ARCHIVED - Veterans Affairs Canada

How is your department planning to meet the objectives of the Policy on Green Procurement?

Veterans Affairs Canada is one of the first departments to develop and implement a Green Procurement Policy and has already implemented and met several objectives. VAC plans to meet the additional objectives by incorporating "Green" thinking in all the Department's decision making. The foundation for much of our Procurement is the use of Mandatory Standing Offers in which Public Works and Government Services Canada has implemented Green Procurement Practices. Evaluating the full life cycle (acquisition, use and disposal in an environmentally friendly manner) is always a decision factor. Communications and training will play a major role in meeting our objectives.

Has your department established green procurement targets?

Yes

Describe the green procurement targets that have been set by your department and indicate the associated benefits anticipated.

1. Green Procurement Training: The training will be offered to all persons responsible for procurement, including those who have been issued an Acquisition Card. Green Procurement Training is mandatory for those individuals that spend 50% or more of their time doing procurement. VAC will report annually on the percentage of materiel managers and the procurement community who are trained. A memo was issued to all Managers responsible for procurement advising them of the Green Procurement Training available on-line through Campus Direct and that the training was available at no cost. The Finance Division also issued a memo to all new acquisition card holders advising the holders of the Green Procurement Training through campus direct and the Web site.

2. Increasing the quantity of green products purchased: This will be done by utilizing the Government of Canada Mandatory Standing Offers and our Departmental Materiel Management System which identifies "Green" items as the preferred choice, and using communication tools to make staff more aware of the number of Green items available. VAC will report annually on the dollar value spent, number of contracts issued against our procurement target, and will identify associated environmental outcomes. The Government of Canada increased the number of mandatory commodities that must be purchased using the Standing Offers, the number of commodities increased from 10 mandatory commodities to 25 categories, therefore increasing the green procurement choices and expenditures.

3. Reducing Green House Gas emissions per vehicle kilometre: The Department will monitor the use of Vehicle Utilization Data & Tracking log books to facilitate the collection of data for measuring progress and track the percentage of litres of gasoline purchased for federal road vehicles that is ethanol-blended. VAC is working with ARI (the Vehicle Operating Card) to ensure that the log book they offer meets the requirements of the Green Procurement Policy. Once confirmed, log books will be issued to each vehicle operator. VAC is also working with ARI in ensuring reports are available to respond to the requirements of the Policy.

4. Purchasing ethanol-blended gasoline where available: Fleet operators have been advised through a Departmental Directive to purchase ethanol-blended gasoline where available. The utilization is being tracked via the Vehicle Operation Card. This is ongoing.

5. Analysis of vehicle usage by staff and implementing strategies to reduce Green House Gas emissions: VAC will reduce the annual average GHG emissions per vehicle kilometre by tracking the percentage of litres of gasoline purchased for Departmental road vehicles that is ethanol-blended. VAC will report annually on the percent reduction in Green House Gas emissions at Ste. Anne's Hospital. This is ongoing.