The Liberal Party of Canada’s top three foreign policy priorities are:

• Promoting and protecting fundamental freedoms and human rights around the world, particularly for the most vulnerable and those facing persecution
• Working to uphold and strengthen the rules-based international order, which is under threat by forces not seen since the end of the Second World War, by promoting the rule of law, strengthening global peace and security operations, advancing gender equality, and combating climate change
• We are committed to eradicating poverty, particularly through the continued implementation of the Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP), and build a more peaceful, more inclusive and more prosperous world

Conservative Party:  Awaiting response

New Democratic Party: It’s time for a different approach. New Democrats believe that Canadian interests are best served by a strong and principled foreign policy based on human rights, multilateralism, and the best interests of global peace and security. We will stand up to Donald Trump and defend everyday people and Canadian values on the international stage.

Green Party:

The climate emergency   Our planet is in a Climate Emergency. The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has said that each nation must contribute to ensuring that the global average temperature does not rise more than 1.5°C over pre-Industrial Revolution levels. If not, we risk runaway global warming and the potential extinction of most species on earth, including humans. Holding to 1.5°C is not negotiable; it is do or die. The Green Party has an ambitious yet achievable plan that will meet Canada’s obligations to the international community. Our climate plan, Mission: Possible, is the most comprehensive Canadian plan, and includes: setting a target to reduce GHG emissions 60% by 2030 (against 2005 levels), and achieving zero emissions by 2050; modernising and “greening” Canada’s east-west electricity grid; ending foreign oil imports; banning fracking; and maintaining carbon pricing. Our plan guarantees a just transition to a Green economy that leaves no Canadian behind and that creates millions of well-paying jobs, working in partnership with Canada’s Indigenous peoples and every part of our national community.

Global Migration   In 2018, the United Nations reported 24.5 million registered refugees; 68.5 million persons forcibly displaced due to persecution, conflict, violence, or human rights violations; and 18.8 million persons displaced by environmental disasters. The International Organisation on Migration expects that events related to the global Climate Emergency (including extreme weather events, sea-level rise, water scarcity and environmental degradation) will trigger large-scale migration and displacement, and that the world can expect up to 1 billion environmental migrants by 2050. Canada must prepare for this challenge.

Fighting Against the Global Erosion of Fundamental Human Rights  We are living through a troubling era in which hate, fear and division threaten global peacemaking and the fundamental freedoms of the world’s most vulnerable peoples. In the last few years, civil society activists and multilateral institutions have continuously sounded the alarm on the erosion of human rights. The 2019 Rule of Law Index, which measures respect for the rule of law internationally, reported a troubling decline in respect for fundamental human rights worldwide. The attacks on civil society groups and a worrying resurgence of sectarianism, populism and authoritarianism have contributed to this erosion. The Green Party of Canada is committed to intensifying our efforts to promote respect for basic human freedoms. Internationally, we are committed to the protection of human rights defenders, the last frontier against state abuse, and to reversing the systemic deterioration of fundamental aspects of the rule of law.

Bloc Québécois: En fait, le Bloc Québécois a cinq priorités en matière de politique étrangère.

Les changements climatiques représentent la problématique la plus urgente à laquelle l’Humanité fait face. Il s’agit d’un enjeu collectif, qui exige des solutions collectives. Nous devons déterminer des cibles ambitieuses et cesser de niveler vers le bas pour satisfaire les pollueurs.

Ensuite, le remodelage des politiques commerciales. En effet, l’OMC est paralysée, proposant desorientations qui favorisent l’exploitation des pays en développement et le pillage des ressources naturelles. Nous avons besoin d’une nouvelle approche qui reflète les avancées des lois internationales; et selon laquelle les produits qui circulent librement sont ceux qui sont produits en respectant l’esprit des accords internationaux majeurs, l’environnement et le droit du travail. Le commerce doit devenir un véritable outil de développement, et tous les outils pour y parvenir doivent être sur la table, incluant l’inclusion de l’OMC dans le système des Nations Unies.

La réhabilitation du multilatéralisme est également une priorité du Bloc Québécois. Les problématiques qui nous paraissent distantes nous touchent maintenant directement. La coopération internationale n’a jamais été si importante, et nous devons participer à sa réhabilitation, notamment en subventionner mieux les institutions des Nations Unies; en refusant de prendre part aux actions militaires qui vont à l’encontre des résolutions des Nations Unies et des lois internationales; et en renforçant les politiques de contrôles d’exportation des armements pour respecter ces lois. Avant toute chose, cependant, des efforts intenses pour reconstruire un certain esprit de coalition seront nécessaires si nous ne voulons pas nous isoler lors de l’éclatement d’un éventuel conflit.

Les investissements directs dans des paradis fiscaux augmentent deux fois plus vite que le PIB global. Cette situation est injuste tant pour les gouvernements qui doivent fonctionner avec des revenus en moins, que pour les contribuables qui paient leur juste part de taxes et d’impôt. La décision du gouvernement français de taxer les multinationales en se basant sur leurs activités locales plutôt que sur le lieu de leurs filiales dans les paradis fiscaux, est une bonne politique. Nous devons la supporter, et même implanter une législation similaire et tenter de construire une coalition de pays qui souhaitent minimiser les pressions excessives sur la culture et la société, exercées par les experts financiers.

Finalement, le Bloc Québécois souhaite que le gouvernement fédéral respecte sa propre Constitution et laisse le Québec et les provinces participer aux discussions et aux négociations relatives à des enjeux qui émanent de leurs juridictions.

Christian Heritage Party: No answer

People’s Party of Canada:  Awaiting response

We have already shown a commitment to not only support Canada’s current ODA commitment but grow it in the coming years, unlike the Conservative Party who are looking to cut our foreign aid budget by 25%. We announced historic $2 billion increase of ODA in budget 2018, and a further increase in Budget 2019. Our government has demonstrated that we have the vision, political leadership, and ability to mobilize international support to make a difference. The Liberal Party also believes that providing international assistance is about much more than funding. It is measured by our leadership on international issues, through our policies and influence internationally and how we invest differently.

Conservative Party:  Awaiting response

New Democratic Party:: We will make different choices. A New Democrat government is committed to boosting Canada’s international development assistance with the goal of contributing 0.7 percent of our Gross National Income to international aid.

Green Party:  A Green government would increase Canada’s overseas development assistance budget to reach former Prime Minister Pearson’s goal of 0.7 per cent of GDP, which Canada has never achieved but which many in the donor group of our allies have already surpassed.

Bloc Québécois: Pour nous, il est essentiel que l’aide internationale serve à améliorer le sort des personnes les plus vulnérables. Le Bloc Québécois a fait siens les principes qui ont mené à la détermination desObjectifs du Millénaire de l’ONU, principes qui visent à ce que l’aide humanitaire produise véritablement ses effets, c’est-à-dire d’assurer un monde meilleur pour tous. Le Bloc Québécois demande que le gouvernement fédéral mette en place, le plus rapidement possible, un plan réaliste visant l’atteinte de la cible fixée par l’ONU, soit de verser 0,7 % du PNB à l’aide publique au développement.

Christian Heritage Party: We would help by providing emergency assistance and self help programs. We would not support any programs providing abortion or hormonal therapy.

People’s Party of Canada:  Awaiting response

Canada is strongly committed to implementing the 2030 Agenda and our Liberal government has been ensuring policies and programs improve the lives of all Canadians, particularly for those who, for too long have been under-represented and are too often excluded from the benefits of economic growth and development.

Canada firmly believes that empowering women and girls and advancing gender equality strengthens prosperity, creates sustainable peace, and reduces poverty for everyone. This approach underlies the FIAP and other policies that we have implemented in our aid programs.

Our party wants to see women and girls fully involved in decision making and policy making, so they can shape the services, programs and policies that affect their lives. Canada has become a global champion for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, both at home and abroad.

The Liberal Party also believes firmly in the adoption of a rights-based approach to international assistance. We are also firm in our adoption of an intersectional lens to analyzing and implementing programs. This requires us to accept the various ways in which systems of social categorization—gender and sexuality, race/ethnicity, disability and social class for instance—intersect with one another.

In the last four years, we have strived to make our cities and communities more resilient, inclusive, prosperous, and sustainable—making significant investments in tackling climate change, improving water use sustainability and protecting marine and coastal areas. We have also committed in this election to protect 25 per cent of Canada’s lands and 25 per cent of Canada’s oceans by 2025, working towards 30 per cent in each by 2030.

Our party also believes that achieving the Sustainable Development Goals is not the sole responsibility of one actor, but a shared responsibility. Through the SDG Funding Program we introduced, by working in partnership with organizations, and supporting stakeholders to accelerate progress on the SDGs, we will deliver improved outcomes for Canadians, with the aim of leaving no one behind.

Conservative Party:  Awaiting response

New Democratic Party: Canada must do our fair share to help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals for 2030, including alleviating poverty, ensuring decent work, protecting the rights of Indigenous communities, and supporting global peace and justice.

Green Party:  The Green Party of Canada is united with the global community in a commitment to meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs are 17 interconnected targets, covering issues such as poverty, climate change and peace and justice, to be achieved by 2030. They offer a blueprint for how the world can tackle our greatest challenges in a just way that leaves no one behind. If there is any chance of meeting the SDGs by 2030, wealthy nations like Canada will need to step up and take a visible leadership role. The Greens will do this. In order to achieve sustainability and provide for the needs of present and future generations, the current unchecked and unequal distribution patterns in growth, global consumption and population can and must be reversed.

The Green Party’s platform features the Sustainable Development Goals prominently. We have indicated how each plank of our platform will work to achieve these goals and once in office, we will continue to make decisions with these goals front of mind.

Bloc Québécois: Le Parlement devrait adopter une loi pour fixer des objectifs de réduction des GES qui soient conformes aux objectifs de Paris, contraindre le gouvernement à prendre les mesures nécessaires pour les atteindre, contenir un mécanisme de reddition de compte et inclure une clause exigeant du gouvernement qu’il tienne compte des impacts sur les changements climatiques de toutes ses actions, incluant les subventions et contributions.
La loi devrait inclure une clause de révision obligatoire aux quatre ans, faisant en sorte que les cibles de réduction puissent être augmentées, en vue de tendre vers l’objectif plus ambitieux de 1,5 degré émis dans l’Accord de Paris.
Ceci dit, fixer une cible de réduction ne sert à rien en soi. Le Canada avait fixé une cible dans le cadre de l’accord de Kyoto mais n’a rien fait pour l’atteindre. La même chose se produit actuellement avec l’accord de Paris, où le Canada s’éloigne sans cesse davantage de sa cible. C’est pourquoi, en plus de fixer des cibles plus ambitieuses, nous proposerons une série d’actions immédiates et extrêmement vigoureuses ayant pour effet de les atteindre.
En particulier, nous proposerons de réformer complètement la taxe carbone: Premièrement, nous proposerons de la hausser graduellement pour qu’elle atteigne le seuil lui permettant d’atteindre les objectifs de Paris. Le Directeur parlementaire du budget avait estimé ce seuil à 106$ la tonne.
Deuxièmement, nous proposerons de changer ses paramètres d’application. Dans sa forme actuelle, la taxe fédérale s’applique dans les provinces que le gouvernement fédéral détermine arbitrairement, après avoir porté un jugement sur les mesures que la province prend pour lutter contre les dérèglements climatiques. Ainsi, elle permettrait au gouvernement fédéral de rendre inopérant le plan québécois de lutte aux changements climatiques d’un simple trait de plume, ce que nous ne saurions accepter, sans compter qu’elle fait actuellement l’objet d’une contestation judiciaire qui cause une incertitude juridique qui diminue son efficacité.
Nous proposerons plutôt un critère objectif, par lequel la taxe s’appliquerait là où les émissions par habitant sont supérieures à la moyenne canadienne, ce nous apparaît à la fois plus efficace et plus respectueux et moins incertain sur le plan constitutionnel.
Troisièmement, pour l’essentiel, le fruit de la taxe est actuellement remis à ceux et celles qui l’ont payée, ce qui diminue considérablement son effet sur l’environnement. Le principe du pollueur-payeur demande plutôt que le pollueur paie et que le bon élève empoche. En application de ce principe, nous proposerons que la taxe perçue dans les provinces pollueuses soit remise aux bons élèves, en fonction de leur niveau d’émission par habitant (en remplacement partiel des paiements de péréquation).
Le résultera sera importante réforme fiscale qui revampera la taxe carbone, déplacera une partie de l’impôt sur le revenu vers la fiscalité verte et reverra la formule de péréquation pour y inclure des incitations à lutter beaucoup plus activement contre les changements climatiques.
En taxant ainsi les pollueurs pour rétribuer les bons élèves dans une sorte de marché d’échange de nature fiscale, nous espérons créer un incitatif extrêmement puissant vers la transition énergétique et l’innovation verte.

Christian Heritage Party: We believe that Canada is a sovereign country and do not accept UN imposed SDGs. We believe that unelected members of the UN have no place to interfere in the administration of our country.

People’s Party of Canada:  Awaiting response

a) In Latin America, Canada’s focus would remain on helping to find a peaceful resolution to the crisis in Venezuela, which has massive negative consequences for neighbouring countries and much of the region. In the Caribbean, Canada will continue to work with its friends to help mitigate the effects of climate change on small island development states, including coastal infrastructure to protect from the increasingly troubling impacts of extreme weather events.

b) Our government’s priorities in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) would remain the eradication of poverty and increasing opportunity for the most vulnerable, particularly the rights of women and girls, which include sexual and reproductive rights and the right to access safe and legal abortions. Canada has also been a leader support for developing economies in SSA, promoting trade and investment to help support local communities, and also assisting with important infrastructure projects. The implementation of the FIAP, alongside our commitment to the UN SDGs, will help to guide our government on these priorities. We will also continue to support NGOs and multilateral efforts to combat the deadly Ebola outbreak in the DRC.

c) A re-elected Liberal government would support ongoing humanitarian efforts to aid displaced Rohingya and other minorities in Bangladesh and Myanmar. With over 85% of the refugees in the area being women and children, out feminist focus is particularly critical. Through our growing trade ties in Asia and the Pacific, we will help to create good middle-class jobs and benefit small and medium-sized enterprises to grow and expand in one of the world’s most dynamic markets.

d) Our bilateral and multilateral engagement in the Middle East and North Africa will build off of the work we have started in the first three years of our Middle East Strategy. So far, through this strategy and specific to the Syrian conflict, Canadian humanitarian and development assistance has helped to provide 8.5 million people with emergency food assistance, as well as training and financial support to 3,600 public schools in Jordan. Going forward, Canada will continue to work with the international community to set the conditions for longer-term security and stability, enable civilian-led stabilization programs and support governance efforts. To fund this continued engagement in the Middle East, we committed nearly $1.4 billion between this year and next year to focus on building stability, governance and long-term resilience.

Conservative Party:  Awaiting response

NDP: In all regions of the world, we must promote democracy and human rights, and uphold international law not just when it’s convenient. We must be engaged diplomatically to get at the root of the global ills the world is facing, from armed conflict, to climate change, to poverty, forced displacement, gender-based violence and other disturbing phenomena.

In engaging with different regions of the world, we must do our best to engage with regional organizations such as the Organization of American States, the Arab League, the European Union and African Union, as well as global organizations like the United
Nations. We must ensure our trade relations do not come at the expense of undermining human rights or democracy.

Green Party:  Across regions, the Green Party’s core focus is climate change. Because of the severity of the effects of climate change, preexisting humanitarian concerns can be exacerbated. Security organizations worldwide have classified climate change as a threat multiplier, as it can cause or increase conflict over resources, aggravate economic challenges, and deepen social unrest. We will work closely with frontline organizations around the world to identify the needs of communities and work with international leaders to fight climate change together.

Bloc Québécois: Chaque région a ses propres défis, mais les objectifs de l’aide humanitaire sont similaires: stabilité, sécurité, bonne gouvernance et accès aux ressources naturelles. Il faut que nos actions permettent l’atteinte de ces objectifs.

Christian Heritage Party: We would provide emergency aid and self help programs. We would assist in peace keeping missions. Trade agreements would be made only on the evidence of equal human rights and environmental protections as required in Canada.

People’s Party of Canada:  Awaiting response

The most pressing humanitarian needs in the world today are the plight of the Rohingya in Bangladesh and Myanmar; Yemeni women and children suffering from the humanitarian crisis that has resulted from the civil war; and the growing humanitarian, economic, health and migratory crisis unfolding in Venezuela, which is spilling over into other areas of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Canada has been playing a meaningful leadership role in these humanitarian crises, bringing together regional countries as well as other partners from around the world. In order to meet the needs of these crises, among others, it will require this kind of leadership to bring together regional and multilateral partners. Our government has proven it has the ability to do this, and will continue to be an important aspect of Canada’s foreign policy.

Conservative Party:  Awaiting response

New Democratic Party: The most pressing humanitarian needs are food, shelter, sanitation and other non-food items. Canada must do more to assist humanitarian organizations that have the experience and the capacity to meet those needs in the most efficient, appropriate way

Green Party:  Climate change and its effects on people will create the most pressing humanitarian needs in the world. We are already beginning to see the effects and this will only continue to get worse unless we take urgent action. Please see the answers in questions 1 and 12 for more details.

Bloc Québécois: Bien qu’à court terme leurs effets ne se font pas nécessairement sentir, les changements climatiques créeront le plus de problèmes à moyen terme, avec des migrations de masse et des conflits pour l’accès aux ressources qui en résulteront. Le Canada peut jouer un rôle en devenant un leader de la lutte aux changements climatiques et en aidant les États vulnérables à acquérir les ressources nécessaires pour protéger leur population et mitiger les effets négatifs des changements climatiques. Travailler en amont pour mitiger les problèmes à venir est à notre avis l’action la plus responsable que pourrait faire le gouvernement canadien

Christian Heritage Party:We would provide emergency aid (Disaster relief is a humanitarian duty) and self-help programs.

Canada would provide assistance only through non-political NGOs. Adequate monitoring is essential to ensure the aid resources are properly used.

People’s Party of Canada:  Awaiting response

6. A re-elected Liberal government would maintain Canada’s FIAP and review it regularly to ensure it keeps up with the changing needs of advancing gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls. At the Women Deliver conference earlier this year, our government highlighted a number of important investments, including funding comprehensive sexual and reproductive health services, in light of the growing backlash against women’s rights and when these services are under threat.

This follows on our previously announced funding for sexual violence investigations and support for survivors where that support has not been available. We have also contributed to historic investments for girls’ education at the G7 ($3.8 billion) and at UNGA ($523M). Lastly, also at Women Deliver in Vancouver this year, we announced our support for the Equality Fund, which will be supported by up to $300 million from Canada, bringing together the philanthropic community, the investing community, the private sector and civil society into a single platform to leverage more than $1 billion in assets working for gender equality.

7. Our government would continue the work that has begun since the introduction of the FIAP, through advocacy and support for women’s rights organizations that:

• Ensure better and equal access to the resources necessary for women and girls to secure a growing level of economic and social equality
• Bring in women and girls to help be better represented in decision making
• Promote a feminist approach to sustainable development and peace

We would do this through formal and informal consultations with organizations, tapping into the incredible knowledge base that exists in Canada, and helping to fund their work both at home and abroad.

An important aspect of the FIAP that we believe is particularly important for women and girls is the Women’s Voice and Leadership project. Working with 21 different partner organizations in 30 countries around the world, our government has been working to:

• improve the management and sustainability of local and regional women’s rights organizations;
• strengthen the capacity of women’s rights organizations to program and advocate to advance gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls; and
• increase the effectiveness of local and national women’s rights platforms, networks and alliances to affect policy, legal and social change.

If re-elected we will continue to support and fund the needs and priorities identified by women’s rights organizations and place women at the centre of project implementation.

Conservative Party:  Awaiting response

New Democratic Party:

6. We support the Feminist International Assistance Policy, but we must ensure it is not just about window-dressing without much substance to the world’s women and girls. This must include adequate funding for often-neglected areas of sexual health and rights, programs to get at the root cases of gender inequality in humanitarian and development contexts, adequate programming on gender-based violence and harassment, and the empowerment of women.
7. Upholding the rights of women and girls will always be central to New Democrat foreign policy, and we will step up efforts to promote gender equality abroad with a strong international agenda to promote rights, security, and access to education for women and girls, including ensuring that women have a seat at the peace table.

Bloc Québécois:

6. La politique d’aide internationale féministe du Canada est relativement jeune et il nous est difficile de la juger pleinement à ce stade-ci puisque les résultats ne sont pas encore connus. Nous allons continuer de surveiller la politique actuelle et l’évaluer en fonction des résultats.
7. Nous allons continuer de prôner une aide humanitaire qui vise certains objectifs de gouvernance,comme le respect de l’égalité des genres. Le Bloc prône aussi l’aide aux groupes qui viennent en aide et défende les droits des femmes sur la scène internationale. Il faut aussi de la cohérence dans les politiquesgouvernementales. Le gouvernement canadien ne peut pas prétendre venir en aide aux droits des femmes et à l’égalité des genres tout en vendant des blindés à un pays comme l’Arabie Saoudite, reconnue pour ses nombreuses violations des droits des femmes et desdroits des minorités sexuelles.

Green Party:

6. Yes. The Green Party would maintain the Feminist International Assistance Policy. While we applaud this initiative, we must ensure that we continue building relationships with organizations on the ground in countries receiving Canadian assistance in order to provide assistance in the places that need it most and in a way that serves the actual needs of the local population. We should also focus this policy on addressing systemic issues that contribute to gender inequality.

7. Women make up over 50% of Canada’s population, the majority of seniors, and a disproportionate share of the people living in poverty in Canada. Violence against women is the world’s leading human-rights violation and, sadly, Canada isn’t immune to this tragedy. The Green Party is committed to ending violence against women.

Women’s rights are not universal until they are protected and accessible by every woman and girl on the planet. Globally, women still represent 70% of the world’s poor. Whereas Canada was once a global leader on women’s rights and gender equality, its commitment has waned.

Greens would reestablish funding for Status of Women Canada and other organizations that fund non-profit women’s groups and advocate for women’s rights. We would also restore funding to KAIROS, CCIC, MATCH, and Planned Parenthood and other organizations that work tirelessly to provide frontline services for women abroad.

Christian Heritage Party:

6. CHP Canada would not fund programs that provide assistance for abortion.
7. We would not provide funds for abortion. Educating girls in other countries leads to better opportunities and improved lifestyle.

People’s Party of Canada:  Awaiting response

8. As we have done for the last four years in government, we want to engage publicly and privately with civil society in formulating the most effective approaches in how Canada delivers international assistance, as well as other forms of international cooperation. Canada is extremely fortunate to have a knowledgeable experts, NGOs and CSOs with which to draw on for guidance and advice in the implementation of its foreign policy and development assistance, and we will take full advantage of this valuable domestic resource.

9. The Liberal Party fully supports Canada’s Guidelines on Supporting Human Rights Defenders, and we remain committed to ensuring the Guidelines stay up-to-date and meet the needs of human rights defenders abroad. The work of Canada’s missions abroad in engaging with human rights defenders, local NGOs, the private sector, Indigenous peoples, and international organizations is vital to promote and protect civil society voices and actions, which are under threat like never before and in more places than ever.

To this end, we have committed in our platform to introduce a permanent, dedicated refugee stream to provide safe haven for human rights advocates, journalists, and humanitarian workers at risk, with a target of helping resettle as many as 250 people a year.

If re-elected, we will continue to maintain best practices and liaise with like-minded countries who have put a priority on the protection of human rights defenders and who have implemented their own similar guidelines to follow through on this commitment.

Conservative Party:  Awaiting response

New Democratic Party:

8. We will maintain a strong partnership with civil society in Canada and abroad, ensuring bthat organizations that have the capacity and the experience with international cooperation, such as the CCIC, are always consulted and are partners in the delivery of Canada’s international assistance.
9. We support Canada’s Voices at Risk guidelines on supporting human rights defenders, but the reality is the government does not always put it into practice. We must always speak out in favour of the rights of human rights defenders, not just when it’s convenient. We should also always support grassroots organizations in other countries.

Green Party:

8. Civil society organizations, especially those undertaking frontline work, are crucial to the delivery of international assistance. Greens will work closely with these organizations to ensure that Canada’s international assistance helps those who need it, and that we are not perpetuating violent cycles of colonialism.

9. Greens keep the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the forefront of our international policies, and civil society organizations are at the heart of advancing these goals. Civil organizations exist within their communities, and are able to ensure accountability and deliver services where they are needed. We will continue to support civil society organizations both through relationship building in our international development, and through funding.

Bloc Québécois:

8. Il faut certainement prioriser les groupes qui partagent et défendent nos valeurs, comme la liberté d’expression, la défense des droits des femmes et de la communauté LGBT. Il faut aussi, inversement, ne pas appuyer d’aucune façon les groupes ou entreprises complices de groupes ouÉtats opprimant leur population. Le fait que le Canada vende des blindés à l’Arabie Saoudite, alors que ses exactions contre sa population et contre la population civile au Yémen sont connues de tous.
9. Il est important que le Canada promeuve activement sur la scène internationale un certain nombre de valeurs, comme la liberté d’expression, les droits des femmes, les droits des groupes LGBT et des minorités, tout en ne reculant jamais face à certains groupes qui tentent ici de faire reculer les droits de certains citoyens. Pensons par exemple aux groupes à l’intérieur du Canada qui militent contre l’avortement ou contre certains droits acquis de la communauté LGBT. Les politiques canadiennes doivent aussi être cohérentes, ce qui n’est pas le cas lorsqu’on autorise lavente de blindés à un régime connu pour ses exactions et ses violations des droits de la personne.

Christian Heritage Party:

8. Canada should provide assistance only through non-political NGOs. Adequate monitoring is essential to ensure the aid resources are properly used.
9. CHP Canada would protect nationally and worldwide the right to free speech. This includes protecting people from bullying by special interest groups forcing approval of alternative lifestyles.

People’s Party of Canada:  Awaiting response

The Liberal Party appreciates the work done by the Special Senate Committee on modernizing laws and regulations governing registered charities. We have been examining its report and recommendations, and will have additional views on its conclusions in the future.

Conservative Party:  Awaiting response

New Democratic Party:

We will examine the Senate report in detail in order to ensure there are no barriers to the important charitable endeavours charities pursue, including with respect to volunteers, access to capital, facilitating appeals to CRA decisions, among other measures.

Green Party: We recognize that investing in charities is a wise moral and financial decision. We believe that people are motivated to give by generosity but that tax credits are helpful to encourage life-long giving. Tax credits for charitable donations will help attract more money to the sector and ensure that Canadians continue their commendable legacy of giving, even through hard financial times. Greens will establish charitable tax credits for the private donation of easements on heritage properties to charitable organizations or local governments to help maintain Canada’s built heritage. We will also support multicultural communities by assisting cultural organizations to obtain charitable status. Amending regulations that limit charities’ ability to partner with other organizations will also benefit Canada as a whole, encouraging the kind of cooperation that helps to make change.

Bloc Québécois:

La loi de l’impôt est trop rigide, ce qui limite grandement la liberté d’action pour les organismes de bienfaisance reconnus. Nous travaillerons à moderniser les lois et règlements en regardant attentivement les recommandations du comité sénatorial.

Christian Heritage Party:

We would protect Canadian organizations from religious bigotry by our government such as was very evident in the Canada Summer Jobs Program. We would also protect Canadians from being forced to submit to the state sanctioned religion of secularism.

People’s Party of Canada:  Awaiting response

a) Canadians value human rights, and our government’s foreign policy of the last four years has reflected that.

In government, we took firm action to strengthen our arms export system by passing legislation that enshrines human rights into our exports laws. This will allow us to comply with the Arms Trade Treaty. Bill C-47 created a new legal requirement that the Canadian government must refuse export permits that violate key human rights criteria, including gender based violence.

Specific to Saudi Arabia, as the government we were continuing to review export permits to Saudi Arabia and no final decision has been made. If re-elected, and as now enshrined into law, we will continue to put great emphasis on human rights before arriving at a decision.

b) Our Liberal government created the office of the Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise—the first position of its kind in the world—to investigate human rights allegations against Canadian companies operating abroad.  Canadian companies know this is important. Their reputation and credibility with the communities in which they operate matters to their overall competitiveness.

We are committed to ensuring that the ombudsperson has the right mandate, the independence, and the right tools to do this job.  We have recently strengthened the CORE’s mandate and we look forward to working with the Ombudsperson and stakeholders like Amnesty International to ensure its implementation.  As we consider the potential for a legal framework and work to clarify the Ombudsperson’s role in working with companies operating abroad in all sectors on human rights violations, we will first conduct a broad engagement with Canadians and key stakeholders.

Canadians want us to get this right, so we’ll continue to advance this important work if we are returned to government in the fall.

Conservative Party:  Awaiting response

New Democratic Party:

a- New Democrats have always stood firmly with Canadians and civil-society organizations such as Amnesty International Canada and Human Rights Watch, who have repeatedly called for an end to Canadian arms exports to Saudi Arabia. The Arms Trade Treaty obliges Member States to consider the potential that military goods could be used to violate international human rights and humanitarian law or undermine peace and security before authorizing exports. It also requires that arms export permits be reviewed when new facts arise.

b- The NDP has called for the establishment of an office of an independent ombudsperson for over a decade – since the 2007 National Roundtables on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) – and has tabled numerous private member’s bills on this subject. The Canadian Ombudsperson for Responsible Enterprise should be independent from the government, and should have the power to compel testimony and the production of documents. We want to see these powers enshrined in legislation, not just by Order in Council. It should also be empowered to recommend the withdrawal of government support, subsidy, promotion or protection by any government department or agency, including funding from Export Development Canada, for instance.

Green Party:

a- So much of what is happening in Yemen shows a brazen disregard for international law, from the use of cluster munitions by the Saudi-led coalition to the use of landmines by Houthi forces. More than 2.5 million people are living in displacement and hospitals, weddings, markets and so many other civilian centres are being targeted. The violence must end and we must take a stand.

Though the conflict is complex, it is clear that Saudi Arabia is acting in violation of international law. It appears that Saudi forces are using Canadian-made combat vehicles in Yemen. We must end our complicity and our silence. Canada cannot justify selling combat vehicles or any arms to the authors of such destruction and more generally should not be conceding our principles for access to markets or economic gain. A Green government would cancel the contracts to provide Saudi Arabia with armoured vehicles and re-examine Canada’s other existing arms exports.

b- We will work to uphold the principles of human rights by strengthening the legislative framework around corporate accountability, including greater powers for the Ombudsman for Responsible Enterprise.

Bloc Québécois:

Le Bloc Québécois propose un changement dans les priorités commerciales du Canada. Après la libéralisation des échanges, le Canada doit maintenant se concentrer sur l’établissement de règles permettant des échanges plus équitables.
Le Bloc Québécois presse le gouvernement fédéral de réviser ses positions dans les négociations commerciales pour faire en sorte d’inclure dans les accords commerciaux des clauses prévoyant le respect de standards internationaux en matière de droit du travail, de respect des droits de la personne et de l’environnement.
Le Bloc Québécois considère que le Canada, pour être crédible sur cette question, doit rapidement adhérer aux grandes conventions de l’Organisation internationale du travail contre les discriminations, le travail forcé et le travail des enfants, pour le droit d’association syndicale et la libre négociation.
À cet effet, le Bloc Québécois privilégie le système multilatéral, seul lieu où il est possible de travailler à l’adoption de règles permettant de favoriser une mondialisation plus équitable.
Le Bloc Québécois présentera des amendements aux lois commerciales pour les moderniser, en clarifiant les critères permettant d’évaluer si nos entreprises sont victimes de dumping; en permettant aux syndicats de déposer eux-mêmes des plaintes au Tribunal canadien du commerce extérieur, notamment pour faire face aux situations où l’entreprise n’en déposera pasparce qu’elle a délocalisé sa production à l’étranger.
Le Bloc Québécois pressera le gouvernement de respecter les décisions du Tribunal canadien du commerce extérieur lorsqu’il constate qu’un secteur industriel subit un dommage grave du fait des importations accrues et qu’il recommande de prendre des mesures de sauvegarde.
Le Bloc Québécois estime que le Québec doit pouvoir préserver ses ressources en eau et demande que l’eau soit explicitement exclue de la portée de l’ALÉNA.
Pour ce qui est d’éventuels accords bilatéraux de libre-échange, le Bloc Québécois ne les appuiera qu’au cas par cas:
• Ils devront être bénéfiques pour l’économie québécoise.
• Ils devront contrer le dumping social en assurant le respect de standards minimums en matière de droits de la personne, de droit du travail et de respect de l’environnement.•Finalement, le Bloc Québécois s’oppose à la conclusion d’accords de protection des investissements basés sur le modèle du chapitre 11 de l’ALÉNA parce qu’ils donnent un trop grand pouvoir aux entreprises multinationales pour faire invalider des législations légitimes de protection de l’environnement et de protection des travailleurs si elles portent ‘’atteinte’’ à leurs profits.

a – Le Bloc Québécois a toujours demandé au fédéral de se tenir debout face aux pays qui ne respectent pas les droits humains comme en fait foi cette question du Bloc Québécois au gouvernement fédéral: «La vérité, c’est que le premier ministre veut continuer de vendre des armes». « Des coups de fouet à Raïf Badawi, ça n’empêche pas le Canada de faire des affaires». « Pas plus que l’emprisonnement de femmes qui défendent leurs droits, pas plus que la mort de civils au Yémen, pas plus que l’assassinat d’un journaliste dans un consulat». « Mais qu’est-ce qu’il faut de plus au gouvernement pour cesser la vente d’armes à ce régime odieux? Du courage? ».

b – Absolument. D’ailleurs, la création d’un bureau indépendant de l’Ombudsman faisait partie des engagements du Bloc Québécois.

Christian Heritage Party:

CHP Canada would not negotiate trade agreements with countries with poor human rights records. Prior to entering into a contract the country would be required to provide similar and proven human rights as Canada requires. A promise of future human rights is not sufficient.

People’s Party of Canada:  Awaiting response

The Liberal Party remains concerned about the plight of the over 25 million refugees around the world, and is working to meet their needs through needs-based, timely, and gender-responsive humanitarian action.

In government, we responded to the humanitarian assistance needs of refugees through experienced partners such as the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR): for example, in 2018, Canada has provided $95.6 million in humanitarian assistance to meet the needs of the forcibly displaced.

We will continue to be a strong, positive voice for the benefits of well-managed global migration and comprehensive refugee responses, including through the implementation of the Global Compacts on Refugees and Migration.

Conservative Party:  Awaiting response

New Democratic Party:

It is in the best interests of Canada, and our international partners to be active signatories to these compacts. We must recognize the unequal burden being placed on Global South nations. Canada can and must do more to share in that burden. There exists a variety of mechanisms to do this, and the forums created by the GCM and GCR provide Canada with the opportunity to understand which mechanisms will provide the greatest benefit.

We would invoke Article 10 of the Safe Third Country Agreement to immediately suspend the Agreement. We would also review Canada’s contribution to the UNHCR and other nongovernmental organizations working in the field to increase Canada’s official development assistance and meet the objective proposed by the OECD. With respect to internally displaced persons, we will engage, through the forums created by the GCM and GCR, to develop durable solutions for IDPs.

Green Party:

We have fostered a multicultural democracy that welcomes diversity as an asset, not a threat. Newcomers are a source of incredible skills and potential for our country. We have been enriched as peoples and cultures from all around the world have come to Canada to build their lives here. Other than the Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island, we are all immigrants or descendants of immigrants.

Immigrants come in search of greater freedoms and opportunities to build fulfilling lives for themselves and their families. Refugees and asylum seekers arrive having fled unimaginable situations in their home countries, and they seek the same things we all aspire to: safety, dignity and community.

The climate emergency is exacerbating an already burgeoning global refugee situation. Adding to the desperation that compels people to flee war, violence and poverty, are the devastating impacts of a warming climate – drought, famine, floods, sea level rise and wildfires. It’s only going to get worse. Canada and other countries need to prepare for a humanitarian crisis.

Greens will take particular care to help those around the world who have to leave their homes for climate-related reasons. We will lead a national discussion to define the term “environmental refugee,” and advocate for its inclusion as a refugee category in Canada. We will accept an appropriate share of the world’s environmental refugees into Canada, and encourage other countries to do the same.

Canada is in a position to help many vulnerable people around the world. We should continue to respect our international obligations and welcome newcomers to our country, in keeping with our identity as a just, fair, and open country.

Bloc Québécois:

Dans le cas des réfugiés illégaux qui entrent au Canada par les États-Unis, par exemple, le Bloc Québécois demande la suspension de l’entente sur les tiers pays sûrs. Ainsi, les migrants pourraient faire leur demande d’asile aux postes frontaliers comme tout le monde et n’auraient aucun avantage à traverser illégalement la frontière. Le Bloc exige par ailleurs qu’Ottawa prenneses responsabilités et fasse le nécessaire pour accélérer le traitement des demandes. Les délais actuels causent des drames humanitaires lorsque des familles bien implantées au Québec doivent être déportées des années après leur arrivée. Ottawa doit aussi cesser d’expulser des personnes dans des situations où leur vie est menacée, comme le gouvernement fédéral le fait actuellement avec les Haïtiens.

Christian Heritage Party:

We support refugees applying through the proper channels and with proper screening. We do not support the Global Compact on Migration. We are a sovereign country and do not accept obligations placed on us by unelected international organizations. Nor do we accept an invasion by people choosing to make their home without proper screening.

People’s Party of Canada:  Awaiting response

If re-elected, the Liberal Party will absolutely keep the commitments our government has made in the Copenhagen Accord and SDGs.

On climate change gender equality in particular, Canada has been playing a leadership role. At COP23, Canada was a chief contributor to the Gender Action Plan, which supports women’s meaningful participation in negotiations and strengthens gender-responsive policy development under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Plan encourages the development of gender-responsive policies, plans, and program on adaptation, mitigation, technology, capacity building, and finance, which reflect the needs of women and girls.

Progress on climate change needs more women at the table and empowering women to act on climate change is a priority for the Liberal Party. That is why in government we have worked diligently to include women in international decision making and supported women as leaders.

Conservative Party:  Awaiting response

New Democratic Party:

Yes. As we work hard here at home to confront the climate crisis, Canada must also take a global leadership role in helping low-income countries deal with the impacts of climate change. Never again do we want Canadian leaders to stand in the way of international action on climate change.

Green Party:

Greens are committed to meeting and increasing our commitment to climate finance. We will ramp up our national contribution to the Green Climate Fund and Global Environmental Facility to $4 billion per year by 2030.

Bloc Québécois

Nous comptons respecter tous les engagements du Canada pour lutter contre les changements climatiques, et nous souhaitons même aller plus loin en luttant ici même au Canada de façon plus proactive, notamment en diminuant notre dépendance au pétrole. Nous croyons aussi que les changements climatiques seront le plus grand défi humanitaire dans les décennies à venir, avec le phénomène de migrations climatiques qui ne fera que s’accentuer. Le Bloc juge qu’il faut régler le problème en travaillant avec les États touchés pour mitiger les effets négatifs des changements climatiques, comme lutter contre la désertification, aider des États touchés à relocaliser leur population à risque et s’assurer que les pays aient accès aux ressources essentielles (eau, nourriture, médicaments) via l’aide humanitaire. Les populations les plus vulnérables, comme les femmes seules, les enfants, les personnes âgées et les gens malades et handicapés seront les premières victimes des changements climatiques – avec les migrations et conflits qui en résulteront dans certaines régions.

Christian Heritage Party:

Again, we do not accept the UN right to impose obligation diminishing our national sovereignty. There is no “fair share” that we owe to “international climate finance”. CHP Canada would deal with land, air and water pollution rather than the fictitious UN sponsored drama of climate change.

People’s Party of Canada:  Awaiting response