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Table 6: Sustainable Development Strategy


SDS Departmental Goals: Priority 1 - To strengthen decision-making and monitoring at the Department of Canadian Heritage in support of sustainable development (SD).

Federal SD Goal(s), including GGO goals: (6) Organizational structures and processes support meaningful and significant SD objectives.


Expected Results 2008-09 Supporting Performance Measure(s) Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2008-09
a) Location and dedicated resources for SD Coordinator are expected to be in place by May 2008. a) Existence of an SD Coordinator responsible for developing and monitoring SDS actions. An SD coordinator was appointed in October 2008.
b) By July 2008, a SD governance plan will be developed and presented to the Director General steering committee, along with ongoing reporting on Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS) 2007-2009. b) Report on SDS progress submitted twice each year to a committee of Directors General for discussion, review, and follow-up action as needed. A Sustainable Development governance plan and terms of reference for a Director General committee was developed. The Director General Steering Committee is expected to meet in the Fall of 2009.
c) Progress on the priorities identified in the 2008-2009 RPP will be reported in the 2008-2009 DPR. c) SDS progress appears in the Report on Plans and Priorities (RPP) and the Departmental Performance Report (DPR) with references to specified actions and performance measures. Sustainable Development Strategy progress appears regularly in the RPP and the DPR.
d) Activities supporting sustainable development will continue to be used as a tool to measure how managers meet their stewardship of resources objectives as described in their performance contracts. d) Managers' performance contracts include SD expectations for staff. In the Management Performance Agreement, the sustainable development file was not specified; however, managers are required to respect the programs and policies as well as to contribute to the effective development and implementation of priorities and activities of the Department and their own organizations.
e) By June 2008, it is expected that accounting procedures will be established to collect and report on contracting and procurement data with environmental considerations; a summary of the relevant activity and investments will be prepared for the end of FY 2008-2009 (to be posted on the Department's website by April 2009). e) Annual report of RFPs and service contracts with environmental criteria is made available on the Department's website, including annual accounting of total investments awarded to contracts meeting specified environmental standards. Accounting procedures are in place, which allows for appropriate data capture.  Training of this new "information field" is still ongoing to the user community, therefore limiting the accuracy of the data. Ongoing training and upcoming communications for this new "information field" should rectify the situation, rendering the data more accurate of the actual state of departmental performance. Although financial and transaction figures will be made available, we are not forecasting making this information public on the Department's Internet site.
f) An assessment of baseline data will be included in the June 2008 report to DGs, along with a plan for collecting missing baseline information. f) First report on baseline data related to SD is included with update to DGs. The scope of the baseline data project was discussed at the working level.  However, a plan and implementation are still to be developed.
g) An overview/update of current departmental practices that support SD goals will be undertaken by September 2008 and subsequently reported to staff. g) Analysis of SD-supportive practices throughout the Department is undertaken, with Report circulated to staff. A high-level environmental scan of the report was completed.
h) A departmental SEA Advisor is expected to be in place by May 2008. h) A Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Advisor for new policy and program development is appointed and announced to the Department. The Centre of Expertise for Grants and Contributions (CoE) is now the Departmental Coordinator for Environmental Assessment and has been identified as the Departmental Coordinator on Strategic Environmental Assessment. To support the CoE in these functions, the Department entered into a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with PWGSC to acquire the expert advice required.



SDS Departmental Goals: Priority 2 - To improve the federal knowledge base about SD and increase planning capacity to account for the social and cultural dimensions of sustainable communities.

Federal SD Goal(s), including GGO goals: (4) Communities enjoy a prosperous economy, a vibrant and equitable society, and a healthy environment for current and future generations.


Expected Results 2008-09 Supporting Performance Measure(s) Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2008-09
i) At least one new study on the cultural dimension of sustainable communities will be produced for the Department and circulated among staff by September 2008. i) Creation and dissemination of new research about culture and sustainable development.   Resource pressures did not allow for the completion of this project in fiscal year 2008-2009.
j) A departmental research plan is updated and approved by June 2008, to enable the development of a list of sustainable development indicators or data tools by 2009. j) A list of indicators or data tools. A departmental research plan has been completed. A framework of performance indicators is also being developed, guided by the research plan.
k) By September 2008, a resource guide or bibliography will be updated and refined for sharing with federal policy analysts, highlighting key information and data from currently known sources on the social and cultural dimensions of sustainable communities. k) Integration of Canadian Heritage advice and data in other departments' policy and program development, reflecting social/cultural considerations for sustainable communities. Resource pressures did not allow for the completion of this project in fiscal year 2008-2009. However, the Department of Canadian Heritage's participation in INSDS has provided the Department with opportunities to provide input on the implementation of the Federal Sustainable Development Act and the development of programs in other departments.
l) By the end of FY 2008-2009, it is expected that Canadian Heritage will have supported at least two internal and at least two external (i.e., with other federal departments and/or other government or non-government partners) discussions to advance understanding of the role of culture in sustainable communities. l) Number of occasions in which Canadian Heritage supports and advances discussion and reflection about the role of culture in supporting sustainable communities. The Department of Canadian Heritage is an active participant in the Federal Family on Community Collaboration, which brings together federal officials interested in horizontal collaborative action to enhance the sustainable development of communities across Canada. A policy paper was developed and presentations were made at different levels internally and externally.



SDS Departmental Goals: Priority 3 - To integrate better environmental management in departmental policies, programs and operations.

Federal SD Goal(s), including GGO goals: (1) Clean and secure water for people, marine and freshwater ecosystems.


Expected Results 2008-09 Supporting Performance Measure(s) Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2008-09
m) In fiscal year 2008-2009, SEA awareness will be increased with information sessions for departmental units as required. m) Number of departmental units seeking advice on Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA). Cultural Spaces Canada, the Department's program with the highest number of projects requiring environmental assessments, has been made aware of the SEA obligations through an information session.
n) By March 31st 2009, in the event of new policy, plans or programs, the SEA advisor will ensure that a preliminary scan is completed to determine if a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is required. If required, the SEA process will be initiated. n) Number of SEAs conducted for new policy, plans and programs. No SEA has been conducted in 2008-2009, as there was no new policy, plans or programs. The Department has entered into a Service Level Agreement with Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) to obtain expert advice on environmental assessment. With the support of PWGSC, CoE will develop guidelines for programs to assist programs and policy groups to consider whether or not an SEA is required prior to moving forward for Cabinet approval. This will assist programs and policy groups to ensure that the Department meets its obligation under the legislation. The Department has committed in its 2009-2010 RPP to develop the guideline document.

Federal SD Goal(s), including GGO goals:

(2) Clean air for people to breathe and ecosystems to function well;

(3) Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.


Expected Results 2008-09 Supporting Performance Measure(s) Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2008-09
o) The Canadian Conservation Institute's Service Agreement with PWGSC for the provision of facilities management services will include the collection of baseline data for developing and monitoring SDS targets. o) Canadian Conservation Institute (CCI) facilities management plan with SDS targets developed and submitted to DG Committee that oversees SDS. Completed.

Federal SD Goal(s), including GGO goals:

(5) Sustainable development and use of natural resources;

(3) Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.


Expected Results 2008-09 Supporting Performance Measure(s) Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2008-09
p) For 2008-2009, an assessment is expected to be made of the current paper use within the Department and targets will be identified for reducing usage. p) Reduction in paper use as measured by amount of paper purchased per capita. Measurements have been taken, based on data available in the Department's Integrated Financial and Materiel System.
A small reduction was registered in the use of paper in 2008-2009: 1.45 cases per capita compared to 1.46 in 2007-2008.
q) For 2008-2009, an assessment is expected to be made of the extent of meetings and training sessions conducted in the Department involving participants from multiple locations and including those occasions where travel is involved. A strategy will be developed for expanding the use of technology assistance, where appropriate, and targets will be established for the following year. q) Percentage of meetings and training sessions conducted with technology assistance for participants in multiple locations. There are approximately 95 meeting rooms that range from small to large (seats six to 20+ people) within the Department of Canadian Heritage--Headquarters space at Les Terrasses de la Chaudière. Of these, approximately 85% have teleconference capabilities and approximately four larger boardrooms have video-conferencing capabilities. Each regional office has at least one boardroom with video-conferencing capabilities and is used on a regular basis.
r) At least 50% of all new building upgrades for Les Terrasses de la Chaudière in 2008-2009 over which Canadian Heritage has control are expected to integrate environmentally friendly and/or low emissions equipment or accessories. r) Percentage of new environmentally friendly/ low emissions equipment and facilities accessories that are integrated in building upgrades when such upgrades occur. 100% achieved, largely due to Green Procurement initiatives.

Upgrades (such as office fit-ups requiring furniture, etc.) are done according to fit-up standards that are planned to respect an integrated design approach and sustainable design principles. For example, finish materials are chosen for their "green" characteristics as well as their performance, durability, recyclability, low embodied energy and low toxicity.
s) For 2008-2009, an assessment is expected to be made of the current ratio of ethanol blended fuel used within the Department, and targets will be identified for increasing the ratio of ethanol blended fuel. s) Annual per cent ratio of ethanol blended fuel acquired against regular fuel. The Department of Canadian Heritage has upgraded its departmental fleet to only hybrid models*. Because use is mainly in the city, the vehicles operate mostly on electric energy.
(*Hybrid vehicles cannot use ethanol blended fuels.)
t) The Department's SDS report will include information on its building space greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (excluding CCI) where department-specific information is available. t) Annual report on the percentage reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across the Department's building spaces (*Note: CCI facilities will be evaluated once renovations are completed and baseline measures can be established, beginning in 2008). In the service relationship between the Department of Canadian Heritage (PCH) and Public Works & Government Services Canada (PWGSC), PCH (as the client) works collaboratively with PWGSC (the common service provider) to coordinate office accommodation needs. As this falls within PWGSC's responsibility for environmental stewardship in the built environment, the management of PCH accommodations includes priorities of greening operations and related procurement aimed at reducing energy, air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Examples include the rigorous efficiency standards applied to floor re-fits at Les Terrasses de la Chaudière and the "No Waste" program in place in various PCH office locations.

Federal SD Goal(s), including GGO goals: (6) Organizational structures and processes support meaningful and significant SD objectives.


Expected Results 2008-09 Supporting Performance Measure(s) Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2008-09
u) A baseline of instances of environmentally friendly clauses or stipulations in procurement documents is expected to be established by June 2008, for comparative assessments in subsequent years. u) Instances of environmentally friendly clauses or stipulations in procurement documents for goods and services. All departmental procurement document templates include environmentally friendly clauses or stipulations. In 2008-2009, approximately 90% of requests for proposals posted included environmental-related criteria.
v) Automated System will be modified to better capture green purchases and suppliers. v) Percent increase in green purchases and use of green suppliers from baseline established at the beginning of 2006-2007. A tracking feature for green purchases and suppliers was implemented in the Department's integrated finance and materiel system. Results for 2008-2009 show that 3.4% of the Department's total purchases made were identified as "Green Procurement".
In 2008-2009, this field of information was discretionary for users to complete. The field is now mandatory and should provide more precise results for fiscal year 2009-2010.
w) The SDS report to DGs will confirm the training provided to the procurement community, which included Green Procurement. w) Report annually on the percentage of the procurement community that received training. 95% of Department procurement staff have completed Green Procurement training.
100% of all new staff with procurement-related duties have been provided training/tools/information relating to Green Procurement.

Federal SD Goal(s), including GGO goals:

(1) Clean and secure water for people, marine and freshwater ecosystems;

(2) Clean air for people to breathe and ecosystems to function well;

(3) Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.


Expected Results 2008-09 Supporting Performance Measure(s) Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2008-09
x) In 2008-2009, two significant communications initiatives are expected to raise awareness among Canadian Heritage staff about SDS 2007-2009 actions. x) Number of focused communications materials and activities that raise awareness about SDS 2007-2009 actions. In 2008-2008, Groupe Eco, an employee initiative, organized two brown-bag lunches to raise environmental awareness among Department staff.  They also began a poster campaign and are developing further communications on email printing and photocopying practices.
y) In 2008-2009, two communications initiatives are expected to raise awareness among staff about commuting alternatives. y) Number of communications materials and activities about commuting alternatives. A broad range of commuting alternatives was discussed at the employee level via Groupe Eco.

Federal SD Goal(s), including GGO goals:

(4) Communities enjoy a prosperous economy, a vibrant and equitable society, and a healthy environment for current and future generations;

(5) Sustainable development and use of natural resources;

(6) Organizational structures and processes support meaningful and significant objectives in regard to SDS.


Expected Results 2008-09 Supporting Performance Measure(s) Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2008-09
z) The number of Canadian Heritage employees participating in the ECOPASS Program is expected to continue increasing. z) Number of Canadian Heritage employees participating in the ECOPASS Program. As of late June 2009, the total number of employees using the OC Transpo ECO-PASS is at 187 active members.
aa) In 2008-2009, a survey will be conducted among PCH staff to contribute to baseline information concerning commuting practices. aa) Percentage of employee travel/ commuting by public transit and other green choices (e.g., carpooling, cycling, walking) in relation to single-person automobile travel. This initiative has been rescheduled for 2009-2010.