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 indicatorPerformance 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)).
Given that CCI will be moving into a new building within the next 3 years, the update of the current Sustainable Framework has not been fully completed as previously planned.

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
0 m2

1 lease renewal project
5 927 m2  (1030 Innes Road, Ottawa, Ontario)

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 m2

0 new construction project
0 m2

0 build-to-lease project
0 m2

0 major renovation project
0 m2

Number of fit-up and refit projects achieving an industry-recognized level of high-environmental performance.

0 fit-up and refit project
0 m2

Implementation strategy element or best practicePerformance 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
7.1.2. Real property managers and functional heads responsible for new construction, leases or existing building operations will have clauses related to environmental considerations incorporated into their performance evaluations.

Achieved.
An ongoing clause is present in the performance objective of the Manager of Real Property and Facilities Management at PCH .

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 indicatorPerformance level achieved

Departmental approach to further the implementation of the Policy on Green Procurement in place as of April 1, 2014.

Achieved.
Environmental provisions are included in all departmental tender documents and suppliers are encouraged to integrate environmental considerations when submitting proposals and/or providing goods and services to the Department.

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.
Ten (10) employees
100%

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.
Trois (3) employees]
100%

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 indicatorPerformance level achieved

Audio Visual Equipment
Dollar value of audio visual equipment purchased that meet the target objective relative to the total dollar value of all audio visual equipment purchased in 2015-16.

Achieved.
Most (90%) AV Equipment is acquired via mandatory PSPC acquisition mechanism which has green procurement clauses embedded within.

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 indicatorPerformance level achieved

Information Technology (TI) Hardware
Dollar value of IT hardware purchased that meet the target objective relative to the total dollar value of all purchases for IT hardware in 2015-16.

Achieved.
IT Hardware falls under a mandatory category acquired via acquisition mechanism and responsibility has now been transferred from Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) to Shared Services Canada (SSC). Most requirements must be vetted via SSC with some exceptions, PCH has achieved 95%.

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 indicatorPerformance level achieved

Office Furniture
Dollar value of office furniture purchases that meet the target objective relative to the total dollar value of all office furniture purchases in 2015-16.

Achieved.
90% of office furniture acquisition is considered green procurement as defined by GGO guidelines.  Mandatory Standing Offer/Supply Arrangement (SO)/SA mechanisms were used and thus have PSPC green clauses embedded within.

Implementation strategy element or best practicePerformance level achieved

7.2.1.5. Leverage common-use procurement instruments where available and feasible.

Achieved.
The Quality Assurance Review Team (QART), within PCH , ensures compliance, value and inclusion of clauses that support the government’s initiatives (green procurement) as well as the use of appropriate procurement instruments where they exist.

Best Practice
7.2.3. Train acquisition cardholders on green procurement.

Achieved.
All user are required to acknowledge their responsibility by signing/authorizing the “Restrictions and Obligations for the Use of the Acquisition Card” forms which include green procurement under the Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) Directives.

Best Practice
7.2.4. Increase awareness of the Policy on Green Procurement among managers.

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 indicatorPerformance 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 practicePerformance 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.
Equipment was strategically replaced on an established schedule.  The “one device per user” initiative at PCH facilitated substantially this replacement schedule; long term capital plan.

7.3.1.3. Maintain or improve existing approaches to sustainable workplace practices (printer ratios, paper usage, and green meetings).

Achieved.
Paper usage had decreased substantially since the secure printing implementation with a marked reduction in acquisition of paper.
The current printer ratio in PCH is 8 users per printer. The mobile workforce initiative also contributed substantially to a green environment.  Employees are encouraged to attend meetings with their mobile devices only (no paper).

7.3.1.4. Minimize the ratio of information technology (IT) assets per employee.

Achieved.
PCH has a new policy “one device per user”, which reduces the ratio to 1:1.  As part of the PCH Printer Strategy personalized printers were eliminated and a ratio of 8:1 was implemented.

7.3.1.5. Select and operate IT and office equipment in a manner that reduces energy consumption and material usage.

Achieved.
PCH implemented a video conferencing project with three main objectives, reduce travel, realise savings by sharing video conferencing rooms across the GC. PCH also launched virtual meeting rooms to simplify bookings of videoconferences and desktop video conferencing as a means of increasing availability of video conferencing tools.

7.3.1.6. Dispose of e-waste in an environmentally sound and secure manner.

Achieved.
All e-waste is disposed in accordance with the “Directive on Disposal of Surplus Materiel” in an environmentally sound and secure manner.

7.3.1.7. Reuse or recycle workplace materiel and assets in an environmentally sound and secure manner.

Achieved.
All reusable/recyclable materiel/assets deemed viable are repurposed/reallocated within the department where needs are known.  If no requirement exists items are posted for 10 days on GC transfer allowing other government departments to incorporate into their inventory free of charge before being placed for open public bidding on PSPC - GC Surplus.

7.3.1.8. Minimize all non-hazardous solid waste generated, and leverage service offerings to maximize the diversion of waste.

Achieved.
PCH has an agreement with Employment and Social Development Canada for collecting and recycling paper records to be destroyed.

7.3.1.9. Increase the population density in office buildings, and increase space utilization in special purpose buildings.

Achieved.
PCH is applying the Government of Canada Workplace 2.0 Fit-up Standards as appropriate. For instance, both the Toronto regional office and the offices of the Status of Women were fit-up to the 2.0 standards.
The Terrasses de la Chaudière complex in Gatineau, built in 1978, is launching important renovation work that will take place over the next 7 years. As this major renovation project takes place, the department will converts its allocated space to Workplace 2.0 Fit-up Standards.

7.3.1.10. Maintain or improve sustainable fleet management.

Achieved.
PCH fleet is comparatively small however follows prescribed TB guidelines of Fleet management for vehicles- purchasing fuel-efficient and alternative fuel vehicles, through use of green standing offers, while ensuring the best and appropriate vehicle(s) effectively respond to the requirement(s).

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 indicatorPerformance 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)).
Given that CCI will be moving into a new building within the next 3 years, the update of the current Sustainable Framework has not been fully completed as previously planned.

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 %

0 m2 new Crown and built-to-lease
0 %

0 m2 major renovations
0 %

5 927 m2 leases
100 %

Implementation strategy element or best practicePerformance 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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