The seats in the House of Commons have been empty since January 6, when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced he would be stepping down and temporarily pausing parliamentary work. But unlike the quietness on Parliament Hill – our collective voice is more important now than ever.
We are right at the edge of seeing some big changes in Canadian leadership. On March 6, a new leader of the current Liberal government will be chosen. This will automatically dub them the new Prime Minister, bringing along a new cabinet as well. With that date around the corner, Members of Parliament will have the opportunity to initiate a federal election soon afterwards. If and when they choose to do so, it could mean even more overhaul and would open the possibility for another party to take power.
While Parliament prepares and adjusts, we have a wide-open opportunity to use our collective power. We secured some huge wins under Justin Trudeau’s leadership, but there are still many gaps to be filled. It’s our job now to ensure that progress isn’t lost under new leadership, and take advantage of this chance to advocate for new approaches that secure even stronger outcomes.
Thanks to the work of our Global Activists, we’ve put together the following list of policy briefings so you can study up. From agri-food to gender equity, consider this a cheat sheet for some of the key progress we’ve made so far under Prime Minister Trudeau’s leadership, and areas that could use a pivot.
Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) and Its Impact on Education for Girls in Ethiopia
Author: Ida Marchese
Ethiopia has historically faced challenges in achieving gender equity in education, with significant barriers preventing girls from accessing and completing their schooling. Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP), introduced in 2017, prioritizes global gender equality, including enhancing education opportunities for girls in countries like Ethiopia.
Why it matters
Investing in girls’ education is a proven catalyst for reducing poverty, improving health outcomes, and fostering economic growth. For Ethiopia, improving education equity aligns with its national development goals and contributes to broader regional stability. This initiative reflects Canada’s commitment to promoting sustainable development, which is central to FIAP.
Before Trudeau’s leadership
- Limited international aid focused explicitly on addressing gender equity in education in Ethiopia.
- Persistent gender disparities in education due to economic, cultural, and infrastructural barriers.
- Aid programs were less likely to prioritize or explicitly target the unique challenges faced by girls
Trudeau’s commitments
- FIAP pledged that 95% of international aid would target programs advancing gender equality, with 15% directly addressing gender-transformative initiatives
- Special emphasis was placed on education, reproductive health, and economic empowerment for women and girls
Actions
- Canada funded programs in Ethiopia aimed at improving educational access for girls, such as teacher training, scholarships, and infrastructure development in schools.
- Collaborated with Ethiopian government bodies and NGOs to integrate gender-focused policies into education systems
Comparison Between Commitments and Achievements
- Notable progress was made in urban and semi-urban regions where projects were fully implemented.
- In conflict-affected areas, the reach and impact of initiatives were limited, underscoring the need for more adaptable and crisis-resilient aid frameworks
Lessons Learned
- Flexibility in aid programs is crucial for adapting to unforeseen crises, such as pandemics or conflict.
- Strengthening local partnerships and community involvement can enhance program sustainability and effectiveness.
- Gender-focused development must address not only systemic barriers but also compounding cultural and economic factors
Canada’s Impact on Agri-Food in Africa under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau
Author: Javeria
Main Issue:
Agriculture is the backbone of many African economies, employing over 60% of the continent’s population. However, climate change, food insecurity, and limited access to resources hinder agricultural productivity. Canada has been a key player in supporting agri-food initiatives through development aid and investment in food security programs.
Why It Matters:
- Africa faces rising food insecurity due to climate change, supply chain disruptions, and economic instability.
- Investments in agri-food can improve livelihoods, reduce poverty, and enhance food sovereignty.
- Canada’s involvement reflects its commitment to global food security and climate-resilient agriculture.
Before Trudeau (Pre-2015):
- Canada was a strong supporter of food security through multilateral institutions like the World Food Programme (WFP) and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).
- However, previous policies focused more on emergency food aid rather than long-term agricultural development.
- Smallholder farmers, particularly women, had limited access to resources like technology and financing.
Trudeau’s Commitments:
- Under the Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) (2017), Canada pledged to support women farmers in Africa through training and financial assistance.
- Committed CAD 1.4 billion annually to global nutrition programs, with a focus on Africa.
- Supported sustainable agriculture and food security programs through Canada’s International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and partnerships with African institutions and Canada-AfDB Climate Fund
- Pledged CAD 100 million for climate-smart agriculture in Africa at COP26 (2021).
Actions:
- Canada expanded support for climate-resilient agriculture, funding initiatives like drought-resistant crops and agroecology. The fundings are:
- Canada Fund for African Climate Resilience: A $23.2 million fund that helps smallholder farmers, farm organizations, and others understand climate change and implement sustainable food access
- Partnering for Climate: A $315 million fund that supports projects to help people in Sub-Saharan Africa become more resilient to climate change
- Agri-SME Catalytic Financing Mechanism (ACFM): A fund that provides technical assistance and concessional finance to agribusinesses and financial institutions
- Wheat Research Accelerator Fund: A co-funding initiative between Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and IDRC that supports projects to enhance food security in Morocco and Tunisia
- However, funding delays and reliance on private sector partnerships created gaps in reaching smallholder farmers.
Comparison Between Commitments and Achievements:
- Successes: More funding for women-led farming initiatives and sustainable agriculture projects.
- Challenges: Slow disbursement of funds and difficulties in scaling local initiatives.
Lessons Learned & Future Recommendations:
- Increase direct funding to smallholder farmers instead of relying heavily on private sector intermediaries.
- Expand technical training programs to help farmers adopt climate-smart techniques.
- Improve funding flexibility to respond to unexpected crises like pandemics and conflict
Canada’s Development Assistance to Ghana
Author: Jennifer Amuah
Main Issue
Canada has been a key development partner for Ghana, focusing on poverty reduction, economic growth, and gender equality. However, questions remain about the sustainability and impact of these investments.
Why Does It Matter?
Ghana is one of Africa’s fastest-growing economies but still faces significant challenges, including youth unemployment, gender disparities, and climate change impacts. Canada’s support is vital for long-term stability and development.
Before Trudeau
- Canada’s aid largely focused on infrastructure, agriculture, and governance.
- Investments were made in the oil and gas sector.
- Gender equality was a minor priority in funding allocations.
Trudeau’s commitments
- Shift towards inclusive economic growth and gender equality.
- Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) introduced in 2017.
- Greater focus on renewable energy, climate adaptation, and agriculture.
- $125 million for women’s empowerment programs in Ghana.
- Support for technical education and vocational training.
- Funding for climate adaptation projects, including sustainable agriculture.
Actions
- Strengthened gender-focused programs, particularly in women-led businesses.
- Increased support for renewable energy projects.
- Slow implementation of some education and economic programs.
Comparison Between Commitments and Achievements
- Successes: Women’s empowerment initiatives, renewable energy investments, and health programs.
- Shortcomings: Inconsistent funding and slow execution of economic development projects.
Lessons Learned & Future Applications
- Flexible aid mechanisms are necessary to adapt to crises.
- Strengthening partnerships with local institutions enhances program sustainability.
- Gender-focused policies have yielded positive results and should be expanded.
The Effectiveness of Justin Trudeau’s Investments at the Generation Equality Forum
Author: Landon Anderson
Introduction
In 2021, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged significant investments at the Generation Equality Forum (GEF) to advance global gender equality. Canada committed $180 million to feminist organizations and initiatives, reinforcing its broader Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP). This analysis evaluates the effectiveness of these investments by exploring their impact on gender equity, the alignment with international frameworks, and challenges in implementation.
Policy Goals and Implementation
Trudeau’s investments aimed to support grassroots feminist organizations, improve access to sexual and reproductive health services, and combat gender-based violence (GBV). Canada’s approach emphasized intersectionality, focusing on marginalized groups, including Indigenous women and LGBTQ+ individuals. Through partnerships with organizations like the Equality Fund, Canada sought to create long-term, sustainable change by funding local women-led initiatives.
Effectiveness and Impact
The investments have shown mixed results. On the positive side, Canada has been a leading donor in gender-focused international aid, and reports suggest increased funding has empowered local feminist organizations. Programs focusing on GBV prevention and reproductive rights have made progress, especially in regions where funding was scarce. Additionally, the commitment reinforced Canada’s credibility as a global leader in gender equality.
However, challenges remain. Critics argue that while funding commitments are substantial, disbursement has been slow, limiting immediate impact. Further, some question the effectiveness of top-down funding strategies that do not always align with local priorities. Bureaucratic hurdles have also delayed the reach of funds to grassroots organizations. Additionally, some conservative opposition groups view the initiative as overreaching and question its domestic relevance.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Trudeau’s investments at the GEF reflect Canada’s strong commitment to gender equality and have helped strengthen feminist organizations globally. However, to enhance effectiveness, Canada should streamline funding processes, ensure accountability in implementation, and work more closely with local organizations to align investments with community needs. While these investments mark a significant step forward, continued evaluation and adaptability will be crucial in achieving lasting gender equity.
How has Canada’s investment in South Africa’s education sector, through bilateral aid, contributed to improving access to education and fostering gender equality?
Author: Yasmin Farah Peer
International aid, for a better future, can be done through multiple venues, particularly education. Canada, under the leadership of Mr. Trudeau, has taken advantage of its assets in order to support the development of capacity, particularly in South Africa. Investing in education isn’t charity. It is smart policy.
Aware of this, and of the importance of education, Canada has been heavily engaged in the fight for a better education in South Africa. For instance, in April 2023, the South Africa-Canada Universities Network (SACUN) was established, thus giving a formal framework, to the historic collaboration between Canadian and South African universities, in fields and industries of importance. Furthermore, Canada provides a comprehensive framework of scholarships, for South African to come study, and benefit from its world-renowned universities. Those initiatives include the Canadian Commonwealth Scholarship Program, and most recently, the Canadian International Development Scholarships 2030, that was launched on June 2022.
At the multilateral level, Canada continued to play its role under Prime Minister Trudeau, and a great example of that is the contributions of Canada to the Global Partnership for Education (GPE). In 2015 Canada pledged CAD 120 million, and in 2018, that contribution reached CAD 180 million. In comparison, Canada’s pledge for the year 2011 was only CAD 57.6 million. Finally, the most recent pledge covering the period 2022-2026, was CAD 265 million. The increased financial contribution to the GPE highlights Canada’s unwavering commitment to transforming education in low and lower-middle incomes countries in order to build more equitable, inclusive and resilient systems. The aim of the GPE is to make sure that, by 2026, 88 million additional children are in school, taking the leadership of their own lives, by learning.
Education is not simply about learning, it is also, and mainly, about empowerment particularly when it comes to women and girls, and vulnerable populations. When they have access to proper education, they become informed and empowered to make better choices for themselves, their communities, and their countries. Through all the initiatives put in place, Canada has demonstrated its understanding of Education’s importance in South Africa. The positive outcome of such as the strengthening of gender-responsive planning and policy development.
Throughout its terms, Prime Minister Trudeau has highlighted Canada’s commitment to education, particularly in South Africa, by increasing contributions to existing funds and initiatives, and launching new scholarships framework, in order to advance gender-equality and enhance the skills of South Africa youth.
Where does this leave us?
Under Justin Trudeau’s leadership, many important yet imperfect steps have been made towards healthier lives and more equitable futures in Africa. Now, we have the chance to advocate for this progress to continue, while shifting to better approaches. Namely, stronger efforts in rural and conflicted affected regions, more built-in flexibility for unforeseen challenges, better consideration for the intersection of economic and cultural factors, and working with local communities to pave the path forward.
This post was written by our Global Activists. Use your voice & change the world!