QUESTION PERIOD — Global Affairs
Foreign Aid
November 26, 2025
Senator Moreau, the first sentence in the foreword of the government’s recently tabled budget states:
The world is changing, profoundly and in real time; we are no longer living in an era of calm, but of significant change. . . .
Canada has been known around the world as a leader, standing up for human rights, peace, good governance and shared prosperity and for ensuring verifiable results. Within that same budget, it was announced that there would be a $2.7-billion cut to foreign aid over the next four years. Cooperation Canada responded by saying Canada is retreating at exactly the wrong time.
Senator Moreau, could you explain why these cuts have been made and if the government plans to work with its valued Canadian civil society partners to ensure they can continue to do their life-saving and democracy-reinforcing work?
Senator, you underline correctly that Canada has been a leader as far as foreign aid is concerned, but the government must make responsible choices in very difficult times when cutting spending. In the case of the budget proposing a reduction in development funding, it is where Canada’s contribution has grown disproportionately relative to other similar economies, and that’s where the cuts have been made. It was a difficult decision but a responsible decision. The government, once again, was elected on two important principles: spend less and invest more. When we spend less, when we are reducing our commitment where it was disproportionately high, we are making responsible choices.
These are difficult times. You underlined that, and I agree with you.
That’s when we lose our leadership position, I’m afraid. Also, I think it is against what was promised during the election campaign.
When asked at the G20 summit in South Africa — and you’ve just referred to this — whether the government still has a feminist foreign policy, the Prime Minister responded, “. . . we have that aspect to our foreign policy, but I wouldn’t describe our foreign policy as feminist foreign policy.”
During these 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, it is concerning to hear this, combined with the cuts I mentioned earlier. Senator Moreau, why is the Prime Minister saying Canada is shifting away —
Thank you, Senator Coyle.
Actions are as important as words in that perspective, Senator Coyle. As I mentioned yesterday, Minister Anand outlined in her address to the United Nations this fall that Canada’s foreign policy will be guided by three principles: defence and security, economic sovereignty and our values. Feminism is a core value of the government, and it is an important part of its foreign policy.
