“Right now, Canada’s international aid is not meeting our global moment of need – but that can change. As other countries make the dangerous decision to reduce their international aid, Canada can choose to stand up in this difficult time and lead with our strong values. "
- Budget 2026 Advocacy Toolkit, Results Canada
Every budget is a choice – about what a government values enough to protect, and what it’s willing to let go. While security and economic growth have been this government’s stated priorities, it’s important to remind our decision-makers that these priorities aren’t at odds with international assistance – they are built on it. Less than 1% of federal spending delivers outsized returns on both fronts, and in a world this interconnected, those choices matter well beyond Canada: what happens elsewhere shapes what happens here too. And right now, behind closed doors, those choices are being made.
If we want Budget 2026 (expected in October or November) to reflect us, our values, and our belief that extreme poverty can be ended, we need to ensure that Canadian decision-makers know that people in this country care.
Too often politicians say that their constituents and voters don’t care about international assistance. We know that’s not true. Every month, hundreds of Results volunteer advocates take action, and millions of Canadians give their hard-earned time and money to hundreds of organizations that build healthier and more prosperous communities around the world.
The ask: We call on Canada to stop cuts to international aid in Budget 2026 and reinvest in our world.
Canada has a longstanding non-partisan legacy of supporting the health, rights, and wellbeing of people around the world – a legacy people in Canada are justifiably proud of. For decades,  across governments, Canadians have contributed to advancing health equity, education, and efforts to prevent disease and conflict. Open the dropdown ↓ to learn more.
It’s thanks to the leadership of countries like Canada that our world is healthier and more prosperous than it was only 20 years ago. One of the greatest accomplishments of this millennium has been the reduction in child mortality rates to the lowest point ever. This means that more children are able to grow up and experience everything life has to offer – and Canada played a major role in this monumental achievement.
However, even this is under threat. 2025 is the first year this century where child deaths will have increased, because, while famine, conflicts, and crises have spread and intensified, wealthy countries turned away and cut international assistance. Canada did, too. Despite promises to the contrary, Canada cut international aid by $2.7 billion over 4 years.
Pulling back from our world when Canada was needed most was the wrong choice.
The G7 countries, which provide roughly three-quarters of all aid, are on track to cut aid spending by 28% in 2026 – that's the largest reduction ever recorded by G7 members. The effects of these cuts are sobering, and could result in:
We are seeing the cost of cuts play out before our eyes as the Ebola outbreak continues in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda. Many experts say the devastating aid cuts slowed the identification of the Ebola outbreak and the virus could have been spreading for weeks before the outbreak was declared. Even now, measures to stop the spread of Ebola are hampered by a lack of funding which has made contact tracing more difficult and delayed getting personal protective equipment to teams on the ground. Read our case study for more.
By addressing the root causes of poverty and instability abroad, international assistance delivers concrete outcomes that reinforce Canada’s economic prosperity, national security and global influence.
Trade & Economic resilience: Aid diversifies Canada's trade beyond the US: every $1 invested in international assistance returns $1.19 in Canadian exports. Past aid recipients like Chile, South Africa, and Vietnam are now key trading partners.
National Security: Conflict prevention is 60 times cheaper than fighting wars; every $1 spent on prevention saves $16 in humanitarian response. Aid stops instability abroad before it reaches Canada.
Pandemic preparedness: Aid keeps us safe from global pandemics. Every dollar invested in pandemic preparedness, prevention, and response yields roughly $14 in economic and health benefits.
Made-in-Canada solutions: Canadian researchers and manufacturers are studying infectious diseases (see our map), developing innovative health tools, producing emergency food, and so much more. Investing in aid supports their work, boosts our economy, advances domestic innovation, and strengthens resilience.
As advocates, we’ve made a different choice: we choose to fight for progress, health, and justice; we choose our world. And it’s our responsibility to call on our government to do the same.
The ask: We call on Canada to stop cuts to international aid in Budget 2026 and reinvest in our world.
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Our budget toolkit contains case studies on how cuts of international assistance are impacting real people on the ground. Check them out to gain awareness and to help you when making your case with your MP or others as to why we have to stop the cuts:
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Learn more about how Canada’s federal budget process works, and why it’s important for advocates to engage from Althia Raj, a National Columnist with the Toronto Star and a seasoned political reporter.
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