Message from The Minister of Justice

I am pleased to present this Sustainable Development Strategy to members of Parliament, to the employees of the Department of Justice, to our clients and the legal community generally, and to the Canadian public. Motivated by the principles developed by the 1987 Brundtland Commission and the 1992 Rio 'Earth Summit' on Environment and Development, this strategy reflects the views of our staff and stakeholders, experts and citizens, who share our concern for providing a sustainable future for our children.

A sustainable future requires more than the protection of the environment --social equity and economic well-being are also essential dimensions. As we approach the 21st century, our society must balance these factors that so often have been dealt with separately. For example, economic prosperity depends upon a supply of natural resources and innovative, efficient ways to use them. Community peace and personal well-being are based upon respect for rights and obligations, secure education and jobs, and fair distribution of our society's wealth. Public health requires environmental quality, clean air, food and water.

The challenge of sustainable development is to ensure that we integrate all three of these goals -- social justice, economic prosperity, and environmental quality --in everything we do and in every decision we make. Government has an important role to play in ensuring that we do this.

The Department of Justice can usefully contribute to quality of life, integrated decision-making, and equity -- three cross-cutting elements identified in the Guide to Green Government, which has guided the preparation of our Sustainable Development Strategy. Legal processes and mechanisms can enable access to information, public participation, scientific assessment, and the integration of economic, social, and environmental objectives in government decision-making. Beyond the practical "greening" of internal operations, the Department's Sustainable Development Strategy sets out policy and program objectives to promote research, raise awareness, and support law reform to promote sustainable development more effectively.

A sustainable future is in the interest of all Canadians. I urge all partners in the Justice system and indeed all Canadians to meet the challenge of sustainable development.

A. Anne McLellan

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