Canadian Food Inspection Agency's 2020 to 2021 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Report

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2020 to 2021 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Report

Organization: Canadian Food Inspection Agency

(PDF, 620 kb, 18 pages)

ISSN: 2564-2344

This report on progress supports the commitment in the Federal Sustainable Development Act (S.C. 2008, c. 33) (FSDA) to make sustainable development decision-making more transparent and accountable to Parliament. It also contributes to an integrated, whole‑of‑government view of activities supporting environmental sustainability.

The departmental information reported accounts for information previously prepared in accordance with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's 2020 to 2023 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy.

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Section 1: Introduction to the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

The 2019 to 2022 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) presents the Government of Canada's sustainable development goals and targets, as required by the FSDA. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) adheres to the principles of the FSDS, and while the CFIA completed a 2020 to 2023 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS) on a voluntary basis, it has developed this report to demonstrate progress in implementing its DSDS.

Section 2: Sustainable development in the CFIA

The CFIA's 2020 to 2023 DSDS describes the department's actions in support of achieving the goals of:

  • greening Government
  • healthy wildlife populations
  • sustainable food
  • connecting Canadians with nature

This report presents available results for the departmental actions pertinent to these goals. Previous years' reports are posted in the Departmental Results Reports.

Section 3: Departmental performance by FSDS goal

The following tables provide performance information on departmental actions in support of the FSDS goals listed in section 2:

Context: Greening Government

This goal captures commitments from the Greening Government Strategy, as well as reporting requirements under the Policy on Green Procurement.

image of a building in a circle

The Government of Canada will transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient and green operations.

FSDS target(s) FSDS contributing action(s) Corresponding departmental action(s) Starting point(s)
Performance indicator(s)
Target(s)
Results achieved Contribution by each departmental result to the FSDS goal and target

Reduce GHG emissions from federal government facilities and fleets by 40% below 2005 levels by 2030 (with an aspiration to achieve this target by 2025) and 80% below 2005 levels by 2050 (with an aspiration to be carbon neutral)

All new buildings and major building retrofits will prioritize low-carbon investments based on integrated design principles, and life-cycle and total-cost-of ownership assessments which incorporate shadow carbon pricing

  • Develop a real property strategy assessing current and future program and space requirements to optimize our real property portfolio holdings to meet future program needs
  • Undertake a strategic evaluation of our real property to determine the most cost-effective pathway to achieve low-carbon operations
  • Collaborate with Public Service and Procurement Canada (PSPC) to conduct a carbon neutral assessment of the future laboratory in Sidney to determine the feasibility of constructing a net-zero carbon building
  • Incorporate the price of carbon in infrastructure projects and asset improvements over $5M
  • Incorporate a 'green lens' to all scientific equipment purchases

Buildings:

  • Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from facilities in fiscal year 2005 to 2006 (base year) = 26.7 kt CO2e
  • GHG emissions from facilities in current reporting fiscal year = 17.2 kt CO2e
  • Percentage (%) change in GHG emissions from facilities from fiscal year 2005 to 2006 to current reporting fiscal year = 36%
  • GHG emissions from facilities in current reporting fiscal year = 16.9 kt CO2e
  • Percentage (%) change in GHG Emissions from Facilities from fiscal year 2005 to 2006 to current fiscal reporting year = 36.9%
  • By undertaking a strategic evaluation of facilities in our real property portfolio, CFIA is in the process of identifying technologies, practices, and strategies available, and determining the investment required, to reduce carbon emissions from building and science operations in our facilities
  • By conducting a carbon neutral assessment of the planned laboratory in Sidney, CFIA is identifying the feasibility of achieving a net-zero carbon building and a pathway to achieve significant decarbonisation
  • CFIA is ensuring that energy efficient and low-carbon options are being considered in infrastructure and asset improvements over $5M (under review)
  • By applying a 'green lens' to all scientific equipment purchases, CFIA is holding managers accountable to consider energy efficient options when available

Fleet management will be optimized, including by applying telematics to collect and analyze vehicle usage data on vehicles scheduled to be replaced

  • Use telematics analysis to right-size fleet
  • Promote behaviour change – for example, anti-idling campaigns, driver training
  • Develop a strategic approach and take actions to decarbonize fleets

Fleet:

  • GHG emissions from fleet in fiscal year 2005 to 2006 (base year) = 6.4 kt CO2e
  • GHG emissions from fleet in current reporting fiscal year 2020 to 2021 = 3.9 kt CO2e
  • Percentage (%) change in GHG emissions from fleet from fiscal year 2005 to 2006 to current reporting fiscal year = 40%
  • GHG emissions from fleet in current reporting fiscal year 2020 to 2021 = 3.8 kt CO2e
  • Percentage (%) change in GHG emissions from fleet from fiscal year 2005 to 2006 to current reporting fiscal year = 61.2%
  • CFIA is developing a strategic approach to decarbonize CFIA's fleet

Divert at least 75% (by weight) of non-hazardous operational waste from landfills by 2030

Other

  • Develop and implement strategies to increase waste diversion rate in laboratory operations
  • Track and disclose waste diversion rates by 2022

Starting point:

  • Baseline to be established after the first year of reporting (2022)

Performance indicators:

From fiscal year 2020 to 2021 (for facilities >10,000 m2, and in municipalities >100,000):

  • Mass of non-hazardous operational waste generated in the year (tonnes)
  • Mass of non-hazardous operational waste diverted in the year (tonnes)
  • Percentage (%) of non-hazardous operational waste diverted

Targets:

  • 75% of non-hazardous operational waste diverted by 2030

Starting point:

  • Baseline to be established after the first year of reporting 2022)

Performance indicators:

From fiscal year 2020 to 2021 (for facilities >10,000 m2, and in municipalities >100,000):

  • Mass of plastic waste generated in the year (tonnes)
  • Mass of plastic waste diverted in the year (tonnes)
  • Percentage (%) of plastic waste diverted

Target:

  • 75% of plastic waste diverted by 2030
  • Mass of non-hazardous operational waste generated in the year = 45.4 TonnesTable Note 1
  • Mass of non-hazardous operational waste diverted in the year = 6.5 TonnesTable Note 1
  • Percentage (%) of non-hazardous operational waste diverted = 14.3%Table Note 1
  • CFIA is developing and implementing strategies to increase waste diversion rates in laboratory operations

Divert at least 75% (by weight) of plastic waste from landfills by 2030

Other

  • Eliminate the unnecessary use of single-use plastics in government operations, events, and meetings through efforts on education and awareness
  • When procuring products that contain plastics, promote the procurement of sustainable plastic products and the reduction of associated plastic packaging waste
  • Track and disclose waste diversion rates by 2022

Starting point:

  • Baseline to be established after the first year of reporting (2022)

Performance indicators:

From fiscal year 2020 to 2021 (for facilities >10,000 m2, and in municipalities >100,000):

  • Mass of plastic waste generated in the year (tonnes)
  • Mass of plastic waste diverted in the year (tonnes)
  • Percentage (%) of plastic waste diverted

Target:

  • 75% of plastic waste diverted by 2030
  • Only 1 facility, CFIA Ottawa-Fallowfield, meets the requirements set in the performance indicator for plastic waste reporting. There is currently no data available for plastic waste
    • A waste audit will be conducted in 2021 to 2022 to provide an assessment of the plastic waste generation and diversion at the site
  • CFIA is working on diverting plastics in laboratory operations

Divert at least 90% (by weight) of all construction and demolition waste from landfills (striving to achieve 100% by 2030)

Other

  • Track and disclose waste diversion rates by 2022

Starting point:

  • Baseline to be established after the first year of reporting (2022)

Performance indicators:

From fiscal year 2020 to 2021 (for projects where construction is estimated over $5M):

  • Mass of construction and demolition waste generated in the year (tonnes)
  • Mass of construction and demolition waste diverted in the year (tonnes)
  • Percentage (%) of construction and demolition waste diverted

Target:

  • 90% of construction, renovation, and demolition waste diverted by 2030
  • In 2020 to 2021, there were no projects that had a minimum estimated construction cost of over $5M
    • Consequently, there are no results to report
  • CFIA is working with project managers at including waste diversion clauses in large construction and demolition contracts

CFIA's administrative fleet will be comprised of at least 80% zero-emission vehicles by 2030

Fleet management will be optimized including by applying telematics to collect and analyze vehicle usage data on vehicles scheduled to be replaced

  • Prioritize zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) or hybrids in fleet vehicle purchases
  • All new executive vehicle purchases will be ZEV or hybrids

Starting point:

In 2019 to 2020:

  • Total number of vehicles in fleet = 1220
  • Percentage of annual fleet purchases that are ZEV or hybrid = 22%
  • Percentage of ZEV or hybrid in fleet = 1%
  • Executive vehicle ZEV or hybrid purchases = 1
  • Number of vehicles logged via telematics = 692

Performance indicators:

  • Total number of vehicles in fleet
  • Percentage of annual fleet purchases that are ZEV or hybrid
  • Percentage of ZEV in fleet
  • Executive vehicle ZEV or hybrid purchases
  • Number of vehicles logged via telematics

Target:

  • 80% of vehicles are ZEV by 2030

In 2020 to 2021:

  • Total number of vehicles in fleet = 1168
  • Percentage of annual fleet purchases that are ZEV or hybrid = 0%*Table Note 2
  • Percentage of ZEV or hybrid in fleet = 1%
  • Executive vehicle ZEV or hybrid purchases = 02
  • Number of vehicles logged via telematics = 986
  • CFIA prioritizes zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) or hybrids in fleet vehicle purchases

By 2022, departments have developed measures to reduce climate change risks to assets, services and operations

Increase training and support on assessing climate change impacts, undertaking climate change risk assessments and developing adaptation actions to public service employees, and facilitate sharing of best practices and lessons learned

  • Identify and assess CFIA climate change vulnerabilities and risks to support a climate change adaptation plan
  • Inform CFIA employees on potential impacts of climate change on the assets, services and operations of the Agency, and means by which they may fight and adapt to climate change
  • Include climate change in business continuity planning
  • Maintain inventory of adopted and potential measures that would mitigate the emission of greenhouse gases and support resilience

Starting point:

  • Risk and vulnerability assessment not initiated

Performance indicator:

  • Progress in the development of a corporate risk assessment
  • Corporate risk and business continuity plans integrate considerations of climate change mitigation and adaptation

Target:

  • Complete corporate risk assessment by March 31, 2023
  • All corporate risk and building continuity plans integrate considerations of climate change mitigation and adaptation by March 31, 2023
  • Departmental Climate Change Risk Assessment, that includes both corporate and business line mandate risks, is on track. Climate change risks to mandated activities have been identified based on literature review, grey literatureTable Note 3 and field observations
  • It includes reports (annual, research, technical, project, etc.), working papers, government documents, white papers and evaluations
  • o CFIA business continuity plans integrate all hazards, including climate change hazards such as severe weather events like floods, tornadoes etc.
  • CFIA factors climate variability and change into our policies, programs, and operations as a way of adapting to a changing climate
    • This will enhance the protection of public assets and resources and strengthen planning and decision-making

UN SDG

  • SDG 13 – Targets 13.2, 13.3

Use 100% clean electricity by 2025

Other

  • Purchase megawatt hours of renewable electricity by participating in Power Purchase Agreements where available

Starting point:

  • In 2018 to 2019, 74% of electricity consumption was clean electricity

Performance indicators:

  • Electricity consumption (MWh) in the year
  • Electricity consumption (MWh) from non-emitting sources (including renewable energy certificates) in the year
  • Percentage (%) of clean electricity purchased

Target:

  • Purchase 100% clean electricity by 2025
  • In 2019 to 2020Table Note 4 , 75.2% of electricity consumption was clean electricity
  • CFIA purchases megawatt hours of renewable electricity by participating in Power Purchase Agreement in the province of Alberta

Actions supporting the Goal: Greening Government

This section is for actions that support the Greening Government Goal but do not directly support an FSDS target

Departments will use environmental criteria to reduce the environmental impact and ensure best value in government procurement decisions

  • Include environmental considerations in procurement instruments
  • Fulfill the requirements of the Policy on Green Procurement related to training, employee performance evaluations, procurement management processes and controls and using common use procurement instruments
  • Percentage (%) of procurement and material management specialists that completed the Canada School of Public Service (CSPS) Green Procurement course
  • Percentage (%) of identified managers and functional heads of procurement and material that have performance agreements that clearly include support and contribution toward green procurement

Targets:

  • 100% of procurement and material management specialists have completed the CSPS Green Procurement course measured annually
  • 100% of identified managers and functional heads of procurement and material have performance agreements that clearly include support and contribution toward green procurement
  • Percentage (%) of procurement and material management specialists that completed the CSPS Green Procurement course = 92%
  • Percentage (%) of identified managers and functional heads of procurement and material management that have performance agreements that clearly include support and contribution toward green procurement = 100%
  • CFIA reduces environmental impact and ensure best value in government procurement decisions by ensuring:
    • green procurement training for all material management specialists
    • procurement managers have employee performance agreements that support and contribute toward green procurement

Context: Healthy wildlife populations

Image of a wild bird

All species have healthy and viable populations

Healthy wildlife population targets and action for government goals

FSDS target(s) FSDS contributing action(s) Corresponding departmental action(s) Starting point(s)
Performance indicator(s)
Target(s)
Results achieved Contribution by each departmental result to the FSDS goal and target

Actions supporting the goal: Healthy wildlife populations

This section is for actions that support the healthy wildlife population goal but do not directly support an FSDS target

Work with partners to insure healthy wildlife populations

  • Promote compliance with import and domestic phytosanitary requirements including cargo and facility inspections and audits of alternative service delivery programs
  • Develop and implement regulatory options for new invasive plants, plant pests, and pathways to limit the impact of invasive plants and plant pests on Canada's environmental resources, such as forests and agricultural lands
  • Consult Canadians on regulatory options for new invasive plants, plant pests, and pathways

Starting point:

  • 36 regulated plant pest species already established in Canada in 2020

Performance indicator(s):

  • Number of new plant pest and invasive plant species established in Canada (for new plant pests) or in a new area of Canada – other than what would be expected by natural spread (for already established pests)

Target:

  • <1 species per year
  • 2 new plant health pests were identified in Canada
    • the strawberry blossom weevil (Anthonomus rubi) is established in wild and unmanaged hosts in many municipalities of the Fraser Valley and metro Vancouver, BC and elm zigzag sawfly on elm trees in Ste-Martine, QC
  • CFIA is working to expand the pest management program to include pests already established in Canada
    • Monitoring and controlling all pests will limit the impact on, and support the preservation of, Canada's environmental resources

UN SDG

  • SDG 15 – Targets 15.8

Context: Sustainable Food

image of a fork and spoon in a circle

Innovation and ingenuity contribute to a world-leading agricultural sector and food economy for the benefit of all Canadians

Sustainable food targets and action for government goals

FSDS target(s) FSDS contributing action(s) Corresponding departmental action(s) Starting point(s)
Performance indicator(s)
Target(s)
Results achieved Contribution by each departmental result to the FSDS goal and target

Actions supporting the goal: Sustainable food

This section is for actions that support the sustainable food goal but do not directly support an FSDS target

Work with partners to address invasive alien species

  • Participate in international fora such as the International Plant Protection Convention, and the North American Plant Protection Organization
  • Foster partnerships with trading partners, provincial invasive species councils and agricultural, forestry horticultural and transportation stakeholders

Starting point:

  • Not applicable

Performance indicator:

  • Number of new partnership initiatives such as international collaboration, standard setting, consultation, outreach, research, information sharing and alternative service delivery.

Target:

  • ≥3 initiatives completed per year
  • Establishment of 45 new partnership initiatives were completed
  • Participating in international fora (International Plant Protection Convention, North American Plant Protection Organization, etc.) helps to build awareness of plant health-related Invasive Alien Species (IAS). By working with these partners, CFIA increases the ability to limit the introduction of IAS into Canada's natural and agricultural resources.

UN SDG

  • SDG 15 – Targets 15.8

Actions supporting the goal: Sustainable food

This section is for actions that support the sustainable food goal but do not directly support a FSDS target

Use legislation and regulations to ensure safe food

  • Continue working with industry to facilitate the implementation of requirements under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR) such as:
    • licensing to identify food businesses and take responsive action when non-compliant activities are found
    • preventive controls to mitigate risks
    • traceability to reduce the time to remove unsafe food from the market
  • CFIA will support implementation of the requirements across the sectors through targeted outreach, webinars and guidance materials

Starting point:

  • 2 agri-food sectors

Performance indicator:

  • Number of agri-food sectors subject to requirements under the SFCR through phased-in approach.

Target:

  • 5 agri-food sectors
  • 4 agri-food sectors are subject to the requirements under the SFCR

*Manufactured Foods, the last sector to be phased in, met the SFCR requirements on July 16, 2021.Table Note 5

  • By implementing the requirements of the SFCR, CFIA insures Canadians will continue to enjoy food of high quality and safety as well as removal of unsafe food as quickly as possible.

UN SDG

  • SDG 2 – Targets 2.1

Actions supporting the goal: Sustainable food

This section is for actions that support the sustainable food goal but do not directly support an FSDS target

Actions supporting the goal: Sustainable food

This section is for actions that support the sustainable food goal but do not directly support an FSDS target

  • Collaborates with partners to promote compliance under the Health of Animals Act and the Feeds Act.

Starting point:

  • 99.7% in 2018 to 2019

Performance indicator:

  • Percentage of businesses in compliance with the Health of Animals Act and the Feeds Act.

Target:

  • Greater than or equal to 90%
  • 96%
  • CFIA continues to provide inspectors with the tools (legislative and physical) to conduct thorough inspections under the Health of Animals Act and the Feeds Act
    • Such inspection work promotes compliance with these and other acts

UN SDG

  • SDG 2 – Targets 2.1

Context: Connecting Canadians with Nature

Image of a hand holding a small plant

Canadians are informed about the value of nature, experience nature first hand, and actively engage in its stewardship

Connection Canadians with nature targets and action for government goals

FSDS target(s) FSDS contributing action(s) Corresponding departmental action(s) Starting point(s)
Performance indicator(s)
Target(s)
Results achieved Contribution by each departmental result to the FSDS goal and target

Actions supporting the goal: Connecting Canadians with nature

This section is for actions that support the connecting Canadians with nature goal but do not directly support an FSDS target

Actions supporting the goal: Connecting Canadians with nature

This section is for actions that support the connecting Canadians with nature goal but do not directly support a FSDS target

  • Create and deliver communications activities to encourage Canadians to prevent the spread of invasive alien species when out in nature. For example:
    • thoroughly, clean your boots and equipment
    • don't move firewood
    • report any sightings of potential pests to federal and provincial governments

Starting point:

  • Not monitored in baseline year 2020

Performance indicator:

  • Number of outreach and educational activities conducted

Target:

  • ≥10 per year

Performance indicator:

  • Number of unique outreach and educational materials prepared for distribution via a variety of media

Target:

  • ≥20 per year
  • 17 outreach and educational activities conducted
  • 41 outreach and educational materials prepared for distribution
  • CFIA is focused on preventing the introduction and spread of plant pest in Canada
  • Engaging in educational and outreach activities increases the understanding of stakeholders and the public about the risks, their responsibilities and what they can do to protect Canada's plant resources
  • Using a wide variety of media, platforms, and networks, CFIA is able to reach a broad audience with consistent messaging that can lead to improved compliance with import and domestic movement requirements

UN SDG

  • SDG 12 – Targets 12.8

Section 4: Report on integrating sustainable development

The Canadian Food Inspection 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 CFIA'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.

During the 2020 to 2021 reporting cycle, CFIA had no proposals that required a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) and no public statements were produced.