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Up-Front Multi-Year Funding




Name of Recipient: Canadian Foundation for Climate and Atmospheric Sciences (CFCAS).

Start Date: February 2000.

End Date: March 2012.

Total Funding: $110 million. A one-time $60 million grant to be disbursed over six years was received in 2001, and a second grant of $50 million to be disbursed by the end of March 2011 was received in 2004. The Minister of the Environment approved a one-year no-cost extension to CFCAS’s mandate, which will allow the Foundation to operate until March 31, 2012.

Description: To invest strategically in excellent university-based research on climate and atmospheric sciences to achieve the following:

  • provide relevant scientific information to support federal policy making;
  • generate better knowledge regarding climate change and its impacts on the natural environment;
  • provide results to help Canada respond to its international environmental commitments; and
  • ensure a supply of skilled human resources to meet future environmental challenges.

Strategic Outcome(s): Canadians are equipped to make informed decisions on changing weather, water and climate conditions.

Summary of Results Achieved by the Recipient:

During 2010–2011, CFCAS supported 11 research consortia (networks), 24 major projects and 11 outreach initiatives. The results improved policy making and decision making in federal departments and other government, non-government and industry sectors. For example, studies in two major Canadian cities helped improve the prediction of smog, heat stress, extreme winds and wind chill, and these improvements led to advance warning measures that enable citizens and services to prepare for such weather hazards. In the north, work on stratospheric conditions provided information on changes in ozone conditions; a major scientific paper on ozone levels and health impacts confirmed Canadian leadership in international ozone work. Studies of arctic storms in Iqaluit helped improve the safety of northern communities, industries, rescue operations and transport. CFCAS-funded work on prairie drought enhanced the ability of federal and provincial governments and farming authorities to predict drought and adapt to severe dry conditions. The team extended its work to extreme conditions in the Prairies generally and held a workshop with a broad range of stakeholders on hazards that also include floods and hailstorms (February 2011). Other network results were also showcased at workshops and conferences.

The Foundation, in collaboration with Environment Canada, held the major symposium, Canadian Water Security: The Critical Role of Science, in Ottawa in May 2010. The symposium allowed the high-level examination and discussion of water security issues by researchers, policy-makers, decision-makers and other stakeholders. The report on the symposium is available from the Foundation.

Program Activity: 2.1. Weather and Environmental Services for Canadians
($ millions)
Actual
Spending
2008–2009
Actual
Spending
2009–2010
Planned
Spending
2010–2011
Total
Authorities
2010–2011
Actual
Spending
2010–2011
Variance(s)
$0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

Comments on Variance(s): N/a

Significant Evaluation Findings by the Recipient during the Reporting Year and Future Plan:

The Foundation tracks the progress, management and outputs of networks and projects on an ongoing basis through progress reports, meetings and performance audits. On June 10, 2010, it submitted to the Minister of the Environment a comprehensive, independent assessment of the efficiency, effectiveness and value for money delivered by the Foundation since it was established in 2000. The report demonstrated that, as of February 2010, CFCAS-funded research had

  • leveraged more than $145 million in direct and in-kind contributions from federal, provincial, university, industry and other partners;
  • contributed to developing expertise in areas with particularly important economic and social implications for Canada; and
  • contributed to the development of national and international climate- and weather-prediction models, unique data sets, research tools (e.g. software), science infrastructure and scientific capacity.

CFCAS-funded research has encouraged close collaboration with government scientists, and government departments have applied many of the research results within their operations. Over 140 federal scientists have been involved in CFCAS-funded initiatives that are important to their departmental missions and, of these, 63 have been from Environment Canada.

At the request of the Minister, CFCAS prepared a business plan that provided evidence of the need for, and value of, university-based research partnerships on weather and climate. This was submitted to the Minister in October 2010 and to his successor in January 2011.

Significant Audit Findings by the Recipient during the Reporting Year and Future Plan:

The Foundation’s annual financial audit for 2010–2011 indicated that the Foundation had good financial controls. The reporting of its financial position as of March 31, 2011, the results of its operation, and its cash flows in fiscal year 2010−2011, were all in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. The audit showed a ramping down in the release of grant funds, which is consistent with the Foundation’s final disbursement of research funding as its last (2003) federal endowment runs out.



Name of Recipient: Clayoquot Biosphere Trust

Start Date: February 2000.

End Date: In perpetuity.

Total Funding: $12 million.

Description: Creation of an endowment fund for the Clayoquot Biosphere Trust (CBT), which is the cornerstone of the Clayoquot Sound UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The CBT will use the income from the endowment fund to support local research, education and training in the Biosphere Reserve Region.

Strategic Outcome(s): Canada’s natural environment is conserved and restored for present and future generations.

Summary of Results Achieved by the Recipient:

During 2010–2011, the CBT achieved the following results:

  • received renewed Biosphere Reserve status from UNESCO following a successful 10-year periodic review;
  • conducted a review of the CBT’s investment policy and fund manager’s performance, concluding that the CBT’s strategic asset allocation met the need for balancing growth and risk exposure and that the fund manager continued to outperform the benchmark, despite very difficult market conditions;
  • successfully administered all streams of funding, including two annual scholarships for local First Nations graduates, a $50,000 call for projects and community committee discretionary funding, and continued its commitment to educational, cultural and heritage events in the Biosphere Reserve region by providing funding to eligible societies and local governments for public events, including the Pacific Rim Summer Festival, Pacific Rim Whale Festival, National Aboriginal Day, Ukee Days and the West Coast Maritime Festival;
  • advanced significant work in the CBT’s three core priority areas, particularly in the area of Youth and Biosphere via support of a region-wide participative youth consultation in partnership with the Coastal Family Resource Coalition. Also supported the “What I learnt about my Biosphere” initiative for the second school year, supporting field trips within the Reserve for all schools within the region;
  • opened a Facebook page to support more focused outreach to youth of the area;
  • secured a YM–YWCA ECO internship to focus on the marketing and promotion of the Biosphere Reserve beyond its boundaries;
  • secured external funding to support the construction of a greenhouse and garden in Hesquiaht Harbour, restoration of a traditional harvest site and creation of a corresponding sustainability plan;
  • coordinated with the Ucluelet Community Food Initiative a series of region-wide stakeholder input sessions on regional food security issues as part of the development of a regional food action plan; and
  • convened a Board-led fundraising committee to develop and deliver on a fund development strategy; also secured reinstated federally registered charitable status and redesigned their website to support increased external fundraising.
Program Activity: 1.3 Sustainable Ecosystem
($ millions)
Actual
Spending
2008–2009
Actual
Spending
2009–2010
Planned
Spending
2010–2011
Total
Authorities
2010–2011
Actual
Spending
2010–2011
Variance(s)
$0 $0 $0 $0 $0 $0

Comments on Variance(s):

Significant Evaluation Findings by the Recipient during the Reporting Year and Future Plan:

  • Evaluations of community events and initiatives supported by the Trust over this period indicated a high level of community awareness of and support for the Biosphere Reserve and the Trust, and satisfaction with activities undertaken.
  • As part of the UNESCO periodic review, community members and leaders were engaged in a feedback process on the Trust’s performance and profile over its first 10 years. The final report provided a summary of accomplishments and offered recommendations for future direction.

Significant Audit Findings by the Recipient during the Reporting Year and Future Plan:

  • Audit findings indicated that the financial position of the endowment contravenes the general requirements of the Canada Fund Agreement, which requires it to maintain the original value of the fund as adjusted using the Canadian Consumer Price Index, and a specific requirement of Board Governance and Policy Statement 5.2 stating that cost-of-living allowance requirements will be maintained within consecutive three-year periods. Erosion of the fund’s principal value as a result of poor market performance and fund withdrawals has resulted in plans for significant reductions in operating budgets and intensified revenue generation. The Board of Directors continues to balance the need to recover the lost value of the fund with a certain level of programming and, to this end, the Board has established a realistic timeline to recover the fund and match ongoing inflation. This entails new measures for reducing administrative overhead costs, including the use of wage subsidy programs and subleasing a portion of the new office facilities.


Name of Recipient: Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Green Municipal Fund (GMF).

Start Date: February 2000.

End Date: In perpetuity.

Total Funding: $550M shared equally between Environment Canada (EC) and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). EC’s share is one half, specifically $275M.

Description: The Green Municipal Fund (GMF) is a $550M revolving fund administered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM). The GMF supports grants, loans and loan guarantees to encourage investment in environmental municipal projects. The Government of Canada (GoC) endowed the FCM with a total of $550 million for this initiative through a series of Budget decisions from 2000 to 2005.

The GMF was established to have a positive impact on the health and the quality of life of Canadians by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, improving local air, water and soil quality and promoting renewable energy by supporting environmental studies and projects within the municipal sector. Eligible projects may fall into one or more of the following categories: energy, water, waste, sustainable transportation, brownfields, or integrated community projects. The sum of $150 million is to be used exclusively to support brownfield remediation and redevelopment.

The amount of GMF financing available to municipalities is directly related to the environmental benefits or the innovation of the projects undertaken, with grant-loan combinations of up to 80 percent of eligible costs available for capital projects with exceptional environmental benefits.

The FCM has created two advisory bodies: the GMF Council and the Peer Review Committee, as stipulated in the GMF Funding Agreement between the FCM and the GoC. The Council’s role is to assist the FCM Board of Directors, the decision-making body for the GMF, in approving projects proposed by municipalities. The 15-member GMF Council includes five federal members: two from EC, two from NRCan and one from Transport Canada. All federal members are appointed by the FCM Board of Directors based on recommendations from the Minister of Environment. EC peer reviewers provide the GMF and federal Council Members with expert environmental science and clean technology advice. They also review and analyze funding proposals and help evaluate the environmental outcomes of funded projects.

Strategic Outcome(s): Threats to Canadians and their environment from pollution are minimized.

Summary of Results Achieved by the Recipient: The 2010–2011 GMF Annual Report is expected to be available in July 2011 on the FCM website at http://fmv.fcm.ca/About_Us/Annual_Reports.

Since the inception of the GMF in 2000, FCM has committed more than $450M to support over 800 sustainable community plans, feasibility studies, field tests and capital projects. Of these, 155 have been capital projects. These capital projects are anticipated to reduce annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by almost 1.1 million tonnes and criteria air contaminant emissions by over 3,335 tonnes. Seventy-three of these projects are expected to have an impact on water resources and 25 are expected to improve soil quality.

The 2009 GMF review and performance audit, conducted by KPMG, found that FCM is a key player in supporting environmentally sustainable municipal infrastructure investments. The final reports observed that studies funded by GMF are highly incremental and most would not have been undertaken without GMF support; in addition, GMF funding has made a direct contribution to helping Canadian municipalities achieve their environmentally sustainable objectives.

Program Activity: 3.2 Climate Change and Clean Air
($ millions)
Actual
Spending
2008–2009
Actual
Spending
2009–2010
Planned
Spending
2010–2011
Total
Authorities
2010–2011
Actual
Spending
2010–2011
Variance(s)
- - - - - -

Comments on Variance(s): All funds to the GMF were paid out in prior years.

Significant Evaluation Findings by the Recipient during the Reporting Year and Future Plan: Section 11.05 of the funding agreement stipulates that the FCM shall agree to obtain, make public and forward to each minister, for tabling in Parliament, an independent review using recognized evaluation standards on the following timelines: an initial review within six months following March 31, 2009; and subsequent reviews every five years from the date of the first review. The next independent review will take place starting in the year 2014.

Significant Audit Findings by the Recipient during the Reporting Year and Future Plan: In Section 11.07 of the funding agreement, it stipulates that the FCM agrees to have carried out an independent performance (value-for-money) audit to ensure the economy, efficiency and effectiveness with which funds have been used. An initial review must be carried out within six months following March 31, 2009, and subsequent reviews every five years from the date of the first review. The next independent performance audit will take place starting in the year 2014.



Name of Recipient: Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC)

Start Date: March 2007.

End Date: In perpetuity (until the total funding is expended).

Total Funding: $225 million.

Description: The Nature Conservancy of Canada works to ensure the long-term protection of biodiversity by working with private landowners and managers to secure ecologically significant lands that have been identified as priorities for conservation action. To that effect, the Conservancy acquires and preserves land through one of four methods: land purchase, land donations, conservation easements or relinquishment of rights. It also ensures support for the ongoing management and restoration of habitat it secures. The goal of the program is to secure 200 000 ha of private land for conservation.

Strategic Outcome(s): Canada's natural environment is conserved and restored for present and future generations.

Summary of Results Achieved by the Recipient: As of the end of March 2011, the Conservancy has drawn $167.2 million under the federal allocation (equivalent to 74% of the total Natural Areas Conservation Program (NACP) funding available). To date, the Conservancy and its partners have raised more than $121 million in matching funds and pledges from private and other public sources, and received donations of conservation lands and easements valued at $146 million from private landowners, for a total of $267 million in matching contributions. The Conservancy and its partners have already reached the goal to match the federal investment of $225 million over the life of the program. The Conservancy and its partners have now secured more than 160 000 ha of land, through more than 800 land transactions. These lands are found in every province and provide habitat for at least 101 species at risk.

Program Activity: 1.1 Biodiversity – Wildlife and Habitat
($ millions)
Actual
Spending
2008–2009
Actual
Spending
2009–2010
Planned
Spending
2010–2011
Total
Authorities
2010–2011
Actual
Spending
2010–2011
Variance(s)
$46.1 $29.3 $0.0 $21.7 $21.7 ($21.7)

Comments on Variance(s): This conditional grant was fully accounted for in the 2006–2007 fiscal year. Payments made under the grant are based on the Conservancy's fiscal year, which commences on July 1. Instalments under the grant were $70.2 million in 2007–2008, $46.1 million in 2008–2009, $29.3 million in 2009–2010 and $21.7 million in 2010–2011.

Significant Evaluation Findings by the Recipient during the Reporting Year and Future Plan: The third annual progress report spanning April 1, 2007, to June 30, 2010, was received from the Conservancy on January 28, 2011, and was deemed to be satisfactory. Under the grant, program evaluations are to be carried out no less frequently than every five years from the date of the agreement and when the funding has been expended.

Significant Audit Findings by the Recipient during the Reporting Year and Future Plan: A financial audit, dated June 30, 2010, was conducted by Ernst & Young to inform the third annual progress report on the program, spanning July 1, 2009, to June 30, 2010. The auditor's report indicated that "...the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as at June 30, 2010 and the revenue and expenses in the NCC and OQO (except DUC) columns for the cumulative period from March 30, 2007 to June 30, 2010 and for the year ended June 30, 2010.”

URL to Recipient's Site: www.natureconservancy.ca



Name of Recipient: Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC).

Start Date: March 2001: Sustainable Development Technology Fund (SD Tech Fund™); and April 2007: Next-Generation Biofuels Fund (NextGen Biofuels Fund™ or NGBF).

End Date: June 2015: SD Tech Fund; and September 2027: NGBF.

Total Funding: $1.05 B ($550M for SD Tech Fund and $500M for NGBF) shared equally between Environment Canada (EC) and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan). EC’s share is one half of $1.05B, specifically $525M.

Description: SDTC is a not-for-profit foundation created by the Government of Canada, with a series of federal grants that now total to $1.05 billion. Assponsoring departments for the federal government, EC and NRCan provide federal oversight of SDTC to ensure it complies with the two funding agreements and the founding legislation. NRCan is the federal SDTC lead.

SDTC manages two separate funds: the SD Tech Fund™ ($550M) to provide financial support to projects that have the potential to advance sustainable development, including technologies to address climate change, clean air and water and soil quality issues; and the NGBF ($500M) to provide financial support towards the establishment of facilities producing next-generation renewable fuels at large demonstration‑scale. SDTC-funded projects are active in all major Canadian economic sectors, including energy exploration and production; power generation; energy utilization; transportation; agriculture; forestry and wood products; and waste management.

Strategic Outcome(s): Threats toCanadians and their environment from pollution are minimized.

Summary of Results Achieved by the Recipient:

i. SD Tech Fund™: In 2010,* under the SD Tech Fund™, SDTC approved 33 projects for funding, with SDTC providing $92M or 39 percent of the total eligible project value of $233M. Disbursements increased from $47M in 2009 to $58M in 2010 and, as more projects are completed, disbursements are projected to continue increasing to $60M in 2011 and $80M in 2012. Eight projects were completed in 2010.

Since its inception, the SD Tech Fund™ has awarded grants of $514M for 210 projects with a total project value of $1.8B and the potential for 7 to 17 megatonnes of CO2 emission reductions annually by 2015. As of December 2010, $231M has been disbursed. A total of 41 projects have been completed since the foundation’s inception.

As required by legislation, SDTC submitted the annual report documents on time to EC and NRCan and posted these on the SDTC website, making them available to the public.

ii. NGBF: In 2010,* no allocations from NGBF were made; however, four applications were in the NGBF project assurance process, which is based on best practices used by multinational companies and includes a review by a roster of biofuels experts. SDTC received indications of interest from 5 proponents working towards eligibility for funding. Some 20 high-potential candidates are aligned with promising technology rollouts, while more than 100 companies are being tracked.

* Unlessspecified otherwise, SDTC yearly results and data refer to the calendar year as per SDTC annual reports.

Program Activity: 3.2 Climate Change and Clean Air
($ millions)
Actual
Spending
2008–2009
Actual
Spending
2009–2010
Planned
Spending
2010–2011
Total
Authorities
2010–2011
Actual
Spending
2010–2011
Variance(s)
$31.5 $0 $0 $37.5 $0 $0

Comments on Variance(s):

All funds to the SD Tech Fund™ were paid out in prior years.

All of the above financial data pertains to the NGBF only and represents EC’s share. The $25M that was appropriated by Parliament for NGBF in 2010–2011 was re-profiled forward to 2012–2013. In addition to this $25M, $12.5M for NGBF was previously re-profiled from 2009–2010 to 2010–2011 and again to 2012–2013. No payments were made to SDTC in 2010–2011 because actual spending by NGBF was significantly lower than its estimates and it had on hand the funds that it required (see also “Details of Transfer Payment Programs” for NGBF).

Significant Evaluation Findings by the Recipient during the Reporting Year and Future Plan: As per Funding Agreement Three for the SD Tech Fund™, SDTC had completed the Second Interim Evaluation in 2009, and consequently there was no evaluation in 2010. The next evaluation by the recipient is due in 2015. An evaluation by Canada is optional at any time. For NGBF, there was no evaluation in 2010. The first of three interim evaluations for NGBF is required in November 2012.

Significant Audit Findings by the Recipient during the Reporting Year and Future Plan: A value-for-money (performance) audit for the SD Tech Fund™ was initiated by the government in fiscal year 2009–2010 (which is equivalent to once every 5 years as per Funding Agreement Three). The final report was completed in July 2011. In addition, a standard financial audit was completed as required for the financial data in the SDTC annual report.