The Government of Canada is developing a feminist foreign policy and hopes to launch it in March 2021. The Feminist Foreign Policy Working Group contributed three reports to the policy-making process and all of them can be accessed here. Canada launched its Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP) in June 2017 but, to date, there has not been a policy document outlining Canada’s feminist foreign policy principles, approach, and commitments. There is much debate and discussion internationally around what a feminist foreign policy should or could include, just as there are many definitions of feminism. The time is right for a Canadian articulation of this important policy. Currently, there are varying thoughts towards the policies that are going to be implemented but it is one step in the right direction for our Country and our Liberal government. In February 2020, Minister of Foreign Affairs François-Philippe Champagne announced that he would work with civil society to launch a white paper on Canada’s feminist foreign policy by the end of the year. Here are some more reads for information about the new policy: The Centre for Feminist Foreign Policy- CFFP https://centreforfeministforeignpolicy.org/feminist-foreign-policy Canada’s Feminist Foreign Policy- The Canadian Encyclopedia https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/canada-s-feminist-foreign-policy ...
Read More

January 22 is the monumental day when nuclear weapons become illegal worldwide as the Treaty for the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons enters into force. Of course, Canada, however, has refused to join other countries that have decided to sign the treaty and be part of this monumental event. This is the time to act and learn more about ways in which we can encourage the leaders of this nation to continue advocating for peace. This is a pivotal moment in the anti-war movement. It is inspiring to see groups from all corners of the globe organizing actions in support of this day. Here are some key events to put on your calendar. Show support, spread the word, and mobilize those countries that have not signed the treaty to urge them to act through all or some of these ways: Mines Action Canada: If you or anyone you know live near the Salish Sea (Juan de Fuca Strait, Georgia Strait, Puget Sound so Victoria, Vancouver, Nanaimo, the Gulf Islands, Seattle, Bellingham, Port Angeles etc.), please join our photo action celebrate entry into force. All the details are here: https://www.minesactioncanada.org/salishsea_photoaction. Screening & Discussion of the Award- Winning Film: The Man Who Saved ...
Read More

On November 9, 2020 WILPF Canada submitted the following statement in response to the call from Global Affairs Canada to contribute to a dialogue on Canada's Feminist Foreign Policy: Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom, Canada Section We, the members of WILPF Canada, applaud the Government of Canada for adopting a feminist approach to foreign policy and for appointing a dedicated Women, Peace and Security Ambassador, Ms. Jacqueline O’Neil, thus giving Canadians an opportunity for ongoing contact with her office on women and peace issues. We are also proud of the fact that following the World Conference on Women in Beijing in 1995, Canada has on several occasions reaffirmed its commitment to protect and promote the rights of women consistent with the Charter of the UN, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women and other international human rights groups dedicated to the elimination of all forms of violence against women. In addition, following the Women Deliver conference held in Vancouver in 2019, the Canadian government set aside $300 million and established the Equality Fund to support women’s organizations around the world. It truly assists the efforts of women to bring cultural, economic and political ...
Read More

On October 29, 2020, WILPF Canada added its name to the list of Canadian public interest groups opposing federal funds for the development of small nuclear reactors, described as "a dirty, dangerous distraction from tackling the climate crisis." For more on this issue, see https://miningwatch.ca/news/2020/10/20/groups-say-federal-funding-new-nuclear-reactors-dirty-dangerous-distraction-tackling ...
Read More

Dyane Brown, WILPF Nanaimo, has sent the following letter to Trudeau, the  Defence minister, the Foreign Affairs minister, and MP Paul Manly. Dear Prime Minister Trudeau, We are very concerned that in the midst of this pandemic  that you are considering spending $19 billion on the purchase of  88 combat planes. These fighter jets are incredibly expensive to maintain costing  $15,000 an hour to run and leaving a  huge carbon footprint. They will not protect Canada but will be used to further destabilize the world. We urge you to change the direction of this government to focus, not on war, but on peace. We urge you to take the following steps: Cancel the call for new fighter jets Sign the Treaty to Prohibit Nuclear Weapons Find ways to work towards peace within NATO or leave NATO. We do not need to belong to a military alliance that has shown itself to be aggressive and provocative, bombing Serbia, Libya, Syria and Iran, and now engaging in provocative actions near Russia’s borders. Direct funds from the military budget to ensure that primary needs of Canadians are being met, needs like good health, clean water and shelter. Canada’s military budget is the 14th highest in the world ...
Read More