Justice Sustainable Development Strategy 2020 to 2023

The 2019 to 2022 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) presents the Government of Canada’s sustainable development goals and targets, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act. In keeping with the purpose of this Act to provide the legal framework for developing and implementing a Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) that will make environmental decision-making more transparent and accountable to Parliament, the Department of Justice supports the goals laid out in the FSDS through the activities described in the Justice Sustainable Development Strategy (JSDS).

The Department recognises that sustainable development – social and economic sustainability, as well as environmental sustainability – contributes to the Department’s ability to achieve its strategic outcomes. To this end, Justice Canada’s vision for sustainable development is the integration of sustainable development – in its broadest terms – with departmental objectives, needs and practices. The JSDS 2020 to 2023 plays an integral role in achieving Justice Canada’s vision for sustainable development.

In the JSDS 2020 to 2023, Justice Canada sets out ten departmental actions that support the FSDS 2019 to 2022 goal of “Greening Government: The Government of Canada will transition to low-carbon, climate resilient, and green operations.” These actions – which involve measures to enhance Justice facilities, ensure sustainable development is reflected in security and procurement activities, and improve sustainability of Justice operations – directly contribute to four FSDS targets:

Divert at least 75% (by weight) of non-hazardous operational waste from landfills by 2030; Divert at least 75% (by weight) of plastic waste from landfills by 2030; By 2022, departments have developed measures to reduce climate change risks to assets, services and operations; and Actions supporting the Goal: Greening Government. In addition, this strategy describes a number of initiatives Justice Canada is undertaking that contribute to the Government’s broader sustainable development objectives. These measures include support for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals through Justice Canada’s Access to Justice Secretariat (see Section 2), as well as initiatives to: promote broader adoption and integration of flexible work arrangements; build a culture of sustainable practices in meetings, events and operations; and expand the successful Ottawa public transit card pilot project to regions. (see Section 4)

The Department’s Sustainable Development Steering Committee (SDSC) is mandated to oversee Justice Canada’s sustainable development program. In this role, it will monitor the progress of all of the initiatives identified in this strategy, and provide advice, guidance and direction as needed to ensure issues are addressed. Additional information on SDSC’s role and responsibilities, as well as those of other Justice Canada stakeholders, are set out in Section 4.

In addition to the work undertaken under the framework of the sustainable development program, Justice Canada will continue to ensure that its decision making process includes consideration of FSDS goals and targets through its Strategic Environment Assessment (SEA) process.

Once approved by the Minister of Justice, the JSDS 2020 to 2023 is tabled in Parliament. During subsequent years, the Department reports on its sustainable development targets through annual planning and reporting documents tabled in Parliament.