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Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy 2020 to 2023

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Executive summary

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has been a voluntary participant in the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) since 2010. The FSDS is the Government of Canada's primary vehicle for sustainable development planning and reporting. It sets out sustainable development priorities, and establishes goals and targets. The 2019 to 2022 FSDS presents the Government of Canada's sustainable development activities, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act (FSDA). In keeping with the objectives of the Act to make environmental decision making more transparent and accountable to Parliament, the CFIA supports the implementation of the 2019 to 2022 FSDS through the activities in the hereunder 2020 to 2023 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS).

The CFIA contributes to four of the FSDS goals: Greening government, Healthy wildlife populations, Sustainable food and, Connecting Canadians with nature. The CFIA is specifically working towards attaining the following targets which fall under the Greening government goal:

The CFIA will develop a new DSDS every third year as part of that year's Departmental Plan. Reports on DSDS progress will continue to be produced yearly, through the Departmental Results Report. Updates to DSDS content (for example, new/revised actions, performance indicators) will be reported through the yearly Departmental Plan.

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 Federal Sustainable Development Act (FSDA). The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) adheres to the principles of the FSDS, and while not bound formally by the Act, has developed this Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS).

Section 2: Sustainable development vision and context in the Canadian Food Inspection Agency

As a voluntary participant in the FSDS, CFIA has not been named as a key department or agency with respect to any of the FSDS goals. CFIA does, however, participate as a voluntary contributor toward four of the FSDS goals.

image of a building in a circle

FSDS goal: Greening government

The Government of Canada will transition to low-carbon and climate-resilient operations, while also reducing environmental impacts beyond carbon. The government is committed to: low-carbon, sustainable, and climate resilient real property; low-carbon mobility and fleet; climate resilient assets, services, and operations, and; green goods and services.

CFIA is supporting this FSDS goal through a range of measures to reduce its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, reduce the disposal of material to landfill, and reduce climate change risks to its services and operations. These measures include improving the energy efficiency of its own buildings, reducing its fleet emissions and using telematics to right-size fleet, assessing institutional climate change risks, and including environmental considerations in its procurement instruments. Contribution to carbon-neutral transactions of CFIA domestic office leases is supported by Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC).

Image of a wild bird

FSDS goal: Healthy wildlife populations

Canada's natural spaces, including agricultural lands, provide habitat that wildlife populations need to thrive. They also provide ecosystem services that are essential for our well-being, such as providing food, controlling floods, supporting pollination, filtering our air and water, and storing carbon dioxide, an important greenhouse gas. Maintaining biodiversity – the variety of genes, species and ecosystems, including the ecological processes that allow them to evolve and adapt – helps ensure that ecosystems can continue to function and provide the services we depend on. Healthy wildlife populations and habitat are important parts of biodiversity. Some species in Canada have experienced population declines as a result of habitat loss or deterioration from human activities – for example, agriculture and invasive alien species. Climate change can also affect wildlife health and contribute to the spread of disease

CFIA minimizes the spread and introduction of invasive alien species that affect Canada's plant resources by promoting compliance and carrying out enforcement activities. CFIA is working to design, develop, and implement initiatives – with partners and stakeholders where feasible – to limit the impact of invasive plants and plant pests on Canada's environmental resources, such as forests and agricultural lands. As such, CFIA contributes to the protection and preservation of Canada's natural spaces.

image of a fork and spoon in a circle

FSDS goal: Sustainable food

Canada's food system, including agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries, and food and beverage processing, provides safe and healthy food for Canadians, helps ensure long-term food security, and is an important part of our economy. Our food is harvested on farmlands, caught in oceans and freshwater systems, hunted and gathered in the wilderness, or grown in our homes and communities. Protecting our environment, including freshwater and soil quality, will help ensure our food systems continue to feed Canadians and create jobs over the long term.

To support safe and secure food, CFIA, in cooperation with provincial governments and industry associations, sets policies and verifies regulatory compliance aiming to prevent food contamination and hazards; to reduce the risks associated with diseases and toxic substances that may affect animals or that may be transmitted by animals to persons; and, to protect plant resources from threats, such as diseases, pests and invasive alien species.

Image of a hand holding a small plant

FSDS goal: Connecting Canadians with nature

Connecting with nature benefits Canadians, their communities and the environment. Spending time in nature can improve physical and mental health and support children's development, while nature-based tourism provides economic benefits for Canada. Getting out and experiencing nature also inspires Canadians to help protect it.

Through outreach and awareness activities, and campaigns, CFIA helps to reinforce the shared responsibility of managing invasive species in nature.

United Nations' 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals

CFIA's planned activities under its core responsibility "Safe food and healthy plants and animals" support Canada's efforts to address the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), in particular the following:

More information on CFIA's work towards contributing to sustainable development can be found in the:

Departmental Results Report

Departmental Plan

Section 3: Commitments for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency

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

Responsible ministers: All ministers

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

Green government targets and action for government goals
Greening government communities
FSDS target(s)
FSDS contributing action(s) Corresponding departmental action(s) Contribution by each departmental action to the FSDS goal and target Starting point(s)
Performance indicator(s)
Target(s)
Program(s) in which the departmental actions will occur

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 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

FSDS:

  • By undertaking a strategic evaluation of facilities in our real property portfolio, we will be able to identify technologies, practices, and strategies available, and determine 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, we will identify the feasibility of achieving a net-zero carbon building and a pathway to achieve significant decarbonisation.
  • Ensure that energy efficient and low-carbon options are being considered in infrastructure and asset improvements over $5M (under review)
  • By incorporating a 'green lens' to all scientific equipment purchases, the CFIA will hold managers accountable to consider energy efficient options when available

Buildings

  • Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from facilities in fiscal year 2005 to 2006 (base year) = 26.7 ktCO2e
  • GHG emissions from facilities in current reporting fiscal year = 17.2 ktCO2e
  • Percentage (%) change in GHG emissions from facilities from fiscal year 2005 to 2006 to current reporting fiscal year= 36%

Internal Services

Fleet management will be optimized 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 – e.g. anti-idling campaigns, driver training
  • Develop a strategic approach and take actions to decarbonize fleets

FSDS: Rationalization of fleets via retirement of emitting vehicles can reduce GHG emissions

Fleets:

  • GHG emissions from fleet in fiscal year 2005 to 2006 (base year) = 6.4 ktCO 2 e
  • GHG emissions from fleet in current reporting fiscal year 2020 to 2021 = 3.9 ktCO 2 e
  • Percentage (%) change in GHG emissions from fleet from fiscal year 2005 to 2006 to current reporting fiscal year = 40%

Internal Services

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

FSDS: By prioritizing the diversion and reduction of waste in CFIA-owned buildings and operations, CFIA will help to reduce Scope 3 emissions from the production, transport and disposal of material. Diverting waste from landfill reduces landfill gas and transport hauling emissions. Material recovery via recycling reduces emissions for the extraction and production of virgin materials

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

Internal Services

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

FSDS: By discouraging the use of single-use plastics in operations, CFIA will help to reduce Scope 3 emissions from the production, transport and disposal of material. Diverting waste from landfill reduces landfill gas and transport waste hauling emissions. Material recovery via recycling reduces emissions for the extraction and production of virgin materials

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

Internal Services

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

FSDS: By tracking construction and demolition waste diversion rates, CFIA will be able to plan more effectively for waste management to help reduce Scope 3 emissions from the production, transport and disposal of material. Diverting waste from landfill reduces landfill gas and transport waste hauling emissions. Material recovery via recycling reduces emissions for the extraction and production of virgin materials

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 waster diverted by 2030

Internal Services

Our 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

FSDS: As conventional vehicles are replaced over their lifetimes with ZEVs, and/or the size of the fleet is reduced, a greater proportion of the fleet will be ZEV

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

Internal Services

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

FSDS: Factoring climate variability and change into policy, programs, and operations is one of the most important ways the government can adapt to a changing climate and is consistent with the government's risk management approach of enhancing the protection of public assets and resources and strengthening planning and decision-making.

SDG: SDG 13: Climate action

Targets 13.2, 13.3

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

Internal Services

Setting Rules for Plant Health

Setting Rules for Food Safety and Consumer Protection

Setting Rules for Animal Health

Use 100% clean electricity by 2025

Other

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

FSDS: The use of clean electricity eliminates GHG emissions in jurisdictions with emitting generation sources

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

Internal Services

Actions supporting the goal: Greening government

This section is for actions that support the greening government goal but do not directly support a 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

FSDS: 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

Performance indicators:

  • Percentage (%) of procurement and material management specialists that completed the Canada School of Public Service 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 Canada School of Public Service 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.

Internal Services

Image of a wild bird

Healthy wildlife populations: All species have healthy and viable populations

Responsible Minister: Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Healthy wildlife population targets and action for government goals
Healthy wildlife populations
FSDS target(s)
FSDS Contributing Action(s) Corresponding departmental action(s) Contribution by each departmental action to the FSDS goal and target Starting point(s)
Performance indicator(s)
Target(s)
Program(s) in which the departmental actions will occur

Actions supporting the goal: Healthy wildlife populations

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

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

FSDS: CFIA minimizes the spread and introduction of invasive alien species that affect Canada's plant resources by promoting compliance and carrying out enforcement activities

SDG:15: Life on land

Target 15.8

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

Setting rules for plant health

image of a fork and spoon in a circle

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

Responsible Minister: Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food; Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard

Sustainable food targets and action for government goals
Sustainable Food
FSDS target(s)
FSDS Contributing Action(s) Corresponding departmental action(s) Contribution by each departmental action to the FSDS goal and target Starting point(s)
Performance indicator(s)
Target(s)
Program(s) in which the departmental actions will occur

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

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.

FSDS: Canada's food system, including aquaculture and fisheries, provides safe and healthy food for Canadians and helps ensure long-term food security. To ensure safe, sustainable and secure food, CFIA protects food systems from hazards that make it injurious to human health. CFIA works with international and domestic partners and stakeholders to minimize threats to plant resources, such as diseases, pests, and invasive alien species.

SDG: SDG15: Life on land

Target 15.8

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

International regulatory cooperation and science collaboration

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 such as:

  • licensing to identify food businesses and take responsive action when non-compliant activities are found
  • preventive controls to mitigate risks and
  • 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

FSDS: Canada's integrated, outcome-based food safety system sets out the requirements for the food industry and allows better monitoring and maintenance of food safety practices at the domestic and international levels that will support agri-food exports

SDG: SDG2: Zero hunger

Target 2.1

Starting point: 2 agri-food sectors

Performance indicator: number of agri-food sectors subject to requirements under the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations through phased-in approach

Target: 5 agri-food sectors

Setting rules for food safety and consumer protection

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

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

FSDS: By collaborating with partners through initiatives such as Animal Health Canada and stakeholder groups such as the National Farmed Animal Health and Welfare Council, CFIA reduces the risks associated with diseases and toxic substances that may affect animals or that may be transmitted by animals to persons, respecting the protection of animals, and supporting the safety of food.

CFIA promotes compliance of businesses with Canada's animal health and feed programs through on-site inspections and controls.

SDG: SDG 2: Zero hunger

Target 2.1

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%

Animal health compliance promotion

Image of a hand holding a small plant

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

Responsible Minister: Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Connection Canadians with nature targets and action for government goals
Connecting Canadians with Nature
FSDS target(s)
FSDS Contributing Action(s) Corresponding departmental action(s) Contribution by each departmental action to the FSDS goal and target Starting point(s)
Performance indicator(s)
Target(s)
Program(s) in which the departmental actions will occur

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

Connecting Canadians with nature

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, and report any sightings of potential pests to federal and provincial governments

FSDS: Outreach and awareness activities and campaigns such as "Don't move firewood" and messaging both online and in print help to reinforce the shared responsibility of managing invasive species. Examples include paid and unpaid social media, brochure, proactive media outreach, news releases on findings and changes in regulated areas, web content, internal communications, partnerships with other government departments and stakeholders, meetings and conferences,, and media interviews.

SDG: SDG 12: Responsible consumption and production

Target 12.8

Starting point: not monitored under 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

Plant health compliance promotion

Section 4: 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. An 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 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.

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