Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Interim Report for fiscal year 2020 to 2021
Canada Border Services Agency

This progress report supports the commitment in the Federal Sustainable Development Act (FSDA) to make environmental decision-making more transparent and accountable to Parliament. It also contributes to an integrated, whole-of-government view of activities supporting environmental sustainability.

The departmental information reported here is in reference to the commitments outlined in the CBSA's 2020 to 2023 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS).

In December of 2020, the amended FSDA came into effect, which expanded:

The amended act now requires the tabling of a report on progress made on DSDS commitments within 1 year of tabling. The CBSA was 1 of 3 departments to table in June 2020, with the remaining mandated federal organizations tabling in October due to challenges and delays related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In fostering a whole-of-government approach in publishing reports on progress, the CBSA is presenting this interim report to showcase the progress made to date, and is committing to publishing a full report in fall 2021, alongside the rest of the mandated federal organizations under the FSDA.

Introduction to the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

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 the act, to provide the legal framework for developing and implementing a FSDS that will make sustainable development decision-making more transparent and accountable to Parliament, the CBSA has developed this report to demonstrate progress in implementing its Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy.

Sustainable development at the agency

The CBSA's 2020 to 2023 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy describes the department's actions in support of achieving:

This report presents available results for the departmental actions pertinent to these goals. You may also consult previous years' reports posted on the CBSA's website.

Departmental performance by strategic goal

Below are a few examples of the progress the CBSA has made to date toward its commitments in the DSDS.

Greening government

An Energy Performance Contract (EPC) to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions has been completed at the Rigaud Campus—the CBSA's largest custodial facility that hosts CBSA trainees. Broader EPCs have been initiated to reduce GHG emissions from the remainder of CBSA's real property portfolio. These EPCs are expected to reduce the CBSA's GHG emissions by 30% combined.

To accommodate the CBSA's growing fleet of electric vehicles, the CBSA has developed an action plan for installing charging station infrastructure where electric vehicles are situated. Phase 1 consists of installations at 20 ports of entry (POEs) over the next 3 years. In 2020 to 2021, 5 charging stations were installed.

The CBSA signed a Service Level Agreement (SLA) with Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) for clean electricity, which will allow the CBSA to meet our 100% clean electricity commitment through Renewable Energy Certificates and Power Purchase Agreements by 2025.

The CBSA is taking important steps toward developing resilience to climate change, including the completion of an initial risk assessment of key facilities in support of the CBSA's land border modernization efforts. The results will be used to mitigate risks to assets and build resilience within the CBSA's portfolio by integrating climate change considerations into the design process, construction and operational aspects of the project. Further assessments of climate change risks to the CBSA's asset portfolio, services, and operations are anticipated over the following fiscal years.

The CBSA is making changes toward digitizing its mailroom operations, including purchasing software to help the CBSA process documentation and the digitization of forms to reduce paper consumption.

Healthy wildlife populations and sustainable food

The CBSA is collaborating with other government departments to explore opportunities to better intercept prohibited and invasive species at the border. Through the inspection and interception of food, plants and animals coming into Canada, the CBSA's border services officers (BSOs) prevent the introduction of diseases and pests that could pose a risk to Canada's wildlife, forests, lakes, rivers and oceans, as well as to various industries, including forestry and agriculture.

The CBSA has developed a new training module for BSOs regarding aquatic watercraft inspections required to support the interception of aquatic invasive species at the border. All BSOs will have completed this training as of June 30, 2021.

Safe and healthy communities

The CBSA has completed its assessment of asbestos-containing material in 100% of CBSA owned facilities. Refer to the 2020 CBSA asbestos inventory for details.

As a result of continued due diligence, monitoring, and the effectiveness of corrective actions, the CBSA was able to resolve drinking water advisories for 23 custodial facilities in 2020 to 2021.

In 2020 to 2021, the CBSA began replacing lead piping at the Rigaud Campus, which will be completed in 2023. In addition, water bottle filling stations with filtration have been installed to remove lead in water and ensure that potable water meets Health Canada's Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality, thereby protecting employee health and safety.

The CBSA performed indoor air quality (IAQ) testing at all custodial facilities in the Atlantic region during the 2020 to 2021 fiscal year. These tests were completed as part of a proactive due diligence exercise to ensure that CBSA facilities offer a safe and healthy work environment. IAQ tests will continue to be completed in every region in the new fiscal year. The CBSA will be working with PSPC to review all reports and offer recommendations for remedial action where required.

Report on integrating sustainable development

To ensure the CBSA considers the environmental impact of any new policies, plans, or programs at their earliest planning stages, the CBSA has conducted strategic environmental assessments of 11 proposals in 2020 to 2021 to identify and mitigate any environmental impacts. More information regarding the results of these assessments will be available in the fall report.

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