Table of Contents

• Executive summary
• Section 1: Introduction to the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
• Section 2: Infrastructure Canada's sustainable development vision
• Section 3: Listening to Canadians
  • What we heard
  • What we did
• Section 4: Infrastructure Canada's commitments
  • Goal 6: Ensure clean and safe water for all Canadians
  • Goal 9: Foster innovation and green infrastructure in Canada
  • Goal 10: Advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples and take action on inequality
  • Goal 11: Improve access to affordable housing, clean air, transportation, parks, and green spaces, as well as cultural heritage in Canada
  • Goal 12: Reduce waste and transition to zero-emission vehicles
  • Goal 13: Take action on climate change and its impacts
• Section 5: Integrating sustainable development

Executive summary

Infrastructure Canada is proud to support sustainable development across its various programs, projects, and funds, and strives to ensure that Canadians have sustainable, low-carbon, resilient, climate-smart, accessible and inclusive public infrastructure through all of its investments. The 2023 to 2027 Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS) outlines Infrastructure Canada's commitment to an environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable future for Canada.

Through its portfolio, Infrastructure Canada contributes to goals, milestones, and implementation strategies to support sustainable development, as outlined in the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) and relevant to Infrastructure Canada's mandate. The 2023 to 2027 DSDS highlights how the Department's programs support the various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). While some areas of the Department's portfolio touch on multiple SDGs, the DSDS spotlights specific programs under the SDG where they make the greatest impact.

More specifically, the 2023 to 2027 DSDS captures Infrastructure Canada's departmental actions to support the following SDGs: (6) Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Canadians; (9) Foster Innovation and Green Infrastructure in Canada; (10) Advance Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and Take Action on Equity; (11) Improve Access to Affordable Housing, Clean Air, Transportation, Parks, and Green Spaces, as well as Cultural Heritage; (12) Reduce Waste and Transition to Zero-Emission Vehicles (ZEV); and (13) Take Action on Climate Change and its Impacts.

Infrastructure Canada is aligning housing and public infrastructure investments in order to build more prosperous, socially just, and environmentally healthy communities. Through the delivery of housing and homelessness programming, Infrastructure Canada, in collaboration with the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, is contributing to the resiliency and sustainability of communities, as well as helping individuals obtain and maintain affordable housing (SDG 11).

Infrastructure Canada strives to implement and deliver its portfolio while advancing initiatives that provide clean and safe water, invest in green infrastructure, and address climate change. Among its efforts, Infrastructure Canada has implemented programs and initiatives to ensure that Canadians have access to clean and safe water (SDG 6). Through program investments and funding delivery, the Department is aiming to improve all levels of water treatment and storage to establish long-term stability and support for future water system improvements. Additionally, Infrastructure Canada's investments in green infrastructure are playing a key role in addressing climate change impacts by building resilience and reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution (SDG 9). The Department is ensuring that Canada invests in projects fuelled by clean technologies that follow climate-resilient codes and standards. Additionally, Infrastructure Canada seeks to increase the capacity for communities to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and mitigate the impacts of natural disasters and extreme weather events, resulting in strengthened climate resilience (SDG 13).

Infrastructure Canada works with all orders of government, as well as Indigenous organizations and communities to effectively deliver all of our programs (SDG 10). The Department is advancing reconciliation with Indigenous peoples in Canada and taking action to reduce inequality by providing direct funding to projects led by and for Indigenous populations and communities.

Infrastructure Canada also invests in public transit and active transportation to connect Canadians, while driving economic, environmental, and social benefits by providing people with more sustainable access to jobs, schools, services, and recreation, and by supporting housing priorities. Additionally, Infrastructure Canada is strengthening its green procurement criteria by providing helpful guidance, tools, and training to public service employees (SDG 12).

Section 1: Introduction to the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

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, Infrastructure Canada supports the goals laid out in the FSDS through the activities described in this Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS).

The Federal Sustainable Development Act also sets out seven principles that must be considered in the development of the FSDS as well as DSDSs. These basic principles have been considered and incorporated in Infrastructure Canada's DSDS.

In order to promote coordinated action on sustainable development across the Government of Canada, this departmental strategy integrates efforts to advance Canada's implementation of the 2030 Agenda National Strategy, supported by the Global Indicator Framework (GIF) and Canadian Indicator Framework (CIF) targets and indicators. The strategy also now captures SDG initiatives that fall outside the scope of the FSDS to inform the development of the Canada's Annual Report on the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.

Section 2: Infrastructure Canada's sustainable development vision

Infrastructure Canada invests in public infrastructure to foster more inclusive and sustainable Canadian communities, including public transit and housing outcomes to prevent and reduce chronic homelessness.

To achieve this vision, Infrastructure Canada works with provinces and territories, municipalities, Indigenous communities, and other stakeholders to identify local infrastructure priorities and build projects that support sustainable development across communities of all sizes, from rural and remote communities to large cities.

Through these investments, Infrastructure Canada will support Canada's commitments as outlined in the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS). In particular, Infrastructure Canada's investments will contribute to SDG 6 (Ensure Clean and Safe Water for All Canadians), SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

The Government of Canada's suite of National Housing Strategy programs are designed to support the housing needs of Canadians. In addition, infrastructure investments are essential to build healthy communities where all Canadians can thrive. This is why the Department will tie access to infrastructure funding to actions by provinces, territories, and municipalities to increase housing supply and affordability. This will be advanced within the Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF), when agreements with provinces and territories are renewed, as well as future infrastructure programs, which may be introduced during the period covered by this Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS). As such, there will be an even greater connection between the SDGs advanced by Infrastructure Canada's programs and housing, a key component of SDG 11.

As set out in this DSDS, Infrastructure Canada will use targeted objectives and implementation plans to effectively advance the goals of the 2022-2026 FSDS.

Section 3: Listening to Canadians

Following the public consultations on the draft 2022 to 2026 FSDS held from March 11 to July 9, 2022, and as required by the Federal Sustainable Development Act, Infrastructure Canada has considered comments from a broad range of stakeholders. This included input from governments, Indigenous organizations, non-governmental organizations, academics, businesses, and individual Canadians in different age groups and of various backgrounds. Infrastructure Canada supports the federally established sustainable development priorities to respond to issues raised during the public consultations that affect Canadians.

What we heard

Across the submissions received, Infrastructure Canada identified sustainable development priorities and issues that affect us. These priorities include the following:

• Green infrastructure and innovation – Canadians focus on the importance of constructing and upgrading green infrastructure, and investing in innovative clean technologies that drive Canada's decarbonization.
• Sustainable cities and communities – Canadians support housing, the electrification of public transportation, and active transportation. Canadians advocated for more ambitious and direct support for public and active transportation that increases safety and service quality, compensates for diminishing intercommunity transit, and prioritizes rural and smaller towns as well as disadvantaged and vulnerable people.
• Reduce waste and transition to zero-emission vehicles - Canadians have expressed the desire for the government to address barriers to the adoption of electric and zero-emission vehicles. 
• Climate action – Canadians called for investments in long-term climate change solutions and support to green transition solutions to net zero.
• Green procurement – Canadians want to see the Government of Canada implement net-zero procurement to incentivize companies' voluntary engagement in the race to net zero. 

What we did

Infrastructure Canada is addressing the priorities and concerns expressed during the public consultation that align with our departmental mandate and role through investments that include:

• Working with provinces, territories, municipalities and Indigenous communities to ensure federal infrastructure investments enable the construction and rehabilitation of water assets including collection, treatment, and distribution.
• Increasing the overall housing supply, while supporting access to housing that is affordable and strategically located near transit, employment, services and amenities to meet the diverse needs of all Canadians.
• Supporting retrofits, repairs, or upgrades of existing infrastructure and construction of new community buildings that serve high need communities across Canada.
• Supporting the construction, expansion, and improvement of public transit infrastructure to improve the capacity of public transit infrastructure, the quality and safety of existing or future transit systems, and access to public transit systems to establish more sustainable and inclusive communities that are strategically located near transit.
• Improving the capacity and quality of pathways and active transportation infrastructure, while contributing to the quality of life of Canadians and the environment.
• Proactively addressing the concerns of Canadians about climate change by supporting Canada's path to net-zero emissions and a resilient future by advancing several initiatives including open-access climate toolkits, resilience requirements for funding programs, as well as guidance, standards, and codes for climate resilient and low-carbon infrastructure.

Please find more information on the FSDS public consultation and its results in the FSDS Consultation Report.

Section 4: Infrastructure Canada's commitments

Goal 6: Ensure clean and safe water for all Canadians

FSDS context:

While Canada's drinking water is among the safest in the world, access to clean drinking water remains a challenge in some small, remote, and Indigenous communities. Existing drinking water and water treatment systems also require ongoing investment to ensure that they meet the needs of Canadians across the country. Addressing sources of water pollution and contamination, such as under-treated wastewater and run-off from cities, can help ensure that lakes and rivers continue to provide opportunities for swimming, boating, and recreational fishing and support economic activities such as tourism, commercial fisheries, agriculture, shipping, manufacturing, and energy production over the long term.

Over the past five years, Infrastructure Canada has implemented a number of programs and initiatives to ensure that all Canadians have access to clean and safe water. Infrastructure Canada funds water and wastewater projects through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) and the Canada Community Building Fund (CCBF).

Infrastructure Canada will consider SDGs and establish relevant targets and indicators during the development of future programming.

Initiatives advancing Canada's implementation of SDG 6 – Clean water and sanitation

The following initiatives demonstrate how Infrastructure Canada programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.

Goal 9: Foster innovation and green Infrastructure in Canada

FSDS context:

Green infrastructure plays a key role in conserving natural resources and addressing climate change impacts by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and pollution. As climate change continues, green infrastructure will be increasingly important to sustain economic, environmental, and social well-being. Investing in green infrastructure, such as low-carbon transportation, climate-resilient and energy-efficient buildings, and clean energy, helps build healthy and resilient communities, promotes environmental sustainability, drives economic growth, and supports a net-zero economy.

Infrastructure Canada funds projects to foster innovation and green infrastructure through a number of its programs, notably the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), the Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF) and the Natural Infrastructure Fund (NIF).  

The ICIP Green Infrastructure Stream provides funding for projects that enable greater adaptation and resilience to the impacts of climate change and climate-related disaster mitigation. It also ensures that more communities can provide clean air for their citizens. ICIP projects include those that improve the resilience of communities and facilitate the transition to a clean growth economy, while also improving social inclusion and socio-economic outcomes for Canadians.

CCBF allows for local project selection in 19 eligible categories, including public transit and community energy system projects. The fund promotes investments in increased productivity and economic growth, a clean environment, and strong cities and communities.

NIF supports natural and hybrid infrastructure projects to further Canada's commitment to climate change resilience while contributing to national biodiversity goals and targets. By supporting natural infrastructure, such as conserving and restoring wetlands and marshes, projects funded through NIF can help prevent climate change impacts such as flash floods and support the conservation and recovery of wildlife species, including species at risk. Furthermore, NIF helps to build awareness and increase the use of natural and hybrid infrastructure, by creating, expanding or enhancing a community's access to nature, furthering resilience to climate change, improving environmental quality, and protecting biodiversity.

Additionally, Infrastructure Canada provides funding for green infrastructure projects through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings (GICB) program and the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund (DMAF). The GICB program aims to improve energy efficiency in existing buildings and support the construction of new net-zero carbon ones, particularly in areas with populations with higher needs. The GICB program is supporting the construction and adaptation of community buildings across Canada to reduce carbon emissions, advancing greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation measures, and encouraging best practices in building design for climate change resilience. DMAF invests in structural and natural infrastructure projects to increase the resilience of communities that are impacted by natural disasters triggered by climate change to help communities prepare for, and withstand, the potential impacts of natural disasters, prevent infrastructure failures, and protect Canadians.

Target theme: Green infrastructure and innovation

FSDS Target: By fiscal year 2027 to 2028, the federal share of the value of green infrastructure projects approved under the Investing in Canada Planwill reach $27.6 billion (Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities^{Footnote 1})

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

FSDS context:

Social, economic, and environmental inequalities persist in Canada. These inequalities disproportionately affect people with multiple intersecting identity factors such as gender identity and expression, race and ethnicity, faith community, Indigeneity, disability, sexual orientation, and low socioeconomic status. Reconciliation with Indigenous peoples is essential to addressing these inequalities and achieving substantive equality.

Infrastructure Canada fulfills the constitutional duty to consult and, where appropriate, accommodate Indigenous peoples, while also respecting federal environmental legislative and regulatory requirements. When possible, Infrastructure Canada relies on existing government processes or prior Indigenous engagement efforts of funding applicants to assist the department in fulfilling the duty to consult and, where applicable, accommodate Indigenous peoples. For example, if there are existing or planned consultation processes led by funding applicants such as Provinces and Territories, or by Regulatory Agencies (e.g., Fisheries and Oceans Canada), Infrastructure Canada will rely on these processes to the extent possible. If there are no existing processes, recipients of Infrastructure Canada funding could be asked to undertake or participate in Indigenous engagement and consultation activities, or, in specific circumstances, Infrastructure Canada may coordinate and lead Canada's Crown-Indigenous consultation process.

Infrastructure Canada continues to support retrofits of existing community buildings and the construction of new resilient and net-zero buildings and outdoor facilities. Due to investments in community assets, Canadians will be able to gather safely in their communities, including Indigenous communities, as the country continues to move towards a net-zero carbon and climate-resilient future.

Given the over-representation of Indigenous peoples among those experiencing homelessness, Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy will continue to fund and support organizations working to address Indigenous homelessness, including through the delivery of Indigenous-specific homelessness programming. Infrastructure Canada will collaborate with Indigenous partners to identify and advance priorities that meet the unique needs of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.

Infrastructure Canada recognizes the distinct role that community infrastructure plays for the well-being and self-determination of Indigenous peoples. As such, the Department ensures that a minimum of 10% of the direct-funding program envelopes for the GICB Program, DMAF, and the NIF, as well as the Active Transportation Fund (ATF) and the Rural Transit Solutions Fund (RTSF), is allocated to Indigenous projects led by and for Indigenous populations and communities. Additionally, Infrastructure Canada will continue to support the implementation of the Government of Canada's commitment to have 5% of the total value of contracts awarded annually to Indigenous businesses.

In an effort to advance reconciliation and take action to reduce inequality, Infrastructure Canada has also taken steps to establish internal practices that contribute to reducing the disproportionate impact of social, economic, and environmental inequalities on Indigenous peoples. INFC is committed to acquiring talent that contributes to the representation of designated groups, including Indigenous peoples, which meets or exceeds workforce availability.

INFC also offers departmental awareness activities to foster cultural awareness and provide a space to support Indigenous peoples and intends to review its Harassment and Violence Prevention Policy to ensure that it aligns with the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Implementation strategies supporting the goal

This section is for implementation strategies that support the goal "Advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and take action on inequality" but not a specific FSDS target.

Goal 11: Improve access to affordable housing, clean air, transportation, parks, and green spaces, as well as cultural heritage in Canada

FSDS context:

Safe, modern, and efficient public transit systems remain important for the health and sustainability of communities. Federal transit funding supports public transit systems and active transportation networks, creates jobs, and makes communities more accessible and liveable to all. The Government of Canada is collaborating with partners to ensure that cities and communities are resilient and sustainable. The Permanent Public Transit Fund (PPTP) will support new subway lines, light-rail transit and streetcars, electric buses, active transportation infrastructure, and improved rural transit. This will create affordable commuting options and reduce Canada's emissions. It will also provide local governments with predictable transit funding.

PPTP was launched in 2021 and continues to support new subway lines, light-rail transit and streetcars, cycling, walking, and other active transportation infrastructure, and improved rural transit. This is done by delivering funding for projects through the Active Transportation Fund (ATF), and the Rural Transit Solutions Fund (RTSF). These programs create affordable commuting options and reduce Canada's emissions. The permanent transit funding that is scheduled to start in 2026-27 will also provide local governments with predictable and ongoing transit funding.

ATF provides funding to support a modal shift away from cars and toward active transportation, in support of Canada's National Active Transportation Strategy. ATF invests in projects that build new and expanded networks of pathways, bike lanes, trails and pedestrian bridges, in addition to supporting active transportation planning and stakeholder engagement activities. Projects funded through this fund provide tangible benefits to communities, shortening commute times for families, creating good middle-class jobs, growing the economy, promoting healthier lifestyles, cutting air and noise pollution, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

RTSF seeks to help Canadians living in rural and remote areas get around their communities more easily during day-to-day activities and connect with other communities nearby. This program is the first federal fund to target the development of transit solutions in rural and remote communities. RTSF offers funding to support the development of locally driven transit solutions that will help people living in rural communities get to work, school, appointments, and to visit loved ones.

Innovation continues to foster new and creative solutions in public transportation that support a cleaner environment, while increasing the mobility of Canadians. Infrastructure Canada's programs seek to help communities invest in zero emission transit and school transportation options that ensure cleaner air, create jobs, and support Canadian manufacturing. The Department recognizes that the electrification of public transit fleets can be challenging due to the complexities of converting transit systems to a new technology, which involves significant upfront costs associated with zero emission buses and related infrastructure. To bridge this gap, and in addition to the transit programs outlined in SDG 11, the Zero Emission Transit Fund (ZETF) is a direct application fund under the Permanent Public Transit Program (PPTP) that offers support to public transit and school bus operators electrifying their fleets through the purchase of zero-emission buses and construction of supporting infrastructure, including charging infrastructure and facility upgrades.

Infrastructure Canada also continues to provide funding to provinces, territories, and municipalities through the Public Transit stream of ICIP. The programs in this stream support the building, expansion and upgrading of urban and rural transit networks that improve service and transform the way Canadians live, move and work. The Public Transit Stream could fund activities to support new transit networks, service extensions, and active transportation initiatives. In addition, the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure stream of ICIP provides provinces, territories, and municipalities with funding for infrastructure projects that will improve social inclusion, such as new, expanded, or renewed community, cultural, and recreational installations and facilities. Cultural infrastructure facilities support opportunities to highlight the richness of Canada's diversity, including facilities aimed at supporting off-reserve Indigenous populations.

Launched in 2017, the Smart Cities Challenge encourages communities of all sizes from across the country to adopt new and innovative approaches to improve the quality of life for their residents. The first round of the Challenge resulted in four winning applicants: Montreal, Quebec; Guelph, Ontario; communities of Nunavut; and Bridgewater, Nova Scotia. The four winning projects are ongoing and support multiple focus areas, such as economic opportunity; empowerment and inclusion; environmental quality; healthy living and recreation; and mobility. Budget 2023 committed to launch a second round of the Smart Cities Challenge that will focus on using connected technologies, data, and innovative approaches to improve climate resiliency. The second round of the Smart Cities Challenge will support the Department's climate resiliency objectives.

Infrastructure Canada recognizes that making cities and communities sustainable means improving access to transportation, parks and green spaces, as well as cultural heritage, clean air and affordable housing. A number of programs aim to improve access to affordable housing, clean air, and active transportation.

The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), which is part of the Infrastructure Canada portfolio, is responsible for delivering the federal government's National Housing Strategy (NHS). More details on CMHC's programs related to affordable housing under the NHS can be found in CMHC's own Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy.

Infrastructure Canada is providing funding and support to urban, Indigenous, rural, and remote communities to prevent and reduce homelessness, including chronic homelessness, through Reaching Home: Canada's Homelessness Strategy, launched in 2019. Additionally, Infrastructure Canada is helping address chronic homelessness among the most vulnerable in Canadian communities through measures such as the new Veteran Homelessness Program, launched in April 2023, which will provide rent supplements and wraparound supports to Veterans experiencing or at risk of homelessness, including chronic homelessness.

Target theme: Affordable Housing and Homelessness

Target: By 2028, reduce chronic homelessness by 50% (Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities)

Target theme: Public Transit and Active Transportation

Target: By 2030, 22% of commuters use public transit or active transportation (Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities)

Implementation strategies supporting the goal

This section is for implementation strategies that support the goal "Improve access to affordable housing, clean air, transportation, parks, and green spaces, as well as cultural heritage in Canada" but not a specific FSDS target.

Initiatives advancing Canada's implementation of SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities

The following initiatives demonstrate how Infrastructure Canada programming supports the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs, supplementing the information outlined above.

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

FSDS context:

Transportation accounts for a quarter of Canada's greenhouse gas emissions, of which the majority come from the on-road sector, including light, medium and heavy-duty vehicles. One way to reduce transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions is to replace vehicles powered by fossil fuels (internal combustion engines, or ICEs), with zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs). It is important to ensure that the life-cycle carbon footprint associated with producing, powering and recycling zero-emission vehicles (and their component parts, such as lithium-ion batteries) is lower than that of ICE vehicles.

As a department, Infrastructure Canada supports the Government of Canada's transition to low-carbon and climate-resilient operations, while also reducing environmental impacts beyond carbon. Infrastructure Canada has invested in modernizing its small fleet by using low-carbon mobility vehicles. The Department encourages its employees to use climate-resilient assets, services, and operations, as well as green goods and services that take sustainability into consideration.

Additionally, the Zero Emission Transit Fund (ZETF) supports clean procurement by offering support to public transit and school bus operators electrifying their fleets through the purchase of zero-emission buses and construction of supporting infrastructure, including charging infrastructure and facility upgrades.

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 (All Ministers)

Goal 13: Take action on climate change and its impacts

FSDS context:

The effects of human-caused climate change are being felt across our country. Canadians are seeing more extreme temperatures and precipitation, as well as more frequent and severe wildfires, heatwaves, droughts, and flooding. Canada is warming at twice the global rate, and this rate is even greater in the Canadian Arctic. Meanwhile, rising sea levels are putting coastal cities at risk. An increasing number of Canadian communities from coast to coast have experienced significant weather-related disasters triggered by climate change.

Infrastructure failures from natural hazards and extreme weather events can result in threats to health and safety, interruptions in essential services, significant disruptions in economic activity, and high costs for recovery and replacement. More resilient infrastructure will help communities better withstand damage caused by climate change and extreme weather events while keeping Canadians safe, protecting local businesses, and supporting strong local economies.

Infrastructure Canada is supporting the Greening Government strategy through our operations and is working to ensure that Canadians have resilient, climate-smart, accessible, and inclusive public infrastructure through our investments in various programs. These programs are dedicated to investing in projects that increase the resilience of communities and safeguard against future severe weather events, while also helping meet climate goals, such as DMAF and the GICB Program.

DMAF aims to help protect and prepare communities against natural hazards and extreme weather events triggered by climate change including, but not limited to, drought, earthquakes, erosion, extreme temperatures, floods, permafrost thaw, storms, and wildland fires. The overall objective of DMAF is to strengthen the resilience of Canadian communities at risk of infrastructure failure that could result in threats to health and safety and threats to infrastructure. DMAF -approved projects are expected to increase the capacity of natural infrastructure to strengthen community resilience by mitigating the impact of climate-related risks and extreme weather events.

As part of the National Adaptation Strategy, the Government of Canada Adaptation Action Plan is providing additional funding through DMAF. Infrastructure Canada will advance several initiatives including open-access climate toolkits, resilience requirements for funding programs, and guidance, standards, and codes for climate resilient and low-carbon infrastructure, using the same channels. Designed with the objective to be an evergreen source for consolidated and authoritative climate-smart tools and resources, the Open-Access Climate Toolkits will help infrastructure owners and investors develop projects that ensure Canada is on the path to a net-zero emission and resilient future.

Through GICB, Infrastructure Canada supports green and accessible retrofits, repairs or upgrades of existing public buildings or construction of new publicly accessible community buildings that serve high needs and underserved communities across Canada. The GICB Program supports the first pillar of the Strengthened Climate Plan by improving the places in which Canadians live and gather by making life more affordable, supporting thousands of good jobs, and cutting pollution by reducing GHG emissions, increasing energy efficiency, building resiliency to climate change and encouraging new builds to net zero standards.

Infrastructure Canada continues to implement and use the Climate Lens, a horizontal technical requirement, within the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), the Smart Cities Challenge, and DMAF. This requirement helps to ensure that GHG emissions reductions and climate resilience are actively considered for key federally funded infrastructure projects. The Climate Lens requires project proponents to analyze current and future climate conditions in their geographic locations and identify any risks that climate change may pose to the project. For each of the identified risks, they are asked to consider and propose appropriate mitigation measures to help withstand, respond to, recover from or adapt to climate change impact. The Climate Lens is intended to encourage project development that considers climate change and climate impacts to support Canada's mid-century goals of a clean growth low-carbon economy.

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 strategies supporting the goal.

This section is for implementation strategies that support the goal "Take action on climate change and its impacts" but not a specific FSDS target.

Section 5: Integrating sustainable development

Infrastructure Canada will continue to ensure that its decision-making process includes consideration of FSDS goals and targets through its Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process. A SEA assesses the environmental impact of proposed policies and/or programs.

Infrastructure Canada's internal procedures require the lead team on a proposal to do a preliminary SEA scan to assess the impact of the new policy or program they are developing. In the event that the preliminary scan reveals a significant impact on the environment, the lead team is required to conduct a detailed SEA.

If a detailed SEA is conducted, a public statement on the results of Infrastructure Canada's assessment is required. The purpose of the public statement is to demonstrate that the environmental effects, including the impacts on achieving FSDS goals and targets, of the approved policy, plan, or program have been considered during proposal development and decision-making.