Budget 2026: Canadian government silent on aid

The Canadian government released Budget 2026 today and we are relieved to see that there are no further cuts to international aid. But we are surprised and disappointed that there is no mention of international assistance in the Budget at all.

We missed an opportunity to reverse the cuts announced in 2025 and invest in the world. At the very least, we expected the government to prioritize a plan to help alleviate the massive humanitarian crises in Gaza, Sudan, DRC, Yemen, and sadly so many others.

How can we be "masters of our destiny" when we are turning our back on the wellbeing, health, and stability of the world which impacts us deeply? A lack of plan is short-sighted and concerning.

Our volunteer advocates, staff, and partners worked hard to ensure Prime Minister Mark Carney and Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne understood that people in Canada value international assistance. We know it's just as much an investment in our future, as it is the world's poorest. But does our government know this?

Here are the facts:

• Last year, Canada cut $2.7 billion in international aid over 4 years.
• We are living through a time of increasing global need and instability with growing global humanitarian crises, conflicts, and climate change.
• We must of course take care of the wellbeing of people in Canada, but we can't afford NOT invest in aid.
• Canada’s aid spending represents only 0.32% of our gross national income – and the impact of this on the world and Canadians is undeniable.

Why does aid spending in Canada matter? By addressing poverty, health crises, and inequality in low- and middle-income countries, we help

• create stronger trading partners
• reduce the risk of conflict and migration
• promote a more prosperous and secure world
• foster global solidarity and fulfil a moral responsibility

This ensures that basic human rights and opportunities are accessible to all. Learn more about how aid works in our latest video on how the world has changed in the last 40 years.

By not investing in our increasingly interconnected world, this government is showing a lack of ambition to step up in the way Canadians want, and that our world needs.