Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy 2023 to 2027

Executive Summary

The Canadian Transportation Agency (the Agency) is committed to advancing sustainable development and contributing to the Government of Canada’s sustainable development goals and targets. While this is the Agency’s first formal Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS), it has long aligned efforts in support of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Through this DSDS, the Agency contributes to the achievement of 3 goals of the 2022-2026 FSDS:

• Goal 10: Advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and take action to reduce inequality;
• Goal 12: Reduce waste and transition to zero-emission vehicles; and
• Goal 13: Take action on climate change and its impacts.

The Agency’s actions focus on efforts on reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and sustainable operations.

Specifically, the department contributes to the following FSDS targets:

• Between 2023 and 2026, and every year on an ongoing basis, develop and table annual progress reports on implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act;
• The Government of Canada’s procurement of goods and services will be net-zero emissions by 2050, to aid the transition to a net-zero, circular economy; and
• The Government of Canada will transition to climate resilient operations by 2050.

Introduction to the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

The 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) presents the Government of Canada’s sustainable development goals and targets, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act. This is the first FSDS to be framed using the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda and provides a balanced view of the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainable development.

In keeping with the purpose of the Act, to make decision-making related to sustainable development more transparent and accountable to Parliament, the Agency supports the goals laid out in the FSDS through the activities described in this Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS).

The Federal Sustainable Development Act also sets out 7 principles that must be considered in the development of the FSDS as well as DSDSs. These basic principles have been considered and incorporated in the Agency’s DSDS.

In order to promote coordinated action on sustainable development across the Government of Canada, this departmental strategy integrates efforts to advance Canada’s implementation of the 2030 Agenda National Strategy, supported by the Global Indicator Framework (GIF) and Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) targets and indicators. The strategy also now captures SDG initiatives that fall outside the scope of the FSDS to inform the development of the Canada’s Annual Report on the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.

The Canadian Transportation Agency’s Sustainable Development Vision

In 2015, all 193 United Nations Member States, both developed and developing, adopted and committed to implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, an ambitious 15-year plan of action for people, planet, prosperity, peace and partnerships, with the aim of eradicating poverty and leaving no one behind. It is centered on 17 interrelated and indivisible Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which encompass 169 targets and balance the 3 pillars of sustainable development: economic, social, and environmental.

Canada is committed to taking a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach to implementing the 2030 Agenda at home and abroad. In this regard, the Agency has identified a series of activities that it will continue or undertake, aimed at aligning efforts across its mandate in support of this objective.

The Agency recognizes the need to work with a broad range of partners to achieve the SDGs by 2030. This includes by engaging other government departments and agencies, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, civil societies and advocacy groups, international organizations, the private sector and other relevant stakeholders, to find innovative and integrated solutions to create a more sustainable and accessible world.

The Agency is working to accelerate progress towards achieving the SDGs by integrating the goals across its strategic policies and activities in support of the United Nations Decade of Action, which calls on all sectors of society to mobilize to develop sustainable solutions to global challenges and achieve the SDGs by 2030.

Listening to Canadians

As required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act, the Agency has taken into account comments on the draft 2022-2026 FSDS made during the public consultation held from March 11 to July 9, 2022.

During the public consultation, more than 700 comments were received from a broad range of stakeholders, including governments, Indigenous organizations, non-governmental organizations, academics, businesses, and individual Canadians in different age groups and of various backgrounds. The draft FSDS was also shared with the appropriate committee of each House of Parliament, the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, and the Sustainable Development Advisory Council for their review and comment.

What We Heard

Across the submissions received, the Agency identified sustainable development priorities and issues that affect us.

Many of the comments centered on SDG 13: Climate Action as a top priority. Canadians also wanted to see greater acknowledgment of socioeconomic challenges such as inequality, poverty, and the rising cost of living in Canada. Many Canadians also underscored the necessity to ensure all Canadians have access to clean water and emphasized the strong connections among social, economic and environmental issues.

Reconciliation and respect for Indigenous rights and self-governance were also strong themes in the consultations. Comments highlighted the importance of a distinctions-based approach, which means going beyond a “one size fits all” perspective and accounting for the unique histories and lived experiences of First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities. Consultation feedback also emphasized themes of Indigenous self-governance, sustainable management of traditional lands and waters, and intergenerational equity.

What We Did

The Agency took the above-mentioned key priorities and issues into consideration in this DSDS. Please find more information on the FSDS public consultation and its results in the FSDS Consultation Report.

The Canadian Transportation Agency’s Commitments

 GOAL 10:
 Advance reconciliation with indigenous peoples and take action on inequality

FSDS Context:

Social, economic, and environmental inequalities persist in Canada. These inequalities disproportionately affect people with multiple intersecting identity factors such as gender identity and expression, race and ethnicity, faith community, Indigeneity, disability, sexual orientation, and low socioeconomic status.

Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples is essential to addressing social, economic and environmental inequalities and achieving substantive equality. Urgent action is needed to close the social, economic, health, environmental protection, and educational gaps between Indigenous Peoples and the rest of Canada to ensure that everyone in Canada can enjoy the same quality of life, regardless of who they are or where they were born.

Target theme: Advancing reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and the Métis communities

Target: Between 2023 and 2026, and every year on an ongoing basis, develop and table annual progress reports on implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada)

Implementation Strategy

Implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act

Departmental Action

1) When a potential Agency determination triggers the Crown’s duty to consult and, where appropriate, accommodate, the Agency ensures, before making any determination, that this duty has been fulfilled in a manner consistent with the honour of the Crown, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the objectives of reconciliation between Indigenous peoples and other Canadians.

2) Renewal and implementation of Agency approach to Indigenous consultation and engagement.

Program: All Programs

Performance Indicator Starting point Target

1) Performance indicator: When an Agency activity could have an adverse impact on potential or established Indigenous or treaty rights, the percentage of these occurrences where the Agency has taken steps to successfully fulfill the Crown’s duty to consult and accommodate.

Starting point: New

Target: 100%

How the Departmental Action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

The Agency is a government entity whose authorizations under the Canada Transportation Act may trigger the Crown’s duty to consult and, where appropriate, accommodate. The Agency therefore has the responsibility to develop and implement tools, including policies and guidelines, to ensure that the duty to consult is fulfilled before issuing determinations that may be expected to adversely impact potential or established Indigenous or treaty rights.

The Agency’s approach also reflects the Updated Guidelines for Federal Officials to Fulfill the Duty to Consult, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and the Principles respecting the Government of Canada’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples.

GIF Target - 10.3 Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard.

 GOAL 12:
 Reduce waste and transition to zero-emission vehicles

FSDS Context:

By transitioning to a cleaner and more circular economy that prioritizes reducing consumption and waste generation, reusing the resources already extracted, and finding processes and technologies that take a holistic systems-based approach to minimizing waste throughout the economy, we can help reduce negative impacts on the environment. Doing this also improves resilience to resource shortages, rising or volatile prices, and supply chain interruptions.

The circular economy is founded on 3 principles: design pollution and waste out of the economy, keep products and materials in use (through sharing, reuse, repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing, repurposing and recycling), and work with nature to regenerate and enhance ecosystems. Using these principles, we can sustainably manage our economy for the benefit of current and future generations.

Developing the circular economy provides opportunities for innovation in the way that material resources are able to be reclaimed and reused throughout supply chains as well as changing the norm of throwing out old or broken products. As Canada aims to reduce the amount of waste produced, it will be important to look at circularity sector by sector to overcome unique barriers and take advantage of existing and emerging opportunities.

Target theme: Federal Leadership on Responsible Consumption

Target: The Government of Canada’s procurement of goods and services will be net-zero emissions by 2050, to aid the transition to a net-zero, circular economy (All Ministers)

Implementation Strategy

Strengthen green procurement criteria

Departmental Action

The Agency adheres to the principles of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) by complying with the Policy on Green Procurement.

Program: All Programs

Performance Indicator
Starting point
Target

Performance Indicator: Percentage of procurement and materiel management specialists trained in green procurement within one year of being identified

Starting point: New

Target: 100%

How the Departmental Action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

Green procurement incorporates environmental considerations into purchasing decisions and is expected to motivate suppliers to reduce the environmental impact of the goods and services they deliver, and their supply chains.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition: Canadians consume in a sustainable manner

CIF Indicator: 12.2.1 Proportion of businesses that adopted selected environmental protection activities and management practices

GIF Target: 12.7 Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities

 GOAL 13:
 Take action on climate change and its impacts

FSDS Context:

The effects of human-caused climate change are being felt across our country. Canadians are seeing more extreme temperatures and precipitation as well as more frequent and severe wildfires, heatwaves, droughts and flooding. Canada is warming at two times the global rate, and this rate is even greater in the Canadian Arctic. Meanwhile, rising sea levels, along with less visible effects such as increased acidity and reduced levels of oxygen in the oceans, are damaging ecosystems and industries such as fisheries.

Climate change is one of the top drivers of global biodiversity loss, which further threatens ecosystems and the beneficial services they provide to society. It affects the health of Canadians, especially the most at-risk populations such as youth, seniors, Indigenous populations, those with chronic health conditions, and marginalized low-income, and racialized communities. It also puts increased strain on the country’s health systems during extreme weather events. Climate change has also been linked to the increased spread of invasive species and intensity of zoonotic (animal-borne) and vector-borne (mosquitos, tick or flea-borne) diseases.

Target theme: Federal Leadership on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions and Climate Resilience

Target: The Government of Canada will transition to climate resilient operations by 2050 (All Ministers)

Implementation Strategy

Implement the Greening Government Strategy through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and green the government’s overall operations

Departmental Action

Ensure all relevant employees are trained on assessing climate change impacts, undertaking climate change risk assessments, and developing adaptation actions within one year of being identified.

Program: Internal Services Branch (ISB)

Performance Indicator
Starting point
Target

Performance Indicator: Percentage of relevant employees trained on assessing climate change impacts, undertaking climate change risk assessments, and developing adaptation actions.

Starting point: 0% in 2022-2023 trained

Target: 100% trained by 2026-2027

How the Departmental Action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGs

Trained staff can identify risk to critical program delivery, and develop responses to increase the resilience of operations to impacts of climate change.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

GIF Targets: 13.1 Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries.

13.3 Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.

Integrating Sustainable Development

The Agency will continue to ensure that its decision-making process includes consideration of FSDS goals and targets through its Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process. A SEA for a policy, plan or program proposal includes an analysis of the impacts of the given proposal on the environment, including on relevant FSDS goals and targets.

Public statements on the results of the Agency’s assessments are made public when an initiative that has undergone a detailed SEA. The purpose of the public statement is to demonstrate that the environmental effects, including the impacts on achieving the FSDS goals and targets, of the approved policy, plan or program have been considered during proposal development and decision-making.