Archived: Departmental Plan 2018 to 2019 report, Environment and Climate Change Canada, chapter 5
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Supplementary information
Corporate information
Organizational profile
Appropriate Minister: The Honourable Catherine McKenna, P.C., M.P.
Institutional Head: Dr. Stephen Lucas
Ministerial Portfolio: Environment and Climate Change Canada
Enabling Instruments:
- Department of the Environment Act
- Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
- Species at Risk Act
- International River Improvements Act
- Canada Water Act
- The Lake of the Woods Control Board Act, 1921
- Weather Modification Information Act
- Fisheries Act (administration of the Pollution Prevention Provisions)
- Antarctic Environmental Protection Act
- Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994
- Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act
- Canada Wildlife Act
- Federal Sustainable Development Act
- Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012
- Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties Act
- National Wildlife Week Act
Year of Incorporation / Commencement: 1971
Raison d’être, mandate and role
Raison d’être
Environment and Climate Change Canada is the lead federal department for a wide range of environmental issues, including taking action on clean growth and climate change. The Department is also engaged in activities aimed at preventing and managing pollution, conserving nature, and predicting weather and environmental conditions. The Department addresses these issues through various actions including the implementation of the Pan-Canadian Framework on clean growth and climate change, engaging with our strategic partners including provinces, territories and Indigenous peoples, monitoring; science-based research, policy and regulatory development, and through the enforcement of environmental laws and regulations.
The Department's program focus reflects the interdependence between environmental sustainability and economic well-being.
Mandate and role
The Department delivers its mandate through other acts and regulations, such as the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999), the pollution prevention provisions of the Fisheries Act, the Federal Sustainable Development Act, the Species at Risk Act, the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, the Canada Wildlife Act, the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act and the Antarctic Environmental Protection Act.
Under the Department of the Environment Act, the powers, duties and functions of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change extend to matters such as:
- the preservation and enhancement of the quality of the natural environment, including water, air and soil quality, and the coordination of the relevant policies and programs of the Government of Canada;
- renewable resources, including migratory birds and other non-domestic flora and fauna;
- meteorology; and
- the enforcement of rules and regulations.
The Department works closely with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency and Parks Canada – its ministerial portfolio partners – to achieve many common goals. In addition, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change has secondary or shared responsibility for delivering on other federal departments’ mandates, including the Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act (Transport Canada, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, and Natural Resources Canada), the Canada Oil and Gas Operations Act (Natural Resources Canada), and the Emergency Management Act (Public Safety Canada).
For more general information about the Department, see the “Supplementary information” section of this report. For more information on the Department’s organizational mandate letter commitments, see the Minister’s mandate letter on the Prime Minister of Canada’s website.
Operating context and key risks
Environmental issues have wide ranging implications for social, economic and health decisions for Canadians. Protection and conservation of the environment require commitments and actions by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), as well as by its partners across the federal government, provinces and territories, Indigenous peoples, stakeholders and individual Canadians. International partners are also vital partners in addressing Canadian and global environmental challenges. Ensuring effective engagement helps to advance innovative and effective policies, regulations and services, and enables a coordinated approach to achieve results that represent the interests of all partners. ECCC is relied upon to provide science-based environmental information and services so that Canadians may make informed decisions relating to their health and safety. The Department seeks to be flexible in order to respond to evolving environmental challenges and changing circumstances, such as addressing global climate change and protecting species at risk.
Key risks: things that could affect our ability to achieve our plans and results
Key risks
| Risks | Risk response strategy | Link to the Department’s Core Responsibilities | Link to mandate letter commitments or to government-wide and departmental priorities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Risk 1: Delivery of results in the short term in areas of shared responsibility could be limited by partner efforts. | ECCC collaborates with partners in Canada and internationally. The Department will strengthen its processes to engage partners in achieving short-term goals in areas of shared responsibility. ECCC will continue to establish and communicate its priorities openly and transparently. Tools such as memoranda of understanding, performance measures and service standards will support clear accountabilities and strong governance mechanisms. Concerted leadership, actions and investments will enable ECCC to drive for short-term results, and lay the foundation necessary for long-term results. To implement planned domestic actions and achieve goals for multiple horizontal activities under the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, ECCC will provide analytical support to, and work with provinces, territories, Indigenous peoples and others. To deliver on international environmental commitments, the Department will engage other jurisdictions and organizations through international cooperation agreements and partnerships. Annual reporting and external oversight will continue to drive transparent and accountable for results for Canadians. |
Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change Preventing and Managing Pollution Conserving Nature Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions |
Develop a plan to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions Develop an ambitious North American clean energy and environment agreement Enhance protection of Canada’s endangered species Renew our commitment to protect the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence River Basin and the Lake Winnipeg Basin Renew nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous peoples, based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation, and partnership Make available weather and climate information to Canadians. |
| Risk 2: Attainment of environmental and climate change objectives could be impacted by external factors beyond ECCC’s control. | To achieve the Government of Canada’s climate change targets and other environmental goals, ECCC will pursue a multi-pronged approach to economic growth that focuses on developing green infrastructure, clean growth, skills and trade. The Department will also continue to invest in innovation and experimentation. The Department will continue to collaborate with provinces and territories, and establish clear accountabilities with other federal departments and agencies. ECCC will work with partners to raise awareness among Canadian businesses of the benefits and opportunities of green industrial processes and infrastructure, and to reinforce the importance of complying with regulations that support clean growth. |
Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change Preventing and Managing Pollution Conserving Nature Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions |
Develop a plan to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions Develop an ambitious North American clean energy and environment agreement Enhance protection of Canada’s endangered species Renew our commitment to protect the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence River Basin and the Lake Winnipeg Basin Renew nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous peoples, based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation, and partnership Make available weather and climate information to Canadians. |
| Risk 3: ECCC may not be able to respond quickly enough to new priorities and expectations to deliver timely results. | To respond to the Government of Canada’s environmental priorities and deliver results, ECCC will develop strategic human resources plans to attract, recruit, develop and retain a skilled and diverse workforce To meet short-term human resources requirements, ECCC will leverage existing human resources programs and services such as departmental and interdepartmental pools and inventories of candidates, with the help of existing technology and tools by leveraging our Intranet and ECollab spaces and by continuing to explore and adopt best practices. To meet emerging requirements, ECCC will also put in place innovative, flexible and collaborative practices and processes aligned to the New Direction in Staffing, such as Rethinking Recruitment through effective identification of needs, targeting of candidates, and onboarding. ECCC will also proactively develop communication products to disseminate results achieved for Canadians. |
Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change Preventing and Managing Pollution Conserving Nature Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions |
Develop a plan to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions Develop an ambitious North American clean energy and environment agreement Enhance protection of Canada’s endangered species Renew our commitment to protect the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence River Basin and the Lake Winnipeg Basin Renew nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous peoples, based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation, and partnership Make available weather and climate information to Canadians. |
| Risk 4: The Department may be challenged to keep pace with technological advancements, as well as meeting departmental information management and information technology (IM/IT) needs. | Technology continues to advance rapidly. With the centralization of some IT services, ECCC relies on other government departments (such as Shared Services Canada) for some services and products. Governance and protocols for IM/IT processes and products will be established, including for quality insurance, compliance testing, and for monitoring and resolving cyber threats. The Department will develop and implement procedures for safeguarding sensitive documents and data, and for maintaining security in an environment of increased use of social media and technology vehicles. For services centralized in Shared Services Canada, ECCC will develop service agreements to meet the needs of and benefit the Department. ECCC will continue to establish and maintain a robust IM/IT process that aligns its strategic and operational priorities. The Department will have governance in place for IM/IT to adequately plan to support priorities, such as the establishment of the Canadian Centre for Climate Services and drive efficiencies leveraging technology. |
Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change Preventing and Managing Pollution Conserving Nature Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions |
Develop a plan to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions Develop an ambitious North American clean energy and environment agreement Enhance protection of Canada’s endangered species Renew our commitment to protect the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence River Basin and the Lake Winnipeg Basin Renew nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous peoples, based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation, and partnership Make available weather and climate information to Canadians. |
Reporting framework
Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Departmental Results Framework and Program Inventory of record for 2018–19 are shown below.
Long description
Departmental results framework as per "TB Policy on Results"
Core Responsibilities / Minister’s Mandate Priorities
Core Responsibilities are the functions related to the ongoing departmental mandate. The items listed under each Core Responsibility are specific ministerial mandate commitments drawn from the Minister’s Mandate Letter, the Speech from the Throne and Budget 2016.
Departmental results and result indicators for each core responsibility / Minister's mandate priorities
By defining Results/outcomes and indicators, progress against Core Responsibilities will be monitored and updated through public reporting and departmental management
Take action on clean growth and climate change
Canadian greenhouse gas short-lived climate pollutant emissions are reduced
- GHG emissions from light duty vehicles
- GHG emissions from heavy duty vehicles
- Black carbon emissions, as reported in Canada’s Black Carbon Emissions Inventory
- HFC emissions
- Reduced methane emissions from the oil and gas sector
- Emissions reductions are being achieved under the Clean Fuel Standard building on the Renewable Fuels Regulations
- Percentage of coal-fired electricity generation units meeting their regulated GHG emissions intensity performance requirement
- Carbon pricing systems are in place in Canada
- GHG emissions from ECCC operations
Indigenous Peoples are engaged in clean growth and climate change
- Co-development of indicators with Indigenous Peoples to ensure they are engaged in the implementation of the PCF, through three distinct senior-level joint tables with First Nations, Inuit, and the Métis Nation.
Canada contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing climate resilience globally
- Canada’s public sector investments leverage private sector climate finance
- GHG reductions resulting from international initiatives funded by Canada
- Number of people in developing countries who benefitted from Canada’s adaptation funds
Canadian communities, economies, and ecosystems are more resilient
- Number of individuals, businesses, and governments accessing climate services and using that information to inform decision making
Preventing and Managing Pollution
Canadians have clean air
- Percentage of Canadians living in areas where air quality standards are achieved
Canadians have clean water
- Percentage of wastewater systems where effluent quality standards are achieved
The Canadian environment is protected from harmful substances
- Number of substances assessed, identified as toxic, and for which control measures were put in place
Conserving Nature
Canada’s wildlife and habitat are conserved and protected
- Percentage of migratory bird species that are within target population ranges
- Percentage of Canadian areas conserved as protected areas and other effective areas-based conservation measures
Canada’s species at risk are recovered
- Percentage of species at risk for which changes in populations are consistent with recovery objectives
Indigenous Peoples are engaged in conservation
- Percentage of Indigenous Peoples engaged with ECCC who indicate that the engagement was meaningful
Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions
Canadians use authoritative weather and related information to make decisions about their health and safety
- Index of the timeliness and accuracy of severe weather warnings on a scale of 0 to 10
- Percentage of Canadians that use ECCC information to address water-related impacts on health, safety, economy and environment
Program Inventory
Provides an overview of how the Department’s Programs are organized to achieve the Departmental Results
Take action on clean growth and climate change
- Clean Growth and Climate Change Mitigation
- International Climate Change Action
- Climate Change Adaptation
Preventing and Managing Pollution
- Air Quality
- Water Quality and Ecosystems Partnerships
- Community Eco-Action
- Substances and Waste Management
- Compliance Promotion and Enforcement - Pollution
Conserving Nature
- Species at Risk
- Biodiversity Policy and Partnerships
- Migratory Birds and other Wildlife
- Environmental Assessment
- Habitat Conservation and Protection
- Compliance Promotion and Enforcement - Wildlife
Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions
- Weather and Environmental Observations, Forecasts and Warnings
- Hydrological Services
In 2017–18, the Department transitioned from its Strategic Outcomes and Program Alignment Architecture (PAA) required under the former Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) Policy on Management, Resources and Results Structure, to the new Departmental Results Framework (DRF) required under the TBS Policy on Results. The table below outlines the concordance between the old PAA and the new DRF.
The DRF embeds the Minister’s mandate letter commitments and supports the Department’s ability to demonstrate results for Canadians. It includes Core Responsibilities (what the Department does), Departmental Results (what the Department strives to achieve), indicators (how progress will be measured), and a Program Inventory (how the Department’s programs are organized to achieve results). Together, the DRF supports ECCC’s efforts in delivering results for Canadians.
2018–19 Core Responsibilities
The concordance between the 2018–19 Departmental Results Framework and Program Inventory and 2017–18 Strategic Outcomes and Program Alignment Architecture is shown below.
| 2017–18 Lowest-level program of the Program Alignment Architecture | Percentage of lowest-level Program Alignment Architecture program (dollars) corresponding to the program in the Program Inventory | 2018–19 Program Inventory |
|---|---|---|
| 1.1.1 Biodiversity Policy and Priorities | 100% | Biodiversity Policy and Partnerships |
| 1.1.2 Species at Risk | 100% | Species at Risk |
| 1.1.3 Migratory Birds | 100% | Migratory Birds and Other Wildlife |
| 1.1.4 Habitat Conservation Partnerships | 100% | Habitat Conservation and Protection |
| 1.1.5 Protected Areas | 100% | Habitat Conservation and Protection |
| 1.2.1 Water Quality and Aquatic Ecosystems Health | 100% | Water Quality and Ecosystems Partnerships |
| 1.2.2 Water Resource Management and Use | 100% | Hydrological Services |
| 1.2.3 Hydrometric Services | 100% | Hydrological Services |
| 1.3.1 Sustainability Reporting and Indicators | 100% | Community Eco-Action |
| 1.3.2 Ecosystem and Environmental Assessments and Monitoring | 2.57% | Water Quality and Ecosystems Partnerships |
| 1.3.2 Ecosystem and Environmental Assessments and Monitoring | 35.85% | Migratory Birds and Other Wildlife |
| 1.3.2 Ecosystem and Environmental Assessments and Monitoring | 61.58% | Environmental Assessment |
| 1.3.3.1 EcoAction Community Funding | 100% | Community Eco-Action |
| 1.3.3.2 Environmental Damages Fund | 100% | Community Eco-Action |
| 1.3.3.3 Environmental Youth Employment | 100% | Community Eco-Action |
| 1.3.4 Great Lakes | 100% | Water Quality and Ecosystems Partnerships |
| 1.3.5 St. Lawrence | 100% | Water Quality and Ecosystems Partnerships |
| 1.3.6 Lake Simcoe / South-eastern Georgian Bay | 100% | Water Quality and Ecosystems Partnerships |
| 1.3.7 Lake Winnipeg | 100% | Water Quality and Ecosystems Partnerships |
| 1.3.8 Ecosystems Partnerships | 100% | Water Quality and Ecosystems Partnerships |
| 1.4 Compliance Promotion and Enforcement – Wildlife | 100% | Compliance Promotion and Enforcement – Wildlife |
| 2.1.1 Weather and Environmental Observations, Forecasts and Warnings | 100% | Weather and Environmental Observations, Forecasts and Warnings |
| 2.1.2 Health-related Meteorological Information | 100% | Weather and Environmental Observations, Forecasts and Warnings |
| 2.1.3 Climate Information, Predictions and Tools | 83.37% | Climate Change Adaptation |
| 2.1.3 Climate Information, Predictions and Tools | 16.63% | Weather and Environmental Observations, Forecasts and Warnings |
| 2.2.1 Meteorological Services in Support of Air Navigation | 100% | Weather and Environmental Observations, Forecasts and Warnings |
| 2.2.2 Meteorological Services in Support of Marine Navigation | 100% | Weather and Environmental Observations, Forecasts and Warnings |
| 2.2.3 Meteorological Services in Support of Military Operation | 100% | Weather and Environmental Observations, Forecasts and Warnings |
| 3.1.1 Substances Management | 100% | Substances and Waste Management |
| 3.1.2 Effluent Management | 100% | Substances and Waste Management |
| 3.1.3 Marine Pollution | 100% | Substances and Waste Management |
| 3.1.4 Environmental Emergencies | 100% | Substances and Waste Management |
| 3.1.5 Contaminated Sites | 100% | Substances and Waste Management |
| 3.2.1.1 Industrial Sector Emissions | 89.87% | Clean Growth and Climate Change Mitigation |
| 3.2.1.1 Industrial Sector Emissions | 9.68% | Air Quality |
| 3.2.1.1 Industrial Sector Emissions | 0.45% | Substances and Waste Management |
| 3.2.1.2 Transportation Sector Emissions | 56.53% | Clean Growth and Climate Change Mitigation |
| 3.2.1.2 Transportation Sector Emissions | 43.47% | Air Quality |
| 3.2.2 International Climate change and Clean Air Partnerships | 98.45% | International Climate Change Action |
| 3.2.2 International Climate change and Clean Air Partnerships | 1.55% | Air Quality |
| 3.2.3 Environmental Technology | 19.19% | Clean Growth and Climate Change Mitigation |
| 3.2.3 Environmental Technology | 26.26% | Air Quality |
| 3.2.3 Environmental Technology | 48.57% | Water Quality and Ecosystems Partnerships |
| 3.2.3 Environmental Technology | 5.98% | Substances and Waste Management |
| 3.3 Compliance Promotion and Enforcement – Pollution | 100% | Compliance Promotion and Enforcement – Pollution |
Supporting information on the Program Inventory
Supporting information on planned expenditures, human resources, and results related to Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Program Inventory is available the GC InfoBase.
Supplementary information tables
The following supplementary information tables are available on Environment and Climate Change Canada’s website.
- Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
- Details on transfer payment programs of $5 million or more
- Disclosure of transfer payment programs under $5 million
- Gender-based analysis plus
- Horizontal initiatives
- Planned evaluation coverage over the next five fiscal years
- Status report on transformational and major Crown projects
- Upcoming internal audits for the coming fiscal year
- Up-front multi-year funding
Federal tax expenditures
The tax system can be used to achieve public policy objectives through the application of special measures such as low tax rates, exemptions, deductions, deferrals and credits. The Department of Finance Canada publishes cost estimates and projections for these measures each year in the Report on Federal Tax Expenditures. This report also provides detailed background information on tax expenditures, including descriptions, objectives, historical information and references to related federal spending programs. The tax measures presented in this report are the responsibility of the Minister of Finance.
Organizational contact information
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Inquiry Centre
Tel.: 1-800-668-6767 (in Canada only) or 819-997-2800
Fax: 819-994-1412
Email: ec.enviroinfo.ec@canada.ca
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