2023 to 2024 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Report
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Cat. No.: SC1-16E-PDF
ISSN: 2818-6419
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Introduction to the 2023 to 2024 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Report
Rhonda Steed
The 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) presents the Government of Canada’s sustainable development goals and targets, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act. This is the first FSDS to be framed using the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda and provides a balanced view of the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainable development.
In keeping with the purpose of the Act, to make decision-making related to sustainable development more transparent and accountable to Parliament, the Public Service Commission of Canada (PSC) supports the goals laid out in the FSDS through the activities described in the PSC’s 2023 to 2027 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS). This Report provides a report on progress related to the PSC’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 the PSC’s DSDS and 2023 to 2024 DSDS Report.
To promote coordinated action on sustainable development across the Government of Canada, the PSC’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 the Public Service Commission of Canada
Goal 10: advance reconciliation with indigenous peoples and take action on inequality
FSDS Context:
Through policy direction and guidance, the PSC supports departments and agencies in the hiring of qualified individuals into and within the public service. By doing so, we help shape a workforce that reflects Canada’s diversity. The PSC delivers recruitment programs and assessment services supporting the strategic recruitment priorities of the Government of Canada and the renewal of the public service. This is accomplished by leveraging modern tools to reduce barriers for Canadians accessing public service jobs. We also oversee public service hiring, ensuring the integrity of the hiring process.
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
| 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 | Results achieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act |
Increase Indigenous employment in the federal public service by implementing recruitment initiatives stemming from the strategy: Many Voices One Mind: a Pathway to Reconciliation which support the Public Service Employment Act changes as well as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. Program: Recruitment and Assessment Services |
Performance indicator: Percentage of employees who self-identified as Indigenous people Starting point: 4.0% Target: At least 3.8% |
The Many Voices One Mind: A Pathway to Reconciliation, guided by the spirit of the UN Declaration is a whole-of-government strategy for reducing and removing barriers to public service employment encountered by Indigenous Peoples. The Government of Canada will continue its efforts under the Call to Action on Anti-Racism, Equity, and Inclusion to appoint, sponsor, support, and recruit Indigenous employees and candidates to leadership roles in the federal public service. Relevant targets or ambitions: |
Indicator result: 5.3% in 2022 to 2023 Notes: The target
of 3.8% has been met. The workforce availability for Indigenous Peoples is 3.8% in fiscal years 2021 to 2022 and 2022 to 2023. |
Implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act |
Increase Indigenous employment in the federal public service by implementing recruitment initiatives stemming from the strategy: Many Voices One Mind: a Pathway to Reconciliation which support the Public Service Employment Act changes as well as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. Program: Recruitment and Assessment Services |
Performance indicator: Percentage of executive appointees who self-identified as Indigenous people Starting point: 3.7% Target: At least 5.2% |
The Many Voices One Mind: A Pathway to Reconciliation, guided by the spirit of the UN Declaration is a whole-of-government strategy for reducing and removing barriers to public service employment encountered by Indigenous Peoples. The Government of Canada will continue its efforts under the Call to Action on Anti-Racism, Equity, and Inclusion to appoint, sponsor, support, and recruit Indigenous employees and candidates to leadership roles in the federal public service. Relevant targets or ambitions: |
Indicator result: 5.9% in 2022 to 2023 Notes: The target of 5.2% has been met. The latest available results for employment equity group representation are for fiscal year 2022 to 2023. The results are sourced from the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS)’s annual reports on employment equity in the public service of Canada. |
Implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act |
Increase Indigenous employment in the federal public service by implementing recruitment initiatives stemming from the strategy: Many Voices One Mind: a Pathway to Reconciliation which support the Public Service Employment Act changes as well as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. Program: Recruitment and Assessment Services |
Performance indicator: Percentage of applicants who self-declared as Indigenous people Starting point: 3.2% Target: At least 4.0% |
The Many Voices One Mind: A Pathway to Reconciliation, guided by the spirit of the UN Declaration is a whole-of-government strategy for reducing and removing barriers to public service employment encountered by Indigenous Peoples. The Government of Canada will continue its efforts under the Call to Action on Anti-Racism, Equity, and Inclusion to appoint, sponsor, support, and recruit Indigenous employees and candidates to leadership roles in the federal public service. Relevant targets or ambitions: |
Indicator result: 3.2% in 2023 to 2024 Notes: The target of 4.0% has not been met. In-depth analysis is required to provide insightful and evidence-based information and to identify the potential reasons for this unmet result. |
Implement the requirements of the Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Businesses
|
Implement the mandatory procedures for contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses, as per Appendix E of the Directive on the Management of Procurement Program: Procurement, Internal Services |
Performance indicator: Percentage of total value of contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses. Starting point: 1.31% Target: At least 5.0%
|
We will use available resources to meet this target by 2025 by following the mandatory and voluntary procedures for contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses, as per Appendix E of the Directive on the Management of Procurement. We will do this by:
Relevant targets or ambitions: |
Indicator result: 1.20% of the total value of contracts in 2023 to 2024 was awarded to Indigenous businesses. Notes: The target of 5.0% has not been met. Work is ongoing to meet the target of 5.0% by 2025 as mentioned in the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy. |
Goal 12: reduce waste and transition to zero-emission vehicles
FSDS Context:
The PSC complies with the Greening Government Strategy which outlines specific measures to ensure responsible consumption for our operations. Environmental impacts are considered and incorporated into our procurement of goods and services.
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
| 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 | Results achieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Strengthen green procurement criteria |
Procurement Specialists will provide advice and recommendations on procurement strategies including environmental considerations such as GHG emissions reduction, clean technology and elimination of unnecessary single-use plastics. [Ref. 4.3.4.7] Program: Procurement, Internal Services |
Performance indicator: Percentage of purchased basic office supplies considered certified to a recognized environmental standard. Starting point: 45% Target: At least 50%
|
Green procurement incorporates environmental considerations into purchasing decisions and is expected to motivate suppliers to reduce the environmental impact of the goods and services they deliver, and their supply chains. |
Indicator result: 28.7% of purchased basic office supplies considered certified to a recognized environmental standard. Notes: The target of 50% has not been met, as the PSC no longer stockpiles planners and diaries and other pulpwood-based products, which are the PSC’s primary environmental supplies. As well, the expanded presence in the office and shared spaces increased the demand for ergonomic and accommodation products, most of which are not certified to a recognized environmental standard. |
Strengthen green procurement criteria |
Ensure all procurement specialists are trained in green procurement (such as, the Canada School of Public Service course on green procurement, or equivalent) within one year of being identified. Program: Procurement, Internal Services
|
Performance Indicator: Percentage of procurement specialists trained in green procurement within one year of being identified. Starting point: In 2022-23, 100% of procurement specialists trained in green procurement. Target: 100% of procurement specialists receive training within one year of being identified. |
Green procurement incorporates environmental considerations into purchasing decisions and is expected to motivate suppliers to reduce the environmental impact of the goods and services they deliver, and their supply chains. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Indicator:12.2.1Proportion of businesses that adopted selected environmental protection activities and management practices. Global Indicator Framework (GIF) Target:12.7 Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities. |
Indicator result: 100% of procurement specialists have completed the Canada School of Public Service course on green procurement in 2023 to 2024. Notes: The target of 100% has been met. |
Goal 13: take action on climate change and its impacts
FSDS Context:
The PSC is taking action to reduce climate risks to our assets, services and operations. By consuming more modern and energy efficient products, we are helping to mitigate risks due to changing climate. Increasing technology development and adoption also include actions to advance climate change adaptation and build resilience to climate impacts.
Target theme: Federal Leadership on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions and Climate Resilience
Target: The Government of Canada will transition to climate resilient operations by 2050
| 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 | Results achieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Implement the Greening Government Strategy through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and green the government’s overall operations |
Reduce energy consuming servers and other devices.
Program: Information Technology, Internal Services
|
Performance indicator: Number of energy-consuming servers decommissioned by 2027. Starting point: 281 Target: At least 84
|
These indicators measure to what extent the PSC contributes to achieving the collective efforts outlined in the 2023 to 2027 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS). The objective is to reduce, consolidate and modernize PSC systems and servers. This will help reduce our energy footprint and contribution to greenhouse gas emissions.
Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Indicator: 13.1.1 Greenhouse gas emissions. Global Indicator Framework (GIF) Target: 13.2.2 Total greenhouse gas emissions per year. |
Indicator result: 124 servers have been decommissioned as of March 31, 2024, and further work is underway for decommissioning by 2027. Notes: The target of decommissioning at least 84 servers has been met. The new replacement servers use much less energy and offer more power than older outdated servers. They can also host several software applications on a single unit, unlike the old servers, which required one server per software application. This not only reduces the energy footprint, but also improves efficiency, system performance and resource utilization.
|
Implement the Greening Government Strategy through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and green the government’s overall operations |
Reduce energy consuming servers and other devices.
Program: Information Technology, Internal Services
|
Performance indicator: Number of towers and personal examination computers replaced with low consumption devices such as Zero or Thin by 2027. Starting point: 276 Target: At least 260
|
These indicators measure to what extent the PSC contributes to achieving the collective efforts outlined in the 2023 to 2027 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS). The objective is to reduce, consolidate and modernize PSC systems and servers. This will help reduce our energy footprint and contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Indicator: 13.1.1 Greenhouse gas emissions. Global Indicator Framework (GIF) Target: 13.2.2 Total greenhouse gas emissions per year. |
Indicator result: Not available. Notes: No results are available for 2023 to 2024, as the plan is in progress for replacement in following years. Due to budget constraints in 2023 to 2024, the replacement of towers and personal examination computers originally planned for 2023 to 2024 has been postponed. |
Implement the Greening Government Strategy through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and green the government’s overall operations |
Reduce energy consuming servers and other devices.
Program: Information Technology, Internal Services
|
Performance indicator: Number of test room monitors replaced with modern, high efficiency models by 2027. Starting point: 276 Target: At least 240
|
These indicators measure to what extent the PSC contributes to achieving the collective efforts outlined in the 2023 to 2027 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS). The objective is to reduce, consolidate and modernize PSC systems and servers. This will help reduce our energy footprint and contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Indicator: 13.1.1 Greenhouse gas emissions. Global Indicator Framework (GIF) Target: 13.2.2 Total greenhouse gas emissions per year. |
Indicator result: Not available. Notes: No results are available for 2023 to 2024, as the plan is in progress for replacement in following years. Due to budget constraints in 2023, the replacement of test room monitors originally planned for 2023 to 2024 has been postponed.
|
Ryan Bray / Parks Canada
Integrating Sustainable Development
The PSC will continue to ensure that its decision-making process includes consideration of FSDS goals and targets through its Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process going forward. An SEA for a policy, plan or program proposal includes an analysis of the impacts of the given proposal on the environment, including on relevant FSDS goals and targets.
Public statements on the results of the PSC’s assessments are made public when an initiative 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.
The PSC did not complete any detailed SEAs in 2023-24.
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