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1999 Report of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development
Exhibit 1.8—Monitoring and Reporting on Progress—Health Canada
As part of its commitment to sustainable development, Health Canada has established a process for monitoring and reporting on progress toward the goals set out in its 1997 strategy.The Department has established an Oversight Committee, comprised of the Assistant Deputy Ministers of the Health Protection Branch and the Policy & Consultation Branch. The Oversight Committee develops the overall strategic direction for the Department and reports to the Department's Executive Committee. Based on the overall strategic direction received from the Oversight Committee the Department's Office of Sustainable Development (located within the Policy, Planning & Coordination Directorate of the Health Protection Branch) develops guiding principles and provides policy direction to the branches via the Departmental Sustainable Development Committee. The Committee, comprised of representatives from all branches, is responsible for coordinating sustainable development implementation activities throughout the Department. The Committee and the Office of Sustainable Development are jointly responsible for department-wide sustainable development monitoring and reporting. The Oversight and Executive Committees review and approve final reports prior to publication and distribution to Parliament and other stakeholders.
Each branch within Health Canada has taken on responsibilities for sustainable development strategy implementation. Branch Heads are required to approve their branches' commitments and associated progress updates. Each branch has designated individuals and, in some instances, branches have established committees responsible for leading sustainable development efforts and integrating these responsibilities into routine planning and decision-making processes.
Health Canada uses a working tool loosely called the Branch Input Document to monitor, control and report on progress toward its sustainable development strategy commitments. The Document identifies the detailed plans, including strategic priorities for the planning period and key milestones to be achieved by the branches in support of the four themes of the Health Canada strategy. In this planning period, the Document will be updated to reflect the recommendation of the Commissioner of Environment and Sustainable Development that departments establish a clear set of targets. The Branch Input Document is updated on an annual basis before preparing the Department's Report on Plans and Priorities.
Progress reporting on sustainable development takes place in conjunction with preparing the Department's annual Performance Report. A summary of progress is included in the Report. A more detailed ``Report on Progress", organized according to the four themes set out in the Department's sustainable development strategy, provides information on progress relative to each of the Department's sustainable development objectives and targets. Health Canada's 1997-1998 "Report on Progress" is available on the Health Canada Web site.
Source : Health Canada