A Commissioner responsible for assessing whether Canada is acting fairly towards all generations

Similar to the model already in place for the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development (CESD), Canada needs an arm’s length, independent Commissioner for generational fairness. 

Like the CESD, the Commissioner would be created within the Office of the Auditor General, with a mandate to deliver non-partisan analysis and recommendations on the state of generational fairness in Canada, and the efforts the government is making to achieve it. To ensure transparency for all elected officials and for Canadians, the Commissioner will report directly to parliament.

The Commissioner will support the government to think longer-term about policy and fiscal priorities, and to engage with citizens to promote open dialogue. There are other models to consider when creating this position. The EU recently appointed its first Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, following the example of Wales in 2015. Several other countries have similar formal roles, including Malta, Gibraltar and Hungary.