2023 to 2024 Departmental Sustainable Development Report
Office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Canada
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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, the Office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Canada (ORSCC) supports the goals laid out in the FSDS through the activities described in the ORSCC’s 2023 to 2027 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS). This Report provides a report on progress related to the ORSCC’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 the ORSCC’s DSDS and 2023 to 2024 DSDS Report.
To promote coordinated action on sustainable development across the Government of Canada, the ORSCC’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 the Office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Canada
Goal 10: Advance reconciliation with indigenous peoples and take action to reduce inequalities
FSDS Context:
As part of Schedule I.1 of the Financial Administration Act the (Office of the) Registrar of the Supreme Court of Canada (ORSCC) is bound by the Federal Sustainable Development Act, 2020. On November 2, 2022, the 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) was tabled in Parliament. To ensure compliance with the Act, the ORSCC was required to develop and table its own 2023 to 2027 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy within one year, which was done on October 26, 2023. In keeping with the objectives of the 2022 to 2026 FSDS, the ORSCC supports sustainable development by integrating environmental performance considerations into the decision‑making process through the actions described in the table below for the following United Nations Sustainable Development goal:
- Goal 10: Advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and take action to reduce inequality
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 |
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: ISS00 - Internal Services |
Performance indicator: Percentage of staff who have completed Indigenous cultural competency training Starting point: 0 % in 2022-23 Target: 100 % 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: 0 % as March 31, 2024 Notes: On track to meet target |
Goal 12: Reduce waste and trasition to zero-emission vehicles
FSDS Context:
As part of Schedule I.1 of the Financial Administration Act the (Office of the) Registrar of the Supreme Court of Canada (ORSCC) is bound by the Federal Sustainable Development Act, 2020 . On November 2, 2022, the 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) was tabled in Parliament. To ensure compliance with the Act, the ORSCC was required to develop and table its own 2023 to 2027 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy within one year, which was done on October 26, 2023. In keeping with the objectives of the 2022 to 2026 FSDS, the ORSCC supports sustainable development by integrating environmental performance considerations into the decision‑making process through the actions described in the table below for the following United Nations Sustainable Development goal:
- Goal 12: Reduce Waste and transition to zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs)
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 |
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 |
The conventional light-duty fleet will comprise zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) or hybrids Program: ISS00 - Internal Services |
Performance indicator: % of vehicle fleet that are ZEVs or hybrids Starting point: 33 % in 2022-23 Target: At least 50 % by March 31, 2027 |
Purchasing zero emission vehicles reduces greenhouse gas emissions from conventional fleet operations. This enhances sustainable consumption. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition/Target: 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: 43 % as March 31, 2024 Notes: On track to meet target |
|
Strengthen green procurement criteria |
Ensure all procurement and materiel management specialists are trained in green procurement (such as, the Canada School of Public Service course on green procurement, or equivalent) within one year of being identified Program: ISS00 - Internal Services |
Performance indicator: Percentage of procurement and materiel management specialists trained in green procurement within one year of being identified Starting point: In 2022-23, 67 % (2/3) Target: By March 31, 2025, 100 % (3) of procurement officers and material management specialists receive training within one year of being identified |
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/Target: 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: 67 % (2/3) as March 31, 2024 Notes: On track to meet target |
|
Ensure key officials include contribution to and support for the Government of Canada Policy on Green Procurement objectives in their performance evaluations Program: ISS00 - Internal Services |
Performance indicator: Number and percentage of managers and functional heads of procurement and material management whose performance evaluation includes support and contribution towards green procurement in the current fiscal year Starting point: 1 /100 % in 2022-23 Target: Maintain 1 /100 % each year |
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/Target: 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: 1 /100 % as March 31, 2024 Notes: Target is maintained |
|
|
Set departmental targets to reduce the environmental impact of office supplies Program: ISS00 - Internal Services |
Performance indicator: Percentage of office supplies purchases that include criteria to reduce the environmental impact associated with the production, acquisition, use and/or disposal of the supplies Starting point: 43 % in 2021-22 Target: 50 % 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/Target: 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: 31 % as March 31, 2024 Notes: Result for 2022-23 Fiscal Year was 56 %. The lower result in 2023-24 is due to a reduction of recycled paper purchases as the requirements of the organization were lesser than usual this year. |
Goal 13: Take action on climate change and its impacts
FSDS Context:
As part of Schedule I.1 of the Financial Administration Act the (Office of the) Registrar of the Supreme Court of Canada (ORSCC) is bound by the Federal Sustainable Development Act, 2020 . On November 2, 2022, the 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) was tabled in Parliament. To ensure compliance with the Act, the ORSCC was required to develop and table its own 2023 to 2027 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy within one year, which was done on October 26, 2023. In keeping with the objectives of the 2022 to 2026 FSDS, the ORSCC supports sustainable development by integrating environmental performance considerations into the decision‑making process through the actions described in the table below for the following United Nations Sustainable Development goal:
- Goal 13: Take action on climate change and its impacts
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 |
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 within one year of being identified Program: ISS00 - Internal Services |
Performance indicator: Percentage of relevant employees trained on assessing climate change impacts, undertaking climate change risk assessments, and developing adaptation action within one year of being identified Starting point: 0 % in 2022-23 trained Target: 100 % trained by March 31, 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 GIF Target: 13.1 Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries 13.3 Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning |
Indicator result: 0 % trained as March 31, 2024 Notes: On track to meet target |
Integrating Sustainable Development
The Office of the Registrar of Canada (ORSCC) evaluates the requirements for conducting a Strategic Environmental Assessment when preparing submissions for new funding. While the organization has not yet needed to complete this assessment in the context of its current operations, it will look to complete this if ever the need arises in the future. However, it is important to note that the ORSCC integrates sustainable development considerations into its decision-making processes by using Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) procurement instruments as its primary procurement mechanism and leverages the environmental considerations incorporated into these standing offers and supply arrangements.
The ORSCC will continue integrating sustainable development into its procurement practices and efforts will continue to be dedicated to promote Green Procurement through training and awareness, inclusion of reminders on procurement forms, as well as pre-selected Green items when procuring office supplies and office furniture with the goal of becoming a more environmentally sustainable workplace.