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Section II – Analysis of Program Activities by Strategic Outcome
Strategic Outcome 1: Canada's natural environment is conserved and restored for present and future generations
Pressures from a growing population, invasive species, pollution, climate change and changes in land-use patterns are placing extraordinary demands on biodiversity and ecosystems and threatening the long-term viability of Canada's natural environment.
A natural environment that is conserved and restored for present and future generations provides many benefits to Canadians, including life-supporting natural processes that clean the air, purify the water, pollinate plants, absorb carbon dioxide, recycle nutrients, process wastes, prevent floods, control pests and replenish soils. The conservation of Canada's natural environment secures the ecological goods and services that sustain the health of Canadians, economic prosperity and competitiveness. Ecosystem processes create economic benefits that are often very expensive to replace or are irreplaceable. The sustainability of Canada's ecosystems is contingent on valuing and protecting natural capital.
The United Nations has declared 2010 as the International Year of Biodiversity to bring greater attention to the importance of biodiversity and efforts to reduce the current rate of biodiversity loss. As part of Canada's commitment to take action to preserve genetic diversity and the integrity of ecosystems, Environment Canada will continue to work in collaboration with federal, provincial and territorial governments to maintain or develop effective strategies, incentives and programs to support the conservation and protection of Canada's biodiversity. Research and monitoring activities will continue to improve understanding of the state of the environment and biological resources and disseminate the science and information to inform environmentally sound decision-making.
Environment Canada will focus on strengthening its ecosystem knowledge base and approaches to building integrated environmental monitoring and prediction tools. The Department will also work with its partners to take coordinated action in priority ecosystems. Environment Canada will also promote the need to protect and conserve ecosystems through education and outreach activities.
Environment Canada's work that contributes to this Strategic Outcome is organized into four Program Activities:
- Biodiversity - Wildlife and Habitat
- Water Resources
- Sustainable Ecosystems
- Compliance Promotion and Enforcement - Wildlife
| Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Populations of wildlife, in particular migratory birds and species at risk, are maintained or restored to target levels | Proportion of assessed species in General Status Reports whose status is considered to be secure |
70%
Currently met; to be maintained |
| Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ millions) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-2011 | 2011-2012 | 2012-2013 | |||
| FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending |
| * Please note that these amounts reflect sunset funding, including the termination of temporary funding, for which the Department may receive program extensions subsequent to the tabling of this RPP. | |||||
| 578 | 106.0* | 588 | 106.7* | 509 | 104.9* |
Program Activity Description:
This program aims to prevent biodiversity loss while still enabling sustainable use by protecting and recovering species at risk, conserving, restoring and rehabilitating significant habitats, and conserving and managing migratory birds. It also aims to ensure a coordinated and coherent national assessment, planning and action to protect biodiversity, including viable populations of species, healthy and diverse ecosystems, and genetic resources. The program includes the formation of strategic partnerships for integrated management of Canada's natural capital including stewardship and the sustainable management of landscapes.
Legal and statutory responsibilities for this program include the Species at Risk Act; the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 (MBCA 1994), the Canada Wildlife Act; and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act. International responsibilities include the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (1992), the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES), and the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat (known as the Ramsar Convention).
Planning Highlights:
During the planning period, the Department will work to position Canada for 2010 – International Year of Biodiversity and the 10th Conference of the Parties to the Convention of Biological Diversity which will take place in Nagoya, Japan, in October 2010. A key initiative will be to work with international partners to develop a post-2010 framework and strategic plan for the Convention on Biological Diversity. The Department will engage key sectors (business, municipalities, youth, environmental non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and Aboriginal communities) through the development of information tools, guides, case studies, recognition programs and dialogue on policy initiatives in order to work collaboratively to protect and conserve biodiversity.
In light of growing scientific and commercial interest in genetic resources and the serious threats facing global biodiversity, countries of the world, including Canada, have started to look at the best ways to increase their capacity to manage the access to genetic resources found on their territory and benefit from the use of these resources. This is what is often referred to as “Access and Benefit-sharing” or ABS. In cooperation with the provinces, territories and other federal government departments, Environment Canada will advance a domestic ABS framework and actively participate in international negotiations for an international ABS regime by working with the international community to promote and safeguard the fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources within Canada and abroad.
The Department will work with Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada and other federal departments to support Canadian government priorities at the Arctic Council. Environment Canada will also advance the “Value of Nature to Canadians” study to develop strategic, current data and analysis on the social and economic value of Canada's ecosystem goods and services including wildlife and biodiversity.
Implementation of the Species at Risk Act (SARA) will be advanced. The Department will focus on closing the gap on outstanding recovery strategies, action plans and management plans for species listed under the Act where Environment Canada is the lead. Priority work in this area will include consultations on caribou (and ensuring that Aboriginal traditional knowledge informs the recovery strategy for this species), grassland birds and wood bison to address priorities identified in recovery strategies. The Department will also support the Parliamentary Review of SARA, which began in 2009.
Environment Canada will ensure effective conservation of migratory bird populations while fostering sustainable economic development. In this context, work will proceed to develop a regulation for the management of the incidental take of migratory birds that will promote the effective conservation of migratory bird populations within the context of sustainable economic development. The Department will continue to develop all-bird conservation plans for the 22 Bird Conservation Region (BCR) provincial areas. The plans are intended for completion by Fall 2010. BCR plans are an essential element of establishing regulations for incidental takes of migratory birds. The Avian Monitoring Review to assess program delivery and the alignment of departmental resources to priority areas will also be completed.
To support species at risk, migratory birds and other wildlife by conserving important habitats through a network of protected areas and partnership programs, the Department will complete Management Plans for at least ten National Wildlife Areas (NWAs) to address operational issues for Environment Canada's network of protected areas. Operational guidance will be improved, including those addressing permitting standards. Work will continue to establish new protected areas: 6 new NWAs under the Northwest Territories Protected Areas Strategy and 3 new NWAs in Nunavut under the Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement and Marine Wildlife Areas (under the Canada Wildlife Act) including Scott Islands (B.C) and Sable Island (N.S.).
Benefits to Canadians:
Biodiversity plays a significant role in natural processes such as the purification of water and air, pollination, the absorption of carbon by trees and other plant life, renewed oxygen supply, natural pest control, flood and erosion control, and the absorption and detoxification of human and industrial wastes. It is essential to human existence. Environment Canada's work contributes to the protection of biodiversity, taking social and economic considerations into account, for the benefit of present and future generations of Canadians.
| Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Threats to Canada's water resources and aquatic ecosystems are minimized and the sustainability of the resource is maintained | Percentage of water bodies included in the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators Freshwater Quality Index whose quality was rated as either good or excellent |
To be determined.
A baseline value for this indicator will be reported in the 2010-2011 DPR. A target will be set once two measured values for this indicator are available. |
| Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ millions) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-2011 | 2011-2012 | 2012-2013 | |||
| FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending |
| * Please note that these amounts reflect sunset funding, including the termination of temporary funding, for which the Department may receive program extensions subsequent to the tabling of this RPP. | |||||
| 770 | 122.4* | 734 | 114.1* | 714 | 108.2* |
Program Activity Description:
This program addresses the risks to water resources from economic growth and climate change through partnerships on an integrated approach to water issues. Conservation, protection and sustainable use of water resources are critical aspects of Canada's economic, social and ecological well being. The program is delivered in collaboration with partners that include other federal departments, provinces and territories, and a range of non-governmental organizations.
The Program Activity captures Environment Canada's leadership on water issues and its role in determining priorities for water quality, quantity, and aquatic ecosystem monitoring and research, by providing scientific information and advice to decision-makers, and by building best management practices. The program supports the implementation of the Canada Water Act, the 1987 Federal Water Policy, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, the Fisheries Act and the International Boundary Waters Treaty Act.
Planning Highlights:
During the planning period, the Department will continue working with other federal departments, provinces and territories so that Canadians have access to clean, safe and sufficient water to meet their needs in ways that also maintain the integrity of ecosystems. To this end, the Department provides scientific expertise that is applied to:
- resource management leadership on water quality, quantity, availability and use;
- development and implementation of approaches to address domestic and international water issues by providing technical advice to, and strategic oversight by co-chairing or participating on, domestic Water Boards and binational International Joint Commission Boards – (e.g. Prairie Provinces Water Board , Mackenzie River Basin Board, Lake of the Woods Control Board, Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board, International Rainy River Water Pollution Board, International St. Croix River Watershed Board);
- delivery on commitments under priority domestic and international water–related initiatives, including work, in partnership with provincial and territorial governments through the National Administrators Table (NAT), on a cost-shared hydrometric information service;
- the Lake Winnipeg Initiative and review of federal-provincial water quality agreements under the federal government's Action Plan for Clean Water;
- water-related science and expertise to support the renegotiation of federal-provincial and international agreements, such as the Canada-Ontario and Canada-Quebec agreements, and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) with the United States; and
- work carried-out with other federal departments to improve the delivery of the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program.
The development of a water demand and availability indicator will continue in order to provide a clear message on water availability to the Canadian public, support the development of sustainable water management policies and practices, and communicate regional water availability and variability in Canada and to the international community[8].
Environment Canada will conduct research, monitoring and analytical services on priority areas that are essential to support responsible decision-making within all levels of government and the private sector. This will include maintaining a national hydrometric monitoring and services program and implementing a national aquatic biomonitoring and assessment network.
New knowledge and surveillance activities will be developed related to water quality and quantity pressures including the impacts of contaminants, climate variability and change, land use, and resource extraction, as well as emerging threats such as alien species and blue-green algae of particular importance on priority watersheds, e.g., Mackenzie River, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence. The Department will develop new approaches for the assessment, conservation and remediation of aquatic ecosystems and enhance integration of water quality and water quantity data, including development of integrated decision support models.
Benefits to Canadians:
Understanding and managing Canada's vast water resources, which represent about seven percent of the world's available freshwater, is a responsibility for all levels of government. The Department's work aligned to this Program Activity plays an important role in providing the science leadership needed by all Canadian jurisdictions for the management of Canada's aquatic resources. Benefits to Canadians from this program include an improved understanding of the impacts of human activities on water resources and aquatic ecosystem health, actions to restore and preserve Canada's water resources, wise and efficient water management and use, strengthened inter-jurisdictional relations and governance structures, and improved water resource management across federal departments.
| Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Canadians manage ecosystem resources in a manner consistent with ecosystem sustainability | Percentage of Canadian ecosystems where ecosystem health has been assessed as stable or improving | To be determined. A definition of ecosystem health will be established in 2010-2011 and the baseline value will be reported in the subsequent year. A target will then be set after two measured values for this indicator are available. |
| Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ millions) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-2011 | 2011-2012 | 2012-2013 | |||
| FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending |
| * Please note that these amounts reflect sunset funding, including the termination of temporary funding, for which the Department may receive program extensions subsequent to the tabling of this RPP. | |||||
| 307 | 60.9* | 310 | 58.5* | 311 | 49.3* |
Program Activity Description:
This program aims to sustain Canada's ecosystems over the long term. Canadians, their governments and the private sector must incorporate social, economic and environmental considerations in their decision-making and action. The ecosystem approach to environmental management focuses on maintaining the capacity of a whole system to produce ecological goods and services. This program is the focal point for the development and implementation of Environment Canada's sustainability policies and strategies, information to support integrated, ecosystem-scale priority setting, community engagement in remediation of sites, youth engagement, and research and reporting on environmental status and trends. The program facilitates inter-disciplinary and cross-sectoral planning and information sharing among partners.
Planning Highlights:
The Department is leading other federal departments and provincial and territorial governments in the assessment of the status and trends of Canada's ecosystems and facilitate targeted actions in priority ecosystems and hotspots using an ecosystem approach. The Ecosystem Status and Trends Report will be published and options for regularly updating the Report will be assessed with federal, provincial and territorial partners. The Department will negotiate new Canada-Ontario and Canada-Quebec agreements and ensure the transition from existing to new Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Programs as well as negotiate revisions to Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) with the United States to address key threats to Great Lakes' water quality. Commitments to clean-up and restore the Great Lakes, Lake Simcoe, St. Lawrence and Lake Winnipeg under the Action Plan for Clean Water will be delivered.
The Department will continue to meet its environmental assessment (EA) responsibilities under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, the Mackenzie Valley Management Act and the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act, so that risks to the environment can be addressed while improving efficiency and effectiveness of the process. Under these Acts, the Department is either a Federal Authority (which, upon the request of a Responsible Authority, must provide specialist or expert information or knowledge) or Responsible Authority (which must ensure that environmental assessment of the project is conducted because it is: the proponent; provides funding; administers the Federal lands; or issues a permit, licence or approval to enable the project to proceed). The Department will also contribute to government-wide efforts to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of federal regulatory decisions for major projects through the Major Projects Management Office (MPMO) Initiative and the Northern Project Management Office (NPMO) Initiative.
Canadians and communities will continue to be engaged in protecting and restoring the environment through behaviour changes, capacity building, community-based funding programs and engagement activities. The Department will improve the management and promotion of the Environmental Damages Fund to ensure proper oversight and accountability of monies directed to the fund. It is anticipated that amendments to federal environmental legislation, which will come into force in 2010, could significantly increase the number and amount of awards credited to the Fund. Outreach support will also be provided for Biodiversity 2010 through contributions from our EcoAction Community Funding Program. Additionally, the Regional Centres of Expertise Network is supporting Biodiversity 2010 through the sharing of best practices and engaging Canadians in biodiversity activities and projects.
During the planning period, the Department will lead on the implementation of the Federal Sustainable Development Act and delivery on the federal government's sustainable development planning and reporting commitments. This will include leading the development of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) in 2010, following public consultations, and publishing a FSDS Progress Report in 2011. Environmental indicators and long-term trend data will be produced that will provide an objective basis for reporting on the achievement of results measured against FSDS goals, targets and implementation strategies.
Benefits to Canadians:
In working with partners at the federal, provincial, territorial and local levels, this Program Activity provides strategies, information, tools and funding through partnership arrangements to Canadians, their governments and the private sector so that environmental considerations are integrated into decision-making and actions that ultimately help sustain Canada's ecosystems over the long term.
| Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Damages and/or threats to migratory birds, protected habitats and species at risk are prevented or minimized through enforcement of Environment Canada-administered laws and regulations | Volume of current and future losses of migratory birds, species at risk and protected habitat prevented |
To be determined.
A baseline value for this indicator will be reported in the 2010-11 DPR. A target will be set in the National Enforcement Plan for the 2010-11 fiscal year |
| Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ millions) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-2011 | 2011-2012 | 2012-2013 | |||
| FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending |
| * Please note that these amounts reflect sunset funding, including the termination of temporary funding, for which the Department may receive program extensions subsequent to the tabling of this RPP. | |||||
| 148 | 19.1* | 148 | 18.8* | 147 | 18.6* |
Program Activity Description:
This program serves to conserve and protect the natural environment through compliance promotion and enforcement of the following wildlife related legislation administered by Environment Canada: the Species at Risk Act (SARA), the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 (MBCA 1994), the Wild Animal and Plants Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA), and the Canada Wildlife Act (CWA). Measures to promote compliance include communication and publication of information, education, and consultation with parties affected by these legislations.
The Program maintains a contingent of enforcement officers, whose actions focus on ensuring and verifying conformity with laws and regulations and permits pertaining to wildlife through several activities that include gathering intelligence, conducting inspections and pursuing investigations to take appropriate enforcement measures against alleged offenders. These actions ensure that damages and threats to biodiversity are reduced for the benefit of Canadians and the international community.
(Program operations are delivered in an integrated manner with Program Activity 3.3)
Planning Highlights:
The Department will continue to fulfill the Government's commitment to strong environmental enforcement by strengthening the identification of priorities that focus on the most serious wildlife risks and threats and optimizing the integrated delivery of compliance and enforcement services (i.e., compliance promotion, enforcement and scientific analysis and advice). Wildlife compliance promotion and enforcement will be further enhanced with the implementation of the new Environmental Enforcement Act in 2010-2011. The Act amends the fine provisions, sentencing authorities and enforcement tools of six Environment Canada statutes including MBCA 1994. It specifically provides stronger penalties for offenders and enhanced sentencing provisions that require offenders to pay additional fines equal to any benefit, advantage or property gained. In 2010-2011, the Program will design and deliver training to prepare enforcement officers for changes under the Act and the Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalty Act, particularly new powers to issue environmental protection compliance orders under the CWA, MBCA, Antarctic Environmental Protection Act, and International River Improvements Act.
Information management and the necessary associated business processes to support effective compliance promotion and enforcement will be improved during the planning period. This effort will include defining clear performance goals and the data collection and analysis processes to assess progress against those goals and developing reporting capacity to clearly demonstrate the environmental results achieved by the compliance promotion and enforcement program.
The effective recruitment, development, and retention of compliance promotion, enforcement, and science staff are essential for success. Emphasis will be placed on increasing capacity across the compliance/enforcement continuum, through targeted recruitment, development, and investments in supporting tools and infrastructure.
Benefits to Canadians:
Environment Canada's compliance promotion and enforcement initiatives are directed at ensuring compliance with Canadian wildlife legislation, which protects plant and animal species in Canada including migratory birds. Canadian wildlife protection legislation is also aimed at conserving threatened or potentially threatened species nationally and internationally. These laws regulate human interventions, such as hunting or trade that could adversely affect long-term wildlife conservation. Wildlife enforcement officers enforce these laws throughout Canada in collaboration with other federal departments, and provincial, territorial governments and national and international agencies and organizations.
Strategic Outcome 2: Canadians are equipped to make informed decisions on changing weather, water and climate conditions
On a daily basis, Canadians are affected by environmental and weather conditions such as extremes in temperature, precipitation, winter storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts, floods, smog, sea ice, road icing and aircraft turbulence. Weather and environmental services enable Canadians, businesses, institutions and governments to make decisions to improve economic competitiveness, in areas such as agriculture, construction, forestry, transportation and tourism. Canadians consistently rate weather forecasts as one of the top pieces of information that they look for on a daily basis to help plan their activities.
To assist Canadians in making informed decisions, Environment Canada provides accurate and reliable meteorological and environmental information about the past, present and future states of the environment. The data, models and research produced under this Strategic Outcome also provide the scientific basis for key government and departmental policy priorities related to clean air, water availability, chemicals management and northern sovereignty and economic development.
Access to reliable short- and long-term information on changes in weather, water, air quality and climate conditions is essential for public safety and security, as well as improved health, particularly as incidents of high-impact events such as tornadoes, floods and droughts are expected to become more frequent in the coming years due to a changing climate. In order to collect the data, produce the warnings and forecasts and deliver this information to Canadians and targeted sectors, Environment Canada maintains a vast infrastructure of monitoring networks across Canada; a strong science capability; high-performance supercomputing capacity; weather, air quality and climate models; and a variety of systems to generate and disseminate this information.
Over the past decade, and on a worldwide basis, the weather prediction infrastructure has been characterized by significant changes in the science of weather prediction and rapidly escalating costs of direct-related technologies. As noted in a December 2008 report from the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, investment in this critical infrastructure, as well as the life-cyle management of the assets that are needed to protect Canadians from extreme- and high-impact weather-related events, has not kept pace with scientific and technological changes over the past decade. Consequently, gaps are emerging between public expectations and the ability of Environment Canada to deliver these services, particularly in the North.
Hence, the first focus area of this Strategic Outcome for the 2010-2011 fiscal year is to strengthen and modernize Environment Canada's weather and environmental service offerings. The Department needs to ensure that the observing networks can operate efficiently, effectively and sustainably, and ensure that data assets are life-cycle-managed. In addition, it needs to enhance prediction and service delivery systems, as well as directly related critical IM/IT infrastructure.
The second focus area of this Strategic Outcome is to maintain ongoing operations and continuous, daily delivery of environmental services and information to Canadians, clients and partners, including other products and services, such as the Air Quality Health Index, while exploiting and maximizing benefits from advances in science and technology in collaboration with others. This will facilitate the improvement of weather prediction services, improve the usefulness and enhance the delivery of services and information for users and decision-makers.
The third focus area for this Strategic Outcome is to ensure weather and environmental services are equipped to manage and deliver on strategic and operational priorities. Meeting this objective will require having the quality management systems and the people capacity to assure continuous, uninterrupted delivery of mission-critical services in the event of threats to critical infrastructure or severe weather (hurricanes, snowstorms).
Environment Canada's work that contributes to this Strategic Outcome is organized into two Program Activities:
- Weather and Environmental Services for Canadians
- Weather and Environmental Services for Targeted Users
| Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Canadians understand information on the changing weather, water and climate conditions and know how to use it | Percentage of the population indicating that they understand the differences between severe weather watches and warnings and the implications for their safety |
To be determined.
A baseline value for this indicator will be reported in the 2010-2011 DPR. A target will be set once two measured values for this indicator are available. |
| Canadians, communities and policy-makers understand the potential health and safety risks from the changing climate and air quality conditions | Percentage of municipalities that are aware of and understand the need to develop comprehensive emergency and/or disaster management plans due to changing climate | 80% by 2015. |
| Canadian institutions integrate information on the changing weather, water and climate conditions into their plans, codes and standards | Percentage of updated and revised climate design values adopted into the National Building Code of Canada (NBCC) and subsequently by the provinces/territories into their building codes. |
1) 100% by NBCC by 2015;
2) 50% by provinces and territories by 2018; and 3) 90% by provinces and territories by 2020. |
| Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ millions) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-2011 | 2011-2012 | 2012-2013 | |||
| FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending |
| * Please note that these amounts reflect sunset funding, including the termination of temporary funding, for which the Department may receive program extensions subsequent to the tabling of this RPP. | |||||
| 1,069 | 174.4* | 1,002 | 160.3* | 992 | 158.9* |
Program Activity Description
The Program Activity provides weather warnings, forecasts and information to anticipate, manage and adapt to the risks and opportunities of changing weather, water and climate conditions. It involves monitoring, research and development, supercomputing, production and service delivery. Because a global effort is needed to monitor, understand and predict constantly changing weather, water and climate conditions, this program relies on various collaborators, in Canada and around the world; key ones include the World Meteorological Organization of the United Nations, as well as the media, academia and all levels of government within Canada.
The program supports the Department of the Environment Act, the Canadian Weather Modification Information Act, the Emergency Management Act (2007) and memoranda of agreement with national meteorological and space agencies. This Program Activity is unique, having the only national mandate, infrastructure or skills to deliver this service.
Planning Highlights
Over the coming three-year period, the Department will implement a strategic plan for the monitoring of infrastructure, which will improve the risk management of equipment and enable better management of key assets across Canada. Improvements will be made to the prediction systems and enhancing prediction products and tools, such as a new forecaster workstation. Services to deliver information to Canadians will be improved by developing more robust weather warnings and modernized, seamless dissemination methods to ensure Canadians are warned. The Department will work with other levels of government, especially at the provincial and municipal levels, to prepare for emergencies (e.g., severe weather events, floods), share weather and climate data, and manage short- and long-term risks (e.g., air quality or climate change).
The Department will seek long-term access to essential high-performance computing, and will re-examine IM/IT architecture to maximize efficiencies and cost savings and exploit partnerships for the benefit of public weather and environmental services, such as the World Meteorological Organization, universities, other government departments and the private sector.
To achieve its expected results, the program will continue to educate the public and raise awareness and understanding among emergency measures officials and media partners to ensure that warnings of impending hazardous weather are received and understood, and that action is taken to protect health and safety. More generally, the program will continue to provide policy-makers, provincial/territorial and municipal governments, and institutions with the information needed to help them develop comprehensive emergency and/or disaster management plans and building codes and standards to deal with changes in weather and climatic conditions and create more resilient communities. In addition, citizen feedback will be used to improve the information and services provided by Environment Canada to meet the evolving needs of Canadians.
Success in meeting these performance targets and expected results will strengthen and modernize the basic foundations of the monitoring, forecast production, computing, research and service delivery systems and infrastructure. In this respect, addressing the resourcing of all aspects of the weather and environmental services infrastructure will be a priority undertaking over the entire planning period.
Benefits to Canadians
Canadians can better adapt to and manage the risks they face from changes in the environment as a result of improved accuracy and utility of weather, climate and environmental predictions. Monitoring, predicting and delivering weather and environmental science and services to Canadians will improve safety for Canadians and decision-making by giving improved accuracy and lead times for warnings of severe weather, as well as a constant watch of hazards to alert Canadians regarding potentially life‑threatening circumstances. Through these services, Canadians have continuous access to timely quality weather, water, climate and air quality information and predictions over Canada's sovereign territory and adjacent waters via multiple means, including radio, television and Environment Canada's Weatheroffice. In addition, these services provide a stronger scientific basis for policy development and decision-making on key environmental issues and their implications.
| Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Targeted sectors routinely integrate weather and climate information into their operations | Percentage of clients within targeted sectors that have access to specialized meteorological services or information |
To be determined.
A baseline value for this indicator will be reported in the 2010-2011 DPR. A target will be set once two measured values for this indicator are available. |
| Percentage of businesses and organizations within targeted sectors that report that they have factored weather- and climate-related information into their decisions |
To be determined.
A baseline value for this indicator will be reported in the 2010-2011 DPR. A target will be set once two measured values for this indicator are available. |
| Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ millions) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-2011 | 2011-2012 | 2012-2013 | |||
| FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending |
| * Please note that these amounts do not include funds that have sunsetted and for which the Department will seek renewal. | |||||
| 486 | 64.2* | 483 | 63.7* | 474 | 62.3* |
Program Activity Description
The Program Activity provides essential decision-making tools and information to targeted sectors and their regulatory agencies to help them anticipate, manage and adapt to the risks and opportunities created by changing weather and climate conditions. This Program Activity involves monitoring, research, production and service delivery. It provides observations, forecasts and warnings 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, along with other tools tailored to users' specific needs. It requires various collaborations, within Canada (including other government departments and provincial agencies), and internationally with the World Meteorological Organization, the United States Coast Guard and the International Civil Aviation Organization.
This program supports the Department of the Environment Act; it helps other government departments meet their obligations under the Aeronautics Act, the Oceans Act and the Fisheries Act; and supports memoranda of agreement with Transport Canada, National Defence and various provincial agencies. This Program Activity is unique, having the only national mandate, infrastructure or skills to deliver this service.
Planning Highlights
Over the next three years, the Department will seek to improve relations with partners and clients by working with them to meet their needs and increase the focus on client satisfaction, in evolving services. However, the need to keep pace with rapidly evolving science and technology and to meet ever-increasing client demands presents an ongoing challenge in delivering the expected results and in achieving performance targets. Over the coming period, this program will improve how Canadian public and private organizations integrate weather and environmental information into their decisions and plans.
The Department will develop a forward-looking service strategy to meet the emerging and changing needs of public and private organizations. Support will be provided to the Canadian aviation industry through the provision of high-quality and timely weather forecasts and services. The terms of the new NAV CANADA service agreement will be implemented with enhanced opportunities to spur innovation in product and service development for the full weather enterprise and an improved partnership model to enhance benefits to both parties.
The delivery of weather services to National Defence will be enhanced to support missions in Canada and abroad through the renewal of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Meteorological and Associated Services and contributions to the implementation of the Joint Meteorological Center.
The Department's marine weather and ice forecasts and services will continue to support safe marine transportation and Canadian Coast Guard activities, particularly in the North. The Ice Information Services Partnership Agreement (IISPA) with the Canadian Coast Guard for ice and specialized marine weather services will be renewed and the availability and delivery of marine and ice services to the marine transportation sector, as well as to northerners travelling on sea ice, will be improved to enhance safety and efficiency.
Support to key economic sectors, such as energy and agriculture, will focus on specific sector needs, understanding user needs and matching these with the Department's capacity to deliver products, and better define the role of the private sector in developing and offering services to spur innovation in both public and private sectors. Environment Canada has provided services to partners and clients for many years and continues to refine its approach to understand users' needs and their growing expectations. Service commitments are made in formal agreements, and performance indicators are used to ensure the continuous improvement of services.
Benefits to Canadians
Canada's economy is sensitive to weather and climate (agriculture, transportation, energy, tourism, construction, etc.). Access to timely and pertinent science-based weather, climate and environmental information and services helps businesses and Canadians to improve their resilience to high-impact weather events, reduce economic and infrastructure vulnerability, and optimize spending by incorporating the right information in engineering and designing approaches.
Strategic Outcome 3: Threats to Canadians and their environment from pollution are minimized
Pollution and waste may exert a direct or indirect harmful effect on animals, plants or humans and may pose long-term risks to the environment, depending on their volume, nature and manner of release. After more than a century of heavy industrialization and consumption, the planet's inhabitants are feeling the impacts of over-flowing garbage dumps, contaminated sites and polluted air and water.
Furthermore, climate change is one of the most important environmental issues of our time and will require concerted action. Scientific research shows that human activities (particularly the use of fossil fuels and the clear-cutting of forests) are accelerating the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. As a result, the earth's average temperature is getting warmer. This will have far-reaching environmental, social and economic consequences.
Environment Canada will continue to support the federal government's efforts to tackle climate change by maintaining or developing policies, incentive programs and regulatory and non-regulatory measures; conducting scientific research to inform Canadians and policy-makers; and working with other departments, the provinces and territories, and international partners. The federal government has committed to reducing Canada's total greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent from 2005 levels by 2020. The government has also set an objective for 90 percent of Canada's electricity to be provided by non-emitting sources by 2020.
Over the planning period, Environment Canada will work closely with the provinces and territories, municipalities, industry, non-governmental organizations, and the Canadian public to reduce the impacts of air pollution. Monitoring and inventory programs are key ways through which the Department gathers data about air quality and the sources of air pollution in order to support our policy development and inform our regulatory and non-regulatory actions.
Environment Canada will also continue to reduce threats from other pollutants and substances of concern by tracking releases, providing information on the effects of harmful substances to Canadians and decision-makers, implementing measures to prevent pollution and manage waste, and providing science and technology assessments and expert advice for the advancement of effective environmental technologies. The Chemicals Management Plan will continue to be a priority and, in partnership with Health Canada, Environment Canada is taking immediate and systematic action to assess and manage chemicals that are harmful to human health or the environment.
The Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999) and section 36 of the Fisheries Act provide the statutory basis for most of Environment Canada's initiatives contributing to this Strategic Outcome. The Department's domestic, continental and international work relating to air pollution and climate change, chemicals management, waste reduction and management, ensures progress towards the long-term Strategic Outcome to minimize threats to Canadians and their environment from pollution.
Environment Canada's work that contributes to this Strategic Outcome is organized into three Program Activities:
- Substances and Waste Management
- Climate Change and Clean Air
- Compliance Promotion and Enforcement - Pollution
| Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Threats to Canadians and impacts on the environment posed by harmful substances and waste are reduced | Canadian releases of selected controlled substances |
To be determined.
Baseline values for this indicator will be reported in 2010-2011 DPR. |
| Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ millions) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-2011 | 2011-2012 | 2012-2013 | |||
| FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending |
| * Please note that these amounts reflect sunset funding, including the termination of temporary funding, for which the Department may receive program extensions subsequent to the tabling of this RPP. | |||||
| 781 | 124.2* | 562 | 72.5* | 547 | 71.2* |
Program Activity Description
Activities in this program reduce threats to the environment posed by pollutant and toxic releases and waste from human activities. Pollutant and toxic releases and waste may exert a direct harmful effect on plants, animals, humans and the environment due to their nature, volume or manner of release. The program assesses environmental threats posed by toxic substances and other substances of concern in terms of their fate and effects, and develops and implements prevention, reduction, elimination and management measures to deal with these substances.
Planning Highlights
In partnership with Health Canada, the Department will continue to implement the government's Chemicals Management Plan to improve the degree of protection against harmful chemicals. This will include continuing to assess and manage the risks posed by the highest-priority substances, according to established timelines, and to begin to implement a program of work for medium priorities. The Department will leverage the work of other jurisdictions to further reduce threats to Canadians and their environment from harmful substances and strengthen relations with international and domestic partners. The Department will also maintain research and monitoring programs to address chemicals of emerging concern, risk assessment needs and risk management activities. Innovative approaches to effectively and efficiently manage harmful substances will be developed and the Department will utilize the updated information from the cyclical update of the Domestic Substances List to affirm program decisions, as well as to inform future policy. Finally, there will be follow-up on the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development's (CESD) recommendations to periodically assess all risk management strategies.
The Department will continue to meet other obligations under CEPA 1999 and Fisheries Act, including amending existing regulations to ensure their effectiveness.
Under the Fisheries Act, the Department is aiming to publish final municipal wastewater regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part II, by the end of 2010. Regulations under the Act include environmental effects monitoring. The Department will work with Fisheries and Oceans Canada to develop aquaculture regulations. Environment Canada will also deliver on commitments made to Parliament in the May 2009 CESD report by improving the risk-based management, priority setting and coordination of Fisheries Act pollution prevention provisions.
Finally, as a co-lead, custodian and provider of expert support to the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP), Environment Canada will continue work with other federal government departments, agencies and consolidated Crown corporations to determine the future direction for the program and meet commitments under Canada's Economic Action Plan (CEAP) for accelerated activities.
Benefits to Canadians
As a result of Environment Canada's work to reduce threats to Canadians and impacts on the environment posed by toxic substances and waste, the government is able to take early action on harmful substances so that they are managed before they enter the environment and become a problem for current or future generations. Canadians are also provided with information to make better-informed decisions and thereby lower their exposure to harmful substances and waste.
| Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Threats to Canadians, their health and their environment from air pollutants and greenhouse gas emissions are minimized | Canadian emissions of greenhouse gases from targeted and/or regulated sources | Canada's national target is a 17% reduction from 2005 levels by 2020. |
| Canadian emissions of air pollutants from targeted sources |
To be determined.
Targets will be determined with the finalization of the air pollutant regulatory approach. |
| Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ millions) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-2011 | 2011-2012 | 2012-2013 | |||
| FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending |
| * Please note that these amounts reflect sunset funding, including the termination of temporary funding, for which the Department may receive program extensions subsequent to the tabling of this RPP. | |||||
| 855 | 242.0* | 471 | 92.1* | 366 | 76.0* |
Program Activity Description
This Program Activity is critical to protect the health of Canadians and the environment from the harmful effects of air pollutants and the impacts of greenhouse gas emissions. This will be achieved through developing an integrated sector-based approach to regulating air pollutants and controlling greenhouse gas emissions; collaboration and partnerships with other levels of government and non-governmental organizations; awareness and promotion activities and programs for Canadians to reduce emissions and pollutants from vehicles and consumer products; strengthening international cooperation (particularly with the United States), including implementation of international agreements related greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants; and advancing science-based approaches and innovative technologies in support of investment decisions, policy making and regulations.
Planning Highlights
Environment Canada will realize concrete progress in support of the federal government's actions to address air pollution and climate change along three parallel pathways at the domestic, continental and international levels.
At the domestic level, work will proceed with provinces, territories, industry and environmental non-governmental organizations (ENGOs) to develop and implement strategies that are harmonized with those of the United States, as a means of maximizing progress on reducing greenhouse gas emissions while maintaining economic competitiveness and prosperity. The final rules for Canada's Offset System for Greenhouse Gases will be published and the review of quantification protocols and project proposals will be started.[9]
With respect to air pollutants, regulatory approaches to reducing industrial emissions will be developed, drawing on joint work with the provinces, territories, industry and ENGOs on a national comprehensive air management system. The Department will continue the development and implementation of air pollutant emission regulations aligned with the United States Environmental Protection Agency standards for various classes of on-road and off-road vehicles, large and small engines and fuels, the renewable fuel regulation to mandate a 5-percent renewable fuel content by volume of gasoline, and the greenhouse gas regulation for light-duty cars and trucks. The Department will support Transport Canada in reducing air pollutants and greenhouse gases from marine shipping, rail and aviation.
The Department will publish a notice of intent in 2010-2011 outlining measures to further reduce volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions from consumer and commercial products, which measures will be developed and implemented over the 2010 to 2020 period. These measures will align with standards already in place in the United States. The accelerated phase-out of hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFCs) agreed to under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer at the domestic level will be implemented, providing a dual benefit for both climate and ozone layer protection.
The Department will upgrade or develop scientific and economic models to measure the impacts and benefits of proposed mitigation options and improve the network to monitor air pollutants. In Environment Canada's continuing role as government lead for the Clean Air Agenda[10], a federal horizontal initiative involving nine departments and agencies, it will continue to collect information on air pollutants and greenhouse gases through integrating information collection initiatives via a single-window approach to inform policy and regulatory development.
The Department will deliver the National Vehicle Scrappage Program, which is designed to get old high-polluting vehicles off Canadian roads. It will also continue to provide expert advice and oversight to programs that support innovative environmental technologies, including Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' Green Municipal Funds (GMF), the Program of Energy Research and Development (PERD), the ecoENERGY Technology (ecoETI), and the Clean Energy Fund (CEF), and manage Canada's Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) program.
At the continental level, engagement with the United States will continue through initiatives such as the U.S.-Canada Clean Energy Dialogue to collaborate more effectively on the development of clean energy technologies to reduce greenhouse gases and combat climate change. The Department will work with provincial governments and other partners and engage the United States on harmonized clean energy approaches that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The United States will also be engaged in efforts to reduce the transboundary flow of air pollution under the Canada-United States Air Quality Agreement and on the ETV Program to ensure continental harmonization on environmental performance measurement, benchmarking and the verification of clean technologies.
At the international level, the Department will contribute actively to the ongoing negotiations to develop a new global climate change treaty under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, including by meeting our commitments and helping to implement the new Copenhagen Accord. International negotiations will continue up to the next UN Climate Conference to be held in Mexico City in December 2010 to elaborate the details of a potential new treaty. Canada will seek to build on the Copenhagen Accord and work towards a new post-2012 regime that is fair, environmentally effective, comprehensive and legally binding.
Canada will also continue to support international clean technology efforts through a range of existing programs and bilateral partnerships (e.g., China, Mexico) as part of our overall international climate change efforts.
Canada's domestic approach to addressing greenhouse gas emissions will continue to inform Canada's position in the ongoing international negotiation processes. In particular, the Department will work to ensure that Canada's domestic and international climate change approaches are harmonized with those of the United States, in light of our close economic integration and geographic proximity.
Environment Canada will also work with Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada and other federal departments to support Canadian government priorities in the Arctic, including at the Arctic Council. Canada will also continue to engage in international negotiations on the phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, and will continue to advance a joint Canada-United States-Mexico proposal to reduce HFC consumption and production. This phase-down of HFCs would provide significant climate protection benefits, in particular by preventing projected increases in the use of HFCs in many countries.
Benefits to Canadians
Climate change is a global problem that requires global solutions. The Government of Canada supports an aggressive approach to climate change that will achieve real environmental and economic benefits for Canadians. Canada is a vast country with a diverse climate, which makes the impacts of climate change all the more important. The Government of Canada supports efforts to protect the environment by developing policies and programs, conducting scientific research and working with other government departments, the provinces and territories, and international partners in the fight against climate change.
Air pollution from transportation, industries and other sources modifies the chemical composition of the atmosphere, which can negatively affect the health of Canadians and Canadian ecosystems.
This Program Activity protects the health of Canadians and the environment by taking regulatory action on greenhouse gases and air pollutants in Canada and by working with domestic, continental and international partners to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollutants. Canadians also benefit from the information provided to them about air pollutants and climate change and their impacts. More generally, all Canadians benefit when federal technology investments offer value for money, optimize environmental and international benefits and do not negatively affect the environment.
| Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Unlawful releases of harmful substances into the environment are prevented or minimized through enforcement and promotion of Environment Canada-administered laws and regulations | Quantity of unlawful harmful substances controlled or removed from the environment as a result of enforcement activities |
To be determined.
A baseline value for this indicator will be reported in the 2010-2011 DPR. A target will be set in the National Enforcement Plan for the 2010-2011 fiscal year. |
| Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ millions) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-2011 | 2011-2012 | 2012-2013 | |||
| FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending |
| * Please note that these amounts reflect sunset funding, including the termination of temporary funding, for which the Department may receive program extensions subsequent to the tabling of this RPP. | |||||
| 345 | 41.5* | 341 | 40.9* | 330 | 39.6* |
Program Activity Description
This program contributes to minimizing damages and threats to the natural environment and biodiversity through the promotion and enforcement of Environment Canada-administered legislation. Program actions focus on pollution, including toxic substances, their release to air, water or land, and the import and export of hazardous waste that present a risk to the environment and/or human health. Compliance promotion initiatives provide information to regulatees on legislative requirements, the environmental benefits of compliance and the potential penalties of non-compliance.
The program maintains a contingent of enforcement officers, whose activities include gathering intelligence, conducting inspections to verify compliance with laws and regulations, and pursuing investigations to take appropriate enforcement measures against offenders. The program includes compliance analysis and planning to integrate data from all available sources to provide continuous feedback on program activities and results. Funding includes support through class Contributions to Support Environmental Research and Development.
(Program operations are delivered in an integrated manner with Program Activity 1.4)
Planning Highlights
The Department will fulfill the government's commitment to strong environmental enforcement by strengthening the identification of priorities that focus on the most serious environmental risks and threats. Environment Canada will also optimize the integrated delivery of compliance and enforcement services (i.e., compliance promotion, enforcement and scientific analysis and advice). Pollution compliance promotion and enforcement will be further enhanced with the implementation of the new Environmental Enforcement Act in 2010–2011. The Act amends the fine provisions, sentencing authorities and enforcement tools of six Environment Canada statutes, including CEPA 1999. The Act specifically provides for stronger penalties for offenders, and enhanced sentencing provisions that require offenders to pay additional fines equal to any benefit, advantage or property gained. In 2010–2011, the Program will design and deliver training to prepare enforcement officers for changes under the Act and the Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalty Act, and will launch communications to ensure that the Act is understood and utilized by prosecutors and the judiciary.
In the planning process, information management and the necessary supporting business processes will be improved, including the definition of clear performance goals and the data collection and analysis processes necessary to assess progress. Reporting capacity will be developed to clearly demonstrate the results achieved by the compliance promotion and enforcement program.
Success is dependent upon the effective recruitment, development and retention of staff engaged in the fields of compliance promotion, enforcement and science. Emphasis will be placed on increasing capacity across the compliance/enforcement continuum, through targeted recruitment, development and investments in supporting tools and equipment.
Benefits to Canadians
Compliance promotion and enforcement initiatives ensure that federal legislation dealing with pollution-related threats and risks to the environment is respected. These laws regulate, for example, the use of harmful substances, their release to air, water or land, as well as the import and export of substances that present a risk to the environment and/or human life or health, such as hazardous wastes and hazardous recyclable materials. Environment Canada enforcement officers apply these laws throughout Canada in collaboration with provincial, territorial governments and national and international agencies and organizations.
Strategic Outcome 4: Canadians benefit from the responsible development of the Mackenzie gas resources
The Mackenzie Gas Project (MGP) was transferred from Industry Canada to Environment Canada on October 30, 2008. In 2010-2011, subject to necessary approvals, Environment Canada will advance progress on the regulatory processes and construction approvals and will work to accommodate Aboriginal interests through facilitation and negotiation.
Environment Canada's work that contributes to this Strategic Outcome is organized into a single Program Activity:
- Mackenzie Gas Project
| Expected Results | Performance Indicators | Targets |
|---|---|---|
| Progressing to regulatory phase of the project | Subject to decision to proceed, implementation plan in place | To be determined. |
| Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ millions) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-2011 | 2011-2012 | 2012-2013 | |||
| FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending |
| * Data is not available due to the fact that, at the time of production of the present RPP, the Mackenzie Gas Project Office did not have authority or resources beyond March 31, 2010. | |||||
| 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0.0 |
Program Activity Description
This program supports the activities of the Mackenzie Gas Project Office (MGPO), which is responsible for facilitating the legal, operational and regulatory coordination of federal government input to the Mackenzie Gas Project (MGP), which aims to construct a 1220-km pipeline through the Northwest Territories and Alberta to connect gas resources in Canada's North to markets in North America.
Key activities under this program are the following: coordinating federal government input to the Joint Review Panel (JRP), which is a seven-member, independent body responsible for evaluating potential impacts on the environment and the lives of people in the project area; leading federal government interaction and supporting consultations with the project proponents, Aboriginal groups and the governments of the Northwest Territories and Alberta; preparing a Government of Canada response to the forthcoming report from the JRP; facilitating the National Energy Board regulatory process for a timely and accountable regulatory regime for the MGP; developing a fiscal framework to assess areas where the federal government may participate in the MGP; and implementing the Mackenzie Gas Project Impacts Act to administer up to $500 million to support mitigation strategies related to the socio-economic impacts from the Mackenzie Gas Project.
Other federal legislation relevant to this program includes the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act; the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act (MVRMA); and the Western Arctic Claims (Inuvialuit) Settlement Act and other similar acts and agreements with Aboriginal governments.
Planning Highlights
Once the Government of Canada has responded to the JRP report, the regulatory phase of the project is expected to commence. This phase is estimated to unfold over approximately 12 months and will support the subsequent decision, to be made by the pipeline's proponents, regarding whether to construct the pipeline.
Subject to approvals, Environment Canada in 2010-2011 will work with the pipeline's proponents regarding potential support for the MGP. The Department will coordinate the Government of Canada's response to the Joint Review Panel report on environmental and socio-economic issues. A streamlined regulatory process for the project will be implemented. If the project proceeds, the Department will consult with Aboriginal groups and implement the Mackenzie Gas Project Impacts Act to mitigate the anticipated socio-economic impacts on communities in the Northwest Territories arising from the proposed pipeline.
Benefits to Canadians
The proposed MGP could lead to new investment in gas exploration in the North, offering the creation of present and future economic development and employment opportunities for Aboriginal and Northern Canadians, as well as increased energy security for the nation.
Internal Services
Program Activity Description
Internal Services are groups of related activities and resources that are administered to support the needs of programs and other corporate obligations of an organization. These groups are the following: Management and Oversight Services; Communications Services; Legal Services; Human Resources Management Services; Financial Management Services; Information Management Services; Information Technology Services; Real Property Services; Materiel Services; Acquisition Services; and Travel and Other Administrative Services. Internal Services include only those activities and resources that apply across an organization and not to those provided specifically to a program.
The Internal Services Program Activity includes activities and services that enable Environment Canada to deliver its programs in accordance with both internal and external policy direction, and management and administrative guidelines and expectations.
| Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ millions) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010-2011 | 2011-2012 | 2012-2013 | |||
| FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending | FTEs | Planned Spending |
| * Please note that these amounts reflect sunset funding, including the termination of temporary funding, for which the Department may receive program extensions subsequent to the tabling of this RPP. | |||||
| 1,663 | 209.8* | 1,558 | 198.8* | 1,523 | 194.9* |
Planning Highlights
During the planning period, Environment Canada plans to focus on several department-wide policy objectives. The Department plans to strengthen policy analysis and coordination capacity to support Departmental priorities and the Government of Canada's overall environmental agenda. Sound economic advice and support for policy development and program implementation will be provided, for both new policy and existing regulatory authorities.
Over the planning period, and in direct support of its role as a science department, Environment Canada's Science Plan will focus on advancing strategies to enable effective management and use of environmental S&T; measuring the effectiveness of S&T activities; identifying and appropriately targeting policy- and decision-making audiences; and providing support to Departmental priorities such as clean energy and climate change.
In view of the importance it accords to partnerships, the Department will develop new policies, strategic advice and analysis to foster positive, long-term relationships with key constituencies, including provincial and territorial governments, Aboriginal organizations, stakeholders and citizens.
The Department will also address several key department-wide management objectives. The Department will strengthen financial management by continuing to refine its financial planning and reporting framework, including the setting of prescribed timelines in support of the processes and the use of a standardized monthly reporting package to the executive cadre and the Department's Finance Committee. The government's Accountability Agenda will be further implemented through a focus on the management priorities identified under the Management Accountability Framework, including stabilizing governance structures and the Departmental planning cycle. A particular focus for the Department will be to improve the integration of program planning with internal services and financial resource planning. This alignment will increase the efficiency of the planning process, improve the quality of departmental plans such as the Integrated Corporate Plan, and ultimately drive greater accountability and results.
The Department has identified a number of current and future skills and competency gaps in its workforce that will affect its ability to meet its business objectives. The Department's talent management strategy, designed to improve people management and the provision of a healthy and productive workforce, will be implemented with a focus on key areas such as effective staffing and recruitment; improving representativeness; retaining and enhancing talent through learning and development; retaining and strengthening capacity through succession planning; and implementing a multi-year action plan in response to the results of the 2008 Public Service Employee Survey.
Timely and accurate information is key to the Department's decision-making and overall performance. Accordingly, information management (IM) and information technology (IT) services will strengthen the alignment of its activities to departmental business priorities. This objective will be achieved by improving portfolio management and by ensuring that IM & IT activities reflect the needs of program managers in achieving objectives; improving accountability and performance management through enhanced planning and governance; and improving the efficiency and effectiveness of client services and delivery through innovation, industry best practices and standardized work processes.
The Department will strengthen its assets management by focusing on key risk mitigation practices, including the implementation of a comprehensive life-cycle management application, policies and procedures to enhance and standardize assets management within the Department. A departmental business continuity plan will be finalized that will identify threat risk assessments and contingencies for events such as natural hazards, technical failures and human-induced threats.
The Department will maintain strong and independent internal audit and evaluation functions that, along with the External Audit Advisory Committee and the Departmental Evaluation Committee, support the Deputy Minister in his role as Accounting Officer and in managing for results. Environment Canada has committed to management actions in 2010-2011 arising from six internal audits, nine external audits and eight program evaluations conducted in previous years. These management commitments for 2010-2011 will contribute to:
- Improving the security of the information technology infrastructure;
- Ensuring compliance of occupational health and safety committees with the Canada Labour Code, better tracking trends of incidents and accidents in the Department, and exploring ways to better use technology to track occupational health and safety;
- Improving the management of accounts receivables;
- Improving the communication of contracting processes and the tracking of these contracting processes;
- Clarifying Fisheries Act responsibilities;
- Improving practices and protocols relative to the management of certain substances;
- Completing a strategy to improve the quality of data collected for the National Pollutant Release Inventory;
- Improving the efficiency and effectiveness of grants and contributions processes;
- Clarifying Environment Canada's mandate and policy leadership role in the context of programs delivered interdepartmentally; and
- Continuing efforts to improve performance measurement and monitoring.
Canada's Economic Action Plan (CEAP) Initiatives
In addition to the funding received from Canada's Economic Action Plan (CEAP) in fiscal year 2009-2010, the following two initiatives will receive funding in 2010-2011:
Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP)
Under the program, Environment Canada houses the FCSAP Secretariat and provides expert advice to other federal custodians of contaminated sites on the issue of ecological risk reduction. The Department is also considered a federal custodian of real property and as such accesses the program to manage its contaminated sites across the country. These include wildlife areas, hydrometric stations and weather stations. The total planned spending, including the top-up funding from CEAP, can be aligned with our 2010-2011 Program Activity Architecture - 3.1.4 Contaminated Sites.
Modernizing Federal Laboratories
This initiative supports timely investment in modernizing federal laboratories by performing project work on the deferred maintenance of laboratory facilities such as the Canada Centre for Inland Waters (CCIW) in Burlington, Ontario and the Dr. Neil Trivett Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) Observatory in Alert, Nunavut. Environment Canada plans to spend CEAP funding in 2010-2011 on projects approved by Treasury Board. As all projects are expected to be completed in 2010-2011, the CEAP funding will help maintain and/or create jobs in the architectural, engineering, construction and air transportation sectors.
As CEAP provides top-off funding to existing departmental capital and operating and maintenance budgets to undertake additional capital projects, this initiative will help maintain and further the excellence of Environment Canada's world-class scientific activities. More specifically, the injection of stimulus funding to accelerate investments at Environment Canada's laboratories is expected to enhance the Department's reputation as a key source of scientific and technical information to help protect and conserve our air, water and wildlife, while helping Canadians make informed decisions about the environment.