2023 to 2027 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
Executive Summary
The Invest in Canada 2023–2027 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy presents the organization’s plans and commitment to advancing sustainable development in Canada.
Invest in Canada has the mandate to promote foreign direct investment in Canada, attract and facilitate that investment, and coordinate FDI attraction efforts among government entities, the private sector, and other stakeholders. Foreign direct investment into Canada is critical to supporting Canada’s trade diversification objectives, driving Canada’s economic growth and building and sustaining strong communities across the country. Invest in Canada is uniquely positioned to attract and facilitate foreign investment, which is aligned with both Canada's prosperity objectives and sustainability priorities.
Invest in Canada is committed to delivering results that will bring significant positive impact to our economy, our communities and our planet, such as within the electric vehicle battery supply chain, energy transition, including hydrogen, alternative fuels and other net-zero transition investments, life sciences and bio-manufacturing, and value-added agriculture sectors.
Introduction to the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
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, Invest in Canada 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 Invest in Canada's DSDS.
In order to promote 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.
Invest in Canada’s Sustainable Development Vision
Invest in Canada is an engaged partner in advancing the Government of Canada’s sustainable development objectives by supporting investments and activities that improve the quality of life for future generations here in Canada and across the globe.
Invest in Canada is committed to supporting the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 10, 12 and 13. To support these goals, Invest in Canada is focused on attracting and facilitating investments in key sectors of the economy that support the Government’s efforts on SDG 13: Climate Action. This includes driving a greater focus on promoting Canada’s capacity in the clean energy transition and supporting the development of Canada’s electric vehicle battery supply chain, as well as alternative fuels, value-added agriculture, alternative proteins, and life sciences.
Listening to Canadians
As required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act, Invest in Canada 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
Across the submissions received, Invest in Canada identified sustainable development priorities and issues impacting Canadians. These priorities include the following:
- Reducing inequalities through continuous engagement with Indigenous communities – Canadians noted the importance of consultation and engagement with Indigenous communities through the process of installing renewable energy in Indigenous communities.
- Government Support for the adoption of Zero Emission Vehicles – Canadians expressed the desire for the Government to address barriers to the adoption of electric and zero emission vehicles.
- Agriculture – Significant comments centered on the need for the Government to encourage the agricultural sector to substantially reduce their GHG emissions, in addition to Government’s continued support for agricultural investments such as precision agriculture and technology that converting organic farm waste into biogas, clean fuels, or other high-value commodities.
- Green Procurement – Canadians expressed the importance of the Government of Canada’s implementation of net-zero procurement to incentivize companies’ voluntary engagement in the race to net zero.
What We Did
Invest in Canada has placed a key focus on the priorities and issues advanced by Canadians in the development of this DSDS.
While Invest in Canada is not a lead, key contributing department/agency, or horizontal lead identified in the Federal Implementation Plan for the 2030
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Agenda for Sustainable Development and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the organization takes into account the Government of Canada’s commitment to achieving these goals in its strategic initiatives and activities.
Invest in Canada is focused on attracting and facilitating investments in key sectors of the economy that support the Government’s priorities. This includes a greater focus on promoting Canada’s capacity in the clean energy transition and supporting the development of electric vehicle battery supply chain. Other top sectors of focus are alternative fuels, life-science and value-added agriculture. The organization is committed to engaging global players and representing Canada at high-impact international and local events where these sectors are the primary focus.
On reducing inequalities, Invest in Canada has a unique opportunity to work with Indigenous development corporations as strategic partners to promote, facilitate and accelerate foreign direct investment in Canada while nurturing and supporting Indigenous communities. Establishing thoughtful relationships with Indigenous communities will allow Invest in Canada to be a conduit for investors looking to participate in Canadian hydrogen, critical minerals, and other energy transition projects. Invest in Canada will continue to work with its partners to highlight the importance of collaboration with Indigenous stakeholders.
Please find more information on the FSDS public consultation and its results in the FSDS Consultation Report
Invest in Canada’s Commitments
GOAL 10:
ADVANCE RECONCILIATION WITH INDIGENOUS PEOPLES AND TAKE ACTION ON INEQUALITY
FSDS Context:
Invest in Canada is committed to working with its partners to ensure that the organization's promotion of global investments into the country supports the Government's commitment to advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. Action is essential to addressing social, economic and environmental inequalities and achieving substantive equality. As Canada's national investment promotion agency, Invest in Canada is well positioned to engage and nurture relationships with stakeholders across Canada, including Indigenous economic development groups to understand the impacts of global investments, new industries and businesses in local communities, and how Invest in Canada can support those investments that bring benefits to Indigenous communities.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act | Provide cultural bias training with a focus on Indigenous perspectives. Program: Internal Services |
Performance Indicator: |
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 awareness of cultural bias and issues of prejudice and discrimination. Awareness of cultural bias is an important step towards building a respectful workplace and better serving the Canadian public. This action contributes to the understanding personal biases, prejudices and discrimination and building culturally safe relationships with Indigenous Peoples. Relevant targets or ambitions: GIF Target - 10.3 Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities |
GOAL 12:
REDUCE WASTE AND TRANSITION TO ZERO-EMISSION VEHICLES
FSDS Context:
The Canadian economy relies on nature and the resources it provides. However, current unsustainable approaches to production and consumption could potentially lead to negative impacts on the environment, resource shortages, rising or volatile prices, and supply chain interruptions. The federal government is committed to finding new approaches to minimize waste and threats to the climate while enhancing economic opportunities for Canadians. One of such approach is to strengthen the federal procurement practices through prioritizing reusable and recyclable products and to support the procurement of Canadian clean technology. Invest in Canada is committed to supporting the Government of Canada’s policy to ensuring sustainable approaches that protect the environment. The organization is developing a long-term procurement strategy that will strengthen green procurement.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strengthen green procurement criteria | Ensure all procurement and material management specialists are trained in green procurement (such as, the Canada School of Public Service course on green procurement, or equivalent) within one year of being identified Program: Internal Services |
Performance Indicator: Percentage of procurement and materiel management specialists trained in green procurement within one year of being identified |
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. |
GOAL 13:
TAKE ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE AND ITS IMPACTS
FSDS Context:
Climate change is one of the top drivers of global biodiversity loss, which further threatens ecosystems and the beneficial services they provide to society. It affects the health of Canadians, especially the most at-risk populations such as youth, seniors, and marginalized communities. It also puts increased strain on the country’s health systems during extreme weather events.
Invest in Canada is taking necessary actions to support the government's objective to transition to a net-zero economy by reducing greenhouse gas emissions while continuing to grow prosperity. Increasing efforts to mitigate further emissions of greenhouse gases, and adapting to changes in the climate, contributes to sustainable development and helps to ensure that future generations will be able to provide for their needs. Invest in Canada plans to support the federal government's efforts to transition to net-zero and adopt clean energy solutions through its programs and services.
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 green the government’s overall operations | Ensure all relevant employees are trained on assessing climate change impacts, undertaking climate change risk assessments, and developing adaptation actions within one year of being identified Program: Internal Services |
Performance Indicator: Percentage |
Trained staff can identify risk to critical program delivery, and develop responses to increase the resilience of operations to impacts of climate change. |
Target: The Government of Canada will transition to climate resilient operations 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reduce risks posed by climate change to federal assets, services and operations | Assess the risk of climate change impacts at mission critical assets and include plans to reduce the risk in a business continuity plan Program: Internal Services |
Performance Indicator: % of mission critical assets where the risk of climate change impacts is assessed |
By assessing the risks of climate change impacts at mission critical assets, and developing plans to reduce the risks, the risk of disruption of critical service delivery to Canadians is reduced. |
Integrating Sustainable Development
Invest in Canada will continue to ensure that its decision-making process includes consideration of FSDS goals and targets through its 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 Invest in Canada’s assessments will be made public when an initiative has undergone a detailed SEA and has been published on the organization’s website. 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.