OTTAWA, Canada — Canadian international aid organizations are expressing disappointment after Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government presented a federal budget that made no mention of foreign aid, international development or humanitarian assistance, raising questions about Canada’s future role in responding to global crises.
Budget 2026, tabled on November 5, contains no references to international assistance, foreign aid or international development. According to The Canadian Press, it is the first federal budget in more than 15 years to omit all three areas. Previous budgets dating back to 2010 included references to international development funding.
The omission has prompted aid organizations to call on Ottawa to explain its priorities in an upcoming foreign policy review expected later this month.
Aid Organizations Raise Concerns
Kate Higgins, head of Co-operation Canada, a coalition representing most Canadian aid organizations operating internationally, said the budget was largely silent on international development cooperation and humanitarian action.
She argued that the absence of clear commitments was particularly concerning at a time when humanitarian needs are increasing across several regions.
Advocates are especially concerned about ongoing crises affecting civilians in Gaza, Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, where conflict, displacement and disease outbreaks have created significant humanitarian challenges.
The organizations also noted that the government had already announced plans in its 2025 budget to reduce foreign aid spending by $2.7 billion over four years. Although the latest budget did not announce additional reductions, aid advocates say the existing cuts leave important questions about future funding unanswered.
Anand Says Development Remains a Priority
Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand responded to the concerns during a news conference on Parliament Hill on Friday.
She said Canada’s forthcoming foreign policy update would include the government’s approach to international development and would be released within weeks.
Anand also emphasized that development assistance remained a priority for Global Affairs Canada, pointing to humanitarian support provided to countries and territories including Cuba, Lebanon, Gaza and Sudan during the year.
Her comments offered some reassurance to aid organizations, although they did not provide specific details about future funding levels or new development commitments.
UNICEF and Other Groups Call for Clear Direction
UNICEF Canada also criticized the budget’s silence, emphasizing that international assistance helps children survive while strengthening healthcare, education and protection systems in vulnerable communities.
Meanwhile, the One Campaign, which advocates for African development partnerships, called on Canada to commit $5.5 billion annually to international development.
Results Canada also expressed disappointment, saying it had expected the budget to provide greater clarity about the government’s plans for global health, poverty reduction and humanitarian assistance.
Foreign Policy Review Becomes Important
The upcoming foreign policy review is now expected to provide greater insight into how the Carney government intends to approach international development and humanitarian funding.
For Canadian aid organizations, the central concern is whether the country will maintain meaningful support for vulnerable populations while pursuing its domestic economic and security priorities.
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