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Gaza Ceasefire – Cooperation Canada Statement

Gaza Ceasefire – Cooperation Canada Statement

by | Jan 17, 2025 | Humanitarian, News, Statement

Cooperation Canada welcomes the temporary ceasefire agreement in Gaza and a pause in hostilities after 15 months of tremendous suffering, mass casualties and destruction. 

“This ceasefire must result in immediate, unhindered and safe humanitarian access to Gaza to respond to the immense humanitarian needs, and international humanitarian law must be protected,” said Kate Higgins, CEO of Cooperation Canada. “This temporary ceasefire must create momentum toward a lasting ceasefire, where all hostages are returned, people in Gaza can live in dignity and start rebuilding their lives, and sustained peace in the region can be brokered.” 

We call on Canada to actively join international efforts to ensure that both the Government of Israel and Hamas fully implement this negotiated agreement, and that there is a permanent end to this conflict, violence and suffering. 

Cooperation Canada stands with its members and all those working in Gaza to respond to immediate humanitarian needs, reach the most vulnerable and support the significant reconstruction efforts. 

Extended Donation Deadline Provides Critical Relief for Organizations Supporting Communities in Need

Extended Donation Deadline Provides Critical Relief for Organizations Supporting Communities in Need

by | Jan 8, 2025 | Membership, News, Statement

Ottawa, December 31, 2024 – Imagine Canada, Cooperation Canada, and the Health Charities Coalition of Canada are welcoming the federal government’s decision to extend the donation deadline for charitable contributions made through the end of February 2025. This critical measure will provide much-needed relief to charities that have faced significant disruptions due to the recent four-week Canada Post strike.

With the government’s announcement to extend the donation deadline Canadians will now be able to claim charitable donations made before February 28, 2025, on their 2024 tax returns. This extension ensures that charities will have the time they need to recover lost revenue during one of the most critical fundraising periods of the year.

The decision comes as many organizations are experiencing revenue shortfalls of up to 30-40%, with some charities at risk of losing up to 65% of their expected year-end donations. The extended deadline offers a practical solution that will help alleviate some of the financial strain and support vital services, including food security, mental health care, and emergency relief efforts, that these organizations provide to vulnerable populations both in Canada and globally.

“An extension to the Charitable Donations Tax Credit hasn’t occurred for 20 years, when the government in 2004 sought to incentivize donor support for that year’s tsunami relief effort,” said Bruce MacDonald, President & CEO of Imagine Canada. “The exceptional measure announced by the government on Monday is thanks to the collective efforts of the charitable sector, who came together to advocate in support of this extension in recent weeks, whether in the media and through letter campaigns.” 

While mail delivery has resumed, charities across the country have been impacted by the postal strike, with many organizations not able to receive mailed donations for many weeks and forced to adapt by shifting their campaigns to digital platforms. While these adaptations have helped mitigate some of the disruption, they have also added strain on resources and led to delays in processing donations.

“We commend the government for taking decisive action at a time when it’s most needed,” said Kate Higgins, CEO of Cooperation Canada. “This extension will provide a much-needed boost to organizations that rely on end-of-year donations to fund life-saving programs in Canada and around the world. It will also ensure that the spirit of solidarity and generosity continues to strengthen communities both at home and abroad.”

The Health Charities Coalition of Canada also applauds the decision, highlighting the direct benefits this extension will have for health charities that rely on donations to fund life-saving research, patient support services, and critical health initiatives.

“We are thrilled to see the government take this step to support health charities, whose work is critical to improving the lives of millions of Canadians,” said Connie Côté, CEO of the Health Charities Coalition of Canada. “This extension will help ensure that our members can continue to meet the growing health needs of Canadians, and provide our donors with an opportunity to have their holiday gift delivered to their favorite charity.”

About Cooperation Canada
Since 1968, Cooperation Canada has brought together Canadian civil society organizations working in international development and humanitarian assistance. With over 100 members, we work with partners in Canada and around the world to build a fairer, safer, and more sustainable world.

About Imagine Canada
Imagine Canada is a national charity that brings together organizations from across the country to advance the charitable and nonprofit sector. It advocates on behalf of the sector, offering resources and support to organizations of all sizes, and works to build a stronger, more sustainable charitable sector in Canada.

About the Health Charities Coalition of Canada
The Health Charities Coalition of Canada is a coalition of more than 40 national health charities. It represents organizations that work to improve the health and well-being of Canadians by supporting research, providing patient services, and advocating for health policy change.

2024 Year in Review

2024 Year in Review

by | Dec 19, 2024 | Membership, News

As we conclude 2024, it’s a moment to reflect on the challenges we’ve faced and the progress we’ve made together.  2024 was a year where Cooperation Canada’s mission – to work in partnership with others for a fairer, safer and more sustainable world – felt more important than ever. In the face of rising geopolitical instability and complexity, and entrenched global economic, social and political injustices, we were motivated to work with our members and partners to drive positive change in Canada and around the world.  

Bold and strategic Canadian leadership in a complex world 

We focused considerable energy and attention on active engagement with Canadian parliamentarians, and the Government of Canada, to push for bold Canadian global leadership on international cooperation. We worked alongside our members to advocate strategically and persistently for Canada to step up investments in international assistance in Budget 2024, and welcomed $350 million in new Canadian funding commitments to respond to rising humanitarian needs around the world. 

We engaged many parliamentarians over 2024 on the life-saving and life-changing work of Canadian international cooperation, including at our International Development Week Hill Day in February 2024, sharing stories and evidence of the impact of Canadian leadership and engagement in international cooperation. 

Amidst rising violence and humanitarian needs in Gaza, we worked alongside members to call on Canada to support a ceasefire, worked in partnership with others to raise the alarm on Sudan, including through a public statement and media engagement, and called on Canada to respond to the ongoing and dire crisis in Haiti. We worked with partners to progress thought and practice leadership on an integrated ‘triple nexus’ approach to international assistance – one that responds better to the lived realities of people through humanitarian, development and peace support in an integrated way.  

As Canada looked to refresh its approach to its engagement in Africa and the Indo-Pacific, we mobilized members to ensure that their expertise, insights and partnerships informed Canada’s approach to these key regions of the world.  We were privileged to work with others, including the Canadian Partnership on Women and Children’s Health, on polling on Canadians’ views on international assistance.  

And we continued to engage actively with Global Affairs Canada to foster best practice in partnerships between the government and its partners, including through Canada’s Civil Society Policy Advisory Group and Chief Financial Officers Working Group. 

Empowering civil society and shifting power in international cooperation 

The Anti-Racist Cooperation Hub continued its important work to equip international cooperation actors to implement anti-racist practices in their work, including through its annual progress report and report on creating safer spaces for racialized leadership and staff in international cooperation.  Digna advanced its work to prevent sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment in international assistance. We were honoured to play a role in the incubation of Resilient Societies,  an activist-led hub working to protect and promote civic space globally. And we continued to host the Humanitarian Response Network of Canada, which embarked on a strategic review and launched a new Strategic Plan 2024-2029, positioning the network to support network members to learn and collaborate to enhance their humanitarian impact. 

A future-oriented approach to international cooperation 

We were thrilled to organize a fantastic International Cooperation Futures Forum and are grateful that so many partners from Canada and around the world were able to join us!  We drew on strategic foresight approaches to look ahead to the future of international cooperation through our Global Cooperation Futures Initiative – check out this fantastic initiative which will inform and guide our work moving forward. 

Looking ahead 

I would like to take this opportunity to extend my heartfelt thanks to the Cooperation Canada team. Your unwavering dedication, passion, and commitment to our mission have been the driving force behind everything we’ve accomplished in 2024. Each of you has played a crucial role in shaping our collective success, and I am deeply grateful for your hard work, collaboration, and resilience throughout the year.

As we prepare for 2025, we remain steadfast in our commitment to work with others for a fairer, safer, and more sustainable world. As Canada takes the G7 Presidency, we at Cooperation Canada look forward to leading the Civil 7 (C7) and ensuring the perspectives of global civil society inform G7 commitments. 

We extend our deepest gratitude to our members, partners, and supporters. Your dedication and commitment to collective action and engagement has been instrumental in our achievements and impact this year.  

As we look out to 2025, we at Cooperation Canada are optimistic about what we can achieve when we work together, and look forward to collaborating with our members and partners in the year ahead!  

 

 

Bridging the Gap: Insights from International Justice Mission’s New Report on Gender-Based Violence

Bridging the Gap: Insights from International Justice Mission’s New Report on Gender-Based Violence

by | Dec 19, 2024 | Members' Spotlight, News

Gender-Based Violence (GBV) is one of the most pervasive human rights violations globally, rooted in gender inequalities, power imbalances, and harmful societal norms. The United Nations defines GBV as “any act of gender-based violence that results in, or is likely to result in, physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women, including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty, whether occurring in public or in private life.” 

This violence disproportionately impacts women, girls, and marginalized communities, with repercussions that reach far beyond the individual. GBV fractures families, destabilizes communities, and undermines societal cohesion, posing a significant barrier to achieving gender equality. In Canada, an average of 102 women and girls are victims of gender-related homicide every year. Indigenous women face higher rates of violence and are 12 times more likely to be murdered or go missing than other women. The global scope and prevalence of gender-based violence makes addressing it not only a human rights imperative but also a necessity for fostering equitable and just societies.  

16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, observed from November 25 to December 10 globally, serves as a rallying call to raise awareness and demand accountability for these pervasive injustices. In Canada, December 6 marks the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women, the tragic anniversary of the 1989 École Polytechnique shooting, where 14 women were murdered because of their gender. As the campaign concludes, the urgency of translating advocacy into actionable solutions becomes clear—especially when we consider new evidence highlighting the barriers victims face in accessing justice.  

A recent series of studies by the International Justice Mission (IJM), titled “In My Shoes: The long road to justice for victims of violence in Latin America” offers valuable insight. IJM conducted studies in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Bolivia, revealing high rates of GBV but alarmingly low rates of reporting. In El Salvador, 40% of women and 28% of adolescents have experienced violence, while in Guatemala, the numbers are 37% and 28%, respectively. In Bolivia, despite over 90% of women and adolescents saying they were willing to report violence, only 16.89% of women and 4.53% of adolescents filed complaints. 

Why is this gap so stark? Barriers such as fear, shame, and distrust in the justice system prevent victims from coming forward. Even those who do report often face significant challenges. In Bolivia, despite 81.14% of women and 92.75% of adolescents who had experienced violence not filing complaints, more than half of women who filed encountered delays in the legal process, with only 10% of victims receiving any form of support. These failures leave survivors without the justice and assistance they need, perpetuating cycles of violence and impunity. 

Aggregated data, like the findings from the IJM reports, is essential for understanding the scale and nature of GBV. Such data provides critical insights into where and how interventions are most needed, enabling policymakers and organizations to design context-specific responses that address the unique challenges faced by victims in different regions. Without this information, solutions risk being disconnected from the realities on the ground, leaving systemic barriers unaddressed and victims unsupported. By building a clearer picture of the gaps in reporting, justice systems, and victim services, data-driven approaches can lead to more effective, targeted, and sustainable solutions. 

The reports call for urgent reforms, including the development of clear reporting protocols, timely legal processes, and improved victim support services, such as trauma-informed care (TIC). Addressing these barriers requires systemic change to rebuild trust, ensure accountability, and create a justice system that works for victims. 

As the 16 Days of Activism remind us, the fight against GBV demands sustained attention and action. Insights like those from the IJM report highlight the gaps we must address to ensure justice and safety for all.  

IJM Canada is a member of Cooperation Canada, and part of a global organization dedicated to combating violence and slavery by supporting victims and strengthening justice systems. Learn more about the organization and access the reports here. 

 

 

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Edited by Lorianne Dueck Rebello and Paul Farran.  

Building a Just Global Economy: Canada’s Pivotal Role & the Road to FFD4

Building a Just Global Economy: Canada’s Pivotal Role & the Road to FFD4

by | Dec 17, 2024 | Finance, News

Preparations for the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4), to be held in Spain in June/July 2025, are in full swing. UN member states, academia, civil society, private sector and others convened in New York from 2-6 December 2024 for the second Preparatory Committee session for conference. It was a key milestone in putting forward the elements which will feed into the agreements to be made in Spain. As a forum which convenes roughly once per decade, FfD4 will be instrumental in charting a way forward towards financing sustainable development and more balanced global economic governance. 

Cooperation Canada participated in those sessions, in collaboration with the global Civil Society Financing for Development Mechanism, seeking to draw connections between FfD4 processes and the work we are leading on economic justice, including through leadership of the Civil7. Ultimately, the goals of these processes converge, aiming to address the fundamental global challenges which constrain fiscal space for countries in driving their own development. In leading the Civil7, we will work to present the Government of Canada as G7 President, and the G7 as a whole, actionable policy proposals, where the G7 could demonstrate leadership in correcting some of these global economic imbalances.  

What is Canada’s role? 

While participants converged on some of the key challenges faced globally in achieving sustainable development, continued advocacy will be needed on a number of issues, including ensuring that FfD4 remains focussed on international cooperation, and that it not be consumed only by discussions on the mobilization of domestic resources. On debt, there is a need to work towards an FfD4 which delivers on genuine debt relief, as the elements paper currently falls short on proposing the required institutional change. On gender equality, the agenda in Spain must address inequalities and adopt a gender-transformative financing agenda. Here, we welcome Ambassador Bob Rae’s intervention (Canada’s Ambassador to the United Nations), which called for stronger gender balance in the FfD agenda.  

At the same time, Canada currently leads the United Nations Economic and Social Council, or ECOSOC, in addition to its leadership roles in the SDG Leaders Stimulus Group as well as on the Preparatory Committee of FfD4. Along with the G7, these roles converge and present excellent opportunities for Canada to step up as a global player for more balanced international cooperation. With fires burning in all regions of the world, Canada must play an important role as a convener and leader in advancing cooperation. Ambassador Rae, who is the President of ECOSOC, is a seasoned and respected diplomat and politician. He has a unique opportunity to lead with ambition and bold vision, freed from the dynamics of short-term politics.  

The priorities he has set for Canada’s leadership, including the crisis of displacement, AI, and financing for development, are indeed relevant and require a relentless pursuit of stronger action and leadership. On the latter, ECOSOC’s work informs FfD4, and in progressing towards this conference, all levers of influence must be engaged to set forward a genuine transformation which redresses decades, if not centuries, of global economic injustice.  

What levers can generate fiscal space?  

The solutions are well researched and have increasingly entered into international cooperation semantics, including during the FfD4 Preparatory Committee. It is through international cooperation and with genuine political leadership that systems can be put into place to tackle these issues. 

  • Nations crippled by debt cannot own or let alone invest in their own development if the bulk of their revenue is geared towards servicing exorbitant interest rates.  
  • Lack of international cooperation on taxation and illicit financial flows are robbing lower income countries (and others) of billions in revenue that could otherwise be used to strengthen capacities and invest in sustainable development.  
  • Multilateral development banks and other public banks must be genuinely reformed to create an environment where lower income countries can readily access financing under reasonable conditions. The COVID crisis clearly exposed how higher income countries could rapidly put in place systems to support their citizens, whereas lower income countries struggled to access financing to keep their most basic social services afloat.  
  • Predatory commercial and international trade practices further entrench the status quo, providing built-in systems which fix trade in favor of higher income countries. Those countries generally face much lower tariffs when exporting their products, providing them with increased access to markets, as compared to lower income countries who face much higher trade barriers.  

To put it simply, the global economy is rigged in a manner which favors high-income countries and those holding the levers of power. 

And what of ODA? 

Meanwhile, those same larger economies, like Canada, engage in providing official development assistance (ODA) to lower income countries. Alongside other important financing flows, including larger flows such as remittances, ODA continues to be a critical mechanism of support to lower- and middle-income countries on sustainable development and humanitarian action.  

But EURODAD shows that, “ODA from over half of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) members dropped in 2023, including some of the largest donors such as Germany and France”. Likewise, as per AidWatch Canada, Canada has recently decreased its ODA following consistent and significant increases since 2015. The budgeted International Assistance Envelope for 2023/24 is 15% lower than that of 2022/23, and there was no projection for 2024/25.  

In a world of increasing conflict and displacement, and ballooning humanitarian needs, ODA must also increase, and be done in manners which shift power to those in charge of their countries and communities. However, coming out of the recently held COP29, which was a major blow to climate finance, and with recent further cuts to ODA being made by a number of countries, it is clear that the appetite for grant financing is limited.  

What’s next? 

A new paradigm is needed to level the playing field and allow all countries to drive their own development, freed from persistent unbalanced economic and financial structures and practices.  

Global reforms to debt, trade, taxation, and access to finance are instrumental in recasting dialogue on international development, from one of filling gaps and seeking grants, to one where all nations are empowered by a fair international architecture which does not constrain, but frees fiscal space.  

Canada is now in the international spotlight. Through the G7, ECOSOC, SDG Leaders Stimulus Group, and FfD4, it is the moment to set a bold agenda. This means:  

  • Engaging civil society in devising the solutions which put people ahead of profit, 
  • Taking action on injustices that continue to exacerbate inequalities, and  
  • Ensuring that AI and new technologies do not serve to further entrench a rigged economy.  

Canada has a unique opportunity to demonstrate that it is not a mere participant on the global stage, but a guiding force for global progress, justice, and equity. 

 

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