Welcome to the Sustainable Development Information System (SDInfo)

SDinfo is the Government of Canada’s gateway to sustainable development information. Sustainable development is about decision making that takes into account the economy, society and the environment in an integrated way. All Canadians have a role to play in advancing sustainable development, including all levels of government, business and industry, civil society, community groups and citizens

The Government of Canada promotes sustainable development through many programs, policies and initiatives. A key pillar of the Government of Canada’s approach to sustainable development, are the sustainable development strategies tabled in Parliament every three years. These strategies are important tools that help guide departments and agencies within the Government of Canada in systematically integrating the principles of sustainable development into their policies, programs, legislation and operations. The most recent sustainable development strategies were tabled by 29 departments and agencies on February 16, 2004.

Sustainable development also has an important international aspect. Sustainable development issues transcend national boundaries, be they issues related to security, air pollution, water quality, or climate change. The Government of Canada is engaged on the international scene to help promote sustainable development, not only in Canada, but around the world. The World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD), which took place in Johannesburg, South Africa, the summer of 2002, is an important example. At the WSSD, heads of state and government, industry and civil society representatives came together to chart global progress towards sustainable development, and to renew commitments to furthering sustainable development around the globe. In particular, participants reaffirmed the commitment made to Agenda 21 at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro ten years earlier, as a blueprint for action towards sustainable development.