Copyright information
Cover photo: © Environment and Climate Change Canada
© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, 2024
Catalogue no. 45-26-0001
ISSN 2817-7606
Introduction to the 2023 to 2024 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Report
The 2022 to 2026 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 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, Statistics Canada supports the goals laid out in the FSDS through the activities described in Statistics Canada's 2023 to 2027 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS). This Report provides a report on progress related to Statistics Canada's DSDS in the fiscal year 2023 to 2024.
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 Statistics Canada's DSDS and 2023 to 2024 DSDS Report.
To promote coordinated action on sustainable development across the Government of Canada, Statistics Canada's departmental strategy reports on Canada's progress towards implementing the 2030 Agenda and advancing the SDGs, supported by the Global Indicator Framework (GIF) and Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) targets and indicators. The Report also now captures progress on SDG initiatives that fall outside the scope of the FSDS.
Commitments for Statistics Canada
Goal 1:
Reduce poverty in Canada in all its forms
FSDS context
On August 21, 2018, the Government of Canada released the report: Opportunity for All: Canada's First Poverty Reduction Strategy. This strategy outlines the vision to achieve a Canada where no one lives below the poverty line and introduces poverty reduction targets that were legislated under the Poverty Reduction Act in 2019.
Both the Strategy and the Act outline commitments for Statistics Canada, including establishing Statistics Canada as the source for Canada's Official Poverty Line and tasking the Agency with regular review, maintenance, updating and publication of the official poverty thresholds and estimates.
Official measures of poverty are calculated using the Market Basket Measure (MBM). The MBM is a measure of low income, based on the cost of a basket of goods and services (e.g., food, clothing, shelter, transportation, and other necessities) that individuals and families require to meet their basic needs and achieve a modest standard of living. Individuals and families living across the country who cannot afford the cost of this basket of goods and services are considered to be living below Canada's Official Poverty Line. Working in partnership with Employment and Social Development Canada, and after consultations with Canadians, in 2018, Statistics Canada re-evaluated the MBM to reflect current standards of living. Data based on these updated standards are available to Canadians through the Canadian Income Survey (annually) and the Census of Population (every five years). In addition to the poverty estimates based on the MBM, a dashboard of other indicators has been made available through the Dimensions of Poverty Hub. This Hub allows Canadians and governments to track progress on an additional12 dimensions of poverty as well as the aspects of poverty other than income, including indicators of material deprivation, lack of opportunity and resilience which recognizes that poverty is a multifaceted issue that cannot be fully captured by considering income and costs alone, as is done with the MBM (e.g., unmet housing needs, food insecurity, literacy, numeracy, etc.). A link to Statistics Canada's Centre for Gender, Diversity and Inclusion Statistics is also available through the Dimensions of Poverty Hub.
Target theme: Poverty Reduction
Target
By 2030, reduce the poverty rate by 50% from its 2015 level (Minister of Families, Children and Social Development)
| 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 | Results achieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Improve the measurement of poverty |
Program: Centre for Income and Socioeconomic Well-being Statistics |
Performance indicator:
Starting point:
Target:
|
Strengthens poverty data and measurement that reflects the unique costs of living in Canada's northern and remote communities. Regular updates to the costs and the items within the basket of goods and services will further ensure that it reflects what Canadians require to meet their basic needs and achieve a modest standard of living. In November 2022, Statistics Canada finalized the Northern Market Basket Measure (MBM-N) methodology for two of Canada's northern territories (Yukon and the Northwest Territories) and more recently, in November 2023, Statistics Canada finalized the MBM-N methodology for Nunavut. The MBM-N is an adaptation of the original Market Basket Measure (MBM) and is intended to capture the spirit of the MBM (i.e., to represent a modest, basic standard of living) while accounting for adjustments needed to reflect life in the territories. The third comprehensive review of the MBM started in June 2023. A comprehensive review is the first stage in the updating process of the contents of the MBM basket. It is expected that the updated basket will be finalized in 2025. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition/Target: CIF Indicator: GIF Target: |
Indicator result: Indicator 1: Indicator 2: Notes: |
Goal 3:
Support mental health and adopt healthy behaviours
FSDS context
Statistics Canada is mandated to collect, compile, and disseminate data on a wide variety of subjects. It is within this mandate that Statistics Canada provides data to support reporting and measuring of progress towards achieving goals and targets under the Federal Sustainability Act. These data are a part of the suite of Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators (CESI) that are publicly available through the Environment and Climate Change Canada webpage. Indicators supporting mental health and the adoption of healthy behaviours available from Statistics Canada also contribute to information related to quality of life.
Quality of life, or well-being, refers to the wealth and comfort of individuals, communities and society based on both material and non-material factors that are important to people's lives, such as health and social connections.
In 2022, Statistics Canada launched the Quality of Life Hub to bring together key economic, social, and environmental datasets to support the measurement of Canadians' quality of life.
Target theme: Adopt Healthy Behaviours
Implementation strategies supporting the goal
This section is for implementation strategies that support the goal "Support Mental Health and Adopt Healthy Behaviours" 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 | Results achieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Collect data and information to inform evidence-based decisions |
Program: Centre for Social Data Insights and Innovation |
Performance Indicator:
Starting point:
Target:
|
Strengthens measurement of well-being and the determinants of well-being. Supports Implementation Strategy to collect data and information to inform evidence-based decisions related to health and mental health. Collecting and disseminating more timely and granular data on well-being and the determinants of well-being based on Canada's Quality of Life framework was introduced in Budget 2021. Of the 84 indicators in the Quality of Life framework, 77 definitions have been endorsed by an interdepartmental governance committee and are now available publicly on Statistics Canada's Quality of Life Hub. All indicator pages of the Quality of Life Hub are populated with relevant data, analysis, and linkages to other key frameworks such as the Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition/Target: CIF Indicator: GIF Target: |
Indicator result: 2023-2024: 92% Notes: |
Goal 5:
Champion gender equality
FSDS context
In 2018, Statistics Canada launched the Gender, Diversity, and Inclusion Statistics (GDIS) Hub. This Hub connects all Statistics Canada products related to gender, diversity, and inclusion in Canada as well as information on gender statistics in the international context. This Hub facilitates access for all Canadians to a wide range of information within the gender, diversity, and inclusion lens. In 2021, Statistics Canada updated this Hub to, among other things, connect users to a new Sex, Gender, and Sexual Orientation Hub. This new hub was developed to monitor and report on indicators included in the Gender Results Framework—a framework that represents the Government of Canada's vision for gender equality in Canada. The GDIS Hub now serves as the primary platform for disseminating products and information related to Statistics Canada's Disaggregated Action Plan which aims to highlight and make more broadly available information on the lived experiences of diverse groups of people in Canada, such as women, Indigenous peoples, racialized populations, and persons with disabilities. In addition, the 'Fairness and Inclusion' lens of the Quality of Life Framework builds upon the existing tradition of Gender-based Analysis Plus, and aligns with the ambitions of the Disaggregated Data Action Plan in its efforts to move beyond population averages to look at distributions of quality of life outcomes.
Statistics Canada has also been collaborating with Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada and Natural Resources Canada to develop statistics on Canada's environmental and clean technology sector. The Environmental and Clean Technology Products Economic Account includes a human resources module which provides statistics on demographics associated with environmental and clean technology activities production in Canada (e.g., gender, age, education, immigration status, Indigenous identity, wages, and occupation types). These data allow for broader insight into the sector's role in the economy and of women's contribution to this sector and further support the target theme of taking action on gender equality.
Target theme: Take Action on Gender Equality
Implementation strategies supporting the goal
This section is for implementation strategies that support the goal "Champion gender equality" 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 | Results achieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Disaggregated Data |
Program:
|
Performance indicator:
Starting point:
Target:
|
Data on women in the clean technology sector are being produced as part of the Human Resources Module (HRM) of the Environment and Clean Technology Products Economic Account. The HRM provides annual estimates that cover employee jobs only. Data on gender were released to the public as an analytical piece in November 2022 using data derived from the employee jobs data; specific tables that break down employee jobs by gender are not yet published separately. The Disaggregated Data Action Plan (DDAP) is a whole-of-government approach led by Statistics Canada that aims at providing more representative data and statistical information for diverse groups of population. It enables more representative data collection methods, enhances statistics on diverse populations, including gender statistics, to allow for intersectional analyses, and supports government and societal efforts to address known inequalities and promote fair and inclusive decision-making. DDAP will significantly increase the quality and size of Statistics Canada's data holdings, including the number of statistical products available that highlight the experiences of different population groups. It will also improve the Agency's analytical capacity and insights on diverse population groups to inform decision-making across different levels of government and promote equity, fairness, and inclusion. Statistics Canada also produces a suite of indicators to advance gender equality. These span across six key areas: education and skills development; economic participation and prosperity; leadership and democratic participation; gender-based violence and access to justice; poverty reduction, health, and well-being; and gender equality around the world. Many of the indicators align with other international frameworks, such as the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals. Producing and publishing estimates on gender, including under the Environmental Clean Technology Products Economic Account supports the goal of Championing Gender Equity. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition/Target: CIF Indicator: GIF Target: |
Indicator result: Indicator 1: Indicator 2: Notes: Results (%) for 2023-24 will be available in January 2025 for indicator 2. |
Goal 10:
Advance reconciliation with indigenous peoples and take action on inequality
FSDS context
Statistics Canada is working to create more disaggregated analysis that includes data pertaining to Indigenous Peoples, gender, racialized persons, and people with disabilities. Since 2021, the Disaggregated Data Action Plan has encouraged the regular release of socio-economic analyses that includes data pertaining to these groups and has incorporated measures of performance for these into its Departmental Performance Framework. This work supports the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. In 2019, the Centre for Indigenous Statistics and Partnerships was established within Statistics Canada. The Centre strives to build and enhance Indigenous statistical information and capacity through partnerships and the provision of the tools needed for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities for better decision-making. The Centre also works within the department to further encourage employees to increase their knowledge and understanding of relationships with Indigenous Peoples.
To facilitate access to data and information pertaining to Indigenous Peoples, Statistics Canada created the Statistics on Indigenous Peoples portal. Data and information found in this portal highlight the unique and shared experiences of Indigenous Peoples across Canada and provides links to resources for Canadians to learn more about the socio-economic well-being of First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities and about Indigenous history, languages, cultures, and experiences.
Target theme: Advancing reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and the Métis communities
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 (Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada)
| 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 | Results achieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act |
Program: UN Declaration Act Implementation Secretariat |
Performance indicator:
Starting point:
Target:
|
Public servants are in a unique position to help build respectful relationships with Indigenous Peoples in Canada. This action encourages public service employees to increase their Indigenous cultural competency skills and awareness of issues related to First Nations, Métis and Inuit in Canada, and their knowledge of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. This action contributes to the development of necessary cultural competency knowledge and skills to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition/Target: CIF Indicator: GIF Target: |
Indicator result:
Notes: |
Target theme: Taking action on inequality
Target
Each year, the federal public service meets or surpasses the workforce availability for women, Indigenous persons, persons with a disability, and members of a visible minority (President of the Treasury Board)
| 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 | Results achieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Implement the Disaggregated Data Action Plan to fill data and knowledge gaps on inequalities |
Program: Departmental Disaggregated Data Action Plan |
Performance indicator:
Starting point:
Target:
|
Supports other implementation strategies in this area by providing detailed statistical information and analysis to better understand the experiences and inequities facing groups such as Indigenous Peoples, racialized populations, and people with disabilities. Statistics Canada Disaggregated Data Action Plan (DDAP) enables more representative data collection methods, enhances statistics on diverse populations to allow for intersectional analyses, and supports government and societal efforts to address known inequalities and promote fair and inclusive decision-making. DDAP, will significantly increase the quality and size of Statistics Canada's data holdings, including the number of statistical products available that highlight the experiences of different population groups. It will also improve the Agency's analytical capacity and insights on diverse population groups to inform decision-making across different levels of government and promote equity, fairness, and inclusion. Women are also included under the disaggregated action plan. Specific targets related to women are outlined under Goal 5: Championing Gender Equality Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition/Target: CIF Indicator: GIF Target: |
Indicator result: 2022-2023 metrics:
Notes: Results (%) for 2023-24 will be available in January 2025. |
Goal 12:
Reduce waste and transition to zero-emission vehicles
FSDS context
The Single-Use Plastics Prohibition Regulations are part of Canada's national strategy to reduce plastic waste. In collaboration with Environment and Climate Change Canada, Statistics Canada launched a new program called 'Physical Flow Account for Plastic Material' that produces new data to track the production, use and fate of plastic materials in Canada's economy.
Target theme: Management of Waste, Resources, and Chemicals
Target
By 2030, the amount of single-use plastics that is entering the environment as pollution will be reduced by 5% and that is sent to landfill by 3% (Minister of Environment and Climate Change)
| 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 | Results achieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Research innovative solutions for plastics |
Program: Physical Flow Accounts: Environment Accounts and Statistics Program |
Performance indicator:
Starting point:
Target:
|
In conjunction with Environment and Climate Change Canada, Statistics Canada is producing a Physical Flow Account on plastic material. This project tracks the production and fate of plastic products in the Canadian economy – broken down by product category resin type, and province and territory. The flow begins with production, continues with use, and tracks waste and recycling. These data will support tracking of the waste reduction targets by Environment and Climate Change Canada. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition/Target: CIF Indicator: GIF Target: |
Indicator result: 2023-2024: 1 release Notes: |
Target theme: Federal Leadership on Responsible Consumption
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 (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 | Results achieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Transform the federal light-duty fleet |
Program: Procurement |
Performance indicator:
Starting point:
Target:
|
Purchasing electric and hybrid vehicles reduces greenhouse gas emissions from conventional fleet operations. This enhances sustainable consumption. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition/Target: CIF Indicator: GIF Target: |
Indicator result: 2023-2024: 20% Notes: |
|
Strengthen green procurement criteria |
Program: Procurement |
Performance indicator:
Starting point:
Target:
|
Green procurement incorporates environmental considerations into purchasing decisions and is expected to motivate suppliers to reduce the environmental impact of the goods and services they deliver, and their supply chains. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition/Target: CIF Indicator: GIF Target: |
Indicator result: 100% in 2023-2024 Notes: We have an internal process that before activating procurement delegation, the employee needs to have completed all the required mandatory training which includes COR405 Green Procurement through the Canada School of Public Service. |
Goal 13:
Take action on climate change and its impacts
FSDS context
Statistics Canada contributes to the government-wide Greening Government Strategy. One action taken was to update business continuity plans to include an assessment of climate risk as well as identification of options to adapt to climate related hazards. A business continuity plan is an integrated management process to provide reasonable assurance that in the event of a disruption, 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. In 2021, Statistics Canada also broadened the scope of the team responsible for management and coordination of business continuity plans to include emergency management and preparedness. This team supports the Department in outlining priority actions and plans to reduce impacts from major events, including those related to climate change, to ensure that critical services continue to be met.
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 | Results achieved |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Implement the Greening Government Strategy through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and green the government's overall operations |
Program: Internal Services |
Performance indicator:
Starting point:
Target:
|
Statistics Canada worked with the Greening Government Strategy team at the Treasury Board Secretariat to incorporate a climate change risk assessment tool into the existing risk assessment and business continuity plan processes. Since 2022-2023, all services have been assessed on risk, from low risk to very high risk, per definitions established by Public Safety Canada. Business continuity plans address mitigation measures for these risks, including identifying actions to prioritize in the event of a climate related impact. By assessing the risks of climate change impacts, and developing plans to reduce the risks, the risk of disruption to the proper functioning of the Government of Canada is reduced. It is a requirement that these plans be reviewed and updated twice yearly. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition/Target: CIF Indicator: GIF Target: 13.3 Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning. |
Indicator result:
Notes: Statistics Canada is presently working on creating an additional section focused on climate change within its business continuity management tool (including BIA, BCP, and Risk Assessment). |
Integrating Sustainable Development
Statistics Canada 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 Statistics Canada's assessments are made public when an initiative has undergone a detailed SEA. 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.
Statistics Canada did not complete any detailed SEAs in 2023-24.