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Section II – Analysis of Program Activities by Strategic Outcome⁷

Strategic Outcome 1: Canada's natural environment is conserved and restored for present and future generations

More than ever, decision-makers are acknowledging the need to protect and conserve our natural environment to ensure sustained economic growth and international competitiveness, and to secure the overall health of Canadians and their environment. Although the value of conservation is recognized in both economic terms and quality of life, there continue to be an increasing number of stressors on Canadian ecosystems. Over the past 40 years, the total area of urban land in Canada has almost doubled; more land is being converted to industrial use and the integrity of ecosystems is being compromised by pollutants, invasive alien species and a changing climate.

Using a variety of policy and legislative tools, the Government of Canada has taken concrete steps to protect our natural environment, including negotiating an agreement with Greenland to protect Polar Bears, providing $225 million to the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) to establish the Natural Areas Conservation Program, as well as creating three new National Wildlife Areas in Nunavut.

Responsibility for conservation is shared among federal, provincial/territorial and Aboriginal governments, conservation organizations, industry and individual Canadians. Consistent with commitments in the 2010 Speech from the Throne, Environment Canada intends to strengthen existing partnerships and build new ones, while using its full range of program activities to maximize results and identify new approaches to conservation and ecosystem sustainability.

Complementing the priorities and plans of our core national programs, Environment Canada will advance an ecosystem approach to ensure that the Department is making progress against the long-term Strategic Outcome to conserve and restore Canada’s natural environment for present and future generations.

Advancing an ecosystem approach

Until recently, environmental initiatives primarily addressed discrete issues through actions aimed at individual sectors or media. An integrated understanding of the cumulative impact of multiple stressors was difficult to determine and even harder to manage.

Applying an ecosystem approach to Environment Canada’s work helps maintain the capacity of a whole natural system to produce ecological goods and services by concentrating on the long-term health of ecosystem structure, processes and interactions. In 2011–2012, the Department will continue to advance implementation of an ecosystem approach by aligning priorities among program initiatives at different geographical areas that vary in size, thus strengthening and integrating ecosystem knowledge to inform risk analysis and policy development, and coordinating action in priority ecosystems and hotspots.

Strengthening the use of environmental assessment

Environmental assessment is a process to predict and minimize the environmental effects of proposed policies, projects or activities before they are carried out. Historically, environmental assessment has focused on project-by-project assessments that are by nature limited in providing an integrated, long-term picture of the overall sustainability of projects within an ecosystem context.

Project and regional environmental assessments can contribute to the health of ecosystems by providing a platform for Environment Canada to bring its science and policy objectives into processes where development proposals are being planned and approved. Planning and approval processes can lead to reduced pressure on vulnerable ecosystems and their constituent parts over the projects’ life, which is often measured in decades.

Environment Canada recognizes the opportunity to use environmental assessments strategically as a planning and decision-making tool at the project and regional level to improve ecosystem health. At the regional level, for example, Environment Canada is currently enhancing its engagement with the Province of Alberta's land use planning regime with a focus on the oil sands and the central and southern regions of Alberta that overlie current priority ecosystem hotspots and mandated areas of interest. For project assessments, Environment Canada will continue to focus its efforts on participating in those projects that have substantial potential environmental effects, such as the New Nuclear Project at Darlington and the Lower Churchill hydroelectric development projects.

In addition to project and regional environmental assessments, Environment Canada is committed to using Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) as an analytical tool to support environmentally sustainable decision making as it relates to government policies, plans and programs.

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)
2011–2012		2012–2013		2013–2014
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
574	107.8*	493	95.8*	499	95.3*

* Please refer to the discussion of the departmental spending trend in the Expenditure Profile subsection for an explanation of the annual variation in spending displayed in this table.

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

[D]

Note:

Operating: Operating expenditures
EBP: Statutory contributions to employee benefits plans
Capital: Capital expenditures
G&Cs: Grants and Contributions expenditures

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 the 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; 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 Fauna and Flora (CITES), and the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat (known as the Ramsar Convention). Contributions in support of Biodiversity – Wildlife and Habitat are used as a component of this program.

Planning Highlights

Biodiversity

Building on the momentum of the International Year of Biodiversity (2010) and the Tenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention of Biological Diversity, Environment Canada will work collaboratively with federal, provincial and territorial partners and key groups, including business, cities and youth to protect and conserve biodiversity domestically and internationally. These efforts will include developing a national approach to conservation by building on current strengths, identifying new innovative approaches to conservation, and strengthening partnerships with a broad range of stakeholders.

To identify the social, cultural and economic values of biodiversity and ecosystem services to Canada, the Department will continue to advance the Value of Nature to Canadians Study in support of government policy and decision making, and public awareness initiatives. The domestic policy on Access and Benefit-sharing (ABS) of genetic resources will be elaborated, based on agreed upon federal-provincial-territorial policy guidance and will take into consideration the new the international ABS protocol under the Convention on Biological Diversity.

Scientific and analytical support will be provided through active engagement and leadership in the Circumpolar Biodiversity Monitoring Program and scientific input into the full 2013 Arctic Biodiversity Assessment to gain a better understanding of pressures affecting northern ecosystems.

Wildlife and habitat

The Department will continue to implement the Species at Risk Act (SARA), including fulfilling obligations for recovery strategies, and action planning and implementation to protect species at risk. National and international work will be undertaken related to the conservation and protection of Polar Bears, including listing, monitoring and research; clarification of federal-provincial jurisdictional responsibilities; international Memoranda of Understanding (e.g. Canada–Greenland and Canada–United States), and the development of a range-wide action plan. A draft Boreal Woodland Caribou recovery strategy, including critical habitat identification and protection analysis, will be posted on the Species at Risk Public Registry.

The Department will promote the effective conservation of migratory bird populations, while fostering sustainable economic development. Development of guidance on incidental take will continue to support the long-term conservation and protection of migratory bird populations, focusing on avoidance guidelines and best management practices.

Bird conservation region (BCR) plans are an essential element of protecting birds while fostering sustainable economic development. Final bird conservation region (BCR) plans, incorporating technical and public comments, and implementing recommendations, will be completed. Draft amendments to the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 regulations will be completed to update terminology, and to add provisions to better manage overabundant species. The Department will apply the results of the internal review of its avian monitoring activities, including the establishment of a new governance system and a balance of resources between game and non-game bird species groups.

Conserving important habitats through a network of protected areas and partnership programs supports species at risk, migratory birds and other wildlife. The Department will expand and maintain its network of protected areas, including the establishment of six new National Wildlife Areas (NWAs) through the Northwest Territories Protected Areas Strategy and one Marine Wildlife Area, Scott Island, British Columbia. It will also improve the management of protected areas (i.e. visitor safety, occupational health and safety, and ecological integrity).

The Department will administer the Invasive Alien Species Partnership Program (IASPP). The IASPP is managed cooperatively with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and National Resources Canada, and is an integral part of An Invasive Alien Species Strategy for Canada.

Programming in this area contributes to “Theme III: Protecting Nature” of the FSDS:

Supporting the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy

FSDS Goals	FSDS Performance Indicators	FSDS Targets
Goal 5: Wildlife Conservation – Maintain or restore populations of wildlife to healthy levels	Percentage of listed species for which recovery has been deemed feasible where the population trend (where available) at the time of reassessment is consistent with the recovery strategy	Target 5.1: Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Conservation – Population trend (when available) at the time of reassessment is consistent with the recovery strategy for 100% of listed species at risk (for which recovery has been deemed feasible) by 2020.
	Proportion of migratory bird species whose population varies within acceptable bounds of the population goals	Target 5.2: Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Conservation - Target for proportion of migratory bird species whose population varies within acceptable bounds of the population goals will be established in 2011 once the Bird Status Database is complete.
Goal 6: Ecosystem/Habitat Conservation and Protection – Maintain productive and resilient ecosystems with the capacity to recover and adapt; and protect areas in ways that leave them unimpaired for present and future generations	Land conserved as a percentage of the total amount needed to achieve population goals for all priority migratory birds and species at risk	Target 6.1: Terrestrial Ecosystems and Habitat, Non-Park Protected Habitat – Habitat target to support conservation of priority migratory birds and species at risk will be set by 2015.
	Indicator under development	Target 6.4: Managing Threats to Ecosystems –Threats of new alien invasive species entering Canada are understood and reduced by 2015.

Benefits to Canadians

Environment Canada’s work under this Program Activity is aimed at maintaining viable populations of species, habitats and genetic resources, while taking social and economic considerations into account.

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 Departmental Performance Report (DPR). A target will be set once two measured values for this indicator are available.

Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ millions)
2011–2012		2012–2013		2013–2014
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
736	109.6*	716	107.1*	716	104.4*

* Please refer to the discussion of the departmental spending trend in the Expenditure Profile subsection for an explanation of the annual variation in spending displayed in this table.

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

[D]

Note:

Operating: Operating expenditures
EBP: Statutory contributions to employee benefits plans
Capital: Capital expenditures
G&Cs: Grants and Contributions expenditures

Program Activity Description

This program addresses the implications to water resources from economic growth, climate change and other factors, ensuring that threats to Canada’s water resources and aquatic ecosystems are minimized, and the sustainability of the resource is maintained. 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 encompasses Environment Canada’s contribution to addressing water issues and its role in collaborating with other departments to determine 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. Contributions in support of water resources are used as a component of this program.

Planning Highlights

Science, research and monitoring

In 2011–2012, Environment Canada will provide leadership on aquatic ecosystem, hydrologic and hydraulic science, and conduct research and monitoring and analytical services on priority areas that are essential to support responsible decision making.

In partnership with provincial and territorial governments through the National Administrators Table (NAT), the Department will implement a strategic plan for the cost-shared hydrometric information service. Work will also be undertaken with the provinces and territories on aspects of hydrometric network design and a re-examination of the existing network, with reference to global (World Meteorological Organization) standards, consistent with the recent audit recommendations of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development. The Department will also engage other federal departments to understand their requirements for hydrometric and water quality information; determine federal roles and responsibilities in monitoring water quantity and quality on federal lands; and implement risk-based prioritization.

Work will continue on the development of a water demand and availability indicator 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.

Science support will be provided to the Government of Canada’s Action Plan for Clean Water, including initiatives for the final year of the Lake Winnipeg Basin Initiative (2011–2012) and preparations for its next phase. The Department will also conduct a science review of the federal-provincial water quality agreements and create the aquatic toxicity knowledge necessary to implement the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999).

The Department will implement a national aquatic biomonitoring and assessment network and develop and conduct surveillance activities related to water quality pressures (e.g. land use) and emerging threats (e.g. alien species, blue-green algae) on priority watersheds (e.g. Athabasca River, Mackenzie River, Great Lakes and St. Lawrence).

The Department will also develop a world-class water quality monitoring system for the oil sands region and sustain oil sands-related research activity and monitoring support to fulfill Canada's statutory obligations in this area.

Domestic and international partnerships

The Department will deliver on commitments under priority domestic and international water-related initiatives. Federally, program enhancements of the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program will be implemented with other government departments.

Strategic collaborative partnerships will be developed with existing and emerging water programs and networks (e.g. University of Saskatchewan's Canada Excellence Research Chair (CERC) program – Water Security; Canadian Water Network; Canadian Rivers Institute, U.S. Geological Survey).

Technical advice and strategic oversight will be provided for federal-provincial-territorial bilateral agreements, task forces, and domestic water boards and international joint commission boards (e.g. Prairie Provinces Water Board, Mackenzie River Basin Board, Lake of the Woods Control Board, Ottawa River Regulation Planning Board, International Rainy River Water Pollution Board, International St. Croix River Watershed Board, International Lake of the Woods and Rainy River Watershed Task Force). Cooperation with the Atlantic provinces and Manitoba on shared water priorities (e.g. water quantity monitoring, water quality monitoring, surveillance and reporting, and sustainable water management) will be advanced through water annexes and the coordination of work plans in support of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs).

The core commitment to the United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP’s) Global Environmental Monitoring System (GEMS)/Water will be delivered. The program is expanding over a 5-year period to enhance data quality management activities, water assessments and capacity building. The Department will also promote WaterSense in Canada, a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that seeks to protect the future of the water supply by promoting water efficiency and enhancing the market for water-efficient products, programs and practices.

Programming in this area contributes to “Theme II: Maintaining Water Quality and Availability” of the FSDS:

Supporting the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy

FSDS Goals	FSDS Performance Indicators	FSDS Targets
Goal 3: Water Quality – Protect and enhance the quality of water so that it is clean, safe and secure for all Canadians and supports healthy ecosystems	Annual changes in recommended classifications of shellfish‑growing areas based on historical water quality measures8	Target 3.8: Marine Water Quality – Reduce the risks to Canadians and impacts on the marine environment posed by pollution from land-based activities.
Goal 4: Water Availability – Enhance information to ensure that Canadians can manage and use water resources in a manner consistent with the sustainability of the resource	Water use by major sectors from water use surveys	Target 4.1: Water Resource Management and Use – Promote the conservation and wise use of water to affect a 30% reduction or increased efficiency in water use in various9 sectors by 2025 (based on 2009 water use levels).

Benefits to Canadians

Environment Canada’s work plays an important role in providing the science leadership required by all Canadian jurisdictions to inform the sustainable 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 interjurisdictional 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 2 measured values for this indicator are available.

Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ millions)
2011–2012		2012–2013		2013–2014
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
353	75.2*	346	66.2*	346	69.7*

* Please refer to the discussion of the departmental spending trend in the Expenditure Profile subsection for an explanation of the annual variation in spending displayed in this table.

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

[D]

Note:

Operating: Operating expenditures
EBP: Statutory contributions to employee benefits plans
Capital: Capital expenditures
G&Cs: Grants and Contributions expenditures

Program Activity Description

This program aims to sustain Canada’s ecosystems over the long term by working with Canadians, their governments and the private sector on ecosystem initiatives and by providing them with the environmental information and tools required to incorporate social, economic and environmental considerations into 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, such as water resources, air and water quality, and genetic resources, which maintain our economy, security, health and well-being. 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 the remediation of sites, youth engagement, and research and reporting on environmental statuses and trends. The program facilitates interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral planning and information sharing among partners. Contributions in support of Sustainable Ecosystems are used as a component of this program.

Planning Highlights

Sustainable development

In 2011–2012, the Department will work to ensure that Canadian ecosystem resources are managed in a manner consistent with ecosystem sustainability and will pursue additional opportunities for applying an ecosystem approach¹⁰ to its programs and planning.

As the lead for the implementation of the Federal Sustainable Development Act, the Department will coordinate the tabling in Parliament of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy Progress Report in June 2011, and maintain systems and procedures to monitor progress on implementation of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS). Opportunities will be identified to utilize the FSDS to communicate the Government of Canada’s environmental policy objectives.

Strengthening ecosystem knowledge and understanding

The Department will work to better integrate the measurement, tracking and reporting on the state of the environment, particularly at the ecosystem level. This includes the update and the expansion of environmental indicators to measure progress on the goals and targets of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy through the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators (CESI) initiative.
With federal, provincial and territorial partners, lessons learned from the Canadian Biodiversity: Ecosystem Status and Trends 2010 (ESTR) process will be reviewed; options for regularly updating ESTR will be assessed; the use and integration of ESTR information by all partners will be promoted; and next steps on CESI and ESTR will be aligned and coordinated.

The Department will also quantify trends in, and the risks toxic substances pose at, the wildlife population and ecosystem level, and conduct integrated assessments of the effects of multiple stressors, including wildlife disease and climate change, on wildlife health and ecosystem structure in vulnerable ecosystems.

Supporting decision making

In addition to meeting its legislated responsibilities, the Department will also strengthen the use of environmental assessment as a tool to avoid and mitigate adverse environmental effects and to improve ecosystem health while encouraging sustainable economic development. This will include meeting legal obligations under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, the Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act, the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act, and the proposed Nunavut Planning and Project Assessment Act, by acting as either the federal authority, or responsible authority for project environmental assessments and by developing departmental positions for the 2010 legislative review of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act.

Taking action

The Department will advance and support the integrated management of selected priority ecosystems. Revisions to the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) will be negotiated with the United States to address key threats to Great Lakes’ water quality, and negotiations for a new 2012–2017 Canada–Ontario Agreement (COA) Respecting the Great Lakes Basin will be initiated. The amended 2007–2012 COA will be implemented and the delivery of the Great Lakes Ecosystem Initiative (including the Great Lakes Action Plan 2010–2015) will continue. The Canada–Quebec Framework Agreement on the St. Lawrence and the signed annexes will be implemented in order to deliver on commitments and results identified for the next 5 years (2011–2016). Commitments to clean up and restore the Great Lakes, Lake Simcoe and Lake Winnipeg under the Action Plan for Clean Water will be delivered.

The implementation of an ecosystem approach in selected vulnerable ecosystems and hotspots (e.g. Atlantic coast, oil sands, Okanagan) will be advanced. Coordinated planning and targeted actions will take place through multi-stakeholder working groups and the delivery of joint work plans where appropriate.

Engaging Canadians and communities through behaviour changes, capacity building, community-based funding programs and engagement activities is important to protecting and restoring the environment. The Department will implement Year 2 of Environment Canada’s action plan for grants and contributions reform with a focus on refining and improving new tools and processes introduced in 2010–2011. External promotion activities for the Environmental Damages Fund and the impact of changes under the Environmental Enforcement Act will be increased. Delivery of the EcoAction Community Funding Program will be enhanced to support projects that improve the health of vulnerable ecosystems.

Programming in this area contributes to “Theme II: Maintaining Water Quality and Availability” of the FSDS:

Supporting the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy

FSDS Goals	FSDS Performance Indicators	FSDS Targets
Goal 3: Water Quality – Protect and enhance the quality of water so that it is clean, safe and secure for all Canadians and supports healthy ecosystems	For Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes, track change in beneficial use status from “impaired” or “requires further assessment” to “not impaired” or “restored”	Target 3.1: Fresh Water Quality – Complete federal actions to restore beneficial uses in Canadian Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes by 2020.
	Ecosystem indicators aligned to the general and specific objectives of the Canada–U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement	Target 3.2: Fresh Water Quality – Contribute to the restoration and protection of the Great Lakes by developing and gaining binational acceptance of objectives and strategies for the management of nutrients in the Great Lakes by 2015.
	Ecosystem indicators aligned to objectives of the Canada-Quebec Agreement on the St. Lawrence River	Target 3.3: Fresh Water Quality – Complete federal actions to reduce pollutants and restore beneficial uses in hot spots in the St. Lawrence River by 2016.
	Estimated nutrient reductions	Target 3.4: Fresh Water Quality – Reduce nutrient inputs into Lake Simcoe by 2012.
	Indicator under development	Target 3.5: Fresh Water Quality – By 2012, through strategic collaborations and by increasing scientific knowledge, contribute to the establishment of targets to reduce nutrients in Lake Winnipeg and its basin to support the sustainability of the lake.

Benefits to Canadians

In working with partners at the federal, provincial/territorial and local levels, Environment Canada’s work provides strategies, information, tools and funding through partnership arrangements to Canadians, their governments and the private sector. As a result, environmental considerations are integrated into decision making and actions that 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 2011–2012 Departmental Performance Report (DPR). A target will be set in the National Enforcement Plan for the 2011–2012 fiscal year.

Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ millions)
2011–2012		2012–2013		2013–2014
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
152	18.3*	151	18.1*	151	19.0*

* Please refer to the discussion of the departmental spending trend in the Expenditure Profile subsection for an explanation of the annual variation in spending displayed in this table.

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

[D]

Note:

Operating: Operating expenditures
EBP: Statutory contributions to employee benefits plans
Capital: Capital expenditures
G&Cs: Grants and Contributions expenditures

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, the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act, and the Canada Wildlife Act. Measures to promote compliance include communication and publication of information, education and consultation with parties affected by these statutes. The program maintains a contingent of enforcement officers, whose actions focus on ensuring and verifying conformity with laws, regulations and permits pertaining to wildlife, through several activities, which 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.

Planning Highlights

The Department will continue to fulfill the government’s commitment to strong environmental enforcement. This will include strengthening the identification of priority work and optimizing the integrated delivery of compliance and enforcement services under the Species at Risk Act, Canada Wildlife Act, Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, and Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act, 1994. Additionally, wildlife enforcement will be conducting a pilot project to develop indicators based on the Migratory Bird Regulations that will help to demonstrate the effects of wildlife enforcement and compliance promotion activities.

Compliance promotion and enforcement for wildlife will be enhanced as the multi-staged implementation of the new Environmental Enforcement Act continues. The amendments providestronger penalties for offenders, and introduce minimum fines for serious offences and higher maximums, and also grant courts new sentencing authorities that ensure penalties reflect the seriousness of pollution and wildlife offences. The Department will also develop regulations to operationalize the Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties Act and the penalty scheme for wildlife acts coming into force in coming years.

To allow improved assessment and demonstrate environmental results, the Department will bolster science-based forensic analytical capacity to support enforcement actions, and will also develop an investment plan for the renewal of business systems and the associated data capture and business processes, particularly in the area of case management. Reporting capacity will be developed to clearly demonstrate the environmental results achieved by the Compliance Promotion and Enforcement Program. Measures will be taken to effectively develop and retain compliance promotion, enforcement, and science staff, including investments in supporting tools and infrastructure.

Benefits to Canadians

Environment Canada’s compliance promotion and enforcement initiatives are directed at ensuring compliance with wildlife legislation that protects plant and animal species in Canada, including migratory birds. This 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, and are enforced throughout Canada in collaboration with other federal departments, and provincial and 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

Every day, Canadians are affected by changes in environmental and weather conditions, such as variability and extremes in climate, temperature, precipitation, winter storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, droughts, floods, air quality, sea ice, road icing and aircraft turbulence. Weather and environmental services enable Canadians, businesses, institutions and governments to make informed decisions to improve economic and other outcomes 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 daily to help plan their activities.

To assist Canadians in making informed decisions, Environment Canada provides accurate and reliable information about the past, present and future states of the environment. The Department provides data to targeted users within Canada and leverages information with stakeholders around the world, which in turn provides benefits to our services. 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, climate change, water availability, clean energy, chemicals management, northern sovereignty and economic development.

Access to reliable short- and long-term information on changes in weather, water, snow, ice, air quality and climate conditions is essential for public safety and security, as well as improved health, especially 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. To collect the data, produce the warnings and forecasts and deliver this information to Canadians and targeted sectors, Environment Canada maintains a comprehensive 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.

Notwithstanding our ability to deliver 24/7 weather prediction services to all Canadians, Environment Canada continues to face challenges in maintaining the systems and capacity (scientific, technical, human and financial) required to sustain this capability and, concurrently, to keep pace with rapidly evolving science and technology. We are developing a Reinvestment Strategy and its implementation will be the first priority of this Strategic Outcome for the 2011–2012. This effort will be undertaken within the scope of available resources, while also implementing the new directives of the Clean Air Regulatory Agenda and Climate Change Adaptation Initiative.

The second priority of this Strategic Outcome remains the fulfillment of Environment Canada’s core mission to monitor, produce and provide environmental science and services to Canadians, clients and partners, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This ongoing and continuous activity includes providing science, observations, forecasts, scenarios and warnings related to weather, water, climate and air quality to Canadians, clients and partners. This priority supports the safety and security of Canadians and enhances sustainable economic development for decision-makers.

The third priority is focused on implementing an effective and integrated quality management system to ensure Environment Canada’s Weather and Environmental Services continuously improve and deliver results for Canadians.

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 target will be set once 2 measured values for this indicator are available (April 2015).
Canadians, communities and policy-makers understand the potential health and safety risks from the changing climate and air quality conditions	Percentage of municipalities that have taken climate change impacts (present and/or future) into account in the development of emergency plans	80% of Canadian municipalities by 2015.

Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ millions)
2011–2012		2012–2013		2013–2014
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
923	158.4*	913	154.7*	908	158.9*

* Please refer to the discussion of the departmental spending trend in the Expenditure Profile subsection for an explanation of the annual variation in spending displayed in this table.

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

[D]

Note:

Operating: Operating expenditures
EBP: Statutory contributions to employee benefits plans
Capital: Capital expenditures
G&Cs: Grants and Contributions expenditures

Program Activity Description

This program 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, production and service delivery to help Canadians make informed decisions in the face of changing weather, water and climate conditions. 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 in Canada. The program supports the Department in meeting obligations and responsibilities conferred by the Department of the Environment Act, the Weather Modification Information Act, the Emergency Management Act (2007) and memoranda of agreement with national meteorological and space agencies. This Government of Canada program is the only one with such a national mandate, and has the infrastructure and skills to deliver this service. Grants in support of Weather and Environmental Services for Canadians and Contributions in support of Weather and Environmental Services for Canadians are used as components of this program.

Planning Highlights

The Department will continue the implementation of a strategic plan for the monitoring 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, products and tools, such as a new forecaster workstation, which will allow seamless dissemination methods to ensure Canadians are warned of approaching severe weather. The Department will engage local communities and work with other government departments and agencies, as well as other levels of government in Canada 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 develop a comprehensive approach to present options for securing 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 partnering with multilateral environmental organizations, other government departments and agencies, national governments, universities and the private sector.

A strategy to re-engineer the weather warning and service delivery system will be developed to enable achievement of performance goals to ensure that Canadians understand and receive information on the changing weather, water and climate conditions, and know how to use it.

The Department will continue to provide Canadians, policy-makers, provincial/territorial and municipal governments, and institutions with the information needed to help them develop comprehensive emergency and/or disaster management plans to deal with changes in weather and climatic conditions and create more resilient communities.

The Department will continue to provide the scientific expertise, information and tools needed to help Canadians and their institutions make informed decisions and to reduce their risks related to climate change impacts. This information, generated by Environment Canada’s climate models and climate change scenarios at national and regional scales, contributes to the awareness and understanding of the risks of climate change; aids in the development of climate policy at the global and regional levels; and feeds into the development of tools and information related to climate extremes that assist in disaster management planning.

Success in meeting these performance targets and expected results will strengthen the basic foundations of the monitoring, forecast and warning production, computing, research and service delivery systems and infrastructure. To this end, we are developing a reinvestment strategy to help address the needs of the weather and environmental services and infrastructure.

Benefits to Canadians

The maintenance and provision of quality weather, climate and environmental predictions help Canadians better adapt to and manage the risks they face from changes in the environment, as well as allowing them to make optimal decisions to support their businesses. Monitoring, predicting and delivering weather and environmental science and services to Canadians will improve safety for Canadians and strengthen decision making by giving internationally competitive 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. These services will continue to provide a strong scientific basis for policy development and decision making on key environmental issues such as water, clean air and climate change adaptation, including providing information needed to develop economic resilience.

Program Activity 2.2: Weather and Environmental Services for Targeted Users

Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets
Targeted sectors10 have the meteorological and environmental information and services they need to operate efficiently and safely	Level of satisfaction from targeted clients with respect to weather and environmental information and services received from Environment Canada	To be determined. A target will be set once 2 measured values for this indicator are available.

Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ millions)
2011–2012		2012–2013		2013–2014
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
430	62.1*	424	61.1*	425	60.7*

* Please refer to the discussion of the departmental spending trend in the Expenditure Profile subsection for an explanation of the annual variation in spending displayed in this table.

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

[D]

Note:

Operating: Operating expenditures
EBP: Statutory contributions to employee benefits plans
Capital: Capital expenditures
G&Cs: Grants and Contributions expenditures

Program Activity Description

This program provides essential decision-making tools and information on the changing weather 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. It involves monitoring, research, production and service delivery in order to support sustainable decision making by targeted sectors in the face of changing weather, water and climate conditions. 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 in meeting obligations and responsibilities conferred by the Department of the Environment Act; helps other government departments meet their obligations under the Aeronautics Act,the Oceans Act andthe Fisheries Act; and supports memoranda of agreement with Transport Canada, National Defence and various provincial agencies. This Government of Canada program is the only one with such a national mandate, and has the infrastructure and skills to deliver this service.

Planning Highlights

Over the next few years, the Department will seek to improve relations with partners and clients by working with them to redefine their needs, increase the focus on client satisfaction, and transform services to optimize service delivery for clients. By doing so, this program will improve how Canadian public-sector 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. The Canadian aviation industry will be supported through the provision of high-quality and timely weather forecasts and services, under the terms of a new service agreement with NAV CANADA. The Department will work collaboratively with NAV CANADA to enhance our products and services to address evolving needs. We will continue to work with NAV CANADA as it transitions its monitoring networks to new automated observing technologies to ensure that Environment Canada continues to receive the quality data it needs to support our weather and environmental services.

The delivery of weather services to National Defence will continue in support of 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 Centre. In collaboration with National Defence, Environment Canada will reconfigure the service delivery such that its forecasting services will begin to be co-located with National Defence resources in Gagetown, New Brunswick.

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. In addition to this, the expansion of our domestic marine and ice services to provide a full suite of meteorological information to the newly defined Arctic areas will take place over the next five years. As a sovereign and environmentally responsible polar nation, Canada has committed to the International Maritime Organization to provide meteorological and navigational safety information to facilitate the safe management of marine traffic in these areas. This program will provide co-benefits for northern Canadians through expanded monitoring and awareness of changes in weather and climate over northern Canada.

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 and working on and around sea ice, will be improved to enhance safety and efficiency. The implementation of the Integrated Marine Ice Analysis & Forecast System (Polaris), carried out jointly with the United States as part of the North American Ice Service, will begin this fiscal year.

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. Support to key economic sectors, such as energy and agriculture, will focus on understanding specific sector needs and matching these with the Department’s capacity to deliver products, thereby better defining the role of the private sector in developing and offering new services, as well as exploring alternate costing mechanisms for targeted service provision. Service commitments are established in formal agreements with clients, and performance indicators are used to ensure the continuous improvement of services. Environment Canada will consult with its targeted users on their level of satisfaction with the services received, using this information to improve relationships and to meet expectations.

Benefits to Canadians

Canada’s economy is highly sensitive to weather and climate change (agriculture, transportation, energy, tourism, construction, etc.). Access to timely, accurate and relevant science-based weather, climate and environmental prediction, 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 decision making.

Strategic Outcome 3: Threats to Canadians and their environment from pollution are minimized

Environment Canada makes a significant contribution to the Government of Canada’s ability to protect the health and safety of Canadians and the quality of their environment. The Department is now one of the largest federal regulators, with increasing intervention on a wide range of issues directed at minimizing the impact of toxic substances, pollution, waste and greenhouse gas emissions on Canadians and their environment.

Environment Canada will advance the following priorities to make progress towards this Strategic Outcome to minimize threats to Canadians and their environment from pollution.

Developing and implementing climate change and air pollution strategies

Environment Canada will continue to support the Government of Canada’s commitment to reduce Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions by 17% from 2005 levels by 2020, and to be a world leader in clean electricity generation. In 2011–2012, addressing the challenge of climate change will continue along three pathways: contributing to the development of an effective, inclusive and fair new international agreement based on the Copenhagen Accord and the 2010 Cancun Agreement; working with the United States to align our domestic and international approaches, including continued collaboration under the Clean Energy Dialogue; and taking action domestically through regulatory action based on sound science and economic analysis, and engagement with the provinces and territories in the development of climate change strategies.

Environment Canada works with the provinces and territories, municipalities, industry, non-governmental organizations, and the Canadian public to reduce the impacts of air pollution. In 2011–2012, Environment Canada will continue to develop and implement a new air quality management system and to develop and implement regulatory approaches to reduce air pollution from vehicles and fuels. Continentally, the Department will cooperate with the United States to reduce transboundary air pollution under the Canada–US Air Quality Agreement and to decrease ship-source air pollution under the International Maritime Organization (IMO). Internationally, the Department will cooperate with Parties to the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (LRTAP) to reduce the impacts and risks of transboundary air pollution to Canadians and the environment.¹²

Moving forward with the Chemicals Management Plan

The Chemicals Management Plan (CMP) gives Canada a science-based, efficient and consistent government-wide approach to protecting Canadians’ health and the environment from the risks from new and existing substances, in a way that provides predictability for business and generates public confidence. In 2011–2012, Environment Canada, in partnership with Health Canada, will continue to implement the CMP with increasing emphasis on developing, implementing and enforcing risk management instruments.

Environment Canada will engage its international partners to collaborate on the assessment and research of chemicals, thereby building efficiencies and cost savings into the science component of the CMP, so that chemicals and waste-related issues are effectively managed through international agreements, such as the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs)¹³; the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade; and the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal. Planning highlights for 2011–2012 include continuing global negotiations to develop a legally binding agreement on mercury under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Developing and implementing regulatory and non-regulatory measures to manage pollution and waste

The responsibility for managing and reducing pollution and waste is shared among the federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments. Environment Canada exercises responsibilities with respect to international and interprovincial movements of hazardous waste, releases of toxic substances to the air, land and water, and activities on federal lands. In 2011–2012, Environment Canada will finalize regulations for wastewater effluent and initiate the establishment of agreements with provinces and Yukon. Work will also continue on the development of a wastewater regime for Canada’s North. Other waste reduction initiatives include protection against marine pollution and renewal of the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan.

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 the 2010–2011 Departmental Performance Report (DPR).

Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ millions)
2011–2012		2012–2013		2013–2014
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
502	61.2*	490	59.6*	490	61.0*

* Please refer to the discussion of the departmental spending trend in the Expenditure Profile subsection for an explanation of the annual variation in spending displayed in this table.

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

[D]

Note:

Operating: Operating expenditures
EBP: Statutory contributions to employee benefits plans
Capital: Capital expenditures
G&Cs: Grants and Contributions expenditures

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 harmful 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. Contributions in support of Substances and Waste Management are used as a component of this program.

Planning Highlights

Chemicals management

The Department, in partnership with Health Canada, will continue the implementation of the government’s Chemicals Management Plan to strengthen the degree of protection of human health and the environment against harmful chemicals. In 2011–2012, the Department will assess and manage the risks posed by the highest-priority substances, according to established timelines, and advance the implementation of a program of work for medium priorities. The collection and integration of information and activities to support the assessment and management of substances will continue, including monitoring and surveillance and research of substances, inventory updates and releases to the environment. Sectors will be engaged in information collection and analysis.

Cooperation with international partners will be enhanced and the negotiation of effective agreements to address substances of concern will continue. This will include negotiations to develop a global legally binding agreement on mercury under the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and participation in the fifth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention.¹⁴

The Department will implement the recommendation to periodically assess all risk management strategies, including developing and implementing performance measurement strategies, made in the 2009 Fall Report of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development.

Pollution, waste management and reduction

Under the authority of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999) and Fisheries Act, the Department will implement regulatory programs for waste, mining, pulp and paper, and marine sectors. The development of a wastewater regime for the North will continue. Environment Canada will continuously improve the administration of Fisheries Act regulations for mining, and pulp and paper, including environmental effects monitoring, and review older regulations for other sectors to ensure they are up to date and effective. It will also improve risk-based management, priority-setting and coordination of Fisheries Act pollution prevention provisions, driven by commitments made to Parliament in response to the 2009 Spring Report of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development.

The Department will continue to improve its national delivery of CEPA 1999 disposal at sea obligations through the development and update of operational policy and guidance, including harmony between the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999) and the Species at Risk Act where these laws overlap.

Environment Canada will work with other jurisdictions and the private sector to reduce the frequency and consequences of environmental emergencies in Canada. Specifically, the Department will seek to amend and implement the Environmental Emergency Regulations to add 41 substances to its schedule, and publish environmental emergency notification agreements with participating provinces and territories and associated notification regulations under CEPA 1999 and the Fisheries Act. Environment Canada will also respond to the 2010 audit from the Commission of the Environment and Sustainable Development on ship-based marine pollution, and implement the recommendations from an internal mandate and capacity review of the Environmental Emergencies Program.

Delivery of the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP) will continue with other federal government departments, agencies and consolidated Crown corporations. Assessment and remediation of Environment Canada’s custodial sites will continue in accordance with the Department’s Contaminated Sites Management Plan.

Programming in this area contributes to “Theme I: Addressing Climate Change and Air Quality” and “Theme II: Maintaining Water Quality and Availability” of the FSDS:

Supporting the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy

FSDS Goals	FSDS Performance Indicators	FSDS Targets
Goal 3: Water Quality – Protect and enhance the quality of water so that it is clean, safe and secure for all Canadians and supports healthy ecosystems	Change in percentage of wastewater systems achieving national effluent quality standards	Target 3.7: Fresh Water Quality – Reduce risks associated with wastewater effluent by 2020 in collaboration with provinces and territories.
	Reduction in loading of the biological oxygen demand matter and suspended solids
	Percentage of disposal site monitoring events that do not trigger site management action	Target 3.9: Marine Water Quality – Prevent marine pollution from uncontrolled dumping at sea. Ensure that permitted disposal at sea is sustainable such that 85% of disposal site monitoring events do not identify the need for site management action (such as site closure).
Goal 2: Air Pollution – Minimize the threats to air quality so that the air Canadians breathe is clean and supports healthy ecosystems Goal 3: Water Quality – Protect and enhance the quality of water so that it is clean, safe and secure for all Canadians and supports healthy ecosystems	Canadian releases of selected controlled substances	Targets 2.3 and 3.12: Chemicals Management – Reduce risks to Canadians and impacts on the environment posed by harmful substances as a result of decreased environmental concentrations and human exposure to such substances.
	Percentage decrease of concentrations of selected substances— perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs)—in water from baseline data
	Levels of exposure to substances of concern by substance (air pollution only)
Goal 6: Ecosystem/Habitat Conservation and Protection – Maintain productive and resilient ecosystems with the capacity to recover and adapt; and protect areas in ways that leave them unimpaired for present and future generations	Indicator under development	Target 6.5: Managing Threats to Ecosystems – Reduce the frequency and consequences of environmental emergencies that affect Canada.

Benefits to Canadians

As a result of Environment Canada’s work to reduce threats to Canadians and impacts on the environment posed by pollution 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 management approach.

Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ millions)
2011–2012		2012–2013		2013–2014
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
433	100.1*	336	120.4**	325	78.1*

* Please refer to the discussion of the departmental spending trend in the Expenditure Profile subsection for an explanation of the annual variation in spending displayed in this table. Totals may differ within and between tables due to rounding of figures.

** The increase in planned spending in 2012–2013 is due to a transfer of funds from 2010–2011 to 2012–2013 to support a grant to the Canada Foundation for Sustainable Development and Technology (SDTC), which does not affect the FTEs. However, the temporary Clean Air Agenda funding is scheduled to sunset at the end of 2011–2012, which partially offsets the increase in planned spending and contributes to the FTE decrease.

[D]

Note:

Operating: Operating expenditures
EBP: Statutory contributions to employee benefits plans
Capital: Capital expenditures
G&Cs: Grants and Contributions expenditures

Program Activity Description

This program 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 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 to greenhouse gas emissions and air pollutants; and advancing science-based approaches and innovative technologies in support of investment decisions, policy making, and regulations. Contributions in support of Climate Change and Clean Air are used as a component of this program.

Planning Highlights

Domestic approaches

In 2011–2012, the Department will develop and implement domestic climate change strategies that are aligned with those of the United States, while engaging with the provinces and territories. More specifically, Environment Canada will conduct foundational analysis in support of regulatory performance standards appropriately aligned by engaging with the United States, permitting provisions addressing greenhouse gases under Canada’s Clean Air Act.

With regard to our regulatory approach, regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from light-duty vehicles for 2011–2016 model years will continue to be implemented, and the Department will begin a regulatory process to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from light-duty vehicles of 2017 and later model years. Greenhouse gas emission regulations for heavy-duty vehicles will also be developed. Regulations for renewable fuel mandating an average 5% renewable fuel content in gasoline will continue to be implemented, and steps will be taken to include a requirement for a 2% renewable content in diesel fuel and heating oil. Environment Canada will continue supporting Transport Canada in reducing air pollutants and greenhouse gases from marine shipping, rail and aviation. Burning of coal is a large source of greenhouse gas emissions. Environment Canada is developing regulations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired electricity generation in the electricity sector.

Environment Canada will deliver expert advice, assessment and program management to advance clean technologies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions,¹⁵ including oversight to programs¹⁶ for managing Canada's Environmental Technology Verification (ETV).¹⁷ The Department will continue to collect information on greenhouse gases and air pollutants through integrating information collection initiatives via a single-window approach to inform policy and regulatory development.

With respect to air pollutants, the Department will develop and implement regulatory approaches to reducing emissions and new ambient air quality standards drawing on atmospheric science, science advice and assessment in the context of the development and implementation of a new air quality management system in collaboration with the provinces and territories, as was announced by the Canadian Council of Minsters of the Environment (CCME).

Our domestic air pollutant approach will include the development of ambient air quality standards for particulate matter and ozone and the implementation of measures to reduce air pollutants from industrial sources. Air pollutant emission regulations aligned with the U.S. EPA standards for various classes of on-road and off-road vehicles for large and small engines and fuels will continue to be developed and implemented in 2011–2012. The Renewable Fuels Regulations will be amended and implemented to require a 2% renewable fuel content by volume of diesel fuel and heating oil. The accelerated phase-out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) will be implemented as agreed to under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer,¹⁸ and the Department will explore “no-regrets”¹⁹ opportunities for reducing air pollutants that also have climate effects, in particular for black carbon. Finally, the economic and scientific models will be upgraded or developed to measure the impacts and benefits of proposed mitigation options, to improve the network to monitor air pollutants and track effectiveness of regulations, and to continue critical research instrumental for model development and decision making.

Continental approaches

In the continental context, work will continue with the United States to align our domestic and international approaches to climate change and air pollution. This will include the development of greenhouse gas approaches on a sector-by-sector basis, including through regulatory alignment for key sectors and the development of clean energy technologies to reduce greenhouse gases. Cooperation with the United States will also continue to reduce transboundary air pollution under the Canada–U.S. Air Quality Agreement (including conducting coordinated science activities under Sub-committee 2), the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC), and North American Air Working Group (NAAWG).

Environment Canada will continue to support the U.S.-Canada Clean Energy Dialogue on the development of a joint clean energy research, development and demonstration roadmap to help plan how to achieve long-term greenhouse gas reductions. Collaboration with the United States will continue on policies and processes to develop a new, legally binding international climate change agreement. Work will also continue with the United States and Mexico, through the Commission for Environmental Cooperation, to improve comparability of greenhouse gas reporting, among other things.

International approaches

Internationally, the Department will participate in and contribute to international negotiations to address climate change and air pollution, including working towards the development of a new legally binding international agreement based on the Copenhagen Accord and its 2010 Cancun Agreement. The Department will support the continued implementation of the Copenhagen Accord by meeting commitments to provide fast-start financing to assist developing countries with climate change adaptation and mitigation.

The Department will lead the development of Canadian positions on transboundary air pollutants (based on Canada’s domestic program and bilateral activities with the United States) and participate in negotiations to revise the Gothenburg Protocol under the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution. Environment Canada will also strengthen international cooperation with key international players, in particular China, to address air pollution, especially contaminants subject to long-range transport. The Department will continue to promote the amendment of the Montreal Protocol to include a phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The Department will also lead and advance Canadian positions in international negotiations, through the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and other complementary processes.²⁰ Environment Canada will lead or coordinate Canadian involvement in international science assessments of atmospheric issues, and continue contributing to the development of global technical regulations with respect to vehicles and engines through participation in the World Forum for Harmonization of Vehicle Regulations.

Programming in this area contributes to “Theme I: Addressing Climate Change and Air Quality” of the FSDS:

Supporting the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy

FSDS Goals	FSDS Performance Indicators	FSDS Targets
Goal 1: Climate Change – Reduce greenhouse gas emission levels to mitigate the severity and unavoidable impacts of climate change	National greenhouse gas emissions relative to targets and compared internationally	Target 1.1: Climate Change Mitigation – Relative to 2005 emission levels, reduce Canada’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 17% by 2020.
Goal 2: Air Pollution – Minimize the threats to air quality so that the air Canadians breathe is clean and supports healthy ecosystems	Air emissions indicators of sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, and ammonia	Target 2.1: Air Pollutants – Reduce air pollutants in order to maintain or improve air quality across the country and achieve the emission targets which are currently under development in consultations with provinces and stakeholders.
	Air pollutant indicator demonstrating trends in air quality and health benefits

Benefits to Canadians

The health of Canadians and the environment will be protected through regulatory action to address greenhouse gases emissions and improve air quality, and through collaboration with domestic, continental and international partners. Policy-makers at all levels of government and decision-makers in the public and private sectors also benefit from timely information about air emissions that allows them to make informed decisions.²¹

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 2011–2012 Departmental Performance Report (DPR). A target will be set in the National Enforcement Plan for the 2011–2012 fiscal year (June 2011).

Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ millions)
2011–2012		2012–2013		2013–2014
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
359	39.7*	348	38.6*	348	39.5*

*Please refer to the discussion of the departmental spending trend in the Expenditure Profile subsection for an explanation of the annual variation in spending displayed in this table.

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

[D]

Note:

Operating: Operating expenditures
EBP: Statutory contributions to employee benefits plans
Capital: Capital expenditures
G&Cs: Grants and Contributions expenditures

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 wastes 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 in order to provide continuous feedback on program activities and results.

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 environmental risks and threats, and optimizing the integrated delivery of compliance and enforcement services. Additionally, pollution enforcement will develop a methodology to assess the feasibility of compliance rate indicators, to better demonstrate the results of pollution enforcement and compliance promotion activities.

In 2011–2012, pollution compliance promotion and enforcement will be strengthened through the multi-staged implementation of the Environmental Enforcement Act. The Act amends fine provisions, sentencing authorities and enforcement tools of six Environment Canada statutes, including the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. The amendments providestronger penalties for offenders and introduce minimum fines for serious offences and higher maximums, and also grant courts new sentencing authorities that ensure penalties reflect the seriousness of pollution and wildlife offences. The Department will also develop regulations to operationalize the Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties Act and the penalty scheme for pollution acts coming into force in the following years.

In support of the enforcement activities planned under the new Environmental Enforcement Act, the Department will further develop laboratory science and technology to provide the pollution compliance scientific information required for enforcement actions. Additionally, business processes will be streamlined and information management improved to allow improved assessment and demonstration of environmental results. The Department will develop an investment plan for the renewal of business systems and the associated data capture and business processes, particularly in the area of case management. Targeted development and investments in supporting tools and infrastructure will also help to bolster and maintain capacity of compliance promotion, enforcement and science staff.

Benefits to Canadians

Compliance promotion and enforcement initiatives ensure that federal legislation dealing with pollution-related threats and risks to the environment are respected. For example, these laws regulate 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 human health or the environment. 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

Environment Canada’s work that contributes to this Strategic Outcome is organized into a single Program Activity:

• Mackenzie Gas Project (MGP)

Funding for this Strategic Outcome (and its associated Program Activity) beyond 2010–2011 had not been secured at the time of the 2011–2012 Report on Plans and Priorities (RPP) production. In March 2010, the proponents of the MGP informed the National Energy Board that a decision to construct the pipeline would be pushed out to late 2013 and that the in-service date would be 2018 at the earliest. To reflect the delayed status of the MGP, the Mackenzie Gas Project Office was closed in late 2010; however, the Minister for the Environment retains responsibility for the MGP.

Internal Services

Human Resources (FTEs) and Planned Spending ($ millions)
2011–2012		2012–2013		2013–2014
FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending	FTEs	Planned Spending
1,575	204.5*	1,556	198.6*	1,554	196.4*

*Please refer to the discussion of the departmental spending trend in the Expenditure Profile subsection for an explanation of the annual variation in spending displayed in this table.

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

[D]

Note:

Operating: Operating expenditures
EBP: Statutory contributions to employee benefits plans
Capital: Capital expenditures
G&Cs: Grants and Contributions expenditures

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.

Planning Highlights

During the planning period, Environment Canada plans to focus on several department-wide policy objectives. This includes plans to strengthen policy analysis and coordination capacity to support Departmental priorities and the Government of Canada’s overall environmental agenda. This would be achieved, for example, by enhancing inter-departmental coordination on climate change adaptation through the development of best practices and tools to improve how the government integrates climate considerations into its planning and decision making. Sound economic advice and support for policy development and program implementation will continue to be provided for both new policy and existing regulatory authorities, such as the development of sector-based greenhouse gas regulations.

As a science-based department, Environment Canada strives to be a leader in scientific innovation, thus contributing to a better understanding of our changing environment. Scientific knowledge has and will continue to provide the foundation upon which to develop, implement and assess policies, programs, regulations and services. As such, science management activities will focus on facilitating and strengthening the connections between scientific experts and policy-makers, particularly on government priorities such as climate change and the Arctic. In addition, a number of new web-based tools will be launched to provide timely research results to policy and decision-making communities.

In view of the importance it accords to partnerships, the Department will provide strategic advice and analysis to foster positive, long-term relationships with key constituencies, including provincial and territorial governments, Aboriginal organizations, stakeholders and citizens. For example, relationships with provincial and territorial partners will be fostered through bilateral agreements as well as through participation in the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment and other multilateral fora dealing with specific issues such as domestic and international climate change, wildlife, species at risk and ecological areas, water and environmental protection. Additionally, the recent adoption of new departmental guidelines on public participation and consultations will help build internal capacity to foster more effective collaboration with Aboriginal organizations and stakeholders.

Effective solutions to environmental problems benefit from international cooperation. The Department will collaborate closely with the United States through regulatory cooperation and participation in bilateral and multilateral institutions, as well as regional initiatives. Environment Canada will continue the implementation of environmental cooperation agreements and initiatives with a number of partners, including the United States, Mexico, the European Union, China and India. The Department will support Canada’s strategic engagement on multilateral discussions in many areas, including International Environmental Governance, the control of mercury emissions and the 2012 UN Conference on Sustainable Development in Rio. In support of Canada's Global Commerce Strategy, Environment Canada will pursue negotiations of environmental considerations within trade agreements with the European Union and India.

The Department will also address several key management objectives. This includes the strengthening of its financial management by building on the improvements started last year in our budget allocation process. An example of such an improvement is a move to provide capital budgets on a 3-year rather than the traditional 1-year basis, enabling managers to better plan, prioritize and manage multi-year projects. The government’s Accountability Agenda will be further implemented through a focus on the management priorities identified within the Management Accountability Framework (financial management and control, and the management of information technology security). Efforts will be taken to further improve the integration of program planning with both Internal Services and financial resources planning.

Improving people management and sustaining a healthy and productive workforce requires that managers have access to more effective and efficient staffing and recruitment processes. These processes enable the Department’s workforce, policies and programs to be reflective of the diverse population it serves. To make certain that both the necessary technical and leadership skills are available, Environment Canada will continue, as part of its Talent Management Strategy, to implement the Building People Management Capacity project. This initiative offers managers a variety of guides, tips, assessment tools and orientation documents, as well as a learning curriculum. It will support the newly established EC Managers’ Network, delivering strategic training and tools to over 800 members. However, given the government-wide fiscal restraint over the next few years, any future change of priorities, services and programs will have an impact on our work environment, and might therefore require the development of change management strategies and work plans for any employees affected by the change. In addition, the concept of employee engagement is a priority under Environment Canada’s Talent Management Framework. We recognize that employees who are engaged feel that they are valued by their organizations and are more likely to be involved in improving the current and future work environment. The Department has committed to increasing senior management visibility and to communicating a shared vision through Employee Engagement Strategies for all branches.

By refining and upgrading departmental information management systems and their supporting processes, the Department will increase the accuracy and availability of information for decision making and performance reporting. Key areas have been identified that will strengthen the capacity of IM/IT enabling functions to support programs, including continued commitment to strategic initiatives such as the improvement of systems, information security, data protection, efficiency and service delivery, as well as increasing the ease of data sharing and dissemination, which will be particularly relevant for scientific data.

The Department will strengthen its management of assets by focusing on key risk mitigation practices, including the implementation of a comprehensive process for life‑cycle management and associated policies and procedures to enhance and standardize assets management. The departmental Business Continuity Plan will be finalized to identify risk and ensure readiness to respond to events such as natural hazards, technical failures and human-induced threats.

Environment Canada will maintain strong and independent internal audit and evaluation functions that, along with the External Audit Advisory Committee (EAAC) and the Departmental Evaluation Committee (DEC), support the Deputy Minister in his role as Accounting Officer and in results management. Environment Canada has committed to management actions in 2011–2012 arising from 5 internal audits, 6 external audits and 12 program evaluations conducted in previous years. These commitments will contribute to

• Improving financial management and controls for delegation of financial signing authorities;
• Improving the process for life-cycle management of departmental assets, including a comprehensive count and valuation of all departmental assets;
• Improving efficiencies for the contracting process;
• Improving the national hydrometric program;
• Improving the staffing process;
• General good governance, such as effective performance measurement and financial reporting;
• Continuous improvement of the enforcement and compliance promotion strategies for the regulations that fall under Environment Canada's jurisdiction; and
• Improving horizontal and interdepartmental program management.

Follow-up on audit and evaluation recommendations are conducted on an ongoing basis to ascertain the degree to which the management actions in response to recommendations made are implemented. Progress reports on follow-ups are provided on a regular basis to the External Audit Advisory Committee (EAAC) and Departmental Evaluation Committee (DEC).

Programming in this area contributes to FSDS “Theme IV: Shrinking the Environmental Footprint – Beginning with Government.” Environment Canada is a participant in the FSDS and contributes to the Greening Government Operations (GGO) targets through the Internal Services Program Activity. The Department contributes to the following target areas of Theme IV of the FSDS:

• Green Buildings;
• Green Procurement;
• E-Waste, Managed Print, Paper Consumption and Green Meetings; and
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions.

For additional details on Environment Canada's GGO activities, please see the GGO table.

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