February 8, 2023 Gatineau, Quebec Employment and Social Development Canada
The Government of Canada is committed to advancing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, a 15-year action plan adopted by all United Nations member countries. At the heart of this agenda are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at addressing the world's most pressing challenges by 2030, including poverty, inequality and climate change.
Today, at the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Sustainable Communities Conference, the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Karina Gould, announced that Canada will present its second SDG Voluntary National Review (VNR) this summer.
In her role as Federal lead on the Government of Canada's domestic implementation of the 2030 Agenda, Minister Gould announced the launch of a public consultation to seek input from Canadians to highlight notable projects, challenges and opportunities related to the SDGs. The online questionnaire will be open for 30 days - and is a first step in the engagement process for Canada's presentation of the VNR. Additional engagement activities will also include targeted outreach to engage various stakeholder groups, including Government of Canada departments, provinces and territories, municipalities, members of Parliament, Indigenous peoples, youth and key SDG stakeholders.
The consultations will help inform Canada's VNR. Through this review, Canada will share lessons learned and collaborate with other UN countries to discuss milestones and progress in achieving the 2030 Agenda. The VNR will be presented during the UN's High Level Political Forum. It is a significant opportunity for Canada to showcase its commitment to sustainable development and to demonstrate leadership, transparency and accountability on this important global agenda.
Canada will report on whole-of-society and whole-of-government contributions on the SDGs including ongoing international collaboration to help achieve a better future for all. It will reflect contributions in Canada and in developing countries since Canada's last VNR presentation in 2018.
The 17 SDGs have always been an integral part of Government of Canada programs and policies, and every Canadian has a role to play. At the halfway mark toward the 2030 Agenda, Canada remains committed to the work which began in 2015, to build stronger, safer, more inclusive communities that leave no one behind.
