Advocates demand Carney clarify feminist foreign policy, spending on women and LGBTQ+

By Canadian Press on December 2, 2025.

OTTAWA — Dozens of advocates for women and LGBTQ+ people in Canada and abroad are demanding clarity from the Carney government on its message shift on feminism.

In an open letter co-ordinated by Oxfam Canada, 92 organizations and 162 individuals say they’re deeply concerned by Prime Minister Mark Carney’s recent statement that Canada supports equality but no longer has a feminist foreign policy.

The letter was issued after Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand insisted last week that Canada will still champion these causes.

The letter calls on Ottawa to commit to its decade-long pledge on sexual health and multi-year plan to promote women in peace and security roles, while continuing to fund programs that support LGBTQ+ people and women.

The advocates are asking Carney to reappoint an ambassador for women, peace and security, after the role expired and Global Affairs Canada folded the position into an internal role touching on transnational conflict.

Advocates say they want Ottawa “to apply feminist analysis and incorporate specific gender-equality investments across all dimensions of Canada’s foreign policy,” including trade.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 2, 2025.

Dylan Robertson, The Canadian Press