2023 to 2027 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy is published in PDF and HTML formats.
Table of contents
Section 1: Introduction to the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
Section 2: Courts Administration Service’s Sustainable Development Vision
Section 3: Listening to Canadians
Section 4: Courts Administration Service’s Commitments
Section 5: Integrating Sustainable Development
Executive Summary
The Courts Administration Service 2023 to 2027 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS/the strategy) outlines the organization’s sustainable development goals, targets, short-term milestones and implementation strategies. It is the first such strategy for the Courts Administration Service (CAS) and the first to be developed under a strengthened Federal Sustainable Development Act (the Act). The strategy sets out the actions that CAS is committed to taking to make progress toward its DSDS’s goals and targets.
It also aligns with the Government of Canada’s sustainable development priorities, including achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. It will continue to evolve over time and is informed by the consultations on the 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) conducted from March 11 to July 9, 2022. To reflect future policy decisions, the online version of the DSDS will be updated to incorporate new or renewed targets.
Over the next four years, CAS will continue to implement the strategy following the department’s mandates. How the strategy has been implemented and the progress made toward its goals and targets will be updated and published on the department’s website.
Section 1: Introduction to the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
The 2022 to 2026 FSDS presents the Government of Canada’s sustainable development goals and targets, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act. This is the first FSDS to be framed using the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations 2030 Agenda and provides a balanced view of the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainable development.
In keeping with the purpose of the Act, to make decision-making related to sustainable development more transparent and accountable to Parliament, CAS supports the goals laid out in the FSDS through the activities described in this Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS).
The Federal Sustainable Development Act also sets out 7 principles that must be considered in the development of the FSDS as well as DSDSs. These basic principles have been considered and incorporated in CAS’s DSDS.
In order to support coordinated action on sustainable development across the Government of Canada, this departmental strategy integrates efforts to advance Canada’s implementation of the 2030 Agenda National Strategy, supported by the Global Indicator Framework (GIF) and Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) targets and indicators. The strategy also now captures SDG initiatives that fall outside the scope of the FSDS to inform the development of the Canada’s Annual Report on the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.
Section 2: Courts Administration Service’s Sustainable Development Vision
CAS acknowledges that sustainable development and environmental sustainability contribute to the organization’s ability to achieve its strategic outcomes. To this end, CAS’s vision for sustainable development is integrated into its management and operational practices and is achieved through a multitier approach which includes:
- Probing opportunities to integrate sustainable development perspectives and practices in its operations.
- Promoting responsible management of resources, sustained economic practices and healthy communities. through education and awareness building.
- Exploring opportunities to introduce sustainable practices through corporate and program-based initiatives.
Building on ongoing efforts and practices in facility and procurement management, the initiatives described in this strategy will be achieved while supporting the judicial independence of the Federal Court of Appeal, Federal Court, Court Martial Appeal Court of Canada and the Tax Court. CAS will also ensure to maintain consideration for each Court’s distinct requirements and itinerant nature.
Section 3: Listening to Canadians
As required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act, CAS has taken into account comments on the draft 2022‑2026 FSDS made during the public consultation held from March 11 to July 9, 2022. During the public consultation, more than 700 comments were received from a broad range of stakeholders, including governments, Indigenous organizations, non-governmental organizations, academics, businesses, and individual Canadians in different age groups and of various backgrounds. The draft FSDS was also shared with the appropriate committee of each House of Parliament, the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, and the Sustainable Development Advisory Council for their review and comment.
What We Heard
Incorporating the submissions received, CAS identified sustainable development priorities and issues that affect us. As suggested by those consulted, the CAS DSDS uses the Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs) as the strategy’s frame and attempts to strike the right balance between the three of sustainable development – integrating, where possible social and economic targets and indicators.
First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities, suggested using a distinctions-based approach when discussing Indigenous priorities and challenges in the FSDS. As such any initiative outlined in this strategy involving first nation peoples will incorporate working independently with First nation people, Inuit, Métis Peoples and Intersectional peoples in recognition of their unique attributes.
CAS will also account for longer-term goals and future generations when measuring policy impacts. The department will ensure that its facilities projects are being undertaken to advance sustainable development in Canada and will include additional perspectives from equity-seeking groups such as racialized and 2SLGBTQI+ communities.
Finally, targets will be strengthened by being more outcome-based; they will and ensure that associated time frames go beyond the four-year FSDS cycle, and take into consideration the need for strong accountability and reporting, as suggested by the consultation
What We Did
CAS took the above-mentioned key priorities and issues into consideration in this DSDS. The organization has also appointed a lead for the development of its DSDS and a Designated Officials (SDOs) with responsibility for ensuring that projects, real property, procurement and materiel are managed in a manner that sustains environmental objectives.
Please find more information on the FSDS public consultation and its results in the FSDS Consultation Report.
Section 4: Courts Administration Service’s Commitments
GOAL 10: ADVANCE RECONCILIATION WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND TAKE ACTION ON INEQUALITY
FSDS Context: This FSDS Goal which focuses on taking action on inequality and advancing reconciliation with First Nation, Inuit and Métis communities draws inspiration form the United Nation’s DG Global Indicator Framework
CAS’s DSDS focuses on 10.3 in the strategy outlined below:
10.3: Ensures equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and actions in this regard.
Target theme: Advancing reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and the Métis communities
Implementation strategies supporting the goal
This section is for implementation strategies that support the goal “Advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and take action on inequality” but not a specific FSDS target
| IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY | DEPARTMENTAL ACTION | PERFORMANCE INDICATOR STARTING POINT TARGET |
HOW THE DEPARTMENTAL ACTION CONTRIBUTES TO THE FSDS GOAL AND TARGET AND, WHERE APPLICABLE, TO CANADA’S 2030 AGENDA NATIONAL STRATEGY AND SDGS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construct a court facility with infrastructure that better supports indigenous legal needs and traditions. | Program: Judicial and Registry Services | Performance indicator: Existence of a facility in Saskatoon. Starting point: There currently is 0 court facility in Saskatoon. Target: Construct a new facility in Saskatoon by end of fiscal 2027 |
The construction of a facility with amenities that support indigenous legal needs and traditions will improve indigenous peoples’ access to Canada’s justice system. |
Initiatives advancing Canada’s implementation of SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities
The following initiatives demonstrate how CAS’s programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, supplementing the information outlined above.
| PLANNED INITIATIVES | ASSOCIATED DOMESTICS TARGETS OR AMBITIONS AND/OR GLOBAL TARGETS |
|---|---|
| Court Facilities Modernization Program inclusive of the construction of a new court facility in Saskatoon which is supported by funding approved in Budgets 2019 and 2022. | Program completion by fiscal 2028 |
GOAL 12: REDUCE WASTE AND TRANSITION TO ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES
FSDS Context: To implement net-zero emissions in real property and conventional fleet operations,1 the Government of Canada will reduce absolute Scope 1 and Scope 22 GHG emissions by 40% by 2025 and by at least 90% below 2005 levels by 2050. On this emissions reduction pathway, the government will aspire to reduce emissions by an additional 10% each 5 years starting in 2025.
Target theme: Federal Leadership on Responsible Consumption
Target: by 2030, the Government of Canada will divert from landfill at least 75% by weight of non-hazardous operational waste
| IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY | DEPARTMENTAL ACTION | PERFORMANCE INDICATOR STARTING POINT TARGET |
HOW THE DEPARTMENTAL ACTION CONTRIBUTES TO THE FSDS GOAL AND TARGET AND, WHERE APPLICABLE, TO CANADA’S 2030 AGENDA NATIONAL STRATEGY AND SDGS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Achieve LEED Gold at all modernized court facilities | Program: Corporate Services/PSPC | Performance indicator: Certification obtained Starting point: April 1, 2023: The court facility located in Toronto is the only LEED Gold certified facility in CAS’s real property portfolio. Target: All projects included in the Court Facility Modernization Program will be LEED Gold certified or higher. |
The granting of this certification confirms that a waste diversion strategy was in place during construction, that construction methodologies promoted waste avoidance, and that ongoing building operations are aligned to a low carbon footprint and low waste creation. |
Target: by 2030, the Government of Canada will divert from landfill at least 90% by weight of all construction and demolition waste
| IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY | DEPARTMENTAL ACTION | PERFORMANCE INDICATOR STARTING POINT TARGET |
HOW THE DEPARTMENTAL ACTION CONTRIBUTES TO THE FSDS GOAL AND TARGET AND, WHERE APPLICABLE, TO CANADA’S 2030 AGENDA NATIONAL STRATEGY AND SDGS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Achieve LEED Gold at all modernized court facilities | Program: Corporate Services/PSPC | Performance indicator: Certification obtained Starting point: April 1, 2023 The court facility located in Toronto is the only LEED Gold certified facility in CAS’s real property portfolio. Target: All projects included in the Court Facility Modernization Program will be LEED Gold certified or higher. |
The granting of this certification confirms that a waste diversion strategy was in place during construction, that construction methodologies promoted waste avoidance, and that ongoing building operations are aligned to a low carbon footprint and low waste creation. |
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 AND, WHERE APPLICABLE, TO CANADA’S 2030 AGENDA NATIONAL STRATEGY AND SDGS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Develop criteria that address greenhouse gas emissions reduction for goods and services that have a high environmental impact. Transform light duty fleet to meet Canada’s 2030 Greening Government Fleets objective – net zero emission vehicles. | Program: Corporate Services | Performance indicator: 100% of vehicles purchased are hybrid, electric or zero emission. Starting point: April 1, 2023 Data fleet log updated in 2023-2024. Target: Incremental progress towards further greening of vehicle fleet. Transform fleet of seven vehicles from gas powered to hybrid vehicles by 2026/2027. |
CAS will aim to meet the following transformational goals and within the schedule
prescribe below.
|
| Strengthen green procurement criteria, ensure the criteria are included in procurements; and support green procurement, including guidance, tools and training for public service employees. | Program: Corporate Services | Performance indicator:
Starting point: April 1, 2023 $ Value of expenditure through Standing Offers and Supply Arrangements (SOSA) that includes environmental criteria in 2023-2024. 2. Each year, at least 75% of purchases of new light-duty, on-road fleet vehicles for the conventional fleet will be zero-emission vehicles or hybrids, where suitable options are available and meet operational feasibility. Priority is to be given to purchasing zero emission vehicles. Target: Net-zero procurement of goods by 2050 in line with the GoC target. |
CAS will aim to meet the following transformational goals and within the schedule
prescribe below.
|
Implementation strategies supporting the goal
This section is for implementation strategies that support the goal “Reduce waste and transition to zero-emission vehicles” but not a specific FSDS target
| IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY | DEPARTMENTAL ACTION | PERFORMANCE INDICATOR STARTING POINT TARGET |
HOW THE DEPARTMENTAL ACTION CONTRIBUTES TO THE FSDS GOAL AND TARGET AND, WHERE APPLICABLE, TO CANADA’S 2030 AGENDA NATIONAL STRATEGY AND SDGS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Support of the government’s “Greening of Government Strategy” through update of CAS’s net-zero climate-resilient real property portfolio plan every 5 years. | Program: Corporate Services/PSPC |
Performance indicator: CAS has a revised real property portfolio plan in place every 5 years. Starting point: 2024-2025 Target: Updated net-zero climate-resilient real property portfolio plans will ensure that climate risks to critical and high-value assets are assessed as soon as possible (and no later than 2030), and measures to these reduce risks are implemented no later than 2035. |
Will help CAS identify opportunities for portfolio rationalization; sharing facilities; maximizing energy efficiency, and switching to lower carbon fuels all geared towards supporting the net-zero target by 2050. Will help CAS determine the most cost-effective pathway to achieve net-zero by 2050. |
Initiatives advancing Canada’s implementation of SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
The following initiatives demonstrate how CAS’s programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, supplementing the information outlined above.
| PLANNED INITIATIVES | ASSOCIATED DOMESTICS TARGETS OR AMBITIONS AND/OR GLOBAL TARGETS |
|---|---|
| Court Facilities Modernization Program (funding approved in Budgets 2019 and 2021. | Program completion by 2028. |
GOAL 13: TAKE ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS IMPACTS
FSDS Context:
Taking action on climate change by reducing emission of greenhouse gases and short-lived climate pollutants and building resilience that directly supports the United Nation’s SDG Global Indicator Framework
Targets:
13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters
13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning
13.3: Improve education, awareness–raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.
Target theme: Federal Leadership on Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions and Climate Resilience
Target: The Government of Canada will transition to net-zero carbon operations for facilities and conventional fleets by 2050 (All Ministers)
| IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY | DEPARTMENTAL ACTION | PERFORMANCE INDICATOR STARTING POINT TARGET |
HOW THE DEPARTMENTAL ACTION CONTRIBUTES TO THE FSDS GOAL AND TARGET AND, WHERE APPLICABLE, TO CANADA’S 2030 AGENDA NATIONAL STRATEGY AND SDGS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Implement the Greening Government Strategy through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and greening of the government’s overall operations | Program: Corporate Services |
Performance indicator: Percentage of procurement specialists and material management specialists who have competed training on green procurement. Starting point: In baseline year 2022-2023, percentage of procurement specialist and material management specialists trained in green procurement. Target: 100% procurement specialist and material management specialist |
Implement a fleet reduction plan within CAS inventory to reduce fleet GHG emission. Plan will include the following:
|
| Modernize through net-zero carbon buildings CAS will work with PSPC to analyze current carbon footprint. |
Program: Corporate Services |
Performance indicator:
|
Engagement on net-zero carbon buildings with PSPC will promote a preference for zero carbon buildings as future opportunities present. |
| Apply a greenhouse gas reduction life-cycle cost analysis for major building retrofits | Program: Corporate Services/PSPC |
Performance indicator: LEED Certifications obtained on court facility modernization projects. Starting point: The court facility located in Toronto is the only LEED Gold certified facility in CAS’s portfolio at the time of publication. Target: All projects included in the Court Facility Modernization Program will be LEED Gold certified or higher. |
The granting of this certification confirms that a waste diversion strategy was in place during construction, that construction methodologies promoted waste avoidance, and that ongoing building operations are aligned to a low carbon footprint and low waste creation. |
| Reduce risks posed by climate change to federal assets, services and operations Undertake an analysis on the impact of climate change to the CAS facility portfolio. |
Program: Corporate Services / PSPC |
Performance indicator: Availability of details on potential impacts of climate change on court operations. Starting point: CAS currently does not have data and/or details on the impacts of climate change. Target: Obtain detain on the impacts of climate change by the end of fiscal 2025. |
Understanding the impacts of climate change will allow CAS an opportunity to fully assess the impacts on Court operations and make relevant recommendations to mitigate any risks. |
Target: The Government of Canada will transition to climate resilient operations by 2050
| IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY | DEPARTMENTAL ACTION | PERFORMANCE INDICATOR STARTING POINT TARGET |
HOW THE DEPARTMENTAL ACTION CONTRIBUTES TO THE FSDS GOAL AND TARGET AND, WHERE APPLICABLE, TO CANADA’S 2030 AGENDA NATIONAL STRATEGY AND SDGS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reduce risks posed by climate change to federal assets, services and operations Undertake an analysis on the impact of climate change to the CAS facility portfolio. |
Program: Corporate Services /PSPC |
Performance indicator: Availability of detailed report with relevant data on potential impacts of climate change on court operations. Starting point: CAS currently does not have data and/or details on the impacts of climate change. Target: Completion of analysis having reach objective to fill the data gap by the end of fiscal 2025. |
Understanding the impacts of climate change on court operations will allow CAS an opportunity to fully assess the impacts and make relevant recommendations to mitigate any risks. |
Implementation strategies supporting the goal
This section is for implementation strategies that support the goal “Take action on climate change and its impacts” but not a specific FSDS target
| IMPLEMENTATION STRATEGY | DEPARTMENTAL ACTION | PERFORMANCE INDICATOR STARTING POINT TARGET |
HOW THE DEPARTMENTAL ACTION CONTRIBUTES TO THE FSDS GOAL AND TARGET AND, WHERE APPLICABLE, TO CANADA’S 2030 AGENDA NATIONAL STRATEGY AND SDGS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undertake an analysis on the impact of climate change to the CAS facility portfolio. | Program: Corporate Services /PSPC |
Performance indicator: Availability of detailed report with relevant data on potential impacts of climate change on court operations. Starting point: CAS currently does not have data and/or details on the impacts of climate change. Target: Completion of analysis having reach objective to fill the data gap by the end of fiscal 2025. |
Understanding the impacts of climate change on court operations will allow CAS an opportunity to fully assess the impacts and make relevant recommendations to mitigate any risks. |
Initiatives advancing Canada’s implementation of SDG 13 – Climate Action
The following initiatives demonstrate how CAS’s programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, supplementing the information outlined above.
| PLANNED INITIATIVES | ASSOCIATED DOMESTICS TARGETS OR AMBITIONS AND/OR GLOBAL TARGETS |
|---|---|
| Study on the impacts of climate change on court facilities and the operations of the courts. | N/A |
Section 5: Integrating Sustainable Development
CAS will continue to ensure that its decision-making process includes consideration of FSDS goals and targets through its Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process. An SEA for a policy, plan or program proposal includes an analysis of the impacts of the given proposal on the environment, including on relevant FSDS goals and targets.
Public statements on the results of CAS’s assessments are made public when an initiative that has undergone a detailed SEA (see here). 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.
1The 40% and 90% absolute emission reduction targets do not apply to the National Safety and Security fleet.
2Scope 1 GHG emissions are the greenhouse gases produced directly from sources that are owned or controlled by the Government of Canada (for example, from the combustion of fuels in vehicles or in heating buildings). Scope 2 GHG emissions are those generated indirectly from the consumption of purchased energy (electricity, heating and cooling). Scope 3 GHG emissions are indirect emissions resulting from an organization’s operations.
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