UNICEF Canada urging more ambition to support children following 2025 federal budget

TORONTO, November 4, 2025 – Following the release of today’s federal budget, UNICEF Canada is calling on the government to fill critical gaps that will impact children in Canada and around the world. Despite maintaining key domestic social programs, this budget lacks sufficient “generational investments” for children and youth.    

More investment needed in children’s well-being in Canada 

UNICEF Canada welcomes today’s news of sustained investments to support children across Canada through supports like the National School Food Program, Canada Child Benefit, and affordable childcare. However, deeper ambition is needed to protect the future of these foundational programs.   

There is also a concerning lack of investment in youth mental health in today’s budget. In Canada, 1 in 5 youth report being bullied, with just as many saying they are lonely, and adolescent suicide rates remain high. More must be done to support young people and their families.   

Canada ranks 19th out of 36 high-income countries on overall child well-being. In the context of rising child poverty and stagnating well-being outcomes, UNICEF Canada urges the government to strengthen national programs for children and their families. Our future economic growth, national stability, and opportunities to innovate depends on it.  

“Today, one in five children in Canada is stepping through the stages of childhood development in poverty; ours is one of the worst performing high-income countries by this measure,” said Sevaun Palvetzian, President and CEO, UNICEF Canada. “Today’s budget signals support for some of the fundamental childhood needs – protecting the National School Food Program and Canada Child Benefit, for example, but it misses the mark on youth mental health, a critical aspect of children’s overall well-being. We are calling for deeper supports to see Canada become the best place in the world to be and raise a child.” 

Decreased foreign aid puts children at risk 

Globally, an estimated 213 million children need critical lifesaving and life-changing humanitarian support. At a time of unprecedented global need, UNICEF Canada is disappointed to see planned cuts to foreign aid, which threaten critical gains in children’s health and survival.   

With these reductions, Canada has missed a key leadership opportunity to continue providing sustainable, critical international assistance. UNICEF Canada urges the government to prioritize long-term, child-focused global investments that build safer, more resilient societies.   

“Our place in the world isn’t determined through trade, diplomacy or defence alone,” said Sevaun Palvetzian, President and CEO, UNICEF Canada. “Funding foreign aid isn’t a luxury; it’s a strategic foreign policy lever with tangible returns. It helps secure international cooperation, opens trade opportunities, and helps foster stability. Today’s budget cuts to foreign aid are a missed opportunity to help save more children's lives globally, and for Canada to invest in a fairer, more stable, secure world." 

UNICEF Canada is committed to working in partnership with the federal government to uphold our shared commitment to children and to build a more stable, resilient and prosperous world.