Canada adopted its most recent National Action Plan (NAP) for the period 2023-2029. This is preceded by two other NAPs, adopted in 2017 for the period 2017-2022 and in 2010 for the period 2010-2016.
Compared to the 2017–2022 National Action Plan, the 2023–2029 Foundations for Peace introduces several changes that reflect both lessons learned and evolving global challenges. These include:
- Domestic Commitments: The 2023–2029 NAP includes more extensive domestic commitments than previous plans. These address emerging global issues that also have local impacts, such as the rise in climate emergencies and the increase in technology-facilitated gender-based violence. Notably, the plan specifically acknowledges threats targeting women peacebuilders and human rights defenders both in Canada and abroad.
- Deeper Engagement with Indigenous Communities: The NAP places greater emphasis on addressing gender-based discrimination, violence, oppression, and marginalization faced by women in Canada, particularly Indigenous women, girls, Two-Spirit, and gender-diverse people. It recognizes that leadership by Indigenous women and gender-diverse individuals is essential for achieving sustainable peace and security for all.
- Integration of an Intersectional Feminist Approach: Building on insights from previous plans, the 2023–2029 NAP further develops an intersectional feminist framework.
In 2017, Canada adopted a Feminist International Assistance Policy. The policy’s core priority is identified as gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, with five additional supporting priorities: human dignity; growth that works for everyone; environment and climate action; inclusive governance; and peace and security.
Canada is also a contributor to humanitarian aid, including being a contributing donor to the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund, a global partnership that works to empower women in conflict zones and humanitarian crises. Canada is also a partner of the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-Based Violence in Emergencies, a multi-stakeholder initiative that aims to mitigate and provide accountability for gender-based violence in humanitarian emergencies. In 2019, Canada was UN Women’s seventh-largest other resources contributor with USD 9.6 million and the tenth-largest total government contributor with USD 14.4 million.
At the multilateral level, Canada was most recently a candidate for a non-permanent position at the United Nations Security Council for the period 2021-2022, but was not elected.