Commissioner's Message

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I am pleased to present our Performance Report on Sustainable Development for April 1, 2007 to March 31, 2008 — the first annual performance report of our Sustainable Development Strategy 2007-2010. 

At the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), protecting the environment and increasing efficiency are integral to our pursuit of operational excellence. By using fewer resources while optimizing service delivery, we reduce operating costs and preserve valuable natural resources. The Agency's investment in electronic services demonstrates this principle.

For example, between 1990 and 2007, 27% of individual (T1) tax returns were filed using the CRA's EFILE and NETFILE online filing services. This represents an estimated savings of 4.3 billion sheets of paper. These electronic services saved roughly 500,000 trees and prevented the release of about 54,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.

Improving our environmental performance would also not be possible without dedicated employees. A 2007 survey indicated that 89% of CRA employees were aware of the sustainable development efforts in the Agency. Of these, 94% indicated that they reduced paper consumption, 92% that they increased recycling, and 91% that they reduced their energy consumption.

Achieving environmental excellence is an ongoing challenge, but it is also an opportunity. Although we have further to go, the CRA continues to demonstrate that many small actions to protect our environment can make a big difference. I invite you to read more about our 2007-2008 sustainable development results in this report, and I encourage everyone to look for opportunities to improve the health of our environment.

For more information on our Sustainable Development Strategy 2007-2010, please visit the CRA Web site at: www.cra-arc.gc.ca/sds.

William V. Baker
Commissioner

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