Statement on International Day for the Eradication of Poverty

October 17, 2020 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Honourable Karina Gould, Minister of International Development, today issued the following statement:

“On the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, we recognize the urgency of accelerating progress toward ending poverty so that no one is left behind. Through the Feminist International Assistance Policy, Canada is working to help the poorest and those in vulnerable situations by making gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls central to our efforts. This year’s theme—Acting Together to Achieve Social and Environmental Justice for All—underlines that we cannot address poverty unless we address the inequities that are at its root.

“This year, we also see how the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed systemic weaknesses and gaps, resulting in economic and health-care crises that disproportionately affect the poorest and those in vulnerable situations. Gender inequality has been exacerbated by the pandemic, threatening decades of progress for women and girls.

“The COVID-19 crisis is creating significant challenges for all countries to eradicate poverty and maintain their development goals. This is especially true for countries in special situations, including least developed countries, landlocked developing countries, small island developing states and fragile and conflict-affected states.

“Canada is doing its part around the world to help countries in their efforts to end poverty and build more resilient and inclusive societies. In September, Canada announced an additional $400 million in international development funding in 2020 and committed to increased investments in international assistance.

“Canada is also playing a leadership role in the Financing for Development in the Era of COVID-19 and Beyond initiative, in collaboration with the United Nations and Jamaica. This process is charting a course toward mitigating the socio-economic and financial effects of the pandemic by enabling developing countries to access the financing they need to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

“We cannot afford to lose the achievements made over the last several decades toward building a more peaceful, prosperous, inclusive, resilient and sustainable world. Now, more than ever, we need a coordinated global response to eradicate poverty, and Canada is there.”