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 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
An Open Letter to Canada’s Prime Minister
_____________________________________________
2023
Adopted by the Board of Directors by a strong majority with one objection.
_____________________________________________
2022
Economic Sanctions Under International Law: A Guide for Canadian Policy
Statement on the Russian invasion of Ukraine
2021
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
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
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
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
2017
2016
Submission to the Defence Policy Review, entitled “A Shift to Sustainable Peace and Common Security”
Version française: Lettre et Une Transition vers la Paix Durable.
2013
Conference 2013 Responding to China’s Global Re-Emergence – Conclusions & Recommendations
2012
Conference 2012 Afghanistan: Lessons Learned – Report & Recommendations
2011
March 25, 2011 – The Group of 78 has endorsed the Voices-Voix declaration on democracy, free speech and transparency in Canada.
2010
Conference 2010 Security and Human Rights in Canadian Foreign Policy – Final Report
2009
Letter to Prime Minister Harper on the UNRWA
2008
2007
Conference 2007 – Group of 78 Vision Statement
Conference 2007 – Enoncé 2007 Intendance mondiale: Réveiller l’engagement du Canada envers le monde
December 1, 2007 – Afghanistan: In Search of Peace. Group of 78 Submission to the Independent Panel on Canada’s Future Role in Afghanistan
2006
Conference 2006 Recommendations – African Stability: A Role for Canada?
2005
2004
Conference 2004 Sovereignty and the Interdependence of Nations: Implications for Canada
2003
Conference 2003 Recommendations – Canada and the Developing World
Canada should not participate in US Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD)
Le Canada ne devrait pas participer au système national de défense anti-missile des États-Unis
2002
Group of 78 Statement on September 11
2001
Conference 2001 Change and Challenge to Canadian Foreign Policy, 1981-2001
Conference 2000 Engagement du Canada Envers la paix mondial
September 25, 2001 Open letter to the Prime Minister regarding the September 11 attacks
25 septembre 2001 Lettre au Premier ministre concernant les événements du 11 septembre 2001
Media Release – Group of 78 urges Security Council to set up special court to try September 11 terrorists
Communiqué de presse: Le Groupe des 78 recommande vivement au Conseil de sécurité de mettre sur pied un tribunal spécial pour juger les terroristes du 11 septembre 2001
December 11, 2002 Alternatives to War with Iraq: Recommendations of an Experts’ Panel
2000
Conference 2000 Final Report Canada’s Commitment to World Peace
1999
Conference 1999 Final Report – Globalization and Its Discontents