Environment Canada - Departmental Performance Report 2014-15 - Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

Target 1.1: Climate Change Mitigation

Relative to 2005 emission levels, reduce Canada’s total Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions 17% by 2020.

Canada's Emissions Trends 2014, published in autumn, indicates that Canada's annual GHG emissions will be 727 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO₂ eq) in 2020, including emissions/removals from land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF).

As a result of the combined efforts of provincial, territorial and federal governments, consumers and businesses, and including the contribution of LULUCF, this is 130 Mt CO₂ eq lower than where emissions would have been in 2020 if no action had been taken to reduce GHGs since 2005.

The remaining gap between the projection for 2020 and Canada's GHG emissions target under the 2009 Copenhagen Accord is estimated to be 116 Mt CO₂ eq.

Target 1.2: Climate Change Adaptation

Facilitate reduced vulnerability of individuals, communities, regions and economic sectors to the impacts of climate change through the development and provision of information and tools. 

Target 2.1: Outdoor Air Pollutants

Improve outdoor air quality by ensuring compliance with new or amended regulated emission limits by 2020 and thus reducing emissions of air pollutants in support of Air Quality Management System (AQMS) objectives.

In 2013, emission levels for four key air pollutants – sulphur oxides (SO_X), nitrogen oxides (NO_X), volatile organic compounds (VOC) and carbon monoxide (CO) – were 28% to 63% lower than in 1990; emissions for ammonia (NH₃) and fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) were 22% and 5% higher than in 1990 respectively.

In 2013, SO_X emissions decreased by 1.6%, or 21 kilotonnes (kt), from 2012 emission levels to reach 1231 kt. SO_X emissions in 2013 were 1831 kt (60%) lower than in 1990.

NO_X emissions were 2061 kt in 2013, a decrease of 39 kt (2%) from 2012 emission levels. The level of NO_X emissions in 2013 was 795 kt (28%) lower than in 1990.

VOC emissions were 2135 kt, a decrease of 50 kt (2%) from 2012 levels. VOC emissions in 2013 were 2244 kt (51%) lower than in 1990.

NH₃ emissions were 492 kilotonnes (kt), an increase of 12 kt (2%) over 2012 levels. NH₃ emissions in 2013 were 90 kt (22%) higher than in 1990.

CO emissions reached 6301 kt in 2013, a decrease of 91 kt (1%) from 2012 levels. CO emissions in 2013 were 10 510 kt (63%) lower than in 1990.

In 2013, PM_2.5 emissions were 1483 kt, representing an increase of 5% (65 kt) from 1990 levels. Emissions from open sources (e.g., dust from paved and unpaved roads and construction) made up the majority of PM_2.5 emissions.

Target 3.3: Great Lakes – Canadian Areas of Concern

Take federal actions to restore beneficial uses for delisting 5 Canadian Areas of Concern (AOC) and to reduce the number of Impaired Beneficial Uses in the remaining Areas of Concern by 25% by 2019.

Environmental quality in Canada’s 17 Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOCs) has improved since the restoration program began in 1987.  Progress towards restoration is reflected in the decreased number of Impaired Beneficial Uses measured in an AOC.

By March 2015, 103 beneficial uses were listed as impaired or requiring further assessment across all remaining AOCs in the region.

To date, 55 beneficial use impairments have been restored to "not impaired" status. Efforts continue to confirm the impairment status of 23 beneficial uses identified as "requiring further assessment" and to restore the current 80 beneficial use impairments.

In 1994, 2003 and 2010, respectively, the Collingwood Harbour, Severn Sound and Wheatley Harbour  were officially delisted as AOCs. All remedial actions have been completed at the Spanish Harbour and Jackfish Bay, which were designated as Areas of Concern in Recovery in 1999 and 2011 respectively.

Target 3.4: Great Lakes

Contribute to the restoration and protection of the Great Lakes by developing and gaining bi-national acceptance of objectives for the management of nutrients in Lake Erie by 2016 and for the other Great Lakes as required.

Phosphorus levels in the middle of Lake Superior and in the eastern basin of Lake Erie currently meet water quality objectives.

Phosphorus levels in Lakes Huron and Ontario and in Georgian Bay are below water quality objectives.

Phosphorus levels are above objectives in the western and central basins of Lake Erie.

Target 3.5: St. Lawrence River

Take federal actions to reduce pollutants in order to improve water quality, conserve biodiversity and ensure beneficial uses in the St. Lawrence River by 2016.

Target 3.6: Lake Simcoe and South-eastern Georgian Bay

Reduce an estimated 2000 kg of phosphorus loadings to Lake Simcoe by 2017, which will support the Province of Ontario’s target to reduce phosphorus inputs into Lake Simcoe to 44 000 kg/year by 2045.

Reduce an estimated 2000 kg of phosphorus loadings to South-eastern Georgian Bay watersheds by 2017. 

As of March 2015, stewardship projects supported by the Lake Simcoe and South-eastern Georgian Bay Clean-Up Fund were preventing an estimated 4040 kilograms of phosphorus per year from reaching Lake Simcoe and its tributary rivers.

Similarly, stewardship projects were preventing an estimated 124 kilograms of phosphorus per year from reaching South-eastern Georgian Bay and its tributary rivers as of March 2015.

Target 3.7: Lake Winnipeg Basin

By 2017, reduce phosphorus inputs to water bodies in the Lake Winnipeg Basin, in support of the Province of Manitoba’s overall plan to reduce phosphorus in Lake Winnipeg by 50% to pre‑1990 levels. 

In 2013, phosphorus levels in Lake Winnipeg’s North and South basins were above water quality guidelines for the protection of freshwater plants and animals most of the time. Nitrogen levels in both basins were generally below water quality guidelines.

High phosphorus and nitrogen levels result in harmful algal blooms in Lake Winnipeg.

Both phosphorus and nitrogen levels are consistently above water quality guidelines for the protection of freshwater plants and animals in the Red River, and always below the guidelines in the Winnipeg River. Just over 44% of phosphorus samples in the Saskatchewan River are above guidelines for 2011 to 2013 while nitrogen samples are always below.

Target 3.7: Lake Winnipeg Basin

By 2017, reduce phosphorus inputs to water bodies in the Lake Winnipeg Basin, in support of the Province of Manitoba’s overall plan to reduce phosphorus in Lake Winnipeg by 50% to pre‑1990 levels. 

8,316 kg as of March 31, 2015.

The reported value is the sum of reductions reported by Phase II projects in their final reports, as estimated using standard, scientifically-derived formulas.

In addition to the reported amount, projects still underway are anticipated to reduce phosphorus by another 35,024 kg, including a one-time reduction of 21,345 kg. For comparison, stewardship projects funded in Phase I achieved a total four-year reduction of 6,492 kg of phosphorus.  The current estimated phosphorus reduction for Phase II is expected to exceed the program target.

Outcomes associated with funded scientific research projects or outreach activities are reported through the Lake Winnipeg Basin Initiative Progress and Final reports.

Target 3.9: Marine Pollution – Disposal at Sea

Ensure that permitted disposal at sea is sustainable, such that 85% of disposal site monitoring events do not identify the need for site management action (such as site closure) from 2013 to 2016.

100% in 2014–15.

11 representative sites were monitored in 2014–15. No management actions were required and all sites monitored remain available for continued sustainable use, exceeding the stated target.  Previous reported values were 89% in 2013–14 and 92% in 2012–13.

Since 2004, the percentage of permitted disposal at sea sites requiring no management action has been higher than Environment Canada’s 85% target demonstrating that Canada’s ocean disposal sites are being used in a sustainable manner and impacts to the sites are occurring as expected.

Target 3.11: Wastewater and Industrial Effluent

Reduce risks associated with effluent from wastewater (sewage) and industrial sectors by 2020.

Target 3.11: Wastewater and Industrial Effluent

Reduce risks associated with effluent from wastewater (sewage) and industrial sectors by 2020.

Target 3.11: Wastewater and Industrial Effluent

Reduce risks associated with effluent from wastewater (sewage) and industrial sectors by 2020.

Metal Mining Effluent Regulations:

Over 99% compliance for metals and pH

99.3% for cyanide,

97.9 % for Total Suspended Solids (TSS), and 96.8 % for acute lethality testing.

All results are for calendar year 2013.

These results have been mostly stable since 2003--except for total suspended solids, for which compliance has increased.

Target 3.11: Wastewater and Industrial Effluent

Reduce risks associated with effluent from wastewater (sewage) and industrial sectors by 2020.

Pulp and Paper Effluent Regulations:

99.8% for TSS,

99.9% for Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), and 96.2% for effluent non-lethality requirements.

All results are for calendar year 2013.

Since 1985, the quality of pulp and paper effluent released directly to the environment has improved considerably.

Target 3.12: Water Resource Management

Facilitate sustainable water resource management through the collection of data and the development and dissemination of knowledge from 2013 to 2016.

8 out of 10 in 2014-15.

The indicator provides a measure of the satisfaction of provincial and territorial partners with the performance of Water Survey of Canada. Satisfaction is gauged annually (each spring) through the Water Survey of Canada Partner Survey. 

Target 4.1: Species at Risk

By 2020, populations of species at risk listed under federal law exhibit trends that are consistent with recovery strategies and management plans.

Target 4.2: Migratory Birds

Improve the proportion of migratory bird species that meet their population goals.

Target 4.3: Terrestrial Ecosystems and Habitat Stewardship

Contribute to the proposed national target that by 2020, at least 17% of terrestrial areas and inland waters are conserved through networks of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures

Habitat-conserved indicators:

Land secured by Environment Canada and partners as a percentage of the total amount needed to achieve waterfowl population goals.

As of March 2015, approximately 80 700 square kilometres (km²) of habitat for waterfowl had been secured in Canada through the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP).

Over 1,650 km² of new habitat (550 km²/year) was secured by Canadian NAWMP partners over the 2012 to March 2015 period.

Target 4.3: Terrestrial Ecosystems and Habitat Stewardship

Contribute to the proposed national target that by 2020, at least 17% of terrestrial areas and inland waters are conserved through networks of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures

Target 4.3: Terrestrial Ecosystems and Habitat Stewardship

Contribute to the proposed national target that by 2020, at least 17% of terrestrial areas and inland waters are conserved through networks of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures

46% of Canada as of March 31, 2015

This indicator is a measure of Environment Canada’s efforts towards the identification of key land areas for the conservation of migratory birds and species at risk.

Target 4.3: Terrestrial Ecosystems and Habitat Stewardship

Contribute to the proposed national target that by 2020, at least 17% of terrestrial areas and inland waters are conserved through networks of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures

Target 4.6: Invasive Alien Species

By 2020, pathways of invasive alien species introductions are identified, and risk-based intervention or management plans are in place for priority pathways and species.

Target 4.6: Invasive Alien Species

By 2020, pathways of invasive alien species introductions are identified, and risk-based intervention or management plans are in place for priority pathways and species.

Target 4.7: Environmental Disasters, Incidents and Emergencies

Environmental disasters, incidents and emergencies are prevented or their impacts mitigated.^{Table note a}

0.90 % of facilities with environmental emergency plans have reported environmental emergencies in 2014–15.

This indicator is a measure of the effectiveness of mandatory environmental emergency plans in preventing emergency incidents. Lower values are desirable. Previous values of the indicator are 0.4% in 2013–14 and 0.4% in 2012–13. The target has been met for the past three consecutive years.

Target 4.8: Chemicals Management

Reduce risks to Canadians and impacts on the environment and human health posed by releases of harmful substances.^{Table note b}

Indicators:^{Table note c}

Reduce releases of harmful substances (mercury, cadmium, lead and isoprene) to the environment (air and water)

In 2013, mercury (Hg), lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) emissions to air have been reduced to about 10% of their 1990 levels (emissions reductions of 88%, 90% and 90% respectively).

Releases of Hg, Pb and Cd to water decreased by 45%, 50% and 44% respectively between 2003 and 2013.

The downward trend in releases is on-track to achieving the target.

Target 4.8: Chemicals Management

Reduce risks to Canadians and impacts on the environment and human health posed by releases of harmful substances.

Reduce concentrations of harmful substances in the environment - In 80% of drainage regions where Canadian or Federal Environmental Quality Guidelines are not exceeded for selected substances:

Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) in fish and sediment

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in water and fish

PFOS indicator value will be reported in 2015–16.

PDBEs in fish

For the sampling years 2011 and 2012, 30% of drainage regions sampled were not exceeded for pentaBDE, for the FEQGs for fish tissue whereas the guidelines for triBDE, tetraBDE and hexaBDE were not exceeded for any of the drainage regions.

PDBE in sediment

For the sampling years 2013 and 2014, 100% of drainage regions sampled were found not to exceed FEQGs for sediment for triBDE, tetraBDE, hexaBDE and octaBDE. For dacaBDE, 78% of drainage regions sampled were found not to exceed FEQGs for sediment while 33% of drainage regions sampled were found not to exceed FEQGs for sediment for pentaBDE.