This page has been archived.
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.
The Department of Finance Canada’s Sustainable
Development1 Strategy (SDS) for the period of
2007–09 is the Department’s third update of its
original SDS tabled in Parliament in December 1997. The
2007–09 SDS builds on the foundation laid by the Department’s
previous strategies, which includes key achievements in debt
reduction, the evaluation of environmental tax proposals, strategic
environmental assessment, and green stewardship.
The Department’s current management strategy for the SDS
consists of a departmental sustainable development champion, a core
working group of officials with representatives from all branches,
and reviews of sustainable development progress and planning by
senior management. The Department also continues to raise awareness
of the departmental process for fulfilling its obligations under
The Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of
Policy, Plan and Program Proposals.
The Department’s vision for sustainable development is as follows:
It highlights the long‑term ideal that the Department will strive to achieve.
For the 2007–09 SDS, the Department has set out five
long-term goals that focus on key areas where it can contribute,
within its mandate, to sustainable development: (1) fiscal
sustainability and a high standard of living for future
generations; (2) strong social foundations;
(3) integration of sustainable development considerations into
policy making; (4) integration of sustainable development
considerations into the economy; and (5) demonstration of the
Department’s commitment to sustainable development in
operations.
Under each of these five goals, the Department’s action plan
for sustainable development sets out a number of objectives and
targeted actions over the planning period. In undertaking these
actions over the three-year period, the Department recognizes that
fully achieving its vision for sustainable development will take
time and continued effort, requiring a long-term strategic approach
as well as an ongoing commitment to short-term actions.
A detailed outline of the Department’s objectives, actions, planned results, and results achieved for 2008–09 as well as highlights of the 2007–09 SDS are available on its website (http://www.fin.gc.ca/purl/susdev-eng.asp).
1. “Sustainable development” is a continually evolving concept based on the integration of social, economic, and environmental concerns. It may be achieved by, among other things, the following: