2023 to 2027 Sustainable Development Strategy

Executive Summary

The Law Commission of Canada is an independent body that provides impartial advice to the federal government on matters related to the improvement, modernization, and reform of Canada's laws. Preceded by the Law Reform Commission of Canada (1971-), the Law Commission of Canada was established in 1997, functioned until 2006, and became operational again on June 6, 2023.

As it deploys its future operations, the Commission will aspire to achieve the most ambitious sustainable development goals in its operations, stewardship of resources, governance practices and outreach to communities.

The Law Commission of Canada refers to the Sustainable Development Goals of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy as a contributing backdrop to its governance, directions and strategies.

Section 1

Introduction to the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

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

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

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

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

Section 2

Law Commission of Canada’s Sustainable Development Vision

The Law Commission of Canada is to study and keep under systematic review, the law of Canada and its effects with a view to providing independent advice on improvements, modernization and reform that will ensure a just legal system that meets the changing needs of Canadian society and of individuals in that society.

The preamble to the Law Commission of Canada Act states that its work shall be conducted with an approach that demonstrates openness and inclusion and that the results of this work shall be accessible and understandable. The Act also states that the Commission will take a multidisciplinary approach by considering the law and the legal system in a broad social and economic context and demonstrating the importance of partnerships with a wide range of interested groups and individuals, including the academic community.

To achieve this vision, the Law Commission of Canada will strive to create an environment of legal excellence that situates the law and the judicial system in their socio-economic context and integrates principles of innovation and collaboration. From an efficiency perspective, it will strive to use state-of-the-art technology and will innovate in its research and management methods, consultation process and means of communication.

The Law Commission of Canada's Sustainable Development Strategy 2023 to 2027 sets out the organization's commitments in support of the government's FSDS Goals 10, 12 and 13 and outlines additional activities that contribute to the achievement of the government's overall sustainable development goals.

Section 3

Listening to Canadians

As required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act, Law Commission of Canada has taken into account comments on the draft 2022-2026 FSDS made during the public consultation held from March 11 to July 9, 2022.

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

What We Heard

Across the submissions received, the Law Commission of Canada identified sustainable development priorities and issues that affect us. Theses priorities include;

• Reducing inequalities through continuous engagement with Indigenous communities
• Reducing waste and transition to zero-emission vehicles
• A call to action on climate change and its impacts

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

What We Did

While the Law Commission of Canada is not a lead organization identified in the Federal Implementation Plan for the 2030 ^{Footnote 1} Agenda for Sustainable Development and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the Commission’s sustainable development strategy takes into account the Government of Canada’s commitment to achieving Goals 10, 12 and 13 in its strategic initiatives and activities.

Additionally, reviving the Law Commission of Canada contributes to the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 16, to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice for all, and build accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels.

Section 4

The Law Commission of Canada’s Commitments

Goal 10:

Advance reconciliation with indigenous peoples and take action on inequality

Goal 12:

Reduce waste and transition to zero-emission vehicles

Goal 13:

Take action on climate change and its impacts

Goal 10: Advance reconciliation with indigenous peoples and take action on inequality

FSDS Context:

Social, economic and environmental inequalities persist in Canada. These inequalities disproportionately affect people who share multiple and intersecting identity factors, such as gender identity and expression, race and ethnicity, faith community, indigenate, disability, sexual orientation and low socioeconomic status. Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples is essential to address social, economic and environmental inequalities and achieve lasting equality.

The re-establishment of the Law Commission of Canada is an important initiative in the context of reducing inequality and advancing reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and Metis communities.

The Commission will also support whole-of-government efforts to align laws, policies, programs and initiatives with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

As provided by the LCC Act, the Law Commission of Canada is to study and keep under systematic review, the law of Canada and its effects, with a view to providing independent advice on improvements, modernization and reform that will ensure a just legal system that meets the changing needs of Canadian society and of individuals in that society, including those directly linked to SDG 10.

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

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

Implementation strategy	Departmental action	Performance indicator starting point	How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada’s 2030 agenda national strategy and SDGs
Implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act	Provide training on Indigenous cultural competency or training on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Program: Law Commission of Canada Secretariat	Performance indicator: Percentage of staff trained on Indigenous cultural competency (internal or external) Starting point: New initiative launched in 2023 Target: 100% by March 31, 2024	Public servants are uniquely positioned to facilitate respectful relationships with Indigenous peoples in Canada. This measure encourages public service employees to increase their cultural competency and awareness of First Nations, Inuit and Métis issues in Canada, as well as their knowledge of the United Nations Declaration. This measure contributes to the development of cultural knowledge and skills necessary for the implementation of the United Nations Declaration. Relevant objectives or ambitions: Ensure employees are provided access to the growing suite of Indigenous Learning resources available through the Canda School of Public Service, designed to help increase cultural skills and awareness of issues related to First Nations, Inuit, and Metis in Canada.

Implementation strategy	Departmental action	Performance indicator starting point Target	How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada’s 2030 agenda national strategy and SDGs)
	Consult and cooperate with indigenous peoples in the development and implementation of the Commission’s research program. Program: Law Commission of Canada Secretariat	Performance indicator: Meaningful incorporation of indigenous individuals communities and / or organizations at all stages of research and engagement activities and projects. Starting point: new initiative launched in June 2023 Target: 100% (annual)	With the passage of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, the Government of Canada, in consultation and collaboration with Indigenous peoples, is taking all necessary steps to ensure that federal laws are consistent with the Declaration. Relevant targets or ambitions: Ensure equality of opportunity and reduce inequality of outcomes, through the systemic review of the law of Canada, with a view to providing independent advice on improvements, modernization and reform that will ensure a just legal system. Examination of the potential role of the LCC in supporting recommendations and plans articulated by the Act; For example, by initiating and facilitating relevant collaboration among Indigenous communities, scholars and policy makers.

Goal 12: Reduce waste and transition to zero-emission vehicles

FSDS Context:

The Government of Canada is committed to reducing plastic pollution and waste, with an approach that works at every stage of the plastics life cycle and follows the waste management hierarchy. It promotes a circular economy that promotes the sustainable design of plastic products and materials so that they can be reused, remanufactured, or recycled and therefore kept in the economy for as long as possible.

Target theme: Federal Leadership on Responsible Consumption

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

Implementation strategy	Departmental action	Performance indicator starting point target	How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada’s 2030 agenda national strategy and SDGs
Strengthen green procurement criteria	Ensure that all procurement and material management specialists receive green procurement training (for example, the Canada School of Public Service Green Procurement course, or equivalent) within one year of identification Program: Law Commission of Canada Secretariat	Performance indicator: Percentage of procurement and material management specialists trained in green procurement within one year of designation. Starting point: New initiative launched in 2023 Target: 100% of procurement managers and material management specialists receive training within one year of identification	Relevant targets or ambitions Improve education and awareness on green procurement.

Goal 13: Take action on climate change and its impacts

FSDS Context:

The effects of human-induced climate change are being felt across the country. Canadians are seeing more exceptional temperatures and precipitation, as well as more frequent and severe forest fires, heat waves, droughts and floods.

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

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

Implementation strategy	Departmental action	Performance indicator starting point target	How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada’s 2030 agenda national strategy and SDGs
Implement the Greening Government Strategy through actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and green overall government operations	Ensure that all relevant employees are trained in assessing climate change impacts, conducting climate change risk assessments and developing adaptation measures, within one year of being identified Program: Law Commission of Canada Secretariat	Performance indicator: Percentage of relevant staff trained on climate change impact assessment, climate change risk assessment and adaptation development within one year of being identified Starting point: New initiative launched in 2023 Target: 100% trained by 2024	Trained staff can identify risks associated with the delivery of critical programs and develop responses to increase the resilience of operations to the effects of climate change. Relevant targets or ambitions Improve education and awareness on climate change adaptation, mitigation and reduction and early warning systems

Section 5

Integrating Sustainable Development

The Law Commission of Canada will continue to ensure that its decision-making process includes consideration of FSDS goals and targets through its Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process. A SEA for a policy, plan or program proposal includes an analysis of the impacts of the given proposal on the environment, including on relevant FSDS goals and targets.

Public statements on the results of the Law Commission’s assessments are made public when an initiative that has undergone a detailed SEA (see here). 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.