At a time when Prime Minister Mark Carney has emphasized rebuilding trust and strengthening Canada\u2019s global partnerships, reducing support for one of the world\u2019s most effective health initiatives is a step backward for Canada\u2019s values, trade, and development leadership. It undermines our reputation as a country that stands for equity, compassion, human rights, and cooperation – principles that not only define who we are but also support a more stable, equitable and prosperous world for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As G7 leader, Canada has had a clear opportunity to demonstrate global leadership and rally other governments to step up in the fight against AIDS, TB, and malaria. Instead, this decision, along with the cuts to international assistance in the recent federal budget, sends the opposite message: that Canada is stepping back when leadership is most needed. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCanadians want progress protected, not reversed. By cutting the Global Fund pledge and breaking his promise not to cut aid, the Prime Minister has chosen political expediency over human life,\u201d says Meg French, Executive Director of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. Investing in global health is not charity \u2013 it\u2019s smart policy Cuts to aid are neither smart nor strategic. Strong health systems abroad not only save and improve millions of lives, but also support economic resilience, promote security, and facilitate the growth of future trade partnerships, outcomes that benefit both Canada and the world. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Global Fund has helped save more than 70 million lives since 2002, investing up to US$5 billion a year to defeat HIV, TB, and malaria and ensure a healthier, safer, more equitable future for all. Canada\u2019s investments in the Fund have consistently delivered extraordinary value, helping to prevent the spread of infectious diseases, build resilient health systems, and protect Canadians by reducing the risk of future pandemics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A reduced pledge has deadly real-life consequences: more infections, more people dying, fewer people receiving lifesaving treatment and prevention, weakened global health systems, and increased risk of drug resistance that threatens both global and Canadian health security. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cBeyond saving lives and strengthening healthcare systems, the Global Fund safeguards human rights at a time when they are being eroded. This is especially true for the most marginalized among us, including people living with HIV, LGBTQ+ people, people who use drugs, sex workers, and people who have been imprisoned,\u201d says Janet Butler-McPhee, Co-Executive Director of the HIV Legal Network. \u201cInvesting in the Global Fund is investing in safety and security for all, and we are disappointed by this significant cut that runs counter to Canadian values.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEOttawa, ON \u2014 November 21, 2025 \u2014 Canadian civil society organizations are concerned by the Government of Canada\u2019s reduced pledge to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, announced today at the Eighth Replenishment Summit in Johannesburg. Canada pledged $1.02 billion, which represents an almost 16% cut from its previous pledge […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_relevanssi_hide_post":"","_relevanssi_hide_content":"","_relevanssi_pin_for_all":"","_relevanssi_pin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_unpin_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_keywords":"","_relevanssi_related_include_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_exclude_ids":"","_relevanssi_related_no_append":"","_relevanssi_related_not_related":"","_relevanssi_related_posts":"162234,162291,162265,162224,162282,163641","_relevanssi_noindex_reason":"","footnotes":""},"contributor":[],"class_list":["post-164003","one_press","type-one_press","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.one.org\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/11\/image-1024x539.png\")
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