- Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
- Gender-based Analysis Plus
- Response to parliamentary committees and external audits
Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
1. Context for the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
The 2016–2019 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS)
- sets out the Government of Canada's sustainable development priorities
- establishes goals and targets
- identifies actions to achieve them, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act.
In keeping with the act's objectives to make environmental decision making more transparent and accountable to Parliament, Statistics Canada supports reporting on the implementation of the FSDS and its Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy, or equivalent document, through the activities described in this supplementary information table.
2. Sustainable development in Statistics Canada
Statistics Canada's Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy for 2017 to 2020 describes the agency's actions to support achieving a low-carbon government, included in the 2017–18 Departmental Results Report. The supplementary information table in Section 3 below presents the available results for the agency's actions pertinent to this goal. This year, the table also reflects the relevant United Nations Sustainable Development Goals targets.
In addition to low-carbon government activities listed in Section 3, Statistics Canada supports the following FSDS goals through its work with other government departments:
- Statistics Canada helped to track and report Canada's performance on the global suite of United Nations Sustainable Development Goals indicators by developing the Sustainable Development Goals Data Hub.
- Pristine lakes and rivers: Statistics Canada provided data on Canada's population, mining sector and land cover to help track the progress of this goal in the 2018 progress report (PDF, 6.81 MB).
- Connecting Canadians with nature: Statistics Canada provided data on household environmental behaviours to help track the progress of this goal in the 2018 progress report (PDF, 6.81 MB).
- Clean growth: Statistics Canada, in conjunction with relevant federal departments and agencies, updated its environmental and clean technology goods and services estimates time series in December 2018. In February 2019, a special study entitled "International trade in environmental and clean technology products by origin and destination, 2007 to 2017" was published. The agency is also working on the development of a carbon measurement strategy as part of its modernization agenda.
- Modern and resilient infrastructure: Statistics Canada is working with Infrastructure Canada to develop and launch Canada's Core Public Infrastructure Survey.
3. Departmental performance by Federal Sustainable Development Strategy goal
The following table provides performance information on departmental actions that support low-carbon government.
| FSDS target(s) | FSDS contributing action(s) | Corresponding departmental action(s) | Support for UN Sustainable Development Goal targetFootnote 1 | Starting point(s), target(s) and performance indicator(s) for departmental actions | Results achieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reduce greenhouse gas emissions from federal government buildings and fleets by 40% below 2005 levels by 2030, aiming to achieve this by 2025. | Improve the energy efficiency of Statistics Canada buildings and operations. | No substantial departmental actions in 2018–19 | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Modernize the fleet. | No substantial departmental actions in 2018–19 | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | |
| Support the transition to a low-carbon economy through green procurement. |
|
12.7 |
|
|
|
| Demonstrate innovative technologies. | No substantial departmental actions in 2018–19 | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | |
| Promote sustainable travel practices. | No substantial departmental actions in 2018–19 | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | |
| Understand climate change impacts and build resilience to them. | No substantial departmental actions in 2018–19 | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | |
| Improve transparency and accountability.Footnote 2 | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | |
| Develop policy for low-carbon government.Footnote 2 | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | |
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4. Report on integrating sustainable development
During the 2018–19 reporting cycle, Statistics Canada had no proposals that required a strategic environmental assessment and no public statements were produced.
Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA+)
General information
Governance structures
In 2018–19, Statistics Canada began the process of developing a formal GBA+ implementation plan. While this was being developed, the GBA+ responsibilities continued to be informally implemented through close collaboration between the Finance Branch, the GBA+ Champion and the GBA+ focal point. For example, GBA+ was performed and documented for all relevant new initiatives (Treasury Board [TB] submissions and Memorandums to Cabinet [MCs]).
The creation of the new Centre for Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Statistics provided an opportunity for the GBA+ focal point to strengthen Statistics Canada's ability to ensure that GBA+ requirements are considered across the agency. This was achieved by improving communication around applying GBA+ to statistical analysis and through capacity building (offering training for analysts and external data users).
Human resources
Statistics Canada allocated one full-time equivalent (FTE) dedicated to GBA+ implementation at the agency in 2018–19. This includes
- a GBA+ Champion, who also acts as the GBA+ focal point
- human resources employees who support the agency staff, Women and Gender Equality Canada (WAGE), and other federal departments and agencies in their GBA+ assessments
- human resources employees who develop and enforce the accountability mechanism as part of the agency's decision-making process to ensure that a GBA+ assessment is performed.
The FTE count excludes cost-recoverable resources associated with projects funded by WAGE, as well as with new initiatives announced as part of Budget 2018 (Centre for Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Statistics).
Major initiatives: results achieved
New data developments
- In collaboration with WAGE, Statistics Canada implemented the data collection for the new Survey of Safety in Public and Private Spaces, which will directly support the Federal Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-based Violence.
- Statistics Canada published new analytical products, including new research on women on corporate boards and women among the top 1% of earners.
- Budget 2018 provided funding for the Centre for Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Statistics. Details on the Centre and its deliverables are outlined below.
Strengthening the GBA+ function within Statistics Canada
- Statistics Canada initiated an internal review and assessment on how to further strengthen GBA+ as part of the decision-making process. This includes drafting a framework for GBA+ functions.
- In the absence of a formal GBA+ implementation plan, the agency continues to ensure that GBA+ is considered in the development of MCs and TB submissions.
Supporting federal departments
- Statistics Canada has continued to provide ongoing advice and guidance, as well as relevant data, to other departments and agencies, supporting their respective GBA+ assessments. The agency has also collaborated with the Canada School of Public Service to develop and deliver a GBA+ curriculum through the new pilot GBA+ Premium course. The agency continues to offer data-finding bootcamps to departments and agencies looking for data to support their GBA+.
Centre for Gender, Diversion and Inclusion Statistics
The Centre for Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Statistics was launched by Statistics Canada in 2018–19 to address gaps in the availability of disaggregated data on gender and other intersecting identities for a better understanding of social, economic and environmental issues.
Launched in September 2018, the Centre is also home to the Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Statistics Hub, which tracks the Government of Canada's progress on the Gender Results Framework (GRF) indicators.
In 2018–19, the Centre released 15 indicators and provided direct access to dozens of other indicators, infographics and data tables that are disaggregated by sex. The Centre also produced five GBA+ analytical papers on subjects that fall under pillars of the GRF, including "The economic well-being of women in Canada" and "Time use: Total work burden, unpaid work, and leisure."
In 2018–19, Statistics Canada also created a working group of experts on Canada's Black population to provide guidance and advice to Statistics Canada in the production of analytical documents on the Black population in Canada. During Black History Month in February 2019, the Centre published an infographic and a 22-page booklet titled "Diversity of the Black population in Canada: An overview."
Reporting capacity and data
In 2018–19, Statistics Canada introduced the concept of measuring gender identity in addition to the sex variable. New surveys are now implementing the new gender standards.
To enable GBA+ in its survey programs, Statistics Canada has also implemented the collection of other identity variables, such as Indigenous identity, disability characteristics, ethnicity and other intersecting identifies. For example, all programs related to the General Social Survey now include a variable that allows the user to disaggregate the information for people with disabilities by gender.
In 2018–19, Statistics Canada increased the number of relevant GBA+ analytical reports and products, in collaboration with WAGE, as well as the number of deliverables of the new Centre for Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Statistics. The new Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Statistics Hub provides central and broader access to all gender-disaggregated reports and analytical reports at Statistics Canada while also linking to other departments and agencies.
Response to parliamentary committees and external audits
Response to parliamentary committees
House of Commons Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage
Report: Report 10, entitled Taking Action Against Systemic Racism and Religious Discrimination Including Islamophobia,was presented to Parliament on Thursday, February 1, 2018.
The Government Response was presented to the House on Friday, June 1, 2018. The Government Response (PDF, 1044 KB) is available.
Summary: The Committee undertook a study on systemic racism and religious discrimination. Throughout the study, when speaking about hate crimes in Canada, witnesses referred to Statistics Canada's most recent data on police-reported hate crime in the country. Statistics Canada representatives, who oversee data collection and analysis regarding hate crimes, also appeared as witnesses during the study. The agency uses two separate approaches to quantify hate crime incidence in Canada: police-reported hate crimes and self-reported hate crimes. Testimony was provided by several witnesses in meetings. Statistics Canada appeared on November 8, 2017.
Recommendation 7: The Committee recommends working with Statistics Canada to enable access to increased information on hate crime offenders and their motivations.
Actions taken to address the recommendations: Statistics Canada reports that, on average, about 1,360 hate crime incidents have been reported annually by police since 2009. The Government of Canada acknowledges that to fully understand the issues and challenges confronting Canada's increasingly diverse population, comprehensive and high-quality data are required to better monitor and target policies to eliminate discrimination and inequalities. As Canada's national statistical agency, Statistics Canada is a leader in data collection and dissemination related to the ethnocultural and linguistic characteristics of the population across social domains such as labour, income, justice, education and health. Therefore, Statistics Canada will continue to lead in this area. In cooperation with other federal departments and agencies, Statistics Canada will identify needs for new data and analysis, and will make every effort to find new ways of using existing data to improve the monitoring and evaluation of policy implementation and impact to eliminate racial discrimination, inequality and the racialization of poverty. This work will be further supported by the Centre for Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Statistics. Budget 2018 proposed new funding of $6.7 million over five years, beginning in 2018–19, and $0.6 million per year ongoing, for Statistics Canada to create this new Centre. The Department of Finance Canada will work with Statistics Canada and Women and Gender Equality Canada to develop indicators and data to assess Canada's progress toward achieving shared growth and gender equality objectives.
Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry
Report: Report 10, entitled A Growing Concern: How to Keep Farmland in the Hands of Canadian Farmers (PDF. 8.41 MB), was presented to Parliament on March 9, 2018.
The Government Response was presented to the Senate on July 18, 2018. The Government Response (PDF, 4.57 MB) is available.
Summary: The Committee undertook a study on the acquisition of farmland in Canada and its potential impact on the farming sector. Testimony was provided by several witnesses in meetings. Statistics Canada appeared for this study on October 27, 2016.
Recommendation 2: The Committee recommends that Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Statistics Canada and Natural Resources Canada continue to cooperate to improve the data on the classification and use of farmland, and that federal departments better cooperate with provincial departments to keep them informed about technological advances in imaging and remote sensing, and how the resulting soil maps could assist provincial land-use planning.
Actions taken to address the recommendations: The Government of Canada, under the federal–provincial–territorial framework, committed to the Canadian Agricultural Partnership. Federal departments such as Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Statistics Canada, and Natural Resources Canada are continually examining ways to improve collaboration with the provinces to increase information sharing in agriculture, particularly in areas that affect the long-term success of the sector, such as farmland use and protection.
House of Commons Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities.
Report: Report 12, entitled Experiential Learning and Pathways to Employment for Canadian Youth, was presented to Parliament on Wednesday, October 17, 2018.
The Government Response was presented to the House on Tuesday, February 19, 2019. The Government Response (PDF, 474 KB) is available.
Summary: The Committee undertook a study about how experiential learning can guide younger Canadians through the transitions between high school, postsecondary education and the labour market. The study has seven main themes: youth underemployment after completing their education, youth unemployment and how it harms the transition to the workforce, volunteerism and internships and how they inform work decisions for students, the school-to-work transition strategy in Canada compared with international models and programs, apprenticeships, co-op programs and work-integrated learning, and entrepreneurship. Testimony was provided by several witnesses in meetings. Statistics Canada did not appear as part of this study.
Recommendation 1: The Committee recommends that Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) work with Statistics Canada to add additional questions to the National Graduates Survey and the Labour Force Survey to better capture data on a broad spectrum of experiential learning opportunities and outcomes, as well as the incidence of paid and unpaid internships. Moreover, the data collected must allow for effective comparisons between Canada and other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries.
Recommendation 2: The Committee recommends that ESDC ensure Statistics Canada and the Labour Market Information Council deliver up-to-date and standardized labour market information, through interactive platforms and across all regions, that
- is both accessible and engaging to youth
- details and forecasts the skills and jobs that are in demand in their communities and nearby areas
- clearly includes trade and apprenticeship information
- details the training, experience, education, competencies and credentials required for different occupations.
Recommendation 11: The Committee recommends that ESDC and Statistics Canada work together to collect and disseminate data on employer spending on employee training, experiential learning, employee retention and their correlations. ESDC should use these data to educate companies about the value of in-house training and providing adequate levels of ongoing employee training.
Actions taken to address the recommendations: To ensure that Canadians have access to up-to-date information on training, work experience, educational requirements and other credentials required for employment in a given occupation, ESDC, in collaboration with Statistics Canada, regularly reviews the National Occupational Classification. The revision process takes into account comments and suggestions received from different stakeholders (unions, professional associations, employers, etc.), qualitative and quantitative research, and consultations with key expert stakeholders regarding specific occupations. Furthermore, as advised in Recommendation 1 of the Committee's report, ESDC and Statistics Canada are working to better capture data on a broad spectrum of experiential learning opportunities and outcomes. One of ESDC's priorities, identified and agreed upon by the Forum of Labour Market Ministers, is to address the need for more granular local labour market information. This aligns with Recommendation 2 of the Committee's report. ESDC will continue to work closely with Statistics Canada and the Labour Market Information Council to stress the importance of providing these elements to Canadians.
Response to audits conducted by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada (including audits conducted by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development)
There were no audits in 2018–19 that required a response.
Response to audits conducted by the Public Service Commission of Canada or the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages
There were no audits in 2018–19 that required a response.