Overview

Canada’s 2023 Voluntary National Review (VNR), titled A Continued Journey for Implementing the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), is the country’s second comprehensive report to the High-Level Political Forum. Presented at the midpoint of the 2030 Agenda implementation period, the review provides a candid assessment of progress and persisting challenges within a global context marked by “poly-crisis,” including armed conflict, climate change, and economic insecurity. Anchored in Canada’s Moving Forward Together National Strategy, the 2023 VNR emphasises a “whole-of-society” approach and signals a clear shift in domestic policy towards inclusive growth and environmental stewardship, explicitly connecting the achievement of the SDGs to the national imperative of reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. While focusing on five priority goals—No Poverty, Quality Education, Gender Equality, Climate Action, and Partnerships—the report also provides a broad assessment of the remaining goals through the lens of intersectionality and the principle of “leaving no one behind.”

Recommendations

Accelerate Reconciliation: Deepen the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) Act and prioritise closing socio-economic gaps in income, education, health, and housing.
Enhance Data Disaggregation: Invest further in data systems that capture the lived experiences of racialised, Indigenous, and marginalised communities to better target policies and monitor progress towards the “leave no one behind” principle.
Address Housing Affordability: Prioritise the rapid expansion of affordable housing supply and implement measures to stabilise rental markets, preventing homelessness and reducing economic exclusion in urban and rural areas.
Maintain Climate Momentum: Ensure rigorous implementation of the Emissions Reduction Plan to meet 2030 climate targets, while strengthening adaptation strategies in vulnerable regions and improving resilience of infrastructure.
Close Gender and Labour Gaps: Address persistent wage disparities and underrepresentation of women in leadership and senior management roles, while expanding policies to support work-life balance and women’s mental health.
Combat Health Crises: Scale up public health interventions for the opioid crisis and mental health, including harm reduction, community support, and accessible mental health services.
Promote Sustainable Consumption and Production: Accelerate adoption of zero-emission vehicles and enhance recycling and composting programmes to achieve sustainable consumption targets.
Strengthen Justice and Governance: Reduce court case backlogs, increase confidence in justice and policing systems, and implement inclusive governance strategies that build accountability and equity across all institutions.

Conclusion

Canada’s 2023 Voluntary National Review illustrates a country that has moved from commitment to tangible action on the SDGs. With robust legislative frameworks for poverty reduction and climate accountability now established, Canada has achieved measurable progress, notably in reducing poverty and conserving natural ecosystems. Yet, the “poly-crisis” context continues to present significant challenges. The report emphasises that achieving the 2030 Agenda depends on a renewed social contract that centres on reconciliation, equity, and resilience. As the Prime Minister notes, while Canada understands “where we are,” reaching the 2030 goals will require sustained, collaborative effort to ensure that the promise of the agenda is realised for all.

SDGs Progress Tracker

Voluntary National Reports

Country Focal Point

Anar Mamdani
Counsellor
Permanent Mission of Canada to the United Nations

Location

Government of Canada, 4300 Yonge St., North York, Ontario M2N 6M4, Canada

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Region

No Poverty

Score: 4
Justification	In Canada, the proportion of the population living in poverty fell to 7.4% in 2021, down from 11.2% in 2018, largely due to government transfers through COVID-19 relief programmes. These measures enabled Canada to temporarily reach its target of reducing poverty by half from the 2015 level of 14.5% in 2020. Although the poverty rate rose slightly between 2020 and 2021, it remains well below the 2015 level.
Challenges	Despite overall improvements, several groups remain at heightened risk of poverty. Non-elderly persons living alone were the most vulnerable, with over 1 in 4 living in poverty in 2021. Indigenous Peoples aged 16 and over also experienced higher poverty levels at 13.9%, almost double that of non-Indigenous Canadians (7.4%). Children in female lone-parent families remain more likely to live in poverty, even though their rate fell from 31.0% in 2018 to 18.4% in 2021.
Progress/ Solution	Among children and adolescents, the poverty rate declined from 10.6% in 2018 to 6.4% in 2021, showing progress across younger age groups. The largest improvements occurred among youths in female lone-parent households. Additionally, asset resiliency improved modestly, with 67.1% of Canadians in 2019 reporting sufficient savings to cover three months of unexpected expenses or loss of income, compared with 66.6% in 2016. These gains suggest that government supports and improved income security measures contributed to stronger economic resilience.
Unsolved Challenges	Progress in asset resiliency remains limited, and not all groups are benefitting equally. Only 41.3% of persons in lone-parent families were considered financially resilient in 2019, highlighting the persistent vulnerability faced by these households. Broader economic uncertainties, reduced income, and unforeseen expenses continue to pose significant risks, particularly for those already living close to the poverty line. Persistent disparities indicate that further action is required to ensure all Canadians can withstand financial shocks.

Zero Hunger

Score: 4
Justification	· SDG 2 aims to end hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. In Canada, food insecurity rose from 11.6% in 2018 to 12.9% in 2021, signalling a movement away from the goal. This increase resulted in a progress score of –2.8, indicating deterioration rather than advancement towards ending hunger and food insecurity.
Challenges	Food insecurity affects Canadians unevenly across regions and socioeconomic groups. Female lone-parent families face heightened vulnerability, with 34.1% experiencing moderate or severe food insecurity in both 2018 and 2021. Among non-elderly persons not living in an economic family, 18.5% were food insecure in 2021, substantially above the national average of 12.9%. These disparities highlight persistent inequalities in access to sufficient and nutritious food.
Progress/ Solution	Land productivity, measured through farm output value per hectare, demonstrates improvements gained from technological and production innovations. Between 2016 and 2021, the proportion of agricultural land classified as productive and sustainable (desirable or acceptable) increased from 68.5% to 70.6%, while land deemed unsustainable fell to 29.3%. These gains indicate moderate progress towards more resilient agricultural practices and sustainable food production systems.
Unsolved Challenges	Despite advances in sustainable agriculture, rising food insecurity remains a critical unresolved challenge. National improvements in land use and productivity have not yet translated into reduced food insecurity for vulnerable populations. Persistent disparities—particularly among female lone-parent families and non-elderly individuals living alone—demonstrate that progress in agricultural sustainability has not been matched by equal progress in household food security.

Good Health

Score: 3
Justification	Rates of opioid-related deaths and associated harms have remained elevated in Canada since measurement began and have worsened further during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, males accounted for 73% of apparent opioid-related toxicity deaths and 62% of opioid-related hospitalisations. Most deaths affected individuals aged 20 to 59, with patterns remaining similar from January to September 2022. The total apparent opioid toxicity death rate in 2021 was 20.9 per 100,000, representing over 8,000 deaths, and an 85% increase from the 2018 rate. This equates to around 22 deaths per day in 2021, compared with 12 per day in 2018. Such an increasing trend signals a clear deterioration relative to the target of reducing overdose-related harms.
Challenges	Opioid-related hospitalisations also increased, with a rate of 21.2 per 100,000 population in 2021, marking a 20% rise since 2018. Alongside this, Canadians’ perceptions of their mental health declined considerably. In 2021, 59.0% rated their mental health as very good to excellent, down from 68.6% in 2018. Women experienced worse mental health outcomes than men in both years, and younger women aged 18–34 faced the largest declines, with only 45.8% reporting very good to excellent mental health in 2021.
Progress/ Solution	While the data indicate deterioration in opioid-related harms and self-perceived mental health, the patterns help to identify high-risk groups and inform targeted public health measures. Surveillance across 2021 and early 2022 provides a clearer understanding of demographic impacts—particularly among males experiencing opioid harms and young women reporting poorer mental health—supporting the development of tailored prevention, harm-reduction, and mental health support strategies.
Unsolved Challenges	Despite ongoing monitoring, opioid-related deaths and hospitalisations continue to rise, with no evidence yet of reversal. The persistent gap in mental health outcomes between women and men, and the pronounced decline among younger women, remains unresolved. Both crises—substance-related harms and deteriorating mental health—continue to pose substantial public health challenges without clear signs of improvement.

Quality Education

Score: 5
Justification	SDG 4 aims to ensure inclusive and equitable education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. In Canada, the attainment of certificates, diplomas and degrees from universities, colleges, cégeps and similar institutions has been increasing for several years. This trend indicates that Canada is on track to achieve its ambition of providing inclusive and quality education throughout the life course.
Challenges	Despite steady progress, disparities in educational attainment persist. In 2022, 76% of younger women aged 25 to 34 had attained post-secondary education, compared with 58% of younger men. Although post-secondary attainment among Indigenous Peoples living off-reserve rose from 39% in 2018 to 45% in 2022, notable gaps remain. High school completion rates also vary, with Inuit achieving 50.1% in 2021 compared with 82.0% among Métis and 69.9% among First Nations.
Progress/ Solution	Nationally, 63% of persons aged 25 to 64 had completed post-secondary education in 2022, up from 58% in 2018, reflecting broad improvements across the population. High school graduation also strengthened, rising from 87% in 2016–2017 to 89% in 2019–2020, corresponding to a progress measure of 0.76. The completion-rate gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations has narrowed substantially, with meaningful gains recorded for Métis, First Nations and Inuit communities.
Unsolved Challenges	Although progress has been made, acceleration is required to meet the target of ensuring free, equitable and quality education for all. Persistent gaps remain between men and women, between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations, and particularly for Inuit learners who continue to have the lowest completion rates. These disparities indicate that further targeted support and sustained investment are necessary to ensure that improvements are shared equitably across all groups.

Gender Equality

Score: 3
Justification	The representation of women in certain leadership positions in Canada has shown gradual improvement in recent years. Among members of federal parliament, 30.6% were women in 2022, an increase from 27.0% in 2018. Women also made up 48.7% of the federal cabinet in 2022, indicating near gender parity at this level of government.
Challenges	Despite gains in some areas, women remain underrepresented in several leadership roles. In 2022, women accounted for just under one third of all senior managers, a proportion that has remained largely unchanged since 2018. Although women made up nearly half of those in specialised middle-management occupations in both years, this parity is not mirrored in higher-level positions. Additionally, intimate partner violence continues to disproportionately affect women. In 2018, 12% of all women reported experiencing intimate partner violence in the previous 12 months, with significantly higher rates among younger women (29%, or 142% above the national average).
Progress/ Solution	Incremental improvements in political representation, particularly in parliament and the federal cabinet, demonstrate progress towards gender equality in leadership. The sustained presence of women in specialised middle-management roles suggests a potential talent pipeline that could support greater representation in senior positions over time. Continued monitoring and targeted initiatives may further strengthen women’s opportunities for advancement.
Unsolved Challenges	Significant challenges persist, especially in addressing intimate partner violence and improving women’s representation in senior management. Around 1 in 5 separated or divorced women, LGBTQ2+ women and single women reported being subjected to intimate partner violence, highlighting ongoing vulnerabilities. The slow pace of change in senior leadership roles also indicates structural barriers that have yet to be fully addressed.

Water & Sanitation

Score:4
Justification	SDG 6 aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. In Canada, more than 99% of the population had access to safely managed drinking water services in 2020. Water usage has been trending downwards in recent years, with a 3% reduction between 2015 and 2019. Additionally, over half of Canadians reported using water conservation practices, such as low-volume toilets and low-flow showerheads, in their bathrooms in 2019. These trends highlight positive movement towards more sustainable water use.
Challenges	Despite the progress, there are regional disparities in water quality. Water quality in Canadian rivers—an indicator of overall water quality—varied significantly. Between 2018 and 2020, only 45% of rivers were rated as having good to excellent water quality, while 16% of rivers were rated as having marginal to poor quality water. Water quality has also shown little improvement over the long term, with 60% of sites across southern Canada experiencing no significant change between 2002 and 2020. Furthermore, 32 long-term drinking water advisories were still in effect in communities on reserves south of the 60th parallel at the end of 2022, showing that challenges persist in certain regions.
Progress/ Solution	On a positive note, the proportion of rivers with good to excellent water quality increased from 40% in 2016–2018 to 45% in 2018–2020, indicating progress towards sustainable water management. The number of long-term drinking water advisories in Indigenous communities has also significantly decreased, nearly halving from 2018 to 2022. This reduction is a clear indication that Canada is moving closer to its SDG target of eliminating all long-term drinking water advisories by 2030.
Unsolved Challenges	While overall trends are positive, substantial challenges remain. Water quality continues to vary significantly across regions, and the deterioration of water quality at 30% of sites in southern Canada between 2002 and 2020 is concerning. Additionally, the issue of long-term drinking water advisories on reserves remains unresolved, with 32 advisories still in effect in late 2022. These ongoing issues highlight that further efforts are needed to ensure equitable access to safe and sustainable water across the entire country.

Clean Energy

Score: 4
Justification	SDG 7 aims to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all. Canada’s vast geography and extreme seasonal temperature variations make it one of the largest per-capita energy consumers in the world. In 2021, the average Canadian consumed 0.21 terajoules, a decrease from 0.24 terajoules in 2018, showing progress towards reducing energy consumption, although further acceleration is required to meet national ambitions.
Challenges	Despite recent reductions, energy consumption remains high by international standards. Total energy use fell by 7.3% between 2018 and 2021, largely due to reduced economic activity during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. However, consumption began to rise again in 2021, signalling the potential for a rebound as economic conditions normalise. The challenge lies in maintaining reductions while supporting economic recovery.
Progress/ Solution	Canada has significantly increased its international assistance to developing countries in support of clean energy research, development and renewable energy production since 2015. Financial flows reached US$282.5 million in 2021, up dramatically from US$0.57 million in 2015. Africa received US$137.9 million in 2021, while the Americas received almost 30% of total financial flows—more than six times the amount provided in 2018. Assistance to Asia accounted for just over 20% of the total in 2021. These investments demonstrate Canada’s expanding role in supporting global clean-energy transitions.
Unsolved Challenges	Although energy consumption decreased, some of the reduction reflects temporary economic slowdowns rather than long-term behavioural or structural changes. The partial rebound in 2021 suggests that sustained efforts are needed to ensure lasting reductions in consumption. Moreover, while international financial flows have grown substantially, ongoing evaluation is required to ensure that support effectively contributes to clean-energy access and development outcomes across regions.

Decent Work

Score: 3
Justification	SDG 8 aims to promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all. In Canada, wages are a key indicator of equitable and decent work, and their recent movements have reflected the economic disruptions associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. Average hourly wages increased by 15.9% between 2018 and 2022, reaching $32.00 per hour, indicating progress towards achieving the goal.
Challenges	Despite overall wage growth, the average hourly gender wage gap has remained largely unchanged since 2018. In 2022, women continued to earn around $4.50 less per hour than men, demonstrating persistent inequality. Wage disparities are also evident across age groups, with younger employees aged 15–24 earning an average of $19.17 per hour, significantly lower than other groups.
Progress/ Solution	Employees aged 25–54 had the highest average hourly earnings at $34.55 per hour in 2022, reflecting stronger labour market outcomes for the core working-age population. Continued wage growth, alongside targeted policies aimed at strengthening job quality and productivity, supports the broader ambition of ensuring full and productive employment.
Unsolved Challenges	The stagnant gender wage gap remains a persistent barrier to achieving equitable and decent work. Younger workers continue to face comparatively low wages, highlighting structural challenges related to job entry, part-time work and limited experience. Addressing these disparities will require sustained policy attention to ensure that wage progress translates into fair and inclusive labour market outcomes for all groups.

Industry & Infrastructure

Score: 4
Justification	SDG 9 aims to build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation. In Canada, research and development (R&D) expenditures represented 1.70% of GDP in 2021, lower than in the three previous years and substantially below the OECD average of 2.5%. Between 2018 and 2021, the ratio of R&D to GDP peaked at 1.89% in 2020, before declining again to 1.70%, highlighting ongoing challenges in strengthening innovation capacity.
Challenges	Although total R&D expenditures grew by almost 10% between 2018 and 2021, this growth was nearly matched by GDP increases, resulting in a largely stable R&D-to-GDP ratio. This corresponds to a progress measure of –2, indicating limited progress towards enhancing scientific research and improving technological capabilities across industrial sectors. The business enterprise sector accounted for 44% of all R&D spending, while higher education and the federal government each contributed 19%, underscoring disparities in investment across sectors.
Progress/ Solution	Infrastructure production has shown positive movement towards environmental sustainability. In 2021, 0.33 tonnes of GHG emissions were produced per $1,000 of value added from infrastructure production—a 10% improvement from 2015. This indicates that Canada is on track to achieve the ambition of ensuring access to modern and sustainable infrastructure. Among all asset types, transportation machinery and equipment production emitted the most, at 0.51 tonnes per $1,000 of production, highlighting where mitigation efforts are especially important.
Unsolved Challenges	Despite improvements in infrastructure-related emissions, Canada continues to face significant barriers in innovation. R&D investment remains well below international benchmarks, and the stagnation in the R&D-to-GDP ratio suggests insufficient momentum to realise SDG 9 ambitions fully. Sectoral imbalances in R&D contributions, combined with declining ratios since 2020, indicate that more robust and targeted strategies are required to strengthen scientific research and industrial technological capabilities.

Inequality

Score: 3
Justification	Hate crimes pose a significant barrier to achieving inclusive and equitable societies, a key aspect of Canada’s SDG ambitions. In 2021, police-reported hate crimes totalled 3,360 incidents, an increase of almost 85% from 2018, corresponding to a progress score of –5. This trend indicates a deterioration towards the goal of ensuring Canadians live free of discrimination and that inequality is reduced.
Challenges	Racial or ethnic groups were the most frequent targets, accounting for more than half of police-reported hate crimes in 2021, more than twice the number reported in 2018. Religion was the second-most targeted category, with 884 incidents, representing a 35% increase since 2018. Hate crimes targeting sexual orientation more than doubled to 423 incidents. Urban areas faced higher rates of hate crime, with Census Metropolitan Areas (CMAs) reporting twice the rate per 100,000 population compared with non-urban areas. Among CMAs, Ottawa had the highest rate at 23.2 per 100,000 in 2021.
Progress/ Solution	Among all police-reported hate crime violations, mischief, uttering threats, and level 1 assaults were the most prevalent. The documentation and reporting of hate crimes help identify high-risk areas and populations, providing a basis for law enforcement and community-based interventions aimed at prevention and awareness.
Unsolved Challenges	Despite monitoring and reporting, hate-motivated incidents continue to rise sharply. In 2021, there were 13 hate-motivated homicides, highlighting the severity of the issue. Persistent increases across race, religion, and sexual orientation, particularly in urban areas, indicate that deeper structural and societal measures are needed to reduce discrimination and protect vulnerable communities.

Sustainable Cities

Score:3
Justification	SDG 11 aims to make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. In Canada, the percentage of households living in core housing need has generally improved at the national level, largely due to government relief programmes related to the COVID-19 pandemic. These measures have helped reduce housing stress for many Canadians and contributed to overall improvements in housing security.
Challenges	Despite national improvements, certain groups remain disproportionately affected. Renters were particularly vulnerable, with the proportion living in core housing need decreasing from 26.8% in 2016 to 20.0% in 2021, yet still twice as likely to face housing stress as the average household. One-person households and one-parent census families also remain at high risk. For one-parent families, 17.8% lived in core housing need in 2021, down from 25.1% in 2016, but still higher than the national average.
Progress/ Solution	Among larger urban areas, improvements have also been observed. In the Toronto Metropolitan Area, the share of households living in core housing need fell from 19.1% in 2016 to 16.1% in 2021, demonstrating positive trends in urban housing conditions. One-parent families and other vulnerable household types benefited from targeted relief programmes, contributing to some of the largest declines in core housing need nationally.
Unsolved Challenges	Despite progress, significant disparities persist in housing access. Among one-person households in Toronto, around 30% continued to live in core housing need in both 2016 and 2021, far above the national average. Larger cities continue to face higher housing stress, and certain household types remain consistently overrepresented among those in core housing need, highlighting the need for ongoing policy interventions to achieve truly inclusive and sustainable urban housing.

Responsible Consumption

Score :3
Justification	SDG 12 aims to ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns. In Canada, businesses and households diverted almost 10 million tonnes of materials from landfills in 2020, an increase of 4% from 2018. On a per capita basis, this amounted to 261 kilograms diverted in 2020, yielding a progress measure score of 0.14, indicating that some progress has been made, though acceleration is needed to achieve sustainable consumption.
Challenges	While overall diversion rates have improved, the per capita number of materials diverted has remained relatively stable, suggesting that growth in sustainable practices is modest. Organic matter from residential sources showed the largest increase, 10% between 2018 and 2020, but further expansion of composting and waste reduction programmes is needed to maintain momentum and ensure broader adoption across all households.
Progress/ Solution	The adoption of zero-emission vehicles has increased substantially, supported by government incentive programmes. Zero-emission vehicles accounted for 8.2% of new vehicle purchases in 2022, more than three and a half times the proportion in 2018 (2.2%). The highest uptake was observed in provinces with active credit programmes, such as British Columbia and the territories (16.3%) and Quebec (12.3%), with nearly 40% of new zero-emission vehicle registrations in 2022 occurring in Quebec alone.
Unsolved Challenges	Despite progress, per capita material diversion remains stable, indicating that more efforts are required to significantly reduce landfill waste. The adoption of zero-emission vehicles, while increasing rapidly, still represents a small share of total vehicle sales, meaning Canada must continue to expand incentives and infrastructure to reach the target of 30% of new light-duty vehicle sales being zero-emission by 2030. Broader behavioural and systemic changes are needed to achieve truly sustainable consumption and production patterns.

Climate Action

Score:3
Justification	The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic had wide-reaching effects on the Canadian economy and society, contributing to a temporary slowdown in many industries. This led to a nearly 9% decline in GHG emissions between 2019 and 2020, the largest year-over-year reduction since measurement began. Comparing data with the 2018 VNR, total GHG emissions fell by 7.6%, from 725 Mt CO2 eq in 2018 to 670 Mt CO2 eq in 2021, demonstrating overall progress towards reducing national emissions.
Challenges	Emissions reductions varied across economic sectors. The oil and gas sector, Canada’s largest emitter, fell by 6.6% between 2018 and 2021, while the transport sector, heavily affected by COVID-19 restrictions, fell by 11.3%. In contrast, emissions from the agricultural sector remained stable over the same period, representing just over 10% of all GHG emissions. These sectoral differences highlight ongoing challenges in achieving uniform reductions across the economy.
Progress/ Solution	A growing number of municipal, regional, provincial, and territorial government organisations have integrated climate change adaptation into decision-making. By 2020, almost 60% of government organisations considered climate change in decisions related to at least one core public infrastructure, up from 51% in 2018. Roads, wastewater, stormwater, and potable water infrastructure were most prioritised. Urban municipalities were more likely than rural ones to incorporate climate considerations, particularly for water infrastructure (62.4% urban vs 43.9% rural), demonstrating increasing resilience planning.
Unsolved Challenges	Despite overall reductions in emissions and increased adaptation planning, challenges remain. Agricultural emissions have not decreased, and disparities persist between urban and rural municipalities in factoring climate change into infrastructure decisions. Ensuring consistent GHG reductions across all sectors and expanding adaptation practices to all regions of Canada remain critical for achieving long-term climate resilience and sustainability goals.

Life Below Water

Score: 4
Justification	SDG 14 aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development. At the end of 2022, Canada had conserved 14.7% of its marine and coastal areas. While this falls short of the 2025 target of 25%, it demonstrates substantial progress towards the 2030 target, indicating growing efforts to protect marine ecosystems.
Challenges	Despite strong conservation measures, sustainable management of fish stocks remains a challenge. Among assessed fish stocks, three were harvested above approved levels: one Atlantic snow crab stock (Crustaceans), one Northern Quebec beluga stock (Marine mammals), and one Atlantic salmon stock (Salmonids). These exceedances highlight ongoing risks of overharvesting in certain species and the need for stricter management.
Progress/ Solution	Canada has maintained relatively high compliance with science-based harvesting levels. The proportion of key fish stocks harvested at or below approved removal reference levels has remained consistently high since 2015, reaching just above 98% in 2020. This indicates moderate progress towards effectively regulating harvesting, preventing overfishing, and implementing sustainable management plans based on scientific evidence.
Unsolved Challenges	Although most fish stocks are managed within approved levels, the few exceptions indicate that overfishing risks persist for specific species. Achieving full compliance across all marine resources will require ongoing monitoring, enforcement, and adaptive management to ensure that all fishing practices are sustainable and that Canada meets long-term conservation and sustainable-use goals.

Life on Land

Score :4
Justification	SDG 15 aims to protect, restore, and promote the sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, manage forests sustainably, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, and prevent biodiversity loss. In Canada, forest area has remained relatively stable between 2015 and 2021, covering just over 38% of the country’s land area, with over 75% located in the boreal zone. This stability highlights Canada’s existing forest conservation efforts.
Challenges	Despite long-term positive trends, terrestrial conservation targets have not yet been fully achieved. At the end of 2022, 13.6% of Canada’s terrestrial area was conserved, up from 11.4% in 2017, but still below the 2025 target of 25% and the 2030 target of 30%. Larger conserved areas are concentrated in northern Canada, where human activity is lower, suggesting that conservation is less advanced in more populated and agriculturally active regions.
Progress/ Solution	Progress has been observed for species at risk. As of May 2022, of the 144 species with determinable trends, 43% show progress towards their population and distribution objectives, a figure that has remained largely unchanged since November 2019. The increasing number of species demonstrating positive trends indicates that measures to support biodiversity are having some impact, contributing to the long-term goal of maintaining healthy and viable populations.
Unsolved Challenges	Although some species show improvements, the pace of conservation and biodiversity recovery remains insufficient to meet SDG 15 targets. Significant gaps persist in terrestrial area protection, particularly in southern and more developed regions of Canada. Continued expansion of protected areas and strengthened measures to support threatened species are required to ensure that Canada meets its 2025 and 2030 conservation goals and halts biodiversity loss.

Peace & Justice

Score:3
Justification	SDG 16 aims to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions. The COVID-19 pandemic had substantial impacts on Canada’s justice system, particularly in case completion times. Among adult courts, the median number of days to complete a case increased from 137 days in 2017–18 to 186 days in 2020–21, a rise of almost 36%, indicating deterioration in access to justice. In youth courts, the increase was even more pronounced, rising from 141 days to 235 days, a 67% increase.
Challenges	Delays were especially significant for crimes against the person. In adult courts, median completion times for such cases increased from 197 days in 2017–18 to 260 days in 2020–21. Similarly, youth court cases against the person rose from 186 days to 278 days over the same period. These delays undermine the efficiency and fairness of the justice system, highlighting systemic pressures exacerbated by the pandemic.
Progress/ Solution	Confidence in institutions is a key component of SDG 16. Efforts to improve inclusivity and responsiveness have focused on understanding differences across population groups. Monitoring of public confidence allows for targeted interventions aimed at increasing trust in police and judicial institutions. Identifying disparities provides a basis for policy adjustments and community engagement to strengthen accountability and equity.
Unsolved Challenges	Substantial inequalities in confidence persist. In 2020, 1 in 5 Indigenous and Black people reported little to no confidence in the police—twice the rate of non-Indigenous and non-visible minority populations. Confidence in the justice system and courts was lowest among First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples, with 30% expressing no confidence, nearly double the rate among non-Indigenous Canadians. Combined with significant delays in case completion, these disparities indicate ongoing challenges in achieving equitable access to justice and fully inclusive institutions.

Partnerships

Score:5
Justification	SDG 17 aims to strengthen the means of implementation and revitalise the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development. Canada’s official development assistance (ODA) as a share of Gross National Income (GNI) increased to 0.319% in 2021, up from 0.277% in 2018. This rise reflects Canada’s ongoing commitment to supporting economic development and welfare in developing countries.
Challenges	Despite growth, Canada’s ODA remains substantially below the 0.7% GNI target, indicating only limited progress towards achieving this international benchmark. Among G7 countries, Canada ranked fifth in terms of GNI share attributed to net ODA, and 14th among OECD countries. Support for the least developed countries also fell slightly, with 0.09% of GNI directed to this group in 2020, down from 0.10% in 2018, representing less than half of the 0.20% target.
Progress/ Solution	Canadian foreign direct investment (FDI) abroad to developing countries continued its upward trend, increasing by 56% between 2018 and 2022 to reach a total of $437.5 billion, representing 22% of all Canadian FDI abroad. With a progress score of 5.0, this indicates that, at current growth levels, Canada is on track to mobilise additional financial resources for developing countries, contributing positively to SDG 17 targets.
Unsolved Challenges	While foreign direct investment shows strong growth, official development assistance remains below international targets. The slight decline in aid to the least developed countries highlights ongoing gaps in equitable support. To fully achieve SDG 17 ambitions, Canada will need to increase ODA levels and ensure that aid is strategically directed to maximise impact on the most vulnerable countries.

SDGs World Progress: Achieved

SDG4
SDG17

SDGs World Progress: On-Track

SDGs World Progress: Moderately Off-Track

Country Challenges

Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples: Indigenous communities continue to face the impacts of colonisation. Socio-economic gaps remain in income, employment, education, housing, and health. In 2021, 13.9% of Indigenous Peoples aged 16 and older lived in poverty, almost double the rate for non-Indigenous Canadians (7.4%). Confidence in institutions, including police and the justice system, is also lower among Indigenous populations.
Economic Headwinds: Rising inflation and living costs threaten poverty reduction and food security gains. Food insecurity rose from 11.6% in 2018 to 12.9% in 2021, disproportionately affecting female lone-parent households (34.1%) and non-elderly persons living alone (18.5%).
Housing Crisis: Affordable housing shortages and rising rents continue to drive inequality. Renters were twice as likely to live in core housing need, with 16.1% of Toronto households in 2021 affected. Vulnerable households, such as one-person and one-parent families, remain most impacted.
Climate Vulnerability: Canada is warming at roughly twice the global rate, increasing risks from wildfires, floods, and extreme weather. Only 60% of southern Canada’s water monitoring sites showed stable water quality from 2002–2020, while agricultural GHG emissions remain unchanged, reflecting ongoing environmental pressures.
Gender Inequalities: Women remain underrepresented in leadership and face persistent wage gaps. In 2022, women earned $4.50 less per hour than men. Younger women (18–34) reported worse mental health than men, and 29% experienced intimate partner violence in the previous year.
Health and Substance Use: The opioid crisis and mental health challenges continue. Opioid toxicity deaths rose 85% from 2018 to 2021, exceeding 8,000 deaths in 2021. Mental health perceptions worsened, particularly among younger women.
Sustainable Consumption and Production: Nearly 10 million tonnes of materials were diverted from landfills in 2020, yet per capita diversion stayed at 261 kg. Zero-emission vehicles accounted for 8.2% of new sales in 2022, far from the 2030 target of 30%.
Peace, Justice, and Governance: COVID-19 significantly delayed court proceedings. Median case completion increased 36% for adult courts and 67% for youth courts between 2017–18 and 2020–21. Confidence in justice institutions remains low among Indigenous and Black populations.
Marine and Terrestrial Ecosystems: Canada has conserved 14.7% of marine areas and 13.6% of terrestrial areas (2022), but both fall short of 2025 and 2030 targets. Some fish stocks are overharvested, and only 43% of assessed species at risk show positive population trends.
Data Gaps: Robust systems exist, but more disaggregated data are needed to track intersectional inequalities and ensure no one is left behind, particularly for Indigenous Peoples, women, youth, and other marginalised groups.

World Challenges

Country Lessons Learned

Interconnectedness of Crises: The VNR highlights that challenges such as climate change, poverty, and security are closely linked, requiring holistic, cross-sectoral policy responses.
Centrality of Indigenous Leadership: Sustainable development cannot be achieved without the active leadership and knowledge of Indigenous Peoples. Initiatives such as the Indigenous Guardians Network provide successful models for engagement and stewardship.
Value of Targeted Policy: Evidence demonstrates that targeted interventions, such as the Canada Child Benefit and carbon pricing rebates, can effectively achieve social and environmental objectives while supporting affordability.
Importance of Intersectionality: Applying an intersectional approach, including GBA Plus, to budgeting and policy-making is vital to prevent unintended consequences and ensure equity for all population groups.

World Lessons Learned

2015: Canada adopted the 2030 Agenda and committed to its implementation, signalling a national dedication to the Sustainable Development Goals.
2016: The Canada Child Benefit (CCB) was introduced, becoming a key tool in reducing poverty and supporting families across the country.
2017: The Feminist International Assistance Policy was launched, strengthening Canada’s commitment to gender equality and inclusive development globally.
2018: Canada launched “Opportunity for All,” its first National Poverty Reduction Strategy, providing a structured framework to address socio-economic disparities.
2019: The Poverty Reduction Act was enacted, embedding legally binding targets to reduce poverty and reinforce accountability.
2021: Canada launched “Moving Forward Together,” the 2030 Agenda National Strategy, and enacted the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, demonstrating leadership in sustainable development and climate action.
2022: The National Strategy to Combat Gender-Based Violence was launched, and Canada hosted COP15, contributing to the adoption of the Global Biodiversity Framework, reinforcing commitments to environmental protection and biodiversity conservation.
2023: Canada presented its second Voluntary National Review, showcasing progress and lessons learned, and established the Early Learning and Child Care system with the $10-a-day goal, advancing equitable access to early education and supporting families.

Canada