2022-23 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

2020 to 2023 Short-form Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

2022-23 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

Name of department

Office of the Information Commissioner of Canada

Date

February 2022

Context

Although the Office of the Information Commissioner (OIC) is not bound by theFederal Sustainable Development Act and is not required to develop a full departmental sustainable development strategy, the OIC adheres to the principles of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) by complying with the Policy on Green Procurement.

The Policy on Green Procurement supports the Government of Canada’s effort to promote environmental stewardship. In keeping with the objectives of the policy, the OIC supports sustainable development by integrating environmental performance considerations into the procurement decision‑making process through the actions described in the 2019 to 2022 FSDS “Greening Government” goal.

Commitments

The OIC supports the transition to a low-carbon economy by taking environmental considerations into account in its purchasing decisions (see table, below).

Integrating sustainable development

The OIC will promote sustainable travel practices (for both commuting and business travel), and encourage employees to reduce, reuse and recycle paper, computers and other office supplies, and to dispose of goods responsibly and with as small and environmental impact as possible. The OIC will take environmental considerations into account in the upkeep and renovation of its Workplace 2.0 office space, and work with other tenants in its building on greening activities.

The OIC will continue to ensure that its decision-making process includes consideration of FSDS goals and targets, and will review the environmental footprint of its operations as it seeks to reduce paper use by moving to all-electronic investigations.

The OIC will announce the results of any formal strategic environmental assessment it chooses to carry out on its website.

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

Greening Government

FSDS target

FSDS contributing actions

Corresponding departmental action(s)

Contribution by each departmental action to the FSDS goal and target

Starting points, performance indicators and targets

Programs in which the actions will occur

Actions supporting the Greening Government goal and the Policy on Green Procurement

Departments will use environmental criteria to reduce the environmental impact and ensure best value in government procurement decisions

  • Ensure key officials include contribution to and support for the Government of Canada Policy on Green Procurement objectives in their performance evaluations
  • Ensure decisions makers have the necessary training and awareness to support green procurement
  • Integrate environmental considerations into procurement management processes and controls
  • Keep the OIC’s environmental footprint as small as possible, including finding opportunities to reduce paper use.
  • Keep greening principles top of mind when making operational decisions.
  • Take an organization-wide approach to green procurement

Related United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

  • Number and percentage of managers and functional heads of procurement and materiel whose performance evaluation includes support and contribution towards green procurement in the current fiscal year (target: 100%)
  • Volume of toner cartridges recycled relative to the total volume of all toner cartridges purchased in the year in question (target: 100%)
  • Ratio of copy paper that contains a minimum of 30% recycled content relative to the total dollar value or volume of all copy paper, commercial printing and/or envelope purchases in the year in question (target: 100%)
  • Percentage of IT purchases that include criteria or clauses that reduce the environmental impact of the product or service being purchased (target: 100%)

Compliance with access to information obligations

Internal services

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

Ensure material management and procurement specialists have the necessary training and awareness to support green procurement.

  • Motivate suppliers to green their goods, services and supply chain
  • Take an organization-wide approach to green procurement
  • Percentage of specialists in procurement and materiel management who have completed training on green procurement (target: 100%)

Compliance with access to information obligations

Internal services

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