1 Quebec Sustainable Development Act: Setting up a new management framework within the public administration Jacques Prescott Sustainable Development Coordination

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Quebec Sustainable Development Act: Setting up a new management framework within the public administration

Jacques PrescottSustainable Development Coordination Office

CSD 14 Partnerships FairInternational Law for Sustainable Development Partnership2 May 2006

Sustainable development in action within the public administration

Quebec Sustainable Development Plan

> Society project submitted to public hearings in November 2004

> Government engagement at the highest level

> Innovative governance guidelines for the public administration

> New way to tackle and realize development

> New way to look at the future taking into account the needs of present and future generations

Challenges for the Sustainable Development Plan

1. Ensuring the coherence of government action regarding sustainable development



2. Improving the quality of life of the population




3. Integrating SD principles at all levels and in all sphere of action within the Administration




3. Integrating SD principles at all levels and in all sphere of action within the Administration

4. Betting on innovation : develop and apply best available methods and technologies


5. Base all decisions on a long-term approach which takes into account the inextricable nature of the environmental, social and economic dimensions of development activities.

Sustainable Development Plan Components

Public Participation

Departments’ and Agencies’ action plans

Governmental Strategy

SD Legislation

Evaluation, monitoring & accountability

mechanism

The Sustainable Development Legislation

> Scope and definition

> Who is concerned ?

> Govmnt departments and agencies responsibilities

> Principles

> Strategy

> Action plans

> Monitoring, evaluation and accountability mechanisms

> Green Fund

> Modification of the Charter of human rights and freedoms

> Public participation

Integration of perspectives

Scope and Definition

New development framework :

«development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Sustainable development is based on a long-term approach which takes into account the inextricable nature of the environmental, social and economic dimensions of development activities.»

Who is concerned ?

> Government departments, agencies and enterprises within the meaning of the Auditor General Act

> Municipal bodies, school bodies and health and social services institutions (upon future decree)

Govnmt departments and agencies responsibilities

> Participate to developing the SD strategy

> Participate to the selection of SD indicators

> Prepare a SD action plan in relation to the strategy

> Report annually on their contribution and progress towards strategy implementation

Govnmt departments and agencies responsibilies (ctnd)

> Promote SD within their jurisdiction

> Support stakeholders in their efforts towards sustainability

Responsibilities of the Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks Department

> promoting sustainable development within the Administration and among the general public, and fostering joint and cohesive action in order to harmonize interventions;

> coordinating the efforts of the government departments to define, renew or revise the components of the sustainable development strategy, including sustainable development indicators, and recommending the adoption of the strategy and indicators by the Government;

Responsibilities of the Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks Department (ctnd)

> coordinating efforts to prepare periodic assessments of the implementation of the sustainable development strategy within the Administration and, at least every five years, drafting, an implementation status report and submitting it to the Government for approval;

> enhancing knowledge and analyzing experiences elsewhere in the field of sustainable development;

> advising and providing expertise and assistance to the Government and third persons as regards sustainable development to help achieve the objectives of the strategy and to ensure that the principles of sustainable development are applied and complied with.

16 principles

Health and quality of life Prevention

Social equity and solidarity Precaution

Environmental protection Protection of cultural heritage

Economic efficiency Biodiversity preservation

Participation and commitment Respect for ecosystem support capacity

Access to knowledge Responsible production and consumption

Subsidiarity Polluter pays

Inter-governmental partnership and cooperation Internalization of costs

Sustainable Development Strategy

> Foster a concerted approach and a synergy of interventions in keeping with all the principles of sustainable development

> State the roles and responsibilities of each player or certain members of the Administration in order to ensure internal efficiency and coherence

> Should reflect the range of concerns of citizens and communities

> Specify monitoring mechanisms or means

Sustainable Development Strategy (ctnd)

> SD information and education measures to be implemented

> Development of tools or models for the design, determination and analysis of projects in terms of SD

> Mechanisms to be implemented to encourage the participation of various stakeholders

> Means selected to foster an integrated approach and the coherence of the interventions at local, regional and national level, including Native communities

Gvmnt departments’ and agencies’ action plans

> Identify the specific objectives it intends to pursue to contribute to a progressive implementation of the strategy

> Identify activities to be carried out to that end directly or in collaboration with one or more stakeholders (ex : review of existing Acts, regulations, policies or programs)

Monitoring, evaluation and accountability mechanisms

> Appointment of an assistant auditor general bearing the title of Sustainable Development Commissioner

> Identification of SD indicators

> Means (performance indicators and mechanisms) to monitor the implementation of the strategy and action plans

> Production of annual reports on the activities aimed at achieving SD

Green Fund

> Establishment of a Green Fund

> Dedicated to the financing of measures or programs carried out by the minister of SD, Environment and Parks to promote SD

> Support municipalities and NGO working in the environmental field

> Funded by revenue derived from fees or other amounts collected under the Acts or regulations under the administration of the Minister; environmental fines; compensation funds; punitive damages, etc

Modification of the Charter of human rights and freedoms

> Adding a new right to the economic and social rights listed in the Charter of human rights and freedoms

> Affirming the right of every person to live in a healthful environment in which biodiversity is preserved, to the extent and according to the standards provided by law

Public participation

> Public audiences on the SD Plan and legislation project held in 21 municipalities of the province.

> 582 memoirs received

> More than 630 people took the floor

> 3500 participated to the audiences

> More than 4000 recommendations were recorded.

> Before its unanimous adoption by National Assembly, a further version of the legislation was submitted again to public consultation in the form of parliamentary committee hearings

Public participation

Provisions of the SD Act include :> Submitting the strategy and any review of it to public

consultation in the form of parliamentary committee hearings > Integrating in the strategy information and education

measures on SD and mechanisms to be implemented to encourage the participation of the various stakeholders in society

> Giving the Minister the function of promoting SD among the general public

> Making public action plans, annual and other progress reports

Quebec’s Sustainable Development Plan

and Legislation

Conclusion

> Pragmatic, affordable and looking into the future

> Based on successes and achievements in Canada and elsewhere

> Engaging public administration at all levels

> Mobilizing tool for society

References

Quebec’s Sustainable Development Plan

> French Version: http://www.mddep.gouv.qc.ca/developpement/2004-2007/index.htm

> English Version http://www.mddep.gouv.qc.ca/developpement/2004-2007/plan-consultation-en.pdf

Quebec’s Sustainable Development Law

> French Version http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/dynamicSearch/telecharge.php?type=5&file=2006C3F.PDF

> English Version http://www2.publicationsduquebec.gouv.qc.ca/home.php#

Sustainable development coordination office: [email protected]

Documents

1 Quebec Sustainable Development Act: Setting up a new management framework within the public administration Jacques Prescott Sustainable Development Coordination