2020 to 2023 Short-form Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

Name of department Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)
Date January 2022
Context The Federal Sustainable Development Act, 2008 defines sustainable development as development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

Tabled on June 19, 2019, the 2019–2022 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) is the Government of Canada’s primary vehicle for sustainable development planning and reporting and outlines what the federal government will do to promote clean growth, ensure healthy ecosystems, and build safe, secure and sustainable communities. With the amendments to the Act coming into force on December 1, 2020, CanNor became a designated entity with obligations to establish a Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy within two years and report on its progress every two years thereafter.

Although CanNor has not been bound by the Act and has not been required to develop a full departmental sustainable development strategy, it has adhered to the principles of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy and has voluntarily contributed to it by supporting 3 of its 13 goals.

CanNor also complies with the Policy on Green Procurement which supports the Government of Canada’s effort to promote environmental stewardship. In keeping with the objectives of this policy, CanNor supports sustainable development by integrating environmental performance considerations into the procurement decision making process through the actions described in the 2019 to 2022 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy "Greening Government" goal.
Commitments While developing its Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy, and given its mandate related to supporting economic development in the territories, CanNor will continue to support 3 of the 13 goals established under the 2019-22 FSDS:

FSDS Goal: Clean Growth

  • The 'Clean growth' goal is implemented through federal activities dedicated to the growth of a clean technology industry for the purposes of supporting clean growth (i.e., growing the economy while reducing the environmental pollution associated with this growth) and the transition to a low-carbon economy (i.e., an economy transitioning toward a more efficient use of energy and lower-pollution). CanNor will support this goal in the following ways:
Implement the Pan-territorial Growth Strategy:

  • By implementing, in collaboration with territorial and Indigenous governments, a Pan-Territorial Growth Strategy to stimulate sustainable and diverse economic growth in Yukon, Northwest Territories and Nunavut, which will also help advance the economic elements of Arctic and Northern Policy Framework in the territories.
Invest in clean technologies:

  • By supporting the development, demonstration, commercialization, deployment, adoption and export of technologies that reduce environmental impacts by implementing clean technology commitments in the Innovation and Skills Plan and the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.
  • By leveraging regional strengths and helping to improve competitiveness and environmental performance in sectors such as energy, mining, building, and waste management.
Promote Canadian firms as world leaders in clean technologies:

FSDS Goal: Sustainable Food

  • The 'Sustainable food' goal is implemented through federal activities that leverage innovation and ingenuity for the purposes of developing a Canadian world-leading agricultural sector and food economy for the benefit of all Canadians. CanNor supports this goal in the following ways:
Increase access to and availability of nutritious foods:

  • By providing support to territorial businesses and community-led projects that reduce dependence on southern food industry and associated costs to increase access to perishable (i.e., fresh and non-processed) nutritious food for Northerners living in isolated communities, aligned with the Arctic and Northern Policy Framework.
FSDS Goal: Greening government

  • The 'Greening government' goal is implemented through Government of Canada efforts to:
    • lower carbon emissions associated with government operations including (but not limited to) government buildings, procurement and vehicle fleets;
    • increase its climate resiliency (i.e., reducing the risks that climate change may pose to government assets, services and operations); and
    • green its operations (i.e., make them less polluting).
  • CanNor supports Canada’s climate plan to achieve its Paris Agreement target of net-zero by 2050 by identifying and taking actions such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions from federal government facilities and vehicle fleets, reducing non- hazardous operational waste, integrating climate change adaptation analysis into its assets planning and operations, eliminating single-use plastic in government operations as well as the procurement of green goods and services.
In 2022, CanNor will build on these commitments to develop a Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy to be tabled in Fall 2023, one year after the FSDS’ tabling in November 2022.
Integrating sustainable development CanNor integrates green procurement practices into its operations and complies with the Policy on Green Procurement. The Agency is committed to the use of information and communication technologies to reduce the impact of the geographic distance between its offices while also reducing some of the environmental impacts arising from its operations.

CanNor’s implementation of its funding programs, including those launched through Budget 2021 (e.g., the Canada Community Revitalization Fund, Jobs and Growth Fund, and the Tourism Relief Fund), as well as our flagship program, IDEANorth, will have positive and broad socio-economic outcomes across all territories, including in three environmental areas (effective action on climate change; clean growth; and clean energy).

CanNor also contributes to the overall objectives of 2019-22 FSDS through its Northern Projects Management Office. This office is part of a larger Government of Canada commitment to creating a more effective and efficient northern regulatory system that encourages increased investment in sustainable resource development while enhancing environmental protection, integrating Indigenous Knowledge and respecting the rights of Indigenous peoples.

Strategic Environmental Assessments for policy, plan or program proposals include an analysis of the impacts on the environment, including on FSDS goals and targets. CanNor will continue to ensure that its decision-making processes consider FSDS goals and targets through its processes.

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