Departmental Performance Report (2012-2013) - Supplementary Tables

Horizontal Initiatives

• Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan
• Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem Initiative
• Canadian Group on Earth Observations

Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP)

Name of horizontal initiative: The Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP), approved March 2005 (followed from the two-year Federal Contaminated Sites Accelerated Action Plan (FCSAAP)

Name of lead departments: Environment Canada (EC) and Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat (TBS)

Lead departments program: Substances and Waste Management (EC); Financial Management (TBS)

Start date: FCSAP was approved in 2005, with funding of $3.5 billion over 15 years. The first phase of the program ended March 31, 2011. The second phase of the program will run through to March 31, 2016.

End date: FCSAP is expected to continue for 15 years (from 2005) to March 31, 2020. However, the current policy approval for Phase II ends March 31, 2016.

Total federal funding allocation (from start date to end date): $2,737.5 million (including Public Works and Government Services Canada accommodations charges) to March 31, 2016

Description of the horizontal initiative (including funding agreement): The Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP) provides a long-term mechanism to address federal contaminated sites posing the highest human health and ecological risks. Although responsibility for the actual management and remediation of federal contaminated sites rests with responsible custodial departments, the overall program is administered jointly by Environment Canada and the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.

Shared outcome: Reduce federal financial liability and risks to human health and the environment, including fish habitat. Increase public confidence in the overall management of federal real property through the effective risk management or remediation of individual federal contaminated sites.

Governance structures: The Federal Contaminated Sites Assistant Deputy Ministers Steering Committee is supported by a Director Generals Committee, the Contaminated Sites Management Working Group (CSMWG) and the FCSAP Secretariat (Environment Canada), which provides overall program coordination.

Performance highlights: In 2012–2013, assessment activities were undertaken at 491 sites, and assessment was completed at 268 of these sites. Remediation activities were undertaken at 350 sites and completed at 36 of these sites.

In its role of managing the FCSAP program, Environment Canada continued to provide program oversight and administration (including reviewing site submissions for eligibility, maintaining the priority list of eligible sites, and tracking program expenditures at mid-year and year-end). Environment Canada also led the FCSAP program evaluation, implemented a performance measurement framework for FCSAP, and continued the development of a new information management strategy for the program. Several key program tools, as well as guidance and training, were developed, including a site closure reporting tool and associated training.

Planned Spending and Actual Spending in 2012–2013

Comments on variances:

In 2012–2013 the FCSAP federal partners spent 54% ($211.1 million) of the available funding; reprofiled, carried forward, or cash-managed 43% ($168.9 million) to future years; and lapsed 3% ($11.8 million). Note that the amount of available funding was $391.9 million while the amount of planned spending was $370.0 million. This difference is due to the fact that the approval of funding transferred forward from 2011–2012 to 2012–2013 occurred after the planned spending amount was calculated in the Report on Plans and Priorities.

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada – Southern Program: The amount of $50 thousand in funding was internally cash-managed from 2011–2012 to 2012–2013 and $6.5 million in funding was received from AANDC– Northern Program and DND. The amount of $5.0 million in funding was carried forward from 2012–2013 to 2013–2014.

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada – Northern Program: The amount of $11.1 million in funding was reprofiled from 2011–2012 to 2012–2013 and $5.7 million in funding was transferred to AANDC– Southern Program. The amount of $30.0 million in funding was reprofiled from 2012–2013 to 2014–2015 and $4.9 million of funding was lapsed in 2012–2013.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada: The amount of $261 thousand in funding was internally cash-managed from 2012–2013 to 2013–2014.

Correctional Service Canada: The amount of $626 thousand in funding was internally cash-managed from 2011–2012 to 2012–2013. The amount of $513 thousand of funding was internally cash-managed from 2012–2013 to 2013–2014.

Environment Canada – Custodian: The amount of $943 thousand in funding was lapsed in 2012–2013, of which $590 thousand will be reinvested in FCSAP activities in 2013–2014.

Environment Canada – Expert Support and Secretariat: The amount of $332 thousand in funding was lapsed in 2012–2013 due to delays in staffing some vacant positions, reduced travel, and delays in contracts for some projects.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Custodian: The amount of $498 thousand in funding was carried forward from 2012–2013 to 2013–2014 and $14 thousand in funding was lapsed in 2012–2013.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada – Expert Support:The amount of $145 thousand in funding was lapsed in 2012–2013. Variance is explained by Work Force Adjustment (WFA) and internal program reorganization.

Health Canada – Expert Support: The $466-thousand variance is due to finding cost savings and efficiencies in the program.

Industry Canada: No variance.

The Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated: The amount of $1.1 million in funding was carried forward from 2011–2012 to 2012–2013. The amount of $14.1 million in funding was reprofiled from 2012–2013 to 2013–2014.

National Capital Commission: The amount of $1.7 million in funding was internally cash-managed from 2011–2012 to 2012–2013. The amount of $7.7 million in funding was reprofiled from 2012–2013 to 2013–2014, $2.0 million in funding was internally cash-managed from 2012–2013 to 2013–2014, and $3.8 million in funding was lapsed in 2012–2013.

National Defence: The amount of $760 thousand in funding was transferred to AANDC– Southern Program. The amount of $29.2 million in funding was internally cash-managed from 2012–2013 to 2013–2014 and $1.2 million in funding was lapsed in 2012–2013.

National Research Council Canada: No variance.

Natural Resources Canada: No variance.

Parks Canada: The amount of $1.5 million in funding was carried forward from 2011–2012 to 2012–2013. The amount of $5.2 million in funding was carried forward from 2012–2013 to 2013–2014.

Public Works and Government Services Canada – Custodian: The amount of $4.1 million in funding was reprofiled from 2011–2012 to 2013–2014. The amount of $48.0 million in funding was reprofiled from 2012–2013 to future fiscal years and $898 in funding was lapsed in 2012–2013.

Public Works and Government Services Canada – Expert Support: The amount of $14 thousand in Expert Support funds were lapsed in 2012–2013 due to incorrect identification of expenditures within PWGSC’s financial system.

Royal Canadian Mounted Police: The amount of $72 thousand in funding was carried forward from 2011–2012 to 2012–2013. The amount of $495 thousand in funding was carried forward from 2012–2013 to 2013–2014. For remediation projects, approximately $96 thousand of the variance is due to 6 projects that came in under budget and approximately $266 thousand of the variance is due to changes in work planned, as planned activities did not move forward due to FCSAP eligibility issues. For assessment projects, approximately $18 thousand was not spent as projects came in under budget.

Transport Canada: The amount of $5.7 million in funding was carried from 2011–2012 to 2012–2013. The amount of $21.9 million in funding was reprofiled from 2012–2013 to future years. Several FCSAP projects planned for 2012–2013 have been moved to future years. For example, the bulk of remediation work associated with the Rock Bay project was initially expected to take place in 2012–2013 and 2013–2014, but is now scheduled for 2014–2015 and 2015–2016.

Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat: The amount of $5,365 in funding was lapsed in 2012–2013.

Results achieved by non-federal partners (if applicable): N/A

Contact information:
FCSAPSecretariat
Compliance Promotion and Contaminated Sites Division
17th floor, Place Vincent Massey
351 St. Joseph Blvd., Gatineau QC K1A 0H3
FCSAP.PASCF@ec.gc.ca

Top of Section

Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem Initiative (GLBEI)

Name of horizontal initiative: Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem Initiative (GLBEI)

Name of lead department: Environment Canada

Lead department PAA Program: Delivery of the Canada–Ontario Agreement (COA) Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem

Start dates:
April 1, 2012 – Great Lakes Nutrient Initiative (GLNI)
April 1, 2010 – Great Lakes Action Plan for Areas of Concern - Phase V
(Note: Great Lakes Action Plan V (GLAPV) resources were resources envelope (A-Based) as of Budget 2010)
April 1, 2008 – Clean Water Action Plan (CWAP) – Great Lakes sediment remediation implementation

End dates:
March 31, 2022 – CWAP – Great Lakes sediment remediation implementation
March 31, 2016 – GLNI (Resources)

Total federal funding allocation (from start date to end date):
$16 million for GLNI, plus resources envelope A-Base resources; plus $40 million for GLAPV (2005–2010); plus $48.9 million for CWAP – Great Lakes sediment remediation implementation.

Description of the horizontal initiative (including funding agreement):

The Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem Initiative (GLBEI) is Environment Canada’s mechanism for coordinating efforts to restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the Great Lakes basin ecosystem, and ensure delivery of federal commitments as expressed in the Canada–United States Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA). Environment Canada (EC) uses the Canada–Ontario Agreement (COA) Respecting the Great Lakes to engage other federal departments and Ontario in delivering Canada’s GLWQAcommitments.

Environment Canada’s Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem Initiative (GLBEI) reflects Budget 2007 funding of $48.9 million over 8 years (subsequently spread over 14 years) from the Clean Water Action Plan to implement remediation plans for contaminated sediment in 8 Canadian Areas of Concern (AOCs) in the Great Lakes. As well, Budget 2010 investments targeted continuing the work under the Great Lakes Action Plan V to improve the ecological integrity of the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem. Every year, $8 million is allocated under GLAPV to continue the environmental restoration of key aquatic Great Lakes AOCs. Additionally, in 2012, the Government of Canada committed $16 million over 4 years to the GLNI to determine phosphorus targets and take action to reduce levels that contribute to harmful algae in the Great Lakes. Federal departments also use resources envelope (A-Base) funding to support their efforts towards achieving COA results.

Shared outcomes: The GLWQA establishes broad, long-term objectives for Canada and the United States in restoring and protecting the Great Lakes. The COA provides a short-term 5-year plan for achieving Canada’s GLWQA commitments. Through the COA, federal and provincial agencies are guided by a shared vision of a healthy, prosperous and sustainable Great Lakes region for present and future generations. The COA also establishes a common purpose and shared goals, results and commitment in 4 priority areas: the restoration of AOCs; the reduction of harmful pollutants; the achievement of lake and basin sustainability; and coordination of monitoring, research and information.

Governance structures: Eight federal departments engaged in delivering GLBEI results under the COA: Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Parks Canada, Transport Canada, Infrastructure Canada and Health Canada.

The COAManagement Committee is the senior federal-provincial management body responsible for setting priorities, establishing strategies to ensure delivery of the COA, and developing common positions and joint action plans for representing Canadian interests and engaging in cooperative initiatives with the United States agencies and the International Joint Commission.

Planning, prioritization and allocation of GLAPV monies is managed through the Director General’s office – Ontario Region, Environment Canada, with the advice of the GLAPV Workplan Review Team. Members of the GLAPVWorkplan Review Team consist of representatives from Environment Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada receiving GLAPV funds. The GLAPV Workplan Review Team reviews proposed projects and activities, and develops and regularly updates a coordinated federal workplan based on priorities required to support GLAPV implementation.

Management of the funding for the implementation of the CWAP’s Great Lakes sediment remediation is also assured by the Director General’s office – Ontario Region, Environment Canada, with the development, implementation and monitoring of project plans specific to this work in each of the eight Canadian Great Lakes Areas of Concern.

GLNIfunding is managed by the Director General’s office – Ontario Region, Environment Canada, through a GLNI workplan. The workplan is developed by Environment Canada directorates receiving GLNI funds: the Regional Director General, Ontario Region Directorate and the Water Science and Technology Directorate. The workplan sets out projects and activities that are regularly reviewed and updated.

Performance highlights:

*During the RPP 2012–2013 period, the Government of Canada was in negotiations with the Government of the United States to amend the Canada–United States Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (2012 GLWQA). As well, the 2007–2010 Canada–Ontario Agreement (COA) Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem was extended by 15 months, and expired on June 24, 2012. Negotiations are taking place between Canada and Ontario for a new COA to implement the 2012 GLWQA.

Results Achieved in 2012–2013: 

Specific Results by Department:

Environment Canada:

Work continued to achieve progress in the restoration of Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOCs):

• The Peninsula Harbour Remedial Action Plan Stage 2 report was completed, marking the completion of all Canadian Stage 2 reports. The report identified the goals and actions needed to restore environmental conditions and to enable delisting of the Peninsula Harbour AOC, including implementation of the sediment management plan.
• All restoration actions identified in the St. Lawrence River (Cornwall) AOC were completed. The Stage 3 report, describing the results of monitoring and the restoration of beneficial uses was circulated to federal, provincial and state agencies for comment. A decision on whether to delist the AOC, or designate it as an Area in Recovery is expected in 2013–2014.
• The St. Clair River AOCRevised Delisting Canadian Criteria, 2010 report was completed. The report sets out the environmental targets to be met that will signal restoration of the AOC.
• An evaluation was completed of two beneficial use impairments for The Toronto and Region AOCRemedial Action Plan: restrictions on dredging and degradation of benthos, with the resulting recommendation that these beneficial uses be considered “not impaired.” Reports on these findings and recommendations are expected to be released in 2013–2014 for public review and comment.

Environment Canada’s efforts to assess and manage the risks posed by commercial chemicals under Canada’s Chemicals Management Plan (CMP) supported continued work to reduce the release of harmful substances to the Great Lakes:

• A review was done to assess the current state of spill management in the Great Lakes. Past spill incidents were reviewed, interviews were conducted to collect information on the current federal and provincial spill management programs and a workshop was held. The outcome was the collective identification of best practices and a commitment to strengthen federal-provincial spill prevention, preparedness, response and recovery.

Work continued to achieve a better understanding of, and to report on, the Great Lakes Ecosystem status and trends. Environment Canada worked collaboratively with universities and other government and non-governmental agencies on many projects, with the following results:

• The annual reports for the Lakewide Action and Management Plan2012 were published for each of the Great Lakes and are available at this website.
• Work began on the development of an integrated nearshore framework with the initiation of a review of existing coastal zone management, determination of engagement and consultation needs, the development of a project charter and consideration of development of a habitat classification framework.
• In Lake Superior, the Zero Discharge Demonstration Program chemical milestones report was finalized, an assessment of biodiversity conservation was begun, climate change adaptation actions were identified, and work continued on aquatic invasive species prevention.

Work continued to determine phosphorus targets and to take action to reduce levels that contribute to harmful algae in the Great Lakes:

• Work began on improving our understanding and management of recurrent toxic and nuisance algae blooms in the Great Lakes. Seven Lake Erie science cruises took place and automated sampling equipment was deployed in watersheds to collect water, plant and mussel samples. This will improve our understanding of factors contributing to algae production and of the impacts of toxic and nuisance algae on water quality and ecosystem health.
• Reviews were also undertaken of best management practices for urban and agricultural areas to manage phosphorus.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Work continued to protect fisheries by protecting fish habitat; to conduct science to support fish habitat protection; to control the established invasive Sea Lampreys to reduce their effects on fisheries and the ecosystem; to protect the Great Lakes from the invasion of Asian carp; and to prevent invasions by other new species. Accordingly, Fisheries and Oceans Canada

• Delivered fish habitat protection on the Great Lakes as prescribed in the Fisheries Act.
• Provided monitoring and science to support delisting AOCs, including the Bay of Quinte, Toronto Harbour, Hamilton Harbour, Detroit River, and St. Clair River. The results included
  • indices of biotic integrity and habitat productivity for nearshore fish populations;
  • fish habitat classification and supply models to measure the success of habitat restorations;
  • long-term assessments of lower-trophic levels and food web status; and
  • ecosystem models for evaluating cumulative effects.
• Delivered an integrated program for Sea Lamprey management in the Great Lakes in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, under the direction of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. The results included successful lampricide treatments in tributaries and connection channels in lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron and Superior to suppress invasive Sea Lampreys and to protect and restore native fishes. DFO achieved suppression targets for abundances of adult Sea Lampreys in Lake Ontario, made progress toward targets in lakes Superior and Erie, and saw an increase in abundance in Lake Huron. DFO continued research and development of new alternative Sea Lamprey control methods, including field trials of Sea Lamprey pheromones.
• Building on the binational risk assessment of Asian carp, DFO initiated a new science and management program to prevent establishment of Asian carp in the Canadian waters of the Great Lakes in close collaboration with United States agencies.
• Delivered science to monitor the success of ballast water management efforts and to explore new technologies to further reduce the risk of invasion through this vector, and monitored for aquatic invasive species in AOCs and in connecting channels in the Great Lakes.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Work continued to improve beneficial agriculture management practices with involvement of the Great Lakes farming community in numerous projects:

• Canada–Ontario Environmental Farm Plan and environmental cost-shared programs for farmers: under an agreement with Ontario, 805 environmental farm plans were reviewed and deemed eligible for potential cost-shared funding under the Canada–Ontario Farm Stewardship Program in 2012–2013. Additionally, 1,095 projects that implement agriculturally beneficial management practices were funded under the cost-shared program for farmers, with federal expenditures of $4,871,986 in 2012–2013. The Growing Forward 2 bilateral agreement, which funded the Environmental Farm Plan and the cost-shared program for farmers, ended on March 31, 2013.

Natural Resources Canada

Work continued towards the achievement of sustainable development of Canada’s energy, forestry and mineral metals resources within the Great Lakes Basin. Results included

• Assessment of new configurations for riparian (shoreline) forest harvesting under the emulation of a natural disturbance management paradigm.
• Assessment of risks to aquatic and wetland habitats and biodiversity from an invasive forest insect pest (Emerald Ash Borer).
• Assessment of environmental fate and effects of systemic forest insecticides in riparian and aquatic ecosystems.
• Assessment of the role of forests in the recovery and reclamation of watersheds and aquatic ecosystems from mining disturbances.

Parks Canada

Delivers the national parks and National Marine Conservation Areas (NMCA) programs and works to develop and maintain a viable protected areas network in the Great Lakes Basin that is relevant to Canadians. Accordingly, Parks Canada

• Finalized and implemented the Lake Superior NMCA Interim Management Plan.
• Supported Fisheries and Oceans Canada in aquatic invasive species management in waterways.
• Completed the legal boundary survey for the Lake Superior NMCA.
• Continued research on aquatic invasive plant control in the Trent–Severn Waterway.

Transport Canada

Work continued to ensure compliance with CanadaShipping Act, 2001 regulations related to the ecosystem health of the Great Lakes. Transport Canada (TC) undertook a wide variety of inspection, monitoring and training programs, including projects that involved

• Implementing and enforcing the pollution prevention Conventions of the International Maritime Organization, as outlined in the domestic regulations under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001.
• Inspecting 100% of the ballast tanks of vessels entering the Great Lakes from outside Canada’s Exclusive Economic Zone in accordance with the Ballast Water Management and Control Regulations to prevent the discharge of aquatic invasive species in the ballast water of ships entering the Great Lakes. This inspection was done under the Great Lakes Seaway Joint Ballast Water enforcement program.
• Conducting research and shipboard trials of exchange plus treatment as a method to enhance the protection of the Great Lakes from ships ballast water discharge. Research and development was carried out in conjunction with Fisheries and Oceans Canada Science.

Infrastructure Canada

Work continued toward providing funding to eligible infrastructure projects in support of federal objectives such as a cleaner environment, including improved wastewater treatment.

• Since 2007, the Government of Canada has announced over $505 million for wastewater infrastructure in the Great Lakes watershed, through the Building Canada Fund, the Green Infrastructure Fund, and the Infrastructure Stimulus Fund. Of this amount, approximately $386 million in federal funding has been committed toward treatment projects that result in improved municipal wastewater effluent.
• In October 2012, the Government of Canada announced it would set aside up to one third of the total eligible costs of a wastewater treatment project in Niagara-on-the-Lake, up to a maximum contribution of $14.4 million. This project has been identified as a priority for funding under the Building Canada Fund - Major Infrastructure Component.
• In 2012–2013, Infrastructure Canada continued to focus on moving a number of large-scale projects towards implementation. Including the project recently announced in Niagara-on-the-Lake, this represents a total of nearly $263 million through the Building Canada Fund – Major Infrastructure Component and the Green Infrastructure Fund, in support of 9 major infrastructure projects located in communities near the Great Lakes. Among these initiatives, approximately $178 million is supporting major projects to improve the quality of municipal wastewater effluent in the following AOCs: the St. Lawrence River, Hamilton Harbour and Nipigon Bay.

Health Canada

Work continued to enhance environmental health knowledge within the Great Lakes Basin, so that the knowledge gained can be integrated into policies to address risks to human health by all levels of government.

• Three webinars were held: October (Harmful Algal Blooms), December (Water Fluoridation), and February (GLWQA and Ontario Great Lakes Strategy)
• The Great Lakes Public Health Network (GLPHN) Steering Committee met to prioritize topics, governance, mechanism improvements, and to approve the 2012–2013 path forward.
• Ten e-newsletters were sent to the 260 members of the GLPHN.

Comments on variances (if applicable):

ENVIRONMENT CANADA: Dedicated Great Lakes funding (GLAPV) is received only by Environment Canada and Fisheries and Ocean Canada, which also each contribute departmental resources envelope (A-Base) funding towards achieving results under the COA. All other partners (federal and provincial) to the COA achieve COA results via departmental funding.

PARKS CANADA: Figures for planned and actual spending are not available as Parks Canada financial coding systems are not designed to separate out Great Lakes-specific activities.

HEALTH CANADA: Health Canada supports work for the GLBEI through the joint Environment Canada/Health Canada Chemicals Management Plan. Specific resource figures are not available as this spending is not tracked separately in Health Canada's financial system.

INFRASTRUCTURE CANADA: Federal infrastructure funding programs do not include an allocation specific to COA. Which projects are to be funded may be determined through a competitive, merit-based process, or through joint federal-provincial discussions. Alternatively, the Minister of Transport may accept an annual capital plan describing these projects.

Results achieved by non-federal partners (if applicable):

Contact information:
Jennifer McKay
Great Lakes Environment Office
Environment Canada
416-739-5712

Appendix – Canada-Ontario Agreement (COA) Results Statements

PRIORITY 1 – AREAS OF CONCERN (AOC)

Result 1.1 – Reduce microbial and other contaminants and excessive nutrients from industrial or municipal wastewater to achieve delisting targets in Nipigon Bay and St. Lawrence River (Cornwall) AOCs.

Result 1.2 – Reduce microbial and other contaminants and excessive nutrients from rural non-point sources to meet delisting criteria in the St. Lawrence River (Cornwall) AOC.

Result 1.3 – Contaminated sediment management strategies developed for the Wheatley Harbour AOC and implemented in the St. Lawrence River (Cornwall) AOC.

Result 1.4 – Plans in place and being implemented to rehabilitate fish and wildlife habitats and populations to meet delisting targets in the Wheatley Harbour and St. Lawrence River (Cornwall) AOCs.

Result 1.5 – Informed, effective collaboration amongst government, communities and individuals to prioritize and complete actions required for delisting and confirming environmental recovery in Nipigon Bay, Jackfish Bay, Wheatley Harbour and St. Lawrence River (Cornwall) AOCs.

Result 1.6 – Environmental monitoring and reporting to document improvements and track environmental recovery.

Result 2.1 – Reduce microbial and other contaminants and excessive nutrients from municipal sewage treatment plants, combined sewer overflows, urban stormwater and industrial wastewater towards delisting targets in St. Marys River, St. Clair River, Detroit River, Niagara River, Hamilton Harbour, Toronto and Region, and Bay of Quinte AOCs.

Result 2.2 – Reduce microbial and other contaminants and excessive nutrients from rural non-point sources towards achieving RAP delisting criteria in St. Clair River, Detroit River, Niagara River, Hamilton Harbour, and Toronto and Region AOCs.

Result 2.3 – Progress made in developing sediment management strategies to reduce ecological and human health risk from contaminated sediments in Thunder Bay, Peninsula Harbour, St. Marys River, St. Clair River, Detroit River, Niagara River, Hamilton Harbour, Port Hope and Bay of Quinte AOCs.

Result 2.4 – Long-term management plans being developed and priority actions for delisting being implemented for rehabilitation and protection of fish and wildlife habitats and populations in St. Marys River, St. Clair River, Detroit River, Niagara River, Hamilton Harbour, Toronto and Region, and Bay of Quinte AOCs.

Result 2.5 – Informed, effective collaboration amongst government, communities and individuals to prioritize and complete actions required for delisting and confirming environmental recovery in AOCs.

Result 2.6 – Identify monitoring needs, undertake required studies and evaluate results to assess environmental recovery and support remediation strategies in AOCs.

PRIORITY 2 – HARMFUL POLLUTANTS

Result 1.1 – Reduction in releases of Tier 1 substances beyond the 2005 achievements towards the goal of virtual elimination.

Result 2.1 – Reduction in releases of criteria air pollutants.

Result 2.2 – Coordinated activities to reduce releases from municipal wastewater.

Result 2.3 – Develop and initiate a program for the sound management of chemical substances in the Great Lakes Basin.

Result 3.1 – Improved understanding of the sources, fate and impacts of harmful pollutants in the Great Lakes Basin.

Result 3.2 – Human health risks from harmful pollutants are understood and addressed in the Great Lakes Basin.

PRIORITY 3 – LAKE AND BASIN SUSTAINABILITY

Result 1.1 – Increased awareness and appreciation of the Great Lakes and their contributions to social, economic and environmental well-being.

Result 1.2 – Increased stewardship actions that work towards a balance between human well-being and prosperity, and healthy aquatic ecosystems.

Result 1.3 – Sustainable use of land, water and other natural resources to provide benefits from the Great Lakes now and in the future.

Result 1.4 – Enhanced knowledge about beneficial and harmful impacts of human activities on Great Lakes aquatic ecosystems and resources.

Result 2.1 – Reduce microbial and other contaminants and excessive nutrients from industrial and municipal wastewater, combined sewer overflows and urban stormwater sources consistent with actions specified in binational Lakewide Management Plans (LaMPs) and binational lake action plans.

Result 2.2 – Reduce microbial and other contaminants and excessive nutrients from rural sources by undertaking actions specified in the binational Lakewide Management Plans and binational lake action plans.

Result 2.3 – Identification of contaminated sediment and development of sediment management plans to reduce the release and impact of sediment-bound contaminants on the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem.

Result 2.4 – Enhanced knowledge about beneficial and harmful impacts of human activities on Great Lakes water quality.

Result 3.1 - Great Lakes aquatic ecosystems and habitats are protected, restored and sustained consistent with binational Great Lakes planning.

Result 3.2 – Progress on rehabilitation of Great Lakes native species to restore the health of aquatic ecosystems, consistent with binational Great Lakes planning.

Result 3.3 – Enhanced knowledge about beneficial and harmful impacts of human activities on Great Lakes aquatic ecosystems, habitats and species.

Result 4.1 – Implementation of the “National Action Plan to Address the Threat of Aquatic Invasive Species” in the Great Lakes.

Result 4.2 - Enhanced knowledge about the harmful impacts of aquatic invasive species on Great Lakes aquatic ecosystems, food webs and species.

Result 5.1 – The impacts of climate change on the Great Lakes ecosystem composition, structure, and function, including biodiversity (organisms and their habitat), water quality and quantity, human health and safety (including access to clean drinking water), social well-being and economic prosperity are understood by governments and the Great Lakes community.

Result 6.1 – The potential risks to Great Lakes drinking water intakes are identified and assessed, and early actions to address risks are undertaken.

Result 6.2 – Develop knowledge and understanding of water quality and quantity issues of concern to the Great Lakes as drinking water sources.

PRIORITY 4 – COORDINATION OF MONITORING, RESEARCH AND INFORMATION

Result 1.1 – Responsive and comprehensive monitoring and research programs.

Result 2.1 – Improved reporting on environmental conditions, changes and progress.

Result 2.2 – Increased sharing of data and information among governments, organizations and Basin residents.

Top of Section

Canadian Group on Earth Observations (GEO)

Name of horizontal initiative: The Canadian Group on Earth Observations. This group is a collection of federal departments participating in the international Group on Earth Observations (GEO).^Footnote 1

Name of lead department: Environment Canada (EC) is the lead department by virtue of the identification of the Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) of the Meteorological Service of Canada as the GEOPrincipal.

Lead department program: Weather and environmental services for Canadians

Start date: July 2003

End date: Ongoing

Total federal funding allocation (from start date to end date): Provided through the existing resource envelope and in-kind contributions from federal departments

Description of the horizontal initiative (including funding agreement): The GEO is implementing the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), which seeks to create free and open access to Earth observations for decision- and policy-makers in all countries. In so doing, users such as Environment Canada and other participating departments will be better able to more accurately predict the future state of planet Earth and better warn citizens of the onset of hazardous conditions. See the GEO website for more details.

Shared outcomes:

• Enhancing access to Global Earth Observation data and science to meet Canadian environmental and socio-economic monitoring requirements.
• Maximizing the effectiveness of Canadian investments in Earth Observation networks, both domestic and international.
• Improving evidence-based decision making in operational and policy domains based on coordinated, comprehensive and sustainable Earth observations.

Governance structures: Coordination is achieved through the ADM-level Federal Committee on Geomatics and Earth Observations (FCGEO); a Director-General-level shadow committee; and ad hoc working-level committees and task groups.

Performance highlights:

Environment Canada and Other Government Departments:

Canada collaborates with the United States Group on Earth Observations (USGEO) on joint projects, such as the binational group for the Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS), which is working to improve monitoring and data sharing in the Great Lakes Basin. At the November 2012 GEO Plenary in Brazil, the international community reaffirmed member countries’ commitment to the GEOSS. During 2012–2013, Canada participated as a member of the GEOExecutive Committee, as part of its two-year term representing the GEO Americas Caucus. During 2012–2013, Canada (Natural Resources Canada, the Canadian Space Agency, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) actively contributed to global efforts in forest carbon tracking through the Global Forest Observations Initiative (GFOI), and in the G20 GEO Global Agricultural Monitoring initiative (GEOGLAM), in response to the G20 market transparency action plan. In addition, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) led the GEO Joint Experiment for Crop Assessment and Monitoring (JECAM) and was supported by the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). AAFC also has the responsibility of Canadian lead in the North American Drought Monitor, a trilateral operational monitoring effort involving Canada, the United States and Mexico; this monitoring is an element of the EC-NOAA bilateral agreement. The CSA assumed the chairmanship of the Committee on Earth Observations Satellites (CEOS) in 2012, which acts as the “space arm” of GEO. Fisheries and Ocean Canada is contributing to GEO Blue Planet efforts to coordinate the collection and dissemination of marine observations (with a goal of observations in real-time).

Canada also plays a key role in the GEO Monitoring and Evaluation activities: EC provided a co-chair for the working group, and National Defence served as a co-chair of the evaluation team performing the fourth evaluation of GEO results, which focused on the progress made in the Disasters, Health and Energy strategic targets.

Interdepartmental international activities related to GEO, geomatics and related domains are being better coordinated through the efforts of the Federal Committee on Geomatics and Earth Observations (FCGEO). Co-chaired by AAFC and Natural Resources Canada, this ADM-level committee, which was formed in 2012, is focused on ensuring coherent Canadian positions and representation at related international fora, as well as establishing a federal geospatial platform to increase the interoperability, availability and usefulness of geospatial data for decision and policy makers.

Comments on variances (if applicable): In general, Environment Canada expenditures in terms of Salary and O&M for GEOwere reduced as a result of limited capacity being redirected to other priorities and efforts to reduce travel. In terms of grants and contributions, in the past, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada made a contribution of $50,000 to GEO, which the department stopped doing a couple of years ago.

Results achieved by non-federal partners: Not applicable

Contact information:

Michael Crowe
Director, Strategic Integration Division
Meteorological Service of Canada
Environment Canada
351 Saint-Joseph Blvd.
Gatineau QC K1A 0H3

Top of Section