2023 to 2024 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Report

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Table of Contents

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 Secretary to the Governor General (OSGG) supports the goals laid out in the FSDS through the activities described in the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General’s 2023 to 2027 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS). This Report provides a report on progress related to the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General’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 Office of the Secretary to the Governor General’s DSDS and 2023 to 2024 DSDS Report.

To promote coordinated action on sustainable development across the Government of Canada,  the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General’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 Secretary to the Governor General (OSGG)

GOAL 10: ADVANCE RECONCILIATION WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND TAKE ACTION ON 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 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: UN Declaration Act Implementation Secretariat

Performance Indicator: Percentage of staff who have completed Indigenous cultural competency training (internal or external)

Starting point: Percentage of staff trained 7% as of March 31, 2023

Target: 100% by September 30, 2024. All new employees will receive training within one year of being hired.
 

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:

72% of the staff had completed Indigenous cultural training as at March 31, 2024.
 

Initiatives advancing Canada’s implementation of SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities

The following initiatives demonstrate how the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General 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

The OSGG provides learning opportunities on Indigenous cultures and experiences.

  • As of March 31, 2023, 7% of OSGG employees have completed Indigenous cultural competency training.
  • Since 2021, the internal Employment, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee (EEDI) has commemorated National Indigenous Peoples Day.
  • Since 2022, the EEDI has commemorated National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.
  • The OSGG will continue to promote learning opportunities on Indigenous cultures by expanding the OSGG employee curriculum to include the following training courses offered through the Canada School of Public Service (CSPS):
    • Reflecting on Cultural Bias: Indigenous Perspectives (IRA101)
    • The Uncomfortable Truth: A Brief History of the Relationship Between Indigenous Peoples and the Government of Canada

The OSGG has set a target of having 100% of its employees complete these training courses by September 30, 2024. All new employees will receive training within one year of being hired.

These OSGG initiatives contribute to advancing: 

Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) ambition:

10.1 Ambition - Canadians live free of discrimination and inequalities are reduced

Target - No specific target

Global Indicator Framework (GIF) targets:

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.

10.3.1 Proportion of population reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed in the previous 12 months on the basis of a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law.

Indicator result:

71% of the staff had completed the CSPS course, Reflecting on Cultural Bias: Indigenous Perspectives (IRA101), as at March 31, 2024.

74% of the staff had completed the CSPS course, The Uncomfortable Truth: A Brief History of the Relationship Between Indigenous Peoples and the Government of Canada (IRA102), as at March 31, 2024.

Consequently, overall, 72% of the staff had completed Indigenous cultural training as at March 31, 2024.

To continue to promote and commemorate National Indigenous Peoples Day, OSGG launched an Indigenous art installation called Learning and Healing Through Art.

In response to the Federal 2SLGBTQI+ Action Plan and through its internal Employment, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee (EEDI), the OSGG will provide training on 2SLGBTQI+ to raise awareness and improve understanding of the community and the issues it faces.

The OSGG has set a target of having 100% of its employees complete these training courses by September 30, 2024. All new employees will receive training within one year of being hired.

  • As of March 31, 2023, less than 1% of OSGG employees have completed training on 2SLGBTQI+ awareness.
  • Since 2021, the OSGG’s internal EEDI has commemorated Public Service Pride Week.
  • The OSGG will continue to increase awareness amongst employees by expanding the OSGG employee’s curriculum to include the following training courses available through the Canada School of Public Service:
    • Positive Space Initiatives: 2SLGBTQI+ Awareness (INC111)
    • Positive Space Initiatives: Becoming an Ambassador for 2SLGBTQI+ Inclusion (INC112).

These OSGG initiatives contribute to advancing:

Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) ambition:

10.1 Ambition
- Canadians live free of discrimination and inequalities are reduced

Target - No specific target

Global Indicator Framework (GIF) targets:

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.

10.3.1 Proportion of population reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed in the previous 12 months on the basis of a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law.

Indicator result:

30% of the staff had completed the CSPS course, Positive Space Initiatives: 2SLGBTQI+ Awareness (INC111), as at March 31, 2024

0% of the staff had completed the CSPS course, Positive Space Initiatives: Becoming an Ambassador for 2SLGBTQI+ Inclusion (INC112), as at March 31, 2024.

An error occurred in the 2023–27 DSDS; this course should not have been identified as a requirement for all employees and will be removed from the planned initiatives through the DSDS updates process.


 

Implementation of the OSGG’s Accessibility

Plan In response to the Accessible Canada Act, the OSGG will continue the implementation of its Accessibility Plan outlining how it will remove barriers to make the organization more accessible by 2040.

These OSGG initiatives contribute to advancing:

Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) ambition:

10.1 Ambition
- Canadians live free of discrimination and inequalities are reduced

Target - No specific 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.

10.3.1 Proportion of population reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed in the previous 12 months on the basis of a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law.

Indicator result:

The OSGG has produced internal guidelines for creating accessible documents.  Procurement officers have now been trained on the Accessible Canada Act and on accessible procurement. Visitor Services has started using a visitor experience survey following guided tours of the residences that allows visitors to provide feedback on the accessibility of visits and the website.

The OSGG continues to progress on its departmental Accessibility Plan, including annual employee feedback on actions taken to meet goals.

The OSGG continues to consult and collaborate with Indigenous-focused federal departments on the delivery of its programs.

The OSGG supports the Governor General in fulfilling her constitutional, State and ceremonial responsibilities. To this end, the office will continue to consult with Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC), Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) and other experts in the delivery of all its services and activities.

These OSGG initiatives contribute to advancing: 

Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) ambition:

10.1 Ambition
- Canadians live free of discrimination and inequalities are reduced

Target - No specific target

Global Indicator Framework (GIF) targets:

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.

10.3.1 Proportion of population reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed in the previous 12 months on the basis of a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law.

Indicator result:

Ahead of any official visits or travel for the Governor General and OSGG, consultations take place with relevant Indigenous groups and communities. Indigenous advisors within the OSGG further ensure that any activities or ceremonies are reflective and inclusive of Indigenous Peoples of Canada, including discussions with CIRNAC and ISC where appropriate, and leveraging existing relationships and partnerships. As a result of this collaboration, during the reporting period ending March 31, 2024, the Governor General participated in 45 separate activities, in 6 different provinces or territories, focused on Indigenous peoples and reconciliation.

In response to the Call to Action on Anti-Racism, Equity, and Inclusion in the Federal Public Service, the OSGG is committed to recruiting candidates from Indigenous, black and other marginalized communities for its guide-interpreters program.


Under the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP), the OSGG is committed to recruiting from the Indigenous Students’ Inventory for its guide-interpreters program.

The OSGG will tailor its marketing to focus on Indigenous student groups at universities and other marginalized groups.

 

These OSGG initiatives contribute to advancing: 

Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) ambition:

10.1 Ambition
- Canadians live free of discrimination and inequalities are reduced

Target - No specific target

Global Indicator Framework (GIF) targets:

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.

10.3.1 Proportion of population reporting having personally felt discriminated against or harassed in the previous 12 months on the basis of a ground of discrimination prohibited under international human rights law.

Indicator result:

The OSGG continues prioritizing the recruitment of members of one or more of the employment equity groups (Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities and women).

Under the Federal Student Work Experience Program (FSWEP), the OSGG was not successful in recruiting from the Indigenous Students’ Inventory for its guide-interpreters program but continues to leverage it.

The OSGG continues to promote its guide-interpreters program at Rideau Hall and the Citadelle with specific proactive outreach to Indigenous communities in post-secondary institutions.

GOAL 12: REDUCE WASTE AND TRANSITION TO ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES

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 

In partnership with its landlords, the National Capital Commission (NCC) and Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), the OSGG will complete waste audits for Rideau Hall, and its other locations, on a biennial basis, commencing in 2024. 

Program: Internal Services

Performance Indicator: Percentage by weight of non-hazardous operational waste diverted from landfill in Crown-owned buildings

Starting point:  Percentage by weight of non-hazardous operational waste diverted from landfill at its various locations will be available in 2025.

Target: Divert at least 75% by weight of non-hazardous operational waste from landfills annually by 2030

Actions that reduce the generation of non-hazardous operational waste will help to reduce Scope 3 emissions for 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: 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: 
No result available

Notes:
Discussions have been initiated with both the National Capital Commission (NCC) for Rideau Hall and Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) for the Citadelle. Dialogue continues with both landlords.

PSPC is doing a waste audit at LaSalle Academy, where the Chancellery of Honours is located, as part of its regular business. The OSGG is exploring the opportunity to get detailed percentage by weight of non-hazardous operational waste diverted from landfill for this location.

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

The conventional light duty fleet will comprise only zero-emission vehicles (ZEV). 

Program: Internal Services

Performance Indicator: Percentage of OSGG’s total conventional fleet that is ZEV

Starting point: 100% of OSGG light duty fleet vehicles are plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) as of 2022-23.

Target: 100% by 2030. During its fleet renewal procurement process, the OSGG will ensure that its automobile fleet strictly includes zero-emission vehicles (ZEV), and will fully transition to battery-electric vehicles (BEV) by 2030.

Purchasing zero emission vehicles reduces greenhouse gas emissions from conventional fleet operations. This enhances sustainable consumption.

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: 

100% of OSGG light duty fleet vehicles are plug-in hybrid electric (PHEV) as at March 31, 2024.

Notes:
The OSGG continues to ensure that its fleet renewal procurement process will strictly include zero-emission vehicles (ZEV) and will fully transition to battery-electric vehicles (BEV) by 2030 as part of its integrated lifecycle approach.

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)

Program: Internal Services

Performance Indicator: Percentage of procurement and materiel management specialists trained in green procurement

Starting point: As of March 31, 2023, 50% of procurement and materiel management specialists were trained in green procurement

Target: 100% of procurement officers and material management specialists will be trained by March 31, 2024. All new employees will receive training within one year of being hired

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: 12.2.1Proportion 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% of procurement and materiel management specialists completed the CSPS course, Green Procurement (COR405), as at March 31, 2024.

Notes:
New employees will be required to complete the course within one year of their hiring date.

Initiatives advancing Canada’s implementation of SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production

The following initiatives demonstrate how Office of the Secretary to the Governor General 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

The OSGG will ensure that its printed products use sustainably recycled and eco-friendlypaper, when possible, and will endeavour to minimize the number of printed products.

The OSGG will strive to reduce the number of printed products in its operations by:

  • Reducing the amount of printed programs for ceremonies related to the Canadian Honours System by 50%.
  • Reducing the number of printed commemorative products given to guests.
  • Reviewing the current practice of providing printed honours certificates in an effort to transition to providing an electronic version to honours recipients.
  • Eliminating printed training manuals for student guide-interpreters by transitioning to an electronic format.
  • Transitioning the Greetings from the Governor General and The King Program to an electronic format by 2026.

These OSGG initiatives contribute to advancing:

Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) ambition:

12.2 Ambition - Canadians consume in a sustainable manner

Target - No specific target

Global Indicator Framework (GIF) targets:

12.5 By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.

12.5.1 National recycling rate, tons of material recycled

The OSGG changed the format of printed programs that are distributed at honours presentation ceremonies at the official residences. Removing citations from the programs and only providing the names of recipients has allowed a reduction in the number of pages printed by more than 90%. For example, for the Order of Canada investiture ceremonies, the printed program has been reduced from 13 pages to a single page, representing a reduction of 93%. The same practice is now being used across other honours programs.

The OSGG has additionally stopped producing printed programs for honours ceremonies that are not directly managed by the Chancellery of Honours, further reducing the amount of printed products.

For the first time in the history of the Canadian Honours System, the production of certificates was excluded from the framework of a program at the planning stage. Applied to the King Charles III Coronation Medal program, this initiative results in the saving of 30 000 certificates and “stay flat” envelopes. A second phase is being planned to consider alternate certificate delivery methods for medal programs where regulations prescribe that a certificate of award be issued.

When printing commemorative products, the Events Team has revised its practice; where previously they would print extra products for distribution, they now only print the required number.

Printed training manuals for guides have not been phased out yet, but the OSGG is working on securing hardware required to transition the materials to an electronic format.

The OSGG will continue its digitization initiative for archived physical records.

The OSGG will strive to reduce its creation of physical documents (hard copy) and the use of physical storage by continuing to digitize new and existing content within the organization.

OSGG will aim to reduce the creation of physical documents by 125,000 documents annually by 2026.

These OSGG initiatives contribute to advancing:

Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) ambition:

12.2 Ambition - Canadians consume in a sustainable manner

Target - No specific target

Global Indicator Framework (GIF) targets:

12.5 By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse.

12.5.1 National recycling rate, tons of material recycled

As at March 31, 2024, 50 boxes of archived physical records have been digitized (2%). Work will continue in this regard.

By adopting an electronic records management system, the OSGG was able to avoid the creation of 166,381 physical records.

The OSGG will promote green principles in the procurement of all its goods and Services.

Through green procurement practices such as life-cycle assessment and the adoption of clean technologies and green products and services, the OSGG will
endeavour to eliminate the unnecessary use of single-use plastics in its operations by procuring sustainable plastic products and reducing associated plastic packaging waste.

These OSGG initiatives contribute to advancing:

Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) ambition:

12.2 Ambition - Canadians consume in a sustainable manner

Target - No specific target

Global Indicator Framework (GIF) targets:

12.7 Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities

12.7.1 Number of countries implementing sustainable public procurement policies and action plans

Through green procurement practice, the OSGG adopted the use of recycled paper for printers and communication products.

For internal food services, the OSGG transitioned to compostable utensils and service vessels, and is also phasing out plastic water bottles.

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 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 within one year of being identified

Program: Internal Services

Performance Indicator: Percentage of relevant employees trained on assessing climate change impacts, undertaking climate change risk assessments, and developing adaptation actions within one year of being identified

Starting point: 0% as of 31 March 2023

Target:  100% of relevant employees will be trained by 2026. All new employees will receive training within one year of being identified.

Trained staff can identify risk to critical program delivery, and develop responses to increase the resilience of operations to impacts of climate change.

CIF Ambition 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 Targets: 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% of relevant employees completed training on assessing climate change impacts, undertaking climate change risk assessments and developing adaptation actions.

Notes:
In 2024–25, the Office plans to assess which employees should be trained on this specific topic, based on job functions.
 

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

Assess the risk of climate change impacts at mission critical assets and where there are moderate to high risks, develop plans to reduce the risk

Program: Internal Services

Performance Indicator: Percentage of mission critical assets where the risk of climate change impacts is assessed

Starting point: 0% in 2022-23

Target: 100% by 2026

By assessing the risks of climate change impacts at mission critical assets, and developing plans to reduce the risks, the risk of disruption of critical service delivery to Canadians is reduced.

Relevant targets or ambitions

CIF Ambition: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 Targets: 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% of mission critical assets where the risk of climate change impacts has been assessed as at March 31, 2024.

Notes:
This action has not started yet; however, the OSGG will assess mission critical assets as part of the OSGG’s Business Continuity Plan and update its Materiel Management Framework accordingly.

Initiatives advancing Canada’s implementation of SDG 13 – Climate Action

The following initiatives demonstrate how the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General 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

The OSGG is committed to transforming its printed products to digital products which will reduce waste and reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions related to the distribution of these products.

The OSGG will aim to reduce the amount of printed products being shipped to Canadians by 50% by 2026.

These OSGG initiatives contribute to advancing:

Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) ambition:

13.1Ambition - Canadians reduce their greenhouse gas emissions

Target - 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.

Global Indicator Framework (GIF) target:

13.3 Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning

The OSGG changed the format of printed programs that are distributed at honours presentation ceremonies at the official residences. Removing citations in the programs and providing only the names of recipients has allowed a reduction in the number of pages printed by more than 90%. For example, for the Order of Canada investiture ceremonies, the printed program has been reduced from 13 pages to a single page, representing a reduction of 93%. The same practice is now being used across other honours programs.

The OSGG has additionally stopped producing printed programs for honours ceremonies that are not directly managed by the Chancellery of Honours, further reducing the amount of printed products.

For the first time in the history of the Canadian Honours System, the production of certificates was excluded from the framework of a program at the planning stage. Applied to the King Charles III Coronation Medal program, this initiative results in the saving of 30 000 certificates and “stay flat” envelopes. A second phase is being planned to consider alternate certificate delivery methods for medal programs where regulations prescribe that a certificate of award be issued.

The OSGG will continue to migrate its IT infrastructure to a cloud environment.

The OSGG will transition its physical servers to a cloud environment by 2026.

These OSGG initiatives contribute to advancing:

Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) ambitions:

13.1 Ambition - Canadians reduce their greenhouse gas emissions

Target - 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.

Global Indicator Framework (GIF) target:

13.3 Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning

The OSGG has successfully migrated its backups to the cloud and is in the process of working with Shared Services Canada to migrate its email services to the cloud.

The OSGG will promote training to all of its relevant employees on assessing climate change impacts, undertaking climate change risk assessments, and developing adaptation actions.

The OSGG has set a target of having 100% of its relevant employees complete these training courses by 2026. All new employees will receive training within one year of being identified.

  • As of March 31, 2023, 0% of OSGG relevant employees had completed training on how to identify and assess the risks of climate change in its operations and how to develop impact reduction plans.
  • The OSGG will continue to increase awareness of climate change impacts amongst employees by expanding the OSGG employee’s curriculum to include the following training courses for relevant employees:
    • Climate Literacy Foundations (CHC101)
    • Contributing to a Net-Zero Canada (CHC102)
    • Adapting to Climate Change in Canada (CHC103)

These OSGG initiatives contribute to advancing:

Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) ambition:

13.2 Ambition - Canadians are well-equipped and resilient to face the effects of Climate change

Target - No specific target

Global Indicator Framework (GIF) target:

13.3 Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning

0% of relevant employees trained on assessing climate change impacts, undertaking climate change risk assessments and developing adaptation actions.

In 2024–25, the OSGG plans to assess which employees should be trained on this initiative, based on job functions.
 

The OSGG will continue to incorporate climate change considerations in the delivery of its operations.

The OSGG will incorporate and increase climate change considerations in its business continuity planning processes and program design and delivery in order to transition to more climate-friendly business practices.

These OSGG initiatives contribute to advancing:

Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) ambition:

13.3 Ambition - Canadians are well-equipped and resilient to face the effects of Climate change

Target - No specific target

Global Indicator Framework (GIF) target:

13.3 Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning

Through green procurement practices, the OSGG adopted the use of recycled paper for printers and communication products.

For internal food services, the OSGG transitioned to 100% compostable utensils and service vessels. The Office is also phasing out the use and availability of plastic water bottles.

A key priority for the mandate of the current governor general is the preservation and stewardship of nature and the environment. Efforts are ongoing to raise public awareness of the importance of stewardship of our natural environment and the impact of climate change on the mental health of Canadians, particularly youth. Program design and delivery is being reviewed to look at ways to integrate climate friendly business practices and transitioning from print to electronic publications and products.
 

Integrating Sustainable Development

The Office of the Secretary to the Governor General (OSGG) 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 Secretary to the Governor General’s (OSGG) assessments are made public when an initiative has undergone a detailed SEA (see here) 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 Secretary to the Governor General (OSGG) did not complete any detailed SEAs in 2023-24.

© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Office of the Secretary to the Governor General

Catalogue Number SO1-6E-PDF

ISSN 2818-8217