Minister for the wellbeing of present and future generations
A Minister is necessary to secure a visible and influential champion at the Cabinet table.
Protect all generations in law
Together we’ve made a great deal of progress securing a more generationally fair Canada. Now, it’s time to protect these advances by ensuring that Canadians are able to hold governments accountable for the wellbeing of present and future generations.
To achieve this goal, generational fairness must be securely embedded in government processes and institutions, so that it becomes a guiding principle for all decisions – not a passing fancy that can be discarded when expedient for the government of the day.
The starting point is legislation. We're calling for a law that creates and protects tools to cement a generational lens in Canadian governance.
Try out our top tactics to protect all generations in law
Why do we need a law?
An Act to Safeguard the Wellbeing of Present and Future Generations creates a legally-binding common purpose for Canada’s national government: to act as good ancestors to all those who follow us. Good ancestors make sure spending and policy decisions consider the implications of the choices we make now for our kids, our grandchildren, and future generations.
Securing a good quality of life for all ages means that actions today can't deny the ability of future generations to meet their needs, as Indigenous leaders have long affirmed in the seven generations principle. Legislation will ensure our public sector delivers on this commitment, helping to create a Canada that we all want to live in – today and tomorrow.
Canada would not be going it alone on enshrining wellbeing for all generations in law.
Wales passed the Well-being of Future Generations Act in 2015. In 2024, United Nations Member States – including Canada – adopted the Declaration on Future Generations that commits governments to “safeguard the needs and interests of future generations.” Plus, we've already started down this path with a landmark 2024 federal budget affirming the need for Fairness for Every Generation. Legislation is the next step.
"Delaying action makes change more expensive and difficult. Future generations will live with the consequences of our decisions."
What will the law establish?
Commissioner for generational fairness
A Commissioner delivers non-partisan analysis and recommendations on the state of generational fairness in Canada, and the efforts the government is making to achieve it.
Independent Advisory Body
Independent advisors help make sure actions to promote wellbeing for present and future generations are grounded in evidence and informed by the experiences of Canadians.
Accountabililty across federal departments
Setting and reporting on specific wellbeing objectives permits analysis of the short- and long-term generational impacts of existing and new policies
Who will lead?
In 2025, Canadian voters elected the first 4 MPs born in the 21st century. They join 34 other MPs under age 40. These younger voices are still very much the minority in Parliament, at just 11% of all elected members.
To ensure a fair hearing of issues affecting their generations, a cross-party committee of Millennial and Gen X MPs should serve as a catalyst for building a Canada where all ages can thrive.
All major federal parties already acknowledge the escalating challenges faced by many young people – like unaffordable housing, rising student debt, lack of child care, increasing unemployment, growing climate anxiety and declining hopefulness and happiness. Bringing together young MPs to shine a light on these issues will inform and stimulate debate, document the value-add of investing in the future prospects of younger generations, and educate other parliamentarians and the public on intergenerationally fair ways to support Canada’s economy and environment at a time of population aging.
The newly created Cabinet Committee on Quality of Life and Wellbeing can provide political leadership at the Cabinet table.
A focus on long-term wellbeing for present and future generations is consistent with the committee’s mandate to “augment the overall quality of life and well-being of Canadians.” Cabinet leadership also will help pave the way for Canada to deliver on its commitment to “safeguard the needs and interests of future generations” under the 2024 UN Declaration on Future Generations. Gen Squeeze's 2024 report card make clear that Ottawa has great deal left to do.
Join us in calling on governments to protect the wellbeing of all generations in law
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