2023 to 2027 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

Office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Canada

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Executive Summary

Created by an Act of Parliament in 1875, the Supreme Court of Canada is Canada’s final court of appeal. It serves Canadians by deciding legal issues of public importance, thereby contributing to the development of all branches of law applicable within Canada. 

The independence of the Court, the quality of its work and the esteem in which it is held both in Canada and abroad contribute significantly as foundations for a secure, strong and democratic country founded on the Rule of Law. The Supreme Court of Canada is an important national institution, positioned at the pinnacle of the judicial branch of government in Canada, separate from and independent of the executive and legislative branches of government.

The Office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Canada (ORSCC) provides all necessary services and support for the Court to process, hear and decide cases. It also serves as the interface between litigants and the Court.

In working towards achieving a sustainable future, the ORSCC is contributing to Goals 10, 12, and 13 of the 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS).

This Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS) provides details on the how the ORSCC will contribute to these goals, with specific and measurable targets and indicators over the FSDS timeline of 2022-2026.

Section 1: Introduction to the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

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 this Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS).

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.

In order to promote coordinated action on sustainable development across the Government of Canada, this departmental strategy integrates efforts to advance Canada’s implementation of the 2030 Agenda National Strategy, supported by the Global Indicator Framework (GIF) and Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) targets and indicators. The strategy also now captures SDG initiatives that fall outside the scope of the FSDS to inform the development of the Canada’s Annual Report on the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs. 

Section 2: The Office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Canada’s Sustainable Development Vision

The Office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Canada (ORSCC) is supporting the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS), which includes the following United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals:

• Goal 10: Advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and take action to reduce inequality
  • Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
• Goal 12: Reduce Waste and transition to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs)
  • Transform the federal light-duty fleet
  • Strengthen green procurement criteria
• Goal 13: Take action on climate change and its impacts
  • Implement the Greening Government Strategy through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and green the government’s overall operations

The ORSCC is committed to advancing sustainable development and is supporting the Greening Government Strategy as well as the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People Act.

The ORSCC places a high priority on pursuing its work towards the adaptation of its business processes to an electronic environment, with a view to continuously improve electronic access to the Court’s case files and information, both for internal use by the Court as well as by the public and litigants and therefore enhancing access to justice for all Canadians. When parties to a case are unable to attend a hearing in person, they are able to connect remotely. Having the ability to connect remotely, reduces travel requirements for Canadians accessing the judicial system. The Court has also implemented virtual tours of the SCC building, inspiring people across Canada to learn about the Court without needing to travel to Ottawa.

In January 2023, the ORSCC also launched a secure electronic filing portal for court documents. This is another example of the Court’s commitment to further enhance access to Court documents, while also reducing its environmental footprint by leveraging technology.

The ORSCC integrates sustainable development considerations into its purchasing decision-making processes through training, technology, inclusion of ‘green’ reminders on procurement request forms, as well as pre-selected green items when procuring office supplies and office furniture. The ORSCC has also started to electrify its fleet of vehicles.

By adapting its processes for delivering information and services electronically, favouring green alternatives within its operations, and staff training and awareness, the ORSCC will continue to make progress towards achieving a sustainable future.

Section 3: Listening to Canadians

As required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act, the Office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Canada (ORSCC) has taken into account comments on the draft 2022-2026 FSDS made during the public consultation held from March 11 to July 9, 2022. During the public consultation, more than 700 comments were received from a broad range of stakeholders, including governments, Indigenous organizations, non-governmental organizations, academics, businesses, and individual Canadians in different age groups and of various backgrounds. The draft FSDS was also shared with the appropriate committee of each House of Parliament, the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, and the Sustainable Development Advisory Council for their review and comment.

What We Heard

Across the submissions received, the ORSCC identified sustainable development priorities and issues that affect us.

Indigenous perspectives

The reconciliation and respect for Indigenous rights were strong themes in the consultations. The ORSCC includes the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goal through the activities described in this Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS):

• Goal 10: Advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and take action to reduce inequality
  • Implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act

Climate action

Respondents wanted to understand how Canada’s Emissions Reduction Plan and carbon neutrality target support Canada’s commitments under the Paris Agreement to limit global warming. The ORSCC includes the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goal through the activities described in this DSDS:

• Goal 12: Reduce Waste and transition to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs)
  • Transform the federal light-duty fleet
  • Strengthen green procurement criteria

The respondents indicated the SDG 13 (Climate Action) as a top priority. The ORSCC includes the following United Nations Sustainable Development Goal through the activities described in this DSDS:

• Goal 13: Take action on climate change and its impacts
  • Implement the Greening Government Strategy through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and green the government’s overall operations

What We Did

The ORSCC took the above-mentioned key priorities and issues into consideration in this DSDS.

The ORSCC is contributing to the following implementation strategies:

• The Greening Government Strategy
• The implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People Act.

Please find more information on the FSDS public consultation and its results in the FSDS Consultation Report

Section 4: The Office of the Registrar of the Supreme Court of Canada’s Commitments

Goal 10: Advance Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and Take Action to Reduce Inequality

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 is required to develop and table its own 2023 to 2027 DSDS within one year, i.e. no later than November 2, 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)

Goal 12: Reduce Waste and Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEVs)

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 is required to develop and table its own 2023 to 2027 DSDS within one year, i.e. no later than November 2, 2023. In keeping with the objectives of the 2022 to 2026 FSDS, the ORSCC supports sustainable development by integrating environmental performance considerations into the procurement 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-emission 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)

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 is required to develop and table its own 2023 to 2027 DSDS within one year, i.e. no later than November 2, 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)

Section 5: 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.