Core responsibility 6: Sustainable Bases, Information Technology Systems and Infrastructure

In this section

• Description
• Progress on results
• Key risks
• Resources required to achieve results
• Related government-wide priorities
• Program inventory

Description

Develop and manage modern, operational and sustainable bases, information technology systems and infrastructure. Contribute to the achievement of federal environmental targets.

Progress on results

This section presents details on how the department performed to achieve results and meet targets for Sustainable Bases, Information Technology Systems and Infrastructure. Details are presented by departmental result.

Additional information on the detailed results and performance information for the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces' program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.

Details on results

The following section describes the results for Sustainable Bases, Information Technology Systems and Infrastructure in FY 2023–24 compared with the planned results set out in the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces' departmental plan for the year.

Naval, Army and Air Force Bases enable military operations and defence activities

In fiscal year (FY) 2023-24, the Canadian Army worked to develop service standards across all aspects of base services. As metrics were developed, the results drove a pursuit for continual improvement in efficiency, both in processes and personnel. Each year, the Canadian Army focuses on specific areas of its service and support programme to improve. In FY 2023-24, emergency fire services and personnel administrative services were examined. The output metric saw an establishment of service levels required and the associated staffing necessary to accomplish them. These service level requirements will be incorporated into appropriate staffing levels and other required resources.

In FY 2023-24, the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) wings continued re-capitalization and investment in support of new and existing capabilities, including hangars, support facilities and operating surfaces including runways and taxiways, by providing much needed improvement to aging and outdated infrastructure. Investments included the implementation of runway rehabilitation at 14 Wing Greenwood and 5 Wing Goose Bay, the advancement of projects like Future Fighter Capability Project Strategic Tanker Transport Capability (STTC), Canadian Multi-Mission Aircraft, Remotely Piloted Aircraft System, Future Aircrew Training and Future Fighter Lead-in Training, which encompass multiple facilities covering most wings.

With the approval of the NORAD Modernization initiative, other RCAF capabilities have advanced through various stages of the project approval process, including Arctic Over the Horizon Radar, Defence of Canada Fighter Infrastructure, Air-to-Air Refuelling+ STTC. These project advancements will keep the RCAF and NORAD on track to modernize its capabilities, adequately supported with safe and fit for purpose infrastructure.

To enhance NORAD and the CAF's ability to conduct and sustain operations in Canada's North, including in Inuit Nunangat, DND/CAF has advanced the site development planning process for the NORAD Northern Basing Infrastructure project as well as the Northern-located elements of the Defence of Canada Fighter Infrastructure project at Inuvik, Yellowknife, Iqaluit and Goose Bay. This work is being done in close collaboration with Northern and Indigenous partners to ensure that opportunities for multi-purpose infrastructure can be identified and implemented where possible.

The Department has advanced plans for upgrades to utilities at wings, specifically for fighter wings, as well as investments in various minor capital projects across Canada. RCAF is also supporting the Defence Real Property Portfolio Strategy with the aim of improving the sustainability and affordability of the overall defence infrastructure portfolio.

Aging infrastructure on Naval Bases continued to impact the availability and quality of accommodations and food services throughout FY 2023-24. At Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Esquimalt, British Columbia, a new permanent replacement for Nelles Block received funding approval by the Minister of National Defence and is planned to enter service by late 2030. In the interim, new temporary modular accommodation buildings will enable the replacement of the old Nelles Block building. Initial occupancy in these temporary modular accommodation buildings is planned for late 2025, with additional occupancy phases expected through 2026. These temporary modular accommodation buildings will also allow for follow-on renovations to be made to other aging accommodations infrastructure across the Base. Mitigating measures for aging infrastructure were also employed at CFB Halifax, Nova Scotia, through the renovation of 52 rooms in Tribute Tower and 104 beds in Warrior Block with new furniture. In Warrior Block, the original beds were repurposed by moving them to other floors to double up rooms, thereby resulting in an efficiency increase of 71 beds to the overall building capacity.

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Defence infrastructure is well-managed throughout its lifecycle

In FY 2023-24, Defence focused on advancing the following programs and initiatives:

• Minor new construction projects to support operational requirements, including spending $431 million on renovating, recapitalizing and constructing these types of assets:
• Range and Training Areas which included the construction of training facilities and improvements to roads;
• Utilities such as storm water collection, sewage lagoons, steam lines, and water distribution systems; and
• Building envelopes such as roof replacements, interior renovations, electrical upgrades, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems.
• Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Transition Group: Infrastructure improvements to Transition Centres across the country to allow for continuity of activities required by the CAF members to receive transition planning and guided professional support services including:
  • Expanding the Transition Centre in Comox, St. John's and Halifax and renovating space in Cold Lake; Four major capital projects with a combined gross area of 4,539 metres squared were approved in Gagetown, Edmonton, Borden and Shilo;
• Reserve Infrastructure: Funding was allocated to repair and upgrade infrastructure to ensure Reserve Force members have adequate facilities to operate and to support Canadian interests at home and overseas; and
• Airfield rehabilitation: Department of National Defence (DND)/CAF continued the recapitalization of airfields, runways and taxiways in support of fighter capability to support fighter operations and Canada's NORAD contributions. Significant airfield upgrades were completed at Comox, Moose Jaw and Greenwood.

The Department invested $6.7 million to upgrade and apply modern and innovative technologies towards electrical vehicle supply equipment and building automation/smart building systems, including:

• Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment: DND identified specific design and installation of utility metering and charging systems in Wainwright, Dundurn and Comox; and
• Invested over $13 million including installation of control systems in Bagotville, Montreal and Cold Lake.

DND/CAF implemented specific key initiatives listed in the Defence Real Property Portfolio Strategy (DRPPS) to support Canada's goals for environmental protection and sustainability. These include continuing to develop and implement a prioritization methodology and process to inform the Department's real property investment strategy and evaluating net-zero and climate resiliency opportunities.

Implementation of the DRPPS continued to modernize real property management practices to align long-term affordability with risk. The Defence Team developed and delivered a five-plus year implementation plan addressing and advancing the following six strategic initiatives:

1. Aligned the real property portfolio with the DND/CAF prioritized operational requirements to enable a more effective, agile, and responsive future force by developing a National Real Property Portfolio Plan that specifically:
   • Assessed the current state of the portfolio;
   • Ensured Infrastructure and Environment policy aligns with Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat Directive on the Management of Real Property, including monitoring and supporting its implementation; and
   • Confirmed service delivery, and projects were handled according to the needs and standards of the DRPPS.
2. Ensured the real property portfolio is safe, secure, and compliant with relevant standards and requirements by improving real property compliance framework by implementing Real Property Portfolio risk strategies, such as:
   • Improving the capability to analyze assets that share certain variables (e.g. by location, base/wing, asset class, value); and
   • Ranking and addressing highest asset priorities to target under-performing inventory (e.g. what will be fixed, replaced, disposed).
3. Ensured the defence infrastructure portfolio is affordable, efficient and financially sustainable with a long-term funding strategy and investment plan, by identifying areas for cost reduction and funding shortages, including;
   • Advanced planning on the Workplace Rationalization Initiative to achieve a 20% reduction of the Department's National Capital Region (NCR) office accommodation footprint by 2032; and
   • Invested $18,930,000 on demolition, and successfully completed all planned divestment activities for FY 2023-24. Savings from reduced operating costs were reinvested back into the portfolio, specifically towards the rising costs of Payments in Lieu of Taxes, Public Services (water, electricity, gas, sewers), and Leases.
4. Ensured the portfolio supports environmental sustainability and Government of Canada objectives for greening government by developing a Net-Zero Carbon Portfolio Strategic Roadmap focusing on identifying and leveraging opportunities that will significantly reduce emissions by 2050.
5. Ensured that the portfolio supports Indigenous reconciliation and Government of Canada commitments and that transactions respect treaties and agreements between the Crown and Indigenous peoples by:
   • Developing an Indigenous Real Property engagement strategy; and
   • Reviewing ongoing opportunities to co-own, co-manage and share the use of real property with Indigenous groups.
6. Ensured the real property portfolio is led by an innovative, professional, informed, diverse and engaged workforce by:
   • Developing stakeholder engagement framework to facilitate consistent, open and transparent communications; and
   • Prioritizing a developmental program, including standardized job descriptions and competencies, to ensure a well-informed, professional, engaged and diverse workforce.

During FY 2023-24, in support of Indigenous reconciliation, DND facilitated engagements with several Indigenous groups and communities across Canada to socialize the newly implemented Indigenous Reconciliation Program. DND dispersed grant and contribution funding to Indigenous recipients to support a range of activities such as participation in events on procurement, engagement on common priorities and capacity building for specific projects. DND collaborated with third-party Indigenous consultants to reach out broadly to Indigenous communities, providing an inclusive platform for feedback and discussion.

The Defence Team conducted significant on-the-ground engagements in Inuvik and Iqaluit, focusing on infrastructure developments that are accessible to and designed to benefit both the Indigenous communities and regional stakeholders. These activities are part of the National Defence commitment to integrating Indigenous perspectives into strategic initiatives and fostering a collaborative approach.

The Department participated in the October 2023 Inuit Crown Partnership Committee Leaders meeting, the April 2023 and October 2023 Senior Officials meetings and co-led, with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami the Sovereignty, Defence and Security Working Group meetings in March and December 2023.

In FY 2023-24, several key infrastructure projects were undertaken to support the operational capabilities of the Canadian Armed Forces, including:

• CFB Borden Accommodations Facility: Construction continued the new 15,600-metre squared accommodations facility at CFB Borden, Ontario, with completion expected late 2024. CFB Borden Accommodations Facility: Construction continued the new 15,600-metre squared accommodations facility at CFB Borden, Ontario, with completion expected late 2024. This new facility will feature 350 modern sleeping quarters, common lounge areas, study areas, laundry rooms, storage, and office space;
• Defence Research and Development Canada Valcartier: Significant advancements were made in the construction of a new, modern 31,000-metre squared research complex in Valcartier, Québec. Completion is expected late 2024 or early 2025. This facility was designed to house approximately 80 new multidisciplinary laboratories, along with office and storage spaces. The complex is intended to centralize approximately 500 defence scientists from various locations into one collaborative research facility; and
• A/B Jetty Recapitalization Project at CFB Esquimalt: Continued construction of the new A/B Jetty, in Victoria, British Columbia. Phase 2 consists of the construction of the "B" Jetty and completion is expected in FY 2024-25, while the Phase 3 construction of a new "A" Jetty will begin following the completion of "B" Jetty. Project completion is expected in FY 2030-31. The aim of the $1 billion project is to replace the wood and concrete WWII-era "A" and "B" jetties with modern steel-and-concrete pile structures to accommodate both current and future fleets of the Royal Canadian Navy.

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Defence activities are carried out in a safe and environmentally responsible manner

In FY 2023-24, the RCAF Environment and Operational Sustainability Program contributed to the department's sustainability goals by:

• Implementation of sustainable aviation fuels, by completing an initial Operational Fleet Decarbonization Plan that includes greenhouse gas projections, and commenced studies for carbon removal technologies to ensure it is positioned to support the Government of Canada's net zero goals;
• Implementation of a new fuel tracking system in April 2023, allowing higher fidelity review of RCAF fuel usage;
• Studied the training required to establish a sustainable culture regarding climate change mitigation and adaptation; participated in the Assistant Deputy Minister (Materiel) led Green Procurement Target Implementation group; and started assessing the impacts of climate change on infrastructure that supports RCAF operations; and
• Ensured Strategic Environmental Assessments for new RCAF capabilities were completed when required.

DND/CAF, in cooperation with Global Affairs Canada (GAC), supported the establishment of the Climate Change and Security Centre of Excellence (CCASCOE) throughout FY 2023-24 by:

• Supporting the negotiations of the Operational memorandum of understanding (MOU) of the CCASCOE, which was signed at the July 2023 North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Summit in Vilnius between Canada and eleven NATO Allies;
• Drafting the Treasury Board Submission for the CCASCOE, approved on 29 January 2024, served to authorize the funds approved in Budget 2023. These include $40.4 million over five years, which began in FY 2023-24, with $0.3 million in remaining amortization and $7 million per year ongoing. This $7 million includes $4.5 million per year ongoing to the department, and $2.5 million per year ongoing to GAC;
• Facilitating the launch of the CCASCOE, which achieved initial operational capacity in Fall 2023, with the goal of being fully staffed and operational by the end of 2024;
• Facilitating the arrival of the international staff to the CCASCOE. The international staff began to arrive in Canada in October 2023, with the balance expected to arrive to take up their duties by August 2024;
• Supporting GAC with the set-up of the required NATO-standard secure systems at the CCASCOE location(s) in Montreal, Quebec; and
• Working in close coordination with the CCASCOE to achieve full NATO Center of Excellence accreditation in the first half of 2024.

Key risks

Several risks can affect the department's ability to achieve its Departmental Results, including:

Materiel Procurement – There is a risk that DND/CAF may have difficulty procuring materiel capabilities at the right level to support operations.

Information Technology Procurement – There is a risk that Defence may have difficulty procuring information technology capabilities at the right level to support operations.

Infrastructure Management – There is a risk that Defence may have difficulty managing its infrastructure at the right level to support operations.

Infrastructure Procurement – There is a risk that Defence may have difficulty procuring/building infrastructure at the right level to support operations.

The Defence Departmental Results Framework reflects a chain of delivery from conceiving of the required armed forces, to developing them and then executing operations, the activities to mitigate the risks of the Sustainable Bases, Information Technology Systems and Infrastructure core responsibility can also be found in other core responsibilities which deliver building blocks that enable the results of Sustainable Bases, Information Technology Systems and Infrastructure core responsibility.

Resources required to achieve results

Complete financial and human resources information for the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces' program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.

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Related government-wide priorities

Gender-based analysis plus

In FY 2023-24, the Defence Team assessed how Gender Based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) has been applied within Infrastructure and Environment (IE), in response to new direction from Chief Professional Conduct and Culture regarding the GBA Plus Enterprise Approach. The assessment identified key successes and challenges since the implementation of the IE GBA Plus Implementation Plan in 2019. The completion of this assessment comes at the perfect juncture to apply these findings to developing a new IE GBA Plus Implementation Plan.

Successes included:

• Application of the GBA Plus implementation tool called "GBA Plus in Infrastructure", which provides structured guidance on GBA Plus as it relates to domestic infrastructure;
• Inclusion of intersectional considerations in the development and updating of IE policies and business planning;
• Increased familiarity of personnel with GBA Plus and its mandatory application to their lines of work through training and direction; and
• Identification of recommendations for the improved institutionalization of GBA Plus in Assistant Deputy Minister (Infrastructure & Environment), in parallel with the Culture Evolution Plan.

More information on GBA Plus can be found in the GBA Plus Supplementary Information Tables section of this report.

United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals

On 2 November 2023, DND tabled the Defence Climate and Sustainability Strategy, an expanded approach that builds on the previous Defence Energy and Environment Strategy, to continue with our commitments to meet federal greening targets, maintain sustainable real property, and strengthen the green procurement processes. In FY 2023-24, DND/CAF progressed with the implementation of the Defence Climate and Sustainability Strategy 2023-27, to enhance its contributions to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals in alignment with Strong, Secure, Engaged: Canada's Defence Policy. Key activities included:

• Achieved 38.4 percent reduction in GHG emissions from real property and the conventional light-duty fleet relative to a 2005 baseline;
• 65 percent of DND conventional light-duty vehicle fleet purchases were zero-emission vehicles or hybrids when available, and 13 percent were zero-emission vehicles;
• Reduced DND's contaminated sites liability by 10.3 percent based on closing liability of the previous year;
• In FY 2023-24, two new Energy Performance Contracts (EPC) were procured, bringing the total to 19 active EPCs, with nine in construction, and eight in implementation. This development led to 94% of eligible bases being assessed for EPC implementation, with 77% of those moving forward to the implementation phase, showing significant progress towards our energy performance goals. This falls under a long-term program in which DND has achieved $81.9 million in improvements to infrastructure and has another $441.1 million under contract for completion. An additional $289.1 million has been procured for implementation, including:
  • The total savings to be realized is $31.2 million annually and the total GHG reduction is estimated at 126,758 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2eq) annually. Of the 19 active EPCs, six fully completed contracts have delivered $6 million in annual savings, and 22,084 tCO2eq of GHG reductions. All contracts have over delivered on contract expectations. In FY 2023-24, DND awarded two contracts, in Edmonton and Gagetown, to begin construction, and three procurements, in Goose Bay, Wainwright and Winnipeg were closed. These five contracts will provide an approximate savings of $11.8 million annually, and 43,097 tCO2eq of GHG reductions;
  • In FY 2023-24, DND, pursuant to the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS) Greening Government Strategy directive, implemented a Smart Building Energy Management Systems (SBEMS) program, which uses human and computer analytics to improve the operations of existing building equipment. A five-year pilot in 128 buildings demonstrated the value of a SBEMS program generating 15% savings within a three-year payback period. The success of this pilot program led to the deployment of the systems on the Dundurn detachment in FY 2023-24, where services are expected to commence in FY 2024-25; and
  • During Winter 2023, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) awarded a $19.7 million contract to Ameresco Canada Inc., of Richmond Hill, Ontario, for a renewable energy project at 5th Canadian Division Support Base Gagetown. Once completed, it is expected that the solar farm will reduce our GHG emissions by approximately 3,200 tCO2eq.
• Following the receipt of a net-zero ready design package for residential apartments, in FY 2023-24 a contract was awarded to construct the first two net-zero ready six-plex apartment buildings in Edmonton, Alberta. Construction will begin in FY 2024-25; and
• 83.2% of electricity consumed is clean electricity.

In November 2023, the Department published the DND/CAF Climate Resilience and Environmental Sustainability Science and Technology Strategy. It provides guidance to DND/CAF's science and technology research, partnerships, capabilities, and innovation programs toward reaching climate change and sustainability targets. The strategy identifies ways DND/CAF can use science and technology to support operations that are environmentally sustainable and resilient to the effects of climate change. It also supports departmental commitments made under the Greening Government Strategy. By outlining three strategic objectives and their respective action areas, the document has set in motion a series of departmental initiatives mapped over three multi-year horizons. Ultimately, this Strategy provides the foundation to guide defence science and technology resources in directions that will maintain and improve the climate resilience and environmental stewardship of DND/CAF for the benefit of Canadians.

More information on The Department of National Defence's contributions to Canada's Federal Implementation Plan on the 2030 Agenda and the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy can be found in the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy.

Indigenous relations

The Defence Team continued to work towards meeting its reconciliation obligations towards Indigenous peoples. In FY 2023-24, DND/CAF made efforts towards implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and its related Action Plan. This included providing leadership across the Defence Team support for advancing the Government of Canada's Indigenous reconciliation agenda in a way that enables Canada's Defence Strong, Secure, Engaged (SSE): Canada's Defence Policy. In FY 2023-24, key activities included:

• Conducted regular engagements with territorial government representatives, municipal leaders, and Indigenous stakeholders and rightsholders in Inuvik, Yellowknife, Iqaluit, and Goose Bay as part of the NORAD Northern Basing Infrastructure (NNBI). These discussions aimed to address NORAD modernization initiatives and operational requirements, identify overlapping requirements, and explore potential opportunities for community access to and use of Defence infrastructure, where feasible. This understanding informs the ongoing implementation of NORAD NNBI and other modernization projects;
• Continued to strengthen relationships with Northern Indigenous governments through the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework committees supporting NORAD modernization investments. Between May and June 2023, DND provided unclassified updates on NORAD-related threats and the progress of infrastructure projects to Northern Indigenous leaders. This initiative ensured that leaders were well-informed and could actively participate in discussions affecting their communities. Engagements with stakeholders including the Inuvialuit Regional Corporation, Gwich'in Tribal Council, and Nunavut Tunngavik, were pivotal in soliciting feedback on draft site development plans, fostering a collaborative relationship with Indigenous communities;
• Participated in the Inuit Crown Partnership Committee working group meetings to advance the infrastructure deliverables of the Sovereignty, Defence and Security priority area, including engagements with Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami. This participation complemented regional engagement with Inuit Treaty Organizations, particularly in the context of NORAD modernization and infrastructure planning efforts in Inuit Nunangat;
• Continued to further reconciliation efforts with Indigenous groups by negotiating access to Defence establishments to carry out traditional activities. The Department engaged in negotiations with Indigenous communities to review existing access agreements, as we continued to enhance our relationships and foster understanding with Indigenous communities neighboring Defence establishments in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia; and
• Made progress towards reconciliation goals by initiating internal consultations for the development of a framework for consistent decision-making and a national approach to Indigenous Access to Defence Establishments across Canada. These efforts underscore the Department's commitment to meaningful reconciliation and partnership with Indigenous peoples.

Program inventory

Sustainable Bases, Information Technology Systems and Infrastructure is supported by the following programs:

• Defence Infrastructure Program Management;
• Defence Infrastructure Construction, Recapitalization and Investment;
• Defence Infrastructure Maintenance, Support and Operations;
• Defence Residential Housing Program;
• Defence Information Systems, Services and Programme Management;
• Environmental Sustainability and Protection;
• Indigenous Affairs;
• Naval Bases;
• Land Bases;
• Air and Space Wings;
• Joint, Common and International Bases;
• Military Police Institutional Operations; and
• Safety.

Additional information related to the program inventory for for Sustainable Bases, Information Technology Systems and Infrastructure is available on the Results page on GC InfoBase.

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