Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy 2020 to 2023

 
Climate Change
 
Greening Government
 
Clean Growth
 
Infrastructure
 
Food
 
Shelter

Tabled October 2020 (updated March 2022)

 

Executive Summary

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) is Canada's domestic industry department, with a $3.2 billion operating budget in 2019-2020. ISED's legislative responsibility for sustainable development is defined in its founding act, the Department of Industry Act, 1995, which mandates the Minister to "strengthen the national economy and promote sustainable development." Flowing from this commitment, and later under the Federal Sustainable Development Act, 2008, ISED has produced Departmental Sustainable Development Strategies (DSDS) since 1997.

The COVID-19 pandemic generated a global health crisis and an unprecedented economic shock, with profound and widespread impacts on Canadian households, communities, and businesses. In its response, ISED recognizes the need to advance an economic recovery that leaves no Canadian behind and also accelerates the transition to a low-carbon, prosperous, and circular economy.

ISED's 2020-2023 DSDS outlines its three-year, forward-looking commitments in support of the 2019-2022 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) and the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is the product of months of collaboration and analytic work within ISED and its portfolio. ISED also recognizes that the COVID-19 pandemic has altered the environment in which ISED's DSDS actions and indicators operate, and plans to monitor its activities and make adjustments to its commitments, as necessary, over the course of the three-year strategy.

ISED co-leads the FSDS Clean Growth Goal with Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), and has mobilized a wide range of commitments to advance clean technology and make Canada the best place to start and grow a clean technology business. In this context, the Clean Growth Hub functions as a unique service model comprised of 17 member departments and offering a single window for clean tech stakeholders of all sizes to help better navigate clean technology programs and services and provide tailored advice to advance clean tech projects. Furthermore, actions by ISED's Innovation Canada programs and Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) that fund innovative clean technology projects across the country. These projects are found in all industrial sectors and work to advance both Canada's economic development and climate change objectives. As well, Sustainable Development Technology Canada commits to continue its proven track-record of supporting clean technologies with the potential to deliver significant economic and environmental benefits.

ISED's ambitious commitment to ensure 100 percent of Canadians have access to high speed Internet by 2030 fundamentally supports the Modern and Resilient Infrastructure FSDS Goal and UN SDG 9: Innovation, Industry and Infrastructure. In the aftermath of COVID-19, access to high-speed Internet simultaneously advanced multiple sustainable development objectives: inclusive economic growth in rural, remote and urban areas; better access to health resources and infection prevention; and, greenhouse gas emission reduction.

In fulfilling its FSDS commitments, ISED engaged core programs and legislation that build marketplace confidence, and support the deployment of clean technologies more broadly. These include DSDS commitments through:

  • the Canadian Intellectual Property Office to promote unique Canadian clean technology intellectual property internationally through the World Intellectual Property Organization platform;
  • the Competition Bureau to use social media and other public outreach tools to proactively raise awareness about greenwashing in advertising and marketing and promote compliance with the Competition Act, the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, and the Textile Labelling Act; and,
  • the Standards Council of Canada to work with Canadian clean tech companies to develop  standardization strategies to improve market recognition of clean technologies and ensure Canada has a seat at the table at the international technical standards committees of relevance.Footnote 1

ISED also manages the funding for some third-party science and research organizations in Canada working on research related to climate change.  This work helps to build a strong evidence base from which to accelerate climate resilience, mitigation and adaptation efforts across the country.

In collaboration with NRCan, ECCC and TC, ISED plays a key role in zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) efforts, with ISED stepping up work to support increased domestic ZEV production. To lead by example, ISED commits to making 100 percent of its new light-duty administrative fleet purchases ZEVs as of 2019-2020 onwards, where vehicles are available and where operational needs permit.

In addition to the highlights noted above, ISED's 2020-2023 DSDS includes many other commitments which support Canada's 2019-2022 FSDS goals. Globally, as we enter the UN SDG "Decade of Action" moving towards the 2030 target date, these commitments also advance ISED's contribution to deliver the UN SDGs.

Section 1: Introduction to the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

The 2019 to 2022 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 Act provides the legal framework to develop and implement a Federal Sustainable Development Strategy that will make environmental decision-making more transparent and accountable to Parliament. ISED supports the goals laid out in the FSDS through the activities described in this DSDS.

For the purposes of ISED's 2020-2023 DSDS, commitments from the following portfolio and also associated portfolio organizations are included: Standards Council of Canada (SCC), Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario (FedNor), Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario), and with input from Genome Canada, the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), and the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR).

Section 2: Sustainable Development Vision and Context at ISED

Vision

ISED has a comprehensive mandate to accelerate innovation in Canada; help Canadian businesses and organizations succeed and grow; increase Canada's share of global trade; and build a Canadian marketplace that promotes confidence, consumer choice and competition. ISED and its portfolio work collaboratively with provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous peoples, business owners, industry associations, stakeholders and all Canadians to deliver an economic agenda that builds and sustains a knowledge-based, internationally competitive and sustainable economy.

Recognizing the importance of accelerating the transition to a low-carbon, inclusive, clean growth economy, ISED helps Canadians and Canadian businesses embrace sustainability as a core value over the short-, medium- and longer term. As the federal lead for the Clean Technology, Innovation and Jobs pillar of the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, ISED supports businesses and Canadians at all points on the innovation continuum - from early research and development - to company scale-up and full commercialization. ISED also strives to make Canada the best place to start and grow a clean technology business, as we seek to meet rapidly growing global demand and achieve the Government's target of a net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emission economy by 2050.

The COVID-19 pandemic created an even more urgent imperative for economic sustainability both now and in the longer term. As the Government of Canada focuses on economic recovery, it is deepening its partnerships with key stakeholders, including those with industry. The Industry Strategy Council launched in May 2020, has a mandate to identify the scope and depth of COVID-19's impact on industries and inform government's understanding of specific sectoral pressures. It also serves as a means to coordinate business communities' input on the impact of COVID-19. Building off the work by the Council, whose findings were published in December 2020, ISED will participate in whole-of-government efforts to strengthen and grow the middle class and ensure Canada's continued global competitive advantages.

Positioning Canada to compete in the context of an accelerated global transition to a low-carbon and circular economy depends on all Canadians taking concrete actions. Skills development, training for green jobs, and empowering all members of our communities through social inclusion are priorities for ISED. Recognized as one of Canada's top employers for our work on diversity and inclusion, ISED collaborates with partners on a range of programs that work towards social equity, including through the advancement of:

  • women (e.g., Women's Entrepreneurship Strategy),
  • youth (e.g., Digital Skills for Youth); and
  • persons with disabilities (e.g., Accessible Technology Program).

Details of these socio-economic programs can be found in ISED's Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports, whereas ISED's 2020-2023 DSDS primarily includes commitments at the intersection of environmental and economic sustainability, highlighting social inclusion and skills and training where applicable.

ISED is a key contributor to Canada's efforts to develop the 2030 Agenda National Strategy in support of the United Nations (UN) 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The department recognizes there are fewer than 10 years to achieve the SDGs. While ISED supports all 17 SDGs, ISED's mandate, programs and initiatives advance action on SDG 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure to: "build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation".." Additional SDGs relevant to ISED include Climate Action (SDG 13), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), Sustainable Cities (SDG 11), and Partnership for the Goals (SDG 17).

Context

Through this 2020-2023 DSDS, ISED and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) will continue to co-lead the FSDS Clean Growth Goal. ISED will also contribute to the Effective Action on Climate Change Goal, the Modern and Resilient Infrastructure Goal, and the Greening Government Goal. Context for ISED's role in each of these Goals is below, and details on the substance of ISED's commitments are found in Section 3.

FSDS Goal: Clean Growth

ISED leverages its programs, its regional economic development networks, and key members of its portfolio to support its joint lead with NRCan for the Clean Growth Goal. To achieve market transformation for clean technology in Canada, ISED and its portfolio deploy a range of initiatives that support Canadian businesses at all stages of the innovation continuum. These include:

  • SDTC – funds the development and demonstration of new environmental technologies; encourages collaboration among organizations in the private sector, academia, the not-for-profit sector, and others to develop and demonstrate new technologies; and promotes the timely diffusion of new technologies across key economic sectors in Canada.
  • Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC): leverages procurement of early and late stage research and development (R&D) to support innovative Canadian companies to grow, scale-up and export through having the government as their first customer.
  • Innovative Superclusters Initiative (ISI) – co-invests with industry through industry-led not-for-profits to build and grow innovative ecosystems in areas where Canada has a significant competitive advantage: digital technologies, plant-based protein industries, advanced manufacturing, artificial intelligence and supply chain logistics and ocean economy.
  • Strategic Investment Fund (SIF): spurs innovation for a better Canada by providing funding for large projects (over $10 million in requested contribution), including the Net Zero Accelerator Fund.
  • The Clean Growth Hub: a whole-of-government focal point for clean technology focused on supporting companies and projects, coordinating programs and tracking results. ISED co-leads the Clean Growth Hub with NRCan, which is comprised of 17 member departments and agencies.

Further support for Canadian clean technology companies comes from the seven Regional Development Agencies (RDAs). These agencies work closely with businesses and innovators in the different regions of Canada to fuel economic growth. ISED's DSDS includes commitments made by FedDev Ontario and FedNor, while other RDAs report separately.

The SCC, a federal Crown corporation responsible for promoting standardization in Canada, also reports through ISED's DSDS in support of the Clean Growth Goal. The SCC leads and facilitates the development and use of national and international standards and accreditation services to enhance Canada's competitiveness and well-being.

Indirectly supporting the FSDS Clean Growth Goal are the Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) and the Competition Bureau of Canada. CIPO is a special operating agency that delivers intellectual property (IP) services in Canada, including to clean technology companies, and educates Canadians on how to use IP more effectively to grow their businesses. The Competition Bureau ensures that Canadian businesses and consumers prosper in a competitive and innovative marketplace and protects Canadians from false or misleading marketing claims such as greenwashing. As an independent law enforcement agency, the Competition Bureau is responsible for several pieces of legislation including the Competition Act, the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, and the Textile Labelling Act.

As well, ISED's Computers for Schools Plus (CFS+) Program cooperates with partners across Canada to extend the useful lifespan of federal government and other donors' assets through refurbishment and redistribution to schools, libraries, not-for-profits, Indigenous communities and low-income Canadians. The CFS+ program helps extend the useful life of electronic equipment, and reduces the environmental impact of electronic waste.

The workforce of the future will require new and advanced skills and experiences to create, develop and adopt new clean technologies. To prepare this workforce, ISED supports two skills and training related programs that also support clean technology and sustainability:

  • Mitacs is a national, not-for-profit organization that serves as a key link between industry (6,000 companies) and post-secondary institutions (70 universities), driving collaborations to develop projects that solve business challenges, including in clean technology.
  • Computers for Schools Intern program provides valuable internship opportunities to young Canadians by providing hands-on experience in CFS+ workshops, refurbishing devices, developing and implementing social media plans, as well as other workplace skills such as teamwork and communications skills.

FSDS Goal: Effective Action on Climate Change

ISED draws on its innovation programming, science funding, policy and industry expertise, and regulatory functions to undertake effective action on climate change. It recognises that clean technology is any process, product, or service that reduces environmental impacts. Clean technologies often require fewer inputs or resources than standard technologies, leading to improved efficiency and less environmental degradation. This comprehensive definition means that ISED supports innovations that also target GHG emissions reductions, and key programs, such as SIF and SDTC are able to measure the contribution their investments could have to mitigate or reduce climate change.

ISED also works to develop a solid base of scientific research and analysis on climate change through its support of third-party science and research organizations. Organizations such as the Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) and Genome Canada provide support, funding and coordination for national R&D activities related to climate change. Also within ISED's portfolio are the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC) and the National Science and Engineering Research Council (NSERC), which support research on a comprehensive range of climate change topics. These two Granting Councils report on their actions separately from ISED's DSDS. ISED is also responsible for the government's funding to the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), which supports academic research infrastructure, including related to climate change research.

Another area through which ISED is supporting effective action on climate change is in its work on zero-emission vehicles (ZEV).  In collaboration with NRCan, ECCC and TC, ISED plays a key role on federal efforts to increase ZEVs in Canada through consumer purchase incentives and increasing domestic production of zero-emission vehicles. Measurement Canada, a regulatory agency of ISED, has a legislative mandate to approve and oversee all measuring devices used for financial transactions in the Canadian marketplace, including for alternative energy charging and refueling devices.

FSDS Goal: Sustainable and Resilient Infrastructure

This Strategy supports sustainable and resilient infrastructure, and builds on existing partnerships with the private sector, provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous communities, and official language minority communities. Within the ISED portfolio, the SCC works to modernize Canadian infrastructure to improve both resilience to climate change and environmental performance. The SCC will continue to fund and facilitate the development and updating of standards, guidance and tools, and pursue other standardization-related projects in this area. ISED also has a national leadership role to improve access to high-speed Internet services for all Canadians, through Canada's Connectivity Strategy.

FSDS Goal: Greening Government

ISED supports leadership-by-example in its operations. While primarily a lessee, through its Spectrum and Telecommunications Sector, ISED owns two sets of real property assets: a national Remote Spectrum Monitoring Network, and the Shirleys Bay campus which comprises several ISED buildings as well as buildings from other government departments. Through various business units, ISED also owns and operates a fleet of approximately 300 vehicles. In addition to commitments in these two custodial areas (real property and fleet), ISED is making further commitments to reduce GHGs by implementing virtual collaboration tools for all of ISED's 5,500 staff, by contributing to the off-setting of employee air travel through the Greening Government Fund, and by supporting Public Services and Procurement Canada's (PSPC) green lease initiatives. ISED also is strongly committed to reducing plastic waste throughout its operations, including for employees during travel status.

Section 3: Commitments

Clean Growth

Clean Growth: A growing clean technology industry in Canada contributes to clean growth and the transition to a low-carbon economy

Responsible Minister: Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister of Natural Resources

Clean Growth
FSDS target(s)
FSDS contributing action(s) Corresponding departmental action(s) Contribution by each departmental action to the FSDS goal and target Starting point(s)
Performance indicator(s)
Target(s)Footnote *
Program(s) in which the departmental actions will occur

Implement our Mission Innovation pledge to double federal government investments in clean energy research, development and demonstration from 2015 levels of $387 million to $775 million by 2020

The Government of Canada's five-year commitment for Mission Innovation (MI) was from fiscal year 2014-15 to 2019-20. At the time of the tabling of ISED's 2020-2023 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS), there were no new commitments made towards MI. ISED's 2019-2020 Departmental Results Report will include ISED's results for the final reporting year, and will also be reported to Natural Resources Canada and the International Energy Agency. ISED will support future MI commitments if they are established, and will report on those commitments in the future.

Increase the value of Canada's clean technology exports to $15.6 billion by 2025

Invest in clean technologies

Fund projects with a significant clean tech adoption or development component through the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF)

FSDS: SIF application documents collect information regarding whether the project will develop a new clean technology, involve a significant clean technology adoption component, or result in other environmental benefits and GHG emission reductions. This information is then used to assess the level of environmental benefits that the project will provide for Canada. In line with Government of Canada and Departmental priorities, environmental and clean tech considerations will be increasingly considered as part of new project assessment criteria in order to advance the development and sales of clean technologies.
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Starting Point:
As of March 2020, 42% of SIF funded projects demonstrate a significant clean tech adoption or development component
Performance Indicators:
Percentage of projects demonstrating a significant clean tech development or adoption component

Innovation in Business

Invest in clean technologies

Support projects with a clean tech adoption or development component through the Innovative Superclusters Initiative (ISI)

FSDS: The Innovation Superclusters Initiative (ISI) invests in the research, development and commercialization of innovative platform technologies and business processes that have the potential to improve productivity and competitiveness.

Each Supercluster operates as not-for-profit organization with its own unique strategic priorities. As an industry-led initiative, the Superclusters select and fund projects that advance and commercialize technologies as well as benefit and grow their innovation ecosystems.

To date, these industry-led projects have generated hundreds of IP rights and created thousands of high-quality jobs. Over half of these projects expect to make environmental impacts.

Additionally, in 2020 the Superclusters quickly pivoted to make significant contributions to Canada's emergency response to the COVID pandemic.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Starting Point:

All five Superclusters had announced projects as of 2019

Performance Indicator:
Percentage of Supercluster funded technology projects that will result in positive environmental impacts.

Performance Indicator:
Percentage of funding allocated to Supercluster technology positive environmental impacts

Innovative Superclusters Initiative

Invest in clean technologies

Support projects with a significant clean tech adoption or development component through the Innovative Solutions Canada (ISC) program.
ISC, together with 20 federal departments/agencies, supports the scale-up and growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by funding proposed solutions of early-stage and pre-commercial prototypes. ISC has two funding streams:

Challenge Stream: Departments and agencies have the opportunity to issue R&D challenges to address market gaps, or seek innovative solutions based on desired outcomes rather than known products or process. The Challenge stream is open to Canadian businesses with fewer than 500 employees and awards grants and R&D contracts.

Testing Stream: Competitive first-purchase stream providing the ability to test and sell pre-revenue technologies to the Government of Canada. Provides companies with an important first reference sale of their pre-commercial technology, and federal organizations access to technology with the potential to help them meet their mandates. Awards R&D contracts.

FSDS: The development and testing of Canadian technologies through ISC (including those related to clean technology and those that demonstrate environmental benefits) is expected to contribute to the increase in the value of Canadian clean technology exports.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Starting Point:
ISC's Challenge Stream launched in 2017, and the former Build in Canada Innovation Program, launched in 2010, (consolidated as ISC Testing Stream in 2018), have supported the following Clean-Tech projects as of 2020:
Challenge Stream:19 clean tech challenges launched, including 14 plastics challenges; and
Testing Stream: 99 contracts awarded (20% of all contracts) for the testing of clean tech innovations, valued at over $35M

Performance Indicators:

  • % of Challenge Stream clean tech challenges that result in at least one Phase II award
  • % of Testing Stream contract awards for Clean Technology

Target:
ISC aims for 80% of Clean Technology challenges to award at least one Phase II award; and ISC aims for 20% of Testing Stream contract awards to support Clean TechnologyFootnote 2

Innovative Solutions Canada

Invest in clean technologies

Support Canadian companies in their efforts to develop and demonstrate new environmental technologies that address environmental issues such as climate change, clean air, clean water or clean soil through Sustainable Development Technology Canada's (SDTC) SD Tech Fund.

FSDS: SDTC's investments directly contribute to increasing Canada's clean technology exports by supporting critical commercialization and scale-up phases.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Starting point:2018/19 performance data - $144M in approvals
$93M in project funding disbursed
89% of active projects making advancements towards successful demonstrations as of the end of FY 2018-19 (March 31, 2019).
Performance indicator:
SDTC selects and invests in new sustainable development projects
Funding disbursed to contracted recipients
Percentage of active projects that are making advancements towards successful demonstrations
Target: As published in SDTC Annual Report for specified fiscal year

Performance Targets:
SDTC selects and invests in new sustainable development projects - $140 million is allocated to approved projects annually
Funding disbursed to contracted recipients - $162M disbursed to recipients
Percentage of active projects that are making advancements towards successful demonstrations - Maintain a 90% minimum average

Clean Technology and Clean Growth

Invest in clean technologies

FedNor will support businesses in Northern Ontario to develop and adopt clean technology solutions, and support communities to adopt and implement clean growth initiatives.

FSDS: Through its grants and contributions program, FedNor will invest in clean technology and clean growth by:
Supporting businesses to adopt and/or adapt clean technologies to improve environmental performance, while increasing productivity, growth and competitiveness;
Supporting businesses to develop and/or commercialize new clean technologies; Support the greening of SMEs to mitigate and reduce the environmental impacts of their activities, including adoption of green technologies to decarbonize operations, the creation of new green businesses, and supporting SMEs in their green transformation;
Building community capacity to implement clean growth initiatives by supporting research and feasibility studies; and
Fostering community resilience for a green recovery by supporting the development of green industrial parks, providing funding to indigenous communities to facilitate their participation in major green energy projects, and supporting the development of community greenhouses in Indigenous communities to ensure better food security.
FedNor investment in clean technology varies from year to year due to the multi-year nature of most of its investments.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Starting point:
$1,325,157 in approvals
Through the Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP), FedNor has invested $10 million in support of 24 clean tech projects since 2011–12.
Further to Budget 2016 announcement that regional development agencies (RDAs) will increase their annual support for clean technology to $100M, the NODP expended $401,094 in support of 4 clean tech projects in 2016–17.
Performance indicator: Number and value of FedNor investments in clean technology in Northern Ontario.

Economic Development In Northern Ontario

Regional Economic Growth through Innovation (REGI)

Northern Ontario Development Program (NODP)

Invest in clean technologies

FedDev Ontario will strategically invest in projects that: support southern Ontario firms to adopt clean technology and more productive and sustainable processes; support clean technology clusters and/or commercialization platforms; and support clean growth in communities.

FSDS: Through these targeted investments, FedDev Ontario is fostering clean growth across southern Ontario, supporting Canada's transition to a low carbon economy and helping deliver on the FSDS clean growth target.
Due to the multi-year nature of many of FedDev Ontario's investments, there is a variability from year to year on FedDev Ontario investments in clean technology   (e.g. from $25 million in 2016-2017 to $35 million in 2018-2019).
FedDev Ontario invests in clean technology projects that: support southern Ontario firms to adopt clean technology and more productive and sustainable processes; support clean technology clusters; and support clean growth in communities.
Through these targeted investments, FedDev Ontario fosters clean growth across southern Ontario and supporting Canada's transition to a low-carbon economy.
A portion of these investments in clean technology contributes to increasing the value of Canada's clean technology exports and helps deliver on the FSDS clean growth target.
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Starting point: In response to the Budget 2016 mandate commitment for RDAs to double investments in clean technology to $100M per year, FedDev Ontario invested $25 million in clean technology projects in 2016-17.
Performance indicator: Number and value of FedDev Ontario investments in clean technology in southern Ontario.
Target: From 2020-2023, FedDev Ontario plans to invest approximately $25 million per year in clean technologies.

Regional Economic Growth through Innovation
Community Economic Development and Diversification

Promote Canadian firms as world leaders in clean technology

The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) will continue to work with Canadian clean technology companies to help them commercialize and/or gain market access by influencing the standards development process and supporting the adoption and implementation of those standards. Support includes guiding, facilitating, funding, and collaborating with innovators to advance national and/or international standardization; exercising Canadian leadership as Secretariat of International Organization for Standardization (ISO) technical committee (TC) 207 Environmental Management; and developing conformity assessment schemes such as Environmental Technology Verification to help innovators unlock market access.

FSDS: SCC measures its assistance to Canadian companies by the number of standardization strategies developed and advanced. By working with and supporting Canadian clean tech companies and helping them influence the development of National and especially International Standards, it is expected that SCC's activities will contribute to increasing the value of Canada's clean technology exports. At the macroeconomic level, standardization contributes 8% to GDP growth, 17% to labour productivity growth, and affects 93% of global trade. Likewise, SCC can use its role of supporting the Secretariat of ISO TC 207 to ensure that Canadian interests are reflected in current and upcoming work items. In collaboration with Canadian clean tech innovators, SCC will also continue to explore opportunities to develop or expand conformity assessment schemes for clean technology to help innovators unlock market access.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure & 13: Climate Action

Starting point: As of March 2020, 18 clean tech standardization strategies have been advanced under SCC's 2017-18 - 2021-22 Innovation Program and its 2018-19 - 2023-24 Intellectual Property (IP) Program. SCC will measure the contributions of these programs to the Canadian clean tech sector.
Performance indicator: Number of Innovation and IP standardization strategies advanced
Target: 108 Innovation and IP standardization strategies advanced by 2024; and
Final report capturing how standardization strategies within each program contributed to clean technology by end of 2024.

Business Conditions Policy

Collaborate with stakeholders and partners to support the growth of clean technology in Canada

Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) will continue to work closely with partners to amplify support for Canadian clean technology companies.

FSDS: Through the creation of a streamlined, one-window approach to funding innovative Canadian clean technology companies with federal and regional partners; and by requiring the presence of an in-market demonstration partner for SDTC projects, SDTC's investments contribute to greater alignment and amplified support for the growth of clean technology in Canada.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
SDG 13: Climate Action

Starting point: For projects approved in FY 2018-19, $2.1 was leveraged in total for every $1 from SDTC.
For projects approved in FY 2018-19, $1.7 was leveraged from private sector for every $1 from SDTC.

Performance indicator:
Dollars leveraged from all partners and collaborators (public and private) relative to SD Tech Fund dollars
Dollars leveraged by private sector partners and collaborators.
Target: As published in SDTC Annual Report for specified fiscal year. Dollars leveraged from all partners and collaborators (public and private) relative to SD Tech Fund dollars - Maintain the $2 leverage funding for each $1 of SDTC funding.
Dollars leveraged by private sector partners and collaborators - Maintain the $1.63 leverage funding for each $1 of SDTC funding.

Clean Technology and Clean Growth

Collaborate with stakeholders and partners to support the growth of clean technology in Canada

Continue to implement the Clean Growth Hub's mandate to support clean technology stakeholders navigate federal innovation programs and services

FSDS: NRCan and ISED lead the Clean Growth Hub to provide a single point of contact for clean technology producers and adopters, streamlining access to government services and expertise, and improving information sharing between federal departments and agencies. Support provided by the Clean Growth Hub helps clean technology stakeholders bring their innovations from the laboratory to foreign markets.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Starting point:
64% in 2018-19
Performance indicator:
Percentage of surveyed Clean Growth Hub clients satisfied with the quality of the Clean Growth Hub's service
Target:
70% in 2022-23
Starting point:
65% in 2018-19
Performance indicator:
Percentage of surveyed Clean Growth Hub clients that acted on the advice or information provided by the Clean Growth Hub (such as applied to government programs)
Target:
70% in 2022-23

Clean Technology and Clean Growth

 

Collaborate with stakeholders and partners to support the growth of clean technology in Canada

The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) will continue to develop and implement national sectoral standardization strategies, as identified by Canada's Clean Technology Economic Strategy Table.

FSDS: Developing strategies will involve collaboration with stakeholders and partners and will support the growth of clean technology in Canada by, for example, identifying areas for standardization to expand the adoption of clean technologies and low carbon approaches.
SDG 9:Industry, innovation and infrastructure
SDG 13:  Climate action

Starting point: No cohesive national standardization strategy for the clean tech sector.
Performance indicator: Number of stakeholders participating the development of a national clean tech standardization strategy;
Number of National Standards of Canada, guidance documents, and other standardization projects under development as a result of the strategy
Target: National clean tech standardization strategy is published with input from relevant stakeholders, by 2023

Business Conditions Policy

Actions supporting the Goal:
Clean Growth
This section is for actions that support the Clean Growth Goal but do not directly support a FSDS target

Develop our understanding of the clean technology landscape in Canada

Advance the Clean Technology Data Strategy, including the collection and analysis of clean technology program data, and the public dissemination of clean technology sector data

FSDS: The Clean Technology Data Strategy aims to ensure data is available to understand the economic and environmental contribution of clean technologies in Canada. Better data strengthens the evidence-base for decisions, improves the understanding of the emerging clean technology landscape, and ensures the creation of impactful policies and programs to support the production and adoption of clean technology.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Starting point:
No baseline available
Performance indicator:
Percentage of clean technology programs whose data is consolidated into a Government of Canada database on clean technology
Target:
100% by 2023-24

Starting point: No baseline available

Performance indicator: Total number of website visits to related Statistics Canada, ISED, and other Government of Canada webpages on clean technology data.
Target: 10,000 website visits in 2022-23

Clean Technology and Clean Growth

Develop our understanding of the clean technology landscape in Canada

Advance the authoritative data component of the Clean Technology Data Strategy (CTDS) by updating national clean technology statistics (e.g. GDP, employment, exports, etc.) in collaboration with Statistics Canada and NRCan.

FSDS: Authoritative data:  these refer to the national and provincial level micro and macro-economic statistics that measure the impacts clean technologies and other environmental goods and services have on GDP, employment, exports, etc. ISED collaborates with Statistics Canada and NRCan to develop, continuously improve and publish clean technology statistics through the Environment and Clean Technology Products Economic Account and the Survey of Environmental Goods and Services.
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

Starting point:
Data dissemination through STC table releases. No interaction with the data.
Performance indicator:
Number of interactive data visualizations (dashboards) published; timeliness of the updates
Target:
Publish 5 dashboards; maintain annual update of the dashboards.

Clean Technology and Clean Growth

Develop our understanding of the clean technology landscape in Canada

Develop a robust patent search strategy to track the evolution of patented inventions by Canadian researchers and corporate institutions operating in Canada in the field of clean technologies as it aligns with the National Research Council's (NRC) Materials for Clean Fuels (MCF) Challenge Program and clean technology more broadly (as defined by the European Patent Office via its Y-Cooperative Patent Classification codes).

FSDS: Our understanding of the clean technology landscape in Canada will be improved by the development of metrics related to patented inventions in the three Materials for Clean Fuels Challenge Program themes:
1. CO2 conversion
2. Industrial H2
and to patented inventions in clean technology more broadly.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Starting point:  Canadian Intellectual Property Office (CIPO) to develop a robust patent search strategy to identify clean technology patented inventions as it aligns with the NRC's MCF Challenge Program and tag patented inventions related to clean technologies more broadly by Canadian researchers and corporate institutions operating in Canada.

Performance indicator:  Counts of patented inventions conducted by CIPO for such technologies by Canadian researchers and corporate institutions operating in Canada over specified time periods to track progress.

CIPO

Support voluntary action to reduce environmental impacts

ISED will continue to implement the Computers for Schools Plus Program

FSDS:
The Computers for Schools Plus (CFS+) program cooperates with partners across Canada to extend the useful lifespan of federal government and other donors' assets through refurbishment and redistribution to schools, libraries, not-for-profits, Indigenous communities and low-income Canadians. By extending the usable lifespan of devices, it reduces multiple impacts associated with resource extraction and energy use, including greenhouse gas reduction, solid and hazardous waste reduction, reduced air and water emissions as well as other environmental benefits, thereby reducing the environmental footprint of the federal government and it donating partners.  Furthermore, where refurbishing is not feasible, the program facilitates the recycling of computers through approved recycling organizations, again reducing the use of landfill space, creating less toxic chemical emissions and encouraging the reuse of raw materials for other products, thus reducing the environmental footprint.  The CFS+ program contributes to the Clean Growth target, as extending the usable lifespan of devices is the most effective way to reduce their overall impact on the environment. CFS+ is also providing computers through the Connecting Families initiative until March 2022.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Starting point:
Number of refurbished computers distributed: 69,826 (2019-2020)
Amount of toxic waste diverted from landfill: 1,265,758 lbs or 630 tons (2019–20)
Performance indicator:
Number of refurbished computers distributed.

Tonnage of computers, laptops, monitors, printers and other equipment that is reused in the refurbishment process.
Target*:
FY 2021-22: 78,500
FY 2022-23: 72,000
FY 2023-24: 72,000

*

1,300 Tons**
** Note:  Evolution of IT equipment has led to smaller, lighter weight devices which have led to a reduction in tonnes, but not in overall numbers.

Spectrum and Telecommunications Sector - Bridging Digital Divides

Support skills and training in clean technology

ISED will continue to support the creation of green jobs, through the Computers for Schools Intern (CFSI) program as part of the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS)

FSDS:
The Computers for Schools Intern (CFSI) program is a companion program to the Computers for Schools Plus (CFS+) program.  It provides valuable internship opportunities to young Canadians by providing hands-on experience, in CFS+ workshops, refurbishing devices, developing and implementing social media plans, as well as other valuable workplace skills such as teamwork and communications skills. These internships are considered "green jobs" given the role played by CFS as a reuse organization. Reuse prolongs the useful life of technology; it also reduces greenhouse gas emissions, preserves natural resources, and conserves more energy than recycling.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Starting point:
Number of green jobs created: 270 (2019-20)
Performance indicator:
Number of green jobs created per fiscal year
Target:
210 per fiscal*
**CFSI received a top-up in support of COVID-19 for 2020-2021 only. To address the impact of COVID on organizations, the program also increased the internship costs. Given these changes, the target for 2020-21 was changed to 280 mid-year.

Spectrum and Telecommunications Sector - Talent Development

Support voluntary action to reduce environmental impacts

Promote the patenting of green technologies by providing for accelerated patent examination with no additional fees

FSDS:
The Advanced Examination for Green Technologies allows for faster patent application examination at no extra cost for technologies that help resolve or mitigate environmental impacts or conserve the natural environment and natural resources. By reducing the time to obtain a patent, inventors can bring "green" technology to market sooner.  

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Once a request for advanced examination for a green technology is processed, a first office action can be expected within 3 months. This is reported by fiscal year.
Performance indicator:
Average turnaround time for first office action for "green" technology applications with a request for advanced examination.

Target: 3 months By 2022-2023, the average turn around time for advanced examination for green technology applications is 3 months

CIPO:
Advanced Examination for Green Technologies

Collaborate with international partners in the transition to clean energy, low-carbon future

Collaborate with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) GREEN network to promote innovation and the diffusion of green technologies.

FSDS: By collaborating with WIPO GREEN, CIPO will contribute to clean growth by buttressing the Canadian clean technology presence in the WIPO GREEN network. and connecting Canadians to the WIPO GREEN network.The WIPO GREEN network facilitates commercial relationships and transactions by connecting green technology providers and seekers through its online database and matchmaking initiatives – all part of its mission to catalyze green tech innovation and accelerate green tech transfer and diffusion.
SDG 17: Partnership to achieve the Goal

Starting point 1: 4 Canadian technologies uploaded onto WIPO GREEN database (between 2017-2019)
Starting point 2: new performance indicator (2022-2023)

Performance indicators: 1) Number of Canadian technologies uploaded onto the WIPO GREEN database, 2) number of Canadian user visits to the WIPO GREEN website and database Footnote 3

CIPO

Support skills and training in clean technology

Continue to fund and support third party organizations such as Mitacs, who advance work-integrated learning opportunities focussed on innovative research and development, including investments in clean technologies.

FSDS: ISED supports Mitacs, a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to promoting high-quality research and innovation across Canada by building linkages between academia and industry across all disciplines, including advancing clean technology research and development, as well as other advanced environmental solutions.  The organization supports the attraction, training, retention and deployment of highly qualified personnel by delivering a range of programs.
SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
SDG 13: Climate Action

Starting point:
2019-20

732 internships and fellowships in clean technology supported by Mitacs as a result of ISED funding

Performance indicator:
Number of clean technology internships supported

Talent Development

Support skills and training in clean technology

Increase the awareness and effective use of intellectual property (IP) by Canadian innovators and businesses through targeted IP literacy initiatives.

FSDS: CIPO, through its IP Awareness and Education Service, is supporting businesses in Canada's key growth sectors including clean technology. CIPO supports the clean technology sector by providing specialized resources on how to leverage IP as part of their business and growth strategy. CIPO  provides businesses with free access to: products and services to better acquire, manage and leverage their IP assets; a suite of seminars and training services for businesses and intermediaries; a network of supports that include online and in-person services.
More specifically, CIPO has and will continue to develop fact sheets, checklists, web content, success stories, and presentations for the clean technology sector to better support the acquisition and enforcement of IP rights.

SDG 17: Partnership to achieve the Goal

Starting point:

2019 IP Awareness and Use Survey

Clean Tech results that presented an opportunity for improvement when compared to all industries. The average of all industries is presented in square brackets after the Clean Tech result [##].

Clean Tech firms had a large gap between their level of familiarity and knowledge of IP 1.8 [1.5].
This is measured as the ratio of firms that indicated that they were familiar with at least one type of IP and their ability to answer correctly all of the IP questions in that section of the survey.
Clean Tech firms that sought information, guidance or advice, 24% [7%].
Clean Tech firms with plans to obtain future information 42% [22%].
Clean Tech firms noted that difficulties enforcing IP rights as a reason for not protecting IP  65% [31%].
Clean Tech firms noted that financial costs associated with obtaining IP rights as a reason for not protecting IP 54% [49%]

Performance indicator:
The IP Awareness and Education Service outreach metrics:

  • Number of seminars and webinars targeting Clean Tech companies
  • Number of Clean Tech themed events attended

Number of one-on-one meetings with Clean Tech SMEs

CIPO

Other

Use social media and other public outreach tools (e.g. guidance messages) to proactively raise awareness about greenwashing and promote compliance with the Competition Act, the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act, and the Textile Labelling Act.

FSDS: To encourage clean growth, the Competition Bureau will continue to promote a level playing field for all businesses in Canada by addressing false or misleading green claims and deceptive marketing practices through enforcement as well as stakeholder education and outreach.
SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Starting point: The Competition Bureau uses traditional enforcement and public outreach to inform Canadian consumers about greenwashing and business about their obligations under the Competition Act, the Consumer Packaging and Labelling Act and the Textile Labelling Act.
Performance indicator: The number of environmentally-related social media posts published by the Competition Bureau. The number of guidance messages or alerts posted on the Competition Bureau's website.

Target: Increase in the amount of public outreach (e.g. social media posts) on greenwashing.

Competition Law Enforcement and Promotion

 

Support voluntary action to reduce environmental impacts

ISED's Office of Consumer Affairs will promote sustainable consumption practices by continuing to work with key partners to ensure that consumers have the information and tools needed to protect their interests.

FSDS: By providing consumers with information and tools they need to be able to practice informed sustainable consumption, the Office of Consumer Affairs is supporting voluntary action to reduce environmental impacts and promote clean growth. Examples include tips on preventing waste and responsible disposal of waste that does occur, a guide for homeowners on greening their home, and explanations of green labels, etc.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

Starting point: The Office of Consumer Affairs partnered with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to update and create new web content for consumers on how to Be a green consumer, which went live in December 2019. As such, 2020-2021 will be the baseline year for reporting.

Performance indicator: Number of visitors accessing information about sustainable consumption, on Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada's website and other websites ISED maintains.

Consumer Affairs (DG, Small Business, SBMS) – Policy, Contribution Program for Non-Profit Consumer and Voluntary Organizations

Climate Change

Effective Action on Climate Change: A low-carbon economy contributes to limiting global average temperature rise to well below two degrees Celsius and supports efforts to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius

Responsible Minister: Minister of Environment and Climate Change; supported by a whole-of-government approach to implementation

Effective Action on Climate Change FSDS target(s) FSDS contributing action(s) Corresponding departmental action(s) Contribution by each departmental action to the FSDS goal and target Starting point(s)
Performance indicator(s)
Target(s)Footnote *
Program(s) in which the departmental actions will occur

By 2030, reduce Canada's total GHG emissions by 30%, relative to 2005 emission levels

Develop a solid base of scientific research and analysis on climate change

Continue to fund and support third-party science and research organizations (TPOs) in Canada working on climate change, including on resilience, mitigation and adaptation efforts (organizations include Genome Canada and Canadian Institutes for Advanced Research).

FSDS:
To help Canada maintain its world-leading science, research and innovation capacity, ISED funds and supports third-party science and research organizations in Canada. In turn, these TPOs fund and support research activities that could enhance and/or provide analysis, data, tools and/or solutions to aid Canada's actions on climate change. Examples of funded research activities include climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts related to sustainable food production, forest protection and growth, bio-surveillance and tracking, cleaner and renewable energy, decontamination and waste remediation.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
SDG 13: Climate Action

Starting points:
Genome Canada: In 2018-19, there were 38 active multi-year climate change-related genomics research projects based in Canadian universities awarded a total of $64,792,618 from Genome Canada, which leveraged $141,765,207 from other sources

Canadian Institutes for Advanced Research (CIFAR): For 2018-19, CIFAR invested $1.23M of the ISED contribution in its Bio-inspired Solar Energy research program which has leveraged an additional $605,000 from other sources

Performance indicator:
Annual number or value of research activities related to climate change supported by third-party research organizations funded by ISED

Higher Education Sector Science and Research

 

Support businesses and Canadians in taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Fund the development and/or adoption of technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the Strategic Innovation Fund's (SIF) Net-Zero Accelerator Fund

FSDS:  To support businesses in taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, SIF's Net Zero Accelerator initiative will fund clean technology development and adoption projects, including near-term decarbonization projects with large industrial emitters; clean technology development and adoption projects in the aerospace and automobile sectors; projects that support the development of a battery innovation and industrial ecosystem; as well as promising clean technology projects from any sector.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Starting Point:
SIF is introducing new  requirements for project-level GHG estimation, and will provide a baseline and target this year (2022) for estimated annual reductions in GHG emissions from SIF-funded projects.
Performance Indicators:
Once the project level GHG estimation requirement is introduced, SIF will be able to determine the annual estimated reductions in GHG emissions from SIF-funded projects (on/around November 2022)
Note that this estimate cannot be directly compared to national-level GHG modelling.

Strategic Innovation Fund/Innovation in Business

 

Zero-emission vehicles will represent 10% of new light-duty vehicle sales by 2025, 30% by 2030 and 100% by 2040

Work with partners on climate change

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED), along with Transport Canada, co-lead Canada's approach to increasing the production of zero-emission vehicles (ZEV).

FSDS: By collaborating actively with automotive sector original equipment manufacturers and other critical suppliers, ISED is supporting sector growth and increasing the production of ZEVs. Low-carbon manufacturing in other mobility technologies is also being advanced, e.g. in air, bus, rail, etc.

SDG: 9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Starting point: October 2020 commitments to invest in ZEV manufacturing, building on Budget 2019 commitments to work with automotive manufacturers to increase ZEVs.

Performance indicator:
Investments and business decisions are identified in collaboration with industry to increase production of ZEVs in Canada.

Target:  Investments and business decisions are identified in collaboration with industry to increase production of ZEVs in Canada.

Business Policy and Analysis

Support businesses and Canadians in taking action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Measurement Canada will develop and implement standards and requirements to evaluate, approve, test and certify measurement technologiesused for low-carbon and clean fuel charging, including electric vehicle charging stations and hydrogen vehicle fuelling stations .

FSDS:

In parallel with the Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEV) program and related incentives, involvement of Measurement Canada as the regulatory authority for approving measuring devices like charging and refueling devices for ZEVs and other clean technologies, will ensure accuracy of trade measurements for Canadian consumers and businesses, and enhance their confidence in the trade process.  This will play a role in greater public awareness of ZEVs and ZEV adoption..  Consequently, the approval of these new trade technologies will have a direct impact on the reduction of Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) and other toxic emissions helping Canada to meet its GHG reduction targets.

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy and
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Starting point:

New. No baseline yet. Baseline to be established by March 31, 2023.
Performance indicator:

Number of new  technology devices used in trade measurement transactions that comply with requirements

Number of new  technology devices approved  for use in the marketplace

Targets:

Cannot establish a target, as the number is market driven. Market oversight of demand driven devices in the marketplace.

Trade measurement

Actions supporting the Goal:
Effective Action on Climate Change
This section is for actions that support the Effective Action on Climate Change Goal but do not  directly support a FSDS target

Develop a solid base of scientific research and analysis on climate change

Continue to fund third-party science and research organizations in Canada, such as the Canada Foundation for Innovation (CFI), that support climate change and environmental sustainability goals

FSDS:
Examples of funded research activities include understanding greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture; however, GHGs are not a core reporting metric for CFI. Rather the CFI collects data on the number of projects reporting at least one environmental benefit, which could include climate change.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
SDG 13: Climate Action

Starting point:
2019: 228 projects funded by CFI reported at least one environmental benefit

Performance indicator:
Annual number of CFI-funded projects reporting at least one environmental benefit, including climate change

Higher Education Sector Science and Research

Infrastructure

Modern and Resilient Infrastructure: Modern, sustainable, and resilient infrastructure supports clean economic growth and social inclusion

Responsible Minister: Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

Modern and Resilient Infrastructure FSDS target(s) FSDS contributing action(s) Corresponding departmental action(s) Contribution by each departmental action to the FSDS goal and target Starting point(s) Performance indicator(s) Target(s)Footnote * Program(s) in which the departmental actions will occur

By the end of 2027-28 fiscal year, invest $26.9 billion in funding for green infrastructure initiatives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve climate resilience and environment quality

Support low-carbon, resilient infrastructure

The Standards Council of Canada (SCC) will continue to fund and facilitate the development and updating of standards, guidance, and tools, and pursue other standardization-related projects, to improve the climate resilience and environmental performance of Canadian infrastructure.

FSDS: Continue to fund and facilitate new and updated standards, guidance, and other tools to reflect current and expected climate change trends represents a direct investment in Canada's knowledge base to support low-carbon and climate-resilient infrastructure, under the 2016-2021 Standards to Support Resilience in Infrastructure Program (SSRIP), as well as the renewed SSRIP (phase II, 2021-2026).

SDG 9:  Industry, innovation and infrastructure
SDG 11:  Sustainable cities and communities

Starting point: As of June 2021, 41 standards, guidance, and other standardization strategies have been developed under SCC's 2016-2021 Standards to Support Resilience in Infrastructure Program.
Performance indicator: Number of additional standards, guidance, and other standardization strategies developed.
Target:
36 additional standards, guidance, or other standardization strategies developed or initiated by 2026.

Business Conditions Policy

Other

ISED will continue to deliver programs that support projects to bring reliable, high-speed Internet to Canadians, especially in more rural and remote areas, to help businesses grow, create new jobs and connect more people to the resources, services and information they need to build a better future.

FSDS:
Strong connectivity and access to high-speed Internet is necessary to live, study and work in today's digital world, but it is still lacking in many rural, northern and remote communities.
Building on existing partnerships with the private sector, provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous communities, and official language minority communities, ISED will continue its leadership role under Canada's Connectivity Strategy to improve access to high-speed Internet services for all Canadians.
One key component of the Connectivity Strategy is the Universal Broadband Fund. The Universal Broadband Fund will provide up to $2.75 billion over 7 years to support broadband projects across Canada. This includes funding for diverse projects, including large scale, high-impact projects as well as projects that provide mobile to benefit Indigenous peoples. ISED has also secured advanced, new, low-latency Low Earth Orbit satellite capacity with Telesat to bring reliable high-speed Internet access to the most rural and remote regions of Canada. ISED also continues to provide $585 million through the Connect to Innovate program, to support investment in high-speed Internet backbone infrastructure and the delivery of high-speed broadband to 975 communities, including 190 Indigenous communities.

Starting point:
In 2019, 87.4% of Canadian households had access to minimum Internet speeds of 50/10 Mbps (CRTC)
Performance indicator:
Percentage of Canadian households with access to minimum Internet speeds of 50/10 Mbps
Targets:
98% of Canadian households will have access to minimum Internet speeds of 50/10 Mbps by December 31, 2026, and 100% by 2030

Spectrum and Telecommunications Sector - Bridging Digital Divides

Greening Government

Greening Government: The Government of Canada will transition to low-carbon, climate resilient, and green operations

Responsible Minister: All ministers

This goal captures commitments from the Greening Government Strategy, as well as reporting requirements under the Policy on Green Procurement.

Greening Government Communities FSDS target(s) FSDS contributing action(s) Corresponding departmental action(s) Contribution by each departmental action to the FSDS goal and target Starting point(s) Performance indicator(s) Target(s)Footnote * Program(s) in which the departmental actions will occur

Reduce GHG emissions from federal government facilities and fleets by 40% below 2005 levels by 2030 (with an aspiration to achieve this target by 2025) and 80% below 2005 levels by 2050 (with an aspiration to be carbon neutral)

All new buildings and major building retrofits will prioritize low-carbon investments based on integrated design principles, and life-cycle and total-cost-of ownership assessments which incorporate shadow carbon pricing

As part of the current STS monitoring infrastructure renewal project existing STS remote monitoring facilities are being reviewed as to whether or not they will be retained, relocated to more suitable locations or permanently shutdown. Once this review has been completed any sites that STS currently owns (i.e. real property as opposed to leased sites) and that will not be relocated can be GHG baselined. Sites that will be moved can be GHG baselined a year following their relocation and those being decommissioned will need no further action with respect to GHG emissions. This review is expected to be completed by 2023-2024.

By determining which spectrum monitoring sites STS plans to retain, it will be able to determine which sites require a GHG emission baseline.

Indicator: % GHG reduction from 2005-06 baseline for facilities.

Target 40% below 2005 levels by 2030 / 80% below 2005 levels by 2050

Spectrum and Telecommunications Sector – Spectrum  and Telecommunications

Fleet management will be optimized including by applying telematics to collect and analyze vehicle usage data on vehicles scheduled to be replaced

Reduce GHG emissions from ISED's fleet (MC, STS, FedNor, SIPS, , OCS) 40% below 2005 levels by 2025, and by at least 90% below 2005/06 levels by 2050.

In 2020-21 ISED developed a department wide fleet renewal strategy to green the fleet. As part of the strategy the new Green Land Vehicle Policy was created. The policy default is to purchase Zero Emissions Vehicles (ZEV's) for all new light duty vehicle purchases.

Equip regional offices across the country with greener, more environmentally friendly vehicles to replace older vehicles for spectrum management operations (STS-DGSO-DSMI) (where vehicles are available and where operational needs permit).

Develop a fleet management plan that will incorporate ZEV targets (STS)

Please see additional contributions under fleet management optimization Target within this Goal as well as additional contributions under the 80% ZEV fleet by 2030 Goal.

To reduce emissions, ISED will:  right size the fleet to reduce the # of vehicles; buy more efficient vehicles; buy battery electric vehicles; and buy plug-in hybrid vehicles.

Starting point: GHG emissions from ISED's fleet in fiscal year 2005–06 base year: = 1.911 ktCO2e.
Performance indicator:

  • GHG emissions from fleet in current reporting fiscal year = [ ] ktCO2e.
  • Performance Indicator: [ ]  % reduction in fleet emissions relative to 2005-06

Target: Reduce GHG emissions from ISED's fleet (MC, STS, FedNor, SIPS, OCS) 40% below 2005 levels by ,2025and by at least 90% below 2005/06 levels by 2050.

Internal Services Corporate Finance Systems Procurement Branch Contract and Materiel Management
Note: ISED's fleet GHG emission reduction target includes: Small Business and Marketplace Services - Measurement Canada; Spectrum Telecommunications Sector-Spectrum and Telecommunications

Strategy and Innovation Policy Sector – Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario; and the Office of the Corporate Secretary.

Under the new Green Land Vehicle Policy, starting 2022-23 telematics will become mandatory.

 

Telematics
Starting point: Total percentage of ISEDs light-duty operational vehicles that have telematics installed =9.6% (2022/01/13)

Performance indicator: [ ] % of ISED's operational vehicles that have telematics installed by March 31, 2023

Target: 100% of ISEDs operational  vehicles will have had installed telematics by March 31, 2023.

Internal Services Corporate Finance Systems Procurement Branch Contract and Materiel Management
Note: ISED's fleet Telematics target includes: Small Business and Marketplace Services - Measurement Canada; Spectrum Telecommunications Sector-Communications Research Centre and Spectrum Management, Operations Branch (Spectrum Management Innovation Directorate); and the Strategy Innovation Policy Sector – Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario.

ISED will collaborate with the client Sectors, with the goal of challenging both needs assessment and underutilized vehicles.

By assessing whether there are opportunities to pool or de-commission vehicles and by de-commissioning underused vehicles we will optimize our fleet.

Starting point: 2019 planning tool and utilization study have generated enhanced data points

Performance indicator: Fleet is assessed and underused vehicles are de-commissioned.

Target: By March 31, 2021, ISED will have assessed needs and disposed of underutilized vehicles.

Repeat annually till 2023

Internal Services Corporate Finance Systems Procurement Branch Contract and Materiel Management
Note: ISED's fleet GHG emission reduction target includes: Small Business and Marketplace Services - Measurement Canada; Spectrum Telecommunications Sector-Spectrum, and Telecommunications; Operations Branch (Spectrum Management Innovation Directorate); and the Strategy Innovation Policy Sector – Federal Economic Development Initiative for Northern Ontario.

Our administrative fleet will be comprised of at least 80% zero-emission vehicles by 2030

Fleet management will be optimized including by applying telematics to collect and analyze vehicle usage data on vehicles scheduled to be replaced

Starting in 2019-2020, 100% of ISED's new light-duty administrative fleet purchases will be zero-emission vehicles (where vehicles are available and where operational needs permit).

When ISED has to buy a new light-duty administrative vehicle it will be a ZEV. (Where ZEVs are available and where operational needs permit).

Starting point: Total percentage of ZEVs in ISEDs light-duty administrative fleet: 3.6%
(April 1, 2020)

Performance indicator: % of new light duty administrative vehicles that are ZEV

Target: 100% of ISEDs new light duty administrative vehicle purchases are ZEVs starting in 2019-2020 and every year till 2023  (where vehicles are available and where operational needs permit).

Internal Services Corporate Finance Systems Procurement Branch Contract and Materiel Management
Note: Scope of ISED's administrative fleet includes:  Measurement Canada, STS, FedNor SIPS,

As part of the new Green Land Vehicle Policy, starting in 2021-2022, 100% of ISED's new light-duty fleet purchases will be ZEV's (where vehicles are available and where operational needs permit).

 

Starting point: Total percentage of light duty ZEV's in ISED's fleet: 3.4% (March 31, 2021).
Performance indicator:
% of new light-duty ZEV purchases per year
Target:  By 2030 100% of ISEDs light duty fleet will comprise of ZEV's, with the aspiration of reaching this target sooner.

Internal Services Corporate Finance Systems Procurement Branch Contract and Materiel Management
Note: Scope of ISED's administrative fleet includes:  Measurement Canada, STS, FedNor SIPS.

 

Develop an approach to ensure an adequate charging infrastructure is available for ISED's MC current and forthcoming ZEV fleet (STS, SPS).

ISED will engage key stakeholders to address charging station infrastructure. ISED will analyze fleet data to identify locations across the department where EV infrastructure is most required based on vehicle replacement cycles and ZEV availability.

Starting point: As of April 1, 2019, ISED has four (4) level 2 charging infrastructure connectors dedicated for Executive vehicles
Performance indicator: Number of charging stations by level that have been installed March 31, 2023
•[ ] of Level 2 Charger connectors
•[ ] of Level 3 Charger connectors
Target: Adequate charging infrastructure installed that aligns with ZEVs being purchased.

Internal Services Corporate Finance Systems Procurement Branch Contract and Materiel Management

Divert at least 75% (by weight) of non-hazardous operational waste from landfills by 2030

Other

Expand the workplace eLearning tool.

ISED will take action to expand the workplace eLearning tool in order to reduce materiel, waste and overall carbon footprint.

By March 31, 2021, ISED will develop 1 eLearning product.

By March 31, 2022 ISED will develop a minimum of 1 additional eLearning products

By March 31, 2023, ISED will develop a minimum of 1 additional eLearning products.

Internal Services Corporate Finance Systems Procurement Branch Contract and Materiel Management

Divert at least 75% (by weight) of plastic waste from landfills by 2030

Other

ISED will take action to eliminate plastics at meetings, events and when employees are on travel status.

By developing guidance, ISED will bring the newly developed guide into the hands of ISED staff organizing meetings and events and staff on travel status

Starting point: Meetings & Events: Information not available. Travel status: Baseline not available.
Performance Indicator: % of events and meetings where single-use plastics are utilized & # water bottles reimbursed for travel status per year

Since March 2020, travel restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic mean that no baseline information is available on the use of single plastic water bottles while on travel status. Baseline numbers expected in April 2023 as travel expected to resume in 2022-23.
Target: 100% of ISED meetings and events are plastic-free by 2030. Elimination of 75% of water bottle reimbursement for travel status.

Internal Services Corporate Finance Systems Procurement Branch Contract and Materiel Management

Other

ISED will seek to eliminate water coolers in all ISED facilities where a potable water source is accessible, and will seek for the applicable base-building management to install carbon filter water bottle filling stations (filling stations counts how many plastic bottles have been saved) in key buildings where potable water is available.

By removing water coolers and installing carbon filter water bottle filling stations, single use plastics will be reduced and GHG emissions from waste will be reduced.

Performance indicator: # of plastic water cooler bottles saved

  • Target: Elimination of plastic water bottles (minimum of 75%) in the work place.

Internal Services
Corporate Facilities and Security Branch

Other

Eliminate plastic pouches for employee ID cards by punching a hole in the physical  ID Card - initiative completed

Reduce the usage of single use plastics

Reduce GHG emissions from waste

Performance indicator: # of plastic pouches saved

  • Target: Complete elimination of plastic pouches for employee ID Cards by March 2021.

Internal Services
Corporate Facilities and Security Branch

Divert at least 90% (by weight) of all construction and demolition waste from landfills (striving to achieve 100% by 2030)

Other

Construction and demolition waste (where applicable) from the decommissioning of STS remote spectrum monitoring sites will be diverted away from landfill sites where practically and economically feasible

 As part of the STS site demolition process, requirements for diversion will be published in appropriate demolition tenders with bidders required to respond to how much waste they will be able to divert and how they will accomplish this.

  • Assessments are underway for the demolition of a site in FY 2021-22.

Spectrum and Telecommunications Sector – Spectrum and Telecommunications

By 2030, 75% of domestic office lease transactions must be carbon neutral in situations where the federal government represents 75% or greater of the occupied space (square metres), market conditions permit and a competitive environment exists

In all new domestic office leases and lease renewals for space more than 500 square metres, landlords must report building energy and water usage and waste generated using EnergySTAR Portfolio Manager

In any new office leases and lease renewals awarded after April 1, 2025, where market conditions and a competitive environment exists, FedDev Ontario will give preference to buildings with the highest available EnergySTAR Portfolio Manager score.

FedDev Ontario's real property and procurement actions advance federal government greenhouse gas emission reduction and green procurement as well as SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), by supporting initiatives that promote inclusive and sustainable operations and investing in clean technology and process adoption.

All new domestic office leases and lease renewals awarded after April 1, 2025, where the federal government is the majority tenant, market conditions permit and a competitive environment exists, preference will be given to buildings with the highest available ENERGY STAR® Portfolio Manager score

FedDev Ontario Internal services

By 2022, departments have developed measures to reduce climate change risks to assets, services and operations

Increase training and support on assessing climate change impacts, undertaking climate change risk assessments and developing adaptation actions to public service employees, and facilitate sharing of best practices and lessons learned

Develop a Business Continuity Plan that considers all hazards including climate change risks to assets, services and operations.

The ISED Business Continuity Plan is developed comprehensively to provide reasonable assurance that in the event of any type of disruption, include climate-related, the department can maintain an acceptable level of delivery of critical services and activities, and can achieve the timely recovery of other services and activities. To ensure that ISED is ready for any eventuality, business continuity management is conducted from an all-hazards approach.

Starting point:
In 2018-19, ISED has incorporated climate change considerations in business continuity plans.

Performance indicator:
% of ISED's Business Continuity Plans include climate change considerations via an all-hazards approach

Target: 100% every year between 2020-2023

Internal Services
CMS/Corporate Facilities and Security Branch

Use 100% clean electricity by 2025

Other

Participate in PSPC-led clean electricity purchase (CRC)

Replacing emitting electricity with clean reduces emissions from electricity consumption

Indicator % of electricity consumption that is non-emitting

Starting: 97.10% in 2018-19

Target: 100% by 2025

Spectrum and Telecommunications Sector Spectrum and Telecommunications

 

The remote spectrum monitoring network evaluation for infrastructure renewal will examine potential methods to economically supply part or all of their electricity supply from cleaner sources

As part of the current STS monitoring infrastructure renewal project, existing STS remote monitoring facilities are being reviewed as to whether or not they will be retained, relocated to more suitable locations or permanently shutdown. Once this review has been completed, any sites that STS currently owns (i.e. real property as opposed to leased sites) and that will not be relocated can have electricity consumption baselined. Sites that will be moved can be baselined a year following their relocation and those being decommissioned will need no further action with respect to electricity consumption.

Once baselining is completed, electricity consumption data will be reviewed and analyzed for economical/practical options to reduce reliance on electricity sources that contribute directly to GHG emissions. This review will provide recommendations for changes on a per site basis with associated rational. This review is expected to be completed by 2023-2024 and will provide recommendations for changes on a per site basis with associated rational.

  • TBD

Spectrum and Telecommunications Sector – Spectrum and Telecommunications

Actions supporting the Goal: Greening Government

Support for green procurement will be strengthened, including guidance, tools and training for public service employees

Incorporate environmental considerations into Employee Performance Agreements for functional heads in procurement and materiel management

By incorporating environmental considerations into functional heads of procurement performance agreements' ISED will strengthen support for green procurement

Starting point: 100%

Performance indicator: # of PMAs with environmental considerations included

Target: 100% of managers and functional heads in procurement and materiel include environmental considerations in their Performance Management Agreements (PMA) from 2020-2023

Internal Services Corporate Finance Systems Procurement Branch Contract and Materiel Management

Support for green procurement will be strengthened, including guidance, tools and training for public service employees

Require all contracting and purchasing authorities to take Green Procurement Training (C215 Canada School of Public Service)

By requiring employees to take green procurement training, support for green procurement will be strengthened.

Starting point: 100% of new ISED procurement and materiel management specialists take green procurement training

Performance indicator: % of new employees who take C215 from the Canada School of Public Service (CSPS)

Target: 100%

Internal Services Corporate Finance Systems Procurement Branch Contract and Materiel Management

Support for green procurement will be strengthened, including guidance, tools and training for public service employees

Providing green procurement training and guidance to employees at FedDev Ontario.

By taking action to ensure that its specialists in procurement and/or materiel management complete the Canada School of Public Service Green Procurement course (or equivalent) in the given fiscal year, FedDev Ontario will strengthen support for green procurement.

Starting Point: Over 50% of our procurement management team have completed the Canada Public Service Green Procurement Course (C215)

Performance Indicator: % of specialists in procurement and/or materiel management who have completed the Canada Public Service Green Procurement Course (C215) or equivalent

Target: 100% of our procurement management team will have completed the Canada Public Service Green Procurement Course (C215) or equivalent

Internal services (FedDev Ontario)

Other

ISED has rolled out Microsoft Teams to all of ISED's employees while continuing to work with SSC to integrate older video conferencing tools with Microsoft Teams. The service allows employees to host and participate in virtual meetings, co-edit documents, and collaborate on projects with their peers without having to travel. Aging teleconference phones are to be replaced with the newest Polycom Trio solution, which will provide Microsoft Teams capabilities in small and medium boardrooms. ISED has also released additional Office 365 tools to its users such as Live Event and Forms to improve ISED's collaboration capabilities and will continue to evaluate additional collaboration capabilities as they become available, such as Stream.

By increasing ISED's virtual collaboration capabilities, employee travel is reduced thereby saving greenhouse gas emissions.

Starting Point: 89.7% of ISED's employees actively use Microsoft Teams (2021 monthly average)

Performance Indicator: Increase in the use of Microsoft Teams

Target: 90% by 2023

Internal Services
Digital Transformation and Services Sector

Section 4: Integrating sustainable development

All Canadians must take concrete action to position Canada to compete in the context of an accelerated global transition to a low-carbon and clean growth economy. Skills development, training for green jobs, and empowering all members of our communities through social inclusion are priorities for ISED. Recognized as one of Canada's top employers for our work on diversity and inclusion, ISED will continue to advance policy and program synergies at the inter-section of clean growth, climate change and social inclusion.

Advancing these synergies between the economic, environmental and social pillars of sustainable development is part of ISED's core legislative mandate, and is central to ISED's ongoing contribution to the UN SDG's. ISED commits to working with stakeholders as well as with our portfolio and associated portfolio partners as more of these organizations assume their own leadership responsibilities for tabling three-year forward-looking Departmental Sustainable Development Strategies. ISED will continue to be a key partner to co-create of these strategies to ensure intra-portfolio learning, alignment, and amplification the greatest extent possible.

ISED's 2020-2023 DSDS elaborates how ISED will meet the goals and targets set out in the 2019-2022 FSDS that was tabled in Parliament in June 2019, and uses the latest available data for each indicator at the time of tabling (October 2020). However, the data and targets in this report must be seen in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic disrupted global supply chains with widespread impacts on households and small businesses in many sectors. ISED will monitor those impacts throughout the duration of the DSDS.

Through its administration of the Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process, ISED is committed to ensuring that internal decision-making processes include the consideration of FSDS goals and targets. An SEA for a policy, plan, presentation, or program proposal must include an analysis of the impacts of the given proposal on the environment, including its contribution to relevant FSDS goals and targets. Public statements on the results of ISED assessments are made available when an initiative has undergone a detailed SEA. 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.

ISED leads and co-leads a number of programs and initiatives related to deploying clean technology in the marketplace both domestically and globally (e.g. the Clean Growth Hub, Innovative Solutions Canada). As ISED owns little real property as custodians (vs. as a lessee), ISED has a limited ability to adopt or demonstrate clean technology in our own real property operations. As well, ISED has a comparatively small fleet (approx. 300 vehicles) and so testing and piloting new transportation technologies (e.g. conversion of trucks) is generally done by larger departments. Nevertheless, ISED will continue to evaluate opportunities for the testing and demonstration of novel clean technologies in ISED's operations as we strive to lead by example.

ISED is committed to make 100 percent of its new light-duty administrative fleet purchases ZEV as of 2019-20 onwards, where vehicles are available and where operational needs permit. In addition, ISED will take action to eliminate plastics across its operations, from employee security card pouches through to removing disposable water bottles, including for employees while on travel status. Finally, ISED is also committing to digitize as many paper processes as possible by 2021, including its manual paper-based procurement system.