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The original version was signed by
The Honourable Jim Prentice
Minister of the Environment
Section I: Departmental Overview
Section II: Analysis of Program Activities by Strategic Outcome
Section III: Supplementary Information
As Minister of the Environment, I am pleased to present the 2008-2009 Departmental Performance Report for Environment Canada. This report summarizes the progress made on the priorities identified in Environment Canada's 2008-2009 Report on Plans and Priorities.
While the economy continues to be a key concern, the environment remains an important issue as well for Canadians and the Government. Accordingly, Environment Canada's strategic outcomes for 2008-2009 support the Government of Canada's priorities for a clean and healthy environment and for strong economic growth. These priorities include
I am pleased to report that we are making significant strides in meeting all our strategic outcomes. In large part, this progress is due to the scientific work that forms the basis for policy and program decisions in the Department. Some highlights include
Environment Canada worked to successfully deliver on a challenging and critical environmental agenda this year. I am proud of these achievements and of the hard work and dedication of the staff at Environment Canada who made this possible.
The Honourable Jim Prentice, P.C., Q.C., M.P.
Minister of the Environment
A number of acts and regulations provide the Department with its mandate and allow it to carry out its programs. Under the Department of the Environment Act, the powers, duties and functions of the Minister of the Environment extend to and include matters relating to
Additional authorities, including the Department’s responsibilities relating to enforcement, are provided in the other acts and regulations administered by the Department, including the Species at Risk Act, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and the Sustainable Development Act. For details on departmental legislation and regulations, please see www.ec.gc.ca/EnviroRegs.
For 2008-09, Environment Canada's Program Activity Architecture included three Strategic Outcomes that supported the Government of Canada's priority of a clean and healthy environment:
A fourth Strategic Outcome supported the Government of Canada's priorities of strong economic growth and a vibrant Canadian culture and heritage:
Environment Canada Program Activity Architecture 2008-2009
Planned Spending | Total Authorities | Actual Spending |
---|---|---|
1,043.5 | 1,197.4 | 1,120.4 |
The Department’s financial resources had a direct impact on its ability to achieve its Strategic Outcomes and deliver on its program activities. The following sections highlight Environment Canada’s performance, and link resources to results.
At the outset of the 2008-2009 fiscal year, Environment Canada’s planned spending was $1,043.5 million. Through Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates, the Department was allocated total authorities of $1,197.4 million. The Department spent $1,120.4 million in 2008-2009, an increase of $123.4 million or 12.4 percent compared to 2007-2008 ($997 million).
Planned | Actual | Difference |
---|---|---|
6,732.0 | 6,557.4 | (174.6) |
The human resources required to sustain an average level of employment over 12 months are based on a 37.5-hour work week. The Department used 6,557 Full-time Equivalents in 2008-2009, which represented 97.4 percent of our planned estimate of 6,732 Full-time Equivalents. This represents an increase of 54 in the number of Full-time Equivalents used compared to 2007-2008 (6,503 Full-time Equivalents).
Located in 100 communities across Canada, our employees have expertise in a broad range of fields including biology, business, chemistry, commerce, communications, economics, engineering, law enforcement, environmental sciences and assessment, finance, hydrology, informatics, law, library science, meteorology, policy, social sciences and toxicology.
The following tables present an overview of key achievements and progress towards program results during 2008-2009 and a summary of financial information for each Program Activity.
Strategic Outcome 1: Canada's natural capital is restored, conserved, and enhanced
2008-2009 Performance - Overview of key achievements
Program Activity |
2007-08 Actual Spending |
2008-09 | Alignment to Government of Canada Outcomes | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Main Estimates |
Planned Spending |
Total Authorities |
Actual Spending |
|||
Biodiversity is
conserved and protected Details |
199.9 | 134.8 | 141.0 | 199.3 | 188.8 | Clean and healthy environment |
Water is clean,
safe and secure Details |
102.0 | 81.6 | 94.8 | 117.0 | 113.4 | |
Canadians adopt
approaches that ensure the sustainable use and
management of natural capital and working
landscapes Details |
46.3 | 32.6 | 32.9 | 46.7 | 43.3 | |
Total | 348.2 | 249.0 | 268.7 | 363.0 | 345.5 | |
Totals may differ between and within tables due to rounding of figures. |
Strategic Outcome 2: Weather and environmental predictions and services reduce risks and contribute to the well-being of Canadians
2008-2009 Performance - Overview of key achievements
Program Activity |
2007-08 Actual Spending |
2008-09 | Alignment to Government of Canada Outcomes | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Main Estimates |
Planned Spending |
Total Authorities |
Actual Spending |
|||
Improved
knowledge and information on weather and environmental
conditions influences decision-making Details |
146.8 | 127.9 | 130.2 | 164.1 | 159.8 | Clean and healthy environment |
Canadians are
informed of, and respond appropriately to, current and
predicted environmental conditions Details |
157.8 | 151.0 | 153.0 | 170.7 | 164.1 | |
Total | 304.6 | 278.9 | 283.2 | 334.8 | 323.9 | |
Totals may differ between and within tables due to rounding of figures. |
Strategic Outcome 3: Canadians and their environment are protected from the effects of pollution and waste
2008-2009 Performance - Overview of key achievements
Program Activity |
2007-08 Actual Spending |
2008-09 | Alignment to Government of Canada Outcomes | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Main Estimates |
Planned Spending |
Total Authorities |
Actual Spending |
|||
Risks to
Canadians, their health and their environment posed by
toxic and other harmful substances are reduced Details |
133.1 | 185.8 | 198.0 | 176.0 | 152.8 | Clean and healthy environment |
Canadians
adopt sustainable consumption and production
approaches Details |
58.0 | 48.0 | 49.5 | 93.9 | 91.3 | |
Risks to
Canadians, their health, and their environment from air
pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions are
reduced Details |
107.9 | 103.8 | 152.0 | 136.4 | 122.3 | |
Total | 299.0 | 337.6 | 399.5 | 406.3 | 366.4 | |
Totals may differ between and within tables due to rounding of figures. |
Strategic Outcome 4: Sustainable urban development and infrastructure renewal in the Toronto Waterfront Area
2008-2009 Performance - Overview of key achievements
Program Activity |
2007-08 Actual Spending |
2008-09 | Alignment to Government of Canada Outcomes | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Main Estimates |
Planned Spending |
Total Authorities |
Actual Spending |
|||
Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Initiative | 40.2 | 87.0 | 87.1 | 88.2 | 79.5 | Strong economic growth |
Harbourfront Centre Funding Program | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | A vibrant Canadian culture and heritage |
Total | 45.2 | 92.0 | 92.1 | 93.2 | 84.5 | |
Totals may differ between and within tables due to rounding of figures. |
Environment Canada continues to seek improved clarity in performance reporting. In the context of new reporting requirements introduced by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS), this year’s Departmental Performance Report (DPR) is reduced in volume from that of past years, includes a broader range of performance indicators, and provides readily available supplementary information through Web links on a host of departmental activities.
As with last year, visual ratings continue to be used to illustrate progress accomplished for each Expected Result stated in the 2008-2009 Report on Plans and Priorities (RPP). This year, however, there are now five rating levels instead of the previous three, providing a more precise visual depiction of performance. The ratings are complemented through text that, as far as possible, provides a balanced, complete, accurate and representative assessment of program performance, and that fairly demonstrates the contribution of Environment Canada programs to progress against objectives that may be shared with other organizations and jurisdictions.
Performance ratings are based on self-assessments performed by Environment Canada’s management, supported by various levels of data availability, with some of the data being qualitative in nature. These ratings reflect our best judgement of performance at this time. We will continue to move forward over the next two years towards a less qualitative and more quantitatively based assessment of performance.
In 2008-2009 the focus has been on improving the Performance Measurement Framework (PMF) supporting the Department’s transition to a stronger performance measurement capability. Over the year, Environment Canada improved its PMF through identification of measureable indicators at both the Strategic Outcome and Program Activity levels. These indicators, which are reflected in the 2009-2010 Report on Plans and Priorities, will be used to contribute to a stronger performance assessment process that will underlie next year’s DPR. Further enhancement to the PMF will occur in 2010-2011, thus supporting greater use of objective, evidence-based performance reporting for Parliament and the public on achieved results and outcomes.
This DPR provides performance ratings, using the same rating scale, in two different areas: progress on specific departmental priorities; and progress towards program results.
Performance ratings for progress made during 2008-2009 in delivering on departmental priorities identified in the 2008-2009 RPP are presented in “Contribution of Department’s Priorities to Strategic Outcomes”.
Performance ratings for progress made in 2008-2009 on expected results stated in the 2008-2009 RPP are presented in summary form in “Performance by Program Activities”. Further details on progress towards results are presented in Section II of the DPR, “Analysis of Program Activities by Strategic Outcome”.
Performance information in this DPR is focused on the execution of the 2008-2009 RPP, which gives an indication of how the Department is progressing towards its Strategic Outcomes based on performance at the Program Activity level. Future DPRs will have clearer indicators of performance at the Strategic Outcome level.
The table below provides a comparison of rating levels used for the 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 DPRs, as well as definitions of the performance ratings for this report:
2007-2008 DPR | Performance Rating Definition | 2008-2009 DPR | Performance Rating Definition |
---|---|---|---|
Anticipated results met - Objectives to achieve expected results were fully met | Exceeded - Objectives for 2008-2009 to achieve expected results or departmental priorities were exceeded. (Consistent with TBS definition that more than 100 percent of the expected level of performance for the expected result or priority was achieved) | ||
Met all - Objectives for 2008-2009 to achieve expected results or departmental priorities were fully met. (Consistent with TBS definition that 100 percent of the expected level of performance for the expected result or priority was achieved) | |||
Anticipated results mostly met - Objectives to achieve expected results have not yet been fully met, but significant progress has been made towards achieving them | Mostly met - Objectives for 2008-2009 to achieve expected results or departmental priorities have not yet been fully met, but significant progress has been made towards achieving them. (Consistent with TBS definition that 80 to 99 percent of the expected level of performance for the expected result or priority was achieved) | ||
Somewhat met - Objectives for 2008-2009 to achieve expected results or departmental priorities have not yet been fully met, but partial progress has been made towards achieving them. (Consistent with TBS definition that 60 to 79 percent of the expected level of performance for the expected result or priority was achieved) | |||
Anticipated results not met - Objectives to achieve expected results were not met. | Not met - Objectives for 2008-2009 to achieve expected results or departmental priorities were not met. (Consistent with TBS definition that less than 60 percent of the expected level of performance for the expected result or priority was achieved) |
In its 2008-2009 Report on Plans and Priorities, Environment Canada identified seven program priorities and one management priority on which it would focus during 2008-2009. These priorities fully support ongoing progress towards program results in support of the Department’s Strategic Outcomes.
The following table identifies the 2008-2009 priorities, presents a summary of key achievements in 2008-2009 related to these priorities, links the priorities to the program results by Strategic Outcomes and provides a rating of performance for 2008-2009.
Operational Priorities for 2008-2009 | Type | Performance Status against 2008-2009 operational priorities | Linkages to Strategic Outcome(s) |
---|---|---|---|
1- Reducing
greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution. (EC's 2008-2009 RPP, pdf p.18) |
Ongoing | Mostly
met |
Strategic Outcome 3 |
|
|||
2- Ensuring
water quality and quantity. (EC's 2008-2009 RPP, pdf p.19) |
Ongoing | Mostly
met |
Strategic Outcome 1 |
|
|||
3- Supporting
clean land and biodiversity. (EC's 2008-2009 RPP, pdf p.19) |
Ongoing | Somewhat
met |
Strategic Outcomes 1, 3 |
|
|||
4- Providing
quality meteorological and environmental services to
Canadians. (EC's 2008-2009 RPP, pdf p. 20) |
Ongoing | Mostly
met |
Strategic Outcome 2 |
|
|||
5- Delivering
results on environmental enforcement. (EC's 2008-2009 RPP, pdf p. 20) |
Ongoing | Met
all |
Strategic Outcomes 1, 3 |
|
|||
6- Protecting
Canadians from toxic substances. (EC's 2008-2009 RPP, pdf p. 20) |
Ongoing | Met
all |
Strategic Outcome 3 |
|
|||
7- Supporting sustainable urban development and
infrastructure renewal in the Toronto waterfront
area. |
Ongoing | Mostly
met |
Strategic Outcome 4 |
|
Management Priorities for 2008-2009 | Type | Performance Status against 2008-2009 management priority | Linkages to Strategic Outcome(s) |
---|---|---|---|
8- Improve
integrated business and human resources planning in the
Department. (EC's 2008-2009 RPP, pdf p. 21) |
Ongoing | Somewhat
met |
Strategic Outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 4 |
|
The following table presents an overview of the performance status ratings for each of the expected results identified in the Environment Canada RPP for 2008-2009. The performance status ratings provide an assessment of progress achieved during 2008-2009 against the indicators and targets or activities and outputs for results as stated in the RPP. Details regarding the progress achieved during 2008-2009 are provided in Section II of this DPR.
Program Activities | Expected Results as per 2008-2009 Report on Plans and Priorities | Performance Status, 2008-2009 |
---|---|---|
Strategic Outcome 1: Canada's natural capital is restored, conserved and enhanced | ||
Biodiversity is conserved and protected |
|
Somewhat
met Details |
|
Somewhat
met Details |
|
Water is clean, safe and secure |
|
Mostly
met Details |
Canadians adopt approaches that ensure the sustainable use and management of natural capital and working landscapes |
|
Met
all Details |
|
Mostly
met Details |
|
Strategic Outcome 2: Weather and environmental predictions and services reduce risks and contribute to the well-being of Canadians | ||
Improved knowledge and information on weather and environmental conditions influences decision-making |
|
Somewhat
met Details |
|
Met
all Details |
|
Canadians are informed of, and respond appropriately to, current and predicted environmental conditions |
|
Somewhat
met Details |
|
Somewhat
met Details |
|
|
Somewhat
met Details |
|
Strategic Outcome 3: Canadians and their environment are protected from the effects of pollution and waste | ||
Risks to Canadians, their health and their environment posed by toxic and other harmful substances are reduced |
|
Met
all Details |
|
Met
all Details |
|
|
Met
all Details |
|
Canadians adopt sustainable consumption and production approaches |
|
Met
all Details |
|
Mostly
met Details |
|
Risks to Canadians, their health and their environment from air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions are reduced |
|
Mostly
met Details |
|
Mostly
met Details |
|
|
Mostly
met Details |
|
Strategic Outcome 4: Sustainable urban development and infrastructure renewal in the Toronto Waterfront Area | ||
Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Initiative |
|
Mostly
met Details |
|
Mostly
met Details |
|
|
Mostly
met Details |
|
Harbourfront Centre Funding Program |
|
Met
all Details |
|
Met
all Details |
Environment Canada plays a leadership role in implementing the Government of Canada's environmental agenda. The Government continues to strengthen its commitment to improving the quality of Canada's environment by making this issue one of its top priorities. In 2008-2009, the Department aligned its policies to implement environmental initiatives announced in Budget 2008 to deliver on commitments made in Turning the Corner: An Action Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gases and Air Pollution. In the November 2008 Speech from the Throne, the Government renewed its commitment to reducing Canada's total greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent by 2020. Budget 2009: Canada's Economic Action Plan announced investments in projects to develop green infrastructure, clean up federal contaminated sites and improve the Government's environmental reporting. As well, there are plans to work with provincial governments and other partners to develop and implement a cap and trade system for greenhouse gases and an effective international protocol on climate change for the post-2012 period.
Environment Canada is responsible for ensuring compliance with the environmental legislation and regulations it administers - in particular, those aimed at preventing pollution and protecting wildlife. In 2008-2009, there was greater emphasis on implementing and enforcing regulations. To this end, the Department increased its investment to promote compliance by hiring and training 106 enforcement officers.
Science plays a major role in the work of the Department and forms the basis for policy and program decisions. The Department’s Science Plan sets out a clear mission for Environment Canada’s science over 10 years, identifying long-term strategic directions to guide the Department and its science partners. The Science Plan also commits the Department to measuring and reporting on the Department’s science activities, and ensuring that the Department’s science provides value for money and addresses priority issues. Research and development (R&D) activities are of particular importance, since they constitute the backbone of Environment Canada’s science capacity, providing essential new knowledge and tools for supporting key activities such as monitoring and risk assessment. The Department’s R&D performance was recently assessed and found to be strong in terms of alignment with Department- and Government-wide priorities, in terms of linkages across areas of expertise within the Department and with outside collaborators, and in terms of excellence with respect to the quality of the R&D performed. Close connections between R&D users and producers across the Department’s management boards ensure that R&D is responsive and targeted to effectively address priority environmental issues. A report on Environment Canada’s R&D performance is available online at www.ec.gc.ca/scitech/default.asp?lang=En&n=3BE578AE-1.
The Department is committed to achieving value for money and to effectively managing its resources on several key initiatives simultaneously. In 2008-2009, the Department's financial management framework was examined, and adjustments were made to enable the timely allocation of funds and to improve the quality and analysis of financial information. The governance structure was reorganized with the establishment of the Internal Services Board, which provides a focal point for all enabling functions in the Department (i.e. Governance and management Support; Resource Management Services; and Asset Management Services).
In October 2008, changes to the machinery of government transferred responsibility for the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Initiative from Environment Canada to the Department of Finance and responsibility for the Mackenzie Gas Project Office from Industry Canada to Environment Canada. The External Audit Advisory Committee ensures that the Deputy Minister obtains independent, objective advice and assurance on the adequacy of the Department’s risk management, control and accountability mechanisms. The Committee exercises active oversight of core areas of departmental control and accountability in an integrated and systematic way.
Canadians believe that all levels of government and the private sector must do their part to address environmental issues. Environmental conditions pertaining to air quality, changing weather and climate patterns, water quality and quantity, and exposure to chemicals and toxic substances have adverse effects on the health of Canadians and the environment. These issues are too serious to ignore and must be monitored.
Progress on addressing environmental issues can only be made by government and non-governmental organizations working together at all levels, domestically and internationally. Key Environment Canada programs and strategies, such as the Action Plan for Clean Water and the Chemicals Management Plan, depend on collaborative approaches and partnerships among the various levels of government, private industry, environmental non-governmental organizations and other key stakeholders. However, the Department’s overall ability to show progress in tackling environmental problems is influenced, to some extent, by the policies, priorities and timing of actions by domestic and international partners and stakeholders.
It was intended that implementation of the Regulatory Framework for Industrial Greenhouse Gas Emissions, including the complementary offset system and infrastructure, would be completed by January 1, 2010. However, the global economic downturn and the change in administration in the United States have required that we fine-tune our approach. The federal government remains committed to tabling a full suite of specific policies covering all major sources of Canadian greenhouse gas emissions prior to Canada’s participation in the upcoming United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen. After the Copenhagen meeting, Environment Canada plans to finalize the development of GHG emissions regulations through 2010 to be ready for implementation as early as 2011. The timing and implementation of a federal climate change strategy will reflect the approach of North American alignment of policies.
Environment Canada’s Net Cost of Program for 2008-2009 was $1.2 billion. The Department spending has seen a steady upward trend over the last three years. The Net Cost of Program increased by 13.2 percent ($124.1 million) from 2006-2007 to 2007-2008 and 12.6 percent ($133.6 million) from 2007-2008 to 2008-2009. This increase is mainly due to three factors:
The chart below shows the Department’s spending trend over a six-year period (three-year Net Cost of Program and three-year Adjusted Planned Spending).
The Expenditure Profile reflects significant variations due to a number of key factors, including changes in the funding of various initiatives and termination (sunsetting) of time-limited initiatives. As well, Net Cost of Program reflects actual spending in relation to all approved funding for fiscal years now ended, whereas Adjusted Planned Spending only includes initial planned funding. Each year, supplemental funding is normally obtained for additional or renewed initiatives, which is not yet known or reflected in the Adjusted Planned Spending.
Note 1: Net Cost of Program corresponds to Actual
Spending plus Services received without charge and net of
Non-Respendable Revenue.
Note 2: Adjusted Planned Spending corresponds to the
Planned Spending as per the 2009-2010 Report on Plans
and Priorities minus Non-respendable Revenue. As a
result, Net Cost of Program and Adjusted Planned Spending
are on a comparable basis. The decrease in Adjusted Planned
Spending in 2011-2012 is mainly due to the Chemical
Management Plan and the Clean Air Regulatory Agenda as well
as various other sunsetting initiatives.
The significant decrease from 2008-2009 to 2011-2012 can be mostly explained by the transfer of responsibility for the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Initiative and Harbourfront Corporation to the Department of Finance, payments to arm’s-length foundations, and by the scheduled sunsetting of two main initiatives: the Chemical Management Plan and the Clean Air Regulatory Agenda. These two initiatives are part of the Government of Canada long term agenda for which supplementary funding will be considered. Resource requirements beyond those currently approved will be considered as appropriate. Based on historical trends, the Department gains significant additional resources through Supplementary Estimates and consequently, anticipates a stable workforce over the next three years.
This table shows the voted items Parliament approved through the Main Estimates with its supply bills. The statutory items are included for information purposes.
Vote No. or Statutory Item (S) | Truncated Vote or Statutory Wording |
2006-2007 Actual |
2007-2008 Actual |
2008-2009 Main Estimates |
2008-2009 Actual |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Operating expenditures | 703.7 | 700.5 | 665.2 | 763.7 |
5 | Capital expenditures | 34.8 | 35.7 | 43.5 | 45.0 |
10 | Grants and contributions | 47.9 | 106.9 | 165.1 | 164.5 |
(S) | Minister of the Environment: salary and motor car allowance | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 |
(S) | Contributions to employee benefit plans | 81.3 | 81.1 | 83.6 | 81.2 |
(S) | Spending of proceeds from disposal of surplus Crown assets | 0.7 | 1.0 | - | 0.8 |
(S) | Nature Conservancy of Canada | - | 70.2 | - | 46.1 |
(S) | Grant to the Canada Foundation for Sustainable Development Technology | - | 1.6 | - | 19.0 |
Subtotal - Actual Spending | 868.4 | 997.0 | 957.5 | 1,120.4 | |
Services without charge | 81.3 | 76.7 | - | 86.1 | |
Non-respendable Revenue | (11.8) | (11.7) | - | (10.9) | |
Total - Net Cost of Program | 937.9 | 1,062.0 | 957.5 | 1,195.6 | |
Notes: - Excludes respendable revenues - Totals may differ between and within tables due to rounding of figures. |
1 Details on departmental legislation and regulations are available at http://www.ec.gc.ca/enviroregs.
Benefits to Canadians: The conservation of natural capital protects species and their habitat, and secures the ecological goods and services that sustain health, economic prosperity and competitiveness.
Performance Analysis: According to the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators 2008 Highlights Report, the quality of Canada's environment has shown some modest signs of improvement in recent years in particular areas. However, environmental health continues to be of concern. Despite the scientific progress made in understanding the complexity, fragility, and interconnectivity of ecosystems, the unsustainable use of Canada's natural capital continues to undermine ecological processes and benefits.2 In response to complex environmental and socio-economic challenges, Environment Canada's programs contributing to this Strategic Outcome continued to make progress against its three-year commitments identified in the 2008-2009 Report on Plans and Priorities. In 2008-2009, Environment Canada identified three priorities for this Strategic Outcome, as follows.
Strengthen approaches and ensure consistent application of laws to protect Canada's biodiversity: Environment Canada's wildlife and habitat protection programs continued to strengthen the implementation of the Species at Risk Act and the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, which are the legislative foundation of the Department's approach to the restoration and conservation of Canada's natural capital. Environment Canada faced some challenges, however, in meeting its prescribed timelines in relation to the posting of recovery strategies and action plans for species at risk and the completion of a protected areas strategy and management plans for specific protected areas.
The enforcement of Canada's environmental laws and regulations is integral to the preservation of Canada's natural environment. Wildlife Enforcement protects habitat areas in Canada and targeted species both domestically and internationally. In Budget 2007, resources were provided to hire more than 100 new officers to bolster enforcement capacity. The hiring of 106 new enforcement officers was completed in 2008-2009. Also, in 2008-2009, the Department invested in better forensic laboratory support, data collection, analysis and management systems to increase the effectiveness of enforcement officers as provided in Budget 2008 ($21 million over two years). In addition, the Environmental Enforcement Act (Bill C-16), which amends nine environmental laws to strengthen enforcement and penalty provisions, was introduced to the House of Commons on March 4, 2009. The Act received Royal Assent in June 2009.
Enhance federal, provincial, territorial and international collaboration to address shared water priorities: The federal government's Action Plan for Clean Water sets out an integrated, national approach to conserve and protect aquatic ecosystems and water resources in targeted areas. In 2008-2009, Environment Canada worked with its federal, provincial, territorial and international partners to implement its commitments under the Action Plan for Clean Water with regards to the cleanup of Lake Winnipeg, Lake Simcoe and areas of concern in the Great Lakes. Delays in the implementation of the Lake Simcoe and Lake Winnipeg projects resulted in some objectives not being met, but these objectives are expected to be met next year.
Strengthen knowledge and approaches that ensure sustainable use and management of ecosystems: Work supporting this commitment contributed to the implementation of an ecosystem approach to address ecosystem-scale priorities in targeted areas across the country, and generated environmental knowledge and expertise so that Canadians, their governments and the private sector could work together to incorporate social, economic and environmental considerations into their decision-making and action.
Environment Canada's work is organized into three Program Activities that contribute to this Strategic Outcome:
The following pages contain further performance information about the work that is undertaken to deliver these Program Activities and the achievements during 2008-2009 in meeting the commitments in the 2008-2009 Report on Plans and Priorities.
2008-09 Financial Resources ($ millions) |
2008-09 Human Resources (full-time equivalents) |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Planned Spending |
Total Authorities |
Actual Spending |
Planned | Actual | Difference |
141.0 | 199.3 | 188.8 | 900.0 | 821.9 | (78.1) |
Expected Results |
Performance Status |
Performance Indicators |
Performance Summary |
---|---|---|---|
Wildlife is conserved and protected |
Somewhat met |
Improvement in the status of threatened and endangered species |
Science and recovery work related to species at risk was improved, bringing the total number of species with immediate protection through prohibitions set out in the Species at Risk Act to 447, with 100 of these having a published final recovery strategy in the Species at Risk Public Registry. Twenty-two species were listed in Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act during the 2008-2009 fiscal year. In collaboration with Parks Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment Canada prepared a total of 3 proposed recovery strategies for 3 species and posted 9 final recovery strategies for 11 species on the Species at Risk Public Registry. Planned objectives were not fully met for all programs, specifically in meeting timelines as prescribed under the Species at Risk Act, due to the large number of species currently listed and being added annually under the Act. |
Healthy levels of migratory bird populations | Work was continued to finalize and implement the recommendations following a review of the Bird Monitoring Program. There was continued work on the development and implementation of a regulation for the management of the incidental take of migratory birds in accordance with the purpose of the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994. | ||
No Canadian species are threatened from international trade | The Review of Significant Trade process conducted by the Secretariat for the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora did not identify any concerns about current levels of trade of listed species from Canada. | ||
Land and landscapes are managed sustainably | Somewhat
met |
Size of area of conserved wildlife habitat under direct Environment Canada protection or protected through departmental partnerships and influence |
Environment Canada continued to expand and establish Canada's protection of sensitive areas by developing guidelines for managing and protecting sensitive areas and making progress on designating new sites in Nunavut, Northwest Territories and two marine protected areas. The Department manages 51 national wildlife areas and 92 migratory bird sanctuaries comprising 118 000 square kilometres. Planned objectives for 2008-2009 were not fully met because a comprehensive protected areas strategy was not completed before the end of the fiscal year. |
Program Activity Summary: The Program Activity consists of the protection and recovery of species at risk, conservation, restoration and rehabilitation of significant habitats, and conservation of migratory birds. A primary vehicle for the achievement of results under this program is the formation of strategic partnerships, including bilateral agreements with provinces and territories, and partnerships with other departments, agencies and non-governmental organizations, for integrated management of Canada’s natural capital, including the sustainable management of landscapes. Key principles in support of results under the Program Activity are the use of the best available science and the provision of regulatory certainty to stakeholders.
Benefits for Canadians: The overall benefit for Canadians from this work has been increased knowledge of, commitment to, and capacity for wildlife and biodiversity conservation and the protection of valuable ecosystems, positioning Canada as a responsible environmental steward of the ecological goods and services that sustain our health, economic prosperity and competitiveness.
Performance Analysis: In 2008-2009, Environment Canada continued working on key relationships, including developing bilateral agreements with Alberta, Ontario, Yukon, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nunavut, Northwest Territories and Manitoba, and fostering partnerships with other departments and agencies involved in the overall implementation of the Species at Risk Act. The Polar Bear Roundtable was held on January 16, 2009, to raise awareness about and share knowledge related to the status of polar bears in Canada among partners and stakeholders. The Roundtable included representatives from the provinces and territories, wildlife management boards, Inuit and First Nations representatives and scientists. Planned objectives were not fully met for all programs. Specifically, Environment Canada continues to face challenges meeting timelines as prescribed under the Species at Risk Act for posting recovery strategies and action plans under the Species at Risk Program, due to the large number of species currently listed and being added annually under the Act.
Work continued in 2008-2009 to develop key policies to support the new approach to the management of incidental take of migratory birds, in accordance with the purpose of the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, including a draft plan for implementing a regulation under the Act regarding incidental take. The Migratory Bird Conservation Framework and the Risk Management Framework were advanced, including initial engagement of key stakeholders in the latter.
In 2008-2009, Environment Canada worked with its partners to establish and expand Canada's protection of environmentally sensitive areas by finalizing the Northwest Territories Protected Areas Strategy and the Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement, and by proposing that three National Wildlife Areas be established on and around Baffin Island, Nunavut. Planned objectives for 2008-2009 were not fully met because the completion of a comprehensive Protected Areas Strategy under the Protected Areas Program was not achieved before the end of the fiscal year.
Lessons Learned: To ensure a more effective implementation of the Species at Risk Act, including recovery strategies, Environment Canada is establishing a quality management system, which will provide and promote opportunities for continuous performance improvement. The recommendations of the Polar Bear Roundtable will provide further opportunities to improve the protection of polar bears.
A review of the status of existing protected areas was completed and a Results-based Management and Accountability Framework and Risk Based Audit Framework for the Protected Areas Program, were developed. These will help meet the objectives of habitat conservation and assist the Department in reaching the Protected Areas Program goals in the future.
2008-09 Financial Resources ($ millions) |
2008-09 Human Resources (full-time equivalents) |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Planned Spending |
Total Authorities |
Actual Spending |
Planned | Actual | Difference |
94.8 | 117.0 | 113.4 | 709.0 | 970.6 | 261.6 |
Expected Results |
Performance Status |
Performance Indicators |
Performance Summary |
---|---|---|---|
Aquatic ecosystems are conserved and protected |
Mostly met |
Accrued economic, social and environmental benefits to Canadians through sustainable and productive use of water resources | Under the Action Plan for Clean Water, remediation initiatives were implemented for Lake Simcoe, Lake Winnipeg and the areas of concern in the Great Lakes. Efforts focused on establishing partnerships, planning with stakeholders, establishing mechanisms to deliver on commitments, providing technical advice and funding for cleanup projects, and doing science |
Access for Canadians to safe drinking water
and |
Environment Canada released the fourth annual results of the Water Quality Index under the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators Initiative. Water quality at almost half of monitoring sites in Canada was rated as "good" or "excellent". No long-term trends are available for this national indicator. However, a comparison of the results from the 2006, 2007, and 2008 Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators reports reveals only minor changes during this period. New scientific knowledge was generated and made accessible for other federal departments, other levels of government, environmental regulators, policy- and decision-makers, land-use planners, researchers and industry on the impacts of land use practices, the effects of toxics and other substances of concern, the impacts of changes in climate and biodiversity on aquatic ecosystems, and remediation techniques for water resources. |
Program Activity Summary: The Program Activity provides science and policy leadership on water quality, quantity and use. Science under the Program Activity is focused on monitoring and research to understand what is changing in aquatic ecosystems and the reasons for the change, and on providing science-based tools to empower Canadians to take action on water priorities. Policy leadership includes work to advance Canadian water resources sustainability through international and federal-provincial action. Involvement in transboundary arrangements focuses on ensuring that Canada’s responsibilities concerning the management of bi-national waters are met and that parties to interprovincial water agreements benefit from Canada’s technical advice and monitoring information.
Benefits for Canadians: Environment Canada works closely with other federal departments to develop a strategic approach to address nationally significant freshwater issues in order to conserve and protect Canada’s aquatic ecosystems and water resources. Activities undertaken in 2008-2009 included enhancing inter-jurisdictional relations and governance structures, advancing federal coordination of water resource management, improving water quality and ecosystem health monitoring and information, generating new knowledge needed to understand the impacts of human activities on water, and undertaking actions to conserve and protect Canada’s water resources and to promote wise and efficient water management and use.
Performance Analysis: In 2008-2009, Environment Canada continued to advance the objectives of the Action Plan for Clean Water, which set the direction for the restoration and cleanup of Lake Simcoe, Lake Winnipeg and areas of concern in the Great Lakes. Environment Canada's work in this area contributes directly to the preservation and protection of Canada's major watersheds for current and future generations. The deadline for applications to the Lake Winnipeg Bassin Stewardship Fund was extended to enhance stakeholder awareness and engagement in the program. Startup requirements facing the launching of the Lake Winnipeg Basin Stewardship Fund resulted in a shorter field season such that some activities have been deferred until next year.
In 2008-2009, Environment Canada generated new scientific knowledge and information on priority areas, including developing standards for nitrogen and phosphorus to protect the ecological condition of streams, rivers and coastal waters, examining the impact of climate change on the parasites and diseases related to aquatic animals, the dynamic existence of waterborne pathogens in river sediment, and the impacts of climate change and human activities on groundwater recharge in Canada using historical data, and monitoring toxic contaminants in large ecosystems.
Lessons Learned: All levels of government are responsible for safeguarding Canada's vast water resources. Consequently, Environment Canada must collaborate with a range of partners to develop consensus on common objectives, carry out cooperative research and monitoring, provide timely, credible and accessible information and expertise, and improve the links between science and policy for the advancement of policy options for key priorities. Environment Canada will continue working on the four-year partnered science plan for Lake Winnipeg to improve information sharing between federal, provincial, municipal, academic and United States partners, and to assess the current state of the lake, address current data and knowledge gaps, and identify the major sources and bioavailability of particulate and dissolved nutrient inputs to the Lake.
2008-09 Financial Resources ($ millions) |
2008-09 Human Resources (full-time equivalents) |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Planned Spending |
Total Authorities |
Actual Spending |
Planned | Actual | Difference |
32.9 | 46.7 | 43.3 | 248.0 | 311.0 | 63.0 |
Expected Results |
Performance Status |
Performance Indicators |
Performance Summary |
---|---|---|---|
Integrated information and knowledge enable |
Met all |
Improvement in environmental indicators for priority ecosystems | In 2008-2009, Environment Canada continued to be actively involved in the implementation of the State of the St. Lawrence Monitoring Program (21 indicators) and helped develop the State of the Great Lakes 2009 Highlights report, which provides updated information on Great Lakes indicators and information on changes in nearshore areas of the Great Lakes. |
Classification of Canadian ecosystems |
Work is proceeding as planned in the completion of the Ecosystems Status and Trends Report, which will be released in 2010, as well as on the implementation of Environment Canada’s Ecosystem Framework. |
||
Selection of priority ecosystems | |||
Implementation of Priority Ecosystem Initiatives | The Department delivered on 2008-2009 commitments under the Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem (2007-2010) and the Canada-Quebec Agreement on the St. Lawrence (2005-2010). The Northern Ecosystem Initiative, the Western Boreal Conservation Initiative, the Atlantic Ecosystem Initiative and the Georgia Basin Action Plan were extended for one year and key projects were completed to provide science, tools and best management practices to decision-makers. | ||
Information, assessment and understanding of the state of ecosystem sustainability supports decision-making |
Mostly met |
Implementation of new management approaches |
The environmental assessment program completed the last stage of research and analysis of current management processes and moved toward the next stage of full implementation of new management approaches. |
Availability of relevant and reliable information to assess ecosystem status and change | The Ecological Monitoring and Assessment Network achieved progress on four key initiatives conceived to ensure and improve the availability of ecosystem status information (i.e. Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring, IMAGINE Canada, NatureWatch community-based monitoring protocols and Space for Habitat remote sensed-based habitat surveillance). |
Program Activity Summary: The Program Activity is designed to integrate departmental action on ecosystems by aligning science, policy and environmental assessment through a nationally consistent, inter-jurisdictional approach to ecosystem management. Work contributing to this program activity includes multidisciplinary studies assessing the state of priority ecosystems and identifying the required actions for restoration and conservation. Education and outreach activities inform and engage Canadians on environmental issues to promote environmentally sound action.
Benefits for Canadians: Environment Canada works with a range of partners to sustain Canada's priority ecosystems and protect the environment, collaborating with Canadians and decision-makers on the sustainable use and management of ecosystems in their regions, and providing expert advice on the potential environmental impacts of economic development projects. A more holistic ecosystem approach addresses ecosystem sustainability issues and integrates the environmental, social and economic agendas of various partners and governments to achieve common objectives and results. This work contributed to the restoration of degraded ecosystems and provided Canadians with environmental information to make more informed and environmentally sustainable decisions.
Performance Analysis: Environment Canada continued to take an ecosystem approach to implementing the Great Lakes Ecosystem Initiative, the St. Lawrence Plan and other ecosystem initiatives, and made progress in delivering on commitments under the Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem (2007-2010) and the Canada-Quebec Agreement on the St. Lawrence (2005-2010). In March 2009, Environment Canada reported substantial implementation of the recommendations of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development’s 2008 Report on remediation of areas of concern in the Great Lakes.
In 2008-2009, Environment Canada participated in many successful environmental assessment reviews and acted as responsible authority for approximately 400 project environmental assessments and as federal authority (providing expert advice) for more than 2000 projects. These assessments range in complexity from relatively benign screenings to large and complex evaluations of multi-billion dollar projects such as the Mackenzie Gas Pipeline.
Lessons Learned: Ecosystem initiatives and approaches provide the Department with opportunities to link research, science and monitoring to action at the community level in order to target and restorepriority ecosystems across the country. New strategic management models are emerging to help guide Environment Canada's efforts to making healthy ecosystems and sustainable communities across Canada a reality.
In 2008-2009, Environment Canada organized and participated in the Environmental Assessment Practitioners Workshop, which provided key findings regarding environmental assessments management processes, roles and responsibilities. Based on these findings, the program developed the Environmental Assessment Management System to improve business and information management processes within resource and policy constraints.
The EcoAction Community Funding Program evaluation demonstrated the importance of accurately defining and tracking project indicators for the environmental outcomes of funded projects to improve the ability to report on results and show the environmental benefits of the investmentsbeing made.
Changing weather, water and climate conditions, such as severe weather, floods, poor air quality and heat waves, can seriously affect Canadians' safety, health and economic well-being. Therefore, Environment Canada works to provide quality meteorological, climatological, hydrological and related environmental information, prediction and services that help Canadians make decisions to reduce the risks posed by the environment.
Benefits for Canadians: By helping Canadians anticipate how the environment can affect them and their activities, this Strategic Outcome contributes to reducing the impacts—such as loss of life, detrimental effects on health and damage to property—that changing weather, water and climate conditions can have on Canadians. It also allows Canadians to take advantage of opportunities that these changing conditions could generate, in sectors such as transportation and renewable energy, for example.
Performance Analysis: In 2008-2009, Environment Canada identified four priorities for the Strategic Outcome. While most of the objectives were partially met, some challenges remain.
Promote the health and safety of Canadians and improve decision-making: The Department continued to provide its weather and related services 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and demonstrated readiness to provide weather services to the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. It is also a major contributor to Public Safety Canada's National Public Alerting System. Environment Canada made significant scientific advances in its computer models, which permitted it to add extra days to the daily public and marine forecasts. The implementation of the Air Quality Health Index has progressed well, although, as confirmed in the March 2009 Status Report of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, some challenges remain, such as working with the provinces on issues related to the total or partial phase-out of their existing air quality indices. The Department contributed to the work of international bodies such as the Group on Earth Observations, pursued collaborative projects with China, and cooperated with other countries to fully benefit from global data sharing and environmental research. However, as indicated in an audit on the severe weather program, the Department continues to face challenges with respect to its weather observing networks and ability to get warnings to Canadians, and with how to measure the effectiveness of its programs.3
Contribute to the Government of Canada agenda by maintaining existing and establishing new effective partnerships, agreements and policies: The Department effectively participated in the Government’s Northern Strategy by ensuring that the needs for weather and environmental services were understood and by pursuing scientific advances in the North, including working with the Canadian Space Agency in support of future meteorological satellite missions. Environment Canada also took steps towards implementing the marine weather services that will be required in the future in the Arctic, while maintaining hydrometeorological services across Canada. Hydrometric agreements and ongoing collaborations with partners including provinces and territories have continued, with Manitoba, Ontario, Alberta and Quebec renewing their hydrometric agreements. Efforts continue to develop agreements with other provinces. The Department also partially completed updates and reports on monitoring and hydrology activities (e.g. schedules C and D and cost-share reports as required by the hydrometric agreements) under the Canada Water Act. Negotiations began with NAV CANADA (the operator of Canada’s air navigation system) to renew an agreement related to the provision of aviation weather services. These negotiations were concluded in July 2009.
Foster community and economic resilience through adaptive solutions to climate and environmental change at the local, regional and national levels: The development of Canada’s new global climate model is complete and includes enhanced physical processes. A new Canadian regional climate model has been developed to allow for better understanding of expected changes at the local level, and initial testing is well under way. Canadian networks on climate change scenarios and on atmospheric hazards have been established. However, due to capacity constraints, we have not yet been able to make this service available everywhere even though the demand comes from across the country. Analyses of hazards or severe events in support of infrastructure standards and the sustainability of economic sectors have progressed, but are behind schedule.
Ensure the ongoing relevance to Canadians of weather and environmental services: As indicated in a recent evaluation, enhanced succession planning and performance measurement were needed in order to support sustainable and high-quality weather services to Canadians.4 In 2008-2009, progress toward a data management framework continued. The quality management system (QMS) registered under the ISO 9001:2000 standard covers most activities under the Strategic Outcome. The QMS requires proactive client consultation on products and services, thus ensuring that services are of high quality and relevance to Canadians. In addition, the QMS requires clear identification of accountabilities, which ensures that necessary corrective or preventive measures are taken promptly. A human resources plan was developed in 2008-2009, focusing on building people capacity and skills to meet evolving needs through recruitment (of meteorologists and technicians, in particular), learning and development, and succession.
There are two Program Activities under this Strategic Outcome:
The following pages contain further performance information about the work that is undertaken to deliver these Program Activities and the achievements during 2008-2009 in meeting the commitments in the 2008-2009 Report on Plans and Priorities and moving forward on program results and long-term Strategic Outcomes.
2008-09 Financial Resources ($ millions) |
2008-09 Human Resources (full-time equivalents) |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Planned Spending |
Total Authorities |
Actual Spending |
Planned | Actual | Difference |
130.2 | 164.1 | 159.8 | 892.0 | 1,057.0 | 165.0 |
Expected Results |
Performance Status |
Performance Indicators |
Performance Summary |
---|---|---|---|
Information from environmental monitoring activities is sufficient to identify, analyze study and predict weather and climate conditions, air quality, and clean water availability |
Somewhat met |
Environment Canada monitoring networks reliably generate cost-effective observations which are accessible by Canadians | Environment Canada's monitoring networks provided, without major failures, observations of weather, climate, air quality and water level, and derived flow information 24 hours a day, seven days a week from all network sites in Canada. Canadians and others downloaded 1,500 gigabytes of data in 2008 from the Department's online climate archive and also had access to real-time and archived water information online. |
Partners openly share their information with Environment Canada and Canadians | Environment Canada's strategic approach to monitoring is based on the "network of networks" principle, by which various networks (e.g. surface, upper-air and other networks) are made to work together. To that end, the Department establishes agreements to exchange weather and climate data. For example, it is expected that it will sign such an agreement with Alberta in 2009. As well, the Department has signed hydrometric monitoring agreements with four provinces. | ||
Science is produced to support weather and environmental services, decision-making and policy development | Met all |
Science-driven improvements to quality and utility of weather and other environmental services, as expressed by accuracy and timeliness of forecasts and the degree to which environmental science influences policy development and decision-making | Two major changes to the computer model for weather predictions have significantly improved the quality of the forecasts from six hours to several days. In support of the next Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change assessment, and domestic impacts and adaptation science, work on developing Canada's new global climate model is complete, and a new model for regional climate predictions has been developed and is being tested. Enhanced ways to simulate snow, soil and vegetation have been added to prediction models. Climate indices on topics such as drought have been developed to support agriculture. With academia, efforts continued to help the wind energy sector, and to better forecast quantities of precipitation. |
Program Activity Summary: In 2008-2009, Environment Canada used scientific knowledge and models to provide information from environmental monitoring activities to identify, analyze, study and predict weather and climate conditions, air quality and clean water availability. The Department undertook initiatives that improved the timeliness and quality of weather forecasts.
Benefits for Canadians: Better observational data and a stronger scientific foundation yield improved accuracy and lead times for warnings of severe weather and, in turn, improved usefulness of weather, climate and related information and predictions. In 2008-2009, the computer model used by the Department's weather service was modified to include more information on the stratosphere and more information from satellites. These changes have significantly improved the quality of forecasts as measured by standard scientific measurement techniques. Finally, climate indices were developed to help the agricultural sector understand historical trends and variations of phenomena such as drought.
Performance Analysis: Environment Canada demonstrated scientific leadership by implementing a comprehensive, state-of-the-art observing network, as well as systems for numerical weather prediction and short-term forecasting for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Department was also involved in furthering understanding of climate change, particularly in the North through leadership of the Canadian collaborative project Variability and Change in the Canadian Cryosphere, which was conducted under the auspices of the International Polar Year.5 Further, the Department continued to develop hydrological models for the Great Lakes region, with the goal of assessing the models' ability to predict the climate there.
Life-cycle management of observing network equipment continues to be implemented, but resources are insufficient to undertake all the work required for full implementation. As committed in the December 2008 Report of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, Environment Canada has taken steps to document and implement the policies, systems, and procedures for full life-cycle management of its monitoring assets (see paragraph 2.36 of the report). The ISO 9001:2001 certification of Environment Canada’s weather and environmental services processes, which requires regular audits, plays a strong role in the effective management of the networks.
Lessons Learned: The Report of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development on Environment Canada's Severe Weather Program highlighted the fact that the Department lacks an up-to-date strategy to address challenges in managing its monitoring networks (see paragraphs 2.37 to 2.42 of the report). As a result, the Department is developing a business case that incorporates a monitoring strategy and a long-term capital plan; completion of those is expected in 2009-2010. Investments will be prioritized by taking into consideration the condition and the performance of the various assets.
2008-09 Financial Resources ($ millions) |
2008-09 Human Resources (full-time equivalents) |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Planned Spending |
Total Authorities |
Actual Spending |
Planned | Actual | Difference |
153.0 | 170.7 | 164.1 | 1,649.0 | 1,483.2 | (165.8) |
Expected Results |
Performance Status |
Performance Indicators |
Performance Summary |
---|---|---|---|
Canadians are better informed through improved weather and environmental predictions and services and leveraged partnership opportunities | Somewhat met |
Level of satisfaction of public and weather-sensitive industries. | Surveys generally show satisfaction. In post-event surveys conducted in the summer of 2008 in the Greater Toronto Area and Windsor, Ontario, 84 percent of respondents said air quality advisories gave useful information. About three quarters of respondents said the messages were effective in helping reduce exposure to air pollution. Unsolicited user feedback is also monitored: of the 20 700 messages answered in 2008-2009, 62 percent were inquiries, while 31 percent, an average figure, were complaints. The latter were satisfactorily resolved for the most part. |
Canadians benefit from the creation and use of meteorological and environmental information by Environment Canada and its partners where there is common interest | Somewhat met |
Accuracy and timeliness of services measured against performance benchmarks. | Temperatures for the first forecast day were within 3°C, 92 percent of the time at 23 regularly monitored stations, exceeding the objective of 90 percent. Most other measures are under development and will be available in 2009-2010. |
Adaptive strategies to address the impacts of climate change are developed and implemented for the benefit of Canadians and the environment | Somewhat met |
Enhanced level of awareness and understanding by economic sectors, other government departments and other levels of government of their vulnerability to atmospheric change and the subsequent reduction of Canada's adaptation deficit | Stakeholder consultations and workshops took place across Canada, including in the North. The Canadian Climate Change Scenarios Network was established. |
Program Activity Summary: In 2008-2009, Environment Canada made progress on the delivery of weather and environmental predictions and services. Public forecasts were extended from five to seven days, while marine forecasts were extended from two to five days. These forecasts enable Canadians to better anticipate expected weather conditions and make appropriate decisions with respect to their activities. Dedicated support was provided to emergency measures organizations in relation to major events such as the Saint John River flood in the spring of 2008, the Red River flood in the late winter and spring of 2009, and the unusual winter conditions in British Columbia from mid-December 2008 to mid-January 2009.
Benefits for Canadians: Weather and environmental information and predictions enable Canadians and their institutions to prepare and take appropriate actions to safeguard life and property, adopt strategies to mitigate the vulnerabilities to air pollution and the changing climate, and prosper through decisions that advance economic competitiveness and individual well-being. In 2008-2009, this was shown through, for example, strong coordination with emergency measures organizations, Public Safety Canada and other stakeholders during major meteorological events, expanded forecast periods and various improvements to the Weatheroffice web site, all of which help Canadians better manage their activities in light of changing weather, water and climate conditions. Governments at all levels have benefited from the considerable consultations, national science and adaptation workshops, and scenarios training workshops that have taken place across Canada, including in the North.
Performance Analysis: Following an audit of the bilingual capacity of Environment Canada's automated telephone network for weather forecasts, the Department has begun upgrading its equipment to ensure it is fully compliant with the Official Languages Act.6
The Department continued to run pilot projects for gradually implementing the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), a tool used to communicate to the public the health risk associated with air quality and give concrete steps to reduce that risk. The Canadian Atmospheric Hazards Network was only partially implemented due to staffing delays and resource constraints. These constraints also meant that hazards analyses for various users fell behind schedule, including those involved in disaster management planning, and building codes and standards. Similarly, the development of heat alert models as well as of specialized predictions for agriculture, mining and energy has been delayed.
Lessons Learned: A number of lessons associated with the implementation of the AQHI and its related forecast program were learned in 2008-2009. As confirmed in an audit by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, Environment Canada and Health Canada have actively consulted a wide variety of provincial governments and other stakeholders, such as municipalities and non-government organizations, about the AQHI (see paragraphs 2.14 to 2.20 of the report). These consultations yielded strong, constructive relationships with stakeholders, a key factor in the successful implementation of the AQHI. A 2008 survey of residents and analyses of local media reports by Toronto Public Health found that there was confusion in Toronto between the AQHI implementation pilot project and the ongoing issuing of the provincial air quality index. This led to the province developing options for Ontario-wide implementation of the AQHI. Another lesson learned relates to the complexity of integrating the AQHI forecast into the Department's operational prediction system; this integration has taken much more time and resources than initially anticipated. Future plans now take these findings into consideration.
The December 2008 Report of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development observed that Environment Canada lacked a national approach to verifying its severe weather warnings (see paragraphs 2.63 to 2.74 of the report). Significant progress has subsequently been made toward developing such an approach (e.g. accuracy and timeliness) for weather and marine conditions.
Benefits to Canadians: The Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and section 36 of the Fisheries Act provide the statutory basis for most of Environment Canada's pollution prevention and waste protection activities, which protect Canadians and the environment from the effects of pollution and waste.
Performance Analysis: Pollution and waste may exert a direct or indirect harmful effect on animals, plants or humans and may, depending on their volume, nature and manner of release, pose long-term risks to the environment. As stated in the December 2008 Report of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, "despite progress in tackling such problems as lead pollution, acid rain, and ozone-depleting substances, too many smog alerts, respiratory illnesses, and days with high UV-radiation still occur".7 Environment Canada's programs contributing to the Strategic Outcome continued to make progress against the three-year commitments identified in the 2008-2009 Report on Plans and Priorities. In 2008-2009, Environment Canada identified five priorities for the Strategic Outcome, as follows.
Continue delivering on the Government's Clean Air Regulatory Agenda, and implementing the Turning the Corner action plan and the Regulatory Framework for Air Emissions: Environment Canada issued a notice under section 71 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 to collect data from industry sectors to inform the development of the greenhouse gas and air pollutants regulations. Progress was made on the development and implementation of a regulatory approach to greenhouse gas emissions. In addition, Environment Canada worked with provinces and stakeholders on developing a framework for air pollutant emissions. The Department's work to deliver on this commitment aims to protect Canadians and the environment from air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
Continue implementing the Government's Chemicals Management Plan: Environment Canada continued working to develop and implement, within a three-year time frame, the Challenge to industry to provide new information on how it is managing harmful chemical substances. To improve the degree of environmental protection against hazardous chemicals, control instruments are being developed and implemented within timeframes mandated under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. Environmental monitoring and research programs have been integrated and augmented under the Chemicals Management Plan to provide a national program capable of meeting the Government's existing monitoring commitments as well as being responsive to new emerging chemicals of concern, while ensuring Canada influences and meets its international obligations.
Strengthen Environment Canada's capacity to enforce environmental protection legislation under its jurisdiction: The enforcement of Canada's environmental laws and regulations is needed to protect Canadians from the effects of pollution and waste. Environmental Enforcement protects Canadians and the natural environment through the enforcement of all legislation relevant to the use of toxic substances, their release to air, water or land, and the import and export of substances that present a risk to the environment and/or human life or health.9
Work with the private sector to promote environmental sustainability: In 2008-2009, Environment Canada worked with key stakeholders in the energy sector through the Energy Sector Sustainability Table. Through its Corporate Environmental Innovation initiative, the Department also promoted the role of Canada's finance sector in building an economy that rewards environmental leaders. The Department also engaged in consultations with the industrial sector to further the development of air pollutant and greenhouse gas regulations.
Continue efforts to coordinate and improve the quality of emissions reporting: Environment Canada improved its data systems in 2008-2009 to enable more effective and efficient data collection from industry to support informed environmental decision-making pertaining to the releases of pollutants and their associated risks.
Environment Canada's work under the Strategic Outcome is organized into three Program Activities:
The following pages contain further performance information about the work that is undertaken to deliver these Program Activities and the achievements during 2008-2009 in meeting the commitments in the 2008-2009 Report on Plans and Priorities and moving forward on program results and long-term Strategic Outcomes.
2008-09 Financial Resources ($ millions) |
2008-09 Human Resources (full-time equivalents) |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Planned Spending |
Total Authorities |
Actual Spending |
Planned | Actual | Difference |
198.0 | 176.0 | 152.8 | 1,400.0 | 906.2 | (493.8) |
Program Activity Summary: The Program Activity is aimed at reducing risks to the environment and to human health posed by pollutant releases related to human activities. Under the Program Activity, environmental and human health threats posed by harmful substances and other substances of concern, including waste, are considered in terms of their impact and effect on the environment.
Benefits for Canadians: Substances and waste may have a direct, harmful effect on animals, plants or humans, or may, depending on their volume, nature and manner of release, pose a long-term risk to the environment and human health. As a result of Environment Canada's work under the Program Activity, the Government is able to take early action on harmful substances so that they are managed before they enter the environment and become a problem for current or future generations. Canadians are provided with information to make better-informed decisions and thereby lower their exposure to harmful substances.
Performance Analysis: In 2008-2009, Environment Canada accelerated the screening and assessment of approximately 150 substances categorized as high priorities and implemented restrictions on the reintroduction into the marketplace of 145 substances of high concern. The Department started the analysis of the approximately 3000 "second-tier" substances of medium concern, and began to develop a framework for setting future priorities. Progress was also made in 2008-2009 on a work plan for dealing with 160 petroleum-stream substances of high concern.
In addition to assessing toxic substances, Environment Canada put in place measures to manage and mitigate risks associated with these substances as part of its commitment to effectively implement the Chemicals Management Plan. For example, in 2008-2009, the Department published a series of regulations to control the release of harmful substances, such as polychlorinated biphenyls, phosphorous and polybrominated diphenyl ethers, and developed strategies for managing the risks associated with them. Work was begun on the development of proposed risk management instruments for priority substances under the Chemicals Management Plan.
Environment Canada also worked to protect Canadians and the environment from pollution and waste generated in sectors outside the scope of the Chemicals Management Plan. These sectors include the public sector (e.g. wastewater and storage tank systems), the waste management sector, the natural resources sector (forestry, agriculture, aquaculture, mining, minerals and metals), and the energy and transportation sectors. For example, Environment Canada worked with its partners and stakeholders in 2008-2009 to improve wastewater management across Canada, and to minimize the risks to human and ecosystem health and to fishery resources from wastewater effluents. On February 17, 2009, the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment endorsed the Canada-wide Strategy for the Management of Municipal Wastewater Effluent. The Strategy sets out a harmonized framework to manage discharges from wastewater facilities in Canada. It provides an agreed-upon path forward for achieving regulatory clarity for owners of municipal wastewater facilities. In addition, Environment Canada continued to implement and evaluate existing instruments pertaining to the export and import of hazardous waste and hazardous recyclable materials, and measures to prevent pollution from mercury switches in end-of-life vehicles.
In its role in managing the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP), Environment Canada provided program oversight and administration, training, guidance and project review to help federal custodians address contaminated sites for which they are responsible. In 2008-2009, the Department also developed a successful proposal for accelerated activities under the FCSAP over the next two years through Canada's Economic Action Plan.
Lessons Learned: The strengths and weaknesses of the activities undertaken as part of the first two years of the Chemicals Management Plan are being identified through focus group discussions, interviews, and internal and external workshops. This knowledge is being taken into consideration in the design of the framework for identifying future priorities, and in the design of the risk assessment and management phase that will follow the Challenge to industry to provide new information on how it is managing harmful chemical substances.
Environment Canada completed a formative evaluation of FSCAP in 2008, and the findings and recommendations will inform decisions about program renewal. Overall, the evaluation found that, in general, FCSAP is well managed, adequately funded, supports custodians effectively, and has made progress in addressing federal contaminated sites since being launched in 2005.
In 2008, the management review of Canada's National Programme of Action for the Protection of the Marine Environment from Land-based Activities demonstrated that the protection of water quality in Canada's oceans has evolved in recent years and that the Programme of Action should be modernized in response. The analysis of the results will guide the modernization process and will contribute to the improvement of the marine pollution program in subsequent years.
2008-09 Financial Resources ($ millions) |
2008-09 Human Resources (full-time equivalents) |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Planned Spending |
Total Authorities |
Actual Spending |
Planned | Actual | Difference |
49.5 | 93.9 | 91.3 | 300.0 | 334.4 | 34.4 |
Expected Results |
Performance Status |
Performance Indicators |
Performance Summary |
---|---|---|---|
Canadians and decision-makers are informed about the risks posed by environmental pollution and greenhouse gases and are aware of the trends and future actions to take |
Met all |
Establishment of an integrated and harmonized industry reporting system |
Environment Canada is taking a phased approach to dealing with data collection needs, especially on greenhouse gas emissions in anticipation of the establishment of a regulatory regime. Phase one has included data collection under a single window for the Department and partners already included in existing programs (e.g. Alberta and greenhouse gas information collection). Other partners, such as provinces and other stakeholders (e.g. associations) will be added as opportunities present themselves, starting in 2009-2010. The Single Window Reporting Initiative is expected to be launched in 2010 for greenhouse gas information gathering. |
Reduced administrative burden on industry for reporting data | Environment Canada held five outreach sessions to engage industry and other stakeholders in the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI). Two provinces and two industry associations are already included in reporting under the NPRI, reducing reporting duplications for industry. Discussions are currently under way with four other jurisdictions. | ||
Data on criteria air contaminants (CACs) and greenhouse gases (GHGs) |
Comprehensive data on sources of key air pollutants in Canada was published and used by decision-makers to develop targets for regulatory action on air pollution. Rigorous quantification and verification guidance was provided to inform the continued development of Clean Air Regulatory Agenda regulations and Canada's Offset System. Environment Canada's capacity was established to provide outreach and applied information to the public and corporate users, including provinces and territories. |
||
Annual reporting of environmental pollutants and greenhouse gases | Domestic (i.e. Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999) and international obligations (i.e. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Stockholm Convention) were met: international collection, publication and submission of data on releases and emissions from industrial facilities and criteria air contaminants for the 2007 calendar year. Enhanced monitoring, accounting and reporting were carried out to produce a United Nations-compliant national greenhouse gas inventory system and national inventory report. | ||
Strategic approaches effectively promote sustainable production and consumption |
Mostly met |
Production of the final consolidated Government of Canada response to the CEPA 1999 Parliamentary Review |
Recommendations of the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development and the Standing Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources were reviewed by Environment Canada and Health Canada officials, and consideration has been given to implementing them where appropriate. |
Drafting of a renewed CEPA for consideration by Parliament | Environment Canada focused on the improved implementation of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and amendments to the enforcement provisions of the Act through the Environmental Enforcement Act (Bill C-16) | ||
Maintenance of an up-to-date and continually improved CEPA Environmental Registry | Documents are added to the database daily. The information is current. Issues related to security measures were addressed. | ||
Implementation of a quality management system (QMS) | Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 QMS modules continued to be developed, implemented and used. | ||
Undertaking and coordination of technology research and development | The program generated and maintained science and technology knowledge and tools to support environmentally sound policies, programs (e.g. Environmental Technology Verification), regulations and international activities by the Department. | ||
Undertaking of compliance and promotion activities as required to support new regulations | For each new regulation, a national compliance promotion working group was established, and a compliance strategy, compliance promotion plan and compliance promotion tools were developed and integrated into Environment Canada’s QMS for the Department’s Environmental Protection business line. |
Program Activity Summary: The Program Activity aims to provide high-quality information to Canadians, decision-makers and industry pertaining to harmful substances, pollutants and greenhouse gases. Departmental expertise and oversight are provided to assess whether emerging technologies will help industry meet its regulatory obligations. Underlying all of Environment Canada's work is the development and maintenance of a clear and predictable environmental protection regime, compliance promotion and efficient, consistent and transparent regulatory decision-making process.
Benefits for Canadians: The Program Activity aims to protect the health of Canadians and their environment by supporting effective risk management decision-making within government by maintaining a clear and predictable environmental protection regime and by providing high-quality information on air pollutants, greenhouse gases and other harmful substances. Through the provision of departmental expertise and oversight, this program helps ensure that federal technology investments offer value for money, optimize environmental benefits and do not impact negatively on the environment. Environment Canada also works with the finance sector and the academic community to identify research priorities and build knowledge on the links between sustainability performance and business success.
Performance Analysis: In 2008-2009, improvements were made to the existing One Window to National Environmental Reporting System to enable more effective data collection from industry for the National Pollutant Release Inventory.
Legislative and regulatory oversight was provided in 2008-2009 by supporting the consistent application of statutory authorities (e.g. the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, and the Species at Risk Act), advising policy and program managers on instrument choice and design, ensuring standardized and efficient decision-making processes, and undertaking compliance promotion activities as required to support new regulations. For decision-making under Environment Canada's statutory authorities to be as consistent, transparent and predictable as possible, the Department continued to make progress implementing a quality management system for the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and developing one for the Species at Risk Act.
Better integration and collaboration with partners on environmental issues and approaches are vital for achieving shared environmental objectives. Environment Canada participated in the task group of the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment that prepared the draft Canada-wide Action Plan for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). The Action Plan has as its primary focus the harmonization of EPR programs and a schedule for coordinated federal, provincial and territorial action on identified products and substances through the use of EPR instruments. The Council released the Action Plan for public comment in February 2009.
In 2008-2009, the majority of the Department's sector-based work was aligned with other program work, thus contributing to the achievement of common results in particular program areas, such as substances management, clean air and climate change. Consequently, activities contributing to common results are aligned and managed in a more integrated manner than they had been previously.
Lessons Learned: Greater integration and cooperation among the various Environment Canada data collection programs will ensure that information collection is done only once, and is simplified, streamlined and aligned with departmental priorities.
The continued implementation of a quality management system for the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and the further development of one for the Species at Risk Act will foster increased departmental efficiencies in the development of regulations and other policy instruments that are necessary to implement programs that will protect Canadians and the environment.
2008-09 Financial Resources ($ millions) |
2008-09 Human Resources (full-time equivalents) |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Planned Spending |
Total Authorities |
Actual Spending |
Planned | Actual | Difference |
152.0 | 136.4 | 122.3 | 622.0 | 658.5 | 36.5 |
Expected Results |
Performance Status |
Performance Indicators |
Performance Summary |
---|---|---|---|
Strategic approaches to manage air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions effectively reduce risks |
Mostly met |
Implementation of a framework to guide the development of industrial-sector regulations, reporting and other complementary measures | Progress was made on the development of a comprehensive air management system through joint work with provinces, industry and non-governmental organizations.The plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent is on track; however, the economic downturn and the renewed engagement by the new United States administration has required that we fine-tune our approach to climate change policy. Development and implementation of our regulatory approaches have progressed. |
Science on approaches to manage air pollutants and greenhouse gases informs and supports decision-making |
Scientific modeling of the scale and scope of air
quality improvements and associated health and
environmental benefits that could result from
industrial air pollutant emission reductions was
provided.
In collaboration with Transport Canada and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, technical and modeling work was undertaken to assess the contribution of marine emissions to particulate matter, ground-level ozone, and acid deposition levels across Canada and the associated impact on human health and the acidification of the environment, including work to support establishment of a maritime Emissions Control Area. In conjunction with Transport Canada, the contribution of on- and off-road transportation to levels of fine particulate matter across Canada including impacts on human health was determined. |
||
Undertaking of international collaboration on air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions, consistent with Canadian interests |
Two international decisions concerning ozone-depleting
substances substitutes and the destruction of banks of
these substances were negotiated and concluded at the
2008 Meeting of Parties to the Montreal Protocol, as
planned.
Canada has continued its discussions with the United States on a Particulate Matter Annex to the Air Quality Agreement. A governance structure and project approval guidelines were established for Canadian participants in the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate. |
||
Risks from air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions from industrial sectors are managed | Mostly
met |
Development of regulations and other measures to reduce air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions from industrial sectors | Progress was made in development of regulatory approaches to reduce industrial greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions. In addition, regulations were proposed to limit the release of volatile organic compounds (VOC) into the environment and the VOC Concentration Limits for Automotive Refinishing Products Regulations were published. |
Risks from air emissions and greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector are managed | Mostly
met |
Development of regulations to reduce air pollution from vehicles, engines and fuels. |
The development of vehicle, engine, fuel and other
regulations was advanced in order to maintain alignment
of Canadian standards for smog-forming emissions with
those of the United States.
Final amendments to existing regulations for lead in gasoline were published. Innovative regulatory approaches to renewable fuels and to vehicle tailpipe emissions of greenhouse gases were developed. |
Program Activity Summary: Program work contributing to the Program Activity's results focuses on developing an integrated, sector-based approach to regulating air pollutants and controlling greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening international cooperation (particularly with the United States), and promoting science-based approaches to inform the development of new standards and regulations.
Benefits for Canadians: In 2008-2009, Environment Canada developed an integrated, sector-based approach to regulating air pollutants and controlling greenhouse gas emissions, raised awareness, promoted activities and programs, and developed instruments for Canadians to reduce emissions and pollutants from vehicles, engine fuels and consumer products. The overall benefits for Canadians from this work were knowledge of Canada's greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions, and the development and implementation of measures, including regulations to reduce greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions in the most effective way in all key sectors of the economy so that Canadians and the environment are protected from the harmful effects of air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions.
Performance Analysis: Progress was made in developing and implementing the Regulatory Framework for Industrial Greenhouse Gas Emissions, including the complementary offset system, and the infrastructure to support the system. The plan to reduce emissions by 20 percent, from 2006 levels, by 2020 is on track. However, the economic downturn and the renewed engagement by the new United States administration has required that we fine-tune our approach to climate change policy.
The Department worked intensively with affected sectors, provinces and non-government organizations on the development of a comprehensive air management system, including an approach to national regulations of industrial emissions of air pollutants consistent with the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.
The Department participated actively in federal delegations to ensure an effective global regime to tackle climate change that balances environmental protection and economic prosperity has a long-term focus, supports the development and deployment of clean technologies, supports constructive and ambitious global action, and includes commitments from all major economies.
The Department worked closely with the United States to protect the health of Canadians and the environment by reducing transboundary flows of air pollution. Canada is a Party to the United Nations Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution and participates actively at an international level to address air quality globally.
Lessons Learned: A comprehensive integrated approach to regulating air pollutants and controlling greenhouse gases includes a wide range of activities spread across departments and that face constant changes in circumstances and priorities. These changes reinforce the need for up-front horizontal strategic planning, including contingency and risk management planning. It is critical to be able to quickly re-direct efforts and resources to adjust to fast changing priorities, strong coordination, communication, monitoring and flexibilities within Environment Canada and with Central Agencies and other departments.
Effective October 30, 2008, the authority for the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Initiative and Harbourfront Centre Funding Program was transferred from the Minister of the Environment to the Minister of Finance. The Strategic Outcome involves two separate but linked contribution programs related to the Toronto Waterfront: the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Initiative and the Harbourfront Centre Funding Program. These initiatives support the Government outcomes strong economic growth and a vibrant Canadian culture and heritage. The federal Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Initiative Secretariat leads policy development and program management on behalf of the federal government for both contribution programs, as follows.
Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Initiative: The Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Initiative (TWRI) is an infrastructure and urban renewal initiative designed to contribute to the sustainable urban development of Toronto's Waterfront area. Its goals include positioning Canada, Ontario and Toronto in the new economy, thereby ensuring Canada's continued success in the global economy, and increasing economic growth and development opportunities. Given the intrinsic links between economic, social and environmental health, the objectives also include enhancing the quality of life in Toronto and encouraging sustainable urban development.
The purpose of the TWRI is to revitalize the Toronto Waterfront area through investments in both traditional infrastructure, such as local transportation and sewers, and urban development projects, such as parks, green spaces, tourism-related facilities and the rebirth of underused post-industrial areas. It is expected that investments in these areas will result in both social and economic benefits for the Toronto region.
Federal investment in the TWRI flows through a contribution program with the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation (TWRC), also known as Waterfront Toronto, a not-for-profit corporation established to oversee the revitalization of the waterfront area. Waterfront revitalization projects are funded through unilateral, bilateral or trilateral contribution agreements between one or more of the three levels of government and the TWRC.
The Harbourfront Centre Funding Program: Harbourfront Corporation, operating as Harbourfront Centre, is a not-for-profit, provincially incorporated organization that was created in 1990 to manage cultural and educational programming activities. Harbourfront Centre is responsible for operating four key hectares of Toronto's Waterfront area on behalf of the public, and managing and developing programming for all the public facilities on the site. The Centre's mission is "to nurture the growth of new cultural expression, stimulate Canadian and international interchange and provide a dynamic, accessible environment for the public to experience the marvels of the creative imagination".
In 2006, the Harbourfront Centre identified a shortfall in its base operational funding. The federal government, through the Harbourfront Centre Funding Program, entered into a multi-year contribution agreement with the Centre for $25 million to cover this shortfall, allowing it to remain operational.
The funding provides a stable foundation for Harbourfront Centre’s administration and operations. It facilitates management’s ability to leverage funding from other government and corporate sources as well as its ability to pursue other revenue generating strategies, which ensures ongoing community access to the Centre’s cultural, recreational and educational facilities.
2008-09 Financial Resources ($ millions) |
2008-09 Human Resources (full-time equivalents) |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Planned Spending |
Total Authorities |
Actual Spending |
Planned | Actual | Difference |
87.1 | 88.2 | 79.5 | 12 | 14.4 | 2.4 |
Expected Results |
Performance Indicators.10 |
Performance Status |
Performance Summary |
---|---|---|---|
Mostly met |
Square metres of recreation / commercial space | Though requests from the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation (TWRC) for federal TWRI funds were slower than anticipated, the completed projects and those currently under way have provided increased public accessibility to and usage of the Toronto waterfront area, revitalized urban infrastructure, and improved environmental management of the Toronto waterfront area. For example, several large public spaces and parks were completed in 2008, including the Spadina Wave Deck along the Toronto waterfront and the Cherry Beach Transitional Sports Fields on a brownfield site. The general public is now using both of these well-publicized projects, and at least three more public space and recreational projects are scheduled to open by the summer of 2009. | |
New public transit capacity | |||
Number of affordable and other residential housing units | |||
Revitalized urban infrastructure |
Mostly met |
Square metres of recreation space | |
Number of hectares of parklands and green space | |||
New public transit capacity | |||
Square footage and value of residential and commercial space | |||
Improved environmental management of the waterfront area |
Anticipated results mostly met |
Number of hectares of land / parklands and green space | |
Number of LEED-certified building units |
Program Activity Summary: The main objectives of this Program Activity are program management and coordination of the federal contributions towards infrastructure, parks, recreation and green spaces, for the renewal and revitalization of Toronto's Waterfront area.
Benefits for Canadians: The TWRI has already produced benefits for Canadians even though the majority of the federally funded projects carried out thus far under this program have focused on planning, design, environmental assessment and land restoration, rather than capital construction. While it may be too early in the life of the program to measure the extent to which the TWRI has resulted in significant economic benefits, the labour requirements of TWRI projects have benefited numerous Canadian workers and businesses through new employment opportunities and demand for material and supplies.
Work was ongoing on a number of federally funded projects in 2008-2009. Several large public spaces and parks were completed in 2008:
Taken together, these projects provide increased public accessibility to and use of the Waterfront area, revitalized urban infrastructure and improved environmental management of the Waterfront area.
Performance Analysis: The TWRI met most of the expected results set out in the 2008-2009 Report on Plans and Priorities, though the bulk of the construction work is being carried out during the remainder of the TWRI, currently slated to sunset on March 31, 2011. As noted in the section above, there is an increase in the accessibility to the waterfront area as a result of federal participation in the TWRI, and more projects to improve accessibility are planned or under way.
The Environment Canada-initiated evaluation of federal participation in the TWRI, which received departmental approval in July 2008, concluded that the federal TWRI Secretariat appeared to demonstrate value for money, even though requests from the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation (TWRC) for federal TWRI funds were slower than expected. The evaluation report noted the demonstrated need for federal participation in the TWRI.
The evaluation concluded that project deadlines not being met was the result of a number of factors, including underestimation by the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Corporation of the length of time required to complete projects. Further, multi-governmental funding agreements are inherently complex, requiring significant time. A challenge for the Corporation has been addressing the program requirements of the three government funders, each with its own funding management regime. Projects have also involved extensive stakeholder and public consultations.
In addition, the evaluation found the following:
Lessons Learned: The federal TWRI Secretariat has been implementing the four recommendations set out in the evaluation report. It also continues to follow the Management Action Plan that stemmed from a 2005 project audit. An external audit of the Western Beaches Watercourse Facility and an internal desk audit of the Port Lands Preparation Contribution Agreement were carried out in 2008-2009, as per the annual federally led tri-governmental audit plan.
The federal TWRI Secretariat has taken action on a variety of fronts to address the four recommendations stemming from the evaluation, including the following:
2008-09 Financial Resources ($ millions) |
2008-09 Human Resources (full-time equivalents) |
||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Planned Spending |
Total Authorities |
Actual Spending |
Planned | Actual | Difference |
5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Program Activity Summary: The Program Activity provides support to the Harbourfront Centre to cover its operational costs to facilitate the organization's ability to leverage funding from other governments and pursue other revenue-generating strategies.
Benefits for Canadians: Federal funding allows Harbourfront Centre to provide the general public with continued access to cultural, recreational and educational programs and activities. This funding assisted the Harbourfront Centre in covering its fixed operational costs and is facilitating its efforts to leverage funding from other levels of government and pursue other revenue-generating strategies that allowed the organization to provide the general public with continued access to cultural, recreational and educational programs and activities on the Toronto waterfront.
Harbourfront Centre provides a vast array of arts and culture programming for all ages rear-round, including in the areas of visual arts, crafts, literature, music, dance and theatre. There are more than 12 million visits per year to the 4-hectare site and Harbourfront Corporation contributes more than $132 million to the local economy annually. More detailed information is available on the Harbourfront Corporation website.
Performance Analysis: The Harbourfront Centre Funding Program fulfilled the planned results set out in Environment Canada's 2008-2009 Report on Plans and Priorities providing a stable foundation for Harbourfront Centre's administration and operations, and ongoing community access to the site and capital facilities. Harbourfront Centre spent all of the $5 million federal contribution it received in 2008-2009, and remained open, providing community and cultural programming for the general public in Toronto's Waterfront area.
Lessons Learned: The 2009-2010 Risk-based Monitoring and Audit Plan for the Harbourfront Centre Funding Program has established a baseline for project monitoring and a justification for resources to be targeted to this activity. The plan will also guide audit activities for the program and includes one desk audit per year. The Harbourfront Centre Funding Program is considered to be low risk.
2 Office of the Auditor General of Canada, Report of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development to the House of Commons. December 2008, p. 1: www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/docs/parl_cesd_200812_00_e.pdf.
3 Report of the Commissioner to the Environment and Sustainable Development (CESD), December 2008.
4 Evaluation of the Meteorological Service of Canada Transition Project (Environment Canada), July 2008.
5 The term cryosphere refers to frozen surfaces: ice, snow and permafrost.
6 Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages, Audit of the Bilingual Weather and Environmental Services Provided on the Environment Canada Automated Telephone Network, November 2008
7 Office of the Auditor General of Canada, Report of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development to the House of Commons - December 2008, p. 1: http://www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/docs/parl_cesd_200812_00_e.pdf.
8 Environment Canada, http://www.ec.gc.ca/cc/default.asp?lang=En&n=B3EE907B-1.
9 For more information, see "Operating Environment," above. Additional enforcement officers were recruited to enforce regulations related to legislation under Strategic Outcomes 1 and 3.
10 For a detailed list of Performance Indicators for the Program Activity, see the 2008-2009 Report on Plans and Priorities.
The financial highlights presented within this Departmental Performance Report are intended to serve as a general overview of Environment Canada’s financial position and operations. The detailed unaudited departmental financial statements can be found on Environment Canada’s website.
Environment Canada’s unaudited financial statements are prepared in accordance with accrual accounting principles and, therefore, are different from appropriations-based reporting, which is reflected in Sections I and II of this report. Sections I and II are prepared on a modified cash basis, and not an accrual basis. A reconciliation between Parliamentary Appropriations used (modified cash basis) and the Net Cost of Operations (accrual basis) is set out in Notes 2 and 3 of Environment Canada’s unaudited financial statements at www.ec.gc.ca/dpr-rpp/index_e.htm.
Condensed Statement of Operations At End of Year (March 31, 2009) |
% Change | 2009 | 2008 |
---|---|---|---|
EXPENSES | |||
Total Expenses | 18% | $ 1,237,755 | $ 1,050,121 |
REVENUES | |||
Total Revenues | 1.5% | $ (81,239) | $ (80,071) |
NET COST OF OPERATIONS | 19% | $ 1,156,516 | $ 970,050 |
Condensed Statement of Financial
Position At End of Year (March 31, 2009) |
% Change | 2009 | 2008 |
---|---|---|---|
ASSETS | |||
Total Assets | 5% | $ 374,720 | $ 355,251 |
TOTAL | 5% | $ 374,720 | $ 355,251 |
LIABILITIES | |||
Total Liabilities | -1% | $ 503,719 | $ 507,892 |
EQUITY | |||
Total Equity | -15% | $(128,999) | $(152,641) |
TOTAL | 5% | $ 374,720 | $ 355,251 |
Total Departmental expenses have increased by $188 million or 18 percent from $1,050 million in 2007-2008 to $1,238 million in the current year. This increase (approximately $109 million) is attributable in large part to increases in corporate internal services. This includes a year-over-year increase in employee benefits ($30 million) and a further $9.5 million increase in services provided without charges. Corporate services expenditures are reallocated to all program activities in a manner consistent with previous years. Other increases (approximately $80 million) in total expenses are attributable to increases in direct program activities and costs (e.g. expenses in support of the hydrometric program that are recovered from provincial governments; and incremental expenditures in the Enforcement program, the Chemicals Management Plan, Clean Air Regulatory Agenda and Vehicle Scrappage, among others). In addition, the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Initiative expenses increased by $40 million and relate almost exclusively to contribution payments.
See Note 4 - Expenses to the departmental financial
statements at www.ec.gc.ca/dpr-rpp/index_e.htm.
Total revenues amounted to $81.2 million for 2008-2009. The majority of the revenue was derived from Environment Canada activities under the “Canadians are informed of, and respond appropriately to, current and predicted environmental conditions” Program Activity.
Major revenue items include ocean disposal permit applications, hydraulics laboratory, and ocean disposal monitoring fees. Environment Canada has had a significant increase in internal revenues from other government departments generated from interdepartmental agreements (i.e. Transport Canada and Canadian Space Agency in the Atmospheric Science program). Environment Canada has also had increased revenue from its Upper Air Program at Eureka.
See Note 5 - Revenues to the departmental financial
statements at www.ec.gc.ca/dpr-rpp/index_e.htm.
The increase in assets is mainly due to an increase in net book value of tangible capital assets of $16.1 million (from $341.1 million in 2007-2008 to $357.2 million in 2008-2009), which is the net result of acquisitions of $50.8 million, net disposals and write-offs of $1.2 million and amortization totalling $33.4 million.
See Notes 6 and 7 - Accounts receivable and advances; and
Tangible Capital Assets to the departmental financial
statements at www.ec.gc.ca/dpr-rpp/index_e.htm.
Total liabilities were $503.7 million at the end of 2008-2009, a decrease of $4.2 million (1 percent) from the previous year’s total liabilities of $507.9 million. The Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities, while showing a decrease of $30 million from 2007-2008, continue to represent the largest component of liabilities at $267.2 million or 53 percent of total liabilities. Severance benefits, on the other hand, show an increase of $25 million over last year.
See Notes 8 through 12 to the departmental financial
statements at www.ec.gc.ca/dpr-rpp/index_e.htm.
All electronic supplementary information tables found in the 2008-2009 Departmental Performance Report can be found on the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's website at www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/dpr-rmr/2008-2009/index-eng.asp.
Table 1: Sources of Respendable and Non-Respendable
Revenue
Table 2: User Fees and External Fees
Table 3: Details on Project Spending
Table 4: Status Report on Major Crown Projects *
Table 5: Details on Transfer Payment Programs
Table 6: Up-Front Multi-Year Funding (formerly Foundations
[Conditional Grants])
Table 7: Horizontal Initiatives
Table 8: Sustainable Development Strategy
Table 9: Green Procurement
Table 10: Response to Parliamentary Committees and External
Audits
Table 11: Internal Audits and Evaluations
* A "major Crown project" is any project that costs more than $100 million and is considered high risk. Environment Canada does not currently have such a project.
The following information is part of Environment Canada’s Supplementary Information to the 2008-2009 Departmental Performance Report (DPR).
Strategic Integration and Corporate Services, Management Accountability Framework and Indicators of Environmental Sustainability are introduced as Other Items of Interest in the following section, while detailed performance information on each item can be found on the Department’s website at www.ec.gc.ca/dpr-rpp/index_e.htm.
Clear, consistent and integrated departmental policy advice, coordinated interactions with partners and stakeholders, and effective communication all help Environment Canada deliver on its mandate and commitments. The Department continues to make significant efforts to reposition its corporate services to better support results-based management and achieve value for money for Canadians.
In October 2008, Environment Canada's management team brought together the enabling functions of Strategic Integration and Corporate Services under the heading of Internal Services in response to the revised Profile of the Government of Canada's Internal Services categories. For more information on the revised categories for Internal Services, go to the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's website. Starting with the Main Estimates for the 2009-2010 fiscal year, Internal Services will be shown as a distinct Program Activity.
Detailed information on this item can be found in the document entitled "Other Items of Interest", available electronically on Environment Canada's website.
In the Round VI (2008-2009) MAF Assessment, Environment Canada maintained a similar level of performance compared to the previous year, receiving 2 "Strong", 11 "Acceptable", and 8 "Opportunity for Improvement" ratings. The Department recognizes the need to bring out sustained improvement and to proactively demonstrate its capacity to build on successes and lessons learned through its Departmental MAF Action Plan. The annual MAF Action Plan addresses departmental priorities linked to MAF, including areas rated as "Opportunity for Improvement", and management areas where the Department has performed well but continues to strive for excellence.
Detailed information on this item can be found in the document entitled "Other Items of Interest", available electronically on Environment Canada's website.
Environment Canada, Statistics Canada and Health Canada are working together to further develop and communicate national environmental indicators of air quality, greenhouse gas emissions and freshwater quality. These indicators are reported in the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators (CESI).10
While some trends are declining in the context of the subject areas in which they apply, determining the overall status of these areas based solely on current and limited indicators is inherently difficult. These indicators provide instead a proxy of overall status with respect to these areas, as can best be determined at this time. The indicators are, however, continually being refined and updated so that they better represent what they are intended to measure for use by both policy makers and the public.
Also, CESI brings together environmental information from federal, provincial and territorial governments, which share responsibility for environmental management in Canada. Consequently, the trends and values of these indicators are not solely attributable to Environment Canada's actions, but indicative of the environmental results achieved collectively by various levels of government as per their responsibilities for the environment.
The table below provides an overview of CESI and other measurements for key indicators of environmental sustainability.
Trend | Indicator | Overview |
---|---|---|
▼ Declining |
Biodiversity11 | The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada is a group of experts that determines which wildlife species are in danger of disappearing from Canada. In May 2009, the group reassessed the status of 226 of the 585 at-risk species. Only 13 percent (30 species) of the 226 species re-assessed have improved status and are either no longer at risk or are in a lower risk category. The status of 27 percent (62 of those species) worsened and 59 percent (134 species) did not show improvement. |
▼ Declining |
Air quality | Ground-level ozone, a key component of smog, can harm human health, including causing lung and respiratory problems. Nationally, human exposure to ground-level ozone levels increased 13 percent between 1990 and 2007, and increased 2 percent from 2006 to 2007. |
-- No Trend |
Freshwater quality | The ability of Canada’s lakes, rivers and streams to support aquatic life has been evaluated as a way of measuring water quality and the impacts of water pollution. Of the 154 representative sites monitored across Canada from 2005 to 2007, freshwater quality was rated as “excellent” at 6 percent of the sites. It was rated as “good” at 34 percent, “fair” at 42 percent, “marginal” at 14 percent, and “poor” at 4 percent. |
▼ Declining |
Greenhouse gas emissions | Greenhouse gas emissions trap heat in the atmosphere and warm the planet. The results of this warming include rising sea levels and more frequent severe storms and heat waves. Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions increased by 26 percent between 1990 and 2007. Emissions in 2007 were 4 percent higher than in 2006 and set a new peak for emission levels—0.8 percent higher than the previous peak in 2004. |
▲ Increasing |
Protected areas12 | Protected areas, such as the boreal forest or an ocean shelf, are lands or waters where human activity is limited and conservation is ensured for habitats and natural landscapes. In 2009, 9.4 percent of Canada’s landmass and about 0.6 percent of Canada’s marine territory were under protection. There has been an almost 90 percent increase in the overall area protected since 1990. |
Legend
▲ Improving performance
-- No definitive trend noted at this time (due to a lack
of trend data, relatively stable performance and trends, or
multiple measures with opposing trends)
▼ Declining performance
Detailed information on this item can be found in the document entitled "Other Items of Interest", available electronically on Environment Canada's website.
10 Environment Canada, Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators www.ec.gc.ca/indicateurs-indicators/
11 Biodiversity is not included in CESI. Information on this indicator of environmental sustainability is available on the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada's website.
12 Protected Areas is a new indicator that will be included in the upcoming CESI 2009 report.