Standing Committee on Public Accounts

Comité permanent des comptes publics

For immediate release

Ottawa, February 14, 2023 -

The Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development found in a 2022 audit that, five years into the Greening Government Strategy, the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat’s efforts to reduce emissions are far from adequate – especially considering the Government of Canada’s publicly stated commitment to reach net‑zero emissions by 2050 and be a leader in transitioning the federal government to carbon dioxide‑neutral operations.

The audit found that the Treasury Board led and supported the government-wide progress in reducing the public sector’s greenhouse gas emissions. However, it failed to report some sources of federal greenhouse gas emissions, and it lacked an approach to manage key risks that could prevent the government from meeting its net zero target. Additionally, the audit found that the Department of National Defence and Transport Canada did not have a risk management approach to define significant risks and address mitigation measures.

A report of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Public Accounts, presented today by Committee Chairman John Williamson, makes seven recommendations to ensure that the Commissioner’s recommendations are adequately addressed, and that the Treasury Board Secretariat, National Defence and Transport Canada provide evidence of this to the Committee through progress reports. In addition, the Official Opposition tabled a dissenting report.