On this page

• Introduction to the 2023 to 2024 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Report (Report)
• Commitments for the Canada Revenue Agency
• Goal 1: Reduce Poverty in Canada in All its Forms
• Goal 10: Advance Reconciliation With Indigenous Peoples and Take Action on Inequality
• Goal 12: Reduce Waste and Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles
• Goal 13: Take Action on Climate Change and its Impacts
• Goal 16: Promote a Fair and Accessible Justice System, Enforce Environmental Laws, and Manage Impacts
• Integrating Sustainable Development: Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA)

Introduction to the 2023 to 2024 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy Report (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 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, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) supports the goals laid out in the FSDS through the activities described in the CRA’s 2023 to 2027 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS). This Report reviews progress related to the CRA’s DSDS in the fiscal year 2023 to 2024, as indicated in the results achieved columns.

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 the CRA’s DSDS and 2023 to 2024 DSDS Report.

To promote coordinated action on sustainable development across the Government of Canada, the CRA’s departmental strategy includes reporting on initiatives that are advancing the Federal Implementation Plan for the 2030 Agenda.

Commitments for the Canada Revenue Agency

• Goal 1: Reduce Poverty in Canada in all its Forms
• Goal 10: Advance Reconciliation With Indigenous Peoples and Take Action on Inequality
• Goal 12: Reduce Waste and Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles
• Goal 13: Take Action on Climate Change and its Impacts
• Goal 16: Promote a Fair and Accessible Justice System, Enforce Environmental Laws, and Manage Impacts

Summary of Performance

Result	Goal 1: Reduce Poverty in Canada in all its forms	Goal 10: Advance Reconciliation With Indigenous Peoples and Take Action on Inequality	Goal 12: Reduce Waste and Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles	Goal 13: Take Action on Climate Change and its Impacts	Goal 16: Promote a Fair and Accessible Justice System, Enforce Environmental Laws, and Manage Impacts
Number of Targets exceeded	2	3	N/A	3	N/A
Number of Targets met	1	2	4	N/A	N/A
Number of Targets on track	N/A	N/A	2	2	N/A
Number of Targets not met	2	1	N/A	N/A	N/A
Number of indicator results not available	1	N/A	2	N/A	N/A

Goal 1: Reduce Poverty in Canada in all its Forms

Theme: Poverty Reduction

Implementation strategy: Make investments to reduce poverty.

Action: Ensure timely processing of digital and paper Canada child benefit (CCB) applications

The CCB is a tax-free monthly payment made to eligible families to help with the cost of raising children under 18 years of age. The CCB is an income support program for Canadian families implemented to eradicate child poverty in Canada.

Program

Canada Child Benefit

Performance indicator

Percentage of notices and payments issued to CCB recipients:

• within eight weeks – digital, or
• within eleven weeks – paper, of receiving recipient’s CCB application.

Starting point

2023 to 2024 will be the base year

Target

Meet standard 95% of the time.

Contribution to goal

Supports poverty reduction in Canada in all its forms.

Indicator result

Target not met in 2023 to 2024.

Results achieved

Percentage of notices and payments of notices issued to CCB recipients:

• 90% Within eight weeks – digital
• 73% Within eleven weeks – paper

Notes

This year, the Canada child benefit program experienced a 9% increase in the number of digital applications compared to 2022-23, affecting the CRA’s ability to meet its service standard. In addition, the requirement to provide proof of birth with all applications made it challenging to meet processing timeframes. The CRA continues to identify opportunities to improve process efficiency and leverage technology to increase automation where possible.

Since 2022-23, the Canada child benefit program experienced an unprecedented increase of 22% in the number of paper applications, affecting the CRA’s ability to process these applications within the established service standard. In addition, population growth due to immigration and the new requirement to provide proof of birth with all applications made it challenging to meet the processing timeframes. The CRA continues to identify opportunities to improve process efficiency and leverage technology to increase automation where possible.

Action: Ensure recipients obtain the support and information they need to receive the CCB in a timely manner, and to know the avenues of redress when they disagree with a decision on their benefit eligibility.

Program

Canada Child Benefit

Performance indicator

Percentage of respondents satisfied with overall benefits experience.

Starting point

2023 to 2024 will be the benefit year.

Target

75% respondent satisfaction on annual survey.

Contribution to goal

The survey serves as a gauge of the effectiveness of CRA’s program delivery of the CCB.

Indicator result

Target not met in 2023 to 2024.

Results achieved

72% of respondents were satisfied with their overall benefits experience.

Notes

The CCB satisfaction survey was conducted through an online survey as opposed to previous telephone or hybrid surveys. This change in methodology impacted the results which showed a drop in some satisfaction. In general, respondents are more likely to give positive responses when speaking directly with an interviewer. The CRA will monitor future results against this new baseline to identify trends and opportunities for improvement.

Action: Continue to collaborate with community organizations to support free volunteer-based tax preparation clinics for individuals with a modest income and simple tax situation.

Program

Community Volunteer Income Tax Programs (CVITP)

Performance indicator

• Number of tax filer individuals helped
• Number of returns completed

Starting point

2022 to 2023 will be the baseline year.

Target

Help 690,800 tax filer individuals for the 2023 tax year.

Contribution to goal

These clinics help eligible individuals file their tax returns to access benefits and other eligible credits. The CVITP works to reduce and prevent barriers for individuals to file a return, including the cost of engaging tax preparation assistance, limited financial and technological literacy, the perception that filing is complicated, and not wanting to make an error on a tax return.

Indicator result

Target exceeded in 2023 to 2024.

Results achieved

• 758,540 tax filer individuals were helped, representing a 17% increase from the 2022 to 2023 baseline year.
• 869,660 returns completed, representing a 18% increase from the 2022 to 2023 tax year.

Notes

The 2022 to 2023 was the baseline year in which 649,420 individuals were helped and 735,450 returns were completed.

The CVITP helped low income and vulnerable individuals to access $2 billion in benefits and credits to help with inflation costs, pay rent, childcare costs, or buy food for their families.

Action: The Benefits Outreach Program aims to ensure the vulnerable segments of Canada’s population (adults 65 and over, housing insecure individuals, Indigenous peoples, modest-income individuals, newcomers, persons with disabilities, and students) are provided with information about the benefits and credits to which they are entitled, and are aware of the support available to help them file their tax returns.

Program

Benefits Outreach Program

Performance indicator

• Page analytics
• Level of participant awareness
• Survey/satisfaction poll results
• Number of people helped

Starting point

2023 to 2024 will be the base year.

Target

• Maintain page analytics.
• Maintain 77% average on level of participant awareness.
• Maintain survey/satisfaction polls on number of people helped (rolled up with regular outreach numbers).

Contribution to goal

To help ensure vulnerable Canadians have the information and support they need to access the benefits and credits to which they are entitled.

Indicator result

Maintain page analytics target met. The level of participant awareness, survey/satisfaction poll results, and number of people helped, will be available in fiscal year 2024 to 2025.

Results achieved

The CRA has maintained page analytics on the following webpages:

• Benefits, credits, and taxes for newcomers
• Benefits
• Learn about your taxes

Notes

Page analytics allow the CRA to monitor engagement and reach and to see how our clients interact with CRA web content. These web pages are built to provide the vulnerable segments of Canada’s population the information they need to facilitate their participation in the tax and benefits system.

A feedback form was launched in March 2024. This feedback form is available to attendees following an outreach presentation on benefits and credits. The form gathers the attendees' tax literacy and awareness levels as well as overall feedback on the delivery of the presentation.

Action: Contact Canadians with lower income who are potentially eligible for tax benefits but have not yet filed an Income Tax and Benefit Return. This provides an opportunity to reach a segment of the Canadian population that is not usually targeted by Non-Filer Program strategies due to low or no tax recovery potential with a positive and service-oriented message to promote the benefits of filing, rather than the traditional compliance approach.

Program

Non-Filer Benefit Letter Program

Performance indicator

Percent (%) of taxpayers (benefit recipients) who filed as a result of targeted CRA Non-Filer Benefit Letters issued.

Starting point

The Non-Filer Benefit Letter initiative was launched for the 2016 tax year with 260,061 letters issued to taxpayers in which 21,532 (8.2%) taxpayers filed after the letter was issued.

Target

Annual 10% taxpayer filings.

Contribution to goal

The Non-Filer Benefit Letter Program encourages lower income non-filers identified as "potentially entitled to benefits and credits" to file an Income Tax and Benefit Return so that they may receive benefits and credits to which they may be entitled. This helps more lower income Canadians, which supports the federal government’s poverty reduction goal and target.

Indicator result

Target exceeded in 2023 to 2024.

Results achieved

11.3% (22,678) taxpayers filed as a result of a targeted CRA Non-Filer Benefit Letter issued to 200,106 taxpayers for the 2023 tax year.

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

The following initiatives demonstrate how the Canada Revenue Agency programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs and supplements the information outlined above.

Planned Initiative: Northern Service Centre

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

Canadian Indicator Framework target 1.1: 50% reduction in the poverty rate for 2015, by 2030.

Results achieved

The CRA Northern Service Centres (NSC) provide socio-economic support to vulnerable populations by offering tax and benefits information and significantly contributing to the uptake of benefits and credits within local communities. Support is offered to individuals as well as community organizations by:

• directing clients to free tax clinics
• answering questions and distributing information related to benefits and credits individuals should receive
• assisting clients with CRA communications (for example, letters from the CRA)
• promoting and supporting the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP)
• helping clients access CRA’s digital services including, registering for My Account and submitting documents online

There were over 175 Outreach activities in the territories and more than 5,700 individuals accessed direct support from NSC officers in person or through virtual assistance, as listed by territory:

• Northwest Territories, 2,318
• Nunavut, 904
• Yukon, 2,486
• Total, 5,708

The CRA piloted a translation of the credit and benefit short return, “SimpleFile: Let us help you get your benefits,” in Inuktitut and is currently in the process of validating the translation with the Inuit community. The next steps will include consultations with the Inuit community on the usefulness of this document translation and further collaboration on their specific needs for future document translations, to better serve the northern communities.

Planned Initiative: Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP)

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

Canadian Indicator Framework target 1.1: 50% reduction in the poverty rate for 2015, by 2030.

Results achieved

For the period of January 1 to December 31, 2023, the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP) helped 758,540 low income and vulnerable individuals which represents an increase of 17% compared to the previous year. In addition, 41 new CVITP clinics were established in underserved areas.

Planned Initiative: Canada Worker Benefit

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

Canadian Indicator Framework target 1.1: 50% reduction in the poverty rate for 2015, by 2030.

Results achieved

In July 2023 and based on the 2022 taxation year, the Advanced Canada Workers Benefit (ACWB) replaced the CWB advanced payment program that CRA previous administered. The ACWB provide advance payments equivalent to 50% of the CWB across three equal payments. Payments were issued in July 28, 2023, October 12, 2023, and January 12, 2024

There were 2,399,470 entitled recipients of the ACWB during fiscal year 2023 to 2024. From July 28, 2023, to March 31, 2024, the CRA delivered 6,142,700 payments and issued $1,391,866.00.

Planned Initiative: Canada Dental Benefit

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

UN Target 1.3: Implement nationally appropriate social protection systems and measures for all, including floors, and by 2030 achieve substantial overage of the poor and the vulnerable.

Results achieved

The federal government developed the new Canada Dental Benefit (CDB) for eligible families earning less than $90,000 a year. The benefit provides financial support of up to a $650 payment for parents and guardians of children under 12 years old if the children receive dental care and do not have access to a private dental insurance plan. Children already covered under another government dental program may be eligible if that program does not pay all the dental care costs. This is an interim program that was implemented in December 2022 until there is a long-term solution.

Between April 1, 2023 and March 31, 2024, the CRA delivered more than 244,000 payments and issued nearly $250,000,000 in benefits. The total number of children who benefited, since applications opened on December 1, 2022 to May 1, 2024, was 443,400 in which the CRA administered the CDB payments (on behalf of Health Canada).

Planned Initiative: Grocery Rebate

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

Canadian Indicator Framework target 1.1: 50% reduction in the poverty rate for 2015, by 2030.

Results achieved

As announced in Budget 2023, the Government of Canada introduced a one-time Grocery Rebate to provide financial support to eligible Canadians. This rebate was issued on July 5, 2023, alongside the July 2023 quarterly GST/HST credit payment. There were more than 10.4 million payments issued to individuals and families totalling over $2.36 billion.

Goal 10: Advance Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and Take Action on Inequality

Target theme: Advancing reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and the Métis communities

Implementation strategy: Implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act

Action: Develop the CRA’s Indigenous Strategy (IS) 2024 to 2027 to include initiatives that directly contribute to the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

Include initiatives that support economic development and entrepreneurship in Indigenous communities. Provide clear information and services adapted to the needs of Indigenous entrepreneurs and businesses to facilitate registration, filing and to meet other reporting requirements.

Program

Internal services

Performance indicator

Publish annual progress reports and track progress on the delivery of the CRA’s IS 2024 to 2027.

Starting point

Final results of the CRA’s Indigenous Portfolio Action Plan 2021-2024 (as of 31 March 2024).

Target

• Develop the CRA’s IS 2024 to 2027 and publish the annual progress reports by each summer starting, 2025 to 2027.
• Please note, the CRA’s Indigenous Portfolio Action Plan 2021 to 2024, will transition to the CRA’s Indigenous Strategy 2024 to 2027.

Contribution to goal

The development and implementation of the CRA’s IS 2024 to 2027 will contribute to the implementation of the Act and advance reconciliation.

The annual progress reports for the Strategy will provide updates on the CRA’s contribution to implement the Act to the Department of Justice for inclusion in the Government of Canada’s annual progress report.

Indicator result

Target met in 2023 to 2024.

Results achieved

The CRA has implemented its first Indigenous Strategy, 2024 to 2027.

Notes

The CRA’s Indigenous Strategy 2024 to 2027 includes four initiatives that contribute to (UNDA):

• Systematic Indigenous engagements
• Procurement strategy for Indigenous businesses
• Hiring, retention and career development of Indigenous employees
• Exploration and implementation of tailored service approach, where feasible

The first annual results achieved of these four initiatives will be provided by summer 2025.

Action: Reach out to Indigenous communities via the Community Volunteer Income Tax Program to assist and promote benefits and credits entitlements.

Program

Community Volunteer Income Tax Program (CVITP)

Performance indicator

Number of Indigenous communities with CVITP clinics

Starting point

2022 to 2023 will be the baseline year.

Target

• Reach out to 407 CVITP organizations serving Indigenous communities.
• Please note, some of the organizations may serve Indigenous communities, but may not be registered in Indigenous communities.

Contribution to goal

To help ensure vulnerable Canadians have the information and support they need to access the benefits and credits to which they are entitled. The Benefits Outreach Program aims to ensure the vulnerable segments of Canada’s population are provided with information about the benefits and credits to which they are entitled, and are aware of the support available to help them file their tax returns.

Indicator result

Target exceeded in 2023 to 2024.

Results achieved

595 CVITP clinics were hosted in Indigenous communities representing a 97% increase from the 2022 to 2023 baseline year.

Notes

2022 to 2023 was the baseline year in which there were 302 CVITP clinics hosted in Indigenous communities.

Target theme: Taking action on inequality

Implementation strategy: Foster diversity, inclusion and accessibility in the federal public service

Action: Every 3 years, create a three-year accessibility plan (in consultation with persons with disabilities) that establishes how the CRA will identify, remove and prevent barriers to accessibility in the workplace, and in the delivery of programs and services to Canadians, with the goal of becoming barrier-free by 2040.

Identify, eliminate and prevent barriers, and assist:

• Potential candidates and current employees of the CRA to have equal access to employment opportunities.
• Taxpayers and benefit recipients to have barrier-free access to ensure they are able to receive their tax deductions and benefit entitlements.
• Publish an annual Progress Report that describes how the CRA is increasing transparency on and accountability to its accessibility and inclusion commitments.
• Overall goal – Build expertise, understanding, and respect, reduce the stigma related to accessibility and persons with disabilities, and confirm the CRA’s adherence to the Accessible Canada Act.

Program

Internal services

Performance indicator

Develop accessibility plans to address accessibility barriers, followed by progress reports that track progress on the CRA’s commitments.

Starting point

December 20, 2022 – Published first accessibility plan (2023 to 2025), identified 23 barriers and 42 action items to remove and prevent barriers over the next three years.

Establish a three-year planning and reporting cycle:

• Year one – publish the plan
• Year two – publish a progress report on the implementation of the accessibility plan, including information on feedback received and on how that feedback has been taken into consideration.
• Year three – publish a progress report
• Year four – publish an updated plan
• Repeat (publish progress reports in the fifth and sixth years, and update plan in the seventh and subsequent years).

Target

Develop and publish two Accessibility Plans and four Progress Reports by December 20, 2027.

Contribution to goal

The CRA Accessibility Plan identifies and takes action on inequalities for persons with disabilities to remove barriers preventing their full and active participation thereby improving social and economic situation for persons with disabilities.

Indicator result

Indicator result: Year two target met.

Results achieved

The CRA's 2023 Accessibility Progress Report was published on Canada.ca on December 22, 2023. The 2023 Progress Report indicates that the CRA:

• Has committed to 14% (6 of 42) action items in the plan.
• Anticipates to complete 60% (25 of 42) action items as originally planned.
• Has experienced delays with 26% (11 of 42) of the action items. However, anticipates to complete these actions during the three year period covered by the Plan.

Notes

The CRA’s 2024 Accessibility Progress Report will be published by December 31, 2024, as legislatively required under the Accessible Canada Act.

The CRA’s Accessibility Progress Reports detail the CRA’s progress in delivering upon its current Accessibility Plan, as well as what it has learned through ongoing consultations with persons with disabilities and through feedback on the accessibility of its programs, services, and operations.

Action: Implement the Many Voices One Mind: a Pathway to Reconciliation to increase the representation of visible minorities and Indigenous peoples in the CRA Executive group to close the current gap, and implement initiatives to support accessibility and employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Increase representation of persons with disabilities in the CRA by implementing initiatives in the Strategy for the Recruitment, Onboarding and Retention of Persons with Disabilities.

The CRA will aim to hire 750 new persons with disabilities, by 2025 to support the overall federal Public Service goal of hiring 5,000 net new persons with disabilities by 2025.

Program

Internal services

Performance indicator 1

Percentage of CRA Executives who identify as visible minorities by March 31, 2024

Starting point

Executives who identify themselves as equity group for visible minorities comprise 15.6% of the CRA Executive population on March 31, 2022 (baseline information)

Target

Increase the representation of those who identify themselves as visible minorities among CRA Executives to meet Canada’s Labour Market Availability of 16.4% by March 31, 2024.

Performance
indicator 2

Increase representation of Indigenous people among Percentage of CRA Executives who identify as Indigenous Peoples (not a subset of visible minorities) by March 31, 2024.

Starting point

Indigenous peoples comprise 2.0% of the CRA Executive population March 31, 2022 (baseline information)

Target

Increase representation of Indigenous people among CRA Executives to meet Canada’s Labour Market Availability of 2.8% by March 31, 2024

Performance
indicator 3

Number (and percentage) of people with disabilities hired each year at the CRA in relation to the overall CRA target

Starting point

2020 to 2021 is the base year starting point.

Target

The CRA has committed to hiring 750 net new people with disabilities by March 31, 2025.

Contribution to goal

As part of the CRA’s Employment equity and diversity action plan, the CRA will start implementing recommendations from its Employment Systems Review and the Canadian Human Rights Commission's Horizontal Audit on the Employment of Racialized People in Executive and Management Positions in the Public Sector.

The CRA employment equity and diversity action plan supports the federal Workplace Equity Program by establishing working conditions that are free from barriers, and promotes special measures to accommodate differences in designated groups under the Employment Equity Act.

Indicator result 1

Target exceeded in 2023 to 2024.

Results achieved

As of March 31, 2024, 19.8% of Executives identified as visible minorities.

Indicator result 2

Target not met in 2023 to 2024.

Results achieved

As of March 31, 2024, 2.7% of Executives identified as Indigenous.

Indicator result 3

Target exceeded.

Results achieved

Over the past four fiscal years, from 2019-2020 to 2022-2023, the CRA has seen the hiring rates of persons with disabilities increase from 4.6% to 7.1% of all new hires.

This has helped the CRA surpass its goal of 750, by hiring 1,011 net new persons with disabilities from April 1, 2020, to March 31, 2023.

Goal 12: Reduce Waste and Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles

Target theme: Federal Leadership on Responsible Consumption

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

Implementation strategy: Strengthen green procurement criteria

Action: Ensure all acquisition card holders as well as 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.

Program

Internal services

Performance indicator

• Percentage of acquisition card holders trained in green procurement
• Percentage of procurement and materiel management specialists trained in green procurement within one year of being identified

Starting point

Number (and percentage) of acquisition card holders, procurement officers and materiel management specialists that have been trained in green procurement in 2018-2019 (base year): 100%.

Target

100% of acquisition card holders, procurement officers and material management specialists receive training with one year of being identified.

Contribution to goal

Supports the Greening Government goal to achieve net-zero green operations.

Green procurement integrates 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.

Indicator result

Target met in 2023 to 2024.

Results achieved

100% of 1,175 acquisition cardholders were trained in green procurement.

100% of 46 procurement and materiel management functional specialists were trained in green procurement within one year of being identified as a specialist.

Action: Ensure heads of procurement and material management and their designated managers have green procurement included in their performance agreements.

Program

Internal services

Performance indicator

Number (and percentage) of heads of procurement and material management and their designated managers who have green procurement included in their performance agreements.

Starting point

Percentage of designated officials with green procurement in their performance evaluations in 2018 to 2019 (base year): 6 or 100%.

Target

100% of designated officials have performance agreements that include green procurement.

Contribution to goal

Supports the Greening Government goal to achieve net-zero green operations.

Green procurement integrates environmental considerations into purchasing decisions and is expected to motivate suppliers and their supply chains to reduce the environmental impact of the goods and services they deliver.

Indicator result

Target met in 2023 to 2024.

Results achieved

100% of the CRA’s 6 managers and heads of procurement and materiel management have performance agreements that include green procurement.

Action: Review environmental considerations for all non-confidential contracts valued over $250K.

Program

Internal services

Performance indicator

Number (and percentage) of non-confidential contracts valued over $250K that are reviewed for potential sustainable development considerations.

Starting point

Percentage of non-confidential contracts over $500K reviewed for SD considerations in 2018 to 2019 (base year): 100%.

Target

100% of non-confidential contracts over $250K reviewed for SD considerations.

Contribution to goal

Supports the Greening Government goal to achieve net-zero green operations.

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.

Indicator result

Target met in 2023 to 2024.

Results achieved

The CRA awarded 16 (100%) new non-confidential contracts over $250,000, and reviewed SD considerations for them all.

Action: Update and expand the CRA Procurement and Corporate Social Responsibility Directive into the Directive on Corporate and Social Responsibility in Procurement and Asset Management to reflect the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development and shift the focus to a more holistic approach to responsible consumption.

Ensure the CRA procurement policy direction supports the flexibility to use alternative procurement methods to benefit from the opportunities to further achieve sustainable development objectives.

Program

Internal services

Performance indicators

• Review and update the Procurement and Corporate Social Responsibility Directive.
• Review and update the CRA procurement policy direction.

Starting Point

2023 to 2024 will be the base year.

Target

Update Directive on Corporate Social Responsibility in Procurement and Materiel Management Directive by June 30, 2024.

Contribution to goal

Supports the FSDS goal of responsible production and consumption.

Strengthens policy direction related to corporate social responsibility in procurement and asset management at the CRA.

Indicator result

Results will be available in fiscal year 2024 to 2025.

Notes

Directive update is in progress.

Implementation strategy: Transform the federal light-duty fleet

Action: As a step toward the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy 2030 target, ensure 75% of new light-duty unmodified administrative fleet vehicle purchases will be Zero-Emissions Vehicles (ZEV), hybrids, or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

Program

Internal services

Performance indicators

• Total number of vehicles in administrative fleet
• Percentage of annual administrative fleet purchases that are ZEV or hybrid (ZEVs include battery electric, plug-in hybrid, or hydrogen fuel cell vehicles)
• Percentage of ZEV in administrative fleet
• Executive vehicle ZEV or hybrid purchases

Starting point

Number of vehicles in the administrative fleet in 2018 to 2019 was 54, of which 7 (13%) were hybrid vehicles.

Target

Fleet comprised of 100% ZEV by 2030.

Please note, the 2018 to 2019 base year was the first fiscal year the CRA started to measure this performance indicator to support the 2016 to 2019 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy.

Contribution to goal

Supports the Greening Government goal to achieve net-zero green operations.

Renewing and optimizing fleet management with the objective to ensure conventional light-duty on-road fleet comprises 100% zero-emission vehicles by 2030, including battery electric, plug-in hybrid, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.

Indicator result

On track to meet target.

Results achieved

• Total number of vehicles in the administrative fleet: 49
• Percentage of annual administrative fleet purchases that are ZEV or hybrid: 100% (4 out of 4 vehicles purchased)
• Percentage of ZEV in light-duty unmodified administrative fleet: 34% (14 of 41 vehicles)
• Executive vehicle ZEV or hybrid purchases: 1 ZEV or hybrid of 1 total purchases

Notes

To ensure results align with the Greening Government reporting templates for conventional land vehicles, references to “administrative fleet” for this DSDS performance indicator exclude executive vehicles. CRA operates two (2) executive vehicles, and both are hybrid electric.

Implementation strategy: Maximize diversion of waste from landfills

Action: Reduce paper through the use of the CRA’s secure data channels, under the Digital Communication Services (digital transmission of documents that were traditionally received through fax machines).

Reduce paper through the use of Business-to-CRA/CRA-to-Business (B2CRA/CRA2B): a secure two-way communication service for ongoing exchanges with large business entities.

Program

Internal services

Performance indicator 1

Digital Communication Services total number of paper sheets saved

Starting point

Baseline to be established in 2023 to 2024

Target

Maintain paper reduction number of paper sheets and percent saved compared to base year.

Performance indicator 2

Total number of Requests for information (RFI) received through B2CRA service

Starting point

Baseline to be established in 2023 to 2024.

Target

Maintain paper reduction number of paper sheets and percent saved compared to base year.

Contribution to goal

CRA available digital services to Canadians supports the Greening Government goal to green its operations and reduce environmental impacts in a safe and secured manner.

Indicator result 1

Results will be available in fiscal year 2024 to 2025.

Results achieved

8.2 million total paper sheets saved due to Digital Communication Services.

Indicator result 2

Target met in 2023 to 2024.

Results achieved

41,000 Requests for information were received through B2CRA.

Implementation strategy: Reduce methane emissions from municipal solid waste landfills

Action: Divert organic waste from landfills through use of an organic waste-diversion composting pilot project.

The CRA installed a clean-tech mechanical composter at the CRA headquarters building that will convert organic waste to biofuel.

Program

Internal services

Performance indicator

Weight in kilograms (kg) of biofuel (biomass) output produced.

Reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Starting point

2023 to 2024 will be the base year.

Target

Weight in kg of biofuel output produced and reduction in emissions to be established following base year.

Contribution to goal

Supports the Greening Government Strategy to reduce waste and environmental impacts. Diverting waste from landfills reduces GHG emissions associated with transport waste and its decomposition in landfills, and supports Sustainable Development Goal 13 to take action to combat climate change and its impacts.

Indicator result

Target on track.

Partial results

June 19, 2023 to April 31, 2024

• 64 kg biofuel output (320 kilograms food waste input less 64 kg output equals 256 kg)
• 640 kg CO2 (2.5 kg CO2 x 256 kg) GHG emissions reduction

1 kg of food waste produces approximately 2.5 kg of CO2

Notes

The CRA launched its mechanical composter operations June 19, 2023. The CRA will continue to track the results.

Goal 13: Take Action on Climate Change and its Impacts

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: Implement the Greening Government Strategy through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and green the government’s overall operations

Action: Reduce, measure, and report on GHG emissions from the CRA fleet using the Federal Greenhouse Gas Tracking Protocol.

Program

Internal services

Please note, as a tenant organization, the CRA is only responsible for fleet greenhouse gas emissions reductions.

Performance indicator

• GHG emissions from fleet in fiscal year 2005 to 2006 (base year) = [X] kilotonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (ktCO2e)
• GHG Emissions from fleet in current reporting fiscal year = [Y] ktCO2e
• Percentage (%) change in emissions from fleet from fiscal year 2005-2006 to current reporting fiscal year = [1-Y/X] %

Starting point

GHG emissions from base year 2005-2006: 397 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e).

Fiscal Year 2018-2019 Greenhouse gas emissions were: 215 tCO2e.

Target

Fleet emissions are 40% below 2005 to 2006 levels by 2025

Please note, the CRA selected the 2005 to 2006 baseline fiscal year to align with the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference, in which Canada signed the Copenhagen Accord, using 2005 as the year against which to measure greenhouse gas emissions reduction. This also aligns with Canada’s Nationally Determined Contribution under the 2015 Paris Agreement.

Contribution to goal

Supports the Greening Government Strategy through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and green the government’s overall operations.

Reduce emissions by 40% by 2025 and by at least 90% below 2005 levels by 2050. On this emissions reduction pathway, the government will aspire to reduce emissions by an additional 10% each 5 years starting in 2025.

Indicator result

Target exceeded.

Results achieved

GHG emissions from the CRA fleet were 133 tonnes, which represents a 66% decrease from 2005-2006 levels.

Action: Continue to reduce GHG emissions from business-related air travel.

Program

Internal services

Performance indicator

• Annual GHG emissions from business-related air travel compared to fiscal year 2008 to 2009
• Percentage reduction in GHG emissions compared to 2008 to 2009

Starting point

GHG emissions from business air travel in 2008 to 2009 were 9,447 tonnes. In 2018 to 2019, the emissions were 5,577 tonnes.

The baseline year is different from the other GHG emissions targets in order to be consistent with previous CRA Departmental Sustainable Development Strategies and facilitate comparison across time. The 2008 to 2009 base year was the first fiscal year the CRA started to measure this performance indicator to support the 2007 to 2010 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy.

Target

40% reduction in emissions by 2025, compared to 2008 to 2009.

Contribution to goal

Supports the Greening Government Strategy through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and green the government’s overall operations.

The CRA will continue to review and refine its business travel programs to ensure low carbon travel options are prioritized to reduce emissions.

Indicator result

Target exceeded in 2023 to 2024.

Results achieved

GHG emissions from business-related air travel totalled 2,823 tonnes. The CRA reduced its GHG travel emissions by 70.1% relative to 2008 to 2009 levels (9,447 tonnes).

Action: Renew the CRA’s Sustainable Development policy.

Program

Internal services

Performance indicator

Renew the CRA Sustainable Development policy to include more sustainable practices in the CRA plans and processes.

Starting point

The previous CRA Sustainable Development Policy was updated March 2020.

Target

Renew by March 31, 2025.

Contribution to goal

The renewed CRA Sustainable Development policy will ensure more sustainable practices to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions to support the Greening Government Strategy.

Indicator result

On track to meet target.

Results achieved

The renewal of the CRA SD Policy is in progress to be completed by March 31, 2025.

Implementation strategy: Modernize through net-zero carbon buildings

Action: Continue to minimize the environmental impacts of the CRA’s real property portfolio by effectively managing the floor space per full time employee through workplace modernization using new and innovative methods, to align with GC Workplace concepts.

Program

Internal services

Performance indicator

• Number of square metres (m2) of general purpose office space divided by the number of full time employees as at April 1st of the reporting year.
• Number and percentage of completed new fit-up and major refit projects measured at project close-out that implemented GC Workplace concepts as at April 1st of the reporting year.

Starting point

The CRA office space utilization rate was 15.5 m2/full time employee in the 2022-2023 base year.

Target

Utilization rate of 15.5 m2/full time employee or less

Contribution to goal

Supports the Greening Government Strategy through measures that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve climate resilience, and green the government’s overall operations

Right-sizing office space within the CRA’s real property portfolio will help minimize energy use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from heating and electricity.

Indicator result

Target exceeded.

Results achieved

16 fit-up and major refit projects were completed, converting 55,601 m2 or 8% of space to GCWorkplace or similar concepts.
These refits exceeded the CRA’s base year efforts, which reduced the utilization rate to 13.5 m2/FTE as of April 1, 2024.

Notes

While the CRA contributes to the reduction of GHG emissions by ensuring efficient use of space, achieving a net-zero carbon Real Property portfolio is part of Public Services and Procurement Canada’s (PSPC) wider leasing and fit-up strategy.

Target theme: The Government of Canada will transition to climate resilient operations by 2050 (All Ministers)

Implementation strategy: Reduce risks posed by climate change to federal assets, services and operations

Action: Develop a Climate Change Adaptation Plan to identify measures to reduce climate change risks to the CRA’s critical services and enabling functions.

Program

Internal services

Performance indicator

Complete a CRA Climate Change Adaptation Plan.

Starting point

2022 to 2023 will be the base year.

The Climate Change Adaptation Plan will be a follow-up to the CRA Climate Risk Vulnerability Assessment (CRiVA) that was completed in August 2022.

Target

Complete the CRA Climate Change Adaptation Plan by end of 2024 to 2025.

Contribution to goal

Supports the Government of Canada’s commitment to minimize disruptions and damage to its assets, services and operations related to the impacts of climate change. Consistent with the Federal Adaptation Policy Framework, under the Greening Government Strategy.

Indicator result

On track to meet target.

Results achieved

The CRA CCAP is currently in the research and consultation phase and is in progress to be completed by the end of fiscal year 2024 to 2025.

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 Canada Revenue Agency programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, supplementing the information outlined above.

Planned initiatives

The CRA will establish and implement an Anti-racism Framework and Anti-racism Engagement Strategy to help employees combat racism in the workplace.

As part of the CRA’s Employment Equity And Diversity Action Plan, the CRA will start implementing the recommendations from its Employment Systems Review and the Canadian Human Rights Commission’s Horizontal Audit on the Employment of Racialized People in Executive and Management Positions in the Public Sector.

Associated domestics targets or ambitions and/or global targets

The CRA supports the Canadian Indicator Framework SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities and SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

Global Indicator Framework 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.

Global Indicator Framework 10.4: Adopt policies, especially fiscal, wage and social protection policies, and progressively achieve greater equality.

The CRA supports the United Nations Global Indicator Framework: indicator 16.7.1 – Proportions of positions (by sex, age, persons with disabilities and population groups) in public institutions (national and local legislatures, public service, and judiciary) compared to national distributions.

Results achieved

The CRA established and implemented the CRA's Anti-racism Framework which included an Engagement on Anti-Racism and Bias (EARB). The internal EARB online page was launched in May 2023 to play a key role to support and actively engage all CRA employees to root out racism, discrimination and bias. EARB supports the Clerk’s Call to Action and provides opportunities to raise awareness on having courageous conversations on Anti-racism and bias. It gives management and employees the tools and support needed to increase self-awareness and educate themselves on topics related to anti-racism and bias, through micro-learning tools, courses, and learning circles.

The CRA has implemented initiatives based on the recommendations of the most recent Employment Systems Review: A listing of the recommendations and actions taken follows:

• Going beyond minimum application of employment equity targets: For this recommendation, a working group was established whose task is the implementation of the recommendations further to the Emerging from the Purge Report. Initiatives completed include Positive Space and the publication of the guides for transgender and gender-expansive employees (for all employees and managers).
• Employment Equity Education and Sensitivity as an ongoing and comprehensive program: Training opportunities that capture Employment Equity, Diversity and Inclusion were developed and made available to all employees and management. For example, the Unconscious Bias and Story of our names initiatives provide insight and context to the historical significance of hearing one's name and the alignment to a workforce that is all about equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Representation: Support is provided to the CRA networks and branches/regions through the Network Support Team. The team was instrumental in supporting the new Black Employees Network (BEN) in strategies and administrative functions for its implementation. In addition, a Special Program was created whose mission it was to amplify and increase representation of 2 employment equity groups (Indigenous and Visible Minorities).
• Employment Equity Networks: Criteria and procedures for the implementation and tabling of a CRA Equity Diversity and Inclusion network have been developed.

Integrating Sustainable Development: Strategic Environmental Assessments (SEA)

The CRA will continue to ensure that its decision-making process includes consideration of FSDS goals and targets through its SEA process. A 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.

Statements on the results of the CRA’s assessments are made public when an initiative has undergone a detailed SEA (refer to Sustainable Development Organization – Public Statements). 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.

The CRA did not complete any detailed SEAs in 2023-24.