Madam Chair, thank you for the opportunity to appear before the committee today.
The Department of Canadian Heritage agrees with the findings of the commissioner's report and is now implementing its recommendations. At the time of the audit, the department had not finalized a comprehensive approach to implement the cabinet directive. The department did consider issues of sustainable development on an ongoing, case-by-case basis, but a formal process to track and document the consideration of these issues had not been put into place until now.
By nature of its mandate, Canadian Heritage's environmental footprint is most often minimal or null, except in cases of large-scale events such as the 2010 Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Games. As is usually the case, and as was the case for the games in Vancouver, Canadian Heritage always considers issues of sustainable development and the environment.
Environmental considerations have long been part of the department's decision-making process, but now a process to track and document environmental considerations has been formalized. A Canadian Heritage strategic environmental assessment process with guidance material and a tracking database has been implemented and is actively in use. The department is also finalizing an online questionnaire to accompany the implementation of the process.
Department officials have actively implemented the report's recommendations to ensure that the Minister of Canadian Heritage and the Minister of Sport and Persons with Disabilities are informed of the potential important environmental effects of all policy, plan and program proposals.
Thank you very much.