WEBINAR: International Development as we knew it is over.
What direction is the sector heading in as the U.S disengages? What is Canada's role?
Date: Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Time: 1:00 PM Eastern Time (Toronto)
The past few months have seen Canada begin to redefine its economic, trade and defence relationships in the wake of a dramatic and still-evolving policy shift in Washington. Though largely unheralded, the same will need to be true in International Development Assistance.
The closure of USAID and pending reorganization of the US State Department has left a huge vacuum at a time when conflict is on the uptick, humanitarian crises and natural disasters are demanding greater responses from the International Communities. At the same time, several European donors have announced substantial cuts to foreign assistance.
Canada too is reorienting its economy and building its military. Will Canadian International Development Assistance be reduced or realigned? What will Canada's role be in facing the new foreign policy challenges in a world of shifting spending priorities?
So far, Canada's new government has been quiet on the issue. Prime Minister Carney did not campaign on cutting the aid budget, but he has repeatedly cited the need for fiscal responsibility. The post of International Development has moved from a full minister to a secretary of state and there was no mention of development assistance in the Speech from the Throne though there were allusions to Canada taking a leadership role in defence diplomacy and economic matters as the U.S. vacates. With a new budget expected in the fall is there still an opportunity to advocate for Canada to maintain or increase its role in development assistance?
Join CAIDP as we discuss the future of Canadian International Development Assistance. In the second of our series of webinars, we will look at how the UN System is responding and how our European allies are looking at things as well as how Canada should respond to these global challenges.
Featured Panelists:
- Paul Dillon - Former Director of Media and Communications at the International Organization for Migration
- Nicolas Rougy - CEO & Founder, Leadeur
Moderator:
- Paul Rowland - COO and EVP Government and International Relations, EnvironmentNext
To Register Email CAIDP at: caidprpcdi@gmail.com including “International Development Webinar” in the subject line. A link to the webinar will be provided to registrants before the event.
