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2023 to 2027 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS)

Canada Employment Insurance Commission (CEIC)

On this page

  1. Introduction to the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
  2. Canada Employment Insurance Commission’s Sustainable Development Vision
  3. Listening to Canadians
  4. Canada Employment Insurance Commission’s Commitments
  5. Integrating Sustainable Development

Executive Summary

The Canada Employment Insurance Commission (CEIC) is committed to taking action towards sustainable development through their alignment with Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). ESDC’s programs and activities, including the Employment Insurance (EI) program administered on behalf of the Canada Employment Insurance Commission (CEIC), help Canadians lead productive and rewarding lives and improve Canada’s standard of living. This means that the policies, processes, and practices that ESDC uses to carry out its operations also apply to the CEIC.

Sustainable development is central to ESDC’s mandate to build a stronger and more inclusive Canada. ESDC’s portfolio of programs and services, including their work with the CEIC, represents a significant portion of Canada’s efforts on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which Canada and all other 192 United Nations Member States adopted in September 2015. The 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) is helping Canada achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) outlined in the 2030 Agenda. Through ESDC’s SDG Unit, ESDC coordinates Canada’s 2030 Agenda Federal Implementation Plan which focuses on Canada’s commitment to advance progress on the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

The CEIC’s 2023 to 2027 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS) outlines how the organization, through ESDC, contributes to the 2022 to 2026 FSDS goals and targets and how it advances Canada’s progress on Agenda 2030. These goals include Goal 10: Advance Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and Take Action on Inequality; Goal 12: Reduce waste and transition to zero-emission vehicles; and Goal 13: Take action on climate change and its impacts.

The CEIC achieves most of its sustainable development goals through ESDC’s DSDS, as the EI program is delivered through ESDC’s human resources, financial authorities, and infrastructure. The Department of Employment and Social Development Act also provides that the officers and employees necessary for the proper conduct of the CEIC’s business are employees of ESDC. As such, CEIC’s DSDS is entirely captured under ESDC’s goals and targets.

1. Introduction to the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

The 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) presents the Government of Canada’s sustainable development goals and targets, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act. This is the first FSDS to be framed using the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda and provides a balanced view of the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainable development.

In keeping with the purpose of the Act, to make decision-making related to sustainable development more transparent and accountable to Parliament, the CEIC supports, in collaboration with ESDC, the goals laid out in the FSDS through the activities described in this Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS) and the broader ESDC DSDS.

The Federal Sustainable Development Act also sets out 7 principles that must be considered in the development of the FSDS as well as DSDSs. These basic principles have been considered and incorporated in the CEIC’s DSDS through linkages to ESDC’s DSDS.

To promote coordinated action on sustainable development across the Government of Canada, this departmental strategy integrates efforts to advance Canada’s implementation of the 2030 Agenda National Strategy, supported by the Global Indicator Framework (GIF) and Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) targets and indicators. The strategy also now captures SDG initiatives that fall outside the scope of the FSDS to inform the development of the Canada’s Annual Report on the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.

2. Canada Employment Insurance Commission’s Sustainable Development Vision

The CEIC plays a leadership role in overseeing Parts I and II of Canada’s Employment Insurance (EI) Program, which supports millions of Canadians each year. The CEIC consists of 4 members and represents the interests of workers, employers, and the government. The 4 members are the Commissioner for Workers, Commissioner for Employers, the Deputy Minister of ESDC, and the Senior Associate Deputy Minister of ESDC. In addition to overseeing Parts I and II of the EI program, the CEIC’s scope includes EI policies, regulations, stakeholder consultations, premium rate-setting, appeals, labour market agreements, work-sharing, and other irregular employment-related issues and initiatives. ESDC and Service Canada officials administer the EI Program on behalf of the CEIC.

The CEIC is committed to building a stronger, more inclusive, and sustainable Canada, and the approach to achieving these aims aligns with ESDC’s. ESDC is the lead for the Government of Canada on the coordination and tracking progress on the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda. Through collaboration with ESDC, the CEIC will integrate the SDGs into its activities and support adoption across other departments.

The CEIC will fulfill its commitments to Canadians in ways that foster and support sustainable development as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act and outlined in the 2022 to 2026 FSDS. Through collaboration with ESDC, the CEIC will focus on sustainable improvements in:

  • quality of life for Canadians
  • engagement and dialogue on programs and services
  • the department’s operations and workplace culture

Improvements in quality of life depend on social and economic development that is sustainable. As ESDC officials administer the EI program, it is important that ESDC programs, policies, and initiatives are fair and protect and preserve our environment and climate. This includes ensuring equitable access to gains from sustainable growth through the labour market, education and training system, and government benefits and services. The CEIC supports ESDC’s efforts to support workers and future generations in a just transition to a net-zero emissions and climate resilient economy. On behalf of the CEIC, ESDC will work to develop and improve benefits such as the EI program that help affected workers and that can facilitate skills development through education and training.

Every year, ESDC officials prepare the EI Monitoring and Assessment Report for the CEIC’s approval. These responsibilities provide the opportunity to engage in dialogue with Canadians and the groups that represent them, including Indigenous Peoples, underrepresented groups, other levels of government, employers, and social purpose organizations. Through ESDC’s efforts, the CEIC will use this opportunity to shape the delivery and quality of the EI program as well as include Canadians and their representatives in decisions about the programs and services that intent to improve their lives economically, socially, and environmentally. The CEIC’s Commissioner for Workers and the Commissioner for Employers regularly consult with their respective stakeholders and report their insights to the CEIC and to ESDC officials to influence the oversight of the EI program and other departmental employment programs and services. This includes ongoing commitments to reconciliation and adopting distinctions-based approaches and considerations.

The CEIC relies on the human resources, financial authorities, and infrastructure of ESDC to deliver the EI program. Through ESDC, the CEIC will continue efforts to integrate sustainable practices in the department’s internal operations and the workplace culture so that Canadians will know that the services and benefits they received are being created and delivered in sustainable ways. This will include adopting practices to reduce the department’s carbon footprint; using technologies strategically to reduce environmental impacts; and fostering a workforce and culture committed to sustainable development in everyday activities.

3. Listening to Canadians

As required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act, the CEIC, in collaboration with ESDC, has considered comments on the draft 2022 to 2026 FSDS made during the public consultation held from March 11 to July 9, 2022.

During the public consultation, more than 700 comments were received from a broad range of stakeholders, including governments, Indigenous organizations, non-governmental organizations, academics, businesses, and individual Canadians in different age groups and of various backgrounds. The draft FSDS was also shared with the appropriate committee of each House of Parliament, the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, and the Sustainable Development Advisory Council for their review and comment.

What We Heard

Across the submissions received, ESDC identified sustainable development priorities and issues that affect the CEIC and its scope of responsibilities.

Reconciliation and respect for the rights and self-governance of Indigenous Peoples were strong themes that emerged during the consultation. Specifically, the importance of taking a distinctions-based approach in the federal government’s work with First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities, to ensure that the unique rights, interests, history and lived experience of Indigenous communities are acknowledged, affirmed, and reflected in policies and programs.

We also heard that ensuring a just and equitable transition to a low-carbon future for workers and their communities was a key priority. Stakeholders expressed that the federal government needs to develop programming to deal with Canada lacking the skilled workforce needed to transition to net-zero and take action to advance a circular economy.

What We Did

The CEIC took the above-mentioned key priorities and issues into consideration in this DSDS.

The CEIC plays a key role in overseeing the EI program and relies on ESDC and Service Canada officials to support its operations. Through ESDC, the CEIC is committed to taking action to support sustainable development.

The CEIC will work towards advancing Goal 10: Advance Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and Take Action on Inequality through efforts by ESDC to educate employees on Indigenous history and culture. ESDC has prepared Indigenous cultural competency training which will help advance reconciliation by providing tools and knowledge to employees that administer the EI program.

The CEIC will also contribute to the advancement of Goal 12: Reduce waste and transition to zero-emission vehicles through its alignment with ESDC for procurement-related activities. The CEIC uses ESDC infrastructure and supports ESDC’s efforts to transition to zero-emission vehicles and strengthen green procurement criteria.

The CEIC is also collaborating with ESDC on Goal 13: Take action on climate change and its impacts to ensure that the work that the CEIC oversees with respect to the EI program takes place with environmental changes in mind. The CEIC supports the efforts of ESDC to promote hybrid work and incorporate climate change factors into its departmental risk and business assessments, training, and planning.

As we share the plans and commitments of our 2023 to 2027 DSDS in support of the FSDS’s goals and targets, as well as Canada’s 2030 Agenda, we look forward to sharing our progress and continuing the conversation with Canadians in support of building a stronger, more inclusive, and sustainable future.

Please find more information on the FSDS public consultation and its results in the FSDS Consultation Report.

4. Canada Employment Insurance Commission’s Commitments

Goal 10: Advance Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and Take Action on Inequality

FSDS context

The CEIC recognizes the importance of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDRIP), and actively supports the advancement of reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples through ongoing efforts in its leadership and oversight of the EI program.

The CEIC works closely with ESDC to oversee the EI program. As the program is administered by ESDC employees, the CEIC relies on the efforts of the department to ensure that employees have the tools and knowledge to advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. The ESDC Essential Training Curriculum for Employees includes Indigenous cultural competency training which educates employees and prepares them to work on programs and services with the unique cultures and needs of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Peoples in mind. This training is provided to all indeterminate and term employees and will be an annual commitment, which will ensure that employees associated with the EI program are able to help advance reconciliation objectives.

Target theme

Advancing reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and the Métis communities.

Target

Between 2023 and 2026, and every year on an ongoing basis, develop and table annual progress reports on implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada)

Implementation strategy

Implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act

Departmental actionFootnote 1

ESDC will provide Indigenous cultural competency training and/or training on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. All employees need to complete at least one Indigenous Awareness and Reconciliation learning activity which can be, for example, a course offered through the Canada School of Public Service (PSPC) or participating in an Indigenous Employees’ Circle, or an Indigenous Learning Event hosted by the ESDC College.

  • Initiative
    • ESDC Essential Training Curriculum for Employees.
  • Performance indicator
    • Percentage of staff who have completed Indigenous cultural competency training (internal or external)
  • Starting point
    • Actual of staff trained for 2022-23: 81%
  • Target
    • Achieve and maintain 100% annually.
  • How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada’s 2030 agenda national strategy and SDGs
    • As part of the ESDC Essential Training Curriculum for Employees, all indeterminate and term employees across ESDC, Service Canada and the Labour Program must complete Indigenous Awareness and Reconciliation learning activities. This is an ongoing, annual commitment.
    • Relevant targets or ambitions
      • GIF target - 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.

Goal 12: Reduce Waste and Transition to Zero Emission Vehicles

FSDS context

As a tripartite organization that uses ESDC infrastructure to manage its operational duties, the CEIC is committed to partnering with ESDC to fight climate change. The CEIC supports ESDC’s Goal 12’s to transition to a circular economy with net-zero carbon emissions. The CEIC’s operations will benefit through ESDC’s goal to strengthen green procurement criteria. ESDC is actively reducing energy consumption and material usage by procuring only Energy Star or Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) certified devices. These products are built using less hazardous materials, are energy-efficient, and are designed for easy recycling.

Target theme

Federal Leadership on Responsible Consumption

Target

The Government of Canada’s procurement of goods and services will be net-zero emissions by 2050, to aid the transition to a net-zero, circular economy (All Ministers)

Implementation strategy

Strengthen green procurement criteria.

Departmental action Footnote 2

ESDC will select and operate IT and office equipment in a manner that reduces energy consumption and material usage.

  • Initiative
    • ESDC Internal Services
  • Performance indicator
    • Ratio of mobile to desktop devices.
    • Ensure procurement focusses on vendors and products, such as mobile or print devices that are Energy Star or Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) certified.
  • Starting point
    • 89.54% of devices are mobile as of April 13, 2023.
    • Already at 100% for Procurement. 
  • Target
    • Increase the current ratio of mobile to desktop devices to 95% by 2026.
    • Maintain 100% procurement of goods or services from vendors that have their product Energy Star or Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) certified. 
  • How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada’s 2030 agenda national strategy and SDGs
    • Increasing the use of mobile devices (laptops/ tablets) facilitates reducing overall energy consumption within the department.
    • Adopting clean technology and environmental considerations into purchasing decisions is expected to motivate suppliers to reduce the environmental impact of the goods and services they and their supply chains provide. By choosing electronic products that are Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) certified consumers and organizations can help reduce their environmental impact by selecting products that are more energy-efficient, have a reduced use of hazardous materials, and are designed for easy recycling. 

Goal 13: Take Action on Climate Change and Its Impacts

FSDS context

The CEIC is committed to addressing the challenges arising due to climate change. The CEIC will work closely with ESDC to ensure that work taking place to administer the EI program occurs in greener facilities and with an awareness and preparedness for environmental changes. ESDC is encouraging employees to use low-carbon forms of transportation for commuting as well as facilitating hybrid work arrangements to reduce daily travel. The department has also been incorporating climate change factors into its departmental risk and business assessments, training, and planning.

The CEIC will look to further act on climate change by incorporating an environmental lens in the work we do. For instance, stakeholder consultations could be expanded to include employer and worker insights on how climate change impacts their lives through the employment programs and services we oversee.

Target theme

Federal Leadership on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions and Climate Resilience

Target

The Government of Canada will transition to net-zero carbon operations for facilities and conventional fleets by 2050 (All Ministers)

Implementation strategy

Implement the Greening Government Strategy through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and green the government’s overall operations.

Departmental action Footnote 3

To further reduce its GHG emission and its overall environmental footprint, ESDC will explore new initiatives that cover fleet management practices, green procurement procedures, and information management and technology.

These activities include:

  1. Improve building infrastructure sustainability options through the implementation of tenant service projects, such as but not limited to:
    • Including refillable water fountains to encourage less single use plastic.
    • Install EV chargers in the base building requirements at Service Delivery Spaces and for Fleet vehicle parking to encourage more sustainable modes of transportation.
    • Inclusion of biophilia elements, such as Green/Live walls, within the scope of modernization projects.
    • Inclusion of automatic lighting, within the scope of projects, in alignment with IDS standards.
    • Ensuring recycling programs are implemented in all ESDC occupied buildings by engaging the Landlord/Service Provider in each location.
    • Ensuring recycling programs are implemented in all ESDC occupied buildings by engaging the Landlord/Service Provider in each location.
  2. Partnering with Natural Resources Canada, Trees Canada and Trees Ontario for national tree planting program to offset the carbon from modernized workplace projects.
  3. Increasing training and support on assessing climate change impacts, undertaking climate change risk assessments, and developing adaptation actions to public service employees. Facilitate sharing of best practices and lessons learned.
  • Initiative
    • ESDC Internal Services
  • Performance indicator
    • Percentage reduction of ESDC’s overall GHG emissions compared to 2005 levels.
  • Starting point
    • 79% reduction of GHG emissions compared to 2005 levels.
  • Target
    • 80% reduction of GHG emissions by 2050 compared to 2005 levels.
  • How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada’s 2030 agenda national strategy and SDGs
    • ESDC activities in support of Greening Government strategy that contribute to the overall reduction of the department’s greenhouse gas emissions and reduce its overall environmental footprint support the federal government goal and the net-zero carbon operations target.
    • Relevant targets or ambitions
      • CIF ambition –13.1 Canadians reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.
      • CIF ambition - 13.2 Canadians are well-equipped and resilient to face the effects of climate change.

5. Integrating Sustainable Development

The CEIC, in collaboration with the work of ESDC officials, will continue to ensure that its decision-making process includes consideration of FSDS goals and targets through ESDC’s strategic environmental assessment (SEA) process. An SEA for a policy, plan or program proposal includes an analysis of the impacts of the given proposal on the environment, including on relevant FSDS goals and targets.

Public statements on the results of ESDC’s assessments, which include any affecting the CEIC, are made public via ESDC when an initiative has undergone a detailed SEA. The purpose of the public statement is to demonstrate that the environmental effects, including the impacts on achieving the FSDS goals and targets, of the approved policy, plan or program have been considered during proposal development and decision making.

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