Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy – 2020 to 2023
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Publication author : Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
ISSN number : 2291-3955
Catalog number : Iu90-1/10E-PDF
Publish date : October 6, 2020
Summary :
Table of Contents
- Section 1: Introduction to the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
- Section 2: Sustainable Development Vision and Context in Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
- Section 3: Commitments for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
- Section 4: Integrating sustainable development
Section 1: Introduction to the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
The 2019 to 2022 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) presents the Government of Canada’s sustainable development goals and targets, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act. In keeping with the purpose of this Act to provide the legal framework for developing and implementing a Federal Sustainable Development Strategy that will make environmental decision-making more transparent and accountable to Parliament, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) supports the goals laid out in the FSDS through the activities described in this Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS).
Section 2: Sustainable Development Vision and Context in Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Vision
CED's mission is to promote the long-term economic development of the regions of Quebec by giving special attention to those where economic growth is slow and opportunities for productive employment are inadequate. CED adheres to a sustainable development approach that contributes to the advancement of our economy while respecting the environment by:
- Giving special attention to projects that help improve environmental performance
- Focusing on internal government-greening measures that foster the transition to a low carbon economy
- Encouraging individual employee participation in departmental initiatives to promote sustainable actions in the workplace
Context
FSDS goal: Greening of government
Through the FSDS, the Government of Canada aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) from federal government facilities and fleets by 40% by 2030, with an aspiration to achieve this target by 2025. Over the longer term, i.e., by 2050, the target is an 80% reduction below 2005 levels, with an aspiration to be carbon neutral. To achieve these goals, CED will continue to upgrade its vehicle fleet, support the transition to a low carbon economy through green procurement, and promote sustainable actions in the workplace.
FSDS goal: Clean growth
In its Mission Innovation pledge, the Government of Canada has committed to doubling investment in clean energy research, development and demonstration by the end of 2020, compared with 2015 levels. CED is contributing to the achievement of this goal by continuing to invest in the development and adoption of technologies that are like to help improve environmental performance.
CED, like the other regional development agencies (RDAs) has introduced measures to double the total annual support for clean technologies, bringing it to $100 million per year for all the RDAs. Of this amount, CED has committed to investing $25 million annually. These measures will contribute to one of the FSDS’s goals, namely “Clean growth,” and to the transition to a low-carbon economy.
CED is also contributing to the achievement of the FSDS goal of increasing the value of Canadian clean tech exports to $15.6 billion by 2025 by supporting businesses that develop clean technologies for export.
Section 3: Commitments for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions
Greening Government: The Government of Canada will transition to low-carbon, climate resilient, and green operations
Responsible Minister: All ministers
| Greening Government Communities FSDS target(s) | FSDS contributing action(s) | Corresponding departmental action(s) | Contribution by each departmental action to the FSDS goal and target | Starting point(s) Performance indicator(s) Target(s) | Program(s) in which the departmental actions will occur |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reduce GHG emissions from federal government facilities and fleets by 40% below 2005 levels by 2030 (with an aspiration to achieve this target by 2025) and 80% below 2005 levels by 2050 (with an aspiration to be carbon neutral) | Fleet management will be optimized including by applying telematics to collect and analyze vehicle usage data on vehicles scheduled to be replaced | In line with the Greening Government Strategy:
|
FSDS: Rationalization of fleets via retirement of emitting vehicles can reduce GHG emissions. United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)1: SDG 13: Climate Action Target: 13.2 |
Vehicle fleet Starting point: GHG emissions produced by the vehicle fleet in 2005-2006 (reference year) = 116.6 tonnes of CO2 Performance indicator: GHG emissions produced by the vehicle fleet during the current exercise Target: 40% reduction in GHG emissions produced by the vehicle fleet in the current exercise, over 2005-2006 levels |
These measures are part of Internal Services. |
| Our administrative fleet will be comprised of at least 80% zero-emission vehicles by 2030 | Fleet management will be optimized including by applying telematics to collect and analyze vehicle usage data on vehicles scheduled to be replaced |
|
FSDS: As conventional vehicles are replaced over their lifetimes with ZEVs, and/or the size of the fleet is reduced, a greater proportion of the fleet will be ZEV ODD: SDG 13: Climate Action Target: 13.2 |
Starting point: Performance indicator: Target:2 Starting point: Performance indicator: Target: |
These measures are part of Internal Services. |
| By 2022, departments have developed measures to reduce climate change risks to assets, services and operations | Increase training and support on assessing climate change impacts, undertaking climate change risk assessments and developing adaptation actions to public service employees, and facilitate sharing of best practices and lessons learned |
In accordance with the Greening Government Strategy, CED will take steps to understand the wide range of climate change consequences that could affect its assets, services and operations. Over the next three years. CED will make sure to consider climate change when conducting analyses and updating departmental risks. If a climate change-related risk is identified, one or more mitigation measures could be put in place. |
FSDS: Factoring climate variability and change into policy, programs, and operations is one of the most important ways the government can adapt to a changing climate and is consistent with the government’s risk management approach of enhancing the protection of public assets and resources and strengthening planning and decision-making. SDG: SDG 13: Climate Action Target: 13.3 |
Starting point: N/A Performance indicator: Percentage of departmental risk analysis and update exercises that include a specific analysis of the risks associated with climate change, including the development of mitigation measures, when required. Target: 100% of the departmental risk analysis and update exercises, completed by March 31, 2023, will include a specific analysis of the risks associated with climate change. |
These measures are part of Internal Services. |
| Actions supporting the Goal: Greening Government | Departments will use environmental criteria to reduce the environmental impact and ensure best value in government procurement decisions |
Incorporate environmental considerations into procurement management processes and controls, specifically by optimizing the use of Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) procurement instruments and ensuring that bids submitted through competitive tendering processes comply with the Policy on Green Procurement and are submitted electronically, whenever possible. Maintain and improve the printing rate and the use of recycled paper. |
FSDS: Green procurement incorporates environmental considerations into purchasing decisions and is expected to motivate suppliers to reduce the environmental impact of the goods and services they deliver, and their supply chains. SDG: SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production Target: 12.7 |
Starting point: Performance indicator: Annual target: Starting point: Performance indicator: Annual target: Starting point : Performance indicator: Annual target: |
These measures are part of Internal Services. |
| Support for green procurement will be strengthened, including guidance, tools and training for public service employees | Ensure that all employees on the Procurement team have completed training on green procurement |
FSDS: Green procurement incorporates environmental considerations into purchasing decisions and is expected to motivate suppliers to green their goods, services and supply chain. ODD: SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production Target: 12.7 |
Starting point: Performance indicator: Annual target: |
These measures are part of Internal Services. |
1 The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were adopted by the United Nations. They provide a guide for ensuring a better and more sustainable future for all. Each of the 17 SDGs includes targets to be reached by 2030
2 As on March 31, 2020, there were 19 automobiles in the CED administrative fleet. Given the relatively low number of vehicles to be replaced every year, the two targets were established for a three-year period. The current vehicles will be gradually replaced by hybrid or zero-emission vehicles whenever possible. A fleet renewal strategy, currently under development, will provide for an increase in the percentage of zero-emission and hybrid vehicles by 2030.
3 CED did not purchase any administrative vehicles in 2019–2020
Clean Growth: A growing clean technology industry in Canada contributes to clean growth and the transition to a low-carbon economy
Responsible Minister: Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister of Natural Resources
| Clean Growth FSDS target(s) | FSDS contributing action(s) | Corresponding departmental action(s) | Contribution by each departmental action to the FSDS goal and target | Starting point(s) Performance indicator(s) Target(s)4 | Program(s) in which the departmental actions will occur |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Implement our Mission Innovation pledge to double federal government investments in clean energy research, development and demonstration from 2015 levels of $387 million to $775 million by 2020 | Invest in clean technologies | Support the development and adoption of clean technologies with a view to fostering sustainable development and clean economic growth |
FSDS: Through its grant and contribution programs, such as the QEDP and the REGI program, CED will contribute to federal government investment in clean technology. To this end, CED will provide businesses and organizations with funding for projects involving the development and adoption of clean technologies. Specifically, CED will:
SDG: SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and InfrastructureTarget: 9.4 |
Starting point: CED spending in 2018–2019 on projects that support clean technologies: $46.2M Performance indicator: CED annual spending on projects that support clean technologies: Annual target: Minimum of $25M per year |
This measure is part of the following program:
Targeted or Temporary Support |
|
Increase the value of Canada’s clean technology exports to $15.6 billion by 2025 |
Invest in clean technologies |
Support the development of clean technologies for export |
FSDS: Through the REGI program, CED will help increase the value of Canadian clean tech exports. To do so, CED will provide businesses with funding for projects involving the development and marketing of new clean technologies that could lead to exports. SDG: SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure Target: 9.4 |
Starting point: Performance indicator: Annual target: |
This measure is part of the following program:
|
4 The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the global economy could have an effect on the achievement of ministerial targets related to clean growth, notably for clean technology exports.
Section 4: Integrating sustainable development
CED subscribes to the basic principle of the Federal Sustainable Development Act (FSDA), wherein it states that “sustainable development is based on an ecologically efficient use of natural, social and economic resources and acknowledges the need for the Government of Canada to integrate environmental, economic and social factors in the making of all decisions by government.” This principle is incorporated into the work of the following CED committees and sectors:
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee is chaired by the Deputy Minister / President of CED. It is responsible for collectively managing all CED activities and advising the Deputy Minister on management issues and directions.
Departmental Management Committee
The Departmental Management Committee (DMC) oversees the alignment of deliverables, ensures co-operation and coordination as concerns priority files, and provides a forum for discussion and guidance on management-related issues.
Policy and Communications sector
Policy, Economic Intelligence and Results Branch:
- In co-operation with the other CED directorates, assists with the drafting of the DSDS and associated reporting
- Incorporates DSDS commitments into its policies and programs
- Incorporates, from the outset, a systematic strategic environmental assessment process when designing its programs, policies, initiatives and strategies
- Develops tools related to the DSDS
- Fulfills commitments regarding the empowerment of CED employees in terms of sustainable development (e.g., training) when necessary
- Ensures interdepartmental liaison with active FSDS stakeholders by participating in Assistant Deputy Minister and Director General committee meetings
- Contributes to reporting on the DSDS’s “Clean growth” goal via Supplementary Information Tables in reports to Parliament
Communications Directorate
- Provides CED personnel with all relevant information pertaining to sustainable development and associated activities, in addition to informing them about actions taken to green government operations
- Posts all information concerning the FSDS and the various versions of CED’s DSDS and associated reports on the Agency’s website
Operations sector
Responsible for implementing CED’s programs, the Operations sector has a network of business offices throughout Quebec and contributes to the implementation of the DSDS. Specifically, it:
- Assumes responsibility for the achievement of the targets associated with the “Clean growth” goal in the 2020–2023 DSDS
- Develops, supports and follows up on projects that contribute to sustainable development
- Drafts regional strategies that take the DSDS into account
- In the case of all projects funded by CED, determines whether they are subject to the requirements of the Impact Assessment Act (IAA)
- Records information on projects that contribute to the FSDS in its grant and contribution management system, specifically in order to facilitate performance measurement
Corporate Services sector
- Responsible for the achievement of some of the targets under the ‘Greening government” goal in the 2020-2023 FSDS,
- Contributes to reporting on the “Clean growth” goal via Supplementary Information Tables in reports to Parliament.
In April 2019, to support the greening of government, CED appointed a Champion of Sustainable Actions in the Workplace, with a view to improving day to-day practices in the workplace and better incorporating sustainable development. The Champion of Sustainable Actions in the Workplace plays an active role in raising awareness and mobilizing employees. With the support of a working group representing all sectors of the Agency, a multi-year action plan has been drawn up and various measures have already been put in place, such as
- using biodegradable soap in cafeterias
- encouraging employees to use reusable dishes
- organizing theme-based conferences on sustainable development–related issues and promoting eco-friendly events
Strategic environmental assessment
Whenever CED develops a new program or initiative, and is required to submit its proposal to Cabinet and seek implementation authority from Treasury Board, a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is systematically carried out. For example, in 2012, CED conducted an SEA of the Quebec Economic Development Program. The evaluation found that the implementation of the program was not likely to have an environmental impact.
CED will continue to ensure that its decision-making process includes consideration of FSDS goals and targets through its SEA process. An SEA for a policy, plan or program proposal includes an analysis of the impacts of the given proposal on the environment, including on relevant FSDS goals and targets.
Public statements on the results of CED’s assessments are made public when an initiative that has undergone a detailed SEA (see here). The purpose of the public statement is to demonstrate that the environmental effects, including the impacts on achieving the FSDS goals and targets, of the approved policy, plan or program have been considered during proposal development and decision making.