2023 to 2027 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs Canada
Table of Content
- Section 1: Introduction to the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
- Section 2: FJA’s Sustainable Development Vision
- Section 3: Listening to Canadians
- Section 4: Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs’ Commitments
- Section 5: Integrating Sustainable Development
Cat. No.: J41-8E-PDF
ISSN 2818-0550
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Section 1: Introduction to the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
The 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) presents the Government of Canada’s sustainable development goals and targets, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act. This is the first FSDS to be framed using the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda and provides a balanced view of the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainable development.
In keeping with the purpose of the Act, to make decision-making related to sustainable development more transparent and accountable to Parliament, the Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs supports the goals laid out in the FSDS through the activities described in this Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS).
The Federal Sustainable Development Act also sets out 7 principles that must be considered in the development of the FSDS as well as DSDSs. These basic principles have been considered and incorporated in the Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs’ DSDS.
In order to promote coordinated action on sustainable development across the Government of Canada, this departmental strategy integrates efforts to advance Canada’s implementation of the 2030 Agenda National Strategy, supported by the Global Indicator Framework (GIF) and Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) targets and indicators. The strategy also now captures SDG initiatives that fall outside the scope of the FSDS to inform the development of the Canada’s Annual Report on the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.
Section 2: FJA’s Sustainable Development Vision
The Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs (FJA) was established in 1978 to safeguard the independence of the judiciary and provide services to federally appointed judges.
We provide services to approximately 1,200 active judges and 1,100 retired judges and their survivors in Canada. As such, the Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs relies on a team which consists of the Commissioner, the Deputy Commissioner, seven Directors and, at present, 57 other staff members.
FJA is supporting the Federal Sustainable Development Act, through contributing to the three (3) core FSDS goals:
- Goal 10: Advance Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and Take Action to Reduce Inequality;
- Goal 12: Reduce Waste and Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles; and
- Goal 13: Take Action on Climate Change and its Impacts.
Section 3: Listening to Canadians
As required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act, the Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs has taken into account comments on the draft 2022-2026 FSDS made during the public consultation held from March 11 to July 9, 2022.
During the public consultation, more than 700 comments were received from a broad range of stakeholders, including governments, Indigenous organizations, non-governmental organizations, academics, businesses, and individual Canadians in different age groups and of various backgrounds. The draft FSDS was also shared with the appropriate committee of each House of Parliament, the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, and the Sustainable Development Advisory Council for their review and comment.
What We Heard
Across the submissions received, the Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs identified sustainable development priorities and issues that affect us.
Indigenous Perspectives
In addition to participants emphasizing the importance in recognizing the right of Indigenous communities to self‑governance and support for promoting Indigenous ownership and leadership in projects aimed at renewable energy and conservation, a key priority focused on Indigenous knowledge.
FJA’s DSDS will include a strategy to advance this perspective through the mandatory training of personnel and undertake any other such relevant initiatives to strengthen the out-come.
Climate Action
Canadians ranked SDG 13 (Climate action) as a top priority. They are keen to see further investments in climate change initiatives including nature-based solutions and carbon capture technologies. Respondents also pushed for increased data availability, climate change education, and supports for adaptation as integral measures to help the private sector and individuals to transition to climate-friendly practices.
FJA for its part will strengthen green procurement criteria and implement the Greening Government Strategy through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and green the government’s overall operations.
What We Did
The Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs took the above-mentioned key priorities and issues into consideration in this DSDS.
FJA is contributing to the Greening Government Strategy in the development of a training curriculum for its procurement personnel that will focus on the federal procurement policies obligations and considerations that be applied to increase opportunities for Indigenous businesses in Canada.
Please find more information on the FSDS public consultation and its results in the FSDS Consultation Report
Section 4: Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs’ Commitments
GOAL 10: ADVANCE RECONCILIATION WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND TAKE ACTION ON INEQUALITY
FSDS Context:
FJA does not report directly on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal. However, our office, mindful of the Government of Canada’s commitments, will endeavour to contribute towards advancing the reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and strive towards removing barriers that create inequality. We will undertake training that increases awareness of the issues impacting First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities in Canada.
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 |
|
Implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act |
Provide training on federal procurement policies obligations and considerations that should be applied to increase opportunities for Indigenous businesses in Canada.
Program:
|
Performance indicator:
Starting point:
Target:
|
FJA is undertaking the Public Service and Procurement Canada initiative moving towards at minimum 5% of our contracting awarded to Indigenous businesses. We will ensure that through training our personnel are mindful of the importance of early engagement and necessary actions in contracting with Indigenous businesses.
Relevant targets or ambitions:
|
GOAL 12: REDUCE WASTE AND TRANSITION TO ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES
FSDS Context:
FJA does not report directly on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal. However, our office, mindful of the Government of Canada’s, commitments will endeavour to contribute towards advancing the reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and strive towards removing barriers that create inequality. We will undertake training that increases awareness of the issues impacting First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities in Canada.
Target theme: Federal Leadership on Responsible Consumption.
Target: The Government of Canada’s procurement of goods and services will be net-zero emissions by 2050, to aid the transition to a net-zero, circular economy (All Ministers).
|
IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY |
DEPARTMENTAL ACTION |
PERFORMANCE INDICATOR |
HOW THE DEPARTMENTAL ACTION CONTRIBUTES TO THE FSDS GOAL AND TARGET AND, WHERE APPLICABLE, TO CANADA’S 2030 AGENDA NATIONAL STRATEGY AND SDGS |
|
Strengthen green procurement criteria. |
Ensure that procurement and materiel management specialists and acquisition cardholders are trained in the areas supporting green procurement.
Program:
|
Performance indicator:
Starting point:
Target:
New procurement specialists and cardholders complete training on green procurement within six months of start date of receipt of acquisition card. |
All procurement and materiel management specialists and acquisition cardholders are trained and adequately informed in support of Canada’s commitment to strengthen green procurement. |
GOAL 13: TAKE ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS IMPACTS
FSDS Context:
FJA does not report directly on the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal. However, our office, mindful of the Government of Canada’s, commitments will endeavour to contribute towards advancing the reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and strive towards removing barriers that create inequality. We will undertake training that increases awareness of the issues impacting First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities in Canada.
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 |
HOW THE DEPARTMENTAL ACTION CONTRIBUTES TO THE FSDS GOAL AND TARGET AND, WHERE APPLICABLE, TO CANADA’S 2030 AGENDA NATIONAL STRATEGY AND SDGS |
|
Implement the Greening Government Strategy through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and green the government’s overall operations. |
Implement electronic disposition plans to reduce the data storage space used in systems that manage information. Ensure that electronic IT and other assets are disposed of in accordance with e‑waste management policies and directives.
Program:
|
Performance indicator:
Percentage of high-level folders in GCdocs with reviewed retention periods. Electronic IT and other assets are disposed of using companies specializing in e-waste management.
Starting point:
Target:
Configurations to GCdocs retention and disposition rules completed by March 31, 2025. 100% of electronic and other assets disposed of following e-waste requirements. |
Reducing data storage capacity and following best practices in e-waste disposition will result in FJA reducing its carbon footprint. |
Section 5: Integrating Sustainable Development
The Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs 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.
The Office of the Commissioner for Federal Judicial Affairs has not had to conduct a strategic environment assessment in the context of its current operations and will look to complete one if ever the need arises.
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