Ottawa, 10 June 2025—A report released today by Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development Jerry V. DeMarco on behalf of the Auditor General of Canada concludes that Canada has struggled to deliver on its sustainable development commitments. Drawing from past audits and more than 3 decades of federal government actions on sustainable development, the report sets out 6 lessons that would help Canada achieve better sustainable development outcomes.
Sustainable development aims to improve stewardship of the natural environment and ensure an inclusive and equitable distribution of the planet’s resources. Canada first enacted sustainable development legislation in 1995 and more recently set ambitious targets aligned with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. However, Canada has made the least improvement among all G7 nations in meeting the United Nations’ goals.
The report identifies the need for a more integrated approach to sustainable development that incorporates social, economic, and environmental factors in decision making, policies, and programs. Other lessons include strengthening leadership at the national level and enhanced collaboration among key players, with a specific focus on greater engagement with Indigenous governments and peoples.
“Implementing sustainable development is proving to be an immense challenge in Canada,” Mr. DeMarco said. “This report provides information and analysis to help Canada improve its sustainable development performance and foster a better future for generations to come.”