Die-In on Parliament Hill as Trump Retreats from Global Aid
OTTAWA, June 16, 2025 – This morning, activists gathered on Parliament Hill to stage a symbolic “die-in” for the millions of people whose lives are at risk due to drastic cuts to global aid. As some G7 countries pull back from their commitments, Canadians stepped forward—performing CPR on fellow participants in a powerful visual message that Canada can be a lifeline in a time of global retreat.
Participants are calling on Canada to step in.
Canada’s Prime Minister Mark Carney said if the USA and other allies won’t lead, Canada will. Canadians are calling for the Government to make that a reality.
As the “die-in” started, some participants, wearing Canadian flags as capes, delivered CPR to revive the lives lost. Canada has a choice: continue increasing investments in official development assistance (ODA) or step back as others have, with devastating consequences.
The event highlighted how diseases like HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, and neglected tropical diseases are resurging in the wake of global budget cuts, with thousands of lives already lost due to treatment disruptions.
“This is a moment for Canada to show the world what leadership really means,” said Dr. Robyn Waite, founder of the Global Sentinels Movement. “When others step back, Canada must step up for people and the planet and make smart, life-saving investments that build health systems, protect communities, and create a safer world for all of us.”
The action comes as pressure mounts on G7 governments to restore or increase their aid budgets. According to the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Impact Tracker, over 60,000 adults and nearly 6,500 children with HIV/AIDs have died already due to recent funding freezes from the U.S. government alone. The ripple effects are being felt across Africa, Latin America, and other vulnerable regions, as health programs are scaled back and essential medicine supplies dwindle.
“Canada’s global engagement is an investment in a safer, more stable future—not just for others, but for ourselves,” said Louis Bélanger of Bigger than our Borders. “In a world facing overlapping crises, Canada has a responsibility to lead with courage and conviction. We can’t solve every problem, but we can lead by example—and right now, the world needs hopeful, principled leadership more than ever.”
As part of today’s action, advocates shared real-world stories from communities around the world where people are missing out on treatment, food, and education because of funding gaps. These voices served as a reminder that the choices made in budgets and boardrooms have a direct impact on people’s lives.
The organizers are calling on Prime Minister Mark Carney to use his leadership on the global stage to push G7 partners to reverse course, and to ensure Canada does not fall behind. With lives on the line, this is the time for bold, compassionate action.
ADDITIONAL QUOTES:
Abrupt funding cuts to USAID are estimated to result in 30,000 additional deaths due to untreated Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) within one year. Additionally, more than 100 million donated medicines for the prevention and treatment of NTDs are set to expire within the next 9 months if funding continues to stagnate. Canada has an opportunity this year as the G7 Presidency to lead some of the richest nations to step up global efforts to address preventable, treatable diseases like NTDs to ensure a healthier world for all. – Tina Lines, Advocacy and Policy Officer, Canadian Network for NTDs.
With a broader trend of cutting resources for global health and ODA, we’re here to remind G7 leaders that global security is about investing in more than military procurement and defense; the Global Fund to Fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria has a 20+ year track record in delivering on programs that place people at the centre and create more security; health security but also economic stability. With the potential to deliver returns on investment of 19:1, the Global Fund is looking for at least $18 billion dollars this year to invest in people who with better health can go back to school, or work, or being leaders in their communities and in the context of retreat by some G7 leaders, we’re looking for PM Carney and others to step in and mitigate the insecurity that will increase if ODA cuts proceed at this pace. - Katy Kydd Wright, Director, Global Fund Advocates Network