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2010-11
Report on Plans and Priorities



Environment Canada






The original version was signed by
The Honourable Jim Prentice
Minister of the Environment






Table of Contents

Minister's Message

Section I - Departmental Overview

Section II - Analysis of Program Activities by Strategic Outcome

Section III - Supplementary Information



Minister's Message

The Honourable Jim Prentice, Minister of the Environment

It is my pleasure to submit Environment Canada's 2010-2011 Report on Plans and Priorities. Environmental issues have become increasingly important to Canadians and to our economy. In the coming year, Environment Canada will introduce new policies, programs and legislation, which will have important implications for Canada's environment, as well as the economic recovery.

To achieve both environmental and economic benefits for Canadians, we will take major steps to address the challenge of climate change and clean air, at the domestic, continental, and international levels.

We will continue to invest in research and development in the areas of green technology as part of our broad-based actions to address climate change. At the same time, we will work with provincial and territorial governments and partners and the United States to harmonize on a continental scale the climate change policies, targets and goals that will support a dynamic and integrated economy. We will also remain a full and effective partner in giving life to the Copenhagen Accord, including honouring Canada's commitments.

The Department will also deliver other initiatives of national scope and importance. For example, major water quality agreements with our provincial and American partners, including the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, will be renewed. This will be part of our comprehensive approach to clean water through the Action Plan for Clean Water. We will also protect and conserve our biodiversity through collective action to build and expand our protected areas network in the North.

The risks of potentially harmful substances will be assessed and managed through the Chemicals Management Plan. This is a world-leading effort to assess chemicals and protect the health of Canadians and their environment. In addition, we will strengthen and modernize technology and keep abreast of the new developments to manage increasing demands for weather forecasting and other major program areas that are highly valued by Canadians.

In the coming year, we will work to develop and implement climate change strategies that are harmonized with those of the United States. We will align these policies, regulations and rules so that they support one another to minimize their regulatory burden as much as possible. We will also communicate these changes in a clear and understandable fashion so that individuals, corporations and governments can make informed decisions.

The 2010-2011 Report on Plans and Priorities outlines how we intend to move forward in these specific areas. Please take the time to read this report and learn more about the direction we are taking.

______________________________________
The Honourable Jim Prentice, P.C., Q.C., M.P.
Minister of the Environment


 

Section I - Departmental Overview

Raison d'être

Environment Canada is the federal lead department on a wide range of environmental issues facing Canadians. As a science-based department, Environment Canada addresses these issues through research, policy development, service delivery to Canadians, regulation and enforcement of environmental laws, and strategic partnerships. Programs are focused on conserving and restoring Canada's natural environment; equipping Canadians to make informed decisions on weather, water and climate conditions; and minimizing threats to Canadians and their environment from pollution. The Department's program focus reflects the increasingly evident interdependence between environmental sustainability and economic well-being.

A number of acts and regulations provide the Department with its mandate and allow it to carry out its programs. Under the Department of the Environment Act, the powers, duties and functions of the Minister of the Environment extend to and include matters relating to:

  • the preservation and enhancement of the quality of the natural environment, including water, air and soil quality;
  • renewable resources, including migratory birds and other non-domestic flora and fauna;
  • water;
  • meteorology;
  • the enforcement of any rules or regulations made by the International Joint Commission relating to boundary waters; and
  • the coordination of the policies and programs of the Government of Canada respecting the preservation and enhancement of the quality of the natural environment

Beyond the Department of the Environment Act, the Minister of the Environment has primary responsibility for 20 other acts, including the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999), the new Federal Sustainable Development Act, and several pieces of legislation relating to the protection of biodiversity and water. These include responsibility for the enforcement of environmental laws and regulations. The Department also has a demanding role under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, primarily as a department that provides information and analysis to others (a "federal authority"), but also as a department with decision-making responsibilities (a "responsible authority").

Environment Canada is also a key partner with other federal departments, where statutes such as the Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act, Canada Foundation for Sustainable Development Technology Act, and Marine Liability Act provide Environment Canada with secondary or shared responsibility for the successful execution of other federal departments mandates.[1]

Delivering Our Mandate

Environment Canada's role is multifaceted. The Department is a regulator, one of the largest in the federal government, with statutory and program responsibilities relating to biodiversity and environmental protection. This is a complex and challenging role, involving the integration of leading-edge research in many disciplines and proven best practices with the experience of stakeholders, as well as existing policy priorities and statutory authorities to. The objective is first, generate standards and guides for practices that will enhance Canada's natural capital and second, set out boundaries and barriers to activities that put Canada's environment at risk.

In discharging its regulatory responsibilities, Environment Canada also assumes an enforcement function necessary to ensure that companies and individuals comply with pollution prevention and wildlife acts and regulations. This effort, which includes compliance promotion, is undertaken in collaboration with provincial and territorial governments, national and international agencies and organizations, and addresses, for example, the use of toxic substances and their release to air, water or land. Wildlife enforcement officers enforce Canadian wildlife legislation which protects plant and animal species from human interventions, such as hunting or trade that could adversely affect long-term wildlife conservation.

The Department is also a service provider, producing accurate and timely weather forecasts that benefit the economy and individual Canadians alike, and implements programs in direct support of ecosystem sustainability and environmental protection. Environment Canada's Weather and Environmental Services monitors, produces, and delivers weather and environmental services and information to Canadians. Accurate and reliable meteorological and environmental information about the past, present or future states of the environment is essential to sound decision-making by Canadians. Access to information on weather, water, air quality and climate conditions also supports public security objectives and emergency and crisis management responses to high impact events such as tornadoes, floods and droughts.

Environment Canada is a science-based department and a leader in scientific innovation, including meteorology and many of the life sciences disciplines (please see Environment Canada's Science Plan). Environment Canada is heavily engaged, therefore, in developing and applying scientific approaches to understand naturally occurring environmental processes and their interactions. This knowledge enables the Department to evaluate and assess the effects of known and emerging stressors on the environment, thus supporting the design and evaluation of protection of biodiversity, policy options for pollution prevention, control, management and adaptation, and the delivery of state-of-the-art weather services.

Moreover, the Department increasingly pursues its work through effective partnerships. Inside the Government of Canada, Environment Canada's services, regulations and science combine with the work of other departments to address broad federal priorities such as emergency and pandemic preparedness, ecosystem and water resource management, management of contaminated sites, implementation of land claims, northern development and sovereignty, and energy security. The delivery of Environment Canada's mandate also gives rise to partnerships with provincial, territorial and Aboriginal governments, and non-governmental organizations. These partnerships directly support a wide range of shared objectives relating to protecting biodiversity, improving water quality, reducing pollution and enforcing various regulatory requirements.

With over 6,000 employees located in communities all across Canada, Environment Canada is open for business 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year from coast to coast and around the world. Every year the Department:
  • issues more than 1,500,000 public forecasts, 200,000 marine and sea state forecasts, 500,000 aviation forecasts, 10,000 severe weather warnings and 9,000 ice condition product;
  • manages the Air Quality Health Index, the first health protection tool of its kind in the world, which lets Canadians determine how much time they should spend outside or how they should adjust their activities under higher air pollution levels;
  • acquires and archives the data necessary to respond to 50 million telephone calls through our automated telephone answering device;
  • conducts approximately 10,000 inspections under Canada's environmental laws;
  • provides spill containment and clean-up advice to lead response agencies at an average of 1,000 significant incidents;
  • processes over 4,200 Notices annually for proposed imports, exports, and transits of hazardous wastes and hazardous recyclable materials (representing over 17,900 individual wastes/recyclable materials), issues approximately 2,200 import/export and transit permits and over 45,300 actual individual shipments of hazardous waste and hazardous recyclable material are tracked through the movement documents received;
  • assesses nearly 500 new substances, publishes approximately 70 draft risk assessment reports and 50 final assessment reports for existing substances, as well as publishes documents describing proposed approaches to managing risks from assessed substances, and where it is required proposes or finalizes control instruments for chemicals assessed under the Chemicals Management Plan;
  • manages the fourth largest extent of protected areas in Canada at 11.0 million hectares (ha), after Parks Canada Agency (31.1 million ha), British Columbia (13.2 million ha) and Quebec (13.2 million ha);
  • maintains over 200 partnerships with stakeholders across Canada to preserve and conserve the habitats of over 440 species listed under the Species at Risk Act; and
  • supports hundreds of community-led projects in all regions of the country to protect and restore the environment.

 

Strategic Outcomes and Program Activity Architecture (PAA)

In 2010-2011, Environment Canada is implementing updated Strategic Outcomes and a re-defined Program Activity Architecture (PAA) that will more clearly present programs and results.

The Strategic Outcomes capture at a high level the work Environment Canada undertakes in conserving Canada's natural environment; equipping Canadians to make informed decisions on changing weather, water and climate conditions; and minimizing threats from pollution. The PAA also now includes a Strategic Outcome for the Mackenzie Gas Project, transferred to Environment Canada from Industry Canada in 2009-2010.

The redefined PAA provides a more accurate and inclusive reflection of programs and costs. It provides the framework within which the Department determines the priorities, and allows the realignment of internal services to programs in compliance with the revised Profile of the Government of Canada's Internal Services. All internal services are now aligned according to the prescribed definitions of the Management, Resources and Results Structures (MRRS) policy.

Environment Canada is in the second year of its transition to a more effective Performance Measurement system, and the department has now developed a Performance Measurement Framework (PMF) for its Strategic Outcomes and the PAA for 2010-2011. The PMF contains expected program results, performance indicators and targets, where available, for all programs in the PAA. The PMF will enable the Department to supplement its existing approaches to performance reporting with quantitative measures of progress toward program objectives and its Strategic Outcomes. However, given the significant recent changes to both the PAA and the related performance measures, specific targets for some programs remain under development. In each of these cases, Environment Canada is working to report measured values for all indicators identified in the RPP in the 2010-11 Departmental Performance Report. Until targets are established, we will use available information from indicators associated with lower-level programs of the PAA to supplement those at the Strategic Outcome and Program Activity levels. This will enable reporting of a more appropriate and nuanced picture of overall performance than would be possible from the high-level indicators alone.

Environment Canada's approach to performance measurement is one of continuous improvement. The program indicators and targets are not static and will continue to evolve as the Department learns from its performance, adapts to new science and technology, and responds to changes in policy and government-wide direction. In particular, as baseline and additional data where needed become available for newly-measured indicators, the Department will establish specific target levels of expected performance. Measurement and reporting of the indicators will proceed concomitant with the presence of targets.

2010-2011 Program Activity Architecture (PAA)

Environment Canada's 2010-2011 Program Activity Architecture (PAA) is composed of four (4) Strategic Outcomes and eleven (11) Program Activities, including Internal Services.

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2009-2010 to 2010–2011 Program Activity Architecture (PAA) Crosswalk

The table below provides a crosswalk of 2010-2011 planned spending between Environment Canada's 2009-2010 and 2010-2011 Program Activity Architectures.

2009-2010 to 2010–2011 Program Activity Architecture (PAA) Crosswalk
Environment Canada's 2010-2011 Program Activities ($ millions)
   

Biodiversity - Wildlife and Habitat

Water Resources

Sustainable Ecosystems

Compliance Promotion and Enforcement - Wildlife

Weather and Environmental Services for Canadians

Weather and Environmental Services for Targeted Users

Substances and Waste Management

Climate Change and Clean Air

Compliance Promotion and Enforcement - Pollution

Mackenzie Gas Project *

Internal Services

Totals

Totals may differ between and within tables due to the rounding of figures.

Note:

* Environment Canada's 2009-2010 PAA was amended in June 2009 to reflect a better representation of the department's programs and results, as well as the transfer of responsibility for the Mackenzie Gas Project from Industry Canada and of Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Initiative to Finance Canada. The Department is currently working to secure funding renewal, which has not been confirmed at the time of production of the present Report on Plans and Priorities.

** Respendable revenue refers to revenue received through offering of products or services that can be "respent" or "used" to help offset the Department's voted operating funding requirements.

Environment Canada's 2009-2010 Program Activities ($ millions)

Biodiversity and Wildlife Program

105.0

 

4.3

5.8

             

115.1

Water Program

 

72.0

13.9

               

85.8

Ecosystems Initiatives Program

   

38.4

               

38.4

Environmental Science and Monitoring Program

 

36.4

   

72.2

2.1

         

110.7

Weather and Environmental Prediction Program

       

66.8

60.9

         

127.7

Chemicals Management Program

     

13.3

   

97.8

 

20.7

   

131.8

Legislation and Information Program

           

16.0

37.6

20.5

   

74.1

Clean Air Program

             

202.0

     

202.0

Mackenzie Gas Project *

                 

TBD

 

TBD

Internal Services

1.0

14.2

4.4

 

35.3

1.2

10.5

2.8

   

209.7

279.0

Sub-total

106.0

122.4

60.9

19.1

174.4

64.2

124.2

242.3

41.3

TBD

209.7

1,164.4

Deduct:

Respendable Revenue**

(1.5)

(18.6)

(0.4)

(0.0)

(4.5)

(40.8)

(2.3)

(1.8)

(0.1)

(0.0)

(0.0)

(70.1)

2010–2011 Total Planned Spending

104.5

103.8

60.4

19.1

169.9

23.4

121.9

240.4

41.2

0.0

209.7

1,094.3

Environment Canada's Operating Context and Priorities

Two of the defining characteristics of macro-environmental issues are their global reach and complexity and, as such, they:

  • have a multiplicity of implicated stakeholders;
  • are multi-jurisdictional in nature;
  • have both long-term implications as well as local and regional impacts; and
  • require multilateral cooperation if they are to be addressed meaningfully.

It is within the context of these characteristics that Environment Canada operates, with the most prominent issue being climate change. Over the course of the planning period, there will be an increasingly demanding international agenda to address this issue that will require Environment Canada's participation. Such participation will see Environment Canada continuing to play a multi-dimensional leadership role: as a negotiator of, and capable and effective partner in, multi-lateral efforts to deal with climate change; as a scientific authority, sharing knowledge of Canada's approach to its diverse environmental challenges and experiences; and as a stakeholder, sharing information on the current impact of climate change on Canada's environment, including its effects on Canada's arctic and many of Canada's Aboriginal, Inuit and northern communities.

Developing approaches to address climate change to serve the mutual interests of Canada and its partners from both environmental and economic perspectives will be a particular challenge, and one in which Environment Canada will be heavily involved. To this end, and to support a “whole of Government” approach to climate change, Environment Canada will be working closely with other federal departments on issues associated with climate change that concern energy security, the environment and the economy.

Addressing the global threats to biodiversity will also help shape Environment Canada's agenda. In 2010, with the International Year of Biodiversity and the 10th Conference of the Parties to the Convention of Biological Diversity, Environment Canada will be engaged on a number of dimensions, all of which require multijurisdictional cooperation to assure progress on addressing this increasingly critical issue.

Environment Canada will also be operating in a continental context. Addressing air pollution, for instance, will depend upon trans-boundary cooperation and harmonization of policies across jurisdictions. The federal government and the Administration in the United States have indicated their mutual interest in working on issues of bilateral concern, a development that will create both new opportunities and new demands for Environment Canada, given the importance of our countries' economic relationship and shared environmental challenges.

Recent years have witnessed growing expectations among Canadians for the federal government to provide and support environmental policy on several fronts. This pressure is expected to continue, with all signs pointing to increasing demands for leadership from Environment Canada on a wide range of initiatives. These demands will include responding to growing public interest in environmental and weather-related issues through increased outreach efforts on the part of Environment Canada to inform and educate Canadians about issues affecting the weather, the environment, ecosystems and species (e.g., Environment Canada provides comprehensive and free educational resources for educators, from primary school to post-secondary, to support actions and learning activities towards protecting our environment). It is also expected that Environment Canada will operate in a context of rapidly growing demand for more timely and user-specific weather prediction services.

In sum, Environment Canada will face a growing demand for action, working with multiple levels of jurisdiction, domestically, continentally and internationally. These demands will pose significant challenges in providing the necessary resources to respond effectively, to set and sequence priorities among initiatives, and to manage key relationships within and across national boundaries.

Over the planning period, the Department expects to deliver a wide range of services, programs and initiatives for Canadians. In particular, the Department will pursue three major priorities:

Operational Priority #1: Realize concrete progress on international, continental and domestic initiatives on climate change and clean air
Type: Ongoing Links to Strategic Outcome(s): SO 3
Plans for meeting the priority:
Domestically:
  • Continue the development of a Canadian regulatory framework for greenhouse gases and air pollution.

Continentally:
  • Continue engaging the United States to collaborate on the development of clean energy technologies to reduce greenhouse gases.
  • Work with provincial governments and other partners to develop and implement climate change strategies that are harmonized with those of the United States and an effective international protocol for the post-2012 period.
  • Continue cooperation with the United States to reduce transboundary air pollution.

Internationally:
  • Contribute to the achievement and implementation of a new global agreement on climate change and an effective international protocol for the post-2012 period.
Operational Priority #2: Enhance environmental protection through the implementation of key national initiatives
Type: Ongoing Links to Strategic Outcome(s): SO 1, 2 and 3
Plans for meeting the priority:
  • Deliver the Action Plan for Clean Water.
  • Implement the Government's Chemicals Management Plan.
  • Continue implementation of the Species at Risk Act (SARA).
  • Strengthen and modernize Environment Canada's weather and environmental services to ensure an improved national warning capacity.
  • Strengthen environmental enforcement through the implementation of the new Environmental Enforcement Act.
Management Priority: Foster capacity of enabling functions to support programs
Type: Ongoing Links to Strategic Outcome(s): SO 1, 2, 3 and 4
Plans for meeting the priority:
  • Continue to improve talent through increased recruitment activities, a strong focus on learning and development of employees, building a representative and diverse workforce and succession planning for key positions.
  • Improve integration of program, financial and human resource planning.
  • Improve financial information and reporting and departmental expenditure management.

Risk Analysis

In addition to the broader international and domestic challenges Environment Canada faces, the Department effectively manages a variety of risks relating to scientific research, program and service delivery and its corporate functions. These risks may ultimately affect the Department's ability to deliver on its priorities and achieve its Strategic Outcomes.

  • External Dependencies: As a science-based department responsible for contributing to the Government priority of tackling climate change and preserving the environment, Environment Canada establishes and maintains domestic, continental, and international relationships with other governments, scientific departments and partner organizations. Given the high degree of interactions with others, there is always the risk that there may be failures on the part of third parties or partners on which Environment Canada relies, or that the Department will be unable to create, sustain and effectively manage these relationships. In response, Environment Canada has adopted mitigation measures that include negotiation of partnership agreements with other government departments, and maintenance of alternative sources of data (redundancy) to replace a stream that may disappear if a partnership agreement fails.
  • Business Continuity: Environment Canada operates in a very complex regulatory and operational environment that includes the provision of Government of Canada mission-critical services through the operation of a 24/7 infrastructure that supports the Department's Weather and Environmental Services activities and operations. Rapid escalating costs, advances in technology, and hazards ranging from extreme weather to pandemics provide constant challenges to this service requirement. As such, there is always a risk that Environment Canada may be unable to continue to provide critical services in a timely, coordinated and effective manner. As a mitigation measure, the Department has a Business Continuity Plan, and intends to complete the certification and accreditation of mission-critical systems and a departmental crisis communication plan.
  • Resource Management: Given the challenging fiscal conditions facing advanced economies, a period of fiscal restraint is anticipated, which could put more pressure on the already complex task of making optimal allocations of the Department's finite resource envelope. The risk is that the flexibility Environment Canada's decision-makers have in managing the Department's resources may be reduced. This will require innovative, risk-based decision-making to optimize programming opportunities and maximize value for money. Current mitigation activities include enhancement of departmental integrated planning, and resource allocation and performance measurement capacity. The oversight role of the departmental Finance Committee and the development and implementation of periodic Management Variance Reports to enhance timeliness and availability of financial information will also reduce resource management risks.
  • Capital Assets Functionality: Given the very heavy demands put on them, there is a risk that the Department's capital assets, in particular the atmospheric and hydrologic monitoring infrastructure, weather radars, super-computer and fleet, may become unreliable or costly to maintain due to a lack of timely investment, and a related lack of accurate and timely information about the current status of Environment Canada's assets. As a mitigation strategy, Environment Canada has implemented an Integrated Investment Planning process across the Department to improve its ability to make the investment/prioritization decisions. Additionally, Environment Canada also submits all Treasury Board Submissions to rigorous reviews to ensure that proposals include all costs associated with putting new assets into service, ongoing operating costs, replacement costs, and decommissioning and disposal costs.
  • Information for Decision-Making: The ability of the organization to make informed decisions, adapt to change, respond to emergencies and ensure compliance with regulations is dependant on decision-makers receiving timely and accurate information. Environment Canada continues to develop and implement strategies and tools to improve the way it stores, accesses, searches and reports financial and non-financial information through activities ranging from significant investments in systems to useful innovations like the Management Variance Report (MVR). These efforts will increase the quality and availability of information that supports effective decision-making, which in turn will positively impact program development and delivery across the Department.
  • Human Resources Skills: Given retirements within the public service of Canada and the Department's need for specific knowledge- and science-based skill sets, Environment Canada will face recruiting challenges in the coming years. A significant portion of the Department's workforce has a science- or technology-based focus. This poses unique challenges for recruitment efforts given the demand for these skills across the economy and the current high level of employee mobility in the federal public service. To minimize this risk, Senior Executives have been identifying people management issues, and will continue to focus on improving talent through increased recruitment activities, a strong focus on learning and development of employees, building a representative and diverse workforce and succession planning for key positions.

Planning Summary

The following tables provide a summary of the planned financial and human resources for the next three years.

Financial Resources ($ millions)*
2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013
* All figures are net of respendable revenue and exclude services received without charge.
1,094.4 857.8 816.2
Human Resources (Full-Time Equivalents - FTEs)
2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013
6,973 6,198 5,913

The Department's planned spending is just over $1 billion and reflects recent funding increases, such as $27 million in ongoing support for the Enforcement Program. In addition, planned spending also includes programs with temporary funding in support of other government priorities such as the Chemicals Management Plan and the Clean Air Regulatory Agenda for which funding authority is received in multi-year blocks and which must undergo additional government scrutiny prior to further funding extensions. Currently these programs have funding authority that expires in 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 respectively; this explains the majority of the significant decreases in both planned spending and full-time equivalents over those 2 years for the Department, and under Strategic Outcome 3--Threats to Canadians and their environment from pollution are minimized. Any funding extensions for those programs as approved by decision-makers would only be reflected in future RPPs.

The planned spending for all program activities also reflects other initiatives for which there may have been some funding with sunsetting provisions for the Department (e.g., Major Natural Resource Projects, Health of the Oceans initiatives, accelerated funding for the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan, and Security and Prosperity Partnership of North America). To the extent that such funding sunsets during the planning horizon, and are not therefore expected to be renewed or extended, year-over-year variances in planned spending will occur.

Environment Canada has also participated in an in-depth strategic review of the funding, relevance and performance of all its programs and spending to ensure results and value for money from programs that are a priority for Canadians. Results of its review have been submitted to decision-makers. Decisions from such reviews will be reflected in the Federal Budget and in future reporting to Parliament.

FTEs are extracted from the Department's Salary Management System.

 

Strategic Outcome 1: Canada's natural environment is conserved and restored for present and future generations
Performance Indicators: Targets:
Percentage of Canadian ecosystems where ecosystem health has been assessed as good To be determined.
A baseline value for this indicator will be reported in the 2010-2011 DPR
Program Activity [3] Forecast Spending 2009-2010 ($ millions) Planned Spending ($ millions) Alignment to Government of Canada Outcomes
2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013
* 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.
Biodiversity - Wildlife and Habitat 112.1 106.0 106.7 104.9 Clean and Healthy Environment
Water Resources 125.4 122.4 114.1 108.2
Sustainable Ecosystems 64.2 60.9 58.5 49.3
Compliance Promotion and Enforcement - Wildlife 19.1 19.1 18.8 18.6
Sub-total 320.9 308.3 298.2 281.0
Deduct: Respendable Revenue (19.6) (20.5) (21.2) (20.3)
Total Planned Spending 301.3 287.8* 277.0* 260.7*


Strategic Outcome 2: Canadians are equipped to make informed decisions on changing weather, water and climate conditions
Performance Indicators: Targets:
Percentage of the population surveyed (adult Canadians) who indicate having received enough notice to properly react to a warning of an approaching winter storm always or most of the time 85% by 2012
Percentage of municipalities that account for the frequency and severity of weather and related atmospheric hazards in their emergency and/or disaster management plans 70% of Canadian municipalities by 2015
Program Activity [4] Forecast Spending 2009-2010 ($ millions) Planned Spending ($ millions) Alignment to Government of Canada Outcomes
2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013
* 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.
Weather and Environmental Services for Canadians 176.5 174.4 160.3 158.9 Clean and Healthy Environment
Weather and Environmental Services for Targeted Users 70.7 64.2 63.7 62.3
Sub-total 247.2 236.8 224.0 221.2
Deduct: Respendable Revenue (47.7) (45.3) (43.9) (44.0)
Total Planned Spending 199.5 193.3* 180.1* 177.2*


Strategic Outcome 3: Threats to Canadians and their environment from pollution are minimized
Performance Indicators: Targets:
Canadian emissions of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide equivalents) in megatonnes Canada's national target is a 17% reduction from 2005 levels by 2020
Canadian ambient air quality (ground-level ozone and fine particulate matter) To be determined.
Targets will be determined with the finalization of the air pollutant regulatory approach
Percentage decrease of concentrations of selected substances in air, soil, sediment, water and/or biota from baseline data To be determined.
Baseline values for this indicator will be reported in the 2010-2011 DPR
Program Activity [5] Forecast Spending 2009-2010 ($ millions) Planned Spending ($ millions) Alignment to Government of Canada Outcomes
2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013
* 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. The drop in planned spending is primarily due to reductions of temporarily funded programs such as the Chemicals Management Plan and the Clean Air Regulatory Agenda, which are scheduled to sunset in 2011-2012 and 2012-2013 respectively. The sunsetting of these programs explains most of the planned spending decreases in resources and Full Time Equivalents (FTEs) over the next two years. These programs are subject to periodic approvals and any further investments to extend these programs will be considered through the appropriate decision-making processes.
Substances and Waste Management 121.2 124.2 72.5 71.2 Clean and Healthy Environment
Climate Change and Clean Air 180.2 242.0 92.1 76.0
Compliance Promotion and Enforcement - Pollution 43.6 41.5 40.9 39.6
Sub-total 345.0 407.7 205.5 186.9
Deduct: Respendable Revenue (4.6) (4.3) (3.5) (3.5)
Total Planned Spending 340.4 403.5* 201.9* 183.3*


Strategic Outcome 4: Canadians benefit from the responsible development of the Mackenzie gas resources
Performance Indicators: Targets:
Decision on whether to proceed with the project is consistent with the recommendations of the Joint Review Panel and the outcome of fiscal discussions with project proponents Subject to progress of discussions
Program Activity [6] Forecast Spending 2009-2010 ($ millions) Planned Spending ($ millions) Alignment to Government of Canada Outcomes
2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013
*Funding announced through Canada's Economic Action Plan is reflected in the Forecast Spending 2009-2010 and the Department is currently working to secure funding renewal, which has not been confirmed at the time of production of the present RPP.
Mackenzie Gas Project 10.4 0.0 0.0 0.0 Strong Economic Growth
Sub-total 10.4 0.0 0.0 0.0
Deduct: Respendable Revenue (0.0) (0.0) (0.0) (0.0)
Total Planned Spending 10.4 0.0* 0.0* 0.0*


Internal Services (Program Activity)
Program Activity [7] Forecast Spending 2009-2010 ($ millions) Planned Spending ($ millions) Alignment to Government of Canada Outcomes
2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013
* 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.
Internal Services 229.9 209.8 198.8 194.9 Clean and Healthy Environment
Sub-total 229.9 209.8 198.8 194.9
Deduct: Respendable Revenue (0.8) (0.0) (0.0) (0.0)
Total Planned Spending 229.1 209.8* 198.8* 194.9*

Internal Services reflect the full range of policy, communication, management and administration activities for the Department. These activities include costs related to that portion of real property, laboratories, systems and infrastructure assets that have not been attributed to specific programs. Please see Section II for further description of the Department's Internal Services.

Expenditure Profile

This chart reflects the allocation of Environment Canada's planned spending by Program Activity for 2010-2011 fiscal year. The Climate Change and Clean Air Program Activity makes up the largest portion of the funding including such programs as the Clean Air Regulatory Agenda, the National Vehicle Scrappage program and payments to Sustainable Development Technology Canada in support of the next generation of biofuels. Mackenzie Gas Project (Program Activity 4.1) is not showing in the graph below as the Department is currently working to secure funding renewal, which has not been confirmed at the time of production of the present RPP.

2010-2011 Planned Spending by Program Activity*

The detail of Environment Canada's planned spending for each Program Activity in fiscal year 2010-2011.

* All figures are net of respendable revenue and exclude services received without charge.

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Canada's Economic Action Plan Initiatives

Announced in Budget 2009, Canada's Economic Action Plan (CEAP) provided funding (including employee benefit plans) to Environment Canada for the following four (4) distinct initiatives over two fiscal years:

  • Modernizing Federal Laboratories ($13.7 million in total for 2009-2010 and 2010-2011): As part of the CEAP, the Modernizing Federal Laboratories initiative provided Environment Canada with funding over two years to address deferred maintenance at Environment Canada laboratories. Environment Canada's projects are in keeping with the objectives of the CEAP and are aimed at providing economic stimulus over the next two years in the construction, architectural and engineering sectors.
  • Accelerating Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan ($12.7 million in total for 2009-2010 and 2010-2011): The CEAP funding provides custodians of federal contaminated sites (including Environment Canada) with additional funding to accelerate assessment and remediation activities on federal contaminated sites. It also provided policy approval for a one-year extension to the program for which Environment Canada is co-lead.
  • Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators ($6.2 million; funding extended through fiscal year 2009-2010 only): The CEAP funding will allow Environment Canada to sustain the government's annual reporting on the environmental indicators, by supporting the production of the indicators for clean air, clean water and greenhouse gases, and by making improvements to the 2009 report and website. This work fulfills statutory obligations connected to several acts.
  • Promoting Energy Development in the North--Mackenzie Gas Project ($10.4 million; funding extended through fiscal year 2009-2010 only): CEAP funding will further enable Environment Canada to support its obligations related to the federal government's responsibilities in this project, and to complete science and environmental monitoring projects necessary to establish baseline data to support the Department's regulatory position.

The 2009-2010 forecast spending and 2010-2011 planned spending for these CEAP initiatives are highlighted in the Departmental Spending Trend graph below.

 

Departmental Spending Trend

The illustration of Environment Canada's spending trend between fiscal years 2006-2007 and 2012-2013.

* Please note that all figures are net of Vote Netted Revenue (VNR) and exclude Services provided without charge and Non-respendable revenue. Forecast Spending includes 2009-2010 Main Estimates plus 2009-2010 Supplementary Estimates A and B, anticipated C as well as collective agreement and carry forward from 2008-2009. Also reflected is the central agency freeze of $45.2M for Strategic Review.

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The Department has seen a steady increase in spending from 2006-2007 to 2008-2009 primarily due to:

  • Payment to the Nature Conservancy of Canada to secure ecologically sensitive lands;
  • The transfer in 2008-2009 of responsibility for the Toronto Waterfront Revitalization Initiative (TWRI) and Harbourfront Corporation from the President of the Treasury Board of Canada;
  • Incremental funding to implement the Chemicals Management Plan;
  • Funding provided in Budget 2007 to the Action Plan for Clean Water to support the clean up of Lake Simcoe, Lake Winnipeg Basin and the Great Lakes sediment remediation project in areas of concern; to support the Canada Foundation for Sustainable Development Technology for delivery of the NextGen Biofuels Fund; and to support the implementation of the National Vehicle Scrappage program;
  • Funding provided in Budget 2008 to support high priority activities to implement the Clean Air Regulatory Agenda and to develop regulations on Renewable Fuel; and
  • Funding to support the work of its enforcement officers.

Planned spending over the period from 2008-2009 to 2012-2013 diminishes mainly because of the reductions related to the transfer of responsibility for the TWRI and Harbourfront Corporation to the Department of Finance in 2009-2010 as well as the scheduled sunset of targeted funding for:

  • Initiatives supporting the Clean Air Regulatory Agenda;
  • Initiatives supporting the Chemicals Management Plan;
  • Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan;
  • Initiatives supporting the Great Lakes Action Plan; and
  • Budget 2009 initiatives that do not extend beyond 2010-2011 such as the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators and Promoting Energy Development in the North - Mackenzie Gas Project.

These sunsetting initiatives are part of the Government of Canada's long-term agenda for which supplementary funding will be considered over the next planning horizon. Resource requirements beyond those currently approved will be considered as part of the budget approval process.

Voted and Statutory Items

Voted and Statutory Items displayed in the Main Estimates ($ millions)
Vote # or Statutory Item (S) Truncated Vote or Statutory Wording 2009-10
Main Estimates
($ millions)
2010-11
Main Estimates
($ millions)
1 Operating expenditures 736.4 795.1
5 Capital expenditures 44.5 51.0
10 Grants and contributions 129.8 158.8
(S) Minister of the Environment -
Salary and motor car allowance
0.1 0.1
(S) Contributions to employee benefit plans 81.9 89.1
Total Department 992.7 1,094.1

Total increase from Main Estimates 2009-2010 to 2010-2011 of $101.4 million broken down as follows:

Net increase of $58.7 million in Operating expenditures (Vote 1)

The increase is made up of the following program increases totalling $77.1 million:

  • A $33.2 million increase in support of regulatory activities under the Clean Air Regulatory Agenda, which forms part of the Clean Air Agenda.
  • A $26.1 million increase in new funding for Collective Agreements.
  • A $6.6 million increase in funding requirement to undergo activities under the Chemicals Management Plan.
  • A $2.0 million increase in new funding to implement the U.S.-Canada Clean Energy Dialogue.
  • A $1.8 million increase in funding requirement to undergo activities under the Federal Contaminated Sites Accelerated Action Plan (Budget 2009).
  • A $1.7 million increase in new funding to support actions on the regulation in Canada of renewable fuels content in gasoline, diesel and home heating fuels.
  • A $1.7 million increase in funding requirement to act on water pollution issues in Canadian freshwater systems in the Great Lakes, Lake Simcoe and the Lake Winnipeg Basin.
  • A $1.1 million increase in new funding to support the modernization of federal laboratories (Budget 2009)
  • Increases totalling $2.9 million for smaller initiatives

These increases are offset by the following program decreases totalling $18.2 million:

  • A decrease of $5.7 million for the scheduled sunsetting of funding supporting the environmental restoration of key aquatic areas of concern identified under the Canada-United States Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.
  • A decrease of $5.4 million in funding requirement to undergo activities under the National Vehicle Scrappage Program in support of Canada's Clean Air Agenda.
  • A decrease of $2.1 million in funding requirement to carry out activities in support of initiatives associated with the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
  • Decreases totalling $5.2 million for smaller initiatives.

Net increase of $6.5 million in Capital expenditures (Vote 5)

The increase is made up of the following program increases totalling $7.4 million

  • A $6.1 million increase to carry out activities under the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP)
  • A $1.1 million increase in support of regulatory activities under the Clean Air Regulatory Agenda, which forms part of the Clean Air Agenda.
  • A $150K increase to support actions on the regulation in Canada of renewable fuels content in gasoline, diesel and home heating fuels.

These increases are offset by the following program decreases totalling $855K:

  • A decrease of $565K for to the scheduled termination of activities related to public security initiatives – funding originally transferred from the Department of National Defence.
  • A decrease of $230K in funding requirement for the National Water Strategy Freshwater Initiative.
  • A decrease of $60K in funding requirement supporting the activities to establish, develop and operate federal protected areas in the Northwest Territories.

Net increase of $29.0 million in Grants and Contributions (Vote 10)

The increase is made up of the following program increases totalling $34.9 million:

  • A $25 million increase related to the deferred grant payment to the Canada Foundation for Sustainable Development Technology from 2009-2010 to 2010-2011.
  • A $6.1 million increase in funding requirement to undergo activities under the National Vehicle Scrappage Program in support of Canada's Clean Air Agenda.
  • A $1.8 million increase in new funding in support of regulatory activities under the Clean Air Regulatory Agenda, which forms part of the Clean Air Agenda.
  • A $1.0 million increase to support the Biosphere Reserves in Canada and the Canadian Biosphere Reserves Association.
  • Total increases of $1.1 million for smaller initiatives.

These increases are offset by the following program decreases totalling $6.0 million:

  • A decrease of $2.5 million mainly due to deferred initiatives to act on water pollution issues in Canadian freshwater systems in the Great Lakes, Lake Simcoe and the Lake Winnipeg Basin.
  • A decrease of $2.2 million for the scheduled sunsetting of funding supporting the environmental restoration of key aquatic areas of concern identified under the Canada-United States Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.
  • A decrease of $1.0 million for the scheduled sunsetting of funding supporting the implementation of the Invasive Alien Species Strategy for Canada.
  • Total decreases of $354K for smaller initiatives.

An increase of $7.2 million in Contributions to employee benefit plans (Statutory Item).



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

 

Program Activity 1.1: Biodiversity - Wildlife and Habitat
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.

 

Program Activity 1.2: Water Resources
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:

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.

 

Program Activity 1.3: Sustainable Ecosystems
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.

 

Program Activity 1.4: Compliance Promotion and Enforcement - Wildlife
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

 

Program Activity 2.1: Weather and Environmental Services for Canadians
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.

 

Program Activity 2.2: Weather and Environmental Services for Targeted Users
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

 

Program Activity 3.1: Substances and Waste Management
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.

 

Program Activity 3.2: Climate Change and Clean Air
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.

 

Program Activity 3.3: Compliance Promotion and Enforcement – Pollution
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

 

Program Activity 4.1: 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.

 

Program Activity 5.1: Internal Services
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.



Section III – Supplementary Information

List of Supplementary Tables

  • Details of Transfer Payment Programs (TPP)
  • Up-Front Multi-Year Funding
  • Green Procurement
  • Horizontal Initiatives
  • Internal Audits and Evaluations
  • Sources of Respendable and Non-Respendable Revenue
  • Summary of Capital Spending by Program Activity

All electronic supplementary information tables found in the 2010-2011 Report on Plans and Priorities can be found on the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's website at www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/rpp/2010-2011/info/info-eng.asp.

 

Other Items of Interest

Services Received Without Charge

A table detailing the information on Services Received Without Charge by the Department during the planning period is available electronically on the Department's website at www.ec.gc.ca/dpr-rpp/index_e.htm.

Official Languages

Based on the results of the Report Card from the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages on Environment Canada's performance with regard to official languages, the following main priorities have been identified for 2010-2011:

  • Following the implementation of the updated Departmental Directive on Service to the Public in Both Official Languages that was approved in Fall 2009, the Department has committed to develop monitoring tools to assess the degree to which its employees respect their obligations regarding the active offer and provision of bilingual services.
  • The results of this internal assessment will be shared with management teams across the Department and corrective measures will be recommended when required.
  • Moreover, Environment Canada is developing a departmental directive on language of work to address some challenges in this area.
  • Following the approval and implementation of this directive, Environment Canada will also develop monitoring tools to ensure that the workplace is respectful and conducive to the use of both official languages.

Environment Canada is fully committed to embrace the spirit, intent and provisions of the Official Languages Act and its regulations. In April 2009, an action plan was approved by the Executive Management Committee on initiatives related to official languages for 2009-2011. This action plan gives guidance to all branches and services in the Department with regard to initiatives to improve the quality of service rendered to clients and to foster an exemplary work environment where the rights and entitlements of all employees are respected. Several priorities were identified in the action plan for 2009-2010 and 2010-2011.


Footnotes

[1] Departmental legislation and regulations are available at http://www.ec.gc.ca/default.asp?lang=En&n=48D356C1-1.

[2] Definition of metadata: Data that provides information about other data

[3] Program Activity descriptions are included under each Strategic Outcome in Section II.

[4] Program Activity descriptions are included under each Strategic Outcome in Section II.

[5] Program Activity descriptions are included under each Strategic Outcome in Section II.

[6] Program Activity descriptions are included under each Strategic Outcome in Section II.

[7] Program Activity descriptions are included under each Strategic Outcome in Section II.

[8] Individual countries are required to provide input to international groups to produce global assessments of water resources such as the World Water Development Report produced by UNESCO's World Water Assessment Programme or the next assessment report of the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

[9] The offset system is a mechanism to encourage reductions of greenhouse gas emissions from sectors and activities that are not regulated by the federal regulatory framework.

[10] Clean Air Agenda (horizontal initiative): http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/rpp/2010-2011/info/info-eng.asp