Montreal, December 2, 2025 — Despite the Quebec Treasury Board’s announcement of the unfreezing of subsidies, the Ministère des Relations internationales et de la Francophonie (MRIF) is maintaining the suspension of financial assistance payments, jeopardizing the activities of dozens of Quebec international cooperation organizations (OCIs in French) and compromising their commitments to partners around the world.
Un dégel qui exclut le MRIF
A ministerial directive has suspended, indefinitely, the disbursement of financial assistance in all sectors of activity of the MRIF. This measure directly jeopardizes the disbursement of the second tranche of subsidies from the Québec sans frontières (QSF) 2025-2026 program for organizations that have already submitted their complete and compliant reporting.
Dozens of organizations threatened, thousands of people deprived of services
This suspension has direct repercussions:
- on ongoing projects in key areas such as human rights, economic and social development, empowerment of women and youth, environmental protection and the fight against climate change, agriculture and food sovereignty, as well as health and education;
- for local partners and volunteers whose situation is also directly affected by this decision.
This decision, taken without notice by the ministry, jeopardizes nearly 80 jobs in Quebec and 200 positions with international partners, while affecting more than 34,400 people who could be deprived of essential services.
“This situation is unacceptable. The organizations funded by the QSF program have committed funds for the implementation of their projects according to the agreements signed with the MRIF. This freeze, if it is prolonged, not only jeopardizes ongoing projects, but also the maintenance of jobs and the credibility of our organizations with their international partners,” says Michèle Asselin, Executive Director of AQOCI.
“The suspension of this support directly jeopardizes our ability to continue our activities. It also threatens the continuity of our mission, which is based on 25 years of expertise in the fight against child exploitation. Without this essential pillar, our entire organization is weakened, with significant human, social and organizational repercussions,” explains the organization International Aid for Children.
An urgent call
AQOCI is asking the Quebec government to:
- Proceed immediately with the disbursement of the second tranche of QSF 2025-2026 grants to organizations that have submitted their compliant reporting.
- Honoring contractual commitments by guaranteeing the reimbursement of amounts already advanced by the OCIs within the framework of their projects. This guarantee is essential given the precarious financial situation of several local partners and the fact that many organizations depend on this funding to balance their annual budget.
“The prolonged freeze on subsidies sends a worrying message about Quebec’s commitment to international solidarity. Our organizations are essential players in Quebec’s international policy and deserve to be treated with respect and predictability. We call on the Ministère des Relations internationales et de la Francophonie, Christopher Skeete, to act quickly to resolve this crisis,” concludes Michèle Asselin.
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For information
Katrie Gagné, Communications officer.
Association québécoise des organismes de coopération internationale (AQOCI)
email : kgagne@aqoci.qc.ca| Phone. : 514 871-1086 # 108
