Policy Updates

On May 12, 2025, Canadian development leaders expressed optimism regarding the Liberal Party's recent ODA pledges, emphasizing the importance of sustained and strategic international assistance.

The Liberals committed to maintaining Canada's international humanitarian assistance budget at a minimum of US$800 million annually, with a focus on supporting vulnerable women and girls.

Executive Director of the Canadian Foodgrains Bank Andy Harrington highlighted that Canada's continued commitment sends a powerful message to other nations, notably the US, regarding the Trump administration's large ODA cuts. He hopes Canada will leverage its position as host of the upcoming G7 summit to encourage other countries to bolster their commitments to sustainable development and humanitarian assistance.

Executive Director of the Manitoba Council for International Cooperation Janice Hamilton echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that international assistance not only supports global development but also enhances Canada's security and economy. She pointed out that investments in global assistance can prevent crises from reaching Canadian borders and create economic opportunities through trade links with the Global South.

CEO of Cooperation Canada Kate Higgins acknowledged domestic economic concerns but cautioned against turning inward. She stressed that global engagement is vital for Canada's economic resilience, security, and international credibility.

Central Committee Canada's Anna Vogt of Mennonite and Cuso International's Nicolas Moyer both emphasized the need for Canada to play a leadership role in peacebuilding and to innovate its ODA strategies to address current global challenges effectively.

On April 28, 2025, Canada's Liberal Party, led by Mark Carney, secured a fourth consecutive term in the 2025 federal election, winning 168 seats—just shy of the 172 needed for a majority. Carney capitalized on rising tensions with US President Donald Trump, whose trade threats galvanized Canadian voters concerned about national sovereignty.

The Conservative Party, under Pierre Poilievre, achieved its best performance since 2011 with 144 seats and 41% of the vote, however Poilievre lost his own seat to Liberal Bruce Fanjoy. The Bloc Québécois secured 23 seats, while the New Democratic Party (NDP) faced a significant decline, winning only 7 seats. NDP leader Jagmeet Singh lost his Burnaby Central seat and subsequently announced his resignation.

Despite falling short of a majority, the Liberals are expected to form a minority government, likely relying on alliances to pass legislation.

On April 5, 2025, Canada announced CAD20 million (US$14 million) in humanitarian assistance for Myanmar following the earthquake.

The funding will support emergency relief efforts, including food, water, and healthcare, delivered through trusted partners like the UN and the Red Cross. Canada’s assistance aims to address the urgent needs of displaced families and those affected by the collapse of critical infrastructure in the hardest-hit areas.

On April 3, 2025, Canada pledged CAD55 million (US$55 million) to bolster Ukraine’s air defense capabilities.

The funding will be used to procure advanced air defense systems and provide training for Ukrainian forces to operate the equipment effectively. This commitment is part of Canada’s broader support for Ukraine, which includes military, humanitarian, and economic assistance to counter ongoing regional threats.

On March 21, 2025, Canada announced over CAD155 million (US$83 million) in funding to support humanitarian, development, and security efforts in Sudan and the DRC, this includes CAD100 million (US$70 million) for Sudan and CAD55 million (US$41 million) for the DRC.

In Sudan, CAD50 million (US$36 million) will fund life-saving assistance, including food, health, and sanitation services. CAD7 million (US$5 million) is allocated to support survivors of sexual violence, while CAD13 million (US$9 million) will enhance civilian protection and reduce explosive threats.

In the DRC, CAD35 million (US$25 million) will provide humanitarian assistance, and CAD20 million (US$14 million) will strengthen institutions, support survivors of GBV, and help displaced families transition to sustainable livelihoods.

On March 21, 2025, Canada announced CAD30 million (US$22 million) in funding to address urgent humanitarian needs in Lebanon, including food, medical and health services, shelter, and clean water.

The funding will be delivered through partners such as the UN, the Red Cross, and NGOs. This pledge is part of Canada’s broader humanitarian response, bringing its total funding for Lebanon in 2025 to CAD41 million (US$29 million). The support aims to alleviate the severe impacts of ongoing conflict, including food insecurity, displacement, and attacks on healthcare infrastructure.

Canada called for all parties to respect the ceasefire agreement and ensure the safety of humanitarian workers, reaffirming its commitment to supporting Lebanon during this crisis.

On December 17, 2024, the global campaign for assistance and development transparency, Publish What You Fund, released the report Commitments Without Accountability, which compares leading donors' commitments to locally led development, enabling effictive tracking and reporting on implementation.

The study focused on the extent to which donors had increased direct funding to local organizations. Of the five donors, including the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, USAID, GAC, the Netherlands' Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the UK’s FCDO, only USAID had the strategies, policies, comprehensive targets, and measurable public data to track its direct funding target.

The analysis created a Local Funding Matrix which looked at definitions, measurement, strategy, and policy to compare these 5 OECD DAC donors. Only USAID fulfilled all of the criteria; Australia has progressed in developing strategies, policies, and establishing a definition of local.

This work builds on Publish What You Fund's Metrics Matter series which tracked USAID 's progress towards its own 25% target by 2025, of which USAID is currently off track to meet. A third Metrics Matter report will be released in the spring of 2025, which will include all 5 donors.

On December 9, 2024, Canada announced over CAD88 million (US$62 million) in funding over the next three years to the UN CERF, ahead of the high-level pledging event.

The funding aims to address the unprecedented global humanitarian needs, with an estimated 300 million people worldwide requiring emergency food, water, medical, sanitation, and protection services.

On November 29, 2024, Canadian Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen announced that Canada will provide CAD50 million (US$36 million) in further humanitarian assistance to address the urgent needs of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

The funding will support the UN, Red Cross, and experienced NGO partners to deliver emergency medical assistance, food, water, protection services, and other life-saving assistance.

Canada has allocated a total of CAD215 million (US$154 million) in ODA to the current crisis in Gaza, including this pledge.

On November 19, 2024, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau concluded his participation at the G20 Leaders Summit where he announced over CAD68 million (US$49 million) in new investments to address organized crime and drug smuggling, as well as support climate action and protection for women and girls.

Funding included:

• Nearly CAD24 million (US$17 million) to stop drug and human trafficking into Canada, increase collaboration with international security organizations, and enhance the capacities of airports in Latin America and the Caribbean to prevent the shipment of illicit drugs;
• Over CAD25 million (US$18 million) to help restore global biodiversity, support measures to alleviate malnutrition, work with farmers in climate-stressed regions, and enhance food security; and
• Over CAD19 million (US$14 million) to support women and girls in Latin America by preventing discrimination and GBV and encouraging women’s participation in conservation, land and water resource management, and improved health services for at-risk women, including Indigenous women.

Trudeau also secured Canada’s participation in two key global partnerships - the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty and the Global Clean Power Alliance. Throughout the summit, Trudeau also participated in various G20 working sessions to advance progress on global peace and security, focusing on Ukraine and the Middle East.