United Nations 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals for Veterans Affairs Canada

Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) contributes broadly to various United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), directly or indirectly, by providing benefits and services to our Veterans, their families and other clients. Any goals that we do not contribute to have been excluded.

1. No Poverty - End poverty in all its forms everywhere

No Poverty - End poverty in all its forms everywhere
Planned initiatives	Global or domestic targets and/or global or domestic indicators
The following programs align with our departmental result “Veterans and Families are Financially Secure” and contribute to SDG 1. Transition Services Health Care Services Long Term Care Caregiver Recognition Benefit Income Support	UN Global Indicator Framework: All targets Canadian Indicator Framework: Ambition: Reduce poverty in Canada in all its forms

3. Good health and well-being - Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

Good health and well-being - Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
Planned initiatives	Global or domestic targets and/or global or domestic indicators
The following programs align with our departmental result “Veterans are Physically and Mentally well” and contribute to SDG 3. Disability Benefits Transition Services Veterans Independence Program Health Care Benefits Long Term Care Caregiver Recognition Benefit Income Support Veteran and Family Well Being Fund Research and Innovation	UN Global Indicator Framework: Target 3.4 By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being Target 3.5 Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol Target 3.8 Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all Canadian Indicator Framework: Ambition: Canadians adopt healthy behaviours
Through our Case Management Services, we provide support to the most vulnerable Veterans. The case manager works with the Veteran to identify their needs on a holistic level – considering factors related to health, social, economic, physical environment (housing) and personal (coping skills). Through this interactive problem-solving process, they establish mutually agreed upon goals and actions to support the Veteran in achieving them. The case manager facilitates referrals for the Veteran, helps them access benefits and services through VAC and the community, and consults with health professionals, other experts and care providers throughout the process.	UN Global Indicator Framework: Target 3.5 Strengthen the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, including narcotic drug abuse and harmful use of alcohol Canadian Indicator Framework: Ambition: Canadians adopt healthy behaviours
The recognition of Veterans through commemorative initiatives supports overall well-being, especially mentally and socially.	UN Global Indicator Framework: Target 3.4 By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being Canadian Indicator Framework: Ambition: Canadians adopt healthy behaviours
VAC’s Innovation Hub will serve to support the Department’s leadership role to advance this goal by providing service to business areas aimed at improving the services and programs provided to Veterans and their families. Although the Innovation Hub is not the lead responsible for identifying priorities for program and process improvement, the Hub, when engaged, does ensure that the practice of human-centred design is employed so that it considers the users of these services to understand their needs and challenges. In this way, the Hub can work with business areas to advance the Sustainable Development Goals through improvements to programs that provide Veterans with disabilities access to services and supports to help them manage and cope with their disability. In each of the initiatives related to the reduction in disability application wait times, the Innovation Hub will measure the impact that a new solution, process improvement, or program change could have on the various users involved. This includes measuring impacts to time, speed and timeliness affected by the change, the accuracy of the results of the change, the confidence of the users in the end result of the change and the accessibility for users to ensure the change does not result in any disadvantage to a group or user.	Canadian Indicator Framework: Ambition: Canadians have healthy and satisfying lives

4. Quality education - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all

Quality education - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
Planned initiatives	Global or domestic targets and/or global or domestic indicators
The following program aligns with our departmental result “Veterans are able to adapt, manage, and cope within post-service life” and contributes to SDG 4. Transition Services	UN Global Indicator Framework: Target 4.3 By 2030, ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education, including university Target 4.5 By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations Canadian Indicator Framework: Ambition: Canadians have access to inclusive and quality education throughout their lives

5. Gender equality - Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Gender equality - Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
Planned initiatives	Global or domestic targets and/or global or domestic indicators
The Office of Women and LGBTQ2 Veterans supports this UN goal by ensuring that Canadian Veterans from under-represented sub-groups are provided the benefits, programs and services that are based on their unique experiences and service related needs. The Office will work collaboratively with these sub-groups of under-represented Veterans ensuring they are active participants in research and partners in the development of benefits, programs and services that impact them. This participative and collaborative approach supports the empowerment of historically marginalized groups and supports equitable outcomes for all. In their own words, “Nothing about us without us”.	UN Global Indicator Framework: Target 5.1 End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere Target 5.c Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels Canadian Indicator Framework: Ambition: Canadians are well represented at all levels of decision making

7. Affordable and clean energy - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

Affordable and clean energy - Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all
Planned initiatives	Global or domestic targets and/or global or domestic indicators
Please refer to our Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy for linkages to SDG 7 in regards to our Internal Services.	-

8. Decent work and economic growth - Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all

Decent work and economic growth - Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment and decent work for all
Planned initiatives	Global or domestic targets and/or global or domestic indicators
The following program aligns with our departmental result “Veterans have a sense of purpose” and contributes to SDG 8. Transition Services	UN Global Indicator Framework: Target 8.3 Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services Target 8.5 By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value Target 8.6 By 2020, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training Canadian Indicator Framework: Ambition: Canadians have access to quality jobs

9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure - Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure - Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation
Planned initiatives	Global or domestic targets and/or global or domestic indicators
Please refer to our Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy for linkages to SDG 9 in regards to our Internal Services.	-

10. Reduced inequalities - Reduce inequality within and among countries

Reduced inequalities - Reduce inequality within and among countries
Planned initiatives	Global or domestic targets and/or global or domestic indicators
The Department of Veterans Affairs Canada Innovation Hub will serve to support the Department’s leadership role to advance this goal by providing service to business areas aimed at improving the services and programs provided to Veterans and their families. Although the Innovation Hub is not the lead responsible for identifying priorities for program and process improvement, the Hub, when engaged, does ensure that the practice of human-centred design is employed so that it considers the users of these services to understand their needs and challenges. In this way, the Hub can work with business areas to advance the Sustainable Development Goals through improvements to programs that provide Veterans with disabilities access to services and supports to help them manage and cope with their disability. In each of the initiatives related to the reduction in disability application wait times, the Innovation Hub will measure the impact that a new solution, process improvement, or program change could have on the various users involved. This includes measuring impacts to time, speed and timeliness affected by the change, the accuracy of the results of the change, the confidence of the users in the end result of the change and the accessibility for users to ensure the change does not result in any disadvantage to a group or user.	UN Global Indicator Framework: Target 10.2 By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status Target 10.3 Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard Target 10.4 Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality Canadian Indicator Framework: Ambition: Canadians live free of discrimination and inequalities are reduced
The Office of Women and LGBTQ2 Veterans supports the UN goals of Good Health and Wellbeing, Gender Equality, and Reduced Inequalities by ensuring that Canadian Veterans from under-represented sub-groups are provided the benefits, programs and services that are based on their unique experiences and service related needs. The Office will work collaboratively with these sub-groups of under-represented Veterans ensuring they are active participants in research and partners in the development of benefits, programs and services that impact them. This participative and collaborative approach supports the empowerment of historically marginalized groups and supports equitable outcomes for all. In their own words, “Nothing about us without us.”	UN Global Indicator Framework: Target 10.2 By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status Target 10.3 Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate Target 10.4 Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality Canadian Indicator Framework: Ambition: Canadians live free of discrimination and inequalities are reduced

11. Sustainable cities and communities - Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Sustainable cities and communities - Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Planned initiatives	Global or domestic targets and/or global or domestic indicators
Please refer to our Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy for linkages to SDG 11 in regards to our Internal Services.	-
VAC’s pan-governmental work towards ending homelessness among Veterans supports the UN goal of making cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable. As part of the pan-governmental approach, VAC’s ongoing collaboration with CMHC, ESDC and stakeholders will support achieving these sustainability and accessibility goals.	UN Global Indicator Framework: Target 11.1 By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums Canadian Indicator Framework: Ambition: Canadians have access to quality housing

12. Responsible consumption and production - Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Responsible consumption and production - Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Planned initiatives	Global or domestic targets and/or global or domestic indicators
Please refer to our Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy for linkages to SDG 12 in regards to our Internal Services.	-

13. Climate Action - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Climate Action - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
Planned initiatives	Global or domestic targets and/or global or domestic indicators
Please refer to our Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy for linkages to SDG 13 in regards to our Internal Services.	-

16. Peace, Justice and strong institutions - Promote peaceful and inlusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

Peace, Justice and strong institutions - Promote peaceful and inlusive societies for sustainable development, provide access to justice for all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels
Planned initiatives	Global or domestic targets and/or global or domestic indicators
Bureau of Pension Advocates: BPA specializes in administrative law, particularly various legislations that apply to the Veteran community. Its mandate is to represent Veterans before the Veterans Review and Appeal Board in support of Veterans receiving entitlement to disability benefits. This contributes to promoting the rule of law and providing access to justice for all.	UN Global Indicator Framework: Target 16.3 Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all. Target 16.6 Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels Canadian Indicator Framework: Ambition: Canadians are safe and secure, in person and online

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