On Monday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced that he will step down as soon as a new Liberal leader is chosen. To allow time for this, the Governor General granted his request to pause the work of Parliament until March 24. This is a big moment for Canada as we prepare for new leadership and important responsibilities, including hosting world leaders at the G7 summit in Kananaskis later this year. Now, that G7 will be hosted by a new Canadian Prime Minister!
ONE was able to accomplish a lot under Justin Trudeau’s leadership. But this political moment should remind us that we, the people, are the ones who really move the needle.
During his time as Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau supported some of our work and started or expanded programs that saved lives. He built on the success of the Muskoka Initiative, which focuses on improving maternal and child health. He introduced a Feminist International Assistance Policy, showing Canada’s strong commitment to gender equality and better health worldwide. His leadership included support for organizations like the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB, and Malaria. When ONE supporters fought hard for Canada to increase its pledges to the Global Fund, he listened. Those investments played a key role in saving hundreds of thousands of lives. You spoke up. He listened. Canada saved lives!
We didn’t always agree with his decisions. For example, we spoke out when his government proposed budgets that reduced investments in our overall international development spending. But we respected that he was willing to listen to Canadians who stood up and spoke out. That openness often led to meaningful change and lives saved.
Canada’s leadership on the global stage is more important than ever. As we prepare to host the G7 summit this year, we have a chance to showcase what Canadian values stand for: fairness, equality, and a commitment to solving big challenges. However, this moment of transition also brings challenges. One of our key priorities is pushing for a strong Canada-Africa Strategy. This is an issue that can’t be overlooked during the change in leadership. Canada has a real opportunity to transform our relationship with the African continent and change the narrative. We must build a partnership with Africa based on mutual respect, shared goals, and real progress!
At ONE, we believe that people can create change when they come together. Leadership matters, but so does the voice of every person who speaks up for what they believe in. Grassroots efforts can make a big difference, and we’ve seen that time and again. When ONE supporters took action, they helped influence decisions that saved lives. That’s proof that standing united works. I didn’t matter if you worked in healthcare, if you came from diaspora communities, if you came from groups used to fighting AIDS and other preventable diseases, or if you were Canadian that believed Canada could be more: together, our voices had power!
As Canada looks to the future with new leadership, we are hopeful. We know there is more work to do, and we remain focused on the issues that matter most. Together, we can ensure Canada continues to play a leading role in building a fairer, healthier, and more just world. Leadership may change, but the power of people united for a cause stays the same. Let’s keep working together to create a brighter future for everyone.
