PBI-Canada attentive to the implications of the upcoming Canada-EU summit in Montreal for human rights defenders

According to PBI-Canada, the European Union and Canada will hold a summit in Montreal, Quebec on Thursday October 29 and Friday October 30.[1]PBI-Canada cites the Financial Post as reporting that a draft communiqué commits the two sides to "a deeper, more integrated and strategically aligned relationship"[1]. The group says the summit comes weeks after European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed inviting Canada to become an associate member of the European Union[1].The organisation explains its interest by pointing out that the International Office of Peace Brigades International is in Brussels, and PBI-Germany and PBI-Spanish State are two of the largest PBI entities[1].PBI-Canada says it sends volunteers, brigadistas, to physically accompany at-risk organizations, defenders and communities in Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico.[1] It reports that in 2025, 231 defenders were killed in those four countries.[1] According to PBI-Canada, the Carney government cut $2.7 billion from Canada's foreign aid budget over the next four years[1] in its November 2025 budget. PBI-Canada adds that Budget 2026 will be tabled on November 5, 2026, less than a week after the Canada-EU summit.[1]PBI-Canada cites the Canadian Press as reporting that Secretary of State Randeep Sarai said closer ties with Europe could help fill gaps "as the United States pulls back from foreign aid"[1].