United Nations 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals

2021 to 2022 planned initiative 1: Opportunity for All: Canada’s First Poverty Reduction Strategy.

Associated domestic targets or “ambitions” and/or global targets: this poverty reduction strategy contributes to:

• Canadian Indicator Framework ambition for SDG 1: reduce poverty in Canada in all its forms
• Canadian Indicator Framework target 1.1.1: by 2030, a 50% reduction in the rate of poverty, compared to the 2015 level
• Global Indicator Framework target 1.2: by 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definition

2021 to 2022 results:

• according to 2020 CIS data, Canada’s overall poverty rate fell from 14.5% to 6.4% between 2015 and 2020. This represents close to 2.7 million fewer persons living below the poverty line over this 5-year period
• the decrease in poverty between 2019 and 2020 is largely attributed to temporary COVID-19 emergency benefits, however, the poverty rate has been decreasing since 2015

2021 to 2022 planned initiative 2: Old Age Security.

Associated domestic targets or “ambitions” and/or global targets: the Old Age Security (OAS) program contributes to:

• Canadian Indicator Framework ambition for SDG 1: reduce poverty in Canada in all its forms
• Canadian Indicator Framework target 1.1.1: by 2030, a 50% reduction in the rate of poverty, compared to the 2015 level
• Global Indicator Framework target 1.2: by 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions
• Global Indicator Framework target 1.3: implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable

2021 to 2022 results:

In August 2021, the department provided a one-time payment for older seniors of $500 to seniors aged 75 and older as of June 30, 2022. This strengthened the financial security of 3.3 million OAS pensioners aged 75 and over.

This also contributed to:

• SDG 5: Gender Equality, as among OAS pensioners aged 75 and over who received the one-time payment, 56% were women and 44% were men
• SDG10: Reduced Inequalities, as close to half (47%) of the benefit recipients have a disability

The department made a one-time grant payment for Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS) recipients who received pandemic benefits to alleviate the financial hardship of seniors who received pandemic benefits in 2020, but who subsequently learned that these pandemic benefits counted as income and impacted their GIS or Allowance benefits. Under this grant, that covers 2 fiscal years, over 1,200 grant payments were manually issued in March 2022 (fiscal year 2021 to 2022) to seniors in dire financial need.

This also contributed to:

• SDG 5: Gender Equality. Note: gender breakdown is not available for the dire need payments issued in 2021 to 2022
• SDG10: Reduced Inequalities, as all recipients who received the one time grant were low-income seniors or near-seniors who were GIS or Allowances recipients

Planned initiative 1: Canada Student Loan Program and Canada Apprentice Loan

Associated domestic targets or “ambitions” and/or global targets: the Canada Student Loans Program and the Canada Apprentice Loan contribute to:

• Canadian Indicator Framework ambition for SDG 4: Canadians have access to inclusive and quality education throughout their lives
• Global Indicator Framework target 4.3: by 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university
• Global Indicator Framework target 4.4: by 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship

2021 to 2022 results:

• the Canada Student Financial Assistance (CSFA) Program continued to provide increased financial support to learners through the temporary doubling of Canada Student Grants. This improved access to post-secondary education for many groups of students, including students from low- and middle-income families, students with disabilities, and students with dependents
• the CSFA Program also temporarily extended the top-up grant for eligible adult learners returning to school full-time after being out of secondary school for at least 10 years. This helped ensure that adults continued to have relevant skills and qualify for good employment opportunities
• finally, the CSFA Program temporarily suspended the accumulation of interest on Canada Student Loans and Canada Apprentice Loans. This ensured that the cost of post-secondary education remained predictable and affordable for everyone during the economic recovery

Planned initiative 2: Early Learning and Child Care and Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care

Associated domestic targets or “ambitions” and/or global targets: the Early Learning and Child Care and Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care initiatives contribute to:

• Canadian Indicator Framework ambition for SDG 4: Canadians have access to inclusive and quality education throughout their lives
• Global Indicator Framework target 4.2: by 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education

2021 to 2022 results:

In Budget 2021, the Government of Canada made an investment of up to $30 billion over 5 years to build a Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care (ELCC) system in partnership with provincial, territorial and Indigenous partners. Combined with previous investments, as of 2025 to 2026, a minimum of $9.2 billion will be provided every year, that is permanently, for Early Learning and Child Care and Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care.

The Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care system will help families pay less for high-quality, flexible and inclusive early learning and child care. High-quality early learning and child care supports parents and ensures children get the best possible start in life.

Agreements were reached with every province and territory in fiscal year 2021 to 2022. By July 2022, nearly all of provinces and territories had announced initial child care fee reductions to support the affordability goals of the Canada-wide ELCC system. The aim is for an average parent fee of $10-a-day for regulated child care spaces by March 2026.

Budget 2021 funding included $2.5 billion over 5 years for Indigenous ELCC. Indigenous ELCC priorities are guided by the co-developed Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care (IELCC) Framework, released in 2018 by the Government of Canada, the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapaririit Kanatami and the Métis National Council. This framework supports the vision that all Indigenous children have the opportunity to experience high-quality and culturally strong Early Learning and Child Care.

To support implementation of the IELCC framework, federal funding was provided to 73 Inuit communities to increase expansion and access of services. This includes providing Indigenous language, cultural teaching and home kits for children. In Nunavut, funding has supported Indigenous language resources, such as Inuit character sets, Inuit cultural programs, wage subsidies for ELCC staff, and improvements to existing child care facilities.

Planned initiative 3: Sectoral Initiatives

Associated domestic targets or “ambitions” and/or global targets: Sectoral Initiatives contribute to:

• Global Indicator Framework target 4.4: by 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship.

2021 to 2022 results: the Sectoral Initiatives Program supported the development of sectoral labour market information and tools as well as innovative workforce development approaches to help key sectors of the economy attract and retain skilled workers. This included funding initiatives to support employers to address skills and labour shortages in support of productive employment and sustained economic growth.

In 2021 to 2022, the program invested $17.7 million in sectoral projects. Following a targeted call for proposals, the department negotiated agreements on 34 projects that support Canadians hardest hit by the economic impact of the pandemic – specifically persons with disabilities across all sectors and tourism sector-focused proposals that support one or more equity-deserving groups.

Planned initiative 4: Canada Education Savings Program

Associated domestic targets or “ambitions” and/or global targets: the Canada Education Savings Program contributes to:

• Canadian Indicator Framework ambition for SDG 4: Canadians have access to inclusive and quality education throughout their lives;
• Global Indicator Framework target 4.3: by 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university.

2021 to 2022 results:

The Canada Education Savings Program (CESP) helps make post-secondary education more affordable for Canadians by encouraging early planning and savings.

The Government offers education savings incentives deposited in Registered Education Savings Plans, specifically the Canada Learning Bond (CLB) and the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG). In 2021, 49% of CESG and CLB beneficiaries were female and approximately 51% were male.

Planned initiative 5: Supports for Student Learning Program

Associated domestic targets or “ambitions” and/or global targets: the Supports for Student Learning Program contributes to:

• Canadian Indicator Framework ambition for SDG 4: Canadians have access to inclusive and quality education throughout their lives
• Global Indicator Framework target 4.4: by 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship

2021 to 2022 results: the Supports for Student Learning Program (SSLP) funds projects delivered by youth-serving organizations to bridge gaps in educational attainment, build competencies, and create academic opportunities for Canadian learners. This includes a focus on students that may face greater barriers and are at higher risk of educational disengagement. In 2021 to 2022, more than 32,000 students from marginalized groups and/or in vulnerable situations received supports through the program.

Planned initiative 6: Skills for Success Program

Associated domestic targets or “ambitions” and/or global targets: the Skills for Success Program contributes to:

• Canadian Indicator Framework ambition for SDG 4: Canadians have access to inclusive and quality education throughout their lives
• Global Indicator Framework target 4.3; by 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university
• Global Indicator Framework target 4.4: by 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship

2021 to 2022 results:

Budget 2021 provided $298 million over 3 years for the Skills For Success Program to fund organizations to deliver projects to improve Canadians' foundational and transferable skills that will result in at least 90,000 training opportunities

Many of these training opportunities will be dedicated to underrepresented groups such as Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, racialized Canadians, those living in official language minority communities, 2SLGBTQIA+, newcomers. For instance, of 10,643 total training participants from the Skills for Success program in 2021 to 2022, 10% were Indigenous people and 34% were newcomers. It should be noted that the Budget 2021 funding will not be allocated for new funding recipients until after the 2021 to 2022 fiscal year

Planned initiative: Employment Insurance parental and caregiving benefits

Associated domestic targets or “ambitions” and/or global targets: these programs contribute to the following:

• Canadian Indicator Framework ambition for SDG 5: Canadians share responsibilities within households and families
• Canadian Indicator Framework target 5.3.1: equal sharing of parenting roles and family responsibilities
• Global Indicator Framework target 5.4: recognize and value unpaid care and domestic work through the provision of public services, infrastructure and social protection policies and the promotion of shared responsibility within the household and the family as nationally appropriate

2021 to 2022 results:

In fiscal year 2020 to 2021, the total number of new Employment Insurance (EI) parental benefit claims established was 213,100. Women represented 76.5% of these claims compared to 23.5% for men. This is relatively unchanged compared to the previous fiscal year, but higher than the share in fiscal year 2018 to 2019, where men had 16.8% of the share of claims. This higher proportion can be attributed to the additional weeks of benefits available as of March 17, 2019 to parents who share parental benefits

This measure was introduced to promote greater gender equality in the home and in the workplace by encouraging all parents to take some leave when welcoming a new child and share the responsibility of raising their children more equally

Planned initiative 1: Youth Employment and Skills Strategy

Associated domestic targets or “ambitions” and/or global targets: this Strategy contributes to:

• Canadian Indicator Framework ambition for SDG 8: Canadians have access to quality jobs
• Global Indicator Framework target 8.6: by 2030, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training

2021 to 2022 results: programs undertaken as part of the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy were able to provide quality work placements, employment, training and supports to youth. Under Canada Summer Jobs, 124,747 youth benefitted from work experience placements. Under the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy Program, 35,773 youth were served (excludes numbers from Indigenous Services Canada for Québec).

Planned initiative 2: Student Work Placement Program

Associated domestic targets or “ambitions” and/or global targets: this program supports

• Canadian Indicator Framework ambition for SDG 8: Canadians have access to quality jobs
• Global Indicator Framework target 8.5: by 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value

2021 to 2022 results: the Student Work Placement Program supported the creation of 50,054 paid work-integrated learning opportunities for Canadian post-secondary students.

Planned initiative 3: Opportunities Fund for Persons with Disabilities

Associated domestic targets or “ambitions” and/or global targets: the Opportunities Fund supports:

• Canadian Indicator Framework ambition for SDG 8: Canadians have access to quality jobs
• Global Indicator Framework target 8.5: by 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value

2021 to 2022 results:

In fiscal year 2021 to 2022, the Opportunities Fund program supported 4,375 persons with disabilities, of which 2,050 were employed or self-employed and 299 returned to school. The program aims to serve 6,000 clients annually (24,000 over 4 years: fiscal year 2022 to 2023 to fiscal year 2025 to 2026)

*The above do not include final results from Quebec, which will be available in end of November 2022. As such, these final results may be adjusted, if required, in future reporting.

Planned initiative 4: Canada Service Corps

Associated domestic targets or “ambitions” and/or global targets: Canada Service Corps contribute to:

• Canadian Indicator Framework ambition for SDG 8: Canadians have access to quality jobs
• Global Indicator Framework target 8.5: by 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value
• Global Indicator Framework target 8.6: by 2030, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training
• Canadian Indicator Framework ambition for SDG 4: ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

2021 to 2022 results:

The Canada Service Corps (CSC) program supported 1,802 micro-grants and 8,536 service placements in fiscal year 2021 to 2022, which contributed to lifelong learning opportunities for Canadian youth. It is expected that this may aid participants in exploring future educational, training, or career-related interests as well as developing skills and experience to better help them access education, training, or other life-long learning supports

the CSC program supported youth by providing funding to about 100 organizations in fiscal year 2021 to 2022

Planned initiative 5: Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women

Associated domestic targets or “ambitions” and/or global targets: This grant contributes to:

• Canadian Indicator Framework ambition for SDG 8: Canadians have access to quality jobs
• Global Indicator Framework target 8.5: by 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value

2021 to 2022 results: between December 2018 and March 2022, the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women supported over 8,700 women apprentices to progress in apprenticeship in Red Seal trades in which they are underrepresented.

Planned initiatives: Enabling Accessibility Fund and Indigenous Skills and Employment Training

Associated domestic targets or “ambitions” and/or global targets: these initiatives contribute to:

• Canadian Indicator Framework ambition for SDG 10: Canadians live free of discrimination and inequalities are reduced
• Global Indicator Framework target 10.2: by 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status

2021 to 2022 results:

The Enabling Accessibility Fund (EAF) program removed barriers to community involvement and labour market participation. This allowed people with disabilities to participate in social activities within their community, access workplaces, and maintain employment.

This also contributed to:

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, as EAF-funded projects have included multi-sensory rooms, which support people with cognitive and/or mental health disabilities. These rooms have grown in popularity over the past 3 years and support the provision of mental health services in community spaces
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth, since by improving accessibility in workplaces and community spaces, the program supports the labour market integration and community involvement of people with disabilities

The Indigenous Skills and Employment Training Program helped 16,466 Indigenous people find employment, and 5,604 return to school for further skills development. This helped to support the closing of skills and employment gaps between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians and promote the social and economic inclusion of Indigenous people.

Additionally, the distinctions-based approach helped to ensure that the unique skills and employment needs of First Nations, Métis Nations and Inuit peoples, as well as urban and Non-affiliated Indigenous people were met, helping to advance the horizontal and cross-cutting objective of advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

Planned initiative: Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy

Associated domestic targets or “ambitions” and/or global targets: This Strategy contributes to:

• Canadian Indicator Framework ambition for SDG 11: Canadians have access to quality housing
• Canadian Indicator Framework target 11.1.1: reduce chronic homelessness by at least 31% by March 2024
• Global Indicator Framework target 11.1: by 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums
• Canadian Indicator Framework target: reduce chronic homelessness by 50% by fiscal year 2027 to 2028

2021 to 2022 results:

The percentage change in chronic homelessness (compared to the 2016 baseline) is not yet available.

Note: This indicator is based on the calendar year. There is a 2- to 3-year lag in the availability of data. Results for 2021 are anticipated to be available by 2023. Results for 2022 are anticipated to be available by 2024.

Planned initiative: Government of Canada’s Internet presence

Associated domestic targets or “ambitions” and/or global targets: This work contributes to:

• Canadian Indicator Framework ambition for SDG 16: Canadians are supported by effective, accountable, and transparent institutions
• Global Indicator Framework target 16.6: develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels
• Global Indicator Framework target 16.10: ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements

2021 to 2022 results:

Through the Government of Canada’s Internet presence, Canadians were able to access the supports and online information and services during the pandemic

Service Canada ensured that Canadians had access 24/7 to trusted, reliable and accessible information and online services and tools and information on the benefits on the Canada.ca web site

For example wait-time were published in real time for the 1 800 O-Canada service on Canada.ca and the number of COVID cases per province were updated in real time. Additionally, Service Canada ensured critical program, service, benefit and health information was available at all times.

The Canada.ca website was visited 1.25 billion times in the 2021 to 2022 fiscal year.

To support Global Indicator Framework target 16.10, Service Canada launched the eServiceCanada callback service on Canada.ca. With this feature, Canadians were able to submit a request for service online. A representative would contact the client within 2 business days. This allowed Canadians to access Service Canada from home and without the need to travel