MONTREAL – The Green Party of Canada is calling for a new era of strategic autonomy, continued commitment to multilateralism, diplomacy, and democratic alliances to protect Canada’s sovereignty in a world increasingly shaped by instability, aggression, and economic coercion.

“As global tensions rise and revisionist powers—including Russia, China, and the United States—threaten democratic norms and international stability, Canada must no longer remain passive,” said Jonathan Pedneault, co-leader of the Green Party of Canada. “We must assert our sovereignty at every level—from defence procurement to international diplomacy—and build a coalition of democratic nations that can collectively resist authoritarian pressure and safeguard shared values.”

The Green Party’s foreign and defence policy proposals are grounded in Canada’s longstanding commitment to peace, human rights, and multilateralism—but adapted to meet the urgent demands of today’s geopolitical landscape.

Greens propose a strategic foreign policy fit for a new era by: 

  • Building a Global Democratic Alliance: Greens propose forming a new bloc of democratic nations—including the EU, UK, Norway, Ukraine, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, India, Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines—to coordinate economic, diplomatic, and security responses to growing threats from authoritarian states. Such an alliance would have a combined GDP of US$39.3 trillion – larger than the US at US$25.5 trillion – and an estimated 5.8 million active military personnel, more than four times the size of the US military and roughly the equivalent of the total number of Chinese, Russian and US troops.
  • Reforming Defence Procurement and Industry: Greens will immediately suspend the $80 billion F-35 deal and the $10 billion Boeing surveillance contract, exploring alternatives with European and Canadian partners, including Bombardier. The Green plan includes revitalizing domestic production through an expanded national shipbuilding strategy—from Halifax to North Vancouver via St. John, the Gaspé Peninsula, Lévis and Sorel-Tracy—and retooling the Canadian defence sector with Canadian materials and talent.
  • Enhancing Refugee Protection and Immigration Infrastructure: Greens call for the immediate suspension of the Safe Third Country Agreement due to US human rights violations, and for major investments in refugee resettlement, IRCC staffing, and local integration programs. Refugee protection is a legal duty and a moral imperative.
  • Economic Sovereignty and Resource Security: To protect Canadian workers and industries from foreign interference, Greens will end the “rip and ship” model and create strategic reserves through Crown corporations. With “Saving Canada Bonds” and CPP investment, Canadians can directly invest in their own economic resilience. Greens will also repeal U.S.-influenced IP restrictions to restore Canadians’ right to repair and modify the tools they own.
  • Human Rights and International Law: The Green Party condemns all violations of international law, including mass displacement and occupation. Canada must continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Ukraine and forcefully condemn the ongoing genocide in Gaza, implement sanctions and a two-way arms embargo with Israel and recognize Palestine. It should also work more actively to address ongoing large-scale conflict-induced humanitarian crises in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo and assist a democratic transition in Syria. 
  • Strengthening Canada’s Global Role Through Aid: In the face of American withdrawal from global leadership, Greens propose a substantial increase in international development funding to support democracy, peace-building, and climate resilience.
  • Building a Fit-for-Purpose Canadian Defence: Greens reject NATO’s arbitrary spending benchmarks. Instead, we propose revising Canada’s military doctrine to prepare for a new era of uncertainty, including strengthening Arctic and infrastructure defence, building strategic ammunition reserves, and training a National Civilian Defence Corps to protect the country in the event of occupation or domestic disruption. Greater cooperation with European allies and civilian preparedness campaigns will be key pillars of this shift.

“The world is shifting rapidly, and Canada cannot continue to rely on old assumptions and fragile alliances,” said Elizabeth May, Green co-leader. “What the Greens are offering is a bold, peace-driven, independent foreign policy rooted in justice and sovereignty, while continuing its work with multilateral organizations like the United Nations. Canada can and must lead—not with weapons and fear, but with principle, courage, and vision.”


#####

For more information or to arrange an interview : 

Fabrice Lachance Nové

Press secretary

514-463-0021

media@greenparty.ca

Rod Legget

Senior Advisor, Strategic Communications

613-203-1524

media@greenparty.ca