Call-to-action summary:
Budget 2025 is coming on November 4 and Canada must choose. Will the new government keep its promise to protect international assistance or make harmful cuts? This is our moment to speak up. A strong budget means continued support for life-saving mechanisms like the Global Fund and high-impact nutrition initiatives that fight hunger and disease. These investments save lives, strengthen health systems, and build a more just and stable world, which benefits everyone, including Canadians. Let’s make sure our leaders hear us loud and clear: international assistance is a smart investment!
letter to the editor (LTE)
: a letter written to a newspaper, magazine or other periodical about issues of concern to readers, usually intended to be published in the paper/periodical
Ahead of the budget announcement on November 4, draft a letter to the editor (LTE) that will raise awareness of the urgent need for Canada to keep its promise to maintain its international assistance envelope with no cuts in Budget 2025. Make sure to use examples of how important this funding is including through investments for the Global Fund and access to nutrition interventions. Using the information in our call-to-action, pitch a short LTE to a news outlet to get the word out.
Canada spends just 34 cents for every $100 on international assistance, a small investment with life-changing impact. With Budget 2025 approaching, now is the time to raise your voice and help build public support for protecting our international assistance. Whether you’ve seen the effects of global poverty firsthand, care deeply about fighting diseases like TB, or believe every child deserves access to food and care, your story and your opinion matter. Remind readers that Prime Minister Mark Carney promised to maintain not cut our international assistance on the campaign trail, and that we are looking forward to seeing Canada solidify its role on the world stage in November’s budget.
Use your letter to share why you personally care about Canada showing up for the world and why you want to see our leaders keep our international assistance funding. Even a short message can spark awareness and inspire others to take action. Consider using World Food Day as a hook for your LTE, see more information below.
Volunteers on average spend 1-2 hours researching and planning, 30 minutes writing their draft, and 15 minutes submitting it to newspapers.
Vaccines a light of hope for children
While at times we can feel overwhelmed by all the bad news, there are many candles fighting the darkness. Critical health measures are succeeding around the world — even as the media focuses its attention elsewhere.
Since its inception in 2000, the International Vaccine Alliance Gavi, has helped vaccinate more than half the world’s children, reducing vaccine-preventable deaths by a staggering 70 per cent. In 1980, child mortality for children under five years old was 250 deaths per thousand live births. Today, it’s about 50.
We can keep the good news coming. The next round of funding for Gavi approaches and Canada’s share is $720 million. It’s critical the federal government steps up with its share of funding to vaccinate half a billion children in this next round. A half a billion candles to light the darkness.
Nathaniel Poole, Victoria, B.C.
Nov 16, 2024 in the Regina Leader-Post
See more published volunteer LTEs.
See all our resources to help you write your LTE, along with key dates, hashtags, tags and keywords found on our call-to-action page.
– Megan, Results Canada volunteer