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Table 4: Sustainable Development Strategy



Commitment 1.1.1 - Actions are taken to reduce air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions for key sectors across Canada

SDS Departmental Goal: Canadians and their environment are protected from the effects of pollution and waste in support of a sustainable economy
Federal SD goal, including GGO goals Performance measurement from current SDS Department's expected results for 2009-10
Federal SD Goal II - Clean Air: Clean air for people to breathe and ecosystems to function well

 

Federal SD Goal III - Reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Industrial Sectors

- Publication of a regulatory framework

- Publication of regulations in Canada Gazette, Part I/II

- Number of participating/targeted sectors

- Expected reduction of emissions

Transportation Sector

- 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

Consumer and Commercial Products

- 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

Industrial Sectors

- Advance approaches to reduce GHG emissions from industrial sectors in context of a North American cap-and-trade system including compliance mechanisms.

- Advance work on a regulatory framework for air pollutant emissions.

Transportation Sector

- While continuing the development and implementation of air pollutant emission regulations for vehicles and engines (e.g. small engines) and fuels, EC will also work with Transport Canada to support development of vehicle fuel consumption regulations and to reduce air pollutants and greenhouse gases from other modes of transportation (marine shipping, rail and aviation).

- EC will implement the vehicle scrappage program to remove older pollutant vehicles from the roads.

Consumer and Commercial Products

- EC will finalize and publish the following regulations to reduce the emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOC): Volatile Organic Compounds Concentration Limits for Automotive Refinishing Products; VOC Concentration Limits for Architectural Coatings and, VOC Concentration Limits for Certain Products.




Commitment 1.1.2 - Development of a risk-based priority-setting approach for assessing and managing toxic substances

1. SDS Departmental Goal: Canadians and their environment are protected from the effects of pollution and waste in support of a sustainable economy
Federal SD goal, including GGO goals Performance measurement from current SDS Department's expected results for 2009-10
Federal SD Goal I - Water: Clean and secure water for people, marine and freshwater ecosystems

 

Federal SD Goal II - Clean Air: Clean air for people to breathe and ecosystems to function well

Federal SD Goal VI - Reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Number of strategies developed to address medium priority substances.

Number of risk management approaches developed

Number of regulatory instruments developed and/or implemented

Number of pollution prevention plans developed

Number of voluntary measures developed and/ or implemented

Number of substances addressed by a risk assessment

First cyclical update delivered

Develop strategies to address medium priority substances using a collective approach, such as a sectoral approach where possible

Development of risk management and mitigation strategies, instruments and measures (e.g. regulations, pollution prevention plans, performance agreements and environmental emergency plans) for assessed commercial chemicals

Design research and monitoring programs to address chemicals of emerging concern, risk assessment needs and risk management activities

Deliver the first cyclical update of the Domestic Substances List that includes maximizing opportunities for information exchange and comparability with the United States




Commitment 1.2.1 - Adopt a more harmonized and integrated approach to the collection of information on pollutant release and other related data from Canadian industry, to inform Canadians and support decision making.

SDS Departmental Goal: Canadians and their environment are protected from the effects of pollution and waste in support of a sustainable economy
Federal SD goal, including GGO goals Performance measurement from current SDS Department's expected results for 2009-10
Federal SD Goal V - Sustainable development and use of natural resources

 

Federal SD Goal VI - Strengthen federal governance and decision-making to support sustainable development

Satisfaction of reporting facilities with the integration of pollutant data collection.

Pollutant data reports submitted annually

The number of potential OWNERS partners engaged.

Change in number of partners reporting data through OWNERS

Reduction of inconsistencies between federal and provincial pollutant reporting requirements.

Integrated collection of industrial pollutant data for the 2008 reporting year, through the One Window to National Environmental Reporting System (OWNERS), for various Environment Canada programs (including the National Pollutant Release Inventory) and other provincial, regional and private sector partners including Ontario, Alberta, and the Canadian Chemical Producers' Association.

Engagement of additional potential partners whose data could be collected through OWNERS.

Collaborate with provinces and territories to reduce inconsistencies in reporting requirements for industrial facilities.

Working with the reporting community and partners to develop a new OWNERS application in order to upgrade technology, improve functionality and allow for expansion to include potential new partners.

he risks to Canadians and impacts on their environment posed by toxics and other substances of concern are reduced.




Commitment 1.2.2 - Advance sustainable consumption and production through initiatives, such as the Corporate Environmental Innovation, that help integrate environmental considerations into decision making by Canadians, companies, investors and other market actors.

SDS Departmental Goal: Canadians and their environment are protected from the effects of pollution and waste in support of a sustainable economy
Federal SD goal, including GGO goals Performance measurement from current SDS Department's expected results for 2009-10
Federal SD Goal V - Sustainable development and use of natural resources Number of stakeholders from the business, non-profit, financial communities who 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 EC data on corporate environmental performance.

Number of initiatives that promote leadership and beyond compliance

Number of sustainability tools and best practice products

Level of sustainability reporting and % disclosure of sustainability information

Public information on chemical substances available and aimed at identifying and managing risks from substances.

The Corporate Environmental Innovation initiative (CEI) will continue to deliver on its commitment to encourage and support corporate sustainability leadership and innovation. CEI will continue to 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.

CEI will foster beyond compliance activities by engaging industry leaders and capital markets in the business value of risk assessment/management of air, chemicals and water issues. Capital markets will be engaged to drive environmental performance across industry sectors and enable financial decision-makers to account for and manage environmental risks.

The Energy Sector Sustainability Table will continue to engage energy sector leaders in the development of long-term policy perspectives and recommendations on air and water issues. Ongoing engagement with corporate leaders and the capital markets will also bring a market-perspective to environmental policy and program development.

Activity areas include:

1) Active engagement of relevant stakeholders to ensure that decision-makers (including consumers, policy makers and investors) have useful, accessible and timely information on corporate sustainability performance;

2) Dissemination of research and tools that support the business value case for sustainability and its assessment in mainstream financial analysis, and;

3) Increased knowledge of best practices in the corporate sector that serve to inform the Government's approach to enhancing competitiveness and the business sector's ability to drive and foster innovation and efficiency while accelerating environmental progress.

4) Active engagement with the energy sector and other key players (including the National Roundtable for the Environment and the Economy) in developing an energy vision and roadmap to provide the Government of Canada with recommendations to reach the 2050 clean air targets, including the identification of opportunities and gaps.




Commitment 2.1.1 - Through consultations with stakeholders, identify the gaps in hydrometric and climate data currently provided, where changes could permit more informed decision making

SDS Departmental Goal:Weather and environmental predictions and services reduce risks and contribute to the well-being of Canadians.
Federal SD goal, including GGO goals Performance measurement from current SDS Department's expected results for 2009-10
Federal SD Goal I - Water: Clean and secure water for people, marine and freshwater ecosystems

Federal SD Goal III - Reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Consultations carried out and reports delivered on target.

Preparation of a report assessing data requirements, gaps and priorities

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

Completion of a Strategic Plan for Weather and Environmental Monitoring, including extensive stakeholder consultation and validation.

Completion of detailed network assessments for 3 WEM networks - Surface Weather, Reference Climate, and Upper Air - in conformance with the ISO WEM Network Planning process.

Establishment of WEM client fora and processes for continual client consultation:

internally - with EC operations, service and science communities

externally - with other federal and provincial climate and hydrometric agencies




Commitment 2.1.2 - Develop a multi-disciplinary environmental prediction capability that supports policy- and decision-making on key government issues such as clean air, clean water, clean land, energy, health and safety, and economic competitiveness.

SDS Departmental Goal:Weather and environmental predictions and services reduce risks and contribute to the well-being of Canadians.
Federal SD goal, including GGO goals Performance measurement from current SDS Department's expected results for 2009-10
Federal SD Goal VI - Strengthen federal governance and decision-making to support sustainable development 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.

Improved operational Ensemble Prediction System to define risk and uncertainty of high impact weather

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

R&D for a coupled atmosphere-ocean-ice prediction system for maritime transport, storm surge, various EC, DND and DFO applications

A high-resolution prediction system for snow characteristics during the Vancouver Olympics

Improved operational deterministic prediction system for high impact weather

Development of a toolkit for prospecting and forecasting wind energy.

Upgrade to the Ensemble Prediction System (EPS) based on better modeling of stratospheric processes.

A high-resolution regional ensemble prediction system over North America delivered for operational use. The expected advantages of this system are improved probabilistic high-impact weather forecasts, including quantitative precipitation forecasts.

Implementation and validation of a coupled atmosphere-hydrology system. Improvement in hydrologic-atmospheric forecasts for regional applications, including probabilistic products

Three dimensional assimilation of sea-ice concentration for to the coupled Atmosphere-Ocean-Ice Gulf of Saint-Lawrence modeling system at a horizontal resolution of 5 km.

Development of a major initiative to advance the coupled atmosphere-ocean-ice modeling effort in Canada involving Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and the Department of National Defence

A fully interactive coupled atmosphere-ocean-ice forecasting system developed for the Gulf of St. Lawrence will become fully operational (Project between EC, DFO, DND). The coupled system produces improved forecasts during all seasons, proving that atmosphere-ocean-ice interactions are indeed important even for short-term Canadian weather and sea-ice forecasts.

Development of sea-ice forecasting systems for the Arctic and the Atlantic regions. This system will become operational at the Canadian Meteorological Centre.

An experimental 1-km resolution forecast system will be delivered for very high resolution forecasts during the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.

A land surface computer modeling system to predict snow characteristics at Vancouver 2010 venues will become operational.

Addition of observations from operational meteorological satellites and research satellites to the global weather forecast system including the hyperspectral sounder on board of the European METOP satellite.

A local area model data assimilation system will become operational allowing for future assimilation of observation types such as ground-based radar observations and ground-based GPS zenith total delay. This system will replace the variable resolution regional GEM model.

An updated version of Canada's model for global medium-range weather forecasts will be run operationally. This version includes the stratosphere and will bring significant improvements to the general quality of weather forecasts: temperatures, winds, etc.

A new radiation parameterization has been introduced that will be extremely useful for applications needing solar energy forecasts. In 2010, a further update is expected to improve tropical storm forecasts and their transition to mid-latitudes (in particular, storms affecting the Maritimes).

In collaboration with Canadian industry, develop and demonstrate a Wind Energy Forecasting System. This project aims to provide to the electricity industry a state-of-the-art management tool for better managing the impact of wind power variability on the electricity grid system enabling high wind energy penetration while maintaining the reliability of the electricity systems.




Commitment 2.2.1 - Improve safety and security margins for all Canadians from environmental hazards through forecasts, precision improvements, and increased warning advance notice that will permit citizens to take appropriate actions.

SDS Departmental Goal:Weather and environmental predictions and services reduce risks and contribute to the well-being of Canadians.
Federal SD goal, including GGO goals Performance measurement from current SDS Department's expected results for 2009-10
Federal SD Goal IV - Sustainable Communities Non interruption of the 24/7 year round operational production of public, marine and air quality forecasts, warnings and information

Lead time of warnings is improved

Improved accuracy of forecasts

Media and Emergency measure organizations satisfaction

Production of public, marine and air quality forecasts, warnings and information, 24 hours / 7 days, year round.

Improve lead times of weather and environmental forecasts and warnings

Improve accuracy of weather and environmental forecasts and warnings

Provision of specialized meteorological and weather information in support to Emergency measure organizations




Commitment 2.2.2 - Increase access by Canadians to water quantity and climatic information to make more sound environmental and economic decisions

SDS Departmental Goal:Weather and environmental predictions and services reduce risks and contribute to the well-being of Canadians.
Federal SD goal, including GGO goals Performance measurement from current SDS Department's expected results for 2009-10
Federal SD Goal I - Water: Clean and secure water for people, marine and freshwater ecosystems

Federal SD Goal III - Reduce greenhouse gas emissions


Federal SD Goal IV - Sustainable Communities

Provision of water level information during spring run-off and freshet season

Migration of water level internet site to a 24/7 infrastructure

Number of actions taken to increase the availability of water information

Number of additional types and formats of climate data made available to users

Water level information from real-time gauging stations during spring run-off and freshet season available on the water internet site on a reliable 24/7 basis to provincial and municipal emergency planners and operations staff during high water episodes

Migration of water level internet site to a 24/7 infrastructure completed and operational by March 2010

New water information

1) Two new water-related maps on the updated Hydrological Atlas of Canada (available through the Atlas of Canada).

2) Improved functionality of the analysis tools for decision makers on the water internet site

3) 20% increase (200 new stations) in the number of real-time water level stations

Additional climate data types and formats

1) historical weather radar imagery available on the climate data online internet site

2) backlogged solar radiation data made available on an as-requested basis

3) more comprehensive availability of historical climate data specifically related to data in different quality categories but specifically so identified




Commitment 2.2.3 - Improve quality services to enable partners to use meteorological and ice information to its fullest to improve the safety of their operations and their economic efficiency while reducing the impact of their activities on the environment.

SDS Departmental Goal:Weather and environmental predictions and services reduce risks and contribute to the well-being of Canadians.
Federal SD goal, including GGO goals Performance measurement from current SDS Department's expected results for 2009-10
Federal SD Goal IV - Sustainable Communities

Federal SD Goal VI - Strengthen federal governance and decision-making to support sustainable development

Satisfaction as measured through bilateral feedback.

Number of aviation forecast products provided.

Ice information services provided for Canada's Arctic, Great Lakes and East Coast.

Number and timeliness of ice information products available including briefings, warnings, daily ice charts, image analyses charts, regional charts, observed charts, short and long-term forecasts, and iceberg bulletins and charts.

Meet requirements for specialized ice information services including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) seabed mapping and Integrated Satellite Tracking Of Pollution (I-STOP).

Weather services delivered as per the MOU between EC/DND and emerging DND/CF needs addressed.

Sustainability strategy of Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). VANOC is satisfied including environmentally conscious sitting and operation of Olympic Weather sites.

Availability of site specific weather forecasts and observation data for the Olympic site trial events held in 2009.

Production of aviation weather forecast products, 24 hours/7 days a week operations

Provision of timely ice information services for Canada's navigable waters, as per accepted Standards and formal Partnership Agreements.

Weather Services Centres staffed adequately to support DND/CF operations both at home and abroad.

EC implementation plan for the transformed military weather services is developed.

Complete installation and testing of all weather services required in support of the Vancouver Winter Olympics and demonstrate readiness during trial events in winter 2009.




Commitment 2.2.4 - Provide Canadians with the scientific information and tools needed to understand and manage their vulnerabilities and opportunities due to our changing climate in ways which balance social, economic and environmental needs.

SDS Departmental Goal:Weather and environmental predictions and services reduce risks and contribute to the well-being of Canadians.
Federal SD goal, including GGO goals Performance measurement from current SDS Department's expected results for 2009-10
Federal SD Goal III - Reduce greenhouse gas emissions 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 4 new regional nodes in the Scenarios, Impacts and Adaptation (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 United Nations Earth Summit or Rio Conventions, including the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and United Nations Framework Convention on Biodiversity.

All regional hazard nodes will be operational, including a node with preliminary hazards results in the Arctic. The current Ontario node (www.hazards.ca) experiences more than 500,000 user downloads per annum. The final Canadian Atmospheric Hazards Network (CAHN), when fully operational next year, will provide public access to new hazards science and continue to support Provincial legislation and Municipal needs for Disaster Management Planning.

Under the Adaptation TB funding, on-going research will continue to focus on wind and snow extremes, rainfall duration, arctic infrastructure priorities and new climate thresholds for infrastructure failure, nationally.

Five training and national workshops were held in 2008/09 across Canada and additional training and national workshops will continue in 09/10, as required and depending on available resources.

Chair of a WMO expert group on disaster management, participant in climate change and biodiversity expert groups under the CBD, UNESCO and Smithsonian are examples of our continuing support for chairs, delegates, keynote speakers in international fora.




Commitment 3.1.1 - Establish regulations for incidental take under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 to ensure effective conservation of migratory bird populations while fostering sustainable economic development.

SDS Departmental Goal:Canada's natural capital is managed to protect and enhance its capacity to provide ecological goods and services that provide enduring social and economic benefits.
Federal SD goal, including GGO goals Performance measurement from current SDS Department's expected results for 2009-10
Federal SD Goal IV - Sustainable Communities ES 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:

1) Number of stakeholders or stakeholder groups consulted

2) Number of stakeholder consultation sessions held

3) Number of consultative mechanisms used

Work will continue on the development and implementation of a regulation for the management of the incidental takes of migratory birds in accordance with the purpose of the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994. The regulation will ensure effective conservation of migratory bird populations while promoting sustainable economic development and also support the implementation of the North American Bird Conservation Initiative.

Continue to update all-bird Conservation Plans for the 22 Bird Conservation Region (BCR) provincial areas. Draft plans will be available by June 2009 and the full complement of 22 plans is intended for completion by June 2010. BCR plans are an essential element of establishing regulations for incidental takes of migratory birds.




Commitment 3.1.2 - A national biodiversity outcomes framework is implemented in partnership with provincial and territorial governments to provide improved coordinated action such as better monitoring and reporting of status and trends, engagement of Canadians in conservation planning, implementation, and reporting.

SDS Departmental Goal:Canada's natural capital is managed to protect and enhance its capacity to provide ecological goods and services that provide enduring social and economic benefits.
Federal SD goal, including GGO goals Performance measurement from current SDS Department's expected results for 2009-10
Federal SD Goal IV - Sustainable Communities National endorsement of biodiversity outcomes framework

A technical report on ecosystem status and trends completed by end of fiscal year 2009/10

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.

Technical Report on Ecosystem Status and Trends for Canada completed

Canada's 4th National Report to the CBD completed and approved using biodiversity outcomes framework as an organizing mechanism and including an assessment of progress toward 2010 target.




Commitment 3.2.1 - New scientific knowledge/instruments/tools and strategic options are developed and made available to encourage sustainable water use by sectors and federal/provincial/territorial governments, water resource managers, industry, municipalities and Canadians.

SDS Departmental Goal:Canada's natural capital is managed to protect and enhance its capacity to provide ecological goods and services that provide enduring social and economic benefits.
Federal SD goal, including GGO goals Performance measurement from current SDS Department's expected results for 2009-10
Federal SD Goal I - Water: Clean and secure water for people, marine and freshwater ecosystems EC's new scientific knowledge/ instruments/tools and strategic options are considered by decision makers and resource managers in the development

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

National implementation of an aquatic bio-monitoring and assessment network;

Develop new research and monitoring on the impacts of contaminants, climate variability and change on water quantity and quality and aquatic ecosystems;

Develop surveillance activities related to water quality pressures (e.g., land use, emerging threats such as alien species, blue-green algae and on priority watersheds (e.g. Mackenzie River, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence);

Develop new research and development techniques for aquatic ecosystem remediation




Commitment 3.3.1 - Ensure improved integration of social and economic factors in the development and implementation of new programs for priority ecosystems.

SDS Departmental Goal:Canada's natural capital is managed to protect and enhance its capacity to provide ecological goods and services that provide enduring social and economic benefits.
Federal SD goal, including GGO goals Performance measurement from current SDS Department's expected results for 2009-10
Federal SD Goal I - Water: Clean and secure water for people, marine and freshwater ecosystems

Federal SD Goal IV - Sustainable Communities


Federal SD Goal VI - Strengthen federal governance and decision-making to support sustainable development

Indicators being developed and used

SD goals for each Ecosystem Initiative (EI)

Socio-economic mechanisms are used

Continue the use and documentation of existing indicators to track the state of the environment in priority ecosystems

Act to maintain the 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.

Identify social-economic-environmental successes related to the community action component of priority ecosystems programs

Propose to partners during negotiations, ecological targets for future/new priority ecosystem programs which will allow setting realistic goals related to sustainable development (SD) for each priority ecosystem

Propose new, or improve present socio-economic approaches to foster local involvement in conservation, protection and sound use of natural areas




Commitment 3.3.2 - Influence decision makers by improving the effectiveness of Environment Canada's involvement in the environmental assessment process.

SDS Departmental Goal:Canada's natural capital is managed to protect and enhance its capacity to provide ecological goods and services that provide enduring social and economic benefits.
Federal SD goal, including GGO goals Performance measurement from current SDS Department's expected results for 2009-10
Federal SD Goal VI - Strengthen federal governance and decision-making to support sustainable development Percentage of Environmental Assessment (EA) panel level reports evaluated and analyzed within 6 months of publication

The analysis of the panel reports is shared with EC's National Environmental Assessment Coordinating Committee.

Continual improvement of EA process

Environment Canada meets departmental commitments of the regulatory streamlining initiative for major resource projects:

1) Timelines in MPMO Project Agreements

2) Streamlined regulatory processes

EC's input into environmental assessments and how it is reflected in the panel report and subsequent government of Canada decision is evaluated and analyzed within 6 months of publication.

Share panel evaluations through a report to the National Environmental Assessment Coordinating Committee

Incorporation of lessons learned into future panel processes to strengthen our effectiveness

100% compliance with Project Agreements




Commitment 4.1.1 - In its role to provide leadership, coordination and guidance on SDSs, EC will be a source of SD policy advice and will work interdepartmentally to improve the management and accountability of the departmental SDSs.

SDS Departmental Goal:Strengthened integrated decision making in the delivery of departmental strategic outcomes
Federal SD goal, including GGO goals Performance measurement from current SDS Department's expected results for 2009-10
Federal SD Goal VI - Strengthen federal governance and decision-making to support sustainable development Development of federal roll-up report

Development of progress reports on the federal SD goals

Level of interdepartmental collaboration on the federal roll-up report and progress reports on the federal SD goals.

Development of discussion paper with recommendations on management systems

Level of interdepartmental collaboration on management systems

Development of discussion paper on the gaps, challenges, and opportunities for SD

Number of internal and external consultations on opportunities for SD

Number of stakeholders involved in consultations on opportunities for SD

Level of leadership and coordination on the iterative process established for the fourth round of SDSs

As a consequence of the passage of the Federal Sustainable Development Act, performance measures are no longer valid. Given the requirement to produce a federal sustainable development strategy by 2010, results for this year will include:

Development of a draft strategy

Consultations as required by the law.




Commitment 4.1.2 - A robust approach is developed and used to ensure Environment Canada's implementation of the Species at Risk Act better integrates the socio-economic dimensions of sustainable development.

SDS Departmental Goal:Strengthened integrated decision making in the delivery of departmental strategic outcomes
Federal SD goal, including GGO goals Performance measurement from current SDS Department's expected results for 2009-10
Federal SD Goal VI - Strengthen federal governance and decision-making to support sustainable development 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 (RIASs) delivered

Number of actions taken to ensure EC's implementation of the Species at Risk Act better integrates the socio-economic dimensions of sustainable development

Client satisfaction

Continue to implement and refine the Socioeconomic Screening Tool (SeST) for listing species under the Species at Risk Act;

Undertake detailed socio-economic studies of particular species (where necessary) to help inform decision-making pertaining to species protection;

Provide advice on the most efficient and effective means of ensuring the recovery of listed species;

Report to Canadians on the economic, social and environmental costs and benefits of listing species under SARA via the RIAS;

Involve other government departments and agencies (DFO, Parks Canada) and external stakeholders (for example, the Species at Risk Advisory Council) as appropriate;

Develop capacity to use Ecological Goods and Services approach by undertaking studies towards implementation of valuation and application to environmental management decisions;

Complete the review and revamp, and expand the EVRI valuation database (valuation tool) and WEB site;




Commitment 4.1.3 - Develop 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.

SDS Departmental Goal:Strengthened integrated decision making in the delivery of departmental strategic outcomes
Federal SD goal, including GGO goals Performance measurement from current SDS Department's expected results for 2009-10
Federal SD Goal VI - Strengthen federal governance and decision-making to support sustainable development Not available Note that expected results have not been provided for Commitment 4.1.3 as the associated program has not been approved and funding runs out in March 2009.



Commitment 4.1.4 - Increase access of educators and interested Canadians to curriculum-linked learning material on sustainable development themes and topics (e.g. energy sustainability), through strategic partnerships with expert organizations responsible for content development and dissemination.

SDS Departmental Goal:Strengthened integrated decision making in the delivery of departmental strategic outcomes
Federal SD goal, including GGO goals Performance measurement from current SDS Department's expected results for 2009-10
Federal SD Goal IV - Sustainable Communities Adapt five education projects or programs with the model developed:

1) Five projects or programs are posted on EC web site.

Provincial working groups in place:

1) 2 key work plan activities delivered by each working group

2) Number of formal and informal relationships developed between working groups and provincial departments of education

Number of schools (target 40) and youth reached:

1) number of provinces and territories reached by program

2) number of requests by educators to participate

Number of visits:

1) average page views

2) length of visits (time on site)

Number of schools (target 40) and youth reached

1) number of provinces and territories reached by program

2) number of requests by educators to participate

Number of visits:

1) average page views

2) length of visits (time on site)

Develop a tool for managers to help them adapt EC education projects and programs to better meet the needs of educators.

Increase collaboration between stakeholders including NGOs, provincial governments to deliver ESD to support Canadians, youth and educators in the adoption of sustainable practices.

Increase ESD content integrated into provincial curriculum.

Increase activity and information uptake on educator and youth section of EC's website.




Commitment 4.1.5 - A federal model for action is designed and launched in one or more watersheds and demonstrates practical techniques for managing water as a capital asset.

SDS Departmental Goal:Strengthened integrated decision making in the delivery of departmental strategic outcomes
Federal SD goal, including GGO goals Performance measurement from current SDS Department's expected results for 2009-10
Federal SD Goal I - Water: Clean and secure water for people, marine and freshwater ecosystems Plans developed and implemented in targeted watersheds Second year of the Freshwater initiative commitments: Great Lakes Remediation, Lake Simcoe, Lake Winnipeg Initiative, including development of Canada-Manitoba Agreement;

Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, the Canada-Ontario Agreement Respecting the Great Lakes (2007-2010) and the Great Lakes Sustainability Fund and the St. Lawrence;

Third year of the International Polar Year initiative

Review of federal/provincial Water Quality agreements, water component of the Canadian Environmental Standards Initiative including the development of a Water Availability Indicator

Memorandum of Understanding with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Department of Fisheries to deliver the Canadian Sanitation Shellfish Program.




Commitment 4.2.1 - Advance an effective process to work cooperatively with provinces and territories to inform the department's strategic decision making in pursuing work on intergovernmental issues.

SDS Departmental Goal:Strengthened integrated decision making in the delivery of departmental strategic outcomes
Federal SD goal, including GGO goals Performance measurement from current SDS Department's expected results for 2009-10
Federal SD Goal VI - Strengthening federal governance and decision-making to support sustainable development Number of priority issues for which intergovernmental mechanisms and engagement strategies have been developed

Number of officials briefed

Number and quality of intradepartmental FPT network meetings

Well-developed intergovernmental mechanisms and engagement strategies for priority issues

Strategic objectives, advice and briefings are provided to the Minister, DM and senior officials prior to key bilateral and multilateral FPT meetings.

Strengthened departmental network for information sharing and coordination related to intergovernmental affairs.




Commitment 4.2.2 - Country and institutional strategies are developed to advance Canada's environmental priorities internationally in a way that supports our economic and social objectives.

SDS Departmental Goal:Strengthened integrated decision making in the delivery of departmental strategic outcomes
Federal SD goal, including GGO goals Performance measurement from current SDS Department's expected results for 2009-10
Federal SD Goal VI - Strengthening federal governance and decision-making to support sustainable development Key international partners/institutions engaged

Strategic approaches and mechanisms to support Canada's environmental, economic, and social objectives are developed and implemented.

Strategies on specific issue and international organizations will be developed and implemented to support the department International Environmental Framework.

· Department's approach to environment and trade negotiations with key partners will be strengthened to ensure better integration of domestic environmental priorities and will support the Government of Canada's objectives.




Commitment 4.2.3 - Guidelines on Aboriginal and stakeholder consultation are established and in use to provide more effective engagement of all partners and stakeholders in Environment Canada's policy development process.

SDS Departmental Goal:Strengthened integrated decision making in the delivery of departmental strategic outcomes
Federal SD goal, including GGO goals Performance measurement from current SDS Department's expected results for 2009-10
Federal SD Goal IV - Sustainable Communities

Federal SD Goal VI - Strengthening federal governance and decision-making to support sustainable development

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

Guidelines on Aboriginal and stakeholder consultation are in use to provide more effective engagement of all partners and stakeholders in Environment Canada's policy development process.



Commitment 4.3.1 - To prevent, reduce, minimize or eliminate air, land and water pollution that results from the department's activities and operations.

SDS Departmental Goal:Strengthened integrated decision making in the delivery of departmental strategic outcomes
Federal SD goal, including GGO goals Performance measurement from current SDS Department's expected results for 2009-10
Federal SD Goal I - Water: Clean and secure water for people, marine and freshwater ecosystems

Federal SD Goal III - Reduce greenhouse gas emissions


Federal SD Goal IV - Sustainable Communities


Federal SD Goal VI - Strengthening federal governance and decision-making to support sustainable development

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

Percentage of facilities where EC is the sole tenant for which energy baselines and energy consumption reduction strategies are developed

Report/audit conducted on the amount of ethanol being purchased by the department.

Percentage of unique property networks and/or facilities for which water use efficiency strategies are developed

Waste management strategy developed.

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

Number of employees participating in greening initiatives (where tracked), such as: Green Teams, Commuter Challenge, Clean Air Day, Waste Reduction Week etc.

Following approval of a proposed Greening Government Operations Agenda, examine current operations and develop appropriate strategies for priority areas of focus, including energy.

Continued implementation of the Fleet Business Case recommendations as part of the Integrated Investment Plan.

The draft departmental Green Procurement Strategy is currently being revised to reflect recent policy changes. Elements to be undertaken include further consultation with the departmental procurement community about green procurement training opportunities, creation and updating of internal procedures to incorporate green procurement practices and working with internal partners to adapt or adjust internal reporting systems.

Other expected results for 2009-10 include conducting a thorough examination into the departmental spend data to identify those commodity areas that may still have the capacity to incorporate and benefit from green procurement practices. Once this initial assessment has concluded, specific targets will be suggested and an internal consultation process will commence to ensure proper feedback, support and consensus in fulfilling those target areas and satisfying the requirements set out in the SDS.

A 6-year work plan has been developed for assessing and remediating EC`s contaminated properties. This work plan is updated annually.

A total of 102 properties have been assessed/partially assessed and 73 remediated. In 2009/10 a total of 110 sites are planned to be partially assessed/assessed and 21 are planned to be remediated.

Encourage and support all employees in incorporating environmental choices into their work duties and everyday decision making. (ongoing)