Government of Canada launches its 2030 agenda National Strategy, Goal 8 is to promote sustainable economic growth

Canada launched a program called the Moving Forward Together – Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy, in support of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Decent employment

One of the goals in the program is to create economic development in an equitable and sustainable way and decent employment. This means the country is committed to creating jobs for immigrants and working for their economic prosperity.

The federal government’s Economic Action Plan is the main instrument for “helping build employment, economic growth, and long-term stability” in Canada. The plan contains provisions to foster job growth and creativity, as well as stability for individuals, communities, and small businesses, through economic support.

Measures to provide employment opportunities

The strategy has highlighted a variety of concrete measures. The Canada Job Grant is intended to help low-skilled jobs who are not eligible for unemployment benefits.

 The Promoting Education in High-Demand Fields initiative seeks to find new ways to encourage fields of study that contribute to high-demand employment, such as science, technology, engineering, and mathematics programs.

The promotion of decent jobs, which is linked to union coverage, the availability of workplace benefits, and the less incidence of workplace injuries, will help achieve the goals of job development, healthy livelihoods, and inclusive growth.

The degree to which Canadians are employed in decent jobs is measured by union membership. Unionized employees, on average, earn more money and have better benefits and working conditions than non-unionized workers. As a result, expanding union membership, or at the very least union coverage, to a larger percentage of the workforce is a sign of good work.

Vacation, pension, and supplemental insurance care are examples of workplace benefits. Individual or collective bargaining, as well as government law, may be used to secure such benefits. Similar policies in other benefit areas should be implemented to ensure that all employees have access to economically adequate standards of workplace benefits.

The ‘pull’ of greater educational opportunities (for both the migrant and their children), increased occupational autonomy, and more flexible working hours appears to be significant as well. Stress, leisure, independence, and personal growth are all factors that can be influenced by the nature of work.

Role of employers

The 2030 Agenda requires employers who can provide:

• Sustainable growth
• Quality jobs
• Commitment to the well-being of employees and the communities in which they operate

More Canadian companies and workplaces are working to advance the SDGs through their practices and results. Many private-sector companies in Canada are assuming leadership roles. They are tackling sustainability issues in order to improve resilience and adaptability in a rapidly evolving global economy.

Impact on immigrants

Canada’s attempt to provide decent employment for all is good news for immigrants wanting to move here for work. The job opportunities, wages and added benefits will aid immigrants to get what they want and lead a better quality of life.