OTTAWA — A coalition of advocates for women and LGBTQ+ rights is urging the Carney government to clarify its stance on feminist foreign policy. In an open letter organized by Oxfam Canada, 92 organizations and 162 individuals expressed their concerns regarding Prime Minister Mark Carney's recent remarks. Carney stated that while Canada supports equality, it no longer maintains an explicitly feminist foreign policy.

The letter, dated Monday, highlights the fears of advocates who believe that anti-rights movements are gaining momentum and could undermine progress for women, girls, and gender-diverse individuals. "Anti-rights actors are organizing and looking to roll back gains and make future progress more difficult. Women, girls and gender-diverse people are looking to Canada for support," the letter reads. It further warns that stepping back from a leadership role during a time of global setbacks sends a negative message.

During a press conference at the G20 summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, on November 30, Carney explained that while Canada does not have a feminist foreign policy, it continues to uphold values such as defending LGBTQ+ rights and combating violence against women. "Yes, we have that aspect to our foreign policy, but I wouldn’t describe our foreign policy as feminist foreign policy," he said.

This shift marks a departure from the foreign policy approach of former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's administration. The advocates argue that this change could weaken Canada's historical leadership in gender equality, human rights, and multilateralism. They are calling on the government to reaffirm its decade-long commitment to sexual health and its multi-year plan to enhance women's roles in peace and security.

The letter also requests that Ottawa apply a feminist analysis to all aspects of its foreign policy, including trade and defense. Additionally, the advocates are asking Carney to reappoint an ambassador for women, peace, and security, a position that lapsed in March. Jacqueline O’Neill, the diplomat who previously held the role, has since been reassigned to an internal position related to transnational conflict.

The Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda acknowledges the unique challenges faced by women and girls in conflict situations and promotes their leadership in peacebuilding efforts. Canada has been a proponent of this agenda since the Conservative government led by Stephen Harper. The Trudeau administration established the WPS ambassador role in 2019, emphasizing Canada’s reputation for leadership in this area, despite acknowledging the backlash against such initiatives globally.

The Oxfam letter notes that the backlash against gender equality efforts has intensified in recent years. "With human rights under attack in many regions, civil society leaders argue that Canada has both the opportunity and responsibility to respond," the letter states. It also highlights that anti-rights movements are collaborating across borders to reverse advancements in gender equality.

Signatories of the letter include prominent organizations such as Amnesty International and the Canadian Women’s Foundation, along with various labor unions. Following Carney's comments, some Members of Parliament and senators have pressed Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand to clarify whether specific feminist programs are at risk as the government seeks to cut spending.

Anand reiterated Carney's assertion that Canada continues to promote feminism both domestically and internationally. She pointed to collaborative efforts with other nations to train female peacekeepers. In her speech to the United Nations last fall, she identified values as a key pillar of Canada’s foreign policy, alongside economic security and defense. "We are going to make sure that our commitments to gender equality, human rights, women, and girls will continue in a way that recognizes the new geopolitical and fiscal context, both of which demand a different frame," she told the House foreign affairs committee on November 27.

However, Senators and MPs, including Mary Coyle and Bloc Québécois MP Alexis Brunelle-Duceppe, expressed dissatisfaction with Anand's explanations regarding the rationale behind Carney's shift away from feminism and its potential impact on existing projects and funding.