ARCHIVED - Environment Canada

• Reduced adverse human impact on the atmosphere and on air quality
• Understanding, and prevention or reduction of the environmental and human health threats posed by toxic substances of concern
• Conservation of biological diversity
• Understanding and reduction of human impacts on the health of ecosystems
• Conservation and restoration of priority ecosystems
• Reduced impact of weather and related hazards on health, safety and the economy
• Adaptation to day-to-day and longer-term changes in atmospheric, hydrological and ice conditions

The purpose of this contribution program is to

• contribute to the recovery of endangered, threatened, and other species of concern, and to prevent other species from becoming a conservation concern, by engaging Canadians in conservation actions to benefit wildlife; and
• enable non-government organizations, landowners, the private sector, Aboriginal organizations, educational institutions, community groups, and other levels of government to plan, manage and complete projects that will achieve the program goal.

• Supporting habitat projects that benefit species at risk
• Enabling Canadians to become actively and concretely involved in stewardship projects for species at risk that will result in tangible, measurable environmental benefits
• Improving scientific, sociological, and economic understanding of the role stewardship has as a conservation tool
• Securing or protecting important habitat to protect species at risk and support their recovery
• Mitigating threats to species at risk caused by human activities
• Achieving measurable results that contribute to Environment Canada's program activities

From April 2007 to March 2008, the Habitat Stewardship Program (HSP) contributed $9.8 million to 194 projects addressing terrestrial and aquatic species at risk issues in all provinces as well as in Yukon and in Nunavut. The HSP directed $34 million (HSP plus matching funds) to projects addressing both habitat conservation and threat mitigation issues. These stewardship activities benefited over 350 species at risk designated by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). Activities such as monitoring, surveys and inventory work as well as the collection of traditional ecological knowledge, targeted outreach, education and extension and program planning and development activities directly reached over 140 000 people. Conservation activities, including habitat protection, habitat improvement, and direct threat mitigation activities protected 19 700 ha of habitat through legally binding protection measures and an additional 248 000 ha of habitat through non-binding protection measures, improved 16 400 ha of habitat and protected an estimated number of 50 000 individual plants and animals from immediate threats.

• To support and promote environmental improvements by funding community groups undertaking action, outreach and/or capacity building activities that address the following Government of Canada and Environment Canada priorities: climate change, nature, water quality and air quality

• To lever monetary and voluntary in-kind support for environmental activities that have measurable environmental benefits
• To provide Canadians with the tools they need to act on their knowledge and values as individuals and members of communities in support of sustainable development
• The successful completion of community-based projects that support action, capacity building and outreach on priority environmental issues at the local and regional levels
• Measurable results that are supportive of the Government of Canada's climate change objectives, as detailed in the Climate Change Plan for Canada and the One-Tonne Challenge

• Supporting the implementation of other priority activities in recovery strategies or action plans, where these are in place or under development

EcoAction yields significant leverage for each dollar spent by the Department (1-3 ratio). Using this funding, the not-for-profit sector is able to deliver the projects and leverage significant funding from others, including provinces, territories, the private sector and other NGOs.

EcoAction funding from Environment Canada to partners leverages projects and initiatives that engage Canadians in protecting our environment, including our air, water, land, climate and nature.

Since the creation of the EcoAction program in 1995:

• 1 776 projects were completed. EcoAction provided $52,776,842 in funding for these projects. For every dollar that EcoAction invested in these projects, the recipients leveraged about three dollars from other sources.
• 175 projects are currently under way, and 127 projects are either in negotiations or awaiting approval.
• Since 1995, a reduction of approximately 2.8 Mt of greenhouse gases was achieved; 2.9 million kg of other air pollutants were reduced; 253 000 volunteers were directly involved in projects; 7 million native plants, trees and shrubs were planted; 101 000 ha of wildlife habitat were enhanced or restored; 245 000 ha of riparian habitat or ecosystem were created, restored, preserved or protected; 101 000 ha of habitat were permanently protected; 2.35 million litres of pesticides, fertilizers, toxic substances or hazardous waste were diverted from use or reduced; and 1.5 million kg of pesticides, fertilizers, toxic substances or hazardous waste were diverted from use or reduced.

Since the creation of the Community Interaction Program (CIP) in 2005:

• 75 projects were funded and 34 completed. CIP provided $1,690,968 in funding for these projects. For every dollar that CIP invested in these projects, the recipients leveraged about $1.35 from other sources.
• Overall, since 2005, approximately 103.5 km shoreline were restored, cleaned up, and stabilized; 2.3 million individuals were reached; 90 800 native plants, trees and shrubs were planted; and 17 ha of habitat were restored, conserved and enhanced. The program created jobs and involved volunteers; produced 781 scientific documents; created 274 partnerships; picked up 18 t of waste and reduced waste volume by 46 cubic m³.

1) Name of Transfer Payment Program : Contributions to Support Canada's International Commitments

The purpose of this class contribution is to sustain and enhance Canada's participation in international multilateral and bilateral environmental organizations, agreements and protocols; ensure that Canadian interests are represented in international forums relating to environmental issues; facilitate the participation of developing countries in global environmental and sustainable development issues; and build, strengthen and maintain Canada's linkages with the international community on global environmental and sustainable development issues.

• The class contribution is in support of any of the following departmental key expected results: Reduced adverse human impact on the atmosphere and on air quality; understanding, and prevention or reduction of the environmental and human health threats posed by toxic substances and other substances of concern; conservation of biological diversity; understanding and reduction of human impacts on the health of ecosystems; conservation and restoration of priority ecosystems; reduced impact of weather and related hazards on health, safety and the economy; adaptation to day-to-day and longer-term changes in atmospheric, hydrological and ice conditions; strategic and integrated policy priorities and plans; and a well-performing organization supported by efficient and innovative services

• Canada implemented obligations under the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) and engaged in international discussions on the global control of mercury
• International cooperation and negotiations contributed to a better understanding and reduction of the adverse impacts of pollution, toxic substances of concern, and unsustainable resource management policies on human health and the environment
• There was an international exchange of knowledge, tools, best practices, methods, and sound environmental policies aimed at enhancing global protection of human health and the environment
• Canada contributed to the work of the United National Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Kyoto Protocol in support of the Bali Action Plan and the development of a post-2012 agreement on climate change. Canada contributed to the international dialogue on climate change through its participation at the G8 Summit and meetings of the Major Economies Process on Energy Security and Climate Change. Canada was granted membership in the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development Climate and supported other technology partnerships including the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership. Canada's involvement in international climate change supported the expected results as it aimed at preventing and reducing pollution and the impact of weather globally
• Undertook activities with key country partners to protect, enhance and conserve Canada's biodiversity (Canada-Mexico Partnership, Canada-Chile Agreement on Environmental Cooperation, Comission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC), Canada/Mexico/United States Trilateral Committee for Wildlife and Ecosystem Conservation and Management).
• The Departrment actively participated in international fora in order to advance Canadian objectives and support efforts to conserve biodiversity at home and abroad by, for example, championing the inclusion of species threatened by international trade in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species and removal of those that no longer need CITES protection at CoP 14, and engaging in preparatory meetings for key issues such as protected areas and access and benefit sharing for the Ninth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity
• Capacity was built in the areas of wildlife conservation and enforcement (i.e. Coalition Against Wildlife Trafficking)
• Canada effectively participated in WMO programs and governance bodies that helped advance Environment Canada's science and technology objectives

Harbourfront Centre spent 100% of the budget of $5M and remained open, providing community and cultural programming for the general public on the Toronto Waterfront.

2007-2008

9) and 11)

2007-2008

9) and 11)

The variance between total authorities and actual spending for 2007-2008 is attributed to the change in the program authorities responsible for the TWRI. The program moved from Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat to Environment Canada. As such, Planned Spending for the TWRI was included in the Report on Plans and Priorities for the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.

In April 2007, the TWRI program was extended for three additional years. The new sunset date is March 31, 2011. Through the 2008-2009 Annual Reference Level Update process Environment Canada re-profiled a majority of the $232.8 million transferred from the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat into the additional future years.

In 2008, Environment Canada initiated an evaluation of federal participation in the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Initiative. The draft report, which will be finalized in August 2008, identified the following findings:

1) Design, Delivery and Cost-effectiveness

• The federal TWRI Secretariat appears to demonstrate value-for-money.
• The development of a corporation to implement revitalization activities is an effective vehicle for meeting TWRI objectives, but TWRC activities have not met expectations around timelines.
• The expenditure of federal TWRI funds has been slower than expected.
• The Intergovernmental Steering Committee was not generally seen as an effective governance body, but TWRI activities were felt to have been well coordinated through an Operations Working Group, which is led and chaired by the federal TWRI Secretariat.
• While the use of a contribution program to deliver TWRI funding has provided federal oversight of its funding, the contribution program has been perceived as administratively challenging.
• The additional tri-governmental indemnification requirements for TWRI projects were perceived to have had a negative effect on the timeliness

2) Relevance

• The revitalization of the Toronto waterfront is consistent with federal priorities (economic leadership and environmental improvement).
• There is a demonstrated need for federal participation in the TWRI.
• The TWRI has lacked a consistent and relevant department home for its federal Secretariat.

3) Success

• Contribution agreements have largely been for planning, design, environmental assessments and land restoration.
• Projects have suffered from a range of challenges that have resulted in delays. It is too early to measure the extent to which the TWRI has resulted in significant economic benefits.
• The federal TWRI has demonstrated sound environmental approaches to revitalization. The TWRI has fostered greater community awareness and participation in waterfront planning and implementation.
• There is some increase in the accessibility of the waterfront as a result of federal participation in the TWRI, and more projects to improve accessibility are planned or under way.