On Friday, Canada showed up for the world’s children in the fight against polio. At a Rotary International regional conference Toronto, International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to eradicating this disease, announcing $151 million to the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). This is $1 million more than we have been advocating for and we’re thrilled!
“This new commitment brings Canada’s historical contribution to eradicating polio to over $1 billion,” says Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development. “This funding will support UNICEF and the WHO’s efforts to eliminate polio worldwide, helping to ensure that 370 million children are vaccinated annually against polio. Together, we will end polio, and build a healthier future for children everywhere.”
Results Canada volunteers and advocates across the sector have been advocating for this announcement for months. We are thrilled that Canada has heard our call and grateful to everyone who contacted their MP, wrote a letter to the editor, or took any action to make this happen. Together, we can bring about hope and solutions to the world’s biggest challenges.
This pledge comes at a crucial time as the world faces the final – and most challenging – phase of polio eradication. The GPEI and national governments are working tirelessly to reach rural and hard-to-access areas, where the last strongholds of the wild poliovirus (the naturally occurring strain of the virus that causes polio) persist. Recent crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, the mpox outbreak, and the resurgence of polio in Gaza serve as stark reminders that the fight against vaccine-preventable diseases won’t be over until everyone, everywhere, is protected.
Canada’s renewed commitment reinforces its long-standing leadership in the fight against polio and underscores the urgent need for sustained efforts to eliminate the disease in the remaining affected regions.
Since the founding of the GPEI in 1988, the world has witnessed an astonishing 99.9% reduction in wild poliovirus cases. An estimated 20 million people, who otherwise would have faced paralysis from polio, are walking today thanks to vaccines. And only one of the three strains of wild poliovirus still circulates in parts of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Canada has been at the forefront of this journey from the beginning. It was the first country to fund the global fight for polio eradication and has maintained unwavering support across successive governments.
Canada’s funding will play a crucial role in supporting the GPEI’s mission to reach the last unvaccinated children, who often live in areas affected by conflict, instability, and climate change. It will also contribute to the GPEI’s efforts to strengthen health systems, including by supporting healthcare workers and implementing disease surveillance mechanisms. This will ensure that countries can better detect and respond to outbreaks. At a time when the prospect of a polio-free future has never been so close, we hope that Canada's announcement will inspire other donors.
This new pledge is a testament to the dedication of our volunteers, staff, and civil society partners. From publishing letters to the editor and op-eds, to amplifying our message on social media, and engaging with decision-makers, our volunteers have shown Canada’s leaders that immunization and polio eradication are priorities for Canadians. You can be proud! You’ve sent a message to the decision-makers that Canadians care and proved that when people unite, we can shape a healthier world and ensure that vaccines truly #ReachEveryChild.
"For many Canadians, polio is a distant memory, but by now we all know diseases do not respect borders,” says Safia Ibrahim, our Public Engagement Manager. “As a Canadian and someone who has personally been affected by this virus, I am proud of Canada’s continued leadership and support for the eradication of polio. With this new commitment, millions of children will have access to live-saving vaccines, a fair shot at life and a vibrant future."
As we celebrate this moment, we must remain steadfast in our advocacy for all children to access essential immunizations. The sustainability of polio eradication hinges on robust funding for Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance. In the coming months, we will continue our call to Canada to invest at least CAD $720 million in this lifesaving initiative #ForOurFuture.
