2017–2020 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

The 2016–2019 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) sets out the Government of Canada’s sustainable development goals and targets, as required under the Federal Sustainable Development Act (the Act). In accordance with the objectives of the Act, which require the inclusion of environmental, social and economic factors in decision-making to ensure that such decisions are more transparent and accountable to Parliament, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) supports the achievement of the objectives set forth in the FSDS through the activities outlined in its Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS).

CED is committed to contributing to three goals set forth in the 2016–2019 FSDS, namely:

• Goal 2: Low-carbon government
• Goal 3: Clean growth
• Goal 8: Sustainably managed lands and forests

FSDS goal: A low-carbon government

Through the FSDS, the Government of Canada aims to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from federal government buildings and fleets by 40% below 2005 levels by 2030, with an aspiration to achieve this goal by 2025. To this end, CED will continue to modernize its vehicle fleet, support the transition to a low-carbon economy by relying on the principle of green procurement, and promote sustainable travel practices.

Specific actions by CED in support of these measures include continuing to give priority to electric, hybrid or fuel-efficient vehicles when purchasing or replacing fleet vehicles, with a view to contributing to the Government of Canada’s objective of reducing carbon emission intensity.

FSDS goal: Clean growth

The goal of the implementation of the Government of Canada’s Innovation Mission commitment—another FSDS target—is to double federal government investment in clean energy research, development and demonstration by 2020, in relation to 2015 levels. CED is contributing to the achievement of this goal by investing in technology aimed at reducing GHG and air pollutant emissions.

CED, like the other regional development agencies (RDAs), has introduced measures to double its total annual support for clean technology, increasing it to $100 million for all the RDAs. Of this sum, CED has committed to investing $25 million per year. These measures will allow the Agency to contribute to the FSDS goal of clean growth, and to the transition to a low-carbon economy.

FSDS goal: Sustainably managed lands and forests

Through the FSDS, the Government of Canada’s goal is that, by 2020, at least 17% of terrestrial areas and inland waters are conserved through networks of protected areas and other effective, area-based conservation measures. In order to contribute to the achievement of this target, CED is supporting a national initiative.

Specifically, CED is ensuring the delivery of the spruce budworm control initiative in Quebec forests with a view to reducing the negative impact of this pest on the environment and the economy of the various regions. By taking these steps, the Agency will be contributing to one of the goals of the FSDS, namely that lands and forests support biodiversity and provide a variety of ecosystem services for generations to come.

Low-carbon government: The Government of Canada leads by example by making its operations low-carbon

Clean growth: A growing clean technology industry in Canada contributes to clean growth and the transition to a low-carbon economy

Sustainably managed lands and forests: Lands and forests support biodiversity and provide a variety of ecosystem services for generations to come

CED adheres to the basic principle of the Federal Sustainable Development Act, whereby “sustainable development is based on an ecologically efficient use of natural, social and economic resources and acknowledges the need to integrate environmental, economic and social factors in the making of all decisions by government.” This principle forms an integral part of the operations of the following CED sectors and committees:

Executive Committee

The Executive Committee is chaired by the Deputy Minister and President of CED. It is responsible for collectively managing all CED activities and advising CED on management issues and orientations.

Program Management Committee

The Program Management Committee is chaired by the Policy, Research and Programs Branch (PRPB). One of its mandates is to enhance program performance and guide CED in analyzing response measures, performance measurement and program evaluation, while ensuring the cohesion and integration of relevant information. The Program Management Committee also contributes to the development of Reports on Plans and Priorities and Departmental Performance Reports, in which the DSDS is included as a supplementary table.

Policy and Communications sector

Within the Policy and Communications sector, the Policy, Research and Programs Branch and the Communications Directorate have sustainable development mandates.

Policy, Research and Programs Branch

• Develops the DSDS in co-operation with the other CED directorates
• Incorporates DSDS commitments into its policies and programs
• Measures performance, specifically with respect to the FSDS
• From the outset, incorporates a systematic strategic environmental assessment process when designing its programs, policies, initiatives and strategies
• Develops tools related to the DSDS
• Fulfills commitments related to the empowerment of CED employees in terms of sustainable development (e.g. training), as required
• Ensures interdepartmental coordination with active FSDS stakeholders by participating in Assistant Deputy Minister and Director General committees
• Contributes to reporting on goals 3 and 8 of the DSDS in supplementary tables in reports to Parliament

Communications Directorate

• Distributes to CED employees all relevant information or information about activities relating to sustainable development, in addition to informing them about actions taken to “green” government operations
• Posts, on the Department’s website, any information regarding the FSDS, as well as reports and the various versions of CED’s DSDS

Operations sector

This sector is responsible for implementing CED programs. It includes a network of business offices throughout Quebec and contributes to the implementation of the DSDS. Specifically, the Operations sector:

• Is responsible for the achievement of the targets associated with goals 3 and 8 of the 2016–2019 FSDS (Goal 3: Clean growth; and Goal 8: Sustainably managed lands and forests)
• Ensures the development and tracking of sustainable development projects - Development of regional strategies that take the DSDS into account
• Determines, for all CED-funded projects, whether the projects are subject to the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (2012)
• Records information on FSDS projects in its grants and contributions management system, in order to enhance performance measurement

Corporate Services sector

• Is responsible for the achievement of the targets associated with Goal 2 of the 2016–2019 FSDS (Goal 2: Low-carbon government)
• Promotes best environmental practices at CED
• Liaises with other departments as concerns Goal 2 of the 2016–2019 FSDS, and specifically with Public Works and Government Services Canada’s Office of Greening Government Operations
• Contributes to reporting on Goal 2 of the DSDS in supplementary tables in reports to Parliament

Strategic environmental assessment at CED

In 2012, CED conducted a strategic environmental assessment of the Quebec Economic Development program, and updated the program based on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA 2012), as per the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals. This evaluation revealed that the implementation of the program was not likely to have an impact on the environment.

CED will continue to ensure that its decision-making process takes FSDS goals and targets into account as part of the strategic environmental assessment (SEA) process. An SEA of proposed policies, plans and programs include an analysis of the effects of the proposal on the environment, and specifically on the targets and goals of the FSDS.

The results of CED assessments are made public after to the announcement of an initiative that has undergone an SEA (see here). The aim of the public announcement is to demonstrate that the environmental impact, including repercussions on the achievement of goals and targets of the FSDS and approved policies, plans and programs, has been appropriately taken into account in the preparation of the proposal and in decision-making.