Departmental Results Report 2016-17
Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

Goal 7: waste and asset management

Reduce waste generated, and minimize the environmental impacts of assets throughout their life cycle.

Target 7.2: green procurement

As of April 1, 2014, the Government of Canada will continue to take action to embed environmental considerations into public procurement, in accordance with the federal Policy on Green Procurement

Departmental approach to further the implementation of the Policy on Green Procurement in place

Achieved: Yes

Number and percentage of specialists in procurement and/or material management who have completed the Canada School of Public Service Procurement course or equivalent, in the given fiscal year

Target number:5
Target percentage: 100%
Achieved: 100% (n=5)

Number and percentage of managers and functional heads of procurement and materiel whose performance evaluation includes support and contribution toward green procurement, in the given fiscal year

Target number: 2
Target percentage: 100%
Achieved: 50% (n=1)
The target performance level of 100% was not achieved.

Dollar value or number of accommodation stays that meet the target objective relative to the total dollar value or number of all accommodation stays in the year in question

Target: 50%
Achieved: 100%

Target 7.3: sustainable workplace options

As of April 1, 2015, the Government of Canada will update and adopt policies and practices to improve the sustainability of its workforce options

Volume of toner cartridges recycled relative to the total volume of all toner cartridges purchased in the year in question

Target: 90%
Achieved: 90%

Volume of annual amount spent on copy paper, commercial printing and/or envelopes that contain a minimum of 30% recycled content relative to the total amount spent on paper in the year in question

Target: 95%
Achieved: 95%

Integrate environmental considerations into corporate policies, processes and practices, in accordance with departmental refresh cycles

Target: seeking to reach “achieved”
Achieved: Yes

Maintain or improve existing approaches to sustainable workplace practices (printer ratios, paper usage and green meetings)

Target: seeking to reach “achieved”
Achieved: Yes

Reuse or recycle workplace materiel and assets in an environmentally sound and secure manner:
review relevant policies and current practices, such as materiel and asset management and procurement

Target: seeking to reach “achieved”
Achieved: Yes

Since April 1, 2014, the Government of Canada continues to take action to embed environmental considerations into public procurement, in accordance with the federal Policy on Green Procurement.

SSHRC's approach to implementing green procurement is to focus on the use of procurement instruments from Public Services and Procurement Canada, and the delivery of training to key personnel.

Environmentally responsible acquisition, use and disposal of goods and services.

Departmental approach to further the implementation of the Policy on Green Procurement in place as of April 1, 2014

Completed in August 2015

Achieved

Number and percentage of procurement and/or materiel management specialists who have completed the Canada School of Public Service Green Procurement course (C215) or equivalent, in fiscal year 2016-17

Planned number: 5
Planned percentage: 100%

Achieved: 100%

Number and percentage of managers and functional heads of procurement and materiel whose performance evaluation includes support and contribution toward green procurement, in fiscal year 2016-17

Planned number: 2
Planned percentage: 100%

Achieved: 50%
The target performance level of 100% was not achieved

Business travel/accommodation
By March 31, 2017, 30% of accommodation stays will take place in establishments that have a high environmental rating (three green environmental keys or higher) based on an industry-recognized tool.

Dollar value or number of accommodation stays that meet the target objective relative to the total dollar value or number of all accommodation stays in the year in question

By March 31, 2017: 50%

Achieved: 100%

Imaging, hardware and consumables / toner cartridges
By March 31, 2017, 90% of toner cartridges are recycled at end of life.

Volume of toner cartridges recycled relative to the total volume of all toner cartridges purchased in the year in question

By March 31, 2017: 90%

Achieved: 90%

Paper
By March 31, 2017, 95% of copy paper, commercial printing and/or envelope purchases will contain a minimum of 30% recycled content and be certified to a recognized environmental standard to reduce the environmental impact of its production.

Volume of annual amount spent on copy paper, commercial printing and/or envelopes that contain a minimum of 30% recycled content relative to the total amount spent on paper in the year in question

By March 31, 2017: 95%

Achieved: 95%

7.2.1.1: Integrate environmental considerations into procurement management processes and controls

Seeking to reach “Achieved”

Achieved

7.2.1.5: Leverage common use procurement instruments, where available and feasible

Seeking to reach “Achieved”

Achieved

Best practice
7.2.3: Train acquisition cardholders on green procurement

Seeking to reach “Achieved”

Achieved

Best practice
7.2.4: Increase awareness of the Policy on Green Procurement among managers

Seeking to reach “Achieved”

Achieved

As of April 1, 2015, the Government of Canada will update and adopt policies and practices to improve the sustainability of its workplace operations.

Departmental workplace operations have a reduced environmental impact.

7.3.1.2: Integrate environmental considerations into corporate policies, processes and practices, in accordance with departmental refresh cycles

Seeking to reach “Achieved”

Achieved

7.3.1.3: Maintain or improve existing approaches to sustainable workplace practices (printer ratios, paper usage and green meetings)

Seeking to reach “Achieved”

Achieved

7.3.1.7: Reuse or recycle workplace materiel and assets in an environmentally sound and secure manner: Review relevant policies and current practices, such as materiel and asset management and procurement

Seeking to reach “Achieved”

Achieved

Audit of Partnership Funding Opportunities

Program management processes / internal controls

November 30, 2016

Evaluation of the Canada Research Chairs Program

Completed

July 2016

Canada Research Chairs

Evaluation of SSHRC’s Insight Grants and Insight Development Grants

Completed

July 2016

Individual, Team and Partnership Research Grants

Evaluation of the Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) Program 2008-2013

Completed

November 2016

Canada Graduate Scholarships

Evaluation of SSHRC’s Research-Based Knowledge Culture

In progress

July 2017

Research-Based Knowledge Culture

Evaluation of Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research

In progress

September 2017

Networks of Centres of Excellence

Evaluation of SSHRC’s Partnerships Grants

In progress

March 2018

Individual, Team and Partnership Knowledge Mobilization Grants

Evaluation of the College and Community Innovation Program

In progress

February 2018

Individual, Team and Partnership Research Grants

1978

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2011-12

1: Canada is a world leader in social sciences and humanities research and research training

Program 1.1: Talent: attraction, retention and development of students and researchers in the social sciences and humanities
Sub-program 1.1.1: Canada Research Chairs
Sub-program 1.1.4: Banting Postdoctoral Fellowships
Sub-program 1.1.5: Doctoral and Postdoctoral Fellowships
Program 1.2: Insight: new knowledge in the social sciences and humanities
Sub-program 1.2.1: Individual, team and partnership research grants
Sub-program 1.2.2: Institutional research capacity grants
Program 1.3: Connection: mobilization of social sciences and humanities knowledge
Sub-program 1.3.1: Individual, team and partnership knowledge mobilization grants
Sub-program 1.3.2: Research-based knowledge culture

This transfer payment program consists of grants and scholarships awarded for research, talent development and research dissemination activities in the social sciences and humanities. This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.

Program 1.1 Talent

Talent funding constituted 44.5% of SSHRC’s grant expenditures in 2016-17 under Strategic Outcome 1. Results achieved in 2016-17 include the following:

• In September 2016, the Tri-Agency Research Training Award Holder’s Guide was launched to ensure a consistent and streamlined approach to designing and delivering tri-agency scholarships and fellowships.
• In 2016-17, the three agencies implemented a new policy improving access to paid parental leave for award holders and reducing the administrative burden.
• In 2016-17, SSHRC established new collaborations to support social sciences and humanities graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. These included the Centre for International Governance Innovation joint initiative and the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Scholarships program.

Program 1.2 Insight

In 2016-17, SSHRC invested 46.5% of its grants budget under Strategic Outcome 1 in funding opportunities under its Insight program. Results achieved in 2016-17 include the following:

• SSHRC initiated the development of a new funding opportunity, Partnership Engage Grants, to support new, short-term research collaborations between postsecondary researchers and a non-academic partner.
• In response to the Insight Grants evaluation, SSHRC made adjustments to better support research funding requests of different amounts. These changes will be launched in 2017-18.

Program 1.3 Connection

In 2016-17, Connection program funding constituted 8.9% of SSHRC’s grant expenditures under Strategic Outcome 1. Results achieved in 2016-17 include the following:

• Through its Imagining Canada’s Future initiative, SSHRC held two major symposiums on future challenges: on natural resources and energy, and on emerging technologies. The events brought together multiple stakeholders, including researchers, students, and senior leaders from across government, industry and community sectors, to identify knowledge gaps among existing research, and to discuss future policy directions in key priority areas to meet Canada’s future, long-term societal challenges and opportunities.
• SSHRC leveraged Canada’s 150th anniversary to expand its activities connecting with Canadians, by offering targeted support to the research community through dedicated Connections Grants—Connecting for Canada’s 150th, which awarded a total of 55 grants over the course of three competitions.

Differences in planned and actual spending relate to normal turnover of Canada Research Chairs incumbents. Surplus funds were transferred to Insight and Connection funding opportunities.

Audit of Partnership funding opportunities was completed in November 2016.

Evaluation of the Canada Research Chairs Program was completed in July 2016.
Evaluation of SSHRC’s Insight Grants and Insight Development Grants was completed in July 2016.
Evaluation of the Canada Graduate Scholarships Program was completed in November 2016.
Evaluation of SSHRC’s Research-Based Knowledge Culture is planned for July 2017.
Evaluation of SSHRC’s Partnerships Grants is planned for March 2018.
Evaluation of the College and Community Innovation Program is planned for February 2018.

A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) has been used as part of the regular competition cycle, in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

Total grants

251,910,561

257,179,544

256,389,591

278,824,567

278,818,799

22,429,208

Total contributions

0

0

0

0

0

0

Total other types of transfer payments

0

0

0

0

0

0

2003

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2008-09

1: Canada is a world leader in social sciences and humanities research and research training

Program 1.1: Talent: attraction, retention and development of students and researchers in the social sciences and humanities
Sub-program 1.1.2: Canada Graduate Scholarships

SSHRC’s portion of this tri-agency transfer payment program provides financial support to Canadian doctoral students and master’s students in the social sciences and humanities. This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.

• In 2016-17, SSHRC awarded 1,268 master’s scholarships and 430 doctoral scholarships through the Joseph-Armand Bombardier Canada Graduate Scholarships (CGS) funding opportunity.
• In September 2016, the first edition of the harmonized Tri-Agency Research Training Award Holder’s Guide was launched. Work continues on harmonizing post-award policies for all training programs, including the CGS. An updated version is planned for January 2018.
• Measures aimed at supporting research by and with Indigenous students and postdoctoral researchers were integrated into Talent program literature (including for CGS doctoral applicants) and include a module for self-identification, a tick-box to identify a program of study as “Aboriginal research,” and instructions for members of adjudication committees to take into account special circumstances facing many Indigenous applicants.

Variance is due to: 1) unused CGS master’s allocations by universities who do not have alternate candidates; 2) interruptions for paid parental leaves for CGS award holders; 3) the limit of 2,600 awards (master’s and doctoral) that can be held simultaneously, as stated in the terms and conditions; and 4) future-year impacts if more awards were offered.

Not applicable

Evaluation of the Canada Graduate Scholarships Program was completed in November 2016.

A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) has been used as part of the regular competition cycle, in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

Total grants

68,691,764

68,689,226

68,983,500

68,983,500

68,262,198

(721,302)

Total contributions

0

0

0

0

0

0

Total other types of transfer payments

0

0

0

0

0

0

68,691,764

68,689,226

68,983,500

68,983,500

68,262,198

(721,302)

2008

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2008-09

1: Canada is a world leader in social sciences and humanities research and research training

Program 1.1: Talent: attraction, retention and development of students and researchers in the social sciences and humanities
Sub-program 1.1.3: Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships

SSHRC’s portion of this tri-agency transfer payment program provides financial support to Canadian and international students who have achieved outstanding success in their studies and will pursue a doctoral program at a Canadian university in an area of the social sciences and humanities. This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.

• The Vanier Canada Graduate Scholarships program attracts and retains world-class doctoral students and helps establish Canada as a global centre of excellence in research and higher learning. SSHRC funded 55 new Vanier scholars in 2016-17, for a success rate of 30.5%.
• The program is administered by the Vanier-Banting Secretariat, representing Canada’s three federal research granting agencies. The secretariat is housed within the Canadian Institutes of Health Research. The secretariat continues to work on improvements related to the recruitment of foreign students to the program.

The variance is not material. It represents less than 1% (0.8%) of actual spending.

Not applicable

Not applicable

A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) has been used as part of the regular competition cycle, in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

Total grants

8,016,666

8,300,000

8,300,000

8,300,000

8,231,943

(68,057)

Total contributions

0

0

0

0

0

0

Total other types of transfer payments

0

0

0

0

0

0

Total program

8,016,666

8,300,000

8,300,000

8,300,000

8,231,943

(68,057)

2014

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2014-15

2: Canada has the institutional capacity to enable research and research-related activities in social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and engineering and health

Program 2.2: Canada First Research Excellence Fund

These grants support Canada’s postsecondary institutions in their efforts to become global research leaders. They help Canadian universities, colleges and polytechnics compete with the best in the world for talent and partnership opportunities, to make breakthrough discoveries, and to excel globally in research areas that will create long-term economic advantages for Canada.

In 2016-17, the Canada First Research Excellence Fund (CFREF) constituted 2.1% of SSHRC’s grant expenditures under Strategic Outcome 2. Results achieved in 2016-17 include the following:

• SSHRC, on behalf of the three agencies, completed delivery of the second CFREF competition. A total of 51 institutions submitted a letter of intent. Of these, 30 were invited to submit a full proposal. The proposals underwent a multilevel peer review process that included an evaluation of scientific merit and strategic relevance by external experts, and merit assessment by expert review panels. Ultimately, the CFREF steering committee approved the final selection of 13 award recipients in Competition 2. These were announced in September 2016.
• In support of the Government of Canada’s commitment to excellence in research and research training through achieving equity, diversity and inclusion within the Canadian research enterprise, the CFREF requires all institutions awarded CFREF funding to make concerted efforts to ensure equitable representation of individuals from the four designated groups—women, persons with disabilities, Aboriginal Peoples and members of visible minorities—in the work carried out under the CFREF grant, and to provide a supportive and inclusive workplace for all researchers and members of the research team.

The variance in funding is as a result of the second CFREF competition, completed in 2016-17.

Not applicable

Not applicable

A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) has been used as part of the regular competition cycle, in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

Total grants

-

1,912,756

2,494,438

7,398,817

7,398,817

4,904,379

Total contributions

0

0

0

0

0

0

Total other types of transfer payments

0

0

0

0

0

0

Total program

-

1,912,756

2,494,438

7,398,817

7,398,817

4,904,379

Research Support Fund (voted)

2003

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2014-15

2: Canada has the institutional capacity to enable research and research-related activities in social sciences and humanities, natural sciences and engineering and health

Program 2.1: Indirect costs of research

This transfer payment program supports a portion of the indirect costs associated with the conduct of academic research in institutions that receive research grant funds from any of the three federal research granting agencies. Grants are awarded to eligible institutions using a progressive funding formula based on the average revenues from research grants received from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, and SSHRC. This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.

• Grants to postsecondary institutions from the Research Support Fund equaled $369 million in 2016-17, and provided vital support to the academic research environment in Canada. In 2016-17, the program constituted 97.9% of SSHRC’s grant expenditures under Strategic Outcome 2.
• SSHRC continued to implement the management response to the 10th-year evaluation of the program, including development of a revised outcome reporting structure. In 2015-16, it launched a transition report, with the intention of launching the full outcomes report the following year. Following feedback from stakeholders, SSHRC postponed the transition of the remaining portions of the report to the new format, with the understanding that the next evaluation will further inform future directions for the collection and reporting of outcomes for this funding opportunity.

The variances comparative to planned spending are a result of a net increase of $27 million in the Research Support Fund, due mainly to Budget 2015 and Budget 2016.

Not applicable

Not applicable

A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) has been used as part of the regular competition cycle, in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

Total grants

340,559,292

340,434,112

341,615,386

368,440,841

368,440,841

26,825,455

Total contributions

0

0

0

0

0

0

Total other types of transfer payments

0

0

0

0

0

0

Total program

340,559,292

340,434,112

341,615,386

368,440,841

368,440,841

26,825,455

Networks of Centres of Excellence (voted)

1997

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2008-09

1: Canada is a world leader in social sciences and humanities research and research training

Program 1.3: Connection: mobilization of social sciences and humanities knowledge
Sub-program 1.3.3: Networks of Centres of Excellence

This transfer payment program is administered jointly by the three federal research granting agencies in partnership with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada. It supports research in complex areas of critical importance to Canadian universities and hospitals working with the private and public sectors. The networks funded through this program are multidisciplinary and multisectoral partnerships that stimulate leading-edge, internationally competitive research in areas critical to Canadian economic and social development.

• Two Networks of Centres of Excellence (NCEs) underwent successful renewal for a second term of 5 years of funding: the Canadian Frailty Network ($24 million for fiscal years 2016 to 2021); and the Marine Environmental, Observation, Prediction and Response Network ($26 million for fiscal years 2016 to 2021). One NCE up for renewal was unsuccessful: BioFuelNet received $25 million for fiscal years 2012 to 2017.
• The network funded under the Canada-India Research Centre of Excellence Program, the India-Canada Centre for Innovative Multidisciplinary Partnerships to Accelerate Community Transformation and Sustainability, underwent a successful evaluation and was granted an extension of 3 more years of support ($8.3 million for fiscal years 2018 to 2021).
• Five NCEs and five NCE-Knowledge Mobilization networks underwent a successful annual monitoring review: AGE-WELL, BioCanRx, CANet, GlycoNet, KidsBrainHealth, CellCAN, CYCC, PREVNet, SERENE and TREKK.
• Three new networks were established through the NCE International Knowledge Translation Platform, each at $1.6 million for fiscal years 2016 to 2019: Healthy Young People Everywhere; the International Collaboration for Excellence and Innovation in Mental Health in Corrections; and the Supply Chain Advancement Network in Health.
• Two Business-led Networks of Centres of Excellence underwent successful mid-term monitoring reviews: Ultra-Deep Mining Network ($15 million for fiscal years 2014 to 2019) and EXACTIS ($15 million for fiscal years 2014 to 2019).

Not applicable

Not applicable

Not applicable

A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) has been used as part of the regular competition cycle, in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

Total grants

8,911,000

8,911,000

8,911,000

8,911,000

8,911,000

-

Total contributions

0

0

0

0

0

0

Total other types of transfer payments

0

0

0

0

0

0

Total program

8,911,000

8,911,000

8,911,000

8,911,000

8,911,000

-

Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research

2007

Ongoing

Grant

Appropriated annually through Estimates

2012-13

1: Canada is a world leader in social sciences and humanities research and research training

Program 1.3: Connection: mobilization of social sciences and humanities knowledge
Sub-program 1.3.3: Networks of Centres of Excellence

This transfer payment program supports commercialization and/or research centres that bring together people, services and infrastructure to maximize the benefits of the government’s investments in skills and research, and to encourage greater private sector investment in science and technology, in areas of the social sciences and humanities. This transfer payment program does not have repayable contributions.

• The Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research program launched a competition to fund new and/or expended activities by currently or previously funded centres (29 centres were eligible to apply).
• The Private Sector Advisory Board is still conducting performance monitoring of active centres as part of its regular activities. Through this exercise, funding for one of the Centres, MedDev Commercialization Centre ($14.9 million for fiscal years 2014 to 2019) was terminated due to a lack of performance.

Not applicable

Not applicable

Evaluation of Centres of Excellence for Commercialization and Research is planned for September 2017.

A variety of engagement initiatives (webinars, site visits, telephone, email, online forums) has been used as part of the regular competition cycle, in order to give applicants and recipients opportunities to seek and receive information and to provide feedback on service delivery.

Total grants

6,859,164

6,719,789

5,711,093

5,711,093

5,711,093

-

Total contributions

0

0

0

0

0

0

Total other types of transfer payments

0

0

0

0

0

0

Total program

6,859,164

6,719,789

5,711,093

5,711,093

5,711,093

-