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Section II – Analysis of Program Activities by Strategic Outcome

[D]

NRCan delivers on this strategic outcome and associated priorities for the 2010-13 period through two program activities:

Economic Opportunities for Natural Resources: This program activity is designed to promote innovation, investment and the enhancement of the competitiveness of Canada's natural resources and related industries through the provision of knowledge and tools, trade development and the removal of barriers, at home and abroad. This group of programs delivers policies, regulatory and legislative work to manage federal responsibilities associated with Canada's oil, natural gas and electricity sectors, critical energy infrastructure protection, as well as oversight for statutory programs for the Atlantic offshore.

Natural Resources-based Communities: This program activity is targeted to increase Canada's knowledge of the impacts of the resource sectors' evolution on communities that have a substantial reliance on resource-based industries and to improve the capacity and knowledge for increasing the number of opportunities through value-added products and services.

The performance of these program activities and their strategic outcome will be measured by the following indicators. In all cases, NRCan's target is for a favourable trend over the long term, but some indicators – as noted with an * – may respond to other influences more immediately (e.g., world and domestic economic growth, the activities of other levels of government, etc.).

Levels	Outcome/Expected Results	Indicators
Strategic Outcome 1	Natural resources sectors are internationally competitive, economically productive, and contribute to the well-being of Canadians	Canada's share of resource-based world trade relative to OECD nations*
Program Activity 1.1	Competitive national and international markets, stable economic opportunities and investment in natural resources	Capital investments and exploration investments in the resource sectors*
		Diversity of Canada's forest products exports*
		Performance of programs in achieving expected results within plans, timelines and budgets
Program Activity 1.2	Increased knowledge, skills and capacity to benefit from the evolving natural resource economy within resourced-based communities (both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal)	Resource sector employment attributable to NRCan programming
		Performance of programs in achieving expected results within plans, timelines and budgets

Key activities and programs for the planning period that contribute to the achievement of the outcome, expected results and associated priorities are presented below. NRCan is also heavily involved in delivering on Canada's Economic Action Plan which has an objective to stimulate growth during the recession. Initiatives that directly contribute to this Plan are identified.

1.1 Economic Opportunities for Natural Resources	Planned Spending	Program $M	Statutory $M	FTEs
	2010-11	248.1	1,676.4	835
	2011-12	148.3	1,354.7	813
	2012-13	119.4	1,010.9	819

NRCan Priorities	Initiatives
Competitive Resource Sectors	NRCan will expand offshore market opportunities and promote the environmental credentials of Canada's forest products through programs such as the Canada Wood Export Program (EAP initiative) and the Leadership for Environmental Advantage in Forestry; diversify domestic market opportunities through the North American Wood First Initiative (EAP initiative) and the Value to Wood Program (EAP initiative) and promote investment and innovation in forest research that harnesses emerging and breakthrough technologies through the Transformative Technologies Program (EAP initiative), in partnership with FPInnovations. CANMET Materials Technology Laboratory is moving to the world-class McMaster Innovation Park in Hamilton, Ontario, enhancing its work with industry and academic partners on productivity issues through research and commercialization of new or improved materials and processes. NRCan is working to improve the competitiveness of the mining industry by working with stakeholders to promote the development of environmentally-friendly technologies and processes through the Green Mining Initiative; implement a corporate social responsibility strategy; and to address other challenges including declining base metal reserves. The department will provide national leadership among key stakeholders in the forest innovation system in the development of strong partnerships that will focus priority-setting on knowledge and research in areas critical to the sustainability and competitiveness of the forest sector. Institutional arrangements will be established and reinforced to support an effective forest sector, in particular, the integration of NRCan's Canadian Wood Fibre Centre into FPInnovations (EAP initiative).
Clean Energy	NRCan will represent the country's energy interests in various international fora, such as the G8/G20 summits and the World Energy Congress, all scheduled to take place in 2010. The department is providing advice and expertise in support of the sustainable development of Canada's energy resources, while ensuring energy security and economic prosperity. This includes the deployment of carbon capture and storage in Canada's oil sands. Industry and stakeholders must have the authoritative and timely geoscience information and knowledge required to identify new energy resources and their potential for development. NRCan geoscience helps the private sector find new conventional land-based and offshore energy and mineral deposits and develop non-conventional resources such as geothermal energy. The Geoscience for future Energy Resources program will assess the potential of new and cleaner energy sources in Canada by highlighting the potential of those resources.
Managing Nuclear Issues	NRCan will support Atomic Energy of Canada Limited's (AECL) efforts toward the renewal of its research and development capacity and infrastructure and the development of the advanced CANDU reactor. NRCan will continue to implement the announced restructuring of AECL, and the offering of its commercial reactor division, based on its policy objectives that include positioning Canada's nuclear industry to take maximum advantage of domestic and international opportunities. NRCan will also support the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission in its efforts to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the regulatory approvals process. Together with Health Canada, NRCan will work to ensure that Canadians have a secure supply of medical isotopes.
Sustainable Resource Development in the North	Sustainable oil, gas and minerals resource development remains the best option for significant northern economic development. Geo-mapping for Energy and Minerals (GEM) is a $100M/5yr initiative that will generate new geoscience data and interpretation in Canada's North and adjacent offshore areas, where 60 percent of the area is not adequately mapped. GEM will stimulate new mining and energy exploration and development by reducing the exploration risk, thus encouraging investment in Canada's North for the benefit of Northerners. Moreover, the Polar Continental Shelf Program is a national service delivery organization that supports multi-disciplinary research in the Canadian Arctic by providing efficient and cost-effective logistical support to researchers from Canadian government agencies, northern communities, and independent and university groups conducting scientific activities in isolated areas throughout the Canadian Arctic.

Benefits for Canadians: The natural resource sectors are a strong engine of economic growth and job creation in Canada. NRCan is working to offset recent setbacks and support the Canadian natural resource sectors as it develops, adapts and grows. Stronger natural resource sectors will mean more jobs for Canadians now and in the future.

1.2 Natural Resources-based Communities	Planned Spending	$M	FTEs
	2010-11	11.8	62
	2011-12	11.9	62
	2012-13	11.9	62

NRCan Priority

Initiatives

Competitive Resource Sectors

Through its Forest Communities Program, develop and share knowledge, tools and best practices through collaborative working arrangements and initiatives involving eleven community-level partnership organizations, the Canadian Model Forest Network and other forest sector collaborators and forest community stakeholders. In collaboration with the department of Indian and Northern Affairs, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and the federal development agencies, develop and implement new Aboriginal forestry partnership initiatives aligned with the government's Aboriginal Economic Development Framework and focused on emerging and sustained regional scale forest-based opportunities across the country. The Whitefeather Forest Management Initiative in northern Ontario and 'local supply, local labour' First Nations housing initiatives in Manitoba are examples of collaborative initiatives that will be pursued and supported. NRCan is working closely with the provinces, territories, industry and other stakeholders to conduct a performance review of the mining sector, over the past decade, in order to showcase improvements and to identify opportunities for future improvements that will positively impact natural resource-based communities.

Benefits for Canadians: Natural resources are central to the economy of many communities across Canada, and natural resources sectors are among the largest private employers of Aboriginal peoples. While recent economic conditions and broader sector restructuring, notably in the forestry sector, have led to job losses, NRCan is working with communities to mitigate and alleviate the short-term effects. On a longer term outlook, NRCan is working specifically with Aboriginal communities, other government departments and industry to facilitate their access to skills development, business and employment opportunities.

[D]

NRCan delivers on this strategic outcome and associated priorities for the 2010-13 period through two program activities:

Clean Energy: This program activity encompasses the development and delivery of energy S&T, policies, programs, legislation and regulations to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) and air pollutant emissions and other environmental impacts associated with energy production.

Ecosystem Risk Management: This program activity is designed to promote alternative technologies and practices in green technologies and mining, an understanding of forest dynamics, appropriate approaches for the long-term management of radioactive waste, and the provision of sound scientific advice to support sustainable resource management initiatives which balance environmental and social concerns against economic prosperity.

The performance of these program activities and their strategic outcome will be measured by the following indicators. In all cases, NRCan's target is for a favourable trend over the long term, but some indicators – as noted with an * – may respond to other influences more immediately (e.g., world and domestic economic growth, the activities of other levels of government, etc.).

Levels	Outcome/Expected Results	Indicators
Strategic Outcome 2	Canada is a world leader on environmental responsibility in the development and use of natural resources	Canada's total annual energy savings due to efficiency*
		Contribution to advancement of innovative and environmentally responsible practices in the resource sectors measured by uptake of knowledge, technologies and demonstration projects
Program Activity 2.1	Increased energy efficiency, increased production of low-emission energy, and reduced environmental impacts associated with energy production and use	Clean energy production & GHG reductions attributable to NRCan programming
		NRCan's contribution to advancement of clean energy knowledge, and uptake of innovative clean energy solutions
		Performance of programs in achieving expected results within plans, timelines and budgets
Program Activity 2.2	Canada understands and mitigates risks to natural resource ecosystems and human health	NRCan's contribution to federal environmental assessment and reporting processes
		NRCan's contribution to advancement of ecosystem knowledge and innovative ecosystem risk management solutions
		Performance of programs in achieving expected results within plans, timelines and budgets

Key activities and programs for the planning period that contribute to the achievement of this outcome, expected results and associated priorities are presented below. NRCan is also heavily involved in delivering on Canada's Economic Action Plan which has an objective to stimulate growth during recession. Initiatives that directly contribute to this Plan are identified.

2.1 Clean Energy	Planned Spending	$M	FTEs
	2010-11	1,918.7	969
	2011-12	1,113.5	805
	2012-13	717.2	778

NRCan Priorities

Initiatives

Clean Energy

Through the suite of ecoENERGY programs, NRCan is working to improve the energy efficiency and increase the production and use of alternative transportation fuels in order to limit GHG emissions. Examples of programs include: ecoENERGY for Buildings and Houses and ecoENERGY Retrofit (EAP initiative) help homeowners and small and medium organizations in the construction and retrofit of energy-efficient buildings and houses through grants, financial assistance and outreach; ecoENERGY for Biofuels supports domestically-produced renewable alternatives to gasoline and diesel and encourages the development of a competitive renewable fuels industry in Canada by providing an incentive directly to new and existing producers; ecoENERGY for Renewable Power provides incentives to businesses, municipalities, organizations and institutions to increase Canada's supply of clean electricity from renewable sources such as wind, biomass, low-impact hydro, geothermal, solar photovoltaic and ocean energy; and ecoENERGY Technology Initiative funds research and development on the next-generation clean-energy technologies, including renewable energy from clean sources such as wind, solar, tidal, and biomass. Research is also geared toward increasing clean energy supply, and reducing energy waste and pollution from conventional energy sources. NRCan manages the Clean Energy Fund (EAP initiative) that enables and supports research and greater use of technologies to reduce GHG emissions from energy production and use. This includes research on cleaner fossil fuels (e.g., carbon capture and storage) and renewable energy. Through the Vehicle Structural Materials Program, and in partnership with universities, industry and federal scientists, the department is researching clean energy solutions for the automotive sector and the nuclear reactor sector (based on high performance, new or improved lightweight materials, ultra high strength steel, and other innovations). With its Pulp and Paper Green Transformation Program, the department is investing in innovation and technology that will enhance the environmental and commercial sustainability of the pulp and paper industry. The program will support capital investments at pulp and paper mills across Canada that aim to improve energy efficiency; increase the production of renewable energy; and improve the industry's overall environmental performance.

Benefits for Canadians: NRCan helps Canadians improve energy conservation and energy efficiency in multiple sectors of the economy (e.g. homes, commercial buildings, vehicles and fleet), contributing to the longer term sustainability and reducing the short-term costs of energy consumption. The department is working to reduce the environmental impacts associated with the production and use of energy, and to increase the production of low-impact renewable energy, thereby advancing the environmental sustainability efforts that will benefit current and future generations.

2.2 Ecosystem Risk Management	Planned Spending	$M	FTEs
	2010-11	205.7	396
	2011-12	89.3	379
	2012-13	97.6	379

NRCan Priorities	Initiatives
Competitive Resource Sectors	The department is advancing the Green Mining Initiative, in collaboration with stakeholders, to develop, identify and promote the use of green technology in mining. The focus for the reporting period will be on footprint reduction, innovation in waste management, ecosystem risk management and mine closure and rehabilitation. NRCan will continue to develop forest ecosystems knowledge and predictive tools that are critical to understanding the nature and extent of Canada's forests and how they are changing over time as a result of natural and human‑caused disturbances, particularly in view of a changing climate. As host to the International Model Forest Network Secretariat, NRCan will provide Canadian forestry leadership and expertise to advance the broader international agenda for responsible development and use of forest resources. The department is working with provinces and territories to conduct aquifer assessments that will provide the basis for informed decision-making on groundwater issues. To date, 12 of the 30 key regional aquifers have been mapped and evaluated; NRCan is working with its partners to map the remaining 18 with common protocols and standards. Three new aquifers assessments are scheduled to be completed by 2011-12. Departmental geoscience knowledge and expertise is provided on federal environmental assessments to ensure that adverse environmental impacts are identified and mitigated, and on major energy and mineral resource assessments to inform decision-making and provide for a balanced approach to conservation, environmental and economic development.
Managing Nuclear Issues	NRCan provides ongoing oversight of the Nuclear Waste Management Organization to ensure that progress is being made on implementing a safe and secure plan – Adaptive Phased Management approach – for the long-term management of nuclear fuel waste. In addition, NRCan is continuing progress on the long term management of the federal responsibility of radioactive waste.

Benefits for Canadians: NRCan's work and expertise creates knowledge that is critical in making decisions on environmental stewardship, conservation and environmental protection. This impacts the health and quality of life of Canadians, as well as the sustainability of their natural resources, now and in the future.

[D]

NRCan delivers on this strategic outcome and associated priorities for the 2010-13 period through three program activities:

Adapting to a Changing Climate and Hazard Risk Management: This program activity provides scientific knowledge and expertise to help the government, private sector and communities mitigate and adapt to the potential effects of a changing climate; reduce risks to Canadians and support emergency response in the event of natural and man-made hazards; and to ensure that regulations related to explosives and fireworks are evidence-based and enforced.

Natural Resources and Landmass Knowledge and Systems: This program activity delivers a strengthened resource management system, supports the Minister's obligations to secure property rights, fundamental and precise geographic data to support decision-making and planning processes at all levels and an improved federal regulatory review process.

Geomatics Canada Revolving Fund: This program activity is about meeting the demand by NRCan, other government departments and industrial clients, for revolving fund products and services through full cost recovery.

The performance of these program activities and their strategic outcome will be measured by the following indicators. In all cases, NRCan's target is for a favourable trend over the long term, but some indicators – as noted by an * – may respond to other influences more immediately (e.g., world and domestic economic growth, the activities of other levels of government, etc.).

Levels	Outcome/Expected Results	Indicators
Strategic Outcome 3	Natural resource knowledge, landmass knowledge and management systems strengthen the safety and security of Canadians and the stewardship of Canada's natural resources and lands	Contribution to the safety and security of Canadians, and the effectiveness of federal land stewardship and regulatory processes.
Program Activity 3.1	Canada adapts to a changing climate and has the knowledge and tools to manage risks associated with natural hazards and hazards arising from human activities	NRCan's contribution to the safe and secure use of explosives in Canada as measured by inspections and advancement of knowledge in explosives S&T
		NRCan's contribution to climate change adaptation and natural hazard risk management as measured by the uptake of adaptation knowledge and tools, and the timeliness and accessibility of natural hazard risk management knowledge and tools
		Performance of programs in achieving expected results within plans, timelines and budgets
Program Activity 3.2	Canada has the natural resource and landmass knowledge to contribute to the development of the country through maps, property rights, boundary management, statistics and integrated decision making, and plays a leadership role in federal/provincial/territorial and international fora	NRCan's contribution to the development and security of Canada through advancements in geographic knowledge, boundary management, and surveys and supporting systems for secure land tenure of Canada Lands
		Effective management of the federal regulatory process for major natural resource projects as measured by adherence to target timelines and service standards by all federal departments and agencies.
		Performance of programs in achieving expected results within plans, timelines and budgets
Program Activity 3.3	The demand by NRCan, other government departments and industrial clients for revolving fund products and services, is met through full cost-recovery.	Percent of rate of service and production costs fully recovered

Key activities and programs for the planning period that contribute to the achievement of this outcome, expected results and associated priorities are presented below. NRCan is also heavily involved in delivering on Canada's Economic Action Plan which has an objective to stimulate growth during recession. Initiatives that directly contribute to this Plan are identified.

3.1 Adapting to a changing climate and hazard risk management	Planned Spending	$M	FTEs
	2010-11	68.6	576
	2011-12	61.9	563
	2012-13	50.4	564

NRCan Priorities

Initiatives

Competitive Resource Sectors

NRCan will coordinate national and intergovernmental strategies that address the management and mitigation of forest disturbances (e.g., pests and wildland fires); provide ongoing scientific capacity and expertise to support the Canadian Food Inspection Agency's mandate in pest response; develop climatic data and forecasts in support of Environment Canada's climate change monitoring; and work with Emergency Preparedness Canada in responding to wildland fires. To better assess risks, forecast impacts, and develop mitigation and adaptation strategies related to alien forest insects, NRCan will build a state-of-the-art Invasive Species Centre in Sault Ste. Marie in partnership with the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources. Canada's explosives regulations will be updated to reflect modern industrial practices with a view to strengthen the safety and security of the public and workers involved in the explosives industry in Canada. The impacts, risks and opportunities of climate change with respect to Canada's forests and lands are being assessed, and mitigation and adaptation strategies are being developed in collaboration with partners and stakeholders. Focus of activities will be on changes to permafrost, glaciers, land use, sea levels and the forest. NRCan plays a leadership role in providing accurate, objective scientific information on the risks and opportunities faced by Canadian communities and industries as a result of a changing climate. In conjunction with Environment Canada, information is being assembled which could form the backbone of a national adaptation framework. The Regional Adaptation Collaborative program will continue to help Canadians develop approaches to adapt to climate change specific to their region; it will also be used for the development of tools and methodologies to integrate climate change adaptation strategies by various private and public sector stakeholders. In addition, an accessible knowledge-base will be created to assist in determining how climate change will affect Canadians – their land, their communities and their economic activities.

Benefits for Canadians: How Canada responds to the changing climate and manages risks from natural and human-induced hazards has a significant impact on the safety and security of Canadians. NRCan manages and mitigates current hazards and works to develop long-term mitigation and adaptation strategies based on scientific knowledge and expertise, thereby ensuring the safety and security of Canadians, as well as the responsible stewardship of the country's natural resources.

3.2 Natural Resources and Landmass Knowledge and Systems	Planned Spending	$M	FTEs
	2010-11	103.6	670
	2011-12	85.2	663
	2012-13	74.4	646

NRCan Priorities	Initiatives
Improving the Performance of the Regulatory System for Project Reviews	The Major Projects Management Office (MPMO) provides overarching management of the federal regulatory review process for major natural resource projects. In close collaboration with other federal regulatory departments and agencies, the MPMO is working to implement: greater process predictability and clarity with target timelines and service standards outlined in project agreements for each major resource project (e.g., average review timeline reduced by half); new performance measures and management controls that ensure timely resolution of project issues; and new and more effective Aboriginal/Crown consultations approaches. The MPMO also continues to lead on-going collaborative research and analysis aimed at developing new approaches to improve the way in which environmental assessment, regulatory permitting and Aboriginal engagement and consultation are conducted for major resource projects, including opportunities to improve the federal legislative/regulatory framework.
Sustainable Resource Development in the North	NRCan is currently conducting geoscience and is mapping the continental shelf to establish the scientific basis for extending our sovereign rights on the Atlantic and Arctic continental margins under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The stewardship of Canada's natural resources and lands requires knowledge of its geography. NRCan will continue to provide accurate and accessible geographic information. This work includes meeting Canada's obligations related to legal boundaries, the provision of essential geographic information and expertise to decision-makers which includes the completion of topographic mapping of Canada's North.

Benefits for Canadians: NRCan works to produce scientific knowledge and data, and oversees systems that facilitate the knowledge creation and information sharing on natural resources, all with a view to inform decision-making on the use and stewardship of natural resources. It also works to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of the regulatory review process of major natural resource projects, thereby increasing investments and creating jobs in our natural resources.

3.3 Geomatics Canada Revolving Fund

The Geomatics Canada Revolving Fund (GCRF) was created to allow Geomatics Canada to shift the costs from taxpayers at large to specific users who benefit directly from the goods and services provide. The GCRF currently has two lines of business: the Map Generator and Colour Correction projects which produce new topographic maps, and the Satellite Services which invests in ground stations and computers to leverage investments from international partners and increase business opportunities.

Benefits for Canadians: The revenue retention mechanism of Geomatics Canada allows it to recover its full costs from direct users of the services, thereby avoiding any costs to taxpayers at large.

[D]

This program activity regroups three sub-activities which assist NRCan in delivering on its mandate and priorities: governance and management support; resource management services; and asset management services. Key to the effectiveness and efficiency of this program activity is the ability of internal services to adjust and respond to evolving business priorities and requirements. NRCan is taking steps to strengthen this ability and will focus, over the planning period, on two departmental management priorities, namely integrated management excellence and improved infrastructure and systems. These management priorities will enable the department to better align its priorities to those of Canadians, its activities to its priorities, and its resources to its activities. They will also increase its capacity to monitor the financial and non-financial performance of its activities and programs.

NRCan Priorities	Initiatives
Integrated Management Excellence	Further refinements to the integrated business planning process and an improved governance structure will help align operational priorities with the corporate strategies, notably those related to S&T, people and financial management. They include several components, such as improvements to the priority-setting exercise, the creation of a Resource Management Committee to strengthen financial management at the department level; a strengthened Departmental Audit Committee; and an improved capacity to integrate science and policy. The strengthening of NRCan's policy capacity and the implementation of the strategic review decisions will ensure a greater alignment of activities with the priorities of Canadians. The renovation of both the Program Activity Architecture and the Performance Measurement Framework will improve senior management's ability to measure performance and realign activities and funds.
Modernizing Infrastructure and Systems	Ensure the ongoing integrity of physical assets to support regulatory functions and programs in research and technology development through the maintenance and modernization of NRCan laboratories across Canada (EAP initiative). Upgrade and renew key systems, such as Felix/SAP, PeopleSoft, with a view to improve information provided to decision-makers.

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