Canada has committed up to C$560 million to Brazil’s plan to pay countries for keeping tropical forests standing. On Sunday 15 November 2026, Prime Minister Mark Carney told Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Manila that Canada will give up to C$560 million (about US$392 million at 1.4269 Canadian dollars per US dollar, the 13 November close) over four years.
For US readers, the pledge shows a close American neighbour joining a Brazilian-led fund that aims to draw up to about US$98 billion of private capital. It also puts forests on the same agenda as trade and critical minerals.
—Who. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney pledged support to Brazil’s President Lula. They met in Manila.
—Amount. Up to C$560 million (about US$392 million) over four years. Canada calls it an initial contribution.
—What. The Tropical Forest Forever Facility pays for forest kept standing. Brazil and Norway co-lead it.
—When. Sunday 15 November 2026, at the ASEAN summit. ASEAN is the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
—Next. No date is confirmed for further pledges. No official running total was available on 15 November.
—Power Index. Brazil ranks 1st of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index, with 74.2 points (November 2026 edition).
Canada has joined Brazil’s forest fund with an initial pledge, but the size of the fund’s pot is still unclear.
What Canada Pledged
Carney met Lula on the margins of the ASEAN Summit, according to the readout from Canada’s Prime Minister’s Office dated 15 November 2026. He told Lula about Canada’s initial contribution of up to C$560 million to the Brazilian-led fund, which aims to protect tropical forests, preserve biodiversity and combat climate change.
Parliament Hill in Ottawa, where Canada’s federal government sits. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)The same office’s news release of 15 November says the money comes over four years. Canada counts it toward a wider goal.
That goal, set in the 2026 Spring Economic Update (Canada’s federal budget update), is to deliver over C$13 billion (about US$9.1 billion) in climate-related support to developing countries by 2031, the release says. The forest pledge counts toward it.
How the Fund Works
The Tropical Forest Forever Facility, or TFFF, is co-led by Brazil and Norway and mobilises public and private investment. Once fully operational, it aims to protect more than one billion hectares of tropical forest each year across more than 70 countries, Canada’s release says.
The fund’s own website says it pays a fixed amount per hectare of forest conserved or restored. Payments are made each year and depend on performance.
Canada’s release says payments are tied to verified results, and at least 20% go to Indigenous Peoples and local communities. The same release says the fund aims to mobilise C$35 billion (about US$24.5 billion) from sponsoring countries and organisations.
That sponsor money is meant to attract up to C$140 billion (about US$98 billion) of additional private investment, per the 15 November release. Our earlier explainer describes how the fund is meant to work.
In Plain English
Why It Matters
The fund pays only after sponsors supply capital and private investors follow, so each government pledge widens the base that everything else rests on. Canada’s release of 15 November 2026 says sponsors are meant to supply C$35 billion (about US$24.5 billion) to draw up to C$140 billion (about US$98 billion) in private money.
Trade and Politics Behind the Pledge
Brazil is Canada’s largest trading partner in South America, the readout of 15 November says. Two-way merchandise trade reached C$14.7 billion (about US$10.3 billion) in 2025.
The leaders also discussed trade, critical minerals, energy, defence cooperation and improving the multilateral system, the readout says. Carney congratulated Lula on his re-election in October, and they agreed to stay in close contact.
Lula was in Manila for the ASEAN summit, where the two leaders met. Our report on that trip covers his critical minerals offer there.
Where the Fund Came From
The fund was formally launched at the COP30 United Nations climate summit in Belém, Brazil, on 6 November 2025, the fund’s website says. More than US$5.5 billion was announced at the launch.
Other governments have pledged since then. Our report on Brazil’s forest partnerships covers that wider push.
What to Watch
Canada’s readout and release give no dated next step for the fund or for a Carney visit to Brazil. Date not confirmed.
What Is Not Known
No official running total of pledges after Canada’s announcement was available on 15 November 2026. The release also does not say how much of Canada’s money is a grant, and how much is a loan or guarantee.
Pledges by other governments followed the launch, but we did not confirm their figures with a primary source. We therefore name no amounts for them.
What It Means for You
For a US investor in Brazilian assets, the pledge is a signal of direction, not a market event: another government is putting public money behind a Brazilian-led programme. More on the country is on our Brazil news page.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is Canada giving to the forest fund?
Canada says it will give an initial contribution of up to C$560 million (about US$392 million) over four years. The pledge was announced on 15 November 2026.
What is the Tropical Forest Forever Facility?
It is a fund co-led by Brazil and Norway. It pays a fixed amount per hectare of forest conserved or restored, based on verified results.
Who receives the fund’s payments?
At least 20% of payments go to Indigenous Peoples and local communities, according to Canada’s release. All payments are tied to verified results.
Has Canada paid the money yet?
The release describes an initial contribution of up to C$560 million over four years, not a single payment. It does not say how much is a grant rather than a loan or guarantee.
Prime Minister of Canada, readout, 15 November 2026 · Prime Minister of Canada, news release, 15 November 2026 · Tropical Forest Forever Facility · Market close, US dollar/Canadian dollar, 13 November 2026