Our government’s choices and our voices have an impact around the world. While Canadians often think of our country as dedicated to ending poverty and supporting human rights, many of our government’s polices actually achieve the opposite. Partners in the global South often say that the best way for Canadians to help end injustice is to push for change in our policies.

We want the Canadian government to put human rights, economic justice and community collective rights at the front of its trade, investment and economic policies and legislation. We want Canada to uphold international law in our trade agreements; we want Canadian trade policies to be directed at overcoming exploitation, reducing economic inequalities, and stopping increased privatisation of public services. We want Canada to take a strong stand at the United Nations and other venues in favour of human rights commitments, and to ensure our actions as a nation reflect those commitments.

Get involved

For more details on our work, see our trade overview page and our human rights page. Under focus countries you'll find specific information and action suggestions on the human rights and peace building work of our partners-- and the price they often pay for that work.

Every time we shop, vote, or speak out we can make a decision in support of just trade and human rights. Join our education efforts by planning public events; take action by learning about Canada’s trade and human rights commitments and responding to actions suggested by KAIROS, Southern partners, and many other groups. Learn more about the products you buy and the conditions they’re made under.