MONTREAL, May 19, 2026 ― Development and Peace ― Caritas Canada (DPCC) has submitted a brief to the pre-budget consultations by the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance.
Our brief recognizes “rapidly shifting and uncertain geopolitical realities,” but cautions against viewing the world in terms of zero-sum conflicts or primarily transactional relationships. We urge the Government of Canada to not “retreat into self-interested and defensive policies” but to instead seize the “opportunity to rediscover and boldly assert a commitment to building a new international order that prioritizes people and the planet.”
As a Catholic organization, DPCC accordingly recommends that Canada:
- Allocate $5.5 billion to official development assistance, including $962.7 million to humanitarian aid; route a fourth this outlay through Canadian civil society organizations; refocus on gender equality and inclusivity; delink aid from trade-related considerations; and ensure the predictability and sustenance of funding.
- Reinforce corporate accountability by empowering the office of the Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise; enacting a mandatory human rights and environmental due diligence law; and withholding support from corporations implicated in abuses.
- Pledge $15.9 billion to non-debt-creating climate financing over the next five years, especially for grassroots women’s and Indigenous-led organizations, and allocate more public funds for loss and damage in the Global South.
- Promote peace by increasing aid funding, reducing defence spending and closing legal loopholes that allow arms exports to continue to countries and entities known to violate humanitarian and human rights law.
DPCC’s research and advocacy officer, Dean Dettloff, said, “Canada has an opportunity to lead by example as other wealthy countries step back from their obligations and commitments to fund humanitarian aid and development, respect human rights and the environment, and build a more peaceful world.”
“Instead of pouring money into corporate subsidies and militarism, we should be funding truly integral human development, which we know produces the conditions for durable peace,” Dettloff continued. “Such spending might look like an upfront cost, but Canadians are wise enough to see that it is really a sound, timely and pragmatic investment in a better, safer and more just world, which benefits us all.”
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About Development and Peace ― Caritas Canada
Development and Peace — Caritas Canada is the official international development organization of the Catholic Church in Canada. It works in partnership with local organizations in over 30 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin American and the Middle East to create greater justice in the world and to act in solidarity with the most vulnerable people.
For more information, contact:
Minaz Kerawala
Communications and Public Relations Advisor
Development and Peace ― Caritas Canada
514 257-8710 ext. 328 | mkerawala@devp.org