In this area, we have a need to strengthen our efforts to deliver on the government s commitment, so I will be asking leaders across the system to ensure that this work receives appropriate attention and support. And I will be following their efforts with interest. Managing the SD Challenge We need to deal with SD in much the same way we deal with other issues on today s policy agenda. Let me touch four significant aspects. First, SD is horizontal by definition.
Policy issues are more and more complex in nature.
They also cut across departments, regions and sectors. SD is no exception - all departments are involved. We have learned a great deal about teamwork in this endeavour but we need to move more effectively between our own departments and agencies, with other levels of government and internationally. Long Term Approach Second, SD requires a long term approach because our environmental, social and economic problems did not develop overnight, neither will the solutions to resolve them. To evaluate our actions and policies to determine if they are environmentally and socially sustainable, we have to consider their longer term effects.