Even with recent news of a cooling inflation rate, Canadian parents are worried about how to ensure their children’s health, nutrition, education, and equality of opportunity, just as parents are in the Global South. It’s understandable that the federal government has put a major focus on solving future domestic challenges. But with global instability on the rise, this focus actually poses a substantial risk to our collective security and prosperity.
Regardless of which party is in power in Ottawa, Canada has a proud tradition of being a champion for the world’s most vulnerable children. And Canadians have proudly encouraged this reputation – when we travel, when we do business globally, when we welcome new Canadians, and when we educate our children about the world.
Lately, however, Canada’s global standing is being increasingly undermined. The government is falling short of its financial commitments to international development, further creating a world unfit for children. Hard-won gains are eroded by the impacts of climate change, conflict, and disease and, yes, increasing costs for basic items like food.
Hundreds of millions of children are living in war zones or have fled to other areas in and outside of their home countries for safety. Limited access to health services and education, shelter, food, and water, have lifelong consequences on their physical, emotional, and cognitive development.
Simply put, our actions – or inactions – have life or death consequences for children.
Our organizations work in some of the most challenging places around the world. We have witnessed firsthand the catastrophic effects of compounding crises. When children and their families are forced to leave their homes, children miss out on the joys of childhood and their right to learn and play. They carry the burden of abuse, child labour, early marriage, inequality, and lack of opportunity into adulthood.
Together, we have joined over 100 leading humanitarian and development agencies to remind the Prime Minister of the significant impact that Canada’s international assistance can make around the world, and we are urging him to keep his promise to increase Canada’s investments in international development every year until 2030.
Regrettably, in the last federal Budget, we saw the government cut the international aid funding envelope, which had dramatic negative impacts on the communities that need it most.
Conversely, Canada can return to, and reinstate, its reputation to care for the most in need, no matter where they reside. In 2018, Prime Minister Trudeau galvanized our G7 partners and established the Charlevoix Initiative which has helped provide quality education and skills training for more than 4 million girls and young women in some of the world’s most difficult and remote places. But without bold commitments in the upcoming budget, we may no longer recognize our collective and collaborative - and Canadian - impact.
The Prime Minister must stay true to his word and answer this call.
Investing in children and their communities pays dividends in the form of economic prosperity, human security, gender equality, and improved health and education outcomes. It helps all of us to have global neighbours who see the intrinsic value in investing in the next generation of leaders and generations to come, and to build a foundation of shared peace and prosperity.
So the challenge is: Will Canada step up and commit the necessary funding to help meet the needs of the world’s most vulnerable children?
It’s time to reclaim our position and reputation on the world stage.
Mr. Prime Minister – it’s time to back up words with financial commitments. Canada cannot be merely a sympathetic observer to the plight of the world’s children. It’s not enough.
Michael Messenger is President and CEO of World Vision Canada
Susan McIsaac is President and CEO of Right To Play International