Performance Report on Sustainable Development April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010

Appendix A: Sustainable Development at the Canada Revenue Agency

1.0 Sustainable Development Framework

The Canada Revenue Agency's (CRA) sustainable development framework is the Agency's response to various legislative and regulatory requirements, Government of Canada expectations in terms of SD, and other sustainable development (SD) requirements. The framework consists of a Sustainable Development Policy, an Environment Policy, an SD Strategy, a National Action Plan, and an Environmental Management System (EMS). These major components are supported by other related strategies including learning, communications, recognition, and performance measurement and reporting.

The CRA SD Policy outlines the significance of SD within the context of the Agency's mandate. It articulates our sustainable development priorities and requirements, defines accountabilities, and demonstrates leadership and commitment. The policy is implemented through the SD Strategy, the SD National Action Plan, and the Environmental Management System.

Our SD Strategy outlines the Agency's SD agenda for a three-year period to address environmental impacts, integrated SD into decision-making processes, meet legislation and regulations requirements, and address stakeholder expectations. The Agency's SD Policy and SD strategies align with the Agency's broader mandate and vision, including the strategic objectives to improve operational efficiency.

The SD vision for the Agency is "To be a globally recognized tax and benefits organization for best practices in sustainable development".

The Agency also maintains an Environmental Management System (EMS) modeled after the ISO 14001 international environmental standard. As part of the ISO 14001 EMS requirements, a separate Environment Policy is maintained to systematically and consistently monitor and manage CRA environmental aspects (e.g., solid and hazardous waste, fleet, paper, procurement, emissions from business travel, employee commuting, and energy conservation). Other considerations for maintaining an EMS and Environment Policy include the emphasis placed on this best practice by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development (CESD).

2.0 Accountability Structure

2.1 Board of Management

The Board is responsible for overseeing the organization and administration of the Agency and the management of its resources, services, property, personnel and contracts. In terms of SD, the Board has oversight on the scope of the commitments and resourcing levels. It also ensures that the SD Strategy is suitably aligned with the Agency's mandate and strategic vision by bringing to bear their own perspectives, knowledge of societal expectations, and interpretation of the Agency's mandate.

2.2 Sustainable Development Steering Committee (SDSC)

The SDSC guides the direction that sustainable development takes within the Agency and the work of the SD Division. It reports to the Agency Management Committee (AMC) on the implementation of the SD Strategy, and engages senior executives in making Agency operations and service delivery more efficient and environmentally responsible. The Committee is made up of:

The Director General of the Strategic Management and Program Support Directorate, F&A

2.3 Sustainable Development Division

The SD Division serves as a centre of expertise and coordinates activities relating to environmental impacts and SD at the Agency. It is responsible for developing the Agency's SD Strategy as prescribed in the Guide to Green Government. It also plays the major role in implementing, monitoring, measuring and reporting on SD performance. Other roles include responding to audit requests from the CESD, developing tools and communication materials, and developing and delivering learning programs to employees.

2.4 Sustainable Development Network

The SD Network implements the Agency's SD strategy throughout the Agency (i.e., at the branch, regional, and local levels).To ensure broad engagement, this network of SD practitioners is made up of SD representatives, SD coordinators, and SD committee members across all regions and branches in the Agency.

2.5 National Environmental Management System Committee (EMSC)

The national EMSC approves programs and targets and monitors progress on identified environmental issues of importance to the CRA.  Representation on this committee is CRA-wide and function specific.

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