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Section 2 - Analysis of Program Activities by Strategic Outcome

Performance Ratings

In this section, each expected result has been assigned an overall performance rating. Each rating refers to the percentage of the expected level of performance achieved in the reporting period (April 1, 2009, through March 31, 2010). The expected level of performance refers to the indicator and target for the expected result identified in the corresponding Report on Plans and Priorities (RPP).

If this percentage of expected performance is achieved…	The performance rating is defined as…	The performance rating is shown graphically as…
More than 100%	Exceeded	✰✰✰
100%	Met All	✔✔✔
80 to 99%	Mostly Met	✔✔—
60 to 79%	Somewhat Met	✔——
Less than 60%	Not Met	———

Safe and Accessible Waterways is about providing access to Canadian waterways and ensuring the overall safety and integrity of Canada's marine infrastructure for the benefit of all Canadians.

From Resources:

Financial Resources ($ millions)			Human Resources (FTEs)
Planned Spending	Total Authorities	Actual Spending	Planned	Actual	Variance
929.2	991.6	997.4	5,192	5,424	232

To Results:

Expected Result	Performance Indicator	Target	Result Achieved	Performance Rating
Safe and accessible waterways	Public's confidence of the safety and security of marine travel in Canada	90%	*	*

* This result was to be derived from a Transport Canada survey of public opinion. However, because of a moratorium on syndicated studies pending centralized negotiations between Public Works and Government Services Canada and private-sector contractors, DFO was not able to evaluate its 2009-10 performance on this expected result.

Benefits to Canadians

Economic growth in Canada depends heavily on trade and maritime commerce, which relies in turn on secure, sustainable harbours, safe waters, aids to navigation, and reliable and modern hydrographic products and services. Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS) charts and navigational products have guided mariners safely from port to port since 1883. Unfortunately, maritime accidents do occur, necessitating strong capacities for search and rescue and environmental response by DFO. Demand for increased services and infrastructure, especially in the North, continues to challenge the Coast Guard, Small Craft Harbours, and CHS.

Coast Guard programs and services provide the maritime presence that supports a safe and secure Canada, delivering direct and indirect services to the country's marine sector. Coast Guard supports the maritime economy and facilitates maritime commerce by ensuring the safe and efficient navigation of Canadian waterways. Coast Guard's multi-tasked fleet provides search and rescue services, and it supports DFO's on-water fisheries enforcement and science activities, as well as various other departments and agencies that have a front-line role in maritime security. Northern prosperity and development are fostered by the secure access to our Northern waters provided by Coast Guard icebreakers. In addition, Northern communities benefit from supplies delivered by Coast Guard vessels.

DFO's small craft harbours support the effective operation of the Canadian commercial fishing industry. Many fish harvesters depend on the infrastructure at small craft harbours for access to the fisheries that are their livelihood. Our harbours are often the only visible federal presence in remote communities, and they often provide the only public access to waterways.

CHS provides the hydrographic information needed for safe navigation on Canadian waters. This information includes paper and digital hydrographic charts; tide, current, and water-level information; and forecasts for marine natural hazards. With the exception of products for remote frontier regions, including areas of the Arctic, CHS navigational products and services meet or exceed the standards set by the International Maritime Organization and the International Hydrographic Organization.

Description from Main Estimates: The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) delivers civilian marine services (vessels, aircraft, expertise, personnel and infrastructure) on behalf of other federal government departments or in support of federal agencies and organizations in the achievement of their own specific Government of Canada maritime priorities. DFO provides support to other parts of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (Science and Conservation and Protection), the Department of National Defence, Environment Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Department of Foreign Affairs, and Transport Canada among others.

From Resources:

Financial Resources ($ millions)			Human Resources (FTEs)
Planned Spending	Total Authorities	Actual Spending	Planned	Actual	Variance
701.1	734.2	736.1	4,778	4,959	181

To Results:

Expected Result	Performance Indicator	Target	Result Achieved	Performance Rating
Safe, economical, and efficient movement of maritime traffic in Canadian waters	CCG has committed to consulting with clients and stakeholders and adjusting its Performance Measurement Framework, where required; as a proxy, DFO will assess its performance against the extent to which all sub-activity targets are met		—	—
Minimize loss of life or injury resulting from marine incidents			—	—
Minimize impacts of ship source oil spills in Canadian waters			—	—
Civilian fleet operationally ready to deliver Government of Canada programs and maintain a federal presence			Government of Canada had access to an operationally ready civilian fleet that maintained a federal presence on Canadian waters	✔✔✔

Our Performance

Coast Guard's focus in 2009-10 continued to be improving client service, effectiveness and efficiency, and management of its people. By following a set of carefully thought-out strategies and priorities, DFO made significant progress on most of its 2009-10 commitments. Further details are available in the 2009-2012 Business Plan and the 2009-10 Year-end Report, available on CCG's website.

Good progress toward renewing the fleet and ensuring that Canada had access to an operationally ready civilian fleet was made in 2009-10. DFO took delivery of a Near-shore Fishery Research Vessel and awarded the construction contract for nine Mid-shore Patrol Vessels. Construction of three Near-shore Fishery Research Vessels remains on track for 2011. Running parallel to the procurement of new vessels were strategic investments in vessel maintenance and vessel life extension; this work ensures DFO has a full complement of operational vessels.

While many Coast Guard activities are preventative and help facilitate maritime safety, situations unfortunately arise that require quick responses to on-water mishaps. When reports of mariners in distress are received, Coast Guard Search and Rescue personnel spring into action. DFO responded to over 8.000 search and rescue cases in 2009-10, to 1,014 marine pollution incidents between January and December 2009.

Moving Forward

• Continue to implement the Fleet Renewal Plan in line with government direction. The Plan envisions a national civilian fleet of vessels and helicopters built along a class structure, capable of multi-tasking, more efficient to operate and maintain, and better able to respond to changing priorities, environmental conditions, and program requirements.
• Develop a federal vision/strategy and a high-level implementation plan for e-Navigation in consultation with other government departments.
• Develop an Arctic Vision and, in unison with DFO, work on integrated Arctic strategies for the Department that will contribute to the Northern Strategy.
• Continue to work toward reducing DFO's environmental footprint by greening acquisitions and operations.

Canadian Coast Guard Sub-Activities

• Aids to Navigation
• Waterways Management
• Marine Communication and Traffic Services
• Icebreaking Services
• Search and Rescue Services
• Environmental Response Services
• Maritime Security
• Fleet Operational Readiness
• Life-cycle Asset Management Services
• Coast Guard College

Performance information for the above sub-activities is available on DFO's website.

Description from Main Estimates: The Small Craft Harbours Program directly, or indirectly through Harbour Authorities, operates and maintains a network of harbours, critical to the fishing industry, open, safe and in good repair. These harbours are necessary for the effective operation of the commercial fisheries that contribute to the Canadian economy, directly support employment and that indirectly create tens of thousands of jobs, many in rural and isolated parts of Canada.

From Resources:

Financial Resources ($ millions)			Human Resources (FTEs)
Planned Spending	Total Authorities	Actual Spending	Planned	Actual	Variance
192.8	216.9	221.0	133	171	38

Note: The FTE variance is due to incremental FTE use for Economic Action Plan programming in the regions, as well as implementation of the Small Craft Harbours Functional Review that was approved by DFO subsequent to the tabling of the RPP.

To Results:

Expected Result	Performance Indicator	Target	Result Achieved	Performance Rating
A network of harbours critical for Canada's commercial fishing industry that is open, safe, and in good repair	Percentage of core fishing harbours with performance ratings of fair, good or very good	70%	71%	✔——
	Percentage of facilities at core fishing harbours in fair, good or very good condition	80%	84%	✔✔—
	Percentage of core fishing harbours managed by Harbour Authorities that have Environmental Management Plans in place	95%	76%	✔✔—
Harbour Authorities are able to effectively manage and maintain core commercial fishing harbours	Percentage of existing core fishing harbours managed by Harbour Authorities	90%	91%	✔✔—
Recreational and non-essential fishing harbours are divested	Percentage of recreational and non-core harbours divested	5%	2.2%	———

Small Craft Harbours throughout Canada

As of March 31, 2010, DFO's inventory included 1,155 harbours in all provinces and the Northwest Territories. Of these, 755 were core commercial fishing harbours. The remaining 400 harbours include 170 recreational harbours and 230 non-essential fishing harbours.

Our Performance

In 2009-10, the Small Craft Harbours (SCH) Program made investments in small craft harbours from its regular budget. These harbours are essential to Canada's commercial fishing industry. In addition, SCH carried out significant additional repairs and maintenance at core commercial fishing harbours through the Accelerated Infrastructure Program, funded as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan. SCH also implemented Year 2 of the four-year Divestiture of Non-core Harbours Program.

SCH improved safety and operational efficiency at harbours through dredging, wharf repairs, electrical system upgrades, and general maintenance. As a result, 23% of core fishing harbours have a performance rating of good or very good. This percentage increases to 71% if those with a rating of fair are included. These ratings are consistent with those achieved over the past four years and are expected to improve as Accelerated Infrastructure Program investments are realized.

At the end of 2009-10, 84% of the facilities (i.e., wharves, breakwaters, slipways, ramps) at core commercial fishing harbours were classified as being in fair or better condition. This percentage has been relatively stable over the past four years, with a small improvement of 1.4% compared to 2008-09.

Since 2008-09, the percentage of core fishing harbours that have Environmental Management Plans (EMPs) in place has increased from 74% to 76%. SCH continues to provide technical support and training to Harbour Authorities to increase their capacity to plan and implement EMPs toward the long-term target of 95% coverage.

In 2009-10, 571 Harbour Authorities managed 688 core fishing harbours, or 91% of all core harbours. While this percentage is similar to that achieved in recent years, it represents an improvement in SCH's efforts to consolidate the management of more core harbours under fewer Harbour Authorities. SCH's long-term target is to see 95% of core fishing harbours managed by Harbour Authorities. However, achieving this goal may be difficult in very small communities, where the recruitment of volunteers can be challenging.

In 2009-10, SCH completed the divestiture of one inactive fishing harbour and seven recreational harbours, for a total of eight divestitures. This represents approximately a 2% reduction in the number of harbours still to be divested. Recognizing that most divestitures involve a multi-year process of negotiation, pre-divestiture repairs, and title transfer, the Divestiture of Non-core Harbours anticipated that most divestitures would occur in the third and fourth years of this four-year program and that there would be relatively few divestitures in the first two years. While the performance for 2009-10 was below the divestiture plan's annualized rate of 5%, the plan is expected to surpass the 5% target for the third and fourth years and thereby achieve the target for the four-year period. After the Divestiture of Non-core Harbours Program ends in 2011-12, SCH will adjust its annual target to reflect the normal funding available for divestitures.

Moving Forward

• Implement Year 2 of the Accelerated Infrastructure Program, and continue the construction of a new small craft harbour in Pangnirtung, Nunavut.
• Implement Year 3 of the four-year Divestiture of Non-core Harbours Program.
• Continue to take steps to strengthen the sustainability of the volunteer-based HAs.

More information on the Small Craft Harbours Program is available electronically on DFO's website.

Description from Main Estimates: This program provides scientific research, monitoring, advice, products and services and data management to ensure departmental and federal policies, programs, decisions, and regulations associated with safe, secure, and accessible waterways are informed by science advice. The science is provided through a network of research facilities, in collaboration with other government departments, private sector, academia and international organizations.

From Resources:

Financial Resources ($ millions)			Human Resources (FTEs)
Planned Spending	Total Authorities	Actual Spending	Planned	Actual	Variance
35.3	40.5	40.2	281	293	12

To Results:

Expected Result	Performance Indicator	Target	Result Achieved	Performance Rating
Stakeholders have the information to safely navigate Canada's waterways	Number of navigational digital and paper products sold	Increase digital navigational charts to converge with paper chart production year over year	25% increase in digital products sold and 20% decline in paper products sold	✔✔✔

Our Performance

The way Canadian and international mariners use technology continues to shape the navigational products and services provided by the Canadian Hydrographic Service (CHS), including the way in which those products and services are delivered. Since 2007-08, the overall number of paper hydrographic charts and publications sold has declined by approximately 20%, while the number of digital hydrographic charts and products has increased by almost 25%. On average, CHS expects that the sale of paper products will continue to decline by 5-10% annually but that the sale of digital products will continue to experience large double-digit growth rates. Although the decline in the sale of paper products is attributable largely to the increased use of digital products, the availability of non-official, private-sector products is a factor, as is the production of fewer new editions.

Moving Forward

• Continue to embrace advances in technology, such as e-Navigation, to provide mariners with the information needed to safely navigate Canada's waterways.

Science for Safe and Accessible Waterways Sub-Activities

• Navigational Products and Services
• Safety, Security and Sovereignty

Performance information for the above sub-activities is available on DFO's website.

Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture is about delivering an integrated fisheries and aquaculture program that is credible, science based, affordable, and effective and contributes to the wealth of Canadians while respecting Aboriginal and treaty rights.

From Resources:

Financial Resources ($ millions)			Human Resources (FTEs)
Planned Spending	Total Authorities	Actual Spending	Planned	Actual	Variance
471.3	516.4	474.5	2,559	2,542	-17

To Results:

Expected Result	Performance Indicator	Target	Result Achieved	Performance Rating
Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture	Year over year improvement in the management and conservation of major stocks to support sustainable fisheries, as evidenced in the growth of the sustainability index (baseline 5.4 out of 10)	4%	Sustainability index: 5.4*	Unable to assign a rating, given the absence of baseline information

* The data presented is from 2008-09, as the 2009-10 data has not yet been compiled.

Benefits to Canadians

The viability of many of Canada's coastal communities is directly linked to the health of the fisheries and quaculture industries. DFO is responsible for developing and implementing policies and programs to ensure the sustainable use of Canada's marine ecosystems and for contributing to an economically prosperous fisheries and aquaculture sector. This includes working with Canada's international partners to strengthen management of shared fish stocks that provide important socio-economic benefits to Canadians.

DFO recognizes that Canada's fisheries and aquaculture can be sustainable over the short and long term only if the resource is conserved and fished sustainably and the fishing industry is viable. To this end, DFO has been pursuing a fisheries and aquaculture renewal agenda. This approach involves working with harvesters, processors, communities, provinces, and territories to update and develop fisheries policies. It also involves streamlining the regulatory process for aquaculture governance and updating environmental regulations for aquaculture to create a more effective, efficient, reliable, and transparent environmental management regime. This approach also helps create the conditions necessary for a globally competitive fisheries and aquaculture sector.

In Pacific Region, additional focus is placed on enhancement of the five species of Pacific salmon to support vulnerable salmon stocks and provide harvest opportunities for all harvest sectors (commercial, recreational, and First Nations).

Effective management of our fisheries and the creation of conditions that enable a vibrant and innovative aquaculture industry both require sound scientific knowledge. Having access to and applying such knowledge contributes to the development of the competitive and sustainable industry the Department seeks on behalf of Canadians.

Description from Main Estimates: The overall goal of fisheries and aquaculture management is the conservation of Canada's fisheries resources to contribute to sustainable resource utilization through close collaboration with resource users and stakeholders based on shared stewardship. Fisheries and Aquaculture Management is responsible for international fisheries conservation negotiations and relations, shared management of interception fisheries in international waters, management of the Aboriginal, commercial, recreational fishing in the coastal waters of Canada's three oceans and creating the conditions for a vibrant and innovative aquaculture industry.

From Resources:

Financial Resources ($ millions)			Human Resources (FTEs)
Planned Spending	Total Authorities	Actual Spending	Planned	Actual	Variance
331.6	366.2	339.6	1,554	1,599	45

To Results:

Expected Result	Performance Indicator	Target	Result Achieved	Performance Rating
Sustainable fisheries and aquaculture	Year over year improvement in the management and conservation of stocks to support sustainable fisheries, as evidenced in the growth of the sustainability index	4%	Sustainability index: 5.4*	Unable to assign a rating, given the absence of baseline information

* The data presented is from 2008-09, as the 2009-10 data has not yet been compiled. No baseline data is available from 2007-08. The 2008-09 result will set the baseline.

Our Performance

The sustainability index is derived from the results of the Fishery Checklist. The Fishery Checklist is made up of 106 questions designed to assess the overall sustainability of a fishery or stock. Each fishery receives a score out of 10. The sustainability index is a national roll-up of all scores for all fisheries assessed. Based on results from 2008-09 data, Canada has achieved a medium level of sustainability. Early indications from the 2009-10 data suggest positive results. Three indicators in the sustainability index - the conservation of major stocks, stakeholder participation in harvest decision-making processes, and stable access indicators - all show slight increases from the 2008-09 benchmarks.

Increases in the sustainability index demonstrate that improvements are occurring in any or all of the following areas: resource management, the quality and availability of the scientific information used to make decisions, and enforcement and compliance.

Moving Forward

• Develop a process for evaluating stakeholder engagement processes to improve stakeholder participation (and thus the participation index).
• Continue to work with internal and external partners to develop a draft bycatch policy and to complete the framework for the analysis of ecological risk required for the implementation of the policy on sensitive benthic areas.
• Implement Sustainable Fisheries Framework policies in all major Canadian stocks.
• Complete the commitments agreed to as part of DFO's evaluation of the Salmonid Enhancement Program (Evaluation of the Salmonid Enhancement Program ).
• Continue to implement the recommendations of the Compliance Review and Modernization of the Conservation and Protection Program.
• Implement the new federal aquaculture regime in British Columbia, national aquaculture strategic action plans, and sustainability reporting for the aquaculture sector.
• Continue efforts to strengthen international fisheries management, with particular emphasis on ensuring better management decisions and compliance in tuna-focused Regional Fisheries Management Organizations.
• Continue the National Licensing Policy Review to promote economic prosperity and sustainability.
• Continue to implement Canada's new Catch Certification Program, as announced in Budget 2010.

Fisheries and Aquaculture Management Sub-Activities

• Resource Management
• Aboriginal Policy and Governance
• Salmonid Enhancement Program
• International Fisheries Conservation
• Conservation and Protection
• Aquaculture

Performance information for the above sub-activities is available on DFO's website.

Description from Main Estimates: Provision of advice and recommendations based on scientific research and monitoring, as well as the provision of products and services and the management of data on Canada's oceans and resources. This ensures departmental and federal policies, programs, decisions, and regulations associated with sustainable fisheries and aquaculture are informed by scientific knowledge. The science is provided through a network of research facilities, in collaboration with other government departments, private sector, academia and international organizations.

From Resources:

Financial Resources ($ millions)			Human Resources (FTEs)
Planned Spending	Total Authorities	Actual Spending	Planned	Actual	Variance
139.7	150.2	134.9	1,006	943	-63

Note: The variance in FTEs is due to attrition and delays in staffing.

To Results:

Expected Result	Performance Indicator	Target	Result Achieved	Performance Rating
Comprehensive understanding of living aquatic resources	Number of requests for science advice on living aquatic resources	Complete 90% of requests for science advice on living aquatic resources that senior management approves	Completed approximately 82% of the requests for science advice on living aquatic resources	✔✔—
	Number of Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) publications on living aquatic resources that are posted on the DFO website	Maintain 5-year average	Produced 185 CSAS publications that are posted on the DFO website; this is approximately 10% above the 4-year average of 167	✰✰✰
	Number of publicly available products on living aquatic resources completed by DFO Science	Maintain 5-year average	Produced 71 publicly available publications; this is slightly below the 5-year average of 72	✔✔—

Our Performance

In 2009-10, the Science Program completed approximately 82% of the requests for science advice on living aquatic resources. This is 8% below the target of 90%. The majority of the advisory requests not serviced were associated with the Fisheries Resources sub-activity. In most cases, these requests were removed from the approved 2009-10 advisory schedule or deferred for consideration in the next fiscal year to accommodate higher priority requests.

The Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) coordinates the peer review of scientific issues for the Department. The Department continues to increase productivity by refining the CSAS process and adopting a risk-based approach to the prioritization of requests for advice. In 2009-10, CSAS produced 185 publications (science advisory reports, research documents, proceedings, and science responses) in response to advisory needs identified by internal clients. These publications are available at Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS). This reflects a 20% increase since 2006-07 and is approximately 10% above the four-year average of 167 publications.

 

In 2008, DFO Science produced 71 publicly available publications on sustainable fisheries and aquaculture; this is slightly below the five-year average of 72. This represents 28% of overall Canadian publications. In collaboration with other key players in Canada's research community (e.g., universities and the private sector), DFO continues to make a significant contribution to improving our understanding of sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.

 

Moving Forward

• Continue to improve the way the Program performs and delivers science.

Science for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture Sub-Activities

• Fisheries Resources
• Aquatic Invasive Species
• Aquatic Animal Health
• Sustainable Aquaculture Science
• Genomics and Biotechnology
• Science Renewal

Performance information for the above sub-activities is available on DFO's website.

Healthy and Productive Aquatic Ecosystems ensures the sustainable development and integrated management of resources in or around Canada's aquatic environment through oceans and fish habitat management. It also involves carrying out the critical science and fisheries management activities that support these two programs.

From Resources:

Financial Resources ($ millions)			Human Resources (FTEs)
Planned Spending	Total Authorities	Actual Spending	Planned	Actual	Variance
146.4	162.3	160.6	1,163	1,179	16

To Results:

Expected Result	Performance Indicator	Target	Result Achieved	Performance Rating
Sustainable development and integrated management of resources in or around Canada's aquatic environment through oceans and fish habitat management	Number of policies developed and implemented that serve the public interest via the sustainable development of Canada's oceans and freshwater resources	18 Habitat policies, 5 Species at Risk policies	18 Habitat policies, 5 Species at Risk policies	✔✔✔
	Number of programs in place that serve the public interest via the sustainable development of Canada's oceans and freshwater resources	8 Habitat programs, 3 Oceans programs, 1 Species at Risk program	8 Habitat programs, 3 Oceans programs, 1 Species at Risk program	✔✔✔
	Number of formal partnership arrangements established that serve the public interest via the management of human activities in and around aquatic ecosystems	18 national-level partnerships on the management of fish habitat, 1 Oceans management partnership, 4 Species at Risk management partnerships	9 partnerships on management of fish habitat,* 1 Oceans management partnership, 0 Species at Risk management partnerships	———

* Negotiations are in the final stages for bilateral agreements with Prince Edward Island, Ontario, Alberta, the Northwest Territories, and the Yukon. Management of one existing interdepartmental partnership with Environment Canada and Parks Canada Agency, as well as bilateral agreements with British Columbia (2005), Quebec (2007), and Saskatchewan (2008), is ongoing.

Benefits to Canadians

Managing the development and protection of marine and freshwater environments in support of healthy and productive aquatic ecosystems involves the protection, conservation, and recovery of freshwater and marine ecosystems and aquatic species. Sustainable development is the principle that guides this strategic outcome.

Oceans and freshwater biodiversity, resources, and habitat are an important part of Canada's environmental, social, cultural, and economic fabric. Marine activities must be managed sustainably to support aquatic environments and ecosystems. Effective measures to protect and restore the health and productivity of our aquatic ecosystems, habitats, and species require sound scientific knowledge.

Canada is taking a global leadership role by advancing the agenda to protect high seas ecosystems and biodiversity in a manner that reflects domestic interests and approaches. At the same time, the development of effective international policies can have a positive effect on Canada's management of its oceans sector.

Description from Main Estimates: Oceans Management involves the conservation and sustainable use of Canada's oceans in collaboration with other levels of government, Aboriginal organizations and other non-government stakeholders through the development and implementation of objectives-based integrated oceans management plans and the application of marine conservation tools. Modern oceans management arrangements deal with a number of challenges including oceans health, marine habitat loss, declining biodiversity, growing demands for access to ocean resources and regulatory and jurisdictional complexities.

From Resources:

Financial Resources ($ millions)			Human Resources (FTEs)
Planned Spending	Total Authorities	Actual Spending	Planned	Actual	Variance
16.4	17.4	15.8	117	115	-2

To Results:

Expected Result	Performance Indicator	Target	Result Achieved	Performance Rating
Canada's ocean areas managed through adoption of integrated management approaches	Estimated percentage of Canadian ocean area with integrated management structures	31% (by January 1, 2035)	31%	✔✔✔
Coordinated and effective oceans governance	Percentage of Large Ocean Management Areas with inter-jurisdictional Regional Implementation Committees or equivalents	100%	100%	✔✔✔
	Percentage of Large Ocean Management Areas with Stakeholders Advisory Committees or equivalent	100%	60%	✔——

Our Performance

DFO is committed to the integrated management of Canada's Large Oceans Management Areas (LOMAs). To date, two out of five existing LOMAs (Eastern Scotian Shelf and Beaufort Sea) have completed an integrated management plan and are implementing it through work plans. The other three LOMAs are conducting preparatory work on the development of their integrated management plans.

All LOMAs now have implementation committees in place. These committees bring together government regulators representing the regions involved in the development and implementation of integrated management plans. The multi-jursidicational nature of LOMAs means that their development and implementation takes time. Many stakeholders are involved in integrated management plans, and concerns raised must be addressed before moving forward.

Three of the five LOMAs have Stakeholders Advisory Committees or equivalents in place, and the other two are planning their consultations with stakeholders. These committees facilitate the identification of priorities and help determine the effects certain oceans activities might have on resource users; engaging stakeholders from the start helps resolve challenges at the beginning of the process.

Moving Forward

• Continue to implement DFO's part of the Government of Canada's Health of the Oceans agenda.

Oceans Management Sub-Activities

• Integrated Oceans Management
• Marine Conservation Tools

Performance information for the above sub-activities is available on DFO's website.

Description from Main Estimates: In collaboration with others, Habitat Management involves conserving and protecting fish and fish habitat from the impacts of activities occurring in and around fresh and marine fish-bearing waters, and improving (restoring and developing) fish habitat through the administration of the habitat protection provisions of the Fisheries Act, providing advice on related provisions of the Act, and the application of non-regulatory activities. It also involves conducting environmental assessments prior to regulatory decisions listed in the Law List Regulations of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and participating in other environmental assessment regimes. These activities are performed in a manner consistent with the Species at Risk Act; the Policy for the Management of Fish Habitat and other operational policies; consultation with Aboriginal groups; the goals and principles of sustainable development; and the policies and priorities of the federal government.

From Resources:

Financial Resources ($ millions)			Human Resources (FTEs)
Planned Spending	Total Authorities	Actual Spending	Planned	Actual	Variance
57.7	65.0	62.0	563	483	-80

Note: The variance in FTEs can be explained by reallocation of FTEs's between Program Activities within the Healthy and Productive Aquatic Ecosystems Strategic Outcome during 2009-10. The overall variance for the entire Healthy and Productive Aquatic Ecosystems Strategic Outcome is less than 2%.

To Results:

Expected Result	Performance Indicator	Target	Result Achieved	Performance Rating
Healthy and productive fish habitat available to sustain the production of fish species and populations that Canadians value	Percentage of Fisheries Act authorizations with compensation plans to offset the loss of fish habitat as a result of development projects	100%	88%	✔✔—
	Percentage of inspected works and undertakings that conform with terms and conditions of operational statements, formal advice in writing, and Fisheries Act authorizations	100%	91%	✔✔—

Our Performance

In 2009-10, the Habitat Management Program continued to roll out Habitat Compliance Monitoring, a key initiative aimed at improving the Program's ability to measure and report on its performance. Work to refine the data collected by field staff to ensure its consistency and integrity is ongoing.

In 2009-10, 91% of inspected works and undertakings conformed to the terms and conditions of operational statements, formal advice in writing, and Fisheries Act authorizations; this represents a 27% increase from 2008-09. While a portion of this change may result from an improvement in the compliance of inspected works and undertakings with relevant terms and conditions, a large portion of this difference is due to a change in methodology.

Compensation plans are an important first step in determining whether harm to fish and fish habitat is offset. However, only some of the Fisheries Act authorizations under section 35(2) require these plans. The Habitat Management Program, in collaboration with DFO Science, is therefore developing more accurate program performance measures.

Moving Forward

• Develop a more robust performance measurement framework.
• Continue to make the regulatory approval and review process more effective, efficient, transparent, timely, risk-based, and results-focused.
• Continue with Program improvements currently under way, including improvements DFO committed to in response to the recommendations of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development.

Habitat Management Sub-Activities

• Conservation and Protection of Fish Habitat
• Environmental Assessments
• Habitat Program Services
• Aboriginal Inland Habitat Program

Performance information for the above sub-activities is available on DFO's website.

Description from Main Estimates: Aquatic species at risk are managed to provide for the recovery of extirpated, endangered and threatened species; and the management of special concerned species to prevent them becoming at risk. This program activity involves developing recovery strategies, action plans and management plans for all aquatic species; promoting recovery implementation and monitoring of marine and anadromous (moving between fresh and salt water) species over which the federal government has exclusive jurisdiction; and promoting freshwater species for which certain provinces have specific delegated responsibilities related to fisheries management through regulations under the Fisheries Act.

From Resources:

Financial Resources ($ millions)			Human Resources (FTEs)
Planned Spending	Total Authorities	Actual Spending	Planned	Actual	Variance
16.9	18.6	21.8	34	130	97

Note: The variance in FTEs can be explained by reallocation of FTEs between Program Activities within the Healthy and Productive Aquatic Ecosystems Strategic Outcome during 2009-10. The overall variance for the entire Healthy and Productive Aquatic Ecosystems Strategic Outcome is less than 2%.

To Results:

Expected Result	Performance Indicator	Target	Result Achieved	Performance Rating
Conservation and protection of aquatic species at risk in Canada	Percentage of recovery strategies, recovery action plans, and management plans developed within the legislated timelines, and in conformity with mandated requirements while addressing the backlog	60%	42 of 67 recovery strategies, 9 of 16 management plans, and 0 of the 20 action plans due in 2009-10 or previous years were posted to the Species at Risk Public Registry	✔✔—

Our Performance

The Department has taken a number of steps to improve its ability to meet its legal obligations under the Species at Risk Act (SARA); however, the target of developing 60% of recovery strategies, recovery action plans, and management plans within the legislated timelines and in conformity with mandated requirements has not yet been met. Approximately 60% of recovery strategies, 55% of management plans, and 0% of action plans due in 2009-10 or previous years have been posted to the Species at Risk Public Registry.

Moving Forward

• Continue to streamline internal processes and provide operational guidance that features national coherence and consistency.
• Continue to review and revise existing processes to improve coordination, focusing on items that constitute a legal obligation for the Department.
• Continue to develop operational guidance on high-priority issues that will improve the timeliness of recovery strategies, action plans, and management plans.

Species at Risk Management Sub-Activities

• Protection of Species at Risk
• Recovery of Species at Risk
• Monitoring and Evaluation

Performance information for the above sub-activities is available on DFO's website.

Description from Main Estimates: This program provides research, monitoring, advice, products and services and data management to ensure departmental and federal policies, programs, decisions, and regulations associated with the integrated management of Canada's oceans and fish habitat resources are informed by science advice. The science is undertaken through a network of research facilities, in collaboration with other government departments, private sector, academia and international organizations.

From Resources:

Financial Resources ($ millions)			Human Resources (FTEs)
Planned Spending	Total Authorities	Actual Spending	Planned	Actual	Variance
55.4	61.4	60.9	450	452	2

To Results:

Expected Result	Performance Indicator	Target	Result Achieved	Performance Rating
Comprehensive understanding of aquatic ecosystem function	Number of requests for science advice on aquatic ecosystems	Complete 90% of requests for science advice on aquatic ecosystems that senior management approves	Completed approximately 71% of the requests for science advice on healthy and productive aquatic ecosystems	✔✔—
	Number of Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) publications on aquatic ecosystems that are posted on the DFO website	Maintain 5-year average	Posted 99 CSAS publications on the DFO website; this is approximately 55% above the 4-year average of 55	✰✰✰
	Number of publicly available products on aquatic ecosystems completed by DFO Science	Maintain 5-year average	Produced 82 publicly available publications; this is approximately 20% above the 5-year average of 65	✰✰✰

Our Performance

In 2009-10, the Science Program completed approximately 71% of the requests it received for advice on aquatic ecosystems. This is almost 20% below the target of 90%. The majority of requests not serviced were associated with two program activities: Species at Risk and Aquatic Ecosystems. In recent years, the demand for advice on these two areas has exceeded the capacity of the Science Program to supply timely advice.

Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS) coordinates the peer review of scientific issues for DFO. The Department continues to increase productivity by refining the CSAS process and by adopting a risk-based approach to the prioritization of requests for advice. In 2009-10, CSAS produced and posted on the Internet 99 publications (science advisory reports, research documents, proceedings, and science responses) in response to advisory needs identified by internal clients. These publications are available at Canadian Science Advisory Secretariat (CSAS). This reflects a 56% increase since 2006-07 and is approximately 55% above the four-year average of 55 publications. The increase is due, in part, to reporting publications related to species at risk under the Science for Healthy and Productive Aquatic Ecosystems program activity; in previous years, they were reported under Science for Sustainable Fisheries and Aquaculture.

In 2008, DFO Science produced 82 publicly available publications on healthy and productive aquatic ecosystems; this is approximately 25% higher than the Department's five-year average of 65. In collaboration with other key players in Canada's research community (e.g., universities and the private sector), DFO continues to make a significant contribution to improving our understanding of healthy and productive aquatic ecosystems.

Moving Forward

• Continue to improve the way science is performed and delivered, with the overarching objective of providing timely and relevant science advice in support of the decision-making and policy-development requirements associated with healthy and productive aquatic ecosystems.

Science for Healthy and Productive Aquatic Ecosystems Sub-Activities

• Fish Habitat Science
• Aquatic Ecosystems Science
• Ocean Climate
• Species at Risk

Performance information for the above sub-activities is available on DFO's website.

Description from Main Estimates: Internal Services are groups of related activities and resources that are administered to support the needs of programs and other corporate obligations of an organization. These groups are: Management and Oversight Services; Communications Services; Legal Services; Human Resources Management Services; Financial Management Services; Information Management Services; Information Technology Services; Real Property Services; Materiel Services; Acquisition Services; and Travel and Other Administrative Services. Internal Services include only those activities and resources that apply across an organization and not to those provided specifically to a program.

Resources:

Financial Resources ($ millions)			Human Resources (FTEs)
Planned Spending	Total Authorities	Actual Spending	Planned	Actual	Variance
311.9	378.8	348.8	1,898	1,885	-13

Our Performance

Each year, Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) assesses the management performance of government departments through the Management Accountability Framework (TB Management Accountability Framework). In Round VII of the Management Accountability Framework (MAF) assessment, DFO achieved an acceptable rating for 11 of the 14 areas of management assessed. These areas of management range from values and ethics, to people management, to project management. DFO's performance has improved in three areas since Round VI: corporate performance framework, information management, and security and business continuity. TBS congratulated DFO for continued progress in implementing risk management in the Department and for making improvements in asset management. Although financial management retained its acceptable rating, some areas of weakness were identified. TBS identified two areas for particular focus over the next year: evaluation and citizen-focused service.

Moving Forward

• In response to its MAF assessment, DFO has developed work plans to address all the recommendations and opportunities identified by TBS. In accordance with TBS's request, DFO will be focusing on evaluation and citizen-focused service.
• In the area of evaluation, the lessons learned from earlier evaluations and the processes developed for more recent evaluations are being carried forward, and additional improvements are being made.
• Within DFO, service to citizens is very important, with each program developing and maintaining strong relationships with its clients and stakeholders. During the coming year, DFO will be working on sharing the results of consultations with clients and on developing department-wide service standards for its programs.

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