ISSN: 2818-7857

Date of Publishing:

Introduction to the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS)

The Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy ( describes the specific actions we will take to advance goals, targets or implementation strategies in the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS). It also sets out performance indicators, starting points, and targets that we will use to report on results.

Federal Sustainable Development Strategy

• makes decision making related to sustainable development more transparent and subject to accountability to Parliament
• promotes coordinated action across the Government of Canada to advance sustainable development
• respects Canada’s domestic and international obligations relating to sustainable development, with a view to improving the quality of life of Canadians
• supports Canada’s efforts to advance the 17 Sustainable Development Goals ( of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
• (Legal framework is the Federal Sustainable Development Act)

What it means to NSIRA

• Recent changes to the Federal Sustainable Development Act, 2020, mean that it now applies to many more organizations, including NSIRA
• On November 2, 2022, the 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) was tabled in Parliament.
• To ensure compliance with the Act, we must develop and table our 2023 to 2027 DSDS in Parliament on or before November 2, 2023.
• We must also report on our DSDS once in each of the two years after it is tabled (which must also be tabled).
• Updates to DSDS content (e. to introduce new or revised actions, performance indicators, etc.) may be done through a DSDS update process that can be aligned with Departmental Plan development.

2023 to 2027 DSDS
By November 2, 2023

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2023-24 DSDS Report
Within one year
By November 2, 2024

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2024-25 DSDS Report
Within two years
By November 2, 2025

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Subsequent reports
By November of subsequent years

NSIRA’s Commitments

10. Reduced Inequalities

12. Responsible Consumption and Production

13. Climate Action

Goal 10 : Advance Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and take action to reduce inequality

• Theme: Advancing reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and the Métis communities
• FSDS target: Between 2023 and 2026, and every year on an ongoing basis, develop and table annual progress reports on implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act

Implementation Strategy	Departmental Action	Performance Indicator Starting Point Target	How the Departmental Action Contributes to the FSDS Goal and Target
Implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.	Support the Government of Canada’s commitment to ensure a minimum 5% target of the total value of contracts are held by Indigenous businesses on an annual basis.	Performance Indicator: Percentage of contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses. Starting Point: In 2022-2023, 3% of NSIRA’s total contracts were awarded to Indigenous businesses. Target: 5% by March 31st 2025.	NSIRA’s goal is to invite Indigenous supplier to bid on goods and services where capacity exist in industry to provide ongoing opportunities to Indigenous businesses.

Goal 12 : Reduce waste and transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles

• Theme: Federal Leadership on Responsible Consumption
• FSDS target: The Government of Canada’s procurement of goods and services will be net zero emissions by 2050, to aid the transition to a net zero, circular economy

Implementation Strategy	Departmental Action	Performance Indicator Starting Point Target	How the Departmental Action Contributes to the FSDS Goal and Target
Support for green procurement will be strengthened, including guidance, tools and training for public service employees.	Integrate environmental considerations into procurement management purchasing decisions, processes and controls. Ensure decisions makers have the necessary training and awareness to support green procurement.	Performance Indicator: Percentage of procurement specialists trained on Green Procurement. Starting Point: In 2022 2023, 0 % of NSIRA’s procurement specialists were trained on Green Procurement. Target: 100% are trained the year they are hired.	NSIRA will continue to reduce GHG emissions by incorporating environmental considerations into its purchasing decisions.

Goal 13 : Take action on climate change and its impact

• Theme: Federal Leadership on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions and Climate Resilience
• FSDS target: The Government of Canada will transition to net zero carbon operations for facilities and conventional fleets by 2050

Implementation Strategy	Departmental Action	Performance Indicator Starting Point Target	How the Departmental Action Contributes to the FSDS Goal and Target
Promote sustainable travel practices.	Promoting the use of the Department’s video conferencing, teleconference facilities. When video conferencing and teleconference facilities are not available, ensure travel policies and guidance promote sustainable travel practices. Establish a program to offer employees access to OC Transpo /LRT tickets for NRC travel.	Performance Indicator: Percentage of NCR travel completed using public transportation. Starting Point: In 2022 2023, 0 % of NSIRA’s NCR travel used public transportation. Target: 20% of total travel by March 31 st 2025	NSIRA will take action to reduce travel or switch to less GHG intensive modes of transportation that will reduce GHG emissions.