Plans at a glance and operating context
Global Affairs Canada will continue to deliver results on the Government of Canada’s commitments to preserve and support Canadian prosperity and security, and to contribute to a more just, inclusive, and sustainable world, in a gender-responsive manner.
Global Affairs Canada is implementing Canada’s Feminist Foreign Policy and its suite of feminist international policies, programs and initiatives across its commitments in diplomacy, trade, security, development and consular services. The Feminist Foreign Policy recognizes that fostering rights-based, open and inclusive societies, where all people, regardless of their gender, can fully benefit from equal participation in economic, political, social and cultural life, is an effective way to build a safer and more prosperous world.
To support this work in 2019-20, the department will focus on four priorities:
1. Revitalizing the rules-based international order
Global Affairs Canada will continue to engage constructively with regional, bilateral and multilateral partners in driving positive action on global issues such as strengthening global peace and security operations, promoting the rule of law, advancing inclusive approaches to trade, reducing poverty, advancing gender equality, combatting climate change, and mitigating cyber threats.
Global Affairs Canada will also work with partners to protect, reform, and renew the rules-based international order and to advance Canada’s interests in key international forums, including campaigning for a seat on the United Nations Security Council for 2021–22.
2. Eradicating Poverty
Global Affairs Canada will continue implementing its Feminist International Assistance Policy, released in June 2017, which seeks to eradicate poverty and build a more peaceful, more inclusive and more prosperous world.
Canada recognizes that promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls to reach their full potential is the most effective approach to achieving this goal. Global Affairs Canada’s international assistance will contribute to eradicating poverty, increasing opportunity for people around the world, alleviating suffering in humanitarian crises, and fostering peace and security, and in doing so, advances the Sustainable Development Goals, which aim to eradicate poverty by 2030.
3. Pursuing diversified, modern and inclusive trade
Global Affairs Canada is committed to an inclusive trade agenda that supports all segments of society in taking advantage of the economic opportunities flowing from trade and investment. Global Affairs Canada will continue to champion a more inclusive approach to trade, including by supporting women entrepreneurs with targeted products and services to help them better integrate in the global marketplace, and by promoting a more inclusive approach in Canada’s free trade agreements.
Global Affairs Canada will work to deepen and diversify trade relationships through increased and diversified international trade and foreign direct investment and will contribute to inclusive prosperity to ensure that the benefits of trade are widely shared. Through consultations that inform our approaches, the department will also continue to pursue modern and inclusive approaches with trading partners in important areas such as transparency, labour rights, the environment, small and medium-sized enterprises, gender, and Indigenous peoples.
4. Strengthening Canada’s place in North America
The Government of Canada is committed to further strengthening relations with Canada’s key allies, partners and neighbours to the south — the United States and Mexico.
Global Affairs Canada will deepen engagement with the U.S. and Mexico, including with relevant federal, state and local governments, private sector and civil society organizations on key areas such as trade, investment, innovation, security, energy and the environment.
Global Affairs Canada will collaborate with other government departments and other levels of government, in a whole-of-Canada approach to the two bilateral relationships and the trilateral relationship, to enhance competitiveness; increase commercial ties; advance modern border management; cooperate on energy infrastructure and security; advance environmental action; and support efforts to address global and continental issues and threats.
