Archived - Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
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1. Overview of the Federal Government's Approach to Sustainable Development
The 2013–16 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) presents the Government of Canada's sustainable development activities, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act. In keeping with the objectives of the Act to make environmental decision making more transparent and accountable to Parliament, INAC supports the implementation of the FSDS through the activities described in this supplementary information table.
2. Our Sustainable Development Strategy
This Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy describes INAC's actions in support of:
- Theme I — addressing climate change and air quality,
- Theme II — maintaining water quality and availability,
- Theme III — protecting nature and Canadians, and
- Theme IV — shrinking the environmental footprint, beginning with government.
The report for 2016–2017 presents a high-level overview of results and is the final report under the 2013–16 FSDS. Last year's report is available on the departmental website (archived).
3. Departmental Performance Highlights
Under Theme I, INAC contributed to the 2013–16 FSDS through three implementation strategiesFootnote 1 for Goal 1: climate change.
Under Theme II, INAC contributed to the 2013–16 FSDS through five implementation strategies for Goal 3: water quality.
Under Theme III, INAC contributed to the 2013–16 FSDS through three implementation strategies for Goal 4: conserving and restoring ecosystems, wildlife and habitat, and protecting Canadians.
Theme I: addressing climate change and air quality
Under Theme I, INAC contributed to the 2013–16 FSDS through three implementation strategies for the FSDS Goal I: climate change.
Implementation strategies: performance summary
In 2016–2017, INAC:
- Hosted workshops with participants from 91 First Nations to identify regional climate change adaptation strategies, through the First Nation Adapt program.
- Funded six risk and adaptation assessment projects in 17 First Nations communities to ensure that these communities have access to the information, expertise and tools to support adaptation actions.
- Initiated work on three tools designed to aid First Nations in identifying and mitigating the risks associated with climate change on infrastructure and emergency management.
- Engaged Indigenous and northern communities and organizations, as well as with regional and territorial governments in the North, through a series of workshops on climate change adaptation; the information gathered will support the development of a Northern Adaptation Strategy.
- Engaged northern and Indigenous communities, territorial governments and organization from all five northern regions (Yukon, Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Nunavik, and Nunatsiavut) through workshops in order to improve understanding of the regional context, build relationships, identify needs and opportunities, and discuss how best to work together to build capacity and develop clean energy projects that reduce diesel use for electricity and heating. Supported 24 clean energy projects.
Theme II: maintaining water quality and availability
Under Theme II, INAC contributed to the 2013–16 FSDS through five implementation strategies for the FSDS Goal 3: water quality.
Department-led target
The following table shows the FSDS target led by INAC, the associated FSDS goal, performance indicator and performance results as published in the 2013–16 FSDS.
| FSDS goal | FSDS target | FSDS performance indicator | FSDS performance results |
|---|---|---|---|
| Goal 3: Water Quality and Water Quantity — Protect and enhance water so that it is clean, safe and secure for all Canadians and supports healthy ecosystems. | 3.1 Target: Increase the percent of on-reserve First Nations water systems with low risk ratings from 27% to 50% by 2015. Increase the percent of on-reserve First Nations wastewater systems with low risk ratings from 35% to 70% by 2015. | Risk rating for First Nations water and wastewater systems management.a | The low risk ratings for drinking water systems decreased slightly from 57% in 2014–2015 to 56%; the target was still exceeded by two percentage points. The low risk ratings for wastewater systems decreased slightly from 48% in 2014–2015 to 45%. NOTE: content pulled from 2015–16 Departmental Performance Report given target concluded in 2015 |
| a This indicator is part of the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators | |||
Implementation strategies: performance summary
In 2016–2017, INAC:
- Provided, through Budget 2016, $1.8 billion over five years to First Nations communities to improve water and wastewater infrastructure, as well as enhance the training of water system operators.
- INAC continued to work toward eliminating all long-term drinking water advisories (DWA) on public systems on reserve that are financially supported by INAC by March 31, 2021. Part of this work included investing in communities with "high risk" systems, including funding for infrastructure and capacity building, to prevent short-term DWA from becoming long-term DWA.
- INAC provided financial and technical assistance to First Nations for the planning, procurement, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of water and wastewater facilities; assisted First Nations in identifying infrastructure needs and submitting capital project proposals; and provided national oversight and reports on the infrastructure projects being implemented with the funding provided.
- To support First Nations in developing and retaining the capacity to operate, service and maintain water and wastewater systems, INAC funded the Circuit Rider Training Program, which provided First Nation operators with ongoing support to access and maintain certification, and on-site training and mentoring on how to operate their drinking water and wastewater systems.
- As of August 17, 2017, INAC has invested in water and wastewater initiatives, including 241 water and wastewater projects in 186 communities, serving over 221,000 people since November 2015.
- As of June 30, 2017, in collaboration with First Nations, INAC has lifted 26 long-term drinking water advisories since November 2015, and put in place measures to reduce the likelihood of communities returning to long-term drinking water advisories.
- Discussions were initiated with First Nations, INAC, and other Government partners to develop an approach for the review of the Safe Drinking Water for First Nations Act (the Act). Engagement on the development of a federal regulatory framework was put on hold pending the review of the Act.
Theme III: protecting nature and Canadians
Under Theme III, INAC contributed to the 2013–16 FSDS through three implementation strategies for the FSDS Goal 4: conserving and restoring ecosystems, wildlife and habitat, and protecting Canadians.
Implementation strategies: performance summary
In 2016–2017 INAC:
- Decreased risk to public health and safety through remediation activities at 175 contaminated sites (i.e. sites with existing concerns for public health and safety) as of March 31, 2017.
- Reduced federal liabilities related to the existence of contaminated sites by $34.8 million as of March 31, 2017.
- Increased, as of March 31, 2017, the percentage of projects funded by the Northern Contaminants Program in which Northerners are identified as project leaders and/or team members by 113% over the baseline year of 2013–2014.
- Identified an 80% decrease in concentrations in three indicator persistent organic pollutants in Arctic biota over 1990 levels.
- Made 95% of Northern Contaminants program research, results and information accessible nationally and internationally.
- Advanced, as of March 31, 2017, 48% of high priority Northern Contaminated Sites to Step 8 (implementation) through Step 10 (monitoring) of the Approach to Federal Contaminated Sites' 10-step process, for the protection of human health and safety of the environment.
- Employed 58% Northerners and/or Indigenous people within Northern Contaminated sites projects as of March 31, 2017, based on employment in person hours.
Theme IV: shrinking the environmental footprint, beginning with government
Under Theme IV, INAC contributed to the 2013–16 FSDS through:
- One implementation strategy for FSDS Goal 6: greenhouse gas emissions and energy,
- Four implementation strategies for FSDS Goal 7: waste and asset management, and
- One implementation strategy for FSDS Goal 8: water management.
FSDS Goal 6: Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions and Energy
Reduce the carbon footprint and energy consumption of federal operations
FSDS target 6.1: GHG emissions reduction
The Government of Canada will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its buildings and fleets by 17% below 2005 levels by 2020.
FSDS performance indicator
Departmental GHG emission reductions from building and fleets relative to fiscal year 2005–2006, expressed as a percentage.
Scope and context
Targeted emission sources include approximately 74 Department-owned vehicles and all other mobile equipment operated by the Department such as boats, generators, all-terrain vehicles and snowmobiles. This target does not apply to buildings owned by INAC since most real property owned by the Department is held for potential future transfer to First Nations.
Link to the Department's Program Alignment Architecture
Program (5.1): Internal Services
Expected result
Reduce the carbon footprint and energy consumption of federal operations.
Departmental target
40% below 2005 by 2020Footnote 2
| Departmental performance indicator | Departmental performance level achieved |
|---|---|
| GHG emissions (kilotonnes (kt) CO2 equivalent) in fiscal year 2005–2006 | 0.534 kt (originally 0.646 kt) |
| GHG emissions (kt CO2 equivalent) in fiscal year 2016–2017, not accounting for renewable power emission credits, if applicable | 0.404 kt (original target 0.273) |
| Renewable power emission credits applied in current fiscal year (kt CO2 equivalent) | 0 kt |
| Percentage change in GHG emissions from fiscal year 2005–2006 to fiscal year 2016–2017, inclusive of renewable power emission credits, if applicable | 24.3% decrease (original target 57.7%) INAC's actual GHG emissions for fiscal year 2016–2017 exceeded expected levels due to increased use of departmental vehicles resulting from new programs announced in the 2016 Federal Budget. |
| Adjustments made to base year GHG emissions | Yes INAC adjusted its base year GHG emissions during fiscal year 2015–2016 to reflect the impact of transferring 31 on-road vehicles to the Government of the Northwest Territories as part of NWT Devolution on April 1, 2014. The adjustment reduced INAC's base year GHG emissions from 0.646 kt to 0.534 kt. |
FSDS Goal 7: Waste and Asset Management
Reduce waste generated, and minimize the environmental impacts of assets throughout their life cycle
FSDS target 7.2: Green Procurement
As of April 1, 2014, the Government of Canada will continue to take action to embed environmental considerations into public procurement, in accordance with the federal Policy on Green Procurement.
| FSDS performance indicator | FSDS performance results |
|---|---|
| Departmental approach to further the implementation of the Policy on Green Procurement in place as of April 1, 2014 | No [December 4, 2014]Footnote 3 |
| Number and percentage of specialists in procurement and/or materiel management who have completed the Canada School of Public Service Procurement or equivalent, in fiscal year 2016–2017 | 21 (of 22)Footnote 4 95% (original target 50 individuals or 90%) |
| Number and percentage of managers and functional heads of procurement and materiel whose performance evaluation includes support and contribution toward green procurement, in fiscal year 2016–2017 | 3 100% |
Scope and context
INAC procured over $104 million in goods and services during fiscal year 2016–2017. Approximately 85% of INAC procurement is for professional services, and the main goods acquired by the Department is information technology equipment.
Link to Department's Program Alignment Architecture
Program (5.1): Internal Services
Departmental green procurement target
By March 31, 2021, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from business-related air travel will be reduced by 25% relative to 2008–2009 levels.
| Departmental performance indicator | Departmental performance results |
|---|---|
| Emissions associated with business travel in tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2 equivalent) in fiscal year 2008–2009 | 8,676 tonnes |
| Emissions associated with business travel in tonnes of CO2 equivalent in the given year | 4,555 tonnes (original target 6,600 tonnes) |
| Percentage reduction in business travel emissions relative to the baseline level of CO2 equivalent | 47.5% decrease (original target 23.3%)Footnote 5 |
Departmental green procurement target
By March 31, 2017, 90% of on-road vehicles purchased are right sized for operational needs and are the most fuel efficient vehicle in their class available at the time of purchase and/or are an alternative fuel vehicle.
| Departmental performance indicator | Departmental performance results |
|---|---|
| Number of on-road vehicle purchases that meet the target relative to total number of all on-road vehicle purchases in the given year | 50% (6 of 12 vehicles) (original target 90%)Footnote 6 |
| Cost of all on-road vehicles purchased in the given year | $345,990.31 |
Departmental green procurement target
By March 31, 2017, 90% of purchases of imaging hardware will include criteria to reduce the environmental impact associated with the production, acquisition, use and/or disposal of the equipment.
| Departmental performance indicator | Departmental performance results |
|---|---|
| Dollar value or volume of imaging hardware purchased that meet the target objective relative to the total dollar value or volume of all imaging hardware purchased in the given year | 100% ($211,314.80) (original target 75%) |
| Implementation strategy element or best practice | Performance level achieved |
|---|---|
| 7.2.1.5. Leverage common use procurement instruments where available and feasible | Reached "Achieved" status, as defined in the Greening of Government Operations implementation guidelines for this target. |
| Best Practice 7.2.3. Train acquisition cardholders on green procurement |
Reached "Achieved" status, as defined in the Greening of Government Operations implementation guidelines for this target. |
Please note, given the new Federal Sustainable Development Strategy 2016–2019 and corresponding requirements, this Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy is a streamlined version of the originally published 2016–17 Report on Plans and Priorities (RPP) content and therefore only publishes results against mandatory (policy/directive) requirements.
Report on Strategic Environmental Assessment
During the 2016–2017 reporting cycle, INAC considered the environmental effects of initiatives subject to the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals, as part of its decision making process. As INAC did not develop any initiatives that required a Strategic Environmental Assessment, no related public statements were produced.