Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Report: 2020 to 2021
This report on progress supports the commitment in the Federal Sustainable Development Act (FSDA) to make sustainable development decision-making more transparent and accountable to Parliament. It also contributes to an integrated, whole-of-government view of activities supporting environmental sustainability.
The departmental information reported accounts for information previously prepared in accordance with Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada's 2020 to 2023 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy.
Table of contents
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 the Act, to provide the legal framework for developing and implementing a Federal Sustainable Development Strategy that will make sustainable development decision-making more transparent and accountable to Parliament, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC) has developed this report to demonstrate progress in implementing its Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy.
2. Sustainable development in CIRNAC
CIRNAC's 2020 to 2023 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy describes the department's actions in support of achieving the following FSDS goals:
- Greening Government
- Effective Action on Climate Change
- Clean Energy
- Sustainable Food
- Safe and Healthy Communities
This report presents available results for the departmental actions pertinent to this these goals. Previous years' reports are posted on the CIRNAC's website.
3. Departmental performance by FSDS goal
The following tables provide performance information on departmental actions in support of the FSDS goals listed in section 2.
Context: Greening Government
CIRNAC is the custodian of buildings, leases space in facilities across the country, manages a fleet of vehicles, and procures goods and services in order to serve Canadians, Indigenous communities, and Northerners. CIRNAC's greening government activities are integrated with departmental materiel management and investment planning, and provided as an internal service in support of all departmental programs.
The commitments under the Greening Government goal outline the areas CIRNAC plans to focus on to continue to reduce the environmental effects associated with the Department's physical operations and procurement decisions. Specifically, CIRNAC will take concrete steps to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from its buildings and fleets, divert waste from landfills, undertake clean technology demonstration projects, and support green procurement practices, including the implementation of a new departmental directive on green procurement.
During the 2020-21 fiscal year, CIRNAC prioritized the development and approval of departmental green procurement policy and targets. Reducing emissions from departmental operations in the Territories represents CIRNAC's greatest challenge and strategic priority for greening government, primarily due to the low availability of low-carbon energy sources in the North and the challenges inherent with facility operations in remote arctic conditions. CIRNAC leases operational facilities in the Yukon and Northwest Territories and owns several operational facilities in Nunavut, and most of CIRNAC's custodial facilities in Nunavut are planned for transfer to the Government of Nunavut in the coming years. CIRNAC purchases clean electricity certificates to offset emissions generated by electricity purchased for departmental facilities in Nunavut, however it remains difficult to significantly reduce CIRNAC's facility emissions since all departmental facilities currently rely on heating fuel.
This goal captures commitments from the Greening Government Strategy, as well as reporting requirements under the Policy on Green Procurement.
Greening Government: The Government of Canada will transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient and green operations.
| FSDS target(s) | FSDS contributing action(s) | Corresponding departmental action(s) | Starting point(s) Performance indicator(s) Target(s) |
Results achieved | Contribution by each departmental result to the FSDS goal and target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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) | All new buildings and major building retrofits will prioritize low-carbon investments based on integrated design principles, and life-cycle and total-cost-of ownership assessments which incorporate shadow carbon pricing |
Develop net-zero climate-resilient real property portfolio plan to determine the most cost-effective pathway to climate-resilient real property operations by 2050, including leveraging opportunities for portfolio rationalization, sharing facilities, maximizing energy efficiency, and switching to lower carbon fuels. All new federal buildings (including build-to-lease and public-private partnerships), starting at the latest in 2022, should be constructed to be net-zero carbon unless a lifecycle cost benefit analysis indicates net-zero carbon ready construction. |
Starting Points Performance Indicators GHG emissions from facilities in current reporting fiscal year (2019–20) = 2.2 ktCO2e Targets CIRNAC will develop a zero-carbon real property portfolio strategy by fiscal year 2021–22. |
Performance Indicators
Results CIRNAC is taking action to begin reporting facility emissions generated by departmental contaminated site remediation activities in fiscal year 2021-22. *CIRNAC's base year facility emissions estimate has been revised to remove the Canadian High Arctic Research Station. |
Actions that reduce the demand for energy or switch to lower carbon sources of energy will lead to reductions in GHGs from building operations. Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, and SDG 12: Responsible Production and Consumption |
| Departments will adopt and deploy clean technologies and implement procedures to manage building operations and take advantage of programs to improve the environmental performance of their buildings |
Internal collaboration to identify and progress on opportunities for clean technologies, building operations, and building environmental performance during fiscal year 2020–21. Establishment of departmental green procurement targets to prioritize zero carbon real property by fiscal year 2020–21. |
Results |
Understanding the range of applications for clean technology in building operations, and identifying what clean technology is purchased by Departments for what purposes will raise awareness about clean technology opportunities in the built environment and ultimately reduce GHG emissions and support more efficient production and consumption. Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities and SDG 12: Responsible Production and Consumption |
||
| Fleet management will be optimized including by applying telematics to collect and analyze vehicle usage data on vehicles scheduled to be replaced |
75% of new light-duty unmodified administrative fleet vehicle purchases will be zero-emission vehicles or hybrids. All new executive vehicle purchases will be zero-emission vehicles or hybrids. |
Starting Points Performance Indicators GHG emissions from fleet in fiscal year 2019–20 = 0.093 ktCO2e Overall fuel consumption (Gasoline Litres Equivalent) in fiscal year 2005–06: 35,465 (estimated) Overall fuel consumption (Gasoline Litres Equivalent) in fiscal year 2019–20: 39,790 Targets |
Performance Indicators
Results *Adjusted base year (2005-06) fleet emissions were defined for CIRNAC based on historical data from INAC and approved by the Centre for Greening Government. |
Rationalization of fleets via retirement of emitting vehicles can reduce GHG emissions. Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 12: Responsible Production and Consumption |
|
| Divert at least 75% (by weight) of non-hazardous operational waste from landfills by 2030 | CIRNAC will take steps to reduce the environmental impact of waste, and lead by example through operations that are zero-carbon, resilient, and green. |
Track and disclose waste diversion rates by 2022. Engage employees on waste diversion initiatives. Report building energy and water usage and waste generated using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager in all new domestic office leases and lease renewals for space more than 500 square metres. |
Starting Points Performance Indicators
Targets *Note that, due to the global pandemic, finalizing these results may be delayed, but it is expected that baseline measures will be established by fiscal year 2021–22. |
Results Waste tracking and disclosure for department-owned and leased facilities through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager will be addressed in collaboration with stakeholders during fiscal year 2021-22. The broad adoption of teleworking during the pandemic significantly reduced the volume of non-hazardous waste generated at departmental facilities during fiscal year 2020-21. |
Actions that reduce the generation of non-hazardous operational waste will help to reduce Scope 3 emissions for the production, transport and disposal of material. Diverting waste from landfill reduces landfill gas and transport hauling emissions. Material recovery via recycling reduces emissions for the extraction and production of virgin materials. Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 12: Responsible Production and Consumption |
| Divert at least 75% (by weight) of plastic waste from landfills by 2030 | CIRNAC will take steps to reduce the environmental impact of waste, and lead by example through operations that are zero-carbon, resilient, and green. |
Eliminate the unnecessary use of single-use plastics in government operations, events and meetings. Develop departmental policy instruments to mandate and support the elimination of unnecessary single-use plastics. When procuring products that contain plastics, CIRNAC will promote the procurement of sustainable plastic products and the reduction of associated plastic packaging waste. Track and disclose departmental waste diversion rates by 2022. |
Starting Points Performance Indicators
Targets *Note that, due to the global pandemic, finalizing these results may be delayed, but it is expected that baseline measures will be established by fiscal year 2021–22. |
Results CIRNAC developed a new departmental green procurement target to eliminate single-use plastic during fiscal year 2020-21. Implementation of the target is planned for fiscal year 2021-22. CIRNAC developed draft policy instruments to restrict the procurement of single-use plastic, based on guidance provided by the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. |
Actions that reduce the generation of plastic waste will help to reduce Scope 3 emissions for the production, transport and disposal of material. Diverting waste from landfill reduces landfill gas and transport waste hauling emissions. Material recovery via recycling reduces emissions for the extraction and production of virgin materials. Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 12: Responsible Production and Consumption |
| Divert at least 90% (by weight) of all construction and demolition waste from landfills (striving to achieve 100% by 2030) | CIRNAC will take steps to reduce the environmental impact of waste, and lead by example through operations that are zero-carbon, resilient, and green. |
Track and disclose departmental waste diversion rates by 2022. Establish departmental green procurement targets to require the diversion of waste from construction and demolition projects. |
Starting Points Performance Indicators
Targets *Note that, due to the global pandemic, finalizing these results may be delayed, but it is expected that baseline measures will be established by fiscal year 2021–22. |
Results Tracking of waste generated by construction and demolition will be addressed in collaboration with stakeholders during fiscal year 2021-22. |
Actions that reduce the generation of construction and demolition waste will help to reduce Scope 3 emissions for the production, transport and disposal of material. Diverting waste from landfill reduces landfill gas and transport waste hauling emissions. Material recovery via recycling reduces emissions for the extraction and production of virgin materials. Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 12: Responsible Production and Consumption |
| By 2030, 75% of domestic office lease transactions must be carbon neutral in situations where the federal government represents 75% or greater of the occupied space (square metres), market conditions permit and a competitive environment exists | In all new domestic office leases and lease renewals for space more than 500 square metres, landlords must report building energy and water usage and waste generated using ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager | All new domestic office leases and lease renewals awarded after April 1, 2025, where the federal government is the majority tenant, market conditions permit and a competitive environment exists, preference will be given to buildings with the highest available ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager score. |
Starting Points Performance Indicators
Targets *Note that, due to the global pandemic, finalizing these results may be delayed, but it is expected that baseline measures will be established by fiscal year 2021–22. |
Results CIRNAC developed a new corresponding departmental green during fiscal year 2020-21. |
Higher performing buildings with the highest scores will generally minimize energy use and therefore GHG emissions from heating and electricity (where applicable). Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 12: Responsible Production and Consumption |
| 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 |
75% of new light-duty unmodified administrative fleet vehicle purchases will be zero-emission vehicles or hybrids. All new executive vehicle purchases will be zero-emission vehicles or hybrids. |
Starting Points Performance Indicators % of annual administrative fleet purchases that are zero-emission vehicles or hybrid = 0% (fiscal year 2019–20) % of ZEV in administrative fleet = 0% (fiscal year 2019–20) Executive vehicle hybrid or zero-emission vehicle purchases = 2 (fiscal year 2019–20) Targets |
Performance Indicators
CIRNAC developed a corresponding departmental green procurement target during fiscal year 2020-21. |
As conventional vehicles are replaced over their lifetimes with zero-emission vehicles, and/or the size of the fleet is reduced, a greater proportion of the fleet will be zero-emission vehicles. CIRNAC faces challenges in complying with this target as most departmental vehicles are required to operate in remote and extremely cold northern locations where service support for zero-emission vehicles is not readily available. CIRNAC is updating its departmental policies and procedures for fleet purchases to require completion of "right-sizing" charts for new vehicles. Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 12: Responsible Production and Consumption |
| 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 | By 2021, CIRNAC will take action to understand the wide range of climate change impacts that could potentially affect federal assets, services and operations across the country. |
Starting Points Performance Indicators Targets |
In 2020-2021, the department completed a comprehensive Climate Change and Vulnerability Risk Assessment which assesses the risks that the physical impacts of climate change pose for the achievement of departmental results. A management response and mitigation measures will be developed. |
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. Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 13: Climate Action |
| By 2021, adopt climate-resilient building codes being developed by National Research Council Canada (NRCC) |
All major real property projects will integrate climate change adaptation into the design, construction and operation aspects. Climate change adaptation will be included in the design, construction and operation aspects of real property or engineered asset projects. Construct buildings conforming to the NRCC code. |
Starting Points Performance Indicators Targets *Note that, due to the global pandemic, finalizing these results may be delayed, but it is expected that baseline measures will be established by fiscal year 2021–22. |
Results Development of CIRNAC's Net-Zero Climate-Resilient Real Property Portfolio Plan was deferred to fiscal year 2021-22. |
Early adoption of the code in the construction of buildings demonstrates federal leadership in climate resilient buildings. Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities |
|
| Use 100% clean electricity by 2025 | CIRNAC will purchase renewable energy certificates to offset all GHG emissions generated by departmental electricity consumption starting in fiscal year 2021–22. |
In regions with carbon-emitting electricity generation, organizations will at a minimum produce or purchase megawatt hours of renewable electricity equivalent to that produced by the high-carbon portion of the electricity grid. This includes the use of renewable electricity generated on-site or purchased off-site. There is a preference, but not a requirement, to buy electricity in the province or territory in which it is consumed. |
Starting Points Performance Indicators Electricity consumption from non-emitting sources (including renewable energy certificates) in the year = 0 kWh/year Estimated annual electricity consumption from non-clean sources of energy in 2022: 968,000 kWh/year* % of clean electricity = 0 % Targets *Based on provincial/territorial electricity grid projections of energy sources in 2022. |
Results CIRNAC started the development of strategies to achieve a departmental green procurement target to purchase 100% clean electricity by 2022. |
The use of clean electricity eliminates GHG emissions in jurisdictions with emitting generation sources. Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy |
| Actions supporting the Goal: Greening Government | Minimize embodied carbon and the use of harmful materials in construction and renovation |
Specification of low embodied carbon materials in construction and construction contracts. Substitution of low embodied carbon materials in construction and renovation projects. |
Starting Points Performance Indicators Targets *Note that, due to the global pandemic, finalizing these results may be delayed, but it is expected that baseline measures will be established by fiscal year 2021–22. |
Results The percentage of major construction projects using building materials with minimized embodied carbon will be identified through CIRNAC's Net-Zero Climate-Resilient Real Property Portfolio Plan during fiscal year 2021-22. |
The use of low embodied carbon materials expands the market and encourages industry to adopt low carbon extraction, production and disposal practices. This will reduce Scope 3 emissions and other harmful environmental impacts. Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 12: Responsible Production and Consumption |
| Departments will use environmental criteria to reduce the environmental impact and ensure best value in government procurement decisions |
Include criteria that address carbon reduction, sustainable plastics and broader environmental benefits into procurements for goods and services that have a high environmental impact. Integrate environmental considerations into procurement management processes and controls. Incorporate environmental considerations into the development of any common-use procurement instruments. Ensure key officials include contribution to and support for the Policy on Green Procurement objectives in their performance evaluations. Set departmental targets to reduce the environmental impact of specific goods or services. |
Starting Points Performance Indicators Inclusion of environmental considerations (e.g. reduce, reuse, or include environmental criteria) in new common-use procurement instruments in 2019–20: 100% Inclusion of environmental considerations (e.g. reduce, reuse, or include environmental criteria) in procurements valued over $2 million in 2019–20: Not available Targets
|
Performance indicators
Results Departmental green procurement targets were updated to align with the 2020 Greening Government Strategy, and implementation is planned for fiscal year 2021-22. Reporting on the departmental green procurement targets for goods and services will begin following data collection in 2021-22. |
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. Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 12: Responsible Production and Consumption |
|
| Departments will adopt clean technology and undertake clean technology demonstration projects |
Undertake or commission research and development for innovative clean technologies. Address specific departmental needs or increase operational efficiency by testing state-of-the-art innovations not yet available in the marketplace. Lead by example as an early adopter of clean technology innovations. Develop operational innovation proposals for the Greening Government Fund. Create departmental set-asides or targets for procurement of clean technology goods and services. Incorporate life-cycle assessments and outcomes-based approaches into procurement practices to ensure innovative approaches are considered. |
Starting Points Performance Indicators Targets |
Results Departmental clean technology projects pertaining to facilities will also be identified and reported through CIRNAC's forthcoming Net-Zero Climate-Resilient Real Property Portfolio Plan by fiscal year 2021-22. |
Actions by individual departments that incent, support, or procure state-of-the-art innovative clean technologies that lower the environmental footprint of government operations while contributing to the success of clean-tech businesses in Canada. Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure |
|
| Support for green procurement will be strengthened, including guidance, tools and training for public service employees | Ensure decisions makers, material management and specialists in procurement have the necessary training and awareness to support green procurement. |
Starting Points CIRNAC has developed updated training for departmental procurement officers on how to record green procurement details in the financial information system that is currently planned for delivery during the 2020–21 fiscal year. Performance Indicators % of specialists in procurement who have completed departmental training on recording green procurement in the financial information system is to be reported starting in fiscal year 2021–22. Targets |
Performance indicators
Results |
Green procurement incorporates environmental considerations into purchasing decisions and is expected to motivate suppliers to green their goods, services and supply chain. Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 12: Responsible Production and Consumption |
Context: Effective Action on Climate Change
CIRNAC's climate change adaptation programs aim to empower Indigenous Peoples and northerners to continue to take a leadership role in climate action through participation in policy and programming. Projects are community-led, build capacity and skills and yield economic opportunities for communities. Due to the global pandemic, many Indigenous communities were unable to initiate new climate change adaptation projects in 2020-2021. As a result, funding was reallocated between programs and regions. The programs also provided additional flexibility to communities that required more time to complete projects that were delayed due to the pandemic.
A low-carbon economy contributes to limiting global average temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius and supports efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
| FSDS target(s) | FSDS contributing action(s) | Corresponding departmental action(s) | Starting point(s) Performance indicator(s) Target(s) |
Results achieved | Contribution by each departmental result to the FSDS goal and target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Actions supporting the Goal: Effective Action on Climate Change | Provide support and funding for climate resilience. | Provide funding to First Nations communities to assess climate change risks, develop adaptation plans and develop flood plain maps. |
Starting Points Performance Indicators Targets |
In 2020-2021, The First Nation Adapt program invested $8.1 million in 48 projects for a total investment of $35 million since 2016. Note: Approximately $900,000 in funds was reallocated to Indigenous projects (First Nations, Inuit and Métis) within CIRNAC's climate change programs. |
The FNA program supports community driven projects that allow First Nations in provinces to take action on climate change. $9,000,000 in funding is available annually to support projects such as: climate change risk assessments; integration of climate change risks into community planning documents; identification of adaptation measures to reduce climate change impacts; collection of Indigenous Knowledge regarding community-based local knowledge of past climate events and trends; floodplain mapping to assess current and future projected flood risks to community infrastructure. Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 13: Climate Action |
| Provides funding to northern and Indigenous communities to assess climate change risks, develop adaptation plans and implement adaptation actions. |
Starting Points Performance Indicators Targets |
In 2020-2021, the Climate Change Preparedness in the North program invested $9 million in 118 projects for a total investment of over $39 million since 2016. |
The CCPN program supports community-driven projects that allow northern and Indigenous communities in northern Canada to take action on climate change. $8,800,000 is available annually to support climate change projects such as: climate change risk assessments, development of hazard maps and adaptation plans, development of adaptation options and the implementation of structural and non-structural adaptation measures. Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 13: Climate Action |
||
| Provides funding to help Indigenous Peoples monitor climate and environmental changes in their communities/traditional lands. |
Starting Points Performance Indicators Targets |
In 2020-2021, The Indigenous Community-Based Climate Monitoring program invested over $6 million in 56 projects for a total investment of $21 million since 2017. |
The ICBCM supports Indigenous Peoples to monitor climate and climate change impacts for use in decision-making using both Indigenous Knowledge and science. Annually, $6,000,000 is allocated to support projects which may include: training and hiring of community members; developing monitoring plans; monitoring key climate indicators; assessing and managing data; communicating results; networking and community engagement. Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 13: Climate Action |
||
| Work with partners on climate change. | Support capacity building and engagement and support the distinctions-based bilateral Pan-Canadian Framework (PCF) tables with First Nations, Inuit, and the Métis Nation. |
Starting Points Performance Indicators Targets |
In 2020-2021 the Engaging Indigenous Peoples in Climate Policy program invested $5 million in 20 projects for a total investment of $19.5 million since 2017. |
The EIPICP builds capacity in National and Regional Indigenous Organizations by providing funding for Indigenous climate change positions, holding climate change events and engagement sessions such as the PCF tables. Building climate change capacity in Indigenous organizations allows Indigenous peoples to take a leadership role in actions on climate change within their communities and regions. Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 13: Climate Action |
Context: Clean Energy
CIRNAC's Northern REACHE program aims to empower Indigenous Peoples and northerners to continue to take a leadership role in climate action through participation in policy and programming. Projects are community-led, build capacity and skills and yield economic opportunities for communities. The program supports northern communities, governments, and organizations to plan and construct renewable energy and energy efficiency projects that reduce diesel use for electricity and heating. Canada's Strengthened Climate Plan committed to invest an additional $300 million over five years to advance the Government's commitment to ensure that rural, remote and Indigenous communities that currently rely on diesel have the resources to be powered by clean, reliable energy by 2030. In 2020-21, CIRNAC along with Natural Resources Canada and Indigenous Services Canada worked together to ensure this funding will be delivered in a streamlined fashion to improve access to federal support and expertise; and aligns with priorities as identified by Indigenous Peoples.
All Canadians have access to affordable, reliable and sustainable energy.
| FSDS target(s) | FSDS contributing action(s) | Corresponding departmental action(s) | Starting point(s) Performance indicator(s) Target(s) |
Results achieved | Contribution by each departmental result to the FSDS goal and target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| By 2030, 90% and in the long term, 100% of Canada's electricity is generated from renewable and non-emitting sources. | Promote collaboration and work with partners on clean energy infrastructure. | Support northern communities, governments, and organizations to plan and construct renewable energy and energy efficiency projects that reduce diesel use for electricity and heating. |
Starting Points Performance Indicators Targets |
An estimated reduction of over 1.1 million litres of diesel and a reduction of over 3,200 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions is a result of the Northern REACHE program investing $4.4 million in 35 projects in 2020-2021 for a total of 122 since the program began. |
The Northern Responsible Energy Approach for Community Heat and Electricity (REACHE) program aims to reduce northern communities' reliance on diesel fuel for electricity and heating. By funding clean energy and energy efficiency projects the program will reduce the use of diesel, contributing to reduced GHG emissions. Over 30 projects are funded annually with $3,750,000. These projects focus on proven technologies such as: solar, wind, energy storage, hydro, biomass heating, residual heat recovery and LED. Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy |
Context: Sustainable Food
Nutrition North Canada (NNC) helps provide northerners in isolated communities with increased access to store-bought and traditional foods. The Program enhances access and affordability through a retail-based subsidy that lowers the cost of nutritious food and other essential items than they would otherwise be without the Program. Recognizing the importance of harvesting for sustainable northern food systems, the Harvesters Support Grant (HSG) provides funding support for harvesters and food sharing activities in eligible communities. This new Grant component funds activities across the entire harvesting tradition, from food collection to food preparation and preservation as well as youth skills training. The Grant also supports the innovative capacity of northerners to adapt and sustain their own food systems, tradition, and the sharing of harvesting knowledge across generations to promote long-term sustainability and resiliency.
In addition to factors of isolation, the COVID-19 pandemic brought forth supply-chain disruptions that posed serious challenges to northern food access and amplified the need to support local, and sustainable food systems. In response, the Program expanded its subsidy list and increased subsidy rates in order to ensure families' continued access and affordability of nutritious and essential items in their communities, especially during lockdowns and periods of restricted travel. The launch of the HSG coincided with the onset of the pandemic, and while some results were delayed as the pandemic triggered a reprioritization of funding, HSG recipients and Program partners have noted an increase in hunting and harvesting activities in Grant eligible communities, as well as the sharing of harvest with vulnerable community members who could not otherwise go on the land. NNC continues to expand its programming to better address food security in a manner that centers the self-sufficiency of isolated communities and decreases the dependence on market food originating from regions South of the 60th parallel, so as to promote Made-in-the-North solutions.
Innovation and ingenuity contribute to a world-leading agricultural sector and food economy for the benefit of all Canadians.
| FSDS target(s) | FSDS contributing action(s) | Corresponding departmental action(s) | Starting point(s) Performance indicator(s) Target(s) |
Results achieved | Contribution by each departmental result to the FSDS goal and target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Actions supporting the Goal: Sustainable Food | Residents in eligible communities have access to nutritious, perishable foods at a subsidized rate. |
Starting Points 0% (2010-11) Performance Indicators Targets |
100% of 2020-21 Compliance/Audit completed in 2021-22 fiscal year. Audits performed in 2020/2021 all indicated that the subsidies are being passed on to consumers and that profit margins are within industry norms. |
Nutrition North Canada (NNC) is a Government of Canada program that helps support sustainable foods and food security systems for Northerners. Beyond access to nutrition and healthy foods, NNC is addressing issues of food security through policies that promote healthy and sustainable foods and food security systems in the North. These are composed of 3 critical elements that need to be addressed together: 1) affordable market food, 2) country/traditional food and, 3) locally produced food. Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities |
|
| Provide a subsidy for staple goods (non-perishables and other non-food/essential items shipped by surface transportation. |
Starting Points 20,458,417 kg in 2010–11 Performance Indicators Targets |
The weight of food subsidized in 2020-21 was 39,917,427 kg or 388kg/person. The weight of subsidized food has continued to increase since 2011. |
NNC's food subsidy helps improve the availability and access of nutritious food for northern residents, which contributes to healthy diets and food choices Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities |
||
| Isolated northern communities' nutritional choices and community health are strengthened. |
Starting Points Performance Indicators Targets |
The cost of the Revised Northern Food Basket in 2020-2021 is $419.11 Target met |
NNC continues to subsidize market foods while supplementing the food system with traditional foods to enhance sustainable food and food systems in the North Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities |
||
| Deliver the Harvesters Support Grant to eligible communities so that they can equip themselves for the harvesting of country foods in support of food sharing activities. |
Starting Points Performance Indicators Targets Target 2: 100% of land claim organizations and self-government entities in receipt of grants by March 2020. |
100% of HSG communities have access to harvesting supports. Result (1): In 2020-2021, NNC signed agreements with 19 recipients representing all 108 eligible communities under the HSG adding 2 additional agreements beyond March 2020. All 108 eligible communities benefitted from access to harvesting supports through the HSG. To date, the HSG has supported over 3,700 harvesters. Result (2): 100% of land claim organizations and self-government entities received their grant agreements by March 2020. |
Harvesting and sharing of country foods in isolated communities is strengthened. Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities |
||
Context: Safe and Healthy Communities
In 2020-2021, the Northern Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program (NAMRP) was established to address the long-term management of the Department's 8 largest mine reclamation projects in the Yukon and Northwest Territories. The 2020-2021 fiscal year also marked the first year of the renewed Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (Phase IV, 2020-2025). In this context, the Department continued to manage high-priority contaminated sites in the North, which included care and maintenance, planning, remediation, and monitoring activities.
In 2020-2021, the Northern Contaminants Program (NCP) continued to engage Northerners and scientists in research and monitoring of long-range transboundary pollutants in the northern and Arctic environment, wildlife, and people, and to establish baseline levels of microplastic pollution in the environment and wildlife, in spite of limitations on travel, shipping and analyses (due to laboratory closures) due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The NCP's 50 research, monitoring and community-based monitoring projects were unevenly impacted, with some proceeding in a modified fashion, some postponed, and other activities canceled altogether; however, the majority of long-term monitoring datasets were or will be maintained, as more regular scientific and logistics activities resume.
All Canadians live in clean, sustainable communities that contribute to their health and well-being.
| FSDS target(s) | FSDS contributing action(s) | Corresponding departmental action(s) | Starting point(s) Performance indicator(s) Target(s) |
Results achieved | Contribution by each departmental result to the FSDS goal and target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Actions supporting the Goal: Safe and Healthy Communities | Demonstrate leadership on assessing and remediating contaminated sites |
Initiate the Northern Abandoned Mine Reclamation Program to manage 8 abandoned mines in the Yukon and Northwest Territories. Manage the Department's portfolio of contaminated sites under the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan. |
Starting Points Performance Indicators Targets |
In 2020-2021, 89% of the Northern Contaminated Sites Program's 79 high-priority contaminated sites were actively managed. |
The management of contaminated sites will allow the department to reduce or eliminate risks to human health and the environment. Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 12: Responsible Production and Consumption |
| Provide information to inform action and decision-making. | Continue research and monitoring related to contaminant levels and their effects in wildlife and people in the Canadian North as part of the Northern Contaminants Program (NCP) efforts to reduce and, wherever possible, eliminate contaminants in traditionally harvested foods, while providing information that assists individuals and communities to make informed decisions about their food use |
Starting Points Performance Indicators Targets |
2020-2021: 52% Data, reports, and publications generated by the Northern Contaminants Program and the projects it supports are available to the public through: the Polar Data Catalogue (metadata and data); the NCP publications database within the Arctic Science and Technology Information System (peer reviewed and grey literature); and the NCP website on science.gc.ca (Synopsis of Research reports, Canadian Arctic Contaminants Assessment Reports, Calls for Proposals, Project Summaries, etc.). The results achieved in 2020-2021 were affected by delays in the production of the annual Synopsis of Research report and the annual posting of project summaries on the NCP website. |
The data generated by the NCP is used to assess ecosystem and human health, and the findings of these assessments inform policy, resulting in action to eliminate contaminants from long-range sources. Specifically, this information supports action and decision-making by Northern health authorities, and under processes of the Arctic Council, the Minamata Convention on Mercury and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 12: Responsible Production and Consumption |
|
| Better understand air pollutants and harmful substances. | Continue research and monitoring related to contaminant levels and their effects in wildlife and people in the Canadian North as part of the NCP efforts to reduce and, wherever possible, eliminate contaminants in traditionally harvested foods, while providing information that assists individuals and communities to make informed decisions about their food use. |
Starting Points Performance Indicators Targets |
2020-2021: 80% The majority of the projects generating long-term datasets for contaminants in air and seawater (15), fish (11), wildlife (13), and human populations (1), had successful sample collections in spite of COVID-19 restrictions on travel and other logistics such as shipping. These successful collections were due to the strong partnerships and capacity sharing that have been built in communities near annually monitored locations. The most impacted projects tended to be the most logistically challenging, such as ship-based projects. COVID-19 restrictions also resulted in laboratory closures across Canada which delayed shipping and analyses for the majority of projects. The backlog of analytical work is expected to be eliminated throughout 2021-2022. |
The NCP plays a particularly important role in generating scientific information on contaminants in the Arctic. NCP research results help in the development of associated long-term global monitoring and research programs. The NCP and its researchers work in an interdisciplinary approach and include natural and social sciences as well as community-based monitoring and Indigenous knowledge. NCP has been cultivating links with other Canadian Arctic science programs such as ArcticNet and Polar Knowledge Canada to promote coordination and cooperation. The NCP works with the northern regions through 5 Regional Contaminants Committees, and 4 Inuit Research Advisors to lead and participate in NCP-funded research and communications initiatives. Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 12: Responsible Production and Consumption |
|
| Take a leading role in international agreements and collaboration on chemicals management and transboundary air pollution. | Continue, through the NCP, to contribute data, information, leadership and expertise in support of international initiatives under the Arctic Council (e.g. the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme), international agreements and their effectiveness evaluation (e.g. the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the Minamata Convention on Mercury), and other initiatives aimed at efforts to reduce and, wherever possible, eliminate transboundary contaminants that make their way into northern food chains that include traditionally harvested foods. |
Starting Points Performance Indicators Targets |
2020-2021: 96% The vast majority of projects funded under the Human Health, Community Based Monitoring and Research, and Environmental Monitoring and Research subprograms are producing data and information that is applicable to national or international contaminants initiatives, including assessments such as the Canadian Arctic Contaminants Assessment Report, as well as those of the Arctic Council's Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP). In 2021, AMAP released reports on mercury, human health, POPs and climate change, and plastic pollution, each of which drew on data and information from Northern Contaminants Program projects. This data and information is also utilized through processes under the Stockholm Convention, e.g. assessment of candidate pollutants, and the Minamata Convention on Mercury. |
The NCP contributes scientific data to contaminants-related international agreements and assessments, helping to position Canada as an international leader in Arctic science. The data generated by the NCP is used to assess ecosystem and human health, and the findings of these assessments inform policy, resulting in action to eliminate contaminants from long-range sources. Specifically, this information supports action and decision-making by northern health authorities, and under processes of the Arctic Council, the Minamata Convention on Mercury and the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants. Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goal: SDG 12: Responsible Production and Consumption |
|
| Safe and Healthy Communities | Identify priority science needs to improve the detection, sampling and analysis of plastics and microplastics in Arctic and northern ecosystems, and establish baselines for long-term monitoring of trends, through the NCP. These research and monitoring activities will contribute to Canada's Plastics Science Agenda (CaPSA), furthering our understanding of how plastics and microplastics are distributed and move through Arctic ecosystems. As plastics science advances, it will better inform policy development and improve the ability to track the effectiveness of actions taken. |
Starting Points Performance Indicators Targets |
# of datasets: 10 compartments, 15 or more individual datasets Support for plastics-related projects was provided to 17 environmental monitoring and research projects, 3 community-based monitoring and research projects, as well as to 5 Regional Contaminants Committees and Inuit Research Advisors in 4 Inuit regions. These projects will establish baselines for long-term monitoring in the following 10 environmental compartments: freshwater fish, marine fish, seabirds (Northern fulmars, Thick-billed Murre, common Eider, Black-legged Kittiwake), air, snow, ice, fresh water, sea water, sediments and mammals (beluga, polar bear, ringed seal). The research will advance the development of standard protocols/approaches for monitoring plastics in the North, explore potential wildlife health issues from plastic exposure, and identify Northern-specific hotspots, sources and pathways for plastic pollution. The COVID-19pandemic resulted in significant disruption to, and slowing of, scientific work, particularly in the North, causing many projects to defer activities and surplus funding in 2020-2021. |
Found in even the most remote environments, plastic and microplastic pollution is a global concern, although there is currently very limited Arctic data. The NCP has identified priority science needs to improve the detection, sampling and analysis of plastics in Arctic and northern atmospheric, terrestrial, freshwater, and marine environments and wildlife. These research and monitoring activities will contribute to Canada's Plastics Science Agenda (CaPSA), furthering our understanding of how plastics and microplastics are distributed and move through Arctic ecosystems. As plastics science advances, it will better inform policy development and improve the ability to track the effectiveness of actions taken. Related United Nations Sustainable Development Goals: SDG 12: Responsible Production and Consumption and SDG 14: Life Below Water |
4. Report on integrating sustainable development
As part of CIRNAC's effort to contribute to Canada's FSDS, the department established goals and targets and identified actions to support sustainable development priorities, which were identified on national and international levels. Part of this effort included CIRNAC's consideration of sustainable development and environmental risks in the development of policies, programs, plans and reports. The commitments made in this strategy aligned with the Departmental Plan, the Departmental Results Report and Program Information Profiles.
In accordance with the Cabinet Directive on Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals, the department ensured that all proposals submitted to the department for approval included a preliminary scan and, if required, a strategic environmental assessment (SEA). CIRNAC will continue to ensure that its decision-making process includes consideration of FSDS goals and targets through its SEA process. A 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.
CIRNAC provided guidance to the proposal leads about the application of the SEA process and requirements of the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals, and further efforts were taken to strengthen and enhance this function within the department to support the success of the 2020 to 2023 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy. CIRNAC defines a proposal as a memorandum to Cabinet, a Treasury Board Submission, a regulatory proposal, memoranda to the Minister that are seeking concurrence and any other strategic document seeking Ministerial or Cabinet approval.
Public statements on the results of CIRNAC's assessments are made public when an initiative that has undergone a detailed SEA (see Sustainable development). 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.