2023 to 2024 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS) Report - CEIC
Canada Employment Insurance Commission (CEIC)
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. This report shares the CEIC’s progress on its DSDS commitments for fiscal year 2023 to 2024. ESDC delivers numerous high profile employment programs and services on behalf of the CEIC, whose activities are entirely encompassed by the 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 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 action
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, Starting point, Target
- 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.
Results Achieved
- Indicator result: In 2023-2024, 79% of ESDC employees have completed the Indigenous Awareness Reconciliation activity.
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
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, Starting point, Target
- 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.
Results Achieved
- Indicator Result (1): 9:1 mobile to desktop ratio as of March 31,2024.
- Notes: 91.8% of ESDC employees are equipped with mobile devices as of May 1st, 2024. 91.8% of ESDC employees represents 37,557 out of 40,907 equipped with mobile devices.
- Indicator Result (2): 100% of ESDC IT procurement complied with green and Energy Star certification standards as of March 31, 2024.
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
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:
- (a) improving 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
- Installing EV chargers in the base building requirements at Service Delivery Spaces and for Fleet vehicle parking to encourage more sustainable modes of transportation.
- Including biophilia elements, such as green/live walls, within the scope of modernization projects
- Including 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.
- (b) partnering with Natural Resources Canada, Can, Trees Canada and Trees Ontario for national tree planting program to offset the carbon from modernized workplace projects
- (c) 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.
Performance indicator, Starting point, Target
- 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.
Results achieved
- Indicator Result: N/A. Result not available.
- Notes: ESDC is in the process of developing tools to measure the percentage-based reduction in GHG levels within the scope of its business activities. Data is still being compiled to support a year-over-year measurement. In 2023-2024, ESDC engaged in a series of initiatives to reduce its overall environmental footprint, including implementing Green Standards repurposing furniture, and panels from 11 decommissioned sites to 61 refit projects and replacing water fountains with water bottle filling stations. ESDC rolled out the national implementation of the green procurement checklist to confirm baseline of green procurement, helped implement training, procure through high proportion post-consumer materials, certified eco-labels and target green vendors. Further development of this tool is underway.
3. 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. The transition from SEA to Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessment (SEEA) process started in late 2023 to 2024. 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.
ESDC, and therefore the CEIC, did not have any proposals requiring a detailed SEA in 2023 to 2024.
Page details
- Date modified: