Canada’s Minister of International Development and La Francophonie, Marie-Claude Bibeau has discussed about the feminist shift of Canada’s International Assistance Policy during a conference organized by the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations.

The goal of this new policy is to end global poverty by 2030. According to the government, the best way to end poverty is by giving the necessary means to girls and women so they can develop their full potential. The IBCR attended this event and it was a great occasion to know more about these new policy changes.

The minister has elaborated on three major changes. First, Canada wants to reinforce power for girls and women by investing in services concerning sexual and reproductive health, part of the women and children health program. Canada is also committed to making its programs more flexible and predictable so the long-term commitments are fulfilled. At last, the policy will support local women organizations. Mrs Bibeau also took the opportunity to discuss about the Women’s Voice and Leadership Program as well as the new WE-Fi mechanism to promote leadership of women in developing countries.