Latest news with #GlobalAffairsCanada
Winnipeg Free Press
a day ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Ottawa silent on replacements as special ambassador positions open up
OTTAWA – The Carney government is not saying whether it will keep appointing ambassadors on themes championed by the Trudeau cabinet, now that terms are lapsing for Ottawa's envoys on climate and women in security. But a prominent observer of the foreign service says it's likely Ottawa will fill these roles by autumn. Catherine Stewart, Canada's ambassador for climate change, left her post in March. Her term was set to expire at the end of this month. Prime Minister Mark Carney waits to speak during a tour of a steel manufacturing facility in Hamilton, Ont., on Wednesday, July 16, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young Also in March, and just days after Prime Minister Mark Carney took office, Jacqueline O'Neill's term as Canada's ambassador for women, peace and security ended on schedule. Both posts were created to advance Canadian values abroad. The federal government also announced in December the creation of an Arctic ambassadorship. The government has not said when that post might be filled. Canadian LGBTQ+ groups have called for years for Ottawa to appoint a special ambassador for LGBTQ+ rights, similar to the one France has and the U.S. had under the previous Biden administration. Carney's office did not respond when asked if he would appoint an LGBTQ+ envoy, maintain the postings that have lapsed or appoint an Arctic ambassador. Questions on envoys come as the government asks Global Affairs Canada to find budget cuts of 7.5 per cent starting next spring — part of the government's efforts to meet defence spending targets. Global Affairs Canada said it's up to cabinet to decide whether Ottawa will appoint an envoy for women, peace and security, or WPS. Department spokeswoman Brittany Fletcher said that the National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security 'continues to be co-ordinated by Global Affairs Canada, and is supported by nine other federal partner departments and agencies.' WPS diplomacy recognizes the disproportionate impact of war on women and girls and promotes their leadership in peacebuilding and conflict prevention. Canada has been a champion of WPS since the Stephen Harper's Conservative government. Canada appointed a WPS ambassador in 2019, using a strategic framework that noted Ottawa had 'developed a reputation for leadership' in the field while acknowledging that the concept had faced 'powerful backlash' abroad. 'Some long-standing champions of WPS are faltering in their support, and opponents are exploiting their disunity,' the framework noted. Katrina Leclerc, chair of the Women, Peace and Security Network-Canada, said it's 'deeply concerning' that the ambassador's post has been vacant for four months. Leclerc told The Canadian Press it's important to have a point person to co-ordinate the work of civil society, government departments and international colleagues. 'While a policy or national action plan is important, without institutional leadership like the ambassador, implementation risks becoming fragmented or deprioritized,' she said in an email. 'This is not merely a symbolic role — it provides the necessary structure and strategy to embed WPS priorities across Canada's diplomacy, development and defence portfolios.' She noted that Carney initially scrapped a ministerial role dedicated to gender equality before restoring it in response to public blowback. 'At a time when we're witnessing democratic backsliding, conflict and gender-based violence globally, Canada's absence of a WPS ambassador risks signalling a step back from its feminist commitments,' she wrote. Environment Canada said it's up to the cabinet to decide whether to appoint a new ambassador for climate change, on the advice of the foreign affairs and environment ministers. Colin Robertson, a former Canadian diplomat and vice-president of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute, said he expects the various appointments to be made this fall. 'We don't have to make these appointments, really, until September,' he said. 'I wouldn't read anything into the fact that these positions have lapsed.' Robertson said Carney has a keen interest in foreign policy and is probably looking at people who would be good ambassadors, including people from outside the foreign service. Carney likely is looking for envoys with the political savvy to manage delicate relations with the U.S. while advancing Canada's distinct interests, Robertson said. 'He's probably got several lists in front of him and he's mulling them over,' he said. 'He moves quickly, but he also spends attention.' The federal government says it does intend to name a new special envoy on preserving Holocaust remembrance and combating antisemitism. Deborah Lyons retired from the role three months before the scheduled end of her term. Canadian Heritage department spokeswoman Ines Akué said that 'a new special envoy will be appointed in due course.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 22, 2025.
Winnipeg Free Press
2 days ago
- Health
- Winnipeg Free Press
Health advocates urge Carney not to delay pledge for UN Global Fund fighting AIDS, TB
OTTAWA – AIDS activists are urging the federal government to quickly renew Canada's support for fighting infectious diseases abroad, warning delays will further hinder global efforts to combat key illnesses. 'While some of the other nations around the world are retreating right now from investing in global health, Canada can and should be stepping forward swiftly, to save lives,' said Justin McAuley, a director with the Canadian branch of the ONE Campaign. His group is among 24 Canadian civil society organizations that asked the government to allocate $1.37 billion over three years for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. The fund is affiliated with the United Nations, and it supports developing countries in limiting and treating the three preventable illnesses, which in many regions are among the leading causes of death. Canada is one of the world's top supporters of the fund, which makes up the largest chunk of Ottawa's global health spending. Canada has contributed nearly $5 billion to the Global Fund since 2002, and the fund estimates it has saved 65 million lives in that time. Countries replenish the fund every three years, with their contributions usually rising over time as health-care systems build more capacity to treat and prevent these diseases. In each cycle, civil society groups issue what they call a fair-share metric to reflect how much each wealthy country can reasonably pledge to help the fund reach its goals. The office of Randeep Sarai, secretary of state for international development, referred questions about the $1.37 billion request to Global Affairs Canada. 'Canada looks forward to working together as part of the Global Fund partnership to secure a successful eighth replenishment of the fund this year,' the department wrote in a statement. 'Discussions regarding Canada's pledge are ongoing.' McAuley said he hopes Ottawa announces its pledge soon, to build momentum for other countries to follow suit. 'Canada has a unique role and legacy to play in the global health space,' he said. 'Our momentum will mean something on the world stage — if we come out early, and don't wait for the last minute.' Results Canada, another group asking Ottawa to meet the civil society target, noted the G7 summit that Canada hosted in Alberta 'focused on trade, conflict and climate — but overlooked two of the most powerful tools for global stability: health and education.' That has put the legacy of the Global Fund 'under threat,' the group argued in an email campaign. 'As countries cut international assistance, decades of hard-won gains hang in the balance.' UNAIDS reported on July 10 that HIV infections and deaths continue to drop, but sudden cuts by the United States and others 'threaten to reverse years of progress in the response to HIV.' U.S. Republicans recently reversed plans to cut PEPFAR, the world's largest HIV program, but Washington is still on track to slash its contribution to the Global Fund. Countries normally make pledges at an organized conference, such as the last cycle when prime minister Justin Trudeau visited the United Nations in New York in 2022. This year, there is no pledging conference, though McAuley expects leaders of large economies to make pledges before visiting South Africa for the G20 summit in November. Wednesdays Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture. He said global health is already under pressure from armed conflicts, climate-related events and the ongoing recovery of health systems from cutbacks during the COVID-19 pandemic. Rich countries are cutting back on foreign aid as they increase military spending. Prime Minister Mark Carney promised in last spring's election to not cut foreign aid spending or development financing, though this was before he launched a review of government spending and committed to large amounts of military-related spending. McAuley said Carney ought to meet the metric outlined by civil society, or he'll be offside with his two last predecessors. 'Both Harper and Trudeau repeatedly stepped up and did Canada's fair share,' he said. 'Is Carney going to break that pattern now and step back?' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 21, 2025.
Globe and Mail
3 days ago
- Health
- Globe and Mail
Belgium investigating death of Canadian woman at Tomorrowland music festival
A spokeswoman for the Tomorrowland music festival says a Canadian woman has died after attending the large gathering in Belgium. Debby Wilmsen says in an emailed statement that a 35-year-old Canadian woman fell ill at the festival on Friday. She says the woman was given first aid and then taken to University Hospital of Antwerp, but festival organizers were told Saturday morning that the woman had died. Wilmsen says the Antwerp public prosecutor's office is investigating the cause of death. The Antwerp public prosecutor's office did not respond to requests for information on the woman. Global Affairs Canada says it is aware of reports that a Canadian woman has died in Belgium but said it would not release information due to privacy considerations. Sabrina Williams, spokeswoman for Global Affairs Canada, says it is in contact with local authorities. A massive fire engulfed the main stage two days before the annual music festival began Friday in the town of Boom, north of Brussels. Tomorrowland draws tens of thousands of visitors from around Europe and runs across two weekends, ending July 27.
CBC
4 days ago
- Health
- CBC
Canadian woman dies after falling ill at Belgium's Tomorrowland music festival
A spokesperson for the Tomorrowland music festival says a Canadian woman has died after attending the large gathering in Belgium. Debby Wilmsen said in an emailed statement that a 35-year-old Canadian woman fell ill at the festival on Friday. She said the woman was given first aid and then taken to Antwerp University Hospital, but festival organizers were told Saturday morning that the woman had died. Wilmsen said the Antwerp public prosecutor's office is investigating the cause of death. The office did not respond to requests for information on the woman. Global Affairs Canada said it is aware of reports that a Canadian woman has died in Belgium but said it would not release information due to privacy considerations. Spokesperson Sabrina Williams said Global Affairs Canada is in contact with local authorities. A massive fire engulfed the main stage two days before the annual music festival began on Friday in the town of Boom, north of Brussels. Tomorrowland draws tens of thousands of visitors from around Europe and runs across two weekends, ending on July 27.
Vancouver Sun
4 days ago
- Vancouver Sun
Canadian woman has died after attending music festival in Belgium, Tomorrowland says
A spokeswoman for the Tomorrowland music festival says a Canadian woman has died after attending the large gathering in Belgium. Debby Wilmsen says in an emailed statement that a 35-year-old Canadian woman fell ill at the festival on Friday. She says the woman was given first aid and then taken to University Hospital of Antwerp, but festival organizers were told Saturday morning that the woman had died. Wilmsen says the Antwerp public prosecutor's office is investigating the cause of death. The Antwerp public prosecutor's office did not respond to requests for information on the woman. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Global Affairs Canada says it is aware of reports that a Canadian woman has died in Belgium but said it would not release information due to privacy considerations. Sabrina Williams, spokeswoman for Global Affairs Canada, says it is in contact with local authorities. A massive fire engulfed the main stage two days before the annual music festival began Friday in the town of Boom, north of Brussels. Tomorrowland draws tens of thousands of visitors from around Europe and runs across two weekends, ending July 27. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
