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Supplementary Information Tables

Details on Transfer Payment Program

Contributions in Support of Biodiversity - Wildlife and Habitat

Start Date

June 10, 2010

End Date

Ongoing

Description

Contributions in support of Sustainable ecosystems are proposed in order to encourage and support individuals and organizations engaged in activities to manage ecosystem resources in a manner consistent with ecosystem sustainability.

Strategic Outcome(s)

Canada's natural environment is conserved and restored for present and future generations.

Results Achieved

Projects under Biodiversity - Wildlife and Habitat addressed one or more of the following priorities related to biodiversity conservation:

  1. Individuals and organizations are increasingly engaged in priority activities related to the conservation of wildlife, in particular migratory birds and species at risk.

  2. Increased Aboriginal participation in wildlife and habitat conservation. Key areas of focus in this respect include the provision of funding to the National Aboriginal Council on Species at Risk (almost $1 million annually), and to the Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk ($1.6 million annually).

  3. New knowledge and data produced by collaborating organizations contribute to the conservation of migratory birds, species at risk and their habitat. Activities undertaken by partners including monitoring of priorities species (notably migratory birds) as well as support to organizations such as the conservation data centres across the country that provide important data storage functions.

  4. Priority habitats for migratory birds and species at risk are conserved by partners through stewardship and protection. The North American Waterfowl Management Plan is a key partnership program that supports this activity. The $2 million in funding provided by the Department acts as leveraged funding that supports a much more substantive investment by federal and non-federal partners (in both Canada and the United States) in habitat conservation efforts.

  5. Threats limiting priority species at risk and migratory bird populations are mitigated or avoided by partners.

  6. Increased collaboration within Canadian and international research and policy communities related to Environment Canada's biodiversity priorities.

  7. Compliance with the requirements of the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards. Annual contributions of just over $ 250,000 are made to the Fur Institute of Canada in support of this result area.

This work has led to the participation of individuals and organizations in activities contributing to the achievement of shared and important environmental objectives in relation to biodiversity conservation in Canada.

Program Activity: 1.1 Biodiversity - Wildlife and Habitat ($ millions)
 2009-10 Actual Spending2010-11 Actual Spending2011-12 Planned Spending2011-12 Total Authorities2011-12 Actual SpendingVariances
Total Grants000000
Total Contributionsn/a15.213.612.912.90
Total Other Types of Transfer Paymentsn/a00000
Total Program Activity(ies)n/a15.213.612.912.90

* Note: Environment Canada's transfer payment programs were redesigned in 2010-2011 mid-year to align with the Department's revised 2010-2011 Program Activity Architecture (PAA). Therefore, 2010-2011 Actual Spending is not entirely comparable with 2011-2012 Actual Spending.

Please see the 2010-2011 Departmental Performance Report for expenditures related to the old class of Transfer Payment Programs.


Comments on Variance(s)

n/a

Audits Completed or Planned

n/a

Evaluations Completed or Planned

Evaluation to be completed by March 31, 2015.

Engagement of Applicants and Recipients

Environment Canada has been working closely with stakeholders involved in biodiversity conservation for many years and relationships with the recipients are well established. Environment Canada engages applicants and recipients under this program for two reasons: the applications are related to specific program elements; or single or named recipients are identified for their unique ability to achieve targeted program results.

The Department employs one or a combination of the following initiatives to provide access to the program in a clear, understandable and usable manner: publicity in news media, information provided on the departmental website, letter-writing activities, and meetings with targeted recipient communities.  Administrative requirements have been tailored to evaluated risk levels and efficiency is being addressed through simplified agreement templates.

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Contributions in Support of Sustainable Ecosystems

Start Date

June 10, 2010

End Date

Ongoing

Description

Contributions in support of sustainable ecosystems are proposed in order to encourage and support individuals and organizations engaged in activities to manage ecosystem resources in a manner consistent with ecosystem sustainability.

Strategic Outcome(s)

Canada's natural environment is conserved and restored for present and future generations.

Results Achieved

Projects under sustainable ecosystems addressed one or more of the elements of an ecosystem approach: 1) integrated planning and decision making; 2) action to improve the environment and 3) knowledge generation and assessment for decision making. EC worked with a wide range of recipients to carry out this work.

  • Several agreements (34 with associated EC spending of $2.7 million) advanced the objective of engaging government, citizens and stakeholders in the management and implementation of ecosystem-based management plans such as those for the Great Lakes (Remedial Action Plans in Areas of Concern and Lakewide Management Plans) and for the St. Lawrence (St. Lawrence Action Plan and the Areas of Prime Concern (ZIP) Program).

  • Another set of agreements (86 with associated EC spending of $4.6 million) supported projects that were directed to implementing environmental remediation, protection and conservation projects required to meet the goals and objectives identified in ecosystem-based management plans or to achieve ecosystem objectives. These were carried out across the country, often by community groups. The main programs, the Great Lakes Sustainability Fund, the St. Lawrence Plan Community Interaction Program and the Atlantic Coastal Action Program were all successful in achieving environmental benefits such as fish and wildlife habitat rehabilitation, biodiversity conservation, contaminated sediment assessment and remediation, improvements in municipal wastewater effluent quality or nearshore water quality, better understanding the impacts of climate change on coastal zones and sustainable uses of the ecosystem.

  • A few other agreements focused on the improvement of ecosystem and wildlife science or on ECosurveillance and education.

This work has led to the participation of individuals and organizations in activities contributing to the achievement of shared and important environmental objectives in key ecosystems in Canada.

Program Activity: 1.3 Sustainable ecosystems ($ millions)
 2009-10 Actual Spending2010-11 Actual Spending2011-12 Planned Spending2011-12 Total Authorities2011-12 Actual SpendingVariances
Total Grants000000
Total Contributions06.98.17.97.90.2
Total Other Types of Transfer Payments000000
Total Program Activity(ies)06.98.17.97.90.2

It is important to note that Environment Canada's transfer payment programs were redesigned in 2010-2011 mid-year to align with the Department's revised 2010-2011 Program Activity Architecture (PAA), which resulted in a new class of transfer payment programs: Biodiversity - Wildlife and Habitat; Water Resources, Sustainable ecosystems, Weather and Environmental services, Substances and Waste Management; and Climate Change and Clean Air.

Please see the 2010-2011 Departmental Performance Report for expenditures related to old class of transfer payment programs.

Comment(s) on Variance(s)

Not required

Audits Completed or Planned

n/a

Evaluations Completed or Planned

Evaluation to be completed by March 31, 2015.

Engagement of Applicants and Recipients

Environment Canada has been working closely with stakeholders in key Canadian ecosystems for many years, and relationships with recipients are good. Under this program, EC engages applicants and recipients in two ways: the applications are related to specific program elements; or single or named recipients are identified for their unique ability to achieve targeted program results.

In 2011-2012, EC employed one or a combination of the following means to provide access to the program in a clear, understandable and useable manner: information provided on the departmental website and on the Canada-Quebec website, calls, letters and meetings with targeted recipient communities. To improve effectiveness, EC administrative requirements were tailored according to risk level, and simplified agreement templates are now being used by the program.

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Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk

Start Date

August 20, 2000

End Date

Program is ongoing. In March 2012, a portion of HSP funding ($4 million), which was to sunset, was renewed.

Description

The purpose of the HSP is to contribute to the recovery of endangered and threatened species, and other species of concern, and to prevent other species from becoming a conservation concern, by engaging Canadians in conservation actions to benefit wildlife. HSP fosters partnerships among organizations interested in the recovery of species at risk and provides funding for implementing activities that protect or conserve habitats for species at risk. It enables non-governmental organizations, landowners, the private sector, Aboriginal organizations, educational institutions, community groups, and other levels of government to plan, manage and complete projects that will achieve the program goal.

Strategic Outcome(s)

Canada's natural environment is conserved and restored for present and future generations.

Results Achieved

From April 2011 to March 2012, the Habitat Stewardship Program (HSP) for Species at Risk contributed $11.5 million to 195 new projects and 13 previously approved multi-year projects, addressing terrestrial and aquatic species-at-risk issues in all provinces and territories. The HSP directed $34 million (program plus matching funds) to projects addressing both habitat conservation and threat mitigation issues. These stewardship activities benefited more than 300 Species at Risk Act (SARA) -listed or Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC)-assessed species through increased awareness of species at risk and through the development of strategies, guidelines and practices or the completion of monitoring, surveying and inventorying studies.

A total of 2,272 landowners participated in conservation activities, leading to the securement of 7,259 hectares (ha) of habitat through legally binding measures, and leading to the protection of an additional 33,263 hectares (ha) through newly established non-binding agreements, and 321,963 hectares (ha) through renewed, non-binding measures. Nearly 13,790 hectares (ha) of habitat and 590 kilometres (km) of shoreline were improved through vegetation planting, exotic species removal and other habitat improvement activities.

Overall, since its inception in 2000, HSP has contributed over $117 million to 2,050 projects, leveraging an additional $283 million in matching funds from project partners.

Program Activity: Biodiversity - Wildlife and Habitat ($ millions)
 2009-10 Actual Spending2010-11 Actual Spending2011-12 Planned Spending2011-12 Total Authorities2011-12 Actual SpendingVariances
Total Grants000000
Total Contributions12.112.011.811.511.50.3
Total Other Types of Transfer Payments000000
Total Program Activity(ies)12.112.011.811.511.50.3

Comments on Variance(s)

As a result of the evaluation done by the ADM's Committee on Species at Risk of overall SARA priorities, $175 K was reallocated to other SARA priorities during 2011-2012. Additional variance results from normal program operational slippage and the withdrawal or cancellation of some projects in the fourth quarter due to delayed approvals, so that final expenditures can vary yearly.

Audits Completed or Planned

n/a

Evaluations Completed or Planned

n/a

Engagement of Applicants and Recipients

n/a

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Grant to the Canada Foundation for Sustainable Development Technology for the NextGen Biofuels FundTM

Start Date

April 1, 2007

End Date

September 30, 2027 (the last appropriation by Parliament will be in fiscal year 2014-2015, with the last disbursement by SDTC by March 31, 2017)

Description

The $500 million NGBF is one of two funds managed by SDTC. It supports the establishment of first-of-kind large demonstration-scale facilities for the production of next-generation renewable fuels. As sponsoring departments for the federal government, Environment Canada (EC) and Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) provide federal oversight to SDTC to ensure that it complies with the two funding agreements and the founding legislation. Under the NGBF, SDTC provides grants with conditional repayment terms to eligible recipients for the establishment of facilities that involve both non-conventional technologies and non-traditional feedstocks, and that are built in Canada using representative Canadian feedstock. Selection is based on the technology's (rather than the plant's) potential for environmental and other benefits (social or EConomic).

Of the $500 million in total funding, $200 million is statutory, with the remaining $300 million being appropriated funding that is spread over 7 fiscal years, beginning in 2008-2009 and ending in 2014-2015. The funding is equally divided between EC and NRCan.

While the spending listed below captures the funds transferred from EC to the foundation, the actual planned disbursements to NGBF projects in 2012-2013 are $3.4 million (based on update in April 2012). According to the 2012 Corporate Plan, SDTC plans to allocate $500 million by the end of December 2012 and to disburse $500 million to NGBF projects between 2012 and March 31, 2017.

Strategic Outcome(s)

Threats to Canadians and their environment from pollution are minimized.

Results Achieved

Except for a contribution of $130,000 for front-end development costs to the Enerkem project, no major allocations from the NGBF were made in 2011. The NGBF has received four applications for funding and two indications of interest, which would take up the entire fund. Some 24 high-potential candidates are aligned with promising technology rollouts, while more than 100 companies are being tracked.

Program Activity: 3.2 Climate Change and Clean Air ($ millions)
 2009-10 Actual Spending2010-11 Actual Spending2011-12 Planned Spending2011-12 Total Authorities2011-12 Actual SpendingVariances
Total Grants*000000
Total Contributions0025.020.0025.0
Total Other Types of Transfer Payments000000
Total Program Activity(ies)0025.020.0025.0
*These grants are EC's portion of the payment made to SDTC based on cash flow statements received from the Foundation. Funding is divided equally between EC and NRCan. From the $25.0 million reprofiling, $5.0 million has been put forward to compensate Environment Canada for the new funding requirements as detailed in the 20011-2012 EC Supplementary Estimates (C).

Comment(s) on Variance(s)

The $25 million that was appropriated by Parliament for the NGBF in 2011-2012 was reprofiled forward to 2013-2014. In addition to this $25 million, $37.5 million for the NGBF was previously reprofiled from 2010-2011 to 2012-2013.

No payments were made to SDTC in 2011-2012. The NGBF had an opening balance of $63.7 million, as of December 31, 2010. Accordingly, SDTC had on hand the funds that it had estimated as its requirement for the period from January 1, 2011, to March 31, 2012. Actual spending by SDTC was significantly less than its estimates in cash flow statements, because the anticipated payments to projects have been delayed by the proponents (see also Up-Front Multi-Year Funding for SDTC.)

Audits Completed or Planned

There was no performance audit in fiscal year 2011-2012, except for the standard financial audit required for the financial data in the Annual Report. A value-for-money (performance) audit may be conducted by the federal government at least once every five years.

Evaluations Completed or Planned

There were no evaluations in fiscal year 2011-2012. According to the terms of the NGBF funding agreement, three interim evaluations will be performed by an independent third party selected by the Foundation (November 30, 2012, November 30, 2017, and November 30, 2022); a final evaluation is due by September 30, 2027. SDTC's preparations for the November 30, 2012, NGBF evaluation are underway. The federal government may choose to evaluate the Foundation at any time to determine whether it is meeting its objectives.

Engagement of Applicants and Recipients

The NGBF has received four applications for funding and two indications of interest, which would take up the entire fund. Some 24 high-potential candidates are aligned with promising technology rollouts, while more than 100 companies are being tracked.

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Initiatives of the Action Plan on Clean Water - Freshwater Program - Contributions

Start Date

April 1, 2008

End Date

March 31, 2013

Description

The objective of this class contribution is to enable the remediation of contaminated sediment in eight Areas of Concern (AOCs), to fully restore and remove these sites from the list of Great Lakes AOCs, and advance clean-up efforts to restore Lake Winnipeg and Lake Simcoe. Transfer payments made under the Program will be in the form of contributions to a broad range of entities to support the remediation of contaminated sediment in Great Lakes AOCs, and/or rehabilitation measures that reduce nutrient loads to Lake Winnipeg and Lake Simcoe and their tributaries, including domestic or international non-profit organizations, provincial and municipal governments, regional conservation authorities, Canadian individuals, businesses, post-secondary institutions, First Nations and Aboriginal organizations and associations.

Strategic Outcome(s)

Canada's natural environment is conserved and restored for present and future generations.

Results Achieved

Under the Lake Winnipeg Basin Stewardship Fund, in 2011-2012, nine new projects were funded in support of wetlands restoration, riparian enhancements, livestock beneficial management practices, and research into phosphorus recovery from wastewater sludge and the effective use of riparian zones. Funding for a sensitive habitat inventory and mapping of foreshore areas culminated in the development of recommended shoreline management guidelines in the southern basin of Lake Winnipeg.

Throughout the program period, $2.4 million was allocated in Grants and Contributions (G&C) funding to 41 projects across Manitoba, Saskatchewan and northwest Ontario. Projects were supported by 272 partners investing $5.8 million in cash and in-kind contributions. Results achieved include 6,492 kilogram/year in phosphorus reduction, 31 kilometres (km) of exclusion fencing installed to restrict waterway access for 7,000 livestock, 548 hectares (ha) of wetlands created or restored, and 38 kilometres (km) of stream/lake bank stabilized.

Budget 2012 announced a five-year renewal of the Lake Winnipeg Basin Initiative.

Under the Lake Simcoe Clean-up Fund, in 2011-2012 projects were managed through contribution agreements totalling $6.4 million. This is part of an overall investment of $30 million over five years, announced in February 2008 to restore Lake Simcoe. In total, over the 2007-2012 program period, $22.87 million was allocated in G&C funding to 47 different recipients through 158 successful projects supported by 195 different partners, leveraging $28.5 million, which included $6 million in cash and in-kind investments from individual property owners. There were 91 habitat and non-point source improvement projects, which were funded to support the implementation of over 350 agricultural and urban best management practices, which included third-party agreements completing over 600 additional restoration projects. Initial estimates of the total phosphorus reduction achieved are 2.2 tonnes/year.

Budget 2012 announced renewal of the Lake Simcoe program.

The Great Lakes Contaminated Sediment Implementation Program funds the implementation of sediment remediation in eight Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOCs). Sediment management plans have been implemented in three AOCs (Bay of Quinte, Niagara River and Detroit River). As well, plans have been completed for two AOCs (Hamilton Harbour and Peninsula Harbour), and sediment management studies are underway in three AOCs (Thunder Bay, St. Marys River and St. Clair River). Work is continuing in each of these AOCs.

Program Activity: Sustainable ecosystems ($ millions)
 2009-10 Actual Spending2010-11 Actual Spending2011-12 Planned Spending2011-12 Total Authorities2011-12 Actual SpendingVariances
Total Grants000000
Total Contributions6.68.07.57.47.4.1
Total Other Types of Transfer Payments000000
Total Program Activity(ies)6.68.07.57.47.4.1

Comments on Variance(s)

Funding for projects carried out in Lake Simcoe was slightly lower than anticipated in 2011-2012. Recipients were unable to fully utilize all funds that were approved for their projects for a range of operational reasons and the final amounts were reduced during the negotiation of agreements, or when submitting the final invoices, or when projects were cancelled.

Audits Completed or Planned

None are planned at this time.

Evaluations Completed or Planned

An evaluation of Freshwater Initiatives (Action Plan on Clean Water-Lake Simcoe, Lake Winnipeg, Great Lakes Contaminated Sediment Remediation) was completed in November 2011, as per the Program Evaluation Plan developed by Environment Canada's Audit and Evaluation Branch. Evaluation results indicate achievement of immediate outcomes, progress being made towards intermediate outcomes, demonstrated program efficiency and EConomy, and continued program relevancy.

Engagement of Applicants and Recipients

Lake Winnipeg Stewardship Fund

Throughout the program period, potential applicants from an identified stakeholders list were invited to submit letters of intent and proposals for funding consideration, in addition to engagement through the Lake Winnipeg Basin Stewardship Fund Web page. Meetings were held with requesting organizations to discuss potential proposals and identify deficiencies in project scope and information. Additional outreach to stakeholders and recipients was conducted through participation in stakeholder conferences and forums, notably the Manitoba Conservation Districts Association and the Red River Basin Commission annual conferences. Ongoing engagement of funding recipients was achieved through project site visits and project updates and reporting.

Lake Simcoe Clean-up Fund

The Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund engaged 47 different recipients and an additional 195 different partners in 160 projects in the Lake Simcoe basin.

Great Lakes Contaminated Sediment Remediation Program

Funding recipients are targeted based on their demonstrated ability to deliver activities that achieve the program's objectives. Discussions are held with program applicants to ensure that project proposals align with priority deliverables to implement sediment management options in the eight Great Lakes Areas of Concern. Ongoing engagement of funding recipients is achieved through project site visits and project updates and reporting.

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