2023–24 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Report
ISSN 2818-467X
Click to view the document in PDF and the 2023–27 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy.
Introduction to the 2023 to 2024 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Report
The 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) presents the Government of Canada’s sustainable development goals and targets, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act. This is the first FSDS to be framed using the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda and provides a balanced view of the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainable development.
In keeping with the purpose of the Act, to make decision-making related to sustainable development more transparent and accountable to Parliament, the Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada (the Office) supports the goals laid out in the FSDS through the activities described in the Office’s 2023 to 2027 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS). This Report provides a report on progress related to the Office’s DSDS in the fiscal year 2023 to 2024.
The Federal Sustainable Development Act also sets out 7 principles that must be considered in the development of the FSDS as well as DSDSs. These basic principles have been considered and incorporated in the Office’s DSDS and 2023 to 2024 DSDS Report.
To promote coordinated action on sustainable development across the Government of Canada, the Office’s departmental strategy reports on Canada’s progress towards implementing the 2030 Agenda and advancing the SDGs, supported by the Global Indicator Framework (GIF) and Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) targets and indicators. The Report also now captures progress on SDG initiatives that fall outside the scope of the FSDS.
Commitments for the Office of the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner of Canada
Goal 10: Advance Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and Take Action on Inequality
FSDS Context: To take action on inequality and advancing reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities, the Government of Canada is committed to implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The Office shares this goal, and will raise awareness by providing mandatory training for all its employees on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and on the social, economic and environmental inequalities that persist in Canada.
Target theme: Advancing reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and the Métis communities
Target: Between 2023 and 2026, and every year on an ongoing basis, develop and table annual progress reports on implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada)
Implementation Strategy | Departmental Action | Performance Indicator, Starting Point, Target | How the Departmental Action Contributes to the FSDS Goal and Target and, Where Applicable, to Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGS | Results Achieved |
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Implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act | Provide Indigenous cultural competency training and/or training on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples |
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| Indicator result: 97% in 2023–24 |
Goal 12: Reduce Waste and Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles
FSDS Context: The Government of Canada is committed to transitioning to a cleaner and more circular economy that prioritizes reducing consumption and waste generation, in order to reduce negative impacts on the environment. The Office is also dedicated to the reduction of waste in its daily operation, by ensuring that all procurement officers receive training on green procurement.
Target theme: Federal Leadership on Responsible Consumption
Target: The Government of Canada’s procurement of goods and services will be net-zero emissions by 2050, to aid the transition to a net-zero, circular economy (All Ministers)
Implementation Strategy | Departmental Action | Performance Indicator, Starting Point, Target | How the Departmental Action Contributes to the FSDS Goal and Target and, Where Applicable, to Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGS | Results Achieved |
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Strengthen green procurement criteria |
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| Indicator result: 100% in 2023–24 |
Goal 13: Take Action on Climate Change and Its Impacts
FSDS Context: The effects of climate change, such as extreme temperatures, are affecting Canadians now more than ever before. In order to reduce the effects of climate change, all must do their part. The Office is committed to taking action on climate change and its impacts by implementing the Green Government Strategy through measures that reduce the environmental burden of its daily operations.
Target theme: Federal Leadership on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions and Climate Resilience
Target: The Government of Canada will transition to climate resilient operations by 2050 (All Ministers)
Implementation Strategy | Departmental Action | Performance Indicator, Starting Point, Target | How the Departmental Action Contributes to the FSDS Goal and Target and, Where Applicable, to Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGS | Results Achieved |
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Implement the Greening Government Strategy through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and green the government’s overall operations |
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| Indicator result: 82% in 2023–24 |
Integrating Sustainable Development
The Office will continue to ensure that its decision-making process includes consideration of FSDS goals and targets through its Strategic Environmental Assessment (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 the Office’s assessments are made public when an initiative 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.
The Office did not complete any detailed SEAs in 2023–24.