Minister of International Development appearance before the Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Development (FAAE) on supplementary estimates (C) 2023-24 and main estimates 2024-25 (2024)

May 6, 2024
Published: September 3, 2024

Table of contents

• Main estimates 2024-25
  • 1. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Overview
  • 2. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Year-over-Year Changes – Explanation of Items
  • 3. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Funding for Climate Change
  • 4. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Funding to implement Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy
  • 5. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Funding to support Canada's Feminist International Assistance Policy
  • 6. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Funding for the Canada's Middle East Strategy
  • 7. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Increase in the funding for the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program
  • 8. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Funding for Canada's International Biodiversity Program
  • 9. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Funding for the renewal and expansion of the Women's Voice and Leadership Program
  • 10. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Support to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS Tuberculosis and Malaria’s Seventh Replenishment
  • 11. 2024-25 Main Estimates - Funding to help developing countries address the impact of climate
  • 12. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Funding for the Ongoing Implementation of Canada’s 2021-2026 International Climate Finance Commitment
  • 13. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Funding to strengthen Canada's diplomatic presence in Central and Eastern Europe and the Caucasus region
  • 14. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Funding for NATO Climate Change and Security Center of Excellence
  • 15. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Funding for the Management of the Canada-U.S. Softwood Lumber File
  • 16. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Funding for the Renewal of the Business Women in International Trade Initiative
  • 17. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Funding to strengthen Canada's sanctions capacity and leadership
  • 18. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Funding for the renewal of creative industries trade promotion activities under the Creative Export Strategy
  • 19. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Funding to support resourcing departments and agencies to meet the National Security and Intelligence Review requirements
  • 20. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Enhanced Training Support for the Haitian National Police
  • 21. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Compensation for collective agreements
  • 22. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Transfers to/from other government departments (OGDs) to provide support to departmental staff located at missions abroad
  • 23. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Increase in the funding for the Strategic Priority Fund
  • 24. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Adjustment for Refocusing Government Spending
  • 25. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Decrease in the funding for the Duty of Care special purpose allotment to support mission security abroad
• 2024-25 Main Estimates – Quasi Statutory Framework
  • 26. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Adjustment related to the impact of inflation on overseas operations
  • 27. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Adjustment related to the impact of foreign currency fluctuations incurred on expenditures at missions abroad
  • 28. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Adjustment related to the inflation on Foreign Service Allowances
  • 29. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Adjustment related to the cost of assessed contributions
  • 30. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Increase in funding for locally engaged staff salaries and related benefits incurred at missions abroad
  • 31. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Increase in funding for payments, in respect of pension, insurance and social security programs or other arrangements for employees locally engaged outside of Canada
  • 32. 2024-25 Main Estimates – by Vote (Overview)
    • 33. Vote 10 – Transfer Payment Programs
    • 34. Vote 10 – International Organizations – Assessed Contributions
  • 35. 2024-25 Main Estimates – by Core Responsibility (Overview)
    • 36. Development, Peace and Security Programming
    • 37. Support for Canada’s Presence Abroad
    • 38. International Advocacy and Diplomacy
    • 39. Trade and Investment
    • 40. Help for Canadians Abroad
    • 41. Internal Services
    • 42. Departmental Plan 2024-25
    • 43. Departmental Results Report (DRR) 2022-23
    • 44. Canada’s Network Abroad
    • 45. Overview of Main Estimates 2023-24
    • 46. Public Accounts – Overview
    • 47. Public Accounts – Losses
    • 48. Public Accounts – Travel and Conferences
    • 49. Public Accounts – Lapses

Main estimates 2024-25

1. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Overview

• The 2024-25 Main Estimates will be tabled in Parliament in March and the related Appropriation Act is expected to receive Royal Assent in June with an Interim Supply bill approved by March 31st.
• The Department’s total funding requested in the 2024-25 Main Estimates is $8.8B, which represents a net increase of $1.2B over the 2023-24 Main Estimates of $7.6B.
• The increase is mainly due to the funding for Climate Change, International Biodiversity Program, Indo-Pacific Strategy, Feminist International Assistance Policy and Middle East Strategy.

Supporting facts and figures

• Significant funding increases include:
  • $466.3M for Climate Change;
  • $222.4M for Canada's International Biodiversity Program;
  • $124.9M for the Indo-Pacific Strategy;
  • $110.1M to support Canada's Feminist International Assistance Policy;
  • $82.1M related to compensation for collective agreements;
  • $65.9M for the Canada's Middle East Strategy; and
  • $57.0M related to the Strategic Priority Fund.
• Significant funding decrease of $117.6M related to the adjustment for Refocusing Government Spending.

Background

• The Main Estimates present Global Affairs Canada’s reference levels which are broken down by the nature of the funding (Vote) and according to the Departmental Results Framework (DRF). Adjustments to Main Estimates to account for new programming or for programs that were approved after the process for including items in the Main Estimates, will be received through Supplementary Estimates.
• Supplementary Estimates are part of the normal Parliamentary approval process to ensure that previously planned government initiatives receive the necessary funding to move them forward. They present information to Parliament on the Government of Canada’s spending requirements that were not sufficiently developed in time for inclusion in the Main Estimates.

2. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Year-over-Year Changes – Explanation of Items

• The Department’s total funding requested in the 2024-25 Main Estimates is $8.8B, which represents a net increase of $1.2B over the 2023-24 Main Estimates of $7.6B.
• Funding increases include:
  • $466.3M related to funding for climate change;
  • $222.4M related to funding for the International Biodiversity Program;
  • $124.9M related to funding for the Indo-Pacific Strategy;
  • $110.1M related to funding to support the Feminist International Assistance Policy;
  • $82.1M related to compensation for collective agreements;
  • $65.9M related to funding for the Middle East Strategy;
  • $57.0M related to the funding for the Strategic Priority Fund;
  • $32.2M related to the adjustment to the funding for the assessed contributions (non-ODA portion);
  • $30.0M related to the adjustment related to the impact of foreign currency fluctuations incurred on expenditures at missions abroad (non-ODA portion);
  • $28.9M related to the adjustment to the funding for inflation on foreign services allowances (non-ODA portion);
  • $26.6M related to the funding for the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program;
  • $26.5M related to the funding for locally engaged staff salaries and related benefits incurred at missions abroad (non-ODA portion);
  • $25.8M related to transfers to/from other government departments (OGDs) to provide support to departmental staff located at missions abroad;
  • $24.5M related to the funding for the Management of the Canada-U.S. Softwood Lumber File;
  • $21.5M related to the funding to strengthen Canada’s sanctions capacity and leadership;
  • $16.8M related to funding to strengthen Canada’s diplomatic presence in Central and Eastern Europe and the Caucasus region; and
  • $15.7M related to the adjustment for inflation on overseas operations (non-ODA portion).
• Funding decreases include:
  • $117.6M related to adjustment for Refocusing Government Spending;
  • $23.8M in the funding for Duty of Care special purpose allotment to support mission security abroad; and
  • $4.3M related to other adjustments.

Supplementary messages

The 2024-25 Main Estimates include:

• An increase of $466.3M in the 2024-25 Main Estimates compared to the 2023-24 Main Estimates related to Climate Change.
• At the 2021 G7 Leaders’ Summit, Prime Minister announced a doubling of Canada’s climate finance, from $2.7B to $5.3B over the next five years. Budget 2021 provided the associated Record of Decision on June 15, 2021, and the financial authority for Canada’s new $5.3B climate finance commitment.
  • An increase of $240.0M in 2024-25 Main Estimates compared to the 2023-24 Main Estimates related to the funding to help developing countries address the impact of climate;
  • An increase of $186.0M in 2024-25 Main Estimates compared to the 2023-24 Main Estimates related to the funding for the Ongoing Implementation of Canada’s 2021-26 International Climate Finance Commitment;
  • An increase of $40.8M in 2024-25 Main Estimates compared to the 2023- 24 Main Estimates related to the funding to support Canada's International Climate Finance and Biodiversity Programs;
  • An increase of $1.9M in 2024-25 Main Estimates compared to the 2023- 24 Main Estimates related to the funding for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Climate Change and Security Center of Excellence;
  • An increase of $1.6M due to the sunset of the transfer to the Department of Environment and Climate Change Canada to support the China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development (CCICED) Phase VII;
  • A decrease of $3.0M due to a transfer to the International Development Research Centre to support nature-based Climate Solutions in Aquacultural Food Systems in Asia-Pacific; and
  • A decrease of $1.0M due to a transfer to the Department of the Environment and Climate Change Canada in support of the Canada's International Climate Finance Program.
• An increase of $222.4M in the 2024-25 Main Estimates compared to the 2023-24 Main Estimates related to the funding for Canada’s International Biodiversity Program. Budget 2023 announced funding of $349.7M over 3 years starting in 2023-24.
• An increase of $124.9M in the 2024-25 Main Estimates compared to the 2023-24 Main Estimates related to the funding to implement the Indo-Pacific Strategy. An off-cycle funding decision in November 2022 and Budget 2023 announced funding of $2.3B over 10 years and $175.4M ongoing thereafter.
• An increase of $110.1M in the 2024-25 Main Estimates compared to the 2023-24 Main Estimates related to funding to support Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP).
  • Budget 2018 decisions provided $2.0B in new resources over five years, starting in 2018-19, from the International Assistance Envelope to accelerate the impact of Canada’s new Feminist International Assistance Policy. Budget 2018 decisions also provided $1.5B over five years, starting in 2018-19, and $492.7M per year thereafter from existing unallocated International Assistance Envelope resources, to support innovation in Canada’s international assistance through the International Assistance Innovation Program and the Sovereign Loans Program.
  • An increase of $174.0M in 2024-25 Main Estimates compared to the 2023-24 Main Estimates is related to the resources supporting the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria’s Seventh Replenishment. Budget 2022 proposes to provide an additional $296.0M over four years, starting in 2023-24, and $74.0M ongoing, to GAC to help support efforts to address global health security priorities, such as infectious disease prevention and response;
  • An increase of $7.0M in 2024-25 Main Estimates compared to the 2023- 24 Main Estimates is related to the funding for the renewal and expansion of the Women’s Voice and Leadership Program;
  • A decrease of $69.9M in 2024-25 Main Estimates compared to the 2023- 24 Main Estimates is related to the funding to support Canada’s Strategy in response to the Rohingya Crisis in Myanmar and Bangladesh; and
  • A decrease of $1.0M in 2024-25 Main Estimates compared to the 2023- 24 Main Estimates is related to a transfer to the Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for Strengthening Climate Adaptation to address migration in Southern Mexico.
• An increase of $82.1M in the 2024-25 Main Estimates compared to the 2023-24 Main Estimates related to the compensation for collective agreements. The department has received incremental funding for the impact of signed collective agreements for these bargaining units:
  • Comptrollership (CT) group represented by the Association of Canadian Financial Officers;
  • Program and Administration Services (PA), Educational and Library Sciences (EB), Technical Services (TC), and Operational Services (SV) represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC);
  • Economics and Social Science Services (EC) represented by the Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE);
  • Foreign Service Group (FS) represented by the Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers (PAFSO);
  • Electronics (EL) represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 2228; and
  • Information Technology (IT) and Applied Science and Patent Examination (SP) represented by the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC).
• An increase of $65.9M in the 2024-25 Main Estimates compared to the 2023- 24 Main Estimates related to the funding for Canada’s Middle East Strategy. The strategy was extended as announced in Budget 2021.
• An increase of $57.0M in the 2024-25 Main Estimates compared to the 2023- 24 Main Estimates related to funding for the Strategic Priority Fund (SPF). In 2023-24, 57.0M$ from the SPF was transferred to the Department of Finance to support announced funding by the Prime Minister at the G20 Leaders’ Summit for the International Monetary Fund’s Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust.
• An increase of $32.2M in the 2024-25 Main Estimates compared to the 2023- 24 Main Estimates related to the cost of assessed contributions (non-ODA portion) due to changes in the international organizations' budgets, changes in Canada’s rates of assessment and the impact of currency fluctuations resulting from the payment in the prescribed foreign currency of these contributions, which represent Canada’s treaty obligations and legal commitments to international organizations.
• An increase of $28.9M in the 2024-25 Main Estimates compared to the 2023- 24 Main Estimates related to the funding for Inflation on Foreign Service Allowances (non-ODA portion). The Department seeks compensation for the effects of foreign inflation in excess of Canadian inflation and is compensated annually.
• An increase of $26.6M in the 2024-25 Main Estimates compared to the 2023- 24 Main Estimates related to the funding for the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program.
  • The Economic and Fiscal update 2021 included $179.7M over five years for the department, including $30.0M over three years from existing resources, to renew Canada’s engagement in United Nations Peace Operations and Peacebuilding, advancing Canadian initiatives to make peace operations and peace building more effective and inclusive.
  • An increase of $12.2M in 2024-25 Main Estimates compared to the 2023- 24 Main Estimates related to the funding to support the crisis in Haiti;
  • An increase of 9.4M$ in 2024-25 Main Estimates compared to the 2023-24 Main Estimates is related to the Canada’s Engagement in United Nations Peace Operations and Peacebuilding; and
  • An increase of $5.0M in 2024-25 Main Estimates compared to the 2023-24 Main Estimates is related to funding for Democracy in the Francophonie initiative.
• An increase of $26.5M in the 2024-25 Main Estimates compared to the 2023- 24 Main Estimates related to funding for locally engaged staff salaries and related benefits incurred at missions abroad (non-ODA portion). Global Affairs Canada abides by the employment laws abroad and provide salary and benefit increases that are in line with the local economy to keep compensation comparable to that of local employers.
• An increase of $25.8M in the 2024-25 Main Estimates compared to the 2023- 24 Main Estimates related to the transfers to or from other government departments to provide support to departmental staff located at missions abroad. As part of memorandum of understanding with other government departments, Global Affairs Canada is a common service provider for Government of Canada operations abroad and receives or returns funds for the adjusted cost of operations resulting from staff being posted at Canadian missions abroad by other government departments.
• An increase of $24.5M in the 2024-25 Main Estimates compared to the 2023- 24 Main Estimates related to the Management of the Canada-U.S. Softwood Lumber File. Budget 2023 announced funding of $51.0M over two years.
• An increase of $21.5M in the 2024-25 Main Estimates compared to the 2023- 24 Main Estimates related to the funding to strengthen Canada’s sanctions capacity and leadership. In October 2022, the Prime Minister announced new funding of $76.0M over six years and $8.9M ongoing thereafter, to Global affairs Canada, Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Department of Finance to strengthen Canada’s capacity to implement sanctions. In addition, in June 2023, a funding decision was taken to provide $28.1M over three years, with no funding ongoing thereafter, to Global affairs Canada to manage the seizure, application for forfeiture and possible disposal of assets believed to be owned by sanctioned persons.
• An increase of $16.8M in the 2024-25 Main Estimates compared to the 2023- 24 Main Estimates related to the funding to strengthen Canada’s diplomatic presence in Central and Eastern Europe and the Caucasus region. In June 2022, through an off-cycle funding decision Global Affairs Canada was granted policy cover and approval for new funding.
• An increase of $15.7M in the 2024-25 Main Estimates compared to the 2023- 24 Main Estimates related to the impact of inflation on overseas operations (non-ODA portion). Global Affairs Canada seeks compensation for the effects of foreign inflation in excess of Canadian inflation and is compensated annually.
• A decrease of $117.6M in the 2024-25 Main Estimates compared to 2023-24 Main Estimates related to the adjustment for Refocusing Government Spending. Budget 2023 mandated reductions in the operating budgets of Departments and Agencies related to travel costs as well as professional services costs. These reductions are aimed at returning public spending to pre- pandemic levels in terms of pace and scale, as well as focusing on finding savings to support healthcare and clean economy initiatives.
• A decrease of $23.8M in the 2024-25 Main Estimates compared to the 2023- 24 Main Estimates related to the funding for the Duty of Care special purpose allotment to support mission security abroad.

Supporting facts and figures

• The main items that contributed to year-over-year changes are shown below:

Annex A - 2024-25 Main Estimates - Summary of year-over-year Adjustments

3. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Funding for Climate Change

• The 2024-25 Main Estimates include a net increase of $466.3M for the funding related to climate change.
• At the 2021 G7 Leaders’ Summit, Prime Minister announced a doubling of Canada’s climate finance, from $2.65B to $5.3B over the next five years.
• Budget 2021 provided the associated Record of Decision on June 15, 2021, and the financial authority for Canada’s new $5.3B climate finance commitment.

Supplementary messages

• In 2021, as the global community called for increased climate ambition, Canada stepped up and announced a doubling of its international climate finance, from $2.65B (2015−2021) to $5.3B (2021−26).
• To further strengthen its ability to help developing countries transition to low- carbon, climate-resilient, nature-positive, and inclusive sustainable development, Canada also announced that it will:
  • Increase the proportion of grant funding to 40%, up from 30% previously;
  • Allocate a minimum of 40% of funding to climate adaptation projects;
  • Allocate a minimum of 20% of funding to projects that leverage nature- based climate solutions and projects that contribute biodiversity co- benefits; and
  • Continue to support women’s leadership and decision-making in climate action and ensure that at least 80% of climate projects integrate gender equality, in line with Feminist International Assistance policy.

Results

• The ultimate outcome of the program is to improve low-carbon, climate- resilient economies in developing countries and with at least one of four thematic areas of focus:
• • Clean Energy Transition and Coal Phase-Out: support developing countries’ transition to clean energy by phasing out coal-powered emissions and promoting equitable access to reliable and cost-effective clean energy solutions and energy efficient technologies;
  • Climate-Smart Agriculture and Food Systems: work with developing countries to support smallholder farmers and food value-chain actors, especially women, to better adapt to climate change, reduce their greenhouse gas emissions through improved access to and adoption of climate-smart agriculture and food system practices and agricultural nature-based climate solutions;
  • Nature-Based Solutions & Biodiversity: support actions that protect, sustainably manage and/or restore natural or modified ecosystems in order to address climate change, while also generating biodiversity co- benefits;
  • L’adoption accrue de solutions d’adaptation aux changements climatiques et d’atténuation de leurs effets par des moyens respectueux de la nature favorisant l’égalité des genres dans des pays en développement présentant des retombées positives sur la biodiversité.

Supporting facts and figures

Allocation by Core Responsibility:

Canada’s International Climate finance and Biodiversity Programs for 2021-22 to 2025-26

Funding to help developing countries address the impact of climate

Canada’s International Climate Finance Program for 2021-22 to 2025

Funding for NATO Climate Change and Security Center of Excellence

Transfer to ODG

Background

• In 2009, developed countries committed to a goal of mobilizing jointly $100.0B a year by 2020 to address the needs of developing countries, in the context of meaningful mitigation actions and transparency on implementation.
• This was reaffirmed under the Paris Agreement in 2015 through a collective commitment to continue delivering on this goal through 2025.
• In 2021, Canada fully delivered on its 2015 commitment to provide $2.65B in climate finance over 2015-16 to 2020-21 to help developing countries address climate change.

4. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Funding to implement Canada's Indo-Pacific Strategy

• The 2024-25 Main Estimates include an increase of $124.9M related to the funding to implement the Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy.
• An off-cycle funding decision in November 2022 and Budget 2023 announced funding of $2.3B over 5 years and $358.4M in future years (2028-29 to 2032-33) and $175.4M ongoing thereafter for the Indo-Pacific Strategy.

Supplementary messages

• In total (excluding Public Services and Procurement Canada accommodation costs and Shared Services Canada Information Technology costs), Global Affairs Canada requested $1.1B over ten years (2023-24 to 2032-33) and $108.7M ongoing.
• Global Affairs Canada and its 15 partner organizations will be implementing 24 initiatives as part of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy, which is organized into five Strategic Objectives:
  • Promoting peace, resilience and security;
  • Expanding trade, investment, and supply chain resilience;
  • Investing in and connecting people;
  • Building a sustainable and green future; and
  • Position Canada as an active and engaged partner in the Indo-Pacific.

Results

• Through this initiative, Global Affairs Canada and partners will:
  • Increase promotion of Canadian interests to support peace, resiliency and security in the Indo-Pacific and to mitigate threats to Canada’s national security.
  • Enhance economic linkages and trade and investment ties with the Indo- Pacific and priority Indo-Pacific partners.
  • Increase cultural ties and the promotion of values such as democracy, human rights, and rule of law in the Indo-Pacific.
  • Increase use of Canadian clean technology, expertise, investment, and international assistance to support environmental and economic sustainability in the Indo-Pacific.
  • Increase engagement by the Government of Canada to the Indo-Pacific.

Supporting facts and figures

Allocation by Core Responsibility:

Background

• Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy is working to position Canada as a differentiated and consequential partner of choice across the region.
• Underpinning this Strategy is the recognition that Canada must expand its presence and strengthen its partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region to effectively protect and promote Canadian interests.
• The Strategy presents a comprehensive and integrated set of strategic priorities for Canada in the next 10 years and will contribute to other existing policy and program initiatives, such as: the Export Diversification Strategy; the Feminist International Assistance Policy; Strong, Secure, Engaged: Canada’s Defence Policy; and among other national action plans and policy commitments.

5. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Funding to support Canada's Feminist International Assistance Policy

• The 2024-25 Main Estimates include a net increase of $110.1M to implement the Feminist International Assistance Agenda.
• The incremental funding will allow Global Affairs Canada to address interrelated global challenges in the interest of the poorest and most vulnerable.

Supplementary messages

• In 2024-25, Global Affairs Canada has funding of $180.0M compared to $69.9M in 2023-24 (increase of $110.1M), to further the implementation of the Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP). The funding is broken down as follows:
  • An increase of $174.0M to support the Global Funds to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Maria’s Seventh Replenishment.
  • An increase of $7.0M in funding for the renewal and expansion of the Women’s Voice and Leadership Program.
  • A decrease of $69.9 in funding to support Canada’s Strategy in response to the Rohingya Crisis in Myanmar and Bangladesh due to the sunset of the initiative.
  • A decrease of $1.0M related to a transfer to the Department of Citizenship and Immigration for Strengthening Climate Adaptation to Address Migration in Southern Mexico.

Results

• The increased resources help to support the achievement of Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development. It also addresses the significant demands on Canada’s International Assistance Envelope and improves the effectiveness of Canada’s contribution to global efforts to eradicate poverty and to achieve a more peaceful, inclusive and prosperous world.
• Canada’s support to the Global Fund contributes to Canada’s $1.4B 10-year commitment to support women and girls’ health around the world, by increasing access to quality HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria health services for women and girls, and advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights. Support to the Global Fund advances progress on the Sustainable Development Goals and reaching the 2030 Agenda target of ending AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics by 2030. The Global Fund’s focus on reaching key populations such as at-risk adolescent girls and young women and LGBTQI+ populations strongly aligns with the human rights agenda at the heart of the Feminist International Assistance Policy.
• Support for women’s rights organizations is a cornerstone of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy. Canada is a recognized leader in this area through its establishment of the Women’s Voice Leadership Program and the Equality Fund, and its leadership of the Alliance for Feminist Movements. Through the renewal and expansion of the Women’s Voice and Leadership Program, Global Affairs Canada aims to enhance human rights for women and girls in all their diversity and advance gender equality in developing countries around the world. Towards this ultimate outcome, the program’s intermediate outcomes are threefold:
  • Enhanced organizational capacities, resilience and sustainability of local and regional women’s rights organizations and LBTQI organizations;
  • Enhanced performance of women’s rights and LBTQI organizations’ programming and advocacy to advance gender equality and empower women and girls; and
  • Increased effectiveness of subnational, national, or regional women’s rights platforms, networks, and alliances to affect policy, legal and social change.

Supporting facts and figures

Allocation by Core Responsibility:

Funding to support Canada’s Strategy in response to the Rohingya Crisis in Myanmar and Bangladesh

Funding for the renewal and expansion of the Women’s Voice and Leadership Program

Support to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria's Seventh Replenishment

Transfer to the Department of Citizenship and Immigration for Strengthening Climate Adaptation to Address Migration in Southern Mexico

Background

• Budget 2018 provided $2.0B over five years from existing unallocated International Assistance Envelop resources to accelerate the impact of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy. The overall approach to deploying these incremental resources was to distribute the funding through four priority areas aligned with the Feminist International Assistance Policy and ministerial mandate letter commitments:
  • Regularize and apply a gender-responsive approach to humanitarian action;
  • Break barriers to girls, adolescent girls and women's empowerment, and apply a holistic intersectional lens;
  • Project Canadian leadership and deploy Canadian expertise; and,
  • Augment Canada's support to sub-Saharan Africa.

6. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Funding for the Canada's Middle East Strategy

• The 2024-25 Main Estimates include an increase of $65.9M related to funding for Canada’s Middle East Strategy.

Supplementary messages

• In total (excluding Public Services and Procurement Canada accommodation costs and Shared Services Canada Information Technology costs), Global Affairs Canada requested $131.8M over two years (2023-24 to 2024-25).
• Canada’s whole-of-government Middle East Strategy was initially launched in February 2016 to respond to the ongoing crises in Iraq and Syria, and their impact on the region – in particular Jordan and Lebanon. The Strategy was extended until March 2022, as announced in Budget 2021.
• The Strategy invested over $4.0B over six years (2016-2022) to help set the conditions for security and stability, alleviate human suffering, enable civilian- led stabilization programs, and support governance and longer-term efforts to build resilience.
• The overall funding allocations by Strategy pillar were as follows:
  • $1.5B in humanitarian assistance;
  • $570.0M in development assistance;
  • $325.0M in security and stabilization programming;
  • $110.0M to support diplomatic engagement; and
  • $1.5B in military assistance and intelligence support for Operation IMPACT.

Results

• Similar to previous iterations, the updated Strategy will be provided through pillars: development assistance; (b) security and stabilization; and (c) diplomatic engagement.
• Through the Middle East Strategy, Canada has helped make a real difference in Iraq, Syria, Jordan and Lebanon. With the support of Canada (and other Coalition partners):
  • 20.0M square meters of land have been cleared of explosives in Iraq and Syria allowing displaced persons to safely return home.
  • Security forces in Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon have received specialized advice, training and equipment to detect and address security threats in the region.
  • Humanitarian funding has helped deliver lifesaving assistance such as food, shelter, water, health, sanitation, education and protection services, including specialized care for survivors of gender-based violence.
  • Development funding has helped improve the quality of education for over 1.9M children, including Syrian refugees in Jordan and Lebanon.
  • Diplomatic engagement has supported the implementation of National Action Plans for Women’s Economic Empowerment in Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq.

Supporting facts and figures

Allocation by Core Responsibility:

Background

• Since 2016, as a member of the Global Coalition against Daesh (the Coalition), Canada has been a major contributor to the international response to the crises in Iraq, Syria, and neighbouring countries, particularly Jordan and Lebanon. Canada has worked with its allies to reduce instability in the region and counter terrorism by groups like Daesh, through its grants and contributions programming and through military support via the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) in Iraq and Operation IMPACT. While there has been significant progress, the situation remains fragile.
• This whole-of-government response targets areas where Canada’s involvement can make a positive difference, leverage Canadian expertise, and complement the efforts of other partners. Initiatives under the Strategy will support transformative change to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls through the Feminist International Assistance Policy, Feminist Foreign Policy and the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.
• Canada contributes to Coalition training, intelligence and stabilization efforts. Canada remains positioned among the top-tier of humanitarian donors, actively engaging with the UN, international organizations and other donors to improve aid effectiveness and deliver essential life-saving support to the most vulnerable conflict- affected populations in the region.
• Development assistance and security and stabilization programming is being provided to countries in the region, particularly Lebanon and Jordan, to deal with massive refugee flows and state fragility, and to help lay the groundwork for stronger and more cohesive communities and governance structures. Canada is actively contributing to international efforts aimed at holding actors accountable for war crimes and violations of international law, finding political solutions to the crises, and support for the rules-based international order.

7. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Increase in the funding for the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program

• The 2024-25 Main Estimates include a net increase of $26.6M for the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program.

Supplementary messages

• The 2024-25 Main Estimates include a net increase of $26.6M for the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program. The funding is broken down as follows:
  • $9.4M related to funding to support Canada’s Engagement in United Nations Peace Operations and Peacebuilding. The Economic and Fiscal Update 2021 included $179.7M over five years for Global Affairs Canada, including $30.0M over three years from existing resources, to renew Canada’s engagement and advance Canadian initiatives to make peace operations and peacebuilding more effective and inclusive.
  • $12.2M related to funding to support the crisis in Haiti. In October 2023, an off-cycle funding decision related, the Department of Finance allocated up to $20.3M of grants & contributions funding over three years, beginning in 2023- 24 to Global Affairs Canada, to support and facilitate the training and, if necessary, for infrastructure rehabilitation of the Haitian National Police. These activities were announced by Prime Minister Trudeau during the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) summit meeting in Ottawa on October 18, 2023.
  • $5.0M related to funding for the Democracy in La Francophonie initiative. At the Francophonie Summit in Djerba, Tunisia, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced $10.0M over two years for the Democracy in La Francophonie initiative, to be funded from GAC existing resources.

Results

• Through the Canada’s Engagement in United Nations Peace Operations and Peacebuilding, Global Affairs Canada will:
  • Improve policies, practices and effectiveness of multilateral and global organizations;
  • Enhance Canadian leadership and constructive engagement on issues of peace and security, including human rights, democracy and inclusion;
  • Improve inclusive and gender-responsive prevention of violent conflict, response to crisis, and peacebuilding in fragile and conflict-affected states and situations where PSOPs engages; and
  • Enhance inclusive and gender-responsive multilateral prevention, mitigation and response to violent conflict, threats, insecurity and fragility in the world.
• Canada has developed a whole-of-government response in Haiti integrating four thematic pillars: 1) Diplomatic Engagement 2) Sanctions and Other Legal Measures; 3) Humanitarian and Development Assistance; and 4) Security Assistance. The overall objective of this approach is to support Haitian authorities' efforts to ensure the free and sustainable movement of fuel and humanitarian goods, and by extension, to help create the conditions for Haiti's greater political stability and an inclusive political dialogue leading towards restoration of democratic institutions through elections. Through the funding to support the crisis in Haiti, Canada is to facilitate the functioning of structures and implementation of activities by:
  • Staffing the Haiti Interdepartmental Task Force (IDTF);
  • Standing up the International Security Assistance Group (ISACG);
  • Supporting the Haiti Integrated Intelligence Cell (HIIC);
  • Supporting training solutions for the Haitian National Police (HNP); and
  • Enabling Department of National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces protection and other activities included in the whole-of-government response.

Supporting facts and figures

Allocation by Core Responsibility:

Funding for Canada’s Engagement in United Nations Peace Operations

Funding to support the crisis in Haiti

Democracy in the Francophonie Initiative

Background

• Canada’s contributions to United Nations peace operations have shifted over the past 20 years from large numbers of “boots on the ground” to a focus on funding and policy leadership in key areas. The approach Canada announced as host of the 2017 United Nations Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial in Vancouver sought to deploy high-value, strategic military capabilities combined with new value-added policy and programming initiatives.
• Since hosting the 2017 UN Peacekeeping Defence Ministerial, Canada has committed to working with the United Nations and Member States to make United Nations peace operations and peacebuilding more effective and inclusive.
• Continued support for United Nations peace operations and peacebuilding will address commitments outlined in the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ Mandate letter, notably: furthering the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda on the global stage; strengthening Canada’s engagement in the UN to promote its effectiveness and the rules-based international order; and expanding Canada’s engagement with allies, partners and international organizations in order to promote peace and security.
• In October 2023, there was an off-cycle funding decision to support and facilitate the training and, if necessary, for infrastructure rehabilitation of the Haitian National Police. The activities were announced by Prime Minister Trudeau during the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) summit meeting in Ottawa.
• Haiti faces an escalating political, humanitarian, and security catastrophe. Multiple political crises, systematic impunity, and a lack of public capacity and resources to provide basic services to vulnerable communities have caused widespread poverty and acute fragility. The departure of United Nations forces in October 2021 and the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021 have led to increased insecurity. Gang violence and territory control have caused the relocation of tens of thousands of Haitians, one of the world's highest per capita kidnapping rates, increased conflict-related sexual violence, and over 2100 homicides in 2022 (a 35% rise from 2021). Despite political unrest, 200 gangs continue to grow operations and territory with access to increasingly sophisticated weapons, including heavy weapons smuggled into Haiti. Gangs rule over 60% of Port-au- Prince and are expanding elsewhere. The security situation is worse than in decades and is worsening.

8. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Funding for Canada's International Biodiversity Program

• The 2024-25 Main Estimates include an increase of $222.4M related to funding for Canada’s International Biodiversity Program.
• In December 2022, an off-cycle funding decision provided $349.7M over 3 years (2023-24 to 2025-26) to implement the Global Biodiversity Framework.

Supplementary messages

• In total (excluding Public Services and Procurement Canada accommodation costs and Shared Services Canada Information Technology costs), Global Affairs Canada requested $349.7 million over three years (2023-24 to 2025- 26).
• The International Biodiversity Program will support developing countries in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030.

Results

• Through this initiative, Global Affairs Canada will improve the health of biodiversity and key ecosystems on which people depend, especially the poorest and most vulnerable. The program will support initiatives in the three thematic areas of conservation and restoration (planet), sustainable use of biodiversity (people), and enabling environment and mainstreaming function (tools), which are reflected in the program’s intermediate outcomes and indicators.
• Global Affairs Canada will provide the initial seed funding for the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (up to $200.0M) at the Global Environment Facility.
• Global Affairs Canada will also provide funding (at least $107.0M) to deliver solutions that meet local, regional, or global biodiversity needs through bilateral or regional biodiversity projects.
• These initiatives will ensure the inclusion of women’s organizations, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities wherever possible, with the aim of mobilizing additional financial resources where possible.
• Global Affairs Canada will set aside an Emerging Priorities Fund (up to $35.0M) to maintain flexibility to support initiatives responding to new and emerging priorities.
• Funds to build internal expertise and host the 7th Global Environment Facility Assembly ($10.7M) are also included. The 7th Global Environment Facility Assembly held in 2023, was an opportunity to continue multilateral discussions on resource mobilization, and explore new ways to mobilize additional funding from all sources.

Supporting facts and figures

Allocation by Core Responsibility:

Background

• The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted at COP15 contains a global target on resource mobilization, which commits countries to mobilize collectively at least US$200B per year by 2030 to halt and reverse global biodiversity loss. The Framework contains a target for biodiversity-related international financial resources from developed countries to developing countries to mobilize US$20B per year by 2025 and US$30B per year by 2030. There is a large finance gap to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 and fully recover nature by 2050.
• To help scale-up international biodiversity finance, a new trust fund is being established under the Global Environment Facility until 2030. Canada hosted the Global Environment Facility Assembly, where it was endorsed and launched by the 185 members of the Global Environment Facility in August 2023 in Vancouver.

9. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Funding for the renewal and expansion of the Women's Voice and Leadership Program

• The 2024-25 Main Estimates include an increase of $7.0M to support the renewal and expansion of the Women’s Voice and Leadership Program.
• In December 2022, an off-cycle funding decision approved funding of $195.0M$ over five years (2023-24 to 2027-28) and $43.3M per year ongoing thereafter.

Supplementary messages

• In total (excluding Public Services and Procurement Canada accommodation costs and Shared Services Canada Information Technology costs), Global Affairs Canada is requesting $35.0M over five years (2023-24 to 2027-28) and $8.6M per year ongoing.
• These funds will be used to: expand support to women’s rights organizations, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, queer and intersex (LBTQI) organizations and women human rights defenders in crisis and conflict-affected settings; support capacity strengthening of local women’s rights organizations and implementing partners; deliver feminist monitoring and learning across the Women Voice Leadership program; and support broader program objectives and activities such as core funding and rapid responsive funding to women’s rights and LBTQI organizations in selected countries.

Results

• Through this initiative, Global Affairs Canada aims to enhance human rights for women and girls in all their diversity and advance gender equality in developing countries around the world. Towards this ultimate outcome, the program’s intermediate outcomes are threefold:
  • Enhanced organizational capacities, resilience and sustainability of local and regional women’s rights organizations and LBTQI organizations;
  • Enhanced performance of women’s rights and LBTQI organizations’ programming and advocacy to advance gender equality and empower women and girls; and
  • Increased effectiveness of sub-national, national, or regional women’s rights platforms, networks, and alliances to affect policy, legal and social change.
• The renewed program will have a more systematic collection of stories of change which will provide insights on what works for organizations representing women and girls with different intersecting identities. Wherever possible, qualitative data will be disaggregated by age, gender identity, ability, migrant status in addition to political context to understand program impacts on different marginalized and structurally excluded groups.
• Support for women’s rights organizations is a cornerstone of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy and Canada is a recognized leader in this area through its establishment of the Women Voice Leadership program and the Equality Fund, and its leadership of the Alliance for Feminist Movements.

Supporting facts and figures

Allocation by Core Responsibility:

Background

• The Women Voice Leadership Program is a flagship initiative of Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy to support women’s rights organizations and LBTQI groups working for women’s rights and gender equality. The Women Voice Leadership Program was launched in 2017 with $150.0M over five years (2018-19 to 2022-23) and is comprised of 32 projects in 28 countries and three regions (Caribbean, Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa), implemented by Canadian, international and local Non-Governmental Organizations and women’s funds.
• The program has exceeded expectations, reaching about 1,500 women’s rights organizations and LBTQI groups by March 2023, versus the original target of 400. It has also proven to be a very effective vehicle for providing much-needed financial and capacity building support to women’s rights organizations and feminist networks in a diversity of contexts.

10. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Support to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS Tuberculosis and Malaria’s Seventh Replenishment

• The 2024-25 Main Estimates include an increase of $174.0M to support the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria’s Seventh Replenishment.
• Budget 2022 proposes to provide an additional $296.0M over four years, starting in 2023-24, and $74.0M ongoing to support efforts to address global health security priorities, such as infectious disease prevention and response.
• In June 2019, the Government of Canada made a 10-year commitment (2020-21 to 2029-30) to increase funding to reach an average of $1.4B annually by 2023-24, to advance the health and rights of women and girls around the world, known as the 10- year commitment to Global Health and Rights.

Supplementary messages

• In total (excluding Public Services and Procurement Canada accommodation costs and Shared Services Canada Information Technology costs), Global Affairs Canada is requesting $174.0M ongoing. Of this amount, $100.0M ongoing were provided in the International Assistance Envelope for global health investments and $74.0M ongoing for the funding for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

• Global health investments: The Department will maintain this spending level of $1.4B until the end of the 10-year period. The commitment announced by the Prime Minister specifically pledges an allocation of $700.0M a year for sexual and reproductive health and rights with a particular focus on scaling up investments in neglected, or under- funded areas of sexual and reproductive health and rights: safe abortion and post-abortion care; comprehensive sexuality education; family planning and contraception; sexual and reproductive health and rights advocacy; and, sexual and gender-based violence.

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  Budget 2019 provided up to $100.0M annually, starting in 2023-24 and ongoing, for new International Assistance Envelope (IAE) resources, which was subsequently allocated towards global health investments as per a 2019 off- cycle funding decision.

  This additional funding will ensure that GAC is able to deliver on the 10-year commitment, and will be used to strengthen health systems, and advance the health and rights of women and girls.

• Funding for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria: The Global Fund was created in 2002 to increase resources to fight three of the world's most devastating diseases, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria, with a special focus on delivering health services to vulnerable and marginalized populations including women, adolescents and children.

  This new funding will support the Global Fund’s progress towards achieving its 2023-28 Strategy goal of eliminating the three diseases, and to achieving the following objectives:

  • maximize people-centered integrated systems for health;
  • maximize the engagement and leadership of most affected communities;
  • maximize health equity, gender equality and human rights;
  • mobilize increased resources, and;
  • contribute to Pandemic Preparedness and Response.

Results

• Global health investments: As part of the Feminist International Assistance Policy, the 10-year commitment aims to support health initiatives that, using equity-based approaches, will improve health and the equal enjoyment of health and health rights for those experiencing poverty, marginalization and/or vulnerability.

  Examples of the types of activities supported include: supporting vaccination programs to immunize children against pneumonia, diarrhea and meningitis; providing nutritious school meals, as well as iron and folic acid supplements to women during pregnancy, and integrating nutrition programming within broader health, education and agriculture sectors; providing safe abortion and post-abortion care, comprehensive sexuality education, family planning and contraception, and; strengthening health systems at all levels to ensure that critical services, medicines, and treatments reach the most vulnerable and the hardest to reach, including by training front-line community health workers and other key personnel, such as midwives.

• Funding for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria: Through this initiative, Global affairs Canada will contribute to the Global Fund’s goal of saving 20.0M additional lives by 2026.

  Examples of the types of activities supported include: administration of diagnostic tests for HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis; distribution of medication and other health commodities to treat and control HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria; distribution of bed nets; provision of preventative services such as HIV/AIDS awareness campaigns targeted at adolescents and sex workers, tuberculosis preventative therapies, insecticide spraying in high risk malaria areas, and; capacity building for health staffing, procurement and supply management.

Supporting facts and figures

Allocation by Core Responsibility:

Background

• Global health investments: The 10-year commitment aims to promote sexual and reproductive health and rights; builds on Canada’s leadership in global health and gender equality; and advances the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• Funding for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria: Canada’s support to the Global Fund contributes to Canada’s $1.4B 10-year commitment to support women and girls’ health around the world, by increasing access to quality HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria health services for women and girls, and advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights. Support to the Global Fund advances progress on the Sustainable Development Goals and reaching the 2030 Agenda target of ending AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics by 2030. The Global Fund’s focus on reaching key populations such as at-risk adolescent girls and young women and LGBTQI+ populations strongly align with the human rights agenda at the heart of the Feminist International Assistance Policy.

11. 2024-25 Main Estimates - Funding to help developing countries address the impact of climate

• The 2024-25 Main Estimates include an increase of $240.0M related to support the Canadian Net Zero and Climate Resilience Accelerator for Latin America and the Caribbean (the Accelerator Fund) with the Inter-American Development Bank Group.
• [REDACTED] G7 Summit in June 2021, announced funding of $5.3B for Canada’s international climate finance commitment over 5 years.

Supplementary messages

• In total (excluding Public Services and Procurement Canada accommodation costs and Shared Services Canada Information Technology costs), Global Affairs Canada requested $760.0M over three years (2023-24 to 2025-26).
• The Canadian Net Zero and Climate Resilience Accelerator for Latin America and the Caribbean is one of the key deliverables under the Climate Finance Investment Plan for 2023-24. Total funding is sourced from the fiscal framework to the Inter-American Development Bank Group.
• To complement this amount, Global Affairs Canada will provide up to $10.0M in grants for technical assistance, which will support project preparation activities. Grant funding will be sought from existing departmental reference levels.

Results

• The Accelerator Fund will support developing new technologies, business models, and best practices that drive climate resilience, greenhouse gas emission reductions, and the use of nature-based solutions to fight climate change, while increasing gender equality, diversity, and inclusion in Latin America and the Caribbean to deliver on a portion of Canada’s climate finance commitment.

Supporting facts and figures

Allocation by Core Responsibility:

Background

• [REDACTED]
• The legislation that is relevant to this initiative is the Official Development Assistance Accountability Act, and the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act.

12. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Funding for the Ongoing Implementation of Canada’s 2021-2026 International Climate Finance Commitment

• The 2024-25 Main Estimates include an increase of $186.0M related to support the Ongoing Implementation of Canada’s 2021-26 International Climate Finance Commitment.
• [REDACTED] G7 Summit in June 2021, announced funding of $5.3B over 5 years for Canada’s international climate finance commitment.

Supplementary messages

• In total (excluding Public Services and Procurement Canada accommodation costs and Shared Services Canada Information Technology costs), Global Affairs Canada requested $203.0M over two years (2024-25 to 2025-26).
• The key objective of the Canadian Climate and Nature Fund for the Private Sector in Asia (CANPA) initiative (up to $350.0M in unconditionally repayable contributions) is to catalyze private sector investments in gender-responsive climate change mitigation and adaptation solutions, including in nature-based solutions, in the developing countries in the Indo-Pacific. CANPA will have two funding windows: 1) a Climate Window for Mitigation and Adaptation projects, to support gender-responsive projects in clean and renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy transmission and distribution (including smart grids and storage solutions), sustainable transport, water supply and management, agriculture and forestry, land use and natural resource management, coastal protection, and disaster risk management; and 2) a Nature-Based Solutions Window.
• The key objective of the Supporting Resilient Green Energy in the Caribbean (SURGE) initiative (up to $53.0M in unconditionally repayable contributions) is to catalyze public and private sector investments to accelerate the Caribbean region’s energy transition to renewable, low carbon energy. Projects under SURGE could include large-scale renewable energy installations led by electric utilities and/or independent power producers, and grid upgrades/modernization and energy efficiency measures to enhance resilience and support the broader energy transition.

Results

• Through this initiative, Global Affairs Canada will help developing countries in the Caribbean region, which are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, transition to low-carbon and more climate-resilient economies. Global Affairs Canada will also help developing countries in the Indo-Pacific region transition to low-carbon and more climate-resilient economies.

Supporting facts and figures

Allocation by Core Responsibility:

Background

• [REDACTED]
• The legislation that is relevant to this initiative is the Official Development Assistance Accountability Act, and the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Act.

13. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Funding to strengthen Canada's diplomatic presence in Central and Eastern Europe and the Caucasus region

• The 2024-25 Main Estimates include an increase of $16.8M to support the strengthening of Canada’s diplomatic presence in Central and Eastern Europe and the Caucasus region.
• In June 2022, through an off-cycle funding decision, Global Affairs Canada was granted policy cover and approval for new funding for the strengthening of Canada’s Diplomatic Presence in Central and Eastern Europe and the Caucasus.

Supplementary messages

• In total (excluding Public Services and Procurement Canada accommodation costs and Shared Services Canada Information Technology costs), Global Affairs Canada requested $72.7 M over four years (2023-24 to 2026-27) and $12.3M ongoing hereafter.
• This initiative seeks funding authorities to implement the following activities.
  • Establishment of an Embassy in Yerevan, Armenia with an Ambassador, 2 Canada-based staff, and 7 locally engaged positions.
  • Relocation of Canada’s Embassy in Latvia to a new Riga location as well as addition of a new Canada-based position, regularization of 2 Canada-based positions and addition of 2 locally engaged positions.
  • Conversion of Canada’s current Offices in Estonia, Lithuania, and Slovakia into Embassies with Ambassadors and 2 locally engaged staff – one in each of Tallinn and Vilnius
  • Creation of a new Canada-based position in Finland.
  • Creation of 4 new Canada-based positions to strengthen diplomatic capacity for coverage of countries of non-resident accreditation. One position in each of the following to include covering Belarus (from Warsaw), Azerbaijan + Georgia (from Ankara), Moldova and Bulgaria (from Bucharest) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (from Budapest
  • Creation of 5 locally engaged positions for public diplomacy and advocacy in local languages in key ally countries in Central and Eastern Europe and the Caucasus. One in each of Bratislava, Bucharest, Budapest, Prague and Warsaw
  • Creation of 3 new Canada-based positions for the enhanced Global Security Reporting Program - one in each of Warsaw, Belgrade and Yerevan
  • Creation of 5 new headquarters positions: 2 for intelligence assessment and analysis to augment the Intelligence Bureau’s Eastern Europe focused Integrated Mission Group and 3 for the Rapid Response Mechanism Canada team to support countering Russian disinformation and leading Canada’s international engagement on countering state-sponsored disinformation.

Results

• Through this initiative, Global Affairs Canada will:
  • Enhance and expand and strengthen Canada’s Global influence;
  • Enhance ability of missions / Headquarters to provide international security, policy and diplomacy;
  • Enhance ability and concentrates on Trade and strives to ensure Canadian exporters and innovators are successful in their international business development efforts.

Supporting facts and figures

Allocation by Core Responsibility:

Background

• The 2021 Speech from the Throne stated that “In the face of rising authoritarianism and great power competition, Canada must reinforce international peace and security, the rule of law, democracy, and respect for human rights”, while the 2022 Budget Speech by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Freeland described the Russian invasion of Ukraine as utterly transforming the world and that “Our rules-based international order— born from the ashes of the Second World War—today confronts the greatest threat since its inception.” These points are also reflected in numerous Ministerial Mandate letters.

14. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Funding for NATO Climate Change and Security Center of Excellence

• The 2024-25 Main Estimates include an increase of $1.9M related to funding to establish the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence (CCASCOE).
• The Budget 2023 announced $40.4M over 5 years from fiscal year 2023-24 to 2027-28 and $7.0M ongoing. These amounts include $20.2M for Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and $20.2M for Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) over 5 years, and $2.5M for GAC and $4.5M for DND/CAF per year ongoing.

Supplementary messages

• In total (excluding Public Services and Procurement Canada accommodation costs and Shared Services Canada Information Technology costs), Global Affairs Canada is requesting $15.2M over five years (2023-24 to 2027-28) and $1.8M ongoing.
• [REDACTED]
• The new resources are required for Global Affairs Canada and the Department of National Defence, the departmental co-leads of this initiative, to support Canada’s leadership in the Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence and the required level of Canadian policy expertise on climate and security issues to inform this role.

Results

• Through this initiative, Global Affairs Canada will support the realization of the CCASCOE’s unique potential to convene and collaborate with experts from across the climate change and security nexus and facilitate a multidisciplinary policy development environment. It will contribute to:
  • Enhancing climate change and security understanding and coordination;
  • Collaborating with international organizations;
  • Advancing and improving NATO’s work on climate and security;
  • Assisting in the development of NATO policies, doctrine, standards and best practices;
  • Integrating the expertise of non-military subject matter experts with defence and military actors; and
  • partnerships with diverse groups, including academia, civil society and industry.

Supporting facts and figures

Allocation by Core Responsibility:

Background

• Prime Minister Trudeau announced Canada’s proposal to establish and become Framework Nation for a NATO Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence at the June 2021 NATO Summit. NATO officially accepted Canada’s formal offer to establish the CCASCOE in May 2022. On July 12, 2023, Canada joined 11 Allies to find the CCASCOE by signing its Operational Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the NATO Summit in Vilnius, Lithuania.
• The CCASCOE will enable NATO, its allies and partners, and other global actors, to better understand and address the security challenges associated with climate change. The Centre will support NATO’s work on climate and security; provide allies with a central location to pool their knowledge; develop effective responses to the security impacts of climate change; and can provide a platform for outreach with diverse global actors addressing elements of this same challenge.
• On September 20-21, 2023, Global Affairs Canada hosted 11 Sponsoring Nations of the CCASCOE to participate in the first meeting of the Centre’s governing Steering Committee. Director General for International Security Policy Alison Grant chaired the meeting for Canada as the Framework Nation, with DND Director General for International Security Major General Greg Smith as Canada’s voting representative on the committee. As part of the meeting outcomes, the Steering Committee validated five CCASCOE foundational documents, paving the way for the Centre to achieve full NATO accreditation.

15. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Funding for the Management of the Canada-U.S. Softwood Lumber File

• The 2024-25 Main Estimates include an increase of $24.5M related to funding for the Management of the Canada-U.S. Softwood Lumber trade dispute.
• Budget 2023 announced funding of $51.0M over 2 years (2023-24 to 2024-25).

Supplementary messages

• In total (excluding Public Services and Procurement Canada accommodation costs and Shared Services Canada Information Technology costs), Global Affairs Canada requested $49.0M over two years (2023-24 to 2024-25).
• Consistent with past softwood lumber funding for Global Affairs Canada, the requested funds will be held in a special purpose allotment.

Results

• Access to renewed funding will allow Global Affaires Canada to continue to defend Canadian interests and to secure predictable access to the U.S. market for Canadian softwood lumber companies. Funding will also enable Global Affairs Canada to fulfill its legislative requirement to administer export permits for softwood lumber and logs pursuant to the Export and Import Permits Act.

Supporting facts and figures

Allocation by Core Responsibility:

Background

• The management of the Canada-U.S. softwood lumber file is a sunsetter initiative which funding ended on March 31, 2023. Previous softwood lumber funding was secured through Budget 2018 in the amount of $178.7M over five fiscal years (2018- 19 to 2022-23).

16. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Funding for the Renewal of the Business Women in International Trade Initiative

• The 2024-25 Main Estimates include an increase of $2.0M related to funding for the Renewal of the Business Women in International Trade Initiative.
• An off-cycle funding decision in August 2023 approved $6.4M over three years (2023-24 to 2025-26).

Supplementary messages

• In total (excluding Public Services and Procurement Canada accommodation costs and Shared Services Canada Information Technology costs), Global Affairs Canada requested $5.9M over three years (2023-24 to 2025-26).
• Delivered by the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service within Global Affairs Canada, Business Women in International Trade is a longstanding initiative that provides support for Canadian women-owned and women-led businesses to help them export to international markets.
• Renewed funding will support eight full-time equivalents and operating funds to ensure the continuation of the Business Women in International Trade initiative.
• The Business Women in International Trade initiative aligns with the priorities and commitments of the Government of Canada, including priorities outlined in the Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade, and Economic Development’s 2021 Mandate Letter: to pursue opportunities more broadly for market diversification; to advance Canada's export diversification strategy; and to ensure that Canadian workers and businesses receive necessary support.

Results

• The continuation of the Business Women in International Trade initiative will allow the Trade Commissioner Service to continue to provide support for women-owned and women-led businesses to help them access international export opportunities. The initiative supports Government of Canada priorities, including the Export Diversification Strategy and the advancement of an inclusive approach to trade, as well as Global Affairs Canada’s Core Responsibility of ensuring “Canadian exporters and innovators are successful in their international business development efforts”. Existing Trade Commissioner Service Key Performance Indicators will be used to monitor and assess the outcomes of this initiative as they relate to Departmental Results Framework.

Supporting facts and figures

Allocation by Core Responsibility:

Background

• The Business Women in International Trade initiative was established in 1997 to support Canadian women entrepreneurs in their international business expansion efforts. The Business Women in International Trade initiative is managed by the Canadian Trade Commissioner Service within Global Affairs Canada. In 2018, Innovation, Science, and Economic Development launched the Women Entrepreneurship Strategy, a $6B investment seeking to double the number of women-owned enterprises by 2025. This strategy allocated $10M over five years (commencing in 2018-19) to expand the Trade Commissioner Service’s Business Women in International Trade. Funding for the Business Women in International Trade initiative sunset on March 23, 2023. In August 2023, the Business Women in International Trade initiative was renewed through an off-cycle decision to receive $6.4M over three years, starting in 2023-24.

17. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Funding to strengthen Canada's sanctions capacity and leadership

• The 2024-25 Main Estimates include an increase of $21.5M in funding to strengthen Canada’s sanctions capacity and leadership.
• In October 2022, the Prime Minister announced new funding of $82.2M over six years, and $8.9M ongoing thereafter, to Global Affairs Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Department of Finance to strengthen Canada’s capacity to implement sanctions.
• In addition, a funding decision was issued in June 2023 to provide $28.1M over three years, with no funding ongoing thereafter, to Global Affairs Canada for managing the seizure, application for forfeiture and possible disposal of physical assets believed to be owned by sanctioned persons.

Supplementary messages

• In total (excluding Public Services and Procurement Canada accommodation costs and Shared Services Canada Information Technology costs), Global Affairs Canada requested $63.0M over four years (2023-24 to 2026-27) and $3.8M ongoing thereafter.
• This funding will be used to:
  • Strengthen Canada’s capacity to implement sanctions, including through a dedicated bureau at Global Affairs Canada (adding up to 37 full time equivalents); and
  • Establish a source of funds to manage the seizure, application for forfeiture and possible disposal of assets believed to be owned by sanctioned individuals and entities, pursuant to new authorities under Canadian autonomous sanctions legislation.

Results

• Through this initiative, Global Affairs Canada will:
  • Immediate Outcomes
    • Augment its operational capacity to coordinate Canada’s sanctions;
    • Increased its capacity to provide guidance to the Canadian public, including the private sector; and
    • Process requests for sanctions-related permits, certificates, and de-listings in a timely manner.
  • Intermediate Outcomes
    • Increase tracking and assessment capacity of Canada’s sanctions regime; and
    • Increase evidence-based research on the impact and effectiveness of sanctions.
  • Ultimate Outcome
    • Increase awareness among the Canadian public and private sector of how to engage in international business and international assistance in accordance with sanctions.

Supporting facts and figures

Allocation by Core Responsibility:

Background

• Since the passage of the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act in 2017, Canada’s approach to sanctions as a targeted diplomatic tool of last resort has shifted significantly to become a foreign policy tool that is used more frequently to address the most pressing and egregious international issues, including human rights violations and threats to international peace and security.
• Canada’s use of sanctions has increased significantly since the beginning of 2022. This is largely attributable to the rapid expansion of sanctions measures in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine but is also linked to the development of important new sanctions measures to respond to ongoing crises in Haiti, Iran, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka.
• A knock-on effect of the increase in the number and frequency of sanctions measures has been a related increase in the resources needed to implement the measures. Since the beginning of 2022, Global Affairs Canada has seen an unprecedented increase in the number of:
  • Delisting applications, from individuals/entities seeking their removal from Canadian sanctions;
  • Permit applications, from individuals/entities seeking an exemption for activities that could potentially be impacted by sanctions;
  • Referrals from the Canada Border Services Agency, to review imports and exports of good potentially prohibited by sanctions; and
  • Inquiries and requests for information, including from other government departments, crown corporations, provinces and territories, enforcement agencies and Canada’s mission abroad, regarding now to navigate sanctions.
• In June 2022, changes to the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act and the Special Economic Measures Act came into force providing the Government of Canada with the authorities to seize and forfeit assets of individuals and/or entities sanctioned under these pieces of legislation. Under these authorities, proceeds from the disposal of forfeited assets are required to be used to compensate victims, fund recovery or reconstruction efforts, or support the restoration of international peace and security. Although seizure and forfeiture of sanctioned property not linked with criminality is actively discussed among G7 partners, Canada is the first G7 country to pass legislation specifically related to the seizure and forfeiture of property belonging to sanctioned persons.
• The funding being sought will help to:
  • address the ongoing resource constraints within Global Affairs Canada to effectively implement an ever-increasing suite of sanctions measures; and
  • provide a source of funds to manage the seizure, application for forfeiture and possible disposal of assets believed to be owned by sanctioned persons (funding was not originally allocated to do so when the authorities themselves entered into force).

18. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Funding for the renewal of creative industries trade promotion activities under the Creative Export Strategy

• The 2024-25 Main Estimates include an increase of $2.4M related to funding for the Renewal of Creative Industries Trade Promotion Activities under the Creative Export Strategy.
• The Budget 2023 announced funding of $4.9M over two years (2023-24 to 2024-25).

Supplementary messages

• In total (excluding Public Services and Procurement Canada accommodation costs and Shared Services Canada Information Technology costs), Global Affairs Canada requested $4.9M over two years (2023-24 to 2024-25).
• Funding will support the renewal of a total of eight full-time equivalents (FTEs) which represent positions such as four full trade positions, and three positions refocused into full trade. Of these eight positions, five positions are to be dedicated to creative industry exports, of which four are at missions (New York, Los Angeles, London and Paris) and one at headquarters in Ottawa. The renewal and re-focusing of the other three positions are to be dedicated to creative industry trade promotion positions (in Mumbai, Mexico and Shanghai).
• The Trade Program Fund will be renewed with $250,000 allocated annually. Given its high demand, and to support as many initiatives as possible at missions, Global Affairs Canada may seek further support where possible from Canadian Heritage to cost share some of the activities.
• Funding for the Renewal of Creative Industries Trade Promotion Activities under the Creative Export Strategy (Budget 2023) falls under the Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development’s mandate to pursue opportunities more broadly for market diversification and trade facilitating infrastructure; to work with international partners, advance Canada's export diversification strategy, and ensure that Canadian workers and businesses receive necessary support; and, to advance foreign investment attraction measures that position Canada as a top destination for global investment and promote Canada's economic brand, while balancing national interests.

Results

• Since the establishment of the Creative Export Strategy in 2018-19, the services delivered to creative industries clients has made a 478% increase, the number of Trade Commissioner Service creative clients has more than tripled (+285%), the success rate of Trade Commissioner Service has risen by over 562%, with an average client satisfaction rate of 91.4%. These results have directly demonstrated the added value of Trade Commissioner Service resources for the creative industries in assisting Canadian companies to secure export success in the sector.
• Under the current renewal, an increase in dedicated creative industries trade resources abroad (from four to seven) in three additional markets will allow for concentrated efforts by officers who previously dedicated half their time to the work and the other half to cultural diplomacy (referred to as hybrid in the context of the Strategy). This approach was based on the results achieved by fully dedicated trade resources who accounted for 93% of the successes in 2022 compared to the hybrid resources who accounted for only 7%.
• Despite budget challenges, the Trade Commissioner Service will continue to provide basic core services to creative industries exporters in all markets. Until new resources are fully deployed in 2023-24, the Trade Commissioner Service may not perform at existing success levels established under the first iteration of the Strategy.

Supporting facts and figures

Allocation by Core Responsibility:

Background

• Budget 2016 re-established funding for the arts and culture sector under the “Showcasing Canada’s cultural industries to the world” initiative, providing a total of $35M over two years for both Canadian Heritage and Global Affairs Canada (trade and cultural diplomacy). This funding allowed Canadian Heritage to lead the development of a Creative Export Strategy, which saw an investment of $125M over five years announced in the 2017 Fall Economic Statement (from 2018-19 to 2022- 23), and which sunset on March 31, 2023.
• As part of the Strategy’s renewal, Canadian Heritage received $57M over three years starting in 2023-24, through the 2022 Fall Economic Statement, while Global Affairs Canada’s trade side received its two year, $4.9M funding through Budget 2023.
• The Strategy, led by Canadian Heritage, provides resources to maximize the export potential of Canadian creative industries clients. Under it, Canadian Heritage provides direct funding to those clients and works with GAC on trade missions to foreign markets.
• The Strategy also provides additional resources to the Trade Commissioner Service (TCS) to serve creative industries’ clients by preparing them for international business, finding global opportunities and qualified contacts, and resolving business problems abroad.

19. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Funding to support resourcing departments and agencies to meet the National Security and Intelligence Review requirements

• The 2024-25 Main Estimates include an increase of $2.2M related to funding to support resourcing departments and agencies to meet national security and intelligence review requirements.
• Budget 2023 announced funding of $5.8M for two years, of which $1.4M was from reallocated departmental resources.

Supplementary messages

• In total (excluding Public Services and Procurement Canada accommodation costs and Shared Services Canada Information Technology costs), Global Affairs Canada requested $4.0M over two years (2023-24 to 2024-25).
• As demonstrated by the heightened interest in foreign interference in Canada, Global Affairs Canada is increasingly engaged by the National Security and Intelligence Review Agency (NSIRA) and the National Security and Intelligence Committee of Parliamentarians (NSICOP). Following the liaison unit model of other government departments, the External Review and Liaison Unit (INPR) in the Intelligence Bureau (IND) is Global Affairs Canada’s ‘single window’ for review.
• It coordinates all requests from, and responses to NSICOP and NSIRA, offers expertise to implicated branches and senior management, represents Global Affairs Canada at select whole-of-government meetings, coordinates review activities with other government departments (OGDs), and leads training to develop a review culture at Global Affairs Canada.
• Global Affairs Canada requested salary and operational funding for 9 new positions and expanding the team to another 4 positions in the second year. Operational funding will also serve to support missions brought into the review process, which includes site visits by the review bodies; support legal opinions and advice related to Global Affairs Canada responses to review activities; and support the management of Global Affairs Canada’s Special Registry for the Bureau’s historical national security and intelligence records and related research requested.

Results

• Through this initiative, Global Affairs Canada will contribute to the intergovernmental framework of departments and agencies to provide time and fulsome support to NSICOP and NSIRA in conduct of national security and intelligence reviews. This initiative is expected to have a near-term and long-term positive impact on the public’s confidence in Canada’s national security institutions, leading to enhanced trust and access to federal information via the published reports of NSICOP and NSIRA. It also contributes to two of the outputs of the Performance Information Profile for the International Security Policy and Diplomacy.

Supporting facts and figures

Allocation by Core Responsibility:

Background

• Under the new review framework of NSICOP and NSIRA, the national security and intelligence activities of Global Affairs Canada became subject to review for the first time. Global Affairs Canada was not provided any commensurate increase in funding to support these new obligations.
• [REDACTED]
• The External Review and Transparency Unit (ERTU) was created within the Intelligence Bureau new full-time equivalent positions, funded through Branch pressures on a temporary basis pending the anticipated budget asks in 2023.
• Assistant Deputy Ministers of reviewed departments agreed to a budget proposal at the Assistant Deputy Minister’s Review Coordination Committee in September 2022. This Consolidated Estimates Authorities Attestation (CEAA) addresses Global Affairs Canada’s specific resource requirements.

20. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Enhanced Training Support for the Haitian National Police

• The 2024-25 Main Estimates include an increase of $12.2M related to the funding to support Canada’s initial response to supporting the crisis in Haiti.
• In May 2023, through an off-cycle funding decision, the Department of Finance allocated up to $22.5M in operating funding for 2023-24.
• In October 2023, through a second off-cycle funding decision, the Department of Finance allocated up to $20.3M in grants and contributions funding over three years (2023-24 to 2025-26) to support and facilitate the training and, if necessary, for infrastructure rehabilitation of the Haitian National Police (HNP).

Supplementary messages

• In total (excluding Public Services and Procurement Canada accommodation costs and Shared Services Canada Information Technology costs), Global Affairs Canada requested $42.8M over three years (2023-24 to 2025-26).
• [REDACTED]

Results

• Canada has developed a whole-of-government response in Haiti integrating four thematic pillars: 1) Diplomatic Engagement 2) Sanctions and Other Legal Measures; Humanitarian and Development Assistance; and 4) Security Assistance. The overall objective of this approach is to support Haitian authorities' efforts to ensure the free and sustainable movement of fuel and humanitarian goods, and by extension, to help create the conditions for Haiti's greater political stability and an inclusive political dialogue leading towards restoration of democratic institutions through elections. Canada is to facilitate the functioning of structures and implementation of activities in support of Canada’s whole-of-government response to the crisis in Haiti by:
  • Staffing the Haiti Interdepartmental Task Force (IDTF);
  • Standing up the International Security Assistance Group (ISACG);
  • Supporting the Haiti Integrated Intelligence Cell (HIIC);
  • Supporting training solutions for the Haitian National Police (HNP); and
  • Enabling Department of National Defence (DND) / Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) for force protection and other activities included in the whole-of-government response.

Supporting facts and figures

Allocation by Core Responsibility:

Background

• Haiti faces an escalating political, humanitarian, and security catastrophe. Multiple political crises, systematic impunity, and a lack of public capacity and resources to provide basic services to vulnerable communities have caused widespread poverty and acute fragility. The departure of United Nations forces in October 2021 and the assassination of President Jovenel Moïse in July 2021 have led to increased insecurity. Gang violence and territory control have caused the relocation of tens of thousands of Haitians, one of the world's highest per capita kidnapping rates, increased conflict-related sexual violence, and over 2100 homicides in 2022 (a 35% rise from 2021). Despite political unrest, 200 gangs continue to grow operations and territory with access to increasingly sophisticated weapons, including heavy weapons smuggled into Haiti. Gangs rule over 60% of Port-au-Prince and are expanding elsewhere. The security situation is worse than in decades and is worsening.
• [REDACTED] Prime Minister Trudeau announced $100.0M would be used "to bolster Haitian-led solutions to the crisis and support peace and security" during U.S. President Joe Biden's two-day visit to Ottawa. A Treasury Board submission was not required to access these funds, as they were approved using pre-existing funds.
• In May 2023, through a second off-cycle funding decision, the Department of Finance allocated up to $23.6M in 2023-24 to Global Affairs Canada, less $1.1M from Global Affairs Canada’s existing resources, to continue staffing the IDTF and support the stand-up of the International Security Assistance Group (ISACG) and up to $7.7M to DND/CAF for force protection and support to the IDTF. RCMP was allocated $2.1M over one year (2023-24) to support the Haiti Integrated Intelligence Cell (HIIC).
• In October 2023, through a second off-cycle funding decision, the Department of Finance allocated up to $20.3M of grants and contributions funding over three years, beginning in 2023-24 to Global Affairs Canada, to support and facilitate the training and, if necessary, for infrastructure rehabilitation of the HNP. These activities were announced by Prime Minister Trudeau during the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) summit meeting in Ottawa on October 18, 2023.

21. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Compensation for collective agreements

• The 2024-25 Main Estimates include an increase of $82.1M for compensation from collective agreements concluded, and terms and conditions of employment update.

Supplementary messages

• Global Affairs Canada received compensation for the signed collective agreements for Canada-based staff taking effect as follow:
  • • 2024-25: $82.1M
    • 2025-26: $92.5M
    • 2026-27 and ongoing: $94.8M

Supporting facts and figures

Background

• The Compensation Reserve group prepares a base payroll snapshot from the Public Service and Procurement Canada’s pay files ahead of each round of bargaining. The snapshot is taken immediately before a new round of bargaining starts. The snapshot is used in the calculations of the impacts of economic increases, market adjustments and restructures for all departments, agencies and crown corporations.
• The compensation adjustments are for the following bargaining units at GAC:
  • Comptrollership (CT) group represented by the Association of Canadian Financial Officers;
  • Program and Administration Services (PA), Educational and Library Sciences (EB), Technical Services (TC), and Operational Services (SV) represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC);
  • Economics and Social Science Services (EC) represented by the Canadian Association of Professional Employees (CAPE);
  • Foreign Service Group (FS) represented by the Professional Association of Foreign Service Officers (PAFSO);
  • Electronics (EL) represented by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 2228; and
  • Information Technology (IT) and Applied Science and Patent Examination (SP) represented by the Professional Institute of the Public Service of Canada (PIPSC).

22. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Transfers to/from other government departments (OGDs) to provide support to departmental staff located at missions abroad

• The 2024-25 Main Estimates include an increase of $25.8M related to transfers from other government departments to provide support to departmental staff located at missions abroad.
• As part of the memorandum of understanding with other government departments, Global Affairs Canada is a common service provider for the Government of Canada operations abroad and receives or returns funds for the adjusted cost of operations resulting from staff being posted at Canadian missions abroad by other government departments.

Supplementary messages

• Transfers to Global Affairs Canada are to cover the common services costs for new staff posted abroad to support Canada’s network, including those related to: Foreign Services Directives and relocation, real property, security and all the common services costs incurred at missions abroad to support their staff.
• Transfers from Global Affairs Canada are to adjust funding previously provided for departmental staff located at missions abroad.

Supporting facts and figures

• Overall, the Department requested an ongoing increase of $25.8M.

Background

• The current version of the memorandum of understanding became effective April 1st, 2021. This agreement, in consultation with network partners and Global Affairs Canada common service provider has been reviewed and it includes the revised costing methodology, and definition of the requirements of both partners and Global Affairs Canada as a common service provider.
• The revised costing methodology is based on three guiding principles:
  • Comprehensiveness: the costing of positions includes all common service costs;
  • Fairness: all clients pay an equitable share; and
  • Transparency: common service rates are based on actual costs, data is understandable and available to clients.
• The revised costing methodology included the following changes:
  • Common service charges for positions abroad are aligned with the catalogue of common services;
  • The cost of all positions is recalculated annually using actual expenditures and salary information from the financial and human resources information systems; and
  • The corporate application provides enhanced information and reporting on the cost of services.

23. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Increase in the funding for the Strategic Priority Fund

• The 2024-25 Main Estimates include an increase of $57.0M related to the International Assistance funding for the Strategic Priority Fund.
• In 2023-24, $57.0M was transferred to the Department of Finance to support announced funding by the Prime Minister at the G20 Leaders’ Summit for the International Monetary Fund’s Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust.

Supporting facts and figures

Allocation by Core Responsibility:

24. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Adjustment for Refocusing Government Spending

• The 2024-25 Main Estimates include a decrease of $117.6M related to the adjustment for Refocusing Government Spending.
• Budget 2023 mandated reductions in the operating budgets of departments and agencies related to travel costs as well as professional services costs. The government committed to reduce spending by $14.1B over the next five years, starting in 2023-24, and by $4.1B annually after that.
• These reductions are aimed at returning public spending to pre- pandemic levels in terms of pace and scale, as well as focusing on finding savings to support healthcare and clean economy initiatives.

Supplementary messages

• Although the reduction was requested on operating budget, Global Affairs Canada requested to apply a portion on grants & contributions.
• As part of meeting this commitment, Global Affairs Canada is planning the following spending reductions.

• Global Affairs Canada will achieve the majority of these reductions by doing the following:
  • Reducing professional services and travel expenditures;
  • Scaling back planned spending under the International Assistance Innovation Program and Sovereign Loans Program, to account for trends in these programs’ uptake in certain areas; and
  • Sunsetting funding under the Middle East Strategy as of April 2025. Note that this reduction does not affect the Government’s level of commitment to respond to the crisis in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. All recent commitments in humanitarian assistance to the region, including Gaza specifically, will remain unchanged.
• Smaller reductions have also been identified to programs and activities which could absorb slight reductions without undermining their core tenets or affecting the priorities outlined in this departmental plan, namely:
  • Scaling back funding under the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program, and the Canadian Police Deployments;
  • Scaling back some funding under the intellectual property component of the CanExport Program; and
  • Recalibrating marketing efforts aimed at promoting Canada as a study destination.
• Finally, the department is also planning to modestly reduce the department’s senior management cadre in the context of the department’s broader transformation efforts.
• The reduction of $117.6M in the Main Estimates 2024-25 only includes the amounts considered «reference levels» and excludes the «cost avoidance».
• A portion of the reduction is considered «cost avoidance» due to these sunsetting initiatives:
  • Middle East Strategy – Sunset in 2024-25: $55.9M.
  • Intellectual property component of CanExport – Sunset in 2026-27: $2.0M.
  • Diplomatic presence: $1.1M from 2024-25 to 2027-28 and $2.5M ongoing

Supporting facts and figures

Allocation by Core Responsibility:

Funding profile

25. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Decrease in the funding for the Duty of Care special purpose allotment to support mission security abroad

Top line messages

• Government of Canada has a duty of care responsibility to ensure the safety and security of the people who work abroad at its missions.
• The 2024-25 Main Estimates include a net decrease of $23.8M for duty of care.
• This funding allows Global Affairs Canada to support the global network of missions, which is comprised of 182 diplomatic missions in 112 countries.

Supplementary messages

• Over the past 20 years, the global security environment has increasingly become volatile, complex and is evolving rapidly, further exposing Canada’s employees, assets and information in missions abroad.
• Funding is required to advance mission related infrastructure projects, have continued access to intelligence and protect that intelligence according to the evolving security landscape, and ensure missions and their staff are prepared to manage any emerging crisis.

Results

• The main overarching outcomes are to improve the security of individuals, increase the integrity and the confidentiality of information, and maintain and strengthen the security and the resilience of missions and assets.
• This funding supports many activities, including proceeding with real property projects and many more minor capital projects; purchasing equipment; providing expanded security training; improving information management & information technology; and improving the ability to respond to emergency situations.

Supporting facts and figures

Background

• Budget 2017 allocated $1.9B to Global Affairs Canada over 10 years and $126.7M ongoing for duty of care. A portion of this funding was accessed in 2017: $1.2B over 10 years from 2017-18 to 2026-27 and $104.9M ongoing.
• As part of its annual budget planning process, Global Affairs Canada reviews its security posture and spending plans on a regular basis to ensure funding is allocated towards departmental security priorities.

2024-25 Main Estimates – Quasi Statutory Framework

26. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Adjustment related to the impact of inflation on overseas operations

• The 2024-25 Main Estimates include an increase of $15.7M (Non-ODA portion) related to inflation on overseas operating costs.
• To ensure that foreign inflation does not erode Global Affairs Canada’s purchasing power.

Supplementary messages

• Global Affairs Canada presents a situation unique to government in terms of inflation compensation requirements. As the common service provider for the Canadian Government abroad, the Department expends resources outside of Canada that are subject to foreign inflation rates which can vary significantly from Canadian domestic rates. Excess foreign inflation can quickly erode the purchasing power of mission budgets.
• Like domestic departments, Global Affairs Canada is expected to absorb the Canadian rate of inflation. Since 1986-87, the Department has sought budgetary compensation for the effects of foreign inflation in excess of Canadian rate of inflation and has been compensated annually through its Annual Reference Level Update submission.
• The department is compensated with a one-year lag for inflation. Capital expenditures at missions are not compensated for foreign inflation. This means that Global Affairs Canada’s capital purchasing power may erode over time.

Supporting facts and figures

• Overall, the Department requested an ongoing increase of $16.3M.
• Of this amount, $15.7M comes from the fiscal framework and $0.6M comes internally from the Grants & Contributions vote to cover the Official Development Assistance (ODA) portion.
• The Official Development Assistance adjustments fall within the purview of the International Assistance Envelope and, as such, adjustments are made internally via transfers to/from development funds through the Annual Reference Level Update.

Background

• Since fiscal year 1986-1987, the Department has been compensated for the effects of foreign inflation in excess of Canadian domestic inflation. To determine the net effect of foreign inflation on common services abroad, Global Affairs Canada uses mission specific inflation indices provided by Statistics Canada. These indices are applied to actual expenditures categories of goods and services consumed abroad for the previous fiscal year, as a projection for the amounts required for the next fiscal. There are four categories of goods and services consumed abroad:
  • Goods and Services: includes a grouping of goods and services that missions are required to purchase or procure on a regular basis;
  • Property: includes engineering and architectural services, repairs of buildings and utility services;
  • Amounts controlled at headquarters, but spent abroad: includes relocation, repairs of buildings and telecommunication services; and
  • Property rentals, taxes, and condominium fees: includes increases in contract rent that are defined within an existing crown lease or lease renewal.

27. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Adjustment related to the impact of foreign currency fluctuations incurred on expenditures at missions abroad

• The 2024-25 Main Estimates include an increase of $30.0M (Non-ODA portion) related to the impact of foreign currency fluctuations incurred on expenditures at missions abroad.
• To ensure that Global Affairs Canada maintains its purchasing power and is not positively or negatively impacted by foreign exchange rate fluctuations, Global Affairs Canada’s budget is adjusted for currency fluctuations on an annual basis.

Supplementary messages

• The purpose of the adjustment is to ensure that Global Affairs Canada maintains its purchasing power on items that are impacted by currency fluctuations including:
  • Locally engaged staff (LES) salaries, and
  • Operating expenditures at missions abroad, including those managed at headquarters.
• Currency gains are returned to the Consolidated Revenue Fund, and reimbursem*nt for currency losses are sought through the Supplementary Estimates and the Annual Reference Level Update.

Supporting facts and figures

• Overall, the Department requested an ongoing increase of $31.1M due to currency gains.
• Of this amount, $30.0M comes from the fiscal framework and $1.1M comes internally from the Grants & Contributions vote to cover the Official Development Assistance (ODA) portion.
• The Official Development Assistance adjustments fall within the purview of the International Assistance Envelope and, as such, adjustments are made internally via transfers to/from development funds through the Annual Reference Level Update.

Background

• In recognition of the fact that currency rate fluctuations can affect the Department's purchasing power abroad, Global Affairs Canada and Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat are parties to a longstanding arrangement whereby Global Affairs Canada is annually compensated for net currency losses experienced abroad and, conversely, "returns" any net currency gains to the Consolidated Revenue Fund. This way, Global Affairs Canada neither loses nor gains simply as a result of changes in the relative value of the Canadian dollar vis-à-vis the foreign currencies in which its missions operate.
• Currency adjustments are made on two occasions each year, if required. The first adjustment is made annually through the Annual Reference Level Update and is intended to adjust departmental budgets to reflect changes in foreign exchange rates for the period since the previous year's Annual Reference Level Update. The second occasion for making currency adjustments is through Supplementary Estimates to accommodate "in-year" fluctuations. Fluctuations within a fiscal year represent the difference between the actual exchange rates that were in effect throughout the fiscal year when individual payments are issued, and the "base rates" that were established for that year through the Annual Reference Level Update.
• The funding requirements for operating costs are maintained in Canadian dollars. As such, the currency adjustments for the current years (included in Supplementary Estimates) are based on the forecast of currency gains/losses that will be incurred for the current fiscal years.

28. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Adjustment related to the inflation on Foreign Service Allowances

• The 2024-25 Main Estimates include an increase of $29.0M (Non-ODA portion) related to inflation on foreign service allowances.
• Global Affairs Canada provides the foreign service allowances to Government of Canada employees who are serving abroad as per the Foreign Service Directives which ensure that the terms and conditions of employment for employees serving abroad are current.

Supplementary messages

• Foreign service allowances are allowances paid from the Department’s operating budget to its Canada-based employees posted abroad. Global Affairs Canada pays foreign service allowances to its own overseas staff and to employees from over ten other government departments with whom there is a memorandum of understanding.
• Foreign service allowances are a subset of the Foreign Service Directives, a set of directives that govern, in large part, the benefits and conditions of employment of public servants posted abroad. The Foreign Service Directives are promulgated by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat following negotiations with the National Joint Council and as such, are a non- discretionary cost to the Department.
• Global Affairs Canada updates reference levels through the Annual Reference Level Update based on the forecast for the current year, as well as the difference between the previous forecast and actual expenditures.

Supporting facts and figures

• Overall, the Department requested an ongoing increase of $31.3M.
• Of this amount, $29.0M comes from the fiscal framework and $2.3M comes internally from the Grants and Contributions vote to cover the Official Development Assistance (ODA) portion.
• The Official Development Assistance (ODA) adjustments fall within the purview of the International Assistance Envelope and, as such, adjustments are made internally via transfers to/from development funds through the Annual Reference Level Update.

Background

• The Foreign Service Directives are negotiated via the National Joint Council and reflect the following principles:
  • Comparability: insofar as is possible and practicable employees serving abroad should be placed in neither a more nor a less favourable situation than they would be in serving in Canada;
  • Incentive-inducement: the employer must provide certain additional incentives both to attract employees to serve an occasional assignment outside Canada and to recruit and retain employees in a career foreign service; and
  • Program-related provisions: to ensure that employees abroad will be provided with the means to carry out the programs assigned to them.
• Foreign service allowances are a subset of the Foreign Service Directives and are paid from the Department’s operating budget (salary) to its Canada-based employees and to most other government departments, except Department of National Defence.
• Global Affairs Canada updates reference levels through the Annual Reference Level Update based on the forecast for the current year, as well as the difference between the previous forecast and actual expenditures for each of the following allowances:
  • FSD 50: Post Travel Assistance
  • FSD 34: Education Allowances
  • FSD 55: Post Living Allowance
  • FSD 56: Foreign Service Incentive Allowances
  • FSD 58: Post Differential Allowance
• There is no adjustment for all other foreign service allowances. In the fall of 2003, the methodology agreed upon between the Department and Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat was to exclude the incremental funds required for all other allowances. This agreement was based on both the materiality of these amounts, as well as the relatively stable year-over-year costs. The exception is FSD 64: emergency evacuation allowance. The Department can seek additional funds through the Supplementary Estimates if the cost of emergency evacuations is significant.

29. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Adjustment related to the cost of assessed contributions

• The 2024-25 Main Estimates include a net increase of $32.2M (Non-ODA portion) related to the cost of assessed contributions due to changes in the international organizations’ budget, changes to the Canada’s rate of assessment and the impact of currency fluctuations resulting from the payment of the contributions in foreign currencies.
• The net increase is explained by the following three factors:
  • Increase in the size of the organizations' budgets;
  • Increase in Canada's rates of assessment (usually calculated on the basis of per capita GDP); and
  • Increase resulting from changes in the rate of exchange.
• On behalf of the Government of Canada, Global Affairs Canada pays annual assessments to 59 international organizations including 12 that relate to United Nations peacekeeping operations.

Supplementary messages

• Assessed contributions are treaty-based membership fees for international organizations such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization.
• In order to maintain membership in these international organizations, Canada receives an annual assessment for the cost of these organizations.
• Global Affairs Canada, on behalf of Canada, is responsible for paying these annual assessments. The assessments vary each year due to fluctuating foreign currency rates (most assessments are in USD or Euro), changes to the organizations’ budgets, and adjustments to Canada’s rate of assessment.

Supporting facts and figures

• In total, Global Affairs Canada is proposing a net increase of $46.5M to the cost of assessed contributions in 2024-25. This is mainly due to the following factors:
  • $11.6M increase in the size of the organizations' budgets;
  • $1.4M increase in Canada's rates of assessment (usually calculated on the basis of per capita GDP); and
  • $33.5M increase resulting from changes in the rate of exchange.
• Of this total, $14.4M (ODA portion) will be reflected as an internal budget transfer in the reference level process within the Grants & Contributions vote.
• The Official Development Assistance (ODA) adjustments fall within the purview of the International Assistance Envelope and, as such, adjustments are made internally via transfers to/from development funds through the Annual Reference Level Update.

Background

• The assessed contributions represent Canada’s membership to international organizations which are paid in foreign currencies. The cost of membership in international organizations is determined by each organization and is an obligation of membership. Most international organizations are funded by assessed contributions based on a formula agreed to by all members. These assessed contributions are accepted as treaty obligations and are legal commitments of the Government of Canada.
• Global Affairs Canada vigorously pursues a policy of zero-nominal growth in budget discussions in international organizations. Canada is aligned, particularly in the United Nations system of specialized agencies, with other like-minded countries in systematically seeking more efficient management of these organizations.

30. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Increase in funding for locally engaged staff salaries and related benefits incurred at missions abroad

• The 2024-25 Main Estimates include an increase of $26.5M (Non-ODA portion) related to the revisions of locally engaged staff salaries and related benefits at missions abroad.
• To ensure that Global Affairs Canada abides by the employment laws abroad and provides salary and benefit increases that are in line with the local economy to keep compensation comparable to that of local employers.

Supplementary messages

• The Department is not reimbursed for locally engaged staff salary and benefits increases as part of the standard collective bargaining exercise. This is because unlike other federal Departments, the salaries and benefits of locally engaged staff are subject to neither the employment laws of Canada nor collective bargaining.
• The purpose of the adjustment is to ensure that Global Affairs Canada does not lead nor lag the local market in terms of salary and benefits. For each locally engaged staff position level, a comparison is made to the wages and hours of work of several other organizations.
• The adjustment includes all locally engaged staff that provide services to Global Affairs Canada, and several other government departments.
• The Department is compensated with a one-year lag for locally engaged staff salary revisions.

Supporting facts and figures

• Overall, the Department requested an ongoing increase of $27.4M.
• Of this amount, $26.5M comes from the fiscal framework and $0.9M comes internally from the Grants & Contributions vote 10 to cover the Official Development Assistance (ODA) portion.
• The Official Development Assistance (ODA) adjustments fall within the purview of the International Assistance Envelope and, as such, adjustments are made internally via transfers to/from development funds through the Annual Reference Level Update.

Background

• As a major part of its operations abroad, Global Affairs Canada hires locally engaged staff who make up close to 45% of the total full-time equivalents of the Department which represents close to 6,000 locally engaged staff in 182 missions in 112 countries.
• Unlike other federal departments, the salaries and benefits of these locally engaged staff are not subject to the employment laws of Canada nor collective bargaining, and the Department is not reimbursed for these salaries and benefits as part of the standard collective bargaining exercise.
• The Department must abide by the employment laws abroad and provide salary and benefit increases that are in line with the local economy to keep compensation comparable to that of local employers.
• There are different terms & conditions and salary scale for each country, based on local market practice and law. Locally engaged staff annual salary adjustments vary by country, by occupational groups and sometimes by level (during a Total Guaranteed Cash Review).
• As the common service provider abroad for the Canadian Government and in support of other government departments, all of the locally engaged staff fall under Global Affairs Canada’s jurisdiction. Without the required funds, the Department would seek funds from all partner departments to contribute to Global Affairs Canada’s resultant operational shortfall.
• By agreement with Treasury Board Secretariat, the Department uses the Annual Reference Level Update to make adjustments for the increase in the locally engaged staff salaries and benefits.
• LES salaries are adjusted according to the Total Guaranteed Cash Review Strategy which was put in place in 2010. There are two ways of adjusting salaries under this strategy, but adjustments are always based on market practice:
  • During the Total Guaranteed Cash Review, which is done on a cyclical basis (usually every five years), local labour market data is collected and salaries are adjusted accordingly. Adjustments are only made if a specific level has fallen below market. Adjustments are made level by level and zero percent increases are not out of the norm.
  • In years between Total Guaranteed Cash Reviews, locally engaged staff salaries are adjusted based on a salary adjustment formula. This formula takes both the mission’s positioning determined at the last Total Guaranteed Cash Review and the country inflation as an indicator of local labour market movement fluctuations into account. Each level within an occupational group of a mission receives the same increase.

31. 2024-25 Main Estimates – Increase in funding for payments, in respect of pension, insurance and social security programs or other arrangements for employees locally engaged outside of Canada

• The 2024-25 Main Estimates include an increase of $10.4M for payments, in respect of pension, insurance and social security programs or other arrangements for employees locally engaged outside of Canada.
• The Program was transferred to Global Affairs Canada from Treasury Board Secretariat effective January 1, 2012, at an annual base funding level of $50.8M. However, annual costs, as evidenced by actual expenditures both prior and subsequent to the transfer, have consistently exceeded the base funding level.
• As a result of the increase of $10.4M, Global Affairs Canada’s budget for payments, in respect of pension, insurance and social security programs or other arrangements for employees locally engaged outside of Canada (Vote 15) would go from $102.5M to $112.9M for fiscal year 2024-25.

Supplementary messages

• Global Affairs Canada manages Locally Engaged Staff Pension, Insurance and Social Security Program. The Program consists of pension and insurance plans and affiliation with local social security.
• Locally Engaged Staff pension and insurance plans are established when required by local law; are comparable to other employers within each country. The Government of Canada participates in local social security systems unless there is a good reason not to.

Supporting facts and figures

• The Vote 15 is comprised of the three following components: Social Security costs, Pension costs and Insurance costs.
  • Social security costs have gradually increased since the Program’s transfer in 2012. These costs are levied by local governments and are a function of local political decisions and economic factors.
  • Pension cost includes costs related to both the “Pension Scheme” and local employer pension plans.
    • Pension Scheme for Employees of the Government of Canada Locally- Engaged Outside of Canada, 1996 (Pension Scheme) is a Government of Canada provided pay-as-you-go plan, which provides a lump sum benefit upon eligible end of service. Although the Pension Scheme costs are relatively stable, they are relative to the number of expected retirements in the year, and the amount payable is a factor of salary, which is subject to incremental increases. These costs are difficult to anticipate given that payment requirements are not known in advance.
    • Locally established Employer sponsored pension plans include both defined benefit (DB) and defined contribution plans (DC). Estimated DB costs are based on the actuarial valuation of the plans performed by the plan actuary based on legislated funding requirements. In the case of DB pension plans, in low interest rate environments, plan liabilities increase which result in higher employer contribution requirements. In addition, pension plan assets invested in securities markets are subject to fluctuation, which affects pension funding and therefore contribution requirements. Employer contributions to DC plans are estimated as a percentage of salary and increase as a function of membership and salaries. These factors are all subject to local law and practice.
• Insurance costs vary according to membership, local medical inflation, claims experience and changes in local regulatory requirements.
• Total incremental request for LES Pension Benefits compared to 2023-24 Main Estimates is broken down as follows:

Background

• In support of the Government of Canada’s international priorities, employees are hired locally at Canada’s diplomatic and consular missions worldwide. The Government of Canada employs approximately 5,900 Locally Engaged Staff in diplomatic missions abroad.
• Locally Engaged Staff are a distinct group of employees of the Government of Canada that are not part of the Canadian Public Service. Locally Engaged Staff are employed by Heads of Mission abroad according to foreign host government legislation.
• Locally Engaged Staff compensation is determined locally, and pension and insurance benefits and local social security affiliation form an integral part of the compensation package. Canada is obligated to provide local legally compliant pension, insurance and social security benefits.
• Vote 15, a quasi-statutory Vote, is used to pay employer costs related to Locally Engaged Staff pension, insurance and social security benefit. Such program expenditures include contributions to pension plans, premiums to insurance coverage, premiums to local social security and costs related to plan management such as accountants, actuaries, fund managers and other third-party providers.
• Program expenditures progressively increase due to factors that are inherent to employee benefit plans and that are not internally controlled, such as inflation, plan membership, market fluctuations creating plan deficits, and changes to local laws affecting benefit design and funding requirements.

32. 2024-25 Main Estimates – by Vote (Overview)

• In the 2024-25 Main Estimates, Global Affairs Canada requested expenditure authorities of $8.8B, which represents a net increase of $1.2B over the 2023-24 Main Estimates of $7.6B.
• The Main Estimates are reported by Vote as well as Standard Object.
• Net increase by Vote:
  • $937.4M in Vote 10 - Grants and Contributions;
  • $281.6M in Vote 1 – Operating Expenditures;
  • $17.0M in the Statutory Vote;
  • $10.4M in Vote 15 - Locally engaged staff pension programs;
• Net decrease by Vote:
  • $14.9M in Vote 5 - Capital expenditures.
• Variance in the allocation compared to 2023-24 is a result of year-over-year changes in the Department’s funding profile.

Supplementary messages

• Global Affairs Canada’s 2024-25 Main Estimates have the following votes:
  • Vote 1 is to fund the operations of the department, which is comprised of salaries, the operating costs to deliver our programs (Trade, Development, and Foreign Affairs), including operating expenditures at missions abroad and other operational expenses such as travel and professional services.
  • Vote 5 is to cover capital expenditures which are largely related to the Real Property program.
  • Vote 10 funds the grants and contributions expenditures including programming for international development and assessed contributions.
  • Vote 15 is for expenditures relating to the costs of pension, insurance and benefits for Locally Engaged Staff (LES).
• The following two votes are technical in nature:
  • Vote 20 allows Global Affairs to make direct payments to International Financial Institutions, which are typically development banks.
  • The Statutory Vote includes the following items:
    • Direct payments to International Financial Institutions;
    • Contributions to employees benefit plans;
    • Minister’s salary and motor car allowances; and
    • Payments under the Diplomatic Service (special) Superannuation Act.

Supporting facts and figures

• The following items represent the increases / decreases by Vote:
  • Vote 1 – Operating Expenditures – $281.6M
    • $70.1M related to the compensation for Collective Bargaining Agreements;
    • $39.9M related to the funding to implement the Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy;
    • $27.3M related to funding for locally engaged staff salaries and related benefits incurred at missions abroad;
    • $23.8M related to the transfers to or from other government departments to provide support to departmental staff located at missions abroad;
    • $24.6M related to the impact of inflation on Foreign Service Allowance;
    • $22.9M related to funding for the Softwood Lumber special purpose allotment;
    • $21.6M related to Locally Engaged Staff Salaries Revision;
    • $18.3M related to the funding for the Canada’s Middle East Strategy;
    • $16.5M related to the funding to strengthen Canada’s sanctions capacity and leadership;
    • $16.3M related to the impact of inflation on overseas operations;
    • $10.1M related to the funding to strengthen Canada’s diplomatic presence in Central and Eastern Europe and the Caucasus region;
    • $10.0M related to funding for Canada's participation in World Exposition Osaka 2025;
    • $0.7M related to funding to help developing countries to address the impact of climate change;
    • $0.6M related to the funding for the Duty of Care Special Purpose Allotment to support mission security abroad;
    • ($36.1M) related to technical adjustment for Refocusing Government Spending;
    • ($3.5M) related to the funding to support Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy;
    • ($0.1M) related to the funding for the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program; and
    • $18.6M related to the other items.
  • Vote 5 – Capital Expenditures – ($14.9M)
    • $5.4M related to strengthen Canada’s diplomatic presence in Central and Eastern Europe and the Caucasus region;
    • $3.8M related to the funding to strengthen Canada’s sanctions capacity and leadership; and
    • ($24.1M) for the capital portion of the Duty of Care special purpose allotment to support mission security abroad.
  • Vote 10 – Grants and Contributions – $937.4M
    • $463.6M related to funding to help developing countries to address the impact of climate change;
    • $221.0M related to funding for Canada’s International Biodiversity Program;
    • $114.0M related to funding to support the Feminist International Assistance Policy;
    • $80.3M related to funding to implement the Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy;
    • $57.0M related to funding for the Strategic Priority Fund;
    • $46.1M related to funding for the Canada’s Middle East Strategy;
    • $32.2M related to the adjustment for the Assessed Contributions;
    • $26.7M related to funding for the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program;
    • ($81.6M) related to technical adjustment for Refocusing Government Spending; and
    • ($21.9M) for other items.
  • Vote 15 – Payments in respect of pension, insurance and social security programs for locally engaged staff – $10.4M
    • $10.4M related to the increase of funding for payments, in respect of pension, insurance and social security programs or other arrangements for employees locally engaged outside of Canada, or in respect of the administration of such programs or arrangements.
  • Vote 20 – Payments to international financial institutions – Direct payments – $0.0M
    • To authorize the inclusion of an authority embedded in vote wording.
  • Statutory Vote – $17.0M
    • $43.3M relating to the Employee Benefit Plan (EBP) component of new funding requested through the 2024-25 Main Estimates;
    • $8.3M related to the increase in International Financial Institutions (IFI) Direct Payments;
    • ($35.8M) for the Treasury Board Secretariat Employee Benefit Plan (EBP) adjustment to bring the rate of Global Affairs Canada’s salary base to 13.8% in the 2024-25 Main Estimates. This amount also includes an adjustment related to the locally engaged staff (LES) EBP component, which are to be excluded from the calculation of the final EBP amount for the Department; and
    • $1.2M for other items.
• The Main Estimates are also provided by Standard Object, which includes the types of goods or services to be acquired, or the transfer payments to be made from funding contained in these estimates.

33. Vote 10 – Transfer Payment Programs

• The Department’s transfer payments amount to $5.9B, including the voted transfer payments (vote 10) such as grants and contributions and the statutory transfer payments:
  • $3.7B in grants;
  • $2.2B in contributions; and
  • $0.9M in statutory transfer payments.
• Total contribution funding is comprised of:
  • $1.6B in discretionary (or non-assessed) contributions; and
  • $0.6B in assessed contributions for Canada’s memberships in international organizations.

Supplementary messages

• The department has a rigorous challenge function to ensure effective oversight and efficient monitoring within the Investment Decision Framework.
• Furthermore, the department integrates fiduciary risk management and recipient audit to balance sufficient accountability requirements with flexibility to maximize development results.
• A risk-based approach is being used to inform the selection of recipients that will be subject to financial compliance audits.

Supporting facts and figures

• The most significant grants, contributions and statutory transfer payments are listed below:
  • $3.9B ($3.2B in grants and $0.7B in contributions) from the International Development Assistance for Multilateral Programming;
  • $484.0M ($31.9M in grants and $452.1M in contributions) from the International Development Assistance for Bilateral Programming to support regional or country specific;
  • $434.5M ($162.3M in grants and $272.2M in contributions) from the International Development Assistance for Partnerships with Canadians Programming;
  • $249.4M in payments to International Financial Institutions – Direct payments;
  • $219.9M United Nations peacekeeping operations (assessed contributions);
  • $186.5M ($142.1M in grants and $44.4M in contributions) in support of the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program (PSOP);
  • $111.6M United Nations Organization (assessed contributions);
  • $68.3M ($30.3M in grants and $38.0M in contributions) under the Weapons Threat Reduction Program;
  • $46.2M (contributions) for the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (CFLI); and
  • $40.0M ($37.0M in grants and $3.0M in contributions) in support of the CanExport Program.

34. Vote 10 – International Organizations – Assessed Contributions

• The total cost of Canada’s membership in international organizations is $599.6M in the 2024-25 Main Estimates, an 8% net increase ($46.5M) in comparison with the previous year’s Main Estimates.
• The increase in the Main Estimates is attributable to changes in estimates of international organizations’ budgets, Canada’s rate of assessment and foreign currency fluctuations.
• On behalf of the Government of Canada, Global Affairs Canada pays annual assessments to 59 international organizations including 11 United Nations peacekeeping operations.

Supplementary messages

• Paying a share of the United Nations’ costs is a core obligation of membership. This is a collective responsibility that all have to shoulder.
• Canada continues to rank as one the largest overall financial contributors to the United Nations.
• Assessed at 2.628%, Canada currently ranks as 8th largest contributor to the United Nations regular budget (after United States of America, China, Japan, Germany, United Kingdom, France and Italy). This rate will change (not clear in which direction) in 2025, as scales of assessment will be renegotiated in fall 2024.
• Canada also currently ranks as the 8th largest financial contributor to United Nations peacekeeping operations.
• Canada always pays its assessed contributions to the United Nations system in full, on time and without conditions.
• Canada has again earned a position on the United Nations Honour Roll for 2024, as one of 51 countries that paid in full and on time its annual assessed contribution to the United Nations regular budget by the payment due date (February 08, 2024)
• Having a large contributor such as Canada pay in full and on time is essential to the United Nations liquidity, which is regularly jeopardized by significant unpaid arrears. Canada’s policy of paying in full and on time is therefore deeply appreciated by our key interlocutors in the Secretariat and gains Canada influence in budget negotiations.

Supporting facts and figures

• The most significant assessed contributions by category in the 2024-25 Main Estimates include:
  • International Organizations - $379.7M
    • United Nations Organization - $111.6M
    • North Atlantic Treaty Organization– civil administration - $45.1M
    • World Health Organization - $20.3M
    • Pan-American Health Organization - $18.8M
    • Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development - $18.3M
    • Food and Agriculture Organization - $17.6M
    • Organization of American States - $16.3M
    • International Organization of La Francophonie - $16.1M
    • Other International Organizations - $115.6M
  • United Nations Peacekeeping Operations - $219.9M
    • United Nations Mission in Mali - $46.7M
    • United Nations Mission in Republic of South Sudan - $40.1M
    • United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic - $40.0M
    • United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo - $37.1M
    • United Nations Support Office in Somalia - $19.2M
    • United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon - $18.7M
    • Other UN Peacekeeping Operations - $18.1M
  • The overall trend is for growth in international organizations’ budgets in response to growing expectations and mandates from member states and inflationary pressure.
  • After 30 + years of zero nominal growth, there is pend-up demand in the international system for more flexible funds. We can expect this trend to continue.
  • In total, Global Affairs Canada is initially proposing an 8% net increase ($46.5M) to the cost of assessed contributions in 2024-25. This net increase is explained by the following three factors:
    • $11.6M increase in the current estimates of the organizations' budgets;
    • $1.4M increase in Canada's rates of assessment (usually calculated on the basis of per capita GDP); and
    • $33.5M increase due to fluctuations in the currency exchange rates;
  • The net increase of $46.5M includes $32.2M (non-ODA portion) requested from the fiscal framework and $14.3M (ODA portion) reflected as an internal budget transfer within Vote 10 (Grants & Contributions).
  • The Official Development Assistance (ODA) adjustment falls within the purview of the International Assistance Envelope and, as such, the adjustment is made internally via a transfer from development funds.

Background

• Assessed contributions are treaty-based membership dues for international organizations such as the United Nations and the World Health Organization.
• Global Affairs Canada, on behalf of Canada, is responsible for paying most of these annual assessments. The assessments vary each year due to fluctuating foreign currency rates (most assessments are in USD or Euro), changes to the organizations’ budgets, and adjustments to Canada’s rate of assessment.
• The net increase in these Main Estimates is attributable to changes in estimates for international organizations’ budgets, Canada’s share and foreign currency fluctuations.

35. 2024-25 Main Estimates – by Core Responsibility (Overview)

Top line messages

• Following the requirements of the Treasury Board Secretariat Policy on Results, the 2024-25 Main Estimates for Global Affairs Canada are reported by core responsibility:
  • $1,020.9M - International Advocacy and Diplomacy;
  • $420.4M - Trade and Investment;
  • $5,619.5M - Development, Peace and Security Programming;
  • $73.9M - Help for Canadians Abroad;
  • $1,333.5M - Support for Canada's Presence Abroad; and
  • $339.8M - Internal Services.

Supporting facts and figures

Allocation by Core Responsibility:

Background

• As per the Policy on Results, each department is required to have a Departmental Results Framework (DRF) and Program Inventory established and validated periodically.
• They are the basis for the department’s reporting to Parliament and Canadians on performance and expenditures in the Main Estimates and Public Accounts.
• The Departmental Plan outlines the department’s plans for the year ahead grouped by its core responsibilities under the 2024-25 Departmental Results Framework.
• The core responsibilities outlined in the DRF stem from Global Affairs Canada’s legislative framework and describe high-level domains in which Global Affairs Canada acts or has authority to operate on behalf of Canadians.
  • International Advocacy and Diplomacy: Global Affairs Canada promotes Canada’s interests and values through policy development, diplomacy, advocacy, and effective engagement.
  • Trade and Investment: Global Affairs Canada supports increased and more diverse trade and investment to raise the standard of living for all Canadians and to enable Canadian businesses to grow internationally and to create economic opportunities.
  • Development, Peace and Security Programming: Global Affairs Canada programming contributes to reducing poverty, increasing opportunity for people around the world, alleviating suffering in humanitarian crises, and fostering peace and security, and in so doing, advances the Sustainable Development Goals.
  • Help for Canadians Abroad: Global Affairs Canada provides timely and appropriate consular services for Canadians abroad, contributing to their safety and security.
  • Support for Canada's Presence Abroad: Global Affairs Canada manages and delivers resources, infrastructure and services enabling Canada’s presence abroad, including at embassies, high commissions, and consulates.
  • Internal Services: Internal Services are those groups of related activities and resources that the federal government considers to be services in support of programs and/or required to meet corporate obligations of an organization. Internal Services refers to the activities and resources of the 10 distinct service categories that support Program delivery in the organization, regardless of the Internal Services delivery model in a department.

36. Development, Peace and Security Programming

Top line messages

• Through the Development, Peace and Security Programming core responsibility, Global Affairs Canada programming contributes to reducing poverty, increasing opportunity for people around the world, alleviating suffering in humanitarian crises, and fostering peace and security, and in so doing, advances the Sustainable Development Goals.
• The 2024-25 Main Estimates includes funding of $5,619.5M within the Development, Peace and Security Programming core responsibility.

Supporting facts and figures

Background

• Global Affairs Canada seeks to advance five high level results through this area of departmental spending: 1) Improved physical, social and economic well-being for the poorest and most vulnerable, particularly for women and girls, in countries where Canada engages; 2) Enhanced empowerment and rights of women and girls in countries where Canada engages; 3) Reduced suffering and increased human dignity in communities experiencing humanitarian crises; 4) Improved peace and security in countries and regions where Canada engages; and, 5) Canada’s international assistance is made more effective by leveraging diverse partnerships, innovation, and experimentation.
• Highlights from this year’s Departmental Plan for this area include:
  • Prioritizing inclusion in Canada’s international development work through the department’s Feminist International Assistance Policy, Canada’s next National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, and by further engaging Indigenous Peoples both within Canada and abroad;
  • Working to eradicate global poverty, address gender inequalities in global health and nutrition, and improve access to quality education and skills training for the most marginalized including refugees and displaced persons;
  • Strengthening the resilience of the agriculture sector in developing countries, including through targeted programs for smallholder women farmers to address the ongoing economic and food crises in many developing countries;
  • Implementing new programming to address paid and unpaid care work in low- and middle-income countries under Canada’s flagship five-year $100.0M Care Work commitment;
  • Continuing to deliver environment and climate change official development assistance in a manner that is gender-responsive and human-rights based to fulfill Canada’s $5.3B international climate finance commitment;
  • Engaging countries in peacebuilding efforts, addressing geopolitical crises, reinforce global stability, and advancing international assistance in fragile and conflict-affected settings. This includes efforts to address peace and security implications in Haiti, the Middle East, Africa and the Indo-Pacific Region; and
  • Leveraging diverse partnerships, innovation, and experimentation to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of Canada’s international assistance. This includes through the department’s Grants and Contributions Transformation Initiative aimed at making international assistance investment processes more responsive, effective, transparent and accountable.
• The department will report on results against the 2024-25 Departmental Plan in fall 2025 via the Departmental Results Report.

37. Support for Canada’s Presence Abroad

Top line messages

• Through the Support for Canada's Presence Abroad core responsibility, Global Affairs Canada manages and delivers resources, infrastructure and services enabling Canada’s presence abroad, including at embassies, high commissions and consulates.
• The 2024-25 Main Estimates includes funding of $1,333.5M within the Support for Canada’s Presence Abroad core responsibility.

Supporting facts and figures

• The revenues and other reductions of $61.0M is related to the authority to collect revenues. The department has a net voting authority for revenues received from services that are not funded by appropriations. The amount of $61.0M includes $0.2M for the international telecommunication services and $60.8M for the real property services abroad.

Background

• Global Affairs Canada seeks to advance two high level results through this area of departmental spending: 1) Sound management and delivery of resources, infrastructure and services enables Canada’s presence abroad; and, 2) Personnel are safe, missions are more secure and government and partner assets and information are protected.
• Highlights from this year’s Departmental Plan for this area include:
  • Continuing to implement the department’s digital strategy to modernize mission networks, improve digital security, help employees collaborate and work more efficiently, and improve service delivery to Canadians, including in crisis situations;
  • Enhancing departmental cyber security to better prevent, detect and respond to cyber threats, safeguarding Canadians’ personal information as well as information received from Canada’s allies;
  • Continuing efforts to green our operations and aligning with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development by reducing the department’s environmental footprint by:
    • Reducing energy and water consumption and carbon emissions,
    • Analyzing climate risk,
    • Implementing waste reduction and diversion practices, and
    • Leveraging green building certification;
  • Protecting the psychological health and safety of employees at Canadian missions, particularly given the potential exposure to unique risks while working abroad, by ensuring access to critical supports and health care tailored to local conditions; and,
  • Modernizing and transforming the department’s human resources management abroad and improving capacity to make sound decisions based on risk assessments.
• The department will report on results against the 2024-25 Departmental Plan in fall 2025 via the Departmental Results Report.

38. International Advocacy and Diplomacy

Top line messages

• Through the International Advocacy and Diplomacy core responsibility, Global Affairs Canada promotes Canada’s interests and values through policy development, diplomacy, advocacy, and effective engagement.
• The 2024-25 Main Estimates includes funding of $1,020.9M within the International Advocacy and Diplomacy core responsibility.

Supporting facts and figures

Background

• Global Affairs Canada seeks to advance four high-level results through this area of departmental spending: 1) Canada builds and maintains constructive relationships that advance Canada's interests; 2) Canada's leadership on global issues contributes to a just and inclusive world; 3) Canada helps build strong international institutions and respect for international law; and 4) Canada’s global influence is expanded and strengthened.
• Highlights from this year’s Departmental Plan for this area include:
  • Advancing Canada’s feminist foreign policy to guide its diplomacy and advocacy programs to uphold and advance democratic values, human rights and gender equality, promote biodiversity and climate action, alleviate food insecurity and help to dismantle persistent discriminatory practices and structural barriers that result in inequalities;
  • Continuing to uphold international law, to pursue accountability for serious violations in coordination with allies and to lead the development and implementation of Canada’s sanctions regime;
  • Strengthening Canada’s international influence and advancing Canadian interests through Canada’s 2025 G7 presidency, the Five Eyes communities and other long-standing relationships with like-minded allies;
  • Continuing to work with Canada’s international partners to ensure continued progress on common global goals, including the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs);
  • Working with partners both inside and outside the Middle East region to address the rapidly evolving conflict between Israel and Hamas and the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza;
  • Advancing implementation of Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy to promote peace, resilience and security in the region and to expand Canada’s role as an active and engaged partner;
  • Maintaining active engagement on non-proliferation, arms control, disarmament and mitigating chemical weapons threats and restoring respect for the global norms against chemical weapons;
  • Advocating for protection of human rights and strengthening the international human rights system and human rights defenders; and
  • Responding to the increasingly complex geopolitical landscape by implementing a multi-year organizational transformation to ensure that it is well equipped to serve Canadians in meeting the global challenges of today and of the future.
• The department will report on results against the 2024-25 Departmental Plan in fall 2025 via its Departmental Results Report.

39. Trade and Investment

Top line messages

• Through the Trade and Investment core responsibility, Global Affairs Canada supports increased and more diverse trade and investment to raise the standard of living for all Canadians and to enable Canadian businesses to grow internationally and to create economic opportunities.
• The 2024-25 Main Estimates includes funding of $420.4M within the Trade and Investment core responsibility.

Supporting facts and figures

• The revenues and other reductions of $2.0M are related to the authority to collect revenues. The department has a net voting authority for revenues received from services that are not funded by appropriations. The amount of $2.0M includes $1.0M for Edu-Canada and $1.0M for trade fairs and missions.

Background

• Global Affairs Canada seeks to advance three high level results through this area of departmental spending: 1) building and safeguarding an open and inclusive rules-based global trading system; 2) supporting Canadian exporters and innovators internationally; and, 3) ensuring Canada is a top destination for global investment.
• Highlights from this year’s Departmental Plan for this area include:
  • Continuing to promote open borders and the free flowing of goods, capital and people and to strengthen critical supply chains and enable sustainable, inclusive economic growth;
  • Combatting unfair trade practices and taking action on international trade law reform through new initiatives like the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity;
  • Negotiating new free trade agreements and ongoing agreements like: Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA);
  • Leading whole-of-government efforts to expand Canada’s trade relationships in the Indo-pacific region, including through CanExport helping to connect Canadian businesses with opportunities in the region;
  • Supporting diversity through international business development activities targeting groups underrepresented in international trade, particularly women, Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized entrepreneurs, members of the 2SLGBTQI+ community, and youth;
  • Further advancing Canada’s inclusive approach to trade through the implementation of the Global Trade and Gender Arrangement and the Indigenous Peoples Economic and Trade Cooperation Arrangement to ensure trade benefits are inclusive and equally distributed for all;
  • Working to facilitate, expand and retain foreign direct investment to create opportunities, stimulate economic development, innovate and introduce more high-quality jobs for a stronger, more sustainable economy; and
  • Bolstering economic and environmental sustainability by promoting Canada’s role in global supply chains for critical commodities related to energy security and net-zero emissions.
• The department will report on results against the 2024-25 Departmental Plan in fall 2025 via it’s Departmental Results Report.

40. Help for Canadians Abroad

Top line messages

• Through the Help for Canadians Abroad core responsibility, Global Affairs Canada provides timely and appropriate consular services for Canadians abroad, contributing to their safety and security.
• The 2024-25 Main Estimates includes funding of $73.9M within the Help for Canadians Abroad core responsibility.

Supporting facts and figures

• The revenues and other reductions of $2.4M are related to the authority to collect revenues for the specialized consular service fees. The department has a net voting authority for revenues received from services that are not funded by appropriations.

Background

• Global Affairs Canada seeks to advance two high level results through this area of departmental spending: 1) Canadians have timely access to information and services that keep them safer abroad; and, 2) Canadians abroad receive timely and appropriate government services.
• Highlights from this year’s Departmental Plan for this area include:
  • Continuing to support Canadians globally by providing timely and accurate travel information and advice as well as a range of consular services and emergency assistance around the clock;
  • Ensuring the online Travel Advice and Advisories provide reliable and up-to-date information – including new colour-coded maps - to support Canadians’ safety while they work, travel and live abroad, including:
    • information pertaining to the destination’s legal system,
    • specific safety risks facing Canadians in potentially vulnerable situations, and
    • trends of harassment or violence targeting women and 2SLGBTQI+ travellers;
  • Ensuring tailored services are available for Canadians in potentially vulnerable situations, such as members of the Indigenous and 2SLGBTQI+ communities, as well as women and children.
  • Continuing to lead the fight for a world free of arbitrary detention by working to expand the coalition of countries that endorse the Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations; and,
  • Leveraging domestic and international partnerships to ensure Canadians abroad can get the help they need, including in locations where the Government of Canada has limited or no presence.
• The department will report on results against the 2024-25 Departmental Plan in fall 2025 via the Departmental Results Report.

41. Internal Services

Top line messages

• Internal services are the services that are provided within a department so that it can meet its corporate obligations and deliver its programs.
• The 2024-25 Main Estimates includes funding of $339.8M within the Internal Services.

Supporting facts and figures

• The revenues and other reductions of $1.2M are related to the authority to collect revenues for the Canadian Foreign Service Institute (CFSI). The department has a net voting authority for revenues received from services that are not funded by appropriations.

Background

• The department has five core responsibilities that stem from Global Affairs Canada’s legislative framework and describe high-level domains in which Global Affairs Canada acts or has authority to operate on behalf of Canadians.
• Internal Services refers to the activities and resources that support program delivery in the organization. They are composed of ten distinct internal service categories, defined by Treasury Board Secretariat, which are:
  • Management and Oversight Services;
  • Communications Services;
  • Legal Services;
  • Human Resources Management Services;
  • Financial Management Services;
  • Information Management Services;
  • Information Technology Services;
  • Real Property Management Services;
  • Materiel Management Services; and,
  • Acquisition Management Services.
• GAC is undertaking a multi-year organizational transformation to ensure it is well equipped to serve Canadians to meet the global challenges of today and tomorrow. Much of this transformation will involve changes to our internal services.
• From 2023-26, the department, guided by the Transformation Information Plan, will focus on transformation outcomes under five key pillars:
  1. Our organizational culture: Strengthening our foundation;
  2. Our people: Becoming an employer of choice in Canada and abroad;
  3. Our global presence: Increasing our influence and engagement where it matters most;
  4. Our policy: Leveraging our strengths to advance Canada’s national interests;
  5. Our processes and tools: Building a high-performing organization.

42. Departmental Plan 2024-25

• Global Affairs Canada will continue in 2024-25 to implement the feminist foreign policy, with a focus on finding solutions to shared challenges, and making progress on the goals within the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• The department will actively support the Government of Canada’s efforts to advance Canadian prosperity and security, including by reinforcing international peace and security, democracy, human rights, gender equality, and uphold the rule of law and environmental protection.
• Global Affairs Canada will also work to shape the global system to protect Canada’s interests, including when assuming the G7 rotating presidency in January 2025 and by addressing the impacts of Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine as well as peace and security implications in Haiti, the Middle East, Africa and the Indo-Pacific Region.
• Finally, the department will continue working to preserve and expand open, rules-based, and inclusive trade and support Canadian businesses looking to grow into global markets.

Background

• The annual Departmental Plan is a legislative requirement as part of the Government’s annual planning and resource management process.
• The Departmental Plan provides Parliament and Canadians with a strategic overview of the department’s priorities and planned results for the coming fiscal year by outlining its expenditures, as identified in the Main Estimates, grouped by core responsibilities under the 2024-25 Departmental Results Framework.
• The Global Affairs Canada 2024-25 Departmental Plan was tabled in Parliament on February 29, 2024.
• The format of the 2024-25 Departmental Plan differs slightly from last year’s. The first section presents the Ministers’ Message, which reflects our ministers’ shared vision of the objectives that the department will achieve for Canadians in 2024-25.
• The Plans at a Glance section provides an overview of the department’s key planned activities to deliver on its priorities for the coming fiscal year. The department’s approach to refocusing government spending is included here.
• The Plans to deliver on core responsibilities and internal services section includes planning highlights for each core responsibility along with the planned results tables in each section, with updated targets, to demonstrate how results will be measured at the end of the fiscal year in the Departmental Results Report. The actual results for the past three years are also included in this table, where possible.
• The Planned spending and human resources section consolidates the financial and human resource information provided for each core responsibility and internal services, including explanations of any significant variances in expenditure plans over the next three fiscal years. Planned spending is also compared with the current and previous years’ actual spending.
• The Corporate Information section includes organizational and contact information about the department.
• The Supplementary information tables section presents a listing of supplementary information made available online, including details on transfer payment programs outlining grants and contributions programs, gender-based analysis plus, as well as horizontal initiatives.
• Further details on the core responsibilities, as well as highlights from the Departmental Plan can be found as individual notes in this binder.

43. Departmental Results Report (DRR) 2022-23

• Canada continued to address Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine by advocating for Ukrainian sovereignty and territorial integrity in key multilateral forums (such as the UN, G7, and NATO); working with international partners to investigate human rights violations and hold Russia accountable; sanctioning Russian and Russia-connected individuals and entities; and sanctions on Russian imports and exports of technology and services.
• Global Affairs Canada launched the integrated Indo-Pacific Strategy that focuses on diplomatic, economic, security and defence partnerships, international assistance, and strategic partnerships with key regional partners, such as Japan and the Republic of Korea, as well as an evolving China Policy Framework.
• Canada advanced negotiations toward free trade agreements (FTAs) with the UK, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, Indonesia and India. Canada also concluded negotiations on the UK’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and modernized its FTA with Ukraine.
• The Trade Commissioner Service abroad and in Canada delivered over 57,000 services to more than 11,000 Canadian clients, of which 87% were small and medium-sized enterprises, resulting in new export deals with an estimated value of $3.8B.
• Canada contributed nearly $650.0M for emergency food and nutrition needs which helped the World Food Programme to reach 158.0M food insecure people in 2022. Canada also provided over $143.0M in humanitarian assistance to Afghanistan and the surrounding region, reaching 22.3M vulnerable people with lifesaving food assistance.
• Global Affairs Canada managed almost 162,000 new consular cases, including close to 5,900 cases concerning Canadians who required urgent consular assistance while travelling or residing abroad.
• The department also continued to improve its international network infrastructure at missions, tripling its Internet bandwidth, deploying Wi-Fi at 40 mission sites and On-Net Wi- Fi capabilities at 25 sites, and continuing the rollout of the Virtual Mission Model at 13 new sites.

Supplementary messages

• Global Affairs Canada’s results highlights include the following:
  • Canada concluded a first successful Canada-African Union Commission High- Level Dialogue which served to deepen Canada’s partnership with the continent including the announcement of over $223.0M in project funding, $37.0M of which will be allocated for peace and security, $18.0M to bolster economic development and $168.0M for sustainable development initiatives.
  • Canada implemented sanctions on 19 Haitian elites who support criminals instigating violence, and undertook programming in the areas of food security and education, including $13.0M for emergency response.
  • The Trade Commissioner Service helped bring about 157 foreign investment projects in Canada, representing a value of more than $15.8B and the creation of approximately 13,000 jobs, and facilitated the establishment of 175 international innovation partnerships worth at least $170.0M.
  • Canada’s $220.0M contribution to the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) Facility enabled the delivery of over 500.0M doses to COVAX participating countries and helped avert 28% of total COVID-related deaths in participating COVAX economies.
  • In December 2022, Canada hosted the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) during which parties adopted the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and instructed the Global Environment Facility to develop a new Global Biodiversity Framework Fund. Canada announced $350.0M in new and additional funding to support developing countries to implement the framework.
  • Canada continued to advance cooperation against arbitrary arrest, detention and sentencing, securing 4 new endorsem*nts for the Canada-led Declaration Against Arbitrary Detention in State-to-State Relations (bringing the total to 71), as well as financing to create an Office of Arbitrary Detention Initiative to advance the initiative internationally.

Background

• The Departmental Results Report describes the department’s achievements for the fiscal year against the priorities and expected results established in the corresponding Departmental Plan. It highlights a number of significant accomplishments achieved by the department over fiscal year 2022-23.
• The Departmental Results Report was tabled on November 9, 2023, and is available online. More information on departmental results can be found in the supplementary information tables available on the department’s website and on the Government of Canada’s InfoBase website.

Supporting facts and figures

• Global Affairs Canada’s total actual spending in 2022-23 of $9.2B was within its total authorities of $9.7B.
• From 2021-22 to 2022-23, an increase of $1.2B in actual spending is attributable to the following initiatives for which the funding increased:
  • Funding to support Canada’s response to the global food and nutrition crisis, with a focus in sub-Saharan Africa;
  • Funding for Canada’s response to advance Ukrainian resilience and early recovery;
  • Funding to support Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy implementation;
  • Funding to protect individuals at Canadian missions abroad (duty of care);
  • Funding of pandemic responses related to COVID-19;
  • Funding to help developing countries address the impact of climate change;
  • Funding in support of the financial intermediary fund for pandemic prevention, preparedness and response; and
  • Funding for humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan.
• The variance of $2.2B between planned spending ($7.5B) and total authorities ($9.7B) in 2022-23 is related to the supplementary funding received during the fiscal year including:
  • Funding to support developing countries’ access to vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics to fight COVID-19;
  • Funding to help developing countries address the impact of climate change;
  • Funding to support Canada’s response to the global food and nutrition crisis, with a focus in sub-Saharan Africa;
  • Funding for Canada’s response to advance Ukrainian resilience and early recovery;
  • Funding for Canada’s Middle East Strategy to address the crises in Iraq and Syria and the impacts on the region;
  • Funding for humanitarian assistance in Afghanistan;
  • Funding for Canada’s Engagement in United Nations Peace Operations and Peacebuilding; and Operating and capital budget carry-forward from the previous fiscal year.

44. Canada’s Network Abroad

• In 2023-24, Canada’s Network Abroad consists of 182* missions in 112* countries, including 8,432 positions. This comprises 2,385 Canada-based staff and 6,047 Locally- engaged staff as of March 31st, 2023.
• Canada’s Network Abroad includes 21 partners (other government departments and Global Affairs Canada), 9 Canadian co-locators (crown corporations and provincial governments) and 5 foreign co-locators (foreign governments and an international organization).
• Global Affairs Canada continues to work with other Foreign Ministries to identify opportunities for co-location in order to maximize the reach of our diplomatic network abroad at a minimum cost to taxpayers.

Supporting facts and figures

• Recent openings and closures of missions:
  • 2022 - Minister Joly authorized the opening of a mission in Yerevan, Armenia.
  • 2021 - USS authorized the opening of a mission dedicated to the African Union in Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia.
  • 2020 - PM Trudeau authorized the opening of a mission in Suva, Fiji.
  • 2020 - Minister Champagne authorized the opening of a Consulate in Milan, Italy. Opening date in fiscal year 2023-24.
  • 2018 - The mission opening in f*ckuoka as a trade office (relocated from Kitakyushu).
  • 2017- The mission in Oaxaca, Mexico was closed, while a mission in Cotonou, Benin opened.
  • 2015 - ASEAN (Indonesia), Phnom Penh (Cambodia) and Vientiane (Laos) mission openings.
  • 2014 - The Chancery in Yangon, Burma opened in August 2014, signaling the end of Canada’s co-location with the United Kingdom.
  • 2013 - Addition of an Embassy in Baghdad, Iraq (co-located with the United Kingdom) and interim operations for the Embassy in Juba, South Sudan (co- location with the Netherlands).
• Partners and Co-locators in our missions:
  • Canada’s Network Abroad includes 21 partners (GAC included) and 14 co- locators.
  • The partners comprise of federal departments, agencies and sub-agencies that sponsor programs involving diplomatic activities abroad.
  • The co-locators comprise of crown corporations, provincial governments, foreign governments and an International Organization (NATO) for which Global Affairs Canada provides common services on a cost-recovery basis.
• Other offices:
  • Across Canada, Global Affairs Canada operates a total of six regional trade offices located in Vancouver, Winnipeg, Calgary, Toronto, Montreal and Halifax.
  • Canada is also represented by close to 100 consulates headed by honorary consuls. Honorary consuls are not employees of the Government of Canada. They are private individuals appointed by Order in Council who provide consular and other services on behalf of Canada.
  • Canadians can also receive limited consular services for urgent matters from a number of close international partners in the context of a consular services sharing agreement with Australia, which covers 21 locations. Additionally, they can access consular assistance through four active Protecting Power Agreements with the U.K. in Venezuela, Sweden in North Korea, Romania in Syria, and Italy in Iran.

Background

• Services to the Network include management of financial and human resources, benefits for Locally Engaged Staff (including pension, social security programs and insurance), mission and staff related accommodations (including work facilities and living quarters), physical and property security, transportation, contracting and procurement, information and technology management, and diplomatic mail. These services support Canada-Based Staff and Locally Engaged Staff from Global Affairs Canada and other federal government departments, agencies and co- locators.

45. Overview of Main Estimates 2023-24

• The 2023-24 Main Estimates were tabled in Parliament and on March 30th, 2023, the related Appropriation Act received Royal Assent with an Interim Supply bill approved.
• The Department’s total funding requested in the 2023-24 Main Estimates is $7.6B, which represents a net increase of $107.6M over the 2022-23 Main Estimates of $7.5B.
• The increase is mainly due to funding to support the Feminist International Assistance Policy and the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program.

Supporting facts and figures

• Significant funding increases include:
  • $76.8M related to funding to support the Feminist International Assistance Policy;
  • $32.5M related to the increase in the funding for the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program;
  • $32.3M related to transfers to or from other government departments to provide support to departmental staff located at missions abroad;
  • $23.1M related to funding to help developing countries to address the impact of climate change;
  • $21.4M related to the impact of inflation on overseas operations (non-ODA portion); and
  • $16.8M related to funding for reinforcing and modernizing core consular capacity to assist Canadians abroad.
• Significant funding decrease of 97.0M related to funding for the Strategic Priorities Fund.

Background

• The Main Estimates present Global Affairs Canada’s reference levels which are broken down by the nature of the funding (Vote) and according to the Departmental Results Framework (DRF). Adjustments to Main Estimates to account for new programming or for programs that were approved after the process for including items in the Main Estimates (concluded in the Fall), will be received through Supplementary Estimates.
• Supplementary Estimates are part of the normal Parliamentary approval process to ensure that previously planned government initiatives receive the necessary funding to move them forward. They present information to Parliament on the Government of Canada’s spending requirements that were not sufficiently developed in time for inclusion in the Main Estimates.

46. Public Accounts – Overview

• The Public Accounts of Canada are prepared annually by the Receiver General of Canada. The Public Accounts of Canada 2023 were tabled in the House of Commons on October 24, 2023.
• The Public Accounts contain all government expenditures and revenues, accounts receivables, loans, assets and related reserves that are deemed necessary to present a fair picture of the Government of Canada’s financial position. They also highlight, among other things, any losses of public money and property and explain the nature of lapses at year-end.
• The financial information of each individual department and agency are rolled up into the Public Accounts of Canada.

Supplementary messages

• Each year, the President of the Treasury Board tables a detailed report of the financial transactions of all government departments and agencies, entitled the Public Accounts of Canada.
• The report must be tabled on or before December 31 following the end of the fiscal year to which the accounts apply; or, if the House is not sitting, on any of the first 15 subsequent sitting days. As a matter of tradition only, the Public Accounts are addressed to the Governor General.
• The fundamental purpose of the Public Accounts of Canada is to provide information to Parliament, and thus to the public, which will enable them to understand and evaluate the financial position and transactions of the government.
• Two constitutional principles underlie the public accounting system: that duties and revenues accruing to the Government of Canada form one Consolidated Revenue Fund, and that the balance of the Fund after certain prior charges is appropriated by the Parliament of Canada for the public service.

47. Public Accounts – Losses

• The Public Accounts of Canada reports losses of public money or property due to offenses, illegal acts, accidents or accidental destruction.
• These loses are reported in Volume III-Section 2 of the Public Accounts of Canada.

Supporting facts and figures

• Total losses of public money and property reported in the Public Accounts for Global Affairs Canada (GAC) in 2022-23 were $89,054.
  • These losses are mainly due to losses of smartphones ($77,000) by GAC employees.
  • To improve security awareness, new procedures and controls have been developed and were made available with the release of Android and iOS devices. These procedures include the remote locking down of lost/stolen devices. Steps have also been taken to reduce the number of devices provided to employees, to align with Shared Service Canada standards.

48. Public Accounts – Travel and Conferences

• Travel information is disclosed as part of the Public Accounts of Canada, including Travel of Ministers’ Offices (Volume III- Section 10).
• These expenditures are incurred by ministers, Parliamentary Secretaries, and Ministers’ staff in the course of their duties on behalf of Global Affairs Canada.
• Expenditures, including travel, for Canadian representation at International Conferences and Meetings are also reported in Volume III-Section 11 of the Public Accounts of Canada.

Supplementary messages

• Expenditures for Canadian Representation at International Conferences and Meetings are also included in the Public Accounts (Vol III - Section 11). This includes expenditures such as travel, hospitality and conference fees that are covered under the department’s International Conference Allotment (ICA) that is approved by Cabinet to fund the protocol activities of the Governor General and the Prime Minister of Canada during official visits abroad. The allotment also supports the participation of Global Affairs Canada portfolio ministers and their official delegations in major multilateral international conferences defined as a congress, convention, briefing seminar or other formal gathering in one location outside Canada, that deals with topics related to government of Canada objectives and priorities.
• This statement also contains travel costs incurred during each visit or conference that appear separately on the “Travel Expenditures for Canadian Representation at International Conferences and Meetings” statement which lists the travelling delegates.

Supporting facts and figures

• The most significant expenditures costs (travel, hospitality and conferences) reported for Canadian representation at international conferences and meetings are those related to the following conferences:
  • Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of International Development – Canadian delegation to New York (United States) – The 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, September 2022 ($763,506, includes travel costs of $761,643)
  • Prime Minister's Visit to London (United Kingdom) – State Funeral for Her Majesty The Queen Elizabeth II, September 16-19, 2022 ($659,402, includes travel costs of $649,157)
  • Prime Minister's Visit to Bali (Indonesia) – G20 Leaders' Summit, November 14-17, 2022 ($484,696, includes travel costs of $481,158)
  • Prime Minister's Visit to Los Angeles (United States) – Summit of the Americas, June 7-11, 2022 ($446,184, includes travel costs of $310,618)
  • Prime Minister's Visit to Nassau (The Bahamas) – Conference of Heads of Government of the Caribbean Community Summit, February 15-17, 2023 ($445,842, includes travel costs of $434,486)
  • Prime Minister's Visit to Schloss Elmau (Germany) – G7 Leaders' Summit, June 26-28, 2022 ($428,935, includes travel costs of $417,259)
  • Governor General's Visit to Reykjavik (Iceland) – Artic Circle Assembly, October 12-15, 2022 ($315,626, includes travel costs of $300,526)

49. Public Accounts – Lapses

• In the Public Accounts of Canada, Global Affairs Canada’s Operating budget (Vote 1) was $2.1B in 2022-23. The Public Accounts show an unspent amount of $65.3M (3.1%). A total of $51.1M (2.4%) was carried forward to 2023-24 and $11.5M (0.5%) was reprofiled to 2025-26.
• Global Affairs Canada’s Capital budget (Vote 5) was $240.8M in 2022-23. The Public Accounts show an unspent amount of $123.5M (51.3%). A total of $14.9M (6.2%) was carried forward to 2023-24 and $106.9M (44.4%) will be reprofiled to future years.
• Global Affairs Canada’s Grants and Contributions budget (Vote 10) was $6.6B in 2022-23. The Public Accounts show an unspent amount of $196.1M (0.3%). Not eligible for carry forward.

Supplementary messages

• The Department’s three primary votes are highlighted in the Public Accounts are as follows:
  • Vote 1 is to fund the operations of the Department, which is comprised of salaries, the operating costs to deliver our programs (Trade, Development, and Foreign Affairs), including operating expenditures at missions abroad, and other operational expenses such as travel and professional services.
  • Vote 5 is to cover capital expenditures, which are largely related to the Real Property program.
  • Vote 10 is for grants and contributions expenditures including programming for international development and assessed contributions.
• Departments are able to use portions of their operating and capital lapses in future fiscal years through the Operating and Capital Budget Carry Forward process.
• Grants and Contributions surpluses are not eligible to be carry forward to future fiscal years.

Supporting facts and figures

• Operating - Vote 1:
  • The surplus of $65.3M can be broken down as follows:
    • Frozen allotment ($32.9M)
      • Conversion Factor (to allow for conversion of Operating to Salary Funds) ($13.9M);
      • Protecting our people at Canadian Missions Abroad through Infrastructure, Mission Readiness, and Securing our Information (Known as Duty of Care at missions abroad) ($11.5M) reprofiled to 2025-26;
      • Currency Gains for Operating and Foreign Services Directives ($5.2M);
      • Other items ($2.3M).
    • Special purpose allotments (SPA) ($16.2M)
      • Protecting our people at Canadian Missions Abroad through Infrastructure, Mission Readiness, and Securing our Information (Known as Duty of Care at missions abroad) ($9.2M);
      • Softwood Lumber Agreement litigation ($5.7M);
      • Innovative Solutions Canada ($0.8M); and
      • Dispute Resolution Panelist (NAFTA) ($0.5M).
    • Programming and others ($16.2M)
      • Delays in projects approvals and cancellations of project/travel/training ($10.9M);
      • Canada’s participation at World Expo Osaka 2025 ($3.6M);
      • Other items ($1.5M).
• Capital - Vote 5:
  • The surplus of $123.5M can be broken down as follows:
    • Frozen allotment ($108.6M)
      • Protecting our people at Canadian Missions Abroad through Infrastructure, Mission Readiness, and Securing our Information (Known as Duty of Care at missions abroad) ($106.9M) reprofiled to 2024-25 and 2025-26; and
      • Conversion Factor (to allow for conversion of Capital to Salary Fund) ($1.7M).
    • Capital Projects ($14.9M)
      • GAC 125 Sussex Renovation Projects ($9.1M);
      • Delays in several planned acquisitions of SQs and the development of major capital projects ($2.9M);
      • GAC International Assistance Transformation Project; ($2.3M); and
      • Electronic Client Relationship Management (eCRM3) system project. ($0.6M).
• Grants and Contributions - Vote 10:
  • The Public Accounts show an unspent amount of $196.1M (0.3%) which can be broken down as follows:
    • Frozen allotments ($113.9M)
      • International Financial Institutions ($80.8M);
      • Crisis Pool Quick Release Mechanism ($24.4M) reprofiled to 2023-24;
      • Sovereign Loan Program ($6.8M); and
      • CanExport Program ($1.9M) reprofiled to 2024-25 to 2026-27;
    • Grants ($19.6M)
    • Assessed Contributions ($60.2M)
      • World Health Organization ($27.7M including $0.6M for currency loss)
      • United Nations peacekeeping operations ($18.6M including $5.9M for currency loss); and
      • Other Assessed Contributions ($13.9M including $6.2M for currency loss).
    • Non-Assessed Contributions ($2.9M)
      • International Youth Internship Program ($1.2M);
      • Canadian International Innovation Program ($0.5M); and
      • Other non-assessed contributions ($1.2M).