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G21-P055 Ensuring Intergenerational Justice via a Wellbeing of Future Generations Act
Submitter Name
Victor Brice
Ratification Vote Results: Adopted
Proposal
The Wellbeing of Future Generations. Canada should adopt legislation that would give us the ambition, permission and legal obligation to improve our social, cultural, environmental and economic well-being.
Objective
A Wellbeing of Future Generations Act would require public bodies in Canada to think about the long-term impact of their decisions, to work better with people, communities and each other, and to prevent persistent problems such as poverty, health inequalities and climate change.
Benefit
The binding nature of the legislation would oblige all government departments and agencies to consider the wellbeing of future generations in all deliberations. The Act could put in place seven wellbeing goals: A Prosperous Canada, A Resilient Canada, A More Equal Canada, A Healthier Canada, A Canada of Cohesive Communities, A Canada of Thriving Cultures and Indigenous Respect, A Globally Responsible Canada.
Supporting Comments from Submitter
The Welsh Assembly adopted such legislation in 2015, and established a Future Generations Commissioner for Wales, who issued her first Report in 2020. https://www.futuregenerations.wales
Other countries including New Zealand, Iceland, Scotland and Bhutan have made a commitment to measure wellbeing annually, including regional and local differences, and to prioritize actions that increase the wellbeing of their people and nature.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-50650155
Scotland has established a Well-being Economy Governments (WEGo) group, consisting of New Zealand, Iceland, Wales and Scotland.
https://www.gov.scot/groups/wellbeing-economy-governments-wego/
Trevor Hancock on Wellbeing Budgets, in the Times Colonist:
Green Value(s)
Ecological Wisdom, Sustainability, Participatory Democracy, Social Justice, Respect for Diversity, Non-Violence.
Relation to Existing Policy
Add to current GPC policy.
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