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Transport Canada's Sustainable Development Strategy 2007-2009
responds to key issues and focuses on areas where the department can make a real difference towards achieving sustainable
transportation. In the Sustainable Development Strategy, Transport Canada outlines the sustainable development commitments,
targets and performance measures the department will use to measure the success. The department's commitments align with
broader Federal Sustainable Development Goals as well
as the Greening Government Operations Goals.
Federal Sustainable Development Goals | Greening Government Operations Goals |
Goal 1 - Water - Clean and secure water for people, marine and freshwater ecosystems Goal 2 - Clean Air - Clean air for people to breathe and ecosystems to function well Goal 3 - Reduce greenhouse gas emissions Goal 4 - Sustainable Communities - Communities enjoy a prosperous economy, a vibrant and equitable society, and a healthy environment for current and future generations Goal 5 - Sustainable development and use of natural resources Goal 6 - Strengthen federal governance and decision making to support sustainable development. |
Building Energy: To be a leader in the reduction of greenhouse gas and other air emissions through the optimization of energy efficiency and conservation, and the implementation of renewable energy technologies. Vehicle Fleet: To be a leader in fleet management, so that planning, acquiring, managing and disposing of vehicles minimize negative effects on the environment. Green Procurement: To be a leader by integrating environmental performance considerations into procurement including planning, acquisition, use and disposal. |
Note: The following table provides an overview of the department's achievements for the 2008-2009 period only. To view
Transport Canada's Sustainable Development Strategy in its entirety, please visit:
http://www.tc.gc.ca/pol/en/acs/sd/sds0709/menu.htm.
SDS Departmental Goals: Commitment 1.3 - Green Commute
Federal SD Goals: 3 & 4
Expected Results 2008-09 | Supporting Performance Measure(s) | Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2008-09 |
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Deliver three commuter options workshops per year to interested public and private employers. |
The number of workshops delivered and their outcomes. |
One workshop delivered in 2008-2009 in cooperation with the City of Kingston. The workshop received a very positive evaluation from attendees. |
By 2008-2009, work with federal partners to amend existing policies to enable reduction of single occupancy vehicle trips. Examples include parking and accommodation policy. | The number of federal policies reviewed and/or amended. | No policies were evaluated. Progress was made in the reduction of single occupant vehicle trips through the introduction of a ride-matching website developed in cooperation with the City of Ottawa and the continued expansion of the Transit Pass Program in the National Capital Region. |
SDS Departmental Goals: Commitment 1.4 - Explore Use of Economic Measures
Federal SD Goals: 2, 3 & 6
Expected Results 2008-09 | Supporting Performance Measure(s) | Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2008-09 |
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Work with partners to explore the use of market incentives to increase the production and purchase of environmentally friendly motor vehicles, ongoing between 2007-2008 and 2009-2010. |
Number of consultations conducted. |
Consulted with the Canadian Trucking Alliance on their enviroTruck proposal and with the automotive industry regarding development of threshold criteria for 2008 model year vehicles for the ecoAUTO Rebate Program. |
Consult with stakeholders about design options and administration/ implementation issues ongoing between 2007-2008 and 2009-2010. | Consultations with industry stakeholders from marine, rail and aviation sectors were on-going. |
SDS Departmental Goals: Commitment 2.1 - Skills Development in the Transportation Sector
Expected Results 2008-09 | Supporting Performance Measure(s) | Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2008-09 |
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From 2007-2008 to 2009-2010, work in cooperation with stakeholders in the public and private sectors to raise the profile of the transportation sector careers, and to act as a catalyst for the exchange of ideas, expertise, and experience in transportation skills development. |
Number of jurisdictions that agree to distribute compendium electronically to stakeholders. |
Distributed materials from the Council of Deputy Ministers of Transport and Highway Safety's Policy and Planning Support Committee Skills Development Task Force to a number of key stakeholders (Council's Policy and Planning Support Committee; Motor Carrier Passenger Council of Canada; Canadian Trucking Human Resources Council; Transportation Association of Canada's Education and, Human Resources Council). |
Ongoing cooperation with federal-provincial-territorial jurisdictions to produce tools (including a compendium) for the transportation stakeholders to use in identifying and implementing strategic responses to skills development challenges. | Number of provincial/territorial jurisdictions in regular dialogue with Transport Canada regarding transportation skills development issues. Number of teleconference/ meetings with federal/provincial/ territorial jurisdictions to discuss skills development issues. |
Through meetings and teleconferences, Transport Canada is in regular contact with federal, provincial and territorial jurisdictions on skills development issues through a variety of fora, including:
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SDS Departmental Goals: Commitment 2.2 - Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation
Federal SD Goals: 3
Expected Results 2008-09 | Supporting Performance Measure(s) | Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2008-09 |
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Subject to the availability of funds, and depending upon the recommendations of the preliminary assessment, increase the understanding and knowledge of the occurrence of permafrost and of the thermal regime in order to assess the vulnerability of the landing strip (Kuujuuaq Airport) to forecasted climatic changes over the next 20 years, 2008-2009. |
Usefulness of study results in understanding climate change impacts and adaptation. (Subject to funding). |
The Kuujjuaq landing strip has been instrumented and soil samples have been analyzed. |
SDS Departmental Goals: Commitment 3.1 - Intelligent Transportation Systems
Federal SD Goals: 3
Expected Results 2008-09 | Supporting Performance Measure(s) | Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2008-09 |
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Work with partners to build on the successes of previous investments in intelligent transportation systems. |
Number of deployment projects funded. |
35 active projects, of which 23 were completed. 26 ongoing projects, of which 25 were completed. |
Funding to be provided for research, development and deployment projects in each of fiscal years 2007-2008, 2008-2009 and 2009-2010. | Number of R&D projects fundedNumber of agreements signed with partners. | 13 new agreements were signed, including amendments to existing agreements to add new project work. |
SDS Departmental Goals: Commitment 3.2 - Promote Shortsea Shipping
Expected Results 2008-09 | Supporting Performance Measure(s) | Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2008-09 |
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Raise the profile of shortsea shipping in North America, ongoing between 2007-2008 and 2009-2010. Enhance understanding of the viability of shortsea shipping, its benefits, and barriers to implementation, ongoing between 2007-2008 and 2009-2010. |
Targeted shortsea shipping initiatives.
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Five shortsea shipping projects were selected for federal contributions under the Asia-Pacific Gateway and Corridor Initiative. Hosted, in collaboration with Atlantic provinces, a Regional Shortsea Shipping Working Session. Launched an invitation for expressions of interest for shortsea shipping projects under the Atlantic Gateway Initiative.
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Completion of studies in key areas of policy, markets, trade, urban transportation and sustainability. | “Study on Potential Hub-and-Spoke Container Transhipment Operations in Eastern Canada for Marine Movements of Freight (Shortsea Shipping)†completed. “Evaluation of Environmental and Social Impacts and Benefits of Shortsea Shipping in Canada†completed. |
SDS Departmental Goals: Commitment 3.5 - Quebec City - Windsor Corridor Modal Choice Study
Expected Results 2008-09 | Supporting Performance Measure(s) | Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2008-09 |
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Complete a study of the Quebec City - Windsor Corridor by 2008-2009. This will involve developing models to analyze the impact of potential policy decisions on freight and passenger modal choice decisions in the Quebec-Windsor Corridor. Development and calibration of passenger modal choice model by 2008-2009. |
Expert recognition of quality of model from within and outside government (robustness of estimates, predictive capacity, etc.). |
Work of the freight modal choice freight modelling was completed. Report is in progress. Data gathering for the passenger modelling is being obtained through the High-Speed Rail feasibility study. Econometric modelling will be done during 2009-2010. |
SDS Departmental Goals: Commitment 4.1 - Promote Advanced Technology Vehicles
Federal SD Goals: 2 & 3
Expected Results 2008-09 | Supporting Performance Measure(s) | Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2008-09 |
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Evaluate the performance of advanced technology vehicles on an annual basis. |
Number and type of vehicles and technologies tested with results presented in various report formats. |
The EcoTechnology for Vehicles Program acquired, evaluated and presented results on 14 advanced vehicle technologies and developed 50 technology articles, 5 videos, 18 technical bulletins, 15 animations and several print publications to inform Canadians about clean vehicle technologies. |
Conduct activities to raise public awareness on an annual basis that also allows program information to be disseminated. | Number and type of activities attended throughout the year. | Attended 19 events and provided in-depth information to over 50,000 Canadians via its web site and outreach activities. Participated in various industry consultations, work groups, conferences and seminars. |
SDS Departmental Goals: Commitment 4.2 - Motor Vehicle Fuel Consumption
Federal SD Goals: 2 & 3
Expected Results 2008-09 | Supporting Performance Measure(s) | Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2008-09 |
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Collect, verify and report on fuel consumption of new vehicles, on an annual basis.
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Timely data collection from all manufacturers. |
As of March 31, 2009, all but one manufacturer had reported the required data for 2008 model year. Processed 2009 model year data and worked with motor vehicle manufacturers to correct issues with the data. |
Audit and verification of data. | The Fuel Consumption Program completed compliance testing on 34 vehicles as part of its confirmatory audit test program. | |
Annual reporting of results. | Annual reporting for Fuel Consumption Program results will be available with the Fall 2009 release of the Vehicle Programs Division's 2008-2009 Annual Report. | |
Maintenance of the Vehicles Fuel Economy Information System database, on an ongoing basis. | The Vehicles Fuel Economy Information System application was redesigned and includes an online interface, which allows manufacturers to submit and correct data more efficiently. |
SDS Departmental Goals: Commitment 4.3 - Reduction of Emissions from the Rail Industry
Federal SD Goals: 2 & 3
Expected Results 2008-09 | Supporting Performance Measure(s) | Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2008-09 |
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Work with the Railway Association of Canada and Environment Canada to fully implement the commitments negotiated under the Memorandum of Understanding, between 2006 2007 and 2009-2010. |
Reductions in emissions achieved due to the Memorandum of Understanding. |
Continued to work with the Railway Association of Canada and Environment Canada. Rail industry is making good progress towards the 2010 targets for Class I Freight, Regional/Short Lines, Intercity and Commuter rail operations. Total emissions of sulphur oxides decreased significantly by 60.2 per cent and total nitrogen oxide emissions from all rail operations decreased by 6.9 per cent. |
SDS Departmental Goals: Commitment 5.1 - Promote Best Practices for Environmental Management in the Transport Sector
Federal SD Goals: 1, 2 & 3
Expected Results 2008-09 | Supporting Performance Measure(s) | Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2008-09 |
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Increase harmonization of international emission reduction efforts through Transport Canada participation in international forums such as International Civil Aviation Organization, International Maritime Organization, etc. by 2008 2009.
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Harmonization of international reduction efforts as evidenced by the ratification of international regulations of emission reductions and codes of practices and guidelines endorsed by international bodies.
Published findings of Airports Cooperative Research Panels . |
Work is continuing on international emission reduction efforts through the International Civil Aviation Organization as Transport Canada is an active member. Continued work to address greenhouse gas emissions from international aviation at the Committee on Aviation Environmental Protection and the Group of International Aviation and Climate Change of the International Civil Aviation Organization. The second phase of the Airport Air Quality Guidance is complete with two additional chapters proposed for development in 2009-2010. Continued participation on the Airports Cooperative Research Panel. Several reports have been published and available to the public including the ‘Guidebook on Preparing Airport Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventories' and the ‘Deicing Planning Guidelines and Practices for Stormwater Management Systems. |
SDS Departmental Goals: Commitment 5.2 - Marine Sector Pollution Control
Federal SD Goals: 1
Expected Results 2008-09 | Supporting Performance Measure(s) | Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2008-09 |
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Further Examination of Sulphur Emission Control AreaDevelop an inventory of sulphur emissions from ships, by 2008 2009.
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Further Examination of Sulphur Emission Control AreaSulphur emission levels.
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Emission Control Area: Canada, along with the U.S., made an application to the International Maritime Organization for the development of an Emission Control Area on both the east and the west coasts of Canada. Current sulphur levels in fuel on average is 1.7 per cent for domestic ships and 2.3 per cent for foreign.
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Ballast Water Management To assist in the development and approval of shipboard treatment systems capable of meeting international performance standards by 2008-2009. |
Ballast Water Management Number of systems developed and approved. |
Ballast Water Management: Efforts continue in working with the shipping industry to reach this goal. No systems approved in Canada yet, 6 under development, about 40 under development around the world. International Maritime Organization has approved about 7 systems, one has Administration approval (Alfa Laval, Norway). |
Hazardous and Noxious Substances spill response regime Create the required Hazardous and Noxious Substances response mechanism to provide a nationally consistent method of responding to, and managing the response to marine Hazardous and Noxious Substances incidents and spills from ships and during the loading and unloading of ships at chemical handling facilities starting in 2007 2008. |
Hazardous and Noxious Substances spill response regime Effectiveness of national Hazardous and Noxious Substances incident response framework. |
Hazardous and Noxious Substances spill response regime Final report on Hazardous and Noxious Substances Trade and Traffic in Canada expected later in 2009. On-going assessment of international chemical spill response regime amongst States that have ratified the International Convention on Oil Pollution Preparedness, Response and Co-operation, 1990 (OPRC) - Protocol on Preparedness, Response and Co-operation to Pollution Incidents by Hazardous and Noxious Substances, 2000 (HNS Protocol). Hazardous and Noxious Substances Discussion Document finalized in 2008-2009. However, updates are needed to reflect recent changes with regards to statistical information and to propose new options for implementing a Hazardous and Noxious Substances regime. |
Ship Waste Management Finalize a program to improve the provision of shore side waste reception in ports by 2008-2009. |
Ship Waste Management Improvements to waste reception at ports. |
Ship Waste Management Improvements to waste reception at ports ongoing. Terms of reference have been developed for a comprehensive technology study. |
National Aerial Surveillance Program Improve capability for observing, detecting and reporting illegal discharges and identifying the vessels that are responsible for polluting Canada's marine environment. By 2007-2008, Transport Canada's modernized Moncton-based Dash 8 aircraft will be fully operational with trained crews and by 2008-2009, an identical capability will be implemented on the West Coast. |
National Aerial Surveillance Program
Number of vessels visually observed and number identified by the aircraft's Automatic Identification System - per hour, per mission, per month, per year. Number of prosecutions resulting from NASP pollution patrols - per year. |
National Aerial Surveillance Program National Aerial Surveillance Program reported 183 pollution sightings: 164 classified as mystery spills and 19 as ship source spills.
National Aerial Surveillance Program reported visually observing 9,947 vessels and 76,767 using Automatic Identification System.
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SDS Departmental Goals: Commitment 6.1 - Transportation Data and Information
Federal SD Goals: 6
Expected Results 2008-09 | Supporting Performance Measure(s) | Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2008-09 |
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Conduct, on a regular basis, assessments to identify the most important data gaps with regards to transportation activity and energy use for all modes, between 2006 2007 and 2009-2010. |
Identification of the major data gaps and development of a strategy to address them. |
Developing a data strategy to address high priority data gaps at the federal, provincial, regional or local level. |
SDS Departmental Goals: Commitment 6.2 - Understanding Economic, Social and Environmental Costs of Transport
Federal SD Goals: 6
Expected Results 2008-09 | Supporting Performance Measure(s) | Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2008-09 |
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Transport Canada will lead the development of an environmental analytical framework, by 2008-2009 to estimate the impact of various transportation-related environmental policies and instruments. This initiative includes the evaluation of the costs of the following emissions: clean air (CO, PM2.5, PM10, NOX, VOCs, O3, SO2), GHGs and noise. The emphasis is on human health impacts. To have a synthesis report made available to the public by 2008 2009. |
Better sense of priorities in assessing the relative importance of each cost element. Release of synthesis report. |
Released synthesis report entitled “Estimates of the Full Cost of Transportation in Canadaâ€. Background report entitled “Evaluation of Total Cost of Air Pollution Due to Transportation in Canada†was released. |
SDS Departmental Goals: Commitment 6.3 - Funding for Sustainable Development Initiatives
Expected Results 2008-09 | Supporting Performance Measure(s) | Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2008-09 |
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In 2006-2007, Transport Canada will establish an internal sustainable development strategy fund of up to $ 1million/year for three years for innovative projects that make significant contributions to sustainable transportation. Approved projects will be considered SDS commitments. Beginning in 2006-2007, select projects for funding on an annual basis in accordance with established criteria. Implement approved projects, beginning in 2007-2008. |
Number of projects funded and total investment. Results of specific projects, including relevant improvements to environmental quality. |
Total spending for the SDS Fund in 2008/09 was $700K of the $1 million allocated. Approved 13 innovative projects, of which, 3 were unable to proceed due to unforeseen circumstances. The 10 remaining projects were successful in a number of different areas related to transportation. |
SDS Departmental Goals: Commitment 7.1 - Transport Canada Environmental Management System
Federal SD Goals: 1, 3, 4, 5 & 6
Greening Government Operations Goals: Building Energy, Vehicle Fleet & Green Procurement
Expected Results 2008-09 | Supporting Performance Measure(s) | Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2008-09 |
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Conformance with the environmental management system framework (see Appendix B of the sustainable development strategy) by 2009-2010. |
Level of conformance with the environmental management system framework. |
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From Words to Work (Part 7)
All commitments in this section contribute to Federal SD Goal 6 |
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SDS Departmental Goal: Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2008-2009: |
SDS Departmental Goal: Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2008-2009: |
SDS Departmental Goal: Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2008-2009: |
SDS Departmental Goal: Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2008-2009: |
SDS Departmental Goal: Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2008-2009: |
SDS Departmental Goal: Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2008-2009: |
SDS Departmental Goal: Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2008-2009: |
SDS Departmental Goal: SDS Departmental Results for 2008-2009: |
SDS Departmental Goal: Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2008-2009: |
SDS Departmental Goal: Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2008-2009: |
SDS Departmental Goal: Achieved SDS Departmental Results for 2008-2009: |