Table of Contents
1. Introduction to the 2023-2024 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 was 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, the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario or the Agency) developed and published its 2023 to 2027 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS), describing the activities through which the Agency is supporting the goals laid out in the FSDS. This Report provides an account of the progress related to FedDev Ontario's DSDS during the fiscal year 2023-2024.
The Federal Sustainable Development Act also sets out seven principles that must be considered in the development of the FSDS as well as DSDSs. These basic principles have been considered and incorporated in FedDev Ontario's DSDS and 2023-2024 DSDS Report.
To promote coordinated action on sustainable development across the Government of Canada, this 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.
2. Commitments for FedDev Ontario
Goal 8: Encourage inclusive and sustainable economic growth in Canada
FSDS Context:
Through its grants and contributions programs, FedDev Ontario directly supports the Government of Canada's efforts to encourage inclusive and sustainable economic growth in Canada. FedDev Ontario programs support the development of good jobs and economic opportunities, and assist workers, businesses and communities in southern Ontario to transition to a greener and more inclusive economy.
FedDev Ontario contributes to SDG 8 through the delivery of ongoing regional programs that support business scale-up and productivity, strengthening regional innovation ecosystems and fostering community economic development and diversification. These programs provide funding for businesses and for organizations that support businesses.
- Funding for businesses: FedDev Ontario provides funding for SMEs in southern Ontario to grow, innovate and compete in the long term.
- Funding for organizations that help businesses grow: FedDev Ontario supports not-for-profit and community development organizations that support businesses to grow in southern Ontario.
In 2023-2024, FedDev Ontario invested over $165 million in projects to promote sustainable regional and economic growth and resiliency across southern Ontario communities through its ongoing regional programs. These projects leveraged over $2.30 for every dollar invested by the Agency, and created or maintained over 15,000 jobs.
The Agency supported clean growth by prioritizing investments in projects with clear environmental benefits. This includes projects focused on commercializing and adopting clean technologies, reducing carbon footprints and waste, building green communities, supporting circular economy initiatives, promoting zero-emission vehicles, and localizing supply chains. The Agency supported more than 140 projects that demonstrate clean growth outcomes by investing over $120 million through ongoing regional programs and time-limited programs.
- Through time-limited programs such as the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CRF), Jobs and Growth Fund (JGF) and the Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative (ARRI), the Agency supported small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to transition to a green economy through adoption and commercialization of clean technologies. The Tourism Growth Program (TGP) also supported clean growth through investments in projects that promote sustainability and the greening of the visitor economy. Together, these programs invested over $81 million in projects that support clean growth.
Target theme: Support for workers and business
| 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 |
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Support workers, businesses and communities |
FedDev Ontario will continue to support businesses and communities to transition to a greener economy through the following programs and initiatives:
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Performance indicator: Annual FedDev Ontario expenditure in projects that support clean growth Starting point: On average, annual FedDev Ontario expenditures in projects that support clean technology were $24.8M from ongoing regional programs between fiscal years 2019–20 and 2022–23 Target: FedDev Ontario is committed to investing a minimum of $35M annually in projects that support clean growth by fiscal year 2025–26 |
Clean growth is about fostering economic growth that reduces environmental impacts and strengthens resilience to a changing climate. This is done through initiatives (e.g., projects, research and corporate activities) that promote and support clean growth outcomes (e.g., emissions reduction, waste reduction, sustainable jobs, etc.). This can include the introduction of practices to reduce carbon footprint or waste, the adoption or commercialization of clean technologies, circular economy initiatives, greening communities and supply chain localization. FedDev Ontario supports SMEs and organizations that support workers and businesses by implementing initiatives and programs that promote job creation, innovation, business development, clean and inclusive growth, and productivity across southern Ontario. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition 8.5: Canadians contribute to and benefit from sustainable economic growth GIF Target 8.1: Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances and, in particular, at least 7 per cent gross domestic product growth per annum in the least developed countries GIF Target 8.2: Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high value-added and labour-intensive sectors GIF Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services GIF Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value |
Indicator result: Invested over $120 million in projects that support clean growth in 2023-2024 Notes: In 2023-2024, the Agency supported sustainable economic growth by investing over $39 million in clean growth through ongoing regional programs. The Agency also invested over $81 million in clean growth through time-limited Budget 2021 programs (the Canada Community Revitalization Fund, the Jobs and Growth Fund, and the Aerospace Regional Recovery Initiative) which prioritized support for transitioning to a green economy. These program ended in 2023-2024 and therefore, the Agency anticipates results closer to the committed target in the following years. |
Goal 10: Advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and take action on inequality
FSDS Context:
FedDev Ontario contributes to SDG 10 by creating conditions for inclusive regional economic development and delivering public policies and programs that are informed and developed through an intersectional lens. The details on FedDev Ontario's contribution are included in the table outlining initiatives that advance the 2030 Agenda and SDG 10.
During 2023-2024, FedDev Ontario continued engagement with Indigenous organizations in southern Ontario to advance the Agency's response to government-wide commitments, including economic reconciliation and implementation of the UN Declaration Act. This included:
- Accepting projects from Indigenous applicants on a continuous intake basis (rather than a fixed program intake schedule for other Agency applicants).
- Dedicating an internal team to guide Indigenous-owned and led businesses and organizations in navigating the Agency's programs. This dedicated team works to connect these businesses and organizations with other federal and regional programming, where applicable.
- Through continued outreach activities to raise awareness of its programming, increase its pipeline of projects with Indigenous applicants, and to strengthen relationships with Indigenous communities.
- Promoting opportunities for Indigenous businesses through its internal procurement processes.
Additional steps that FedDev Ontario is taking to advance implementation of the Act include ongoing engagement with Indigenous organizations and offering flexibilities in administration of the Agency's funding programs. In 2023-2024, the Agency completed the delivery of the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) which included funding for Indigenous tourism initiatives. The Agency also launched the Tourism Growth Program (TGP), targeting southern Ontario businesses and not-for-profit organizations in the tourism sector, including Indigenous-owned businesses and tourism organizations with growth-oriented project proposals. In 2023-24, through TGP, the Agency supported 55 active projects throughout southern Ontario, including projects that support Indigenous tourism, representing an investment of over $6 million.
Furthermore, FedDev Ontario continues to work towards enhanced Gender-based Analysis (GBA) Plus practices when assessing projects and continues to invest in projects that advance the economic participation of underrepresented groups. In 2023–2024, FedDev Ontario invested nearly $260 million in more than 360 projects that assisted underrepresented groups.
In addition, the Agency also promoted government-wide initiatives, such as the 50 – 30 Challenge and continued targeted outreach to a diverse range of stakeholders to consider new approaches to further increase participation of underrepresented groups in programming.
FedDev Ontario's champions for GBA Plus, accessibility and diversity, equity and inclusion continue to support the Agency's commitment to creating an environment that is accessible to all. Together, these champions work with employees to reduce barriers to entry for underrepresented groups, contribute to a respectful and inclusive workplace and promote programs, policies, practices and services that reflect GBA Plus priorities. During 2023-2024, the Agency continued to work towards being accessible and barrier-free by undertaking action items in its published Accessibility Plan.
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 |
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Implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act |
In support of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (the UN Declaration Act), include mandatory cultural biases and/or cultural competencies training that focuses on Indigenous Peoples in the learning path for all FedDev Ontario employees and managers Program: internal services |
Performance indicator: Percentage of employees working at FedDev Ontario who have completed cultural biases or cultural competencies training that focuses on Indigenous Peoples Starting point: new initiative Target: 50% by March 2024 and 75% every fiscal year thereafter |
FedDev Ontario employees play a role in reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities through performance of their duties with Indigenous clients, or in the workplace with their Indigenous colleagues. Understanding of the history and rights of Indigenous peoples and awareness of cultural biases will allow FedDev Ontario employees to address potential barriers to positive relationships Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition: Canadians live free of discrimination and inequalities are reduced GIF Target 10.3: Ensure equal opportunity and reduce inequalities of outcomes, including by eliminating discriminatory laws, policies and practices and promoting appropriate legislation, policies and action in this regard |
Indicator result: 51% as of March 31, 2024 Notes: FedDev Ontario is dedicated to supporting the implementation of the UN Declaration Act by offering employees with various training options that supports them along their learning path. In 2023-24, the Agency supported employees to learn about the history of Indigenous Peoples through hosting a fireside chat with an Ojibway elder from Marten Falls First Nation who shared her personal experiences and history as a residential school survivor. Over half the attended this learning event. In addition, employees were offered a course through the Canada School of Public Service that helped increase their cultural sensitivity and awareness of Indigenous Peoples in Canada. |
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Per the Directive on Procurement Management and the UN Declaration Act Action Plan for 2023 to 2028, ensure a minimum of 5% of the total value of contracts are held by Indigenous businesses Program: internal services |
Performance indicator: Annual total percentage of contracts with Indigenous businesses Starting point: 5% annual target Target: At least 5% annually |
FedDev Ontario supports Indigenous peoples' full participation in southern Ontario economy by increasing opportunities for First Nations, Inuit and Métis businesses through internal procurement of goods and services Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition: Canadians live free of discrimination and inequalities are reduced GIF Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status 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 |
Indicator result: 11% in 2023-2024 Notes: The Agency exceeded its target by actively seeking opportunities to engage with Indigenous vendors. |
| Planned initiatives | Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets | Results achieved |
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Inclusive growth and regional coverage are cross-cutting investment priorities for FedDev Ontario. The Agency prioritizes projects that create new opportunities for underrepresented groups and promote growth across urban centres and small and rural communities alike. |
Through these initiatives, FedDev Ontario contributes to advancing:
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FedDev Ontario will continue to implement targeted strategies and initiatives, and leverage key relationships to broaden access to Agency programs and services, including:
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Through voluntary self-identification in funding application forms, FedDev Ontario collects inclusivity data and identifies applicants that are part of an underrepresented group. This self-identification helps identify any existing gaps regarding program reach and also supports FedDev Ontario in prioritizing projects that can demonstrate how they support inclusive growth and increase the participation of underrepresented groups in the economy. FedDev Ontario also reports annually in its Departmental Results Reports on the reach of its investments, including in projects that advance the economic participation of underrepresented groups. This includes reporting results from temporary recovery initiatives identified in Budget 2021. These initiatives offered support for up to 100% of eligible project costs for projects led by Indigenous businesses and organizations. One of the priorities of these initiatives is to support projects that improve diversity and inclusion. Budget 2021 recovery initiatives include:
Under the TRF, dedicated funding has been allocated to support Indigenous tourism initiatives. |
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Goal 12: Reduce waste and transition to zero-emission vehicles
FSDS Context:
FedDev Ontario is committed to supporting the transition to a low carbon economy through its grants and contributions funding and by greening its operations. Together, these activities help to advance the Government of Canada's target of net zero emissions by 2050 and prioritize a more circular economy.
Through its grants and contributions funding programs, FedDev Ontario is:
- Prioritizing investments in clean growth, including zero-emissions vehicles (ZEV) that enable both near and long-term emissions reductions. Since 2015, FedDev Ontario has invested nearly $83 million in electric vehicle-related projects and the Minister, Parliamentary Secretary and Agency officials have been active in engaging with ZEV stakeholders and communities at the forefront of the transition.
- Implementing program improvements (as of September 2023) to emphasize our support for projects that focus on industrial transition and enable traditional sectors (e.g., auto manufacturing and heavy manufacturing) to tap into opportunities in emerging sectors (e.g., zero emissions vehicles) and adopt new, cleaner technologies or processes.
As a small federal organization, FedDev Ontario does not own real property facilities, and owns only one vehicle used primarily for ministerial engagements. However, the Agency is taking action to reduce waste by implementing strategies that improve the environmental performance and sustainability of the organization. This includes:
- Continuing to align our procurement practices with the Greening Government Strategy.
- Ensuring that procurement personnel are knowledgeable on procurement processes to improve environmental performance and adopt practices that will favour the procurement of goods that contribute to waste reduction, as well as disposing of assets in a sustainable manner.
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 | Results achieved |
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Maximize diversion of waste from landfill |
IT assets scheduled for disposal and not accepted by the Computers for Schools Plus (CFS+) program will be disposed using an e-waste program which disposes of IT assets safely and securely Program: internal services |
Performance indicator: percentage of IT assets scheduled for disposal and not accepted by CFS+ that will be disposed using an e-waste program Starting Point: 100% in 2022–23 Target: 100% of IT assets that are scheduled for disposal by 2027 |
E-waste, if not disposed of safely, can be harmful to human health and the environment. Additionally, the parts that make up electronics, such as steel, glass, copper, aluminum, iron, plastics and precious metals, can be recovered and made into new products. Through participation in an e-waste program, FedDev Ontario supports safe disposal of e-waste and its re-use and recycling. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition/Target: Canadians consume in a sustainable manner GIF Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse GIF Target 12.7: Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities |
Indicator result: 100% of IT assets scheduled for disposal in 2023-2024 that were not accepted by CFS+ were disposed of through an e-waste program. |
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Reduce the intake of paper proposals from supplier community by establishing an e‑bidding requirement in competitive processes Program: internal services
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Performance indicator: percentage of competitive procurement proposals received through an e-bidding process Starting Point: 90% in fiscal year 2022–23 Target: Maintain 90% annually |
FedDev Ontario supports waste reduction efforts by preventing and reducing the generation of paper waste through the procurement intake process. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition/Target: Canadians consume in a sustainable manner GIF Target 12.5: By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse GIF Target 12.7:Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities |
Indicator result: 100% in 2023-2024. Notes: All intake proposals from supplier community have been submitted via e-bidding process to the Agency's generic email address for procurement services |
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 |
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Strengthen green procurement criteria |
Ensure all procurement and materiel 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 for training Program: internal services |
Performance indicator: percentage of specialists in procurement and/or materiel management who have completed the Canada School of Public Service Green Procurement course or equivalent Starting point: 100% of procurement and materiel management team in 2022–23 Target: 100% annually |
Through increased promotion and awareness of environmental sustainability in procurement processes, FedDev Ontario supports transition to a sustainable, circular economy. Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition/Target: Canadians consume in a sustainable manner GIF Target 12.7: Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities |
Indicator result: 100% in 2023-24. Notes: All procurement officers and managers have been trained in green procurement. |
Goal 13: Take action on climate change and its impacts
FSDS Context:
While FedDev Ontario does not own real property assets, and owns only one vehicle used primarily for ministerial engagement, it is committed to taking action on climate change and its impacts that will support the Government of Canada's transition to climate resilient operations by 2050.
FedDev Ontario invests in clean growth, advancing economic growth that reduces environmental impacts and strengthens resilience to a changing climate. Through program improvements implemented in 2023, the Agency emphasized clean economic growth (e.g., emissions reduction, waste reduction, etc.) through its programming. This includes asking all funding applicants to describe and measure how their proposed projects support clean growth outcomes and reporting on the clean growth benefits of projects that receive FedDev Ontario funding. In addition, the Agency contributed to greening the government's operations by reducing waste through the donation of surplus IT equipment by leveraging the Computers for Schools Plus (CFS+) program.
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 |
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Implement the Greening Government Strategy through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and green the government's overall operations |
Offer surplus IT equipment to the Computers for Schools Plus (CFS+) program Program: internal services |
Performance indicator: Percentage of surplus IT equipment offered to CFS+ program Starting point: 100% in 2022–23 Target: 100% of all IT equipment to be disposed of on an annual basis is first offered to the CFS+ program |
Through participation in the CFS+ program, FedDev Ontario helps extend the usable lifespan of electronic equipment, thereby reducing multiple impacts associated with resource extraction and energy use, including greenhouse gas reduction, solid and hazardous waste reduction, reduced emissions to air and water as well as other environmental benefits, thereby greening the government's operations Relevant targets or ambitions: CIF Ambition/Target 13.1: Canadians reduce their greenhouse gas emissions GIF Target13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning |
Indicator result: 100% of IT assets scheduled for disposal in 2023-2024 were offered to CFS+. Notes: 81% of IT assets offered to CFS+ were accepted. |
3. Integrating sustainable development
FedDev Ontario supports the FSDS and the Federal Sustainable Development Act by integrating sustainable development principles, including economic, environmental and social factors, into its internal policy and operational processes in the following areas:
Policy and program design
FedDev Ontario integrated sustainable development into policy and program design by:
- aligning policies and programs to support DSDS commitments and targets, including integrating investment priorities to support clean growth and clean technology, and developing a tool for assessing clean growth impact of project proposals
- reporting on investments in clean growth, and FedDev Ontario's contribution to the SDGs, in the Departmental Results Reports
- conducting strategic environmental assessments (SEA) for all Budget Proposals and Memoranda to Cabinet
- engaging stakeholders and conducting research on various industry sectors, including zero-emissions vehicles, clean technology, and clean energy to inform the Agency's strategic investment decisions to support sustainable development in southern Ontario
- contributing to Clean Growth Hub's collection of administrative data on projects that include federal support for clean technology
- collecting clean growth data related to projects in program application forms and assessing clean growth impacts to inform investment decision making
- enhancing the Agency's methodology for tracking clean growth investments. This included expanding focus to investing and tracking projects that support clean growth
- strengthening the presence of government-wide initiatives, such as GBA Plus and the 50 – 30 Challenge in its internal policies, programs and tools
- continuing to refine FedDev Ontario's approach to collecting inclusivity data
- conducting targeted outreach with a diverse range of stakeholders
- conducting outreach and engagement with Indigenous businesses, organizations and communities
Program delivery and business services
FedDev Ontario integrated support for sustainable development in program delivery and business services by:
- supporting DSDS clean growth targets through delivery of programs
- tracking projects that contribute to clean growth, Indigenous economic development and support for underrepresented groups in the Agency's grants and contributions system
- determining whether projects are subject to the requirements of the Impact Assessment Act
- helping guide Indigenous-owned businesses and organizations in southern Ontario, through a dedicated service, on programming and services available
- requiring recipients to sign contribution agreements that incorporate diversity, equity and inclusion considerations
Communication
FedDev Ontario supported sustainable development through communication services by featuring projects that support clean growth, inclusive growth and Indigenous economic reconciliation on the Agency's website.
Internal services
Through internal services, including human resources, procurement and information technology services, FedDev Ontario supports its DSDS commitments and contributes to the Greening of Government Strategy and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.
- FedDev Ontario participated in initiatives to improve its environmental footprint, including participation in CFP+ and a battery recycling program enabling employees to recycle old batteries so they do not end up in a landfill.
- The Agency promoted Indigenous businesses for its internal procurement of goods and services, such as office furniture, computer and office equipment and supplies, training and translations services and temporary staffing needs. In addition, to support the growing use of Indigenous businesses and to better understand procurement nuances, all procurement staff have completed mandatory training from the Canada School of Public Service related to Indigenous procurement.
Strategic environmental assessments
FedDev Ontario 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 FedDev Ontario's assessments will be published on its website when an initiative has undergone a detailed SEA. 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.
FedDev Ontario did not complete any detailed SEAs in 2023-24.