Outgoing Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has come under fire for spending $11.2 billion on gender equality and female empowerment programs abroad while Canada grapples with a deepening budget deficit, according to a report by the Western Standard.
The expenditures were made under Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy, an initiative championed by Trudeau to promote women’s rights and empowerment globally. The prime minister, who has consistently identified as a feminist politician, previously stated that his administration would “put women and girls at the center of everything we do in international assistance,” arguing that such policies benefit everyone.
However, critics argue that these international aid commitments have come at a steep cost to Canada’s fiscal health. Since Trudeau took office in 2015, Canada’s national debt has more than doubled, surging from $693.8 billion to approximately $1.4 trillion by March 2025. The country has also faced persistent budget deficits, raising concerns about long-term economic sustainability.
With Trudeau set to leave office, his economic legacy remains a contentious issue. Supporters argue that his feminist policies have contributed to global progress in gender equality, while opponents accuse him of prioritizing ideological spending over domestic financial stability. As Canada’s leadership transitions, debate over government spending and debt management is expected to intensify.
