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Section II: Analysis of Program Activities by Strategic Outcome

Strategic Outcome

Program Activity: Environmental Assessment Development

Program Activity Description

This program develops and maintains an effective, efficient and integrated environmental assessment process at the federal level, fully considering the interactions with other environmental assessment (EA), consultative and regulatory decision-making processes in Canada, and mindful of the transboundary context. A sound environmental assessment process is vital to achieving the strategic outcome. Ensuring that environmental considerations are integrated into federal government decision making through sound environmental assessment practices supports a high quality of life for Canadians, environmental sustainability, and economic competitiveness.

Financial Resources ($ thousands)

2012-13	2013-14	2014-15
4,313	4,322	4,184

Human Resources (Full-Time Equivalent—FTE)

2012-13	2013-14	2014-15
52	52	52

The following table provides the high-level expected results of this program activity and the associated performance indicators and targets. There is one key expected result associated with project-related EA under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (the Act), and one key expected result associated with strategic environmental assessment (SEA) under the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals.

Program Activity Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets
Key issues are addressed, contributing to an improved federal environmental assessment framework consistent with the purposes of the Act.	Percentage of key issues being addressed through the development of new or amended policies, procedures, regulations or legislative proposals.	Over five years, 100% of key issues are being addressed as a result of new or amended policies, procedures, regulations or legislative proposals.
Federal departments have access to the training and information they need to implement the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals.	Percentage of course participants from federal departments indicating their satisfaction with training course content and materials.	Eighty-five percent of course participants from federal departments are satisfied with training course content and materials.

Planning Highlights

In order to achieve the expected results for this program activity, the Agency plans to undertake the following activities:

• Support the introduction and passage of new legislation to modernize the regulatory system.
• Maintain the Agency's suite of operational policy instruments to support staff at the Agency and in other departments in delivering high-quality EAs of major projects.
• Consistently implement policies and procedures to support the Agency's role of integrating Aboriginal consultation into the EAs of major projects and ensure that lessons learned are documented and applied appropriately across the country.
• Work with provincial governments to optimize the federal-provincial cooperation framework, including developing new or updating existing bilateral arrangements on environmental assessment cooperation.
• Identify and evaluate the need for new regulatory proposals to address emerging issues. Develop and bring forward proposals as appropriate.
• Track and report on the Agency's delivery of comprehensive studies in accordance with the Establishing Timelines for Comprehensive Studies Regulations.
• Continue, in collaboration with federal departments and agencies, to strengthen SEA by improving accountability and transparency and enhancing guidance and training.
• Continue the development and implementation of map-based technologies using a geographic information system to assist Agency staff in managing EAs and delivering Aboriginal consultation obligations.
• Promote and conduct research on matters of EA and encourage the development of environmental assessment techniques and practices.
• Provide training and information in support of the Agency's role in delivering comprehensive studies and integrating Aboriginal consultation in the environmental assessment process.

Program Activity: Environmental Assessment Delivery

Program Activity Description

This program comprises the Public Participation Program, the Training and Guidance Program, and the Environmental Assessment Management Program. These programs facilitate the involvement of Canadians, Aboriginal groups, project proponents, and stakeholders in environmental assessments undertaken in accordance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. The outcome is the delivery of high-quality environmental assessments of major projects, including the thorough assessment of environmental effects and meaningful public participation and Aboriginal consultation.

Financial Resources ($ thousands)

2012-13	2013-14	2014-15
17,737	17,758	17,758

Human Resources (Full-Time Equivalent—FTE)

2012-13	2013-14	2014-15
133	133	132

Program Activity Expected Results	Performance Indicators	Targets
The Agency contributes to a reduction in time to complete the EA of major resource projects.	Percentage of times the Agency meets the timeline for its activities, as established in the Major Projects Management Office Project Agreement.	The Agency meets 100% of the timelines for its activities, as established in the Major Projects Management Office Project Agreement.
A single environmental assessment report* produces the necessary information to support federal and provincial environmental assessment decisions when both jurisdictions require EAs of a project. * "Single environmental assessment report" means a submission from the proponent addressing the environmental effects of a project.	Percentage of times a single environmental assessment report produces the necessary information to support federal and provincial environmental assessment decisions.	Eighty percent of cooperative EAs result in a single report that produces the necessary information to support federal and provincial environmental assessment decisions.
Responsible authorities and proponents understand the Agency's role in implementing the major resource projects process.	Percentage of responsible authorities and proponents who agree that they understand the Agency's role in relation to the EA of projects subject to the major resource projects process.	Eighty-five percent of responsible authorities and proponents agree that they understand the Agency's role in relation to the EA of projects subject to the major resource projects process.
Interests of Aboriginal groups in relation to EAs managed by the Agency are documented and presented to support decision making.	Percentage of EAs managed by the Agency for which an Aboriginal consultation work plan is developed and implemented by the Agency.	An Aboriginal consultation work plan is developed and implemented for 100% of EAs managed by the Agency.
The Agency facilitates meaningful public participation in federal EAs by providing funding to support certain activities.	Percentage of funding recipients who agree that the funding provided by the Agency improved their ability to participate meaningfully in the environmental assessment process.	Seventy-five percent of funding recipients agree that the funding provided by the Agency improved their ability to participate meaningfully in the environmental assessment process.
The Agency delivers high-quality environmental assessment training courses that are effective in providing practical skills and knowledge.	Percentage of course participants who agree that the training given by the Agency was effective in providing practical skills and knowledge.	Eighty-five percent of course participants agree that the training given by the Agency was effective in providing practical skills and knowledge.

Planning Highlights

To achieve the expected results, the Agency plans to undertake the following activities:

• Develop tools, processes and guidance required to support implementation of new EA legislation introduced in 2012.
• Apply effective management practices in planning and delivering its statutory and policy-based responsibilities for federal EAs.
• Develop and implement service standards, procedures, and guidance to support its staff in delivering its responsibilities.
• Lead interdepartmental committees to facilitate exchange of information and best practices and develop and implement strategies to improve consistency and timeliness in federal EAs.
• Work with provinces to coordinate procedural and information requirements to the greatest extent possible.
• As Crown Consultation Coordinator for most EAs of major projects, work with federal authorities to apply a whole-of-government approach, efficiently and effectively, to consultation with Aboriginal groups potentially affected by those projects.
• Negotiate and implement an approach to the efficient and effective application of the Act in the territory covered by the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement.
• Lead the federal implementation of the environmental assessment provisions of the Nisga'a Final Agreement, which requires the consideration of project effects on the economic, social and cultural well-being of Nisga'a citizens as part of EAs that are subject to the agreement.
• Implement improvements to the delivery of the Participant Funding Program to support timely and well-informed decisions, in a consistent and transparent manner, on providing funding to the public and Aboriginal groups that are well aligned with participation and consultation plans.
• Document the environmental, social and economic benefits achieved through the application of federal EAs.

Program Activity: Internal Services

Program Activity Description

Internal Services groups related activities and resources to support the needs of programs and other corporate obligations of the Agency. This includes Management and Oversight Services, Communications Services, Legal Services, Human Resources Management Services, Financial Management Services, Information Management Services, Information Technology Services, the Access to Information and Privacy Office, Real Property Services, Materiel Management Services, Acquisition Services, and Travel and Other Administrative Services. Internal Services includes activities and resources that apply across an organization, not those provided specifically to a program.

Financial Resources ($ thousands)

2012-13	2013-14	2014-15
7,575	7,576	7,569

Human Resources (Full-Time Equivalent—FTE)

2012-13	2013-14	2014-15
56	56	56

Internal Services provides advice and expertise to senior management, supports the operating programs and activities of the Agency, and includes many administrative activities normally performed outside program areas that cannot otherwise be allocated as program support overhead.

The objective of the Agency's Internal Services is to support core program activities by providing modern, timely and responsive services that are effective and efficient.

The major elements of Internal Services are:
Finance and Administration	Corporate finance and administrative functions not directly attributable to any specific element of the two program activities
Legal Services	Legal services provided by Justice Canada
Human Resources	Human resources management services and products
Communications	Communications resources associated with providing internal and external communications services and products, including translation
Information Management and Information Technology	General information management and information technology infrastructure and services

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