Canada moving forward on implementing the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at home and abroad

From: Global Affairs Canada

News release

April 17, 2018 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

Canada and the rest of the world adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at the UN General Assembly in 2015. This universal plan of action aims to eradicate poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity in every country, including Canada. The Government of Canada is committed to building the more peaceful, inclusive and prosperous world that the SDGs envision and recognizes that the only way to do this is by working together with all national partners.

All Canadians, including all levels of government, Indigenous peoples, civil society and the private sector, have a role to play in advancing the SDGs and ensuring no one is left behind. The SDGs can only be achieved if everyone is on board. This is why the Government of Canada is taking steps to develop a national strategy and launching, today, the Voluntary National Review Web portal to invite Canadians to tell us how they are helping to advance the SDGs at home and abroad.

Over the coming months, the government will:

  • reach out to Canadians, including Indigenous peoples, civil society, the private sector and other levels of government, to develop a national strategy that will catalyze action on the SDGs across the country;
  • work with all partners to build public awareness and foster new partnerships and networks to advance the SDGs;
  • take steps to ensure all federal departments and agencies integrate the SDGs into all of their policies and programs. A robust SDG team will be established to coordinate and support these efforts. This team will also help gather data, report and communicate on progress toward the SDGs;
  • continue to work, through Statistics Canada, with the United Nations and Canadian partners on the global SDG indicator framework to help Canada and the world measure progress; and
  • present its first Voluntary National Review at the United Nations High Level Political Forum in July 2018. This review will highlight the actions that Canada has already taken over the last three years and outline future plans.

These measures build on the work that the Government of Canada has already been doing to advance the SDGs at home and abroad through its policies and programs. For example, the government’s focus on gender equality and efforts to grow the middle class, as well as its National Housing Strategy and the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy, which aims to protect the planet, are driving progress toward the SDGs. Canada’s efforts to advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stated in September 2017 at the United Nation’s General Assembly, is another strong example of Canada’s commitment to the SDGs.

Internationally, Canada's Feminist International Assistance Policy is helping to eradicate poverty and advance the SDGs. Canada firmly believes that promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls is the best way to do this.

Budget 2018 also announced measures that will further contribute to the achievement of the SDGs. These include $49.4 million over 13 years to establish the SDG team and fund monitoring and reporting activities by Statistics Canada and $59.8 million from existing resources for programming to support the implementation of the SDGs in Canada.

Quotes

“The ambitious agenda for the Sustainable Development Goals is Canada’s agenda. Through our investments here at home and abroad, we are doing our part to make our world a better and safer place for all. Globally, gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls are at the heart of Canada’s approach to implementing the 2030 Agenda.”

- Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of International Development and La Francophonie

“Canada has demonstrated its strong commitment to innovation with significant investments in scientific research and clean technology to protect our environment, support a sustainable low-carbon economy and promote equality and prosperity for those who need it most at home and around the world.”

- Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

“It is crucial we listen to the voices of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples as we work together in achieving the 2030 Agenda. True reconciliation requires our collective action to close the gaps in health, education and economic outcomes and to create a healthier planet through sustainable development.”

- Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs

“I’m proud to say that the Sustainable Development Goals align with the priorities our government has put forward. Reducing poverty and fighting inequality, making a better future for Canada and the world; this is what we are all after. It is by working together that we can make a difference to reduce poverty in our communities and help all Canadians have a real and fair chance to succeed.”

- Jean-Yves Duclos, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development

“In line with the 2030 Agenda, our Government is working  hard to give all Canadians tools and support to get the skills they need to find, and keep, good quality, well-paying jobs. Our country is stronger and more prosperous when everyone has a real and fair chance to benefit from our growing economy ."

- The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour

“Achieving a more sustainable future requires serious action on climate change, improving the health of our oceans, protecting nature, and making sure that all Canadians can prosper from the transition to cleaner economic growth. Canada’s Federal Sustainable Development Strategy outlines practical steps toward achieving those goals and ensuring that the environment and the economy go hand-in-hand.” 

- Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“Achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls is a major priority for Canada and the world. This commitment is clearly reflected in stand-alone SDG 5 and integrated across the other 16 SDGs. As a government, we understand that women and girls must be able to reach their full potentials, and that is why we will continue to take concrete measures to eliminate barriers to their equality at home and internationally.”

- Maryam Monsef, Minister of Status of Women

“There is much work to be done in order to close the socio-economic gaps that exist between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada. However, we have made substantial commitments—in housing, water, education, health and economic development—in partnership with Indigenous peoples that will benefit First Nations, Inuit and the Métis Nation as we move forward in implementing the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.”

-  Jane Philpott, Minister of Indigenous Services

Quick facts

  • In May, Statistics Canada will create a website to publish Canadian data on the SDG indicators.

  • In addition to initiatives undertaken by the Government of Canada, Canadians working in all sectors are also taking action on the SDGs. The new SDG team will support their efforts and encourage the sharing of best practices to maximize progress.

  • Canadians have until May 4, 2018, to provide their input to the Voluntary National Review web portal. Some stories may be included in Canada’s Voluntary National Review or featured on a Government of Canada website.

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Contacts

Justine Lesage
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of International Development and La Francophonie
343-203-5977
justine.lesage@international.gc.ca

Media Relations Office
Global Affairs Canada
343-203-7700
media@international.gc.ca
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