Introduction to the 2023 to 2024 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. This is the first FSDS to be framed 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.
In keeping with the purpose of the Act, to make decision-making related to sustainable development more transparent and accountable to Parliament, Office of the Correctional Investigator supports the goals laid out in the FSDS through the activities described in Office of the Correctional Investigator’s 2023 to 2027 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS). This Report provides a report on progress related to Office of the Correctional Investigator’s DSDS in the fiscal year 2023 to 2024.
The Federal Sustainable Development Act also sets out 7 principles that must be considered in the development of the FSDS as well as DSDSs. These basic principles have been considered and incorporated in Office of the Correctional Investigator’s DSDS and 2023 to 2024 DSDS Report.
To promote coordinated action on sustainable development across the Government of Canada, Office of the Correctional Investigator’s departmental strategy reports on Canada’s progress towards implementing the 2030 Agenda and advancing the SDGs, supported by the Global Indicator Framework (GIF) and Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) targets and indicators. The Report also now captures progress on SDG initiatives that fall outside the scope of the FSDS.
Commitments for Office of the Correctional Investigator
GOAL 10:
ADVANCE RECONCILIATION WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND TAKE ACTION ON INEQUALITY
FSDS Context:
In Goal 10, the target “Between 2023 and 2026, and every year on an ongoing basis, develop and table annual progress reports on implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act “ contains the implementation strategy:
- Implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
The United Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDA) requires the Minister of Justice, in consultation and cooperation with Indigenous peoples, to report annually to Parliament on progress made to align federal laws with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (the Declaration) and on the development and implementation of the action plan. Organizations are asked to provide updates on departmental initiatives that align with the Declaration and/or contribute to its implementation.
As the national oversight agency for federal corrections, the OCI’s mandate is to respond to individual complaints as well as to investigate, make recommendations, and raise awareness on the needs and rights of individuals who are serving federal sentences, of which nearly one-third are individuals of Indigenous ancestry. All program areas within the agency (i.e., Corporate Services, Operations, and Policy & Research) contribute to advancing the programs, policies, and initiatives that support the departmental actions towards this goal. Investigations into the rights of Indigenous peoples, be they individual or systemic in scope, are fundamental to the work of the Office, in particular the work of the Operations and Policy & Research program areas. Additionally, the Office’s participation in broader interdepartmental initiatives (e.g., working group on the Indigenous Justice Strategy) support advancing larger government actions and efforts for advancing this goal.
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 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (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 | Provide Indigenous cultural competency training and/or training on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Program: Corporate Services, Operations, and Policy and Research | Performance Indicator: Percentage of staff who have completed Indigenous cultural competency training (internal or external) Starting point: New Program starting fall 2023. Target: 25% in 2024 75% by March 31, 2027 | Public servants are in a unique position to help build respectful relationships with Indigenous Peoples in Canada. This action encourages public service employees to increase their cultural competency skills and awareness of issues related to First Nations, Inuit and Métis in Canada, and their knowledge of the UN Declaration. This action contributes to the development of necessary cultural competency knowledge and skills to implement the UN Declaration. 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: 80% of staff completed the Kairos Blanket exercise in 2023-2024 |
Implement contracting practices to contribute to supporting Indigenous peoples’ participation in all aspects of Canada’s economy. Program: Corporate Services | Performance Indicator: Percentage of the Office of the Correctional Investigator’s total value of contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses. Starting point: New Program starting April 2023; Target: 3% in 2023-24; 5% by March 31, 2025. | Public servants are in a position to help build respectful relationships with Indigenous Peoples in Canada. This action takes into account and contributes to decreasing the socioeconomic gaps that persist between Indigenous individuals and other Canadians with respect to a range of matters as well as social factors having an impact on health and well-being. This action also contributes to implementing the UN Declaration. Relevant targets or ambitions: GIF Target - 10.2 By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status | Indicator result: 15% achieved Notes: OCI exceeded their commitment for Indigenous procurement from 3% to 15% | |
Hold engagement and consultation sessions with Indigenous individuals and/or organizations in an effort to advance dialogue and create opportunities to amplify the perspectives of Indigenous peoples and organizations. Program: Corporate Services, Operations, and Policy and Research | Performance Indicator: Number of engagement and consultation meetings/sessions held per year. Starting point: New Program starting fall 2023. Target: One session/meeting per quarter. 25% in 2024-25; 75% by March 31, 2027 | Public servants are in a unique position to help build respectful relationships with Indigenous Peoples in Canada. This action encourages public service employees to increase their cultural competency skills and awareness of issues related to First Nations, Inuit and Métis in Canada, and their knowledge of the UN Declaration. This action contributes to the development of necessary cultural competency knowledge and skills to implement the UN Declaration. Relevant targets or ambitions: GIF Target - 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status. | Indicator result: 100% In 2023-24, OCI held on average 4 sessions/meetings per quarter, exceeding the target. Notes: OCI participated in meetings with Executive members of the Congress of Aboriginal Peoples (CAP), Native Women’s Association of Canada (NWAC), and, in context of follow up to Spirit Matters, has pursued ongoing consultations with National Indigenous Organizations, including the Assembly of First Nations, Métis National Council, and the Inuit Tapirit Kanatami. |
GOAL 12:
REDUCE WASTE AND TRANSITION TO ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES
FSDS Context:
According to the 2022 to 2026 FSDS, Goal 12 has three targets:
- By 2030, the Government of Canada will divert from landfill at least 75% by weight of non-hazardous operational waste;
- By 2030, the Government of Canada will divert from landfill at least 90% by weight of all construction and demolition waste; and,
- 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.
These targets are supported by the following three implementation strategies:
- Transform the federal light-duty fleet (all federal organizations owning conventional fleets);
- Strengthen green procurement criteria; and,
- Maximize diversion of waste from landfills (all federal organizations owning real property).
As a micro agency, OCI does not own any fleet. OCI’s real property needs are managed by the federal custodian, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC). PSPC annually reports the waste generation and waste diversion of its crown-owned portfolio as part of its Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS) and to Treasury Board Secretariat’s Centre for Greening Government (TBS CGG). Furthermore, PSPC requires that multi-material recycling is implemented within its buildings, to the extent where the required recycling infrastructure and services exists in the community. OCI supports PSPC’s waste diversion program by effectively supporting waste sorting and collection processes in our spaces. The objective of any occupant engagement programs is to improve occupants' awareness of waste and plastics and to shift behaviours to reduce waste and plastics in federal operations.
Finally, OCI relies on service providers for a number of its internal services, including procurement. Therefore, we support and align with Public Safety criteria to strengthen green procurement. Additionally, OCI commits to ensuring that its corporate services employees responsible for supporting the procurement needs as well as its contracting delegates complete the mandatory green procurement training.
Target theme: Federal Leadership on Responsible Consumption
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 |
| Strengthen green procurement criteria | Ensure all procurement and materiel management support specialists and contracting delegates are trained in green procurement (such as, the Canada School of Public Service course on green procurement, or equivalent) within two years of being identified Program: Corporate Services | Performance Indicator: Percentage of procurement and materiel management support specialists and contracting delegates trained in green procurement within two years of being identified. Starting point: In 2022-23, 29% of procurement and materiel management support specialists trained in green procurement Target: 80% by March 31 2027 | 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: 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: 80% achieved Notes: OCI contracting personnel completed Green procurement training |
In collaboration with the service providers, reduce the intake of paper proposals from supplier community by establishing an e-bidding in competitive processes Program: Corporate Services | Performance Indicator: Percentage of competitive procurement files that use e-bidding. Starting Point: 90% 2022 (Public Safety Data) Target: 100% in 2023 | Green procurement practices are also being applied in the procurement processes such as e-bidding and optimization of existing technology will reduce paper consumption and real property footprint Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition: 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: 100% achieved Notes: All contracting and e-bidding completed electronically to reduce paper consumption. | |
Dispose of waste such as electronics and material management in an environmentally sound and secure manner which will reduce their presence in landfills where it can produce higher GHGs (GCsurplus, recycling programs, sound destruction) Program: Corporate Services | Performance Indicator: Percentage of waste disposed in an environmentally sounds and secure manner Starting Point: New program starting falls 2023 Target: 100% in 2024 | Green procurement policy also requires the department to develop as IT asset strategy as well as the implementation of an environmentally sound disposal process to contribute to the prevention, reduction, reuse and recycling of IT and material assets. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Indicator: 12.2.1 Proportion of businesses that adopted selected environmental protection activities and management practices GIF Target: 12.5 By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse | Indicator result: 100% Notes: OCI did not dispose any electronic waste in 2023-24. OCI has since entered into an agreement with Correctional Services Canada (CSC) to ensure all electronic waste is disposed in an environmentally sound and secure manner as per the Green procurement policy. OCI did not dispose any material assets in 2023-24. OCI has since entered into an agreement for a pilot initiative with Public Services and Procurement Canada to collect and dispose materiel assets as per the Green procurement policy. | |
Implement and maintain the ratio of IT assets per employee by implementing a One Device Policy with very limited exceptions Program: Corporate Services | Performance Indicator: Percentage of employees complying with One Device Policy | Indicator result: 100% Notes: All OCI employees have only one computing device (i.e., laptop) which is used both when working from the office or remotely. |
GOAL 13:
TAKE ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS IMPACTS
FSDS Context:
As per the FSDS Goal 13 the following two targets aim to take action on climate change and its impacts:
- The Government of Canada will transition to net-zero carbon operations for facilities and conventional fleets by 2050; and
- The Government of Canada will transition to climate resilient operations by 2050.
These targets are supported by the following four implementations strategies:
- Apply a greenhouse gas reduction life-cycle cost analysis for major building retrofits (all federal organizations owning real property);
- Implement the Greening Government Strategy through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and green the government’s overall operations;
- Modernize through net-zero carbon buildings (all federal organizations owning real property); and,
- Reduce risks posed by climate change impacts to federal assets, services and operations (owning real property).
As indicated under the Goal 12 context, OCI’s real property needs are managed by the federal custodian, Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC). OCI’s contribution to Goal 13 will be through its support to implement the Greening Government Strategy through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and green the government’s overall operations.
Target theme: Federal Leadership on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions and Climate Resilience
Target: The Government of Canada will transition to climate resilient operations by 2050.
| 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. | Ensure all relevant employees are trained on assessing climate change impacts, undertaking climate change risk assessments, and developing adaptation actions, if applicable, within two years of being identified. Program: Corporate Services, Operations and Policy and Research | Performance Indicator: Percentage of relevant employees trained on assessing climate change impacts, undertaking climate change risk assessments, and developing adaptation actions within two year of being identified Starting point: New program starting in 2024 Target: 10% trained by 2025; 70% by 2027 | Trained staff can identify risk to critical program delivery, and develop responses to increase the resilience of operations to impacts of climate change. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition / Target: 13.3 Canadians are well-equipped and resilient to face the effects of Climate change CIF Indicator: 13.3.1 Proportion of municipal organization who factored climate change adaptation into their decision-making process GIF Target: 13.3 Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning | Indicator result: 0 Notes: OCI will develop and implement an approach to track this indicator in 2024-25. |
Encourage sustainable business travel practices or commute to work through the implementation of a hybrid workplace. Program: Corporate Services, Operations and Policy and Research | Performance Indicator: Percentage of employees’ hybrid work arrangement meets 2-3days in office. Starting point: 80% Target: 90% by 2026-27
| Due to its operational travel needs, the Office will ensure implementation of hybrid work arrangements and promote and encourage sustainable travel practices to reduce carbon footprint per employee. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition / Target: 13.1 Canadians reduce their greenhouse gas emissionS CIF Indicator: 13.1 By 2030, reduce Canada's total greenhouse gas emissions by 40 to 45%, relative to 2005 emission levels. By 2050, achieve economy-wide net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. GIF Target: 13.2 Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning | Indicator result: 80% achieved Notes: In addition, all travel booking and claims are done electronically. OCI encourages virtual meetings wherever possible. | |
Improve video and teleconferencing capabilities, thereby reducing the need to commute and travel for in-person meetings and paper usage. Program: Corporate Services | Performance Indicator: Number of boardrooms/collaborative spaces with video/teleconferencing capabilities such as MS365 and MS Teams light Starting point: New program starting in 2024 Target: one boardroom in 2025 | Indicator result: 0
Notes: OCI commenced agreement discussions with CSC to upgrade audio/video teleconferencing capabilities, to be completed in 2024-25. |
Integrating Sustainable Development
Office of the Correctional Investigator 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 the Office of the Correctional Investigator’s assessments are made public when an initiative 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.
The Office of the Correctional Investigator did not complete any detailed SEAs in 2023-24.
