Canada’s Federal Implementation Plan for the 2030 Agenda

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1. The Federal Implementation Plan

The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a global call to action. They aim to leave no one behind and tackle the world’s most pressing challenges such as poverty, inequality, and climate change. Accelerating progress on the SDGs will help Canada recover from the pandemic, build back better, and foster greater resilience against future shocks.

Moving Forward Together: Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy is a call to action for all Canadians, led by the federal government. It is spearheaded by the department of Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Moving Forward Together sets out a national vision to achieve the sustainable, peaceful, resilient, inclusive and prosperous world envisioned in the 2030 Agenda.

The Federal Implementation Plan articulates how the Government of Canada will contribute to advancing the National Strategy at the federal level, through:

the roles and responsibilities of federal departments and agencies
an Annual Report to Canadians on progress
ongoing opportunities for public engagement
creating an External Advisory Committee, and
the SDG Funding Program

2. Roles and responsibilities

In Moving Forward Together, the Government of Canada recognizes the need to lead by example with a plan that outlines federal roles and responsibilities. This plan supports coordinated implementation across the federal government to advance progress on the SDGs.

All federal departments and agencies are responsible for integrating the 2030 Agenda into their work. They are also responsible for contributing to advancing the SDGs within their areas of responsibility. For example, this can be done by considering the goals and principles of the 2030 Agenda when implementing federal programs and initiatives. This could also be done by integrating the ambitions and or targets included in the Canadian Indicator Framework when developing new policies.

Federal departments and agencies are also responsible for reporting to Canadians on how their programs and initiatives contribute to advancing the SDGs that fall within their mandate.

Lead departments and agencies have been named for each of the 17 SDGs (see annex A for the list of leads).

There are 2 kinds of leads:

vertical leads, who are responsible for facilitating coordination with other federal departments and agencies to support a particular SDG, and
horizontal leads, who are responsible for ensuring that crosscutting objectives are integrated across the Government of Canada’s work to advance the 2030 Agenda

A number of other federal departments and agencies also contribute to the advancement of the SDGs. These organisations are responsible for policies, programs or initiatives that are aligned and contribute to advancing one or more SDGs. They are referred as key contributing departments and agencies. They are responsible for providing input to vertical leads or co-leads on their departments’ policies, programs and initiatives, in support of comprehensive reporting to Canadians on the federal contribution to advancing the SDGs.

2.1 Vertical leads and co-leads

Vertical leads and co-leads are federal departments and agencies that directly contribute to a specific SDG based on their mandate and core responsibilities. They are accountable for contributing to advancing the SDGs within their areas of responsibility. As a vertical lead or co-lead, they will facilitate collaboration with other key contributing departments and agencies that have work linked to the SDG.

Their roles and responsibilities include:

contributing to the development of the Annual Report outlining progress on the SDGs
reviewing and updating initial ambitions and targets in the Canadian Indicator Framework for the SDG they are leading, in collaboration with other key contributing departments and Statistics Canada, as appropriate
supporting the identification of gaps in disaggregated data for marginalized groups and people in vulnerable situations for the SDG(s) within their department’s purview in collaboration with other key contributing departments and Statistics Canada
working with Statistics Canada to explore means to address those data gaps as needed, to support the core principle of leaving no one behind
engaging and supporting ESDC’s engagement efforts with all Canadians on the SDGs that reflect the policies and programs under their purview as appropriate, by leveraging existing mechanisms, and
supporting communications within their department and to the public on the SDG(s) they are leading to promote and raise awareness as opportunities arise, and as part of the Government of Canada’s 2030 Agenda overall communications efforts led by the SDG Unit housed at Employment and Social Development Canada

2.2 Horizontal leads

Horizontal leads have mandates and responsibilities that cut across the SDGs. Their role is to integrate crosscutting objectives into the Government of Canada’s work on advancing the 2030 Agenda. Horizontal crosscutting objectives include:

supporting the core principle of leaving no one behind by advancing gender equality, empowering women and girls, and advancing diversity and inclusion
advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples by working in partnership to support Indigenous voices, views, and traditional knowledge and highlighting the accomplishments of Indigenous partners, and
ensuring coherence within Canada’s international efforts, and between international and domestic efforts to support the advancement of the SDGs

2.3 Central agencies

The central agencies within the Government of Canada – the Privy Council Office, the Department of Finance Canada and the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat – are collectively responsible for ensuring that the SDGs are considered, accounted for, and reflected in the Government of Canada’s priorities. This includes existing planning and reporting processes, including the federal budget. They also work with government departments and agencies to promote policy coherence across the federal government.

In complement to Moving Forward Together - Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy, Budget 2021 introduced Canada’s new Quality of Life Framework. It is designed to better incorporate quality of life measurements^{Footnote 1} such as prosperity, health, environment, social cohesion and good governance into the federal government’s budgeting and policy development. The framework also focuses on the distribution of outcomes across population sub-groups and on ensuring outcomes are sustainable over time. The Quality of Life Framework derives from evidence on the determinants of well-being, rather than a specific focus on the SDG goals and the global challenge for a better and more sustainable future for all. Yet, the Quality of Life Framework and Moving Forward Together – Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy are mutually reinforcing. They ultimately share a common aim: to encourage transformational social, economic and environmental change to achieve increased quality of life and well-being.

2.4 Statistics Canada

Statistics Canada is responsible for working with other federal departments and agencies to identify the indicators for the Canadian Indicator Framework. It compiles, monitors and reports on the data and statistics for both the Canadian and Global SDG indicator frameworks. This includes working with departments and agencies to:

identify data gaps and priorities of federal departments and agencies for disaggregation for the SDGs within departments’ purview, and
address gaps in disaggregation for marginalized groups and people in vulnerable situations where applicable, to support the core principle of leaving no one behind

Every 3 years, Statistics Canada will undertake a review of the Canadian Indicator Framework. This review will allow the Government of Canada to take into consideration emerging issues as needed, and new data sources. Statistics Canada will also explore options to improve users experience and include more disaggregated data on its Data Hubs.

Statistics Canada will also continue its leading international role on the development of global indicators as part of the United Nations Inter-Agency Expert Group on SDG indicators. This supports transparent global reporting and monitoring progress on the SDGs.

2.5 The SDG Unit

The SDG Unit is the lead in the federal government for coordinating the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in Canada. The SDG Unit is located in the Strategic and Service Policy Branch of Employment and Social Development Canada and is responsible for:

leading efforts on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda National Strategy and Federal Implementation Plan with the support of federal departments and agencies
leading the collection of information and development of an Annual Report with other federal departments and agencies
reporting on progress on the 2030 Agenda National Strategy core objectives and the 30 actions to 2030
developing tools and guidance for federal departments and agencies, including vertical and horizontal leads, to support them in the integration of the SDGs into their work, as well as to feed into Annual Reports
raising public awareness of, and support for, the 2030 Agenda as a whole in collaboration with federal departments and agencies
developing awareness, communication and engagement strategies
supporting departments and agencies to integrate the SDGs in their engagement and communication activities
administering the SDG Funding Program, which funds innovative and horizontal initiatives that support the advancement of the SDGs
maintaining an ongoing whole-of-society dialogue on the 2030 Agenda, including through the External Advisory Committee that will provide informal advice to the SDG Unit, and
supporting Canada’s participation in international events on the SDGs, in collaboration with Global Affairs Canada

3. Canada’s Annual Report

The Government of Canada will report annually to Canadians on its progress towards implementing the 2030 Agenda and advancing the SDGs.

To track progress on the SDGs and the targets of the 2030 Agenda, the United Nations Member States have agreed to the Global Indicator Framework, which is a set of global indicators. While the Global Indicator Framework is designed to measure progress at the global level, a successful implementation of the SDGs requires that each country define what constitutes success in its own national context. A preliminary iteration of Canada’s domestic framework, the Canadian Indicator Framework, was released in June 2019 as part of Towards Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy. On June 22, 2021, Statistics Canada released a revised Canadian Indicator Framework to help measure progress on federal government ambitions and targets.

Canada’s Annual Report will include:

an update on each of the 17 SDGs, using the Canadian Indicator Framework and the Global Indicator Framework when relevant and where data is available
information on key Government of Canada programs and initiatives that contribute to advancing the SDGs
an update on the crosscutting objectives of leaving no one behind, advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, and making a positive impact through Canada’s international implementation of the 2030 Agenda
reporting on outcomes and impacts of the SDG Funding Program and the SDG Unit`s engagement activities
highlighting projects undertaken by partners and stakeholders to advance the SDGs, and
demonstrating progress on the five core objectives of the 2030 Agenda National Strategy and the 30 Actions to 2030 articulated in Moving Forward Together : Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy

The SDG Unit will invite external stakeholders and partners to contribute to the Annual Report via targeted engagement each year. This will ensure the Annual Report reflects whole-of-society efforts and activities to advance the SDGs and highlights the contribution of partners and stakeholders. The publication of the first Annual Report will take place in June 2022. The reporting timeline ensures Canada will be able to provide an update each year in advance of the United Nations High-level Political Forum (HLPF) on Sustainable Development. This is the primary follow-up and review mechanism for the 2030 Agenda at the global level, held each year in July.

When Canada adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in 2015, along with 192 other United Nations members, it committed to reporting at least twice to the United Nations HLPF through a Voluntary National Review.

A Voluntary National Review is a country-led review of progress on the 2030 Agenda. It is an opportunity to highlight actions by all Canadians to advance progress on the SDGs.

Canada presented its first Voluntary National Review at the United Nations in 2018. In the year that Canada submits its next Voluntary National Review, it will replace the Annual Report for that year.

4. Beyond the Federal Implementation Plan

There are a number of ways Canadians can support the 2030 Agenda and the Federal Implementation Plan.

4.1 Learn about the SDGs and take action

As part of its ongoing-communications effort, the SDG Unit will work with other federal departments and agencies to coordinate activities in support of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. The SDG Unit will:

develop awareness campaigns around the SDGs
lead joint communications with other federal departments and agencies on the SDGs
communicate SDG Funding Program results and stakeholder achievements, and
actively participate in stakeholder events (webinars, policy jams, events, conferences, etc.)

These activities will allow Canadians to better understand how they can effectively support the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.

4.2 Join the dialogue

Here are some examples of federal government activities to involve and engage Canadians in support of the SDGs.

4.2.1 Ongoing engagement on the 2030 Agenda

The SDG Unit will continue engaging Canadians to foster dialogue on the SDGs, including through:

civil society – non-governmental and philanthropic organizations, local groups involved in SDGs, academia and think-tanks, private sector, youth, and Canadians at large
all levels of government – provincial, territorial, municipal, and Indigenous, in collaboration with other responsible federal government departments and agencies. To do so, the SDG Unit leverages existing fora to engage on the SDGs as appropriate, and
Indigenous Peoples – in collaboration with Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and Indigenous Services Canada

The SDG Unit will also continue to work closely with the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Métis National Council through funding agreements put into place to:

support their capacity to engage on the 2030 Agenda
ensure Indigenous priorities and perspectives are included in Canada’s implementation of the 2030 National Strategy, and
increase information sharing on the SDGs across their networks

As part of the Government of Canada’s implementation of the 2030 Agenda National Strategy, the SDG Unit will:

regularly consult Canadians, stakeholders and partners on their experiences in implementing the 2030 Agenda and advancing the SDGs
integrate into the Annual Report the perspectives, successes, challenges, best practices and lessons learned of stakeholders and partners in implementing the 2030 Agenda
identify and develop compelling stories of Canadians who are taking action on the SDGs, and
share opportunities for collaboration and partnerships with SDGs vertical and horizontal leads

4.2.2 On-going international engagement

To advance the 2030 Agenda, Canada will continue to engage with its partners and stakeholders, and in multilateral fora including the United Nations High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development.

Every year, the SDG Unit will invite a group of targeted stakeholders and partners to be part of Canada’s official delegation to the United Nations High Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. As part of Canada’s official delegation, selected participants will have greater access to sessions and events taking place during the forum.

4.3 Participate in Canada’s Annual Report

Stakeholders and partners will be invited every spring to provide input for the Annual Report through targeted engagement led by the SDG Unit. Contributions could include highlights from projects undertaken by stakeholders and partners to advance the SDGs. The Annual Report will be an opportunity to showcase the whole-of-society efforts underway to advance progress on specific SDGs or the 2030 Agenda as a whole.

4.4 Join the External Advisory Committee

The SDG Unit will establish an External Advisory Committee to advise and support the SDG Unit in implementing a whole-of-society approach to Canada’s implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. The Committee will be representative of different segments of society, including the private sector, academia, and civil society. Membership will also will reflect diversity, geographic representation, linguistic and gender balance.

4.5 Become a partner through the SDG Funding Program

The Government of Canada has committed $60 million over 13 years to support Canada’s implementation of the 2030 Agenda under the SDG Funding Program. Projects funded so far include national and local events, youth-focused policy activities, SDG mapping projects, learning tools, research, policy briefs, and reports.

The SDG Unit will communicate regularly on SDG Funding Program activities and results through:

the 2030 Agenda web platform
its social media accounts
the Annual Report, and
Employment and Social Development Canada’s Departmental Results Reports

The SDG Unit will also promote and communicate stakeholder achievements and contributions to making progress on the SDGs.

5. Conclusion

The Federal Implementation Plan is the Government of Canada’s commitment to putting Moving Forward Together into action. Everyone has a role to play to help advance the 2030 Agenda, so that no one is left behind.

The Government of Canada is committed to advancing progress on the SDGs through:

ongoing federal programs and activities
the SDG Funding Program
regular and transparent reporting on progress, and
a whole-of-government approach to implementing the 2030 Agenda

Annex A: SDG vertical leads and co-leads

SDG 1- No poverty

Vertical lead: Employment and Social Development Canada
Key contributing departments: Canada Revenue Agency, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, Finance Canada, Global Affairs Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development, Public Safety, Women and Gender Equality

SDG 2- Zero hunger

Vertical lead: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Key contributing departments: Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Health Canada, Global Affairs Canada, Indigenous Services Canada

SDG 3- Good health and well-being

Vertical lead: Health Canada
Key contributing departments: Agriculture and Agri-Food, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Canadian Heritage, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, Employment and Social Development Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Global Affairs Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada, Public Safety, Transport Canada

SDG 4- Quality education

Vertical lead: Employment and Social Development Canada
Key contributing departments: Canadian Heritage, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, Global Affairs Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development, Women and Gender Equality

SDG 5- Gender equality

Vertical lead: Women and Gender Equality
Key contributing departments: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, Employment and Social Development, Finance Canada, Global Affairs Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, Infrastructure Canada, Justice Canada, Public Safety, Public Services and Procurement Canada, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

SDG 6- Clean water and sanitation

Vertical lead: Indigenous Services Canada
Key contributing departments: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Global Affairs Canada, Health Canada, Infrastructure Canada

SDG 7- Affordable and clean energy

Vertical lead: Natural Resources Canada
Key contributing departments: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, Global Affairs Canada, Infrastructure Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development, Public Services and Procurement Canada, Transport Canada

SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth

Vertical lead: Employment and Social Development Canada
Key contributing departments: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canadian Heritage, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, Global Affairs Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada, Justice Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Public Services and Procurement Canada, Transport Canada, Women and Gender Equality

SDG 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Vertical co-leads: Infrastructure Canada and Innovation, Science and Economic Development
Key contributing departments: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canadian Heritage, Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission, Crown- Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, Employment and Social Development Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Finance Canada, Global Affairs Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Transport Canada

SDG 10- Reduced inequalities

Vertical lead: Employment and Social Development Canada
Key contributing departments: Canadian Heritage, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, Finance Canada, Global Affairs Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Infrastructure Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development, Justice Canada, Women and Gender Equality

SDG 11- Sustainable cities and communities

Vertical co-leads: Infrastructure Canada and Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Key contributing departments: Canadian Heritage, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, Employment and Social Development Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Global Affairs Canada, Health Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Public Safety, Transport Canada

SDG 12- Responsible consumption and production

Vertical lead: Employment and Social Development Canada (SDG Unit)
Key contributing departments: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Crown- Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Finance Canada, Global Affairs Canada, Health Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development, Natural Resources Canada, Public Services and Procurement Canada, Transport Canada, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

SDG 13- Climate action

Vertical lead: Environment and Climate Change Canada
Key contributing departments: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Global Affairs Canada, Health Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, Infrastructure Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Public Safety, Transport Canada, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

SDG 14- Life below water

Vertical lead: Fisheries and Oceans Canada
Key contributing departments: Crown- Indigenous and Northern Affairs, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Global Affairs Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Transport Canada

SDG 15- Life on land

Vertical lead: Environment and Climate Change Canada
Key contributing departments: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Canada Border Services Agency, Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Global Affairs Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Transport Canada

SDG 16- Peace, justice and strong institutions

Vertical lead: Justice Canada
Key contributing departments: Crown-Indigenous Services and Northern Affairs Canada, Canada Revenue Agency, Employment and Social Development Canada, Global Affairs Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, Public Safety, Women and Gender Equality

SDG 17- Partnerships for the goals

Vertical co-leads: Global Affairs Canada and Employment and Social Development Canada
Key contributing departments: all federal departments and agencies

Horizontal leads (cross-cutting objectives)

Supporting the core principle of leaving no one behind

Horizontal lead: Women and Gender Equality
With support of Canadian Heritage

Advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples

Horizontal lead: Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs
With support of Indigenous Services Canada

Ensuring coherence with Canada’s international efforts, and between international and domestic efforts to support the advancement of the SDGs

Horizontal lead: Global Affairs Canada

Horizontal leads (enablers)

Policy coherence

Horizontal leads (enablers): Finance Canada, Global Affairs Canada, Privy Council Office, SDG Unit, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

Data, indicators, and reporting platform

Horizontal lead (enabler): Statistics Canada

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Date modified:: 2021-09-14