This strategy describes the department's objectives, vision and plans for sustainable development appropriate to its mandate. It articulates the department's contributions to the goals and targets of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy, as well as the application of strategic environmental assessments. The strategy is updated, and results are reported annually.
Read the first annual report for 2023 – 2024 (PDF)
On this page
- Executive Summary
- Section 1: Introduction to the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
- Section 2: Veterans Affairs Canada’s Sustainable Development Vision
- Section 3: Listening to Canadians
- Section 4: Veterans Affairs Canada’s Commitments
- Section 5: Section 5: Integrating Sustainable Development
Executive Summary
Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) is committed to supporting the 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy for Canada, “Achieving a Sustainable Future” (FSDS), as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act (Act). The Department will do so through delivering on our mandate to support the well-being and recognition of Canada’s Veterans and their families by providing quality services and commemorative activities with care, compassion and respect.
Section 1: 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, Veterans Affairs 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 DSDS. These basic principles have been considered and incorporated in Veterans Affairs 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.
Section 2: Veterans Affairs Canada’s Sustainable Development Vision
VAC exists to assist and help those whose courageous efforts give us a legacy and contributed to our growth as a nation. The department works to provide a high standard of services and benefits to Canada’s Veterans and their families. Sustainable development is pursued within the context of this mandate.
At VAC, sustainable development means managing our programs, services and operations in a way that is environmentally, economically and socially responsible. It is also about encouraging employees to consider and apply the principles of sustainable development in their work.
Along with our vision of providing exemplary service which honors the sacrifices and achievements of our Veterans and clients, VAC is continuously finding ways to integrate sustainable development into our operations. The Department has made progress in this regard by making information and services available online and plans to continue those efforts. VAC is also looking at ways to continue decreasing the amount of paperwork required from Veterans and their families.
More specifically, VAC’s DSDS is aligned with the FSDS goals of Reducing Inequalities, Responsible Consumption and Production and Climate Action. While this DSDS focuses on incorporating these three goals into VAC’s operations, the department also undertakes a number of other initiatives that contribute to sustainable development more broadly. VAC delivers programs and services that continue to;
- promote service excellence, through reducing processing times, supporting our most vulnerable veterans and commemorating Veterans and their families.
- Continuously modernize, increasing use of automation/digitization and update legacy systems, improve business processes, including effective data management and supporting a hybrid work environment.
- Care for our people by supporting employee’s health and well-being, cultivating a highly skilled, diverse and inclusive workforce and empowering and equipping employees for success.
- It is also important to note that the department’s DSDS is one of the ways in which VAC contributes to advance 3 of the United Nations 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
Section 3: Listening to Canadians
As required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act, Veterans Affairs 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, Veterans Affairs Canada identified sustainable development priorities and issues that affect us. During the public consultations, it was noted that many of the comments centered on Climate actions as a top priority to be considered, such as the transition to zero fleet vehicle emission and the importance of more action for a circular economy. Comments also urged an inclusion of additional perspectives from equity seeking groups such as racialized and 2SLGBTQI+ communities.
The department also recognizes the need for more support for consumers to make sustainable lifestyle choices including regulations and awareness campaigns around food choices, water usage, plastic-free alternatives, and access to clean tech products, and extended producer responsibility. We will continue our outreach efforts aimed at educating Veterans Affairs Canada employees on the positive effects of sustainable lifestyle choices.
What We Did
Veterans Affairs Canada took the above-mentioned key priorities and issues into consideration in this DSDS. The department continues its commitment to Greening the Government. Based on public feedback, we are working to improve our targets by making them more specific and measurable, or more ambitious and long-term. We will continue to push for the reduction of GHG emissions from our facilities and the goal of a zero-emission fleet vehicle. Among our many milestones and targets, we are also striving to strengthen our procurement and disposal policies to be in line with a more circular economy. We will also continue our education and awareness campaigns regarding indigenous perspectives, minority perspectives, food choices or plastic-free alternatives and many other goals. Sustainable Development is an ongoing conversation.
As a shared responsibility, we will continue to listen and improve each new DSDS as an evolving document.
Please find more information on the FSDS public consultation and its results in the FSDS Consultation Report.
Section 4: Veterans Affairs Canada’s Commitments
Goal 10: Advance reconciliation with indigenous peoples and take action on inequality
In Goal 10, the 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” contains the implementation strategy:
- Implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act
The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDA) requires the Minister of Justice, in consultation and cooperation with Indigenous peoples, to report annually to Parliament on progress made to align federal laws with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (the Declaration) and on the development and implementation of the action plan (to be developed by June 2023). Organizations are asked to provide updates on departmental initiatives that align with the Declaration and/or contribute to its implementation.
| 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 |
Promote Indigenous cultural competency training and/or training on the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Program: UN Declaration Act Implementation Secretariat |
Performance Indicator: Percentage of staff who have completed Indigenous cultural competency training (internal or external) Starting point: Percentage of staff trained as of March 2023 = 23% Target: 66% by March 31, 2026 |
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 cultural competency skills and awareness of issues related to First Nations, Inuit and Métis in Canada, and their knowledge of the UN Declaration. This action contributes to the development of necessary cultural competency knowledge and skills to implement the UN Declaration. Relevant targets or ambitions: GIF Target - 10.3 Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard. |
|
Implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act |
Targeted recruitment efforts to support Indigenous representation |
Performance Indicator: Percentage of staff who identify as Indigenous. Starting point: current departmental representation is 2.47%. Target: Workforce representation target is 3.25% by January 2024; 5.7% of hires should be Indigenous people over the next three years. |
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 cultural competency skills and awareness of issues related to First Nations, Inuit and Métis in Canada, and their knowledge of the UN Declaration. This action contributes to the development of necessary cultural competency knowledge and skills to implement the UN Declaration. Relevant targets or ambitions: GIF Target - 10.3 Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard. |
Implementation strategies to support the target
This section concerns implementation strategies that support the objective “Advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and take steps to reduce inequalities” 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act |
As part of VAC’s contribution to the Government of Canada’s reconciliation efforts, an Indigenous Veterans Team has been created to deliver Nation-to-Nation and Inuit-to-Crown consultation and engagement activities. The team will act as a focal point to effect culture change within VAC; aid in the coordination of efforts with Indigenous stakeholders and leaders; and serve as a dedicated source of expertise that will provide guidance and information on how best to meet the needs of, and engage with, Indigenous Veterans. This will enable VAC to better understand needs and develop informed and more effective policies and programs for First Nations, Métis, and Inuit Veterans. |
IPP to be consulted to establish Performance indicators in 1st year of strategy. Recommended by DSDS core: Starting point: New initiative started in 2023. Target: 90% (annual) |
With the passage of the UN Declaration Act, the Government of Canada must, in consultation and collaboration with Indigenous peoples, take all measures necessary to ensure that the laws of Canada are consistent with UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Relevant targets or ambitions GIF Target - 10.3 Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcome, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard. |
Goal 12: Reduce Waste and Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles
Goal 12 has three targets:
- By 2030, the Government of Canada will divert from landfill at least 75% by weight of non-hazardous operational waste
- By 2030, the Government of Canada will divert from landfill at least 90% by weight of all construction and demolition waste
- 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.
The targets are supported by the following three implementation strategies:
- Transform the federal light-duty fleet (all federal organizations owning conventional fleets)
- Strengthen green procurement criteria
- Maximize diversion of waste from landfills (all federal organizations owning real property)
At a minimum, the implementation strategy regarding strengthening green procurement criteria applies to all organizations.
The light duty fleet implementation strategy only applies to organizations that own such vehicles. The waste diversion from landfill implementation strategies only apply to organizations that own real property facilities. It does not apply if the facilities are owned by PSPC or another building owner.
Target theme: Federal Leadership on Responsible Consumption
Target: By 2030, the Government of Canada will divert from landfill at least 75% by weight of non-hazardous operational waste (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 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Maximize diversion of waste from landfill |
From 2023 to 2027 Veterans Affairs Canada will:
Program: Materiel Management and Field Operations |
Performance indicator: Starting point: 0% of business units are accurately tracking/reporting diversion rates as of March 2027. Target: |
Actions that reduce the generation of non-hazardous operational waste will help to reduce Scope 3 emissions for the production, transport and disposal of material. Diverting waste from landfill reduces landfill gas and transport hauling emissions. Material recovery via recycling reduces emissions for the extraction and production of virgin materials. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Indicator: 12.3.1 Total waste diversion per capita GIF Target: 12.5 By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse |
Target: By 2030, the Government of Canada will divert from landfill at least 90% by weight of all construction and demolition waste (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 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Maximize diversion of waste from landfill |
From 2023 to 2027 Veterans Affairs Canada will:
Program: Real Property and Facilities Management, Materiel Management and Field Operations |
Performance indicator: Starting point: 0% of business units are accurately tracking/reporting diversion rates as of March 2027. Target: 100% of business units have adopted and are reporting on, where applicable and feasible, non-hazardous operational waste diversion practices by March 2027. |
Actions that reduce the generation of non-hazardous operational waste will help to reduce Scope 3 emissions for the production, transport and disposal of material. Diverting waste from landfill reduces landfill gas and transport hauling emissions. Material recovery via recycling reduces emissions for the extraction and production of virgin materials. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition: Canadians consume in a sustainable manner CIF Indicator: 12.3.1 Total waste diversion per capita GIF Target: 12.5 By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Transform the federal light-duty fleet |
From 2023 to 2027, Veterans Affairs Canada will:
Program: Materiel Management and Field Operations |
Performance indicators: Percentage of business units that have approved 7-year fleet replacement plans. Starting points: 60% of new light-duty administrative fleet vehicle purchases within eligible categories are to be zero-emission vehicles or hybrids between April 1, 2023 and March 20, 2024. Targets: 100% of business units have approved 7-year fleet replacement plans by 2023. |
Purchasing zero emission vehicles reduces greenhouse gas emissions from conventional fleet operations. This enhances sustainable consumption. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Indicator: 12.1.1 Proportion of new light duty vehicle registrations that are zero-emission vehicles GIF Target: 12.1 Implement the 10-year framework of programs on sustainable consumption and production, all countries taking action, with developed countries taking the lead, taking into account the development and capabilities of developing countries |
|
Strengthen green procurement criteria |
Departments will use environmental criteria to reduce the environmental impact and ensure best value in government procurement decisions Program: Procurement |
Performance Indicator: Percentage of procurement and materiel management specialists trained in green procurement within one year of being identified Starting point: In 2022-23, 100% of procurement and materiel management specialists trained in green procurement within one year of being appointed. Target: will maintain that 100% of procurement officers and material management specialists receive training with 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. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Indicator: 12.2.1 Proportion of businesses that adopted selected environmental protection activities and management practices GIF Target: 12.7 Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities |
Initiatives advancing Canada’s implementation of SDG 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production
The following initiatives demonstrate how Veterans Affairs Canada programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, supplementing the information outlined above.
| Planned Initiatives | Associated Domestics Targets or Ambitions and/or Global Targets |
|---|---|
|
Maximize diversion of waste from landfill |
By 2030, the Government of Canada will divert from landfill at least 75% by weight of non-hazardous operational waste In order to reach this target, we will evaluate our current recycling program for commonly used items and develop a strategy that can be adapted to our various offices, land (leases, buildings, cemeteries, commemorative properties, landmarks) Key Steps:
Benefits: Less waste in landfills |
Goal 13: Take Action on Climate Change and its Impacts
Goal 13 has two targets:
- The Government of Canada will transition to net-zero carbon operations for facilities and conventional fleets by 2050
- The Government of Canada will transition to climate resilient operations by 2050
The targets are supported by the following four implementations strategies:
- Apply a greenhouse gas reduction life-cycle cost analysis for major building retrofits (all federal organizations owning real property)
- Implement the Greening Government Strategy through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and green the government’s overall operations
- Modernize through net-zero carbon buildings (all federal organizations owning real property)
- Reduce risks posed by climate change impacts to federal assets, services and operations (owning real property)
All organizations should assess the current and future risks posed by climate change on the assets they own (buildings, fleets, bridges, roads, wharves, etc.) and their services or operations (programs). Actions taken to reduce the highest risks should also be reported.
| 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: RPFM, Client Services (DSDS to recommend training program) |
Performance Indicator: Percentage of relevant employees trained on assessing climate change impacts, undertaking climate change risk assessments, and developing adaptation actions within one year of being identified Starting point: 0 % in 2022-23 trained Target: 100% trained by 2025 Performance Indicator: % of total |
Trained staff can identify risk to critical program delivery, and develop responses to increase the resilience of operations to impacts of climate change. CIF Ambition / Target: 13.3 Canadians are well-equipped and resilient to face the effects of Climate change GIF Targets: 13.1 Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries 13.3 Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning |
|
Modernize through net-zero carbon buildings |
All new buildings (including build-to-lease and public-private partnerships) will be net-zero carbon unless a life-cycle cost-benefit analysis indicates net-zero-carbon-ready construction Program: RPFM |
Performance Indicator: % change in GHG emissions from real property from fiscal year 2005-2006 Starting point: X kt in 2005-2006 Target: 40% reduction by 2025 |
Actions that rationalize the portfolio, share facilities, reduce the demand for energy or switch to lower carbon sources of energy will lead to reductions in GHGs from real property operations. Relevant targets or ambitions CIF Indicator: 13.1.1 Greenhouse gas emissions GIF Target: 13.2 Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning |
|
Apply a greenhouse gas reduction life-cycle cost analysis for major building retrofits |
Incorporate GHG emissions reduction into the departmental decision-making process using GHG options analysis methodology for major renovations and any other real property project that affects energy consumption. Program: Internal Services |
Performance Indicator: % change in GHG emissions from real property from fiscal year 2005-2006 Starting point: X kt in 2005-2006 Target: 40% reduction by 2025 |
Actions that rationalize the portfolio, share facilities, reduce the demand for energy or switch to lower carbon sources of energy will lead to reductions in GHGs from real property operations. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Target: 13.1 - By 2030, reduce Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions by 40 to 45%, relative to 2005 emission levels. By 2050, achieve economy-wide net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. CIF Indicator: 13.1.1 Greenhouse has emissions |
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 where there are moderate to high risks, develop plans to reduce the risk. Program: Client Service, Real Property and Facilities Management, European Operations, Commemoration and Field Operations |
Performance: % of mission critical assets at moderate to high risk of climate change impacts that have a risk reduction plan Starting point: X% in 2022-23 Target: Y% by 2026 |
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. Relevant targets or ambitions CIF Ambition/Target: 13.3 Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning |
Initiatives advancing Canada’s implementation of SDG 13 – Climate Action
The following initiatives demonstrate how Veterans Affairs Canada programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, supplementing the information outlined above.
| Planned Initiatives | Associated Domestics Targets or Ambitions and/or Global Targets |
|---|---|
|
Veterans Affairs Canada remains committed to improving our environmental footprint through their participation in the various initiatives of the Treasury Board of Canada. We remain committed to responding to the calls received by ECCC or TBS that request action on a VAC owned file. |
SDG 13 - Climate action CIF Ambition: We work as a partner with ECCC to provide evidence of VAC’s owned and managed assets demonstrating our commitment to greening operations. |
Section 5: Integrating Sustainable Development
At VAC, sustainable development means managing our programs, services and operations in a way that is environmentally, economically and socially responsible. It also means contributing to the various initiatives designed to protect Government assets, such as Protecting Critical Habitat on Federal Lands and maintaining our federal lands and contaminated sites. It is also about encouraging employees to consider and apply the principles of sustainable development in their work.
More specifically VAC’s DSDS incorporates 3 goals, 6 targets and 8 implementation strategies designed to incorporate sustainable practices into our every day objectives.
Veterans Affairs Canada looks forward to reinforcing the objectives of the FSDS through their departmental response, focussed on
- Advancing Reconciliation With Indigenous Peoples And Take Action On Inequality
- Reducing Waste And Transition To Zero-Emission Vehicles
- Taking Action On Climate Change And Its Impacts
We also will continue to promote and educate on small practices that can make a significant difference. By transitioning to a cleaner and more circular economy that prioritizes reducing consumption and waste generation, reusing the resources already extracted, and finding processes and technologies that take a holistic systems-based approach to minimizing waste throughout the economy, we can help reduce negative impacts on the environment.
Veterans Affairs 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 Veterans Affairs Canada’s assessments are made public when an initiative that has undergone a detailed SEA (see here). 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.