Canadian Heritage’s 2023-2024 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Report

1.1 Increase the representation of Indigenous peoples within the audiovisual sector and advance Indigenous narrative sovereignty within the Canadian audiovisual sector.

Core responsibility: Creativity, Arts and Culture

Program: Cultural Industries Support and Development -Indigenous Screen Office

Performance indicator: Number of Indigenous audiovisual stories in production supported per year by the Indigenous Screen Office.

Starting point: new program - the program’s first full year of funding is 2022-23.

Target: 10 per each year of the DSDS.

This departmental action will report the number of Indigenous audiovisual projects by Indigenous storytellers supported by the Indigenous Screen Office in production in Canada. It provides insight as to whether Indigenous creators in Canada are given opportunities to produce stories for audiovisual platforms.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF ambition: CIF 10.1 Canadians live free of discrimination and inequalities are reduced.

GIF target: GIF 10.2 By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

Indicator result:

66 Indigenous audiovisual stories in production were supported by the Indigenous Screen Office in 2023-2024.

1.2 Canada Arts Training Fund will address historic inequities in funding levels for Indigenous and racialized arts training organizations, to support a more inclusive arts training sector.

Core responsibility: Creativity, Arts and Culture

Program: Cultural Industries Support and Development - Canada Arts Training Fund

Performance indicator: Percentage of new arts training organizations funded by Canada Arts Training Fund from equity-deserving* communities.

The indicator will report on the percentage of new arts training organizations from equity-deserving communities supported by the program.

Starting point: This is a new indicator for the program, so no data to determine a baseline has been collected. The program has until March 31, 2025, to attain the 75% target.

Target: 75% by the end of the DSDS.

This departmental action addresses impacts specific to Indigenous communities. Information will be collected through the results of a special project. In collaboration with Indigenous training schools, this project examines student recruitment and retention currently supported by the Canada Arts Training Fund.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF ambition: CIF 10.1 Canadians live free of discrimination and inequalities are reduced.

GIF target: GIF 10.2 By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic, or other status.

Indicator result:

In 2023-2024, 50% of new arts training organizations funded by the Canada Arts Training Fund were from equity-deserving communities.

Notes: * Equity-deserving communities in this context refers to Indigenous communities, racialized people, the Deaf community and persons with disabilities.

2.1 Canadian Heritage looks at opportunities for more efficient and greener solutions in its management practices.

Program: Internal Service - Financial Management

Performance indicator: Percentage of financial delegation approval activities completed electronically.

Starting point: 80% of financial delegation approval activities were done electronically in 2022-23.

Target: 100% of financial delegation approval activities are carried out electronically for the duration of the DSDS.

This action supports adaptation to climate change as it allows managers to complete their management responsibilities in a paperless environment. The Financial Management Branch currently requires managers to exercise their delegated financial authorities electronically as it pertains to procurement, Grants & Contributions, and invoice approval. Delegated managers also have a suite of reporting tools available on their desktop. In addition, dashboards will be available at the beginning of 2023-24 to help and empower managers regarding their budget.

Actions to support the DSDS:

• Electronic Approvals
• Electronic Signature
• Financial Dashboards and Reporting

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF ambition: CIF 12.1 Canadians consume in a sustainable manner.

GIF target: GIF 12.7 Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities.

Indicator result:

85% of financial delegation approval activities are now done electronically in 2023-24.

100% of payment approval activities are done electronically in accordance with the Financial Delegation Instrument. There is no longer a need for paper approvals.

Financial dashboards (Salary, Operations and Maintenance, Grants and Contributions) for managers have also been implemented. These dashboards allow managers to see an overview of their financial situation and have eliminated the need to print numerous reports at month end and year end.

2.2 Ensure that, where applicable for the commodity being purchased, environmental criteria are used in competitive procurements to ensure that sustainability is a part of the best-value equation in the selection of the winning proposal(s).

Program: Internal Service - Financial Management

Performance indicator: Number of Contracting and Material Management Directorate contracting templates that contain a green procurement provision in the standard terms and conditions. During quality assurance review, green procurement provisions will be part of the standard checklist, making their inclusion mandatory for all Canadian Heritage contracts.

Starting point: 100% as of 2022-23.

Target: 100% of Contracting and Material Management Directorate contracting templates contain a green procurement provision in the standard terms and conditions for the duration of the DSDS

This departmental action ensures that green procurement provisions are included in the terms and conditions of all Canadian Heritage contracts, and that, where applicable, environmental evaluation criteria are considered for use in competitive procurements based on the commodity, and are part of the best-value equation in the selection of the winning proposal(s). This departmental action also ensures that all Canadian Heritage contracts contain a standard provision relating to green procurement.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF ambition: CIF 12.1 Canadians consume in a sustainable manner.

GIF target: GIF 12.7 Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities.

Indicator result:

100% of corporate contracting templates contain green procurement provisions in the standard terms and conditions. Green Procurement provisions have been incorporated into the standard quality assurance checklist, making their inclusion mandatory for all Canadian Heritage contracts.

Where applicable and based on the commodity being purchased, environmental criteria are being used in competitive procurements to ensure that sustainability is part of the best-value equation in the selection of winning proposal(s).

2.3 Ensure green procurement is included in the performance evaluation of managers and functional specialists of Canadian Heritage’s Contracting and Material Management Directorate.

Program: Internal Service -Financial Management

Performance indicator: Percentage of managers and functional specialists of procurement and materiel management whose performance evaluation includes support and contribution towards green procurement in the current fiscal year.

Starting point: 100% as of 2021-22. For new employees, managers will include this objective/training within all performance management agreements.

Target: 100% of evaluations of managers and functional specialists of the Contracting and Material Management Directorate for the duration of the DSDS.

This departmental action commits managers to support the objectives of green procurement.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF ambition: CIF 12.1 Canadians consume in a sustainable manner.

GIF target: GIF 12.7 Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities.

Indicator result:

100% of contracting functional specialists and managers have this initiative/objective reflected in their individual performance evaluation.

2.4 Require procurement and material management specialists to complete the most current Canada School of Public Service Green Procurement course.

Program: Internal Service - Financial Management

Performance indicator: Percentage of specialists in procurement and materiel management who have completed training on green procurement.

Starting point: 100%. For new employees, training to be completed within six months of hire.

Target: 100% of specialists in procurement and materiel management have completed training on green procurement for the duration of the DSDS.

This departmental action ensures the necessary level of subject matter expertise to manage actions that support low carbon departmental procurement of goods and services effectively.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF ambition: CIF 12.1 Canadians consume in a sustainable manner.

GIF target: GIF 12.7 Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities.

Indicator result:

100% of procurement and materiel management specialists have completed the most current Canada School of Public Service Green Procurement course. Furthermore, any new employees within that corporate function must complete the course as part of their onboarding obligations.

2.5 Implement the best practice of requiring acquisition card users to take training in green procurement.

Program: Internal Service -Financial Management

Performance indicator: Percentage of acquisition cardholders trained on green procurement.

Starting point: 0%. Green Procurement course has not been taken or delivered to the Resource Management Directorates or Regions.

Target: 100% of acquisition cardholders are trained on green procurement by the end of the DSDS.

This departmental action allows the Department’s functional experts in procurement to educate and inform users and carry out due diligence of sustainable development practices, while procuring low dollar value goods and services under $10,000 (purchasing threshold for Resource Management Directorates) using a departmental acquisition card.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF ambition: CIF 12.1 Canadians consume in a sustainable manner.

GIF target: GIF 12.7 Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities.

Indicator result:

A clause to provide proof of completion of training on Green Procurement to obtain a government acquisition card has now been included in Canadian Heritage’s Employee acknowledgement of Responsibilities and Obligations Form.

91% of acquisition card-holders have completed the green procurement training.

2.6 Acquire audiovisual equipment and Information Technology (IT) hardware that are subject to the Green Procurement provision, through mandatory Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) and Shared Service Canada acquisition mechanisms.

Program: Internal service – Information Technology

Performance indicator: Percentage of audiovisual equipment and IT hardware purchased via mandatory PSPC and Shared Services Canada’s acquisition mechanisms.

Starting point: 100% as of 2019-20.

Target: 100% of audiovisual equipment, IT hardware, and office furniture purchased via mandatory PSPC and Shared Service Canada’s acquisition mechanisms for the duration of the DSDS.

The environmentally responsible acquisition of goods and services supports the FSDS net-zero emissions target and bolsters efforts to make progress on greening government operations. This departmental action also takes into consideration accessibility requirements as part of the planning process, when acquiring audiovisual equipment, IT hardware and office furniture.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF ambition: CIF 12.1 Canadians consume in a sustainable manner.

GIF target: GIF 12.7 Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities.

Indicator result:

We continue to meet the target of 100% since 2019-20.

3.1 Institute a mandatory Departmental policy of one primary source of operational technology per employee.

Program: Internal service –Information Technology

Performance indicator: Percentage of employees using one primary source of technology for day-to-day operations.

Starting point: 100% as of 2019-20.

Target: 100% of employees use one primary source of operational technology for the duration of the DSDS.

This departmental action supports the aspirational objectives of the United Nations SDGs and FSDS targets. By being asked to use one source of technology, employees become actively engaged in advancing efforts to green government operations. It encourages public service employees’ understanding of climate change while providing a tangible way for them to contribute. It also reduces the demand for energy and leads to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The reduction in multiple operational technologies also leads to a reduction in waste. This action will also support the transition to a circular economy.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF ambition: CIF 13.1 Canadians reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

CIF target: CIF 13.1 By 2030, reduce Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions by 40 to 45%, relative to 2005 emission levels. By 2050, achieve economy-wide net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

GIF targets: GIF 12.5 By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse, and GIF 13.2 Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.

Indicator result:

We continue to meet the target of 100% since 2019-20.

3.2 Move to digital funding applications by onboarding Canadian Heritage program components to an online service delivery channel, in alignment with objectives of the Government of Canada’s Digital Operations Strategic Plan.

Program: Internal service – Information Technology

Performance indicator: Percentage of yearly funding applications received digitally.

Starting point: 15% as of 2021-22.

Target: 80% of yearly funding applications received digitally by the end of the DSDS.

Canadian Heritage currently requires applications for funding to be sent by mail or by email as PDF files. These files are often printed and managed. The implementation of an online service delivery channel will reduce energy and material use by streamlining and simplifying the funding application process, in turn reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF ambition: CIF 13.1 Canadians reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

CIF target: CIF 13.1 By 2030, reduce Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions by 40 to 45%, relative to 2005 emission levels. By 2050, achieve economy-wide net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

GIF targets: GIF 12.5 By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse, and GIF 13.2 Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.

Indicator result:

48% of funding applications received digitally (21 program components).

3.3 Canadian Heritage is tracking the Department’s paper usage, in terms of how much paper is being printed on network printers.

Program: Internal services – Information Technology

Performance indicator: Reduction of paper usage at Canadian Heritage buildings (tracked on network printers only).

Starting point: Average number of pages printed in 2019:

Monthly: 641,307
Year: 7,695,684

Target: Target cannot be set at the time of the DSDS as data is not available since a new system to track paper usage was implemented starting in 2019. A reduction target for 2023-24 will consist of the difference in percentage of usage data from 2019 to 2023, then year-to-year for the duration of the DSDS.

This departmental action will be reinforced by the current Canadian Heritage IM Strategy; leveraging the depersonalization exercise and to promote IM best practices (e.g., using collaborative tools and saving and storing information electronically) will help to reduce paper usage in Canadian Heritage buildings. Concrete action in reducing paper waste reduces the demand for energy and leads to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. This departmental action will also support the transition to a circular economy.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF ambition: CIF 13.1 Canadians reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

CIF target: CIF 13.1 By 2030, reduce Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions by 40 to 45%, relative to 2005 emission levels. By 2050, achieve economy-wide net-zero greenhouse gas emissions.

GIF targets: GIF 12.5 By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse, and GIF 13.2 Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning.

Indicator result:

Target set for 2024 to 2027: 2.5% reduction per year.

Total printed pages from April 1, 2023, to March 31, 2024:

Monthly: 86,662

Year: 1,039,940

Notes: Data for years 2020, 2021 and 2022 would not accurately capture departmental activities due to work from home orders during the COVID-19 pandemic.

3.4 Implementation of a three-year program update to incorporate and/or strengthen the consideration of climate change-related risks relative to Business Continuity and Emergency Management policy instruments, plans and procedures.

Program: Internal services - Corporate Security

Performance indicator: Percentage of updates completed for the Business Continuity and Emergency Management program.

Starting point: 0 % (new program).

Target: 100 % of completed activities for each year of the Business Continuity and Emergency Management program updates.

• Fiscal year 1 (2023-24): Critical service evaluation, Business Continuity Management Policy update, and review of emergency management communications and procedures.
• Fiscal year 2 (2024-25): Provide training to those responsible in developing continuity strategies ensuring that the impacts of climate change are considered and incorporated in the guidance and templates.
• Fiscal year 3 (2025-26): Update the business continuity strategies. (Planning for recovery beyond geographical boundaries or shifting workloads between regional offices will be considered as well as remote working capabilities. This will ensure that strategies are flexible and can adapt to the scale and scope of the event.)

This Departmental action builds resilience and ensures that the Department is better prepared to respond to emergencies/crisis to ensure employees’ health and safety, the availability of assets and the continuity of operations and critical services. It also ensures that employees are informed of the risks of climate change in relation to emergency management and provide guidance for them to better prepare.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF ambition: CIF 13.2 Canadians are well-equipped and resilient to face the effects of climate change.

GIF target: GIF 13.3 Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.

Indicator result:

Following organizational changes, the BCM program will be reviewed in its entirety in the broader context of the 2024-25 to 2027-28 Departmental Security Plan. This plan will identify the key security gaps among the 8 security controls of the Government Security Policy that require attention, including business continuity.

This commitment will be integrated into the adjusted Business Continuity Management program plan, which will include climate change considerations as well as the targets identified in this commitment. The new BCM program should be ready for approval in December 2024.

3.5 Canadian Heritage is the custodian of one leased asset, the Canadian Conservation Institute. On an ongoing basis, Canadian Heritage will seek opportunities to minimize the impact of the Canadian Conservation Institute’s operations and maximize climate change resilience.

Program: Internal services - Real property management

Performance indicator: Canadian Heritage will review NRCan’s RETScreen software as a tool for monitoring the percentage of energy consumption and quantifying the impact of energy conservation measures.

Starting point: 0% (new program). Past Canadian Conservation Institute utilities data will be used as a performance analysis test case.

Target: 10% of cost savings in both energy and gas usage per year of the DSDS. This will help reduce the environmental impact of the building operations at Canadian Conservation Institute.

The Canadian Conservation Institute’s goal is the creation of green workplaces, through employee mobilization and action, where deemed possible, given that the Canadian Conservation Institute is in a leased facility for a fixed period.

This action contributes to the Green Government strategy by supporting the incorporation of all facilities in the RETScreen Clean Energy Management Software by 2025.

In the short term, Canadian Heritage will strive to meet the commitments within the Greening Government Strategy, focusing on low-carbon operations, water conservation, waste diversion and climate resiliency.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF ambitions: CIF 13.1 Canadians reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, and CIF 13.2 Canadians are well-equipped and resilient to face the effects of climate change.

GIF targets: GIF 12.5 By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse, and GIF 13.3 Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.

Indicator result:

NRCan's RETScreen software, first used in 2023-2024, allowed Canadian Heritage to account for electricity and natural gas use data from the Canadian Conservation Institute.

Using the year from May 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023 as a baseline, the results show a 7.5% energy reduction in electricity consumption for the year 2023-2024.

For greenhouse gas emissions from 2008-2009 to 2023-2024, the value is 53%. This is a combination of reduced energy consumption at the Canadian Conservation Institute and a lower emissions factor for the electricity in Ontario (230 g/kWh in 2005 to around 30 currently).

If we use the year 2008-2009 as a reference, we can now notice a remarkable reduction in consumption of around 20% for electricity and 33% for natural gas.

Sport Support Program

The Sport Support Program contributes funding to support sport participation, specifically to Provincial and Territorial governments, via bilateral agreements and to Canadian organizations focused on increasing youth participation in sport.

Strong evidence shows that physical inactivity increases the risk of many adverse health conditions, including the world’s major non-communicable diseases. This funding supports programs and initiatives that encourage and enable increased participation in sport and physical activity, particularly for Canadian youth.

CIF ambitions: CIF 3.1 Canadians adopt healthy behaviours and CIF 3.5 Canadians have healthy and satisfying lives.

GIF target: GIF 3.4 By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being.

Federal-Provincial/Territorial bilateral agreements on Sport Participation with all 10 provinces and three territories were established with a funding for up to $4,977,935 to support projects that strengthen physical literacy and children and youth participation that are compatible with the first three stages of Canadian Sport for Life or programming at comparable stages that exist across jurisdictions. As well, funding for up to $2,000,000 was established to strengthen Indigenous Capacity and Leadership for the Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Bodies; and increase culturally relevant sport programming for Indigenous children and youth at the community level.

ParticipACTION is a national non-profit organization that encourages Canadians to increase their participation in sport and physical activity. ParticipACTION works with its partners, including sport, physical activity and recreational organizations, governments and corporate sponsors to make sport participation and physical activity a part of Canadians’ everyday life. Funding for up to $1,989,000 was approved.

The Community Sport for All Initiative seeks to remove barriers and increase sport participation rates for underrepresented groups, in particular Black, Indigenous, racialized, 2SLGBTQI+, low-income, persons with a disability, and Newcomers to increase participation and retention in sport.

Funding for $16,800,000 was approved, allowing Sport Canada to fund 39 National Sport Organizations.

Indigenous Languages and Cultures Program

The Indigenous Languages and Cultures Program’s Indigenous Languages Component supports the reclamation, revitalization, maintenance, and strengthening of Indigenous languages through community-driven activities, including language instruction and the development of language resources.

Funding is intended to be flexible and responsive to a broad range of Canada’s Indigenous communities’ needs, goals and priorities including lifelong learning.

CIF ambition: CIF 4.1 Canadians have access to inclusive and quality education throughout their lives.

GIF target: GIF 4.5 By 2030, eliminate gender disparities in education and ensure equal access to all levels of education and vocational training for the vulnerable, including persons with disabilities, Indigenous peoples and children in vulnerable situations.

In 2023-24, the Indigenous Languages Component provided $163.8 million towards community-based language revitalization initiatives.

This included the development of resources, including pedagogical tools such as instructional books in Indigenous languages, dictionaries, online tools, early childhood education lessons, and post-secondary education course modules. It also included other education-related initiatives such as language and culture instruction and camps, language classes and learning resources, adult emersion and other learner activities.

Also in 2023-24, Canadian Heritage introduced and began implementing new co-developed distinctions-based funding models specific to First Nations, Inuit and the Métis Nation. These new models support increased Indigenous autonomy over funding, sustainable long-term funding and greater responsiveness to the priorities of First Nations, Inuit and the Métis Nation. They represent a concrete way in which the Government is increasing its support for Indigenous-led, self-determined approaches for Indigenous languages.

Creative Export Strategy

Canada’s creative industries are key drivers of economic growth and employment for the middle class, and they make an important contribution to Canada’s gross domestic product. Through funding for export-ready projects and creating trade opportunities, the Government’s Creative Export Strategy aims to maximize the export potential of Canada’s creative industries.

The creative industries are a key sector of Canada’s economy.

Throughout 2023-2024, Canadian Heritage supported the international business development efforts of Canadian cultural companies and organizations to help them maximize their export potential through the Creative Export Strategy. This included leading two in-person trade missions: one Canadian Heritage-led mission to Australia and New Zealand and one creative industries delegation on the Global Affairs Canada-led Team Canada Trade Mission to Japan.

Through these trade missions the Creative Export Strategy supported business programming, such as business-to-business meetings with international buyers, market briefings, networking opportunities, and pitch sessions. In addition, Canadian Heritage supported enhanced business programming for Canadian companies and organizations on the margins of 17 key international trade or cultural events.

These business programming activities helped Canadian companies and organizations to build business partnerships and secure or work towards securing business deals. Finally, the Creative Export Strategy supported 21 export-ready and 80 export development projects helping 101 companies and organizations to be able to create jobs and grow their revenue.

Canada Cultural Spaces Fund

The Canada Cultural Spaces Fund seeks to improve the physical conditions for arts and heritage related creation, collaboration, presentation, preservation and exhibition.

To achieve this objective, the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund provides financial assistance in the form of grants and contributions for infrastructure projects for professional, not-for-profit organizations as well as municipal and provincial/territorial governments and agencies with a mandate for arts and heritage or to create and manage creative hubs and equivalent Indigenous peoples’ organizations.

During 2023-2024, Canadian Heritage invested $56.7 million for the improvement of cultural infrastructure via the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund.

This investment included support for the construction and renovation of arts and heritage facilities, including creative hubs, resulting in increased and improved access to arts and culture for Canadians.

The Canada Cultural Spaces Fund’s investments also continued to ensure that a variety of arts and heritage experiences are available in a wide range of communities across Canada. Improving cultural space has contributed to a cohesive and creative Canada, in which all Canadians have opportunities to participate in Canada’s cultural and civic life, which lies at the heart of Canadian Heritage’s mandate.

Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy

The goal of Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy is to foster and promote an inclusive society where everyone is able to fully participate in the economic, cultural, social and political spheres.

CIF ambition: CIF 10.1 Canadians live free of discrimination and inequalities are reduced.

GIF target: GIF 10.2 By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

Building a Foundation for Change: Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy 2019-2022 was guided by a vision of Canada where all Canadians benefit from equitable access to and participation in the economic, cultural, social, and political spheres.

To achieve this vision, the Government of Canada is supporting communities with lived experience of and expertise in addressing various forms of racism and discrimination. This has led to $70 million provided directly to community organizations through the Multiculturalism and Anti-Racism Program and increased investments to support data and evidence related initiatives by Statistics Canada and Justice Canada.

In 2023-2024, Canada continued its commitment to supporting communities, including renewing Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy to build a better, fairer and more inclusive country for every generation of Canadians, by ensuring that everyone can reach their full potential.

Changing Systems, Transforming Lives: Canada's Anti-Racism Strategy 2024–2028 encompasses over 70 federal initiatives designed to ensure federal policies, programs and services reflect the Canada it serves, while also working in partnership with communities by investing over $70 million in local initiatives across the country.

Indigenous Languages and Cultures Program

The International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022-2032) aims to draw attention to the critical loss of Indigenous languages and the urgent need to preserve, revitalize and promote Indigenous languages and to take urgent steps to this end at the national and international level.

The National Action Plan for the Decade, developed in collaboration with Indigenous Peoples includes a pillar focused on supporting Indigenous peoples in defining, leading, and advancing their vision for the Decade.

The Decade’s focus on Indigenous languages will raise the awareness of these languages as being valued and living languages in Canada. It will also support reconciliation.

The International Decade of Indigenous Languages 2022-2032 (the Decade) provides a unique opportunity to promote, accelerate, and amplify the implementation of the Act.

In March 2024, the Minister of Canadian Heritage approved Canada’s National Action Plan for the Decade. It was released in June of 2024 and was translated in six Indigenous languages.

The Plan provides an inclusive framework that encourages Indigenous Peoples and others to develop their own unique action plans. For example, the Assembly of First Nations has already finalized a First Nations National Action Plan.

Action Plan for Official Languages

The Action Plan for Official Languages contributes to reducing inequalities by promoting Canada’s two official languages, which are at the heart of Canadian identity and an essential platform for the inclusion of all Canadians.

The Department has modernized the Official Languages Act, which includes the development of regulatory measures aimed at substantive equality for Canadians from both French and English communities.

CIF ambition: CIF 10.1 Canadians live free of discrimination and inequalities are reduced.

GIF target: GIF 10.2 By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status, and GIF 10.3 Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard.

On April 26, 2023, Canadian Heritage unveiled its new Action Plan for Official Languages 2023–2028: Protection – Promotion – Collaboration. This Action Plan includes 81 initiatives contributing to investments of $4.1 billion from 2023 to 2028.

Among other things, the funding will help counter the declining demographic weight of Francophones in Canada, take into consideration the specific challenges and realities of all regions of the country, and improve the compliance of federal institutions with the commitments under the Official Languages Act.

Action Plan 2023–2028 is based on a people-centered approach that includes the following objectives: substantive equality between Canada’s two official languages, sustainable development of official language minority communities, increased access to education in both official languages at all grade levels and across Canada, and greater equity between genders, who experience different situations within community organizations.

The modernization of the federal language regime seeks to foster substantive equality between English and French in Canada, to better promote English and French, and to better support the vitality of official language minority communities. Implementation work continued in 2023-24 to complete this major step forward in the advancement of the two official languages. As part of this work, Canadian Heritage organized a series of workshops for Official Languages Day, and the Deputy Minister delivered opening remarks at a virtual event that was open to the public.

Notes: During the modernization of the Official Languages Act, the Department also developed a new Act, the Use of French in Federally Regulated Private Businesses Act, to foster and protect the use of French in federally regulated private businesses in Quebec and in regions with a strong francophone presence.

Sport Support Program - Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities

The Sport Support Program - Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities is a response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action, which identified four key social development needs of Indigenous communities. This initiative supports the use of sport for the purpose of achieving targeted social outcomes under these four key needs, namely improved health, education, and employability; and the reduction of at-risk behaviour.

CIF ambition: CIF 10.1 Canadians live free of discrimination and inequalities are reduced.

GIF target: GIF 10.2 By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.

Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities Stream 1 delivered on-going funding to the Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Bodies and Aboriginal Sport Circle to support communities across their respective jurisdictions and Canada.

Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities Stream 2 funded 54 Indigenous community projects across Canada.

Sport for Social Development in Indigenous Communities Stream 3 funded 10 Provincial/Territorial Aboriginal Sport Bodies and 37 Indigenous community projects across Canada.

All three of the Streams have projects and recipients representing a wide reach of diversity and intersectionality of Indigenous identity. Many projects, as indicated in their funding applications, planned to have inclusive programming for: Indigenous distinction groups of First Nations, Inuit, and Metis; accessible programming to visible and invisible disabilities; intergenerational programs; either inclusive of or targeted programs to sex and gender; and efforts to increase accessibility for participants (such as transportation, equipment, memberships to fitness programs etc.).

Court Challenges Program

The objective of the Court Challenges Program is to provide financial support to Canadians and people in Canada to bring before the courts test cases of national significance that aim to clarify and assert certain constitutional and quasi-constitutional official language rights and human rights. The Program contributes to access to justice, and in doing this, it contributes to creating a more equitable society for Canadians.

The Court Challenges Program continues to contribute to reducing inequalities by providing financial support to people residing in Canada to bring before the courts test cases of national significance that aim to clarify and assert certain constitutional and quasi-constitutional official language rights and human rights.

The program upholds a variety of human rights, encompassing freedom of religion and expression, non-discrimination, gender equality, and multiculturalism. In addition, it supports language rights through funding for test cases that assert and clarify official language rights, stemming from, among other sources, the enforceable aspects of the Official Languages Act. This program significantly benefits equity-deserving, racialized, and marginalized groups by addressing inequalities through financial support for relevant legal cases.

For example, the program funded an intervention in a recent constitutional reference concerning the Act respecting First Nations, Inuit and Métis Children, Youth and Families. This intervention provided crucial contextual analysis to demonstrate the legislation's failure to provide substantively equal services to First Nations children as mandated by the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Such interventions help to advance SDG 10 by advocating for fair treatment and equality under the law.

Canada Cultural Spaces Fund

The Canada Cultural Spaces Fund seeks to improve the physical conditions for arts- and heritage-related creation, collaboration, presentation, preservation, and exhibition.

To achieve this objective, the Canada Cultural Spaces Fund provides financial assistance in the form of grants and contributions for infrastructure projects for professional, not-for-profit organizations as well as municipal and provincial/territorial governments and agencies with a mandate for arts and heritage or to create and manage creative hubs and equivalent Indigenous peoples’ organizations.

Canadian Conservation Institute and Canadian Heritage Information Network

Canadian Conservation Institute and Canadian Heritage Information Network participate in the Our Collections Matter initiative, led by the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property, which will assist heritage institutions in connecting their collections-based work to sustainable development using the SDGs, thereby demonstrating more effectively their added value to society. With their partners, Canadian Conservation Institute and Canadian Heritage Information Network will explore ways to support heritage institutions in playing their fullest part in sustainable development.

CIF ambition: CIF 17.1 Canada fosters collaboration and partnerships to advance the SDGs.

GIF target: GIF 17.16 Enhance the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the SDGs in all countries, in particular developing countries.