Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

Reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from federal government buildings and fleets by 40% below 2005 levels by 2030, with an aspiration to achieve this reduction by 2025

Improve the energy efficiency of our buildings/operations

Reduce GHG emissions from Transport Canada buildings through renovations at identified facilities, which will include the following energy efficient upgrades:

• Lighting upgrades (LED lighting)
• Central heating/cooling
• Effective space utilization
• Reduce plug-load demand

Performance Indicator:

• Percentage (%) change in GHG emissions from facilities from fiscal year 2005-06 to fiscal year 2019-20

Starting Point:

GHG emissions from facilities in fiscal year 2005–06 (base year)^{Footnote 1} = 5.444 ktCO₂e^{Footnote 2}

• GHG emissions from facilities in fiscal year 2018-19^{Footnote 3} = 4.890 ktCO₂e
• GHG emissions from Transport Canada facilities were 10.18% lower in 2018-19 than in fiscal year 2005-06 (base year)
• Building projects completed in 2018-19 included upgrades to lighting and equipment optimization to maximize energy efficiency

Modernize our fleet

Conduct a thorough review and analysis of the current on-road vehicle fleet to determine feasibility of including more low-emission vehicle options, including zero-emission vehicles, where operationally appropriate; and to align with government-wide efforts on zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) targets for future fleet acquisitions

Performance Indicators:

• Percentage (%) change in GHG emissions from fleet from fiscal year 2005-06 to fiscal year 2019-20
• Percentage (%) of new light-duty administrative fleet vehicles that are a ZEV
• By March 31, 2019, data collected from telematics devices installed on Transport Canada’s administrative fleet will be analyzed to inform future fleet purchases^{Footnote 4}

Starting Points:

GHG emissions from fleet in fiscal year 2005–06 (base year)^{Footnote 5}: = 56.054 ktCO₂e

Zero percent (%) ZEV purchases in fiscal year 2016-17

• GHG emissions from fleet in fiscal year 2018-19^{Footnote 6} = 48.473 ktCO₂e
• GHG emissions from Transport Canada fleet were 13.52% lower in 2018-19 than in fiscal year 2005-06 (base year)
• GHG emissions from Transport Canada light-duty administrative fleet vehicles are 19.87% lower in 2018-19 than in fiscal year 2005-06 (base year)
• 59.4% of new light-duty administrative fleet vehicles purchased in 2018-19 were ZEVs
• Data collection of information from fleet using telemetry continued in order to determine where ZEVs are a suitable re• placement and the types and number of vehicles needed (SUVs, cars, pick-up trucks)
• 15 charging stations installed in 2018-19
• Transport Canada operated 301 fleet vehicles of which 40% are hybrid or Plug In vehicles:
  • 88 Hybrid Emission Vehicles (HEVs) (30%)
  • 31 Plug-in Hybrid Emission Vehicles (PHEV’s) (10%)
  • 182 gas powered vehicles (60%)

Support the transition to a low-carbon economy through green procurement

Support the reduction of GHG emissions through procurement processes by undertaking the following activities:

• Train specialists in procurement and acquisition cardholders on green procurement using the Canada School of Public Service Green Procurement course, or equivalent
• Purchase copy paper from the Standing Offer that contains a minimum 30% recycled content and that is certified to a recognized environmental standard to reduce the environmental impact of its production

Performance indicators:

• Percentage of specialists in procurement and materiel management who have completed training on green procurement
• By March 31, 2018, 100% of copy paper purchases will contain a minimum of 30% recycled content and be certified to a recognized environmental standard to reduce the impact of its production

Starting Point:

As of 2016-17, 135 procurement specialists and acquisition cardholders at Transport Canada have been trained on green procurement; and 100% of copy paper was purchased from the Standing Offer

• 100% of the Transport Canada procurement and materiel management specialists have completed the training on green procurement
• Continued implementation of a Transport Canada requirement that, as of 2016-17, acquisition card holders successfully complete the green procurement training before obtaining their acquisition card
• 100% of paper purchases made against the Public Services and Procurement Canada mandatory standing offer contain a minimum of 30% recycled content and is certified to be a recognized environmental standard to reduce the impact of its production

Promote sustainable travel practices

Address GHG emissions from business travel through the following activities:

• Update and promote Transport Canada’s Green Meeting Guide and Green Meetings webpage to reduce the need for business travel
• Update Transport Canada’s Green Commute webpage and promote sustainable commuting options for employees through various outreach initiatives such as:
  • Lobby displays
  • Publishing information articles on our “myTC” intranet
  • Highlighting a commuter challenge
  • Environment Week

Performance Indicators:^{Footnote 7}

• By March 31, 2018, Green Meeting Guide updated
• By March 31, 2019^{Footnote 8}. Green Commute Program webpage updated and promotion of sustainable commuting options

Starting point:

In 2016, Transport Canada launched the Guide to Green Meetings, an easy how-to manual to help employees organize green meetings, and in turn help the department to reduce its GHG emissions from unnecessary business travel

Transport Canada has had a Green Commute Program in place for many years to encourage and promote sustainable commuting options (e.g. cycling, transit, walking, carpooling etc.) for departmental employees

• Green Meeting Guide updated with new information and hyperlinks useful for employees when planning a green meeting
• Green Commute Program webpage update underway. Sustainable commuting options were promoted during Green Commute Month at Transport Canada during the month of May 2018

Understand climate change impacts and build resilience

• Identify and understand climate change risks and vulnerabilities to Canada’s transportation system that could potentially affect Transport Canada’s mandate, policies, assets, programs, services and overall operations
• Integrate climate change considerations into Transport Canada’s departmental planning, policies, programs, services and overall operations
• Continue to incorporate climate change considerations into Transport Canada’s corporate risk planning process

Performance Indicators:

• Transport Canada’s climate risk scan updated by March 31, 2018
• Transport Canada’s next adaptation plan developed by Fall 2018^{Footnote 9}
• Corporate risk and business continuity plans integrate climate change considerations, on an ongoing basis

Starting Point:

In 2012, Transport Canada completed a climate risk scan which informed the development of the department’s first departmental adaptation plan (2013-16). This plan had a key focus on improving Transport Canada’s integration of climate change into decision making

• Transport Canada’s risk scan was updated by March 31, 2019 using a more comprehensive approach, which included a series of 21 workshops and meetings held across the department
• In summer 2019, a climate risk assessment will be undertaken, to directly support the development of the adaptation plan
• Climate change considerations continued to be integrated into the department's corporate risk plans and processes. Transport Canada’s business continuity planning is capable of addressing climate-related disruptions to Transport Canada’s employees, information and assets

Understand climate change impacts and build resilience

Implement the Transportation Assets Risk Assessments (TARA) initiative to^{Footnote 10}:

• Support risk assessments of federally-owned transportation infrastructure
• Support research and analysis on risk assessments and adaptation solutions that directly link to federally-owned infrastructure
• Share information and analysis with the broader transportation sector to aid in spurring action and increasing the understanding of risks and potential solutions that can be employed

Performance Indicators:

• Number of studies, tools, datasets, information and guidance products funded through the program to support adaptation decision-making in the sector
• Number of federal transportation assets for which risk/vulnerability assessments have been completed

Targets:

• Six per year (number of studies, tools, data sets, information and guidance products funded)*
  
  (*target shared with the Northern Transportation Adaptation Initiative)
• At least 20 federal transportation assets assessed by 2022

Starting Point:

Budget 2017 announced investments of up to $16.35 million over five years, beginning in 2017-18, to better understand climate risks to federal transportation assets. Work under the Transportation Assets Risk Assessment initiative directly supports the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change

• Eight new studies on transportation adaptation were funded, including four under the Transportation Assets Risk Assessment Initiative and four under the Northern Transportation Adaptation Initiative
• Five projects that assess climate risk have been completed

Improve transparency and accountability

Not applicable – will be updated by Treasury Board Secretariat

Not applicable – will be updated by Treasury Board Secretariat

Not applicable – will be updated by Treasury Board Secretariat

Not applicable – will be updated by Treasury Board Secretariat

Develop policy for low-carbon government

Not applicable – will be updated by Treasury Board Secretariat

Not applicable – will be updated by Treasury Board Secretariat

Not applicable – will be updated by Treasury Board Secretariat

Not applicable – will be updated by Treasury Board Secretariat

Other

1. Work with partners to protect and restore coastal ecosystems
2. Work with partners to protect and restore coastal ecosystems
3. Work with partners to protect and restore coastal ecosystems
4. Use legislation and regulations to protect coasts and oceans

1. Protect and manage marine and coastal areas
2. Protect and manage marine and coastal areas
3. Work with partners to protect and restore coastal ecosystems
4. Protect and manage marine and coastal areas

Implement the Oceans Protection Plan – Pillar I: A State-of-the-Art Marine Safety System

Initiatives involved in enhancing the prevention of marine incidents include:

1. New information-sharing systems - the Government of Canada will work with Indigenous and coastal communities to design new information-sharing systems and platforms so they have access to real-time information on marine shipping activities to support safer navigation in local waters (TC and DFO/CCG)
2. Proactive Vessel Management - allow those involved in the marine safety system – governments, communities, Indigenous groups – to inform local traffic management (TC)
3. Safer resupply in Arctic communities – funding new tools and equipment to unload essential goods in northern communities (TC)
4. Stronger polluter-pay principle – remove the per-incident limit of liability on Canada’s domestic compensation fund for ship-source oil spill response (TC and DFO/CCG)

Initiatives involved in strengthening of responses to marine incidents include:

1. A stronger Canadian Coast Guard – The Canadian Coast Guard’s command systems will be strengthened where gaps have been identified. The Coast Guard will be given greater power to intervene directly to prevent marine incidents, such as where ship operators have been reluctant to act (TC and DFO/CCG)
2. Increased towing capacity – towing kits will be added to major Canadian Coast Guard vessels on the East and West to improve the capability to take swift action. Two new vessels will be leased with the ability to tow large commercial ships in distress (TC and DFO/CCG)
3. Risk-Based Response Planning – building upon the lessons learned from the Area Response Plan initiative pilot project that previously took place, this new initiative will support the development of a national approach to response planning (TC, DFO/CCG, ECCC)
4. Alternate response measures – research and policy on alternate response measures – such as dispersants and in-situ burning – that could be used only when there is an environmental benefit to do so (TC, DFO/CCG, ECCC)

Performance Indicator:

• The number of marine safety incidents and spills from vessels in Canada’s waters

Target:

• By 2022, a reduction in the number of small oil spills and marine incidents relative to the number of vessel trips, compared with the average of the previous five years [specific target to be determined by April 2020 following establishment of baseline]

Starting point:

On November 7, 2016, the Prime Minister announced the Oceans Protection Plan: a whole-of-government, comprehensive strategy to build a world-leading marine safety system and protect Canada’s marine ecosystems

• Transport Canada partnered with ten Indigenous communities and organizations across Canada for a pilot project to test a new user-friendly system that will increase access to local near real-time maritime information – including vessel traffic – and support marine safety and environmental protection for Indigenous partners, coastal communities and stakeholders
• Collaborated with Indigenous and coastal communities and other marine stakeholders to co-develop a draft National Framework that will assist in developing and implementing voluntary measures to address vessel traffic concerns in local waterways using a consensus-based approach
• Concluded the Pilotage Act Review on April 30, 2018. The Review involved extensive consultation with stakeholders and Indigenous Peoples. The Pilotage Act Review final report is available at https://www.tc.gc.ca/en/reviews/pilotage-act-review-final-report-april-2018.html. Following the public release of the Review’s report on May 22, 2018, a national Ministerial Roundtable was held on July 4, 2018. During the remainder of 2018, Transport Canada officials further engaged with stakeholders and Indigenous groups through in-person meetings and teleconferences, providing a forum for participants to express their perspectives on the report and discuss the modernization of the Act
• Amended the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 and the Marine Liability Act to enhance marine safety and environmental protection, including: enabling more proactive, rapid, and effective environmental response by the Canadian Coast Guard; and modernizing Canada’s Ship-Source Oil Pollution Fund including enabling full compensation for responders and victims of ship-source oil spills. Policy efforts in preparation of proposed amendments to the Pilotage Act to modernize and strengthen Canada’s marine pilotage system
• Enacted the new Arctic Shipping Safety and Pollution Prevention Regulations to address the unique hazard encountered by vessels that operate in the Arctic
• Completed the first call-for-proposals targeted at the governments of Nunavut and the Northwest Territories to improve community sealift and resupply
• Announced a contribution of $19.5 million to the Government of the Northwest Territories for four double-hulled barges, which will be used for community resupply in the Arctic
• Reopened the Canadian Coast Guard’s Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre in St. John’s, Newfoundland to better coordinate on-the-water responses to marine incidents
• Opened new Canadian Coast Guard search and rescue stations in Victoria, British Columbia and St. Anthony, Newfoundland and Labrador
• Leased two emergency offshore towing vessels for operations off the coast of British Columbia
• Acquired emergency tow kits for large Canadians Coast Guard vessels to strengthen our ability to tow large disabled vessels
• Invested in new, modern environmental response equipment for the Canadian Coast Guard across Canada, and took delivery for the first shipments of equipment for the West Coast

1. Build our knowledge of coastal ecosystems, Marine Protected Areas, and fisheries
2. Protect and manage marine and coastal areas
3. Protect and manage marine and coastal areas

Implement the Oceans Protection Plan – Pillar II: Preservation and Restoration of Marine Ecosystems

Initiatives under this pillar include:

1. Collection of baseline data and cumulative effects assessment - working closely with Indigenous and coastal communities, the Government of Canada will create a pilot baseline program to better understand the cumulative effects of shipping on coastal ecosystems (TC and DFO/CCG)
2. Protect aquatic ecosystems - new measures will be funded that implement a real-time whale detection system to alert mariners to the presence of whales, which will help them avoid interactions and vessel strikes (TC and DFO/CCG)
3. Addressing abandoned vessels - The Government is implementing a national strategy that focuses on the prevention and removal of these problem vessels (TC, DFO/CCG)

Performance Indicators:

• The introduction of new legislation
• The number of vessels of concern addressed

Targets:

• By December 31, 2017, new legislation that prohibits vessel abandonment, enables proactive action to deal with problem vessels, and includes the Nairobi Convention, will be introduced
• By 2022, a reduction in the number of abandoned, derelict and wrecked vessels present in Canadian waters, compared with a 2019 baseline [specific target to be determined by April 2020 following assessment of vessels of concern]

Starting point:

On November 7, 2016, the Prime Minister announced the Oceans Protection Plan: a whole-of-government, comprehensive strategy to build a world-leading marine safety system and protect Canada’s marine ecosystems

On May 31, 2017, the new $6.85 million Abandoned Boats Program was launched. This Program will facilitate the removal of existing smaller high priority abandoned vessels and wrecks, assist in educating vessel owners about their responsibilities including end-of-life vessel management, and provide support for research on environmentally responsible vessel design and recycling of end-of-life vessels

• Amended the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 to enhance safeguards to protect marine ecosystems, including marine mammals, from the impacts of shipping and navigation activities
• Received Royal Assent of the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act, which will further protect Canadian coastlines and shorelines by strengthening vessel owner accountability and liability for their vessels particularly at end-of-life, while also enhancing federal powers to take proactive measures on vessels posing hazards in Canadian waters
• Announced 2018-19 Abandoned Boats Program (ABP) funding for 94 projects (139 projects total since the ABP’s program launch in May 2017, including five education and awareness and three research projects) consisting of:
  • 61 projects to assess abandoned boats (84 total since the ABP’s launch); and
  • 33 projects to remove abandoned boats (45 total since the ABP’s launch)

Work with partners to protect and restore coastal ecosystems

Implement the Oceans Protection Plan – Pillar III: Indigenous Partnerships

Initiatives under this pillar include:

• Active role - the Government will create opportunities for Indigenous communities to participate and play an active role in responsible shipping and the marine safety regime (TC and DFO/CCG)

Performance Indicator:

• The number of Indigenous groups that participate in Canada’s marine safety system

Target:

• By 2027, an increased number of interested Indigenous groups are active partners in Canada’s marine safety system [specific target to be determined by April 2022^{Footnote 26} following engagement with Indigenous partners]

Starting point:

On November 7, 2016, the Prime Minister announced the Oceans Protection Plan: a whole-of-government, comprehensive strategy to build a world-leading marine safety system and protect Canada’s marine ecosystems

• Established a collaborative oceans management governance structure in partnership with 14 Pacific North and Central Coast First Nations in British Columbia, to address marine planning, shipping, marine safety and oceans protection over a large geographic area
• Provided emergency response and waterway management training to Indigenous communities in British Columbia to increase their knowledge and skills, and support the important role they play in marine safety in their communities
• Created the Marine Training Program to provide underrepresented groups, such as women, Northerners, Indigenous people, access to marine training
• Issued a call for proposals under the Indigenous and Local Communities Engagement and Partnership Program, to provide funding to support the participation of Indigenous communities in long-term work on Oceans Protection Plan initiatives
• Identified 6 pilot sites and engaged communities and Indigenous nations across all sites to collaboratively understand issues and concerns with respect to marine vessel traffic activities on all three coasts, and worked to identify geographic boundaries for the study areas
• Signed the Commitment to Action and Results, an agreement between the Government of Canada and the First Nations Fisheries Council, to align Oceans Protection Plan engagement on the South Coast of British Columbia

Build our knowledge of coastal ecosystems, Marine Protected Areas and fisheries

Implement the Oceans Protection Plan – Pillar IV: A Stronger Evidence Base and Increased Community Participation and Public Awareness

Performance Indicator:

• The percentage of policies and operational response plans developed through the OPP that are supported by scientific, local/traditional, and other relevant information and knowledge

Target:

• By 2022, 100% of policies and operational response plans are supported by scientific, local/traditional, and other relevant information/knowledge

Performance Indicator:

• The percentage of Canadians who are confident in Canada’s marine safety system

Target:

• By 2022, an increased percentage of Canadians are confident in Canada’s marine safety system [specific target to be determined by April 2020 following establishment of baseline]

Starting point:

On November 7, 2016, the Prime Minister announced the Oceans Protection Plan: a whole-of-government, comprehensive strategy to build a world-leading marine safety system and protect Canada’s marine ecosystems

• Advanced knowledge and the scientific advice provided to oil spill responders to inform the response approach to a spill and the resulting decision-making
• Continued to raise awareness about the Oceans Protection Plan and marine safety, including engaging and receiving ongoing input from Canadians
• A Clear Seas/Angus Reid public opinion poll December 2018 found a “measurable increase in public confidence in Canada’s marine shipping regime since 2016” and that ” most Canadians have a high level of confidence in the [Oceans Protection] plan’s ability to increase marine shipping safety.”

Use legislation and regulations to protect coasts and oceans

Set the legal and regulatory frameworks through domestic legislation and international conventions that govern the protection of the marine environment from pollution, and advance Canadian positions on reducing and managing global marine pollution from ships

Performance Indicator:

• Proposal of an update to the Vessel Pollution and Dangerous Chemical Regulations to reflect new international standards

Target:

By May 2022:

• Publication of proposed regulations in Canada Gazette, Part I, to update the Vessel Pollution and Dangerous Chemicals Regulations to reflect new international standards

Starting point:

Since 2006, and as amended in 2012, the Vessel Pollution and Dangerous Chemicals Regulations implement standards set out under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) to prevent pollution from vessels

This includes potential amendments to include pollution from oil, Liquefied Natural Substances and Dangerous chemicals, sewage, garbage, air emissions and greenhouse gas emissions

The Regulations also set controls for paints used to prevent marine growth on hulls that have been found to be harmful and greywater discharges from large passenger vessels

• In support of policy and regulatory development, conducted research to assess the potential impacts of greywater on the environment and identify management strategies, which might include the possibility of future revisions to existing regulations

Use legislation and regulations to protect coasts and oceans

Contribute to reducing pollution from vessels by monitoring compliance of marine transportation firms with Canadian legislation, such as the Canada Shipping Act, 2001, through the National Aerial Surveillance Program (NASP), inspections, audits, monitoring and enforcement

Performance Indicator:

• Rate of marine spills

Target:

• The rate of spills into Canada’s oceans and marine environment is declining over time in relation to the level of activity

Starting point:

In 2016-17, the NASP performed 2,068 patrol hours of aerial surveillance over waters of Canadian jurisdiction

Air crews detected or identified 246 marine pollution incidents, which consisted of:

• 26 pollution incidents confirmed as ship source spills (a 48% decrease from 2015-16); and
• 220 pollution sightings reported as “mystery”, which means the origin of the incident could not be linked directly to a source (a 33% decrease from 2014-15)

In 2017-18, the NASP performed 3,995 patrol hours (93% increase from 2016-17) of aerial surveillance over waters of Canadian jurisdiction

During these patrols, 458 marine pollution incidents were detected:

• 48 ship-source spills are an 8% decrease from 2016-17 in relation to the level of activity
• 410 pollution sightings reported as mystery spills are a 7% decrease from 2016-17 in relation to the level of activity

The rate of detected/identified marine spills has decreased from 0.12 spills/hr in 2016-17 to 0.11 in 2017-18

• In 2018-19 the NASP performed 4,152 patrol hours of aerial surveillance over waters of Canadian jurisdiction (4% increase from 2017-18). During these patrols, 629 marine pollution incidents were detected:
  • 31 ship-source spills: 35% decrease from 2017-18
  • 598 mystery spills: 46% increase from 2017-18. 62% of these spills were reported to be less than 1 litre)
• The rate of marine spills detected/identified has increased from 0.11 spills/hr in 2017-18 to 0.15 in 2018-19

Memoranda to Cabinet

19

97%
(equivalent to 65/67)

Treasury Board Submissions

19

Regulatory Initiatives

29

TOTAL

67