Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
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 Department of Canadian Heritage supports the implementation of the FSDS through the activities described in this supplementary information table.
This Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy presents the results for Theme IV – Shrinking the Environmental Footprint – Beginning with Government.
Theme IV: targets and implementation strategies
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 [optional]
The Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI), a Program within the Department of Canadian Heritage (PCH), is located at 1030 Innes Road (Ottawa, Ontario). The building is leased on a Triple Net Lease and CCI is responsible for all operations, maintenance and repairs of the entire building envelope and systems. CCI represents approximately 3.5% of Canadian Heritage’s FTEs in the National Capital Region. CCI generates 5 metric tons (MT) per year of waste.
The 2016 Federal Budget announced a major infrastructure investment for a new Collections and Conservation Center. The Canadian Science and Technology Museum Corporation is leading the construction project in partnership with the Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI). The new custom build facility will include LEED concepts but will not seek LEED certification. This new facility will be commissioned in 2018 and will replace the need for a separate leased facility at 1030 Innes Rd.
Performance measurement
Expected result
An industry-recognized level of high-environmental performance will be achieved in Government of Canada real property projects and operations.
Performance indicator | Performance level achieved |
---|---|
Real Property Sustainability Framework in place to improve the management of energy, waste and water in departmental real property assets by March 31, 2015. |
(CCI is the only Program within PCH which operates a building not owned and managed by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC)). |
Total number of existing Crown-owned buildings (over 1000 m2) and new lease or lease renewal projects (over 1000 m2) where the Crown is the major lessee, assessed for environmental performance using an industry-recognized assessment tool, and total associated floor space (m2). |
0 Crown-owned buildings |
1 lease renewal project |
|
The current BOMA BESt Level 1 assessment has expired in July 2016. Given that CCI will be moving to a new building (construction project to be led by the Canadian Science and Technology Museums Corporation) in the next 3 years, PCH did not seek renewal of the BOMA Best but will continue to make readings of utilities (gas, water usage and electricity) and aim towards efficiencies and avoid waste. |
|
Total number of existing Crown-owned buildings, new construction, build-to-lease projects and major renovations projects achieving an industry‑recognized level of high-environmental performance, and total associated floor space (m2). |
0 Crown-owned building |
0 new construction project |
|
0 build-to-lease project |
|
0 major renovation project |
|
Number of fit-up and refit projects achieving an industry-recognized level of high-environmental performance. |
0 fit-up and refit project |
Implementation strategy element or best practice | Performance level achieved |
---|---|
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). |
Because of the future move of CCI and budget constraints, PCH has not renewed its BOMA Best. |
Best Practice |
Achieved. |
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.
Performance measurement
Expected result
Environmentally responsible acquisition, use and disposal of goods and services.
Performance indicator | Performance level achieved |
---|---|
Departmental approach to further the implementation of the Policy on Green Procurement in place as of April 1, 2014. |
Achieved. |
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 2015–16. |
Achieved. |
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 2015–16. |
Achieved. |
Departmental green procurement target
By March 31, 2017, 90% of purchased of audio visual equipment 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 |
---|---|
Audio Visual Equipment |
Achieved. |
Departmental green procurement target
By March 31, 2017, 90% of purchases of IT 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 |
---|---|
Information Technology (TI) Hardware |
Achieved. |
Departmental green procurement target
By March 31, 2017, 70% of office furniture purchases will include criteria to reduce the environmental impact associated with the production, acquisition, use and/or disposal of the furniture.
Performance indicator | Performance level achieved |
---|---|
Office Furniture |
Achieved. |
Implementation strategy element or best practice | Performance level achieved |
---|---|
7.2.1.5. Leverage common-use procurement instruments where available and feasible. |
Achieved. |
Best Practice |
Achieved. |
Best Practice |
Achieved. |
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.
Performance measurement
Expected result
Departmental workplace operations have a reduced environmental impact.
Performance indicator | Performance level achieved |
---|---|
Approach to maintain or improve the sustainability of the departmental workplace in place as of March 31, 2015. |
Implementation strategy element or best practice | Performance level achieved |
---|---|
7.3.1.1. Engage employees in greening government operations practices. |
The mandate of the Quality Assurance Review Team (QART) has been modified to include Sustainable Development Strategy considerations; and templates used by the Contracting and Materiel Management Directorate and Resource Management Directorates within PCH have been reviewed to ensure that environmental considerations are included in the requirement planning stage. In addition, PCH management endorsed and promoted information management practices by enforcing the disposition of transitory information; paper, mail, network drive as part of the TBS Directive on Recordkeeping. |
7.3.1.2. Integrate environmental considerations into corporate policies, processes and practices in accordance with departmental refresh cycles. |
Achieved. |
7.3.1.3. Maintain or improve existing approaches to sustainable workplace practices (printer ratios, paper usage, and green meetings). |
Achieved. |
7.3.1.4. Minimize the ratio of information technology (IT) assets per employee. |
Achieved. |
7.3.1.5. Select and operate IT and office equipment in a manner that reduces energy consumption and material usage. |
Achieved. |
7.3.1.6. Dispose of e-waste in an environmentally sound and secure manner. |
Achieved. |
7.3.1.7. Reuse or recycle workplace materiel and assets in an environmentally sound and secure manner. |
Achieved. |
7.3.1.8. Minimize all non-hazardous solid waste generated, and leverage service offerings to maximize the diversion of waste. |
Achieved. |
7.3.1.9. Increase the population density in office buildings, and increase space utilization in special purpose buildings. |
Achieved. |
7.3.1.10. Maintain or improve sustainable fleet management. |
Achieved. |
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.
Scope and context [optional]
The Department of Canadian Heritage (PCH) operates a laboratory facility for CCI. Many of the laboratories require controlled humidity environments. The water usage is mostly used for domestic purposes (minimal); for cooling; and, for humidity in cold temperatures. As a follow-up to previous audits, reading of water consumption are taken daily to track irregular usage and avoid waste.
Performance measurement
Expected result
Water is managed sustainably in Government of Canada real property operations.
Performance indicator | Performance level achieved |
---|---|
Approach to improving water management included in Real Property Sustainability Framework in place by March 31, 2015. |
(CCI is the only Program within PCH which operates a building not owned and managed by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC)). |
Amount and percentage of floor space in buildings over 1000 m2 that includes water metering, in fiscal year 2016–17 (where feasible). |
0 m2 existing Crown-owned |
0 m2 new Crown and built-to-lease |
|
0 m2 major renovations |
|
5 927 m2 leases |
Implementation strategy element or best practice | Performance level achieved |
---|---|
8.1.1.1. Conserve potable water. |
Recent audit confirmed that any more conservation would require significant financial input. PCH is working collaboratively with the project leads from the Museum of Sciences and Technology Corporation to capture environmental best practices and requirements in the design of the new building. |
Sustainable development management system
The Department implemented a formal step-by-step process for the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) to enhance accountability and transparency of SEA and FSDS monitoring and reporting practices.
Strategic environmental assessment
During the 2015–16 reporting cycle, the Department of Canadian Heritage considered the environmental effects of initiatives subject to the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals, as part of its decision-making processes. As the Department did not develop any initiatives that required a Strategic Environmental Assessment, no related public statements were produced.
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