Anand asserts that Canadas diplomatic approach is consistent with its values

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Anita Anand, refutes allegations that her government prioritizes trade over humanitarian aid and human rights.

The federal government, led by Prime Minister Mark Carney, has reduced foreign aid, signed economic agreements with autocratic regimes, and avoided openly criticizing American actions against multilateral institutions.

Ms. Anand stated at the Ottawa Civic Space Summit on Thursday that Canada’s values are deeply integrated into its economic and military interests.

She challenged the idea that civic space is somehow separate from economic growth, defense, and security goals, emphasizing that citizens must feel secure and have the economic means to survive for a country to be strong.

Ms. Anand explained that Canada’s initiative to restore maritime traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, given the U.S. and Israel’s war against Iran, aims to reduce costs for Canadians and ensure poorer countries have access to necessary fertilizers.

The conference focuses on the work of human rights defenders worldwide and how Canadian organizations can support them, along with Indigenous peoples in Canada, in the face of rising autocracy globally.

Sponsored by Resilient Societies and Cooperation Canada, representing dozens of Canadian nonprofit organizations active in international aid.

The conference comes as human rights activists and former Liberal ministers, such as Lloyd Axworthy, criticize the Carney government for economic agreements with Beijing and Gulf countries, avoiding direct criticism of their human rights records.

They noted that allied countries like France have been more outspoken against Washington’s measures against multilateralism and international law.

The conference also heard from a Global Affairs Canada official overseeing the ministry’s new economic growth division.

This shift resulted from changes made by the former Canadian International Development Agency before merging with Global Affairs Canada.

After the 2008 economic crisis, the organization shifted its priorities from environmental sustainability to promoting increased private investments and employment in developing countries.

The Trudeau government later reoriented its priorities towards inclusive economic growth and feminist foreign policy.

“We were recently asked to rethink our approach to economic growth in our international aid,” stated Mr. Levasseur.

Opponents argue that the private sector can contribute to projects improving living standards in developing countries but cannot provide essential services like water and education to the world’s poorest.

“This is not just an aid program; it’s Canada’s greatest asset in economic security,” stated Paulina Ibarra of the Multitudes Foundation in Chile.

She highlighted that Canadian funding for civil society stimulates economic growth by reducing corruption and removing policies hindering women and minorities’ economic success.

Ms. Anand emphasized that Canadian diplomacy should not rely on social media, as effective diplomacy requires a strategic approach.

She did not mention a 2018 tweet by Global Affairs Canada calling for the release of women’s rights activists that sparked a years-long diplomatic dispute with Saudi Arabia.