Summary

SAI Canada assessed the implementation of the Greening Government Strategy to strengthen the climate resilience of federal assets and services. SAI audited Fisheries and Oceans Canada, National Defence, Public Services and Procurement Canada, as well as Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat. The auditors noted that the lack of progress in the area of climate resilience undermines the protection of federal assets, such as bridges, roads, buildings, harbours, and services under federal control, jeopardizing the nation’s ability to safeguard essential services in the face of accelerating climate change. The auditors found that at the organizational level, National Defence, Public Services and Procurement Canada, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, which jointly managed 67% of the value of the federal government’s physical assets, made limited progress in translating climate risk assessments into meaningful action. As of 2024–2025, 3% of the federal government’s critical assets that were identified as being subject to significant risk had climate-resilience plans in place. SAI recommended that the relevant agencies conduct a critical analysis of incentives and obstacles to achieving long-term goals and fulfilling commitments in a timely manner. Also to improve transparency and to equip decision makers with relevant information regarding the climate resilience of federal assets, services, and activities, the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat should ensure timely and public annual reporting on all of the climate resilience–related commitments in the Greening Government Strategy.