2008-2009 DPRs - Sustainable Development Strategy

• In Newfoundland and Labrador, the Agency continues to provide funding to the Newfoundland Environmental Industries Association to carry out activities that create awareness of SD. In this fiscal year, the association held one breakfast session and four luncheon sessions addressing various topics and one professional skills development session. These sessions were attended by 108 participants.
• Newfoundland and Labrador, has approved funding for three initiatives aimed at sustainable tourism, for a total of $665,800.
• In New Brunswick, ACOA has supported a pilot project, called the Sustainable Business Initiative in partnership with Enterprise Fredericton. During this fiscal year, one SME received sustainable development reviews/audits under this initiative.

• In New Brunswick, ACOA held one session, which took place during the CBDC and Enterprise Network annual meeting.
• In Nova Scotia, stakeholders participated in three sessions given by the Strategic Initiative Unit, entitled, “Environment and Your Business.”

• Planning of information sessions for project officers on SD related government programs and services to be held in 2009-2010.

• In Newfoundland and Labrador, ACOA funded 11 SD-related projects for a total contribution of $2.0 million.
• In Nova Scotia, ACOA funded 20 projects with SD attributes through Enterprise Development.
• In New Brunswick two SMEs are undertaking SD practices.

• Planning of information sessions for community development partners to be held in 2009-2010.

• In Newfoundland and Labrador, ACOA approved 15 green infrastructure projects.
• In Prince Edward Island, ACOA approved 16 green infrastructure projects.
• In New Brunswick, ACOA approved 34 green infrastructure projects.

• In New Brunswick, one project has been funded with the Atlantica BioEnergy Task Force, which is a coalition of government, industry and post-secondary institutions. The key initiative is to establish a vision for the next stage of evolution for the forestry industry in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and the state of Maine. ACOA funding for this project is $199,000, toward total project costs of $1,272,625.

• In Newfoundland and Labrador, a Regional Federal Council SD sub committee was established, with ACOA acting as co chair. A presentation on ACOA’s SD activities was made, resulting in other federal departments implementing the ACOA’s carbon footprint survey.

• In Newfoundland and Labrador, the Regional Federal Council’s SD Working Group, in partnership with Treasury Board Secretariat, Service Canada, Industry Canada and others, hosted a one-day planning session entitled, Sustainable Development – The Current Reality.

• Training and an information session were offered on topics relevant to SD. These activities included information on the purchase of local food and produce, disseminating information on paperless pay stubs, presenting the movie Crude Awakenings, inviting guest speakers on SD topics, and various internal communications initiatives.

• Newfoundland and Labrador, a carbon footprint survey was develop and disseminated, with 53 employees participating in the survey during Earth Day activities.

• ACOA staff in Moncton and Ottawa participated in a HO Go Green Initiative. Sixty-eight employees participated in a baseline ecological footprint and 74 participated in a follow-up ecological footprint. Thirteen training sessions were held for employees in order to make them aware of sustainable development practices and SD business practices. ACOA’s regional offices in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island are reviewing the results of the Go Green Initiative and may undertake this initiative in the following year.

• With regard to increasing the traffic on the ACOA’s SD intranet site, links to the Head Office and New Brunswick Regional Committee sites were added as well as a link to the Newfoundland intranet site. The SD site was updated and the regional sites are used to provide environment tips and other messages to staff.

• An Enviro Tip of the Week was published on the Agency’s intranet site (Rendezvous) throughout the year.

• In ACOA’s New Brunswick offices, the Agency began replacing all water coolers and bottled water supplies with water fountains.

• Regional SD committees are strong and active in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador and Head Office.

• During a meeting of ACOA account managers in New Brunswick, an SD session was offered and 50 staff members took part.

• SD activities are included in the annual planning cycle, through corporate and regional work plans. Financial and human resources to support SD activities have been approved. SD has been integrated into the PAA.
• The President’s annual call letter for the 2008 2009 planning process identified the requirement for human and financial resources for SD activities.

Head Office

• 42% of toner cartridges purchased were remanufactured cartridges, and all empty toner cartridges were returned for recycling.
• 100% of copy paper purchased was recycled paper.
• Energy-efficient photocopiers including a fax function were purchased, eliminating the need for two fax machines and one scanner.
• Environmentally friendly products were used.
• Training on green procurement was offered to all procurement staff.

Newfoundland and Labrador:

• 60% of toner cartridges purchased were remanufactured.
• 70% of office supplies and papers purchased were environmentally friendly.

New Brunswick:

• Products were purchased from the “Green Catalogue.”
• New equipment purchased was Energy Star rated, on as needed basis.
• 45% of cartridges bought were remanufactured or recycled.

Nova Scotia:

• All new equipment purchased was energy efficient
• Fifteen different green products are being ordered from seven different suppliers.

Prince Edward Island:

• 100% of paper purchased was recycled paper.
• New equipment purchased was energy efficient.
• Green product catalogues were made available and green products promoted.
• Two remanufactured and energy efficient printers were purchased.

Although it is sometimes difficult to track the exact number of green products purchased, information on green products was provided to all purchasing staff at ACOA.

Agency

• Hybrid/alternative fuel vehicles comprise 77% of fleet.

Head Office

• Hybrid/alternative fuel vehicles comprise 75% of fleet.

Newfoundland and Labrador

• Hybrid or flex vehicles compose 83% of required fleet.

New Brunswick

• Hybrid vehicles comprise 88% of fleet, with the objective of increasing to 100%.

Nova Scotia

• Alternative fuel vehicles comprise 75% of required fleet; all new vehicles purchased were hybrid.

Prince Edward Island

• Hybrid vehicles comprise 60% of the regional fleet; new purchases were hybrid or alternative fuel.

• The Newfoundland and Labrador regional office is the only ACOA office located in a federally owned building where power-down initiatives are in place to reduce the building energy consumption.
• All other regions are reducing energy consumption through awareness training.

The CBSA forged three strategic partnerships:

• The CBSA, Public Works and Government Services Canada, and the Secure Channel consortium are partners in implementing a secure electronic forms service;

• The CBSA, Public Works and Government Services Canada, the Semiahmoo First Nation, BC Parks, the British Columbia Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, the City of Surrey, the Surrey Chamber of Commerce, the White Rock and South Surrey Chamber of Commerce, the Peace Portal Golf Course and Friends of the Peace Arch Park are partners in the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design certification for the CBSA's custodial redevelopment project in Douglas, British Columbia; and

• The CBSA, Public Works and Government Services Canada, Natural Resources Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, the Province of Quebec, the Municipality of Rigaud and some private sector contractors are partners in the CBSA Learning Centre expansion in Rigaud, Quebec.

Note: Many internal strategic partnerships were also forged among branches and regions.

The CBSA implemented phase 1 of the 2007–12 greenhouse gas emissions reduction plan:

• it completed a greenhouse gas emissions inventory for the Agency;

• it identified a baseline year for the Agency to measure progress on managing its greenhouse gas emissions;

• based on the inventory, it developed a greenhouse gas emissions management strategy and action plan; and

• it implemented the initial actions necessary to meet the 2007–09 targets identified in the greenhouse gas emissions management strategy and action plan.

No new facilities were Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design-certified; however, four facilities are currently in the certification process:

• Andover, New Brunswick;

• the CBSA Learning Centre expansion in Rigaud, Quebec;

• Douglas, British Columbia; and

• St. Stephen, New Brunswick.

The target, to read as intended and to be compatible with the equivalent Government of Canada target, should be "By March 31, 2010, reduce by 15 percent (from 2002–03 levels) greenhouse gas emissions per vehicle kilometre."

Results not reported until 2010.

The CBSA identified and managed six significant environmental aspects:

• contaminated sites;

• greenhouse gas;

• halocarbons;

• paper;

• storage tanks; and

• water.

The CBSA informed employees of Public Works and Government Services Canada's online compensation tool that helps to alleviate the paper burden. On its intranet site, the CBSA launched an online course, Sustainable Development Principles and Practices, and promoted Earth Hour, Earth Day and Canadian Environment Week.

Note: Sustainable development initiatives also took place in the branches and regions.

The CBSA developed and implemented a national sustainable development recognition program.

This program is currently under revision. As a result, candidates were not nominated in 2008–09.

• The Agency supported the work of the Minister's Regulatory Advisory Committee (RAC) Subcommittee on SEA as it completed its mandate to define the broader context for SEA, explore meaningful linkages between strategic and project-level EA, and examine the role of the public and Aboriginal groups in SEA.
• The Agency continued to support research projects aimed at advancing the science and practice of SEA and REA. These include Atikamekw Nation Territorial Planning: The Role of Strategic Environmental Assessment in Sustainable and Adaptive Joint Management of Forest Area and Extending Models and Practice of Strategic Environmental Assessment in the Regional Municipality of York, Ontario, Canada. Final reports for both projects are expected in 2009.
• The Agency continued to participate in work undertaken through the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment to promote and advance a Canada-wide understanding of regional strategic environmental assessment.
• The Agency undertook a coordinating lead role, including financial support, to develop a framework for an REA in the Beaufort Basin and worked with other partners to explore the potential for REA offshore in Nova Scotia.
• The Agency invested in a review of existing SEA tools and best practices and the development of an SEA toolbox to strengthen the methodological basis for the practice of SEA at the federal level.
• The Agency developed a geographic information system to assist in identifying environmental and policy variables in environmental assessment. This tool has the potential to support analysis of development impacts on a regional scale.

• The Agency continued to define and implement its new roles for managing the environmental assessments and coordinating Crown consultations for major projects under the 2007 Cabinet Directive on Improving the Performance of the Regulatory System for Major Resource Projects and its Memorandum of Understanding.
• The Agency continued to chair and support the work of the Environmental Assessment Project Committee (EAPC), which aims to facilitate a whole-of-government approach to the preparation of high-quality environmental assessments in a timely, certain and predictable manner.

• The Agency implemented, on a pilot basis, Learning Logs for environmental assessments for which the Agency is the Federal Environmental Assessment Coordinator (FEAC) or Project Manager. Learning Logs document the environmental outcomes and project design changes that occur as a result of the federal environmental assessment process.

• The Agency participated in an initiative with the Chiefs of Ontario to develop an Environmental Assessment Toolkit for member communities. The toolkit was designed to assist Ontario First Nations in understanding environmental assessment as it is practiced by their own communities and to facilitate their participation in the environmental assessment of projects that may affect them.
• The Agency actively participated in a senior-level interdepartmental policy working group tasked with developing a national action plan for the federal government on the legal duty to consult with Aboriginal groups. The Agency's participation in this initiative helps to ensure that the federal government's duty to consult is appropriately fulfilled in relation to federal environmental assessment.
• The Agency continued to support research projects aimed at providing a new understanding and approaches for the meaningful involvement of Aboriginal groups in environmental assessment. These include Atikamekw Nation Territorial Planning: The Role of Strategic Environmental Assessment in Sustainable and Adaptive Joint Management of Forest Area and Effective Engagement of Aboriginal Peoples in Environmental Assessment: A Case Study of Treaty 8 Nations. Final reports for these projects are expected in 2009 and 2010, respectively.

• The Agency participated in interdepartmental efforts to develop a federal sustainable development strategy in accordance with the recently proclaimed Federal Sustainable Development Act, supporting linkages between SEA and sustainable development.

• The Agency began work leading a government-wide evaluation of the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals. The evaluation will assess the contribution of SEA to balanced decision making in support of sustainable development, with a final report expected in June 2009.
• The Agency provided coordinated input to the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, who commenced a performance audit of the application of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The Commissioner's final report is expected in November 2009.
• The Agency's quality assurance unit has been working to identify and to analyze aspects of the current environmental assessment process that are most likely to lead to favourable environmental outcomes. This work included case studies of five environmental assessments in Ontario, follow-up on public participation in screenings and an assessment of the first year of implementation of the Interim Approach to Scoping.

• The Agency continued to work with other jurisdictions through the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment to identify opportunities to improve the coordination of assessments for projects subject to both federal and provincial environmental assessment.

• The Agency has used the sustainable development strategy to guide the selection of research priorities for its Research and Development Program. Specifically, these priorities have included:
  • Climate Change
  • Adaptive Management
  • Small Projects
  • Strategic Environmental Assessment
  • Meaningful Involvement
  • Follow-Up
  • Determining the Significance of Environmental Effects
  • Human Impact Assessment
  • Integrating Climate Change Considerations into EA
  • Regional Environmental Effects Framework

• Between 1990 and 2005, the number fell from 1.8 billion to 1.4 billon people worldwide.
• The global economic downturn and the food crisis has pushed an extra 55–99 million more people into extreme poverty than anticipated before the crisis.

Globally, 113 economies implemented 239 reforms between June 2007 and June 2008, making it easier to do business and representing the most reforms recorded in a single year since 2004. These reforms focused on easing business start-ups, lightening the tax burden, simplifying import and export regulations, and improving credit-information systems. Economies in Africa implemented more "Doing Business" reforms in 2007–2008 than in any previous year covered, with 28 economies implementing 58 reforms, more than in any year since 2004.

In 2007–2008, 49 economies simplified business start-ups and reduced the costs associated. And 115 economies-more than half the world's total-have reformed in this area through 193 reforms over the past five years (since 2004).

Total merchandise exports: (US millions)⁸
1A. Non-LDC developing countries
2004: $2,989,516.8 (growth rate 26.4%)
2005: $3,643,340.4 (growth rate 22.1%)
2006: $4,370,213.2 (growth rate 20.2%)
2007: $5,064,382.0 (growth rate⁹ 15.19%)

1B. LDCs
2004: $55,878.0 (growth rate 29.8%)
2005: $76,513.6 (growth rate 36.9%)
2006: $99,294.7 (growth rate 29.8%)
2007: $125,644.0 (growth rate 21.15%)

2007: 387 per 100,000 persons

In 2007 the proportion of physicians per 100,000 persons ranged from 2 in Africa to 32 in Europe. The numbers in other regions were as follows: Americas,19; Southeast Asia, 5; Eastern Mediterranean, 10; and Western Pacific, 14.

The density of nursing and midwifery personnel per 100,000 persons ranged from 11 in Africa to 79 in Europe. The numbers in other regions were as follows: Americas, 49; Southeast Asia, 12; Eastern Mediterranean, 15; and Western Pacific, 20.

The proportion of community health workers by region was unavailable.

Ratio of girls to boys in primary, secondary, and tertiary education in developing countries

In 2006, 59 of the 176 countries with data had achieved gender parity in primary school, 20 countries more than in 1999.

In developing countries, for every 100 boys enrolled in primary school in 2006, 95 girls were enrolled, up from 91 in 1999:

• In South and West Asia, for every 100 boys in primary school in 2006, 95 girls were enrolled.
• In sub-Saharan Africa, for every 100 boys in primary school in 2006, 89 girls were enrolled.

Of countries with data, 37% had reached gender parity in secondary education by 2006.

In developing countries, for every 100 boys enrolled in secondary school in 2005, 94 girls were enrolled, up from 89 in 1999:

• In Latin America, for every 100 boys enrolled in secondary school in 2006, 107 girls were enrolled.
• In sub-Saharan Africa , for every 100 boys enrolled in secondary school in 2006, 80 girls were enrolled.

In developing countries, for every 100 boys enrolled in tertiary education in 2006, 93 girls were enrolled, up from 78 in 1999:

• In South and West Asia, for every 100 boys enrolled in tertiary education in 2006, 76 girls were enrolled.
• In sub-Saharan Africa, for every 100 boys enrolled in tertiary education in 2006, 67 girls were enrolled.

• overall, 32% of the ministries of education had an education sector HIV/AIDS policy, including 40% in high-prevalence countries, 27% in medium-prevalence countries, and 30% in low-prevalence countries;
• one in five ministries of education reported to have a workplace or human resource policy related to HIV/AIDS; and
• HIV/AIDS was addressed in the curriculum at the primary level in 79% of all countries. At the secondary level, 89% of all countries addressed HIV/AIDS within their curriculum, 90 of high-, 87% in medium-, and 89% in low-prevalence countries.

The constantly changing number and nature of global crises and emergencies means that tracking statistics in a manner that shows improvement is unreliable due to changing population numbers as crises ebb and flow unpredictably. Moreover, with regard to education, there is no consolidated global data available or proxies that have been developed to date. Children living in crisis situations include those affected by natural disasters and by urgent war and conflict-related violence, including refugees.

Between 37% and more than 53% of all out-of-school children (75 million in 2006) live in conflict-affected fragile states.¹⁹

Enrollment in Grades 1-6 with regard to 98 reporting United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) refugee camp schools in 2008.²⁰

Concerning refugee students enrolled in Grades 1–6, 38 percent of the reporting camps meet the standard of having 100% children enrolled, 30.6% almost meet the standard and 32% do not meet the standard.

Attendance by gender in UNHCR camp schools in 2008.
Disaggregated by gender, the percentage of refugee students enrolled in Grades 1-6 in 2008 was 62.8% of girls and 75.8% of boys. The Gender Parity Index remains below 1. Despite an increasing number of girls enrolled in primary school in the last few years, the issues of completion and transition to secondary education remain a concern.

Enrollment in Grades 1-6 of refugee children in urban areas (2008).
Concerning urban refugee students enrolled in Grades 1–6, 32% of the reporting urban areas meet the standard of having 100% children enrolled, 60% almost meet the standard, and 8% do not meet the standard.

CIDA is fully compliant with the CEEA. For 2008–2009, 122 projects were assessed and published in the Public Registry.

CIDA is currently in the preparatory research phase of the 2010 parliamentary review of the CEAA.

CIDA is now co-chair of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) SEA Task Team, a subcommittee of the OECD Development Assistance Committee and ENVIRONET. CIDA engaged the OECD SEA Task Team to develop SEA quality review methodology for CIDA and other OECD members.

In 2008–2009, 57 policies, plans, and programs were subjected to detailed SEAs. Each completed SEA is accompanied by a public statement from the Minister, made available on the CIDA website.

Environment specialists are present in each programming branch to provide strategic advice on integration of environment considerations into projects and programs.

CIDA provided results-based management training to its environment specialists to ensure that they are better able to integrate environmental considerations into country programs. CIDA also provides training on environmental considerations for those going on postings, helping to ensure they are aware of these issues while in the field.

CIDA has integrated items of environmental consideration into the guidelines for the new country-programming frameworks.

Environmental integration is now being captured in the new CIDA investment monitoring and reporting tool (IMRT) in order to make the Agency better able to assess how environment considerations are being integrated and how improvements can be made on environmental integration in the future. This tool has also been designed to help the Agency report more accurately on its international environmental commitments (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change).

Additional tools have been developed by CIDA, including the environment section of the mandatory new development officers training program, integration of the environment into the chapter on responsive programming in the CIDA Roadmap, an online corporate e-learning program on environmental integration at CIDA, and a CEAA Job Aid CD-ROM.

In recent decades, there has been significant democratization across the globe: 80 countries-representing almost half of the world's population-are considered to be democracies. However, the spread of democracy has stagnated over the past two years.²¹

Over the past decade, 1998–2008, both Eastern Europe and Latin America have shown improvements across all governance dimensions, but South Asia has shown a decline. Progress in other regions has been mixed.²² Evidence shows, however, that where there is commitment to reform, improvements in governance can, and do, occur. Individual countries in all regions have shown substantial improvements in governance, even if at times they are starting from a very low level.²³

Democratic governance
The extent to which citizens are able to participate in selecting their government and enjoy freedom of expression, freedom of association, and a free media has increased slightly in recent years in sub-Saharan Africa, Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean. However, there have been decreases in South Asia, East Asia, and the Middle East and North Africa.²⁴ Progress has been made toward the achievement of political stability in all regions, except the Middle East and North Africa, and South Asia.²⁵

Public sector performance and accountability
Although there has been mixed progress in terms of government effectiveness in East Asia and Eastern Europe in recent years, there have been consistent improvements in the level of public sector performance in sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and the Middle East and North Africa since 2004.²⁶

Although women still hold a minority of seats in local government bodies, the proportion of seats held by women has increased over time. The average percentage of women in national parliaments worldwide increased from 12.8% in May 1999 to 18.4% in May 2009.²⁷ From May 2008 to May 2009, the number of women in parliaments has remained the same in all regions, except for sub-Saharan Africa and Asia, where the number of women in national parliaments slightly increased.

Despite increased attention given to issues of corruption, improvements in controlling the level of corruption worldwide are waning.²⁸ An increasing number of countries, primarily in Africa, but also in Asia and South America, are signing on to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, which supports improved governance through the verification and full publication of company payments and government revenues from oil, gas, and mining.

Rule of law
There have been general improvements in the rule of law across sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East and North Africa, and the Caribbean, but decreases in the regions of East Asia and South Asia, and mixed progress in Latin America.²⁹

In the areas of civil and political rights, people were tortured or ill-treated in at least 78 countries (compared to 81 in 2007), faced unfair trials in at least 50 countries (compared to 54 in 2007) and were not allowed to speak freely in at least 81 countries (compared to 77 in 2007).³⁰ At least 2,390 people were executed worldwide, with 78% of executions taking place in G20 countries. People seeking asylum were forcibly returned by at least 27 countries to states where they faced detention, torture-even death. Prisoners of conscience were held in at least 50 countries.³¹

Progress in economic, social, and cultural rights was also uneven. For example, while overall child mortality rates fell, only 33 countries (compared to 32 in 2007) are on track to achieve the MDG on child mortality.³² Increased poverty and deprivation due to the global financial situation have led to denial of economic and social rights, including food shortages and the use of food as a political weapon, forced evictions in at least 24 countries, and abuse of rights of indigenous peoples.³³

Progress has been made in addressing such human rights violations through advances in the development of legal human rights instruments, mechanisms, and standards, both at the United Nations and in other international forums, and in enhanced awareness and commitment of the international community. In 2008, Canada was chair of the International Coordinating Committee of National Human Rights Institutions, which contributed to advancing their role at every level. Canada was also an active member of the Human Rights Council, an intergovernmental body that makes recommendations to the UN General Assembly about situations in which human rights are violated.

Although CSC’s SDS targets span over a 3-year cycle, implementation of SD/Environmental initiatives is done on an annual basis in accordance with the available budget and human resource level. CSC expects:

• to reduce its natural gas and/or heating oil consumption by approximately 0.5%;
• that at least 10% of all new acquired vehicles will be hybrid models or will run on alternative fuels;
• to replace at least one large cooling system that represents a high risk of leakage;
• to implement two Phase 1 and 2 Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) Recovery Projects on its petroleum storage tanks;
• to implement at least one project to improve the quality of targeted outfall from a wastewater treatment system;
• to reduce its potable water consumption by approximately 2% to 3%;
• to proceed with the remediation of a minimum of two priority contaminated sites and further advance our environmental farm management plan;
• to proceed with a minimum of three new environmental assessments of potentially contaminated sites;
• to conduct two institutional solid waste audits;
• to initiate the development of an internal policy on green procurement; and,
• to prepare and deliver at least two SDS progress report for Senior Management.

CSC’s SDS 2007-2010 refers to the following performance measures to evaluate progress toward its commitments/targets:

• Weight (in metric tonnes) of CO2 emissions produced by its central heating plants and institutional heating systems;
• Number of renewable energy production projects implemented;
• % of new acquired vehicles that run on alternative fuels (hybrid and E85);
• Number of measures to improve the efficiency of its large boilers;
• Number of halocarbon cooling systems replaced;
• Number of phase 1 and 2 VOC recovery projects/units installed/completed;
• Number of projects to upgrade its wastewater treatment systems implemented;
• Number of measures to conserve potable water implemented;
• Potable water consumption (litres/occupant/day);
• Number of priority contaminated sites is remediated;
• Number of actions taken to expand the Environmental Farms Management Plan;
• Number of assessments of potentially contaminated areas;
• Number of solid waste audits conducted;
• Estimate of weight of land filled solid waste (kg/occupant/day)
• Publication of an internal policy on green procurement;
• Number of employees who received training on green procurement; and
• Number of SDS progress reports presented to Senior Management.

As of April 1, 2009, CSC has achieved the following SDS results for 2008-2009:

• Implementation of institutional energy conservation initiatives to meet the 0.5% to 1% targeted reduction of natural gas/heating oil;
• The Dorchester Institution wind turbine installation was completed in March 2009 and field work was further advanced for the Drumheller Institution wind turbine (scheduled for fall 2009).  Other minor renewable energy projects were also implemented;
• 55% of all new acquired vehicles in 2008/09 have the capacity to run on alternative fuel;
• Under an agreement with National Research Council of Canada, eight Central Heating Plants have been visited and adjusted to improve the efficiency of their large boilers and measure their NOx emissions;
• Replacement of at least one large halocarbon cooling system that represents a high risk of leak;
• Implementation of at least one Phase 1 and 2 VOCs recovery project on its petroleum storage tanks;
• Implementation of at least one project to improve the quality of targeted outfalls from wastewater treatment systems;
• An estimated reduction by approx 2-3% of potable water consumption;
• Three contaminated site remediation projects were completed and six contaminated site assessments were conducted.  Additional improvements were completed in line with the advancement of the Environmental Farm Management Plan at Westmorland Institution;
• Completion of three solid waste audits;
• A trial run on green procurement practices was conducted in the Quebec region and the development of a draft internal policy on green procurement was initiated.  Related training for procurement officers was continued; and
• An annual SDS progress report for Senior Management was prepared in December 2008.

• Develop capacity to provide advice on the legal implications of policy and program decisions related to SD issues facing the government and client departments and agencies.
• New areas for possible application of SD advice and services are identified and explored.
• Conduct research and analysis of SD principles and current issues and develop case studies and best practices on the application of SD principles and practices in the provision of legal services.

• Review and analyze recommendations from 2006 Sustainable Development Conference.
• Organize and conduct a follow-up SD conference.
• Training sessions on Legal Services support for SD.
• Guidance is developed on the application of SD in the provision of legal services.
• Guidelines are developed to support staff in offering additional advice and services.
• Training is offered and conducted to build additional expertise in the Department, when appropriate.
• Training tools on SD are produced in collaboration with other government departments and the Canada School of Public Service.
• Learning and practical tools are developed to assist employees.
• Consult with selected client organizations to determine how DoJ legal services support of the client SD strategies can be enhanced.
• Continue SD awareness campaign.
• Establish or promote forums (networks, working groups, practice groups) to consider SD in the provision of legal services.
• Process guide developed for the preparation of ministerial responses to environmental petitions.
• Link made between SD and Legal Risk Management.

• SD Steering Committee and SD Legal Services Network considered recommendations from the 2006 SD Conference as part of ongoing implementation of Justice SD Strategy.
• Departmental SD Conference entitled “Justice for the Future” held March 25, 2009 with a focus on the new Federal Sustainable Development Act.
• Developed a Framework for Preparation of an SD Checklist for DOJ Counsel; presented to DOJ portfolio heads, legal services managers and counsel.
• Public Law Sector surveyed the implementation of SD practices within the Sector and prepared a list of the practices; the list is to be regularly updated.
• Projects and presentations on the connections between SD and the provision of legal services, including:
  • Analysis of main principles of SD and their legal impact;
  • Analysis of the use of purpose clauses and preambles for conveying SD principles;
  • the Working Theory of Reconciliation Project: Fostering a common understanding of what reconciliation entails as a legal principle, and developing law practice management tools to assist counsel to translate the principle into their daily practice of law;
  • the analysis the harmonization of federal law with the private law of the provinces from an SD perspective.
• Consultation with Environment Canada on legal services support for departmental strategies; SD Checklist Framework includes consideration of client departments’ SD Strategies.
• Legal support to Departments on the implementation of the Federal Sustainable Development Act;
• SD drawn to the attention of clients departments, for example in the revision of government directives.
• A departmental procedure was put in place to facilitate the coordination and consistency of legal advice on key environmental assessment law issues.
• Justice SD intranet site updated with current material about the connection between legal services and SD.
• SD Steering Committee and SD Legal Services Network met regularly to advance implementation of Justice SD Strategy.
• Departmental process developed and approved for the preparation of ministerial responses to environmental petitions.
• Participation in interdepartmental working group on the preparation of a guide for departments on environmental petitions.
• Legal risk management checklist of potential client impacts amended to include an environmental effect component.

• SD principles and practices are incorporated in the Department’s policies and programs.
• SD activities and principles are integrated in the Department’s management and accountability structure.

• Ensure and monitor compliance with 1999 Cabinet Directive on Strategic Environmental Assessments.
• Case studies and best practices are developed on the application of SD principles and practices in program and policy development and in the provision of policy advice.
• Guidelines and learning tools are developed and training is provided to staff.
• Forward-looking policy and program research and analysis developed.
• Areas are identified to further incorporate SD.
• Guidelines, learning and practical tools are created to assist employees in applying SD in their work.
• Training is offered and conducted to build additional expertise within the Department, as appropriate.
• Policy research capacity is in place to analyze long-term effects of environmental degradation, emerging technologies, and social and economic issues on the work of the Department.
• Policy and legal services priorities and activities are linked to government’s priorities to address the environmental, social and economic pillars of SD development.
• SD is integrated into the Management Accountability Framework; SD activities are re-grouped according to the departmental Program Activity Architecture structure.
• Link is established between Legal Risk Management in the Department and the implementation of SD.
• SD is considered a departmental priority.
• Procedures are in place to collect data and to monitor and report on progress in SD efforts.
• Increase the understanding of SD and its relevance to the work of the Department within its managerial community.
• Develop specific targets for inclusion and monitoring of SD commitments into selective senior managers’ performance agreements.
• Integrate SD into Departmental business planning.

• Full compliance with the Cabinet Strategic Environmental Assessment Directive is achieved.
• Memoranda to Cabinet contain a compulsory questionnaire on potential environmental impacts which is monitored by Cabinet Affairs.
• A series of best practice examples from DOJ’s programs and policies were developed that show linkages to SD principles relevant to DOJ.
• Tools such as checklists and reference materials have been developed in the policy and program areas of DOJ to help ensure incorporation of SD considerations when appropriate.
• The Policy and Programs SD Working Group has been responsible for developing and delivering on all of the items under this objective.
• SD remains a component of compulsory management training for all new manager.
• References to SD considerations have been incorporated into the Terms of Reference of the Policy Committee and its sub-group, the Policy Committee working group.
• Linkages between the annual Policy Committee Retreat and SD were assessed and documented.
• SD considerations have been incorporated into the review process of DOJ’s Research Review Committee.
• SD principles are applied to DOJ’s research capacity to perform multi-site studies and file reviews.
• A workshop on SD was delivered in December 2008 for 50 policy and program officers from across DOJ.
• An information and discussion session on the application of SD in policies and programs was delivered at DOJ’s 2009 SD Conference.
• A survey of the policy and program community of DOJ was conducted from December 2008 to January 2009 to research and analyze employee awareness of SD, particularly of the social dimension and showed it to be growing.
• SD considerations have been added to the business planning guide, notably in the section on priority setting and strategic guidance.
• The SD Champion chairs a Steering Committee of senior managers on the application of SD and has delivered presentations to various portfolio management teams as well as communiqués to Direct Reports and Governing Council on progress in meeting SD objectives.
• Performance management agreements and SD guidance statements are being targeted for the next business cycle.

• Conservation and waste-management practices are significantly improved.
• Government Green Procurement Policy is implemented.

• Intensify activities to raise staff awareness of conservation practices.
• Increase efforts to reduce consumption of paper.
• Increase efforts to divert solid waste from landfill.
• Apply and ensure adherence to Government of Canada accommodation standards.
• Introduce and encourage measures to reduce energy consumption.
• Training is provided to all appropriate managers and staff.
• All areas of significant environmental impact by the Department are identified and measures are identified to reduce this impact by a minimum of 20%.
• Double-sided printing is promoted and set as a default standard across the Department, to the extent possible.
• Paper consumption levels are stabilized and monitored.
• Diversion of solid waste in Headquarters’ operations is increased from 78% to 86%, as recommended by the 2006 audit (based on baseline year 1999).
• Identifying accommodation opportunities that result in optimized occupancy and ensures more efficient space utilization in line with GOC space entitlement guidelines and fit-up standards.
• Incorporate sustainability in all aspects of design specifications through consideration and use of environmentally friendly products and materials.
• Practices are in place to promote electronic data disclosure and sharing, reducing paper consumption by 30% from the 2006 level.
• Monitoring process and measures to track waste diversion efforts are in place and are reported on regularly.
• Training for managers on environmental SD practices is created and delivered.
• Specific targets and performance measures are in place and included in managers’ performance agreements to demonstrate and monitor progress of their commitments to implementing SD.
• Recommendations from energy and solid waste management audits for Headquarters buildings are implemented and monitored.
• All appropriate staff are trained on the application of the Green Procurement Policy.
• Implementation of GPP is monitored and enforced.
• All suppliers used offer green products.
• Green procurement is considered in every transaction.
• Green stock purchases amount to a minimum of 50% of all purchases.
• Green procurement targets are developed and built into all responsible managers’ and staff performance agreements.
• Spending data has been assessed, baseline established and specific targets developed by 2009 for the main five categories of purchases.
• A standard reporting mechanism is developed within the financial system to monitor the Department’s compliance with the Policy.

• The creation of green teams for the dissemination of best practices and the hosting of thematic events has broadened awareness.
• Chief Information Officer developing double-sided-printing as part of its Print Strategy.
• Use of the department's litigation support tool, Ringtail, for managing and exchanging discovery document collections in digital rather than paper form, will result in a savings of approximately 168 million pages of paper based on the current inventory of digitized images (approx 24 million).
• Used battery collection organized for employees.
• Continue to implement Computer For Schools program before sending to Crown Assets.
• Better space management practices resulted in space optimization projects at East Memorial Building 1st, St Andrews Tower 5th, 6th, 8th, 11th and 12th floors where space entitlements were regularized and Government of Canada fit-up standards were adhered to.
• New water policy favouring tap water over bottled water was approved and implemented.
• DOJ’s property manager, SNC Lavalin Profac, conducts regular energy audits of Headquarters. The East Memorial Building recently received a BOMA Go Green Plus certification.
• Wherever possible through project implementation, Project Managers seek and specify the use of reusable products, materials manufactured from recycled materials, and/or are LEED compliant.
• Contract officers provided training on green procurement as part of their contract training.
• See Table 6.
• Departmental IT/IM investment criteria now incorporate environmental considerations such as air quality, energy conservation, water quality and waste management.

• Introduce regulations to align with US standards for emissions of air pollutants from vehicles and engines - starting in 2007
• Introduce regulations to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC) from selected consumer and commercial products
• Consultations and engagement with relevant stakeholders within key industrial sectors
• Develop overall regulatory framework that will guide the development of industrial sector regulations that will include proposed short term targets for air pollutants and greenhouse gases.
• Advice will be sought on medium and long-term targets for air pollutants and greenhouse has emissions

• Regulations in place to align with US standards for emissions of air pollutants from vehicles and engines
• Expected or actual reduction of emissions resulting from regulation
• Regulations in place to reduce VOC emissions from selected consumer and commercial products
• Expected or actual reduction of VOC emissions from consumer or commercial products
• Number of sectors from which stakeholders are drawn
• Development of an overall regulatory framework

• Continued progress towards the development of new regulations and amendments to existing regulations for vehicles and engines to maintain alignment of Canadian standards for smog-forming emissions with those of the US.

Industrial Sector Air Pollutant regulations:

• Supported development of regulations through consultations with industry regarding the air pollutant targets.

Industrial Sector Greenhouse Gas regulations:

• Supported development of greenhouse gas regulations through consultations with industry.
• Developed drafting instructions.

Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) Regulations:
The following proposed regulations were published in the Canada Gazette Part I:

• VOC Concentration Limits for Architectural Coatings, Auto Refinish Products and Certain Products regulations.

• Accelerate regulatory actions where appropriate (2007)
• Challenge industry to provide new toxicity and use information on 200 high concern chemical substances (2007-2009)

• Number of risk management approaches developed
• Number of regulatory instruments developed and/or implemented
• Number of voluntary measures developed and/ or implemented
• Number of companies and institutions participating in the Challenge

• Nineteen risk management approaches were developed.
• Regulatory instruments were proposed or finalized for several substances, including phosphorus, perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and chlorinated paraffins and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs).
• Non-regulatory instruments were developed and/or implemented for several substances, including mercury (dental amalgam), decabromodiphenyl ether (DecaBDE), perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorinated carboxylic acids (PFCAs).
• Environment Canada has worked with over 650 companies/institutions and has publicly communicated progress on 150 of the 200 high-priority substances. Environment Canada is working with industry within a three-year time frame to develop a satisfactory management plan for each of these substances.

• Integrated collection of industrial pollutant data, through the One-Window to National Environmental Reporting System (OWNERS), for various Environment Canada programs, including the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) and other provincial, regional and private-sector partners (annual reporting)
• Engagement of additional potential partners whose data could be collected through OWNERS (ongoing)
• Collaborating with provinces and territories to reduce inconsistencies in reporting requirements for industrial facilities.
• Building on success of work to harmonize pollutant reporting requirements with Ontario, collaborating with other provinces and territories to reduce inconsistencies in reporting requirements for industrial facilities.

• Increased satisfaction of reporting facilities with the integration of pollutant data collection.
• Pollutant data reports submitted annually.
• The number of potential OWNERS partners engaged.
• Ongoing industrial pollutant data collection.
• Change in number of partners reporting data through OWNERS
• Reduction of inconsistencies between federal and provincial pollutant reporting requirements.
• Change in number of facilities for which data are reported through OWNERS
• Number of harmonized reporting requirements among the federal government and provinces and territories

• Over 99 percent of the facilities reported to the NPRI using the One-Window to National Environmental Reporting System (OWNERS) in 2008. Satisfaction with the use of OWNERS remained constantly high, as in previous years.
• 2007 National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) information was collected for over 300 substances from more than 9,000 facilities.
• During the 2008-2009 fiscal year, no new partners were added to OWNERS. There are currently five partners.
• 2007 data were collected for existing OWNERS partners such as Ontario Ministry of the Environment (OMOE) Regulation 127/01, and Metro Vancouver.
• New partners such as Toronto Public Health and Ontario's Toxic Reduction Strategy were engaged regarding the future use of OWNERS.
• Inconsistencies between the NPRI and OMOE Regulation 127/01 were resolved and eliminated.
• Reporting to OWNERS increased due to compliance promotion efforts by the NPRI and its partners.
• Fully harmonized Ontario Regulation 127/01 with NPRI, except reporting for acetone. Work is ongoing to harmonize/integrate the data collection activities for British Columbia, Ontario (Toxic Reduction Strategy), and Quebec with the NPRI.

• Corporate Environmental Innovation: Through research, training and other collaborative initiatives, engage key players in the finance sector and other relevant stakeholders in identifying the business and financial benefits associated with strong environmental and sustainability performance and in understanding how they can integrate sustainability into their decision-making and operations (2007 ongoing).
• Corporate Environmental Innovation: Support the strategic management and reporting of Environment Canada data on corporate environmental performance in order to improve the reliability, comparability and accessibility of Environment Canada data to internal and external users, including the financial sector (2007 ongoing).
• Corporate Environmental Innovation: Promotion of leadership among Canadian corporate environmental leaders to encourage them to go beyond compliance performance (2007 ongoing).
• Corporate Environmental Innovation: Provision of sustainability tools and best practices to the corporate sector to help promote the competitive and innovation benefits of enhanced environmental performance (2007 ongoing).
• Corporate Environmental Innovation: Increase the quantity and quality of corporate sustainability reporting in Canada through the Sustainability Reporting Toolkit and corporate training workshops (2007 ongoing).
• Provide public information base on chemical substances to strengthen industry, consumer and financial sector’s role in identifying and managing risks from substances (2007 ongoing).
• Establish the Green Business Network: a partnership-based network through which government and industry partners can cooperate to support small and medium-sized enterprises with tailored tools to improve environmental performance and productivity (2007 ongoing).

• Number of stakeholders from the business, non-profit, and financial communities we collaborate with through research, training and other collaborative initiatives.
• Number of initiatives to engage stakeholders in corporate sustainability leadership activities.
• Amount and use of Environment Canada data on corporate environmental performance.
• Number of initiatives that promote leadership beyond compliance.
• Number of sustainability tools and best practice products.
• Level of sustainability reporting and percent disclosure of sustainability information.
• Public information on chemical substances available and aimed at identifying and managing risks from substances.
• Establishment of the Green Business Network.

• The Corporate Environmental Innovation (CEI) initiative has continued to support and encourage corporate sustainability leadership by bringing together upwards of 100 stakeholders in the private sector, academics, non-governmental organizations and other government departments in key areas of engagement.
• Environment Canada manages the Network on Linking Environmental Performance to Business Value, which brings together finance sector experts to build knowledge in the role of the finance sector in promoting a sustainable economy. Environment Canada is working with them to identify opportunities to make environmental performance information usable to the finance sector. The Network met once in 2008–2009, and individual members were engaged on a project basis as required.
• At a meeting of the Network on Linking Environmental Sustainability to Business Value, Environment Canada presented information on the Department’s Chemicals Management Plan and engaged members on whether and how financially relevant information on chemical substances could best be communicated to the finance sector.
• The Energy Sector Sustainability Table (www.tdds-sst.gc.ca) met twice in 2008 in support of its mandate to advance the environmental and economic sustainability of Canada’s energy system. The Table also released three publications: Environmental Scan of Canada's Energy Sector, Economic Scan of Canada's Energy Sector, and Energy Efficiency in Canada, the final report of the Table’s Energy Efficiency Working Group.
• CEI worked with LEAD Canada to promote sustainability reporting training courses being offered by that organization, and helped LEAD Canada incorporate the Sustainability Reporting Toolkit and Corporate Social Responsibility – An Implementation Guide for Canadian Business (developed by Environment Canada in collaboration with other government departments) into the course curriculum.
• Environment Canada continued to support Canada’s National Contact Point for the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises. The Guidelines are a voluntary, multilateral framework of standards and principles on responsible business conduct.
• In collaboration with other government departments, Environment Canada continued to support corporate sustainability reporting in Canada through an online Sustainability Reporting Toolkit.
• In 2008, 80 percent of companies on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) Composite Index were found to include some environmental or social information in their annual or stand-alone sustainability reports.¹
• CEI has discontinued efforts to establish the Green Business Network.

• A strategic plan for monitoring is developed which includes user requirements and information to assist decision-makers (July 2008).
• Consultations with stakeholders are undertaken regarding data requirements, priorities and gaps (ongoing).

• Development of a strategic plan for monitoring which includes user requirements and information to assist decision makers
• Number of stakeholders consulted regarding data requirements, priorities and gaps
• Number of stakeholder consultation sessions held

• Strategic Plan for Weather and Environmental Monitoring (WEM) drafted and circulated for internal comment
• ISO-aligned project charters developed and initiation of detailed network assessments for three WEM networks – Surface Weather, Reference Climate, and Upper Air
• Consultations with subject matter experts were initiated. The consultations intended to develop an understanding of the various data user applications, and ways to improve the linkages between data users and data providers.
• Ongoing consultation with international expertise through the coordination and chairing of the 2nd international extended Eumetnet Composite Observing System – Meteorological Service of Canada meeting on strategic network planning and design, November 24-25, 2008 (Deutscher Wetterdienst (DWD) facilities - Offenbach, Germany).

• The Canadian public, decision-makers in government and industry, and the scientific community are more aware of and knowledgeable about present and future climate and its uncertainties (2A2g,h,i)
• Engage in Research and Development (R&D) for a coupled atmosphere-hydrology system to simulate and predict the meteorological and hydrological conditions at required time-space scales for agencies responsible for all aspects of water management
• A high-resolution prediction system for snow characteristics during the Vancouver Olympics (2A2a,b,c)
• Engage in R&D for a coupled atmosphere-ocean-ice prediction system for maritime transport, storm surge, and various Environment Canada (EC), Department of National Defence (DND) and Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) applications (2A2a,b,c, 2A3b)
• Improved operational Ensemble Prediction System to define risk and uncertainty of high impact weather (2A2a,b,c)

• The incorporation of new information on present and future climate into areas such as impacts assessments, adaptation and mitigation decisions, policy formulation, environmental predictions, and industry and resource sector decision-making.
• R&D for a coupled atmosphere-hydrology system to simulate and predict the meteorological and hydrological conditions at required time-space scales for agencies responsible for all aspects of water management.
• Operational readiness for the Vancouver Olympics
• R&D for a coupled atmosphere-ocean-ice prediction system for maritime transport, storm surge, and variousEC, DND and DFO applications.
• Operational technology transfer of an improved ensemble forecast system.
• A suite of internationally accepted objective verification tools using observations and analyses.

• A new Canadian Global Climate Model that includes an initial implementation of carbon cycling capabilities is complete; a new Canadian Regional Climate Model has been developed and initial testing is well under way; outputs from these models are used to provide updated climate change information, contributing to the awareness and understanding of the risks of climate change.
• High-quality homogenized climate data sets for Canadian stations updated and new data sets developed; these data sets are critical contributions to climate adaptation studies and for validating climate model results.
• Development of climate indices specifically in support of the agriculture sector to enhance understanding of historical trends and variations in agriculture-specific topics such as drought.
• New knowledge on tundra snow cover characteristics and variability, and melt onset and duration over cryosphere surfaces to inform industry and resource sector decision-making.
• Continued development of the Modélisation environnementale de la surface et de l’hydrologie (MESH) land-surface hydrology modelling systems in collaboration with the university sector. This brings together aspects of various Environment Canada computer models taking into account hill slopes and rivers to route runoff to basin outlets.
• Development of hydrological modelling systems for applications in the International Joint Commission (IJC) upper lakes study.
• Hydrology and hydraulic modelling certified under the ISO 9001 quality management system.
• Preparation of the final synthesis reports of the National Agri-Environmental Standards Initiative: Water Availability Index.
• Implementation of a comprehensive, state-of-the-art observing network, nowcasting and numerical weather prediction system for the Vancouver Olympics in 2010.
• Significant advances in ice forecasts, by coupling GEM to the Gulf of St. Lawrence, in probabilistic hydrological forecasts for the Great Lakes and wind energy forecasts. These projects are at the forefront of the Environment Canada numerical weather and environmental prediction strategy.
• Various prediction initiatives focused on the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence to support decision-making for Government of Canada and provinces.
• Public forecasts for days six and seven are based on the ensemble prediction system, and an improved version of the system has been transferred to the Meteorological Service of Canada with higher vertical resolution and improved quality of probabilistic forecasts for days one to three.

• Improved lead times for weather and environmental forecasts and warnings
• Improved accuracy of weather and environmental forecasts and warnings
• Production of public, marine and air quality forecasts, warnings and information, 24 hours / 7 days a week, year round (ongoing)
• Provision of specialized meteorological and weather information in support of emergency measures organizations (ongoing)

• Lead time of warnings is improved
• Actions taken to improve lead times of forecasts and warnings
• Improved accuracy of forecasts
• Actions taken to improve accuracy of forecasts and warnings
• Non-interruption of the 24/7 year-round operational production
• Production of public marine and air quality forecasts, warnings and information
• Media and emergency organization satisfaction
• Production of specialized meteorological and weather information to support emergency measures organizations

• Measurements for the lead time and accuracy of warnings are under development and will be available in 2009–2010.
• 100 percent production of public and marine forecasts and warnings was maintained from all Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC) Storm Prediction Centres.
• Accuracy of temperature forecasts for the first day were within 3°C, 92 percent of the time at 23 regularly monitored stations, exceeding the objective of 90 percent.
• Through continuous improvements, quality of Canadian computer models continues to be comparable to those of the other G8 countries.
• Public forecasts are now available up to seven days and marine forecasts have been extended up to five days due to improvements made to the numerical weather prediction and to probabilistic forecast products.
• Implementation of integrated forecaster workstation in MSC Storm Prediction Centres as a new technology to improve forecast production and warning timeliness.
• In addition to sites in Toronto and British Columbia, Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) forecasts are now available to 11 more communities in Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Quebec.
• AQHI outreach was conducted to bring together the partners (provinces, NGOs, municipalities and academia).
• 818 formal contacts with emergency measures organizations, including training on how to use environmental prediction information and co-location of staff, and 6,306 media contacts before, during and after high-impact weather events. MSC staff members were actively involved in providing advice to provincial authorities regarding high-impact events, including the Saint John River flooding in New Brunswick, Red River flooding in Manitoba and Hurricane Ike in Atlantic Canada.
• Information available on the Environment Canada website has produced an average of 451,000 individual site hits for the major hurricanes.
• Response to natural (volcanic eruptions) and anthropogenic emergencies provided.
• National and international support to the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty.

• Reliable and timely public Internet access to water level information during the critical spring run-off and freshet season
• Water level Internet site fully operational by March 2010
• Develop Web-based tools to use water information tailored to decision-makers

• Water level information during spring run-off and freshet season without interruption
• Migration of water level Internet site to a 24/7 infrastructure completed
• Number of actions taken to increase the availability of water information

• Public access to real-time water level data was reliable during spring run-off and freshet season and through the year.
• Plans have been developed to move the water levels Internet site to a 24/7 infrastructure and upgrade to Common Look and Feel (CLF) 2.0 compliance by the end of 2009–2010.
• Additional observational real-time elements such as provisional flow and water temperature were added to selected locations along with water level data.
• Climate information related to rainfall intensity, duration and frequency for several locations was made available online.

• Production of aviation weather forecast products, 24 hours a day/7 days a week operations
• Installation, testing and calibration of monitoring equipment, including Doppler radar
• Provision of site-specific weather and observation data for 2009 winter test events
• Forecaster training and supporting technologies for Olympic weather services to be implemented.  
• Engagement with public, media, and industry toward the preparation of weather and climate services for external stakeholders for 2010
• Engagement with scientific community
• Weather Services Centres staffed adequately to support Department of National Defence/Canadian Forces (DND/CF) operations both at home and abroad
• Environment Canada implementation plan for the transformed military weather services developed.
• Production of ice products, 24 hours a day/7 days a week operations

• Satisfaction as measured through bilateral feedback
• Number of aviation forecast products provided
• All stations recording data and reporting in real time to National Standards
• Data collection and transmission functional
• Forecaster training complete, successful delivery of event forecasts during 2009 winter events.
• Provision of communications through various media, participation with other levels of government in emergency preparedness exercises
• Publications and presentations in peer-reviewed journals and at scientific associations
• Weather services delivered as per the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Environment Canada and DND and emerging DND/CF needs addressed.
• Satisfaction as measured through bilateral feedback
• Number of ice information products provided
• Maintenance of coverage of ice information services
• Provision of specialized ice information services 

• Monthly meeting with senior NAV CANADA managers/contacts to get their comments and discuss, with follow-up presented
• Feedback requested from NAV CANADA/users on specific initiatives such as focusing our effort on the four major airport “hubs” (Toronto, Montréal, Calgary, Vancouver)
• The two Canadian Meteorological Aviation Centres provide aviation forecast services on a 24/7 basis.
• Data recovery exceeding National Standards, Doppler installed and operational, on-site testing of upper air program complete.
• Data was available to facilitate nowcasting for 2009 winter test events.
• Forecasts delivered to client’s satisfaction during 2008–2009 winter test events. Final training workshop scheduled from August 2009 to address application of Doppler radar in complex terrain.
• New Weatheroffice pages, webcasting online, weather support for the Torch Relay, new Whistler Weatheradio antenna installation.
• Engagement with emergency measures organizations (EMOs) and participation in Exercise Silver.
• Engagement with the Vancouver Olympic Committee (VANOC), other levels of government and other federal departments to ensure integrated planning.
• Under the World Weather Research Program, an international Research Development Project (SNOW V-10) on winter nowcasting in complex terrain has been initiated and will provide a scientific legacy.  
• Environment Canada implementation plan for the transformed weather services is developed. New timeline is from September 2010.
• Performance targets in the Ice Information Service Partnership Agreement with the Canadian Coast Guard were met and reported on during formal bilateral meetings.
• Over 6,100 ice information products were prepared in the form of daily ice charts, image analyses charts, regional charts, iceberg charts, and ice and iceberg bulletins.
• Frequency of ice charting coverage over Canadian waters maintained.
• Production of image analysis charts for the provision of specialized ice information for International Polar Year (IPY) and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) seabed mapping.
• More than 1,200 images analyzed for marine oil pollution in support of Transport Canada Integrated – Satellite Tracking of Pollution (I-STOP flights).

• Expand the climate change hazards and infrastructure science program to understand and report on the anticipated changes in the frequency and intensity of climate change hazards, their impact on Canada's critical infrastructure and assist in the development of new infrastructure codes/standards and technologies. Develop new science for hazards and climate extremes and expand to include risks to infrastructure under climate change (e.g. contributes to new infrastructure codes, standards and technologies that include climate change impacts). - March 2009
• Environment Canada and its partners expand the climate change Scenarios, Impacts and Adaptation (SIA) network and ensure that new research developments in climate change models, socio-economic scenarios, and downscaling methodologies are translated into actual tools for use by the impact science community via an expanded SIA network. - March 2008
• Help Canada to meet its international climate change science, impacts and adaptation obligations (e.g. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Convention on Biological Diversity, World Meteorological Organization, and the Canadian International Development Agency) and expand the capability to monitor developments in international impacts and adaptation science, and its associated science advice for policy/decision-makers. - March 2009

• Decision-makers have access to expanded hazards information on the changing climate.
• Stakeholders have improved science on changing extremes in order to update climatic design information for national infrastructure codes and standards.
• Decision-makers have access to information from four new regional nodes in the SIA network.
• Training and national workshops are able to inter-link climate modellers with impacts and adaptation users.
• Participation as chairs, delegates, keynote speakers and participants in international fora.
• Science leadership on synergies between the U.N. Earth Summit or Rio Conventions, including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

• Hazards analysis for disaster management planning, severe event analysis for new infrastructure codes and standards are under development.
• Numerous stakeholder consultation meetings with many associations, NGOs and other government departments are well underway.
• Invitations by the Building Code Commission and Canadian Standards Association (CSA) to participate on their boards recognize the unique and sole authoritative role played by Environment Canada’s Adaptation and Impacts Research Division to provide scientifically sound data to support new national codes and standards.
• Heat alert models, climate change and biodiversity predictive models, agricultural, mining, energy and other decision-making investment models are under development. These tools will help partners and clients make the right adaptation decision to reduce the impacts of climate change.
• Canadian Climate Change Scenarios Network (CCCSN) established nationally (www.cccsn.ca) and level of access by Canadians has expanded significantly.
• Canadian Atmospheric Hazards Network (CAHN) under way with the Prairie and Northern Region to come online in 2009-2010.
• Considerable stakeholder consultations, national science and adaptation workshops and scenarios training workshops have taken place across Canada, including in Canada’s North.

• 2007 – Adoption by Environment Canada of new regulatory strategy for the management of incidental take of migratory birds.
• 2007-2008 Preliminary consultations conducted with provinces/territories, industry, environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs), other government departments (OGDs) and Aboriginal peoples on the proposed regulatory framework for managing the incidental take of migratory birds.

• Ecosystem Sustainability Board approval of new regulatory strategy in 2007.
• Preliminary consultations with provinces/territories, industry, ENGOs, and OGDs on the proposed regulatory framework for incidental take completed March 2008
• Number of stakeholders or stakeholder groups consulted
• Number of stakeholder consultation sessions held
• Number of consultative mechanisms used

• Feedback from preliminary consultations indicated stakeholders needed further details to understand the proposed regulatory framework. Work therefore shifted to the development of key policy pieces to support implementation of a new approach to the management of incidental take: the Conservation Framework and the Risk Management Framework (RMF), including initial engagement of key stakeholders in the RMF.
• Continued to conduct preliminary consultations, in particular with Aboriginal peoples, while waiting for development of the key implementation policies. Communication with stakeholders involved 8 ENGOs, 19 industry groups, 12 OGDs, 3 provinces or territories, over 1,000 Aboriginal communities and groups and 6 other interested parties.

• National endorsement of the biodiversity outcomes framework at Joint Ministers’ Meeting in October 2006
• Reporting on implementation of the biodiversity outcomes framework within a three-year timeframe to identify progress towards outcomes and future priorities for reducing biodiversity loss. Development of a three-year work plan with partners to provide critical knowledge on ecosystem status and trends

• National endorsement of biodiversity outcomes framework
• A report on ecosystem status and trends completed by end of 2009
• Number of partners/experts involved in the identification of ecosystem status and trends
• Completion of a report on implementation of the biodiversity outcomes framework by the end of 2009
• Number of partners involved in the report on implementation
• Priorities for action identified as a result of national reports on status and trends and progress towards biodiversity outcomes

• A draft of Canada’s fourth national report on implementation was developed jointly by federal, provincial and territorial governments with input from a variety of non-governmental interests, including business, ENGOs, and municipalities. The report addresses status of and trends in biodiversity, implementation of the Canadian Biodiversity Strategy and progress towards biodiversity outcomes, sub-national planning and mainstreaming of biodiversity into both government and non-governmental plans and strategies, and progress towards the 2010 target.
• In June 2007, the Canadian Councils of Resource Ministers (CCRM) Deputy Ministers agreed that the national report on ecosystem status and trends would be a first deliverable under the outcomes framework and would be used as a means of tracking and measuring progress towards biodiversity outcomes.
• Preliminary drafts of almost all 15 chapters of the Ecosystem Status and Trends Technical Report (ESTR) have now been received and are undergoing review.
• First drafts of 3 marine chapters of the technical report of the Ecosystem Status and Trends Report (ESTR) have been completed.

• Policy makers and decision-makers, Canadians and other stakeholders have the scientific knowledge and information required to understand the impacts and anticipate and respond to key environmental issues through decision-making, changing policies and adaptation of their activities (2007–2009)
• More effective science-based instruments, tools and strategies for integrated water management and sustainable water use are developed, managed and promoted in collaboration with key partners (2007–2009)
• More effective science-based instruments, tools and strategies for integrated water management and sustainable water use are developed, managed and promoted in collaboration with key partners (2007–2009)

• Environment Canada’s new scientific knowledge/instruments/tools and strategic options are considered by decision-makers and resource managers in the development and implementation of regional and international programs, actions and agreements to achieve safe, clean and secure water for people and ecosystems and sustainable use of this resource.

• In 2008–2009, Environment Canada generated new scientific knowledge and information on priority areas, including nitrogen and phosphorus standards to protect the ecological condition of Canadian streams, rivers and coastal waters; the impact of climate change on the parasites and diseases of aquatic animals; the dynamic existence of waterborne pathogens within river sediment compartments; the impacts of climate change and human activities on groundwater recharge in Canada using historical data; and toxic contaminants in large ecosystems. The Department also provided scientific information and advice to reduce combined sewer overflow and measures to assess the accuracy of ongoing flow measurements to produce more robust results in evaluation of the flow conditions.

• Develop and use indicators to track the integration of sustainable development principles which could include:
• • environmental, economic and social integration;
  • maintenance of a natural capital system that ensures a perpetual supply of the ecological goods and services provided by ecosystems to sustain our health, economic prosperity and competitiveness;
  • cooperation, partnership and participation; and
  • education, training, awareness and capacity building.
• Negotiate to include consensus-based ecological targets in future/new priority ecosystems programs which will allow realistic goals related to sustainable development to be set for each priority ecosystem.
• Propose a new socio-economic mechanism or improve the present mechanism to foster local involvement in conservation, protection, and sound use of natural areas.

• Indicators being developed and used
• SD goals for each Ecosystem Initiative
• Socio-economic mechanisms are used

Atlantic Canada Ecosystems Initiative

• Twenty multi-stakeholder, ecosystem coalitions throughout Atlantic Canada (17 community based and 3 at larger ecosystem scales) continued to integrate environmental, social and economic agendas to develop consensus-based Strategic and Comprehensive Environmental Management Plan priorities and ecological targets.

St. Lawrence Ecosystem Initiative

• In 2008, the State of the St. Lawrence program established an overview of the status and trends in the St. Lawrence that will be published in 2009. There are now 21 indicators (physical, chemical, biological and use) that are being followed. In the case of three indicators (shore erosion, invasive plant species and recreational uses) monitoring is done in partnership with eight non-governmental organizations (NGOs) which also provides capacity building.
• As part of the St. Lawrence Plan for a Sustainable Development 2005–2010, the Zone d’intervention prioritaire (ZIP)program fostered cooperation among riverside communities around local environmental issues and ecological action and remediation plans in each ZIP. In 2008–2009, over 69 projects were carried out in the 14 ZIPs. These projects aim to maintain natural capital with a view to sustainable development and are carried out in partnership with local organizations.
• The development of a joint Canada-Quebec approach for the integrated management of the St. Lawrence has progressed. In 2008, the means and tools for its implementation were detailed.
• The Biosphère developed and distributed various products targeted at youth and families. In 2008, a project on community involvement along the shores of the St. Lawrence River was started with a pilot project involving the CEGEP La Pocatière. A strategy to promote and implement this project in other regions and CEGEPs along the St. Lawrence is being developed.

Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem Initiative

• In 2008–2009 a draft suite of updated indicators was developed for peer review. When finalized, an updated State of the Great Lakes Highlights Report will be published early in 2009–2010.
• Remedial Action Plans have been established for each of the Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes basin, with the goal of completing all priority actions in four locations by 2010, and making significant progress in 11 others. In 2008–2009, 40 restoration projects were supported by Canada’s Great Lakes Sustainability Fund.
• Lakewide area Management Plans (LaMP) have been established for lakes Superior, Ontario, Erie and Michigan, while a Binational Partnership Action Plan has been implemented for Lake Huron. Each LaMP establishes a binationally agreed-to ecosystem vision, with goals, targets and priorities to define a future expected condition for the lake and address the specific environmental challenges faced by that lake. 
• In 2008–2009 the Great Lakes Binational Toxic Strategy began to consider additional substances that may present threats to the Great Lakes ecosystem. A binational framework was developed to identify these substances, and work was carried out to explore substances of emerging concern, along with possible mitigation strategies and other management options to address potential impacts.
• A sub-watershed plan was developed for streams in the North Gullies sub-watershed of Lake Huron under the guidance of community stakeholders and resource agencies.
• To help prevent antibiotics and household personal care products from entering our waterways, a pilot project was delivered in the Lake Superior area. Posters and flyers providing information on how to dispose of these products properly were distributed to medical and dental clinics, hospitals, seniors’ centres, retirement homes and the Thunder Bay District Health Unit network, as well as to 11 Aboriginal communities. In addition, presentations on this topic were made to community organizations, and a series of public information sessions were held to help prevent these products from entering our waterways, including the Great Lakes.

Georgia Basin Action Plan

• Fraser Basin Council’s 2009 State of the Fraser Basin Report, Sustainability Indicator Snapshot 4 reports on 18 different indicators. These reports increase public awareness of sustainability issues and trends, identify critical issues, track progress, and provide information necessary to make decisions and take actions for sustainability.
• The Georgia Basin Action Plan (GBAP) supported various Burrard Inlet Environmental Action Plan (BIEAP) and Fraser River Estuary Management Program (FREMP) committees, which monitor key ecosystem indicators, track cumulative effects, and implement Consolidated Environmental Management Plans. Through this support, BIEAP and FREMP continued to facilitate sustainable management of the Burrard Inlet and the Fraser River estuary.
• Water Quality Monitoring: Environment Canada expanded water quality monitoring to include an additional seven stations in the Georgia Basin under the Canada-British Columbia Water Quality Monitoring Agreement. Data collected from these stations are summarized and reported on as part of the National Water Quality Index. Data are used in national Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicator reports and assessments, and the indices for these watersheds are reported annually on the Environment Canada Water Quality website.
• The Canadian Aquatic Biomonitoring Network (CABIN): Annual CABIN assessment has been incorporated into 12 federal-provincial monitoring stations to provide a more comprehensive picture of the status of and trends in aquatic ecosystem health. CABIN verifies chemical assessment of water quality and alerts environmental managers to problems that have not been captured by chemical monitoring alone. Incorporation of biological components into water quality monitoring gives a more complete assessment of conditions and has been embraced by the province of British Columbia, as well as Environment Canada’s national water quality monitoring program. 
• Environment Canada and the United States Environmental Protection Agency developed the Joint Statement of Cooperation on the Georgia Basin and Puget Sound Ecosystem 2008–2010 Action Plan, Initiatives for the Salish Sea (November 2008). This Statement of Cooperation will establish a formal Canada-U.S. commitment at the regional level to work cooperatively on the challenges identified, including sustainability.
• Coast Salish Engagement: The Coast Salish First Nations have developed The Coast Salish Action Plan, which aims to conserve and restore the Salish Sea ecosystem. With support from GBAP, the Coast Salish have increased capacity to implement their Action Plan, develop their Canoe Journeys water quality project, participate in conferences and workshops, develop and implement a communications plan to raise awareness of Coast Salish knowledge and interests, and strengthen their environmental assessment participation.

Northern Ecosystem Initiative

• In 2008-2009, the Northern Ecosystem Initiative had four formal agreements with Aboriginal organizations (Council of Yukon First Nations, Inuit Tapirit Kanatami, Innu Nation, Dene Nation) to enable their participation in their program.
• Through the creation of two reports (Northern Ecosystem Initiative: Building Capacity and Delivering Results – Environment Canada’s Contributions to the Northern Environmental Agenda and Northern Ecosystem Initiative: Report on Phase II and the Pilot Project Experience in Quebec), capacity building processes were documented which may foster future collaborations and partnerships amongst communities, Aboriginal organizations, scientists and various levels of government.

Western Boreal Conservation Initiative

• In 2008-2009, effort with the Western Boreal Conservation Initiative focused on communicating the results of science and science-based projects on conservation of boreal biodiversity to partners and end-users, including workshops and reporting. Partnerships with Sustainable Forest Management Network, Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Initiative, Boreal Avian Modeling Project, research institutions and various end-users in industry, provincial agencies, and ENGOs were continued. Focus was on predictive modelling, monitoring and best practices for management of biodiversity and related themes.

• Environment Canada's input into environmental assessments conducted by panel level reviews are evaluated and analyzed within six months of publication.

• Percentage of panel level reports evaluated and analyzed within six months of publication

• During 2008-2009 over 50 percent of panel level reports considered as "high priority" were evaluated and analyzed; the remaining reports are classified as "ongoing" due to the lack of final government response. Finally, only two panel reports were considered as "low priority" and analysis of these was not recommended.

• Via the Interdepartmental Network on Sustainable Development Strategies, develop annual progress reports on the federal sustainable development goals (beginning in 2008).
• Explore opportunities to further SD within Environment Canada and the federal government – discussion paper by end 2008; internal and external consultations by end of 2009
• Work with other departments and agencies to assess the current state of management systems for the sustainable development strategies (SDS); discussion paper developed by summer 2007.
• Provide advice and support on SD-related matters to departmental and interdepartmental colleagues – ongoing.
• Continue to lead and coordinate federal SD efforts – ongoing.

• Development of progress reports on the federal SD goals
• Number of internal and external consultations on opportunities for SD
• Number of stakeholders involved in consultations on opportunities for SD
• Development of discussion paper with recommendations

• Expected result is no longer valid. The Federal Sustainable Development Act (FSDA), which received Royal Assent on June 2008, significantly changed Environment Canada’s role regarding sustainable development planning and reporting and repealed the previous process under the Auditor General Act, to which this refers. Environment Canada is now responsible for leading the development of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy by June 2010, as well as for monitoring and reporting on its progress.
• The new FSDA requires a progress report against the goals and targets set out in the upcoming Federal Sustainable Development Strategy for every three-year cycle of the Strategy. Environment Canada is currently developing the final Federal Sustainable Development Strategy, to be tabled in 2010.
• A Sustainable Development Strategies Management Review was completed in November 2008 on behalf of the Government of Canada and shared interdepartmentally. The conclusions of the Management Review informed the implementation of the Federal Sustainable Development Act.

• Environment Canada considers the use of a broad mix of instruments to achieve its environmental objectives.
• Effectiveness and efficiency of instruments are analyzed and considered.
• Environment Canada’s ability to analyze and measure the impacts and futures of alternative approaches to domestic and international environmental challenges is enhanced.
• Consideration of socio-economic analysis is integrated into Environment Canada’s policy development processes to better inform decision-making (e.g. valuation of natural capital).
• High-quality, consistent and reliable socio-economic data, information and analysis are available for decision-making.
• Department has an enhanced understanding of linkages to support decision-making (e.g. science-economics-policy).
• Department maximizes benefits from external relationships with policy research organizations.

• Number of actions taken to refine existing frameworks and tools
• Number of analysis and research activities undertaken to determine and meet the needs of decision-makers
• Number of policy instruments analyzed
• Number of Regulatory Impact Analysis Statements (RIAS) delivered
• Number of actions taken to ensure Environment Canada’s implementation of the Species at Risk Act better integrates the socio-economic dimensions of sustainable development
• Client satisfaction

• Frameworks and Tools: The Economic Analysis Directorate (EAD) co-chaired a sub-committee of the Species at Risk Advisory Committee to validate and improve the Socio-Economic Screening tool for Species at Risk (SeST)
• Environment Canada participated in a process to establish and refine a framework for the socio-economic evaluation of recovery actions for species at risk.
• Environment Canada analyzed the socio-economic implications of adding 30 species to Schedule 1 of SARA, and screened 18 species for potentially significant socio-economic impacts for the batch 5 SARA Regulatory Impact Analysis Statements. Environment Canada gathered information to support analysis of 7 species which are in an extended SARA process.
• Regulatory Impact Analysis Statements: Environment Canada has delivered one Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement covering the addition of 23 species to Schedule 1 of SARA.
• Environment Canada maintains an international economic valuation database which helps facilitate estimation of the benefit of preserving species.

• Identify needs and priorities of Government of Canada decision-makers through consultations or dialogue with key stakeholders with respect to environmental sustainability indicators and their priorities for the incorporation of social, health and economic considerations. By December 2007.
• Propose an indicator framework for the incorporation of social, economic and health considerations into environmental sustainability indicators. By March 2008.
• Examine applicability of Environment Canada's environmental indicators reported/in use regarding identified needs and priorities for sustainable development. By December 2008.
• Develop and initiate the implementation of a strategy and action plan to guide the development, reporting and/or realignment of environmental sustainability indicators in line with departmental priorities and to better integrate social, health and economic considerations into the reporting of the indicators. By December 2009.

• Report summarizing needs and priorities of departmental and other government department decision-makers and multi-stakeholders.
• Availability of a draft framework by March 2008.
• Gap analysis conducted comparing current indicators in use against identified departmental priorities for sustainable development and proposed strategic framework.
• Work plans have been proposed to reflect realignment/new development of indicators in line with identified priorities.

• User needs public opinion research study completed October 2007 has guided Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators (CESI) modifications which respond to identified needs.
• Program evaluation focused on policy decision-makers' needs (final report release proposed for June 26, 2009).
• CESI indicators for air and water quality, and greenhouse gas emissions which contribute to SDS Strategic Outcome 4 were released on new website March 2009.
• Indicator release addresses need for better integration of indicator and contextual data, information on how Canada compares internationally, and access to site-level information through a new mapping application.
• A strategic framework to examine the alignment of indicators with federal SDS goals will be completed in the context of CESI renewal (fall 2009).

• 1. Support provincial/territorial working groups on Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) and a national council to accelerate the uptake of ESD in formal, non-formal, and informal education.

Target Dates:
Working group plans developed and delivered by March 2008
Follow through on effectiveness of work plan activities by March 2009

• 2. Distance Learning Initiatives through the Biosphère to Canadian schools, with a focus on climate change and clean air.

Target Dates: Beginning of the videoconferences and other Distance Learning Initiatives on air quality by September 2008.

• Ongoing feedback solicited from youth and educators as to the effectiveness of the experience.

• 1. Increased collaboration between stakeholders, including non-governmental organizations, provincial governments, to deliver ESD to support Canadians, youth and educators in the adoption of sustainable practices as demonstrated by:
  a) 10 ESD working groups in place;
  b) formal and informal relationships developed between working groups and provincial departments of education; and
  c) an increase in ESD content integrated into provincial curriculum.
• 2. a) Number of schools (from a target of 40 in 2007–2008 to 100 in 2008–2009) and youth reached
  b) Number of provinces and territories reached by program
  c) Number of requests by educators to participate

• Education for Sustainable Development content increased in provincial curricula through the influence of the working groups, e.g., a number of working groups helped to influence the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada to begin developing a national framework for sustainable development education within school curricula.
• From April 2008 to March 2009, 150 schools consisting of 7,202 students and teachers were reached.
• The program reached ten provinces/territories: Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia and Northwest Territories.
• To date, the Distance Learning Initiatives have received hundreds of requests from educators to participate. The program was in a better position in 2008-2009 to accept more requests as modern studios were installed.
• Of the feedback solicited from youth and educators as to the effectiveness of the experience, 100 percent approved of the initiative and would like more. The Biosphère is currently developing new videoconferences on water and responsible consumption as well as on biodiversity in view of the International Year of Biodiversity in 2010. It is also planning a new Internet Protocol (IP) that will facilitate technical communications with schools and increase outreach.

• The Government will initiate plans to address degradation in targeted watersheds

• Plans developed and implemented in targeted watersheds

Progress on the Action Plan for Clean Water in 2008–2009 included the following:

• In the first two rounds under the Lake Simcoe Clean-up Fund, 62 projects were approved to receive a total of $6.6 million. The projects contribute to meeting the Government of Canada's Lake Simcoe Clean-up Fund objectives of reducing rural and urban non-point sources of pollution, rehabilitating priority habitats to restore the health of the aquatic ecosystem and coldwater fishery in Lake Simcoe, and improving information and monitoring for decision-makers.
• Environment Canada has been engaged in a four-year partnered science plan for Lake Winnipeg to share information among federal, provincial, municipal, academic and U.S. partners and to assess the current state of the lake, address current data and knowledge gaps, and identify the major sources and bioavailability of particulate and dissolved nutrient inputs to the lake. Preliminary assessments of nutrients in Lake of the Woods and Lake Winnipeg were initiated. Environment Canada co-funded the State of the Basin Report for the Lake of the Woods and Rainy River Basin, released in March 2009. Work has begun on a joint Environment Canada - Manitoba Water Stewardship State of Lake Winnipeg Report, which is scheduled for completion by March 2010. The first round of proposals for the Lake Winnipeg Stewardship Fund was announced.
• Under the Great Lakes Remediation initiative, work was completed in November 2008 on a major remediation project to remove PCB-contaminated sediment from Turkey Creek, a tributary of the Detroit River. Assessments of sediment contamination, risks to fish, sediment management options, and engineering designs were conducted in other Areas of Concern.

• Intergovernmental engagement strategies for priority issues
• Regional and/or bilateral agreements with respect to the Competitiveness and Environmental Sustainability Framework (CESF).
• Analyses of provincial/territorial budgets, Speeches from the Throne and environmental policies.
• Strategic objectives, advice and briefings are provided to the Minister, Deputy Minister and senior officials prior to key bilateral and multilateral federal/provincial/territorial meetings.
• A departmental network to strengthen information sharing and coordination related to intergovernmental affairs is established.

• Number of priority issues for which engagement strategies have been developed
• Number of regional and/or bilateral agreements reached with respect to the CESF
• Number of analyses prepared
• Number of officials briefed
• Establishment of a departmental network to strengthen information sharing and coordination

• Through the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) and the Canadian Councils of Resource Ministers (CCRM), Environment Canada has engaged with the provinces/territories on 11 major issues: air pollutants management; municipal wastewater management (including the signature of the Municipal Wastewater Effluent Strategy); extended producer responsibility; a Canada agenda on Biodiversity; Canada's Fourth National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity; access and benefits sharing of genetic resources; Ecosystems Status and Trends Report; species at risk; polar bears; caribou; and engagement strategy for 2010 - the International Year of Biodiversity.
• Many of the priority issues to be handled under the Competitiveness and Environmental Sustainability Framework are being pursued under the CCME and CCRM mechanisms. However, the Atlantic Provinces did sign an environmental cooperation agreement with the federal government (June 2008) which contains a broad set of environmental management principles of cooperation designed to enhance environmental protection in that region. Environment Canada has been working on an annex to the agreement specific to water.

• Canada's key environmental interests are clearly defined.
• Coherent, coordinated approaches are used to advance Canada's environmental priorities with appropriate bilateral partner countries (U.S., China, India, Brazil) and multilateral fora (Commission for Environmental Cooperation, United Nations Environment Programme, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). These approaches take economic and social impacts into account.
• Canada effectively influences international partners in pursuance of domestic environmental objectives.

• Institutional strategy to define Canada's international environmental priorities is developed
• Key international partners engaged
• Mechanisms with which Canada can support its environmental, economic, and social objectives are identified
• Strategic approaches to advance Canada's environmental priorities were developed with bilateral partners

• Environment Canada implemented an International Environmental Framework. The framework ensures that Environment Canada’s international engagements are focused on delivering the Government’s environmental agenda. Based on the Framework, Environment Canada completed a three-year (2009–2011) International Chemicals and Waste Strategy to focus on priority issues and guide international engagement to achieve domestic results and continued to advance strategies for key institutions and partners.
• In 2008, Environment Canada completed negotiations for environmental agreements parallel to Free Trade Agreements with Jordan, Peru and Colombia. Negotiations with several other nations are underway.
• The G8: Environment Canada provided policy development, policy coordination and advice to the 2008 Kobe meeting of Environment Ministers and Leader’s summit in Hokkaido. Environment Canada also provided policy development in preparation for the 2009 G8 Environment Ministers’ meeting in Syracusa and input into the Leaders’ summit of L’Aquila.
• Environment Canada is working with other government departments and with the U.S. Department of Energy to advance the U.S.-Canada Clean Energy Dialogue, which focuses effort on building a new clean energy economy as a key element of our economic recovery and reinvestment efforts.
• Environment Canada continued to work with Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada to support the International Joint Commission and its work on boundary and transboundary water management. In 2008–2009 there was a strong focus on completing the first phase of the International Upper Great Lakes Study.
• Under the India-Canada Forum for Environmental Cooperation, Environment Canada advanced the policy development enabling Canada and India to work effectively on issues of environmental management, sustainable development, and clean technologies.
• Canada hosted the 8th Council Session of the Canada-Chile Commission for Environmental Cooperation in May 2008. Discussions related to the continued implementation of the Canada-Chile Agreement on Environmental Cooperation took place. Joint initiatives have resulted in successful cooperation in domains such as migratory bird protection, air quality monitoring, strengthening the implementation of the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants and promoting environmental sustainability in the aquaculture sector.
• United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP): Environment Canada supported the international consensus reached in February 2009 to begin negotiations of a legally binding instrument to reduce mercury pollution globally.
• Montreal Protocol and the Bilateral Program: Canada fostered consensus on a range of issues to enable cost-effective phase-out of ozone-depleting substances (ODS) in developing countries. Environment Canada also coordinated implementation of ODS phase-out projects in 10 developing countries.
• Arctic Council: Environment Canada continues to be active in contributing to Arctic Council assessments and projects related to domestic priorities for the North, including International Polar Year research, biodiversity-related work, reduction of substances that are of concern domestically (brominated flame retardants and mercury), and adaptation to climate change in the Arctic.
• Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC): Environment Canada hosted the 15th annual meeting of the Environment Ministers of Canada, the United States and Mexico in Ottawa as a means to advance priorities in sustainable growth, pollution prevention, biodiversity conservation, and compliance and enforcement. Environment Canada initiated the development of stronger project selection criteria which led to trilateral work that was more results-focused and North American in scope.

• Drafting of consultations policy and guidelines
• Engage Environment Canada consultations practitioners in order to obtain in-depth comments
• Online discussion (e-mail) to engage other employees
• Revision and integration of participants’ views
• Approval process - DG IGSR; Strategic Integration Board; Deputy Minister; Minister
• Internal Communication - Plan and dissemination through Consultations Community of Practice and training
• External Communication - Plan and update new policy on internal and external Web
• Reviewing/refining the guidelines after they have been in place for six months
• Department-wide training

• Completion of drafting process
• Number of employees engaged
• Approval of policy and guidelines
• Placement of new consultations policy and guidelines on internal and external Web
• Completion of review process
• Number of actions taken to refine guidelines
• Number of training sessions held
• Number of participants in training sessions

• Consultation policy and guidelines have been re-drafted to be in line with the Federal Action Plan on Aboriginal Consultation and Accommodation. An action plan has been developed for internal approval process. Approval will be sought in 2009-2010.
• Over 100 Environment Canada staff members and managers were engaged in drafting policy and guidelines through interviews, questionnaires, workshops and correspondence.
• Training and internal/external communications will occur after final approval of policy and guidelines.

• Procurement: two activities, as stated in the GGO Guidance Document; one voluntary activity
• Vehicle Fleet:  two activities, as stated in the GGO Guidance Document;
• Building Energy: one activity, as stated in the GGO Guidance Document; one voluntary
• Water: one activity
• Solid Waste: one activity
• Green Stewardship: one activity
• Contaminated Sites: one activity

• Number of products and their environmental footprints identified
• Number of procurement strategies initiated
• Percentage of materiel managers and procurement personnel having attended green procurement training.
• Development of Departmental Green Procurement Strategy.
• Report/audit conducted on the amount of ethanol being purchased by the Department
• Percentage of facilities where Environment Canada is the sole tenant for which energy baselines and energy consumption are available
• Number of employees participating in greening initiatives (where tracked), such as Green Teams, Commuter Challenge, Clean Air Day, Waste Reduction Week.
• Development of a long-term plan for assessment and remediation of contaminated sites.
• Number of departmental contaminated sites identified and/or assessed and/or remediated.

• An update on the draft Green Procurement Strategy/Policy is underway that intends to be more aligned with the priorities of the federal greening government operations agenda and federal sustainable development strategy targets.
• An analysis of the departmental spend is underway and will aid in identifying potential products and targets.
• Green procurement training is encouraged for all employees in procurement and contracting. The mechanism to track the participation rate of employees continues to be explored.
• Report on ethanol: The Department purchased approximately 174,919 L of ethanol fuel in 2008-2009. This is an increase of nearly 23,000 L from 2007-2008.
• Reduce fleet GHG emissions by 15 percent from 2002-2003 by 2010: In 2008-2009, fleet-related GHG emissions were 4.60 Kt. In 2002-2003, this figure was 5.06 Kt. Therefore, we have realized a 9 percent reduction.
• As part of the life-cycle management of the Eureka weather station site, the the generator was replaced and the site experienced a 10 percent increase in energy efficiency.
• The Green Team network across the country continues to raise awareness of environmental behaviour in the workplace. There are approximately 250 employees actively involved in the Green Team.
• In 2008-2009, Environment Canada assessed 173 contaminated sites and remediated 46 sites in line with the Department's three-year contaminated sites management plan, which is updated on an annual basis.

In 2008-09, DFO launched the Pacific North Coast Integrated Management Area to engage Canadians on our West Coast in the development of an integrated management plan for the Pacific North Coast.

In addition, as part of the Health of the Oceans initiative, DFO has launched consultations throughout the country to engage Canadians in identifying the next candidates for designation as Marine Protected Areas under the Oceans Act. Work was also launched in cooperation with the provinces to design, by 2012, a national system of networks of Marine Protected Areas.

* Since this measure was identified, policy direction has changed and the above implementation instruments are no longer valid.

• Launch meeting with CDN Trade Commissioners working in US, December 10, 2008
• Outreach presentations to groups of US retailers, buyers, etc.
  • Los Angeles, February 5, 2009
  • Cleveland, February 9, 2009
  • Pittsburgh, February 10, 2009
  • Chicago, February 11, 2009

• International Boston Seafood Show, March 2009
• European Seafood Show, April 2009
• Oceans Day Reception (Ottawa), June 8, 2009

Increased emphasis on compliance promotion through education and shared stewardship. Approximately 100,000 Fishery Officer hours were dedicated to this activity (35 percent increase from 2007 and 75 percent increase from 2004).

Maintained effort on major case/special investigations to deal with large scale illegal activities and complex investigations (approximately 160,000 Fishery Officer hours).

The Conservation and Protection program currently has approximately 55 formal collaborative arrangements with other government departments and other partners and this involvement of third parties is increasing.

There has been a steady rise in use of ticketing as an alternative to prosecution for minor offences (1338 tickets in 2008 compared to 740 in 2005). Program has also expanded the use of alternative measures such as restorative justice.

Operating procedures and training programs will be delivered as EMPs are implemented

Continued to control and monitor the purchase of vehicles, balancing equipment needs versus environmental sustainability (including programs when available that encourage purchasing vehicles that consume less fuel, alternative fuels, or both).

Explored different approaches to purchase hybrid or duel fuel where applicable such as Leadership Vehicle Rebate Initiative; potential funding when available.

180 vehicles were purchased in different regions and 7 vehicles were hybrid at a cost of $256,995.

Continued to form part of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy working group to improve vehicle fleet management, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other air pollutants and to meet legislation and policy objectives.