Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand says the federal government will restore Canada’s envoy for women, peace and security in the coming weeks, signalling a shift in Ottawa’s approach after the position was allowed to lapse more than a year ago.
Anand made the announcement during remarks at the Ottawa Civic Space Summit, where she confirmed the role will return as part of Canada’s broader diplomatic engagement on global security and gender equality. Speaking at the event, she explained that the position helps connect Canada’s longstanding support for sexual rights and efforts to combat gender based violence with a renewed emphasis on defence and international stability.
The women, peace and security framework recognizes that conflicts and wars often affect women and girls differently and disproportionately. The initiative also promotes stronger participation by women in peacebuilding, conflict prevention, and leadership roles in international security discussions.
Canada has supported this diplomatic approach for years, including during the Conservative government of former prime minister Stephen Harper, when the framework became part of the country’s international engagement strategy.
The earlier decision to allow the envoy role to expire drew criticism from humanitarian organizations and advocacy groups, which argued the position played an important role in advancing Canada’s commitments on gender equality and conflict prevention abroad. Some critics also pointed to comments from Prime Minister Mark Carney indicating he would not describe Canada’s foreign policy as feminist, raising questions about the government’s broader direction on gender related diplomacy.
