Sustainable Development Action Plan for 2011-2014

Accountability and Reporting

The Federal Sustainable Development Act (2008) changes the way that departments and agencies account for sustainable development. The CRA will now table its SD strategy in Parliament through its annual Report on Plans and Priorities, and report SD performance through its Departmental Performance Report. To support the SD strategy, the Agency has prepared an internal strategy document that details our interventions to advance the three pillars of sustainable development at the CRA. We will also prepare detailed annual reports on the performance of our SD Program.

To implement the plan, we have identified Offices of Primary Interest (OPI), Offices of Collaborating Interest (OCI), and partners. The OPIs are responsible for taking the lead in implementing the activity and are fully accountable for its completion. The OCIs and partners are accountable for providing support to the OPI to complete the activity.

The primary groups responsible for advising on, implementing, or reporting on activities in the Plan are:

• Sustainable Development Steering Committee (SDSC) and Sustainable Development (SD) Champions: The role of the SDSC is to guide the work of the SD Centre of Expertise, report to the Agency Management Committee on progress with the SD Strategy, and influence senior executives towards integrating sustainable development considerations into their decision-making. The members of the SDSC are the two SD Champions at the Assistant Commissioner-level, the Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Commissioner of the Finance and Administration Branch, the Director General of the Strategic Management and Program Support Directorate, and staff of the SD Centre of Expertise.
• Sustainable Development Centre of Expertise: This is a dedicated group of employees in Headquarters situated within the Strategic Management and Program Support Directorate of the Finance and Administration Branch. The area is responsible for consulting on and updating CRA SD strategies; and for updating and implementing annually the SD National Action Plan. The area also consolidates CRA-wide performance on SD for reports to employees, Agency Management Committee, Board of Management, and to Parliament. It responds to internal audit enquiries and requests from the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development. It also leads sustainable development communications, learning, and events; provides expertise and advice to employee requests for information; and provides leadership and technical support to the SD Network.
• Sustainable Development (SD) Network: Each branch and region of the CRA implements a sustainable development action plan that directly supports the national Plan. To implement these plans, each branch and region has appointed an SD Representative and SD Coordinator. These two positions are the main vehicle for communicating with employees, and in understanding unique branch and regional challenges and opportunities for sustainable development. The SD Representatives are selected from within the management cadre and are responsible for coordinating the planning, reporting, and approvals of sustainable development plans within their area of responsibility. The SD Coordinator supports the SD Representative by coordinating the implementation of the activities of the branch/regional action plan. Most branches and regions have SD committees, and, in some cases, sub-committees to support their work.
• Branches: The branches are the key to integrating sustainable development into CRA business decisions. By integrating sustainable development into their functional areas of responsibility, branches can affect change at the corporate level. All Assistant Commissioners have approved this National Action Plan, and are accountable for their commitments in the plan. They are also accountable for implementing an annual branch plan that supports this national Plan. Under the direction of their SD Coordinator, branches are responsible for promoting awareness on sustainable development to their employees, and for implementing, measuring, and reporting on their sustainable development commitments through in-year reports to the SD Centre of Expertise.
• Regions: The majority of CRA employees are located in the regions and deliver CRA programs directly to Canadians. All regional Assistant Commissioners have approved this Plan, and are accountable for their commitments in the plan. They are also accountable for implementing their regional plan that supports this national Plan. Under the direction of their SD Coordinator, regional offices define specific roles for promoting awareness to employees at the local level, and implementing, measuring, and reporting on their sustainable development commitments through in-year reports to the SD Centre of Expertise.
• Partnerships: The SD Centre of Expertise and the SD Network liaise with other government departments (OGDs) and organizations through various national, regional and local working groups. These partnerships help to reduce duplication of effort, learn about best practices, and ensure that our strategy and action plans reflect the priorities of the Government of Canada. We also rely on partners, such as our facilities service provider, to advance specific targets in our strategy.
• Management: Management at all levels, including the Board of Management, are responsible for providing support and direction for planning and implementing sustainable development activities at the CRA.
• Employees: Sustainable development is a shared responsibility throughout the CRA. All employees are responsible for being aware of the principles of sustainable development, and for applying these principles in their work.

Internal Accountability, Monitoring, and Reporting for Sustainable Development

Date modified:

2011-06-15