Canada: Pioneer of Urban SDGs

During the Decade of Action, from this pioneer role that is being envisioned for Canada, Canada has the potential to work together with other Member States and create an international coalition to legitimize the issues of sustainability, including climate change, human rights, peace and other areas of sustainable development.

Canada: Pioneer of Urban SDGs programme will engage other Canadian Provincial Governments, Cities, universities, private sector, civil society and the general public to encourage their participation to achieve the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Pavilion and Canada will work together to establish a strategy to achieve the urban SDGs. It will be recognized globally as national strategy for other countries to achieve the urban SDGs. While this program brings opportunities to Canadian cities and society it also an opportunity for Canada to facilitate and accelerate international cohesion for the SDGs.

In this regard, National and Provincial collaboration is critical. Canadian provinces have the responsibility for more localized areas in Canada and have the responsibility for the wellbeing of Canadians within their jurisdiction. Provinces have significant opportunities to leverage their capacities and resources to contribute to this pioneering role for Canada. Provincial governments. They are required to work closely with the federal and local governments to implement national agenda within more local contexts, while also recognizing of local communities.

An important component to realizing this program is working closely with the innovations that are happening within local contexts. It is crucial for the identification, development and of pilot projects across Canada to realize the urban SDGs. There are a number of innovations and new approaches that have been, are currently being, or could be implemented in cities and communities in Canada. These new approaches that are piloting new ways of solving challenges are important to identify, support, implement and evaluate for the future of sustainable urban development.

Pilot projects are an important tool to understand challenges and opportunities and can introduce examples and practical approaches for other countries and cities to implement in their own contexts. What is unique about the concept of pilot projects is its capacity to inspire all sectors and organisations to come together under one agenda. In this regard, the Canada: Pioneer of Urban SDGs will bring relevant urban stakeholders across Canada and the globe to collectively work on innovative and progressive pilot projects to realize different aspects of the urban SDGs. Through the implementation of pilot projects, the Canada: Pioneer of Urban SDGs programme can help identify urban opportunities, challenges and lessons learned. These learnings can be shared globally, with successful examples of Canadian innovation be at the forefront for other countries and cities to learn from.

The world has seen a growing demand from governments, private sector, universities and civil society to transform our lifestyle in cities that conform to sustainable development models. There is an expectation amongst the people around the world to bring about change and transform our cities as engines to provide prosperity for everyone. Through the Pavilion’s platform the world can learn about the diverse experiences that have resulted from the unprecedented challenges resulting the Canadian experience of urbanisation in the past, present and future.