Archived - 2016–2017 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy — Themes I–IV
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Overview of the Federal Government's Approach to Sustainable Development
The Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) 2013–16 presents the Government of Canada's sustainable development activities, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act. In keeping with the objectives of the Act to make environmental decision making more transparent and accountable to Parliament, the Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada supports the implementation of the FSDS through the activities in this supplementary information table.
This Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy presents the planned contributions and expected results for Theme I — Addressing Climate Change and Air Quality, Theme II — Maintaining Water Quality and Availability, Theme III — Protecting Nature and Canadians, and Theme IV — Shrinking the Environmental Footprint — Beginning with Government.
Themes I to III: Department-led Targets
FSDS Goal: Goal 3: Water Quality and Water Quantity — Protect and enhance water so that it is clean, safe and secure for all Canadians and supports healthy ecosystems.
FSDS Target 2013–2016: 3.1 Target — Increase the percent of on-reserve First Nations water systems with low risk ratings from 27% to 50% by 2015. Increase the percent of on-reserve First Nations wastewater systems with low risk ratings from 35% to 70% by 2015.
Performance Indicator: Risk rating for First Nations water and wastewater systems management.
Departmental Implementation Strategies:
3.1.1 Increase on-reserve First Nations capacity to operate and maintain water and wastewater systems by improving access to and support for operator certification and training, in order to augment the number of certified operators. (INAC)
3.1.2 Prioritize investment support to on-reserve First Nations to target highest-risk water and wastewater systems. (INAC)
3.1.3 Provide on-reserve First Nations with funding and advice regarding, design, construction, operation and maintenance of their water and wastewater treatment facilities. (INAC)
3.1.6 Develop, and update as required technical guidance protocols, such as the Protocol for Centralised Drinking Water in First Nations Communities and the Protocol for Centralised Wastewater Treatment and Disposal in First Nations Communities, and the Protocol for Decentralised Water and Wastewater Systems in First Nations Communities. (INAC)
3.1.7 Develop appropriate regulatory framework and legislation for safe drinking water and wastewater treatment in First Nations communities on reserves. (INAC)
| Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
|---|---|---|
| First Nations drinking water and wastewater systems meet established standards | Percentage of on-reserve INAC-funded First Nation drinking water systems that have low risk ratings | 54% by March 31, 2019 2011 baseline: 27% |
| Percentage of on-reserve INAC-funded First Nation wastewater systems that have low risk ratings | 65% by March 31, 2019a 2011 baseline: 35% |
|
| a The departmental target levels have been updated to 2019 using annual growth rate of actual performance results from 2011 to 2014. In some cases, this results in 2019 departmental targets being lower or the same as the 2015 targets. | ||
For planning highlights see sub-program 3.4.1 (archived) in Section II of the 2016-17 Report on Plans and Priorities.
Themes I to III: Implementation Strategies
FSDS Goal: Goal 1: Climate Change — In order to mitigate the effects of climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emission levels and adapt to unavoidable impacts.
FSDS Target: 1.1 Target: Climate Change Mitigation — Relative to 2005 emission levels, reduce Canada's total GHG emissions 17% by 2020. (led by Environment and Climate Change Canada).
Departmental Implementation Strategy: 1.1.47: Work with Aboriginal and northern communities, organizations and governments on the development of sustainable energy. (INAC)
| Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Greenhouse gas emissions in Aboriginal and northern communities are reduced | As the ecoENERGY program will sunset on March 31, 2016, there are no performance indicators or targets set for fiscal year 2016–2017 | — |
FSDS Goal: Goal 1: Climate Change — In order to mitigate the effects of climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emission levels and adapt to unavoidable impacts.
FSDS Target: 1.2. Target: Climate Change Adaptation — Facilitate reduced vulnerability of individuals, communities, regions and economic sectors to the impacts of climate change through the development and provision of information and tools. (led by Environment and Climate Change Canada)
Departmental Implementation Strategy: 1.2.1: Work with Aboriginal and northern communities, organizations and governments on climate change issues by supporting them in managing vulnerabilities and opportunities created by a changing climate. (INAC)
| Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Aboriginal and northern communities implement adaptation measures and decisions to protect community health and safety | As the Climate Change Adaptation program will sunset on March 31, 2016, there are no performance indicators and targets set for fiscal year 2016–2017 | — |
FSDS Goal: Goal 1: Climate Change — In order to mitigate the effects of climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emission levels and adapt to unavoidable impacts.
FSDS Target: 1.2. Target: Climate Change Adaptation — Facilitate reduced vulnerability of individuals, communities, regions and economic sectors to the impacts of climate change through the development and provision of information and tools. (led by Environment and Climate Change Canada)
Departmental Implementation Strategy: 1.2.5: Work with Aboriginal and northern communities to develop and deploy standards that support more resilient infrastructure and reduce impacts from climate change at the community level. (INAC, Standards Council of Canada)
| Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Aboriginal and northern communities implement adaptation measures and decisions to protect community health and safety | As the Climate Change Adaptation program will sunset on March 31, 2016, there are no performance indicators and targets set for fiscal year 2016–2017 | — |
FSDS Goal: Goal 4: Conserving and Restoring Ecosystems, Wildlife and Habitat, and Protecting Canadians — Resilient ecosystems with healthy wildlife populations so Canadians can enjoy benefits from natural spaces, resources and ecological services for generations to come.
FSDS Target: 4.7. Target: Environmental Disasters, Incidents and Emergencies — Environmental disasters, incidents and emergencies are prevented or their impacts mitigated. (led by Public Safety and Environment and Climate Change Canada)
Departmental Implementation Strategy: 4.7.4: In accordance with mandated responsibilities, provide environmental and/or other information to reduce the risk of, and advice in response to, the occurrence of events such as polluting incidents, wildlife disease events or severe weather and other significant hydro-meteorological events as applicable. (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, INAC, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Health Canada, Innovation, Science and Economic Development, Natural Resources Canada, Parks Canada, Public Safety, Public Services and Procurement Canada, Transport Canada)
| Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
|---|---|---|
| First Nations are supported in their efforts to mitigate and prepare for emergencies | Percentage of non-structural mitigation (i.e., flood mapping and risk assessment) and preparedness funding allocated towards on-reserve emergency resiliency and capacity building | 100% of the $19.1 million allocated towards on-reserve emergency resiliency and capacity building by March 31, 2017 |
| First Nations are supported in their response to and recovery from emergencies | Transfer of funds equivalent to eligible costs identified (eligible costs can include but not limited to the evacuation of on-reserve First Nation communities, direct emergency response activities, and other cleaning and rebuilding expenses) | 100% by March 31, 2017 |
For planning highlights see sub-program 3.4.6 (archived) in Section II of the 2016-17 Report on Plans and Priorities.
FSDS Goal: Goal 4: Conserving and Restoring Ecosystems, Wildlife and Habitat, and Protecting Canadians — Resilient ecosystems with healthy wildlife populations so Canadians can enjoy benefits from natural spaces, resources and ecological services for generations to come.
FSDS Target: 4.8. Target: Chemicals Management — Reduce risks to Canadians and impacts on the environment and human health posed by releases of harmful substances. (led by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Health Canada)
Departmental Implementation Strategy: 4.8.1: Implement the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan and complete remediation and risk management activities at known high priority federal contaminated sites. (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, INAC, Correctional Service Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Department of National Defence, Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Research Council Canada, Parks Canada, Public Services and Procurement Canada, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Transport Canada)
| Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
|---|---|---|
| The risk to public health and safety related to contaminated sites is decreased | Number of Class 1 sites (sites with imminent concerns for public health and safety) where remediation activities are occurring to reduce risk | 80a by March 31, 2017 |
| First Nation land is available for development | Number of contaminated sites completely remediated | Fivea by March 31, 2017 |
| Federal liabilities related to the existence of contaminated sites are reduced | Dollar reduction in total of known federal financial liabilities in confirmed contaminated sites at the beginning of the fiscal year | $8 million by March 31, 2017 |
| a The target setting is dependent on the size of the sites, the complexity and duration of multi-year projects, and the timing and the level of budget resources. | ||
| Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Contaminated sites are managed to ensure the protection of human health and the safety of the environment while bringing economic benefit to the North | Percentage of high priority sitesa in Step 8 (implementation) through Step 10 (monitoring) of the Approach to Federal Contaminated Sites | 45% by March 31, 2017 |
| Percentage of people employed within Contaminated Sites projects that are Northerners and/or Indigenous peoples | 60% by March 31, 2017 | |
| a High priority sites: Sites classified as Class 1 sites as per the National Classification System for Contaminated Sites | ||
For planning highlights see sub-programs 3.2.4 (archived) and 4.3.2 (archived) in Section II of the 2016-17 Report on Plans and Priorities.
FSDS Goal: Goal 4: Conserving and Restoring Ecosystems, Wildlife and Habitat, and Protecting Canadians — Resilient ecosystems with healthy wildlife populations so Canadians can enjoy benefits from natural spaces, resources and ecological services for generations to come.
FSDS Target: 4.8. Target: Chemicals Management — Reduce risks to Canadians and impacts on the environment and human health posed by releases of harmful substances. (led by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Health Canada)
Departmental Implementation Strategy: 4.8.7: The Northern Contaminants Program will continue monitoring contaminant levels in wildlife and people in the Canadian North. (INAC)
| Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Contaminants-related risk to ecosystem and human health is reduced | Percentage decrease in concentrations of previously identified contaminants in human and wildlife populations in the North | 5 to 10% decrease in three indicator persistent organic pollutants concentrations over 1990 levels by March 31, 2017 |
| 1 to 3% decrease in Mercury concentrations over 2013 levels by March 31, 2020 | ||
| Contaminants-related research results are widely available for domestic and international policy use | Percentage of current Northern Contaminants Program research, results and information that is accessible nationally and internationally | 100% by March 31, 2017 |
For planning highlights see sub-program 4.2.1 (archived) in Section II of the 2016-17 Report on Plans and Priorities.
Theme IV: Targets and Implementation Strategies
Goal 6: Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions and Energy
Target 6.1: GHG Emissions Reduction: The Government of Canada will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its buildings and fleets by 17% below 2005 levels by 2020.
Departmental Target: 17% below 2005 levels by 2020
Scope and Context: Targeted emission sources include approximately 114 Department-owned vehicles and all other mobile equipment operated by the Department such as boats, generators, all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles. This target does not apply to INAC-owned buildings since most of the real property owned by the Department is held for potential future transfer to First Nations.
PAA Program 5.1: Internal Services
Financial Performance Expectations: Reduced fuel expenditures for on-road vehicles and other mobile equipment.
| Expected Result | Performance Indicators | Targeted Performance Level |
|---|---|---|
| Reduce the carbon footprint and energy consumption of federal operations. | Updated GHG reduction implementation plan in place by March 31, 2015 | No [planned for June 30, 2016] INAC did not meet this target due to the demands of other priorities, such as the implementation of a new financial system. INAC has established a departmental GGO working group and invested in supporting professional services to ensure that it will meet the target during the 2016-17 fiscal year. |
| GHG emissions (kt CO2 equivalent) in fiscal year 2005–2006 | 0.646 kt | |
| GHG emissions (kt CO2 equivalent) in fiscal year 2016–2017, not accounting for renewable power emission credits, if applicable | 0.273 kt | |
| Renewable power emission credits applied in fiscal year 2016–2017 (kt CO2 equivalent) | 0 kt | |
| Percentage change in GHG emissions from fiscal year 2005–2006 to fiscal year 2016–2017, inclusive of renewable power emission credits, if applicable | 57.7% decrease | |
| Adjustments made to base year GHG emissions | No INAC developed adjusted base year GHG emissions during the 2015-16 fiscal year to reflect the impact of vehicles transferred to the Government of the Northwest Territories as part of NWT Devolution. The adjustment reduced INAC's base year GHG emissions from 0.646 kt to 0.534 kt; however, the adjusted base year GHG emissions figure had yet to be approved by the Office of Greening Government Operations at the time of this report. The expected GHG emissions for 2016-17 (0.273 kt) represent a reduction of 49% relative to the adjusted base year GHG emissions (0.534 kt). |
Goal 7: Waste and Asset Management
Target 7.1: Real Property Environmental Performance: As of April 1, 2014, and pursuant to departmental Real Property Sustainability Frameworks, an industry-recognized level of high-environmental performance will be achieved in Government of Canada real property projects and operations.
Scope and Context: Targeted real property assets include operational buildings owned by or leased directly to INAC. This target does not apply to real property owned by INAC for potential future transfer to First Nations
Target scope for existing Crown-owned buildings and new lease or lease renewal projects: Minimum building size of 500 m2, and owned by or leased directly to INAC for operational purposes.
Target scope for new construction, build-to-lease, and major renovation projects: All construction projects for operational buildings, and all major renovations in operational buildings. Further criteria for renovation projects are elaborated in the INAC Strategic Framework for Green Buildings.
Target scope for fit-up and refit projects: Minimum project area of 500 m2.
PAA Program 5.1: Internal Services
Financial Performance Expectations: Reduced utility costs for departmental operational facilities
| Expected Result | Performance Indicators | Targeted Performance Level |
|---|---|---|
| An industry-recognized level of high-environmental performance will be achieved in Government of Canada real property projects and operations. | Real Property Sustainability Framework in place to improve the management of energy, waste and water in departmental real property assets by March 31, 2015 | No [planned for Juner 30, 2016] INAC did not meet this target due to the demands of other priorities, such as the implementation of a new financial system. INAC has established a departmental GGO working group and invested in professional services to ensure that it will meet the target during the 2016-17 fiscal year. |
| Total number of existing Crown-owned buildings (over 1,000 m2) and new lease or lease renewal projects (over 1,000 m2) where the Crown is the major lessee, assessed for environmental performance using an industry-recognized assessment tool, and associated floor space (m2) | 0 Crown-owned building 0 m2 |
|
| 0 new lease or lease renewal projects 0 m2 |
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| Planned assessment tool to be used: BOMA BESt | ||
| Total number of existing Crown-owned buildings, new construction, build-to-lease projects and major renovation projects achieving an industry-recognized level of high environmental performance, and total associated floor space (m2) | 0 Crown-owned buildings 0 m2 Targeted performance level: LEED Canada-NC Silver, 3 Green Globes for Design or equivalent |
|
| 0 new construction projects 0 m2 Targeted performance level: LEED Gold |
||
| 0 build-to-lease projects 0 m2 Targeted performance level: LEED Canada-NC Silver, 3 Green Globes for Design or equivalent |
||
| 0 major renovation projects 0 m2 Targeted performance level: LEED Canada-NC Silver, 3 Green Globes for Design or equivalent |
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| Number of fit-up and refit projects achieving an industry-recognized level of high-environmental performance. | 0 fit-up and refit projects 0 m2 Targeted performance level: LEED Canada-NC Silver, 3 Green Globes for Design or equivalent |
| Implementation Strategy Element or Best Practice | Targeted Performance Level |
|---|---|
| 7.1.1.1. Achieve a level of performance that meets or exceeds the custodian's current commitment(s) to sustainable buildings using industry-recognized assessment and verification tool(s). | Seeking to reach "Achieved" status. |
Target 7.2: Green Procurement: As of April 1, 2014, the Government of Canada will continue to take action to embed environmental considerations into public procurement, in accordance with the federal Policy on Green Procurement.
Scope and Context: INAC procures over $188 million in goods and services per year. Approximately 89% of INAC procurement is for professional services, and the main goods acquired by the Department include furniture and software licences.
PAA Program 5.1: Internal Services
| Expected Result | Performance Indicator | Targeted Performance Level |
|---|---|---|
| Environmentally responsible acquisition, use and disposal of goods and services | Departmental approach to further the implementation of the Policy on Green Procurement in place as of April 1, 2014 | Yes [December 5, 2014] INAC did not meet this target due to the demands of other priorities, such as the implementation of a new financial system. A departmental approach to further the implementation of the Policy on Green Procurement was completed later in the 2014-15 fiscal year. Target implementation will be supported by the INAC GGO working group. |
| Number and percentage of procurement and/or materiel management specialists who completed the Canada School of Public Service Green Procurement course (C215) or equivalent, in fiscal year 2016–17. | 50 90% |
|
| Number and percentage of managers and functional heads of procurement and materiel whose performance evaluation includes support and contribution toward green procurement, in fiscal year 2016–17. | 3 100% |
Departmental Green Procurement Target: By March 31, 2021, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from business-related air travel will be reduced by 25% relative to 2008–2009 levels.
| Performance Indicator | Targeted Performance Level |
|---|---|
| Emissions associated with business travel in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2 equivalent) in fiscal year 2008–2009. | 8676 tonnes |
| Emissions associated with business travel in tonnes of CO2 equivalent in the given year. | 6660 tonnes |
| Percentage reduction in business travel emissions relative to the baseline level of CO2 equivalent. | 23.3% decrease |
Departmental Green Procurement Target: By March 31, 2017, 90% of on-road vehicles purchased are right sized for operational needs and are the most fuel efficient vehicle in their class available at the time of purchase and/or are an alternative fuel vehicle.
| Performance Indicator | Targeted Performance Level |
|---|---|
| Number of on-road vehicle purchases that meet the target relative to total number of all on-road vehicle purchases in the given year. | 90% |
| Cost of all on-road vehicles purchased in the given year | Data not available |
Departmental Green Procurement Target: By March 31, 2017, 90% of purchases of imaging hardware will include criteria to reduce the environmental impact associated with the production, acquisition, use and/or disposal of the equipment.
| Performance Indicator | Performance Level Achieved |
|---|---|
| Dollar value or volume of imaging hardware purchased that meet the target objective relative to the total dollar value or volume of all imaging hardware purchased in the given year. | >75% |
| Implementation Strategy Element or Best Practice | Targeted Performance Level |
|---|---|
| 7.2.1.5. Leverage common use procurement instruments where available and feasible. | Seeking to reach "Achieved" status |
| Best Practice 7.2.3. Train acquisition cardholders on green procurement |
Seeking to reach "Achieved" status |
Target 7.3: Sustainable Workplace Operations: As of April 1, 2015, the Government of Canada will update and adopt policies and practices to improve the sustainability of its workplace operations.
PAA Program 5.1: Internal Services
| Expected Result | Performance Indicator | Targeted Performance Level |
|---|---|---|
| Departmental workplace operations have a reduced environmental impact | Approach to maintain or improve the sustainability of the departmental workplace in place as of March 31, 2015. | No [planned for March 31, 2017] INAC did not meet this target due to the demands of other priorities, such as the implementation of a new financial system. INAC has established a departmental GGO working group and invested in professional services to ensure that it will meet the target during the 2016-17 fiscal year. |
| Implementation Strategy Element or Best Practice | Targeted Performance Level |
|---|---|
| 7.3.1.3. Maintain or improve existing approaches to sustainable workplace practices (i.e. printer ratios, paper usage and green meetings). | Seeking to reach "Achieved" status |
| 7.3.1.6. Dispose of e-waste in an environmentally sound and secure manner. | Seeking to reach "Achieved" status |
Target 7.4: Greening Services to Clients: By March 31, 2015, departments will establish SMART targets to reduce the environmental impact of their services to clients.
Scope and Context: INAC provides extensive services to First Nations and Northerners across the country. Many aspects of departmental program delivery have already been optimized to support sustainable development, such as adopting direct deposit to replace payments that were previously provided to recipients via cheques. Such reforms have reduced the Department's consumption of natural resources while simultaneously improving the efficiency of client services. INAC is confident that an analysis of its client services and associated environmental impacts will lead to the identification of significant additional improvements.
PAA Program 5.1: Internal Services
| Expected Result | Best practice | Targeted Performance Level |
|---|---|---|
| Departmental services to clients have a reduced environmental impact | 7.4.1. Conduct an analysis of client services, and implement practices to reduce their environmental impact | Yes [planned for September 30, 2016] |
Goal 8: Water Management
Target 8.1: Water Management: As of April 1, 2014, the Government of Canada will take further action to improve water management within its real property portfolio.
PAA Program 5.1: Internal Services
| Expected Result | Performance Indicator | Targeted Performance Level |
|---|---|---|
| Water is managed sustainably in Government of Canada real property operations. | Approach to improving water management included in Real Property Sustainability Framework by March 31, 2015. | No [planned for September 30, 2016] INAC did not meet this target due to the demands of other priorities, such as the implementation of a new financial system. INAC has established a departmental GGO working group and invested in professional services to ensure that it will meet the target during the 2016-17 fiscal year. |
| Amount and percentage of floor space in buildings over 1,000 m2 that includes water metering, in fiscal year 2016–2017 (where feasible). | Data not available. INAC is unable to report on this indicator prior to finalizing its approach to improving water management and determining which types of Department-owned buildings will be subject to the target. This data will become available in fiscal year 2016-17. |
Sustainable Development Management System
INAC's vision is a future in which First Nations, Inuit, Métis and northern communities are healthy, safe, self-sufficient and prosperous — a Canada where people make their own decisions, manage their own affairs and make strong contributions to the country as a whole.
Sustainable Development is an integral part of the Department's mandate and INAC takes sustainable development and environmental risks into consideration in the development of policies, programs, plans and reports. The commitments made in this strategy are aligned with the Department's Program Alignment Architecture and the Performance Measurement Framework.
Strategic Environmental Assessment
INAC will continue to ensure that its decision-making process includes consideration of FSDS goals and targets through the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process. An SEA for policy, plan or program proposals includes an analysis of the impacts of the given proposal on the environment, including on FSDS goals and targets.
INAC applies a three-level process for conducting SEAs. The first level is to complete an initial checklist to determine if further analysis is required. The second level, the preliminary scan, considers the proposal's contribution to FSDS goals and targets and identifies potential environmental impacts, either positive or negative. A detailed assessment is completed when important environmental impacts are identified during the third level preliminary scan.
Public statements on the results of INAC's detailed assessment will be made when an initiative is announced. The purpose of the public statement is to demonstrate that the environmental effects of the approved policy, plan or program, including its impact on achieving the FSDS goals and targets, have been considered during proposal development and decision making.