Canada at the WSSD Consultation

The Secretariat developed a National Engagement Strategy, using web-based consultations and a series of cross-country roundtable discussions, to gather the views of Canadians on Canada's collective priorities and objectives for the World Summit.

During 2001, the Secretariat hosted 17 roundtables across the country. The 440 roundtable participants represented a broad cross-section of community groups, educators, consultants and interest groups. Representatives from all levels of government in Canada participated in the sessions, as did members of the private sector.

Participants identified the implementation of agreements made at Rio and at subsequent meetings as the basis for sustainability. They called for a holistic approach to sustainable development, an approach that integrates all elements of sustainability - social, environmental and economic. They felt that instead of broad-based discussions on general themes, the countries participating in the Summit should focus on implementing existing commitments and agreements, identifying specific new priorities and ensuring that strategies are put in place to address them.

The consultation process contributed to the determination of Canada's areas of focus at the Summit.

A copy of the cross-Canada consultation report, Johannesburg and Beyond: Discussions with Canadians, is available.

You can also download a copy of Johannesburg and Beyond: Discussions with Canadians in PDF