The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring that Canadians continue to prosper in a free, equitable, and healthy society. Sustainable development strategies, submitted to Parliament every three years by 29 federal departments and agencies, function as important tools to guide and communicate some of the ways in which the Government intends to meet this commitment. Each strategy outlines how departments will systematically integrate the principles of sustainable development into their policies, programs, legislation and operations. Through these strategies, the Federal Government is accountable to Canadians for their decisions and actions.

Sustainable development principles are currently integrated into many Federal Government actions and initiatives. Some examples include:

• The Federal House in Order Initiative as the Government of Canada’s plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions within its own operations.
• Through the Kimberley Process, Canada has played an international leadership role in improving human rights by developing measures to fight the illicit global trade of rough diamonds used as currency linked to armed conflict.
• The objective of the Agricultural Policy Framework is for Canada to be the world leader in food safety, innovation and environmentally-responsible production.