2013-14 DPR Supplementary Information Tables

Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

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

The Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) 2013–16, 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, Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) supports the implementation of the FSDS through the activities found in this departmental strategy.

Accordingly, this Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS) presents the results for commitments for Theme I – Addressing Climate Change and Air Quality and Theme II – Maintaining Water Quality and Availability 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.

3. Themes I–III: Implementation Strategies

Through the FSDS, WD has committed to diversify the western Canadian economy by making strategic investments in the commercialization and adoption of clean energy and clean water technologies through the Western Diversification Program.  WD's investments in clean energy and clean water technologies contribute to the FSDS goals and implementation strategies of mitigating climate change (1.1.39), reducing air pollutants (2.1.4) and increasing water availability (3.12.2).

WD has three key program areas that frame program investments: business development and innovation, community economic growth, and policy, advocacy and coordination.  The technology commercialization sub-program and innovation capacity building sub-program are components of WD's business development and innovation program area.  WD's FSDS implementation strategies related to clean energy and clean water technologies are met through the department's Business Development and Innovation Program.  Specifically, WD's investments in clean energy and clean water technologies are made through the technology commercialization and innovation capacity building sub-programs, through which WD supports projects designed to increase the number of western Canadian technologies brought to market.

WD's strategic investments in clean energy and clean water technologies are measured using the performance indicators associated with the sub-programs of technology commercialization and innovation capacity building.  For instance, projects that concluded in 2013–14 resulted in technology adoption and demonstration for innovative clean energy technologies, and in prototype development and technology demonstration for clean water technologies.

4. Theme IV: Implementation Strategies

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)

Strategies and/or Comments

1. Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) has defined "location" as the six cities noted below in which the department has offices.
   • Vancouver, British Columbia
   • Edmonton, Alberta
   • Calgary, Alberta
   • Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
   • Winnipeg, Manitoba
   • Ottawa, Ontario
      
2. WD achieved full implementation of acceptable EEE disposal practices in June 2009 using the following means:
   • Computers for Schools,
   • Crown Assets distribution,
   • Return to Vendor programs,
   • Provincial recyclers and
   • Public Works and Government Services Canada Electronic Waste Disposal Standing Offer.
      
3. Electronic data storage devices are cleared and declassified according to the Communications Security Establishment Canada Directive ITSG-06, dated July 2006.
    
4. WD follows Information Technology (IT) Media Overwrite Guidelines as set out in the RCMP Technical Services Branch IT Security Bulleting Lead Agency Publication B2-002, dated May 2009.
    

Printing Unit Reduction Target

8.7 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)

Strategies and/or Comments

1. Definition of Printing Unit: Networked (including local/desktop printers), stand-alone (non-networked), single purpose and multi-functional units (e.g., photocopiers) are included.
2. Target Scope: To reduce departmental reporting and simplify tracking of this target, the department did not include fax machines, scanners, communications security equipment and offices with less than eight people, which represent less than 1.8% of office employees, and the Deputy Ministers' and Ministers' offices.
3. Method Used for Determining the Number of Printing Units: Inventory confirmed by regional administration officials and/or Information Management staff.
4. Method Used for Determining the Number of Employees: Number of employees effective March 31, 2014 as provided by Human Resources, plus 2 Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Trade Commissioners and 11 Shared Services Canada staff co-located in Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) offices.
5. Implementation Strategies:
   • Stand-alone and single-purpose printers are not replaced at end-of-life; and
   • Multi-function printers are replacing single-purpose units.
6. Rationale for traffic light indicator selected: WD was unable to fully realize its target of 8:1 for 2013-14.
7. Plans for Engagement: Further reductions of stand-alone printers to be realized in 2014-15, except where required for mobility impaired individual.

Paper Consumption Target

8.8 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)

Strategies and/or Comments

1. Scope: Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) has elected to include all departmental employees, including 2 Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development (DFATD) Trade Commissioners and 11 Shared Services Canada employees co-located in our offices who utilize departmental printers/supplies.
2. Method Used for Determining Paper Consumption: Public Works Government Services Canada (PWGSC) Report on Standing Offer Paper Purchases.
3. Method Used for determining the Number of Employees: Number of all departmental employees as of March 31, 2014, as well DFATD and Shared Services Canada employees co-located in our offices.
4. Number of Office Employees Subject to the Target: 352 office employees.
5. Rationale for Traffic Light Indicators: WD exceeded the 20% reduction in paper consumption by March 31, 2014.  Baseline consumption for 2013-14 was 7,080 sheets of paper per office employee.
6. Reporting Requirements: Manager, Corporate Administration, collects PWGSC standing offer information annually.
7. Roles and Responsibilities: Manager, Corporate Administration, is target lead.  Procurement Officers and acquisition card holder are required to only purchase paper from a PWGSC standing offer.

Green Meetings Target

8.9  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 Yes: Adopted November 2011

Strategies and/or Comments

1. A Simplified Guide to Greener Meetings was developed by the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy Committee in November 2011.
    
2. The guide and checklist were introduced at a launch event during the Greening Government Awareness event held in March 2012 and are available on WD's internal web site.
    

Green Procurement Targets

8.10 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)

8.10(i) Effective April 1, 2012, 100% of copy paper purchased will contain a minimum of 30% recycled content and a forest management, EcoLogo^M or equivalent certification.

Strategies and/or Comments

1. Method Used to Determine Paper Purchase: PWGSC Quarterly Report on Standing Offer Paper Purchases – Quarterly Totals by Recycled Content
    
2. Rationale for Traffic Light Indicator Selected: PWGSC reported that paper contained a minimum of 30% recycled content or higher for all purchases.
    

8.10(ii) As of April 1, 2011, WD purchased 100% of its IT hardware from PWGSC Consolidated Procurement Instruments.

Strategies and/or Comments

1. WD will continue to purchase its IT hardware from Consolidated Procurement Instruments, which are "greened" through PWGSC's Commodity Management Framework.

8.10(iii)  By March 31, 2013, WD will procure recycling services to ensure that all paper and paper products are disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner.  Full department implementation of recycling services will be completed by March 31, 2014.

Strategies and/or Comments

1. WD has six office locations, with varying disposal methods for paper and paper products (see target 8.6 for definition of "location").

8.11 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)

8.11(i) As of April 1, 2011, Green Procurement Training became mandatory for the following employees:

1. Procurement Functional Specialists
2. Materiel Management Functions Specialists
3. Acquisition Card holders
4. Manager, Corporate Administration – Headquarters
5. Regional Managers, Finance & Corporate Services
    

Strategies and/or Comments

1. Rationale for traffic light indicator selected:  The procurement function in WD was centralized in 2013-14 fiscal year, and all procurement/material management staff and acquisition card holders have appropriate green procurement training.
    
2. Ongoing training will be offered for new employees identified in target 8.11(i), as required.
    

8.11(ii)  As of April 1, 2012, all designated employees will have green performance evaluation measures identified.

Strategies and/or Comments

1. Rationale for traffic light indicator selected: The procurement function in WD was centralized in 2013-14 fiscal year and all designated employees, specifically procurement/material management staff, have appropriate green performance measures identified.

8.11(iii)  As of April 1, 2011, the following management processes and controls were fully implemented:

1. WD Procurement Strategy,
2. Electronic Bid Box,
3. Lifecycle Management in Asset Management Framework,
4. Bi-annual green government awareness events and ongoing communication, and
5. GX Financial system green tracking.
    

Strategies and/or Comments

1. Green procurement commitments were stated in WD's Procurement Strategy.  The use of PWGSC Green CPIs is mandatory.
    
2. The use of the Electronic Bid Box is fully integrated in WD, resulting in decreased paper consumption and increased electronic filing.
    
3. Ongoing Lifecycle Management will reduce the number of prints and paper consumption.
    
4. The Sustainable Development Strategy Committee is responsible for green awareness events, tips and hints to help reduce WD's footprint, and the Manager, Corporate Administration, provides ongoing advice to the Procurement Unit.
    
5. Project tracking in the department's financial systems has been improved, with full identification of green purchases.
    

Reporting on the Purchase of Offset Credits

Not Applicable

5. Additional Departmental/Agency Sustainable Development Activities and Initiatives

Not Applicable.

6. Sustainable Development Management System

In keeping with WD's mandate to develop and diversify the western Canadian economy, WD's programming efforts with respect to sustainable development focus on projects that create economic benefits for Western Canada.  For instance, WD continues to make investments in clean energy and water technologies in order to increase the number of western Canadian technologies brought to market.  WD's sustainable development vision is that the western Canadian economy is growing, diversified and sustainable.

In order to achieve its sustainable development objectives, WD fosters practices that promote sustainable development in its internal operations and project investment activities.  WD initiatives related to sustainable development are incorporated into the department's planning, tracking and reporting systems.  WD's project assessment tool allows for projects to be identified and aligned with an FSDS goal if applicable.  A project's FSDS alignment is considered during the funding decision process.  Sustainable development projects are reported in Client Driven Impact Surveys and on WD's public website.

WD senior management's responsibilities for integrating sustainable development principles into the department's policies, programs and operations are supported by a departmental sustainable development team.  The team includes a headquarters Chair and Leads in each regional office.  The team shares information and liaises with project and policy officers to inform sustainable development decision making.

Strategic Environmental Assessment

During the 2013–14 reporting cycle, WD 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.  In 2013-14, WD did not develop any initiatives that required a strategic environmental assessment; as such, no related public statements were produced.

Details on Transfer Payment Programs

Details on Transfer Payment Programs including:

• Western Diversification Program
• Community Futures Program
• Community Infrastructure Improvement Program
• Women's Enterprise Initiative

Internal Audits and Evaluations

A Service Level Agreement has been established between the Internal Audit Sector of the Office of the Comptroller General of Canada (OCG) and the federal regional development agencies (RDAs), including WD. This agreement became effective April 1, 2012, and details the provision of internal audit services by the OCG to the RDAs.

As a result of this agreement, in 2013 a RDA Risk-Based Audit Plan (RBAP) was developed for audits to be conducted in the 2013–14 fiscal year.

As completed audit and evaluations reports become available, they will be accessible through WD’s website.

Response to Parliamentary Committees and External Audits

Sources of Respendable and Non-Respendable Revenue

Respendable Revenue - nil

Non-Respendable Revenue

* Note: Non-respendable revenue is not reported by PAA as amounts are minimal.

Up-Front Multi-Year Funding

User Fees Reporting

User Fees and Regulatory Charges (User Fees Act)