2023 to 2027 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

Executive Summary

Under the Federal Sustainable Development Act, Public Safety Canada (PS) is responsible for preparing a Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS) that aligns with the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) and for reporting annually on progress made towards achieving its goals. The 2023-2027 DSDS sets out what PS will do to support federal sustainable development objectives and will ensure that parliamentarians and Canadians can track the results being achieved. PS is committed to towards Goals: 1, 3, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 16. Highlights of PS’s areas of focus are centered around: emergency management strategies, impacts, and resilience; transparency and access to information; engagement through community-based input, networks, and centers of expertise; applying an intersectional lens to policies and programs; law enforcement and policing; and intergovernmental co-operation.

The DSDS describes the activities that PS has committed to undertake over the next three years to ensure that we are doing our part in contributing to these broader goals. The Department will strive to advance our sustainability priorities and integrate environmental and sustainable development considerations into our policies, plans, and programs.

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, Public Safety 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 DSDSs. These basic principles have been considered and incorporated in Public Safety 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: Public Safety Canada’s Sustainable Development Vision

In order to build a safe and resilient Canada, Public Safety Canada (PS) exercises national leadership to ensure the safety and security of Canada and Canadians, and strengthens Canada’s resiliency through its contributions to the development and implementation of innovative policies and programs and the effective engagement of domestic and international partners. PS acknowledges the ongoing effort required to keep Canadians safe and is committed to keeping up with the dynamic and evolving nature of its files. In fulfilling its mandate, the Department works in consultation with other organizations and partners—federal departments and agencies, Provinces and Territories, non‐government organizations, the private sector, foreign states, academia, and communities.

PS seeks to achieve, through outstanding leadership, a safe and secure Canada, and strong resilient communities. PS’s departmental vision aligns with its commitment to support the Government of Canada’s (GC) vision that Canada’s economic, social, and environmental health is secure, and our quality of life continues to improve. PS acknowledges that this vision requires addressing today’s challenges while investing in activities that improve the quality of life for future generations.

PS’s Sustainable Development Vision respects the principles for the 2022 to 2026 FSDS, and seeks to apply these principles towards achieving its mission. PS’s Sustainable Development Vision is to contribute, through integration of environmental, economic, and social factors into the development and implementation of innovative and evolving policies and programs, to improving Canada’s economic, social, and environmental health, and quality of life for Canadians.

At PS Corporate Management Branch (CMB) is responsible for developing, implementing, and reporting on the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS). In the previous 2017-2020 DSDS, several performance target levels such as reducing paper usage, increasing use of electronic invoices, green procurement, and mitigating environmental disasters, etc. were achieved in support of the 2016-2019 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) Goals. In accordance with the 2019-2022 FSDS, PS was responsible to contribute towards Goals 1, 2, and 13.

PS’s Minister is responsible, as part of the 2022 to 2026 FSDS, to report on the Milestone of Increasing Awareness of Canadian of Disaster Risks and all reporting on this milestone will be done through the FSDS reporting mechanism. PS has worked to increase the scope and breadth of its DSDS, committing to contributing to /supporting 9 Goals. In the 2023 to 2027 DSDS, PS’s Minister, along with all other organizations, is responsible to report on the following FSDS Goals: Goal 10: Advance Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and Take Action to Reduce Inequality, corresponding to the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People Act; Goal 12: Reduce Waste and Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles (“advancing Greening Government”), corresponding to the implantation of transforming the federal light-duty fleet and strengthening green procurement criteria; and Goal 13: Take Action on Climate Change and its Impacts, corresponding to the implementation of the Greening Government Strategy through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improving climate resilience and greening the government’s overall operations. As part of the Canada’s 2030 Agenda National Strategy, PS is identified as a key contributing department in the Federal Implementation Strategy within the following FSDS Goals: Goal 1: No Poverty; Goal 3: Good Health and Well-Being; Goal 5: Gender Equality; Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities; Goal 13: Climate Action; and Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions. Additionally PS has chosen to support Goal 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure.

Section 3: Listening to Canadians

As required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act, Public Safety Canada (PS) 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, Public Safety Canada (PS) identified sustainable development priorities and issues, and suggestions for improvement that affect us. These priorities and suggestions for improvement include the following:

What We Did

Public Safety Canada (PS) took the above-mentioned key priorities and issues into consideration in this DSDS.

As a key contributing department identified in the Federal Implementation Plan for the 2030Footnote1 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the UN Sustainable Development Goals, PS takes into account the Government of Canada’s commitment to achieving these goals in its strategic initiatives and activities.

To advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and communities,  PS leverages existing mechanisms such as Modern Treaty tables and bilateral or tripartite tables to collaborate with Indigenous people and communities. PS and its portfolio organizations continue to support whole-of-government reconciliation efforts to align legislation, programs, and initiatives with articles in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (the Act or UNDA). These efforts will support UNDRIP thematic areas such as self-determination, self-government, community safety, and measures to reduce and eliminate discrimination. PS also recognizes that Indigenous Peoples and communities are uniquely impacted under each UN Sustainable Development Goals. The implementation of the Act, as well as the planned initiatives under the 2023 to 2027 DSDS, will benefit Indigenous people and communities, where socio-economic gaps have perpetuated lower incomes in Indigenous communities compared to non-Indigenous communities in the same region, by addressing gender-based oppression, socio-economic inequalities, and barriers to full economic and political participation.

PS’s focus on intersectionality and diverse viewpoints, like its commitment to working in collaboration with Indigenous communities, ensures that policies and programs developed by the Department are informed, directly or indirectly, by the needs of these groups and that potential impacts on their communities are adequately considered. PS will continue to utilize the tools, networks, and centers of expertise, to inform and provide feedback on decision making throughout all files within the department’s mandate.

Additionally, many of the planned initiatives that PS has listed within its 2023 to 2027 DSDS are planned to continue beyond the DSDS timeframe. PS worked to ensure that not only were initiatives that would achieve their end goal within the timeframe be included, but also those in which the goal may be realized after 2027 as well. Feedback from Canadians highlighted that the goals are lofty, and may not all be achievable; however, they should viewed as improvements rather than failures. It is important for PS to show progress even if the goals may be reached beyond the timeframe of this report.

Please find more information on the FSDS public consultation and its results in the FSDS Consultation Report

Section 4: Public Safety Canada’s Commitments

Goal 1: Reduce poverty in Canada in all its forms

Initiatives advancing Canada’s implementation of SDG 1 – No Poverty

The following initiatives demonstrate how Public Safety Canada programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, supplementing the information outlined above.

Table detailing PS's contribution(s) toward 2030 Agenda through the following planned initiatives: Emergency Management Strategy for Canada and Federal Framework to Reduce Recidivism/ Indigenous Community Corrections Initiative 2023 (ICCI)

Planned initiatives

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

Emergency Management Strategy for Canada

Public  Safety Canada recognizes that disasters disproportionately impact vulnerable populations and communities. The Department will continue to work with civil society and international partners to uphold to the principles of the Sendai Framework to reduce disaster risks, adapt to climate change and foster resilience in a manner that reduces inequities towards most vulnerable populations, including, but not limited to women, Indigenous People, and minority communities.

The Emergency Management Strategy for Canada (EM Strategy) builds on the foundational principles, roles and responsibilities articulated in the EM Framework and the Sendai Framework to establish federal, provincial, and territorial (FPT) priorities to strengthen the resilience of Canadian society by 2030. Four of the EM Strategy’s priority areas align with the Sendai Framework’s four priorities for action, while the EM Strategy establishes an additional priority area to enhance disaster response capacity and coordination and foster the development of new capabilities. These EM Strategy priority areas are used to guide EM policy development in Canada.

The National Risk Profile is Canada's strategic, national-level disaster risk assessment, and constitutes a key part of the EM Strategy. It is one of many Government of Canada initiatives that aim to strengthen Canada's emergency preparedness and keep Canadians safe in the event of a disaster. It is also an important action under Canada's National Adaptation Strategy, which provides a national framework for action to help ensure that whole-of-society partners have clarity on roles and responsibilities in disaster risk management, and support adaptation actions that are cohesive, targeted, and strategic.

Program: Emergency Management

The EM Strategy contributes to advancing:

  • The Canadian Indicator Framework ambition of “Reduce poverty in Canada in all its forms”
  • The Global Indicator Framework target 1.5 "By 2030, build the resilience of the poor and those in vulnerable situations and reduce their exposure and vulnerability to climate-related extreme events and other economic, social and environmental shocks and disasters”.

Federal Framework to Reduce Recidivism/

Indigenous Community Corrections Initiative 2023 (ICCI)

Public Safety Canada provides a variety of supports targeted specifically at Indigenous offenders to help them reintegrate into communities following incarceration and/or to propose alternative measures to incarceration. In February 2023, PS’s  Indigenous Community Corrections Initiative (ICCI) contribution funding program was renewed. In total, the ICCI has received a budget of $56 million in contribution funding over 5 fiscal years, starting in 2023-2024 with $5.21 million, and then $12.7 million ongoing thereafter. The ICCI supports organizations across Canada that work with Indigenous offenders to provide reintegration projects or alternative measures to incarceration. Through knowledge building, knowledge sharing, capacity building, training, and direct interventions, the ICCI seeks to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in Canada's criminal justice system and to reduce recidivism rates amongst this group. The ICCI, by supporting community-based and culturally tailored ‘wrap around’  opportunities, interventions, and resources to justice-involved Indigenous peoples with employment, educational, life skill training, substance abuse and mental health treatment, and housing, can contribute to poverty reduction amongst Indigenous offenders and their extended families within Canada.

Program: Correction

This initiative contributes to advancing:

  • The Canadian Indicator Framework ambition/target of “Reduce poverty in Canada in all its forms”/ 1.1 “By 2030, a 50% reduction in the rate of poverty, compared to the 2015 level”
  • The Global Indicator Framework target 1.2  "By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions”.

Goal 3: Support mental health and adopt healthy behaviours

FSDS Context:

Public Safety Canada recognizes that maintaining healthy lives and promoting the well-being of Canadians is essential to sustainable development and building prosperous, peaceful and inclusive societies. As a key contributing department in the Federal Implementation Plan for the 2030 Agenda Public Safety is committed to improving the well-being of Canadians through initiatives to keep them safe. Public Safety Canada works diligently with its federal partners, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), to build law enforcement capacity to enforce new and stronger laws related to drug-impaired driving. The Drug Impaired Driving Initiative (DID) is designed to follow through on the federal Government's key objectives of protecting public health, safety, and security. More specifically, the initiative aims to protect public safety on roadways in Canada by equipping law enforcement with the tools, technology and training necessary to enforce the new drug-impaired driving legislation, and by adding to this deterrence through research, public awareness, and the development of evidence-based policies.

Implementation strategies supporting the goal

This section is for implementation strategies that support the goal “ Support mental health and adopt healthy behaviours” but not a specific FSDS target

Table detailing PS's contribution(s) toward the FSDS through the following departmental action(s): Drug Impaired driving initiative

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

Other

Drug Impaired Driving Initiative

Program: Serious and Organized Crime

Performance indicator: Percentage of Canadians who report driving within two hours of cannabis use within the past 12 months.

Starting point: 27% (2018 baseline)

Target: : at most 20% by March 31, 2024

This initiative aims to enhance law enforcement capacity to detect and deter drug-impaired driving and reduce the number of Canadians who report driving after drug use, in particular within two hours of smoking cannabis or four hours of ingesting cannabis. To continue supporting evidence-based development of drug-related policies, legislation, and programs, the Department conducts outreach and research projects on drug impaired driving. Contributing on a domestic level towards improving the adoption of healthy behaviors and preventing premature deaths, and globally to decrease the number of global deaths and injuries from road and traffic accidents.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambitions: “Canadians adopt healthy behaviours” and “Canada prevents causes of premature death”

GIF Target: 3.6 - By 2020, halve the number of global deaths and injuries from road traffic accidents

GIF Indicator: 3.6.1 - Death rate due to road traffic injuries

Goal 5: Champion gender equality

Initiatives advancing Canada’s implementation of SDG 5 – Gender Equality

The following initiatives demonstrate how Public Safety Canada programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, supplementing the information outlined above.

Table detailing PS's contribution(s) toward 2030 Agenda through the following planned initiatives: GBA Plus Advisor Network, GBA Plus Centre of Expertise, The National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking (NSTCHT), The National Strategy for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation (National Strategy), and Federal Pathway - dedication to advancing the Calls for Justice

Planned initiatives

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

GBA Plus Advisor Network

The departmental GBA Plus Advisor Network will continue to support GBA Plus Advisors in their role by hosting regular meetings to discuss upcoming activities, identify gaps, raise awareness of roles and responsibilities, promote available resources, and provide working-level support for integrating considerations that advance gender equality in Public Safety Canada's work, as appropriate. Public Safety Canada uses a de-centralized governance approach to GBA Plus, with accountability for implementation residing with each Branch Assistant Deputy Minister, and supported by an advisor network with representation from all Directorates across the organization.

This structure is designed to strengthen organizational capacity to apply GBA Plus more effectively and consistently in policy and program development at the earliest stages and throughout the policy/program life-cycle –from implementation to evaluation, casting a broader net and increasing the resources available to share, teach, and champion GBA Plus across the organization in diverse areas of responsibility. The de-centralized model, increases the Department’s capacity to assess how various groups of women, men, and gender diverse people may experience policies, programs, and other Departmental initiatives.

Program: Portfolio Affairs and Communications

The ongoing efforts of GBA Plus Advisors, the GBA Plus Advisors Network and the Centre of Expertise to champion the use and application of GBA Plus across the Department will contribute to advancing:

  • The Global Indicator Framework target 5.c – “Adopt and strengthen sound policies and enforceable legislation for the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls at all levels”

GBA Plus Centre of Expertise

The departmental GBA Plus Centre of Expertise will continue to enhance existing GBA Plus tools, provide guidance on GBA Plus requirements, and raise awareness of existing resources and capacity-building opportunities in collaboration with the departmental GBA Plus Advisor Network.

Program: Portfolio Affairs and Communications

The National Strategy to Combat Human Trafficking  (NSTCHT)

The NSTCHT counters human trafficking, advance gender equality and protect marginalized and vulnerable groups, including Indigenous women and girls.

As human trafficking is considered one of the worst forms of gender-based violence, the NSTCHT complements Canada’s Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence. It is also responsive to the Calls for Justice in The Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, as human trafficking and sexual exploitation have been strongly linked to the disproportionately high rates of violence against Indigenous women and girls. Additionally, a significant proportion of victims affected by online child sexual exploitation (OCSE) are girls. Through the NSTCHT, PS supports the development of culturally-relevant support services for Indigenous survivors, develops awareness and training tools for targeted groups, and promotes culturally-sensitive training and awareness.

Program: Serious and Organized Crime

The NSTCHT contributes to advancing:

  • The Canadian Indicator Framework ambition of “Eliminat[ing] gender-based violence and harassment”
  • The Global Indicator Framework target 5.2 “Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation”.

The National Strategy for the Protection of Children from Sexual Exploitation (National Strategy)

The National Strategy’s overarching goal is to ensure that all children (including girls) are protected from online sexual. Initiatives under the National Strategy focus on increasing awareness of the risks of OCSE, identifying, apprehending, and prosecuting offenders, protecting victims from further abuse, and advancing knowledge of OCSE with national and international partners. Specifically, PS has developed and implemented a national campaign to raise awareness on OCSE, is funding Internet Child Exploitation Units across Canada to increase law enforcement capacity to complete investigations and increased the likelihood of successful prosecutions, and has developed an annual webinar series to provide updates on what is being done within federal, provincial/territorial jurisdictions, civil society and the private sector to advance efforts in combatting OCSE, share information on best practices and lessons learned, as well as facilitate discussions around gaps and challenges related to this crime.

Program: Serious and Organized Crime

The National Strategy contributes to advancing:

  • The Canadian Indicator Framework ambition of “Eliminat[ing] gender-based violence and harassment”
  • The Global Indicator Framework target 5.2 “Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation”.

Federal Pathway - dedication to advancing the Calls for Justice

PS will continue to be steadfast in the support for the implementation of the Federal Pathway and dedication to advancing the Calls for Justice - PS will continue to be actively engaged into horizontal collaboration to advance the response to the calls for Justice of the MMIWG which are intrinsically connected to UNDRIP principles.

Addressing  Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ People will contribute to the goal of advancing gender equality by positively contributing to their safety and wellbeing. Furthermore, this action contributes to the goal by increasing Indigenous women, girls, 2SLGBTQQIA+ access to justice. This is supported through, amongst other initiatives, the co-development of federal legislation to recognize First Nations polices services as essential services which is understood to mean that First Nations police services are supported with equitable, adequate and stable federal funding. This includes funding to support culturally responsive police services that are critical for community safety and wellbeing (i.e., First Nation police services representative of communities served and inclusive of women and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people.).

Program: Indigenous Affairs Branch

The Federal Pathway contributes to advancing:

  • The Canadian Indicator Framework ambition of “Eliminat[ing] gender-based violence and harassment”
  • The Global Indicator Framework target 5.1 “End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere”.

Goal 9: Foster innovation and green infrastructure in Canada

Initiatives advancing Canada’s implementation of SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

The following initiatives demonstrate how Public Safety Canada programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, supplementing the information outlined above.

Table detailing PS's contribution(s) toward 2030 Agenda through the following planned initiative: A Public Safety Broadband Network (PSBN)

Planned initiatives

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

A Public Safety Broadband Network (PSBN) is a secure, resilient and interoperable high-speed wireless data communications network. A future PSBN would be used by emergency responders and public safety personnel to communicate with each other in emergency situations, major events, and during day-to-day operations, and holds the potential to improve the effectiveness and safety of first responders and the public safety community.

A nationwide PSBN would enable new and innovative technologies and applications that enhance the ability of the emergency response community to more efficiently deliver services to Canadians, including vulnerable communities.

A future PSBN would be a key piece of Canada’s critical communications infrastructure with synergies with other broadband and wireless initiatives. Sharing telecommunications infrastructure would strengthen the resiliency of the country’s telecommunications system which is crucial for the delivery of emergency services to Canadians and could support the build-out of infrastructure and services for users in rural, remote and Indigenous communities.

Emergency Management

The PBSN (once fully deployed nationwide) contributes to advancing:

  • The Canadian Indicator Framework ambition 9.4 of “Canadians have access to modern and sustainable infrastructure”

Goal 10: Advance reconciliation with indigenous peoples and take action on inequality

FSDS Context

Social, economic, and environmental inequalities persist in Canada. These inequalities disproportionately affect people with multiple intersecting identity factors such as gender identity and expression, race and ethnicity, faith community, Indigeneity, disability, sexual orientation, and low socioeconomic status. Public Safety Canada established the Diversity and Inclusion (D&I) Secretariat, whose work includes providing horizontal support to the Department in further enhancing D&I and addressing systemic barriers and racism, and unconscious bias within the workplace, and to advancing the departmental Strategic Framework on Diversity and Inclusion.

Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples is essential to addressing social, economic and environmental inequalities and achieving substantive equality. Urgent action is needed to close the social, economic, health, environmental protection, and educational gaps between Indigenous Peoples and the rest of Canada to ensure that everyone in Canada can enjoy the same quality of life, regardless of who they are or where they were born. Public Safety Canada is committed to contributing towards advancing reconciliation with Indigenous people and taking action on inequality. Public Safety Canada also supports Indigenous-led community safety and well-being approaches through the Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative (ACSPI). Created in 2010 as part of Canada’s response to Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, the ACSPI supports Indigenous communities in developing Community Safety Plans (CSPs) that identify their unique safety priorities and design community-led solutions that address issues of community safety in a holistic, culturally relevant, and long-term manner. The Initiative actively solicits participation in the program and also accepts requests by Indigenous communities and organizations to participate as it is important that the community leaders fully support the concept and demonstrate commitment through the stages of the CSP process.

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)

Table detailing PS's contribution(s) toward the FSDS through the following departmental action: Support Indigenous communities to address their unique safety priorities through the Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative.

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

Support Indigenous communities to address their unique safety priorities through the Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative.

Program: Correction

Performance indicator: Percentage (%) of engaged Indigenous communities who participate in Community Safety Planning processes

Starting point: 48% of engaged communities participated

Target: 80%

The Aboriginal Community Safety Planning Initiative (ACSPI) contribute to advance UNDA action plan no. 58 by supporting Indigenous communities in developing Community Safety Plans (CSPs) that identify their unique safety priorities and design community-led solutions that address issues of community safety in a holistic, culturally relevant, and long-term manner. This community-driven approach ensures that the resulting CSP addresses priorities identified by the community that are specific to their particular circumstances. During the development of CSPs, the community also identifies their own strengths, assets, and safety and wellness goals.  Through the Community Safety Planning process, the ACSPI advances reconciliation with Indigenous communities and enhances the capacity of communities to contribute to and address their community safety concerns.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition

“Canadians live free of discrimination and inequalities are reduced”

GIF Target

10.3 Ensure equal opportunities and end discrimination: 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.

Initiatives advancing Canada’s implementation of SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities

The following initiatives demonstrate how Public Safety Canada programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, supplementing the information outlined above.

Table detailing PS's contribution(s) toward 2030 Agenda through the following planned initiatives: Federal Framework to Reduce Recidivism (FFRR), Diversity and Inclusion Secretariat (D&I Secretariate), Immigration Levels Plan, Visa Policy, Implement United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Coordination with Portfolio Partners, Implement United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Advance legislation by co-developing federal legislation for First Nations police services, and Develop a Reconciliation Framework and Cultural Competency Tools for PS

Planned initiatives

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

Federal Framework to Reduce Recidivism (FFRR)

The Federal Framework to Reduce Recidivism (FFRR), was the first step in identifying crucial factors that impact why people reoffend and how to support safe and successful reintegration into the community. The Framework outlined five priority themes key to the successful reintegration of individuals: housing, education, employment, health, and positive support networks. Additionally, the Framework highlighted the need to address the overrepresentation of Indigenous Peoples, Black Canadians, and other marginalized groups in Canada’s criminal justice system. The FFRR will contribute to reducing overrepresentation of Indigenous Peoples in the criminal justice system by supporting rehabilitation and safer communities (including through culturally appropriate interventions) and tailored supports for community reintegration.

Program: Crime Prevention

The FFRR contributes to advancing:

  • Supporting the UNDA action plan no. 61: Support the safe and successful reintegration of Indigenous people in the criminal justice system into the community 
  • The Global Indicator Framework 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.”

Diversity and Inclusion Secretariat (D&I Secretariate)

The D&I Secretariat plays a lead role in advancing Public Safety Canada’s diversity and inclusion efforts, working with the Public Safety portfolio organizations and other government departments in the coordination and sharing of information and best practices. The D&I Secretariat’s work includes providing horizontal support to the Department in further enhancing D&I and addressing systemic barriers and racism, and unconscious bias within the workplace, and to advance the departmental Strategic Framework on Diversity and Inclusion.

Program: Portfolio Affairs and Communications

The initiatives to be achieved by the D&I Secretariat as well as its overall mandate to ensure that Public Safety Canada is a responsive, inclusive, and equitable organization for its employees that represents the diverse needs of all Canadians contributes to the advancement of:

  • The Global Indicator Framework targets 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”, 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”, and 10.6 “Ensure enhanced representation and voice for developing countries in decision-making in global international economic and financial institutions in order to deliver more effective, credible, accountable and legitimate institutions.”

Immigration Levels Plan

Compassionate and effective management of the border ensures that Canadian safety, security, and mobility is maintained. Public Safety Canada coordinates policy advice to ensure that risks and resource implications are carefully considered and incorporated in the planning of the number of new permanent residents to be admitted to Canada (e.g., economic class, family class, refugees, protected persons).

Program: Portfolio Affairs and Communications

The Immigration Levels Plan and the Visa Policy contribute to advancing

  • The Global Indicator Framework target 10.7 “Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies” by ensuring that Canadians, international migrants, and national and international goods can safely and effectively enter Canada.

Visa Policy

Public Safety Canada provides advice on safety and security matters to inform  decision-making related to the Government of Canada’s visa policy. Public Safety contributes to advancing global target 10.7 “Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies” by ensuring that Canadians, international migrants, and national and international goods can safely and effectively enter Canada.

Program: Portfolio Affairs and Communications

Implement United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Coordination with Portfolio Partners

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.  Public Safety will be working  with its portfolios and branches colleagues and with Federal partners to coordinate Public Safety’s response to the UNDA action plan.

The Action Plan 2023-2028 was tabled in Parliament on June 21, 2023, and subsequently publicly released. PS and portfolio partners have submitted APMs under the thematic areas of: (i) anti-human trafficking; (ii) community safety and well-being; (iii) policing; (iv) reducing recidivism and the overrepresentation of Indigenous People in corrections; (v) Indigenous emergency management; (vi) firearms; (vii) community safety and oversight; (viii) mutual respect and good relationship; (IX) security threats; (X) self-determination and self-government; (XI) conditional release; (XII) correctional services; and (XIII) border and migration.

PS is working closely with OGDs and Indigenous partners to implement Action Plan Measures that are shared priorities. For example, PS is leveraging shared priorities with Justice Canada under the Indigenous Justice Strategy and the Pan-Canadian Strategy to Address Overrepresentation of Indigenous People in the Criminal Justice System to advance the implementation of the Act.

The transformational shift in how the Government of Canada, including PS, will promote free, prior, and informed consent, which through the collaboration of the development of initiatives will address systemic racism and discrimination.

Program: Indigenous Affairs Branch

The implementation of  United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act through Coordination with other government departments (OGDs) and Portfolio Partners and the Development of a Reconciliation Framework and Cultural Competency Tools for PS contribute to advancing:

  • The Global Indicator Framework 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 United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples: Advance legislation by co-developing federal legislation for First Nations police services.

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. 

Public Safety is committed to continuing advancing the First Nations police services legislation and building the necessary legislative framework through collaboration with portfolios colleagues, indigenous partners and Province and Territories (PT) counterparts.

Program: Indigenous Affairs Branch

Develop a Reconciliation Framework and Cultural Competency Tools for PS

This initiative will bring coherence and a global vision of the Departments ways to increase awareness on issues related to First Nations, Inuit and Métis in Canada, and their knowledge of the UN Declaration, MMIWG and work towards Reconciliation.

Program: Indigenous Affairs Branch

Goal 11: Improve access to affordable housing, clean air, transportation, parks, and green spaces, as well as cultural heritage in Canada

Initiatives advancing Canada’s implementation of SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities

The following initiatives demonstrate how Public Safety Canada programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, supplementing the information outlined above.

Table detailing PS's contribution(s) toward 2030 Agenda through the following planned initiatives: Flood Hazard Identification and Mapping Program (FHIMP), Residential Flood Insurance, and Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA)

Planned initiatives

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

Flood Hazard Identification and Mapping Program (FHIMP)

In partnership with provincial and territorial governments, the Flood Hazard Identification and Mapping Program aims to complete flood hazard maps of higher risk areas in Canada and make this flood hazard information accessible. These maps will inform decision-making in support of land use planning, flood mitigation, adaptation to a changing climate, resilience building, and protection of lives and properties.

Program: Emergency Management

The FHIMP contributes to advancing:

  • The Canadian Indicator Framework ambition of “Canadians live in healthy, accessible, and sustainable cities and communities”
  • The Global Indicator Framework target 11.5 “By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations”

Residential Flood Insurance

Following the completion of the work of the Task Force on Flood Insurance and Relocation (TFFIR), Public Safety Canada is working to advance a sustainable solution to rising residential flood costs. Building on the TFFIR's August 2022 report, the Government of Canada is working towards a functional, sustainable, and low-cost national flood insurance system.

Program: Emergency Management

Residential Flood Insurance contributes to advancing:

  • The Canadian Indicator Framework ambition of “Canadians live in healthy, accessible, and sustainable cities and communities”
  • The Global Indicator Framework target 11.5 “By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations”

Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangements (DFAA)

Following the completion of the DFAA Advisory Panel, which reviewed Canada's approach to post-disaster financing and reflected on how best to align these efforts with broader disaster mitigation and climate adaptation work, the Department is working to review the existing disaster recovery programs and ensure that an updated, and sustainable system continues to be available to provinces and territories for disaster recovery. The modernized DFAA will aim to reduce disaster risks through increased investments and incentives for mitigation and climate resilient recovery and help address inequities in recovery timelines and outcomes across the country. The review was based on internal research, a departmental Joint Audit and Evaluation of the DFAA, consultation with Provinces/territories, as well as externa l inputs and contributions.

Program: Emergency Management

The DFAA contributes to advancing:

  • The Canadian Indicator Framework ambition of “Canadians live in healthy, accessible, and sustainable cities and communities”
  • The Global Indicator Framework target 11.5 “By 2030, significantly reduce the number of deaths and the number of people affected and substantially decrease the direct economic losses relative to global gross domestic product caused by disasters, including water-related disasters, with a focus on protecting the poor and people in vulnerable situations”

Goal 12: Reduce waste and transition to zero-emission vehicles

FSDS Context

Through its continued implementation of the Policy on Green Procurement, Public Safety Canada leverages its purchasing power to achieve economies of scale in the acquisition of environmentally preferable goods and services by requiring its suppliers to commit to environmental objectives  thereby reducing the cost for government and strengthening greener markets and industries. Through the departmental actions, under the implementation strategy to Strengthen Green Procurement Criteria, identified below, Public Safety continues to place an emphasis on requiring staff with delegated procurement authorities as well as materiel management specialists to complete the Canada School of Public Service Green Procurement course prior to exercising their procurement authorities. This helps to promote the inclusion of environmental considerations into the entire life cycle of acquired assets and services including planning, acquisition, use/maintenance and disposal. Each year, Public Safety spends approximately $19M on services, accounting for more than 80% of all procurements conducted by the department. To ensure that these commonly acquired commodities leverage green procurement principles to the fullest extent, PS has developed specific departmental green procurement clauses for service contracts, with a special emphasis on the elimination or the reduction (as applicable) of printed materials on the part of its suppliers. With all deliverables requested to be reviewed, developed and delivered electronically, PS continues to  support the reduction of unnecessary printing. The Procurement team has transitioned to a fully-digital information model and no longer uses any paper filing. Additionally, PS has been, and will continue to be, committed to transforming our light-duty fleet. Currently, 75% of PS’s fleet is made up of hybrid vehicles, and moving forward, PS has committed to purchasing 100% of new vehicles as either ZEVs or Hybrids. Being able to move towards ZEVs is contingent on PS’s ability to have ZEV charging stations installed in the location in which the fleet are housed, as it does not currently have any. As PS would like to move towards ZEVs, where possible, PS is pursuing, with Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC), the installation of ZEV charging stations to be able to support the purchase of ZEVs.  

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)

Table detailing PS's contribution(s) toward the FSDS through the following departmental actions: Each year, new light-duty fleet vehicles purchases will be zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) or hybrids, Ensure, on an going basis, that all new procurement specialists, materiel management specialists and acquisition card holders are trained in green procurement (such as, the Canada School of Public Service course on green procurement, or equivalent) within one year, and Incorporate environmental considerations into the procurement of goods and services that encourages Contractors to refrain from printing all documents required under the contract.

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

Each year, new light-duty fleet vehicles purchases will be zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) or hybrids.

Program: Internal Services

Performance Indicator: % of annual new vehicle purchases that are ZEV or hybrid

Starting point: 75% in 2022-23

Target: 100% of new vehicle purchases each year.

Purchasing zero emission vehicles reduces greenhouse gas emissions from conventional fleet operations. This enhances sustainable consumption.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition:Canadians consume in a sustainable manner”

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 programmes 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

Ensure, on an going basis, that all new procurement specialists, materiel management specialists and acquisition card holders are trained in green procurement (such as, the Canada School of Public Service course on green procurement, or equivalent) within one year.

Program:  Internal Services

Performance indicator: Percentage of procurement specialists, materiel management specialists and acquisition card holders trained in green procurement within one year of being hired.

Starting point: In 2022-23, 100% of procurement specialists, materiel management specialists and acquisition card holders are trained in green procurement

Target:100% of new procurement specialists, materiel management specialists and acquisition card holders will receive training with one year.

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 .I

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition/Target: “Canadians consume in a sustainable manner”

CIF Indicator:  12.2.1Proportion of businesses that adopted selected environmental protection activities and management practices

GIF Target:   Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities

Incorporate environmental considerations into the procurement of goods and services that encourages Contractors to refrain from printing all documents required under the contract.

Program: Internal Services

Performance indicator: Percentage of procurements that incorporate green procurement clauses

Starting point: 90%

Target: 2023/24 – 100%

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 Ambition/Target: “Canadians consume in a sustainable manner”

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

Goal 13: Take action on climate change and its impacts

FSDS Context

The effects of human-caused climate change are felt across Canada. Canadians are experiencing more extreme temperatures and precipitation as well as more frequent and severe wildfires, heatwaves, droughts, and flooding. Effective and urgent action on climate change requires transitioning to a net-zero economy by reducing greenhouse gas and short-lived climate pollutant emissions while continuing to grow prosperity, and by realizing opportunities in emerging markets such as renewable energy and clean technology. At the same time, Canada needs to adapt to the changing climate by building resilience and reducing vulnerability to impacts in communities, regions, ecosystems, and economic sectors.

Additionally Public  Safety Canada's ongoing development of the National Risk Profile (NRP) will serve to provide the necessary evidence base needed to strengthen the disaster awareness, preparation, and response capabilities of Canadians and governmental and non-governmental organizations. The Department recognizes that disasters disproportionately impact vulnerable populations and communities. The Department will continue to work with civil society and international partners to uphold to the principles of the Sendai Framework to reduce disaster risks, adapt to climate change and foster resilience in a manner that reduces inequities towards most vulnerable populations, including, but not limited to women, Indigenous People, and minority communities.   

PS has launched a Sustainable Development (Green) Committee in 2023 which will work to help realize additional departmental actions towards the  implementation strategy of implementing the Greening Government Strategy through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and green the government’s overall operations. Currently PS is working towards improving the percentages of Follow-me-printing, which will help to reduce paper consumption through prevention of accidental print requests. Over the span of the 2023 to 2027 DSDS reporting cycles, PS will, through the contributions of the Sustainable Development (Green) Committee and with support from the Department, increase the breadth of its contributions and departmental actions towards greening government. PS is currently in discussions in relation to actions concerning: the amount of standard equipment provided to employees, increasing video-conferencing availability, additional ways to reduce paper usage, and educational pieces.

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)

Table detailing PS's contribution(s) toward the FSDS through the following departmental actions: Lead by example as an early adopter of clean technology innovations: reduce paper consumption through follow-me printing across PS and Dispose of waste in an environmentally sound and secure manner, where possible,

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

Lead by example as an early adopter of clean technology innovations: reduce paper consumption through follow-me printing across PS.

Program: Internal Services

Performance indicator: % of printers with Follow-me-printing installed

Starting point: 67% of printers currently have Follow-me-printing installed

Target: 95% of printers have Follow-me-printing installed

Reduce paper consumption which will reduce the need to purchase paper, thus reducing GHG emissions produced during manufacturing and transportation of paper

Implementation of follow-me printing across PS.

This system is used to prevent the printing of documents immediately upon sending a print job to the printer. In doing so, a document can only be printed once the requester has swiped their access card. This reduces the automatic printing of documents that are accidently sent to the printer before the job is cancelled.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition/Target: “Canadians reduce their greenhouse gas emissions” / 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”

Dispose of waste in an environmentally sound and secure manner, where possible.

Performance indicator: % of waste disposed of in an environmentally secure manner, where possible

Starting point: 100%

Target: 100%

Disposal of waste such as physical assets, including end-of-life electronics, furniture, and office supplies, in an environmentally sound manner which will reduce their presence in landfills where it can produce higher GHGs.

PS utilizes different environmentally and socially secure disposal methods for end-of-life assets, such as computers for schools, the Workplace Diversion Program, GCSurplus, or contracts which include environmental disposal criteria. By utilizing both environmentally and socially secure disposal methods, PS contributes towards Greening Government, while also considering socio-economic aspects within its disposals. Through its utilization of the Workplace Diversion Program, lead by PSPC, PS is supporting the environmentally secure disposal method of GCSurplus, while also supporting the creation of employment for people with disabilities.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition/Target: “Canadians reduce their greenhouse gas emissions” / 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”

Implementation strategies supporting the goal

This section is for implementation strategies that support the goal “ Take action on climate change and its impacts” but not a specific FSDS target

Table detailing PS's contribution(s) toward the FSDS through the following departmental action: The National Risk Profile (NRP)

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

Collaborate on emergency management and disaster risk reduction

The National Risk Profile (NRP)

Program: Emergency Management

Performance indicator:

Percentage of Canadians who are aware of risks facing their household

Starting point:

N/A; new program with a date to achieve target in 2024

Target:

≥ 60% (target date will be set in 2024)

Public Safety Canada to continue its work on the National Risk Profile (NRP), which provides the foundational evidence base needed to strengthen individual and institutional disaster risk awareness, preparation, and response capabilities across the country. The first National Risk Profile report was released in May 2023 and is Canada’s first , strategic, disaster risk assessment. It provides a national picture of disaster risks facing Canada, and the existing measures and resources in our emergency management systems to address them.

Relevant targets or ambitions:

CIF Ambition/Target: “Canadians are well-equipped and resilient to face the effects of Climate change”

CIF Indicator: 13.2.1 Frequency of selected natural disasters

GIF Targets: 13.1 “Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries”, 13.2 “Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning”, and 13.3 “Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning.”

Goal 16: Promote a fair and accessible justice system, enforce environmental laws, and manage impacts

Initiatives advancing Canada’s implementation of SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

The following initiatives demonstrate how Public Safety Canada programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, supplementing the information outlined above.

Table detailing PS's contribution(s) toward 2030 Agenda through the following planned initiatives: Participation in the Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI), Modernize Law enforcement and policing, including RCMP, National Crime Prevention Strategy, Strengthen transparency and accountability of Canada's law enforcement agencies to increase public trust in these institutions, Advance legislation by co-developing federal legislation for First Nations police services, Providing Funding to Support the ATIP Community Development Office, Pilot project to declassify certain national security records, Community Resilience Fund (CRF), Multi-stakeholder engagement and knowledge sharing efforts, The Firearms Buyback Program (FBP), and Financial Crime Coordination Centre (FC3) and the Canada Financial Crimes Agency

Planned initiatives

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

Participation in the Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI)

The CRI is a U.S.–led initiative that provides an informal government-to-government mechanism to improve international cooperation to counter ransomware. Established in late 2021, membership currently consists of over 30 countries, including Canada. Initial work, which was conducted throughout 2021-2022, focused on Resilience, Disruption, Countering Illicit Finance, Diplomacy, and Public-Private Partnerships. The Government of Canada (GC) participated as a member of each of the working groups dedicated to these themes.  At the 2022 Summit, principals chose to focus their future work into three pillars:

1) Diplomacy and Capacity Building;

2) an International Counter Ransomware Task Force (ICRTF); and

3) Policy.

Cybercrime continues to be the cyber threat activity most likely to affect Canadians and Canadian organizations. Due to its impact on an organization’s ability to function, ransomware is almost certainly the most disruptive form of cybercrime facing Canadians. The National Cyber Security Directorate's participation and active engagement in the United States (U.S.)-led Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI) will combat organized cybercrime, promote, state resilience and the rule of law, , and improve international accountability for perpetrators. The CRI is an ongoing annual summit which brings together a growing roster of like-minded states to discuss the ransomware threat and develop response mechanisms through taskforces, toolkits, and political commitments. In the most recent summit held in Washington DC in November 2022,  members committed to promote international cooperation, share intelligence and improve criminal accountability for transnational cyber criminals, through enhanced global governance, complimentary legislation, and international law enforcement efforts. Public Safety is Canada’s Principal as well as the domestic secretarial lead and coordination body for Canada’s participation in the CRI. The GC continues to work to protect Canadians from malicious cyber actors and the physical, economic, operational, and reputational damage of ransomware by engaging in a variety of domestic and international fora.

Program: National Cyber Security Directorate

Participation in the Counter Ransomware Initiative (CRI) contributes to advancing:

  • The Canadian Indicator Framework ambition of “Canadians are safe and secure, in person and online”: indicators 16.2.1 “Crime Severity Index”, 16.3.1 “Incidence of Selected Types of Crime”, and 16.4.1 “Incidence of Cyber Crime”

Modernize Law enforcement and policing, including RCMP

Consistent with the Minister of Public Safety’s mandate commitment, Public Safety Canada, with the RCMP, is leading an assessment of contract policing through engagement with provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous partners and other stakeholders with a view to better understand the needs of partners and stakeholders in delivering more effective, sustainable, and responsive front-line policing services where the RCMP is the police of jurisdiction. Additionally, Public Safety Canada, as overall authority for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) contract policing program, engages and consults with federal and inter-governmental partners and other stakeholders on matters that may affect the governance, costs and quality or capacity of RCMP contract policing services. Under this program, the RCMP is contracted to provide front-line policing services to assist all provinces and territories (except Ontario and Quebec), and 155 municipalities across Canada. These engagements will help the federal government better understand how the program is currently functioning and, potentially, could be improved, and inform federal approaches to renewal of the contracts in 2032 when they expire.  The important findings of the Mass Casualty Commission Final Report will also help inform the future delivery of contract policing services.  This initiative is expected to ultimately contribute to more effective, sustainable and responsive policing services and towards the FSDS goal of promoting a fair and accessible justice system.

Program: Law Enforcement and Policing

The modernization of law enforcement and policing, including RCMP contributes to advancing:

  • The Global Indicator Framework targets 16.3 “Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all” and 16.6 “Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.”

National Crime Prevention Strategy

The National Crime Prevention Strategy contributes to the advancement of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by funding interventions that address the root causes and factors that put individuals at risk of offending.  Successful and well-designed interventions have a positive influence on behaviours and reduce not only crime and victimization but also the social and economic costs that result from criminal activities. The NCPS consists of four funding programs: the Crime Prevention Action Fund, the Youth Gang Prevention Fund, the Northern and Indigenous Crime Prevention Fund, and the Security Infrastructure Program.

Public Safety Canada’s National Crime Prevention Strategy (NCPS) is an integral part of the Government of Canada's continued efforts to tackle crime and contributing towards the global target of “Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere”. The NCPS contributes to the advancement of SDG 16 by funding interventions that address the root causes and factors that put individuals at risk of offending. Public Safety Canada has made improvements to the Security Infrastructure Program to make it more responsive to the needs of the communities it serves, and to provide funding as quickly and efficiently as possible.

Program: Crime Prevention

The National Crime Prevention Strategy contributes to advancing:

  • The Global Indicator Framework targets 16.a “Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime” and 16.1 “Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.”

Strengthen transparency and accountability of Canada's law enforcement agencies to increase public trust in these institutions

Bill C-20 responds to the Minister of Public Safety’s mandate commitment to “introduce legislation to create a review body for the Canada Border Services Agency, including defined timelines for responding to complaints and recommendations.” The Public Complaints and Review Commission will be mandated with reviewing and investigating complaints concerning the conduct and level of service for the RCMP and the CBSA. Bill C-20, an Act establishing the Public Complaints and Review Commission and amending certain Acts and statutory instruments, is currently at consideration in committee in the House of Commons. It intends to replace the current Civilian Review and Complaints Commission (CRCC) for the RCMP with a new Public Review and Complaints Commission (PCRC) that reviews and investigates complaints concerning the conduct and level of service for the RCMP and the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA). This initiative supports FSDS Goal 16 by delivering a robust complaints process  which holds the RCMP and CBSA accountable for its activities and the conduct of its members that is impartial, independent, fair, equitable, and credible in addressing complaints is aimed at building effective, accountable, and inclusive law enforcement and policing services.

Program: Law Enforcement and Policing

Strengthening transparency and accountability of Canada's law enforcement agencies to increase public trust in these institutions contributes to advancing:

  • The Canadian Indicator Framework ambition of “Canadians are supported by effective, accountable, and transparent institutions”
  • The Global Indicator Framework target 16.6 “Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels”

Advance legislation by co-developing federal legislation for First Nations police services

First Nations police services have faced significant challenges and financial obstacles in being able to deliver adequate and culturally appropriate policing services in part due to the limitations of the First Nation Indigenous Policing Program FNIPP.  As a result, First Nations have long called for reform to First Nations police services and have advocated for federal legislation that recognizes First Nations policing as an essential service. These calls for reform were heightened with the release of the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, which included Call for Justice 5.4 to reform the delivery of policing services in Indigenous communities. Public Safety is committed to continuing advancing the First Nations police services legislation and building the necessary legislative framework through collaboration with portfolios colleagues, indigenous partners and PT counterparts.

Program: Indigenous Affairs Branch

Advancing legislation by co-developing federal legislation for First Nations police services contributes towards:

  • The Canadian Indicator Framework ambition of “Canadians have equal access to justice”
  • The Global Indicator Framework target 16.3 “Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all and to justice for all”

Providing Funding to Support the ATIP Community Development Office

PS is committed to supporting transparent and accountable institutions, through upholding the Department’s obligations under the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act. The Department is actively engaged in a range of initiatives to enhance the accountability and transparency of federal institutions and to protect the privacy of individuals. The Department actively contributed to the government-wide Access to Information (ATI) Review and has contributed to many of the initiatives that have flowed from the Review. PS provides funding to support the ATIP Community Development Office, an initiative led by Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat to support Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) communities in recruitment, retention and professional development. 

PS provides funding ($19,000 annually over 5 years until 2026-27) to support the ATIP Community Development Office (APCDO). The APDCO is an organization led by TBS which aims to enhance the capacity of ATIP offices to provide Canadians with access to government information in a timely manner, by attracting new talent to these offices and by providing ATIP professionals with centralized training and professional development programs.

Program: Portfolio Affairs and Communications

Both providing funding to support the ATIP Community Development Office and the pilot project to declassify certain national security records contribute to advancing:

  • The Global Indicator Framework target 16.10Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements.”

Pilot project to declassify certain national security records

Public Safety Canada has also taken leadership, in collaboration with the national and security intelligence community, TBS, and Library and Archives Canada, towards developing a declassification framework to support the proactive declassification of government information to support transparent and accountable institutions. The pilot project aims to declassify certain historical national security records. The project will serve as a first step in determining how a largescale review of classified records might be undertaken.

Program: Portfolio Affairs and Communications

Community Resilience Fund (CRF)

The CRF provides financial support to organizations working to improve Canada’s understanding and capacity to prevent and counter violent extremism. Eligible CRF activities include research, programming, evaluation, and networking (including network and coalition building). Through the CRF, the Department provides $7 million in annual funding to organizations working to improve Canada’s understanding and capacity to prevent and counter radicalization to violence in both on- and offline spaces.

Program: Portfolio Affairs and Communications

The CRF and the multi-stakeholder engagement and knowledge efforts initiatives contribute to advancing:

  • The Canadian Indicator Framework ambition of “Canadians are supported by effective, accountable, and transparent institutions”
  • The Global Indicator Framework target 16.a “Strengthen relevant national institutions, including through international cooperation, for building capacity at all levels, in particular in developing countries, to prevent violence and combat terrorism and crime.”

Multi-stakeholder engagement and knowledge sharing efforts

Public Safety’s Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence (Canada Centre) was created in 2017 to lead Canada’s National Strategy on Countering Radicalization to Violence (CRV), with a focus on the prevention of extreme forms of grievance-based violence. As a part of its capacity-building efforts, the Canada Centre organizes events bringing together diverse stakeholders (multi-stakeholder engagement and knowledge-sharing sessions, such as workshops linked to ongoing projects, as well as events co-organized with international partners). The Canada Centre also works on policy development in collaboration with other government departments, industry, civil society, and academia to address violent extremist content online. This includes leading Canada’s engagement in multilateral fora such as: the Christchurch Call to Eliminate Terrorist and Violent Extremist Content Online (“Christchurch Call to Action”) – a series of voluntary commitments by governments and digital industry to eliminate terrorist and violent extremist content online; the Global Internet Forum on Counter Terrorism (GIFCT), where Canada is one of seven governments on the GIFCT Independent Advisory Committee; and in the G7 and Five Eyes alliance.

Program: Portfolio Affairs and Communications

The Firearms Buyback Program (FBP):

In response to the prohibition of roughly 2,000 makes and models of ASFs in May 2020, the FBP aims to safely remove ASFs from circulation by offering fair compensation to firearms owners who turn-in their firearms for destruction or deactivation. The intent of the Program is to support a “Safe and Resilient Canada” by removing ASFs from circulation and decreasing the risk of firearms-related violent crime.

Program: Firearms Buyback

The FBP contributes to advancing:

  • The Canadian Indicator Framework ambition of “Canadians are safe and secure, in person and online”
  • The Global Indicator Framework targets 16.1: “Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere” and 16.4: “By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime.”

Financial Crime Coordination Centre (FC3) and the Canada Financial Crimes Agency

The Financial Crime Coordination Centre (FC3) is a pilot program introduced by the Canadian government in 2019 to bring together experts from across intelligence and law enforcement agencies to identify and address significant financial crime threats. The Financial Crime Coordination Centre within Public Safety Canada has been supporting the Minister of Public Safety’s mandate to bring forward options for the establishment of the Canada Financial Crimes Agency (CFCA), which is intended to be Canada’s lead enforcement agency in the financial crime space. Current work focusses on strengthening coordination among operational partners, increasing support to counter money laundering and financial crimes in Canada and the development of options to establish a new Canada Financial Crimes Agency, whose purpose will be to investigate these highly complex crimes. In particular, the agency’s objectives will include increasing money laundering charges, prosecutions and convictions, and asset forfeiture results in Canada FC3 contributes to FSDS Goal 16 by supporting the anti-money laundering (AML) efforts of the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime.

Program: Serious and Organized Crime

The FC3 contributes to advancing:

  • The Canadian Indicator Framework ambition of “Canadians are safe and secure, in person and online”
  • The Global Indicator Framework target 16.4 “By 2030, significantly reduce illicit financial and arms flows, strengthen the recovery and return of stolen assets and combat all forms of organized crime.”

Section 5: Integrating Sustainable Development

Public Safety Canada is committed to further integrate sustainable development into its internal policy and operational processes. Public Safety Canada launched a Sustainable Development Committee in 2023, which will help to guide the Department to take tangible changes to improve the department in regard to operational processes and commit to educating employees to make more sustainable choices in their lives inside and outside of the workplace. Additionally the committee seeks to create an improved approach to sustainable development through strengthening organizational capacity to include sustainable development more effectively and consistently in policy and program development at the earliest stages and throughout the policy/program life-cycle from implementation to evaluation.

Public Safety 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 Public Safety Canada’s assessments are made public when an initiative that 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.

Footnotes

  1. 1

    Federal Implementation Plan for the 2030 Agenda, https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/agenda-2030/federal-implementation-plan.html

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