Plan International Canada Inc.

Plan International Canada Inc. (Business Registration Number: 118928993RR0001), commonly known as Plan Canada, is a Canadian nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to advancing children's rights and promoting equality for girls globally. It serves as the Canadian arm of Plan International, a global movement and relief organization operating in over 80 countries. Plan Canada focuses on empowering children, particularly girls, to learn, lead, decide, and thrive, aiming to create a just world where gender inequality and oppression are eliminated[1][2][4].

History

Plan International Canada traces its roots back to the mid-20th century when its predecessor, Foster Parents Plan for War Children, worked in England during World War II to assist displaced children in Europe. The organization expanded its reach to less developed countries over the ensuing decades, becoming Foster Parents Plan Inc. Foster Parents Plan of Canada was formally incorporated in 1968. By the 1980s, Canada joined other donor countries including Belgium, Germany, Japan, the UK, the US, Australia, and the Netherlands in supporting Plan’s international work.

In the 2000s, the organization rebranded to simply "Plan," and in 2006, Foster Parents Plan of Canada adopted this name and updated its logo accordingly. In 2011, with Canadian government backing, Plan called for the United Nations to recognize October 11 as the International Day of the Girl Child, an initiative formally launched in 2012 as the "Because I Am a Girl" campaign. The global entity rebranded again in 2015 as Plan International[4].

Mission and Values

Plan International Canada’s mission is to foster a world where all children’s rights are realized and where girls achieve equality. The organization endeavors to tackle the root causes of gender inequality, supporting communities to ensure children are not exploited, oppressed, or marginalized. It advocates for children's access to education, health care, safety, and participation in decisions that affect their lives[1][2].

Programs and Impact

Plan International Canada operates through a wide network of local partners and implements programs across multiple sectors, including health, education, protection, and humanitarian response. In fiscal year 2023, Plan Canada reached approximately 9.3 million people, including 6.2 million children, through 132 projects in 53 countries.

• Health: Comprising 47% of program expenditures, Plan Canada strengthened local health systems, improving access to health services for hundreds of thousands of children, adolescents, and adults through 39 projects[5].

• Humanitarian Response: Representing 21% of program spending, Plan Canada provides emergency aid and supports recovery efforts in regions affected by conflict, natural disasters, and crises. In 2023, 60 humanitarian projects helped nearly one million people, with a focus on areas such as West and Central Africa[5].

Plan Canada is also known for its child sponsorship program, which connects Canadian donors with children in developing countries to support education, health, and community development. Additionally, the organization offers "Gifts of Hope," which fund tangible goods and vital services in its areas of operation[2].

Governance and Transparency

Plan International Canada is recognized for its financial transparency and accountability. It holds a four-star rating from Charity Intelligence Canada, noted for above-average program reporting with an A grade. Although it has been assessed as average in demonstrated impact and maintains relatively high overhead costs, it remains a trusted and effective organization within the Canadian charitable sector[5].

Affiliations

Plan International Canada is part of the larger Plan International federation, which operates globally to promote social justice for youth and their families. The organization maintains no stated political or religious affiliations and is a member agency of the Humanitarian Coalition, a collective of Canadian humanitarian organizations[4].

This article provides an overview of Plan International Canada Inc., highlighting its history, mission, programs, and role within the global context of children's rights and gender equality advocacy.

[1] https://plancanada.ca/en-ca/about-us/our-mission [2] https://plancanada.ca [3] https://plancanada.ca/en-ca/our-work/who-we-are [4] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plan_Canada [5] https://www.charityintelligence.ca/charity-details/53-plan-international-canada