Policy Statements – Group of 78

The Group of 78 has adopted positions on many international and foreign policy issues, including conclusions and recommendations from its annual policy conferences. These policy statements and positions are provided here.

2025

In a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, the Group of 78 has registered its objection to the Government of Canada’s Bill C-5 on major projects as too rushed and giving enormous power to the fossil fuel industry, the major source of the greenhouse gas emissions warming the planet. We call for Bill-5 to be carefully reviewed by Parliament and for strong amendments to the bill to protect the environment, invest in the clean economy and strengthen Indigenous inclusion and benefits. Read our full letter here.

On June 12, 2025, the Group of 78 wrote to Prime Minister Mark Carney urging him to speak out in the strongest terms against the defence-spending target of 5% of GDP to be debated at the upcoming NATO Summit and to join with other Allied countries to collectively and assertively reject this goal, which we believe is policy lunacy. G78 detailed five reasons for Canada to join with other NATO Allies that also understand the risks of the 5% goal to their security, prosperity, and citizens’ well-being—and repudiate it outright.

Letter on NATO Five Percent Target to PM Carney

On June 9, 2025, The Group of 78 sent a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand, and Department of National Defence Minister David McGuinty which urged Canada to use its presidency of the G7 Summit to catalyze negotiations that would lead to a lasting peace in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

A letter to Prime Minister Carney, Foreign Affairs Minister Anand and Minister of National Defence McGuinty

A new letter was sent on May 22, 2025 to Prime Minister Mark Carney and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand regarding Canada’s recent partnering with the United Kingdom and France in denouncing Israel’s military action in Gaza. At the same time, our letter encouraged a re-opening of humanitarian aid to Gaza, and actions to be taken should Israel fail to cease their military actions. You may read the letter below:

A letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney and Foreign Affairs Minister Anita Anand

2024

Approved by the Board of Directors of the Group of 78, a new letter dated March 18, 2024 was sent to Prime Minister Trudeau and all Party leaders requesting that the Government of Canada demand an immediate and permanent ceasefire, and the immediate and unconditional opening of Gaza to all available forms of humanitarian assistance, especially famine relief. Please read the letter below:

A plea for urgent action on the human catastrophe unfolding in Gaza

The following open letter to Prime Minister Trudeau was approved by the Board of Directors of the Group of 78. It calls for an immediate ceasefire in the war in Gaza; increased humanitarian aid for the civilian population; an embargo on Canada’s military trade with Israel; the immediate restoration of funding to UNRWA; and the removal of barriers to family reunification for Palestinians seeking to flee Gaza.

The letter is copied to Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly, International Development Minister Ahmed Hussen, and Immigration Minister Marc Miller.

An Open Letter to Canada’s Prime Minister

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2023

The Israel-Hamas War and our priorities: A call for Immediate Ceasefire and renewed priorities on Humanitarian Support and Peace Talks

Adopted by the Board of Directors by a strong majority with one objection.

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2022

Economic Sanctions Under International Law: A Guide for Canadian Policy

Fulfill the NPT: From nuclear threats to human security: An Open Letter to the States Parties of the Nuclear non-proliferation Treaty

Statement on the Russian invasion of Ukraine

The Climate Action Plan

2021

End Canada’s support of the war on Yemen and ongoing weapons exports to Saudi Arabia, Canada-Wide Peace and Justice Network

Call for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty

Canada needs to demonstrate sincerity in its climate adaptation actions, Hill Times

Letter to Prime Minister, COP26

CNANW Letter to Prime Minister Trudeau: Canada can join Norway and attend first TPNW meeting

Open letter to Presidents Putin and Biden in advance of their June 16th, 2021 Summit

2020

Letter to the Prime Minister urging support for developing countries in the current economic and health crisis

2019

Climate Action: Questions for Candidates in the 2019 Federal Election

Open Letter to Government of Canada on Climate Action

What We Talk About When We Talk About NATO

Letter to the Prime Minister: Statement of Concern on the Crisis in Venezuela

Letter of ongoing concern from civil society regarding Saudi LAV deal (English)and French

Global Markets Inequality and the Future of Democracy: G78, 2019 Conference Report
And Policy Recommendations

2018

Meeting the Climate Challenge: Accelerating the Transition to a Post-Carbon World G78 Conference Report and Policy Recommendations. Group of 78 2018Annual Policy Conference

GETTING TO NUCLEAR ZERO BUILDING COMMON SECURITY FOR A POST-MAD WORLD
ARRIVER AU ZÉRO NUCLÉAIRECONSTRUIRE UNE SÉCURITÉ COMMUNE POUR UN MONDE POST–DMA

Getting to Nuclear Zero Covering essay

Policy Recommendations document

Long summary document

Updated – Shift to Sustainable Peace and Common Security (English) and French

Letter to Minister of Foreign Affairs re Saudi arms export investigation

Letter to the PM stating our concerns about the shooting of Palestinians by the IDF

Joint Rideau Institute and Group of 78 letter to Minister of Foreign Affairs on ATT

Appeal to Minister of Youth and Prime Minister Trudeau to secure the freedom of the Canadian Al-Qazzaz family forcibly held in Egypt