ARCHIVED - RPP 2006-2007
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

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The Honourable Rona Ambrose
Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

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Section I – Overview

Section II – Analysis of Program Activities by Strategic Outcome

Section III – Supplementary Information

Section IV – Other Items of Interest

Section I – Overview

Minister's Message

I am pleased to present the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency 2006-2007 Report on Plans and Priorities. This report outlines the results to be achieved through the key activities of the Agency over the next three years.

The Agency's plans and priorities are in support of its role in providing Canadians with high quality environmental assessments that are produced in an open, accountable and timely manner and that contribute to informed decision-making in support of sustainable development. The Agency is committed to working with federal authorities, provincial, territorial and aboriginal governance partners, stakeholders and the public to achieve these objectives.

Over the past year, the Agency has taken a leadership role in implementing a series of actions to improve the timeliness, predictability and certainty of environmental assessments under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. Working collaboratively with authorities throughout the federal government, the Agency will build on these accomplishments by identifying and implementing further improvements in support of high quality environmental assessments, meaningful public participation and a timely and predictable process.

The federal environmental assessment process plays an important role in safeguarding the environment while supporting a vibrant and sustainable Canadian economy. The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency will continue to provide the leadership required to ensure that role is played in an efficient and effective manner.

It gives me great pleasure, therefore, to submit the Agency's 2006-2007 Report on Plans and Priorities.

Rona Ambrose, P.C., M.P.
Minister of the Environment and
Minister responsible for the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

Management Representation Statement

I submit for tabling in Parliament, the 2006-2007 Report on Plans and Priorities for the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency.

This document has been prepared based on the reporting principles contained in the Guide to the Preparation of Part III of the Estimates: Reports on Plans and Priorities and Departmental Performance Reports.

• It adheres to the specific reporting requirements outlined in the Treasury Board Secretariat guidance.
  
  
• It is based on the Agency's approved program activity architecture (PAA) as reflected in its Management Resources and Results Structure (MRRS).
  
  
• It represents consistent, comprehensive, balanced and reliable information.
  
  
• It provides a basis of accountability for the results achieved with the resources and authorities entrusted to the Agency.
  
  
• It reports finances based on approved planned spending numbers from the Treasury Board Secretariat.

Jean-Claude Bouchard
President

Summary Information

Financial Resources

($ thousands)

2006-2007	2007-2008	2008-2009
18,033	16,054	16,054

Human Resources

(Full Time Equivalent-FTE)

2006-2007	2007-2008	2008-2009
149	146	146

Agency Priorities by Strategic Outcome and Program Activity

Detailed Agency plans to deliver expected results are contained in Section II – Analysis of Program Activity by Strategic Outcome.

Strategic Outcome: Environmental assessment is an integral part of program and policy decision making			Estimated Planned Spending* ($ thousands)
Program Activity: Efficient and effective environmental assessment Expected Results: Environmental assessment: processes are well coordinated across the federal government and with other jurisdictions; expertise and operational capacity is maintained and enhanced, and the role of stakeholders and decision makers is supported; and practices are improved, and increasingly effective mitigation measures are implemented.	Priority	Type	2006-2007	2007-2008	2008-2009
	No. 1 Build a framework for more integrated envi­ronmental assessments.	New	4,508	4,013	3,211
	No. 2 Assume a more active leadership role in federal environmental assessment.	New	9,017	8,830	9,632
	No. 3 Build the capacity todeliver on existing and new responsibilities.	Ongoing	4,508	3,211	3,211
Total			18,033	16,054	16,054
* 2006-2007 is a transition year to implementation of the November 2005 Cabinet Directive on Implementing the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The estimated costs noted above are order of magnitude costs based on the Agency's current level of resources as approved in the Main Estimates and include costs of the Agency's ongoing key programs. Additional resource requirements for full implementation of the Cabinet Directive will be identified in the next Estimates process.

Led by the President, who reports directly to the Minister of the Environment, the Agency is mandated by the following instruments:

• the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (the Act) and its accompanying regulations;
• the Canada-Wide Accord on Environmental Harmonization and bilateral agreements with provincial governments that establish arrangements for cooperative environmental assessments; and
• international agreements containing environmental assessment provisions to which Canada is a party, principally the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context.

The Agency also assists the Minister of the Environment in implementing the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals by providing guidance to federal authorities on environmental assessment considerations and requirements in respect to proposed policies, plans and programs.

The President of the Agency has been designated by order-in-council as the federal administrator of the environmental and social protection regimes set out in chapters 22 and 23 of the 1975 James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement.

Agency Plans and Priorities

Program Priorities

Beyond established program activities with respect to federal environmental assessment, a specific focus of the 2006-2007 plans and priorities is better integrating and streamlining of the federal environmental assessment processes.

Amendments to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act through Bill C-9 (October 2003) led the way for consolidating federal environmental assessments. The March 2005, Smart Regulation: Report on Actions and Plans, updated in October 2005, also identified consolidation of environmental assessment as a priority.

The current federal environmental assessment system is based on the principle of self-assessment. Consequently, departments and agencies have their own discrete environmental assessment responsibilities to execute, though often in relation to the same project. The resulting decentralized system has some advantages, but it also has significant shortcomings. Since October 2004, the Agency has been developing options for better integrating federal environmental assessment.

In November 2005, the Cabinet Directive on Implementation of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act took effect. The directive sets out the expectations of ministers regarding the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency's leadership role and instructs the Agency and federal authorities on how they should conduct themselves to deliver high-quality environmental assessments in a timely and predictable manner.

The Agency will move forward to discuss opportunities more integrated federal environmental assessments with stakeholders and develop options for Ministers' and potentially Parliament's consideration. As well, efforts will continue to refine and streamline federal-provincial agreements to ensure more integrated environmental assessments.

The Agency has three priorities over this planning period: build a framework for more integrated environmental assessment, assume a more active leadership role in federal environmental assessment and build the capacity to deliver on existing and new responsibilities.

Through these three priorities, the Agency will also show increasing leadership in delivering its regular ongoing key programs to its partners and stakeholders. This work includes activities, such as:

• coordination of the environmental assessment process where the Agency is the FEAC;
• establishment of a cooperative policy framework and bilateral agreements for the environmental assessment process;
• facilitation, mediation and management of informal dispute resolutions to address environmental assessment-related issues;
• management of review panels, comprehensive studies and class screenings, which directly contribute to the integration of environmental factors into the decision-making process for a specific project or class of projects;
• operation and maintenance of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry (CEAR) on the Internet;
• promotion of the integration of environmental considerations at the earliest stage of the decision-making process using strategic environmental assessment (SEA);
• implementation of a quality assurance program; and
• partner, stakeholder and employee training.

For details on these activities, see Section II – Analysis of Program Activity by Strategic Outcome.

Management Priorities

The Management Accountability Framework (MAF) is an initiative implemented by the Treasury Board Secretariat in 2003 that is used to measure an organization's success in implementing modern management practices. The framework brings together a number of elements of other frameworks, such as the Modern Comptrollership initiative, Human Resources Modernization, the Service Improvement Initiative and Government On-Line.

The Agency has made significant progress in implementing the MAF: a governance structure has been formalized; authorities and delegations have been articulated and communicated to staff; the Policy Framework is in place; the Planning and Performance Reporting (Program Activity Architecture) has been approved and is used in this document; and management and employees have been informed of their responsibilities with respect to public service values and ethics.

There will be a need to refine and update some of the MAF initiatives over the planning period as a result of building a framework for more integrated environmental assessments. Particular focus will be placed on human resources and results and performance evaluation.

Human resource management is another of the Agency's management priorities. Delivering on its three program priorities will bring about new and significant challenges in the management of human resources. The Agency's Human Resources Plan serves as a foundation for integrating business and people management and will be updated regularly.

The Plan is designed to ensure that, for its current and future needs, the right people are in the right place at the right time. An important output of the plan is the design and implementation of a comprehensive employee recruitment and development program.

The Plan's major objectives are to:

• enable alignment of human resource priorities with business goals;
• reduce organizational risks related to environmental changes;
• increase transparency of linkages between human resource activities and business drivers for all stakeholders;
• identify strategies to foster a flexible and motivating work environment; and
• provide a framework for human resource modernization.

Program Activity – Efficient and Effective Environmental Assessment

The Agency delivers on its key program responsibilities and addresses its priorities through this program activity.

The Agency plays an important role in providing leadership, guidance, training and recommendations to federal departments and agencies. This helps ensure that environmental assessment decisions comply with the Act, reflect effective and efficient environmental assessment practices, consider public values and support the principles of sustainable development. The Agency also promotes consistent approaches to environmental assessments across Canada and with its international partners. The Agency works with provincial, territorial and local partners to develop cooperative approaches wherever possible. It also fosters engagement with Aboriginal communities.

This important work is carried out within the following key programs:

1. Coordination and Cooperation: Coordinate the federal environmental assessment process where the Agency is the Federal Environmental Assessment Coordinator (FEAC). This is a major function as is the establishment of a cooperative policy framework and bilateral agreements, particularly with provincial governments, for the environmental assessment process.
   
   The Agency also has the authority to facilitate, mediate and manage informal dispute resolutions to address environmental assessment-related issues.
   
   
2. Guidance and Operations:
   • Manage review panels and class screenings that directly contribute to the integration of environmental factors into the decision-making process for a specific project or class of projects;
   • Promote the integration of environmental considerations in the development of government policies, plans and programs using SEA;
   • Provide notification through the participant funding program to facilitate stakeholders participation in the environmental assessment process; and
   • Provide training and guidance that supports improved environmental assessment and promote consistent application of the Act.
     
     
3. Continuous Improvement:
   • Gather, analyze and provide environmental assessment performance information to monitor compliance with the Act;
   • Support research and promote continuous learning and development and improvement of environmental assessment practices;
   • Administer the CEAR, which contains information about projects undergoing, and that have undergone, environmental assessment in Canada;
   • Review and develop new policies and regulations in accordance with the provisions of the Act; and
   • Establish and maintain a repository for the results of follow-up programs conducted under the Act.

Agency Operating Environment and Challenges

Protecting the environment, while building a strong economy and improving the quality of life for Canadians is a daily challenge. Environmental assessment responds to this challenge by ensuring environmental effects are considered before decisions are taken which allow projects to proceed.

Under the Act, federal departments and agencies must undertake an environmental assessment before they carry out a project; provide financial assistance to enable a project to be carried out; sell, lease or otherwise transfer control or administration of land to enable a project to be undertaken; or issue certain authorizations to enable a project to go forward. Each year, between 6,000 and 7,000 environmental assessments are conducted under the Act, and since 1995 (the date at which the Act came into effect), over 50,000 projects have been assessed.

Projects subject to environmental assessment or policies subject to strategic environmental assessment often raise important issues associated with socio-economic development, environmental protection, Aboriginal interests and federal–provincial/territorial relations. Environmental assessment must continually adapt to emerging trends, new scientific methods and insights and evolving public expectations and jurisprudence.

The following provides a sense of the issues and challenges the Agency faces in delivering its key programs:

Shared Environmental Management Responsibility

Under the Constitution of Canada, responsibility for environmental management is an area of shared jurisdiction among various orders of government. To minimize duplication and delays, the Agency works with its provincial and territorial counterparts to bring about greater cooperation in environmental assessment, and promote the consistent and predictable application of environmental assessment across Canada. This shared environmental management responsibility is realized by implementing or renewing bilateral agreements, and working with provinces on initiatives that serve to improve the coordinated delivery of environmental assessment processes.

Integrating Competing Interests

Projects subject to environmental assessment often give rise to many sensitive issues related to development, environmental protection, Aboriginal interests and federal-provincial relations. Projects being assessed can often be complex, with competing stakeholder interests. Integrating these interests while maintaining productive relationships and delivering high-quality assessments which meet the expectations of Canadians, is an ongoing challenge.

Aboriginal Peoples

The recognition of Aboriginal self-government and the development of land claim agreements, along with the increasing understanding of government obligations with respect to reasonable consideration and accommodation of Aboriginal interests, are reshaping environmental assessment throughout Canada. Environmental assessment provisions are being negotiated under comprehensive land claims and self-government agreements, including sectoral arrangements. The Agency is working with Aboriginal groups and Indian and Northern Affairs Canada to ensure that environmental assessment regimes developed under these agreements and arrangements meet key environmental assessment requirements and take into account specific Aboriginal interests.

The Agency is also considering how best to engage Aboriginal peoples in environmental assessments to be in a position to consider their interests with respect to potential adverse environmental effects. Consistent with legislative changes introduced through Bill C-9, one objective of the Agency is also to consult with Aboriginal peoples on policy issues related to the Act.

Improved Federal Policy Development

The Agency is a strong advocate for the application of strategic environmental assessment (SEA) as a tool to support improved decision making. Since the implementation of the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals, federal departments have increasingly recognized the role of this valuable tool in helping to promote sustainable development. In its role to encourage the application of SEA, the Agency will continue to host interdepartmental meetings on the subject, develop guidance documents and provide advice and support to departments and agencies as needed. The Agency will continue to develop its advocacy and advisory role, track national and international developments in the field, and provide leadership to address identified deficiencies in this evolving field of policy research.

International Community

International partnerships give Canada the opportunity to share environmental assessment expertise and, at the same time, access the research being undertaken in other countries. Keeping in step with the environmental initiatives of international organizations and other countries also helps to ensure the competitive position of Canadian exporters. In addition, Canada's international environmental assessment responsibilities must respect foreign policy and trade practices, and ensure consistency with the processes of other countries and organizations. As a party to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context, Canada is required to meet the obligations that it subscribed to under the Convention.

Stakeholders and Partners

The Agency works with a wide range of stakeholders and develops partnerships to promote sound environmental assessment practices in Canada and abroad. In support of this work, the Agency maintains and supports several mechanisms for receiving advice and consulting with stakeholders and partners, notably the Minister's Regulatory Advisory Committee, the Senior Management Committee on Environmental Assessment and the Environmental Assessment Administrators Committee. As well, it is developing additional mechanisms for consultation with Aboriginal peoples.

Central to the Agency's mandate is providing all proponents with a timely and predictable process, and access to both the tools and the information they need to comply with the Act. In accordance with the general thrust of the Cabinet Directive on Implementation of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, the Agency, with the help of federal departments and agencies, will ensure that adequate guidance is available to proponents on the preparation of project descriptions that contain sufficient information to determine the need for a federal environmental assessment and, when required, to initiate efficient conduct of the assessment.

The Agency includes the following among its stakeholders and partners:

Federal Departments, Agencies and Crown Corporations

The Agency administers the federal environmental assessment process. It assists federal departments, agencies and Crown corporations in meeting their obligations under the Act. Through its operational policies and procedures, the Agency improves the way in which environmental assessments are conducted at the federal level. In addition, the Agency works closely with federal departments, agencies and Crown corporations on comprehensive studies, in providing administrative and technical support to review panels and mediators and in developing training and guidance material.

Provincial and Territorial Governments

The Agency works closely with other jurisdictions to coordinate federal and provincial environmental assessment activities, such as joint panel review processes for major projects. It also negotiates federal–provincial framework agreements and works with provincial and territorial governments on all types of environmental assessment processes.

Aboriginal Peoples

The Agency advises Indian and Northern Affairs Canada to ensure that the environmental assessment regimes developed and implemented pursuant to comprehensive land claims agreements, self-government agreements and devolution initiatives, such as the Framework Agreement on First Nation Land Management, are consistent with the requirements of the Act and can be coordinated with existing environmental assessment regimes.

Industry/Proponents

Central to the Agency's mandate is providing all proponents, including the federal government, with access to the tools and the guidance they need to provide complete information on their projects and the potential adverse environmental effects in order to support the timely and predictable administration of the Act.

Public and Non-Governmental Organizations

The Act promotes the integration of public values in decision making. Accordingly, the Agency seeks to maximize the public's participation throughout the environmental assessment process, and places strong emphasis on transparency and information sharing. The Agency provides participant funding to individuals and non-profit organizations to take part in review panels and comprehensive studies.

Linking Agency Program Activities to Government of Canada Outcomes

The following paragraphs illustrate how the Agency's strategic outcome links to the Government of Canada's performance outcome "sustainable economic growth."

Environmental assessments help Canadians integrate society's environmental goals with its economic, social and cultural values. Project conception, selection and design that is well informed can take into account environmental factors, identify means of achieving more sustainable outcomes and enable sound, integrated decision making. An effective and efficient environmental assessment process provides net ecological, economic and social benefits to society and demonstrates that environmental assessment practice leads to verifiable and durable improvements in environmental quality and community well-being.

Increase in demand for energy is likely to result in more energy-related development projects. Environmental assessment is a useful tool for ensuring that the Government's climate change policies are considered in project development and that projects take into consideration the potential effects of changes in climate.

In a global economy, countries must compete for foreign investment. Environmental sustainability is an emerging basis for competitiveness, with consumers, producers and investors all responding to this change. The efficiency and effectiveness of the environmental assessment process can contribute to a positive view of the country. A more certain, timely and predictable environmental assessment process will also strengthen Canada's investment, climate and international competitiveness.

Section II – Analysis of Program Activities by Strategic Outcome

Analysis by Program Activity

Strategic Outcome

The Agency has one strategic outcome: "Environmental assessment is an integral part of program and policy decision-making." This strategic outcome is accomplished through one program activity as noted below.

This section provides details on the Agency's program activity and its three key programs: coordination and cooperation, guidance and operations, and continuous improvement.

Funds for corporate services are included in the numbers and detailed information on those services is provided in Section IV.

Program Activity: Efficient and Effective Environmental Assessment

Key Program: Coordination and Cooperation
Description: Achieving timely, streamlined, effective environmental assessments through strong coordination and cooperation within the federal government, with provinces and in the context of land claims agreements.
Expected Results: Environmental assessment processes are well coordinated across the federal government and with other jurisdictions.
Plan:	Action Item:	Action Item Indicators:
Reduce costs and delays in the federal assessment review process for individual projects by avoiding duplication, increasing certainty and resolving issues. Supports Priorities 1 & 2	Coordinate the environmental assessment process where the Agency is the Federal Environmental Assessment Coordinator (FEAC).	Determined by the percentage of projects, where the Agency is the FEAC, that had a timely and coordinated process.
Maximize predictability, increase efficiency and minimize conflicts, while strengthening effectiveness and accountability by establishing a cooperative policy framework for environmental assessment processes across jurisdictions. Supports Priority 1	Implement or renew cooperation agreements.	Number of concluded cooperative agreements or arrangements on environmental assessment where jurisdictions are supportive.
Establish, as part of land claims and self-government agreements, environmental assessment regimes that meet or exceed the requirements of the Act. Supports Priorities 2 & 3	Provide ongoing policy advice and support to Indian and Northern Affairs Canada in the development of environmental assessment provisions in self-government and land claims negotiations.	Consistency with the requirements of the Act of environmental assessment regimes contained in land claims and self-government agreements signed
Performance Measurement Strategy: Evaluation to measure Agency performance as federal environmental assessment coordinator and to review self-government and land claim agreements to ensure they contain principles of environmental assessment at the federal level.

	2006-2007	2007-2008	2008-2009
Financial Resources ($ thousands) Human Resources (FTE)	6,164 60	5,747 61	5,747 61

The activities identified in the above table will support stakeholders and decision makers by providing informed advice, guidance and support for the environmental assessment of projects and policies. Establishment of bilateral agreements will strengthen jurisdictional relationships through coordinated assessment processes. Providing guidance on environmental assessment provisions in self-government and land claim agreements will engage Aboriginal stakeholders and support federal negotiators.

Challenges

• need for the Agency to undertake an increased leadership role to ensure the effectiveness of the FEAC function within the federal government;
• the diversity of processes under other jurisdictions;
• balancing the expectations of industry and provincial governments with those of the public and environmental groups in the application of the FEAC process; and
• Aboriginal capacity issues.

Key Program: Guidance and Operations
Description: The development of environmental assessment operations, advice, guidance and support for public participation.
Expected Results: Environmental assessment expertise and operational capacity is maintained and enhanced, and the role of stakeholders and decision makers is supported.
Plan:	Action Item:	Action Item Indicators:
Ensure integration of environmental factors into the decision-making process for a specific project or class of projects through the review panel, comprehensive study and class screenings. Supports Priority 2	Assist in the successful development of class screenings, review panels and comprehensive study reports.	Determined by percentage of Agency recommendations that are accepted while avoiding legal challenges.
Promote the integration of environmental considerations at the earliest stage of the decision-making process using strategic environmental assessments. Supports Priority 2	Review federal policy, plan and program proposals for the inclusion of environmental considerations in decision making. Provide guidance to federal departments and agencies with respect to the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals.	Number of cabinet documents tracked for appropriate inclusion of consideration of environmental effects including follow-up actions with departments to ensure compliance with strategic environmental assessment requirements.
Encourage and improve public participation in the conduct of comprehensive study and panel review processes. Supports Priority 2	Provide a funding mechanism for stakeholders to participate in the environmental assessment process.	Percentage of participant funding recipients who believe the participant funding program improved their participation in a project.
Provide tools and mechanisms that support an improved environmental assessment process. Supports Priorities 1, 2 & 3	Develop, implement and/or sponsor training courses, information sessions and guidance materials on the environmental assessment process.	Percentage of guidance material that meets clients' needs. Percentage of training users who indicate that Agency training meets their needs.
Provide timely, reliable and meaningful information about environmental assessments to facilitate public involvement in the environmental assessment process. Supports Priorities 1, 2 & 3	Establish and maintain the CEAR Internet site.	Service standards are developed and training and guidance provided to departments. Data on public use of registry and feedback from public and stakeholders.
Performance Measurement Strategy: Stakeholder and client satisfaction measured through selected surveys and data on public use of Registry and feedback from public and stakeholders.

	2006-2007	2007-2008	2008-2009
Financial Resources ($ thousands) Human Resources (FTE)	7,590 52	6,389 48	6,389 48

By providing guidance on the environmental assessment process, assisting federal government departments in meeting their obligations under the Act, and maintaining the CEAR Internet site, the Agency will strengthen its role as a centre of expertise on environmental assessment. Through the development and use of a more timely and efficient environmental process (in accordance with the Cabinet Directive on Implementing the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act) the Agency will demonstrate continued effective leadership in the environmental assessment process.

Challenges

• ensuring that environmental assessments comply with legislation and existing agreements, and encourage meaningful public input;
• expanded opportunities for public participation;
• successfully engaging key partners;
• decentralized implementation of most federal environmental assessments; and
• securing the active participation of other federal departments and agencies in training and guidance activities to promote compliance with the Act.

Key Program: Continuous Improvement
Description: Activities which support improved environmental assessment practices and/or outcomes.
Expected Results: Environmental assessment practices are improved, and increasingly effective mitigation measures are implemented.
Plan:	Action Item:	Action Item Indicators:
Maintain an ongoing quality assurance program. Supports Priority 1 & 2	Provide performance information and analysis to program participants to promote compliance and improve the quality of environmental assessments.	Data on compliance with the various provisions of the Act and on various parameters of quality. Identification of potential areas of improvement in procedures, legislation and regulations.
Promote develop and improve environmental assessment practices. Supports Priority 2	Research to promote, develop and improve environmental assessment practices. Provide a permanent repository for the results of follow-up programs conducted under the Act, which can be made publicly available and accessed by environmental assessment practitioners, stakeholders and all other members of the public.	Utilization of research and development reports and practices. Systems in place for making available results of follow-up environmental monitoring programs conducted during project implementation.
Development and review of, and consultation and communication on, the legislative and policy basis for the federal practice of environmental assessment. Supports Priorities 1 & 2	Review existing policies and regulations in accordance with the provisions of the Act, the Agency and Government of Canada priorities. Develop new policies and regulations in accordance with the provisions of the Act, the Agency and Government of Canada priorities.	Regulations and policies developed or reviewed and updated to reflect current issues and priorities as required.
Performance Measurement Strategy: Number of regulations and policies developed, reviewed and updated and feedback from stakeholders on level of satisfaction with consultation on proposals.

	2006-2007	2007-2008	2008-2009
Financial Resources ($ thousands) Human Resources (FTE)	4,279 37	3,918 37	3,918 37

The key policy and legislative activities will centre on the integration of federal environmental assessment. Other regulatory and policy activities, such as amendments to the Exclusion List Regulations and the Federal Coordination Regulations, will support integration while continuing to implement the directions resulting from Bill C-9.

Challenges

• obtaining the participation of environmental assessment practitioners to contribute to the Follow-up Repository;
• designing the changes to the federal environmental system, while continuing to ensure that current processes remain up to date; and
• maintaining progress while providing for meaningful involvement of participants and stakeholders.

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Section III – Supplementary Information

Organizational Information

The reporting structure to the Minister of the Environment is shown in the figure below. Planned Spending: $18,033K with 149 FTEs.

Table 1: Departmental Planned Spending and Full-Time Equivalents

($ thousands)	Forecast Spending 2005-2006	Planned Spending 2006-2007	Planned Spending 2007-2008	Planned Spending 2008-2009
Efficient and Effective Environmental Assessment	21,071	20,884	19,555	19,555
Less Respendable revenue	(3,501)	(3,501)	(3,501)	(3,501)
Total Main Estimates	17,570	17,383	16,054	16,054
Adjustments:
Governor General Warrants
Northern Gas Pipeline Project	570
Carry Forward of 2004-2005 Eligible Lapsing Funds	374
Smart Regulations	81
Compensation for collective bargaining	351
Severance and Parental Benefits (paylist shortfall)	397
Expenditure Review Exercise	(50)
Miscellaneous adjustments (including employee benefit plans)	166
Reprofile to 2006-2007 (Northern Gas Pipeline Project)		650
Total Adjustments	1,889	650	0	0
Total Planned Spending (note)	19,459	18,033	16,054	16,054
Total Planned Spending	19,459	18,033	16,054	16,054
Plus: Cost of services received without charge	3,031	3,276	3,276	3,276
Net cost of Program	22,490	21,309	19,330	19,330
Full-Time Equivalents	145	149	146	146

Note: The funding decrease in Total Planned Spending over the planning horizon is mainly explained by reduced funding for several initiatives such as the Implementation of the renewed Act, Sydney Tar Ponds and Northern Gas Pipeline Project.

For fiscal year 2005-2006, the actual spending was $17,578K which resulted in an Agency lapse of $1,880K. This lapse mainly consists of an approved reprofile of $650K to 2006-2007 for the Northern Gas Pipeline Project and resources to cover legal services of $656K received from Justice Canada.

Table 2: Resources by Program Activity

2006-2007
($ thousands)	Budgetary						Non-Budgetary	Total Main Estimates	Adjustments (planned spending not in Main Estimates)	Total Planned Spending
Program Activity	Operating	Capital	Grants and Contri-butions	Gross	Respen-dable Revenue	Net	Loans, Investments and Advances
Effective and Efficient Environmental Assessment	18,941	-	1,943	20,884	(3,501)	17,383	-	17,383	650	18,033
Total	18,941	-	1,943	20,884	(3,501)	17,383	-	17,383	650	18,033

Table 3: Voted and Statutory Items Listed in Main Estimates

2006-2007
Vote or Statutory Item	Truncated Vote or Statutory Wording	Current Main Estimates ($ thousands)	Previous Main Estimates ($ thousands)
20	Program expenditures	15,609	15,744
(S)	Contributions to employee benefit plans	1,774	1,826
	Total Agency	17,383	17,570

Table 4: Services Received Without Charge

($ thousands)	2006-2007
Accommodation provided by Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC)	1,549
Contributions covering employers' share of employees' insurance premiums and expenditures paid by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (excluding revolving funds); Employer's contribution to employees' insured benefits plans and expenditures paid by TBS	700
Worker's compensation coverage provided by HumanResources and Skills Development Canada	-
Salary and associated expenditures of legal services provided by Justice Canada	1,027
2006-2007 Services Received Without Charge	3,276

Note: The Agency obtains certain financial, material management, informatics as well as compensation and benefits services under a shared services agreement with Environment Canada.

Table 5: Sources of Respendable Revenue

($ thousands)	Actual Revenue 2005-2006	Planned Revenue 2006-2007	Planned Revenue 2007-2008	Planned Revenue 2008-2009
Effective and Efficient Environmental Assessment
Cost recovery for environmental assessment services	4,168	3,351	3,351	3,351
Cost recovery for publications, training and education materials (federal)	86	75	75	75
Cost recovery for publications, training and education materials (external)	153	75	75	75
Total Respendable Revenue	4,407	3,501	3,501	3,501

Note: The revenue derived from recovery of environmental assessments review panel costs is dependant on the level of panel activity that is eligible for cost recovery and may therefore fluctuate.

Table 6: Major Regulatory Initiatives

The following table outlines the Agency's major and significant regulatory initiatives scheduled for implementation during the planning period.

Regulatory Initiatives	Expected Results
Development of Crown Corporation Regulations: Crown corporations came under the Act in June 2006. The Agency will help these organizations meet their new obligations. New regulations will vary the assessment process for Crown corporations involved in the provision of commercial loans. The Exclusion List Regulations will be reviewed and amended to ensure that it takes into account the needs of Crown corporations.	The Agency will assist Crown corporations in implementing their new obligations under the Act. Regulations will be developed to address the unique business activities of Crown corporations involved in the provision of commercial loans. Changes to the Exclusion List Regulations will allow for more efficient use of environmental assessment resources.
Amendments to the Exclusion List Regulations: New entries will be added to these regulations to prescribe new classes of projects to be excluded from environmental assessment and to modify thresholds of certain existing entries.	Reductions in the number of environmental assessments of projects having insignificant effects conducted by federal responsible authorities, particularly with regard to screening assessments. More efficient and effective use of environmental assessment resources.
Amendments to Federal Coordination Regulations: Federal Coordination Regulations will be amended to take into account changes brought about in 2003 by the renewed Act.	Increased coordination among federal departments in fulfilling environmental assessment requirements and improved coordination with other participants in the environmental assessment process, including provinces, industry, environmental organizations and others. A more timely and predictable environmental assessment process. Increased transparency in the environmental assessment process.
Amendments to Canada Port Authority Environmental Assessment Regulations: In accordance with changes brought about by the renewed Act in 2003, amendments to these regulations are needed to ensure the compre­hensiveness, consistency, transparency and overall quality of port authorities' environmental assessment processes.	Environmental assessment procedures for port authorities will be consistent with provisions of the amended Act particularly with regard to comprehensive studies and the Registry.
Airport Authority Regulations: In accordance with changes brought about by the renewed Act, these regulations will close a gap in the Act by requiring airport authorities to conduct an assessment of the environmental effects of projects located on the federal land over which those authorities have administration, management or other specified rights or interests.	An environmental assessment process that captures all appropriate airport authority activities for assessment.
Review of Four Key Regulations Under the Act: In accordance with changes brought about in 2003 by the renewed Act, the Inclusion List Regulations, Law List Regulations, Comprehensive Study List Regulations and Exclusion List Regulations will be reviewed to ensure that they remain relevant to government programs and priorities.	Regulations kept current, reflecting latest approaches and experience with environmental assessment.

Table 7: Sustainable Development Strategy

Internal Audits and Evaluations
Principles	The Agency's mandate is to provide Canadians with high-quality environmental assessments that contribute to informed decision making in support of sustainable development. The Agency's Sustainable Development Strategy is embodied in this Report on Planning and Priorities.
Objectives	The three strategic objectives of the Agency's Sustainable Development Strategy are: ensuring a greater measure of certainty, predictability and timeliness in the federal environmental assessment process; enhancing the quality of environmental assessments; and seeking more meaningful public participation in the federal environmental assess­ment process.
Tools	Environmental Assessments are the major tools that the Agency develops, promotes, and undertakes to ensure sustainable development.

Table 8: Internal Audits and Evaluations

Internal Audits and Evaluations

Audit of the Participant Funding Program.

Estimated start and end dates January 2006 – May 2006.

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Section IV – Other Items of Interest

Corporate Services

Corporate Services support the operating programs and activities of the Agency and include many administrative activities normally performed outside program areas and cannot otherwise be allocated as program support overhead.

The objective of the Agency's Corporate Services is to support the core program activities by providing modern, timely and responsive services that are effective and efficient.

The major elements of Corporate Services are:

Finance and Administration	Corporate finance and administrative functions, including senior management functions not directly attributable to any specific element of the operations program activity.
Legal Services	Legal services provided by Justice Canada.
Human Resources	Resources associated with the provision of human resources management services and products. This includes functions and costs associated with training and professional development.
Communications	Corporate communication resources associated with the provision of internal and external communications services and products, including translation costs.
Information Management/ Information Technology	Corporate resources associated with the provision of general information management/information technology infrastructure and services.

The Agency has a total complement of 41 FTEs within corporate services (which, for the purpose of this section, includes legal services), exclusively for internal use. The total budget for the corporate services function is $5,420K. These amounts are included in previous tables.

For Further Information Please Contact

Director of Communications
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
160 Elgin Street, 22^nd floor
Ottawa ON  K1A 0H3

Telephone:   613-957-0712
Fax:   613-957-0946

E-mail: info@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency's Web site

www.ceaa-acee.gc.ca

The Treasury Board Secretariat's Web site

www.tbs-sct.gc.ca