Canada international development efforts focus on reducing poverty and supporting women and girls, education, employment, health, food security and climate resilience in developing countries. The Secretary of State for International Development said these efforts can also benefit Canadians by addressing global health risks, food insecurity, migration pressures and economic instability.
In an interview with StudioX News, the Secretary of State explained that Canada’s international assistance is not only about helping people overseas. Because countries and economies are increasingly interconnected, developments abroad can directly affect Canadians through public health, food prices, migration, security and trade.
What Canada International Development Involves
The Secretary of State said Canada’s international development work focuses on countries facing poverty and other significant challenges.
The work includes efforts to improve opportunities for women and girls, expand access to education and employment, support sexual and reproductive health, address the effects of climate change, and strengthen energy and agricultural systems.
Food security is another important area, including helping countries improve agricultural production, food storage and the overall reliability of their food supply.
The Secretary of State said Canada, along with other developed countries including G7 nations, has a commitment to supporting international development and helping reduce poverty.
Why International Aid Matters to Canadians
One of the key messages from the interview was that international development can also have domestic benefits for Canada.
The Secretary of State pointed to global health as one example. Diseases that emerge or spread in other parts of the world can eventually affect other countries, including Canada. International efforts to control infectious diseases therefore have implications beyond the countries receiving assistance.
Food security is another example.
The interview referenced the impact of the war in Ukraine on global potash and food prices. The Secretary of State argued that helping countries increase their food production can contribute to greater global supply, which can ultimately help reduce pressure on food prices, including in Canada.
Development, Migration and Stability
The Secretary of State also connected international development with migration.
According to the interview, helping people live more safely and securely in their own countries, while supporting peace, education and economic opportunities, can reduce some of the pressures that contribute to people leaving their homes.
Creating employment opportunities for young people was also highlighted as an important part of development policy. The Secretary of State said that education and employment can provide young people with alternatives to extremist or violent groups and contribute to greater stability.
Balancing International Responsibilities With Surrey
Alongside the international development portfolio, the Secretary of State said there is also a responsibility to represent constituents in Surrey.
The interview described the challenge of balancing cabinet responsibilities with constituency work. The Secretary of State said they try to return to the riding regularly, including coming back on Thursday nights when possible and holding weekend community events such as “Chai with Surrey.”
The Secretary of State also said residents can connect through Zoom when an in-person meeting is not possible.
Local priorities discussed in the interview included access to government services, potential service offices such as Veterans Affairs or Service Canada offices, and infrastructure funding for the City of Surrey.
The Secretary of State cited another $26 million in infrastructure funding for Surrey, in addition to $101 million received less than 12 months earlier.
Canada Looking for Global Opportunities
The interview also touched on Canada’s economic interests as the country faces trade challenges with the United States.
The Secretary of State argued that international development can contribute to long-term economic relationships. When countries receiving Canadian assistance later become more capable of participating in trade or attracting investment, those relationships can create opportunities for Canadian businesses and investors.
The Secretary of State said Canada’s past international assistance can help establish relationships and open doors for Canadian trade and investment.
A Message About Helping Others
Asked for a broader message about compassion and being more humane, the Secretary of State emphasized supporting people who are in need and doing what is right.
The argument was that international development can be both humanitarian and mutually beneficial. Helping countries become more stable and prosperous can create stronger relationships and economic opportunities while improving conditions for the people receiving assistance.
The Secretary of State said Canada’s humanitarian and development reputation remains strong internationally because the country has been present when other countries have needed support.
For Canada, the message is that international development is not simply an overseas responsibility. It is also connected to global health, food security, migration, economic relationships and Canada’s position in an increasingly interconnected world.
Harnaik Singh Rathor is the Founder, Publisher, and Editor-in-Chief of StudioX News Canada, Canada's multilingual digital news network serving diaspora communities across 44 languages. With a background in media production, public relations, and multicultural communications, he founded StudioX Film and TV Corporation to bridge the gap between mainstream Canadian media and the country's diverse immigrant communities. He is a member of the Canadian Association of Journalists (CAJ), RTDNA Canada, CPRS Vancouver, Unifor, NEPMCC, and the Canada Freelance Union. Based in Surrey, British Columbia. | LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/harnaiksinghrathor/ | Muck Rack: https://muckrack.com/harnaiksinghrathor | Email: editor@studioxnews.ca
