Main Estimates Indicate a Decrease in International Development Assistance

The government tabled its Main Estimates on 26 February 2026, outlining its planned spending for the coming year and seeking Parliament’s approval to spend public funds. It is to be noted that the Main Estimates do not provide a full picture of federal finances and must be read alongside the federal Budget and other key fiscal updates to understand overall priorities. There could also be additional commitments made in response to sunsetting programs or other priorities.

At this moment, comparing the 2025-2026 and 2026-2027 Main Estimates indicates a decrease of more than $1.1 billion in international development assistance. This includes a reduction of over 50 per cent in grants to Partnerships with Canadians Programming, as well as a decline of more than $1 billion in International Development Assistance for Multilateral Programming.

While Budget 2025, released in the fall, outlined a $470 million decrease in international assistance for 2026-2027 as part of $2.7 billion in total reductions over four years, the Main Estimates as presented last week do not provide a roadmap to reach the already substantially reduced targets.

Development cooperation is a core pillar of Canada’s global engagement. Reductions in international assistance therefore risk limiting Canada’s ability to advance its foreign policy objectives, including security, economic resilience and shared values, while also affecting communities and partners who depend on predictable, sustained support.

At a time of growing global instability and humanitarian need, Canada should anchor its international assistance in a stable, protected core of international assistance focused on reducing poverty and inequality in least developed, low-income and fragile contexts, with other eligible expenditures building on that foundation.

Cooperation Canada looks forward to further clarity from government partners, particularly through Global Affairs Canada’s forthcoming Departmental Plans and the Spring Economic Statement. Transparent and coherent information across fiscal documents will be essential to understanding the path forward for Canada’s international assistance and its role in advancing shared global priorities.

Highlights from the Main Estimates international development envelopes:

• Grants from the International Development Assistance for Multilateral Programming are down from $3.18B in 2025-2026 estimates to $2.19B in 2026-2027. The contributions for the program are down from $172M to $125M.
• Grants from the International Development Assistance for Partnerships with Canadians Programming is down from $146M in 2025-2026 to $71M in 2026-2027. Contributions hold steady at $248M.
• Grants from the International Development Assistance for Bilateral Programming to support regional or country-specific holds at $33.48M. Contributions are down from $414M to $388M.

Notes to Editors

Cooperation Canada is the national voice for Canadian international development and humanitarian organizations. Representing over 100 organizations, we convene, coordinate and advocate for effective, inclusive and accountable international cooperation that contributes to a fairer, safer and more sustainable world.

Media Contact

Gabriel Karasz-Perriau, Senior Communications Manager
gkaraszperriau@cooperation.ca
(514) 945-0309