The Government of Canada launched a nationwide engagement process on August 24, 2026, to shape its third Voluntary National Review (VNR) on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The initiative seeks broad societal input to assess progress toward the UN’s 2030 Agenda ahead of a July 2027 presentation.

The Honourable Stephanie McLean, Secretary of State (Seniors), announced the launch during the Victoria Forum in British Columbia. The forum, held from August 23 to 25, 2026, gathered more than 500 participants from government, academia, the private sector, and civil society to build momentum for the review.

Engagement Timeline and Scope

The consultation period runs from August 21 to December 18, 2026. The government is inviting submissions from individuals, communities, and organizations across diverse stakeholder groups, including Indigenous partners, youth, seniors, and the private sector. Participants are asked to share stories of successful initiatives, partnerships, and experiences that advance the 2030 Agenda.

Selected submissions may be featured in the final report submitted to the United Nations High-Level Political Forum (HLPF) in July 2027. This will mark Canada’s third VNR, following previous presentations in 2018 and July 2023.

Strategic Objectives

The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all UN member states in 2015, centers on 17 SDGs aimed at addressing social, economic, and environmental challenges. The upcoming VNR aims to identify practical actions and promising approaches to drive progress toward these goals.

The Honourable Randeep Sarai, Secretary of State (International Development), emphasized that the review demonstrates Canada’s commitment to sharing progress with the international community. The government stated that embracing diverse voices enhances the ability to learn and inspire meaningful action both domestically and globally.

The Government of Canada has allocated $8.3 million to expand high-speed Internet access across five Indigenous and remote communities in Ontario. The investment targets underserved regions, aiming to bridge the digital divide and support economic participation.

Pauline Rochefort, Parliamentary Secretary to the Secretary of State for Rural Development, announced the funding on behalf of the Honourable Buckley Belanger. The projects will reach up to 822 households, with 621 of those located in Indigenous communities.

Project Details

The funding is provided through the Universal Broadband Fund, a program designed to ensure reliable connectivity in rural, remote, and Indigenous areas. The initiative aligns with the government’s broader connectivity strategy.

Strategic Context

The Universal Broadband Fund represents a $3.225 billion federal investment aimed at providing high-speed Internet access to 98% of Canadian households by the end of 2026. The government also allocated up to $50 million specifically for mobile projects benefiting Indigenous communities.

Canada’s Connectivity Strategy aims to deliver Internet speeds of at least 50 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload to all Canadians. Currently, 97.4% of Canadian households have access to high-speed Internet, up from 79% in 2014.

What the Numbers Show

The concentration of beneficiaries highlights the targeted nature of this specific allocation. Of the 822 total households reached by this $8.3 million investment, 75.5% are Indigenous households (621 out of 822). This indicates a primary focus on closing the connectivity gap in Indigenous communities rather than general rural expansion.

Since 2015, the federal government has invested more than $2.5 billion in connectivity projects within Ontario alone. These investments support access to virtual healthcare, online business operations, and educational resources.

Official Statements

Buckley Belanger stated that high-speed Internet is foundational infrastructure for the rural economy, comparable to roads and power lines. He emphasized that expanding access helps level the playing field for remote communities.

Pauline Rochefort noted that dependable connectivity enables access to virtual healthcare and online business opportunities. She highlighted the government’s commitment to providing high-speed access to 100% of Canadian households by 2030.