Canada and the Sustainable Development Goals
Spotlight on
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to address today's most pressing social, economic and environmental challenges.
The Government of Canada is helping to advance the Goals through dialogue, participation and collaboration. Progress is a shared responsibility. It requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-society effort to build stronger, safer, and more inclusive communities that leave no one behind.
In July 2023, Canada presented its second Voluntary National Review on the Sustainable Development Goals. The review highlights Canada's progress, lessons learned and challenges in implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at home and abroad since Canada's first Voluntary National Review in 2018. The Government of Canada is making progress on the Goals and is committed to transparency, collaboration and accountability on this important global agenda.
Spotlight on Canada's Journey Toward the 2030 Agenda
Transcript - Spotlight on Canada's Journey Toward the 2030 Agenda
[Narration starts in English]
Canada is advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. Today, we are building on the strong foundation achieved since adopting the 2030 Agenda.
Canada has an ambitious goal of reducing poverty in all of its forms. We've made important progress. In 2021, there were over 2 million fewer Canadians living in poverty than in 2015.
Access to education is key, including early learning. Canada is working to make sure that every child and student in the country has the opportunity to learn in a safe environment. We are a global leader in the promotion of access to safe, inclusive, quality education—especially for girls and for people forced out of their homes because of conflict.
[Narration changes to French]
Canada has a longstanding commitment to gender equality. We are taking concrete action to support women, and girls. Our international assistance has reached more than 4 million girls and women and over 1800 women's rights organizations. We're also committed to equality for 2SLGBTQI+ people and communities, wherever they may live.
Canada is taking action on climate change, working with international partners to clean up our oceans and protect and conserve the lands that give us all life.
Realizing the vision of the 2030 Agenda will take all of us working together. The stakes are too high for us to fail.
"We're all so interconnected we have to know that the only way for us and our families to succeed is to make sure people on the other side of the world have opportunities to succeed, and the SDGs are a roadmap to do that. That's why it's so important that we be working on them, both at home and around the world - because it's all connected."
[Narration changes to English]
Canada has made progress to achieve the SDGs, but we know there is more work to do.
We will continue to build on this progress, and work to improve the lives of Canadians, and millions of people around the world.
Sustainable Development Goals
The Government of Canada works with partners and stakeholders to advance the 2030 Agenda through concrete actions on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. These actions include reducing poverty, building sustainable economic growth, supporting reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, advancing gender equality and taking action on climate change and clean energy.
Explore each of the goals and learn how Government of Canada programs and policies contribute to advancing the 2030 Agenda.
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Goal 1:No poverty -
Goal 2:Zero hunger -
Goal 3:Good health and well-being -
Goal 4:Quality education -
Goal 5:Gender equality -
Goal 6:Clean water and sanitation -
Goal 7:Affordable and clean energy -
Goal 8:Decent work and economic growth -
Goal 9:Industry, innovation and infrastructure -
Goal 10:Reduced inequalities -
Goal 11:Sustainable cities and communities -
Goal 12:Responsible consumption and production -
Goal 13:Climate action -
Goal 14:Life below water -
Goal 15:Life on land -
Goal 16:Peace, justice and strong institutions -
Goal 17:Partnerships for the goals
How we are taking action
SDG Advocates
Canada's Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, is co-chair of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Advocates, a group which includes 17 influential leaders raising global awareness of the Goals. Prime Minister Trudeau and his co-chair, Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley, are working to rally countries, governments, the private sector, and others, to come together to accelerate Canada's progress and to raise awareness and interest in achieving the 2030 Agenda.
- Prime Minister to co-chair the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Advocates group – April 2022
- Building a Sustainable, Resilient, and Equitable Future through the Sustainable Development Goals – June 2022
- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley – December 2022
Sustainable Development Goals Funding Program
The Sustainable Development Goals Funding Program supports the work of partners to advance progress on the Goals. This grants and contributions program seeks to:
- increase public awareness of the Goals
- support new partnerships to advance action
- identify and implement innovative initiatives to drive progress on the Goals
Reports and strategies
Taking Action Together – Canada's 2024 Annual Report on the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (June 2024)
Voluntary National Review 2023
Canada's 2023 Voluntary National Review on the Sustainable Development Goals highlights domestic and international progress on the Goals.
Taking Action Together – Canada's 2021 Annual Report on the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (July 2022)
Canada's first annual report on the Goals, Taking Action Together – Canada's 2021 Annual Report on the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals, highlights Government of Canada and whole-of-society efforts towards advancing the 2030 Agenda and its 17 goals.
Federal Implementation Plan for the 2030 Agenda (July 2021)
The Federal Implementation Plan articulates how the Government of Canada will contribute to advancing the National Strategy at the federal level.
Moving Forward Together: Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy (February 2021)
Moving Forward Together outlines a roadmap for how Canadians can work together to build a more inclusive society, protect the planet and increase quality of life for all.
What we've achieved together
Canada's 2022 national statement to the United Nations
Transcript - Canada's 2022 national statement to the United Nations
[Music]
Minister Gould: Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Honoured Guests. It is with great respect that I address you from the ancestral, traditional and unceded territory of the Algonquin Nation. Since we last gathered in July 2021, the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have continued to cost lives and livelihoods. This reality reinforces the need to address today's most pressing social, economic and environmental challenges. The 2030 Agenda is a roadmap enabling all of us to realize an inclusive and resilient recovery from the pandemic, and to build a more peaceful, prosperous, just, and sustainable world. As Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and the federal lead for Canada's 2030 Agenda, I recognize that ensuring the well-being of Canadians is essential for our country's economic and social prosperity.
Skye Lacroix: Gender equality is no longer just "nice to have". The pandemic has exposed deep social inequalities and we saw an increased burden on women and girls, especially black, indigenous and people of color, including in unpaid care and domestic violence. Building back better is only possible when we're all benefiting equally from the economy.
Minister Sajjan: Achieving the SDGs collaboratively is more important than ever before. The invasion of Ukraine is further driving the world into a food security crisis, with millions heading towards famine, as well as fuel shortages and increased cost of living, all of which will undoubtedly increase the number of people being pushed into poverty. We will continue to take action driven by an intersectional, gender-responsive, whole-of-society, and human rights-based approach to ensure our efforts are effective, impactful, and leave no one behind. Our actions today will shape our future. That is why Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is pleased to be co-chairing the UN Secretary General's SDG Advocates Group alongside Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados. Canada will work tirelessly to raise awareness and momentum to accelerate SDG progress through the Decade of Action.
Sarah Mazhero: Across Canada youth are taking action! As the climate crisis threatens our very existence, let us work together to clean up our oceans and protect and conserve the lands that give us all life. DM Donna Johnson: Quality education is a priority for Canada. Ministries of education across Canada, individually and collectively, through the Council of Ministers of Education Canada, are working to ensure inclusive, equitable and quality education for all so that our children and students have the skills to succeed and thrive. Let us come together to make sure every child and student, no matter where their location, has an opportunity to learn in a safe environment and has the tools to build a better future.
Mayor Bowman: The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals provide all of us with a framework to communicate, measure and improve the health of our communities. The city of Winnipeg is proud to have embedded these goals into our central planning document (Our Winnipeg), and have committed to the voluntary local reviews to measure our progress. To realize the vision of the 2030 agenda, we must all commit to partnering in achieving the goals of sustainability, peace and prosperity for people and the planet. Now and into the future.
Minister Gould: Canada will work tirelessly to raise awareness and momentum to accelerate progress through the Decade of Action. I'm so pleased to say that this summer marks the release of our first-ever Annual Report on the SDGs. We are committed to updating Canadians on our whole-of-society efforts toward advancing our 2030 National Strategy. We will continue to take action driven by an intersectional, gender-responsive, whole-of-society approach to ensure our efforts are effective, impactful, and leave no one behind. Through collaboration and a strong plan, we are all pulling together to shape a better, more equal and more sustainable future for everyone.
[Text on screen: Canada.ca/2030-agenda]
[End of music]
The Goal: To Meet People's Fundamental Needs
Transcript - The Goal: To Meet People's Fundamental Needs
Drinking clean water from the tap. Eating a healthy meal. Commuting to work or school by bike or public transport. Imagine a world where these are accessible to all. Meeting people's fundamental needs is at the heart of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals which Canada and all UN Member States committed to achieving by 2030. This is a global call to action to address the most pressing social, economic, and environmental challenges by 2030. Canada's progress toward the 2030 Agenda means positive change. Through the Government of Canada's programs and policies, we are reducing poverty, building sustainable economic growth, supporting reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, advancing gender equality and taking action on climate change and clean energy. The Government of Canada is proud to be advancing the SDGs through dialogue, participation, and collaboration with all Canadians. Learn more about the SDGs and what actions we can all take now to help build stronger, safer, and more inclusive communities that leave no one behind.
[Text on screen: Canada.ca/2030-agenda]
[Visual: Canada wordmark is shown on white background]
Minister
The Honourable Jenna Sudds
— Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
Get involved
Share your stories: Helping achieve Sustainable Development Goals in Canada and abroad
The purpose of this questionnaire is to gather stories from individuals across Canada, stakeholders and partners who have experiences to share on the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals in Canada and abroad. Your stories are being sought to help Employment and Social Development Canada prepare Canada’s 2025 Annual Report on the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals.
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Learn about the Sustainable Development Goals and what actions we can all take now to help build a better tomorrow.
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Related links
- Share your stories: Helping Canada achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Canada and abroad
- Sustainable Development Goals Funding Program
- Sustainable Development Goals Data Hub
- Backgrounder: 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
- Towards Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy
- Canada's Voluntary National Review
- Canada's Feminist International Assistance Policy
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