Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
Symbol of the Government of Canada

ARCHIVED - Human Resources and Social Development Canada


Warning This page has been archived.

Archived Content

Information identified as archived on the Web is for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It has not been altered or updated after the date of archiving. Web pages that are archived on the Web are not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards. As per the Communications Policy of the Government of Canada, you can request alternate formats on the "Contact Us" page.

TABLE 9: Sustainable Development Strategy

Human Resources and Social Development Canada's Sustainable Development Strategy was tabled in Parliament on December 20, 2006. The strategy has a two-pronged approach: it focuses on the application of a sustainable development lens while developing policies and programs through a select number of Signature Projects and Greening Operations initiatives associated with day-to-day operations. Key departmental priorities are:

  • decreasing building energy use;
  • reducing vehicle emissions;
  • expanding green procurement;
  • increasing green processing in the delivery of programs and services;
  • improving collaboration with communities for sustainability; and
  • developing Signature Projects as examples of our approach to sustainable development in policy making and program design.

The departmental Green Operations involve twenty-four activities such as infrastructure energy saving initiatives, energy conserving lighting, decreasing our office equipment energy use, recycling, fleet optimization, eco-driving or carpooling, green hotel usage, green procurement, e-waste management and simplification of program delivery document requirements.

Human Resources and Social Development Canada's longer term approach for this Sustainable Development Strategy is to select a focused number of meaningful projects to advance sustainable development knowledge from the policy and program design perspective by representing a broader approach to review programs and identify areas where all three sustainable development areas - economic, environmental and social - are addressed. This will occur through the application of a sustainable development lens to policy and program development, requiring a greater investment of funds, time, and participation stretching beyond a three-year period. HRSDC will undertake Signature Projects in the following three areas:

  • People: Supporting initiatives that help Canadians invest in themselves, by providing access to learning, income security, and supporting efficient and inclusive labour markets to improve the sustainability of communities.
  • Partnerships: Leveraging knowledge and people to develop partnerships and identify new opportunities to encourage sustainable employment in particular as it relates to the environment.
  • Knowledge: Generating a social and economic indicators information base to ensure that current Canadian social, environmental and economic factors inform decision-making.

Over the last year, the implementation of the departmental Sustainable Development Strategy was improved in a number of ways.

The governance structure was strengthened with the nomination of Sustainable Development Champions for both the policy and program components, and the green operations. The role of these Champions is supported by the Corporate Planning and Accountability Directorate for the Department and the Strategic and Business Planning Division of the Policy, Partnerships and Corporate Affairs Directorate for Service Canada.

A Sustainable Development Strategy network was created, which includes activity leads, individuals who support sustainable development activities and representatives from the Corporate Planning units. The Sustainable Development Strategy network is a prime way to provide broad functional support. For instance, at the Departmental Planners Workshop in March 2008, the lead responsible for sustainable development for the Quebec region shared information and animated a discussion about best practices, achievements, upcoming initiatives, and other sustainable development related issues of interest across the departmental planning community. Through a series of other effective communication practices, awareness campaigns, training of policy analysts, and monitoring of related activities, the Department is providing a robust foundation to the implementation of the Strategy.

Through concerted efforts, departmental plans, activities and expected results increasingly reflect sustainable development concerns. For instance, branch business planning guidelines used across the Department now incorporates a sustainable development lens, to help broaden the business planning process. An Sustainable Development Strategy "lens" is also being included in the Human Resources and Social Development Canada's Policy Development Guide, which is currently in development. The creation of the Sustainable Development Course: Turning Principles into Practice, to which the Department contributed, and now delivered by the Canada School of Public Service, is regularly promoted through internal communications to attract policy analysts, program managers and planners to take the training.

Finally, performance information is collected on a regular basis to monitor progress against Sustainable Development Strategy commitments. The current Sustainable Development Strategy performance information is based on a results chain that links its short-term activities and outputs with long-term outcomes and establishes clear linkages between the Department's sustainable development vision, government-wide sustainable development priorities and departmental priorities, planned activities, and short, medium and long-term outcomes. As of March 31, a status report on Signature Projects and Green Operations was completed and will be presented at an upcoming Executive Management Committee by the Department's Champions.

Activities related to Green Operations are monitored on a quarterly basis. The Service Canada Corporate Reporting Scorecard provides year over year indicators related to sustainable development activities and provides the foundation for reporting.


Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Vision: Advancing sustainable development by supporting a strong, inclusive labour market and society, and by being an example of sustainability in the provision of Government of Canada services to Canadians in a manner that reduces the impact on the environment.
SD Priority Federal SD Goal and Government-wide Outcomes Department Activity Department's Expected Results for 2007-2008 a Supporting Performance Measures Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2007-2008
Building Energy Goal 3: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions

3.2.1 Support for clean technologies is provided (such as building, transportation, and industrial processes)

Goal 5: Sustainable Development and Use of Natural Resources

5.2.1 Sustainable consumption and production of natural resources is promoted

Energy Conserving Lighting Initiative

Decreasing our office equipment energy use

Recycling Initiative

Increase use of energy conserving lighting

Reduced energy use for building office equipment

Increased volume of recycled materials

Percentage of planned refits or fit ups for both offices and Service Canada Centres that incorporate a building control system (to automatically shut off lighting) and / or energy efficient bulbs.

Performance measures for the activity are currently being approved

Percentage of planned refits or fit ups of offices that incorporate recycling centres that accept plastics and / or a battery recycling program.

Reporting will begin in Fall 2008

Reporting will begin in Fall 2008

Reporting will begin in Fall 2008

Reduction in Vehicle Emissions Goal 3: Reduce greenhouse gas emissions

3.3.1 Emissions are reduced

Fleet Optimization Initiative

Carpooling Initiative

Vanier-Portage Shuttle Bus Service

Eco-driving Initiative

Reduced vehicle fleet Green House Gas emissions

Increased carpooling

Increased sustainable vehicle usage awareness among staff

Performance measures for the activity are currently being approved

Performance measures for the activity are currently being approved

Performance measures for the activity are currently being approved

Reporting will begin in Fall 2008

Reporting will begin in Fall 2008

Reporting will begin in Fall 2008

Green Procurement Goal 5: Sustainable Development and Use of Natural Resources

5.3.1 Environmentally sustainable use of natural resources is promoted

Green Hotel Usage Initiative

E-Waste Initiative

Sustainable Procurement Initiative

Regional Offices Phonebook Reduction Initiative

Increased departmental purchases of 'green' or sustainable products or services

Increased procurement with E-Waste clause

Increased departmental purchases of 'green' or sustainable products or services

Reduced acquisition of paper materials by moving to online directories

Performance measures for the activity are currently being approved

Performance measures for the activity are currently being approved

Performance measures for the activity are currently being approved

Performance measures for the activity are currently being approved

Reporting will begin in Fall 2008

Reporting will begin in Fall 2008

Reporting will begin in Fall 2008

Reporting will begin in Fall 2008

Green Processing Goal 5: Sustainable Development and Use of Natural Resources

5.3.1 Environmentally sustainable use of natural resources is promoted

Processing Automation Initiative

Simplification of Program Delivery Document Requirements

Paper Reduction Initiative

Reduced energy and paper use through service process automation

Decreased service delivery processing requirements

Reduced quantity of paper is used for printing

Number of service offerings available electronically (information and transactions)

Number of Service Canada Internet visits (servicecanada.gc.ca)

% of Employment Insurance applications received via internet

% of Records of Employment received via internet

% of EI claimant reports received via internet

% of Canada Pension Plan/Old Age Security/Employment Insurance benefits paid via direct deposit

% of CPP basic online retirement application

% increase/decrease of Tax Information Slips on-line viewed on-line (TISO)

% increase/decrease of Statement of Contribution View viewed on-line (SOCV)*

% increase/decrease of View Update Personal Information (VUPI)* accessed on-line

# of electronic tools for In Person staff to gather information from claimants accessible on Intranet (checklists)

% of EI applications received via internet

% of Records of Employment received via internet

% of EI claimant reports received via internet

% of CPP/OAS/EI benefits paid via direct deposit

% of CPP basic online retirement application received via internet

Performance measures for the activity are currently being approved

76 (As of March 1, 2008

6,174,137 (As of March 1, 2008)

96.1% out of 653,774 EI applications received (As of March 1, 2008)

37.1% out of 742,362 Record of Employment received (As of March 1, 2008)

47.3% out of 5,101,095 EI claimant reports received (As of March 1, 2008)

85.7% out of 30,697,300 benefits paid (As of March 1, 2008

26.89% out of 57,763 basic CPP retirement applications (As of March 1, 2008)

28.8% increase from 22,867 initial (As of March 1, 2008

20.5% increase from 24,922 visits the previous year (As of March 1, 2008

22.4% increase from 4,120 visits the previous year (As of March 1, 2008)

51 (As of December 1, 2007

96.1% out of 653,774 EI applications received (As of March 1, 2008)

37.1% out of 742,362 ROE received (As of March 1, 2008

47.3% out of 5,101,095 EI claimant reports received (As of March 1, 2008)

85.7% out of 30,697,300 benefits paid (As of March 1, 2008)

26.89% out of 57,763 basic CPP retirement applications (As of March 1, 2008)

Reporting will begin in Fall 2008

Collaboration with Communities Goal 4: Sustainable Communities

4.1.1 Communities are well positioned to advance sustainable social development

4.3.2 Risks to human and ecosystem health from harmful substances are reduced (including cleanup of federal contaminated sites)

Goal 5: Sustainable Development and Use of Natural Resources

5.3.1 Environmentally sustainable use of natural resources is promoted

Promoting Environmentally Friendly Service Delivery Channels

Strengthening Environmental Assessment Function

Encouraging Staff Volunteerism in Local Communities

Facilitating Recycling in Service Canada Centres

Reduced mail processing

Funding proposals are pre-screened

Increased number of volunteering activities by employees

Increased volume of recycled materials in Service Canada Centres

% of on-line applications compared to total applications

% of applications processed by phone compared to total applications

% of direct deposits compared to total payments

Performance measures for the activity are currently being approved

Performance measures for the activity are currently being approved

Percentage of planned refits or fit ups of Service Canada Centres that incorporate recycling centres

Reporting will begin in Fall 2008

Reporting will begin in Fall 2008

Reporting will begin in Fall 2008

Reporting will begin in Fall 2008

Reporting will begin in Fall 2008

Reporting will begin in Fall 2008

Signature Projects Goal 4: Sustainable Communities

4.1.1 Communities are well positioned to advance sustainable social development

4.2.1 Communities are well positioned to adapt and to maintain or generate sustainable economic activities

4.3.2 Risks to human and ecosystem health from harmful substances are reduced (including cleanup of federal contaminated sites)

Partnership - Promote work with the Environmental Career Organization:

Building Environmental Aboriginal Human Resources Growth Phase 1 Project

Contaminated Sites Labour Market Study Supply Side

Knowledge - Develop the pilot website - "Indicators of Well-being in Canada"

People -Supporting Signature Projects with the Pan-Canadian Innovations Initiative:

British Columbia Reclamation and Prospecting Teams project

New Brunswick Partners Building Futures project

Results of the national steering committee and advisory groups guide the subsequent phases of the project

Preliminary findings of the project are reported

Key "Indicators of Well-being in Canada" are made available for policy, program and service delivery improvement

Participants gain skills and have a positive perception of the mineral exploration, mining, and environmental protection sectors as a source of employment

Assisting and encouraging participating women formerly on Social Assistance to continue apprenticeship training in order to obtain employment as skilled journey-persons in non traditional trades

  Environmental Monitor training has been offered or is scheduled to be offered in 11 of Canada's 13 jurisdictions

To date, 16 organizations have been licensed as trainers and at this time 12 are active

There have been 351 students registered in the program and 29 are currently in class

24 course offerings have been completed, 2 are ongoing and 3 are scheduled for upcoming delivery

Three new curriculum are being developed : Environmental Site Assessment Assistant- scheduled for the first delivery in April 2007; II Water and Waste Water small Systems- in development and Local Environmental Coordinator- scheduled For September 2007 completion

The research report was submitted in March 2008

Information was shared at a workshop held in Yellowknife in February 2008, attended by employers, AHRDA holders, government representatives and other stakeholders

Launch and pilot testing of site within Human Resources Social Development Canada (January 2007) Release of site to other government departments (April 2007) Release of website to the general public (January 10, 2008)

Planned activities
On-going periodic updates of indicators; development of new indicators; release of Special Reports on the website

Completion of training with the first cohort

50 participants from the first cohort completed the training

40% of the participants have industry related employment

8% of participants have found resource related employment

10% of participants employed in other sectors

16% of participants returned to school

Second cohort scheduled to start in May of 2008 (50 participants)

First and Second intakes of the project are now complete. No new participants will enter the program

19 participants are still in the program from the first intake, 19 from the second

Partners Building Futures had maintained its original purpose of introducing women on Social Assistance to the advantages of post-secondary training environment and the developing an attachment to the labour force

Project is still operating in 3 locations: Saint John, Fredericton and Moncton

7 individuals are currently employed, including 3 who have entered an apprenticeship agreement with an employer

Amendment underway to decommit $111,365. The new total contribution amount on the part of HRSDC will be $2,128,847

Strengthened Management Measures Goal 6: Governance for Sustainable Development

6.1.1 Sustainable Development Strategy commitments are integrated into the key planning and reporting processes of departments and agencies

6.1.2 Clear and effective governance mechanisms to integrate sustainable development in decision making, e.g., SEA

Identification of Champions for Sustainable Development

Development of an Action Plan to implement the Sustainable Development Strategy

Development of a internal Communication Plan

Organizing lectures and other awareness activities in the Department

Delivery of Sustainable Development Leadership training course modules for policy analysts in partnership with Canada School of Public Service and Health Canada

Conducting Training Sessions with Administrative Assistants for green procurement

Reporting results to the Parliament

Champions for Sustainable Development are identified and play a leadership role to implement the Strategy

Action Plan is developed with milestones and timelines for the deliverables in the Strategy

Employees of the Department learn about various aspects of the Strategy

Increased levels of awareness is created among the employees

Sustainable development training modules for policy analysts are developed to start the training process

Increased awareness is created among administrative staff for green procurement

Through departmental reporting processes, results are reported to the Parliament

  The governance structure was strengthened with the nomination of Sustainable Development Champions for both policy and program components, and the green operations.

A status report including next steps was presented at senior management committees

An internal communication plan was initiated with a completion date in 2008-2009

Awareness campaigns and information booths during Environment Week and Earth Day were established.

An SDS network was created, which includes activity leads, individuals who support sustainable development activities and representatives from the Corporate Planning units. The SDS network is a prime way to provide broad functional support. For instance, at the Departmental Planners Workshop in March 2008, the lead responsible for sustainable development for the Quebec region shared information and animated a discussion about best practices, achievements, upcoming initiatives, and other sustainable development related issues of interest across the departmental planning community.

The creation of the Sustainable Development Course: Turning Principles into Practice, to which HRSDC contributed, and now delivered by the Canada School of Public Service, is regularly promoted through internal communications to attract policy analysts, program managers and planners to take the training.

Finally, performance information is collected on a regular basis to monitor progress against SDS commitments. The current SDS performance information is based on a results chain that links its short-term activities and outputs with long-term outcomes and establishes clear linkages between the Department's sustainable development vision, government-wide sustainable development priorities and departmental priorities, planned activities, and short, medium and long-term outcomes. As of March 31, a status report on Signature Projects and Green Operations was completed and will be presented at an upcoming Executive Management Committee by the Department's Champions.

Activities related to Green Operations are monitored on a quarterly basis. The Service Canada Corporate Reporting Scorecard provides year over year indicators related to sustainable development activities and provides the foundation for reporting.