ISSN: 2564-1344
On this page
- Introduction to the 2024 to 2025 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Report
- Commitments for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency
- Goal 2: support a healthier and more sustainable food system
- Goal 3: support mental health and adopt healthy behaviours
- Goal 6: ensure clean and safe water for all Canadians
- Goal 10: advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and take action on inequality
- Goal 12: reduce waste and transition to zero-emission vehicles
- Goal 13: take action on climate change and its impacts
- Goal 15: protect and recover species, conserve Canadian biodiversity
- Integrating sustainable development
Introduction to the 2024 to 2025 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Report
The 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) presents the Government of Canada's sustainable development goals and targets, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act (the act), and guided by 7 principles.
In keeping with the purpose of the act, to facilitate transparent decision-making and ensure greater accountability to Parliament, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) supports the goals laid out in the FSDS through the activities described in the CFIA's 2023 to 2027 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS).
This is the first FSDS using the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda and provides a balanced view of the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainable development.
This report showcases progress related to the CFIA's DSDS in the fiscal year 2024 to 2025, guided by the Global Indicator Framework (GIF) and Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) targets and indicators. The report also captures progress on SDG initiatives that fall outside the scope of the FSDS.
Commitments for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency
Text version – Commitments for the Canadian Food Inspection Agency
- Goal 2: Zero hunger
- Goal 3: Good health and well-being
- Goal 6: Clean water and sanitation
- Goal 10: Reduced inequalities
- Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production
- Goal 13: Climate action
- Goal 15: Life on land
Goal 2: support a healthier and more sustainable food system
FSDS context: the CFIA designs and delivers programs that verify the safety and accurate representation of food consumed by Canadians. The agency enforces sound, science-based rules that support the production and import of foods that consistently meet Canadian high-quality standards. Its food safety programs aim to prevent hazards in the food supply system and manage any food safety emergencies and incidents by working with industry and federal, provincial, territorial and international food safety partners.
Target theme: sustainable food systems.
Implementation strategies supporting the goal: this section is for implementation strategies that support the goal "Support a healthier and more sustainable food system" but not a specific FSDS target.
| Implementation strategy | Departmental action | Performance indicator starting point target | How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGS | Results achieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ensure the safety of Canada's food system |
Continue to proactively safeguard Canada's food system and provide safe and healthy food for Canadians by:
Program: setting rules for food safety and consumer protection. |
Performance indicator: percentage of tested imported and domestic food products in compliance with federal regulations. Starting point: 94% in 2022 to 2023. Target: at least 95% annually. |
Canada's food system includes requirements that the food industry must meet to ensure food safety and protect consumers against misrepresented products. This integrated and outcome-based food safety system contributes to a sustainable and reliable food supply in Canada. Monitoring compliance of food products (product content compliance) with federal food safety and consumer protection requirements provides insight on the health of Canada's food supply. Reporting on the results of this monitoring activity provides assurance that the food Canadians consume is safe and accurately represented. CFIA verification activities–including surveillance and monitoring of compliance with federal food safety and consumer protection requirements–encourage compliance with regulatory requirements. Higher compliance assures Canadians of a safe, consistent and reliable food supply. Relevant targets or ambitions GIF target 2.1: by 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round. |
Indicator result: 98.6% of tested import and domestic food products complied with federal regulations in 2024 to 2025. Note: the indicator has consistently met the target of 95% over the last 5 years. These results provide confidence that the content of food products in the Canadian marketplace complies with federal food regulations. |
| Same implementation strategy, as above | Same departmental action, as above |
Performance indicator Footnote 1: percentage of higher risk food recalls that occurred prior to an adverse effect being reported to the CFIA, by year. Starting point: 92.1% in 2023 to 2024. Target: 84% of higher risk food recalls occur prior to an adverse effect being reported to the CFIA, by year. |
Same contribution, as above Relevant targets or ambitions GIF target 2.1: see above. |
Indicator result: in 2024 to 2025, 71.91% of higher risk food recalls occurred prior to the reporting of an adverse effect. Note: the total number of higher risk recalls has decreased 29.3% (89 recalls in 2024 to 2025 from 126 recalls in 2023 to 2024), however, the proportion of recalls with illnesses reported has increased and the target was not reached in 2024 to 2025. |
Initiatives advancing Canada's implementation of SDG 2 – Zero hunger
The following initiatives demonstrate how the CFIA's programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, supplementing the information outlined above.
| Planned initiatives | Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets | Results achieved |
|---|---|---|
| Protecting food production from plant diseases, pests, and invasive species | GIF target 2.1: by 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round. | In 2024 to 2025, the CFIA's Plant Health Surveillance and Response team surveyed approximately 25,000 sites to detect new plant pests and monitor existing ones. The results showed no new foreign plant pests entered and established themselves in Canada. The availability of sufficient and nutritious plant-based food throughout the year was greatly assisted by the CFIA's efforts. |
| Supporting food security through the control of terrestrial and aquatic animal diseases | GIF target 2.1: see above. |
In 2024 to 2025, the CFIA advanced its commitment to ensuring access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food by strengthening Canada's animal health systems–an essential pillar of food security. The agency led national surveillance and emergency response efforts for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), bovine tuberculosis, African swine fever (ASF), and aquatic diseases such as multinucleate sphere unknown (MSX) and dermo (perkinsosis) in oysters. The agency responded to over 110 outbreaks of HPAI in domestic poultry, implementing enhanced surveillance, and control measures to protect livestock health and maintain the continuity of food production. To safeguard the dairy supply, the CFIA launched a national surveillance program for HPAI in dairy cattle, testing over 2,900 raw milk samples from across Canada. All tested negative, reinforcing the safety of milk and dairy products for Canadian consumers. These efforts ensured early detection and containment of emerging threats, reducing the risk of food supply disruptions. The CFIA also progressed the establishment of a foot and mouth disease (FMD) vaccine bank, a critical preparedness measure to protect livestock and the economy from devastating disease outbreaks. In parallel, the agency modernized the Feeds Regulations, 2024, enhancing feed safety and supporting the production of healthy animals and safe food of animal origin. The CFIA contributed to Canada's early warning system for high impact animal diseases and emerging diseases through environmental scanning and the management of a domestic and international animal health intelligence community. In 2024 to 2025, 51 weekly intelligence reports were produced and 28 species-specific reports shared in regular meetings with subject matter experts across Canada and internationally. These actions have identified potential risks, such as HPAI in dairy cattle and FMD, that require CFIA action to mitigate and have improved CFIA's situational awareness of ongoing risks at the global level. |
| Adopting a One Health approach–in collaboration with domestic and international partners and in support of sustainable food systems–that focuses on the connections between the health of humans, animals, plants and their ecosystems to address the serious and growing public health threat, for example, antimicrobial resistance | GIF target 2.4: by 2030, ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices that increase productivity and production, that help maintain ecosystems, that strengthen capacity for adaptation to climate change, extreme weather, drought, flooding and other disasters and that progressively improve land and soil quality. |
From 2024 to 2025, the CFIA advanced its commitment to a One Health approach by collaborating with domestic and international partners to promote a sustainable food system. The agency maintained regular engagement with provincial and territorial Chief Veterinary Officers (CVOs), Chief Medical Officers of Health, and the Chief Medical Officer of Health for Canada to coordinate responses to HPAI in poultry and dairy cattle, with a focus on protecting public health, animal health, and food security. Monthly meetings with provincial CVOs focused on key issues such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and zoonotic diseases, like Salmonella Enteritidis and rabies, the spread of which can be intensified by climate change. The CFIA also collaborated closely with federal partners–including the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC), Health Canada and Environment and Climate Change Canada –on shared One Health concerns. In 2024 to 2025, the CFIA contributed to national efforts to address AMR through participation in the Genomics Research and Development Initiative Antimicrobial Resistance One Health project. This work contributed to the harmonization of data collection tools and databases for AMR across animal agriculture and food sectors. By supporting the deposition of genomic data into public databases, the agency advanced priorities under the Pan-Canadian Action Plan on AMR and helped improve national research and surveillance capacity. The CFIA generated a substantial amount of genomic information, including over 3,000 bacterial genomes and more than 700 metagenomes, enhancing national and international AMR surveillance systems. The project also produced 19 peer-reviewed publications in a special issue of the Canadian Journal of Microbiology. These outputs are now being used to inform science-based policies, improve risk assessments, and support targeted interventions to reduce the spread of AMR. |
| Supporting sustainable food production systems, increased agricultural yields, crop productivity, and innovation in the agricultural sector by ensuring that innovative agricultural inputs, such as fertilizers and supplements used by the farmer do not contain toxic or harmful substances such as pathogens, trace metals and other persistent organic pollutants | GIF target 2.4: see above. | In 2024 to 2025, the CFIA began enforcing an interim standard for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in biosolids imported or sold in Canada as fertilizers. This standard is designed to mitigate the potential risks to human health and the environment associated with land application of heavily contaminated biosolids sold as commercial fertilizer. |
| Providing a regulatory framework that enables the registration of climate resilient seeds and crops | GIF target 2.4: see above. |
In 2024 to 2025, the CFIA released an update to the guidance for confined research field trials. Confined research trials is a program administered by the CFIA's Plant Biosafety Office. It consists of the review and authorization of research field trials for developed plant products that express a new trait and has not yet been assessed for safety. The objective of this program is to facilitate opportunities for plant developers to research innovative, new plant products while maintaining environmental safety (including to humans and livestock) through the implementation of confinement measures. Research conducted in this program can be used to support pre-market safety evaluations and approvals, with subsequent commercial availability in Canada. This update improves clarity on program administration as well as the transfer of the application process to CFIA's online portal. This makes it easier for Canadians to grow sustainable crops by offering a greater number of registered, safe seed varieties. |
| Authorizing research field trials and the unconfined environmental (commercial) release of plants with characteristics that are new to Canada, and whose traits may increase sustainable agricultural production practices | GIF target 2.4: see above. |
In 2024 to 2025, the CFIA authorized 261 confined field trials and 8 unconfined releases. Confined research field trials and unconfined release are both essential components of sustainable agricultural practices, for the development, evaluation and availability of new crop varieties, including genetically modified organisms. General conditions of authorization are imposed on confined research field trials to limit environmental exposure. A confined trial may be refused or restricted in scope when the proposed release poses an unacceptable environmental risk of not meeting the confinement conditions. |
| Contributing to promoting sustainable development in developing countries as recorded using the Total Official Support for Sustainable Development (TOSSD) international standard | GIF target 2a: increase investment, including through enhanced international cooperation, in rural infrastructure, agricultural research and extension services, technology development and plant and livestock gene banks in order to enhance agricultural productive capacity in developing countries, in particular least developed countries. |
In 2024 to 2025, the CFIA contributed a total of more than $1.01 million in in-kind contributions to promote sustainable development with over 30 least developed countries and regions. Through the delivery of various activities (for example, webinars, study tours, in-person seminars), the CFIA's technical cooperation program contributed to strengthening the receiving countries' food safety, animal health, and plant health systems. In addition to a continued engagement in Latin America and in the Indo-Pacific Region, in 2024 to 2025, the CFIA's technical cooperation program also included increased engagement with the African region through the delivery of webinars on food safety with Burkina Faso and Zimbabwe. Other examples of activities supporting SDG goal 2 – Zero hunger – included the in-person Indo-Pacific seminar in Ottawa with delegates from multiple countries of the Indo-Pacific region, as well as webinars on plant-based alternatives to meat and dairy products to Thailand and to countries of the Americas and on changes to the nutrition facts table organized by Canada's Trade Facilitation Office. Other least developed countries (for example, Thailand, Vietnam, Mexico and Guatemala) participated in various CFIA webinars on food safety to improve access to safe food for their domestic market, while at the same time improving the safety of food exported to Canada. In addition to contributing to the strengthening of the receiving countries' systems, the delivery of technical cooperation also contributed to protecting Canada's plant, animal, and food resources. By enhancing foreign competent authorities' (FCA) knowledge and understanding of the Canadian regulation, compliance with Canadian standards and regulations is improved, thereby contributing to safer food and healthier plants and animals for Canadians. |
Goal 3: support mental health and adopt healthy behaviours
Initiatives advancing Canada's implementation of SDG 3 – Good health and well-being
The following initiatives demonstrate how the CFIA's programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, supplementing the information outlined above.
| Planned initiatives | Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets | Results achieved |
|---|---|---|
| Protecting the health of Canadians and animals through the surveillance, prevention, and control of terrestrial and aquatic animal diseases, and facilitating access for producers and veterinarians to a wider range of safe, effective and quality new veterinary biologics and feed related products in Canada |
GIF target 3.3: by 2030, end the epidemics of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and neglected tropical diseases and combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases and other communicable diseases. GIF target 3.d: strengthen the capacity of all countries, in particular developing countries, for early warning, risk reduction and management of national and global health risks. |
In 2024 to 2025, the CFIA strengthened Canada's capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to terrestrial and aquatic animal diseases, contributing directly to global efforts under SDG and GIF Targets 3.3 and 3.d. The agency led national surveillance and emergency response efforts for HPAI, bovine tuberculosis, ASF, and aquatic diseases such as MSX and dermo in oysters. These efforts included the collection and testing of over 2,900 raw milk samples for HPAI in dairy cattle and the activation of regional emergency operations centres to contain disease spread. In 2024 to 2025 the rate of confirmed animal disease outbreaks per 100 investigations conducted by the CFIA, to limit the impact of animal health diseases within Canada, was 37.5. This was solely due to the ongoing infection pressure from wild bird HPAI spillover into domestic poultry since December of 2021 and the unprecedented number of HPAI cases that have been confirmed this year. To support disease prevention and reduce reliance on antimicrobials, the CFIA modernized the Feeds Regulations, 2024, introducing updated standards for feed safety, labelling, and traceability. These changes help ensure that livestock receive safe, high-quality nutrition, which is foundational to animal health and food safety. The CFIA advanced the establishment of a FMD vaccine bank and updated preparedness effort, including awarding contracts to suppliers, a critical preparedness measure to protect livestock and the economy from devastating disease outbreaks. The CFIA also facilitated access to innovative veterinary biologics by licensing 18 new products, including three vaccines for HPAI in poultry for emergency use only. These vaccines enhance Canada's preparedness for emerging animal health threats and support veterinarians and producers in managing disease risks effectively. Throughout the fiscal year, the CFIA has consistently leveraged ongoing intelligence and valuable insights on key livestock and poultry diseases such as HPAI, ASF and FMD. This has enabled response preparations for HPAI and preventative measures for FMD and ASF. Through regular intelligence reports and briefings, these efforts have strengthened Canada's early warning system and reduced potential risks. Together, these actions reinforce Canada's One Health approach, protecting both animal and human health, and strengthening national and international capacity to manage zoonotic and transboundary disease risks. |
| Adopting a One Health approach–in collaboration with domestic and international partners and in support of sustainable food systems–that focuses on the connections between the health of humans, animals, plants and their ecosystems to address the serious and growing public health threat, for example, antimicrobial resistance |
GIF target 3.3: see above. GIF target 3.d: see above. |
In 2024 to 2025, the CFIA continued to collaborate with PHAC and the provincial and territorial CVOs to adopt a One Health approach to zoonotic disease preparedness and response. This has included disease specific discussions, for diseases such as bovine tuberculosis and avian influenza as well as knowledge and information sharing on emerging and zoonotic diseases currently not reported in Canada. |
| Contributing to promoting sustainable development in developing countries as recorded using the Total Official Support for Sustainable Development (TOSSD) international standard | GIF target 3.d: see above. |
In 2024 to 2025, the CFIA continued to promote sustainable development to least developed countries by sharing information on Canada's food safety system with countries that already export food to Canada or expressed interest in trading with Canada. The CFIA collaborated with various least developed countries in the planning and delivery of study tours, in-person workshops and webinars, to help CFIA's counterparts better understand Canada's food safety system, consequently reducing the risks with imported food and avoiding health risks in both countries. In October 2024, the CFIA partnered with Cowater International's Expert Deployment Mechanism for Trade and Development program, funded by Global Affairs Canada and the PHAC, to host an in-person study tour in Canada on AMR to the Department of Veterinary Services under Malaysia's Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security. The goal was to highlight Canada's science-based, transparent regulatory approach, build trust, align AMR strategies, and strengthen bilateral partnerships. This followed a series of virtual policy workshops held with Health Canada on April 23, May 2, and May 28, 2024. Other least developed countries (for example, Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, Ecuador, and Guatemala) participated in various CFIA webinars on food safety to improve access to safe food for their domestic market, while at the same time improving the safety of food exported to Canada. |
Goal 6: ensure clean and safe water for all Canadians
Initiatives advancing Canada's implementation of SDG 6 – Clean water and sanitation
The following initiatives demonstrate how the CFIA's programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, supplementing the information outlined above.
| Planned initiatives | Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets | Results achieved |
|---|---|---|
| Protecting the health of plants, animals, humans and the environment including water-related ecosystems through fertilizer and supplement product registrations and pre-market assessments. Mandatory labelling of fertilizers enables safe and sustainable product use and minimizes over-application which leads to nutrient pollution and run-off | GIF target 6.6: by 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers, and lakes. |
In 2024 to 2025, the CFIA's initiative to develop and implement upper tolerances on nutrient guarantees for nitrogen and phosphorus (ensuring products do not contain nutrients at excess levels that could lead to unintended over-application, resulting in nutrient pollution and runoff into waterways) was placed on hold due to competing priorities. Premarket assessments for fertilizer and supplement registrations verify that products, when used as directed, will not pose a risk of harm to the environment (including polluting water). |
Goal 10: advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and take action on inequality
FSDS context: the CFIA recognizes the relationship between its mandate to safeguard the food supply and plant and animal health and the importance of these resources to Indigenous Peoples' spirituality, traditions and ways of life. This includes their right to use and conserve traditional resources, now and for future generations.
The CFIA actively supports the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDA) along with other federal departments and agencies by:
- developing and implementing a policy framework to ensure legislation under the CFIA authority is consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- contributing to implement the UNDA Action Plan measures where the CFIA's mandate is implicated
- contributing to the UNDA Annual Report to demonstrate progress on CFIA implementation of relevant action plan measures
Incorporating Indigenous perspectives into the delivery of the agency's mandate requires investment into foundational employee training and supporting capacity to build meaningful relationships with Indigenous Peoples. The CFIA is taking steps to advance reconciliation through activities such as:
- supporting Government of Canada initiatives related to Indigenous learning while continuing on the path to reconciliation
- delivering Indigenous cultural awareness and training through:
- adherence to cultural best practices; internal Indigenous cultural events
- promotion of external Indigenous learning activities with dedicated resources in a well-established equity, diversity and inclusion program
- engaging with local Indigenous communities to build positive, co-operative, and mutually respectful discussions on the renewal of the Sidney Centre for Plant Health (British Columbia) and the impact on the land
- activating Indigenous liaisons to facilitate collaboration with Indigenous communities during an emergency response activity through identification and mitigation of potential impacts on the rights or interests of Indigenous Peoples
This builds on the ongoing implementation of the Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) and Assessment of Modern Treaty Impacts lenses, which recognizes the importance of integrating intersectional factors into decision making.
Target theme: advancing reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and the Métis communities.
Target: between 2023 and 2026, and every year on an ongoing basis, develop and table annual progress reports on implementing the UNDA (Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada).
| Implementation strategy | Departmental action | Performance indicator starting point target | How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGS | Results achieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act |
In support of this goal, the Government of Canada committed to awarding at least 5% of the total value of contracts the federal government awards each year to Indigenous businesses. The CFIA will increase opportunities for Indigenous Peoples through its procurement process by leveraging provisions available in the federal Procurement Strategy for Indigenous Business (PSIB) policy. Program: internal services. |
Performance indicator: percentage of total value of contracts awarded each year to Indigenous businesses. Starting point: 5.8% in 2022 to 2023. Target: 7% each year. Footnote 2 |
Relevant targets or ambitions GIF target 10.3: ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation policies and action in this regard. |
Indicator result: 8.38% of the total value of contracts were awarded to Indigenous businesses in 2024 to 2025. Note: as in previous years, contracts related to declared emergencies that threaten Canada's food safety, animal, or plant health, were excluded. Due to the time-sensitive nature of these urgent procurements, assessing Indigenous business opportunities or conducting market analysis was not operationally viable. |
Goal 12: reduce waste and transition to zero-emission vehicles
FSDS context: the CFIA is committed to enhancing its environmental management practices by maximizing diversion of its waste from landfill, transforming its light-duty fleet by prioritizing the purchase of zero-emission vehicles, increasing its usage of clean electricity sources, and strengthening its green procurement criteria. The CFIA's asset base, which includes laboratories, quarantine and inspection stations, scientific equipment, a fleet, and information management and information technology assets, is critically important in supporting effective program delivery and ultimately to deliver the agency's mandate.
Target theme: federal leadership on responsible consumption.
Target: by 2030, the Government of Canada will divert from landfill at least 75% by weight of non-hazardous operational waste (all Ministers).
| Implementation strategy | Departmental action | Performance indicator starting point target | How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGS | Results achieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximize diversion of waste from landfill |
Develop and implement strategies to increase the waste diversion rate in laboratory operations. Track and disclose waste diversion rates of non-hazardous operational waste and plastic waste from landfills by:
Program: internal services. |
For CFIA-owned facilities >10,000 m2 with an occupancy of >100 FTEs: Performance indicator: percentage by weight of non-hazardous operational waste diverted (plastic not included). Starting point: 73% in 2021 to 2022. Target: 75% by 2030. |
By diverting and reducing waste in CFIA-owned buildings and operations, the 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. Relevant targets or ambitions CIF ambition 12.3: Canadians consume in a sustainable manner. CIF indicator 12.3.1: total waste diversion per capita. GIF target 12.5: by 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse. |
Indicator result: data not available in 2024 to 2025. Note: waste audits are performed by a third party every 5 years. The 2021 to 2022 result was 73%. A new waste audit is planned for 2026. |
| Same implementation strategy, as above | Same departmental action, as above |
For CFIA-owned facilities >10,000 m2 with an occupancy of >100 FTEs: Performance indicator: percentage by weight of non-hazardous plastic operational waste diverted. Starting point: 42% in 2021 to 2022. Target: 75% by 2030. |
Relevant targets or ambitions CIF ambition 12.3: see above. CIF indicator 12.3.1: see above. GIF target 12.5: see above. |
Indicator result: data not available in 2024 to 2025. Note:waste audits are performed by a third party every 5 years. The 2021 to 2022 result was 42%. A new waste audit is planned for 2026. |
Target: by 2030, the Government of Canada will divert from landfill at least 90% by weight of all construction and demolition waste (all Ministers).
| Implementation strategy | Departmental action | Performance indicator starting point target | How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGS | Results achieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximize diversion of waste from landfill |
Track and disclose construction and demolition waste for projects where construction is estimated over $1 million. Complete planning and tracking for applicable projects to enable quantification of construction and demolition waste. Program: internal services. |
Performance indicator: percentage by weight of construction and demolition waste diverted from landfills annually. Starting point: to be established in 2024 to 2025. Target: 90% by weight of all annual construction and demolition waste will be diverted from landfill by 2030. |
By tracking construction and demolition waste diversion rates, the CFIA will be able to plan more effectively 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. Relevant targets or ambitions CIF ambition 12.3: see above. CIF indicator 12.3.1: see above. GIF target 12.5: see above. |
Indicator result: 77% of construction and demolition waste, by weight, was diverted from landfill in 2024 to 2025. Note: these results are from 1 project – the Sidney Centre for Plant Health Renewal project. |
Target: the Government of Canada's procurement of goods and services will be net-zero emissions by 2050, to aid the transition to a net-zero, circular economy (all Ministers).
| Implementation strategy | Departmental action | Performance indicator starting point target | How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGS | Results achieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transform the federal light-duty fleet |
Prioritize zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) in fleet vehicle purchases. Hybrid procurement will be considered if ZEV are not an option. All new executive vehicle purchases will be ZEV or hybrids. Program: internal services. |
Performance indicator: percentage of annual fleet purchases that are ZEV or hybrid. Starting point: 22% in 2019 to 2020. Target: 75% of annual purchases of new light-duty, on-road fleet vehicles for the conventional fleet will be ZEV or hybrids by 2025. |
As conventional vehicles are replaced over their lifetimes with ZEV, and/or the size of the fleet is reduced, a greater proportion of the fleet will be ZEV. Relevant targets or ambitions CIF ambition 12.1: Canadians consume in a sustainable manner. CIF indicator 12.1.1: proportion of new light duty vehicle registrations that are zero-emission vehicles. GIF target 12.1: implement the 10-year framework of programmes on sustainable consumption and production, all countries taking action, with developed countries taking the lead, taking into account the development and capabilities of developing countries. |
Indicator Result: 89% of the CFIA's fleet purchases were ZEV in 2024 to 2025. Note: 0 hybrid vehicles were procured. Of the 20 vehicles purchased in 2024 to 2025, 16 were ZEV, 3 were gas powered, and 1 vehicle was not received by March 31, 2025, and is not included in the calculation. The only exceptions are vehicles for which greening options are currently not feasible due to the lack of available electric vehicle models or insufficient charging infrastructure. As vehicles are replaced over their lifecycle, greening efforts are being consistently implemented to support conscientious and sustainable procurement decisions. |
| Same implementation strategy, as above | Same departmental action, as above |
Performance indicator: percentage of ZEV or hybrid in fleet. Starting point: 1% in 2019 to 2020. Target: 15% of operating fleet is ZEV or hybrid by 2028. Footnote 3 |
Same contribution, as above Relevant targets or ambitions CIF ambition 12.1: see above. CIF indicator 12.1.1: see above. GIF target 12.1: see above. |
Indicator result: 17% of the CFIA's fleet are ZEV or hybrid vehicles in 2024 to 2025. Note: ongoing right-sizing efforts are underway to further optimize the fleet. As vehicles are replaced over their lifecycle, greening efforts are being consistently implemented to support conscientious and sustainable procurement decisions. |
| Strengthen green procurement criteria |
Include environmental considerations in procurement instruments. Fulfill the requirements of the Policy on Green Procurement related to:
Program: internal services. |
Performance indicator: percentage of contracts that include criteria and/or technical specifications that address environmental considerations. Starting point: 51.5% in 2023 to 2024. Footnote 4 Target: 50% annually. |
Strengthen environmental considerations in procurement instruments. Green procurement incorporates environmental considerations into purchasing decisions and is expected to motivate suppliers to reduce the environmental impact of the goods and services they deliver, and their supply chains. Relevant targets or ambitions CIF ambition 12.2: Canadians consume in a sustainable manner. CIF indicator 12.2.1: proportion of businesses that adopted selected environmental protection activities and management practices. GIF target 12.7: promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities. |
Indicator result: in 2024 to 2025, 64% of contracts included criteria and/or technical specifications addressing environmental considerations. Note: of the 1,182 contracts awarded, 752 met the green procurement requirements, thereby achieving the target for 2024 to 2025. |
| Same implementation strategy, as above | Same departmental action, as above |
Performance indicator: percentage of Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) and Shared Services Canada (SSC) standing offers and supply arrangements utilized for the purchase of CFIA goods and services that include criteria that address environmental considerations such as Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission reduction, plastic waste reduction and/or broader environmental benefits. Starting point: 71% in 2023 to 2024. Footnote 5 Target: 70% of all CFIA purchases each year against PSPC or SSC standing offers or supply arrangements. Footnote 6 |
Same contribution, as above Relevant targets or ambitions CIF ambition 12.2: see above. CIF indicator 12.2.1: see above. GIF target 12.7: see above. |
Indicator result: in 2024 to 2025, 91% of PSPC and SSC standing offers and supply arrangements utilized for the purchase of CFIA goods and services included criteria that address environmental considerations such as GHG emission reduction, plastic waste reduction and/or broader environmental benefits. Note: of the 551 call-ups and contracts awarded under a PSPC/SSC standing offer or supply arrangement, 502 met the green procurement requirements, thereby achieving the target for 2024 to 2025. |
| Same implementation strategy, as above | Same departmental action, as above |
Performance indicator: percentage of procurement specialists that completed the Canada School of Public Service's (CSPS) Green Procurement course. Starting point: 100% in 2022 to 2023. Target: 100% annually. |
Same contribution, as above Relevant targets or ambitions CIF ambition 12.2: see above. CIF indicator 12.2.1: see above. GIF target 12.7: see above. |
Indicator result: in 2024 to 2025, 100% of procurement specialists completed the CSPS Green Procurement course. Note: all procurement specialists in the CFIA Contracting and Procurement Policy Division (CPPD) completed the mandatory Green Procurement course, thereby achieving the target for 2024 to 2025. |
| Same implementation strategy, as above | Same departmental action, as above |
Performance indicator: percentage of identified managers and functional heads of procurement that have performance agreements that clearly include support and contribution toward green procurement. Starting point: 100% in 2022 to 2023. Target: 100% annually. |
Same contribution, as above Relevant targets or ambitions CIF ambition 12.2: see above. CIF indicator 12.2.1: see above. GIF target 12.7: see above. |
Indicator result: in 2024 to 2025, 100% of identified managers and functional heads of procurement have performance agreements that clearly include support and contribution toward green procurement. Note: the director and managers of the CFIA CPPD have clear performance objectives that support green procurement, thereby achieving the target for 2024 to 2025. |
| Achieve total clean electricity use in federal real property |
Purchase megawatt hours of renewable electricity by participating in Power Purchase Agreements where available. Program: internal services. |
Performance indicator: percentage of electricity purchased and consumed from clean electricity generation. Starting point: in 2018 to 2019, 74% of purchased and consumed electricity was clean electricity. Target: use 100% clean electricity by 2025 where available. Footnote 7 |
The use of clean electricity eliminates GHG emissions in jurisdictions with emitting generation sources. Relevant targets or ambitions CIF ambition 12: Canadians consume in a sustainable manner. |
Indicator result: in 2024 to 2025, 81.9% of electricity purchased and consumed was from clean electricity generation. Note: percentage is based on electricity consumption from non-emitting sources, including renewable energy certificates, divided by the total electricity consumption. |
Goal 13: take action on climate change and its impacts
FSDS context: the CFIA is committed to transitioning to net-zero carbon and climate-resilient operations, while also reducing environmental impacts beyond carbon, including on waste, water and biodiversity. Effort to manage the CFIA's climate change risks and vulnerabilities will support the National Adaptation Strategy and complement adaptation actions planned and implemented by our domestic and international partners.
Target theme: federal leadership on greenhouse gas emissions reductions and climate resilience.
Target: the Government of Canada will transition to net-zero carbon operations for facilities and conventional fleets by 2050 (all Ministers).
| Implementation strategy | Departmental action | Performance indicator starting point target | How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGS | Results achieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Implement the Greening Government Strategy through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and green the government's overall operations |
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. Conduct carbon neutral studies at all major facilities. Convert or replace by 2030 existing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning and refrigeration systems that use high global warming potential refrigerants, ozone depleting refrigerants and hydrofluorocarbons. Recommission large energy-intensive buildings on a regular cycle and/or implement smart building technology. Program: internal services. |
Performance indicator: percentage change in GHG emissions from facilities from 2005 to 2006 to current reporting fiscal year. Starting point: percentage change in GHG emissions from facilities in 2005 to 2006: GHG emissions from facilities in 2005 to 2006 (base year) was 26.7 ktCO2e. Target: achieve 40% GHG emission reductions below 2005 levels by 2025. |
Identify a clear pathway forward for renovation and investment into major assets to meet the greening government goals. Ensure that energy efficient and low-carbon options are being considered in infrastructure and asset improvements over $5 million. Relevant targets or ambitions CIF ambition 13.1: Canadians reduce greenhouse gas emissions. CIF indicator 13.1.1: greenhouse gas emissions. |
Indicator result: in 2024 to 2025, GHG emissions from facilities have decreased 48.7% from 2005 to 2006. Note: the GHG emissions from facilities was 13.611 ktCO2e in 2024 to 2025. Since 2005 to 2006, GHG emissions from CFIA facilities have been reduced by 13.1 ktCO2e. |
| Same implementation strategy, as above |
Disclose the amount of embodied carbon in the structural materials of major construction projects by 2022 and reduce the embodied carbon by 30%, starting in 2025. Program: internal services. |
Performance indicator: average percentage in the reduction of embodied carbon in building materials (concrete Footnote 8) of major construction projects where embodied carbon was minimized through the life-cycle assessment. Starting point: to be established in 2024 to 2025. Target: 30% for each major construction project. |
Tracking and disclosing embodied carbon in structural materials from major construction will enable the CFIA to identify low carbon options for materials. |
Indicator result: in 2024 to 2025, the average percentage in the reduction of embodied carbon in building materials (concrete) of major construction projects, where embodied carbon was minimized through life-cycle assessments, was 30.9%. Note: these results are from 1 project – the Sidney Centre for Plant Health Renewal project. |
| Same implementation strategy, as above |
Develop a strategic approach and take actions to decarbonize fleets (for example, by using telematics analysis to right-size fleet), promoting behaviour change (through anti-idling campaigns, driver training) and assessing ZEV charging infrastructure needs. Program: internal services. |
Performance indicator: percentage change in GHG emissions from fleet from 2005 to 2006 to current reporting fiscal year.
Starting point: GHG emissions from fleet in 2005 to 2006 (base year) = 6.4 ktCO2e.
Target: reduce GHG emissions from conventional fleet by 40% from 2005 levels (6.4 ktC02e) by 2025 and to net zero by 2050. |
Rationalization of fleets via retirement of emitting vehicles can reduce GHG emissions. Relevant targets or ambitions CIF ambition 13.1: see above. CIF indicator 13.1.1: see above. |
Indicator result: in 2024 to 2025, GHG emissions from fleet have decreased 62.2% from 2005 to 2006. Note: the GHG emissions from fleet was 2.376 ktCO2e in 2024 to 2025. Since 2005 to 2006, GHG emissions from CFIA fleet vehicles have been reduced by 4.0 ktCO2e. |
Target: the Government of Canada will transition to climate resilient operations by 2050 (all Ministers).
| Implementation strategy | Departmental action | Performance indicator starting point target | How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGS | Results achieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reduce risks posed by climate change to federal assets, services and operations |
Increase training and support on assessing climate change impacts and share best practices and lessons learned. Program: internal services. |
Performance indicator: percentage of CFIA employees that completed a CSPS climate change course. Starting point:0.5% in 2023 to 2024. Footnote 9 Target: 20% in 2026 to 2027. |
Relevant targets or ambitions CIF ambition 13.2: Canadians are well-equipped and resilient to face the effects of climate change. GIF target 13.3: improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning. |
Indicator results: 0.81% of CFIA employees completed a CSPS climate change course in 2024 to 2025. Note: 56 of 6,938 employees have completed at least 1 of the 3 climate change courses. Please note that this is based on the effective workforce as of March 31, 2025, and includes indeterminate, term, students, and other employees. |
| Same implementation strategy, as above |
Incorporate climate change considerations into business continuity planning and real property Program: internal services |
Performance indicator: completion of an agency-wide Business Continuity Plan (BCP) that incorporates climate change considerations. Starting point: as of 2023, numerous site-specific BCPs taking into consideration all hazards including climate change. Target: an agency-wide BCP incorporating climate change considerations, and supported by guidance and tools, will be completed by the end of 2025 to 2026. |
Relevant targets or ambitions CIF ambition 13.2: see above. GIF target 13.2: integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. |
Indicator results: work on the CFIA BCP is underway in 2024 to 2025. New data will be available in fiscal year 2026 to 2027. Note: the agency is starting a Business Impact Analysis (BIA) and risk assessment as part of the revamp of the Business Continuity Management Program. BIA of critical and sub-critical services will take place in 2025 to 2026. |
| Same implementation strategy, as above |
Conduct Climate Resiliency Assessments (CRAs) at all agency-owned properties. Start to address risks identified in CRAs for each agency-owned property. Integrate climate change adaptation into the design, construction and operation aspects of all major real property projects. Apply climate-resilient building guidance being developed by the National Research Council of Canada. Increase training and facilitate sharing of best practices and lessons learned. Program: internal services. |
Performance indicator: percentage of agency-owned properties for which CRAs have been completed. Starting point: 0%; no assessments completed to date. Target: complete climate resiliency assessments for 50% (10 of 19) of CFIA facilities by 2027 to 2028. Footnote 10 |
Undertaking CRAs of facilities in the real property portfolio will identify technologies, practices and strategies, and also determine the investment required to make the facilities and operations climate resilient. Addressing risks identified through CRAs will achieve climate resilient operations in the facilities. Relevant targets or ambitions CIF ambition 13.2: see above. GIF target 13.3: see above. |
Indicator result: 0% of agency-owned properties had CRAs completed in 2024 to 2025. Note: no assessments have been completed to date. The CFIA continues to work toward the target. |
| Same implementation strategy, as above |
Same departmental action, as above |
Performance indicator: percentage of high-risk action items implemented from CRAs. Starting point: 0% in 2022 to 2023. Target: implement 100% of all high-risk action items from completed assessments by 2029 to 2030. Footnote 11 |
Same contribution, as above Relevant targets or ambitions CIF ambition 13.2: see above. GIF target 13.3: see above. |
Indicator result: 0% of high-risk action items from CRAs were completed in 2024 to 2025. Note: no assessments have been completed to date. The CFIA is working towards meeting the target of 100% of CFIA facilities having completed CRAs by 2029 to 2030. |
Initiatives advancing Canada's implementation of SDG 13 – Climate action
The following initiatives demonstrate how the CFIA's programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, supplementing the information outlined above.
| Planned initiatives | Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets | Results achieved |
|---|---|---|
| Supporting timely product registrations issued under the Fertilizers Act to help facilitate market access for Canadian farmers and growers to innovative fertilizers, fertilizer additives, and other products that are specifically formulated to limit GHG emissions from agriculture and that offer alternatives to chemical fertilization regimes (for example, nitrification inhibitors, microbial supplements, plant biostimulants) | GIF target 13.2: integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. | In 2024 to 2025, the CFIA eliminated a 19-week backlog in applications to register fertilizer and supplement products under the Fertilizers Act. The CFIA is now meeting service delivery standards, providing market access for innovative products that reduce GHG emissions or offer alternatives to chemical fertilization regimes. |
Goal 15: protect and recover species, conserve Canadian biodiversity
FSDS context: as Canada's national plant protection organization, the CFIA:
- regulates the import and movement of plants, plant products and other things into and within Canada
- monitors imports to prevent entry of invasive plants and other plant pests
- conducts surveillance to determine the presence of invasive plant pests or confirm that an area is free of a specific invasive plant pest
Target theme: species protection and recovery.
Implementation strategies supporting the goal: this section is for implementation strategies that support the goal "Protect and recover species, conserve Canadian biodiversity" but not a specific FSDS target.
| Implementation strategy | Departmental action | Performance indicator starting point target | How the departmental action contributes to the FSDS goal and target and, where applicable, to Canada's 2030 Agenda National Strategy and SDGS | Results achieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prevent, detect, respond to, control, and manage invasive alien species |
Develop and implement risk-management measures, including regulatory programs, for new invasive plants, plant pests and pathways to limit the impact of invasive plants and other plant pests on Canada's environmental resources, forests and agricultural lands. Promote compliance with import and domestic phytosanitary requirements, including cargo and facility inspections and audits of alternative service delivery programs. Establish biocontainment levels for plant pests that are new, emerging or whose range is expanding; and regulate the biocontainment and biosecurity requirements that are needed to work safely with plant pests of quarantine significance, and to protect laboratory staff, the Canadian public, and the environment. Collaborate with all Canadians, through a citizen and community science approach, to prevent the introduction of invasive alien species. Consult Canadians on regulatory, program or policy options for new invasive plants, plant pests, and pathways. Program: setting rules for plant health. |
Performance indicator: number of foreign plant pests that have entered and established themselves in Canada. Starting point: 0 in 2022 to 2023. Target: 0. |
The CFIA minimizes the introduction and spread of invasive alien species that affect Canada's plant resources by promoting compliance with regulations and carrying out enforcement activities. Relevant targets or ambitions GIF target 15.8: by 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species. |
Indicator result: 0 foreign plant pests entered and established in Canada in 2024 to 2025. Note: in 2024 to 2025, the CFIA's Plant Health Surveillance and Response team surveyed approximately 25,000 sites to detect new plant pests and monitor existing ones. |
| Same implementation strategy, as above | Same departmental action, as above |
Performance indicator: percentage of regulated plant pests that had previously entered and established in Canada and whose spread (other than what would be expected by natural spread) was successfully limited by CFIA control programs, by year. Starting point: 78.1% in 2022 to 2023. Target: 95% annually. |
Same contribution, as above Relevant targets or ambitions GIF target 15.8: see above. |
Indicator result: in 2024 to 2025, 71.9% of regulated plant pests that had previously entered and established in Canada, spread (other than what would be expected by natural spread) were successfully limited by CFIA control programs. Note: a pest is defined as any organism that is harmful to plants or plant products. A pest that poses a risk to environmental sustainability or economic stability is subject to official control measures to eradicate the pest or limit its spread. The introduction of measures to limit the spread of regulated plant pests helps reduce the destruction of Canadian biodiversity and encourages a healthy plant population. |
| Same implementation strategy, as above |
Create and deliver communications products and outreach activities to encourage Canadians and engage youth to prevent the spread and impacts of invasive alien species, for example, strategic distribution of products, pest-related workshops and seminars and community science opportunities. Program: setting rules for plant health. |
Performance indicator: number of outreach and educational activities conducted. Starting point: 14 in 2021 to 2022. Target: ≥10 annually. |
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, brochures, proactive media and stakeholder 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. Relevant targets or ambitions GIF target 15.8: see above. |
Indicator result: in 2024 to 2025, 44 outreach events and educational activities were conducted. Note: outreach and awareness activities encourage Canadians to prevent the spread and impacts of invasive alien species. The CFIA conducted:
In addition, the CFIA supported 22 outreach and education activities (such as Cool Science Saturday, Bug Day Ottawa, Journée du jardinage et de l'environnement (Pierrefonds-Roxboro), Journée forestière et acéricole du Centre-du-Québec (Mont Apic, municipalité de Saint-Pierre-Baptiste), Invasive Species Council of Metro Vancouver and the City of Calgary) and distributed over 11,000 public education materials on plant pest awareness and prevention. |
| Same implementation strategy, as above | Same departmental action, as above |
Performance indicator: number of engagement activities with youth (note: the number of engagement activities with youth is not included under the previous performance indicator related to the number of outreach and educational activities conducted). Footnote 12 Starting point: 4 in 2023 to 2024. Footnote 13 Target: 8 activities annually. |
The CFIA prevents the spread of plant pests and supports early detection by educating youth and the broader public on current pest threats and collective actions that may be taken to minimize pest impacts on Canada's plant resource. Comprehensive education sessions provide biological information to support prevention, detection and response to pests. Relevant targets or ambitions GIF target 15.8: see above. |
Indicator result: in 2024 to 2025, 10 activities that specifically engaged youth were held. Note: 10 outreach engagement events were held which specifically engaged youth on key pest files, including spotted lanternfly, hemlock woolly adelgid, EAB and other emerging threats. Pest prevention, detection and response efforts were supported through strategic distribution of over 10,000 outreach products to youth across Canada. These outreach activities encourage Canadians and engage youth to prevent the spread and impacts of invasive alien species. |
| Same implementation strategy, as above |
Participate in international fora such as the International Plant Protection Convention and the North American Plant Protection Organization. Foster partnerships with trading partners, national and provincial invasive species councils and agricultural, forestry horticultural and transportation stakeholders. Program: setting rules for plant health. |
Performance indicator: number of new partnerships with international or domestic entities to prevent, detect, respond to, control and manage invasive alien species that are pests of plants. Starting point: 30 new partnerships in 2021 to 2022. Target: 40 new partnerships completed annually. Footnote 14 |
The CFIA works with international and domestic partners and stakeholders to minimize threats to plant resources, such as plant pests. Relevant targets or ambitions GIF target 15.8: see above. |
Indicator result: in 2024 to 2025, 18 new partnerships with international or domestic entities to prevent, detect, respond to, control and manage invasive alien species that are pests of plants were completed. Note: the definition of "new" partnership was reviewed and clarified as well as the target number increased. This resulted in fewer activities meeting the threshold required to be considered a new partnership. |
Initiatives advancing Canada's implementation of SDG 15 – Life on land
The following initiatives demonstrate how the CFIA's programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, supplementing the information outlined above.
| Planned initiatives | Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets | Results achieved |
|---|---|---|
| Contributing to promoting sustainable development in developing countries as recorded using the Total Official Support for Sustainable Development international standard | GIF target 15.a: mobilize and significantly increase financial resources from all sources to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems. |
During 2024 to 2025, the CFIA's Technical Cooperation Unit supported other groups in exploring opportunities to collaborate with foreign competent authorities to sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems. For example, the CFIA in-person technical workshop on systems approach in plant health to Bangladesh. Considering Bangladesh is an important growing economy with a rapid growth rate and a strategic geographical location, engagement with Bangladesh supports the effort to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and ecosystems by making them aware of risk mitigation, managed risk concept and sharing the risk mitigation measures that Canada uses, especially on canola and pulses. Another example of an activity supporting SDG 15 is the Indo-Pacific Seminar on the CFIA and its regulatory framework for food safety, plant and animal health, which took place in Ottawa from September 23 to 27, 2024. This included participants from participants from Bangladesh, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Taiwan and the ASEAN Secretariat. Since 2022, the CFIA hosts delegates from the Indo-Pacific region for a week-long in-person seminar annually which aims at enhancing FCA understanding and knowledge of the Canadian Sanitary and Phytosanitary regulatory framework, therefore providing greater confidence in the Canadian systems; promoting Canada's science-based, transparent, regulatory approaches with FCA's of the region; and inspiring the improvement of food safety systems in the Indo-Pacific region, aimed at mitigating food safety risks, ultimately contributing to improving safety of foods coming in from outside Canada. This engagement with the Indo-Pacific region supports SDG 15 by strengthening international cooperation on plant and animal health – critical to protecting biodiversity and promoting sustainable agriculture. By sharing Canada's science-based regulatory practices, the seminar helps foreign authorities improve biosecurity systems, to reduce the risks from invasive species and diseases, and safeguard terrestrial ecosystems across the region. |
Integrating sustainable development
The CFIA will continue to ensure that its decision-making process includes consideration of FSDS goals and targets through its Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessment (SEEA) process. A SEEA for a policy, program or regulatory proposal includes an analysis of the climate, nature, environmental and economic effects of the given proposal. The CFIA voluntarily decided to include its investment plans being subject to the SEEA process.
Public statements on the results of CFIA's assessments are issued when an initiative that was the subject of a detailed SEEA is implemented or announced. For more information, visit Environment and sustainable development. The purpose of the public statement is to demonstrate that the environmental and economic effects, including contributions to the FSDS goals and targets, of an initiative have been considered during proposal development and decision making.
The CFIA issued 5 public statements for proposals that were subject to a detailed SEEA in 2024 to 2025. Amongst those, all positively support the SDGs, especially SDG 2 (Zero hunger) and SDG 3 (Good health and well-being). A total of 16 proposals were subject to a detailed SEEA in 2024 to 2025.
In support of the SEEA process, the CFIA advertises CSPS climate change courses to employees and provides agency-specific tools, such as:
- climate change risk and vulnerability assessment
- biodiversity impact assessment guide
- guidance for the early integration of environmental and economic considerations in policies, strategies and planning