2023-27 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

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Cat. No.: AC2-10E-PDF
ISSN: 2817-3538

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© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of
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Opportunities Agency, 2023

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SECTION 1: Introduction to the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

The 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS)^{Footnote (i)} presents the Government of Canada’s sustainable development goals and targets, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act.^{Footnote (ii)} This is the first FSDS to be framed using the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda and to provide 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 Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) supports the goals laid out in the FSDS through the activities described in this Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS).

The Federal Sustainable Development Act^{Footnote (iii)} also sets out 7 principles^{Footnote (iv)} that must be considered in the development of the FSDS as well as DSDSs. These basic principles have been considered and incorporated in this DSDS.

To promote coordinated action on sustainable development across the Government of Canada, this departmental strategy integrates efforts to advance Canada’s implementation of the 2030 Agenda National Strategy, supported by the Global Indicator Framework (GIF) and Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) targets and indicators. The strategy also now captures SDG initiatives that fall outside of the scope of the FSDS to inform the development of Canada’s Annual Report on the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.

SECTION 2: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s Sustainable Development Vision

ACOA’s sustainable development vision is for Atlantic Canada to be economically competitive and to thrive in an inclusive low-carbon economy by 2050. Like much of the globe, Atlantic Canada is impacted by climate change. The Agency will embrace opportunities for clean growth by leveraging the momentum that Atlantic provinces have seen in recent years, as outlined in a recent Public Policy Forum report titled The Atlantic Canada Momentum Index. ACOA’s advocacy work, outreach, policies and programs projects will propel prosperity and promote inclusion in the region’s communities.

ACOA recognizes that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the engines of regional economies, and an important source of innovation and job creation. As SMEs constitute a large portion of Canada’s economy, they also make a significant contribution to Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions. In Atlantic Canada, SMEs want to green their practices but don’t always have the resources or expertise to make the needed investments or implement the required technologies and practices. As a key federal partner in economic development in Atlantic Canada, ACOA will support this green pivot by prioritizing strategic investments in clean technologies and sustainable practices, and enabling the regional ecosystems that accompany SMEs and communities that take action.

The Agency will work to advance the transition to a cleaner, more prosperous economy that will achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 by leveraging partnerships and collaborations with other departments, orders of government, industry, communities and Indigenous People to:

• support access to reliable and affordable clean energy;
• advance industrial decarbonization;
• accelerate the greening of firms and supply chains; and
• advance the development of clean technologies for domestic and international markets.

The Agency will meet this objective by providing regionally tailored, client-centric and place-based assistance to SMEs, ecosystems and communities in urban and rural areas, while also changing the way it does so to meet the new sustainable development goals. Additionally, ACOA will increase its advocacy and coordination function to optimize federal investments in the Atlantic region. The Agency’s President and senior management team will take a strong leadership role on achieving this critical priority for the region.

In doing so, ACOA will support the following FSDS goals.

• Goal 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy: Advance the development and deployment of clean and renewable energy. This includes advancing priority transmission projects, and supporting new and developing clean technologies and energy sources.
• Goal 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth: Support workers, businesses and communities in their transition to a greener and more inclusive economy through economic development and diversification, skills and training investments, and project development and growth assistance. This includes supporting efforts to green supply chains and decarbonize and electrify sectoral and business operations to remain competitive in Canada and internationally. It also includes supporting the Government of Canada’ Sustainable Jobs Plan in Atlantic Canada.
• Goal 10 – Reducing Inequalities: Support the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act^{Footnote (v)} by fostering inclusion within the Agency and taking an inclusion lens on program delivery.
• Goal 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production – and Goal 13 – Climate Action: Fostering practices that promote sustainable development in its internal operations and project management activities.

ACOA plans and activities are further described in Section 4. Information on ACOA’s plans for sustainable development goals will also be included in its annual Departmental Plan.

SECTION 3: Listening to Canadians

As required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act, ACOA has considered comments on the draft 2022 – 2026 FSDS made during the public consultations held from March 11 to July 9, 2022. During the public consultations, more than 700 comments were received from a broad range of stakeholders, including governments, Indigenous organizations, non-governmental organizations, academics, businesses, and individual Canadians in different age groups and of various backgrounds. The draft FSDS was also shared with the appropriate committee of each House of Parliament, the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, and the Sustainable Development Advisory Council for their review and comment.

What we heard

Across the submissions received, ACOA identified sustainable development priorities and issues that affect the Agency. Canadians wanted to see more sustainable energy and a concrete road map to achieve this. They also recognized the importance of preparing businesses, communities and workers to transition to a clean economy, as well as designing and implementing supports that reach all Canadians, including those living in Atlantic Canada.

What we did

ACOA took the above-mentioned key priorities and issues into consideration in this DSDS. The Agency supports workers and communities through the Canada Coal Transition Initiative (CCTI),^{Footnote (vi)} delivering investments to make the transition to a greener economy and foster collaboration on clean power for Atlantic Canada. ACOA also participated in the elaboration of the Clean Power Roadmap for Atlantic Canada.^{Footnote (vii)}

Please find more information on the FSDS public consultations and their results in the FSDS Consultation Report.^{Footnote (viii)}

SECTION 4: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s Commitments

GOAL 7 – INCREASE CANADIANS’ ACCESS TO CLEAN ENERGY

FSDS Context:

ACOA will advance transmission and clean energy sources through advocacy with key energy stakeholders at all levels. This includes promoting collaboration with partners on clean energy infrastructure with the Clean Power Roadmap for Atlantic Canada.^{Footnote (ix)} This will support a collective vision for how jurisdictions will collaborate over the coming decades to build a clean power network across Atlantic Canada.

ACOA’s planned action areas include:

• Advancing priority transmission by working with Atlantic Canada’s electricity regulators to identify and address regulatory and innovation barriers to accelerate strategic high-impact regional projects.
• Adding new clean energy sources and developing emerging clean technologies to advance electrification. This includes identifying early-stage strategic proposals in Atlantic Canada, developing management capacity and fast-tracking readiness for national programs.

These efforts will support the Government of Canada’s goal of generating 90 percent of electricity from renewable and non-emitting sources by 2030, up to 100 percent in the long term.^{Footnote (1)}

Target theme: Renewable and non-emitting sources of electricity

Target: By 2030, 90 percent, and in the long term 100 percent, of Canada's electricity is generated from renewable and non-emitting sources (Minister of Natural Resources).

GOAL 8 – ENCOURAGE INCLUSIVE AND SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC GROWTH IN CANADA

FSDS Context:

ACOA recognizes that clean technologies provide the pathway to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and more sustainable growth in all areas of the economy. ACOA aims to continue its significant investments in clean growth and clean technology to support its development, demonstration, commercialization, adoption and exports.

ACOA’s planned action areas include:

• electrification, decarbonization and efficiency of Atlantic Canada’s economic sectors, especially those most vulnerable to market pressures; and
• supply-chain development by helping small and SMEs to decarbonize their operations to remain competitive in domestic and international supply chains.

In the context of the FSDS,^{Footnote (x)} the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan,^{Footnote (xi)} the Sustainable Jobs Plan,^{Footnote (xii)} the Innovation and Skills Plan,^{Footnote (xiii)} and the Atlantic Growth Strategy,^{Footnote (xiv)} ACOA will continue to work with the Provinces – as well as with regional Indigenous organizations, industry stakeholders and experts – to explore how to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, grow clean-tech firms, adopt clean technologies, foster exports, and drive innovation to transition to a low-carbon economy, leveraging regional strengths.

Implementation strategies supporting the goal

This section is for implementation strategies that support the goal “Encourage inclusive and sustainable economic growth in Canada” but not a specific FSDS target.

GOAL 10 – ADVANCE RECONCILIATION WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND TAKE ACTION ON INEQUALITY

FSDS Context:

The Government of Canada aims to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.^{Footnote (xvii)} ACOA’s Departmental Plan speaks to realizing this goal through the overarching objective of building a more innovative, inclusive, diversified and sustainable regional economy.

The Agency invests in projects led by Indigenous Peoples. These investments strive to reach a larger number of indigenous businesses by supporting efforts that target capacity building and increasing knowledge and awareness by convening federal, provincial, stakeholder and community partners through joint participation in key committees, initiatives and communities of interest. ACOA is also resolute in supporting the Government of Canada’s commitment that 5 percent of the total value of contracts be awarded to indigenous businesses.

ACOA’s internal strategy is for employees to contribute to a culture that welcomes, respects, appreciates and includes voices from diverse backgrounds, and takes action toward identifying systemic racism, discrimination and barriers to move toward more inclusive business practices. The Agency continues to prioritize equity, inclusion and anti-racism within its Human Resources practices to respond to the forward direction of the Clerk’s Call to Action on Anti-Racism, Equity and Inclusion in the Federal Public Service^{Footnote (xviii)} as well as to Many Voices One Mind: a Pathway to Reconciliation.^{Footnote (xix)} The Agency’s 2022 – 2025 Equity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism Action Plan contains recruitment, retention and career development objectives for Indigenous Peoples and for other equity-seeking groups. The plan promotes enhanced understanding of indigenous history, the teaching of Reconciliation and the development of indigenous cultural competency. The Agency recently implemented employee-led networks (Indigenous and other equity-seeking groups) and regional equity, inclusion and anti-racism committees to help guide the Agency’s strategies and action plan.

Target theme: Advancing Reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit and 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).

GOAL 12 – REDUCE WASTE AND TRANSITION TO ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES

FSDS Context:

The Government of Canada recognizes the need to reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse, as well as to promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities. ACOA is devoted to participating in Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan,^{Footnote (xx)}  by converting its light-duty fleet to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) and maximizing the diversion of waste to landfills by following the Greening of Government Strategy^{Footnote (xxi)} for the procurement of goods and services.

ACOA does not own real property; however, it does collaborate in Government of Canada initiatives to maximize diversion waste from landfills. The Agency contributes to reducing waste destined for the landfills as much as possible through its ongoing internal strategies such as donating 100 percent of functional computers and accessories to the Computers for School program, and 100 percent of reusable furniture is posted on GC Surplus for transfer to other federal departments, or for resale to the public.

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).

GOAL 13 – TAKE ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS IMPACTS

FSDS Context:

The Government of Canada, through its FSDS, will transition to low-carbon, climate resilient, and green operations in support of the Greening of Government Strategy.^{Footnote (xxii)} ACOA will continue to support these efforts through the implementation of Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, the Strengthened Climate Plan^{Footnote (xxiii)} and the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.^{Footnote (xxiv)}

Target theme: Federal leadership on greenhouse gas emissions reductions and climate resilience

Target: The Government of Canada will transition to net-zero carbon operations for facilities and conventional fleets by 2050 (all ministers).

SECTION 5: Integrating Sustainable Development

ACOA’s sustainable development vision is to create opportunities for economic growth and prosperity in Atlantic Canada by building on competitive regional strengths and through inclusive clean growth. The Agency’s activities will continue to incorporate a sustainable development focus on its projects and build upon the strengths of the region’s clean-technology firms.

ACOA will foster practices that promote sustainable development in its internal operations and project management activities. ACOA initiatives related to sustainable development are incorporated into the Agency’s procurement planning, tracking and reporting systems. For example:

• pursuing best practices in environmental management and pollution prevention, including recycling;
• participating in sustainable development interdepartmental working groups;
• educating ACOA staff on clean growth and environmental issues, and providing them with the resources to carry out the Agency’s clean growth agenda; and
• setting measurable targets, reporting on progress, and reviewing the Agency’s contributions to the FSDS on an annual basis through the Main Estimates process.

ACOA senior management is responsible for integrating sustainable development principles into the Agency’s policies, programs and operations.

The Agency will consider the environmental effects of initiatives subject to the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals,^{Footnote (xxv)} as part of its decision-making processes.

ACOA will continue to ensure that its decision-making process includes consideration of FSDS goals and targets through its Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process. An assessment 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 ACOA’s assessments are published when an initiative that has undergone a detailed SEA is announced. 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.