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2017-18 Departmental Plan

Planned results: what we want to achieve this year and beyond

Programs

Program 1.1: Biodiversity - Wildlife and Habitat

Description

This program aims to prevent biodiversity loss while enabling sustainable use by: protecting and recovering species at risk and their critical habitat; conserving and protecting healthy populations of migratory birds; and monitoring, conserving and restoring significant habitats by establishing and maintaining a network of protected areas, and developing and implementing stewardship programs. It also supports coordinated and coherent national assessment, research, planning and action to protect biodiversity, including viable, self-sustaining populations of species, healthy and diverse ecosystems, and genetic resources. The program forms strategic partnerships for integrated management of Canada's natural capital, including stewardship and the sustainable management of landscapes. This program has responsibilities under the Species at Risk Act, Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, Canada Wildlife Act, Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and 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 Migratory Birds Convention, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna Working Group of the Arctic Council, and the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance especially as Waterfowl Habitat (the Ramsar Convention).

Commitment to Experimentation

ECCC will test an Integrated Conservation Action (ICA) approach in identified landscapes with high biodiversity value. Using ICA, ECCC will engage conservation partners to target and leverage resources, funding and action on shared conservation priorities. In the medium to and longer term, this approach is expected to get better value for money and improve conservation outcomes, such as recovering species at risk, preventing other species from becoming conservation concerns, and conserving important and critical habitats.

Planning highlights

ECCC will contribute to protecting Canada’s species at risk and migratory birds by:

  • Implementing the Species at Risk Act (SARA) to protect Canada’s species at risk by implementing ECCC’s three-year plan to seek listing and delisting for 149 assessed species.
  • Undertaking protection assessments for boreal and south mountain Caribou.
  • Conserving and protecting migratory birds and their habitat from major threats and modernizing regulations to better manage migratory birds.
  • Expanding Canada’s National Wildlife Areas and Migratory Bird Sanctuaries, including Scott Islands Marine National Wildlife Area (to be designated in 2017) and Edéhzhíe National Wildlife Area (to be proposed for designation in 2018).
  • Working with other jurisdictions, Indigenous peoples and other partners to conserve and protect at least 17% of Canada’s terrestrial lands and inland waters.
  • Implementing the “Connecting Canadians to Nature” initiative in ten National Wildlife Areas by constructing new trails, bridges and exhibits, and promoting a national geocaching program (an outdoor educational game that uses GPS-enabled devices).
  • Coordinating Canada’s work with the U.S. and Mexico to conserve the Monarch butterfly migration by restoring and enhancing habitats for the world’s farthest migrating butterfly.

For more information on organizational priorities, see the Minister’s mandate letter on the Prime Minister of Canada’s website.

Planned results
Expected resultsPerformance indicatorsTargetsDate to achieve target2013-14 Actual results2014-15 Actual results2015-16 Actual results
Populations of migratory birds are secureProportion of assessed migratory bird species in General Status Reports whose status is considered to be "secure"83%the 2020 General Status Report77% in the 2010 General Status Reportn/aan/ab
Status of listed species shows improvement upon reassessmentProportion of federally listed species at risk for which Environment and Climate Change Canada is primarily responsible and for which recovery is feasible that exhibit, at the time of reassessment by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), population and distribution trends consistent with achieving the objectives of recovery strategies.35%May 201733% as of May 201336% as of May 201433% as of May 2015

a Data for this indicator are derived from assessments of the status of species in Canada (General Status Reports) that are prepared every 5 years as required by the Species at Risk Act.

b Idem

Budgetary financial resources (dollars)*
2017-18
Main Estimates
2017-18
Planned spending
2018-19
Planned spending
2019-20
Planned spending
135,322,453135,322,453121,360,71687,463,465

*All figures throughout this document are net of respendable revenues.

Human resources (full-time equivalents [FTEs])*
2017-18
Planned FTEs
2018-19
Planned FTEs
2019-20
Planned FTEs
546498480

*Totals may differ within and between tables due to the rounding of figures. The FTE numbers throughout this document include students.

Program 1.2: Water Resources

Description

This program addresses the risks to and impacts on water resources from industrial activities, agriculture, climate change and other factors. It aims to minimize threats to Canada’s water resources and aquatic ecosystems and to maintain the sustainability of such resources. The program is delivered in collaboration with partners, specifically other federal departments, provinces and territories, and a range of non-governmental organizations. The program focuses on Environment and Climate Change Canada’s contribution to monitoring water quality and conducting water-related research and analysis and its role in collaborating with other departments to determine priorities for water quality and quantity as well as aquatic ecosystem monitoring and research. It provides scientific information and advice to decision makers and supports implementation of the Canada Water Act, Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, Fisheries Act, International Boundary Waters Treaty Act, and International River Improvements Act.

Planning highlights

ECCC will contribute to protecting Canada’s freshwater in order to minimize risks to health both for Canadians and Canada’s biodiversity by:

  • Focusing ECCC’s scientific efforts to proactively understand, track and provide water quality and quantity information relating to Canada’s freshwater resources so that appropriate actions may be taken by governments, partners, stakeholders and Canadians.
  • Monitoring the physical, chemical and biological/ecosystem characteristics of waters under federal jurisdiction, including Canada’s boundary waters.
  • Contributing, via the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program, to minimizing the threats to the health and safety of consumers of shellfish harvested in Canada.
  • Providing quality assured water quantity information (river flow and level) to various stakeholders to assist them in water management, planning and related decision making in order to address the risk to and impacts on continuously changing water flows.
  • Providing information, data and expertise for domestic and international water boards to support Canada’s collaboration with the provinces, by way of agreements and with the U.S. through the International Joint Commission, in efforts to regulate lakes and river basins such as Lake Ontario, Lake Superior, the Mackenzie River Basin, and the Pacific Drainage Basin. This includes participating in targeted studies focused on improving inter-jurisdictional water management.

For more information on organizational priorities, see the Minister’s mandate letter on the Prime Minister of Canada’s website.

Planned results
Expected resultPerformance indicatorTargetDate to achieve target2013-14 Actual results2014-15 Actual results2015-16 Actual results
Threats to Canada's water resources and aquatic ecosystems are minimized and the sustainability of the resources is maintainedPercentage of core national monitoring sites whose water quality is rated as good or excellent50%In the 2014-16 data set45% in the 2010 to 2012 data set48% in the 2011 to 2013 data set45% in the 2012 to 2014 data set
Budgetary financial resources (dollars)
2017-18
Main Estimates
2017-18
Planned spending
2018-19
Planned spending
2019-20
Planned spending
69,722,84069,722,84072,152,48170,272,990
Human resources (FTEs)
2017-18
Planned FTEs
2018-19
Planned FTEs
2019-20
Planned FTEs
598590581

Program 1.3: Sustainable Ecosystems

Description

This program aims to sustain Canada’s ecosystems over the long term by providing Canadians, their governments and the private sector with the environmental information and tools required to incorporate social, economic and environmental considerations into decision making and actions. Environmental assessments are a large part of this program. The ecosystem approach to environmental management focuses on maintaining the capacity of a whole system to produce ecological goods and services and genetic resources to support the economy, security, and health and well-being. This program focuses on: the development and implementation of Environment and Climate Change Canada’s sustainability policies and strategies; provision of information to support integrated, ecosystem-scale planning; community engagement in remediation of sites; youth engagement; and research and reporting on environmental status and trends. The program facilitates interdisciplinary and cross-sectoral planning and information sharing among partners.

Community Support

ECCC will continue to engage Canadians to undertake community projects that protect, conserve and restore the natural environment. Through its application-based EcoAction program, the Department will continue to match 50% funding support (cash or in-kind) to not-for-profit and non-government organizations to undertake local projects.

Planning highlights

ECCC will renew its commitment to protect the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence River Basin, and the Lake Winnipeg Basin, as well as other ecosystems by:

  • Ongoing collaboration with partners in Canada and the U.S. through the Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health, and the Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.
  • Finalizing Canada’s plan to reach phosphorus reduction targets for Lake Erie, and reporting to Canadians on actions taken and management plans for each of the Great Lakes.
  • Developing strategies on eight chemicals of mutual concern that were identified under the Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, and working on identifying additional chemicals of concern.
  • Working with partners to advance the Randle Reef Contaminated Sediment Remediation Project, including the construction of a 6.2 hectare box to contain the most heavily contaminated sediment in Hamilton Harbour.
  • Conserving and enhancing St. Lawrence ecosystem biodiversity and water quality, and promoting its sustainable use for purposes such as commercial and recreational navigation, as part of the Canada-Quebec Agreement on the St. Lawrence.
  • Providing scientific data related to water quality, sediments and biological resources as part of the work related to the State of the St. Lawrence Monitoring Program.
  • Ongoing work to contribute to projects with partners to build capacity to sustain the health and productivity of the Lake Winnipeg Basin ecosystem.
  • Increasing collaborative research and knowledge sharing to promote water quality and aquatic ecosystem health in Canada’s major freshwater ecosystems.
  • Providing funding for collaborative science, planning and action through the Atlantic Ecosystems Initiatives and the Gulf of Maine Initiative to support the long-term sustainability of ecosystems in Atlantic Canada.
  • Applying payments received by the Environmental Damages Fund to address environmental damage and to undertake research that increases the Government of Canada’s ability to restore damaged environments.
  • Providing evidence-based technical expertise to federal strategic environmental assessments led by regulatory agencies, and contributing coordination, consultation and policy expertise to the Government of Canada’s Major Projects Management Office.
  • Overseeing Canada’s Federal Sustainable Development Strategy, which enables over 40 federal organizations to measure and report to Canadians their progress on over 30 environmental indicators.
  • For more information on organizational priorities, see the Minister’s mandate letter on the Prime Minister of Canada’s website.
Planned results
Expected resultPerformance indicatorTargetDate to achieve target2013-14 Actual results2014-15 Actual results2015-16 Actual results
The health of selected ecosystems in Canada is closely monitoredAverage score on a 100-point scale based on expert ratings of status and trends of key indicators of the health of selected ecosystems in Canada52December 2020Not availablea53 based on Great Lakes data from 1968 to 2010 and St. Lawrence River data from 2002 to 2012Not availableb

a The indicator was not included in the Performance Measurement Framework for this year.

b Actual results for this indicator are only updated as new environmental indicator data are available for the ecosystems.

Budgetary financial resources (dollars)
2017-18
Main Estimates
2017-18
Planned spending
2018-19
Planned spending
2019-20
Planned spending
84,520,84584,520,84565,379,63961,660,038
Human resources (FTEs)
2017-18
Planned FTEs
2018-19
Planned FTEs
2019-20
Planned FTEs
422407397

Program 1.4: Compliance Promotion and Enforcement - Wildlife

Description

This program works to conserve and protect the natural environment through compliance promotion and enforcement of the Species at Risk Act, Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act, Antarctic Environmental Protection Act and Canada Wildlife Act. The program promotes compliance through the communication of information, education, and consultation with parties affected by these statutes. It maintains a contingent of enforcement officers whose activities consist of verifying compliance with acts, regulations and permits pertaining to wildlife and Environment and Climate Change Canada protected areas, gathering intelligence, conducting inspections and pursuing investigations regarding alleged offenders. The program also works with INTERPOL as well as the United States and Mexico under the auspices of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation to strengthen wildlife enforcement. These actions aim to reduce damage and threats to biodiversity for the benefit of Canadians and the international community.

Planning highlights

ECCC will deliver its compliance promotion and enforcement initiatives by:

  • Targeting its efforts on high-priority species and habitats in Canada and globally.
  • Completing a study to identify current and future areas of potential non-compliance under the Species at Risk Act (SARA).
  • Protecting and conserving northern species and their habitats with the engagement of Indigenous peoples based on the nation-to-nation approach.
  • Providing analysis, guidance and evidence-based advice to support compliance promotion and enforcement of wildlife legislation and regulations, in order to protect, for instance, species at risk under ECCC’s Biodiversity - Wildlife and Habitat Program, key ecosystems under ECCC’s Sustainable Ecosystems Program.
  • Issuing penalties to offenders that do not comply with wildlife laws and regulations.
  • Measuring the impact of ECCC’s enforcement activities to inform future training and targeting efforts.
  • Tracking of the proportion of investigations that lead to convictions under both SARA and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA) and use findings to set future priorities.
Planned results
Expected resultPerformance indicatorTargetDate to achieve target2013-14 Actual results2014-15 Actual results2015-16 Actual results
Targeted regulatees are penalized when non-compliant with wildlife laws and regulations administered by Environment and Climate Change CanadaPercentage of prosecutions that result in convictions95%March 2018Not availableaNot availableb95% in 2015-16

a The indicator was not included in the Performance Measurement Framework for this year.

b Idem

Budgetary financial resources (dollars)
2017-18
Main Estimates
2017-18
Planned spending
2018-19
Planned spending
2019-20
Planned spending
16,297,08016,297,08016,095,33115,870,680
Human Resources (FTEs)
2017-18
Planned FTEs
2018-19
Planned FTEs
2019-20
Planned FTEs
128126123

Program 2.1: Weather and Environmental Services for Canadians

Description

This program provides reliable, accurate and timely forecasts and warnings, as well as weather and environmental intelligence to anticipate, manage and adapt to the risks and opportunities of changing weather, water, air quality and climate conditions. It involves monitoring, research, prediction and service delivery based on sound science to help Canadians make informed decisions in order to protect their health, safety, security and economic prosperity. Because a global effort is needed to monitor, understand and predict constantly changing weather, water, air quality, sea ice, and climate conditions, the program works with various collaborators around the world. Global collaborators include other national meteorological services, such as the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Météo France, as well as international organization such as the United Nations World Meteorological Organization and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. At the national level, collaborators include the media, academia and all levels of government in Canada. The program meets the Department’s responsibilities under the Department of the Environment Act, Weather Modification Information Act, Emergency Management Act (2007), Convention of the World Meteorological Organization, and memoranda of agreement with other national meteorological and space agencies.
The program provides forecasts and information in the event of environmental emergencies associated with the release of toxic and radioactive material in the atmosphere.

Commitment to Experimentation

Leveraging social media networks so that Canadians can directly receive pertinent weather and climate information, including weather alerts. The success in reaching a broader audience through this platform will be tracked in concrete terms via the use of associated social media analytics.

Planning highlights

ECCC will deliver weather and environmental information to help Canadians make decisions about their health and safety by:

  • Providing accurate weather, water, air, ice and climate information to support decision making and emergency management in Canada and globally. This includes data collected from thousands of ECCC and partner weather observing stations, as well as products developed from climate data, modelling and scenarios.
  • Providing air quality forecasts to help Canadians protect their health from the negative effects of air pollution through the expansion and improvement of Canada’s Air Quality Health Index (AQHI).
  • Delivering real-time observations on column ozone (total thickness of the ozone layer) and on UV radiation to support forecasting the UV index, and beginning work to develop a next-generation UV Index Forecasting Service.
  • Contributing information on weather, water and climate monitoring as well as research findings to support the examination of the implications of climate change on Arctic marine ecosystems.
  • Strengthening its prediction and forecast systems through science-based innovations and domestic and international partnerships to share data and expertise, including to support Arctic meteorology.
  • Planning upgrades to and replacement of equipment (such as radar infrastructure), operationalize its applications on the Shared Services Canada new supercomputer, optimize its networks to take advantage of new data sources and improve Earth observations from a new meteorological satellite.
  • Modernizing Weatheradio, support partnerships for wireless alerting, and enhance the use of social media to help Canadians to anticipate meteorological events in order to protect themselves and their property on a 24/7 basis.
  • Supporting federal initiatives, such as Open Data, the transformation of the Canadian Space Program, and the Federal Geospatial Platform.

For more information on organizational priorities, see the Minister’s mandate letter on the Prime Minister of Canada’s website.

Planned results
Expected resultPerformance indicatorsTargetsDate to achieve target2013-14 Actual results2014-15 Actual results2015-16 Actual results
Canadians use Environment and Climate Change Canada's weather and environmental servicesPublic component of the Weather Warning Index (a weighted index of weather warning timeliness and accuracy)7.9December 20178.3 in 2011 to 20138.3 in 2012 to 20148.3 in 2013 to 2015
Canadians use Environment and Climate Change Canada's weather and environmental servicesPercentage of the population of a warned area who report having seen or heard a recent weather warning and who took actions in response30%July 201843% as of May 2012Not availablea45% as of January 2016

a This indicator is measured every other year.

Budgetary financial resources (dollars)
2017-18
Main Estimates
2017-18
Planned spending
2018-19
Planned spending
2019-20
Planned spending
194,578,410194,578,410187,770,089192,095,331
Human resources (FTEs)
2017-18
Planned FTEs
2018-19
Planned FTEs
2019-20
Planned FTEs
1,0721,018993

Program 2.2: Weather and Environmental Services for Targeted Users

Description

Environment and Climate Change Canada provides specific predictions and services for targeted, weather-sensitive sectors through formal arrangements and revenue contracts. Building on the core capabilities offered under Program 2.1, this program provides reliable, accurate and timely weather, climate and ice observations, predictions and services to support the specific decision making needs of the aviation and marine transportation sectors and the Canadian military. It delivers services through various collaborations within Canada (including with other government departments), and internationally with the World Meteorological Organization, as well as with other countries and international bodies such as the International Civil Aviation Organization, the International Maritime Organization, and the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS). This program supports the Department in meeting obligations and responsibilities conferred by the Department of the Environment Act and the Convention of the World Meteorological Organization. It also helps other government departments meet their obligations under the Aeronautics Act and the treaty in support of International Civil Aviation, the Oceans Act and the Fisheries Act, and supports memoranda of agreement with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans/Canadian Coast Guard, the Department of National Defence, and various provincial and territorial agencies.

Planning highlights

ECCC continues to deliver weather and environmental information to targeted users by:

  • Tailoring science-based weather and environmental information and weather services to meet the needs of specific national users, including NAV CANADA, Transport Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard, and the Department of National Defence. This includes weather forecasts and warnings, ice and other oceanographic information on a 24/7 basis.
  • Operating land, ocean and ice-based observation platforms in the Arctic through its METAREAS initiative, which provides improved marine and ice forecasting information to mariners in the Arctic and public weather information for northern coastal communities.
  • Working on the Global Ice-Ocean Prediction System (GIOPS), Canada’s first system for forecasting global sea-ice and ocean conditions as it enables real-time, three-dimensional images of the state of the ocean.
  • Providing information to targeted users and contributes to safe and efficient marine transportation, particularly in the North.
Planned results
Expected resultPerformance indicatorTargetDate to achieve target2013-14 Actual results2014-15 Actual results2015-16 Actual results
Targeted sectors have the meteorological and environmental information and services they need to operate efficiently and safelyCombined level of satisfaction of the main clients of the Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC) in terms of accessibility, timeliness and accuracy of products and services7.5March 20188.0 based on surveys conducted in 2013-148.3 based on surveys conducted in 2014-158.4 based on surveys conducted in 2015-16
Budgetary financial resources (dollars)
2017-18
Main Estimates
2017-18
Planned spending
2018-19
Planned spending
2019-20
Planned spending
18,728,70718,728,70718,707,54218,952,893
Human resources (FTEs)
2017-18
Planned FTEs
2018-19
Planned FTEs
2019-20
Planned FTEs
371365361

Program 3.1: Substances and Waste Management

Description

Activities in this program reduce threats to human health and the environment posed by pollution and waste from human activities. The program assesses risks to the environment from substances that are already in commercial use (existing substances) and substances proposed for use in Canada (new substances). It also develops and implements measures to prevent or manage the risks from these substances and waste.

Science-based Evidence

ECCC collects data for the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI) from close to 8,000 facilities in Canada (including industry) on their releases of hundreds of pollutants to land, water and air. The Department will publish datasets from the NPRI for 2016 which will be used to identify pollution prevention priorities, for the assessment and risk management of substances, and to encourage action to reduce the release of pollutants.

Planning highlights

ECCC will prevent and manage pollution by focused effort on managing chemicals and harmful substances in the environment by:

  • Administering Canada’s Chemicals Management Plan, in collaboration with Health Canada to assess and manage substances that are harmful to human health or the environment.
  • Completing the assessment of 1,550 existing chemicals substances by 2020, and another 400 to 500 new substances annually, to determine if they pose a risk before they may be made in or imported to Canada.
  • Participating in intersessional work to prepare for the Conferences of the Parties for the Stockholm, Rotterdam and Basel Conventions in 2017.
  • Conducting targeted research studies and national water quality monitoring programs for chemicals to inform decision making for the preservation and protection of Canadian freshwater quality.
  • Using science-based evidence to support administration of the pollution prevention provisions of the Fisheries Act, including the development of ECCC’s effluent regulations and to inform compliance regulation activities.
  • Issuing permits for Canadian scientific or tourism expeditions to the Antarctic under the Antarctic Environmental Protection Act.
  • Preventing marine pollution from disposal through issuance of permits and monitoring disposal sites to meet the requirements of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999).
  • Meeting Canada’s international obligations under the London Convention and Protocol to prevent marine pollution.
  • Protecting the Antarctic through a permit system for tour ships as well as meeting Antarctic Treaty and Madrid Protocol obligations.
  • Delivering, in collaboration with other federal stakeholders, the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan to reduce environmental and human health risks from federal contaminated sites and to reduce the associated federal financial liabilities in the Public Accounts of Canada.
  • Providing expert advice to help federal custodians assess and remediate contaminated sites to reduce the ecological risks they pose.
  • Increasing the capacity of the National Environmental Emergencies Centre to provide 24/7 coordination and science-based expert advice in the event of an emergency.
  • Managing notifications of spills to assess whether reasonable measures were taken to protect the environment and human health.
  • Updating the Environmental Emergency Regulations to reflect current hazardous substances, in order to strengthen ECCC’s capacity to address environmental emergencies.

For more information on organizational priorities, see the Minister’s mandate letter on the Prime Minister of Canada’s website.

Planned results
Expected resultPerformance IndicatorTargetsDate to achieve target2013-14 Actual results2014-15 Actual results2015-16 Actual results
Threats to Canadians and impacts on the environment posed by harmful substances and waste are reducedPercentage of drainage regions where Federal Environmental Quality Guidelines are not exceeded for selected substances in sediment, water and/or biota

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) in sediments and in fish: 80%

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in water and in fish: 80%

PBDEs: September 2022

PFOS: September 2023

PFOS in surface water: 100% of drainage regions sampled

PFOS in fish tissue (fish health): 100%

PFOS in fish tissue (wildlife diet): 40%

PBDEs in fish tissue: 30% of drainage regions sampled in the period 2011 to 2012

PBDEs in sediments: 33% of drainage regions sampled in the period 2009 to 2014

PFOS in surface water: 100% of drainage regions sampled in the period 2011 to 2015

PFOS in fish tissue (fish health): 100% for 2011 to 2014

PFOS in fish tissue (wildlife diet): 33% for 2011 to 2014

Budgetary financial resources (dollars)
2017-18
Main Estimates
2017-18
Planned spending
2018-19
Planned spending
2019-20
Planned spending
84,357,04184,357,04191,454,26997,110,653
Human resources (FTEs)
2017-18
Planned FTEs
2018-19
Planned FTEs
2019-20
Planned FTEs
629584570

Program 3.2: Climate Change and Clean Air

Description

This program aims to protect the health of Canadians, the environment and Canada’s economy from the harmful effects of air pollutants and the impacts of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the development and implementation of regulations and other control measures. Actions are based on sound scientific work, economic and policy analysis, and emissions monitoring and reporting. Work under this program includes: continued collaboration with other governments and stakeholders; delivery of sound scientific results, expert environmental science and technology advice, assessment, and program management in support of technology investment decisions, policy making and regulations; and cooperation with the United States to align GHG regulations as appropriate, reduce transboundary air pollution and advance clean technologies. It also involves participation and negotiation in, and contributions to, international fora, in order to address climate change and transboundary air pollution, and bilateral and multilateral processes in order to support Canada’s positions and objectives.

Commitment to Experimentation

ECCC will apply design thinking to approaches for leveraging innovative data visualization and reporting tools that combine qualitative data with real-world quantifiable data that is meaningful for Canadians. It will use “hackathons” and “gamification” to develop “apps” for providing climate change information to Canadians.

Planning highlights

ECCC will contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) and short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) by:

  • Working with provinces, territories and Indigenous peoples to apply a pan-Canadian approach for pricing carbon pollution to a broad set of emission sources throughout Canada with increasing stringency over time.
  • Continuing to develop and implement regulations, tools, measures, and mitigation actions, including those under the Pan-Canadian Framework, in order to reduce GHG emissions from various sources. For example, ECCC will:
    • strengthen regulations to limit GHG emissions from post-2018 heavy duty trucks;
    • develop regulations to accelerate the phase out of traditional coal-fired electricity units;
    • develop regulations to reduce methane emissions in the oil and gas sector; and
    • introduce and implement regulatory measures to significantly reduce hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) consumption and prohibit the manufacture and import into Canada of certain products containing HFCs, in order to ratify and implement the Kigali amendment to the Montreal Protocol.
  • Working with interested provinces and Government of Canada programs to manage and expand ECCC’s Single Window Reporting System for regulatory reporting of data on air pollutants and GHG releases.
  • Leading Canada’s participation in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change towards an effective and transparent implementation of the Paris Agreement, and working with Global Affairs Canada to oversee, manage and report on Canada’s international climate financing as part of Canada’s commitments.
  • Contributing expertise and advancing Canada's environmental priorities through bilateral partnerships including with U.S., Mexico, Chile, China and the European Union.
  • Continuing to engage through multilateral fora to advance Canada’s environmental priorities including through the Montreal Protocol, the Gothenburg Protocol, and Canada’s co-chair roles in the Global Methane Initiative and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition.
  • Working with the Organisation for Economic Development to review Canada’s environmental performance in the areas of green growth, transportation and electricity generation.
  • Informing “upstream” GHG assessments for all major energy projects undergoing review.
  • Maintaining comprehensive GHG emissions and air pollutant inventories in order to meet both international and domestic reporting requirements.

ECCC will contribute to the improvement of air quality by:

  • Reporting to Canadians, in collaboration with provinces and territories, progress made on improving air quality through a National State of the Air Report.
  • Supporting the implementation of Canada’s Air Quality Management System (AQMS), in collaboration with provinces, territories and stakeholders, to improve outdoor air quality and protect the health of Canadians and the environment.
  • Setting and implementing more stringent Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards and reviewing existing standards for ground-level ozone, and establishing new standards for nitrogen dioxide (NO2).
  • Working with international partners under the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution to address transboundary air pollution in Europe, Canada and the U.S., including black carbon under the Gothenburg Protocol.
  • Developing regulatory and other measures to prevent air pollution emissions.
  • Working with the U.S. to strengthen the Canada-U.S. Air Quality Agreement to reduce transboundary air pollution, including emissions from vehicles and engines, and stationary sources.

For more information on organizational priorities, see the Minister’s mandate letter on the Prime Minister of Canada’s website.

Planned results
Expected resultsPerformance indicatorsTargetsDate to achieve target2013-14 Actual results2014-15 Actual results2015-16 Actual results
Threats to Canadians, their health and their environment from greenhouse gas emissions are minimizedCanadian emissions of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide equivalents) in megatonnesCanada's national target is a 30% reduction from 2005 levels by 2030, as per Canada’s Nationally Determined Contribution2030718 Mt in 2012a731 Mt in 2013b732 Mt in 2014
Improved air quality in CanadaPercentage of the Canadian population living in areas where the 24-hour and the annual Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standard (CAAQS) for fine particulate matter (PM2.5) of 28 µg/m3 and 10 µg/m3 are achievedPercentage increase over timeMarch 201891% of stations for the period 2010 to 201291% of stations for the period 2011 to 201396% of stations for the period 2012 to 2014
Improved air quality in CanadaPercentage of the Canadian population living in areas where the 8-hour Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standard (CAAQS) for ground-level ozone of 63 parts per billion (ppb) is achievedPercentage increase over timeMarch 201876% of stations for the period 2010 to 201281% of stations for the period 2011 to 201382% of stations for the period 2012 to 2014

a Actual results shown here are based on Canada’s National Inventory Report for 2014. Amounts may differ from those originally reported due to improvements in methods used to estimate emissions.

b Idem

Budgetary financial resources (dollars)
2017-18
Main Estimates
2017-18
Planned spending
2018-19
Planned spending
2019-20
Planned spending
147,118,686147,118,68699,319,82591,437,866
Human resources (FTEs)
2017-18
Planned FTEs
2018-19
Planned FTEs
2019-20
Planned FTEs
813496495

Program 3.3: Compliance Promotion and Enforcement - Pollution

Description

This program contributes to minimizing damage and threats to the natural environment and biodiversity through the promotion and enforcement of legislation administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada. Activities focus on pollution, including the release of toxic substances to air, water or land, and the import and export of hazardous waste that presents a risk to the environment and/or human health. The program maintains a contingent of compliance promotion and enforcement officers. Compliance promotion officers deliver activities to increase regulatees’ awareness, understanding and compliance with regulations and other risk management instruments under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and the Fisheries Act, with the goal of increasing effectiveness in achieving desired environmental results. They also provide information on risk management instrument requirements, the benefits of compliance and the potential penalties of non-compliance, when applicable. Enforcement officers, on the other hand, conduct inspections to verify compliance with laws and regulations, gather intelligence, take enforcement action to bring offenders back into compliance, and pursue investigations where necessary. This program collaborates with international and domestic partners to strengthen transboundary environmental enforcement. Officers are provided training and are often supported by scientific analyses and expertise, including science advice to support enforcement actions. In addition, the program is supported by scientific analysis and expertise for the development and implementation of new and updated regulations.

Innovation

ECCC is embarking on a new initiative to standardize sentencing recommendations resulting in an increase in overall fine amounts of at least 10% under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act 1999 (CEPA 1999), and the Fisheries Act. A comparison of fine amounts achieved of a 12 months period to the average amounts over the last years will assist to determine impact.

Planning highlights

ECCC will continue to deliver its compliance promotion and enforcement activities by:

  • Promoting compliance (i.e. the related requirements and the benefits of compliance, as well as the potential consequences of non-compliance) with a focus on geographically dispersed, hard to reach, small and medium-sized enterprises, Indigenous communities, federal government departments, and Crown corporations using multiple approaches (e.g. workshops, information sessions, videos, Twitter, etc.).
  • Delivering enforcement activities based on new and existing regulation and codes of practice under CEPA 1999 and the Fisheries Act.
  • Participating in INTERPOL’s Pollution Crime Working Group and undertaking cooperative activities with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to address issues of common interest such as transboundary movement of hazardous wastes and engine emissions regulations.
  • Implementing an environmental compliance project on chlorinated water discharge in order to increase the compliance rate of municipalities’ drinking water treatment plants in accordance with the pollution prevention provisions of the Fisheries Act.
  • Taking appropriate actions to ensure that environmental protection, such as safe transboundary movement of hazardous wastes, are included in Canada’s new trade agreements.
Planned results
Expected resultPerformance indicatorTargetDate to achieve target2013-14 Actual results2014-15 Actual results2015-16 Actual results
Compliance with pollution laws and regulations administered by Environment and Climate Change CanadaPercentage increase in compliance with pollution-related sections of selected laws and regulations in response to targeted enforcement or compliance promotion efforts10% increase in compliance (Chlorinated water releases from water treatment plants)March 2019Not availableaNot availableb12% increase in compliance in 2015-16 as compared to the 2012-13 baseline for Tetrachloroethylene (PERC) Regulations

a The value reported in this year was an initial baseline rate of compliance.

b Idem

Budgetary financial resources (dollars)
2017-18
Main Estimates
2017-18
Planned spending
2018-19
Planned spending
2019-20
Planned spending
41,696,94841,696,94834,143,47834,302,472
Human resources (FTEs)
2017-18
Planned FTEs
2018-19
Planned FTEs
2019-20
Planned FTEs
353294289

Information on Environment and Climate Change Canada’s lower-level programs is available on the Department’s website and in the TBS InfoBase.

Internal Services

Canada’s Low Carbon Government

The Department will lead by example in its contributions to the Government of Canada’s Low Carbon Government goal by:

  • Taking a sustainable approach to purchasing goods and services that incorporates environmental considerations in procurement instruments;
  • Reducing its GHG emissions from Crown-owned buildings and from its vehicle fleet by:
    • updating and adopting practices to improve workplace operations sustainability;
    • seeking ways to reduce vehicle fuel consumption by deploying electric vehicles where possible and facilitating access to workplace charging infrastructure.
Description

Internal Services are those groups of related activities and resources that the federal government considers to be services in support of programs and/or required to meet corporate obligations of an organization. Internal Services refers to the activities and resources of the 10 distinct service categories that support Program delivery in the organization, regardless of the Internal Services delivery model in a department. The 10 service categories are: 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; and Acquisition Services.

Planning highlights

ECCC will carry out Internal Services initiatives that support departmental and Government of Canada priorities by:

  • Exploring the use of new mediums to continue providing Canadians with timely, accurate, open and relevant information related to progress against our mandate and key departmental priorities.
  • Supporting federal initiatives to advance transformation, such as Open Data and the Federal Geospatial Platform.
  • Ensuring financial resources are continuously realigned to mandate and departmental priorities through sound expenditure management practices, supported by robust governance.
  • Providing strategic human resources services with a focus on developing future leaders, attracting and developing the right skills, continuing to build and maintain a workforce that embraces and values diversity, establishing a healthy, supportive and respectful workplace, and also supporting hiring strategies that recognize the value of bringing in more young talent.

For more information on organizational priorities, see the Minister’s mandate letter on the Prime Minister of Canada’s website.

Budgetary financial resources (dollars)
2017-18
Main Estimates
2017-18
Planned spending
2018-19
Planned spending
2019-20
Planned spending
194,931,405194,931,405186,768,159184,465,594
Human Resources (FTEs)
2017-18
Planned FTEs
2018-19
Planned FTEs
2019-20
Planned FTEs
1,4431,3831,361
 
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