Canada Needs a Paradigm Shift in Supporting Democracy Abroad: Leveraging Activists-in-Exile
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Canada has long championed human rights and democratic governance as core components of its foreign policy. Programs like the Voices at Risk guidelines reflect this commitment by supporting Human Rights Defenders (HRDs)—individuals recognised by the United Nations for their advocacy, though the term itself has limitations.
While Canada provides resettlement for a limited number of HRDs, there is no program to engage with the activists once they arrive. Rather than integrating them into continued foreign policy efforts, Canada’s approach remains fragmented, with resettlement isolated from Canada’s broader foreign policy agenda. Moreover, the phenomenon of transnational repression – which has drawn attention at the Hogue Inquiry into foreign interference in Canadian elections – has exposed the risks such activists face. Prized by Canada abroad, their activism is ignored here as HRDs fall into a gap in policy and programming that needs to be filled.
Clearly, the prevailing approach is inadequate. What Canada needs now is a paradigm shift: to recognise and empower these activists-in-exile as key players in advancing democratic change both globally and in their countries of origin.
Activists-in-Exile: A Critical Yet Untapped Resource
Activists-in-exile are seasoned advocates for democracy and human rights with deep connections to ongoing struggles in their countries of origin. Having fled repression, they continue their activism from abroad, using digital platforms and transnational networks to raise awareness and push for reform. These remarkable individuals offer a unique advantage: they possess firsthand experience of being subject to authoritarian tactics, they understand local contexts, and they maintain ties to grassroots movements that can drive real change.
Yet, Canada’s current approach ignores them primarily as potential partners in global democracy-building. By failing to recognise the ongoing contributions of these activists, Canada misses a critical opportunity to augment its foreign policy capacity, and its influence for positive change, in a world of growing authoritarianism.
Gaps in Canada’s Current Approach
Canada’s traditional model for supporting HRDs is, first of all, primarily to provide humanitarian assistance while they are overseas. When they are subjected to severe repression and forced into exile, the focus turns to resettlement to help them reach Canada. In 2021, Canada established the Global HRDs Stream under which in 2023 it committed to resettle some HRDs from around the world to a maximum of 500 persons (inclusive of family members). While this small program reflects a genuine commitment to human rights, the support ends at resettlement.
As such, activists-in-exile are left alone in facing numerous challenges in continuing their work, including: difficulty finding employment related to their important work; limited access to advocacy platforms; and marginalisation by the same agencies and institutions that could most benefit from their expertise and insights. These challenges isolate activists-in-exile from the very causes they championed in their countries of origin, weakening their ability to remain influential if not entirely foreclosing it. Moreover, they increasingly also face threats to themselves, their families and associates through digital surveillance, various forms of intimidation and other real harms both in their countries of origin and within Canada.
Furthermore, the HRD label itself is problematic. It oversimplifies activism by narrowly focusing on conventional human rights issues, excluding many vital forms of advocacy—such as environmental activism or anti-corruption efforts—that don’t fit neatly into this framework. Thus, important voices are sidelined, particularly those who engage in broader social justice movements, good governance and rule of law that are critical to building democratic resilience but may not fit within “human rights” – or they may not wish to be labelled as such. Canada’s current approach, in relying heavily on the limited HRD definition, arguably and unnecessarily hinders the broader impact that these activists could have on efforts for change.
A New Approach: Network-Based Strategies
For Canada to fully harness the potential of activists-in-exile, it must move beyond its traditional approach and adopt a network-based strategy. Activists-in-exile are not only informed about the political dynamics of their countries, but they also maintain strong ties with local movements and communities, making them indispensable agents of change. By fostering these connections, Canada can support and benefit from their expertise and networks to advance its democratic agenda in regions where diplomacy alone is insufficient.
With authoritarian regimes increasingly exporting repressive tactics and undermining democratic movements across borders, activists-in-exile offer a counterforce. Through their grassroots connections and ability to organise digitally, they can mobilise communities, raise international awareness and deliver impacts on the ground in ways that formal diplomatic channels cannot. Canada has the opportunity to become a more active player in this global struggle for democracy by supporting these activists with the tools and resources necessary to continue their work.
The Benefits of a Network-Based Approach
Leveraging Expertise: Activists-in-exile provide on-the-ground insights that formal diplomatic channels often lack. Their intimate understanding of the political, social and practical realities in their countries of origin enables Canada access to vital real-time information and unmatched credibility, helping to support more effective and impactful initiatives.
Digital Advocacy: Many activists-in-exile have turned to digital platforms to organise community action, share information, and challenge authoritarian regimes. These platforms offer Canada a direct channel for engaging with democratic movements in countries that restrict free speech or prohibit traditional forms of activism. By supporting digital advocacy, Canada can strengthen democratic voices where physical protests are impossible or dangerous.
Cross-Border Impact: Activists-in-exile operate across borders, often maintaining strong ties to their countries of origin while engaging with international networks. Canada can leverage this transnational approach to amplify its influence, supporting efforts that transcend the limitations of national borders and reinforcing global democratic movements.
Policy Recommendations
Expand the Voices at Risk Guidelines in scope and size to include explicit support for transnational activism by exiled activists. This should involve creating formal mechanisms for collaboration between exiled activists and Canadian public, academic, community, government, and civil society organisations, ensuring that these individuals can continue their advocacy work from a position of strength.
Develop a Legal Framework that recognises activists-in-exile (and provides them secure residency status and safety) as crucial contributors to developing and implementing Canada’s foreign policy. This would go beyond the narrow HRD designation and acknowledge the broader spectrum of activism, ensuring that resettled activists are empowered to influence democratic movements globally.
Invest in Digital Advocacy Resources to equip activists-in-exile with the necessary tools for cybersecurity, online campaigning, and network-building. By providing access to these resources, Canada can help ensure that activists remain effective even from abroad, continuing to promote democratic ideals in the face of authoritarian repression.
Establish a Fund for Transnational Advocacy and Action that provides financial support for long-term efforts aimed at fostering democratic change, social justice and sustainable peace. This fund would enable activists-in-exile – both in Canada and elsewhere – to maintain their activism while also addressing their immediate needs, ensuring that they remain influential players in global democracy-building efforts.
Conclusion
Canada’s role in globally promoting human rights, democracy, anti-corruption and other aims demands a paradigm shift. By integrating the expertise and activism of exiled individuals into its foreign policy, Canada can more coherently and effectively support democratic movements worldwide. Activists-in-exile are uniquely positioned to influence change in countries struggling under authoritarian rule, and their involvement would allow Canada to expand its reach and impact. In an era where authoritarianism is rising, embracing a network-based strategy that elevates these activists is not only timely, it’s essential.
Main image: A Black Lives Matter activist speaks to a crowd in the UK. Photo by Edward Howell on Unsplash.