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2012-13
Report on Plans and Priorities
Environment Canada
The original version was signed by
The Honourable Peter Kent, P.C., M.P.
Minister of the Environment
Table of Contents
Section I: Organizational Overview
- Raison d’être
- Responsibilities
- Strategic Outcomes and Program Activity Architecture
- Organizational Priorities
- Risk Analysis
- Planning Summary
- Expenditure Profile
- Estimates by Vote
Section II: Analysis of Program Activities by Strategic Outcomes
- Strategic Outcome 1: Canada’s natural environment is conserved and restored for present and future generations
- Strategic Outcome 2: Canadians are equipped to make informed decisions on changing weather, water and climate conditions
- Strategic Outcome 3: Threats to Canadians and their environment from pollution are minimized
- Internal Services
Section III: Supplementary Information
Section IV: Other Items of Interest
Minister’s Message
As Minister of the Environment, I am pleased to present the 2012-2013 Report on Plans and Priorities for Environment Canada. This report outlines the Department’s goals for fiscal 2012-2013 and the plans and activities it will undertake in order to achieve these objectives.
This government remains firmly committed to providing Canadians with the strong leadership necessary to help ensure a clean, safe and sustainable environment in a way that supports our continued economic recovery.
The Government of Canada’s focused and proactive approach towards environmental protection will further our capacity to efficiently and effectively produce results that protect Canada’s environment. In support of this objective, Environment Canada will continue to promote actions that help Canadians address both emerging and longstanding environmental issues that place at risk the health of Canadians and their environment, such as climate change, threats to air and water quality, and exposure to harmful chemicals.
An example of this is the important collaborative work Environment Canada undertakes with its provincial, territorial, municipal and non-governmental partners to achieve Canada’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 607 megatonnes by 2020. The Department is also working constructively with the international community to attain a global climate change agreement that works—one that is inclusive enough to lead to meaningful global greenhouse gas reductions. The Department is similarly exercising leadership as a means to protect and conserve Canada's abundant biodiversity domestically and through international fora.
While, as a leader and collaborator, Environment Canada has a strong role in effecting change, regulations are key components of the Department’s ability to initiate actions. The Department is therefore placing a high value on its commitment to operating as a world class regulator. In the year ahead, it will concentrate on strengthening its regulatory framework to make its regulatory mechanisms as robust, effective, efficient, transparent and adaptable as possible.
Moving forward, the Department will also focus on enhancing valuable services that it delivers. Improvements to Environment Canada’s weather monitoring infrastructure will help to ensure that Canadians continue to receive world class weather forecasts and warnings. Advancements in the Department’s scientific monitoring of changes in the environment will also elevate the Department’s capacity to further protect Canadians. An example of this is the Joint Canada–Alberta Implementation Plan for Oil Sands Monitoring which will make Canada’s oil sands monitoring stand out as among the best in the world.
These are a few of the initiatives the Department will focus on in the months ahead. I invite you to read this report to learn more about the initiatives that Environment Canada is pursuing in its efforts to protect Canadians and their environment.
The Honourable Peter Kent, P.C., M.P.
Minister of the Environment
Section I: Organizational Overview
Raison d’être
Environment Canada works in partnership with others to provide Canadians with a clean, safe and sustainable environment. The Department fulfills its mandate through various activities, such as conducting research on water and air quality and monitoring Canada’s natural environment; developing regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; increasing the number of protected areas within Canada; and providing advance warning for severe weather events.
Responsibilities
Facts and Figures
A long history
Environment Canada was created in 1971, but some of its component organizations are much older, such as the Canadian Wildlife Service founded in 1947 and the Meteorological Service of Canada in 1871.
A national workforce
Some 65% of Environment Canada’s employees work outside the National Capital Region. Department employees are located across Canada, from Iqaluit to Burlington and Vancouver to St. John’s, working in field offices and laboratories, natural wildlife areas, and weather stations.
- the preservation and enhancement of the quality of the natural environment, including water, air and soil quality;
- renewable resources, including migratory birds and other non-domestic flora and fauna;
- water;
- meteorology;
- the enforcement of any rules or regulations made by the International Joint Commission relating to boundary waters; and
- coordination of the policies and programs of the Government of Canada respecting the preservation and enhancement of the quality of the natural environment.
Beyond those authorities conferred under the Department of the Environment Act, the Minister of the Environment exercises additional authorities provided under other acts and regulations including (but not limited to) the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999), the new Federal Sustainable Development Act, and several pieces of legislation relating to the protection of biodiversity and water and the enforcement of environmental laws and regulations. Under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, Environment Canada provides information and analysis to others (as a federal authority) and is also a department with decision-making responsibilities (as a responsible authority).
The Department is a key partner for other federal departments (including its ministerial portfolio partners, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and Parks Canada), where statutes provide Environment Canada with secondary or shared responsibility for the successful execution of other federal departments’ mandates. These statutes include, among others, the Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act (Transport Canada, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, and Natural Resources Canada), the Canada Foundation for Sustainable Development Technology Act (Natural Resources Canada), the Fisheries Act (Fisheries and Oceans Canada) and the Marine Liability Act (Transport Canada).
A wide-ranging role; a solid foundation
The Department supports its stewardship mandate—providing Canadians with a clean, safe and sustainable environment—through an array of diverse programs based on science, technology and strong partnerships. Environment Canada is also a world-class regulator, using a suite of tools for modifying behaviours to achieve specific outcomes.
Environment Canada works for the benefit of Canadians—the Department serves Canadians directly by providing weather and environmental services; and indirectly by protecting fragile ecosystems, promoting compliance with environmental regulations, and cleaning up waters such as those shared by Canada and the United States.
Environment Canada is a science-based department—the Department devotes significant budget and workforce resources to science and technology activities in diverse fields, including biology, chemistry, atmospheric and environmental sciences, hydrology, meteorology, engineering and informatics. Science and technology form the foundation of the Department’s work; they are central to Environment Canada’s capacity to achieve its mandate and legislative obligations. The Department collects and disseminates knowledge to support sound environmental decision-making, and encourages innovation in science and technology.
Environment Canada works collaboratively with many partners—the Department understands that environmental issues have wide-ranging implications for social and economic decisions. Environment Canada works in collaboration with many partners, including other federal government departments, provincial/territorial governments, Aboriginal governments, the governments of other nations, environmental non-governmental organizations, and international organizations. This collaboration enhances the efforts of all partners in working for a clean, safe and sustainable environment.
Environment Canada is a world-class regulator—the Department is one of the federal government’s largest regulators. It works within the broader federal performance-based regulatory system developing, promoting compliance with, and enforcing a wide array of regulations to protect Canadians and their environment. Environment Canada is strengthening its regulatory program to become increasingly evidence-based, effective, efficient, transparent and responsive to change.
Strategic Outcomes and Program Activity Architecture
Environment Canada fulfills its mandate by promoting three Strategic Outcomes, each contributing to the Government of Canada outcome of a clean and healthy environment.
Strategic Outcome 1: Canada’s natural environment is conserved and restored for present and future generations.
This strategic outcome is aimed at ensuring that land, water and biodiversity are sustained so that Canadians can enjoy and benefit from their natural legacy over the long term.
Strategic Outcome 2: Canadians are equipped to make informed decisions on changing weather, water and climate conditions.
Canadians need to have the information and services to be able to respond and adapt to immediate and longer-term change in weather, water and climate conditions that affect their health, safety and economic well-being.
Strategic Outcome 3: Threats to Canadians and their environment from pollution are minimized.
This strategic outcome reflects the need for Environment Canada to manage substances and waste, and reduce pollution that directly or indirectly harms human health or the environment.
Program Activity Architecture
Nine Program Activities are aligned to support the achievement of the Department’s three Strategic Outcomes. Together, the Program Activities and Strategic Outcomes support progress against the Department’s stewardship mandate of providing a clean, safe and sustainable environment. In addition to conducting these Program Activities, Environment Canada maintains core internal corporate services.
All of the Department’s Strategic Outcomes, Program Activities and internal services activities are illustrated within Environment Canada’s 2012–2013 Program Activity Architecture (PAA) shown below.
Organizational Priorities
Environment Canada maintains four organizational priorities for 2012–2013:
- a clean environment;
- a safe environment;
- a sustainable environment; and
- enabling transition and alignment of activities and resources.
The plans that will be pursued by Environment Canada programs in achieving the Department’s three environment priorities are set out in the following tables. The Department’s transition management priority is supported by separate plans carried out by programs and internal Departmental services.
The intent of these priorities is unchanged from previous RPPs but they have been recast for 2012–2013 to more closely align to the Department’s stewardship mandate which, in turn, directly supports the Government of Canada’s outcome area of a clean and healthy environment.
| Type | Links to Strategic Outcome 3: |
|---|---|
| ongoing (restated) | Threats to Canadians and their environment from pollution are minimized |
| Links to Program Activities: | |
| 3.1 Substances and Waste Management 3.2 Climate Change and Clean Air 3.3 Compliance Promotion and Enforcement—Pollution |
|
| Status | |
Why this is a priority Plan for meeting the priority
|
|
| Type | Links to Strategic Outcome 2: |
|---|---|
| ongoing (restated) | Canadians are equipped to make informed decisions on changing weather, water and climate conditions |
| Links to Program Activities: | |
| 2.1 Weather and Environmental Services for Canadians 2.2 Weather and Environmental Services for Targeted Users |
|
| Status | |
Why this is a priority Plan for meeting the priority |
|
| Type | Links to Strategic Outcome 1: |
|---|---|
| ongoing (restated) | Canada’s natural environment is conserved and restored for present and future generations |
| Links to Program Activities: | |
| 1.1 Biodiversity—Wildlife and Habitat 1.2 Water Resources 1.3 Sustainable Ecosystems 1.4 Compliance Promotion and Enforcement—Wildlife |
|
| Status | |
Why this is a priority Plan for meeting the priority
|
|
| Type | Links to all Strategic Outcomes: |
|---|---|
| ongoing (restated) | 1, 2 and 3 |
| Links to: | |
| All Program Activities | |
| Status | |
Why this is a priority Plan for meeting the priority
|
|
Risk Analysis
In view of current economic challenges, Environment Canada faces a number of issues with its programs and priorities. These risks, as drawn from the 2011–2013 Corporate Risk Profile, will be monitored and updated on an as required basis, with adjustments made to Departmental resources or program objectives to support necessary mitigation measures.
Transition: Environment Canada will implement plans and identify core activities to ensure that the Department continues to fulfill its mandate. As well, through this period of fiscal restraint, the Department will be challenged to maintain its investments in key capital assets and its most valuable asset—its workforce. The Department will seek ways to adjust its workforce while maintaining continuity in achieving program and policy results. To manage this risk, Environment Canada will support its workforce so that essential skills, knowledge and experience are maintained and fully developed through cost-effective means.
Engagement: The environment remains an important issue for Canadians. As such, there are high expectations for Environment Canada’s ongoing engagement with its partners and stakeholders in taking measures that help preserve and protect the environment, both at home and internationally. To reduce the risk of not maintaining those connections, the Department will continue to access and implement innovative ways in which to engage and consult with stakeholders through, for example, the use of new technologies. Environment Canada will, as well, retain its focus on fostering key partner and stakeholder relationships (e.g. other jurisdictions, Aboriginal and territorial groups, industry) to best achieve collective progress.
Business Continuity: Environment Canada provides key weather and other environmental information to Canadians and to a host of stakeholders and partners, both domestically and internationally, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To counter the risk that this key service could be interrupted, the Department has developed, and will keep evergreen, a business continuity plan; will negotiate service-level agreements; and will continue to develop professional staff who are experienced in maintaining these key essential services.
In addition, the Department will maintain the capacity to respond to hazards and other environmental emergencies (e.g. extreme weather and climate events). Safeguarding key systems and data is essential to maintaining Environment Canada’s ability to provide the critical services that support the health and safety of Canadians in a timely, coordinated and effective manner.
Skills: Due to transition alignment challenges, the Department risks being unable to stay current with advances in science and technology. In addition, the recruitment and retention of employees who possess the essential and specific skills and knowledge required to support programs and internal services could pose difficulties, in particular due to the current fiscal environment. In response, Environment Canada will take a proactive role in providing a healthy and flexible work environment, while leveraging opportunities through partnerships to allow the development of its workforce.
Planning Summary
Financial Resources ($ millions)*
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 |
|---|---|---|
| 997.6** | 950.1 | 918.3 |
*All figures are net of respendable revenues. Totals may differ within and between tables due to rounding of figures.
**This figure includes an amount of $25M approved for Canada's Fast Start Financing under the Copenhagen Accord, which does not appear in Main Estimates, but will be reflected in the 2012-2013 Supplementary Estimates (A).
The Department’s planned spending will decrease by a total of $47.5 million in 2013–2014 compared with spending for the previous year, mainly due to the termination of Canada’s Fast Start financing under the Copenhagen Accord and reduction of funding for the Canada Foundation for Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC). The 2014–2015 planned spending reflects a return to SDTC’s baseline funding level. Any funding extensions for temporary funding programs that are expiring in this current or in future fiscal years will be subject to government decision and would be reflected in future RPPs. Please see “Expenditure Profile” for more information.
Human Resources (Full-Time Equivalent—FTE)**
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 |
|---|---|---|
| 6,237 | 6,192 | 6,128 |
**Totals may differ within and between tables due to rounding of figures. The FTE numbers exclude students and employees on Interchange assignments.
The human resources required to sustain an average level of employment over 12 months are based on a 37.5-hour work week. One FTE equals one person working full-time on a 37.5-hour work week for the year, or any number of part-time employees whose combined hours of work equals one FTE. An average salary was used to calculate FTEs based on the salary planned spending for the 2012–2013, 2013–2014, and 2014–2015 fiscal years. As a result, Environment Canada plans to use 6,237 FTEs in 2012–2013, with slight decreases of FTE utilization in 2013–2014 and 2014–2015.
Planning Summary Table
| Performance Indicators | Targets |
|---|---|
| Percentage of terrestrial land protected1 as a measure of conservation effort | 17% by 2020 |
| Program Activity | Forecast Spending 2011-2012 |
Planned Spending | Alignment with Government of Canada Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-2013 | 2013-2014 | 2014-2015 | |||
| Biodiversity—Wildlife and Habitat | 148.4 | 89.1 | 88.6 | 87.2 | A Clean and Healthy Environment |
| Water Resources | 121.5 | 115.5 | 117.2 | 118.0 | |
| Sustainable Ecosystems | 75.0 | 62.0 | 62.3 | 69.9 | |
| Compliance Promotion and Enforcement—Wildlife | 19.4 | 17.3 | 17.6 | 17.6 | |
| Subtotal | 364.4 | 283.9 | 285.7 | 292.7 | |
| Less: Respendable Revenues | (18.6) | (20.8) | (21.0) | (21.8) | |
| Total Planned Spending | 345.8 | 263.1 | 264.7 | 270.9 | |
*Totals may differ within and between tables due to rounding of figures.
Note: For the Biodiversity–Wildlife and Habit Program Activity the decrease in spending from 2011-2012 to 2012-2013 is mainly explained by the sunsetting of Species at Risk programming and the inclusion in 2011-2012 of the statutory payment to the Nature Conservancy of Canada.
| Performance Indicators | Targets |
|---|---|
| Weather Warning Index (a weighted index of weather warning timeliness and accuracy) | 7.6 on a scale of 0 to 10 by 2015 (improvement of 1.3% from current value) |
| Program Activity | Forecast Spending 2011-2012 |
Planned Spending | Alignment with Government of Canada Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-2013 | 2013-2014 | 2014-2015 | |||
| Weather and Environmental Services for Canadians | 190.9 | 193.7 | 195.4 | 193.8 | A Clean and Healthy Environment |
| Weather and Environmental Services for Targeted Users | 66.9 | 73.7 | 66.9 | 67.2 | |
| Subtotal | 257.8 | 267.3 | 262.3 | 260.9 | |
| Less: Respendable Revenues | (46.8) | (43.8) | (43.7) | (43.2) | |
| Total Planned Spending | 211.0 | 223.5 | 218.6 | 217.7 | |
*Totals may differ within and between tables due to rounding of figures.
| Performance Indicators | Targets |
|---|---|
| Canadian emissions of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide equivalents) in megatonnes | Canada’s national target is a 17% reduction from 2005 levels by 2020 (i.e. 607Mt) |
| Canadian ambient air quality (fine particulate matter) | To be determined. Targets will be determined with the finalization of the air pollutant management approach |
| Program Activity | Forecast Spending 2011-2012 |
Planned Spending | Alignment with Government of Canada Outcomes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-2013 | 2013-2014 | 2014-2015 | |||
| Substances and Waste Management | 91.0 | 84.0 | 81.5 | 77.9 | A Clean and Healthy Environment |
| Climate Change and Clean Air | 156.8 | 212.2 | 172.7 | 139.9 | |
| Compliance Promotion and Enforcement—Pollution | 49.9 | 45.6 | 45.5 | 45.5 | |
| Subtotal | 297.7 | 341.8 | 299.8 | 263.3 | |
| Less: Respendable Revenues | (3.3) | (3.1) | (3.0) | (2.6) | |
| Total Planned Spending | 294.4 | 338.7 | 296.8 | 260.7 | |
*Totals may differ within and between tables due to rounding of figures.
Note: For the Climate Change and Clean Air Program Activity, the increase of spending from 2011-2012 to 2012-2013 is mainly explained by a transfer of funds from previous years for the Sustainable Development Technology Canada and increase in funding for Fast Start Financing under the Copenhagen Accord.
| Program Activity | Forecast Spending 2011-2012 |
Planned Spending | Alignment with Government of Canada Outcomes |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2012-2013 | 2013-2014 | 2014-2015 | |||
| Internal Services | 212.8 | 172.4 | 170.2 | 169.2 | N/A |
| Subtotal | 212.8 | 172.4 | 170.2 | 169.2 | |
| Less: Respendable Revenues | 0.0 | (0.2) | (0.2) | (0.2) | |
| Total Planned Spending | 212.8 | 172.2 | 170.0 | 169.0 | |
*Totals may differ within and between tables due to rounding of figures.
Contribution to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS)
The Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) outlines the Government of Canada’s commitment to improving the transparency of environmental decision-making by articulating its key strategic environmental goals and targets. Environment Canada ensures that consideration of this commitment is integral to its decision-making processes. In particular, through the federal Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) process, any new policy, plan or program initiative includes an analysis of its impact on attaining the FSDS goals and targets. The results of SEAs are made public when an initiative is announced, demonstrating the Department’s commitment to achieving these goals and targets.
The Department contributes to the FSDS themes as denoted, in this document, by the visual identifiers below:
These contributions are components of the following Strategic Outcomes:
- Strategic Outcome 1: Canada’s natural environment is conserved and restored for present and future generations.
- Strategic Outcome 2: Canadians are equipped to make informed decisions on changing weather, water and climate conditions.
- Strategic Outcome 3: Threats to Canadians and their environment from pollution are minimized.
For additional details on Environment Canada’s activities to support sustainable development, please see Section II of this RPP and Environment Canada’s website. For complete details on the FSDS, please see the FSDS website.
Expenditure Profile
For the fiscal year 2012–2013, Environment Canada plans to spend $997.6 million to meet the expected results of its Program Activities and contribute to its Strategic Outcomes. The chart below reflects the allocation of Environment Canada’s planned spending by Strategic Outcome for the 2012–2013 fiscal year. Strategic Outcome 3: “Threats to Canadians and their environment from pollution are minimized”, makes up the largest portion of funding, and includes the Clean Air Regulatory Agenda, Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) and the Chemicals Management Plan.
Note: Figures included in the chart are net of respendable (vote-netted) revenues.
The following graph illustrates Environment Canada’s funding level trend from 2008–2009 to 2014–2015.
Note: These figures are net of respendable revenues. The “Total Spending + Sunset Programs” spending trend line includes the anticipated renewal of temporary funding initiatives for 2012-2013, 2013-2014 and 2014-2015. Forecast Spending includes 2011–2012 Main Estimates, 2011–2012 Supplementary Estimates B, anticipated Supplementary Estimates C, as well as collective agreement adjustments.
For the period of 2008–2009 to 2010–2011, actual spending represents the actual expenditures as reported in the Public Accounts. For the 2011–2012 fiscal year, the forecast spending represents the planned budgetary and statutory expenditures as presented in the Estimates documents (Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates). For the period of 2012–2013 to 2014–2015, the planned spending reflects approved funding by Treasury Board to support the Departmental Strategic Outcomes and Program Activities.
Compared to 2008–2009, Environment Canada’s 2009–2010 actual spending decreased by $25.3 million. This decrease is mainly due to reduced payments to foundations such as the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) and Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC). These decreases were compensated by increased spending to implement the National Vehicle Scrappage Program and the Action Plan on Clean Water, as well as incremental spending related to Canada’s Economic Action Plan, such as the Modernizing Federal Laboratories Initiatives.
In 2010–2011, Environment Canada’s spending level was $1,089 million, a year-over-year decrease of $6.2 million or 0.6% since 2009–2010. This slight reduction is due to reduced payments to foundations such as the NCC.
The spending trend graph shows a forecast spending decrease of $24.9 million from 2010–2011 to 2011–2012. This planned spending decrease is mainly due to the ending of the Vehicle Scrappage program and a transfer to Shared Services Canada of the control and supervision of certain IM/IT functions.2 This decrease was partially compensated by new funding to improve Canada’s weather services to ensure the integrity of the Government of Canada’s weather and environmental monitoring and supercomputing infrastructure, an increase in payment to the NCC, and the payments in lieu of severance pay for the employees represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC).
The decreased planned spending from 2011–2012 to 2012–2013 is the result of sunsetting programs3 such as the Species at Risk programming and Lake Winnipeg and Lake Simcoe programs of the Action Plan on Clean Water initiative. The extension or enhanced funding for programs with temporary funding are subject to government decisions, and the outcomes of these decisions will be reflected in the Department’s future Estimates documents (Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates). In addition, the transfer of responsibilities to Shared Services Canada for the entire year and in-year adjustments contribute to the decrease in planned spending. These decreases were partially compensated by a transfer of funds from previous years for SDTC and increased funding for Canada’s Fast start financing under the Copenhagen Accord.
Please refer to the Planning Summary discussion for details on the Department’s planned spending trend from 2012–2013 to 2014–2015.
Estimates by Vote
For information on the organizational appropriations, please see the 2012–2013 Main Estimates.
Section II: Analysis of Program Activities by Strategic Outcome
Protecting Canada’s vast environmental assets remains a priority for Canadians—and for the federal government. Environment Canada plays an important stewardship role in achieving a clean, safe and sustainable environment. The Department’s priorities for 2012–2013 and its nine Program Activities align to support three Strategic Outcomes:
Strategic Outcome 1: Canada’s natural environment is conserved and restored for present and future generations.
Strategic Outcome 2: Canadians are equipped to make informed decisions on changing weather, water and climate conditions.
Strategic Outcome 3: Threats to Canadians and their environment from pollution are minimized.
Environment Canada’s priorities, Strategic Outcomes and its programs and services together provide an operational framework. The framework helps to determine how the Department will best organize and apply technological, human and financial resources to fulfill its mandate. The role of this framework is especially important as the Department navigates the challenging fiscal environment that all Canadians are facing.
Partnerships and collaboration
In addition to the specific plans that Environment Canada will undertake in 2012–2013, the Department will continue its ongoing monitoring, science and technology research and assessment, as well as collaborative work with partners and stakeholders. Together, these activities enable the Department to address issues affecting
air, land, water, plant and animal species, and human health.
Sharing science and other knowledge for the benefit of Canadians
The Department will continue to provide services to ensure that the scientific and technological knowledge that Environment Canada gathers and analyzes can be readily accessed by others and applied to support monitoring, preservation and conservation efforts—whether related to biodiversity, to
cleaning up valuable water assets, or to ensuring that environmental and economic issues are given equal weight in planning economic development activities. Environment Canada will continue to make information available to Canadians on weather, water, climate and air quality to allow them to make informed decisions on their health and safety.
Advancing the Joint Canada-Alberta Implementation Plan for Oil Sands Monitoring
Working in partnership with the Government of Alberta, Environment Canada will lead the implementation of an oil sands monitoring program, with new activities funded by industry. The program, as described in the February 3rd, 2012 announcement of the Joint Canada-Alberta
Implementation Plan for Oil Sands Monitoring, commits to a scientifically rigorous, comprehensive, integrated, and transparent environmental monitoring program for the oil sands region. Although components of this plan (i.e. water, air and biodiversity monitoring) have been described separately in this document (see Program Activity 1.1 for the biodiversity component, Program Activity 1.2 for the
water component, and Program Activity 3.2 for the air quality component), the information from monitoring will be integrated across these components to provide an improved understanding of the long-term cumulative effects of oil sands development. Data will be made freely and openly available to the public.
Keeping Environment Canada’s house in order
The Department will focus on managing its resources throughout the current period of fiscal restraint. It will work to manage the centralization of Environment Canada information management and information technology assets at Shared Services Canada, while maintaining service levels.
In 2012–2013, it will be particularly important to manage the impact of fiscal restraint on Environment Canada’s workforce—the talented and committed experts, managers and support staff working across the country to deliver Environment Canada’s mandate for the benefit of Canadians.
Strategic Outcome 1: Canada's natural environment is conserved and restored for present and future generations
Program Activities for Strategic Outcome 1:
Program Activity 1.1: Biodiversity—Wildlife and Habitat
Program Description
This program aims to prevent biodiversity loss while still enabling sustainable use by protecting and recovering species at risk, conserving, restoring and rehabilitating significant habitats, and conserving and managing migratory birds. It also aims to ensure a coordinated and coherent national assessment, planning and action to protect biodiversity, including viable populations of species, healthy and diverse ecosystems, and genetic resources. The program includes the formation of strategic partnerships for integrated management of Canada's natural capital including stewardship and the sustainable management of landscapes. Legal and statutory responsibilities for this program include the Species at Risk Act; the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994; the Canada Wildlife Act; and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act. International responsibilities include the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (1992), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, and the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat (known as the Ramsar Convention). Contributions in support of Biodiversity—Wildlife and Habitat are used as a component of this program.
| Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Populations of wildlife, in particular migratory birds and federally-listed species at risk, are maintained or restored | Proportion of assessed migratory bird species in General Status Reports whose status is considered to be secure | 2% increase over previous reported value in each 5-year General Status Report |
Financial Resources ($ millions)*
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Expenditures | 89.1 | 88.6 | 87.2 |
| Less: Respendable Revenues | (0.8) | (0.7) | (0.8) |
| Net Expenditures | 88.3 | 87.8 | 86.4 |
* Total may differ within and between tables due to rounding of figures.
Human Resources (Full-Time Equivalent—FTE)**
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 |
|---|---|---|
| 451 | 457 | 457 |
** Total may differ within and between tables due to rounding of figures.
Planning Highlights
Ensure the conservation of species (and their habitats) that fall within Environment Canada’s area of responsibility
Environment Canada’s core conservation mandate focuses on the conservation of migratory birds and their habitats—in particular, on understanding the status and trends of species as well as on targeting conservation efforts where required through habitat conservation. While most of the Department’s work on these fronts is within Canada, efforts also extend to influencing conservation actions in other countries along the pathways of migratory species.
Acting on species at risk
While Environment Canada is responsible for administering SARA alongside Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Parks Canada, species-at-risk conservation is shared by all jurisdictions in Canada, and is a process based on assessment, protection, recovery planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
The Species at Risk Act (SARA), introduced in 2002, is intended to complement existing conservation legislation and seeks to prevent wildlife species in Canada from becoming extinct, to provide for the recovery of wildlife species that are endangered or threatened due to human activity, and to manage species of special concern to prevent them from becoming endangered or threatened.
SARA also complements broader efforts to protect species and their habitats with the aim of preventing these species from becoming a conservation concern.
In 2012–2013, Environment Canada will set priorities for action under SARA to focus work by the federal government and its partners that will ensure timely and cost-effective protection and recovery of species at risk. For example, Environment Canada will increase the use of ecosystem and multi-species approaches in recovery planning and implementation; it will thus be better positioned to align SARA activities with its partners’ existing approaches to land use and resource development planning.
Pursue a collaborative approach to protect and conserve biodiversity at home and abroad including the development of a national conservation plan
The responsibility for wildlife conservation in Canada is shared among federal agencies, provinces and territories, Aboriginal governments, wildlife co-management boards and others. In addition, regional and municipal governments, industry, landowners and a variety of interest groups have both decision-making power over, and interest in, the conservation and management of wildlife. Environment Canada will continue to collaborate with these stakeholders to support the conservation of biodiversity, including through the development of a national conservation plan.
Key planning highlights for 2012–2013 include:
- Pursuing ongoing work in the North:
- Nunavut: working on the Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement to reflect the needs of Inuit in establishing protected areas; and
- throughout the North: continuing to contribute to the Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program (in particular, to the development of its ecosystem-based monitoring plans) and the Arctic Biodiversity Assessment (to inform decisions and ensure circumpolar collaboration on biodiversity issues).
- Collaborating with a range of organizations in the preparation of recovery plans in fulfillment of the requirements of the Species at Risk Act (SARA). The Department will initiate the development of a management plan for the Polar Bear and finalize the recovery strategy for the boreal caribou—two examples of the many recovery planning efforts that will be underway in
2012–2013. These initiatives will involve collaboration with other levels of government, Aboriginal organizations, wildlife co-management boards, industry associations, environmental non-governmental organizations and others. Recovery plans will inform efforts to recover species listed under the SARA;
Partnerships in action…
Understanding the value of ecosystem goods and services
As the foundation of Canadians’ well-being, Canada’s ecosystems have economic and social value. For example, net carbon uptake in boreal forests (where trees capture carbon as they grow) was calculated by valuation experts in 2002 as having an annual value of $1.85 billion for forested areas, and an additional $383 million for wetlands and peatlands.
Through measurement and valuation of ecosystem goods and services, Environment Canada will add an important dimension to decisions affecting ecosystem sustainability. - Continuing work with other federal departments, and with provincial and territorial governments, on methods for measuring the ecological, economic and social values of ecosystem services, and on related values analysis, to strengthen Canada’s environmental accounts and inform policy decisions impacting the sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity and natural capital;
- Continuing efforts on the completion of bird conservation region plans for each of Canada’s 12 bird conservation regions and additional sub-regions. The plans identify priority species, objectives for their populations, threats and conservation objectives and/or recommended actions, both within Canada and abroad. The plans will be an important tool in guiding migratory bird conservation efforts—for example, they will inform the actions of conservation partners (such as those established under the North American Bird Conservation Initiative); and
- Preparing for and participating in the 2012 11th meeting of Conference of the Parties on Biological Diversity (COP11), including Canada’s domestic response to the 2011–2020 Strategic Plan.
Other planning highlights for 2012–2013 include:
Oil sands and biodiversity monitoring
The biodiversity component of this initiative focuses on assessing the impacts of habitat disturbance resulting from the impact of oil sands development on terrestrial biodiversity. Monitoring will also enable an evaluation of the extent to which efforts put in place to mitigate the impacts of oil sands development on biodiversity have been successful.
- Introducing a component of the Joint Canada-Alberta Implementation Plan for Oil Sands Monitoring to address land-based biodiversity. Preliminary work will include identifying an initial list of the species, stressors and habitats to be monitored, based on expert review of conceptual models and the pathways of effects;
- Continuing ongoing work in collaboration with partners towards implementing a national suite of avian monitoring surveys to support Departmental conservation and management decisions. The suite of surveys allows for regional flexibility where unique needs exist;
- Continuing efforts towards strengthening site management and the ecological integrity of Environment Canada’s protected areas network; and
- Ongoing provision of science-based advice via environmental assessments, including advice and support to joint review panels on a wide range of economic developments.
Benefits to Canadians
Environment Canada’s work under this Program Activity (including scientific research and monitoring) informs management to support maintaining viable populations of species, habitats and genetic resources, while taking social and economic considerations into account. Biodiversity contributes to essential goods and services that provide economic, social/cultural and ecological benefits to Canadians.
| FSDS Goals |
FSDS Performance Indicators |
FSDS Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Goal 5: Wildlife Conservation—Maintain or restore populations of wildlife to healthy levels |
Percentage of listed species for which recovery has been deemed feasible where the population trend (where available) at the time of reassessment is consistent with the recovery strategy | Target 5.1: Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Conservation—Population trend (when available) at the time of reassessment is consistent with the recovery strategy for 100% of listed species at risk (for which recovery has been deemed feasible) by 2020 |
| Proportion of migratory bird species whose population varies within acceptable bounds of the population goals (Population trends of migratory birds will be reported in June 2012) | Target 5.2: Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Conservation - Target for proportion of migratory bird species whose population varies within acceptable bounds of the population goals will be established in 2011 once the Bird Status Database is complete4 | |
| Goal 6: Ecosystem/Habitat Conservation and Protection—Maintain productive and resilient ecosystems with the capacity to recover and adapt; and protect areas in ways that leave them unimpaired for present and future generations |
Land conserved as a percentage of the total amount needed to achieve population goals for all priority migratory birds and species at risk | Target 6.1: Terrestrial Ecosystems and Habitat, Non-Park Protected Habitat—Habitat target to support conservation of priority migratory birds and species at risk will be set by 2015 |
| Incidence of invasive species introduction (or number of invasive pathways controlled) | Target 6.4: Managing Threats to Ecosystems—Threats of new alien invasive species entering Canada are understood and reduced by 2015 |
Program Activity 1.2: Water Resources
Program Description
This program addresses the implications to water resources from economic growth, climate change and other factors, ensuring threats to Canada’s water resources and aquatic ecosystems are minimized, and the sustainability of the resource is maintained. Conservation, protection and sustainable use of water resources are critical aspects of Canada’s economic, social and ecological well-being. The program is delivered in collaboration with partners that include other federal departments, provinces and territories, and a range of non-governmental organizations. The Program Activity encompasses Environment Canada’s contribution to addressing water issues and its role in collaborating with other departments to determine priorities for water quality, quantity, and aquatic ecosystem monitoring and research, by providing scientific information and advice to decision makers, and by building best management practices. The program supports the implementation of the Canada Water Act, the 1987 Federal Water Policy, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, the Fisheries Act and the International Boundary Waters Treaty Act. Contributions in support of Water Resources are used as a component of this program.
| Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Threats to Canada's water resources and aquatic ecosystems are minimized and the sustainability of the resource is maintained | Percentage of core national monitoring sites included in the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators Freshwater Quality Indicator whose water quality is rated as good or excellent | 50% of core national monitoring sites in the 2010–2012 data set rated as good or excellent |
Financial Resources ($ millions)*
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Expenditures | 115.5 | 117.2 | 118.0 |
| Less: Respendable Revenues | (19.6) | (19.8) | (20.6) |
| Net Expenditures | 95.9 | 97.4 | 97.5 |
* Total may differ within and between tables due to rounding of figures.
Human Resources (Full-Time Equivalent—FTE)**
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 |
|---|---|---|
| 736 | 737 | 740 |
** Total may differ within and between tables due to rounding of figures.
Planning Highlights
Advancing work through the Joint Canada-Alberta Implementation Plan for Oil Sands Monitoring
Environment Canada is contributing to the Joint Implementation Plan by conducting monitoring, research and analysis of water resources in the Lower Athabasca region. This will lead to a better understanding of the impact of oil sands development on water quality and quantity, aquatic ecosystem health and acid-sensitive lakes in the region.
The Joint Implementation Plan includes:
- more sampling sites over a larger area;
- an increase in the number and types of parameters being sampled;
- an increase in the frequency of sampling; and
- enhanced aquatic ecosystem health monitoring.
Implement a comprehensive approach to protecting water
Collaboration on hydrometric data collection
In partnership with the provinces and territories, and Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, Environment Canada conducts ongoing hydrometric data collection (from over 2,500 stations in Canada), performs analysis, and disseminates the results to provide standardized information to a broad audience on the quantity and quality of surface water. Hydrometric data are essential to provincial and territorial emergency measures organizations, as Environment Canada provides data in real time directly to flood forecasting efforts in support of flood mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery.
In support of the Government of Canada’s Action Plan for Clean Water and goal of ensuring clean water for all Canadians, Environment Canada will undertake a number of activities to continue the ongoing cleanup of key bodies of water and the prevention of pollution. Environment Canada’s water-related activities are closely linked with other Departmental initiatives (e.g. water science supports environmental assessments; weather data support water management).
This comprehensive approach to protecting water in 2012–2013 includes ongoing activities to improve water quality, quantity and overall management by:
- Supporting cross-boundary work, for example, by informing members of water boards under the International Joint Commission (IJC) regarding both water quality and water quantity. In 2012–2013, Environment Canada will continue to participate in the adaptive management approach (learning by doing) of the IJC, lending both expertise and oversight support to the IJC in its work to
regulate the flow of water from Lake Ontario to the St. Lawrence River, and from Lake Superior to Lake Huron. The goal is to protect ecosystems and avoid flooding, while providing sufficient water for the economic interests that these important waterways support. The Department will also work to establish a memorandum of understanding with the IJC to provide a basis for future research and
development;
Science at work…
Water quality science supports agreements and decisions
The scientific work on water quality will continue to support agreements for the cleanup of some key bodies of water in Canada—including the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence River, and Lake Winnipeg—and help Canada reach its goals under the Clean Water Action Plan. Using a risk-based approach, Environment Canada provides a scientific evaluation of the greatest risk to water quality and the health of the aquatic ecosystems at each site for optimizing the monitoring network of these key watersheds. The results of monitoring will continue to contribute to the water quality index of the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators (CESI). - Continuing to implement the Department’s action plan in response to the Fall 2010 Report of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development;
- Collaborating with other federal government departments to support water monitoring in the North. For example, hydrological information in the Arctic will continue to be crucial to assessing climate change and to ensuring the stewardship of Canada’s fragile Arctic ecosystems, while supporting the economic development of the North; and
- Continuing to contribute to and benefit from international activities related to the hydrometric program—bilaterally with the United States (U.S. Geological Survey and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)), and multilaterally in meeting Canada’s obligations to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). Domestic and international benefits include technology transfer in hydrology and hydrometeorology, the sharing of the data and information needed for managing surface and water resources, and supporting research on climate trends, variability and change.
Benefits to Canadians
Environment Canada plays an important role in providing the science leadership required by all Canadian jurisdictions to inform the sustainable management of Canada’s water resources. This Program Activity benefits Canadians in several ways: it leads to a better understanding of the impacts of human activities on water resources and the health of aquatic ecosystems; it takes action to restore and preserve Canada’s water resources; and it improves water resource management across jurisdictions.
| FSDS Goals |
FSDS Performance Indicators |
FSDS Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Goal 3: Water Quality—Protect and enhance the quality of water so that it is clean, safe and secure for all Canadians and supports healthy ecosystems |
Annual changes in recommended classifications of shellfish-growing areas based on historical water quality measures5 | Target 3.8: Marine Water Quality—Reduce the risks to Canadians and impacts on the marine environment posed by pollution from land-based activities |
| Goal 4: Water Availability—Enhance information to ensure that Canadians can manage and use water resources in a manner consistent with the sustainability of the resource |
Water use by major sectors from water use surveys | Target 4.1: Water Resource Management and Use—Promote the conservation and wise use of water to effect a 30% reduction or increased efficiency in water use in various6 sectors by 2025 (based on 2009 water use levels) |
Program Activity 1.3: Sustainable Ecosystems
Program Description
This program aims to sustain Canada’s ecosystems over the long term by working with Canadians, their governments and the private sector by providing them with the environmental information and tools required to incorporate social, economic and environmental considerations into their decision making and action, including through environmental assessments. The ecosystem approach to environmental management focuses on maintaining the capacity of a whole system to produce ecological goods and services, such as water resources, air and water quality, and genetic resources, which maintain our economy, security, health and well-being. This program is the focal point for the development and implementation of Environment Canada’s sustainability policies and strategies, information to support integrated, ecosystem-scale priority setting, community engagement in remediation of sites, youth engagement, and research and reporting on environmental status and trends. The program facilitates inter-disciplinary and cross-sectoral planning and information sharing among partners. Contributions in support of Sustainable Ecosystems are used as a component of this program.
| Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Canadians manage ecosystem resources in a manner consistent with ecosystem sustainability | Percentage of Canadian ecosystems where ecosystem health has been assessed as stable or improving | To be determined |
Financial Resources ($ millions)*
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Expenditures | 62.0 | 62.3 | 69.9 |
| Less: Respendable Revenues | (0.4) | (0.4) | (0.4) |
| Net Expenditures | 61.6 | 61.9 | 69.5 |
* Total may differ within and between tables due to rounding of figures.
Human Resources (Full-Time Equivalent—FTE)**
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 |
|---|---|---|
| 319 | 319 | 318 |
** Total may differ within and between tables due to rounding of figures.
Planning Highlights
Implement a comprehensive approach to ecosystem management
Environment Canada continues to engage in an ecosystem-based management approach, working with other federal departments, provincial and territorial governments, and other groups to assess and report on the status of Canada’s ecosystems, to implement sustainable strategies and to jointly address pressures and threats in key Canadian ecosystems.
Coordinated effort within priority ecosystems: Through the Priority Ecosystem Initiative Management Framework, Environment Canada continues to implement an ecosystem-based approach to environmental management in the Department and across the regions. In collaboration with partners across Canada, Environment Canada is working to effectively manage freshwater and ocean resources through the development of policies, strategies and ecosystem-scale priority setting.
In addition to the science and monitoring work in support of clean water (see Program Activity 1.2), management of priority ecosystems through coordinated efforts is key to supporting Environment Canada’s sustainable environment priority. Management of the Great Lakes basin, the St. Lawrence River, and other ecosystem initiatives (such as the Atlantic Ecosystem Initiatives) will be ongoing in 2012–2013.
The Department will:
- finalize amendments to the Canada–U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement to address threats to water quality;
- complete negotiations for the new 2012–2017 Canada–Ontario Agreement to manage the Great Lakes basin, while continuing to implement the current Agreement, as well as the Great Lakes Action Plan 2010–2015;
- implement the Canada–Quebec Agreement on the St. Lawrence 2011–2026 to deliver on commitments and results for 2011–2016;
- deliver on the Action Plan for Clean Water through meeting commitments to clean up sediments and restore the Great Lakes;
- initiate work to research, monitor and measure the presence of phosphorus in Lake Erie; and
- through Atlantic Ecosystem Initiatives, engage in more effective communication, collaboration and coordination on coastal and ocean issues in Atlantic Canada. In the Okanagan, cooperative opportunities related to science, monitoring and indicators are moving forward.
Environment Canada will also continue to deliver clean water action plans for Lake Simcoe and Lake Winnipeg. Other 2012–2013 activities that support a sustainable environment include the following:
Collaborating to measure and report on the state of the environment
The Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators (CESI) measure progress on the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy and report to Canadians on the state of the environment. CESI are prepared by Environment Canada with the support of other federal government departments, such as Health Canada, Statistics Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, as well as provincial and territorial government departments. CESI are built on rigorous methodology and high-quality, regularly available data from surveys and monitoring networks managed by federal, provincial and territorial governments. CESI data and information describe Canada’s trends and progress on the key issues of climate change, air quality, water quality and availability, and the protection of nature—with linkages to key social and economic drivers.
Sustainable Development Strategies: Environment Canada is responsible for implementing the Federal Sustainable Development Act and leads the development and implementation (including tracking and reporting) of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS), tabled in Parliament every three years, with the next strategy to be tabled in 2013.
To enable Canadians to include environmental considerations in their decision-making, the Department makes available environmental information through the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators (CESI). As the federal lead on CESI, Environment Canada will continue to monitor and report progress against these indicators.
Taking an ecosystems approach
Environment Canada’s approach to assessing and managing priority ecosystems and hotspots will see the Department develop a foundation based on:
- more effective coordination and delivery of programs; and
- an ecosystems approach to understanding and predicting cumulative impacts—to better inform or influence economic development and environmental management decision-making.
Supporting ecosystem-based management through environmental assessments: Industrial and resource development is a critical driver of economic growth in Canada, but can also inhibit the sustainability of ecosystems if not managed carefully. Environmental assessments (EAs) provide the government with a powerful planning tool that ensures that development happens in a manner that does not impair ecosystem health. Environment Canada participates in approximately 3,000 environmental assessments annually—from small scientific study projects, to major developments such as oil and gas pipelines, mining operations and urban development projects—providing science-based advice and support for joint panel reviews addressing a wide range of developments. This is a key tool in Environment Canada’s world-class regulator regime.
Through the Deputy Minister-led Coordinating Committee, the Department will bring a whole-of-department perspective to its EA work. This will allow Environment Canada to influence the sustainability of projects most critical to Canada’s economy.
Benefits to Canadians
Through partnership arrangements, the Department provides strategies, information, tools and funding directly to stakeholders to help protect ecosystems across Canada. This collaboration and sharing enable a better integration of environmental considerations into decision-making, and help improve the sustainability of Canada ’s ecosystems over the long term, thus creating economic and social benefit for Canadians.
| FSDS Goals |
FSDS Performance Indicators |
FSDS Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Goal 3: Water Quality—Protect and enhance the quality of water so that it is clean, safe and secure for all Canadians and supports healthy ecosystems |
For Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes, track change in beneficial use status from “impaired” or “requires further assessment” to “not impaired” or “restored” | Target 3.1: Fresh Water Quality—Complete federal actions to restore beneficial uses in Canadian Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes by 2020 |
| Ecosystem indicators aligned to the general and specific objectives of the Canada–U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement | Target 3.2: Fresh Water Quality—Contribute to the restoration and protection of the Great Lakes by developing and gaining binational acceptance of objectives and strategies for the management of nutrients in the Great Lakes by 2015 | |
| Assess and report on aquatic ecosystem health indicators aligned to objectives of the Canada-Quebec Agreement on the St. Lawrence River | Target 3.3: Fresh Water Quality—Complete federal actions to reduce pollutants and restore beneficial uses in hot spots in the St. Lawrence River by 2016 | |
| Estimated nutrient reductions in Lake Simcoe | Target 3.4: Fresh Water Quality—Reduce nutrient inputs into Lake Simcoe by 2012 | |
| Indicator under development | Target 3.5: Fresh Water Quality—By 2012, through strategic collaborations and by increasing scientific knowledge, contribute to the establishment of targets to reduce nutrients in Lake Winnipeg and its basin to support the sustainability of the lake |
Please note that Program Activity 1.4: Compliance Promotion and Enforcement—Wildlife is described on this page.
Strategic Outcome 2: Canadians are equipped to make informed decisions on changing weather, water and climate conditions
Program Activities for Strategic Outcome 2:
Program Activity 2.1: Weather and Environmental Services for Canadians
Program Description
This program provides weather warnings, forecasts and information to anticipate, manage and adapt to the risks and opportunities of changing weather, water and climate conditions. It involves monitoring, research, production and service delivery to help Canadians make informed decisions in the face of changing weather, water and climate conditions. Because a global effort is needed to monitor, understand and predict constantly changing weather, water and climate conditions, this program provides support to and relies on various collaborators in Canada and around the world. Key ones include the World Meteorological Organization of the United Nations and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, as well as the media, academia and all levels of government in Canada. The program supports the Department in meeting obligations and responsibilities conferred by the Department of the Environment Act, the Weather Modification Information Act, the Emergency Management Act (2007) and memoranda of agreement with national meteorological and space agencies. This program also provides forecasts and information in case of environmental emergencies associated with the release of toxic and radioactive material in the atmosphere. This Government of Canada program is the only one with such a national mandate, and has the infrastructure and skills to deliver this service. Grants and Contributions in support of Weather and Environmental Services for Canadians are used as components of this program.
| Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Canadians understand information on the changing weather, water and climate conditions and the associated health and safety risks | Percentage of the population of a warned area who took actions in response to a weather warning | 30% by 2014 |
| Percentage of the population indicating that they understand the differences between severe weather watches and warnings and the implications for their safety | 20% by 2015 | |
| Percentage of targeted sensitive populations7 within selected regions receiving information on the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) who identify potential behaviour changes in response to current and/or forecast AQHI levels that are consistent with health messaging | 10% to 20% of sensitive population (range is due to regional variation) by 2016 |
Financial Resources ($ millions)*
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Expenditures | 193.7 | 195.4 | 193.8 |
| Less: Respendable Revenues | (2.4) | (2.3) | (1.6) |
| Net Expenditures | 191.3 | 193.2 | 192.2 |
* Total may differ within and between tables due to rounding of figures.
Human Resources (Full-Time Equivalent—FTE)**
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,031 | 1,037 | 1,036 |
** Total may differ within and between tables due to rounding of figures.
Planning Highlights
Deliver first-rate weather and environmental services to Canadians
Environment Canada’s work to deliver first-rate weather services to Canadians will remain a priority in 2012–2013. The Department will focus on the core research and operational activities (see Program Activity description above) to provide high-quality weather and environmental information, observations, forecasts and warnings to meet the safety, security and sustainable economic development needs of Canadians, in both official languages, on a 24/7 basis.
Highlights of key ongoing and new initiatives for 2012–2013 include:
- Delivering on the federal government’s recent five-year investment to ensure the infrastructure integrity of the Department’s core weather and climate monitoring networks, weather radar, surface weather and climate stations, lightning detection network and upper atmosphere monitoring network. By ensuring infrastructure integrity, the Department is safeguarding the ability to provide Canadians with weather services, thereby protecting their health and safety;
- Continuing to undertake business transformation projects to ensure Canada’s weather and environmental services are modern, efficient and responsive to the evolving needs of Canadians. These projects include the modernization of the monitoring infrastructure, the re-engineering of the weather warning and service delivery system, the development and implementation of the next generation of weather prediction systems, as well as the research and development in support of these projects;
- Continuing the development of a pan-Canadian land and near-surface forecasting system and an integrated environmental prediction system (including the physical, chemical and biological characteristics of terrestrial and aquatic environments) that will allow for better weather and environmental forecasts and applications for the management of natural resources (e.g. agriculture, forestry, aquatic);
-
Partnership in action…Continuing the development and implementation of specialized mission-critical applications that provide state-of-the-art workstations to forecasters (e.g. Ninjo and Polaris), while also dealing with the decommissioning and retirement of current legacy applications and systems in order to allow greater efficiency;
Air Quality Health Index (AQHI)
The AQHI is a public information tool (introduced in 2007). It helps Canadians protect their health on a daily basis from the negative effects of air pollution by informing them of the level of pollutants in the air (on a scale basis) and other health-related meteorological information. It is a collaborative effort between Health Canada, Environment Canada, the provinces and key health and environment stakeholders. - Continuing the national implementation of the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) service, following the announcement of renewed funding of the Clean Air Regulatory Agenda. Pilot projects are planned in rural New Brunswick to support province-wide implementation, and discussions are underway for projects in northern communities;
- Expanding and strengthening national partnerships with key stakeholders and continuing to work with other federal government organizations to leverage weather and environmental science innovation and information. For example, the Department works closely with Natural Resources Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Canadian Space Agency to develop and enhance cooperation mechanisms for geospatial information that will in turn enhance Environment Canada’s weather prediction capabilities;
- Continuing to provide the foundational science on past, present and future climate states, information and tools to inform adaptation planning and decision-making in Canada. Activities include enhancing global and regional climate models, developing and improving climate change scenarios, climate trend and variability analysis, developing specialized information on climate extremes, greenhouse gases and cryosphere (frozen water portion of the Earth’s surface) monitoring and research. This work contributes to the federal Clean Air Agenda, including through the Adaptation Climate Change Prediction and Scenarios program;
- Establishing an effective working relationship with the newly created Shared Services Canada8, as this organization’s services are fundamental components to the delivery of 24/7 mission-critical weather services; and
- Continuing to contribute to and benefit from international activities related to weather and environmental services by playing a leadership role in the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and maintaining active participation in the international Group on Earth Observations and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The Department will continue bilateral work with China, the United States and other key countries to advance joint initiatives and leverage scientific knowledge and expertise.
Benefits to Canadians
Environment Canada’s work to maintain and provide high-quality weather, climate and environmental predictions helps Canadians better adapt to and manage the weather and environmental risks they face in their personal and business decisions. By monitoring, predicting and delivering weather and environmental science and services to Canadians, Environment Canada gives Canadians access to timely and accurate warnings for severe weather and potentially life-threatening hazards.
Program Activity 2.2: Weather and Environmental Services for Targeted Users
Program Description
This program provides essential decision-making tools and information on the changing weather to targeted sectors and their regulatory agencies, to help them anticipate, manage and adapt to the risks and opportunities created by changing weather and climate conditions. It involves monitoring, research, production and service delivery in order to support sustainable decision making by targeted sectors in the face of changing weather, water and climate conditions. It provides observations, forecasts and warnings 24 hours/day, 365 days/year, along with other tools tailored to users’ specific needs. It requires various collaborations, within Canada (including other government departments and provincial agencies), and internationally with the World Meteorological Organization, the International Civil Aviation Organization, as well as other U.S. Government institutions. This program supports the Department in meeting obligations and responsibilities conferred by the Department of the Environment Act; helps other government departments meet their obligations under the Aeronautics Act, the Oceans Act and the Fisheries Act; and supports memoranda of agreement with Transport Canada, National Defence and various provincial agencies.
| Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Targeted sectors have the meteorological and environmental information and services they need to operate efficiently and safely | Combined level of satisfaction of the main clients of the Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC)9 based on the statement "The services provided by the MSC meet our needs" | 7.5 out of 10 by 2012–2013 |
Financial Resources ($ millions)*
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Expenditures | 73.7 | 66.9 | 67.2 |
| Less: Respendable Revenues | (41.4) | (41.4) | (41.6) |
| Net Expenditures | 32.3 | 25.5 | 25.5 |
* Total may differ within and between tables due to rounding of figures.
Human Resources (Full-Time Equivalent—FTE)**
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 |
|---|---|---|
| 427 | 422 | 424 |
** Total may differ within and between tables due to rounding of figures.
Planning Highlights
Deliver first-rate weather and environmental services to targeted users
Environment Canada’s provision of first-rate weather and environmental services to targeted users is based on the foundation work the Department carries out to provide those same services to Canadians (see Program Activity 2.1). Environment Canada data and services are tailored to the specific needs of a wide range of users, with some provided on a cost-recovery basis.
Key activities over the 2012–2013 period include:
- Implementing the Arctic Meteorological Areas Initiative that began in 2011–2012. This initiative will provide the new International Service for Maritime Safety Information and expand Environment Canada’s domestic marine and ice services with the goal of providing around-the-clock weather, ice, and sea-state services for the newly identified areas in the Arctic. Improvements to be made in 2012–2013 will be a further step towards year-round weather and ice prediction services in the Arctic within several years. This includes the research and development of a novel regional atmosphere-ocean-ice-wave prediction system and new satellite products in collaboration with National Defence and Fisheries and Oceans Canada;
-
Service to targeted weather service users…Continuing the Department’s marine weather and ice forecasts and services to support safe marine transportation and Canadian Coast Guard activities, particularly in the North, as well as exploring the possibility of expanding partnerships and options for broader accessibility of ice and marine products and services;
Supporting shipping in the Arctic
As ice margins recede in the Arctic, the potential for significant increases in Arctic shipping will arise. The International Maritime Organization (IMO), in collaboration with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), is expanding the distribution of the maritime safety information service to the North Pole. Canada has agreed to prepare and disseminate year-round meteorological information for the benefit of the international maritime community in two of five new areas established by the IMO. - Contributing to the success of Canada’s military operations by providing weather services to National Defence and proceeding with the implementation of the Joint Meteorological Centre at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown in New Brunswick;
- Maintaining and upgrading the Canadian Lightning Detection Network and enhancing the display of lightning information on the Weatheroffice website; and
- Contributing to safe and efficient civil aviation in Canada by continuing to provide high-quality, relevant and timely weather forecasts and services under the terms of the renewed agreement with NAV CANADA.
Benefits to Canadians
Key sectors of Canada’s economy are highly sensitive to changing weather, water and climate conditions. These sectors include agriculture, transportation, energy, tourism and construction. Access to the timely, accurate and relevant science-based weather, climate and environmental prediction information and services that Environment Canada provides helps businesses and other targeted users to improve their resilience to weather events, to reduce their economic vulnerability to events, and to use appropriate and timely information in decision-making.
Strategic Outcome 3: Threats to Canadians and their environment from pollution are minimized
Program Activities for Strategic Outcome 3:
Program Activity 3.1: Substances and Waste Management
Program Description
Activities in this program reduce threats to health and the environment posed by pollution and waste from human activities. The program assesses risks to health and the environment from substances that are already in commercial use (existing substances) and substances proposed for introduction into use in Canada (new substances). It also develops and implements measures to prevent or manage the risks from these substances and waste. Contributions in support of Substances and Waste Management are used as a component of this program.
| Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Threats to Canadians and impacts on the environment posed by harmful substances and waste are reduced |
Percentage of drainage regions where Canadian or Federal Environmental Quality Guidelines are not exceeded for selected substances in sediment, water and/or biota Substances currently reported under this indicator:
|
PBDEs: 80% in 2012-13 PFOS: 80% in 2013-14 |
|
Canadian releases of selected controlled substances Substances reported under this indicator:
|
Hexavalent chromium: 1900 kg releases (air and water) by 2015 PCBs: 10 kg by 201210 |
Financial Resources ($ millions)*
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Expenditures | 84.0 | 81.5 | 77.9 |
| Less: Respendable Revenues | (2.3) | (2.2) | (2.3) |
| Net Expenditures | 81.7 | 79.3 | 75.6 |
* Total may differ within and between tables due to rounding of figures.
Human Resources (Full-Time Equivalent—FTE)**
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 |
|---|---|---|
| 593 | 593 | 585 |
** Total may differ within and between tables due to rounding of figures.
Planning Highlights
Deliver on Reinvestment in the Chemicals Management Plan
Working together to address harmful substances
Environment Canada works with Health Canada and other partners to assess high-priority substances and to manage the risks associated with substances found to be harmful to health or the environment. The departments collaborate with other countries and maintain ongoing communication with stakeholders, including the public.
The launch of the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP) in 2006 made Canada a world leader in chemicals management and has kept Canada on track to meet its international commitments, including the sound management of chemicals in Canada by 2020. Environment Canada, in partnership with Health Canada, will continue to implement the next phase of the Plan. Over the next 5 years, the Department will conduct risk assessments to address approximately 1500 substances—half of the remaining priorities determined to require further assessment upon the completion of the categorization process under CEPA in 2006. Environment Canada will also continue to evaluate new chemical substances to ensure their safety before they enter the Canadian marketplace.
The Department will also conduct research into substances, such as those that affect hormone function and improving product safety in Canada.
This next phase of the CMP will be based on an integrated government-wide approach, rapid action on priority substances, and business predictability and public confidence and will include the following activities in 2012–2013:
- Conducting targeted research on priority substances and issues under CMP and CEPA 1999;
- Publishing draft and/or final assessments of high priority existing substances as required under CEPA 1999;
- Undertaking integrated environmental monitoring and surveillance of priority chemicals in air, water, sediments, fish, birds and wastewater;
- Developing and implementing instruments to manage risks from harmful substances (e.g. pollution prevention plans for bisphenol A and isoprene); and
- Contributing to international initiatives that support domestic efforts in the sound management of chemicals (e.g. Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and Their Disposal, and the Canada–U.S. Regulatory Cooperation Council).
Environment Canada and the Canadian Space Agency team up in the Arctic
The Department will continue to partner with the Canadian Space Agency to use satellite imagery to identify and map shoreline characteristics, coastal habitats and resources at risk in five pilot sites in the Arctic. The results will improve preparedness for environmental emergencies and support habitat conservation in the North.
A new project to consolidate environmental data from Environment Canada and other sources will be used to map the environmental priorities (wildlife, ecosystems, water bodies and shorelines) to be protected in an environmental emergency.
Environment Canada will also deliver regulatory programming to prevent pollution and manage and reduce waste. Planning highlights for 2012–2013 include:
- Implementing the environmental emergency regulations, the notifications regulations (under CEPA, 1999 and the Fisheries Act) and the wastewater systems effluent regulations; finalizing mercury-containing products regulations; implementing pollution prevention regulatory programs for several sectors such as hazardous waste, mining, and pulp and paper; and, continuing to develop a wastewater regime for the North;
- Maintaining ongoing delivery of the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP) in partnership with other federal departments and agencies and carrying out Environment Canada’s responsibility as a custodian in managing its contaminated sites (for Environment Canada this includes six remediation projects and nineteen assessment projects in 2012–2013); and
- Contributing to Canada’s efforts on preventing marine pollution (London Protocol), meeting national obligations under CEPA 1999 on control of disposal at sea, and delivering on the Antarctic Environmental Protection Act (AEPA) obligations to maintain a clean, safe Antarctic.
Benefits to Canadians
Environment Canada works to reduce threats and impacts on the environment from harmful substances and waste through assessment, risk management actions, permitting and/or monitoring activities. These activities promote pollution prevention and early action or remediation of harmful substances, thereby reducing risks to the environment and Canadians. The management or removal of harmful substances and waste is key to reducing exposure to these threats for present or future generations.
| FSDS Goals |
FSDS Performance Indicators |
FSDS Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Goal 3: Water Quality—Protect and enhance the quality of water so that it is clean, safe and secure for all Canadians and supports healthy ecosystems |
Change in percentage of wastewater systems achieving national effluent quality standards | Target 3.7: Fresh Water Quality—Reduce risks associated with wastewater effluent by 2020 in collaboration with provinces and territories |
| Reduction in loading of the biological oxygen demand matter and suspended solids | ||
| Percentage of disposal site monitoring events that do not trigger site management action | Target 3.9: Marine Water Quality—Prevent marine pollution from uncontrolled dumping at sea. Ensure that permitted disposal at sea is sustainable such that 85% of disposal site monitoring events do not identify the need for site management action (such as site closure) | |
| Goal 2: Air Pollution—Minimize the threats to air quality so that the air Canadians breathe is clean and supports healthy ecosystemsGoal 3: Water Quality—Protect and enhance the quality of water so that it is clean, safe and secure for all Canadians and supports healthy ecosystems |
Canadian releases of selected controlled substances | Targets 2.3 and 3.12: Chemicals Management—Reduce risks to Canadians and impacts on the environment posed by harmful substances as a result of decreased environmental concentrations and human exposure to such substances11 |
| Percentage (or number) of drainage regions where Federal Environmental Quality Guidelines (FEQG) are not exceeded for select substances in sediment, water and/or biota | ||
| Levels of exposure to substances of concern by substance (air pollution only12) | ||
| Goal 6: Ecosystem/Habitat Conservation and Protection—Maintain productive and resilient ecosystems with the capacity to recover and adapt; and protect areas in ways that leave them unimpaired for present and future generations |
Environmental emergencies tracking | Target 6.5: Managing Threats to Ecosystems—Reduce the frequency and consequences of environmental emergencies that affect Canada |
Program Activity 3.2: Climate Change and Clean Air
Program Description
Emissions of greenhouse gases and air pollutants threaten to adversely affect the health of Canadians, degrade the environment, exacerbate climate change and adversely affect the economy. This program aims to protect the health of Canadians, the state of the environment and the economy from the harmful effects of air pollutants and the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions through the development of regulations and other control measures to address greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, based on sound scientific and economic analysis, and emissions monitoring and reporting. It will involve continued collaboration with other governments and stakeholders; expert environmental science and technology advice, assessment, and program management in support of technology investment decisions, policy making and regulations; and cooperation with the U.S. to align greenhouse gas regulations as appropriate, reduce transboundary air pollution and advance the development of clean technologies. It will also involve continued participation in and contribution to international negotiations to address climate change and transboundary air pollution, as well as bilateral and multilateral processes that complement international negotiations or support Canada’s positions and objectives in international negotiations. Contributions in support of Climate Change and Clean Air are used as a component of this program.
| Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Threats to Canadians, their health and their environment from air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions are minimized | Canadian emissions of greenhouse gases from targeted and/or regulated sources | Canada’s national target is a 17% reduction from 2005 levels by 2020 |
| Canadian ambient air quality (ground-level ozone) | To be determined. Targets will be determined with the finalization of the air pollutant management approach | |
|
Canadian emissions of air pollutants from targeted sources Substances reported under this indicator:
|
Annual decline in the 3-year moving average for all tracked substances for both sectors |
Financial Resources ($ millions)*
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Expenditures | 212.2 | 172.7 | 139.9 |
| Less: Respendable Revenues | (0.7) | (0.7) | (0.2) |
| Net Expenditures | 211.5 | 172.0 | 139.7 |
* Total may differ within and between tables due to rounding of figures.
Human Resources (Full-Time Equivalent—FTE)**
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 |
|---|---|---|
| 748 | 698 | 645 |
** Total may differ within and between tables due to rounding of figures.
Planning Highlights
Deliver a sector-by-sector regulatory approach to reducing Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions
Environment Canada will continue to develop and implement a sector-by-sector regulatory approach to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This work will build on achievements to date, including progress towards achieving Canada’s commitment under the Copenhagen Accord to reduce GHG emissions by 17% below 2005 levels by 2020.
Key highlights of 2012–2013 activities include:
- Furthering sector-by-sector regulatory work on GHG emissions, aligned with the United States, which is a key aspect of Canada’s commitment to the Copenhagen Accord. The Department will continue work to advance regulations in support of reducing GHG emissions from major-emitting sectors of the economy. This will include finalizing regulations for coal-fired electricity generation in the first half of 2012. Environment Canada will develop regulations for natural gas-fired electricity generation as well as other major-emitting industrial sectors, including oil and gas;
-
Partnerships in action…Continuing consultations with provinces, territories and stakeholders to inform the development of performance standards to reduce GHG emissions;
Single-window reporting on GHG emissions
The Department’s single-window reporting (SWR) minimizes duplication of reporting and related administrative burden for industry and governments alike. Industrial facilities need to submit GHG emissions data only once; thereafter, the information is accessible to Environment Canada and its federal, provincial and territorial partners.
The SWR approach provides a single source of information to Environment Canada, other federal government departments, provinces and territories, industry and academia.
The Department uses this information to meet the reporting requirements for the National Pollutant Release Inventory. - Working closely with the United States on the next phase of North American transportation standards for GHG emissions. This will include standards for heavy-duty vehicles for model years 2014 and beyond, and for passenger cars and light-duty trucks for model years 2017 and beyond;
- In collaboration with provincial partners, ongoing annual reporting and publication of GHG emissions from facilities emitting 50 kilotonnes or more of carbon dioxide. This information guides regulatory development regarding industrial GHG emissions under the Clean Air Regulatory Agenda,13 as well as provincial action;
- Developing a domestic strategy on short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs), including black carbon, methane, tropospheric ozone and some hydrofluorocarbons, as part of the Government’s comprehensive approach on climate change;
- Providing expert science advice on Canada’s changing climate related to GHG aerosols research and monitoring;
- Providing expert technology advice, producing assessments of the environmental performance of technologies, and overseeing federal clean technology initiatives
(e.g., Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) and Green Municipal Fund (GMF)); and - Managing Canada’s Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Program, including:
- collaborating with provinces and territories to incorporate the ETV process into their management decisions;
- engaging key countries both bilaterally and through the International Working Group; and
- delivering the proposed international ETV standard to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).
Deliver on federal components of the national Air Quality Management System
Air quality science supports decision-making
Air quality science will continue to provide essential contributions to the national Air Quality Management System (AQMS). The AQMS relies heavily on effective ambient air monitoring and source emissions measurements, understanding transboundary movement of air pollution, and air quality modelling.
Environment Canada will continue its collaboration with the provinces, industry and others to support the ongoing development and finalization of the new Air Quality Management System (AQMS).
Key highlights of 2012–2013 activities include:
- Continuing consultations with provinces and territories, and stakeholders to finalize national industrial emissions requirements as input to regulations limiting air pollutant emissions from Canadian industrial sectors;
- Finalizing and publishing, in the Canada Gazette, Part 1, the new Canadian ambient air quality standards for PM2.5 and ozone that will replace the current Canada-wide standards;
- Continuing development and amendment of air pollutant regulations for vehicles, engines and fuels, aligned with stringent U.S. EPA standards. The Department will support reductions in marine emissions, including the implementation of the North American Emission Control Area in 2012;
- Tracking toxic substances and other substances of concern through the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI), which is a major starting point for identifying and monitoring sources of air pollution in Canada, and for developing indicators for the quality of air, land and water. A wide range of stakeholders rely on the NPRI for information and reporting;
-
Science at work…Conducting critical air quality research, monitoring and modelling to quantify priority air pollutants and determine trends to predict air quality, as well as delivering new knowledge on atmospheric processes and emissions measurements related to various industrial and mobile sources in order to relate air pollutant emissions to pollutant exposure and impacts on the environment; and
Oil sands and air quality
Additional air monitoring under the Joint Canada-Alberta Implementation Plan for Oil Sands Monitoring will strengthen scientific knowledge and help determine the type, quantity and source of emissions from the oil sands, and how they are interacting with emissions from other sectors, in the atmosphere, as well as their impact on ecosystems and the air Canadians breathe. - Continuing to cooperate with the Government of Alberta and local stakeholders to implement the Joint Canada-Alberta Implementation Plan for Oil Sands Monitoring. As with the water component of the Plan, the air component builds on and integrates existing air monitoring activities. These efforts will contribute to the Department’s ability to assess the cumulative and acute effects on the ecosystems in which oil sands development is taking place.
Participate in international fora to advance Canada's environmental goals related to climate change and air quality
A key element of Canada’s climate change agenda is working with other nations also committed to addressing climate change. Canada’s commitments under the Cancun Agreements and Copenhagen Accord form the basis for Canada’s international work on climate change and clean air.
Canada, the United States, Mexico and other countries collaborate to reduce short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs)
Countries are working together on SLCPs—gases and aerosols that have a strong impact on climate forcing. Compared to carbon dioxide, these substances (methane, black carbon and some hydrofluorocarbons) do not live long in the atmosphere. However, they are responsible for a significant amount of the climate warming observed today.
Key highlights of 2012–2013 planned activities include:
- Participating in regional and international initiatives to address short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs). Addressing SLCPs offers the potential to make near-term progress on climate change, and would also have benefits for air quality and human health. SLCPs have significant impacts on human health, air quality and food security. The Department will contribute under the Arctic Council; the Gothenburg Protocol to the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution; the International Maritime Organization; and a new global initiative to enhance existing actions to reduce SLCPs. The Department will also work with other countries, including the United States and Mexico. On a related front, Environment Canada will also continue to serve as the federal lead on the Global Methane Initiative as part of international efforts to reduce methane;
- Continuing to participate in international negotiations to deliver a global, legally binding agreement on mercury under the United Nations Environment Programme. The goal is to complete the negotiations before the 27th regular session of the Governing Council/Global Ministerial Environment Forum in February 2013;
- Engaging in ongoing international negotiations on the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), including following up on the outcomes of the Conference of the Parties (CoP) 17 held in Durban in 2011, and participation in the 2012 United Nations’ annual climate change conference (CoP) 18 in Qatar;
- Carrying on with the fast-start climate change financing (under the Copenhagen Accord) to support the efforts of developing countries to reduce GHG emissions and adapt to the adverse effects of climate change;
- Reporting annually to the United Nations on Canada’s GHG emissions, including reporting on progress towards its national climate change target for 2020; and
- Continuing collaboration with the United States to reduce transboundary air pollution, including work with the U.S. towards an expansion of the 1991 Canada–U.S. Air Quality Agreement to address particulate matter.
Benefits to Canadians
Environment Canada’s collaborative approach (at home and abroad) to regulating reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and air pollutants, and to advancing clean technologies, helps to protect the health of Canadians and their environment. Environment Canada also provides information about air emissions to decision-makers at all levels of government, the public and the private sector, thus supporting informed decisions for the benefit of Canadians. Clean technologies have a positive impact on Canada's economic competitiveness and prosperity. Environment Canada helps ensure that federal clean technology investments offer value for money and promote the development of the green economy.
| FSDS Goals |
FSDS Performance Indicators |
FSDS Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Goal 1: Climate Change—Reduce greenhouse gas emission levels to mitigate the severity and unavoidable impacts of climate change |
Government actions to meet reduction target | Target 1.1: Climate Change Mitigation—Relative to 2005 emission levels, reduce Canada’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 17% by 2020 |
| Goal 2: Air Pollution—Minimize the threats to air quality so that the air Canadians breathe is clean and supports healthy ecosystems |
Air emissions indicators of sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and ammonia | Target 2.1: Air Pollutants—Reduce air pollutants in order to maintain or improve air quality across the country and achieve the emission targets which are currently under development in consultations with provinces and stakeholders |
| Trends in air quality related health outcomes14 |
Program Activities 3.3: Compliance Promotion and Enforcement—Pollution and 1.4: Compliance Promotion and Enforcement—Wildlife
Program Description
Program Activity 3.3 (Pollution): This program contributes to minimizing damages and threats to the natural environment and biodiversity, through the promotion and enforcement of legislation administered by Environment Canada, supported by sound scientific analysis and advice. Program actions focus on pollution including toxic substances, their release to air, water or land, and the import and export of hazardous waste that present a risk to the environment and/or human health. The program maintains a contingent of compliance promotion and enforcement officers. Compliance promotion officers provide information to regulatees on legislative requirements, the environmental benefits of compliance and the potential penalties of non-compliance. Enforcement officers’ activities include gathering intelligence, conducting inspections to verify compliance with laws and regulations, and pursuing investigations to take appropriate enforcement measures against offenders. The program also performs compliance analysis in order to provide continuous feedback on program planning and results.
Program Activity 1.4 (Wildlife): This program serves to conserve and protect the natural environment through compliance promotion and enforcement, supported by sound scientific analysis and advice, of the following wildlife-related legislation administered by Environment Canada: the Species at Risk Act, the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act, and the Canada Wildlife Act. Measures to promote compliance include communication and publication of information, education, and consultation with parties affected by these statutes. The program maintains a contingent of enforcement officers, whose actions focus on ensuring and verifying conformity with laws, regulations and permits pertaining to wildlife, through several activities—which include gathering intelligence, conducting inspections and pursuing investigations to take appropriate enforcement measures against alleged offenders. These actions ensure that damages and threats to biodiversity are reduced for the benefit of Canadians and the international community.
| Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Compliance with pollution laws and regulations administered by Environment Canada | Compliance with regulatory requirements for selected regulations Regulations reported under this indicator: Dry Cleaning Regulations (initial pilot; other regulations to be added)15 |
Dry Cleaning Regulations: 10% increase in compliance in 2015–2016 relative to the 2012–2013 baseline |
Financial Resources ($ millions)*
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Expenditures | 45.6 | 45.5 | 45.5 |
| Less: Respendable Revenues | (0.1) | (0.1) | (0.1) |
| Net Expenditures | 45.5 | 45.4 | 45.4 |
* Total may differ within and between tables due to rounding of figures.
Human Resources (Full-Time Equivalent—FTE)**
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 |
|---|---|---|
| 391 | 397 | 398 |
** Total may differ within and between tables due to rounding of figures.
| Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Compliance with wildlife laws and regulations administered by Environment Canada | Percentage of inspected regulated community compliant with regulatory requirements under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 | 90% by 2012–2013 |
Financial Resources ($ millions)*
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Expenditures | 17.3 | 17.6 | 17.6 |
| Less: Respendable Revenues | (0.0) | (0.1) | (0.1) |
| Net Expenditures | 17.2 | 17.5 | 17.5 |
* Total may differ within and between tables due to rounding of figures.
Human Resources (Full-Time Equivalent—FTE)**
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 |
|---|---|---|
| 140 | 140 | 140 |
** Total may differ within and between tables due to rounding of figures.
Planning Highlights
Promote compliance and enforce regulations—pollution and wildlife
Environment Canada takes a multi-faceted approach to compliance promotion and regulatory enforcement.
In 2012–2013, the Department will:
- Continue to implement its core mandate of promoting compliance and enforcing legislation and regulations. This work will include conducting ongoing inspections and investigations (including follow-up to ensure compliance following investigations) as well as conducting investigations in response to events, such as environmental incidents with the potential for pollution and/or harm to wildlife;
- Identify, in collaboration with experts, priority areas and issues based on data collected through inspections, investigations and intelligence, and from partners and stakeholders in Canada and around the world. Results of compliance promotion and enforcement activities will continue to be reported in accordance with various acts—for example, results of wildlife activities are reported in accordance with such acts as the Species at Risk Act (SARA) and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act. Pollution-related activities are reported in accordance with such acts as the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and the Fisheries Act;
- Implement the Environmental Enforcement Act Phase I to develop a model for the assessment of new penalties for environmental damage, and for financial benefit gained from environmental offences (related to both pollution and wildlife); and,
- Lay the foundation for the migration and centralization of data that support compliance promotion and enforcement. This preparatory work will enable Environment Canada and its partners to readily access and analyze data to support ongoing work and priorities.
Benefits to Canadians
Through Environment Canada’s efforts to promote compliance and enforce federal regulations, wildlife and the natural environment are protected.
Internal Services
Program Activities for Internal Services
Financial Resources ($ millions)*
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gross Expenditures | 172.4 | 170.2 | 169.2 |
| Less: Respendable Revenues | (0.2) | (0.2) | (0.2) |
| Net Expenditures | 172.2 | 170.0 | 169.0 |
* Total may differ within and between tables due to rounding of figures.
Human Resources (Full-Time Equivalent—FTE)**
| 2012-13 | 2013-14 | 2014-15 |
|---|---|---|
| 1,400 | 1,393 | 1,385 |
** Total may differ within and between tables due to rounding of figures.
Planning Highlights
During the 2012–2013 planning cycle and beyond, Environment Canada (and all federal departments) will be going through a period of fiscal restraint. A central element of this exercise will involve the provision by Shared Services Canada of a number of services that have to date been provided internally. The Department recognizes that it will be necessary to explore and adopt, where practical, new technologies and other approaches to streamlining operations. Moreover, the Department will face the challenge of managing the transition period, including any effects on resources (both human and financial), while providing ongoing support to its internal and external clients. In preparation for this work, the Department’s internal services will develop and implement a number of responses aimed at maintaining services while developing or adopting new service models.
Internal services branches provide many basic operational services (such as human resources, communications, financial and information management). The way in which these services support the Department’s programs will be tailored to reflect specific budgetary and program adjustments. The Department’s regional offices will also continue to be instrumental in supporting partnerships with provincial governments, community stakeholders, Aboriginal communities and leadership, institutes of higher learning, and in facilitating Deputy Minister access to local intelligence.
Below are the highlights of Environment Canada’s five actions to meet the Department’s management priority of enabling transition:
1. Develop and implement a strategic approach to human resources management and to financial resources management that is responsive to conditions created by the period of fiscal restraint
Environment Canada’s Human Resources Branch will continue to support the Department's mandate and human resources management needs, and to adapt to changing resourcing levels; the Branch will continue to implement its new service delivery model in 2012–2013.
Environment Canada’s Finance Branch will continue to provide a robust financial management regime by delivering on the following activities in 2012-2013: Budget Management Excellence; development of a Multi-Year Financial Plan; implementation of the new service delivery model; approval and implementation of the Integrated Investment Plan; and, continue to build capacity through the implementation of the new Financial Management Framework.
2. Sustain management oversight
Environment Canada will maintain strong and independent internal audit and evaluation functions that provide value-added support to the Deputy Minister and senior management in areas of governance, risk management, controls and performance. As well, the Department's Audit and Evaluation Branch will further strengthen its project and quality management, streamline audit and evaluation reporting, and improve its approach to monitoring the implementation of management action plans.
3. Implement Environment Canada’s Departmental Security Plan (including the Business Continuity Plan)
Environment Canada will implement its Departmental Security Plan to ensure that safeguards to personnel, assets and information meet ongoing and changing needs, including the continuity of critical services during an emergency. To achieve this goal, integrated security activities will be set and will meet clearly defined operational standards across the Department. As a result, the Department will be positioned to both enable and participate in Departmental transition initiatives, such as the consolidation of accommodations.
Security Program priorities to support these initiatives include: the continued implementation of the cyclical physical security Threat and Risk Assessments Program aimed at creating risk-based security safeguards in all Environment Canada facilities across Canada; the Departmental security program policy suite; the computer-based Security Awareness Program for all employees; and the continued implementation of Environment Canada’s prevention, real-time detection and response capabilities against cyber attacks targeting Departmental assets.
4. Communicate adjustments internally and externally to programs and services
The Communications Branch will prepare tailored communications strategies, including focused products (communications plans, media lines, questions and answers, etc.) that respond to the specific needs of the Department throughout the transition period. In addition, the Branch will re‑engineer its service delivery model to effectively balance the operational needs and the strategic communications requirements of the Department.
5. Re-engineer the information management and information technology (IM/IT) operations to support the Shared Services Canada model and ongoing Departmental requirements
With internal restructuring in 2011–2012, the Department’s new Corporate Services Branch was established. The Branch, in addition to its responsibilities for the information management and information technology (IM/IT) functions, is now responsible for the assets management, contracting, procurement and security functions. Shared Services Canada is presently developing a business arrangement memorandum of understanding, which it expects will take effect in 2012–2013. The business arrangement will describe the services, roles and responsibilities of Shared Services Canada and the 43 partnering departments.
Greening Government Operations
Environment Canada is a participant in the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) and contributes to the Greening Government Operations targets through the Internal Services Program Activity. The Department contributes to the following target areas of Theme IV of the FSDS:
- green buildings;
- green procurement;
- e-waste, managed print, paper consumption and green meetings; and
- greenhouse gas emissions.
Section III: Supplementary Information
Financial Highlights
The financial highlights presented here offer an overview of Environment Canada’s future-oriented financial statements. Detailed information can be found on Environment Canada’s website.
| $ Change | Future-Oriented 2011-2012 |
Future-Oriented 2012-2013 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Expenses | (97,182) | 1,242,491 | 1,145,309 |
| Total Revenues | (3,447) | (75,938) | (79,385) |
| Net Cost of Operations | (100,629) | 1,166,553 | 1,065,924 |
Total Departmental expenses are expected to decrease by $100.6 million or 9.5%, from $1,166.5 million in 2011–2012 to $1,065.9 million in 2012–2013. The overall decrease is mainly due to the sunsetting programs, such as the Species at Risk programming and Lake Winnipeg and Lake Simcoe programs of the Action Plan on Clean Water initiative, the transfer to Shared Services Canada, and in-year adjustments. The overall decrease is partially compensated by a transfer of funds from previous years mainly for Sustainable Development Technology Canada and increased funding for Canada's Fast start financing under the Copenhagen Accord.
| $ Change | Future-Oriented 2011-2012 |
Future-Oriented 2012-2013 |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Total assets | (55,616) | 607,098 | 551,482 |
| Total liabilities | (55,561) | 471,064 | 415,503 |
| Equity | (55) | 136,034 | 135,979 |
| Total | (55,616) | 607,098 | 551,482 |
The decreases in both assets and liabilities are mainly attributable to the transfer of some assets and liabilities to Shared Services Canada, as well as to accounts payable that are expected to be lower in 2012–2013.
Supplementary Information Tables
The following tables are provided electronically as part of the Department’s 2012–2013 RPP submission to the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat:
- Details of Transfer Payment Programs (TPPs)
- Up-front Multi-year Funding
- Greening Government Operations
- Horizontal Initiatives
- Upcoming Internal Audits and Evaluations over the Next Three Fiscal Years
- Sources of Respendable and Non-Respendable Revenue
- Summary of Capital Spending by Program Activity
Section IV: Other Items of Interest
Organizational Contact Information
For questions or comments on Environment Canada’s Report on Plans and Priorities, please contact:
Karen Turcotte
A/Director General
Corporate Management Directorate, Finance Branch
Environment Canada
Tel.: 819-953-5842 Fax: 819-953-3388
Email: Karen.Turcotte@ec.gc.ca
Footnotes
1 A “protected” area is a clearly defined geographical space, recognized, dedicated and managed, through legal or other effective means, to achieve the long-term conservation of nature with associated ecosystem services and cultural values.
2 This includes the Email, Data Centre, Network Services Unit and Services Support Unit as per the Order in Council #2011-1297 effective November 15, 2011.
3 i.e. programs with temporary funding.
4 The 2013-2016 FSDS provides an opportunity to update targets in the current 2010-2013 FSDS.
5 Applies to oceans.
6 Negotiations are currently underway and will include, among others, the municipal, agricultural and industrial sectors.
7 Sensitive populations for the AQHI are defined as those people with existing respiratory or cardiovascular conditions, young children, the elderly, and those active outdoors.
8 This relates to the transfer of the control and supervision of certain IM/IT functions that include the Email, Data Centre, Network Services Unit and Services Support Unit as per the Order in Council #2011-1297 effective November 15, 2011.
9 Main clients include NAV Canada, National Defence and the Canadian Coast Guard.
10 This target pertains to releases controlled by the PCB Regulations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.
11 These two targets are co-led by Minister of Environment and Minister of Health.
12 This indicator is produced by Health Canada.
13 For details on 2012–2013 Clean Air Agenda Horizontal Report on Plans and Priorities, please see the website.
14 This indicator is produced by Health Canada.
15 A statistically valid methodology for the measurement of compliance rates is being pilot tested using the Dry Cleaning Regulations. The selection of the regulations for the pilot was based on several criteria related to the feasibility of calculating valid compliance rates. On completion of the pilot, other regulations will be considered for inclusion in this indicator.