Sustainable development report 2023–24

Table of contents

• Introduction
• Our sustainable development commitments
• Integrating sustainable development

Introduction

We are pleased to present the Office of the Commissioner of Lobbying’s 
sustainable development report for 2023-24.

The 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy presents the Government of Canada’s sustainable development goals and targets, as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act.

As developed by Environment and Climate Change Canada, it is the first federal strategy to be framed using the 17 sustainable development goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda and it aims to provide a balanced view of the environmental, social and economic dimensions of sustainable development.

In keeping with the purpose of the Federal Sustainable Development Act, to make decision making related to sustainable development more transparent and accountable to Parliament, we support goals laid out in the federal strategy through the activities described in our 2023 to 2027 organizational strategy.

The Federal Sustainable Development Act also sets out 7 principles that must be considered in the development of the federal strategy as well as the sustainable development strategies of designated federal entities. These basic principles have been considered and incorporated into our organizational strategy.

Our sustainable development commitments

We contribute to the federal strategy’s efforts to support responsible corporate consumption and act on climate change.

In keeping with our regulatory mandate, small scale of operations and limited resourcing, our sustainability commitments are within our direct control or appropriate influence and mainly relate to how we fulfill internal services.

To safeguard regulatory neutrality, our sustainability commitments avoid overlap with our legislated mandate to regulate private sector lobbying of federal officials under the Lobbying Act.

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

Context in relation to the federal strategy

The Government of Canada has committed to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, in consultation and cooperation with First Nations, Inuit and Métis to develop an Action Plan to achieve the objectives of the UN Declaration, and to identify measures needed to ensure federal laws are consistent with the UN Declaration.

As an arms-length federal organization that supports an independent agent of Parliament, we administer the Lobbying Act as enacted by Parliament.

Of note, the Lobbying Act and its regulations have long required registrants to disclose federally regulated lobbying communications related to Indigenous interests, by using the “Aboriginal Affairs” subject matter category (prescribed by regulation) when filing information in the Registry of Lobbyists. Registrants are also required to identify and describe any related legislation, regulation, policy/program, etc. connected to their lobbying communications.

As applicable, the Commissioner of Lobbying will support Parliament and any of its designated bodies in any review of the Lobbying Act for consistency with the UN Declaration and the development of possible legislative measures.  

While the Lobbying Act does not apply to an individual (or their staff) acting in an official capacity as a member or as an employee of an Indigenous government with jurisdiction or authority under a federally recognized self-government agreement, the communications of consultant and in-house lobbyists that pertain to Indigenous interests are subject to registration in the Registry of Lobbyists.

As a result, information about lobbying of interest to Indigenous Peoples and communities exists in the Registry of Lobbyists. This information may help inform the respect of and exercising of Indigenous interests and rights in accordance with the UN Declaration.

Federal target theme

Advancing reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and the Métis communities.

Federal 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 (responsibility of the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada).

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

Context in relation to the federal strategy

In accordance with the federal strategy, our Goal 12 action focuses on green procurement. Our practices prioritize sustainability when we purchase goods and services.

In keeping with our status as a micro-organization of approximately 30 employees and our limited financial resourcing, we operate from an office facility in Ottawa leased and managed by Public Services and Procurement Canada. We do not operate major facilities, have vehicles or produce significant volumes of operational waste.

For these reasons, this section of our strategy does not include distinct actions related to vehicle fleet management or waste reduction. Measures such as reducing waste are within the scope of our Greening Government Strategy implementation (see Goal 13).

Federal target theme

Federal leadership on responsible consumption.

Federal 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.

Goal 13: Take action on climate change and its impacts

Context in relation to the federal strategy

In accordance with the federal strategy, our Goal 13 actions focus on greening government measures and reducing risks to operations posed by climate change.

In keeping with our status as a micro-organization of approximately 30 employees and our limited financial resourcing, we operate from an office facility in Ottawa leased and managed by Public Services and Procurement Canada. We do not operate major facilities, have vehicles or produce significant volumes of operational waste.

For these reasons, this section of our strategy does not include distinct actions in areas such as fleet management, real property or waste diversion. Nonetheless, our operations adhere to the spirit of the federal goal that government operations be net-zero by 2050 – to the largest extent through our relationships with other federal partners that manage our office lease and who provide our information technology systems.

Our action related to green procurement within the scope of Greening Government Strategy implementation is outlined separately at Goal 12 of this strategy.

Federal target theme

Federal leadership on greenhouse gas emissions reductions and climate resilience

Federal target

The Government of Canada will transition to net-zero carbon operations for facilities and conventional fleets by 2050

Integrating sustainable development

We consider and adopt, whenever possible, best practices identified in impact assessments completed by other federal organizations in relation to corporate policies, procedures, and decision making.

During the reporting period, there were no program proposals by our organization requiring a strategic environmental assessment and therefore no public statements were produced in 2023-24.