LETTER: ‘Canada first’ mantra puts global aid at risk

Published 6:00 pm Thursday, July 9, 2026

Canada’s flag waves in the waterfront breeze on Canada Day 2026. (Hayley McLeod/Contributed to Peace Arch News)

The news surrounding the recent Canada Day celebrations have reminded me how although the “buy Canadian” mantra that has been adopted in recent years comes from a noble place, it risks becoming an overgeneralization that could discourage foreign aid.

In your recent article, when talking about the Canada Day celebration at the Bill Reid Millennium Amphitheatre, Surrey Mayor Brenda Locke stated that revenue from the entertainment industry needs to be kept in Surrey.

Although prioritizing supporting Canadian industries and businesses started out in response to the U.S. tariffs on Canadian exports, we are at risk of swinging the pendulum too far in the other direction.

The budget cuts to the Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget suggest that the Canadian government views foreign aid as less of a priority. However, organizations advocating for global poverty reduction such as The Borgen Project claim that foreign aid creates mutually beneficial relationships between countries. Providing food, water, education, and essential medical care strengthens the economies of low-income countries and improves trade relations with Canada.

While supporting Canadian businesses is important, providing aid overseas is a win for everyone.