Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

1. Overview of the Federal Government's Approach to Sustainable Development

The Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) 2013–16, tabled on November 4, 2013, guides the Government of Canada’s sustainable development activities, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act (FSDA). In keeping with the objectives of the FSDA, to make environmental decision–making more transparent and accountable to Parliament, Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Canada (Public Safety Canada) supports the implementation of the FSDS through the activities found in this departmental strategy.

Accordingly, this Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS) presents the results for commitments for Theme III – Protecting Nature and Canadians, within the context of the 2013–16 FSDS. This DSDS also provides the results for Theme IV –Shrinking the Environmental Footprint – Beginning with Government based on the 2010–13 FSDS.

2. Theme III: Department/Agency–led Targets

Public Safety Canada contributes to Theme III – Protecting Nature and Theme IV - Shrinking the Environmental Footprint – Beginning with Government. These contributions are components of the Emergency Management Program and the Internal Services' activities, and are further explained in Section II of this report. Please visit Public Safety Canada's website for additional details on the Department's activities to support sustainable development.

FSDS Goal

Goal 4: Conserving and Restoring Ecosystems, Wildlife and Habitat, and Protecting Canadians

FSDS Performance Indicator

Percentage of federal institutions evaluated that have assessed and taken actions in their emergency management plan to address risks related to their area of responsibility

FSDS Target

Target 4.7: Environmental Disasters, Incidents and Emergencies

FSDS Performance Status

During the reporting period, six SEMP (Strategic Emergency Management Program) assessments were conducted. The Department reviewed the risk assessments conducted by the targeted federal institutions and determined the level to which they incorporated risk prevention/mitigation options into their emergency management plans. These assessments reflected a continued improvement across institutions in their ability to properly identify emergency management risks and to develop appropriate plans to address them. No Business Continuity Plans (BCP) assessments were conducted in 2013-14 due to the 2013 realignment of departmental functions, which included a branch and program redesign. In the interim, a review of the assessment methodology was undertaken and will continue in 2014-15.

3. Theme III: Implementation Strategies

4.7.1. Evaluate, validate and/or identify improvements to the Government of Canada's emergency management plans, procedures and protocols.

4.7.2. Reinforce the partnerships for national disaster mitigation, while managing the increased costs of disaster recovery.

4.7.3. Analyze and evaluate federal institutions' emergency management plans to assess if the institutions are identifying risks in their area of responsibility and are developing plans to mitigate the identified risks.

Strategic Environmental Assessment Planned Highlights and Commitments

Public Safety Canada did not have any environmental assessments in 2013-14.

4. Theme IV: Implementation Strategies

Surplus Electronic and Electrical Equipment Target

By March 31, 2014, each department will reuse or recycle all surplus electronic and electrical equipment (EEE) in an environmentally sound and secure manner.
(Target 8.6 from 2010–13 FSDS)

Surplus Electronic and Electrical Equipment Target

Performance Measure

Performance Status

Target status

Achieved

Existence of an implementation plan for the disposal of all departmentally generated EEE

All EEE are disposed using proper e-Waste methodology

Total number of departmental locations with an EEE implementation plan fully implemented, expressed as a percentage of all locations, by the end of the given fiscal year

100%

Strategies and/or Comments

  1. Definition of Electronic and Electrical Equipment: Electronic Equipment refers to computers, monitors, printers, plotters, laptops, docking stations, televisions, most server and network equipment, most audio-visual equipment, scanners, fax machines, label printers, photocopiers, toaster-ovens, refrigerators, microwaves, and ovens.
  2. Definition and number of departmental locations: In the context of this target, locations are defined as the National Capital Region – headquarters (NCR), as well as Public Safety Canada’s regional offices.
  3. Key components of the EEE disposal process: Public Safety Canada disposes of all departmentally generated surplus EEE in a manner consistent with the Treasury Board Directive on Disposal of Surplus Material.
  4. Method for Tracking Equipment: Departmental assets are recorded in three departmental systems designed to capture complete information on each type of asset: Provance, an IT asset tracking system; CableSolve, a non-IT asset tracking system; and SAP, a financial capital asset tracking system. When the asset is received, relevant information is recorded in the appropriate tracking system and an asset tag is affixed.

In terms of meeting its obligation under the Treasury Board Policy on Government Security (PGS), Public Safety Canada has measures in place to ensure compliance, including physical security of departmental assets. The Public Safety Canada Security Policy and the Departmental Security Plan establishes requirements in this area.

Printing Unit Reduction Target

By March 31, 2013, each department will achieve an 8:1 average ratio of office employees to printing units. Departments will apply the target where building occupancy levels, security considerations, and space configuration allow. (Target 8.7 from 2010–13 FSDS)

Printing Unit Reduction Target

Performance Measure

Performance Status

Target status

Public Safety Canada has achieved the target of 8:1 and continues to maintain this ratio

Ratio of departmental office employees to printing units in fiscal year 201011, where building occupancy levels, security considerations and space configuration allow

2:1

Ratio of departmental office employees to printing units at the end of the given fiscal year, where building occupancy levels, security considerations and space configuration allow

8:1

Strategies and/or Comments 

  1. Definition of printing unit: In the context of this target, a printing unit is defined as an electronic device, which sends text or pictures onto paper. This includes desktop printers, network printers, and multifunctional printers (with photocopier, fax, and scanner functionality).
  2. Scope: The Printing Unit Reduction Target is applied to all office employees and printing units across Public Safety Canada – in the NCR and its regions.
  3. Method for determining number of printing units: The Information Technology functional unit at Public Safety Canada uses a tracking system (Provance) to maintain the accuracy of its inventory of organizational printing units in the NCR and in the regions.
  4. Method for determining number of office employees: Public Safety Canada determines its number of office employees using its Human Resources Management System (HRMS - PeopleSoft).
  5. Number of office employees subject to the target: At 2013-14 year-end, Public Safety Canada had 1058 FTE employees who were subject to this target.
  6. Implementation Strategies:
    • The Department continued to ensure adequate access to network printers to service each area; and continued to reassess departmental printing requirements and to adjust the number and model of network printers.

Paper Consumption Target

By March 31, 2014, each department will reduce internal paper consumption per office employee by 20%. Each department will establish a baseline between 200506 and 201112, and an applicable scope. (Target 8.8 from 2010–13 FSDS)

Paper Consumption Target

Performance Measure

Performance Status

Target status

Public Safety Canada exceeded the 20% target by 9.4%

Number of sheets of internal office paper purchased or consumed per office employee in the selected baseline year, according to the departmental scope

Total Paper = 10,948,750 sheets
Sheets per employee = 9123

Cumulative reduction (or increase) in paper consumption per office employee in the given fiscal year, expressed as a percentage, relative to the selected baseline year

Total Paper = 7,396,000 sheets
Sheets per employee = 6437
Percentage compared to baseline year = 29.4%

Strategies and/or Comments

It is important to note that the total paper usage was reduced by 32.4%. However, given that the Department had fewer employees in 2013-14, the usage per employee does not reflect that percentage.

Green Meetings Target

By March 31, 2012, each department will adopt a guide for greening meetings.
(Target 8.9 from 2010–13 FSDS)

Green Meetings Target

Performance Measure

Performance Status

Target status

Achieved

Presence of a green meetings guide

The Green Meeting Guide was updated in 2012-13

Strategies and/or Comments

Green Procurement Targets

As of April 1, 2011, each department will establish at least three SMART green procurement targets to reduce environmental impacts. (Target 8.10 from 2010–13 FSDS)

1. As of April 1, 2012, Public Safety Canada will ensure that 95% of toner cartridges purchased are remanufactured or recycled, where feasible

Green Procurement Targets

Performance Measure

Performance Status

Target status

Achieved

Number of remanufactured or recycled toner cartridges, relative to total number of toner cartridges purchased

0

Progress against measure in the given fiscal year

Public Safety Canada experienced leakage and warranty issues when using certain recycled cartridges and solid ink products, which voided our warranty on some printing units. However, 100% of all toner cartridges are recycled.

Strategies and/or Comments

This target meets all the requirements of SMART criteria, that is: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time Bound. In 2013-14, Public Safety Canada will scope out Xerox toner cartridges from this target, and will engage the vendor to ensure it includes the departmental environmental considerations (GGO target) forward.

Implementation strategies include:

2. As of April 1, 2011, as an ongoing target, Public Safety Canada office computers will have an average of a four-year life cycle

Green Procurement Targets

Performance Measure

Performance Status

Target status

Achieved

Average life of office computers in the Department

Four-year average life on all computers

Progress against measure in the given fiscal year

100%

Strategies and/or Comments 

This target meets all the requirements of SMART criteria, that is: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Time Bound. This target includes all Public Safety Canada office computers.

Implementation strategies included:

3. By March 31, 2014, 95% of paper purchases will contain a minimum of 30% recycled content and/or have forest management certification or ECOLOGO of equivalent certification

Green Procurement Targets

Performance Measure

Performance Status

Target status

Achieved

Volume of paper purchased that meets target requirements, relative to the total volume of all paper purchased

95%

Progress against measure in 2013-14

100%

Strategies and/or Comments

As part of its Acquisition Card Policy, Public Safety Canada included paper on the list of commodities that could not be purchased with an acquisition card (at headquarters). Public Safety Canada continues to purchase paper centrally in the NCR which has ensured the availability of inventory counts.

As of April 1, 2011, each department will establish SMART targets for training, employee performance evaluations, and management processes and controls, as they pertain to procurement decision making. (Target 8.11 from 2010–13 FSDS)

Training for select employees

As of April 1, 2012, as an ongoing target, 90% of material managers, procurement officers and acquisition cardholders will have taken a green procurement course.

Training for select employees

Performance Measure

Performance Status

Target status

Achieved

Percentage of material managers, procurement officers and acquisition cardholders that have taken a recognized green procurement training course

100%

Progress against measure in 2013-14

100%

Strategies and/or Comments

Implementation strategies included:

Employee performance evaluations for managers and functional heads of procurement and materiel management

As of April 1, 2012, as an ongoing target, green procurement objectives will be included in 100% of the performance evaluations of managers and functional heads of procurement and material management.

Employee performance evaluations for managers and functional heads of procurement and materiel management

Performance Measure

Performance Status

Target status

Achieved

Percentage of managers and functional heads of procurement and material management that have included green procurement objectives in their performance evaluations

100%

Progress against measure in 2013-14

100%

Strategies and/or Comments

The Department ensured that 100% of procurement officers, managers, and functional heads of Procurement and Material Management included green procurement objectives in their annual performance expectations and evaluations.

Management processes and controls

As of March 31, 2014, a minimum of three management processes and controls will be greened.

Management processes and controls

Performance Measure

Performance Status

Target status

Achieved

Number of greened management processes and controls

3

Progress against measure in the given fiscal year

3

Strategies and/or Comments

In 2010-11, Public Safety Canada developed and implemented the departmental Policy on Green Procurement, as well as the departmental Policy on Acquisition Cards. In 2013-14, the Department:

Voluntary Reporting on Any Other Greening Government Operations Initiative

Voluntary Reporting on Any Other Greening Government Operations Initiative

Performance Measure

Performance Status

N/A

N/A

5. Additional Departmental/Agency Sustainable Development Activities and Initiatives

N/A

6. Sustainable Development Management System

N/A

7. Strategic Environmental Assessment

During 2013–14 reporting cycle, Public Safety Canada considered the environmental effects of initiatives subject to the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals, as part of its decision–making processes. Through the strategic environmental assessment (SEA) process, departmental proposals were found to have positive effects on the 2013–16 FSDS goals and targets in Themes III – Protecting Nature and Canadians, and the 2010–13 FSDS for Theme IV – Shrinking the Environmental Footprint – Beginning with Government.

Additional information on the results of the SEA is available on the /cnt/rsrcs/pblctns/index-eng.aspx

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