Question Period Note: Canada's International Assistance: “Woke” and Ideological?

Critics say Canada's international assistance pushes progressive values and ideologies over local needs, echoing U.S. backlash that led to the closure of the US Agency for International Development.

• Global needs are rising, and Canadians care about doing our part to help. Canada's international assistance focuses on reducing poverty, responding in times of crisis, and supporting global security efforts, balancing Canadian values with partner country priorities.
• Canada remains steadfast in its commitment to caring for the most vulnerable, advancing gender equality, and striving for a better future for all. We will invest our international assistance strategically to ensure greatest impact and to advance mutual interests with partners.
• Development effectiveness principles like country ownership, a focus on results, and transparency guide our international assistance efforts, ensuring our support aligns with partner priorities and delivers long-term development impact.
• Canada is committed to locally led development, ensuring local actors shape projects based on their needs. We recognize that sustainable change comes from community engagement and locally defined priorities, rather than through externally imposed ideological frameworks.
• Canada's international assistance evolves with global needs. We continue to adapt our tools based on evidence to increase impact and address today's key issues, while focusing on effectiveness and mutually beneficial partnerships.

The challenges that developing countries face in their development - poverty, inequality, conflict, disasters, diseases - can have significant spillover effects globally and in Canada. By supporting partner country efforts to address these issues, international assistance contributes to Canadians' national and economic security, prosperity and well-being.

International assistance contributes to development outcomes such as reducing poverty, advancing gender equality, improving health and education, and promoting peace and security. It is also delivered alongside global trade and diplomacy efforts. As appropriate, the Government of Canada takes an integrated approach to delivering development, humanitarian, and peace, security and governance assistance.

The International Assistance Envelope (IAE) is the Government of Canada's main fiscal planning tool to support international assistance. In 2025-26, the IAE totals $7.14 billion, of which $6.10 billion is allocated to Global Affairs Canada (GAC). Annually, GAC receives more than 80% of total IAE funding. Canada's international assistance addresses a broad range of issue areas, in line with key global needs, Canadian expertise, and partner priorities. From fiscal years 2019-20 to 2023-24, the bulk of Global Affairs Canada's international assistance has gone to health (27%), climate change and biodiversity initiatives (17%), humanitarian assistance (17%), economic growth (11%), education (7%), inclusive governance (6%), peace and security (5%), women and girl's rights (4%).
On January 20, 2025, a U.S. Executive Order froze foreign aid for review. By March, approximately 83% of USAID projects were canceled for misalignment with national interests. The administration viewed foreign aid as wasteful, claiming USAID was politically partisan and supported "radical left-wing causes" such as equity, LGBTQ rights, and climate change initiatives. USAID was dissolved, with some programs moved to the State Department.

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