In 2015, governments will negotiate a set of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to replace the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which expire this year. Like the MDGs, the SDGs, to be announced in September 2015, will comprise goals, targets and indicators against which countries and the world will track progress on sustainable development. But unlike the MDGs, the SDGs are set to be universal in nature, applying to all countries, including developed countries like Canada.

On Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015, Carleton University’s Norman Paterson School of International Affairs (NPSIA) and the Centre for the Study of Living Standards launched a joint report called Canada 2030: An Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Canada 2030 takes an in-depth look what the SDGs could mean for Canada. Part of the Post-2015 Data Test, an initiative supported by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and the International Development Research Centre’s Think Tank Initiative, the report looks at current trends related to poverty, education, employment and inequality, energy, the environment, infrastructure, governance and international co-operation in Canada. It unpacks global and national sustainable development priorities, challenges and opportunities for implementation of the SDGs, and data availability for measuring progress.

“This is one of the most comprehensive assessments of Canada’s sustainable development priorities,” said Shannon Kindornay, NPSIA adjunct research professor and a lead author of the report. “The report covers most aspects of social, economic and environmental well-being. Whether we are talking about an education system fit for purpose, the ongoing marginalization of Canada’s Aboriginal communities, ensuring adequate resourcing for infrastructure or improving access to justice – this report shows there is much work to be done on sustainable development in Canada. It should serve as a valuable resource as Canada moves forward on the SDG agenda.”

Key findings include:

  • The proposed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are relevant for Canada.
  • Addressing the well-being of Aboriginal peoples is prevalent across SDGs. Issues related to gender equality are also cross-cutting.
  • Most Canadian stakeholders have little to no knowledge of the post-2015 agenda.
  • There is a need for the federal government to take a greater leadership role in examining the implications of the SDGs for Canada in consultation with appropriate stakeholders.
  • Nevertheless, efforts to address sustainable development concerns in Canada are established and ongoing for many candidate goal areas.

The report is available here, and highlights are available here. It was co-authored by Andrew Sharpe, executive director of the Centre for the Study of Living Standards.

The launch was followed by an interactive panel discussion with representatives from government, civil society and academia. André Plourde, dean of Carleton’s Faculty of Public Affairs, moderated the panel. Panelists included:

  • Jonathan Arnold, Head – Post-2015 Task Force, Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada
  • Gordon Betcherman, Professor, School of International Development and Global Studies, Ottawa University
  • Kate Higgins, Strategy and Policy Manager, Big Development DataShift, CIVICUS
  • Yiagadeesen Samy, Associate Professor and Associate Director (MA Program), NPSIA, Carleton University

Media Inquiries:
Chris Cline
Media Relations Officer
Carleton University
613-520-2600, ext. 1391
christopher_cline@carleton.ca

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