Canada’s cuts to critical development assistance weaken us all, unde...

OTTAWA, NOVEMBER 4, 2025- A coalition of over 100 NGOs, led by Cooperation Canada and the Canadian Partnership for Women and Children's Health (CanWaCH), express their concern over the government's decision to reduce Canada's International Assistance Envelope in Budget 2025 tabled today. This marks a retreat from our global commitments, and breaks a promise made by Prime Minister Carney during the election campaign.

We are facing increased global instability. Authoritarian regimes have gained momentum, human rights are increasingly under threat, climate impacts are deepening global inequities, and humanitarian needs are at an all-time high. In this context, the government has chosen to reduce Canada's international assistance by $2.7 billion over four years, including decreased development funding for global health.

Government leaders are navigating an exceptionally difficult moment. We recognize the precarious economic situation faced by Canadians, and international assistance is part of increasing prosperity at home. Evidence shows that these investments are cost effective and have real returns in terms of strengthening Canadian security, and expanding our global relationships and economic resilience.

"It is clear that any savings resulting from cutting the international assistance budget will be short-lived. Cuts erode Canada's credibility with our global partners and blunt our capacity to shape outcomes that affect Canadians at home. Cooperation Canada and our members will continue to engage constructively with the government to reinforce that Canada's global leadership cannot be taken for granted and that our commitments must be met," said Kate Higgins, Chief Executive Officer for Cooperation Canada.

The government's intention to return Canada's international assistance envelope to a pre-pandemic level will have far reaching consequences and will undermine hard-won gains. At a time of decreasing global investments in international assistance, Canada had promised not to turn away from the world's most vulnerable. Instead, this budget further deepens the gap left by other major donors, undermining both global partnerships and Canada's own strategic interests.

"Any reductions to Canada's global health investments will have devastating consequences for women and children around the world, while threatening the health, security and prosperity of Canadians," said Charmaine Crockett, Interim Chief Executive Officer for CanWaCH. "Canada's decades of leadership in global health have always been about investing in a safer, more equitable world, because we know that when we turn our back on the world's most marginalized people, we all suffer."

-30-

About CanWaCH

CanWaCH is proud to represent more than 110 non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, health professional associations, and private sector entities committed to advancing the health and rights of women, children, and adolescents globally. Together, we represent Canada in championing the health rights and needs of the world's most marginalized people.

About Cooperation Canada

Cooperation Canada is the national voice for Canadian international development and humanitarian organizations. Representing over 100 organizations, we convene, coordinate and advocate for effective, inclusive and accountable international cooperation that contributes to a fairer, safer and more sustainable world.

For more information

Gabriel Karasz-Perriau - Cooperation Canada 514-945-0309 / [email protected]

Amber St. Louis- CanWaCH 613-240-8950 / [email protected]

The group includes:

Cooperation Canada

Canadian Partnership for Women and Children's Health (CanWaCH)

ACTED Canada

Action Against Hunger Canada

Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights

AidWatch Canada

Alberta Council for Global Cooperation

Alongside Hope

Alternatives

Amref Health Africa in Canada

Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI)

Atlantic Council for International Cooperation

Avocats sans frontières Canada/Lawyers without Borders Canada

Bigger Than our Borders

British Columbia Council for International Cooperation

CAMFED Canada

Canadian Association of Midwives

Canadian Foodgrains Bank

Canadian Lutheran World Relief (CLWR)

Canadian Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases

Canadian Teachers' Federation

CARE Canada

CAUSE Canada

CAWST - The Centre for Affordable Water and Sanitation Technology

CECI - Centre d'étude et de coopération internationale

Children Believe

Climate Action Network Canada

Coady Institute

CODE

Collaboration Santé Internationale

Compassion Canada

Crossroads International

Cuso International

Development and Peace ― Caritas Canada

Digital Opportunity Trust

Dignity Network Canada

Equality Fund

Equitas - International Centre for Human Rights Education

ERDO

Fairtrade Canada

Farm Radio International

Fondation Paul Gérin-Lajoie

Food For the Hungry Canada

Fòs Feminista Canada

Global Citizen

Grandmothers Advocacy Network

Habitat for Humanity Canada

Health Partners International of Canada (HPIC)

Horizons of Friendship

Human Concern International

Humanité & Inclusion Canada

Humanitarian Coalition

Inter Pares

International Coordinated Christian Ministries

International Justice Mission Canada

International Teams Canada

Islamic Relief Canada

Jane Goodall Institute of Canada

KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives

Kentro Christian Network

Kinvia (Previously known as Canadian Feed The Children)

Kurumbuka Leadership Solutions

Lucky Iron Life

Manitoba Council for International Cooperation

Mary's Meals Canada

Médecins du Monde Canada

Mennonite Central Committee Canada

Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA)

Mission inclusion

Northern Council for Global Cooperation

ONE Canada

One Drop Foundation

Ontario Council for International Cooperation

Opportunity International Canada

Oxfam Canada

Oxfam-Québec

Partners In Health Canada

PEGASUS Institute

Plan International Canada

Public Health Association of BC

Results Canada

Right To Play International

Santé Monde

Saskatchewan Council for International Cooperation

Save the Children

SeedChange (formerly USC)

Seva Canada

Socodevi

Stephen Lewis Foundation

SUCO

Tearfund Canada

The Wellspring Foundation for Education

Tostan Canada

Trade Facilitation Office (TFO) Canada

UPA Développement international

VIDEA

WaterAid Canada

World Accord - International Development Agency

World Hope International (Canada)

World Renew

World University Service of Canada (WUSC)

World Vision Canada