2023-24 United Nations 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals

Table of contents

Introduction

In 2015, all United Nations (UN) member states came together and adopted Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. At its heart are 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that encompass the social, economic, and environmental challenges of today.

Many Government of Canada priorities align with the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the SDGs, including gender equality, diversity and inclusiveness, environmental sustainability, and economic prosperity.

All federal ministers, departments and agencies are accountable for implementing the 2030 Agenda and its SDGs within their areas of responsibility. This shared collaboration across the Government of Canada will help to ensure that Canada's commitment to the 2030 Agenda remains focused on effective implementation from now until 2030. Officials across federal departments and agencies are responsible for integrating the SDGs into their work, engaging with stakeholders and reporting on progress made on the SDGs within their purview.

To support a whole-of-Canada approach, the Government of Canada has established an SDG Unit to coordinate efforts, raise awareness, monitor and report on Canada's implementation of the 2030 Agenda.

Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) is the vertical lead departmental for SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation and a key contributor to many of other SDGs outlined in the United Nations' 2030 Agenda. The table below identifies key examples of initiatives or areas of work, as well as related domestic and global targets from the following frameworks:

UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 1: End poverty in all its form everywhere

Planned initiatives

On-reserve Income Assistance

On-reserve Income Assistance provides financial assistance to low-income residents on reserve and Status Indians in Yukon to support their basic expenses of daily living.

Income Assistance often provides essential supports to individuals and families who are faced with extremely challenging circumstances such as fleeing violence, living with a disability, and maintaining family cohesion in the face of poverty. This supports Canada's efforts to implement UN SDGs by acting as a social safety net and providing these essential supports on reserve, providing a level of stability to participants with no other means, which makes a clear correlation with SDG 1.3, and UNDRIP 22.2.

Assisted Living Program

Assisted Living Program ensures that eligible low-income individuals on reserves and in Yukon have access to in-home, group-home and institutional care supports in their home communities.

This program provides critical care to low-income individuals on-reserve who might not otherwise have access. It also advances Canada's implementation of SDGs by mitigating the harmful circumstances associated with lack of access to the services we provide to low-income individuals on-reserve. To support these efforts to reduce lack of access to care, the department will be continuing its engagement on a holistic continuum of long-term and continuing care services with First Nations and Inuit throughout 2023-24. Through the policy co-development stage of the engagement, ISC hopes to revamp its program offerings based on the feedback we have received so that it is in line with the needs of individuals. This process will contribute to the achievement of Global goal 1.b by enhancing the effectiveness of Canada's pro-poor public spending through the Assisted Living program.

Associated domestic "ambitions or targets" and/or global targets

Canadian ambition – Reduce poverty in Canada in all its forms

Global target 1.3 – Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial coverage of the poor and the vulnerable

Global goal 1.b – Create sound policy frameworks at the national, regional and international levels, based on pro-poor and gender-sensitive development strategies, to support accelerated investment in poverty eradication actions

SDG 2: End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture

Planned initiatives

Continue to support Nutrition North Canada and the community-based nutrition education activities in isolated northern First Nations and Inuit communities to increase knowledge of healthy eating and to develop skills in selecting and preparing healthy foods and to improve healthy food access.

Continue to participate in the Inuit-Crown Food Security Working Group.

ISC will fund and support culturally appropriate retail and community-based nutrition education activities in eligible isolated northern First Nations and Inuit communities.

Associated domestic "ambitions or targets" and/or global targets

Canadian ambition – Canadians have access to sufficient, affordable and nutritious food

Global target 2.1 – By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round

SDG 3: Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

Planned initiatives

Indigenous Community Support Fund

ISC funds and supports culturally appropriate retail and community-based nutrition education activities in eligible isolated northern First Nations and Inuit communities. The Government of Canada has made significant recent investments to improve mental wellness in Indigenous communities, with an approximate annual investment of $645 million in 2021-22. These investments are made to meet the immediate mental wellness needs of communities by supporting Indigenous-led suicide prevention, life promotion and crisis response, including through crisis line intervention services, and enhancing the delivery of culturally-appropriate substance use treatment and prevention services in Indigenous communities. This funding also supports the provision of essential mental health, cultural, and emotional support to former Indian Residential Schools and federal Day Schools students and their families as well as those affected by the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

Mental health and wellness in First Nations and Inuit communities

For mental wellness, Indigenous Services Canada works closely with national, regional and community Indigenous partners and is guided by key documents developed by Indigenous partners, namely the First Nations Mental Wellness Continuum Framework, Honouring Our Strengths and the National Inuit Suicide Prevention Strategy.

Improving Indigenous health outcomes (including tuberculosis)

Canada's national active tuberculosis (TB) incidence rates for 2020 continue to illustrate the disproportionate burden of active TB across various populations: First Nations Peoples on-reserve (18.2 per 100,000), and specifically Inuit living in Inuit Nunangat (90.8 per 100,000), continue to be among those most affected in comparison to the Canadian-born non-Indigenous population who experience active TB at an incidence rate of 0.3 per 100,000.

Although the number of active TB cases reported in 2020 for Inuit living in Inuit Nunangat has shown a 61% reduction from data reported in 2019, caution must be exercised when drawing conclusions about the progress toward active TB reduction. External factors, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, may skew the results, as limited public health resources were diverted toward managing the pandemic. As a result, TB testing and delayed/incomplete reporting of active TB cases may be have biased the 2020 active TB data. Regardless of the progress made, it is essential to recognize the continuous impact of predisposing factors, such as substandard housing, food insecurity, and latent TB infections, that continue to place Inuit living in Inuit Nunangat at risk.

Non-insured Health Benefits Program

ISC continues to provide comprehensive drug benefit coverage for registered First Nations and recognized Inuit through the Non Insured Health Benefit pharmacy benefit.

Associated domestic "ambitions or targets" and/or global targets

Canadian ambition – Canada prevents causes of premature death

Canadian target 3.11 – Eliminate tuberculosis across Inuit Nunangat by 2030, and reduce the incidence of active tuberculosis by at least 50% by 2025

Canadian indicator 3.11.1 – Tuberculosis incidence per 100,000 population in Inuit Nunangat

Global target 3.4 – By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being

Global target 3.8 – Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all

SDG 4: Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

Planned initiatives

Elementary and Secondary Education Program (Education Transformation)

In April 2019, Canada launched a new policy and funding approach co-developed with First Nations partners, to support elementary and secondary school education for students ordinarily resident on reserve with funding that is comparable to funding in provincial education systems, plus additional funding for language and culture, full-day kindergarten for children aged 4 and 5 and before- and after-school programming, and adult education.

Indigenous post-secondary education strategies

Following a comprehensive and collaborative review of federal programs supporting Indigenous students who wish to pursue post-secondary education, Budget 2019 announced investments for distinctions-based Indigenous post-secondary education strategies aimed at increasing the access and success of Indigenous students.

First Nations and Inuit Youth Employment Strategy

Through Employment and Social Development Canada's (ESDC) Youth Employment Skills Strategy, ISC supports initiatives that provide First Nations youth living on reserve and Inuit youth living outside of their land-claim area with work experience, information about career options, and opportunities to develop skills to help gain employment. In addition to the base program funding, Budget 2021 allocated $28.8 million in additional funding for the program for 2022-23.

Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework

ISC is a federal partner in supporting the horizontal Indigenous Early Learning and Childcare Transformation Initiative, led by ESDC, along with Public Health Agency of Canada and Crown- Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC).

Indigenous early learning and child care investments are guided by the co-developed Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care Framework, which adopts a distinctions-based approach to strengthening high-quality, culturally appropriate early learning and child care for Indigenous children guided by Indigenous priorities.

Investing in education facilities and infrastructure

Budget 2021 investments will support safe and healthy early learning and child care facilities by providing funding over three years for repairs and renovations beginning 2022-23, as well as major infrastructure for new Indigenous Early Learning and Child Care centres beginning in 2023-24.

Associated domestic "ambitions or targets" and/or global targets

Canadian ambition – Canadians have access to inclusive and quality education throughout their lives

Canadian target – 4.1.1 High school completion rate; 4.2.1 Post-secondary education attainment rate

Global target 4.1 – By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes

Global target 4.2 – By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys have access to quality early childhood development, care, and pre-primary education so that they are ready for primary education

Global target 4.3 – By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university

Global target 4.4 – By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship

Global target 4.a – Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all

SDG 5: Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Planned initiatives

Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan

ISC is supporting the work led by CIRNAC, along with Indigenous partners, and provinces and territories, to implement the 2021 Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People National Action Plan as well as the Federal Pathway to Address Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls, and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People. This will respond to the issues identified in the National Inquiry's Calls for Justice, and the Métis-specific Action Plan's Calls for Miskotahâ.

ISC is supporting the work led by Women and Gender Equality (WAGE), along with Indigenous partners, and provinces and territories, to develop a Gender-Based Violence National Action Plan. ISC is also supporting the work led by WAGE, along with partners, and provinces and territories to address inequities experienced by the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community through the development of a Federal Action Plan.

National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association's (NACCA) Indigenous Women's Entrepreneurship (IWE) Initiative offers support to Indigenous women in various stages of engagement with entrepreneurship. As announced in Budget 2021, the $22 million IWE initiative is designed to meet prospective or current Indigenous women entrepreneurs where they are and to provide them with supports to build their entrepreneurial careers, such as training materials and workshops on financial literacy and business supports. Over $8.3 million has been dedicated to the IWE for 2023-24.

Assisted Living Program

In accordance with SDG 5, Assisted Living Program via the results of this ongoing LTCC Engagement ensures adequate long-term and continuing care options and services for Indigenous women who may be negatively impacted and an effective representation of Indigenous women who are often, underrepresented in health careers compared to non-Indigenous women.

Associated domestic "ambitions or targets" and/or global targets

Canadian ambition – Eliminate gender-based violence and harassment

Global target 5.1 – End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere

Global Target 5.2 – Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation

Global target 5.c – Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels

SDG 6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

Planned initiatives

As the vertical lead for SDG 6, ISC's 2020 to 2023 DSDS further outlines the department actions that contribute to sustainable water and wastewater systems.

Investing in water and wastewater infrastructure

Ending long-term drinking water advisories in First Nations communities

Associated domestic "ambitions or targets" and/or global targets

Canadian ambition – Canadians have access to drinking water and use it in a sustainable manner

Canadian target 6.1 – All of the long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserve are to be resolved

Canadian indicator 6.1.1 – Number of long-term drinking water advisories on public systems on reserves

Global target 6.1 – By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all

Global target 6.3 – By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally

Global target 6.5 – By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate

Global target 6.b – Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management

SDG 7: Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

Planned initiatives

First Nations Community Infrastructure

ISC will be contributing to SDG 7 by working with Natural Resources Canada and CIRNAC to reduce dependence on diesel-powered electricity on reserve. (see ISC's 2020 to 2023 DSDS - Clean Energy).

Associated domestic "ambitions or targets" and/or global targets

Canadian ambition – Canadians have access to clean and renewable energy

Global target 7.2 – By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix

SDG 8: Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

Planned initiatives

Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program

ISC supports economic development through the Aboriginal Entrepreneurship Program (AEP).The AEP provides $34.5 million in annual funding and offers non-repayable equity contributions to enable commercial lending for entrepreneurs to start, expand or acquire a business, as well as diverse business services. It also support loan interests, capacity building and training for Indigenous Financial Institutions. The funding is distinctions based and supports First Nations, Inuit and Métis entrepreneurs. The program will continue to be supported in 2023-24. The AEP program also supports the growth of Indigenous skills and employment training. ISC partners with communities, Indigenous economic development organizations (such as the National Aboriginal Capital Corporations Association), and other internal and external partners to improve access to capital; foster a climate of economic development within communities; and, leverage public and private sector partnerships and funds to ensure full economic participation of Indigenous communities and entrepreneurs in the Canadian economy, according to community vision and needs.

Strategic Partnerships Initiative

Strategic Partnerships Initiative (SPI) is a whole-of-government innovative program launched in 2010 to increase Indigenous participation in large, complex, multiyear economic opportunities that span a range of sectors. The overall objective of SPI is to increase economic development opportunities for Indigenous communities and businesses. It promotes partnerships between multiple federal partners (22 federal departments and agencies), provincial and territorial governments, and non-federal groups in key economic areas.

Land and economic development services program and the Community Opportunity Readiness Program

Budget 2022 investments in the Land and economic development services program and the Community Opportunity Readiness Program will help advance shovel-ready lands, environment and economic development projects in First Nation and Inuit communities south of 60; increase regional economic capacity supports; and expand training by First Nation organizations in land management; with the goal of business development and economic growth. The Community Opportunity Readiness Program has a target of creating 15 new jobs for every $1 million invested for projects funded through the prioritization framework portion of the program.

Reserve lands and environment management program

ISC will continue to support 132 communities to build land management capacity through the Reserve lands and environment management program enabling them to more readily leverage economic growth opportunities.

The Transformative Indigenous Procurement Strategy continues to implement a phased-in mandatory government-wide approach to Indigenous procurement, including broadening the definition of "Indigenous businesses", setting the government-wide mandatory target of at least 5% of the value of federal contracts to be fully implemented by 2024-25, supporting the implementation of a mandatory public reporting framework to ensure that all federal departments and agencies are held accountable and continue engaging with Indigenous partners to develop a longer-term transformative approach to Indigenous procurement.

Associated domestic "ambitions or targets" and/or global targets

Canadian ambition – Canadians have access to quality jobs

Global target 8.6 – By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training

SDG 9: Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

Planned initiatives

ISC's Land Use Planning Initiative supports communities through Indigenous partner organizations to develop community-based Land Use Plans. ISC will continue to support the development of land use plans for up to 20 new and 40 existing First Nations in 2023-24.

eHealth

ISC eHealth is contributing to SDG 9 by supporting the implementation and maintenance of 300 digital health record systems across First Nations communities. Additionally, ISC eHealth is working toward increasing the use of Low-Earth Orbit satellite technology to deliver high-speed internet to First Nations communities, which shows considerable promise as a clean technology.

First Nation Infrastructure Fund

Additional details on ISC's contributions through the First Nation Infrastructure Fund can be found in ISC's 2020 to 2023 DSDS - Effective action on climate change).

Associated domestic "ambitions or targets" and/or global targets

Canadian ambition – Canadians have access to modern and sustainable infrastructure

Global target 9.1 – Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all

Global target 9.4 – By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities

SDG 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries

Planned initiatives

Annual report to Parliament

First Nations and Inuit Youth Employment Strategy

The Transformational Approach to Indigenous Data (TAID) initiative continues to work with partners to advance First Nations, Inuit and Métis Nation data governance capacity to ensure that Indigenous governments and organizations have the data they need to manage policy challenges, and support action to close socio-economic gaps in the longer term.

ISC will also work to facilitate data sharing with Indigenous partners as a first step towards the eventual transfer of departmental data assets to Indigenous control along with related service delivery responsibilities. In parallel, Statistics Canada will support Indigenous partners' work to advance data sovereignty, and play a lead role in efforts to improve the visibility of Indigenous Peoples in Canada's national statistics.

To support these activities, $30.2 million is earmarked in 2023-24 as part of the $81.5 million three year budget for 2022-23 to 2024-25.

Between 2022 and 2026, continue to report on an annual basis to Canadians on access to clean drinking water in First Nations communities through Indigenous Services Canada's departmental website as data becomes available.

ISC also contributes by working with First Nations to co-develop options to address environmental protection regulatory and capacity gaps (see 2020 to 2023 DSDS - Safe and healthy communities).

Associated domestic "ambitions or targets" and/or global targets

Canadian ambition – Canadians live free of discrimination and inequalities are reduced

Global target 10.3 – Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard

SDG 11: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Planned initiatives

First Nation On-Reserve Housing Program

Emergency Management Assistance Program

In order to advance the United Nations' SDG 11, the Emergency Management Assistance Program (EMAP) will ensure the continued delivery of emergency management services to First Nation communities and will support First Nation communities and organizations to take control over the development and implementation of emergency services. EMAP supports SDG 11 through targets 11.5 and 11.b by significantly reducing the number of people affected by disasters and by implementing policies and plans that support holistic disaster risk reduction at all levels.

First Nations Solid Waste Management Initiative

First Nations Solid Waste Management Initiative supports stronger and more resilient First Nations communities by supporting access to safe waste community infrastructure and services. These supports are critical to protecting sources of drinking water, lowering greenhouse gas emissions and protecting the environment and human health.

Investing in Community Infrastructure

For delivering infrastructure, ISC engages First Nations-run organizations whenever possible to ensure full participation of Indigenous Peoples and to fulfil the departmental mandate of supporting and empowering Indigenous Peoples to independently deliver services and address the socio-economic conditions in their communities. The department is also committed in becoming employers of choice for Indigenous Peoples.

Additional details on ISC's contributions through the First Nations Solid Waste Management Initiative and First Nation Infrastructure Fund can be found in ISC's 2020 to 2023 DSDS - Effective action on climate change).

Associated domestic "ambitions or targets" and/or global targets

Canadian ambition – Canadians have access to quality housing

Global target 11.3 – By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries

Global target 11.4 – Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world's cultural and natural heritage

Global target 11.5 – By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations

Global target 11.6 – By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management

Global target 11.7 – By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities

Global target 11.a – Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, per-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning

Global target 11.b – By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters, and develop and implement, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, holistic disaster risk management at all levels

SDG 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Planned initiatives

Contaminated Sites on Reserve Program

Contaminated Sites on Reserve Program works directly with First Nations communities to assess and remediate contaminated sites for which a Crown liability has been established and documented. The Program reduces environmental impacts, makes previously unusable land available for community or economic development, and provides economic benefits and opportunities for First Nations.

First Nations Waste Management Initiative

ISC procurement, First Nations Waste Management Initiative and Contaminated Sites Management program contribute to SDG 11 (see 2020 to 2023 DSDS - Greening Government, Modern and resilient infrastructure, Safe and healthy communities)

Associated domestic "ambitions or targets" and/or global targets

Canadian ambition – Canadians consume in a sustainable manner

Global target 12.4 – By 2020, achieve the environmentally sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment

Global target 12.5 – By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse

Global target 12.7 – Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities

SDG 13: Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Planned initiatives

Climate Change and Health Adaptation Program

Emergency Management Assistance Program

In order to advance the United Nations' SDG 13, the Emergency Management Assistance Program (EMAP) will support emergency management capacity building in First Nation communities, and explore opportunities to bolster capacity funding. EMAP supports SDG 13 through targets 13.1 and 13.3 by strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity for First Nation communities, while also improving human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation.

First Nation Infrastructure Fund

Additional details on programs that contribute to SDG 13, such as the First Nation Infrastructure Fund, can be found in the 2020 to 2023 DSDS (see Greening Government, Effective Action on Climate Change, Modern and Resilient Infrastructure, and Safe and Healthy Communities).

Associated domestic "ambitions or targets" and/or global targets

Canadian ambition – Canadians are well-equipped and resilient to face the effects of climate change

Global target 13.1 – Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries

Global target 13.2 – Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning

Global target 13.3 – Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning

SDG 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

Planned initiatives

Activities related to Environmental Review Processes and the Indigenous Centre for Cumulative Effects can be found in the 2020 to 2023 DSDS (see Effective action on climate change and Safe and healthy communities).

Associated domestic "ambitions or targets" and/or global targets

Canadian ambition – Canada protects and conserves marine areas and sustainably manages ocean fish stocks

Global target 14.1 – By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution

SDG 15: Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss

Planned initiatives

Activities related to Environmental Review Processes and the Indigenous Centre for Cumulative Effects can be found in the 2020 to 2023 DSDS (see Effective action on climate change and Safe and healthy communities)

Associated domestic "ambitions or targets" and/or global targets

Canadian ambition – Canada sustainably manages forests, lakes and rivers

Global target 15.9 – By 2020, integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning, development processes, poverty reduction strategies and accounts

SDG 16: Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

Planned initiatives

Jordan's Principle and Inuit Child First Initiative

Jordan's Principle is an ongoing legal obligation, which Canada will continue to uphold. Jordan's Principle supports families in accessing products and services for First Nations children and youth to help with a wide range of health, social and educational needs.

The department is taking urgent steps to implement the measures set out in the Agreement-in-Principle on Long-Term Reform Work Plan to Improve Outcomes under Jordan's Principle, based on ISC's Compliance with the Canadian Human Rights Tribunal's Orders, including implementing a Back-to-Basics approach. Back-to-Basics ensures Jordan's Principle is implemented in a manner that is non-discriminatory, centers the needs and best interests of the child, is simple to access, timely, and minimizes the administrative burden on families. Jordan's Principle team members will exercise compassion, common sense, and a reconciliation-first approach when receiving, processing, and determining Jordan's Principle requests.

ISC collaborates with partners to implement measures that take aim at systemic discrimination. This includes actions to address anti-Indigenous racism in health systems, and enhancing supports for culturally-sensitive policing and safety in Indigenous communities.

ISC is supporting the National Action Plan launched to address the Calls for Justice outlined in the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. All these initiatives reflect the broader Government of Canada commitment to implement the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada and Canada's responsibilities under the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

ISC is supporting the work led by Women and Gender Equality, along with Indigenous partners, and provinces and territories, to address gender-based violence.

Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Program

The Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Program is supporting holistic Indigenous community safety and well-being initiatives, including those that address the safety and well-being of Indigenous women and girls. The Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities Initiative will continue to fund projects that will support holistic Indigenous community safety and well-being initiatives that prioritize and address the safety and well-being of Indigenous women and girls. $20.6 million is available to support these activities in 2023-2024.

The development of United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act action plan is being led by Justice Canada in partnership with rights holders. The implementation of the Act will align closely to ISC's mandate, and will be a critical tool to advance self-determination across government. The action plan will be completed in June 2023. ISC, along with other departments, is supporting the development of the plan.

Associated domestic "ambitions or targets" and/or global targets

Canadian ambition – Canadians are safe and secure, in person and online

Global target 16.1 – Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere

Global target 16.2 – End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children

Global target 16.3 – Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all

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