Responding to global crisis
In times of uncertainty, the G7 has proven what we can accomplish when we come together to address the world’s great challenges.
Over the past year, all our countries and our people have faced an unprecedented threat to the health of our citizens and our economies – a global fight that continues. But in the face of challenge and hardship, we’ve come a long way by remaining firm in our commitment to do whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, to keep our people safe, healthy and supported. As vaccines continue to roll out around the world and we work to finish the fight against COVID-19, both at home and globally, Canada and our partners will continue to put people first and build a recovery where no one is left behind.
At home, Canada has been working to address both the health and economic impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic has had on our people, businesses and communities. Since the start of the crisis, we’ve provided the necessary support that has helped families put food on the table and businesses keep their doors open. We’ve also been unwavering in our pursuit to keep Canadians safe and healthy during this crisis.
Now, as more and more Canadians receive their COVID-19 vaccine, we’re continuing to make investments that address the specific wounds of the COVID-19 recession, create jobs, grow the middle class, set businesses on a track for long-term growth and ensure that Canada’s future will be healthier, more equitable, greener and more prosperous.
Canada also understands that to beat COVID-19 at home, we must beat it everywhere. That’s why we have been working alongside our G7 partners to ensure a coordinated approach to bring this pandemic to an end and put the international community on the path to recovery. To date, Canada has been one of the leading contributors to the global COVID-19 response, pledging more than $2.5 billion in international assistance since the start of the crisis.
That includes significant funding for the ACT-Accelerator and COVAX, which are critical international partnerships to ensure equitable access to COVID-19 tests, treatments and vaccines. Canada has also stepped up to rally other countries to work together to secure global supply chains, and we will continue to work with partners as we get closer to recovering from this crisis.
We recognise, as we begin to rebuild, that Canada, like its G7 partners, is fortunate to have resources to invest in our health system and the economic rebound to come. However, some countries are not as well equipped. We need to be there for developing countries in this challenging time and take on global challenges, such as extreme poverty and inequalities, together. The G7 has an important role to play in ensuring that we do not allow the pandemic to permanently set back the recent progress of developing economies, and can help create jobs, opportunities and growth for everyone.
We must also continue to carefully consider and address the disproportionate impacts that the virus has had on women, youth, and marginalised and racialised groups, both in our current response and as we rebuild for the future. Canada is working through the G7 and the G20, as well as the United Nations and other international organisations to ensure that the legacy of this crisis isn’t one of rolling back progress for anyone. That means tackling the She-cession that has developed from the virus, working to close the gender gap, and continuing to address systemic racism and barriers, both at home and around the world.
Building back better must also include a continued commitment from G7 countries to strengthen democratic institutions around the world. We must all play a role in ensuring respect for human rights and the rule of law, in order to prevent persecution and mistreatment of all our people.
While we set our sights on finishing the fight against this virus and fully recovering from its impacts, we must do so in a way that also addresses the other global challenges we face. We cannot have a plan for the future of the economy without having a plan for the environment and for fighting climate change.
We need to meet this unprecedented challenge with unprecedented commitments – just as we have for the pandemic. This includes committing to net zero by 2050, reducing Canada’s pollution levels, and financing the transition to cleaner economies that will create jobs and grow the middle class. The G7 partners are well aligned on this, and together we have an opportunity to advance meaningful climate action at the G7 and G20, leading to COP26 in November.
The rapid global spread of COVID-19 has affected our citizens, tested our healthcare systems and challenged our economies. It has also shown how interconnected we are and shown that no country can address these challenges alone. Only together can we finish the fight against this global crisis and rebuild in a way that creates jobs, growth and opportunity for everyone. The G7 is working together to find real solutions to the challenges of today and tomorrow, so we can build a brighter, more prosperous shared future.
