measurable performance or success level that an organization, Program or initiative plans to achieve within a specified time period. Targets can be either quantitative or qualitative.

voted expenditures (dépenses votées)

Expenditures that Parliament approves annually through an Appropriation Act. The Vote wording becomes the governing conditions under which these expenditures may be made.