Global Affairs Canada is a Government of Canada department that helps define, shape and advance Canada’s interests and values in a complex global environment. Global Affairs Canada manages diplomatic relations, promotes international trade, and provides consular support. The department also leads international development, humanitarian, and peace and security assistance efforts, and contributes to national security and the development of international law.
Within the international development sector, Global Affairs Canada is committed to advancing the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals and the The Paris Agreement | UNFCCC, and is guided by its Feminist International Assistance Policy. Its priorities include: gender equality and women’s rights, health and well being, education as well as humanitarian and climate action.
Private sector development (PSD) policy and strategy
Canada has over six decades of international development experience in areas to which the private sector can contribute unique skills, resources, innovation and know-how. By working with private sector actors that adhere to responsible business and investment practices, along with non-governmental organizations, multilateral institutions, and partner countries, Canada can contribute to the creation of jobs in developing countries, mobilize private investment, unlock innovative solutions to intractable development challenges, and deliver products and services that improve the lives of people in poverty.
Global Affairs Canada aims to make sure economic growth benefits the poorest and the most vulnerable. It also aims to address the gender gaps that limit the lives of women and girls, while holding back growth and perpetuating poverty. To help more women in developing countries realize more opportunities to contribute to their own economic success and the economic success of their communities, Canada will focus its international assistance more on promoting the economic leadership and empowerment of women at all levels; helping improve economic opportunities for, and the resilience of, rural women; promoting greater financial inclusion and equal access to capital, markets, digital technology and business development services for women; advancing women’s economic rights and access to decent work; supporting technical and vocational training for women; and helping address unpaid work and the disproportionate responsibility for care shouldered by women.
Canada recognizes the fundamental role of the private sector in driving economic growth through trade and investment. The private sector is also an important source of expertise. Canada will support developing countries in their efforts to create stable rules-based systems that can attract investment and enable businesses to thrive. Canada will also engage in private sector partnerships, including through the provision of risk-sharing blended finance, that mobilize co-financing and investment, and help develop solutions to development challenges. Together, these areas of support will lead to more opportunities for the poorest and most vulnerable so that they, too, can benefit from economic growth.
- Feminist International Assistance Policy (2017), in particular Action Area 3: Growth that works for everyone / Growth that works for everyone
- A Canadian Approach to Innovative Financing for Sustainable Development (2020)
- Private Sector Engagement for Sustainable Development (2021)
- Canada’s feminist approach to addressing unpaid and paid care work through international assistance (2021)
- Productive Partnerships for Transition: An Innovation and Effectiveness Guidance Note (2021)
Partnership mechanisms for the private sector
Canada’s private sector development policy includes a commitment to private sector partnership opportunities. The Government of Canada continues to collaborate with local, Canadian and international private sector partners to deploy the most appropriate resources, approaches and expertise in support of poverty reduction. In pursuing this goal, the Government of Canada’s private sector and development approach pursues strong results in the general areas of investment, partnerships and innovation.
Transparency, effectiveness and results in PSD
The Government of Canada is committed to making its international assistance more efficient, focused and accountable in order to maximize the development impact of public funds. A key element of this aid effectiveness agenda is in the areas of results and transparency.
Global Affairs Canada regularly reports to Canadians on its plans, activities and results throughout the year. Canada also works to improve aid transparency through a variety of mechanisms and agreements, including the Open Data website, the Open Government Partnership, the International Aid Transparency Initiative and the Busan Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation.