Archived - Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy 2017-2020
Canada Border Services Agency

Introduction

The 2017-2020 Departmental Plan consolidates and replaces all the components of the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS) that were formerly presented in the tabled Report on Plans and Priorities and on departmental websites. This plan also integrates reporting on Strategic Environmental Assessments, pursuant to the Guidelines for Implementing the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals.

By consolidating this information, the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) has clearly described their contributions toward the achievement of the goals and targets of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS). The CBSA DSDS supports the commitment to make environmental decision making more transparent and accountable to Parliament and contributes to an integrated whole-of-government view of activities supporting environmental sustainability.

Section 1 – Overview of the federal government's approach to sustainable development

The 2016–20 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) presents the Government of Canada's sustainable development activities, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act. In keeping with the objectives of the Act to make environmental decision making more transparent and accountable to Parliament, the Canada Border Services Agency supports the implementation of the FSDS through the activities in this CBSA DSDS.

This Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy presents the planned contributions and expected results for:

• Goal 2: Low-carbon government;
• Goal 9: Healthy wildlife populations; and
• Goal 11: Sustainable food.

Section 2 - Agency Commitments under 2016-2020 FSDS

In October 2016, the Federal Government approved the three year FSDS for Canada entitled "Achieving a Sustainable Future".  The CBSA is contributing to the delivery of three of the goals in this plan as outlined below.

This DSDS will cover the period of 2017-2020.

(Bracketed pages make direct reference to the FSDS)

FSDS Goal 2 – Low Carbon Government

Long-Term Goal: The Government of Canada leads by example by making its operations low-carbon

To green our operations, we will reduce energy use in our buildings and fleets, better understand the GHG emissions across all of our operations, from all sources, and examine ways to build our resilience. Specifically, for each of the Contributing Actions noted above, the CBSA has the following departmental actions planned for 2017 – 2020.

Contributing actions

1. Improve the energy efficiency of our buildings (pg. 23)

Be an early adopter of building standards to be established through the pan-Canadian framework on clean growth and climate change; retrofit workplaces to reduce energy consumption and GHG emissions. And, on a voluntary basis, departments will purchase clean power for their facilities.

Departmental actions

The CBSA has set an 11% emissions reduction target by 2020 (1.1% reduction per year).  Along with other federal departments and agencies, the CBSA submits annual greenhouse gas inventories on energy-use data to contribute to the monitoring of the Government of Canada's progress toward reducing emissions.  The first CBSA inventory, along with a management strategy and action plan was reported in 2007 as part of the CBSA's sustainable development strategy 2007-2009.

The CBSA's current (Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Energy) management plan aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and:

1. Enhance energy efficiency in new construction, major renovation projects and existing buildings by improving lighting, mechanical systems, building envelopes and energy management
2. Develop a "Green Team" to initiate action on reducing CBSA's carbon footprint
3. Expand inventory tracking and revise CBSA's design guides to incorporate energy efficiency requirements
4. Environmental requirements to be established and funded as part of the typical project delivery process to promote sustainable operations and achieve aggressive GHG emission reductions
5. Achieve superior energy conservation by conducting energy audits and retrofits as a whole building or port of entry (POE) approach
6. Implement Energy Savings Performance Contracts (ESPC's) and capitalize on turn-key opportunities without up front capital costs
7. Continue CBSA's efforts regarding vehicle fleet optimization and modernization
8. Explore investments on car and light truck fleet vehicles to extend life expectancy and increase fuel efficiency
9. Commit to a minimum of four percent (4%) fleet replacement during 2017/20 (approximately 40 vehicles)
10. Maintain a strong commitment to long-term fleet management plans
11. Expand potential environmental considerations directly related to our mandate by implementing vehicular idling policies and best practices at border crossings to reduce GHG emissions
12. Purchase and use energy-efficient equipment

2. Support the transition to a low carbon economy through green procurement

Support clean technologies and green products and services by taking environmental considerations into account in purchasing decisions that involve major investments.

Departmental actions

The Government of Canada Policy on Green Procurement was launched in 2006.

The policy requires that the federal government procure, operate and dispose of its assets in a manner that protects the environment and supports sustainable development objectives. It applies to all federal government procurement activities (goods, services, construction) and integrates environmental considerations into federal government business practices.

It promotes the selection of goods and services that are based on more than cost alone – quality, environmental performance and availability must also be factored into procurement decisions.

By providing reflection on environmental considerations for major procurement investments, assessments will lean towards the selection of goods and services based on life-cycle of a product or asset.

In order to support green procurement, the CBSA will:

• Maintain efforts regarding green procurement that furthers the implementation of the Federal Policy on Green Procurement
• Support Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) in their efforts to promote environmental procurement decision-making by actively partnering with PSPC
• Maintain procurement and materiel management functional specialist training regarding green procurement
• Integrate Green Procurement Approach objectives into performance management agreements of managers and functional heads of procurement and materiel management
• Through the Agency's investment planning process, we will triage all major asset procurement investment and document their impact on the environment
• Explore investments on car and light truck fleet vehicles to extend life expectancy and increase fuel efficiency
• Commit to a minimum of four percent (4%) fleet replacement during 2017/20 (approximately 40 vehicles)
• Maintain a strong commitment to long-term fleet management plans

Objective

Continue to take action to embed environmental considerations into public procurement in accordance with the Federal Policy on Green Procurement.

FSDS Goal 9 – Healthy Wildlife Population

Long-Term Goal: All species have healthy and viable populations

Specifically, to protect and conserve wildlife in Canada, the CBSA will continue to implement the following:

Contributing Action

1. Develop and implement a risk analysis framework and a pathways approach to regulating invasive alien species in Canada.
2. Prevent the introduction and rapid dispersal of invasive species and disease into Canada via land, air and marine ports of entry.

Departmental actions

The CBSA works in partnership with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to improve the interception of live, forest-insect pests in wood packaging and to ensure compliance at the border with the CFIA's legislation and regulations with respect to plant and animal health. The CBSA also works with Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and Canadian provinces to prevent aquatic invasive species, such as Asian carp and zebra mussels, from entering Canada, and with Environment and Climate Change Canada to prevent the introduction into Canada of invasive terrestrial animals and wild animal diseases.

Invasive Alien Species

Objectives:  By 2020, pathways of invasive alien species introductions are identified and risk-based intervention or management plans are in place for priority pathways and species.

FSDS Goal 11 – Sustainable Food

Long-Term Goal: Innovation and ingenuity contribute to a world-leading agricultural sector and food economy for the benefit of all Canadians

To ensure safe, sustainable and secure food, we need to protect food systems from threats to animal health and plant resources, such as diseases, pests and invasive alien species. In support of this Goal, the CBSA will continue to deliver on the work detailed in Goal 9 above.

Contributing action

Work with partners to address invasive alien species (pg. 62)

The CBSA will work with international and domestic partners to prevent the introduction and limit the spread of invasive alien species and develop international standards and processes that reflect Canadian interests. For example, work with the US and other countries to ensure compliance with Canadian phytosanitary regulations and share information on best practices and compliance rates. 

Departmental actions

The CBSA works in partnership with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) to improve the interception of live, forest-insect pests in wood packaging and to ensure compliance at the border with the CFIA's legislation and regulations with respect to plant and animal health. The CBSA also works with the Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and Canadian provinces to prevent aquatic invasive species, such as Asian carp and zebra mussels, from entering Canada, and with Environment and Climate Change Canada to prevent the introduction into Canada of invasive terrestrial animals and wild animal diseases.

See previous table for link to program inventory, expected results, performance indicators

Section 3 – Additional Agency Sustainable Development Activities and Initiatives

Departmental actions

In addition to the contributing activities that support the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy, the CBSA will continue to focus on the environmental performance of its real property assets.

As a real property custodian, the CBSA is responsible for considering sustainable design approaches at all of its facilities.  The sustainable design approach to building, construction and operations includes the building and its property and place in the community as a whole system.  Green buildings require less energy to operate, reduce emissions and pollutants, conserve water, generate less solid waste and have decreased operation and maintenance costs.  They also provide healthier and more productive workplaces.

In support of the sustainable design approach, the CBSA will continue to implement its Real Property Sustainability Toolkit to foster improved decision making when constructing, commissioning, operating or dismantling a building.  The toolkit includes a framework, checklist and policy suite.  It encourages a healthy, sustainably designed workplace that promotes the well-being and productivity of employees and the communities in which they work.

Section 4 – Sustainable Development Decision Making

The relationship that exists between the CBSA's mandate and the pillars of sustainable development places the Agency in a unique position to advance sustainability within the Government of Canada.

Economic Pillar:

The Agency plays a fundamental role in maintaining Canada's economic prosperity.  We promote trade and economic benefits by administering trade legislation and agreements.  We enforce trade remedies that help protect Canadian industry from the injurious effects of dumped and subsidized imported goods, and we collect applicable duties and taxes on imported goods.  Pre-approved programs – NEXUS, FAST and eManifest – allow the Agency to minimize resources dedicated to traders and travellers that have demonstrated a sufficient level of "trust", so that enforcement efforts can be focused on those deemed higher risk.  By facilitating Canada's international business and trade, the CBSA contributes significantly to Canada's economic prosperity.

Social Pillar:

The CBSA contributes to a sustainable society by protecting the health and safety of all Canadians by enforcing legislation that ensures only those people and goods deemed admissible are granted entry into Canada.  We also help protect the health of Canadians by restricting the entry of hazardous products and goods that may have a negative impact on food safety, thus ensuring a secure society for Canadians.

Vision:

The CBSA manages sustainable development change in two different ways – physical and behavioural. The physical includes ways in which the environment is impacted, such as measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption and waste. Any change to the physical environment usually occurs as a result of infrastructure innovation and technology-based intervention.

Behavioural change requires that management play a leadership role to engage employees in new ways of thinking about how the CBSA operates. The key areas – invasive alien species, greenhouse gas emissions, green procurement – are influenced by forging partnerships and encouraging open communications with employees at all levels. A sustainable workplace flourishes when employees share opportunities and adopt practices that contribute to sustainable solutions.

Approach:

The CBSA recognizes the need for a comprehensive and consistent approach to enable change. A management-led approach to help employees reach Agency performance targets has been put forth to drive daily operations toward more sustainable practices. The five action words are enable – engage – exemplify – encourage and ensure. Known as the Sustainable Workplace Approach, these guiding principles will direct sustainable development integration across the CBSA.

The overarching Sustainable Workplace Approach is key to sustainable development delivery. Recognizing the synergy and interconnectedness of priority areas underscores the need for strong leadership and participation at all levels. Accountability for delivery ultimately rests with senior management. Responsibility, however, rests with all employees.

Section 5 – Strategic Environmental Assessments

Under the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals, the CBSA completes a strategic environmental assessment for all proposed policies, plans, programs or projects that may result in lasting cumulative environmental effects.  The purpose of the assessment is to identify and address environmental issues in context with economic and social considerations.  Once reviewed and approved by the Agency's senior management, strategic environmental assessments are submitted through Memoranda to Cabinet and Treasury Board Submission processes prior to commencing work.

The strategic environmental assessment is a mechanism for becoming more efficient and for enabling a more rigorous integration of environmental issues into agency business.  It is not intended to serve as a stand-alone analysis, but to be integrated with other processes and to provide real-time feedback at all stages. 

In addition, the CBSA uses a decision making matrix designed to address sustainable development issues around business planning and operations.  It comprises a series of trigger questions to be considered prior to the onset of any policy, program or operation, and it is intended to advance analytical thinking and to generate suggestions for improvement and/or mitigation of potentially unsustainable components.  The goal of the decision-making matrix is to create awareness and build capacity for informed decision making, and to instil an approach that intuitively positions sustainable development management at the forefront of all business practices.

The CBSA will continue to ensure that its decision-making process includes consideration of FSDS goals and targets through the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process. An SEA for policy, plan or program proposals includes an analysis of the impacts of the given proposal on the environment, including on FSDS goals and targets.

Public statements on the results of the CBSA's assessments will be made public when an initiative is announced. 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.

Date modified:

2017-10-13