Archived - Supplementary Document to the Department's 2013-14 Report on Plans and Priorities (RPP) Regarding Sustainable Development

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The Department of Finance Canada is a participant in the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS). The FSDS was tabled by the Government of Canada in October 2010, in accordance with the Federal Sustainable Development Act. The FSDS represents a major step forward for the Government of Canada by including environmental sustainability and Strategic Environmental Assessment as an integral part of its decision-making processes.

The 2010-2013 FSDS continues to guide the Government of Canada’s sustainable development activities, including with respect to the content of this website. The 2013-2016 FSDS will be finalized in 2013-14 and will be the basis for year-end performance reporting.

The following logos are used throughout to indicate the Department of Finance Canada’s activities which directly contribute to the themes of the FSDS.

The Department of Finance Canada's vision for sustainable development represents the ideal which the Department strives to achieve through all of its activities and delivery of its mandate.

The Department of Finance Canada is the Government of Canada's primary source of analysis and advice on the broad economic and financial affairs of Canada. In addition to preparing the budget, the Department plays an important role in the development and implementation of government policy. As a "central agency" the Department provides analysis and advice on the economic merit and fiscal implications of policy and program proposals developed by other government departments. In its central agency capacity, Department of Finance Canada officials serve as members of a broader team of federal officials that review options for, and the implications of, proposals that are presented to Cabinet. Policy development also takes place within the Department on those issues and areas of responsibility that fall within the Department's own mandate, including tax and tariff legislation, major federal transfers to the provinces and territories, the legislative and regulatory framework for the financial sector and representing Canada within international financial institutions.

As a policy-oriented department, Finance Canada differs from other government departments in its generally limited direct involvement in delivering programs and services to Canadians. Nevertheless, the Department has a clear role to play in contributing to the Government's sustainable development efforts. Sustainable development requires the long-term sustainability of the economy, social programs, the environment and natural resources. This is consistent with the basic principle of sustainability as set out in the Federal Sustainable Development Act. While the Department’s mandate is most evidently linked to the economic and social pillars of sustainable development, the Department continuously strives to recognize the implications of its analysis and advice on all aspects of sustainable development, and to take into account the linkages between economic, social and environmental sustainability. In some cases, this will ensure that economic, social and environmental goals are advanced together. In others, it will entail trade-offs, but with informed decision-making and choices that reflect careful deliberation.

Economic growth is an important aim of sustainable development in that it contributes to a high quality of life for Canadians, provides the fiscal capacity for governments to address environmental and social issues, and ensures that the Canadian economy remains strong in the face of long-term challenges (such as an aging population, improving productivity and globalization). For example, population aging will bring with it future economic and fiscal challenges and put downward pressure on growth in living standards. By taking action now to ensure long-run fiscal sustainability, and by identifying effective policies that encourage investment in the drivers of economic growth, such as human capital, physical capital and innovation, the Government can help to ensure a high standard of living for future generations. The Department of Finance Canada addresses this challenge through responsible fiscal management, economic policy advice, sound framework policies (such as those related to taxation and the financial sector), and ongoing analysis of Canada's current and long-run economic and fiscal position.

The Department of Finance Canada believes that safe, healthy and caring communities that provide all citizens with equal access to opportunities are vital to the creation of a strong, competitive, vibrant and sustainable economy and society. Sustainability in social policy is achieved in the Department by: working with partners in other departments to identify policies that support investments in people and their communities; working in cooperation and collaboration with other orders of government, which often have the primary responsibility for these policy areas, to ensure policy consistency and, where appropriate, stable and predictable funding; and developing specific policies which support this goal (such as tax and financial sector policies).

The Assistant Deputy Minister of the Economic Development and Corporate Finance Branch, the Department of Finance Canada's sustainable development champion, is responsible for coordinating activities and reporting with respect to the Department's contributions to the FSDS and sustainable development more broadly.

The Resources, Energy and Environment Section of the Economic Development and Corporate Finance Branch, under the general direction of the Department's sustainable development champion, coordinates departmental sustainable development management, policy and activities. The main coordination vehicle is the Sustainable Development Working Group (SDWG), which consists of officials from all branches and is chaired by the Chief of the Resources, Energy and Environment Section. The SDWG is responsible for coordinating the implementation of commitments related to sustainable development within the various branches of the Department, and contributes to reporting on plans and progress with respect to these commitments.

Environment Canada's Sustainable Development Office is responsible for preparing government-wide FSDS Progress Reports at least once every three years. The first report was completed in April 2011 and tabled before Parliament in June 2011, and a second report was recently tabled in February 2013. These reports offer an opportunity to assess progress in implementing the FSDS, to re-evaluate FSDS goals and targets and to benefit from lessons learned. The Department of Finance Canada contributes to government-wide progress reporting through its participation in the FSDS Assistant Deputy Minister Committee and Director General Committee, which are co-chaired by Environment Canada and Public Works and Government Services Canada.

The Department of Finance Canada evaluates its own contribution towards sustainable development, including activities and initiatives supplementary to those captured in the FSDS, as part of the annual Report on Plans and Priorities (RPP) and Departmental Performance Report (DPR) processes. All departments table a DPR before Parliament after each fiscal year reporting on the status of activities outlined in the previous RPP. The Department of Finance Canada seeks other opportunities to report on progress in meeting its sustainable development objectives to the Department's sustainable development champion and the Departmental Coordinating Committee, a senior committee comprising general directors from each branch within the Department and other senior officials, as required.

The Department of Finance Canada has made considerable progress in implementing the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals. The Department’s officials are better equipped today to use Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) as a tool to ensure environmental considerations are given due treatment in departmental proposals as a result of annual information sessions, the development of guidance material for managers and staff, and the support of branch SEA Coordinators.

The Department will continue to implement the Cabinet Directive, consistent with the revised guidelines released by the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency in October 2010. To better integrate the FSDS and SEA, internal processes have been updated to encourage consideration of the impact of departmental proposals on achieving the FSDS goals and targets. This was accomplished first and foremost by updating the Department's SEA questionnaire, which is the primary tool used by Department of Finance Canada analysts to conduct SEAs. The Department will continue to make available public statements of environmental effects relating to new departmental measures and policies on the Department of Finance Canada's SEA Public Statement website, and work to ensure that these statements reflect the impact of the measures and policies on the achievement of FSDS goals and targets. The Department tracks the number of preliminary scans and full SEAs it completes and commits to report this information each year in its DPR. The Department will focus on continuing to ensure the effective implementation of the SEA Cabinet Directive, including an improved SEA tracking system.

The Department of Finance Canada provides effective economic leadership through its clear focus on one strategic outcome: a strong economy and sound public finances for Canadians. All programs relate to this strategic outcome. Currently, the Department's implementation strategies related to goals and targets under Themes I and III of the FSDS are all elements of the Sub-Program 1.1.1: Taxation (part of the Program 1.1: Economic and Fiscal Policy Framework).

Encourage businesses, through the accelerated capital cost allowance for clean energy generation equipment, to invest in specified equipment that can contribute to a reduction in harmful emissions and diversification of the energy supply (Implementation Strategies 1.1.25 and 2.1.18).

The Government provides an accelerated capital cost allowance (CCA) for income tax purposes under CCA Class 43.2 (50 per cent per year on a declining balance basis) for businesses that invest in clean energy generation and conservation equipment. Class 43.2 includes specified equipment that generates or conserves energy by using a renewable energy source (e.g., wind, solar, small hydro), using fuels from waste (e.g., landfill gas, wood waste, manure) or making efficient use of fossil fuels (e.g., high efficiency cogeneration systems).

The provision of an accelerated CCA is an explicit exception to the general practice of setting CCA rates based on the useful life of assets. Accelerated CCA provides a financial benefit by deferring taxation. This incentive for investment is premised on the environmental benefits of low-emission or no-emission energy generation equipment and its ability to displace consumption of fossil fuels.

• i. Relationship between the implementation strategies and the FSDS targets
• To the extent that Class 43.2 encourages incremental investment in clean energy generation and energy conservation equipment, it could have an indirect positive impact on the environment. It could contribute to reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, which is relevant to Target 1.1 of the FSDS, to reduce greenhouse gas emission levels by 17 per cent by 2020. It could also contribute to a reduction in air pollutants pursuant to Target 2.1 of the FSDS.
• ii. Outline of the non-financial performance information
• Providing a modest financial incentive for investment in clean energy generation and energy conservation equipment provides an incentive for businesses to invest in such equipment.

Provide tax relief to Canadians who use public transit regularly and encourage individuals to make a sustained commitment to using public transit regularly to help reduce traffic congestion, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, through the public transit tax credit (Implementation Strategies 1.1.35.3 and 2.1.22.3).

The Public Transit Tax Credit (PTTC) allows individuals to claim a non-refundable tax credit for the cost of monthly public transit passes or those passes of a longer duration, effective July 1, 2006. The credit was extended in Budget 2007 to electronic fare cards and weekly passes when used on an ongoing basis.

• i. Relationship between the implementation strategies and the FSDS targets
• As stated in Budget 2006, the objective of the PTTC is to encourage individuals to make a sustained commitment to use public transit regularly to help reduce traffic congestion in urban areas and improve the environment. This measure could contribute to air emissions reductions relevant to Target 1.1: Climate Change Mitigation and to Target 2.1: Air Pollutants of the FSDS.
• ii. Outline of the non-financial performance information
• The PTTC is intended to encourage individuals to make a sustained commitment to public transit use by providing a tax credit for the purchase cost of monthly public transit passes and passes of a longer duration, as well as electronic fare cards and weekly passes when used on an ongoing basis. The Department of Finance Canada conducted an evaluation of the PTTC in 2011 and found that the key conditions for the measure to be effective in increasing public transit use are present. In particular, evidence suggests that the demand for public transit is sensitive to a permanent price reduction, and that the benefits of the PTTC have been captured mainly by public transit users, as opposed to transit operators through coincidental increases in public transit fares. The PTTC evaluation was published in the 2011 edition of the Tax Expenditures and Evaluations report, available on the Department of Finance Canada website.

Impose a Green Levy on the most fuel-inefficient passenger vehicles available in Canada (Implementation Strategies 1.1.42 and 2.1.29).

The Green Levy applies to passenger vehicles with a weighted fuel consumption rating of 13 litres or more per 100 kilometres (55 per cent city and 45 per cent highway) and is imposed at rates ranging from $1,000 to $4,000. The Green Levy is payable by the manufacturer or importer of new vehicles delivered after March 19, 2007 and by the importer of used vehicles, if the used vehicle was originally put into service (in any jurisdiction) after March 19, 2007. The Canada Revenue Agency and the Canada Border Services Agency are responsible for the administration of the Green Levy, working with manufacturers and importers of vehicles to facilitate its application.

• i. Relationship between the implementation strategies and the FSDS targets
• The Green Levy is aimed at encouraging clean, sustainable transportation choices by Canadians by discouraging the purchase of certain fuel-inefficient vehicles. This measure could contribute to air emissions reductions relevant to Target 1.1: Climate Change Mitigation and to Target 2.1: Air Pollutants of the FSDS.
• ii. Outline of the non-financial performance information
• The Green Levy was introduced as part of the government’s comprehensive, results-oriented ecoACTION plan which aimed at promoting clean, sustainable transportation choices for Canadians. In particular, the Green Levy aims to continue discouraging the purchase of fuel-inefficient vehicles and to promote the development and deployment of cleaner transportation technologies.

Maintain the incentives for the protection of Canada’s ecologically-sensitive land, including habitat used by species at risk, through ongoing tax assistance for donations of ecologically-sensitive land under the Ecological Gifts Program (Implementation Strategy 6.1.5).

Under the Ecological Gifts Program, Canadian landowners may donate ecologically sensitive land, or easements and covenants on such land, to conservation charities to ensure its preservation in perpetuity. Under this program, donors may benefit from the charitable donations tax credit (for individuals) or the charitable donations deduction (for corporations) on the full value of the gifts of ecologically-sensitive land. In addition, capital gains that have accrued on the donated land are eligible for a complete exemption from capital gains tax.

To protect the public interest, Environment Canada is responsible for certifying:

• the eligibility of recipient charitable organizations;
• the ecological sensitivity of the donation; and
• the fair market value of the donation.

In addition, to ensure the perpetual protection of the donated land, the Income Tax Act imposes special tax liabilities for recipients of ecologically sensitive land if there are any changes in use without the prior authorization of Environment Canada.

• i. Relationship between the implementation strategy and the FSDS targets
• The Ecological Gifts Program is intended to help Canada’s landowners and conservation groups in their habitat conservation and protection efforts. In particular, donations of ecologically sensitive land can contribute to the protection of non-park protected habitat, including habitat used by species at risk, pursuant to Target 6.1 of the FSDS.
• ii. Outline of the non-financial performance information
• While the decision to donate ecologically sensitive land is often motivated by non-financial factors, the significant income tax benefits provided through the Ecological Gifts Program provide an incentive to further encourage donations of ecologically sensitive land.

The Department of Finance Canada's vision for sustainable development – "economic and fiscal policy frameworks and decisions that promote equity and enhance the economic, social and environmental well-being of current and future generations" – is consistent with its mandate to foster a strong economy. The Department's most important contribution to sustainable development lies in the development of advice and policies that ensure fiscal sustainability, contribute to a high standard of living for future generations, and help build strong social foundations. Through the course of its work relating to tax policy, financial sector policy and in its central agency role, the Department can contribute to efforts to integrate sustainable development considerations into policy making. In addition, the Department of Finance Canada can set an example for other organizations through a commitment to sustainable development in its operations.

The Department of Finance Canada has set out several goals, supplementary to those included in the FSDS, which focus on key areas where it can contribute to sustainable development. The Department has focused on making specific commitments in areas relating to its core mandate where it is the lead federal department or has a distinct role in areas where other departments have the policy lead. Each goal is accompanied by a set of objectives and commitments the Department has made towards meeting those objectives.

For additional details on the Department of Finance Canada's Greening Government Operations activities please see 2013-14 Part II – Report on Plans and Priorities.

For additional information on the FSDS, please refer to Environment Canada's Federal Sustainable Development Strategy webpage.