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Supplementary Information


Table 1: Departmental Links to the Government of Canada Outcomes
Planned Spending ($ millions)
Program Activity 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 Alignment to Government of Canada Outcome Area
Strategic Outcome #1: Accessible and sustainable health system responsive to the health needs of Canadians
Canadian Health System 306.3 304.9 291.8 Healthy Canadians
Canadian Assisted Human Reproduction 2.1 2.1 2.1 Healthy Canadians
International Health Affairs 28.7 28.4 28.2 A safe and secure world through international co-operation
Strategic Outcome #2: Access to Safe and Effective Health Products and Food and Information for Healthy Choices
Health Products 186.5 184.1 180.9 Healthy Canadians
Food and Nutrition 77.9 76.3 76.0 Healthy Canadians
Strategic Outcome #3: Reduced Health and Environmental Risks from Products and Substances, and Healthy, Sustainable Living and Working Environments
Sustainable Environmental Health 165.4 179.9 177.6 A clean and healthy environment
Consumer Products 24.2 24.6 26.6 Healthy Canadians
Workplace Health 34.8 34.1 32.2 Healthy Canadians
Substance Use and Abuse 152.9 151.5 148.2 Healthy Canadians
Pesticide Regulation 60.5 61.2 61.3 Healthy Canadians
Strategic Outcome #4: Better Health Outcomes and Reduction of Health Inequalities Between First Nations and Inuit and Other Canadians
First Nations and Inuit Health Programming and Services 2,156.0 2,209.6 2,042.8 Healthy Canadians
Total 3,195.3 3,256.7 3,067.7  

Table 2: Sustainable Development Strategy

Health Canada's current Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS) entitled "A Path to Sustainability" is a three-year strategic plan containing commitments to integrate sustainable development principles and practices into our policies, programs and operations - recognizing the complex interrelationships between health, the environment, the economy, and a range of social elements.

Maintaining continuity with the previous strategy, SDS IV builds on the same three themes:

  • Helping to create healthy social and physical environments
  • Minimizing the environmental and health effects of the department's physical operations and activities
  • Integrating sustainable development into departmental decision-making and management processes

Health Canada's Strategy contains 51measurable targets under these three long-term themes. The targets contribute to the department's strategic outcomes such as access to safe and effective health products and information, reduced health and environmental risks, safer living and working environments, and better health outcomes for First Nations and Inuit and other Canadians. Specific targets address priorities such as clean air, clean water, sustainable communities, protection of the environment and human health, food safety, procurement, training and awareness, environmental stewardship, and integrating sustainable development into departmental decision-making and management processes.

Our Strategy reflects Health Canada's commitment to a coordinated federal approach for the fourth round of departmental SDSs, a government-wide initiative, led by Environment Canada, to strengthen coherence and accountability across departmental sustainable development strategies. This collaborative effort resulted in a set of common federal sustainable development goals and an associated reporting format that will enable government-wide reporting on key federal sustainable development issues for the first time since the establishment of the SDS process.

Select targets from Health Canada's Sustainable Development Strategy 2007-10: A Path to Sustainability, are documented in the table below in addition to performance measures, and expected progress for the fiscal year April 1, 2008 - March 31, 2009. The targets are numbered as they are in the Health Canada Sustainable Development Strategy for ease of reference. Priorities for 2008-09 include:

  • Implementation of the Air Quality Health Index in 7 Census Metropolitan Areas
  • Publication of a complete Climate Change and Health Vulnerability Assessment
  • Publication of Guidelines for Canadian Household Reclaimed Water
  • Revised policies on Product-Specific Health Claims
  • Establishment of procedures and mechanisms to phase-out low fuel-efficient vehicles in Health Canada's fleet

For additional information on targets found in Health Canada's Sustainable Development Strategy 2007-10: A Path to Sustainability, please contact the Office of Sustainable Development at osd@hc-sc.gc.ca

Six Federal Long-Term Sustainability Goals

I. Clean and secure water for people, marine and freshwater ecosystems
II. Clean air for people to breathe and ecosystems to function well

III. Reduce greenhouse gas emissions

IV. Communities enjoy a prosperous economy, a vibrant and equitable society, and a healthy environment for current and future generations

V. Sustainable development and use of natural resources

VI. Strengthen federal governance and decision-making to support sustainable development

Legend for the following table:


SDS Departmental Goal:
SDS Departmental Targets: Performance Measure from Current SDS: Department's Expected Results for 2008-09:
Clean Air
Between 2007-10, Health Canada will work to improve management and communication of the health risks of indoor and outdoor air pollution, including fact sheets, finalization of the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) and further development of the Air Health Indicator. (1.1.3)
Supports Federal Goal II
# of Census Metropolitan Areas where AQHI is implemented

Air Health Indicator (AHI) developed and tested
Finalize development and test the AHI by March 31, 2009

Report on AHI in the final Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators Report
During the course of SDS IV, Health Canada will develop tools and information materials, including a summary of the Climate Change and Health Vulnerability Assessment, to better prepare Canadians and health professionals to deal with potential health impacts associated with a changing climate. (1.1.4)
Supports Federal Goal II
Risk management tools developed and implemented (e.g. Heat alert systems) with partners and stakeholders

Publication of completed Climate Change and Health Vulnerability Assessment on Health Canada web site
Assessment and summary document published and distributed
Clean Water
During the period 2007-10, Health Canada will establish and/or implement strategies, including a national waterborne contamination and illness response protocol, to help address and prevent incidences of drinking water contamination across jurisdictions, including for small systems and in small, rural and remote communities. (1.2.5)
Supports Federal Goal I
Real-time alert and reporting system for Boil Water Advisories developed (with the Public Health Agency of Canada), pilot tested, launched, and adopted progressively by federal, provincial and territorial (F/P/T) governments

Successful completion of pilot projects or strategies to address current gaps specific to small systems, and testing and adoption by Canadian jurisdictions
Promote use through F/P/T channels

Identification/evaluation of tools and strategies for small systems

Expected Result by 2010:
Provinces adopt a common set of strategies to address current gaps specific to small drinking water systems, leading to improved drinking water quality, particularly in rural and remote communities
During the course of SDS IV, Health Canada will develop and update a minimum of 5 water quality guidelines for specific contaminants annually, including drinking and recreational water. (1.2.6)
Supports Federal Goal I
# of guidelines for water quality approved and adopted by F/P/T committees 5 guidelines/guidance documents for water quality approved by F/P/T committees

Guidelines for Canadian Recreational Water Quality posted on Health Canada website for public consultation

Publication of final version of Guidelines for Canadian Household Reclaimed Water
Sustainable Communities
By March 2010, Health Canada commits to having completed the assessment of 16 sites requiring investigation of suspected petroleum hydrocarbon contamination, as well as the remediation of the 18 known petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated sites (as of March 2006) for which the department is responsible at health facilities on reserves. (1.3.2)
Supports Federal Goal IV
Sites suspected, or known to have petroleum hydrocarbon contamination assessed and remediated, if required
Assessment and remediation reports developed
Remediate 10 petroleum hydrocarbon contaminated sites
During the course of SDS IV, at least one of Health Canada's regional offices will explore the opportunity to collaborate with provincial and municipal organizations in the development of sustainable development practices or initiatives. (1.3.17
Supports Federal Goal IV
Number of car-pooling registrations on the internet site The D魡rche All駯 project in the Qu颥c Region will encourage and promote better commuting habits with the car-pooling initiative
Protection of the Environment and Human Health
During the 2007-10 period, develop a regulatory framework based on policy and technical analysis of issues related to the development of Environmental Assessment Regulations for new substances contained in products regulated under the Food and Drugs Act. (1.4.2) International analysis conducted
Development of the regulatory framework data requirements for the Environmental Assessment Regulations
Advancing the development of the regulatory framework for the Environmental Assessment Regulations for new substances contained in products regulated under the Food and Drugs Act

Consultation on the regulatory frameworks for the Environmental Assessment Regulations

Development of data requirements for the Environmental Assessment Regulations

Consultation on the data requirements for Environmental Assessment Regulations
Food Safety
By March 2010, continue to establish policies and standards related to the nutritional quality of foods (Trans Fat, Food Fortification, Product-Specific Health Claims). (1.5.2) Transfat
Implemented action plan

Food Fortification
Number and type of regulations and policies developed and published
Transfat
Stakeholder support for and implement the plan of action established in 2007-08

Food Fortification
A comprehensive policy on the discretionary fortification of foods

Product-specific Health Claims
Regulatory framework: revised policies and recommendations
By March 2010, continue to:
  • develop appropriate intervention strategies to reduce the public's exposure to priority pathogens in specific commodities
  • increase consumer awareness of risk avoidance practices for targeting specific commodities and vulnerable groups
  • update risk management strategies to limit exposure to Canadians to selected chemicals in food. (1.5.4)
Food borne Pathogens
Number of educational documents published (i.e., Codes of Practice, policies, Internet postings)
Food borne PathogensIncreased consumer awareness of risk avoidance practices for:
  • unpasteurized juices
  • meats
Unpasteurized Juice Regulation:
  • Publication of proposed regulation in Canada Gazette Part I
  • For Safe Handling of Raw Ground Meats and Poultry:
  • Draft regulatory amendment package for Canada Gazette Part I including RIAS and Communications Plan
  • Finalize amendments Guideline #10
Foodborne Chemicals
Implement a risk communication plan on risks to mercury in fish and benefits of fish consumption (target population at risk, women of child-bearing age and young children)

Develop effective risk management approaches to reduce Canadian dietary exposure to low-level genotoxic carcinogens and other trace contaminants in food (i.e., environmental sources and food processing-induced)

Develop integrated Food Chemical Surveillance plan through Health Canada's Food Chemical Safety Network, and set standards to limit exposure to selected natural toxins (e.g. oxytoxin A and vomitoxin DON)
Fleet
By March 2010, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emission per vehicle per kilometre. (2.1.1)
Supports Federal Goal III
Annual average GHG emissions per vehicle per kilometre reduced Establish procedures and mechanisms to phase-out low fuel-efficient vehicles, increasing the use of ethanol-blended vehicles and hybrids

Standardizing key fleet management processes
Building Energy
By March 2009, an action plan to reduce GHG emissions in Health Canada's custodial laboratories will be developed and implemented (2.2.2)
Supports Federal Goal III and GGO Goal 'Other custodian departments and agencies will establish and report on meaningful departmental targets in support of the overal FHIO target for building by 2010'
Level of GHG emissions With consultation and cooperation with RPFMD Custodial Portfolio, establish baseline data, tracking mechanisms and develop action plan
Procurement
By March 2010, all materiel managers and procurement personnel will attend a recognized training course on green procurement offered by Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), Canada School of Public Service (CSPS), or any other federal government department. (2.3.2)
Supports Federal Goal III
Number of materiel managers and procurement personnel trained

Increase in level of knowledge and awareness on green procurement
Advertise Green Procurement training courses offered by PWGSC and CSPS to all materiel managers and procurement personnel

Updated internal procurement training material

Review action plan on green procurement training for the department and conduct a follow-up survey to assess increase in knowledge and awareness of green procurement
Training
Health Canada will join with other government departments and the CSPS to design and deliver new Government of Canada Sustainable Development training material. Delivery to begin by December 2007. (2.4.1)
Supports Federal Goal VI
Formal inclusion of the SD course (#727) in the CSPS program of studies

Number of Health Canada employees that successfully complete the course
In 2008, the new course will be part of the regular course offerings of the CSPS

Policy analysts will be better trained in the application of SD principles in their particular domain
Integration
By the end of 2008, as a pilot project, Health Canada will apply a sustainable development lens to select policies and programs. (3.1.1)
Supports Federal Goal VI
Final revision and printing of the SD lens following the completion of a pilot

Presentation of the lens and pilot results to management committees as a tool to be applied in the development of all planning documents including Memorandum to Cabinet and Treasury Board Secretariat submissions

Inclusion of the lens in planning and policy development process
In 2008-09, final revisions and improvements to the lens will be made based on feedback received from the pilot with the Health Policy Branch

The lens will be introduced to senior management to secure support for its inclusion in planning and policy development process

Update on the Health Canada Sustainable Development Policy Suite: Policies the Department has adopted to advance Sustainable Development

Sustainable Development Policy

Since its first SDS, Health Canada has worked to create a culture that recognizes the importance of sustainable development in the planning and delivery of our strategic outcomes. Approval of a Sustainable Development Policy in December 2000 enabled the integration of five key principles (shared responsibility, integrated approaches, equity, accountability, and continuous improvement) into the Department's third SDS and acted as guiding principles for the development of the fourth strategy covering the 2007 to 2010 period.

Environmental Management Systems

The importance of sound environmental management of our operations and activities was underscored in the creation of the 2000 Health Canada Environmental Management Policy and the development of the Environmental Management Systems (EMS) Division. The use of an EMS, a tool for managing compliance, minimizing negative impacts and risks to the environment, and for continual improvement, supports the principles of sustainable development. The priorities of the EMS Division include:

  • maintaining and improving the departmental EMS including its supporting policies and database
  • implementing actions in support of its own SDS targets
  • fostering environmental stewardship

Strategic Environmental Assessment

While environmental management of operations and activities is done through the EMS process, Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) offers a systematic and comprehensive process for evaluating the environmental effects of a policy, plan or program and its alternatives, at the earliest stage of planning. Health Canada has a requirement to complete SEAs in conformance with the 2004 Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals. The Department has developed a policy and guidelines for SEA to support departmental efforts to ensure proposals with important positive or negative environmental effects are identified and that these effects are either enhanced or mitigated in the implementation of the policy, plan or program. SEA training is currently offered to Health Canada analysts in both the National Capital Area and in the regions.

In 2008-09, the Office of Sustainable Development (OSD) will revise the 2004 Health Canada Policy and Guidelines on Strategic Environmental Assessment to formalize new protocols and practices to improve SEA management in response to the recommendations made by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development. The policy changes combined with aggressive, professional SEA training will ensure that environmental considerations are better reflected in all departmental documents submitted to the Minister or to Cabinet for decision.

The following additional tables can be found on the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's website at http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/rpp/2008-2009/info/info-eng.asp.

Details of Transfer Payment Programs
Evaluations
Foundations (Conditional Grants)
Green Procurement
Horizontal Issues
Internal Audits
Progress Toward the Department's Regulatory Plan
Services Received Without Charge
Sources of Respendable and Non-respendable Revenue
Status Report on Major Crown Projects
User Fees