Sustainable Development Strategy
Progress Report:
2001
Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION
PROGRESS TOWARD ACHIEVEMENT OF GOALS
APPENDIX 1: SUMMARY TABLE
Introduction
Background
Since 1997 the Department has been required to table a Sustainable
Development Strategy (SDS) in the House of Commons every three
years. During the first generation of SDSs, covering 1997-2000,
departments were encouraged to outline their strategies through the Report
on Plans and Priorities (RPP) and report on them in the Departmental
Performance Report (DPR).
As the second generation of SDSs (2001-2003) have resulted in
more comprehensive reporting by departments, the limitations of the current
reporting structure have become apparent. The two greatest shortcomings,
the limited amount of space available (approximately two pages) in which
to report on the SDS and the fact that the DPR reports
on a fiscal year, whereas the SDS is reported on by calendar year,
have caused some difficulty for departments in the preparation of accurate
comprehensive reports.
Given the limitations and difficulties this places on departments’ abilities
to report on their SDS, Treasury Board (TB) officials, along with
representatives from the office of the Commissioner of the Environment
and Sustainable Development (CESD), are now encouraging departments to
use alternative reporting mechanisms, such as stand-alone reports which
would specifically report on departments’ SDS, while still including
a high-level overview in the DPR.
This report represents the Department of Citizenship and Immigration
Canada’s (CIC) first stand-alone progress report on our SDS. As
this is the first report using this new format, it is expected that future
reports will further improve the Department’s sustainable development
reporting. Additionally, future reports will strive to further incorporate
the principles of good public performance reporting and the lessons learned
from our reports, as well as those of other federal departments and agencies.
Lastly, as the Department has historically reported on our SD commitments
through the DPR, which covers fiscal years (April 1st through
March 31st), this report will cover the timeframe April 1st,
2001 through December 31st, 2001. Future reports will
cover calendar years.
It must also be noted that some of the activities planned during this
period were not met due to the disruptions resulting from the events
of September 11, 2001. While the timelines for some of our planned
actions have slipped, the commitments have not been dropped from the SDS and
the Department will strive to meet them in 2002.
This Year’s Report
CIC’s policies and programs have a direct impact on the social, cultural
and economic conditions in Canada. However, the Department also plays
a role in environmental issues.
In our current SDS, we note:
“Sustainable development and its applications within the CIC
mandate is an evolving process. The Department needs to improve its
understanding of sustainable development and the linkages between sustainable
development and CIC policies and programs. To that end, CIC has undertaken
the challenge of balancing environmental considerations against our
broader social and economic goals”.
This continues to apply today and is reflected in the four key goals
of our SDS:
- to minimize the negative environmental impacts of departmental operations;
- to promote awareness of sustainable development principles and objectives
among departmental staff, clients and stakeholders;
- to better integrate environmental considerations into departmental
policy development and decision-making processes; and
- to promote accountability and ensure compliance.
The following information represents results CIC has achieved with regard
to the overall scope of sustainable development from April 1, 2001
to December 31, 2001. Appendix 1 contains detailed information on
the progress made on the planned action for every objective under the
goals described in the Department’s Sustainable Development Strategy, published
in December 2000.
[ top ]
Progress Toward Achievement of Goals
From April 1, 2001 to December 31, 2001 CIC made progress toward achieving
objectives planned under the four goals of its SDS. Of the 35 actions
planned throughout the life of the strategy, 13 have already been completed and
an additional five have almost been completed. Perhaps the most important of
these accomplishments was the creation of CIC’s Coordinating Committee on Sustainable
Development (CCSD). The CCSD, which has representatives from all branches across
the Department, meets quarterly to coordinate the implementation of our SDS.
This body will be instrumental to the Department if we are to successfully achieve
the objectives outlined in our SDS.
Below is a summary of the status of our SDS commitments for 2001,
as well as for the entire duration of the Strategy.
Figure 1: Status of 2001 SDS Commitments
![Figure 1: Status of 2001 SDS Commitments](/web/20071124235633im_/http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/sds/images/fig2002-1e.gif)
Figure 2: Overall Status of SDS Commitments
![Figure 2: Overall Status of SDS Commitments](/web/20071124235633im_/http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/sds/images/fig2002-2e.gif)
SDS ACCOMPLISHMENTS IN 2001
Goal 1: To Minimize the Negative Environmental
Impacts of Departmental Operations.
Participated in the Interdepartmental Performance Measurement for Government
Operations (PMSGO) Working Group in order to develop a set of indicators
which are of common interest to several departments.
Distributed policies and information to departmental staff who have
delegated responsibility for procurement under $5,000, fleet management,
and facilities management.
Developed and implemented awareness sessions on procurement management.
Similar sessions on fleet and facilities management, which were originally
developed for other government departments, were also used.
Created an environmental management system resource centre on the departmental
Intranet, focusing on greening initiatives, policies, and achievements.
Identified and finalized a list of companies which produce green products
and disseminated the list to purchasing agents and Responsibility Centre
(RC) managers.
Conducted a Waste Management Audit to review the current levels of consumption
of office materials / waste at National Headquarters.
Goal 2: To Promote Awareness of Sustainable
Development Principles and Objectives Among Departmental Staff, Clients
and Stakeholders.
Expanded departmental awareness-building events, including promoting
sustainable development, disseminating the Waste Audit results, holding
environment week activities, and conducting awareness raising campaigns
on polystyrene cup usage.
Included a section on sustainable development in two major departmental
documents, A Newcomer’s Introduction to Canada, which is distributed
to visa-ready immigrants, and A Look at Canada, which is distributed
to new Canadians.
Goal 3: To Better Integrate Environmental
Considerations Into Departmental Policy Development and Decision-Making
Processes.
Participated in interdepartmental networks and working groups to acquire
information on and approaches to sustainable development, and to contribute
a citizenship and immigration perspective to horizontal policy issues.
CIC participated in the following initiatives:
- Interdepartmental Network on Sustainable Development Strategies (INSDS)
and its various working groups;
- Interdepartmental working group on Performance Measurement for Sustainable
Government Operations;
- Interdepartmental Working Group on Promoting Sustainable Communities;
- Policy Research Initiative’s Sustainable Development Network and
Sustainable Communities Conference;
- NRTEE Conference on Sustainable Development Indicators;
- Canadian Information System for the Environment consultations; and
- Federation of Canadian Municipalities conference on sustainable communities.
Goal 4: To Promote Accountability and Ensure
Compliance.
Created the Coordinating Committee on Sustainable Development (CCSD),
an intradepartmental working group to assess the progress on attaining
sustainable development objectives. The CCSD also helps guide and coordinate
the implementation of sustainable development initiatives within the
department.
[ top ]
Appendix 1: Summary Table
Goal
I: To minimize the negative environmental impacts of departmental operations. |
Planned Objectives |
Planned Actions |
Results Achieved in 2001 |
Follow-up Action
(If Required) |
Target Date & Status |
1. Communicate to our overseas personnel the Department’s
support of the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade’s
(DFAIT) measures to “green”
facilities abroad, including responding to requests for statistics and
baseline measures on energy consumption and procurement practices. |
1a) Ensure that the DFAIT mission checklist is available
to Responsibility Centre (RC) managers. |
The DFAIT mission checklist has been made available to
all Responsibility Centre managers. |
|
Target: 2003
Completed 2001 |
2. Develop a set of indicators in areas of common
interest with other government departments |
2a) Participate in the Interdepartmental Performance Measurement
for Sustainable Government Operations (PMSGO) Working Group. |
CIC actively participated in the interdepartmental PMSGO
Working Group to develop co-ordinated plans and approaches on Sustainable
Development themes. |
CIC will continue to participate in this interdepartmental
forum throughout 2002 and 2003. |
Target: 2001-2003
Completed 2001 |
2b) Review of draft indicators. |
CIC is working with a number of departments on the initial
set of draft indicators and reporting guidelines brought forward at the
June 2001 PMSGO Working Group workshop. |
N/A |
Target: 2001
Completed 2001 |
2c) Use of indicators to measure performance. [2003] |
Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) will determine government-wide
guidelines to help departments compile and produce an annual performance
report on the co-ordinated greening of operations for 2003. |
CIC will work to incorporate and use the performance measures
established by NRCan. |
Target: 2003
Some Progress |
3. Ongoing promotion of the benefits of greening
fleet, procurement and facilities management. |
3a) Distribute policies and information to those responsible
for sustainability in fleet, procurement and facilities management. |
Information on waste reduction was e-mailed to NHQ staff
with promotional insight on facilities issues.
Information was sent to the employees, who have procurement delegation
under $5,000, scheduled to attend the Green Procurement course.
Promotional Tip sheets in the areas of: fleet, procurement and facilities
were developed and distributed to employees with responsibilities in these
areas. |
CIC is using the revised Treasury Board guidelines on fleet
management at this time. We are in the process of drafting our own departmental
policies which incorporate our specific needs. |
Target: 2001
Mostly Complete |
3b) Establish a baseline measure that identifies the number
of employees who would benefit from awareness sessions in greening fleet,
procurement and facilities management. |
Baseline measures were undertaken. It was established indicating
that: 7 employees require sessions on Fleet Management; 200 employees require
sessions on Procurement Management; and 12 employees require sessions on
Facilities Management. |
N/A |
Target: 2001
Completed 2001 |
3c) Develop awareness sessions on fleet, procurement and
facilities management. |
CIC has developed its own awareness material on procurement
management.
CIC is currently using training material on fleet management which was
originally created for other government departments.
Public Works and Government Service Canada (PWGSC) has developed a session
on facilities management and has agreed to make it available to CIC. |
The sessions on fleet and facilities management will be
adapted in 2002 to reflect CIC’s operations and requirements. |
Target: 2001
Mostly Complete |
3d) Begin the sessions. |
No progress was made on this commitment during 2001. |
Sessions on fleet, procurement and facilities management
will begin in 2002. |
Target: 2002
No Progress |
4. Identify and ensure the availability of relevant material
on greening initiatives, policies and achievements. |
4a) Create an environmental management system resource
centre. |
CIC has posted the pertinent documentation on our Intranet
(CIC Explore). |
CIC will continue to update this information as necessary. |
Target: 2002-2003
Completed 2001 |
5. Maximize opportunities to oversee the sustainability
of the Department’s fleet of vehicles, develop national standards, and
introduce a standard approach to maintaining and tracking vehicle utilization
data. |
5a) Re-establishment of the Fleet National Committee. |
Discussions have taken place with regional fleet managers
to re-establish the Fleet National Committee. |
The Fleet National Committee will be re-established in
2002. |
Target: 2001
Partially Complete |
5b) Implement national standards for purchasing and maintaining
vehicles, and tracking vehicle data. |
National standards have been drafted, but have not yet
been review by regional fleet managers. |
Regional fleet managers will review and finalize the draft
standards at the Fleet National Committee in 2002. |
Target: 2001
Some Progress |
5c) Identify reporting requirements and the subsequent development of
a new vehicle logging method, including:
- number of vehicles;
- number of annual kilometers traveled;
- number of vehicles in the vehicle management system with reported
fuel consumption;
- number of vehicles with complete vehicle utilization records;
|
The reporting requirements and new vehicle logging
method have been drafted and are ready to be discussed with the regional
fleet managers at the Fleet National Committee. |
The regional fleet managers will review and finalize
the draft reporting requirements and new vehicle logging methods at the
Fleet National Committee in 2002. |
Target: 2001-2002
Partially Complete |
- regional reporting of monthly odometer readings within the framework
of the new vehicle management system.
|
Target: 2002-2003
Some Progress |
6. Finalize with lead departments and disseminate
the Guide on Green Procurement Resources for purchasing agents to
RC managers. |
6a) Green products identified with lead departments. |
CIC will be following the strategy of lead departments
who have decided to promote the use of green products as identified by
private firms such as Procara and the Ecogestion Catalogue. |
N/A |
Target: 2001
Completed 2001 |
6b) Guidelines distributed to all RC managers. |
No progress was made on this commitment during 2001. |
The guidelines will be distributed to all RC mangers during
2002. |
Target 2002-2003
No Progress |
7. Develop and implement a resource depletion
reduction strategy. |
7a) Review current levels of resource consumption in paper
and office equipment at NHQ and evaluate feasibility with regions. |
CIC has conducted a Waste Management Audit at NHQ to review
current levels of resource consumption. |
A second NHQ Waste Management Audit will be conducted during
2002. CIC will also evaluate the feasibility of conducting a review of
current levels of consumption in the regions in 2002. |
Target: 2001-2002
Partially Complete |
7b) Establish baseline measures by identifying current
paper procurement practices. |
No progress was made on this commitment during 2001. |
Paper procurement practices will be identified in 2002. |
Target: 2001
No Progress |
8. Maximize ongoing opportunities for space optimization
and retrofit programs with facility custodians. |
8a) Identify facilities where space optimization and retrofits
would be appropriate. |
No progress was made on this commitment during 2001. |
Facilities will be identified during the next two years
of the SDS. |
Target: 2001-2003
No Progress |
Goal
II: To promote awareness of sustainable development principles and objectives
among departmental staff, clients and stakeholders. |
Planned Objectives |
Planned Actions |
Results Achieved in 2001 |
Follow-up Action
(If Required) |
Target Date & Status |
1. Develop a communications strategy to raise
staff awareness of sustainable development. |
1a) Expand departmental awareness-building events. |
CIC contracted a consultant to develop a communications
strategy on sustainable development in December 2001.
CIC has initiated and used activities such as the Waste Management Audit,
the change of pictures on the recycling centres and Environment Week to
disseminate communication material to departmental employees.
Additionally, two branches conducted awareness raising campaigns on polystyrene
coffee cup usage, resulting a reduction of polystyrene use by 86%. |
The communications strategy will be delivered in 2002.
The CCSD will review the strategy, and identify priority activities for
implementation in 2002 and 2003. |
Target: 2003
Mostly Complete |
1b) Prepare and disseminate electronic communications material
to departmental employees. |
CIC used activities such as the Waste Management Audit
and Environment Week to raise awareness and disseminate communication material
to departmental employees. |
CIC plans to distribute the results of the second wave
of Waste Management Audits in 2002. |
Target: 2001
Completed 2001 |
1c) Maintain and update CIC Internet and Intranet sites. |
Both the CIC Internet and Intranet sites have dedicated
sustainable development webpages with relevant information for new comers
to Canada, Canadians, and departmental staff. |
The CCSD has obtained DFAIT’s approval to use the appropriate “Green”
information from their Intranet site. The material will be placed on CIC
Explore in 2002. |
Target: 2001-2003
Mostly Complete |
1d) Environment Week Activities and Awards. |
CIC sent communications messaging to all NHQ staff and
hosted activities for Environment Week 2001. |
CIC plans to increase our Environment Week activities during
2002-2003. |
Target: 2001-2003
Completed 2001 |
2. Provide meaningful access to information on
sustainable development. |
2a) Include a section on sustainable development in A
Newcomer’s Introduction to Canada, a publication distributed abroad
to visa-ready immigrants. |
The publication was updated to reflect the environmental,
economic, and social aspects of sustainable development. |
N/A |
Target: 2001
Completed 2001 |
2b) Provide regional offices, missions abroad and service
provider organizations with information on sustainable development for
display, and to support newcomer orientation sessions. |
A review of the capacity of missions abroad revealed that
because of resource constraints and security restrictions, the public cannot
easily access reading materials. In addition, it was determined that the
distribution of leaflets concerning sustainable development to regional
offices is not a cost-effective initiative because there is little direct
contact with clients. |
In order to better support newcomer orientation, electronic
links and information concerning sustainable development are being developed
for the Integration-Net website [note 1]. This
information will be available in 2002. |
Target: 2001
Mostly Complete |
3. Promote sustainable development as a value
of Canadian citizenship. |
3a) Prepare communications material promoting sustainable
development as a citizenship value. |
A Look at Canada [note 2]
was revised with an updated message on sustainable development and the
responsibility of newcomers to contribute to the social, economic, and
environmental well being of the country. |
A consultant is developing a component on sustainable development
to be included in speech modules delivered by citizenship judges at citizenship
ceremonies. This work will be completed in 2002.
Additionally, a section on environmental responsibility in Welcome to
Canada [note 3] is being broadened to include
information on sustainable development. The new version will be available
in 2002. |
Target: 2001
Partially Complete |
3b) During Citizenship Week, distribute communications
material on the responsibility of newcomers to contribute to the social,
economic, and environmental well being of Canada. |
Due to the events of September 11, planned priorities
for Citizenship Week were diverted. During Citizenship Week CIC disseminated
material which promoted inclusion.
However, a Citizenship Week activity guide for schools and youth groups
entitled “The Voice of Our People” was distributed. This guide
includes numerous exercises that promote belonging and social cohesiveness
with an awareness of the natural environment. |
A variety of documents and information for new comers to
Canada and new Canadians will be updated and distributed throughout 2002.
These documents will include information on sustainable development. |
Target: 2001
Some Progress |
Goal
III: To better integrate environmental considerations into the departmental
policy development and decision-making processes. |
Planned Objectives |
Planned Actions |
Results Achieved in 2001 |
Follow-up Action (If Required) |
Target Date & Status |
1. Enhance CIC’s knowledge base by improving
the Department’s research and analytical capacity. |
1a) Acquire research and information on CIC programs such
as the Global Case Management System (GCMS), the Government On Line (GOL)
Initiative, the Data Warehouse, the Performance Measurement Strategy, and
the Metropolis Project. |
CIC has determined that corporate information technology
initiatives (e.g. GCMS, GOL, Data Warehouse, etc.) although contributing
to the Department’s overall knowledge base, are unlikely to have direct
applications for sustainable development. |
In subsequent years, CIC will focus on acquiring policy-relevant
research on sustainable development issues through its Strategic Research
Plan and the Metropolis Project. |
Target: 2001-2003
Some Progress |
1b) Participate in research networks and working groups
to acquire information on and approaches to sustainable development, and
to contribute a citizenship and immigration perspective to horizontal policy
issues. |
In 2001, CIC participated in the following initiatives:
- Interdepartmental Network on Sustainable Development Strategies (INSDS)
and its various working groups;
- Interdepartmental Working Group on Promoting Sustainable Communities;
- PRI’s Sustainable Development Network and Sustainable Communities
Conference;
- NRTEE Conference on Sustainable Development Indicators;
- Canadian Information System for the Environment (CISE) consultations;
- Federation of Canadian Municipalities conference on sustainable communities.
|
CIC will continue to participate in these fora, as well
as any relevant new ones that are established in the future. |
Target: 2001-2003
Completed 2001 |
1c) Ensure that policy and program staff and decision-makers
have access to information required on the social, economic, and environmental
impacts of CIC policies and programs. |
Little progress was made on developing information on the
environmental impacts of CIC’s policies and programs during 2001. |
CIC will strive to develop policy relevant research and
tools with other government departments on sustainable development issues. |
Target: 2001-2003
Some Progress |
2. Integrate an environmental component within
our planning, policy, and implementation processes. |
2a) Participate in interdepartmental networks through such
activities as the Policy Research Initiative and related consultations
to determine options for integrating an environmental component within
departmental policies and programs. |
Same as 1b (above). |
Same as 1b (above). |
Target: 2001-2003
Completed 2001 |
2b) Ensure that sustainable development considerations
are taken into account in levels planning consultations with provincial
and territorial governments and stakeholders. |
The social, economic and environmental impacts of immigration
were given consideration during the 2001 levels planning. |
In the future, CIC will seek to increase its knowledge
of the environmental impacts of immigration and integrate this information
into the levels planning process. |
Target: 2001-2003
Partially Complete |
3. Incorporate Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEAs)
within the Memoranda to Cabinet process. |
3a) Prepare Memoranda to Cabinet that incorporate Strategic
Environmental Assessment principles where appropriate. |
This objective was not met in 2001 due to lack of resources
and competing workload pressures. |
In 2002, CIC plans to conduct a review of how other social
policy departments conduct SEAs in order to develop options for implementing
the Cabinet Directive on SEAs. |
Target: 2001
No Progress |
Goal
IV: To promote accountability and ensure compliance. |
Planned Objectives |
Planned Actions |
Results Achieved in 2001 |
Follow-up Action(If Required) |
Target Date & Status |
1. Assess the impact of CIC programs and identify, where
possible, the interactions with the economic, social and environmental
dimensions of sustainable development. |
1a) All evaluation frameworks to take into account, where
applicable, the implications of CIC policies and programs on sustainable
development. |
The only evaluation framework completed this year covered
the special funding received for Program Integrity. Sustainable development
was not applicable in this case. |
Future evaluation frameworks will take into account, where
applicable, the implication of CIC policies and programs on sustainable
development. |
Target: 2001
Completed 2001 |
2. Create an intradepartmental working group to assess
progress on attaining sustainable development objectives. |
2a) Annual assessment of sustainable development initiatives
to facilitate reporting in the Departmental Performance Report and the
Report on Plans and Priorities. |
CIC established a Coordinating Committee on Sustainable
Development (CCSD) in November 2001 with representatives from branches
across the department. |
The CCSD will continue to meet quarterly to coordinate
implementation and reporting on CIC’s second SDS in 2002 and 2003. |
Target: 2001-2003
Completed 2001 |
3. Develop, implement and continually refine performance
measures to assess departmental policies and programs. |
3a) Prepare and disseminate a framework for performance
measurement. |
A performance measurement strategy was completed and distributed
throughout CIC. This strategy provides a framework of the collection, analysis
and reporting of performance information and the evaluation of this information
against performance measures and indicators. |
Further steps to implement the framework in the department
will be taken during 2002 and 2003. |
Target: 2003
Mostly Complete |
Notes:
1. Integration-Net was created by CIC as a communications
and research tool to support the work of the Canadian settlement community.
2. This document is distributed to all applicants
for citizenship.
3. This document is an information guide about living
in Canada and is distributed to all newcomers who come through major
ports of entry.
Produced by Strategic Policy and Partnerships
In consultation with the Department of Citizenship and Immigration’s
Coordinating Committee on Sustainable Development
For additional copies, please contact:
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 1L1
Fax: (613) 954-2221
© Minister of Public Works and Government Services Canada, 2002
Cat. No.: Ci51-120/2001E
ISBN: 0-662-32824-8
November 2002