Canada Expands Foreign Aid While Accountability Concerns Persist
(Image courtesy CBC)
As Canada faces ongoing scrutiny over its foreign aid spending, the federal government has announced $37.9 million in new funding for five international development projects. Minister of International Development Ahmed Hussen revealed the funding on March 1—Zero Discrimination Day—stating the initiatives aim to protect human rights, strengthen gender equality, and improve the lives of marginalized populations abroad.
The projects, administered by Canadian institutions such as Equitas and Lawyers Without Borders Canada, align with the government’s Feminist International Assistance Policy and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, according to Hussen. Yet, as billions continue to flow overseas, the question remains: is Canada ensuring value for these investments?
Auditor General’s Warning Remains Unaddressed
This latest round of funding comes despite a previous scathing report from the Auditor General of Canada, which found Global Affairs Canada (GAC) lacks the ability to track the outcomes of its foreign aid spending. The audit revealed incomplete project files and missing data, making it impossible to assess whether taxpayer dollars are achieving measurable improvements in gender equality and human rights. While the department pledged to provide quarterly updates on its progress, no meaningful updates have been made public.
As recently highlighted, nearly half a billion dollars in taxpayer funds have been allocated to Plan International over the past decade, with little evidence of sustainable results. The lack of accountability raises concerns that these new projects will face the same fate—high expenditures with minimal transparency.
A Pattern of Unchecked Spending
The government’s failure to enforce oversight mechanisms calls into question the effectiveness of its foreign aid programs. The $37.9 million in new spending joins billions already allocated to international development annually, despite GAC’s inability to prove tangible outcomes. Critics argue that without a transparent tracking system, these funds risk being funneled into initiatives that do little to create lasting change.
Meanwhile, Canada faces its own crises: a healthcare system in distress, a growing homelessness problem, and a ballooning $62 billion deficit—far exceeding the government’s own fiscal targets. As scrutiny of foreign aid intensifies, the question remains: how much longer will Canadian taxpayers fund international projects with no clear results?
