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2023-2024 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy report

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(1,601 KB, 73 pages)

Organization: Health Canada

Date published: November, 2024
Cat.: H126-3E-PDF
ISSN: 2292-6585
Pub.: 240531

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Introduction to the 2023 to 2024 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Report

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, Health Canada supports the goals laid out in the FSDS through the activities described in Health Canada's 2023 to 2027 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS). This Report provides a report on progress related to Health Canada's DSDS in the fiscal year 2023 to 2024.

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 Health Canada's DSDS and 2023 to 2024 DSDS Report.

To promote coordinated action on sustainable development across the Government of Canada, Health Canada's departmental strategy reports on Canada's progress towards implementing the 2030 Agenda and advancing the SDGs, supported by the Global Indicator Framework (GIF) and Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) targets and indicators. The Report also now captures progress on SDG initiatives that fall outside the scope of the FSDS.

Commitments for Health Canada

Goal 2: Support a healthier and more sustainable food system

FSDS Context:

Under the Food and Drugs Act and Food and Drug Regulations, Health Canada contributes to this goal by ensuring Canadians have access to safe and healthy foods through implementing food safety and nutritional quality policies, regulations and standards for foods sold in Canada, including conducting pre-market safety assessments of products as a measure to protect the health and safety of Canadians. An example of providing safe access to food is the Total Diet Study that Health Canada leads, which is a surveillance program that monitors and helps identify contaminants in food sold in Canada, allowing informed risk management actions.

Health Canada continues to take steps to re-design food regulations to reduce barriers that prevent industry from bringing innovative products to market, while protecting the health and safety of Canadians and ensuring that Canadians have access to safe and healthy foods.

Implementation strategies supporting the goal

This section is for implementation strategies that support the goal "Support a healthier and more sustainable food system" but not a specific FSDS target.

FSDS Implementation Strategy 1

Ensure the safety of Canada's food system

Departmental Action 1

Re-design food regulations to reduce barriers that prevent industry from bringing innovative products to market (e.g., foods that use new processes and technologies).

Program: Food and Nutrition

Performance indicator: Percentage of current and emerging high-risk food safety and nutrition issues which generate the development of a regulatory or non-regulatory response

Starting point: 100% in 2022-23

Target: 100% (annual)

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

This departmental action contributes to FSDS Goal 2 - Support a Healthier and More Sustainable Food System by implementing food safety and nutritional quality regulations and standards for all foods sold in Canada under the authority of the Food and Drugs Act and Food and Drug Regulations. Health Canada conducts pre-market safety assessments to ensure that decisions taken by the Department protect the health and safety of Canadians. The re-design of food regulations provides greater flexibility and agility to respond to advances in science and technology, and allow new paths to market (e.g., supplemented foods).

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result: 100% of high-risk food safety and nutrition issues generated a regulatory or non-regulatory response in 2023-24.

Departmental Action 2

Continue to monitor concentrations of chemical contaminants in foods.

Program: Food and Nutrition

Performance Indicator: Percentage of Total Diet Study (TDS) Surveillance Data for priority chemicals uploaded to the publicly accessible Canadian Laboratory Information Network (CANLINE) database

Starting point: New indicator

Target: 100% (annual)

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

This departmental action contributes to FSDS Goal 2 - Support a Healthier and More Sustainable Food System by identifying contaminants in foods that are typically consumed by Canadians. The Canadian Total Diet Study (TDS) is a food surveillance program that enables Health Canada to monitor the concentrations of contaminants in foods sold in Canada in order to determine the key dietary sources, assess trends, support the development of food safety policies and regulations. When food surveillance data sets are finalized they are posted to CANLINE which is a searchable database for chemical, nutritional, and microbiological laboratory surveillance data. Posting the source data on CANLINE ensures that Health Canada's decision making about food safety is done in a transparent way and that all Canadians have access to the data that is used to support the decision making helping to ensure trust in the food supply, and ultimately supporting a sustainable and sufficient food supply.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result: 100% of total diet study data uploaded to CANLINE accessible database in 2023-24.

Notes: TDS analysis takes place on an ongoing basis. There can be some lapse between analysis and publication of certain analytes.

Departmental Action 3

Respond to food safety incidents, including foodborne illness outbreaks in a timely manner.

Program: Food and Nutrition

Performance Indicator: Percentage of health risk assessments provided to Health Canada partners within service standards

Starting Point: 100% in 2022-23

Target: at least 90% (annual)

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

This departmental action contributes to FSDS Goal 2 - Support a Healthier and More Sustainable Food System by conducting food-related health risk assessments. The health risk assessments determine the presence of a certain substance or microorganism in food that poses a risk to consumers. If it is found that a substance or microorganism in food poses a human health risk, risk management actions are taken to reduce, and if possible, eliminate any risk that is posed to people that consume the food in question.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result: 100% of health risk assessments were provided to Health Canada partners within service standards in 2023-24.

Departmental Action 4

Strengthen food chemical safety oversight of food packaging materials.

Program: Food and Nutrition

Performance Indicator: Percentage of industry applicants who indicate that the updated Health Canada Guidelines for recycled plastics in food packaging was used to prepare a submission requesting a food safety opinion about the use of these materials in food packaging applications

Starting Point: New initiative

Target: at least 90% (annual)

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

This departmental action contributes to FSDS Goal 2 - Support a Healthier and More Sustainable Food System through pre-market assessments of applications related to food packaging using recycled materials that are voluntarily submitted by industry. The use of recycled plastics was an area where a higher risk to food safety was identified. These assessments examine the chemical safety and the potential transfer of harmful chemicals from recycled food packaging to food. Pre-market evaluations of the safety of the use of recycled plastics in food packaging applications supports the use of these applications which can contribute to food sustainability via increased shelf-life while ensuring the safety of the food. Feedback from industry about the guidance provided is collected and analysed on an ongoing basis to facilitate its use.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result: 100% of industry applicants indicated that the updated Health Canada Guidelines for recycled plastics in food packaging was used to prepare a submission requesting a food safety opinion about the use of these materials in food packaging applications in 2023-24.

Notes: A new process was developed where industry applicants completed a post-submission survey. Limited stakeholder feedback indicates updated guidance being used.

Goal 3: Support mental health and adopt healthy behaviours

FSDS Context:

In support of mental health, Health Canada provides funding to provinces, territories, and other stakeholders and monitors the impact of these federal investments on improving access to evidence-supported mental health, addictions, and substance use health services and supports for Canadians. Health Ministers have agreed to work collectively and with the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) to develop a focused set of common indicators to measure pan-Canadian progress on the agreed priorities of mental health and addictions, to be reported on annually to Canadians. These indicators will allow for tracking of trends over time. To monitor and measure progress in supporting access to mental health and substance use supports, the Department works with national research focused organizations such as CIHI and Statistics Canada.

Additionally, the Department also works with provinces, territories and regional stakeholders on a wide range of issues, including improving access to community based mental health and substance use health supports for populations with the greatest need, such as Integrated Youth Services (IYS), the development of national standards for mental health and substance use services, and evidence-based knowledge products that can be used by health care providers and organizations, decision makers and community-based organizations to address mental health and addictions.

Substance use-related harms continue to cause devastating health and social effects on Canadians from every walk of life. Through the Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy (CDSS) and the Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP), Health Canada supports harm reduction, treatment, and prevention by providing funding for community-based projects. The Department works with all levels of government, partners, stakeholders and people with lived and living experience to take a comprehensive approach in addressing substance use and the overdose crisis, including monitoring national trends in the use of alcohol, psychoactive pharmaceuticals and illegal drugs. Similarly, Canada's Tobacco Strategy aims to help people in Canada quit using tobacco and to protect the health of young people and people who do not smoke. The Department also addresses the health risks associated with the use of vaping products and works to prevent their use among youth. The Program supports scientific research, surveillance, policy and regulatory development, public education and outreach, and compliance and enforcement activities for tobacco and vaping products; and supports work done around the world as a part of the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.

The Department promotes healthy behaviours and healthy eating through resources to help people increase their knowledge and use of Canada's food guide in their everyday lives. Health Canada also continues to advance the Healthy Eating Strategy, which aims to improve healthy eating information; strengthen labelling claims; improve the nutrition quality of foods; and protect vulnerable populations.

FSDS Target theme: Mental health

FSDS Target: By March 2027, reduce the percentage of Canadians (aged 15+) with a mental disorder who have expressed that they have an unmet care need to 22% at most (Minister of Health)

FSDS Implementation Strategy 1

Collect data and information to inform evidence-based decisions

Departmental Action

Monitor the impact of federal investments that support improving access to evidence-supported mental health, addictions, and substance use health services and supports for Canadians.

Program: Responsive Health Care Systems (Mental Health – Shared Health Priorities)

Performance Indicator 1: Proportion of individuals aged 15 and older who said that they had always or usually had the support* necessary to move within and between formal mental health and substance use (MHSU) services in the past year once they accessed services

*Support refers to receiving the guidance, assistance or resources needed to navigate MHSU services from a professional.

Starting point: 41% in 2022

Note: Annual reporting against the indicator.

Performance Indicator 2: Median number of calendar days that clients waited for ongoing counselling services from the date that the initial referral was received to the date of the first scheduled counselling session

Starting point: 22 days in 2020-21

Note: Annual reporting against the indicator.

Performance Indicator 3: Number of individuals that are admitted to hospital or die due to self-harm

Starting point: 70 per 100,000 in 2020-21

Note: Annual reporting against the indicator.

Performance Indicator 4: Percentage of frequent* emergency room visits for help with mental health and substance use

*Frequent refers to at least four emergency room visits per year. FSD

Starting point: 9.5% in 2021-22

Note: Annual reporting against the indicator.

Performance Indicator 5: Proportion of children and youth aged 12 to 24 with early mental health and substance use (MHSU) needs who accessed community-based MHSU services in the last 6 months

Starting point: 61% in 2022

Note: Annual reporting against the indicator.

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

This departmental action contributes to FSDS Goal 3- Support Mental Health and Adopt Healthy Behaviours and the mental health target by collecting data and information on a range of indicators that can help to identify gaps in access to mental health and substance use services. Health Ministers have agreed to work collectively and with the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) to develop a focused set of common indicators to measure pan-Canadian progress on the agreed priorities of mental health and addictions, to be reported on annually to Canadians. This will allow for the monitoring of trends over time to assess progress in supporting access to mental health and substance use supports. Access to supports and care is critical to allow for early intervention, which is vital to effective treatment and recovery.

Information about how this work contributes to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy is outlined below.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result 1: 44% of individuals aged 15 and older said that they had always or usually had the support* necessary to move within and between formal mental health and substance use (MHSU) services in the past year once they accessed services in 2023

Notes: The results reflect CIHI survey data collected in 2023 and released in November 2023.

Indicator result 2: 31 days was the median number of calendar days that clients waited for ongoing counselling services from the date that the initial referral was received to the date of the first scheduled counselling session in 2022-23.

Notes: The results reflect data collected in 2022-23 and released by CIHI in November 2023.

Indicator result 3: 74 per 100,000 individuals were admitted to hospital or died due to self-harm in 2021-22.

Notes: The results reflect data collected in 2021-22 and released by CIHI in November 2023.

Indicator result 4: 9.4% of frequent emergency room visits for help with mental health and substance use in 2022-23.

Notes: The results reflect data collected in 2022-23 and released by CIHI in November 2023.

Indicator result 5: 73% of children and youth aged 12 to 24 with early mental health and substance use (MHSU) needs accessed community-based MHSU services in the last 6 months in 2023

Notes: The results reflect CIHI survey data collected in 2023 and released in November 2023.

FSDS Implementation Strategy 2

Work with partners and stakeholders to expand access to mental health services

Departmental Action

Provide funding for knowledge products that support inclusive, people-centred health care services.

Program: Healthy People and Communities (Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) Contribution Program)

Performance Indicator 1: Number of significant knowledge products* produced

*Knowledge products (e.g., webinars, training materials, case studies, research reports) are products that are created or transform prior knowledge and experience into a tangible artifact in order to present, communicate and teach new audiences. Knowledge products are a tangible resource based on high quality evidence and created for specific target audiences with the specific result in mind, such as increased awareness, increased knowledge, or influence on a policy or a practice. MHCC produces knowledge products in four priority areas: suicide prevention, population-based initiatives, engagement with Canadians and mental health & substance use (MHSU) integration.

Starting point: 92 in 2022-23

Target: 176* by March 31, 2024

*This includes knowledge products funded through sources other than Health Canada.

Note: this indicator is reported on annually, but targets set vary from year to year depending on the scope of the year's planned initiatives. Targets are not cumulative and are specific to each fiscal year.

Performance Indicator 2: Percentage of health care providers and organizations who report they are better equipped with the knowledge they need to address mental health and wellness issues as a result of knowledge products received

Starting point: 80% in 2022-23

Target: 80% by March 31, 2024

Note: this indicator is reported on annually, but targets set vary from year to year depending on the scope of the year's planned initiatives. Targets are not cumulative and are specific to each fiscal year.

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

This departmental action contributes to FSDS Goal 3 - Support Mental Health and Adopt Healthy Behaviours and the mental health target by supporting the activities of the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) to create evidence-based knowledge products and mobilize knowledge among health care providers and organizations, decision-makers, and community-based organizations. This helps to target under-addressed needs of the people they serve and can also test innovative approaches to improve services.

Healthcare providers that have acquired appropriate resources (including knowledge, skills, and tools), will adapt their health practices to better address the needs of their patients; decision-makers in communities and health organizations that have acquired knowledge apply inclusive people-centred improvements to policies and programs; and service providers may implement initiatives that better address the needs of their patients with MHSU needs. Further, healthcare providers having appropriate knowledge, skills, and tools that increase their capacity to support the population they serve allows an expanded number of Canadians to have access to evidence-based MHSU supports and services.

Information about how this work contributes to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy is outlined below.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result 1: 138 significant knowledge products produced in 2023-24.

Notes: The target number of knowledge products (KPs) set by the MHCC in 2023-24 (176) included planned KPs related to a contribution agreement that was not funded beyond March 31, 2023, which impacted the number of KPs the MHCC produced in 2023-24.

Indicator result 2: 89% of health care providers and organizations reported they are better equipped with the knowledge they need to address mental health and wellness issues as a result of knowledge products received in 2023-24.

FSDS Target theme: Adopting healthy behaviours

FSDS Target: By March 2035, at most 5% of Canadians (aged 15+) are current cigarette smokers (Minister of Health)

FSDS Implementation Strategy 1

Promote healthy behaviours

Note: This implementation strategy includes departmental actions that support both the goal and the target.

Departmental Action 1

Invest in public education, raising awareness of substance use harms and the importance of reducing the stigma towards people who use drugs.

Program: Controlled Substances

Performance Indicator: Number of innovative and evidence-based health intervention projects related to substance use funded by the Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP)

Note: This indicator is being reviewed as part of the updated Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy (CDSS) to address substance use in Canada.

Starting point: 310 intervention projects (controlled substances, cannabis, tobacco, and vaping) funded in 2022-23

Target: A target will be established in 2023-24 as part of the updated CDSS

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

This departmental action contributes to FSDS Goal 3 - Support Mental Health and Adopt Healthy Behaviours and the cigarette smoking target by providing funding to community-based organizations at the regional and national levels through the Substance Use and Addictions grant and contribution Program (SUAP). SUAP provides funding for a wide range of innovative and evidence-informed projects addressing problematic substance use prevention, harm reduction and treatment initiatives across the country. Projects target a range of psychoactive substances, including opioids, stimulants, cannabis, alcohol, nicotine and tobacco, at the community, regional and national levels. The objective of these projects are varied but in general they aim to support Canadians in adopting healthy behaviours.

Information about how this work contributes to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy is outlined below.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result: 254 innovative and evidence-based health intervention projects related to substance use funded by SUAP in 2023-24.

Notes: Number of SUAP projects funded are dependent upon available program funding and subsequent budget announcements.

Departmental Action 2

Provide information to Canadians and stakeholders to support them in using Health Canada's dietary guidance (e.g., Canada food guide).

Program: Food and Nutrition

Performance Indicator: Percentage increase in number of website visits that support the use of Canada's dietary guidance

Starting point: New indicator

Target: Target to be set following establishment of baseline in 2023-24

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

This departmental action contributes to FSDS Goal 3 - Support Mental Health and Adopt Healthy Behaviours by communicating Health Canada's dietary guidance in relevant and accessible ways so as to support Canadians in using the guidance, and stakeholders in integrating the dietary guidance into their policies, programs and resources across Canada. This action supports adopting and maintaining healthy behaviours, specifically eating healthily, which can contribute to reducing the risk of non-communicable diseases.

Information about how this work contributes to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy is outlined below.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result: 4.5% increase in number of website visits that support the use of Canada's dietary guidance, between calendar year 2022 and 2023.

Notes: This is a new indicator. The above indicator result of 4.5% which reflects increase in number of website visits that support the use of Canada's dietary guidance between calendar year 2022 and 2023, is to be used as a starting point (or baseline) for future measurement of results achieved. Moving forward, a target will be established by considering the % increase in the last calendar year, as well as planned program activities such as publishing new resources on the web, adding to existing guidance, and/or through promotion efforts and/or through new initiatives and collaborations, which are understood to contribute to increases in website visits.

Implementation strategies supporting the goal

This section is for implementation strategies that support the goal "Support a healthier and more sustainable food system" but not a specific FSDS target.

FSDS Implementation Strategy 1

Address substance use harms

Departmental Action

Support greater access to prevention, harm reduction and treatment initiatives in communities.

Program: Controlled Substances

Performance Indicator: Percentage of total available contribution funding allocated*

*Available contribution funding varies every year.

Starting point: 84% of funding allocated in 2022-23 ($154,083,629)

Target: 95% by March 31, 2024 (amount available only after March 31, 2024)

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

The departmental action contributes to FSDS Goal 3 - Support Mental Health and Adopt Healthy Behaviours by providing funding for increased prevention, harm reduction and treatment capacity in communities, which contributes to healthier behaviours through the Substance Use and Addictions Program.

Information about how this work contributes to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy is outlined below.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result: 100% of available contribution funding was allocated in 2023-24.

Notes: $133,974,744 was allocated to contribution agreements.

FSDS Implementation Strategy 2

Collect data and information to inform evidence-based decisions

Departmental Action 1

Monitor national trends in the use of alcohol.

Program: Controlled Substances

Performance Indicator: Absolute volume for total per capita sales of alcoholic beverages

Note: This indicator is being reviewed as part of the updated Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy (CDSS) to address substance use in Canada

Starting point: In 2021-22, the absolute volume for total per capita sales of alcoholic beverages was 8.1

Target: A target will be established in 2023-24 as part of the updated CDSS

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

The departmental action contributes to FSDS Goal 3 - Support Mental Health and Adopt Healthy Behaviours by supporting ongoing monitoring of alcohol use to inform public health interventions and effective prevention strategies, that contribute to the adoption of healthier behaviours.

Information about how this work contributes to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy is outlined below.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved:

Indicator result: 7.8 litres of absolute volume for total per capita sales of alcoholic beverages in 2023-24.

Notes: The data source is Statistics Canada: Table 10-10-0010-01: Sales of alcoholic beverage types by liquor authorities and other retail outlets, by value, volume, and absolute volume. The results reflect data collected in 2022-23 and released in 2023-24.

Departmental Action 2

Monitor national trends and conduct research studies in vaping and smoking

Program: Tobacco Control

Performance Indicator: Percentage of completed projects* that have been summarized into briefing materials and distributed to internal and external stakeholders

*Research and surveillance projects for smoking and vaping

Starting point: 83% in 2022-23

Target: 90% by March 31, 2024

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

The departmental action contributes to FSDS Goal 3 - Support Mental Health and Adopt Healthy Behaviours by addressing tobacco and vaping product use in Canada. The Department contributes to scientific research and surveillance to support evidence-based decision making related to tobacco and vaping (excluding Cannabis vaping). The Tobacco Control Program monitors smoking and vaping trends based on socio-demographic characteristics. This information informs future regulatory and policy initiatives for effective interventions to help adopt healthy behaviours. For example, the Program works to address concerns regarding youth vaping and aims to protect youth and non-users of tobacco products from nicotine addiction.

Information about how this work contributes to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy is outlined below.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result: 85% of completed research and surveillance projects were summarized into briefing materials and distributed to internal and external stakeholders in 2023-24.

Notes: In 2023-24, 100% of completed research and surveillance projects have been summarized into briefing materials, and 85% of them have been distributed. The remaining 15% of briefing materials (for 2 out of 13 completed research and surveillance projects) is expected to be disseminated in 2024-25. Data was used as evidence base to support HC web content, marketing campaigns, and science advice on policy and regulatory initiatives. Some summaries were disseminated externally, posted on the HC webpages, distributed to stakeholders, presented at conferences, published in journals.

Initiatives advancing Canada's implementation of SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being

The following initiatives demonstrate how Health Canada's programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.

Planned Initiative 1

Canada's Healthy Eating Strategy aims to improve the food environment in Canada to make it easier for Canadians to make healthier choices. The strategy is made up of complementary initiatives to: improve healthy eating information, improve the nutritional quality of foods, protect vulnerable populations, and support increased access to and availability of nutritious foods.

Health Canada is implementing strategies to show Canadians how to use Canada's food guide and apply food guide recommendations in their everyday lives. This includes a social marketing campaign directed at youth and young adults from lower income and culturally diverse populations, to support them in developing their food skills including how to use recipes to cook healthy meals and snacks. As well, a food guide monthly e-newsletter will prioritize 'hard to reach' populations, including newcomers to Canada.

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

This work contributes to advancing:

Results Achieved 1

Health Canada continued to support people in applying the food guide recommendations in their everyday lives – with a particular emphasis on 'hard to reach populations' like children and youth, and newcomers to Canada. Health Canada has worked towards this objective during fiscal year 2023-24 by:

Continuing to promote the available languages of the Food Guide Snapshot to make it more accessible and easier to understand by people whose first language is not English or French. This fiscal year, Health Canada increased available languages of the Food Guide Snapshot from 31 to 32.

Planned Initiative 2

Through Bilateral Agreements for Home and Community Care and Mental Health and Addiction Services with provincial and territorial governments, Health Canada continues to expand access to care at home and in the community, reducing reliance on more expensive facility-based infrastructure. These agreements also provide funding for provinces and territories to expand access to community-based mental health and substance use services, with a focus on integrating services with primary care, expanding services for children and youth and for individuals with complex cases.

This work is strengthened through the establishment and application of standards for long-term care to ensure seniors, and those in care, live in safe and dignified conditions. Similarly, the development of national standards for mental health and substance use services, in collaboration with key partners and stakeholders, will enable the use of evidence-based tools to help ensure services meet a consistent level of care and are sensitive to a wide range of needs. Standards will also help to advance equity in the delivery of high-quality mental health and substance use services for diverse populations that face barriers to care.

The Wellness Together Canada portal helps to advance equitable access to quality mental health and substance use care for Canadians through mental health and substance use supports and services that can be easily accessed online, by phone or by text at no cost. This supports populations facing barriers to care, including those in isolated or remote areas.

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

This work contributes to advancing:

Results Achieved 2

Bilateral Agreement with Provinces and Territories

As part of the $11 billion over 10 years (2017-18 to 2026-27) commitment to invest in home and community care and mental health and addiction services, the federal government signed

Home and Community Care and Mental Health and Addiction Services bilateral agreements with provinces and territories, covering the first 6 years of funding.

The remaining funding was integrated into two new bilateral agreements under the February 2023 announced Working Together to Improve Health Care for Canadians Plan. The remaining mental health and addiction services funding has been added to the Working Together bilateral agreements, which also includes $25 billion over 10 years (2023-24 to 2032-33) to support access to family health services, including in rural and remote areas; health workers and reducing backlogs for health services such as surgeries and diagnostics; improved access to quality mental health, substance use and addictions services; and, a modernized health care system. The Aging with Dignity bilateral agreements provide access to the remaining home and community care funding along with $3 billion over 5 years (2023-24 to 2027-28) for long-term care.

Results of activities undertaken by provinces and territories under these agreements in 2023-24 to support home and community care and mental health and addiction services include the following:

Improved access to care at home and in the community and improved standards for Long Term Care

Bilateral Agreement with Provinces and Territories

As part of the $11 billion over 10 years (2017-18 to 2026-27) commitment to invest in home and community care and mental health and addiction services, the federal government signed

Home and Community Care and Mental Health and Addiction Services bilateral agreements with provinces and territories, covering the first 6 years of funding.

The remaining funding was integrated into two new bilateral agreements under the February 2023 announced Working Together to Improve Health Care for Canadians Plan. The remaining mental health and addiction services funding has been added to the Working Together bilateral agreements, which also includes $25 billion over 10 years (2023-24 to 2032-33) to support access to family health services, including in rural and remote areas; health workers and reducing backlogs for health services such as surgeries and diagnostics; improved access to quality mental health, substance use and addictions services; and, a modernized health care system. The Aging with Dignity bilateral agreements provide access to the remaining home and community care funding along with $3 billion over 5 years (2023-24 to 2027-28) for long-term care.

Results of activities undertaken by provinces and territories under these agreements in 2023-24 to support home and community care and mental health and addiction services include the following:

Improved access to care at home and in the community and improved standards for Long Term Care

Expanded access to community based mental health and substance use services including:

To assess progress, jurisdictions provide data on a set of common indicators to the Canadian Institute of Health Information (CIHI) which are made public by CIHI on its Shared Health Priorities and Taking the pulse: A snapshot of Canadian health care webpages.

Additional measures to support expanded access to community based mental health and substance use services included:

Wellness Together Canada

Wellness Together Canada (WTC) was part of a range of exceptional measures taken by the Government of Canada to weather the COVID-19 pandemic, and was put in place to fill an urgent need for support when many Canadians had nowhere else to turn. In 2023-24, the WTC portal continued to deliver services during its final year of operations. Each month, approximately 100,000 individuals across Canada accessed free resources, counselling and texting support where and when they needed help. From April 2020 to April 3, 2024, over 4.38 million individuals across all provinces and territories accessed the portal in over 12.06 million web sessions. The portal's companion app, PocketWell, which was launched in January 2022, was downloaded over 60,000 times.

Planned Initiative 3

The Government of Canada introduced Canada's first national dental benefit to improve access to dental care services for children under 12, since oral health is a major contributor to overall health and well-being and evidence has shown that socioeconomic factors, including income, education, employment, are determinants of oral health.

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

This work contributes to advancing:

Results Achieved 3

The Canada Dental Benefit (CDB) helps cover the costs of oral health care for eligible children under 12 years of age from low and middle income families in Canada, thereby addressing financial barriers to accessing dental care. This allows parents and guardians who do not have dental insurance for their children and who would have otherwise been unable to access dental care services, to pay for dental care for their children. Approximately 431,000 children have benefited from the CDB as of March 31, 2024.

The program was launched on December 1, 2022, and continued to support families with children until June 30, 2024. Parents and caregivers were able to apply for the Canadian Dental Care Plan for children under the age of 18 as of June 2024.

Planned Initiative 4

Canada's Tobacco Strategy aims to help Canadians who smoke, to quit or reduce the harms of their addiction to nicotine and to protect the health of young people and non-smokers from the dangers of tobacco use.

Health Canada continues to support organizations at the community, regional and national levels through the Substance Use and Addictions Program by furthering public education and awareness about the use of tobacco and vaping products through projects aiming to:

Health Canada will also contribute to strengthening the global implementation of the World Health Organization (WHO) Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) through its role as Regional Coordinator for the Americas for the Conference of the Parties to the FCTC.

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

This work contributes to advancing:

Results Achieved 4

In 2023-24, Health Canada provided almost $3.5 million via its Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP) to promote 5 projects focused on prevention, protection, and/or cessation for both tobacco and vaping products. Projects informed Canadians about the harms and risks of tobacco and vaping product use, including those that design cessation interventions for people who smoke as well as youth who vape.

Health Canada continued to contribute internationally on tobacco control and a delegation participated in the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO FCTC) in February 2024 in Panama. As Regional Coordinator for the Americas, Canada (Health Canada) represents the region in discussions with the WHO FCTC Convention Secretariat, facilitates consultations with Parties and acts as a channel for the exchange of information regarding FCTC implementation efforts regionally and globally.

Planned Initiative 5

The Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy incorporates a comprehensive, collaborative, compassionate and evidence-based approach to drug policy with the aim to prevent and minimize substance use harms through initiatives that address substance use prevention, harm reduction and treatment.

Health Canada continues to modernize the policies and operational procedures governing supervised consumption sites and services, to support those most vulnerable and impacted by the overdose crisis, including:

Health Canada continues to support organizations at the community, regional and national levels to improve access to prevention, harm reduction and treatment services, naloxone training and distribution, and the safer supply of prescription opioids.

There will be particular focus on priority populations (e.g., children and youth, men aged 20-60 working in trades, Indigenous Peoples, Black Canadians and other racialized groups, etc.) and applying an equity lens to data and policy.

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

This work contributes to advancing:

Results Achieved 5

Canada is experiencing an unprecedented and unrelenting rate of overdose deaths and harms, largely due to the toxic illegal drug supply that has continued to worsen since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Supervised consumption sites continue to be used across Canada which has shown to help to save lives, connect people to social services and serve as pathways to treatment.

The Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy (CDSS), renewed in Budget 2023, received $358.6M over 5 years (2023-2024 to 2027-28) to focus on a full continuum of evidence-based health services and supports, from prevention to harm reduction to treatment and recovery. The renewed CDSS also continued to support efforts to address illegal production and trafficking, with a focus on organized crime, as well as continued surveillance and research to support innovative solutions to address substance-related harms and deaths. This included the collection, analysis and dissemination of disaggregated data to support equity informed evidence-based decision making.

The renewed CDSS has introduced the principle of equity, alongside compassion, collaboration, and comprehensiveness to help guide federal actions to address the overdose crisis and the complex factors that contribute to substance-related harms, including mental health, housing, economic insecurity, and chronic pain, among others.

In 2023-24, Health Canada continued to support access to evidence-based harm reduction measures to support those most vulnerable and impacted by the overdose crisis, including:

Health Canada continued to support organizations at the community, regional, and national levels through the Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP). In 2023-24, Health Canada invested over $135 million in 254 projects that focused on substance use prevention, harm reduction, and treatment as it relates to opioids, stimulants, cannabis, alcohol, tobacco, and vaping products.

The renewed CDSS also continued to support efforts to address illegal production and trafficking, with a focus on organized crime, as well as continued surveillance and research to support innovative solutions to address substance-related harms and deaths. This included the collection, analysis and dissemination of disaggregated data to support equity informed evidence-based decision making.

The renewed CDSS has introduced the principle of equity, alongside compassion, collaboration, and comprehensiveness to help guide federal actions to address the overdose crisis and the complex factors that contribute to substance-related harms, including mental health, housing, economic insecurity, and chronic pain, among others.

In 2023-24, Health Canada continued to support access to evidence-based harm reduction measures to support those most vulnerable and impacted by the overdose crisis, including:

Health Canada continued to support organizations at the community, regional, and national levels through the Substance Use and Addictions Program (SUAP). In 2023-24, Health Canada invested over $135 million in 254 projects that focused on substance use prevention, harm reduction, and treatment as it relates to opioids, stimulants, cannabis, alcohol, tobacco, and vaping products.

Goal 6: Ensure clean and safe water for all Canadians

FSDS Context:

Approximately 20% of the world's freshwater resources are in Canada, which amounts to 7% of the earth's renewable freshwater, making freshwater one of Canada's most valuable resources. Protecting water resources requires collaboration and partnership with provinces and territories, Indigenous Peoples, municipalities, conservation authorities, and other governments and organizations.

Health Canada supports access to clean drinking water and recreational water through its work with federal, provincial and territorial partners to develop the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality and the Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality. These guidelines determine the maximum acceptable concentrations contaminants in drinking water and action values for recreational water, which are used by all jurisdictions to inform their own regulations and requirements.

Implementation strategies supporting the goal

This section is for implementation strategies that support the goal "Ensure clean and safe water for all Canadians" but not a specific FSDS target

FSDS Implementation Strategy 1

Work with partners on drinking water quality

Departmental Action

Develop and/or update health-based drinking water and recreational water quality guidelines and guidance documents in collaboration with Federal/Provincial/Territorial (FPT) partners.

Program: Water Quality

Performance Indicator: Percentage of planned final water quality guidelines/guidance documents published in Canada Gazette, Part I and online

Starting point: 100% in 2022-23

Target: 100% (annual)

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

This departmental action contributes to FSDS Goal 6 - Ensuring Clean and Safe Water for All Canadians through work with other federal government departments and agencies and provincial and territorial governments to establish the science-based Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality. These guidelines are published in the Canada Gazette, Part I and online and are used by all jurisdictions in Canada as the basis for establishing their drinking water requirements and informing their recreational water requirements.

Information about how this work contributes to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy is outlined below.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result: 100% of planned final water quality guidelines/guidance documents were published in Canada Gazette, Part I and online in 2023-24.

Notes: Four final water quality guidelines/guidance documents were published.

Initiatives advancing Canada's implementation of SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation

The following initiatives demonstrate how Health Canada's programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, supplementing the information outlined above.

Planned Initiative

Health Canada's Water Quality Program develops and updates health-based Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality and Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality in partnership with federal, provincial, and territorial partners for use by all jurisdictions in Canada to inform their own regulations and requirements.

Health Canada participates in the Strategic Water Management on Reserve Committee, which provides a key opportunity for meaningful engagement between the Assembly of First Nations and the federal government. The committee provides a forum for discussion and joint strategic action on safe drinking water and effective wastewater management in First Nations communities south of 60˚.

Health Canada also works with Indigenous Services Canada to engage with First Nations organizations in the prioritization and review processes for drinking water guidelines.

Health Canada's international efforts to support global health initiatives to improve water quality include providing scientific advice and participating in collaborative research through fora such as the WHO Collaborating Centre on Environmental Health, the Pan-American Health Organization, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

This work contributes to advancing:

Results Achieved

In 2023-24, the Water Quality Program continued to develop Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality and Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality in collaboration with federal, provincial, and territorial partners for use by all jurisdictions in Canada to inform their own regulations and requirements. When data are available, the health endpoints used to set these guideline levels are often chosen to protect individuals who may be more sensitive such as infants and pregnant women and pregnant people.

In 2023-24, Health Canada published 8 final or draft drinking water guidelines and guidance documents. The guidelines include health, treatment, and sampling information, and set out the maximum acceptable concentrations for substances in drinking water, such as antimony, iron, microbiological pathogens, and biological hazards, as well as information on microbiological sampling and analysis.

The Water Quality Program is an active participant in the Strategic Water Management on Reserve Committee. This committee brings together the Assembly of First Nations (AFN), Indigenous Services Canada, Health Canada, and Environment and Climate Change Canada to discuss issues that affect water management on reserve. Health Canada led discussions on proposed guidelines for drinking water quality for people living in Canada and provided updates at the AFN Annual Water Symposium, including responding to AFN questions on the proposed PFAS objective and guidelines on iron and operational parameters.

The Water Quality Program continued to support Indigenous Services Canada by providing scientific advice (including drinking water screening values, which establish safe values for substances in drinking water when no guideline is available) to protect the quality of drinking water for First Nations communities and ensuring that its communications on drinking water quality with First Nations reflect the most current HC advice and science.

As a World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Centre, in 2023-24 the Water Quality Program provided scientific expertise and input to WHO work as required. This included, for example:

Goal 10: Support mental health and adopt healthy behaviours

FSDS Context:

The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (the Act) came into force in June 2021 and contains three legal obligations, all to be carried out in consultation and cooperation with Indigenous peoples. One of the three legal obligations is to take "all measures necessary" to ensure consistency of federal laws with the Declaration (section 5). For interim guidance, the Department of Justice provided a guide to support section 5 on how to conduct an analysis of initiatives on the rights and interests of Indigenous Peoples.

As part of the larger UN Declaration Implementation Strategy, Health Canada adapted the Department of Justice Guide to analyze new initiatives, including legislation and regulations. This adapted Guide allows employees to analyze initiatives for consistency with the UN Declaration and determine the depth of "consultation and cooperation" with Indigenous Peoples, and Health Canada tracks initiatives that support implementation of the Act.

In 2022, Health Canada established a new Addressing Racism and Discrimination in Canada's Health System Program to foster health systems free from racism and discrimination. The program provided contribution funding for 27 projects that addressed current and emerging priorities related to addressing systemic racism and discrimination in Canada's health system in a way that was informed by the lived experience of Indigenous, racialized and marginalized communities. This included support for activities such as developing anti-racism and discrimination training, tools and resources for health professionals, and developing standards and guidelines for cultural safety. The program also supported capacity development for Indigenous organizations to engage on their health priorities.

Health Canada recognizes that public servants are in a unique position to help build respectful relationships with Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Departmental employees have access to a suite of courses to increase cultural competency skills and awareness of issues related to First Nations, Inuit and Métis in Canada, and their knowledge of the UN Declaration. As part of Health Canada's commitment to advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples, the Department is preparing to implement an Indigenous Cultural Competency policy for Health Canada employees. This policy will help develop Health Canada employees' Indigenous cultural competency knowledge and skills in order to engage with Indigenous Peoples effectively and meaningfully and create culturally safe policies and programing. Although the Addressing Racism and Discrimination Program comes to a close in 2024, Health Canada remains committed to fostering health systems free from racism and discrimination where Indigenous Peoples are respected and safe and will continue to uphold their mandate of helping everyone in Canada maintain and improve their health.

To ensure an Indigenous lens is brought to Health Canada's programs and policies, the Department is advancing Indigenous recruitment efforts. In a co-development model with Health Canada's Indigenous Employee's Network and working in partnership with the newly appointed Indigenous Career Navigator, the Indigenous Recruitment Team aims to attract Indigenous talent to enable managers to achieve a representative workforce and beyond by providing a pool of Indigenous talent for hiring managers.

FSDS Target theme: Advancing reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and the Métis communities

FSDS 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 1

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

Departmental Action 1

Consult and cooperate with Indigenous Peoples on the development of new/amended legislation and regulations.

Program: Healthy People and Communities

Performance Indicator: Percentage of new/amended legislation and regulations that included consultation and cooperation with Indigenous peoples

Starting Point: New initiative

Target: 90% (annual)

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

This departmental action contributes to FSDS Goal 10 - Advance Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and Take Action on Inequality and the UN Declaration Act target by taking the necessary measures to ensure that the laws of Canada are consistent with UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result: 75% of new/amended legislations including significant consultation and cooperation with Indigenous peoples in 2023-24.

Notes: Three out of four legislative initiatives were included in this round of reporting. As part of Health Canada's Reconciliation Approach and aligned with anticipated guidance on assessing consistency with UNDRIP, work is underway to monitor and track engagement undertaken on various regulatory and legislative initiatives.

Departmental Action 2

Participate in courses offered by the Canada School of Public Service to increase public servants' cultural skills and awareness of issues related to First Nations, Inuit and Métis in Canada, as well as the role and responsibilities of the Government of Canada towards these peoples.

Program: Internal Services

Performance indicator: Percentage of Health Canada employees who have completed the Canada School of Public Service(CSPS) courses in support of reconciliation and cultural competency

Starting point: 40% as of March 31, 2023 (based on CSPS data)

Target: Year over year annual increase

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

This departmental action contributes to FSDS Goal 10 - Advance Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and Take Action on Inequality and the UN Declaration Act target by ensuring public servants within Health Canada learn about Indigenous history, heritage, cultures, and rights as well as how Indigenous perspectives can benefit policy.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result: 52.6% of Health Canada employees have completed the Canada School of Public Service(CSPS) courses in support of reconciliation and cultural competency as of March 31, 2024.

Notes: The results are the average completion rate for the 5 Indigenous series courses.

Goal 11: Support mental health and adopt healthy behaviours

FSDS Context:

Improving air quality is an important part of making cities and communities sustainable. Exposure to air pollutants is particularly felt among visible minority and immigrant populations living in Canada's largest cities. The total economic cost of all health impacts attributed to air pollution is an estimated $129 billion per year from issues such as medical costs and reduced workplace productivity.

Health Canada supports continuous improvement to air quality through the Air Quality Management System, which is the cornerstone of Canada's approach to addressing air pollution. It includes the Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards that set health- and environment-based objectives for outdoor air concentrations of four pollutants: sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, fine particulate matter, and ground level ozone. Outreach activities and health protection tools, such as the Air Quality Health Index, are designed to help Canadians make decisions to protect their health by limiting short-term exposure to air pollution and adjusting activity levels during increased levels of air pollution. Health Canada also works with other federal departments and countries to address air pollution that originates outside Canada's borders. For example, international agreements such as the Canada-United States Air Quality Agreement and the Gothenburg Protocol assist Canada in improving air quality by addressing pollutants from outside its borders that impact Canadian air quality.

FSDS Target theme: Air Quality

FSDS Target: Increase the percentage of the population across Canada living in areas where air pollutant concentrations are less than or equal to the Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards from 60% in 2005 to 85% in 2030 (Minister of Environment and Climate Change; Minister of Health)

FSDS Implementation Strategy 1

Work with partners to address air pollution

Departmental Action

Use scientific evidence on the health impacts of air pollution to inform actions that improve outdoor and indoor air quality.

Program: Air Quality

Performance Indicator 1: Percentage of planned federal air quality health assessments, guidance documents, guidelines and standards published or distributed externally - related to outdoor air and indoor air quality

Starting point: 80% in 2022-23

Target: 85% (annual)

Performance Indicator 2: Percentage of planned Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS) reviewed and updated (i.e., for ozone and PM2.5)

Starting point: 50% in 2022-23

Updates to the CAAQS for ozone were completed in 2019

Target: 100% of planned CAAQS by December 31, 2025

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

This departmental action contributes to FSDS Goal 11 - Improving Access to Affordable Housing, Ensuring Clean Air, Transportation, Parks and Green Spaces as well as Cultural Heritage in Canada and the air quality target by using Health Canada's science and outreach activities to inform actions that improve air quality. For example, the Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS) are outdoor air quality targets based on health and environmental objectives. Their purpose is to drive actions to reduce emissions of harmful air pollutants, such as the implementation of new regulatory requirements, and ultimately improve air quality across Canada. Health Canada works with the provinces, territories, and stakeholders to review and update the CAAQS as needed. Health Canada's work also informs action to improve indoor air quality in residential homes, office buildings and public spaces.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result 1: 100% of planned federal air quality health assessments, guidance documents, guidelines and standards were published or distributed externally - related to outdoor air and indoor air quality in 2023-24.

Notes: Four documents within the scope of this indicator were published or distributed externally.

Indicator result 2: Results will be reported for 2025-26.

Notes: As of March 31, 2024, 50% (1/2) of planned Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS) have been reviewed and updated.

Implementation strategies supporting the goal

This section is for implementation strategies that support the goal "Improve access to affordable housing, clean air, transportation, parks, and green spaces, as well as cultural heritage in Canada" but not a specific FSDS target.

FSDS Implementation Strategy 1

Inform Canadians about air quality

Departmental Action 1

Provide people in Canada with access to information that will enable them to take action to reduce impacts from air pollution.

Program: Air Quality

Performance Indicator 1 : Percentage of planned knowledge transfer activities* completed related to health impacts of air pollution for indoor and outdoor air

*Activities where knowledge is transmitted to users to enable its application. Knowledge transfer activities can be passive such as peer-reviewed publications, poster presentations, conference presentations, and patents, or active such as face-to-face meetings, interactive workshops, and networks.

Starting point: 100% in 2022-23

Target: 100% (annual)

Performance Indicator 2 : Number of people considered sensitive,* reached by AQHI (Air Quality Health Index) risk communications

*"People considered sensitive" are those most at risk from the health effects of air pollution, including people with pre-existing health conditions, children, and the elderly.

Starting point: 1,462,369 in 2022-23

Target: 4,000,000 by March 31, 2026

Performance Indicator 3: Percentage of people considered sensitive, reached by Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) risk communications who change their behaviour on high AQHI days to avoid exposure to outdoor air pollutants

Starting Point: 42% in 2020-21

Target: More than 42% by March 31, 2026

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

This departmental action contributes to FSDS Goal 11- Improving Access to Affordable Housing, Ensuring Clean Air, Transportation, Parks and Green Spaces as well as Cultural Heritage in Canada by using outreach activities to increase knowledge and raise awareness about the health impacts of air pollution, and helps inform actions by provinces, territories, municipalities, and other decision-makers to improve air quality. Work under this departmental action also helps people in Canada make decisions on how to protect their health from outdoor air pollution with information from the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), such as limiting short-term exposure to air pollution and adjusting their activity levels when there are increased levels of air pollution.

The AQHI also supports Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy through its particular focus on people who are considered sensitive to the health impacts of air pollution and provides them with advice on how to protect their health. AQHI information is made available to schools and the general public and includes health protection messages for at-risk individuals.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result 1: 100% of planned knowledge transfer activities were completed related to health impacts of air pollution for indoor and outdoor air in 2023-24.

Notes: Health Canada completed 84 knowledge transfer activities related to the health impacts of air pollution, 20 more than the 64 planned.

Indicator result 2: Results will be reported for 2025-26.

Notes: As of March 31, 2024, 3,586,190 people considered sensitive have been reached by AQHI (Air Quality Health Index) risk communications.

Indicator result 3: Results will be reported for 2025-26.

Notes: The public opinion research that informs this indicator is conducted every five years. New results are expected in 2025-26.

Departmental Action 2

Inform action on indoor radon exposure.

Program: Radiation Protection

Performance Indicator 1 : Percentage of people in Canada surveyed who are knowledgeable about radon

Starting point: 69% in 2022-23 (based on the 2021 Households and the Environment Survey)

Note: Results of the 2023 Households and the Environment Survey will be made available in 2024-25 (reports every two years)

Target: 70% by March 31, 2025

Performance Indicator 2 : Percentage of households in Canada surveyed who have tested their homes for radon.

Starting point: 9% in 2022-23 (based on the 2021 Households and the Environment Survey)

Note: Results of the 2023 Households and the Environment Survey will be made available in 2024-25 (reports every two years).

Target: 10% by March 31, 2026.

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

This departmental action contributes to FSDS Goal 11 - Improving Access to Affordable Housing, Ensuring Clean Air, Transportation, Parks and Green Spaces as well as Cultural Heritage in Canada by raising awareness about the health impacts of radon. Exposure to high levels of radon in indoor air results in an increased risk of developing lung cancer. Health Canada participates in Radon Action Month every November by working with partners to raise awareness and inform people in Canada about actions they can take to reduce their risk from radon exposure.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result 1: Results will be reported for 2024-25.

Notes: The Households and the Environment Survey is conducted every two years. New results are expected in 2024-25.

Indicator result 2: Results will be reported for 2024-25.

Notes: The Households and the Environment Survey is conducted every two years. New results are expected in 2024-25.

FSDS Implementation Strategy 2

Research the impacts of air pollution

Departmental Action

Monitor impact of air pollution on mortality.

Program: Air Quality

Performance Indicator: Number of deaths per year in Canada attributable to air pollution (per 100,000 population)

Starting point: 42 deaths per 100,000 population in 2020-21

Target: Less than an annual 42 deaths per 100,000 population by December 31, 2029

Note: Results available every 3 years. Next reporting periods are 2023-24, 2026-27, and 2029-30

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

This departmental action contributes to FSDS Goal 11 - Improving Access to Affordable Housing, Ensuring Clean Air, Transportation, Parks and Green Spaces as well as Cultural Heritage in Canada by helping to improve the understanding of the impacts of air pollution on human health. By disaggregating the data to better understand, for example, how age and location can impact mortality and illness resulting from air pollution, Health Canada supports Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy so that informed actions can be taken to protect human health.

Information about how this work contributes to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy is outlined below.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result: Results will be reported for 2029-30.

Notes: The interim result for 2023-24 showed that 47 deaths per 100,000 population in Canada were attributable to air pollution.

Initiatives advancing Canada's implementation of SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities

The following initiatives demonstrate how Health Canada's programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, supplementing the information outlined above.

Planned Initiative

Health Canada's Air Quality Program supports actions to improve air quality and health for all Canadians by conducting research on the exposure of Canadians to air pollution and on the health impacts of air pollution, assessing the health risks from air pollutants and pollutant sources, and analyzing the health benefits of actions to improve air quality. This work enables the Program to contribute to updates to the Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards, which drive the continuous improvement of air quality across the country.

Health Canada conducts targeted research to better understand and address the needs of individuals disproportionately affected by air pollution and strives to identify and assess the health risks through its science, research, and assessment work.

Health Canada is working in collaboration with Environment and Climate Change Canada to identify priority areas for Indigenous communities with regard to air quality, including potential involvement in air quality monitoring and management based on recent research studies and consultation. This includes a project to support community-level adoption of effective interventions to mitigate health impacts of smoke from wildfires and wood heating that includes Indigenous, rural, and remote communities.

Health Canada's international efforts to support global health initiatives to improve air quality include:

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

This work contributes to advancing:

Results Achieved

In 2023-24, the Air Quality Program continued to support actions to improve air quality and health for all people in Canada by conducting research on exposure to air pollution and on the health impacts of air pollution; assessing health risks from air pollutants and pollutant sources; and analyzing health benefits from actions to improve air quality. This work enables the Program to also contribute to the updates to the Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards, which drive the continuous improvement of air quality across the country. For example:

The Air Quality Program contributed broadly to targeted population-based air pollution research in 2023-2024 to help identify populations who may be disproportionately impacted by air pollution. For example:

To support global health initiatives, the Air Quality Program provided scientific expertise by:

Goal 12: Support mental health and adopt healthy behaviours

FSDS Context:

By transitioning to a cleaner and more circular economy that prioritizes reducing consumption and waste, negative impacts on the environment can be reduced. For example, plastic waste and pollution is a significant issue in Canada. Over 3 million tonnes of plastic was discarded as waste in Canada in 2016. Nearly 90% is neither recycled nor recovered, representing an economic loss of $7.8 billion. The Canada-wide Strategy and Action Plans on Zero Plastic Waste aim to reduce plastic waste and pollution and recover the value of plastics, to advance a circular economy for plastics.

Health Canada supports these efforts through work with federal partners to address plastic waste and pollution, by assessing the impacts of plastic pollution on human health, and by developing risk management tools to address plastic waste and pollution at different stages of the lifecycle of plastic manufactured items (e.g., manufacture, import, sale, use and disposal). Within its own operations, Health Canada prohibits the use of single-use plastics at meetings and events, and the Department has developed an internal Policy on the Prohibition and Diversion of Single-use Plastic, which aligns with the objective of the comprehensive Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations that were released in December 2022. The Department has also implemented a recycling program for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) at one of its Public Service Occupational Health Program clinics. The used PPE is sterilized, broken down into pellets and given a second life.

Health Canada's work on the Chemicals Management Plan, the Northern Contaminants Program, the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan, and the re-evaluation of pesticides against current health and environmental standards supports the management of waste, resources, and chemicals.

In addition, Health Canada recognizes the need to incorporate the principles of the circular economy in departmental operations by considering the full life cycle of our procurement decisions, identifying opportunities to right-size the departmental fleet and support the transition to zero-emission vehicles, and the importance of tracking, monitoring and reporting publicly on waste diversion, electricity consumption, and water use in order to identify opportunities to minimize the environmental impact of our operations. These are key elements of the Government of Canada's Greening Government Strategy, which is driving the transition to government operations that are net-zero, resilient and green.

FSDS Target theme: Federal Leadership on Responsible Consumption

FSDS Target: By 2030, the Government of Canada will divert from landfill at least 75% by weight of non-hazardous operational waste (All Ministers)

FSDS Implementation Strategy 1

Maximize diversion of waste from landfill

Departmental Action

Assess the waste stream to inform future decisions and options to divert operational waste from landfills.

Program: Internal Services

Performance Indicator: Percentage of Health Canada custodial facilities with updated waste audits completed

Starting Point: As of 2021-22, waste audits had been completed for all custodial facilities but are required to be updated at least every five years.

Target: 100% (n=6) by March 31, 2026

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

This departmental action contributes to FSDS Goal 12- Reduce Waste and Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles and the waste diversion targets by ensuring the Department has well established baseline information related to the composition of various waste streams. The information gained from the quantification and characterization of operational waste can then be used to identify and prioritize options to further reduce and divert waste.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result: 100% of Health Canada custodial facilities (6) have updated waste audits completed.

Notes: One audit was completed in 2021 and five were completed in 2023-24.

FSDS Target: By 2030, the Government of Canada will divert from landfill at least 90% by weight of all construction and demolition waste (All Ministers)

FSDS Implementation Strategy 1

Maximize diversion of waste from landfill

Departmental Action 1

Track and disclose waste diversion rates annually.

Program: Internal Services

Performance Indicator 1 : Percentage of construction and demolition waste diversion rates that are reported publicly*

* When projects meet the minimum threshold of $5M and in areas where diversion facilities exist.

Starting Point: No projects met the minimum threshold in 2022-23

Target: 100% (annual)

Performance Indicator 2 : Percentage of non-hazardous operational waste diversion rates for Health Canada's custodial buildings** that are reported publicly

* Diversion percentages will be based on industry average weight by waste stream multiplied by number of bins collected at each site.

**Applies to facilities over 10,000m2 within a municipality with a population of over 100,000 people.

Starting Point: Public reporting initiated in 2022-23 (52% diversion rate)

Target: 100% (annual)

Performance Indicator 3: Percentage of plastic waste diverted* from Health Canada's custodial buildings** is reported publicly

* Pending clarification regarding the industry standard for co-mingled waste streams at the point of collection.

** Applies to facilities over 10,000m2 within a municipality with a population of over 100,000 people.

Starting Point: New initiative

Target: 100% (reporting based on completion of waste audits)

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

This departmental action contributes to FSDS Goal 12 - Reduce Waste and Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles and the waste diversion targets by ensuring the Department has well established baseline information related to the composition of various waste streams. The information can then be used to identify and prioritize options to further reduce and divert waste, which in turn reduces emissions from landfill and transport hauling emissions, as well as emissions generated from the extraction and production of virgin materials.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result 1: 100% of construction and demolition waste diversion rates were reported publicly in 2023-24.

Notes: One project met the criteria in 2023-24 with 97% of construction and demolition waste diverted from landfill.

Indicator result 2: 100% of non-hazardous operational waste diversion rates for Health Canada custodial buildings (6) were reported publicly in 2023-24.

Notes: The waste diversion rate for Health Canada custodial buildings was 57% in 2023-24.

Indicator result 3: 100% of plastic waste diverted from Health Canada custodial buildings (6) was reported publicly in 2023-24.

Notes: Health Canada diverted 81% of the total plastic waste disposed of onsite from the landfill, totalling 2,989 kg in 2023-24.

Departmental Action 2

Implement initiatives to increase waste diversion from Health Canada's operations.

Program: Internal Services

Performance Indicator 1: Percentage of Health Canada custodial buildings with a mask recycling program

Starting Point: New initiative

Target: 100% (n=6) by March 31, 2024

Performance Indicator 2 : Number of compositing pilot programs implemented

Starting Point: New initiative

Target: 1 by March 31, 2024

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

This departmental action contributes to FSDS Goal 12 - Reduce Waste and Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles and the waste diversion targets by ensuring the Department has well established baseline information related to the composition of various waste streams. The information can then be used to identify and prioritize options to further reduce and divert waste, which in turn reduces emissions from landfill and transport hauling emissions, as well as emissions generated from the extraction and production of virgin materials.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result 1: 100% of Health Canada custodial buildings (6) have a mask recycling program in 2023-24.

Indicator result 2: Implemented a waste paper towel composting pilot program at one of Health Canada's custodial buildings in 2023-24.

FSDS 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)

FSDS Implementation Strategy 1

Transform the federal light-duty fleet

Departmental Action 1

Increase the percentage of departmental fleet that are zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) or hybrid, whenever operationally feasible.

Program: Internal Services

Performance Indicator 1: Percentage of new executive vehicle purchases that are ZEVs or hybrids. Priority is to be given to ZEV.

Starting Point: In 2022-23, no executive vehicles were purchased, and Health Canada had three executive vehicles, one of which was ZEV or hybrid.

Target: 100% (annual)

Performance Indicator 2 : Percentage of new light-duty vehicle purchases that are ZEVs or hybrid

Starting Point: 100% (8/8) in 2022-23 and the total number of vehicles in the administrative fleet was 156.

Target: 75% (annual)

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

This departmental action contributes to FSDS Goal 12 - Reduce Waste and Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles and the net-zero procurement target by using the Department's purchasing power to continue to support Canada's transition to zero-emission vehicles and further reducing transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result 1: No new executive vehicles were purchased in 2023-24.

Notes: In 2023-24, Health Canada's fleet included three executive vehicles, one of which is ZEV.

Indicator result 2: 100% of vehicles purchased were hybrid or ZEV in 2023-24.

Notes: Health Canada purchased ZEV or hybrid vehicles where green options were available.

Departmental Action 2

Assess opportunities for fleet and vehicle right-sizing.

Program: Internal Services

Performance Indicator 1: Percentage of compatible and/or applicable vehicles logged via telematics data

Starting Point: 100% in 2022-23

Target: 100% (annual)

Performance Indicator 2: Develop and maintain a Strategic Fleet Greening Plan to 2030

Starting Point: New initiative

Target: March 31, 2024

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

This departmental action contributes to FSDS Goal 12 - Reduce Waste and Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles and the net-zero procurement target by ensuring that Health Canada continues to identify opportunities to right-size the departmental fleet and invest in infrastructure to support the transition to zero-emission vehicles. For example, the analysis of telematics data helps to inform decisions and planning related to fleet purchases, which facilitates replacement of conventional vehicles over their lifetimes with ZEVs and hybrids.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result 1: 100% of compatible and applicable vehicles logged via telematics data in 2023-24.

Indicator result 2: Finalized Health Canada's Strategic Fleet Greening Plan in 2023-24.

FSDS Implementation Strategy 2

Strengthen green procurement criteria

Departmental Action 1

Promote environmental sustainability by integrating environmental performance considerations into departmental procurement processes, including planning, acquisition, use and disposal, and ensuring there is the necessary training and awareness to support green procurement.

Program: Internal Services

Performance Indicator: Percentage of procurement related documents, guides, and tools posted on Health Canada's Materiel and Assets Management intranet site reviewed and updated to reflect green procurement objectives, where applicable

Starting point: 100% in 2022-23

Target: 100% (annual)

Departmental Action 2

Ensure material management and specialists in procurement have the necessary training and awareness to support green procurement.

Program: Internal Services

Performance Indicator: Percentage of specialists in procurement and materiel management who have completed training on green procurement or have included it in their learning plan for completion within a year

Starting point: 100% in 2022-23

Target: 100% (annual)

Departmental Action 3

Ensure that the process for procurements over $25 million, including taxes, induces suppliers to measure and disclose their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and adopt a science-based target to reduce GHG emissions in line with the Paris Agreement as part of participating in the Net-Zero Challenge or in an equivalent initiative or standard.

Program: Internal Services

Performance Indicator: Percentage of procurements over $25 million that included an incentive for suppliers to disclose their GHG emissions and adopt a science-based target to reduce emissions

Starting Point: New initiative*

*The Standard on the Disclosure of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Setting of Reduction Targets took effect on April 1, 2023.

Target: 100% (annual)

Note: Public Services and Procurement Canada's contracting authority and Health Canada's technical authority play lead roles in achieving this target.

Departmental Action 4

Identify the main categories of goods and services purchased by Health Canada

Program: Internal Services

Performance Indicator: Complete an identification of Health Canada's procurement spending to identify the main categories where 'greening' opportunities could be applied

Starting Point: New initiative

Target: March 31, 2024

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

These departmental actions contribute to FSDS Goal 12 - Reduce Waste and Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles, and the net-zero procurement target by incorporating environmental considerations into purchasing decisions, which can motivate suppliers to reduce the environmental impact of the goods and services they deliver, and their supply chains.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Departmental Action 1

Indicator result: 100% of procurement related documents, guides and tools posted on Health Canada's Procurement, Materiel and Assets Management Division intranet were reviewed in 2023-24.

Notes: New content published on the intranet reflected green procurement objectives and considerations related to the GoC's Greening Government Strategy.

Departmental Action 2

Indicator result: 100% of specialists in procurement and materiel management completed the Canada School of Public Service's green procurement course in 2023-24 or have included it in their learning plan for completion within a year.

Notes: A total of 44 specialists in procurement and materiel management completed the course.

Departmental Action 3

Indicator result: 100% of procurements over $25 million included an incentive for suppliers to disclose their GHG emissions and adopt a science-based target to reduce emissions in 2023-24.

Notes: There was one procurement contract over $25 million.

Departmental Action 4

Indicator result: Completed an assessment of Health Canada's procurement spending in 2023-24 to identify the main categories where 'greening' opportunities could be applied.

Notes: Based on the analysis, greening opportunities could exist in the category of "Acquisition of Over $10K Measuring, Controlling, Laboratory and Medical Optical Instruments".

Implementation strategies supporting the goal

This section is for implementation strategies that support the goal "Reduce waste and transition to zero-emission vehicles" but not a specific FSDS target.

FSDS Implementation Strategy 1

Assess and manage risks from chemicals and harmful substances

Departmental Action 1

Assess and manage, where appropriate, the potential health risks associated with chemical substances.

Program: Health Impacts of Chemicals

Performance Indicator 1: Percentage of existing chemicals addressed within targeted timelines

Starting point: 100% in 2022-23

Target: 100% (annual)

Performance Indicator 2 : Percentage of new substances (chemicals, polymers and animate products of biotechnology) assessed within prescribed timelines

Starting point: 100% in 2022-23

Target: 100% (annual)

Performance Indicator 3: Percentage of actions taken in a timely manner to protect the health of Canadians from substances found to be a risk to human health

Starting point: 95% in 2022-23

Target: 100% (annual)

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

This departmental action contributes to FSDS Goal 12 - Reduce Waste and Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles by reducing the risks posed by chemicals to people in Canada and their environment. Through the Chemicals Management Plan, Health Canada assesses substances for potential health and environmental impacts and develops risk management actions, such as new regulatory requirements, to mitigate the risks of harmful substances.

Information about how this work contributes to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy is outlined below.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result 1: 100% of existing chemicals planned for assessment were addressed within targeted timelines in 2023-24.

Notes: Health Canada completed 161 draft assessments/final assessments.

Indicator result 2: 100% of new substances were assessed within prescribed timelines in 2023-24.

Notes: Health Canada completed 290 risk assessments for new substances.

Indicator result 3: 95% of risk management actions to protect the health of Canadians from substances found to be a risk to human health were completed within prescribed timelines in 2023-24.

Notes: Health Canada completed 19 out of 20 risk management actions in 2023-24, with one risk management action delayed.

Departmental Action 2

Provide funding for research studies to monitor contaminant levels in wildlife and people in the Canadian North.

Program: Health Impacts of Chemicals

Performance Indicator: Provide funding for research studies under the Northern Contaminants Program (NCP)

Starting Point: 100% in 2022-23 (six research studies)

Target: 100% of funding allocated by the end of the fiscal year (annual)

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

This departmental action supports FSDS Goal 12 - Reduce Waste and Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles through the Northern Contaminant Program (NCP), which provides funding for research and biomonitoring studies to address contaminants of concern in Canada's North and inform national and international chemicals risk management.

The research findings provide data to inform risk assessment and risk management of substances and are also used to influence the development and implementation of international agreements to reduce and/or eliminate the production, use and release of contaminating substances into the environment. This funding is provided through a competitive process to individual researchers. Ultimately the program objective is to reduce and, where possible, eliminate contaminants from the Arctic environment.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result: 100% of funding was provided for research studies under the Northern Contaminants Program (NCP).

Notes: Funding was provided for seven research studies that monitor contaminant levels in wildlife and people in the Canadian North as part of the Northern Contaminants Program. These projects address exposure to contaminants, including through consumption of country foods and links to nutritional status in multiple Northern regions (Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavik), as well as the development and evaluation of health communication tools.

Departmental Action 3

Conduct research, monitoring and surveillance (including biomonitoring) in order to better understand and manage the health risks of harmful substances.

Program: Health Impacts of Chemicals

Performance Indicator 1: Percentage of planned knowledge transfer activities * completed related to research on chemicals of concern

*Activities where knowledge is transmitted to users to enable its application. Knowledge transfer activities can be passive such as peer-reviewed publications, poster presentations, conference presentations, and patents, or active such as face-to-face meetings, interactive workshops, and networks. 

Starting point: 100% in 2022-23

Target: 100% (annual)

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

This departmental action contributes to FSDS Goal 12 - Reduce Waste and Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles by informing decision making on chemicals of concern. Health Canada's research, monitoring, and surveillance related to harmful substances helps inform decisions by providing information to stakeholders (e.g., policy analysts, regulators, decision makers, international partners, and the public). For example, it provides new data for scientists and health and environment officials to use in assessing exposure to environmental chemicals and in developing and assessing policies aimed at reducing exposure to toxic chemicals.

Information about how this work contributes to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy is outlined below.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator Result: 100% of planned knowledge transfer activities were completed related to research on chemicals of concern in 2023-24.

Notes: Health Canada completed 69 knowledge transfer activities related to research on chemicals of concern, four more than the 65 planned.

FSDS Implementation Strategy 2

Continue review of pesticides

Departmental Action

Manage potential health risks associated with pesticides and assess the extent to which regulatory decisions and actions are keeping the risks posed by pesticides within acceptable limits.

Program: Pesticides

Performance Indicator 1: Percentage of pesticide re-evaluations that are completed within specified timelines.

Starting Point: 76% in 2022-23

Target: 80% (annual)

Performance Indicator 2: Percentage of pesticide special reviews that are completed within specified timelines

Starting Point: 0% in 2022-23

Target: 80% (annual)

Performance Indicator 3: Percentage of post-market decisions implemented within specified timelines to protect the health of Canadians from pesticides found to be a risk to human health and the environment

Starting Point: 83% in 2022-23

Target: 100% (annual)

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

This departmental action contributes FSDS Goal 12 - Reduce Waste and Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles by helping to ensure that pesticides continue to be re-evaluated against current health and environmental standards and assessed in a timely manner.

Once a pesticide has been registered, it becomes subject to a system of post-market risk management controls under the Pest Control Products Act. This includes re-evaluations and special reviews, compliance and enforcement activities, and reporting of health and environmental incidents.

Post-market re-evaluations are a key legislative tool in protecting Canadians and the environment from risks associated with pesticides. Under the re-evaluation program, new methodologies, data, and scientific approaches are incorporated into the assessments to ensure that registered pesticides continue to meet modern standards for health and environmental protection and have value.

When certain legislated criteria are met, a special review may be conducted to determine continued acceptability of implicated pesticides. When a pesticide is found to have unacceptable risk, Health Canada is responsible for taking action to protect human health and the environment through post-market regulatory decisions (e.g., cancellation of products, label changes, and voluntary withdrawals). Post-market review decisions are then published on the Health Canada website.

Information about how this work contributes to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy is outlined below.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result 1: 76% of pesticide re-evaluations were completed within specified timelines in 2023-24.

Notes: The target was missed due to 4 (out of 17) re-evaluations that were complex in nature, leading to delays in their completion. Health Canada continues to develop strategies to improve post market review capacity and efficiency.

Indicator result 2: 50% of pesticide special reviews were completed within specified timelines in 2023-24.

Notes: One of two special reviews experienced a delay in publication. Health Canada continues to develop strategies to improve post market review capacity and efficiency.

Indicator result 3: 100% of post-market decisions were implemented within specified timelines to protect the health of Canadians from pesticides found to be a risk to human health and the environment in 2023-24.

FSDS Implementation Strategy 3

Remediate high-priority contaminated sites

Departmental Action

Provide human health advice to other federal departments that are responsible for assessing and remediating contaminated sites.

Program: Health Impacts of Chemicals

Performance Indicator: Percentage of times the review of site-specific scientific and technical documents within the document-specific agreed-upon time frame is met

Starting point: 94% in 2022-23

Target: 90% (annual)

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

This departmental action contributes to FSDS Goal 12 -Reduce Waste and Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles through the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP), which carries out activities to reduce the amount of waste generated during the clean up of contaminated sites. Health Canada serves as an Expert Support Department by providing guidance, guideline development, training, and advice related to human health risks from exposure to various contaminants on federal contaminated sites, in the air, water, soil, sediment, dust and country foods. This includes the review of site classifications, which are used to prioritize risk management and remediation activities, and other site-specific scientific and technical reports as they relate to human health. By providing guidance and advice, Health Canada supports the remediation of contaminated sites.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result: 98% of reviews of site-specific scientific and technical documents were delivered within the agreed-upon time frame in 2023-24.

Notes: Health Canada delivered timely reviews on 49 out of 50 documents.

FSDS Implementation Strategy 4

Research innovative solutions for plastics

Departmental Action 1

Conduct and fund research on potential impacts of microplastics on human health.

Program: Health Impacts of Chemicals

Performance Indicator 1: Percentage of implicated federal decision-makers who indicate that they have more information available for consideration in evidence-based decision making related to impacts to human health or the environment from plastic pollution including microplastics (intramural research)

Starting point: New initiative

Target: 70% by March 31, 2027

Performance Indicator 2: Percentage of implicated federal decision-makers who indicate that they have more information available for consideration in evidence-based decision making related to impacts to human health or the environment from plastic pollution including microplastics (contribution program research)

Starting point: New initiative

Target: 70% by March 31, 2027

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

This departmental action supports the FSDS Goal of Reduce Waste and Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles by helping to inform decisions and by providing information to stakeholders (e.g., policy analysts, regulators, decision makers, international partners, and the public) about the potential harms and impacts of microplastics on the health of people living in Canada. For example, it provides new data for scientists and health officials to use in assessing potential impacts of microplastics on human health.

Information about how this work contributes to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy is outlined below.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result 1: Results will be reported for 2026-27.

Indicator result 2: Results will be reported for 2026-27.

Departmental Action 2

Identify priorities for existing chemicals additives in plastics to inform risk management measures as needed.

Program: Health Impacts of Chemicals

Performance Indicator: Percentage of identified priorities for which a plan of action has been approved.

Starting point: New initiative

Target: 100% by March 31, 2025

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

This departmental action contributes to FSDS Goal 12 - Reduce Waste and Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles by identifying chemical additives in plastics that could be harmful to human health, and prioritizing action on those substances that are found to be harmful. When chemicals additives in plastics are prioritised and addressed in a timely way, the results can be used by the Government and stakeholders to inform risk management measures as needed.

Information about how this work contributes to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy is outlined below.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result: Results will be reported for 2024-25.

Initiatives advancing Canada's implementation of SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production

The following initiatives demonstrate how Health Canada's programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, supplementing the information outlined above.

Planned Initiative 1

The Government of Canada's Chemicals Management Plan (CMP) aims to protect human health and the environment by reducing risks related to chemical substances in air, water, soil, and consumer and industrial products and processes. Key activities include risk assessment, risk management, compliance promotion and enforcement, research, monitoring and surveillance, and collaboration, outreach, and engagement.

Health Canada continues to conduct research to better understand the effects of microplastics on human health and to support the Government of Canada's agenda for reducing plastic waste.

Health Canada will also continue to learn more about early life exposures to environmental chemicals in Canadians. For the first time, the Canadian Health Measures Survey will collect data on exposures in children aged one to two years, providing key information to support future health protection efforts.

Work is also underway in CMP risk assessment and risk management activities to enhance consideration of disproportionately impacted populations who, due to greater susceptibility or greater exposure, may be more vulnerable to experiencing adverse health effects from exposure to chemical substances. New guidance will be developed for risk assessors, as well as improved communication tools to better communicate work in this area to Canadians.

Under the CMP, the Government has committed to advancing enhanced and meaningful engagement with Indigenous partners, including:

Health Canada continues to advance the engagement of the Canadian health sector in developing a global framework on the sound management of chemicals through participation in:

Health Canada also provides technical and policy expertise to strengthen international and intersectoral collaboration on environmental determinants of health, including chemicals, air, water, and climate change, by:

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

This work contributes to advancing:

Results Achieved 1

In 2023-24, Health Canada continued efforts under the Chemicals Management Plan to protect human health and the environment by reducing risks related to chemicals and substances in air, water, soil, and consumer and industrial products and processes. Key activities included chemicals risk assessment; chemicals risk management, compliance promotion and enforcement; research, monitoring and surveillance; and collaboration, outreach and engagement. For example:

Health Canada provided dedicated contribution funding in 2023-2024 to one regional Indigenous organization. This funding allowed the organization to better understand chemicals health risks within the Inuvialuit communities incorporating traditional knowledge and western science into the design and execution of the project.

Health Canada continued to support international engagement on chemicals, including advancing the engagement of the health sector in the global chemicals management initiatives through:

Health Canada also provided technical and policy expertise to strengthen international and intersectoral collaboration on environmental determinants of health (including chemicals, air, water, and climate change) by:

Planned Initiative 2

In support of both Chemicals Management Plan and its 2021 pesticide regulation commitments, Health Canada's Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA) Transformation Agenda has launched a water sampling program to inform the development of a national water monitoring program for pesticides. This program will collect surface water and groundwater samples supported by a network of sampling partners across Canada.

Additionally, a framework is being developed to collect, monitor, analyze and publicly report on pesticide use information in Canada. Data from these initiatives will help to better inform pesticide risk assessment and risk management decisions and contribute to strengthening protection of human health and the environment from risks posed by pesticides. Health Canada is integrating the application of an equity lens to pesticide data and policy to address disproportionately impacted populations such as children and youth, Indigenous Peoples, and migrant workers.

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

This work contributes to advancing:

Results Achieved 2:

PMRA worked with Federal, Provincial, Indigenous, and local partners over the course of 2 years to conduct a pilot water monitoring program for pesticides. Surface water samples were taken twice per week, when feasible, during the growing season at selected sites in Canada, with sampling occurring year round at some locations. Groundwater samples were collected from public wells in two provinces at a lower sampling frequency. All samples were analyzed with a multi-residue method for approximately 190 pesticides.

The data generated through this program will provide indicators on types and levels of pesticides in water sources across Canada that could, for instance, identify disproportionately affected regions or groups. Data is publicly available, and can be accessed through the:

A draft Framework for Pesticide Water Monitoring Programs in Canada was published for consultation in March 2024.

PMRA is continuing development of a pesticide use information framework under the Pesticide Use Information Program. Over the past year, PMRA has been consulting partners and stakeholders as well as holding several technical working group meetings to inform development. PMRA also gathered general pesticide use information for apples for consideration in pesticide reviews and piloted a custom study on select fruit and ornamental crops to gather product specific information. The lessons learned from the pilot study will inform the development of the pesticide use information framework. Feedback from technical working groups is now available through a "What we Heard Report".

Goal 13: Take Action on Climate Change and its Impacts

FSDS Context:

The World Health Organization identified climate change as the greatest threat to global health in the 21st century. Older adults, Indigenous populations, those living with pre-existing physical and mental health conditions, people facing financial hardship and members of equity seeking groups are among those most at-risk. Climate change impacts the health of individuals, and also threatens the capacity of the health systems they rely on to provide care when it is needed, due to extreme events, such as extreme heat, floods, and wildfires.

Canada's first National Adaptation Strategy (NAS) provides a vision to lead Canada into a more climate resilient future by working with provinces, territories, municipalities, business, Indigenous partners, and all residents of Canada to implement adaptation measures in the coming years. Health Canada commits its efforts through the NAS to contribute to this goal by increasing knowledge, capacity and tools, which helps decision-makers, such as health regions, develop and implement evidence-based adaptation measures to protect human health and health systems from climate impacts such as extreme heat. New investments announced under the Health and Well-being pillar of the Strategy include $29.9 million over five years to expand activities to protect the health of people in Canada from extreme heat and $13 million over five years to support partners across Canada in building climate resilient and low-carbon health systems. These new investments will enable Health Canada to take further action in protecting the health system and the health of people in Canada from the impacts of climate change.

Health Canada also has a role in translating and disseminating new science findings about climate change impacts on health, the most vulnerable in society, and needed health interventions so that health sector decision-makers and practitioners can take actions to prepare for future impacts and move towards low-carbon health systems. For example, the Global Consortium for Climate and Health Education, Health Canada, the Pan American Health Organization and the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research co-organized a Pan American Climate Resilient Health Systems course which was offered in 2023. The Department in collaboration with the British Columbia (B.C.) Ministry of Health's Climate Resilience Unit hosted the Climate Change and Health Adaptation Learning Exchange, a two-day training workshop on health sector climate adaptation and resilience in B.C. in June 2023, which provided information about climate change impacts on health, and building climate resilient health systems.

Within its own operations, Health Canada is committed to minimizing disruptions and damage to its assets, services, and operations related to the impacts of climate change. The Department has completed a comprehensive assessment to identify risks and is taking action to reduce these risks through the development of an Adaptation Plan. Health Canada is also taking steps to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from facilities and fleet by measuring, tracking and reporting on emissions, and improving the environmental performance of custodial buildings. These are key elements of the Government of Canada's Greening Government Strategy, which is driving the transition to government operations that are net-zero, resilient and green.

FSDS Target theme: Federal Leadership on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions and Climate Resilience

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

FSDS Implementation Strategy 1

Modernize through net-zero carbon buildings

Program: Internal Services

Performance Indicator: Percentage of major* construction projects for which the amount of embodied carbon in the structural materials was disclosed

* Projects in which changes proposed to the building envelope and HVAC systems or the proposed value of work is more than 50% of the assessed value of the building

Starting Point: No projects met the minimum threshold in 2022-23

Target: 100% (annual)

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

This departmental action contributes to FSDS Goal 13 - Take Action on Climate Change and Its Impacts and the net-zero carbon operations target by taking steps to disclose and reduce the embodied carbon for major construction projects. This means the CO2 or GHG emissions associated with extraction, manufacturing, transporting, installing, maintaining, and disposing of construction materials and products, which helps to expand the market for alternative/greener methods and encourages industry to adopt low carbon extraction, production and disposal practices.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result: No real property projects were undertaken that required the consideration of embodied carbon in the building materials in 2023-24.

FSDS Implementation Strategy 2

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

Departmental Action

Manage departmental operations to minimize GHG emissions and improve environmental performance of custodial facilities.

Program: Internal Services

Performance Indicator 1: Percentage of clean electricity used by producing or purchasing renewable electricity

Starting Point: New initiative

Target: 100% by March 31, 2025

Performance Indicator 2: Percentage change in GHG emissions from facilities from fiscal year 2005-06

Starting Point: GHG emissions from facilities in fiscal year 2005-06 = 20.8ktCO2e (8.01 ktCO2e in 2022-23)

Target: 40% below 2005 levels by 2025 (includes fleet and facilities)

Performance Indicator 3: Percentage change in GHG emissions from fleet from fiscal year 2005-06

Starting Point: GHG emissions from fleet in fiscal year 2005–06 = 1.6 ktCO2e (255 tCO2e in 2022-23)

Target: 40% below 2005 levels by 2025 (includes fleet and facilities)

Performance Indicator 4: Percentage of potable water consumption at custodial buildings that is tracked and disclosed

Starting Point: 100% in 2022-23 (66,682 m3 in 2022-23)

Target: 100% (annual)

Performance Indicator 5: Percentage of custodial buildings where energy use is metered

Starting Point: 100% in 2022-23 (62,073,663 kwh in 2022-23)

Target: 100% (annual)

Performance Indicator 6: Completion of the Halocarbon Containing Equipment Inventory to inform and prioritize next steps related to the conversion or replacement of Halocarbon Containing Equipment in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems

Starting Point: New initiative

Target: March 31, 2024

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

This departmental action contributes FSDS Goal 13 - Take Action on Climate Change and the net-zero carbon operations target by reducing the demand for energy or supporting the switch to lower carbon sources of energy to reduce GHG emissions. These contributions are made by establishing processes to track and publicly report on GHG emissions from Health Canada-owned facilities; facilitating planning to ensure that environmental performance can be reported; and increasing awareness about opportunities to improve the energy efficiency and environmental performance of custodial buildings.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result 1: Results available for 2024-25.

Indicator result 2: 57.4% reduction in GHG emissions from facilities (6) from the 2005-06 baseline.

Total emissions from facilities: 7.49ktCO2e

Indicator result 3: 85.31% reduction in GHG reduction from fleet from the 2005-06 baseline.

Total emissions from fleet: 0.23ktCO2e

Indicator result 4: 100% Health Canada custodial buildings (6) have building-level water meters in 2023-24, that allow the department to report total potable water use annually.

Notes: Health Canada's potable water consumption was 35,232.6 m3 in 2023-24.

Indicator result 5: 100% of Health Canada's custodial buildings (6) have metered energy use in 2023-24.

Notes: In 2023-24, Health Canada used 4,174,291 kwh of energy.

Indicator result 6: Halocarbon Containing Equipment Inventory was completed at all six custodial buildings in 2023-24.

Notes: Health Canada will review the results and recommendations of the Halocarbon Containing Equipment Inventory to identify opportunities for the conversion or replacement of Halocarbon Containing Equipment in heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.

FSDS Implementation Strategy 3

Apply a greenhouse gas reduction life-cycle cost analysis for major building retrofits

Departmental Action

Identify opportunities to improve the environmental performance, including energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions, of Health Canada's custodial buildings.

Program: Internal Services

Performance Indicator: Percentage of major building retrofits* that use RETScreen energy performance improvement technology and greenhouse gas reduction technology to inform decisions about opportunities to improve environmental performance

* Projects in which changes proposed to the building envelope and HVAC systems or the proposed value of work is more than 50% of the assessed value of the building.

Starting Point: 100% in 2022-23

Target: 100% (annual)

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

This departmental action contributes to FSDS Goal 13 - Take Action on Climate Change and Its Impacts and the net-zero carbon operations target by taking steps to measure, track and report on energy efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions. These efforts help Health Canada reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the environmental performance of custodial buildings.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result: 100% of major building fit-ups, refits, major investments or new construction projects used RETScreen to inform decisions related to energy efficiency in 2023-24.

Notes: In 2023-24, there were three projects that were in scope that used RETScreen energy performance improvement technology and greenhouse gas reduction technology to inform decisions about opportunities to improve environmental performance.

FSDS Target: The Government of Canada will transition to climate resilient operations by 2050 (All Ministers)

FSDS Implementation Strategy 1

Reduce risks posed by climate change to federal assets, services and operations

Departmental Action

Take steps to understand, assess, communicate and adapt to risks from climate change to the department's assets, services and operations.

Program: Internal Services

Performance Indicator: Completion of Health Canada's Climate Change Adaptation Plan to address risks to assets, services and operations

Starting point: Health Canada's Climate Change Risk Assessment was completed in 2022-23.

Target: March 31, 2024

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

This departmental action contributes to FSDS Goal 13 - Take Action on Climate Change and the climate resilient operations target by supporting the department's ability to adapt to change climate and factoring climate variability and change into policies, programs, plans and operations. This departmental action also recognizes the importance of communicating risks and adaptation measures to departmental employees and reporting on progress to senior management to support effective implementation of actions to improve the climate resiliency of departmental assets, operations and services.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result: Health Canada's Climate Change Adaptation Plan was completed in 2023-24.

Implementation strategies supporting the goal

This section is for implementation strategies that support the goal "Take action on climate change and its impacts" but not a specific FSDS target.

FSDS Implementation Strategy 1

Collaborate on emergency management and disaster risk reduction

Departmental Action

Collaborate with other federal partners and provincial authorities to strengthen nuclear emergency preparedness and response.

Program: Radiation Protection

Performance Indicator: Percentage of planned nuclear emergency preparedness drills and exercises completed

Starting point: 100% in 2022-23

Target: 100% (annual)

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

This departmental action contributes to FSDS Goal 13 - Take Action on Climate Change and its Impacts by helping federal authorities to be prepared to manage the federal response to a nuclear emergency and provide coordinated support to provinces and territories to minimize the impact on public health, safety, property, and the environment. This preparation is done through a series of drills and exercises to test the response to various nuclear emergency scenarios to identify gaps so issues can be resolved prior to a real emergency situation.

Information about how this work contributes to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy is outlined below.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result: 100% of planned nuclear emergency preparedness drills and exercises were completed in 2023-24.

Notes: Eight nuclear emergency preparedness drills and exercises were completed as planned.

FSDS Implementation Strategy 2

Support climate change adaptation across Canada

Departmental Action 1

Provide support to governments, public health professionals and Canadians in preparing for, and adapting to, the impacts of climate change.

Program: Climate Change

Performance Indicator: Percentage of health system actors who state that their climate-resilience is increasing

Starting point: New initiative (baseline to be set by March 31, 2025)

Target: 20% above baseline by March 31, 2028

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

This departmental action contribute to FSDS Goal 13 - Take Action on Climate Change and its Impacts by working with regional, municipal, and provincial and territorial health authorities across the country to build capacity and share best practices to address the impacts of climate change on the health of Canadians. This work is part of the National Adaptation Strategy.

Information about how this work contributes to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy is outlined below.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result: Results will be reported for 2027-28.

Departmental Action 2

Increase knowledge, capacity, and tools to support evidence-based adaptation measures to protect health from extreme heat as a result of climate change.

Program: Climate Change

Performance Indicator: Percentage of health regions implementing evidence-based adaptation measures to protect health from extreme heat

Starting point: 79% in 2022-23 (a new baseline to be set by March 31, 2025)

Target: 20% above baseline by March 31, 2028

How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

This departmental action contributes to FSDS Goal 13 - Take Action on Climate Change and its Impacts by helping decision-makers, such as health regions, develop and implement evidence-based adaptation measures to protect health from extreme heat resulting from climate change. For example, Health Canada's efforts support the creation and maintenance of heat alert and response systems, the dissemination of heat health information, and the development of training for health professionals and pharmacists. These efforts are important in protecting health since the frequency of extreme heat events in many Canadian locations is modelled to at least double by 2050.

Information about how this work contributes to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy is outlined below.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

Results Achieved

Indicator result: Results will be reported for 2027-28.

Initiatives advancing Canada's implementation of SDG 13 – Climate Action

The following initiatives demonstrate how Health Canada's programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, supplementing the information outlined above.

Planned Initiative

Health Canada's Climate Change Program aims to increase knowledge, capacity, and tools on the human health impacts and adaptation approaches to climate change available to healthcare and public health professionals, emergency preparedness officials, and provincial and local decision-makers across Canada. The Program also aims to increase the level of awareness among Canadians, including disproportionately impacted populations, of climate change and health risks (e.g., from extreme heat), and ways to protect themselves and reduce health risks. Climate-related hazards (e.g., floods, extreme heat events, wildfires, hurricanes, drought, sea-level rise, and melting permafrost) can affect the physical and mental health of people in Canada, and health systems.

Health Canada supports the Health and Well-being component of the Government of Canada's first National Adaptation Strategy, which will incorporate justice, inclusion, diversity, and equality considerations for adaptation action.

Health Canada's international efforts in support of global climate change and health initiatives include collaboration with the WHO and other partners, for example:

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

This work contributes to advancing:

Results Achieved

In 2023-24, the Climate Change Program continued efforts to increase knowledge, capacity, and tools on the human health and health systems impacts and adaptation approaches to climate change available to partners across Canada. The Program also continued work aimed at increasing the level of awareness of climate change and health risks (e.g., extreme heat health risks) among people in Canada, including disproportionately impacted populations, and ways to protect themselves and reduce health risks. For example:

Section 5: Integrating Sustainable Development

Strategic environmental assessment (SEA) is the systematic and comprehensive process of evaluating the environmental effects of a policy, plan, or program and its alternatives. SEA promotes environmental sustainability in decision-making and helps ensure that the environment and relevant FSDS goals and targets are considered when developing proposals.

Health Canada continued to ensure that its decision-making process included consideration of relevant FSDS goals and targets in keeping with the requirements of the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals (Cabinet Directive), and the Health Canada Policy on Strategic Environmental Assessment.

In 2023-24, 100% (42) of Health Canada proposals (Memoranda to Cabinet, Treasury Board submissions and regulatory proposals) and all Budget 2024 proposals, applied the SEA process. All non-exempt proposals completed a Preliminary Scan to determine if there were important environmental effects that required a more detailed assessment. As a result, three detailed assessment were conducted. In addition, during the 2023-24 reporting cycle, Health Canada contributed to two proposals that required the development of detailed assessments and subsequent public statements that were prepared by the lead department.

Public statements on the results of Health Canada's assessments are prepared when an initiative has undergone a detailed assessment. 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.

Health Canada continued to report SEA compliance results on a quarterly basis to senior management and the Assistant Deputy Minister Champion of Sustainable Development and Climate Change. In 2023-24, Health Canada also initiated the development of resource materials and conducted extensive outreach across the department in order to support the Government of Canada's transition to the new Cabinet Directive on Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessment, that came into effect on April 1, 2024.

In addition, in 2023, as part of Environment Week, Health Canada held a lunch and learn session with employees to discuss the findings of the Health Canada Climate Risk Assessment (CCRA). In 2023-24, the CCRA was used to inform the development of a Climate Change Adaptation Plan (CCAP), which was based on input from workshops, interviews and senior management briefings. The CCAP was finalized in March 2024.

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