The evaluation is very positive about the impact of the plan on the other overarching NDP objectives of promoting social inclusion and more balanced regional development. It points out that investment in areas such as housing, child care, education and training has had a substantial effect in promoting social inclusion. The evaluation finds a mildly positive impact on the goal of better regional balance in economic development while urging better alignment between NDP investment and the national spatial strategy over the remainder of the plan. The ESRI evaluation gives a very positive endorsement of the impact of plan investment to date in terms of its macro-economic impact and achievement of key objectives.