This is a clear change from last year – and just one of many unexpected results from the Canadian Sustainable Development Goals Survey 2017 Results Report

February 28, 2017, Toronto – Earlier this month, Canadians across the country celebrated the 27th annual International Development Week. Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau announced this year’s theme is to “Leave no one behind: Canada contributes to global goals!” In particular, this year's IDW focuses on collective efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goals outlined in the United Nations’ Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development.


Canadians seem to agree with the Prime Minister with regards to showing global leadership in bringing people together to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. An analysis of a recent SDG survey conducted by the Global Compact Network Canada (GCNC) - the Canadian Network of the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), which is the world's largest voluntary corporate sustainability initiative, paints a promising picture with around 90% of the respondents indicating that they have already started taking actions towards the Goals.

The SDG Survey 2017 results indicate a strong preference for SDG13 “Climate Action”, which ranks as the highest priority on both domestic and global scales. SDG5 “Gender Equality” was also in the spotlight as the single most acted on SDG in Canada. These results are particularly timely with the Global Compact Network Canada’s 2017 Gender Equality Forum fast approaching.


The survey conducted by the GCNC attempts to gauge the changes in prioritization of the SDGs among Canadians following an initial SDG survey that was done by the organization when the Goals were newly adopted in 2015. The new survey, launched in January 2017, includes additional variables to understand trends and the new initiatives Canadian organizations are taking across 36 different industries. Over 134 business, NGO, government, and civil society representatives participated in the GCNC’s recent SDG survey this year.


“The data suggests clear changes in the way Canadian organizations are prioritizing the SDGs now as compared to a year ago; climate action, gender equality and poverty reduction has taken a front seat compared to economic growth that was number 1 priority last year. The survey results also suggest that the private sector is making big strides in synchronizing the SDGs with their operations and advancing new sustainable initiatives” - says Helle Bank Jorgensen, President of the Global Compact Network Canada.


Despite the myriad approaches toward the goals, one overwhelming theme appears to be a large desire to collaborate across sectors and industries to achieve the Goals.  It is clear that Canada and the Canadian business sector is here to lead by example in navigating through the Sustainable Development Goals and charting a plan of action.



The GCNC is releasing a comprehensive report containing analysis of the 2017 survey results and how they compare to 2016 results on Feb 28th, 2017. The report highlights the challenges and opportunities surrounding the SDGs and will serve as a reference to the Canadian public.


The GCNC will also be hosting a webinar on February 28th from 3pm – 4:30 pm EST to discuss the survey findings. Panelists for this very interesting webinar will include Deirdre Kent – Director General for Development Policy at Global Affairs Canada; Doug Beever – Senior Director, Sustainability & Stakeholder Relations at Agrium, and Helle Bank Jorgensen – President, Global Compact Network Canada. To register for the webinar, please go to: http://globalcompact.ca/events/sdg-survey-2017-webinar/



About the Global Compact Network Canada

The Global Compact Network Canada (GCNC) is the Canadian Network of the United Nations Global Compact - the world's largest voluntary corporate sustainability initiative. The GCNC supports Canadian businesses in the implementation of the 10 Principles of the UNGC and the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The GCNC builds the capacity of the Canadian corporate sector to embrace sustainable business practices by convening and accelerating opportunities for multistakeholder collaboration.

The GC Network Canada consists of leading Canadian companies including Agrium, TELUS, Bell Canada, Barrick Gold, Teck Resources, Unilever Canada, Scotiabank, Baker & McKenzie LLP, Quick Mobile, Goldcorp, Loyalty One, Bank of Montreal (BMO), Export Development Canada (EDC), SNC-Lavalin, KPMG, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC), Deloitte, Blake, Cassels, & Graydon LLP, CPA Canada, SkyPower, Suncor, Enbridge, and many other leading sustainable businesses.

For further information: Helle Bank Jorgensen, President, Global Compact Network Canada, Phone: 647-823-5843 – jorgensen@globalcompact.ca

www.globalcompact.ca