The Canadian Institute of Planners (CIP) recently participated in a public consultation process for Environment and Climate Change Canada’s draft 2026-2029 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS), offering recommendations informed by planners’ priorities and our pre-budget submission to strengthen how sustainable development initiatives are implemented from coast-to-coast-to-coast.
What is the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy
The FSDS is the Government of Canada’s framework for advancing environmental, economic, and social sustainability. This strategy helps inform how the federal government approaches long-term investments and policy development related to housing, infrastructure, transportation, climate adaptation, and community resilience — all areas where planners can play an essential role in implementing these investments to maximize their impact at the local level.
The 2026-2029 draft strategy emphasizes the integration of goals across these priority areas. Today’s biggest challenges are deeply interconnected and require coordinated solutions from practitioners across all fields, and planners are uniquely equipped to help address bottlenecks and reduce duplication of efforts, while maintaining high standards
The draft strategy includes a series of goals, targets, and implementation strategies geared towards building more sustainable, inclusive, and resilient communities by focusing on key issues such as:
- Increased access to acceptable housing
- Investing in skill development and capacity building
- Advancing sustainable transportation systems
- Supporting climate adaptation and emergency preparedness
- Promoting economic development and innovation
- Integration of emerging technologies
- Strengthening Indigenous participation and knowledge systems
Key Recommendations in Support of Community Planning
CIP expressed broad support for the direction of the FSDS, particularly its integrated approach and recognition of Indigenous leadership. At the same time, our submission emphasizes several areas where the strategy could be strengthened:
Increased Planning Capacity at the Local Level – The draft strategy currently relies on municipalities and communities to deliver on its goals. CIP stressed the need for the federal government to provide more support for planning initiatives, particularly in rural, Northern, and remote communities, in order for communities to achieve these goals
Recognition of the Central Role of Planners – Planners are essential to coordinating responsible land use, infrastructure, housing, and environmental priorities in communities. CIP recommended greater recognition of planners as key partners in implementing the goals outlined in the strategy.
Greater Housing Diversity Including Non-Market Options – While the draft strategy focuses on “acceptable housing”—a metric broadly defined by Statistics Canada as housing adequacy, affordability, and suitability—CIP called for greater emphasis on non-market, deeply affordable, and supportive housing to meet the needs of Canadians across the country.
Investment in Indigenous Planning Capacity – The draft strategy recognizes the importance of Indigenous skills development, post-secondary education, participation in major projects, and Indigenous-led approaches to prosperity. CIP recommended that this work also include stronger support for Indigenous-led planning and land management capacity, helping align sustainable development implementation with reconciliation efforts across the country.
Improved Data Collection, Innovation, and Workforce Development – The draft strategy recognizes the importance of responsible innovation, emerging technologies, infrastructure investment, and skills development. CIP recommended that these efforts also support planners and local governments with reliable data, modern tools, AI-enabled knowledge-sharing, and skilled professionals to strengthen planning, decision-making, and delivery across jurisdictions.
CIP welcomes the federal government’s renewed commitment to advancing sustainable development priorities through the FSDS. As the strategy approaches finalization, ensuring that communities have the tools, capacity, and expertise needed to implement these ambitious goals will be critical.
Planners are at the forefront of the most pressing challenges facing Canada and will continue to play a vital role in transforming national priorities into responsive and practical solutions – helping to build complete, resilient, and sustainable communities from coast-to-coast-to-coast.