Ottawa, ON, November 5, 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 yesterday. 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.”

Notes to Editors

• 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.
• 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.

Signatory Organizations

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
Humanitarian Coalition
Humanity & Inclusion Canada
Hungry for Life
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)
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
Nutrition International
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
Presbyterian World Service & Development
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 Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
The Wellspring Foundation for Education
The United Church of Canada
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

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