Supplementary Information Tables: 2013–14 Departmental Performance Report

Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

1. Overview of the Federal Government's Approach to Sustainable Development

The 2013–16 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS), tabled on November 4, 2013, guides the Government of Canada’s sustainable development activities, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act (FSDA). In keeping with the objectives of the FSDA, to make environmental decision–making more transparent and accountable to Parliament, the Public Health Agency of Canada (Agency) supports the implementation of the FSDS through the activities found in its departmental strategy.

Accordingly, this Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS) presents the results for commitment for Theme I – Addressing Climate Change and Air Quality within the context of the 2013–16 FSDS. This DSDS also provides the results for Theme IV –Shrinking the Environmental Footprint – Beginning with Government, based on the 2010–13 FSDS.

2. Themes I–III: Department/Agency-led Targets

Not Applicable (N/A)

FSDS Goal FSDS Performance Indicator FSDS Target FSDS Performance Status
N/A N/A N/A N/A

3. Themes I–III: Implementation Strategies

FSDS Goal 1 - Climate Change: In order to mitigate the effects of climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emission levels and adapt to unavoidable impacts.

FSDS Target 1.2 - Climate Change Adaptation: Facilitate reduced vulnerability of individuals, communities, regions and economic sectors to the impacts of climate change through the development and provision of information and tools.

SDS Implementation Strategy led by the Agency:

1.2.2 Work with domestic and international stakeholders to reduce infectious disease risks and public health threats related to climate change by increasing public health capacity and expertise through targeted research, modelling and cost-benefit analysis.

Linkages to the Program Alignment Architecture (PAA): Sub-Program 1.2.1: Infectious Disease Prevention and Control

Planned and Actual Spending for 2013–14: Planned ($2.2M) and Actual ($1.8M)

The Agency seeks to reduce the vulnerability of individuals, communities and regions to climate change impacts which have the potential to adversely affect the health of Canada’s population. Through the Preventative Public Health Systems and Adaptation to Climate Change Program, the Agency fosters engagement and capacity building with federal, provincial, territorial, and regional stakeholders as well as international public health organizations. The program aims to reduce infectious disease emergence, and address the risk associated with climate change through enhancing evidence-based information. Key activities include conducting risk assessments, and the development, validation and refinement of practical adaptation strategies and tools.

The program had 23 formal collaborations with internal and external stakeholders through expert panel participation and stakeholder meetings with national and international stakeholders and academia. These collaborations enabled relevant and timely knowledge and decision-support tools to be generated to assist stakeholders in their adaptation strategies to address the impacts of climate change.

Ongoing targeted research to address knowledge gaps is an important role for the program. Over the course of 2013–14, seven reports, four peer-reviewed publications and three communication products were produced which examined the impact of climate and extreme weather events on the distribution and occurrence of infectious disease and their impacts on respiratory health. This work has enhanced the understanding of the impacts of climate change on health, thereby helping to build capacity in the development of practical adaptation strategies.

To enhance adaptive capacity, 22 presentations were provided by the Agency to a variety of stakeholder groups and organizations on the impacts of environmental change on health. Conferences, workshops, stakeholder group meetings, as well as web-based virtual meetings, enabled presentations by subject matter experts to a pan-Canadian audience on topics related to health and environmental change. 

Two stakeholder group meetings were held to identify strategies:

  • Government (provincial, regional, and community) participants identified gaps and strategies for action on climate change adaptation at a climate change workshop; and
  • Participants from two eastern arctic communities participated in an intensive research training
    program focused on building regional capacity.

Additional details on the Agency’s activities in support of this implementation strategy can be found on the Agency’s website.

4. Theme IV: Implementation Strategies

Green Building Targets

As of April 1, 2012, and pursuant to departmental strategic frameworks, new construction, build-to-lease and major renovation projects will achieve an industry-recognized level of high environmental performance.Table 2 footnote 1 (Target 8.1 from 2010–13 FSDS)
Performance Measure Performance Status
Target status ACHIEVED
Number of completed new construction, build-to-lease, and major renovation projects in the given fiscal year, according to the departmental strategic framework. 0
Number of completed new construction, build-to-lease, and major renovation projects that have achieved an industry-recognized level of high environmental performance in the given fiscal year, according to the departmental strategic framework. 0
Existence of a strategic framework.  Yes

Strategies and/or Comments

  1. Minimum level of environmental performance: Three Green Globes for project values between $1M and $10M, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Silver (Core and Shell, Development or New Construction) for project values over $10M, and the International Institute for Sustainable Laboratories (I2SL) criteria (formerly Labs21) for laboratories only.
  2. Appropriate threshold (dollar value or floor area): Projects over $1M and floor area greater than 1000 m2.
  3. Applicable building types: Temperature controlled offices and laboratories in urban and non-urban centres where a benchmark is available. All mobile laboratories, hospitals and airport quarantine services are excluded.
  4. Rationale for target status: No projects were completed during the timeframe that met the appropriate threshold for this target.
As of April 1, 2012, and pursuant to departmental strategic frameworks, existing Crown buildings over 1000 m2 will be assessed for environmental performance using an industry-recognized assessment tool.Table 3 footnote 2 (Target 8.2 from 2010–13 FSDS)
Performance Measure Performance Status
Target status OPPORTUNITY FOR IMPROVEMENT
Number of buildings over 1000 m, according to the departmental strategic framework.  2
Percentage of buildings over 1000 m2 in the given fiscal year that have been assessed using an industry-recognized assessment tool, according to the departmental strategic framework.  50%
Existence of a strategic framework.  Yes

Strategies and/or Comments

  1. Minimum level of assessment: Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) Building Environmental Standards (BESt) Level 1 certification for laboratories, BOMA BESt Level 2 certification for office facilities, and the I2SL criteria (formerly Labs21) for laboratories only.
  2. Appropriate threshold (floor area): Buildings with floor area greater than 1000 m2.
  3. Applicable building types: Temperature controlled offices and laboratories in urban and non-urban centres where a benchmark is available. All mobile laboratories, hospitals and airport quarantine services are excluded.
  4. Industry-recognized assessment and verification tool used: BOMA BESt
  5. Assessment level achieved: BOMA BESt level 1 certification was achieved at the Canadian Science Centre for Human and Animal Health (CSCHAH) located in Winnipeg. The Laboratory for Food-borne Zoonoses was assessed against BOMA BESt criteria but was unable to achieve level 1 certification within the timeframe of this report.
  6. Rationale for target status: Although the Agency assessed both Crown buildings over
    1000 m2, it was unable to achieve certification at both sites. The age and condition of building systems at the Laboratory for Food-borne Zoonoses prevented certification under BOMA BESt.
As of April 1, 2012, and pursuant to departmental strategic frameworks, new lease or lease renewal projects over 1000 m2, where the Crown is the major lessee, will be assessed for environmental performance using an industry-recognized assessment tool.Table 4 footnote 3 (Target 8.3 from 2010–13 FSDS)
Performance Measure Performance Status
Target status NOT APPLICABLE
Number of completed lease and lease renewal projects over 1000 m2 in the given fiscal year, according to the departmental strategic framework. N/A
Number of completed lease and lease renewal projects over 1000 m2 that were assessed using an industry-recognized assessment tool in the given fiscal year, according to the departmental strategic framework. N/A
Existence of a strategic framework.  Yes

Strategies and/or Comments

  1. This target is not directly applicable to the Agency as Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) negotiates leases on behalf of the Agency.
  2. As the client, the Agency can only request inclusion of this target in its lease requirements and adherence to the FSDS green building targets pursuant to PWGSC’s Strategic Framework and its DSDS.
As of April 1, 2012, and pursuant to departmental strategic frameworks, fit–up and refit projects will achieve an industry–recognized level of high environmental performance.Table 5 footnote 4 (Target 8.4 from 2010–13 FSDS)
Performance Measure Performance Status
Target status ACHIEVED
Number of completed fit-up and refit projects in the given fiscal year, according to the departmental strategic framework. 0
Number of completed fit-up and refit projects that have achieved an industry-recognized level of high environmental performance in the given fiscal year, according to the departmental strategic framework. 0
Existence of a strategic framework. Yes

Strategies and/or Comments

  1. Minimum level of assessment: BOMA BESt Level 1 certification for laboratories, BOMA BESt Level 2 certification for office facilities, and I2SL criteria (formerly Labs21) for laboratories only.
  2. Appropriate threshold (floor area): Buildings with floor area greater than 1000 m2.
  3. Applicable building types: Temperature controlled offices and laboratories in urban and non-urban centres where a benchmark is available. All mobile laboratories, hospitals and airport quarantine services are excluded.
  4. Rationale for target status: The Agency did not complete any applicable projects this fiscal year.
Surplus Electronic and Electrical Equipment Target By March 31, 2014, each department will reuse or recycle all surplus electronic and electrical equipment (EEE) in an environmentally sound and secure manner. (Target 8.6 from 2010–13 FSDS)
Performance Measure Performance Status
Target status ACHIEVED
Existence of an implementation plan for the disposal of all departmentally generated EEE. YES
Total number of departmental locations with an EEE implementation plan fully implemented, expressed as a percentage of all locations, by the end of the given fiscal year. 100%

Strategies and/or Comments

  1. Definition of Location: Any building that is occupied by at least one Agency employee and one EEE asset. It excludes facilities such as warehouses and mobile laboratories. The Agency has 39 locations.
  2. EEE Implementation Plan: The Agency, in partnership with Health Canada (HC), developed and launched an implementation plan for the management of surplus electronic and electrical equipment in 2012–13. One-hundred percent of Agency locations are serviced by this program.
  3. Roles and Responsibilities: HC’s Corporate Services Branch is the Office of Primary Interest in collaboration with the Agency’s Sustainable Development Office (SDO) and other organizations that support both HC and the Agency.
  4. Key Activities of the EEE Disposal Process: The Agency, in partnership with HC, has developed and implemented Standard Operating Procedures for the Management of Surplus Electronic and Electrical Equipment to address the key activities part of the EEE disposal process.
  5. Reporting Requirements: The total weights of e-waste disposed, per disposal stream are collected for both HC and the Agency. During 2013–14, a cumulative total of approximately 91 tonnes of EEE was disposed: 35 tonnes diverted to provincial recycling programs and 56 tonnes to the Computers for Schools Program.
  6. Mechanisms to Evaluate Progress: Volumes of EEE disposed are tracked on an ongoing basis by Corporate Services Branch on behalf of HC and the Agency.
  7. Relationship between Agency Asset Management System and EEE Implementation Plan: Asset disposal processes have been modified to address the Standard Operating Procedures developed for HC and the Agency.
  8. Rationale for target status: The Agency has put into action an implementation strategy at 100% of locations and is able to track and report upon volumes (total weights and key equipment types) of EEE disposed.
Printing Unit Reduction Target
By March 31, 2013, each department will achieve an 8:1 average ratio of office employees to printing units. Departments will apply the target where building occupancy levels, security considerations, and space configuration allow. ( Target 8.7 from 2010–13 FSDS)
Performance Measure Performance Status
Target status EXCEEDED
Ratio of departmental office employees to printing units in fiscal year 201011, where building occupancy levels, security considerations and space configuration allow. 3.77 : 1
Ratio of departmental office employees to printing units at the end of the given fiscal year, where building occupancy levels, security considerations and space configuration allow. 12.38 : 1

Strategies and/or Comments 

  1. Definition: Desktop printers, network printers, photocopiers and multifunctional devices.
  2. Scope: All employees and devices. The Agency will exceed the federal target of 8:1 to obtain an overall minimum average of 12:1 throughout the organization, allocated as follows:
    • 12 workstations for one black and white printing device (12:1); and
    • 50 workstations for one colour printing device (50:1).
  3. Target exclusions and exemptions:
    • Specialty devices such as label makers, plotters, scanners, etc.;
    • Select employees as a result of approved duty to accommodate and teleworking agreements;
    • Floors/buildings with fewer than 12 and/or 50 workstations;
    • Floors/buildings where space configuration does not allow for an 12:1 or 50:1 ratio to be achieved; and
    • Security considerations under specific conditions (emergencies and business continuity planning).
  4. Method Used for Determining Number of Organizational Printing Units: Printing unit allocations were determined on a floor-by-floor basis by using the total number of workstations on each floor, divided by a ratio of 12. In order to account for smaller locations and remain within the minimum ratio, only whole numbers were used in the allocation of printing units.
  5. Method for Determining Number of Office Employees: Agency floor plans were used to assess the total number of workstations by floor.
  6. Number of office employees subject to the target: One hundred percent of employees  have not been granted a formal exemption.
  7. Reporting requirements to track the indicator: The Agency has utilized pre-existing internal services processes and documents to track the indicator for reporting purposes.
  8. Roles and responsibilities: Through the Shared Services Partnership (SSP), the Agency reports against this commitment concerning printing device procurement, installation, maintenance and/or disposal. Roles and responsibilities have been determined for Materiel and Asset Management, Communications, Finance, IT Desktop Support, IT Security and Sustainable Development through internal documents.
  9. Plans/strategies for departmental engagement and communication to ensure target is met: A detailed communications plan was developed and included a suite of communications products which were released to all employees.
  10. Rationale for target status: The Agency has achieved a 12.38:1 ratio of workstations to printing units.
Paper Consumption Target
By March 31, 2014, each department will reduce internal paper consumption per office employee by 20%. Each department will establish a baseline between 2005 06 and 2011 12, and an applicable scope. ( Target 8.8 from 2010–13 FSDS)
Performance Measure Performance Status
Target status EXCEEDED
Number of sheets of internal office paper purchased or consumed per office employee in the selected baseline year, according to the departmental scope. 5,900 sheets per full-time employee
Cumulative reduction (or increase) in paper consumption per office employee in the given fiscal year, expressed as a percentage, relative to the selected baseline year. - 49%

Strategies and/or Comments

  1. Scope of this target: 100% of employees.
  2. Method used for determining paper consumption: PWGSC standing offer usage data.
  3. Method used for determining number of office employees: Total number of workstations.
  4. Number of office employees subject to the target: 2,454 employees
  5. Processes/reporting requirements to track the reduction of paper consumption: Following the implementation of the SSP, HC prepares reports on behalf of the Agency.
  6. Roles and responsibilities: Through the SSP, HC is responsible for data collection, tracking, and monitoring.
  7. Rationale for target status: The Agency has already reduced paper consumption by 49% and exceeded the 2013–14 target of 20%. The Agency will sustain efforts to maintain a high level of reduced paper consumption.
Green Meetings Target By March 31, 2012, each department will adopt a guide for greening meetings. (Target 8.9 from 2010–13 FSDS)
Performance Measure Performance Status
Target status ACHIEVED
Presence of a green meetings guide  Adopted in 2011

Strategies and/or Comments

  1. Definition of “adoption”: The Agency adopted a Green Meeting Guide (GMG) after senior executive endorsement and approval of the guide, followed by posting to the Agency's Sustainable Development intranet website for employee use.
  2. Rationale for target status: The Agency adopted a GMG on October 21, 2011
Green Procurement Targets
As of April 1, 2011, each department will establish at least three SMART green procurement targets to reduce environmental impacts. ( Target 8.10 from 2010–13 FSDS)
1. As of April 1, 2013, at least 85% of copy paper purchases will contain a minimum of 30% post-consumer fibre content.
Performance Measure Performance Status
Target status ACHIEVED
Baseline in 2013–14: Percentage of copy paper purchases with a minimum of 30% post-consumer fibre content  100%

Strategies and/or Comments

  1. This target complies with Environment Canada’s SMART criteria.
    • Specific: This target is understandable and communicates a clear and well-defined requirement for all copy paper to contain a minimum amount of post-consumer fibre content.
    • Measurable: This target requires real property data to track the quantity and type of paper being procured.
    • Achievable: Through the SSP, national and centralized oversight for purchasing will be carried out by HC on behalf of the Agency.
    • Relevant: Considering the potential environmental impacts of bleached virgin paper, agreed upon targets for increasing post-consumer fibre content will decrease potential environmental impacts from day-to-day operations.
    • Timebound: This target is in force as of April 1, 2014.
  2. Rationale for target status: The Agency was able to achieve the self-selected target through the update of the PWGSC standing offer for office paper which no longer provides departments with the option to purchase paper less than 30% post-consumer fibre content.
2. As of April 1, 2011, at least 90% of new purchases and leases of printers and multi-functional devices will have environmental features.
Performance Measure Performance Status
Target status ACHIEVED
Percentage of newly purchased and leased printers and multi-functional devices with environmental features in the 2010–11 fiscal year  100%

Strategies and/or Comments

  1. This target complies with Environment Canada’s SMART criteria.
    • Specific: This target is understandable and communicates a clear and well-defined requirement for new purchases and leases of printers and multi-functional devices.
    • Measurable: All requests for printing devices must go through an approval process. Requests are tracked in a database.
    • Achievable: There is an adequate selection of reasonably priced devices on the market to meet the needs of the Agency while supporting this target.
    • Relevant: Environmental features not only contribute to energy and cost savings; they also contribute to a healthier work environment.
    • Timebound: This target is in force as of April 1, 2011.
  2. Rationale for target status: The Agency was able to achieve the self-selected target as PWGSC has implemented mandatory green standing offers for printing devices.
3. By March 31, 2017, the Agency will remove all stand-alone facsimile machines from its facilities through the integration into multi-functional devices.
Performance Measure Performance Status
Target status ON TRACK TO ACHIEVE
Baseline in 2012–13: Percentage of integrated facsimile machines into multi-functional devices across the Agency (17.5%) To date, 36.8% of stand-alone facsimile machines have been removed

Strategies and/or Comments

  1. This target complies with Environment Canada’s SMART criteria.
    • Specific: The target is clear, well-defined, and understandable. The context is explained and there is no ambiguity in direction to reduce the number of stand-alone devices by increasing the use of multi-functional devices.
    • Measurable: This target is measured through an inventory count of the number of stand-alone fax machines in the Agency in addition to monitoring the number of multi-functional devices being brought into the Agency with built-in facsimile machines.
    • Achievable: As the Agency’s printing devices reach the end of their lifecycle or leasing arrangement, the Agency will obtain new devices through a minimum of a three-year leasing agreement, unless a specific exemption is granted to purchase it as an asset.
    • Relevant: This will not only demonstrate immediate financial savings, but will also allow the Agency to operate a more efficient printing environment for the management, repair and disposal of its fleet.
    • Timebound: This target requires a five-year implementation period to account for all current printers on lease. In order to avoid contract cancellation penalties, as devices come to the end of their lease, leases will be cancelled for machines that are not multi-functional and include facsimile capability; and the machine will be removed and replaced with an upgraded device.
  2. Rationale for target status: Taking into account 2012–13 results and this year’s progress, a total of 36.8% of fax machines have been removed from Agency buildings and integrated into multi-functional devices.
As of April 1, 2011, each department will establish SMART targets for training, employee performance evaluations, and management processes and controls, as they pertain to procurement decision making. ( Target 8.11 from 2010–13 FSDS)
Training for select employees
By March 31, 2012, a minimum of 80% of materiel managers, procurement personnel and acquisition cardholders will have taken an Agency recognized training course on green procurement.
Performance Measure Performance Status
Target status NOT APPLICABLE
  • Percentage of Asset and Materiel Management employees with Canadian School of Public Service C215 certification
  • Percentage of Asset and Materiel Management contracting
N/A

Strategies and/or Comments

  1. This target complies with Environment Canada’s SMART criteria.
  2. Rationale for target status: In light of the June 2012 Order-in-Council that created the SSP, the function of asset management now resides within HC.
Employee performance evaluations for managers and functional heads of procurement and materiel management
As of April 1, 2011, 100% of all identified managers and functional heads of procurement will have environmental considerations clauses incorporated into their performance evaluations.
Performance Measure Performance Status
Target status NOT APPLICABLE

Baselines established in 2009–10: % of all managers and function heads (three employees) of procurement and materials with environmental consideration clauses incorporated into their performance evaluations

N/A

Strategies and/or Comments

  1. This target complies with Environment Canada’s SMART criteria.
  2. Rationale for target status: In light of the June 2012 Order-in-Council that created the SSP, the function of asset management now resides within HC.
Management processes and controls By March 31, 2014, decrease the quantity of “unknown attributes” associated with the financial system's Green Procurement field in contracts by at least 10% below 2009–10 baseline levels.
Performance Measure Performance Status
Target status ACHIEVED

Percentage of contracts and services with “unknown attributes” (65%) baselines established in 2009–10

49.16

Strategies and/or Comments

  1. This target complies with Environment Canada’s SMART criteria.
    • Specific: The target is clear, well-defined, and understandable. The context is explained and there is no ambiguity in direction to reduce the number of “unknown attribute” responses against the Green Procurement field.
    • Measurable: Through the Agency’s financial system, reports will be generated to measure the number of “unknown attribute” responses to assess if the number has been reduced by 10% below 2009–10 baseline levels.
    • Achievable: Through training and awareness sessions, emphasis is being placed on employees conducting additional research into the products they are purchasing to avoid using the “unknown attribute” responses drop-down option.
    • Relevant: This target is applicable to all contracting requirements throughout the Agency in order to demonstrate trends for green procurement practices over time.
    • Timebound: This target was completed by March 31, 2014.
  2. Rationale for target status: Taking into account 2012–13 results and this year's progress, the Agency has reduced the use of the "unknown attributes" field by 15.8%, exceeding its target of 10% below 2009–10 baseline levels.
Reporting on the Purchase of Offset Credits
Mandatory reporting on the purchase of greenhouse gas emissions offset credits, according to the  Policy Framework for Offsetting Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Major International Events.
Performance Measure NOT APPLICABLE

Quantity of emissions offset in the given fiscal year. 

N/A

Strategies and/or Comments

  1. The Agency did not purchase greenhouse gas emissions offset credits in 2013–14.

5. Additional Departmental/Agency Sustainable Development Activities and Initiatives

Additional details on the Agency’s activities in support of sustainable development can be found on the Agency’s website.

6. Sustainable Development Management System

The Agency is committed to sustainable development and contributes to the FSDS by delivering on its core vision of healthy Canadians and communities in a healthier world. The Agency strives to integrate environmental, economic and social factors in the making of decisions in order to derive added benefits or to avoid or mitigate negative impacts on human health for both present and future generations.

The Agency’s sustainable development vision is guided by the following principles:

  • strengthen Canada’s capacity to protect and improve the health of Canadians;
  • build an effective public health system that enables Canadians to achieve better health and well-being in their daily lives by promoting good health, helping prevent chronic diseases and injury, and protecting Canadians from infectious diseases and other threats to their health; and
  • reduce health disparities between the most advantaged and disadvantaged Canadians.

The Agency manages and promotes sustainable development within its policy, planning and operational processes. Sustainable development planning and reporting is now linked with the federal government’s core expenditure planning and reporting system under the FSDS. Consistent with the Government of Canada reporting on the FSDS, the Agency has fully integrated its sustainable development commitments in its Report on Plans and Priorities, Departmental Performance Report, annual DSDS Performance Report, which together address the Agency’s DSDS planning and reporting requirements.

The Agency’s Assistant Deputy Minister Sustainable Development Champion serves as a leader for sustainable development at the Agency by promoting sustainable development values, commitments and achievements among employees and Health Portfolio partners. The Champion’s leadership is vital in moving the Agency toward the integration of sustainable development principles and FSDS and DSDS commitments into the policies and programs of the Agency.

7. Strategic Environmental Assessment

During the 2013–14 reporting cycle, the Agency considered the environmental effects of initiatives subject to the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals, as part of its decision-making processes. As the Agency did not develop any initiatives that required a strategic environmental assessment, no related statements were produced.

Additional information on the results of the SEAs is available on the Agency’s website .

For additional details on the Agency’s activities to support sustainable development, please see the Agency’s Sustainable Development website. For complete details on the Strategy, please see the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy website.

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