Archived: Planned results and resources, and key risks, for core responsibilities

Core Responsibility: Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change

Planning highlights

Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change

Climate change is the defining issue of our time. ECCC recognizes the seriousness of this issue and will continue to take ambitious action to reduce Canada’s greenhouse gases (GHG) and other harmful emissions.

In 2016, governments, Canadians, and Indigenous peoples came together to inform and develop the country’s first national climate plan. The Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change (PCF) is Canada’s plan to reduce GHGs to 30% below 2005 levels by 2030 and position Canada to be competitive in the clean economy. As a result of the PCF, the 2019 GHG and Air Pollutant Emission Projections Report shows that Canada’s emissions are projected to be 227 million tonnes (Mt) below what was projected in 2015. Canada's Fourth Biennial Report on Climate Change (PDF), submitted to the UNFCCC on December 31, 2019, projects an overall decline in Canada’s GHG emissions over the next 11 years. A wide range of policies, programs and investments implemented under Canada’s climate plan have led to the biggest improvement to Canada’s emissions outlooks relative to pre-PCF projections encompassing all economic sectors, and demonstrating the effectiveness of Canada’s climate plan.

However, science indicates that more action is needed. That is why the Government of Canada has announced its intent to meet and exceed Canada’s 2030 Paris Agreement target and begin work so that Canada can achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. In 2020-21, ECCC will lay the groundwork for more ambitious climate action by continuing to implement the PCF, working with our partners to strengthen existing and identify new greenhouse gas reductions measures, as well as setting legally binding, five-year emissions-reduction milestones based on advice from experts and consultations with Canadians.

In 2020-2021, ECCC will continue its partnership and constructive dialogue with First Nations, Inuit, and the Métis to inform the designs of policies and program to reflect and advance Indigenous peoples’ clean growth and climate change priorities. These partnerships are vital to the successful implementation of the PCF and to the success of future climate change activities.

Expanding Climate Action

Strengthening the regulatory agenda

The clean fuel standard  is aimed at reducing emissions from liquid, gaseous, and solid fuels used in transportation, buildings, and industry. The objectives of the clean fuel standard are to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, create an incentive for investment and innovation in low carbon fuels and technology, and reduce compliance costs through a flexible regulatory design. ECCC will publish the proposed regulations for liquid fuels class in 2020, and intends to bring liquid class regulations into force in 2022, followed by regulations for the gaseous and solid classes in 2023.

The Department will continue to implement regulations reducing the release of methane and certain Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) from the upstream oil and gas sector that aim to reduce methane emissions by about 20 Mt by 2025 relative to the estimated 2012 levels of 45 Mt CO2e. ECCC will also implement amendments to coal-fired electricity generation regulations that will reduce GHG emissions by 12.8 Mt in 2030, as well as natural gas-fired electricity generation regulations.

The Department will also implement regulations amending the Heavy-duty Vehicle and Engine GHG Emission Regulations that are projected to reduce GHG emissions by approximately 6 Mt annually, starting in 2030. To help inform options to reduce emissions from light-duty vehicles, ECCC will finalize and publish Canada’s Mid-term Evaluation on standards for model years 2022 to 2025 under the light-duty vehicle GHG regulations.

The Department will continue to implement Canada’s Strategy on Short-lived Climate Pollutants (SLCPS). SLCPs are a group of potent GHGs and air pollutants including black carbon, methane, hydrofluorocarbons and ground-level ozone, which contribute to climate warming and can affect air quality. In 2020-21, ECCC will publish a progress report on commitments under the SLCP Strategy and continue to advance domestic and international work to reduce SLCP emissions.

In 2020-21, ECCC will release a National Climate Change Science and Knowledge Plan to support the delivery of the PCF. It will support better coordination and strategic investments for all Canadian science and knowledge actors.

ECCC will continue laying the groundwork towards Canada’s zero emission vehicle targets of 10 per cent light-duty vehicle sales by 2025, 30 per cent by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2040. This work will be done in collaboration with Innovation, Science and Industry Canada, Natural Resources Canada and Transport Canada.

Climate Action Incentive Fund

Under the carbon pollution pricing system, approximately 90% of proceeds from the fuel charge in provinces will be returned directly to individuals and households through Climate Action Incentive payments when they file their tax returns. The remainder of the revenues will be devoted to federal programming, including the Climate Action Incentive Fund (CAIF) that will support small- and medium-sized businesses, as well as municipalities, universities, colleges, schools, hospitals, not-for-profit organizations, and Indigenous peoples in advancing energy efficiency and carbon-reduction projects.

Low Carbon Economy Fund

To support actions under the PCF, ECCC will continue to implement the $2 billion Low Carbon Economy Fund. The Department will continue to work with provinces and territories under the Leadership Fund to identify further opportunities for partnership to leverage investments in projects that will generate clean growth, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and help meet or exceed Canada’s Paris Agreement commitments. ECCC is investing $500 million under the Challenge to support GHG reduction projects administered by provinces and territories, municipalities, Indigenous communities and organizations, businesses, and not-for-profit organizations. For example, ECCC is providing funding to the University of Calgary to perform energy retrofits allowing for greater energy efficiency and heat recovery that will reduce GHG emissions by 12,750 tonnes CO2e. Further, a project to enable the expansion of Regina’s landfill gas collection system with new infrastructure will allow the increased collection and combustion of methane/landfill gas onsite.

Climate Action Fund

ECCC will continue to implement the $3 million Climate Action Fund, which supports projects delivered by students, youth, Indigenous peoples and organizations, not-for-profit organizations, small- and medium-sized enterprises, and research and educational institutions, that are designed to raise awareness of climate change and clean growth, and encourage others to take action. For example, the Department will support the Saskatchewan Environmental Society’s Saskatchewan Low Carbon Stories project, which will engage local farmers, young people, Indigenous communities, and economic developers across the province and share their low-carbon business solutions in rural Saskatchewan.

International Climate Action

ECCC will continue its leadership role in working with international partners to advance the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement, which Canada ratified in October 2016, towards increasing the global response to climate change. ECCC led Canada’s participation at COP 25 in December 2019 in Madrid, Spain to continue advancing implementation of the Paris Agreement and to promote clean growth and the integration of efforts on climate, oceans and nature. Going forward—including in the lead up to COP 26 in November 2020—Canada will continue to engage internationally to advance ambitious and inclusive climate action. This includes by ensuring Indigenous peoples are engaged in developing international climate policy, and by promoting gender equality and the role of women in climate action around the world. Canada will also remain steadfast in its efforts to ensure that international market mechanisms are guided by a robust set of rules and operate with environmental integrity.

ECCC will continue to support developing countries transition to resilient, low-carbon economies, including by working closely with Global Affairs Canada to deliver Canada’s climate finance commitment of $2.65 billion by March 2021. Canada’s climate finance is delivered through various multilateral and bilateral initiatives, including the Green Climate Fund. Funds will target sectors such as clean technology and renewable energy, climate-smart agriculture and forest management, and risk insurance and capacity building, with special consideration for the poorest and most vulnerable developing countries. Canada’s climate finance is consistent with its feminist international assistance policy to promote gender equality and help empower all women and girls.

Clean growth and climate change in trade agreements

Canada seeks to include ambitious, comprehensive, and enforceable provisions on environment in its free-trade agreements. This includes obligations to maintain robust environmental governance as trade and investment are liberalized, as well as commitments on a range of global environmental issues, including illegal wildlife trade, sustainable fisheries and forestry management, and climate change. These commitments are being implemented as part of agreements with key trading partners, including the United States, Mexico, the European Union and countries party to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

United Nations’ 2030 Agenda^{Footnote 1}  and Sustainable Development Goals

In defining a whole of government view of federal environmental sustainability commitments and actions, the 2019-2022 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy, developed and coordinated by ECCC, supports Canada’s overall response to the 2030 Agenda. ECCC’s continued implementation of activities in support of its core responsibility for Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change, will directly contribute to the achievement of numerous sustainable development goals. For example, pricing carbon pollution and the associated regulations will comprehensively and directly combat climate change and its impacts by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and stimulating investments in clean innovation (Goal 13), while initiatives such as climate action incentives and partnership funding will promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth (Goal 8). Supporting resilient infrastructure and innovative and inclusive approaches to industrial development will be achieved through LCEF incentives (Goal 9), which will also foster sustainable business and employment opportunities and consumption practices (Goal 1 and Goal 12). Taken together, numerous ECCC initiatives to reduce harmful emissions and to track and respond to pollutant releases will help protect human health and the environment.

When considered together, ECCC initiatives represent a comprehensive approach to facilitate Canada’s shift to a low carbon economy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, achieve clean and sustainable growth, and promote innovation in industrial technologies and processes that will create sustainable industries and jobs and enhance Canada’s competitiveness. ECCC’s programs will also help regions and communities plan for, and adapt to, the impacts of climate change, so as to mitigate threats to health, safety and well-being.

Planned results for Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change

¹ This result was amended to reflect revised calculations, and differs from past publications.

² This is an interim target, established by Treasury Board Secretariat (TBS) in its Greening Government Strategy, toward a full 80% reduction below 2005 levels by 2050.

³ In 2015, the TBS Centre for Greening Government issued updated emissions factors for all federal organizations reporting GHG emissions from electricity consumption. Therefore, the 2016–17 and 2017–18 results are not comparable to earlier years’ results.

¹ The results reported relate to the number of individuals, businesses, and governments accessing climate services. Access is measured through a survey conducted annually and usage is measured through a survey conducted every 5 years.

² Baseline for the annual survey will be established when the Canadian Centre for Climate Services has been functioning for one full year. It is expected that the baseline will be set in 2019-20.

³ Baseline for the 5-year survey will be established when the Canadian Centre for Climate Services has been operational for 5-6 full years.

* All figures, throughout the document, are net of respendable revenues.

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

Core Responsibility: Preventing and Managing Pollution

Planning highlights

Reaching Zero Plastic Waste

To eliminate plastic pollution, ECCC will be providing funding through the Zero Plastic Waste Initiative (ZPWI) for projects that mobilize Canadians to capture and remove plastic pollution or prevent plastic waste from entering the environment and capture and remove plastic pollution from the environment. The ZPWI aims to affect change within and across the plastics lifecycle to increase collection, improve value recovery, and prevent and remove plastic pollution. The initiative supports projects that use an innovative and ecosystem approach that leads to measurable, positive impacts to reduce plastic waste and pollution in Canada.

In 2020-21, ECCC will continue to collaborate with industry and other partners to achieve Canada’s ambitious goals of 100% reusable, recyclable or recoverable plastics by 2030, and increasing recycled content in plastic products where applicable by at least 50% by 2030. A Plastics Innovation Challenge intended to spur innovative solutions related to food packaging, construction waste, and the separation of plastics for recycling will fund the development of three prototypes. Demonstration projects and voluntary agreements in key industry sectors will be developed to advance the implementation of solutions to reduce plastic waste and increase their recovery.

Work with the provinces and territories to implement the Canada-Wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste will also continue. The Phase I Action Plan was approved by Environment Ministers in June 2019 and implementation is underway. The development of Phase II will be completed in 2020. Further information on ECCC’s work on plastic waste and pollution can be found on the zero plastic waste website.

In 2020-21, Canada will host the World Circular Economy Forum 2020, co-organized by ECCC, on behalf of the Government of Canada, and the Finnish innovation fund Sitra. The World Circular Economy Forum is a global event that brings together leaders, businesses, policymakers, and experts to present solutions for a circular economy. The 2020 forum will provide a global platform for national and international discussions on new business models that use our natural resources more efficiently, minimize waste and pollution, and accelerate the transition to a clean economy.

Protecting the environment and Canadians from harmful substances

To protect the environment and Canadians from harmful substances, ECCC will continue to deliver Canada’s Chemicals Management Plan with Health Canada. As of the fall of 2018, the two departments had addressed 3,621 of 4,363 chemicals identified in 2006 as priorities for attention, with the remaining 679 priority chemicals to be addressed as required by the end of FY 2020–21. ECCC and Health Canada will continue their work to set new directions and objectives for managing chemicals beyond 2020, and to support greater transparency and public participation in the notification and risk assessments of new substances and organisms through the New Substances Voluntary Public Engagement Transparency Initiative. ECCC is committed to continuous improvement and will work with Health Canada to better protect people and the environment from harmful substances, including through strengthening the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. (CEPA).

Oil sands monitoring

ECCC will continue to collaborate with the Government of Alberta to ensure oil sands in Alberta are developed and monitored in an environmentally and socially responsible manner. The terms of a 2017 memorandum of understanding renewed both governments’ commitment to use a collective approach that includes Indigenous communities, industry, and governments in its Oil Sands Monitoring (OSM) program. The OSM program is funded by industry through Alberta’s Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act. ECCC will continue to be actively engaged in the OSM program through participation in its governance and by providing scientific expertise, laboratory infrastructure, and leadership to monitoring that considers the impact of oil sands development on air, water, land and biodiversity.

Protecting whales from contaminants

Reducing air pollution and improving air quality

Air pollution remains a significant global risk to human health and the environment. Improving air quality in collaboration with partners by reducing harmful emissions will continue to be a priority for ECCC in 2020-21. The Department’s efforts will include working with provinces and territories to implement the Air Quality Management System (AQMS). For example, the Department will review the national ambient air quality standard for fine particulate matter (PM 2.5) to encourage continuous improvement in air quality. In 2020 the Department will publish the final volatile organic compound (VOC) regulations for the petroleum sector and will continue to develop and implement regulations on emissions from off-road compression-ignition and large spark ignition engines.  ECCC will also continue its global efforts to reduce transboundary air pollutants, including under the Canada-U.S. Air Quality Agreement and the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution.

The Multi-sector Air Pollutants Regulations (MSAPR), designed to reduce air pollution from industrial boilers and heaters, cement manufacturing, and stationary spark-ignition engines, were published in June 2016. ECCC will continue to administer the MSAPR, as well as various non-regulatory instruments to reduce air pollution. The Department will also finalize an on-line reporting system for the Multi-sector Air Pollutant Regulation for stationary spark-ignition engines. In addition, ECCC will publish the final Off-Road Compression-Ignition (Mobile and Stationary) and Large Spark-Ignition Engine emission regulations, implement Tier 3 under the On-Road Vehicle and Engine Emission Regulation, and implement amendments to the Off-Road Small Spark-Ignition Engine Emission Regulations, which came into force on March 22, 2018.

Protecting Canada’s freshwater resources

A new Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health will be finalized in 2020. It will align with Canada’s commitments under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement by addressing key challenges in the Lakes (such as algae in Lake Erie) and focusing action on improving wastewater and stormwater management, reducing pollution (such as chemical pollution and plastic waste), protecting the more than 3,500 species living in the Basin, and addressing invasive species and climate resilience.  Funding announced in 2019 ($1 million over three years) for ten new partner-led projects – including one that will create and restore aquatic habitats in the bays and coastal wetlands of Toronto’s Tommy Thompson Park – will advance efforts to address priority areas under the Great Lakes Protection Initiative.

Lake Winnipeg is Canada’s sixth-largest lake and has a basin that drains water from four provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, and Ontario) and four states (Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Minnesota). Lake Winnipeg is an important freshwater resource that generates millions of dollars in revenue through hydroelectricity, recreation and commercial freshwater fishing. It is also a significant cultural, social, and economic resource for Indigenous Peoples and communities. Through the Lake Winnipeg Basin Program, ECCC will continue to support nutrient-reduction efforts, basin-wide collaboration, and engage Indigenous Peoples on freshwater issues. Actions funded through the Lake Winnipeg Basin Program (2017-2022) that reduce nutrient loading to the lake include wetland restoration and water retention. A key priority for 2020-21 is the renewal of the Canada-Manitoba Memorandum of Understanding Respecting Lake Winnipeg and the Lake Winnipeg Basin, which facilitates important collaboration in support of the long-term management of this key freshwater resource.

The St. Lawrence River is recognized worldwide, as reflected in the Ramsar Convention^{Footnote 2} designations of its four Wetlands of International Importance, as well as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) designations of the Lac Saint-Pierre Biosphere Reserve and the Miguasha National Park World Heritage Site. The Department will continue its priority work under the Canada-Québec Agreement on the St. Lawrence (St. Lawrence Action Plan 2011-2026) to conserve, restore, protect, and develop this major river. ECCC will continue its monitoring program, with the results of 21 indicators of water quality to be published in 2020-21.

To protect and conserve freshwater resources across Canada, ECCC will support new EcoAction Community Funding Program projects – community-driven initiatives that will divert and reduce harmful substances, improve freshwater management, and increase climate resilience through action involving the development and/or restoration of natural infrastructure.

In other major basins, such as the Saint John River (Wəlastəkw) watershed, the Department will continue efforts to increase coordination and collaboration with other government departments, Indigenous people, and stakeholders to identify and advance water quality and ecosystem priorities, goals, and objectives.

To further protect Canada’s freshwater resources, ECCC will advance amendments to the Pulp and Paper Effluent Regulations that will strengthen protections. ECCC plans to publish proposed Coal Mining Effluent Regulations, which will be published for consultations, and to initiate preliminary consultations to advance the development of a new Oil Sands Effluent Regulations.

With the support of Agriculture Canada and Agri-Food Canada, ECCC we will explore ways to create a new Canada Water Agency, which will work with provinces, territories, indigenous communities, local communities and others to build on existing work and find the best solutions for maintaining safe, clean, and well-managed water resources.

Protecting coastlines and oceans

ECCC will continue to be a key partner in Canada’s $1.5 billion Oceans Protection Plan (OPP), led by Transport Canada, to build a world-leading marine safety system and strengthen stewardship of Canada’s oceans and coasts. The Department’s major contribution is the provision of expertise in ocean modelling, spill behaviour, and other scientific advice to support improved prevention, emergency planning, and response to oil spills. ECCC will also continue its ongoing contribution of weather and environmental data to support healthier and safer coasts.

Strengthening sustainable development across the Government of Canada

ECCC is responsible for leading the development of a federal strategy for sustainable development every three years. The 2019-2022 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy, tabled on June 19, 2019, sets out federal priorities, goals, and targets, as well as the actions to achieve them. ECCC’s Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators program supports this work through data and information that tracks Canada's performance on key environmental sustainability issues including climate change and air quality, water quality and availability, and protecting nature. An Act to Amend the Federal Sustainable Development Act will come into force on December 1, 2020, and will expand the number of federal organizations required to report on their sustainable development activities from 26 to more than 90.

United Nations’ 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals

The diverse programs and strategies under ECCC’s core responsibility for Preventing and Managing Pollution will contribute very substantially to more than half of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Continued  enforcement of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act 1999 and key provisions of the Fisheries Act, coupled with the implementation of the Chemicals Management Plan and advancement of regulations to protect air and water quality and promote clean fuels, will support healthy lives and well-being for all (Goal 3), while also advancing sustainable management of water and sanitation (Goal 6), promoting sustainable production and consumption practices (Goal 12) and fighting climate change (Goal 13).

Through implementation of domestic and international measures focused on responsible management of waste, protection of oceans, and the elimination and reduction of plastics in the environment,  ECCC will support sustainable use of marine resources (Goal 14) and promote inclusive approaches to sustainable development, industrialization and urbanization (Goal 8, Goal 9, Goal 11, Goal 15, and Goal 16). ECCC will also continue to be an active partner and leader in global action on pollution prevention and management (Goal 17).

Planned results for Preventing and Managing Pollution

¹ Air quality monitoring results are subject to data validation and are available 18-24 months after data collection. In the 2018–19 and 2019–20 Departmental Plans, data were reported in the year the data were collected.

Core Responsibility: Conserving Nature

Planning highlights

Conserving land, inland waters and coastal and marine areas

ECCC will continue its ambitious work toward the protection and conservation of 17% of terrestrial areas and inland water and 10% of marine and coastal areas by the end of 2020. The Department will continue to lead the Government of Canada’s efforts to strengthen its commitment to nature and its conservation goals.

Canada made a historic investment of $1.3 billion over five years (Budget 2018) under Canada’s Nature Legacy Initiative, part of which provided $500 million, matched by partners, to establish the Canada Nature Fund. Programs under the Canada Nature Fund will expand a connected network of protected and conserved areas across Canada. They include:

• The Pathway to Canada Target 1 Challenge program, which provides up to $175 million to support the implementation of new conservation projects across all provinces and territories.
• The Natural Heritage Conservation Program, which launched in April 2019, provides a $100 million investment to help protect private lands.

Looking ahead, the federal Government intends to conserve 25% of lands and oceans by 2025 and work toward 30% by 2030. ECCC and Parks Canada Agency (PCA) will work with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) to develop an ambitious plan to achieve these targets. Recognizing that the loss of nature is a global issue requiring global action, Canada will advocate that countries around the world set a 30% conservation goal for 2030 as well.

ECCC will collaborate with local partners, such as communities, Indigenous peoples and environmental organizations, to meet its conservation goals. Some examples of the diverse partnerships and approaches in which ECCC will engage in 2020-21 include collaboration with:

• the Ktunaxa Nation Council Society, which is one of the many Indigenous proponents ECCC is supporting to create an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA). Under the Target 1 Challenge, they received $16 million over four years to lead the creation of an IPCA in the Qat’muk area, which includes the Jumbo Valley in the Purcell Mountains. This IPCA will conserve and protect habitat for wildlife including grizzly bear (western population), whitebark pine, and Southern Mountain caribou critical habitat, all of which are species at risk
• DFO and the Montreal Port Authority to designate a group of 27 islands in the St. Lawrence River as National Wildlife Areas. The islands are in a geographic corridor heavily used by migratory birds and provide important habitat for species at risk, including the Least Bittern and Short-eared Owl.
• the Government of Yukon and First Nations to support the Peel Watershed Regional Land-Use Plan, which creates new protected and conserved areas to safeguard the watershed and the wildlife that call it home. The Peel Watershed is home to 15 species at risk, including both the barren ground and boreal caribou.
• ECCC will implement an improved risk-based approach to enforcing federal wildlife laws that protect species at risk, protected areas, migratory birds as well as wild plants and animals in international and interprovincial trade. ECCC will continue to work closely with provinces and territories, other federal departments as well as foreign law enforcement agencies and intergovernmental organizations to protect domestic species as well as exotic species in Canadian commerce. Global wildlife crime, including poaching, smuggling, and trafficking of animals and plants, is estimated to be worth over US$155 billion per year, making it the world’s fourth most lucrative form of crime.

These conservation initiatives and many others underway will help Canada meet its 2020 and 2025 conservation targets, advance reconciliation with Indigenous peoples, protect and recover species at risk, and improve biodiversity for all.

Pan-Canadian approach to conserving and protecting species

In 2019-20, ECCC collaborated with its provincial and territorial counterparts to begin the implementation of a new Pan-Canadian Approach to Transforming Species at Risk Conservation in Canada (Pan-Canadian Approach). With support from the Canada Nature Fund, the approach reflects a shift to more multi-species and ecosystem-based conservation, and more targeted and collaborative FPT efforts focussed on conservation planning and action on shared priority places, species, and sectors. Provinces and territories continue to lead efforts to recover species at risk and other priority species on lands under their jurisdiction, with support and partnership from ECCC.

In 2020-21, the Department will continue to advance implementation of the Pan-Canadian Approach in collaboration with provinces and territories, Indigenous peoples and stakeholders. Indigenous organizations and stakeholders (e.g. ENGOs, industry) from across Canada will be encouraged to participate in conservation action planning initiatives for the six priority species identified by federal, provincial and territorial governments under the Pan-Canadian Approach, thus ensuring that their knowledge and ongoing actions will meaningfully contribute to the advancement of protection and recovery measures for these species. For 11 priority places, projects will enable partner and stakeholder engagement, cooperative conservation action planning, and the implementation of on-the-ground actions for species at risk. Work in these priority places will be complemented in 15 Community-Nominated Priority Places, selected through a call for proposals in 2019-20. In each community, multiple partners will take action together to protect and recover species at risk. In addition, Priority Sectors Initiatives will advance partner and stakeholder engagement to co-create conservation action plans with the agriculture, forest, and urban development sectors that seek to align sector policy and practice with positive outcomes for species at risk conservation and sector sustainability.

Guided by the Pan-Canadian Approach, the Department will continue to implement the Species at Risk Act through listing, recovery planning and protection action. ECCC will also engage with provinces, territories, Indigenous communities, scientists, industry and other stakeholders to evaluate the effectiveness of the existing Species at Risk Act and assess the need for modernization.

In partnership with the Nature Conservancy of Canada, Ducks Unlimited Canada, Island Nature Trust, and the Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation, among others, the Department will provide $10 million over two years as part of the Government’s sustained commitment to invest up to $20 million over four years to support the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, which helps protect wetlands and migratory birds, including species at risk. The Department will also continue to engage with external partners on the advancement of the Migratory Birds Strategy, and enforce and promote compliance with federal wildlife legislation that protects plant and animal species, including in interprovincial and international trade.

Partnering with Indigenous Peoples

ECCC is committed to meaningful engagement with Indigenous peoples in conservation. The Department will continue working to renew nation-to-nation relationships with Indigenous peoples as part of the implementation of the Pan-Canadian Approach and the federal Species at Risk Act. Under the Canada Nature Fund, partnerships with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis will advance the conservation of species at risk in a manner that recognizes and enables Indigenous leadership, knowledge, and interests in land and resource management. Projects will contribute to building Indigenous partners’ capacity to: lead the development and implementation of recovery and protection measures for at-risk species (including several culturally significant caribou species); negotiate and implement conservation agreements for the collaborative conservation of species at risk; and support meaningful participation in Species at Risk Act consultation and cooperation processes. The engagement of Indigenous peoples and use of traditional knowledge in the conservation and protection of species respond to recommendations from the Horizontal Evaluation of the Species at Risk Program (June 2018).

ECCC will continue to implement its Indigenous Guardians Pilot Program to support First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities in protecting sensitive areas and species, monitoring ecological health, and maintaining Indigenous cultural sites. With funding of $25 million over four years (2018 to 2022), the Government of Canada recognizes the impact and invaluable contributions of Indigenous communities to nature conservation and offers an opportunity to advance true reconciliation. The Pilot Program is implemented jointly with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis using individualized approaches that respect and recognize each group’s unique perspectives, rights, responsibilities and needs. Under the pilot program, ECCC will support Indigenous conservation leadership across the country through 33 new projects, including community-based monitoring initiatives, actions to protect clean air and water, and initiatives to protect and restore healthy ecosystems, cultural resources, and species at risk  The projects also support effective partnerships between First Nations, Métis, Inuit and the Government of Canada.  Supporting Indigenous leadership in conservation is a central component of Canada’s effort to double the amount of nature protected in our nation’s lands and oceans.

Impact assessment

Under the Impact Assessment Act, ECCC will provide expertise and advice related to impacts of proposed projects on climate change, air quality, water quality, environmental preparedness and emergencies, and biodiversity. This will include developing guidance for project proponents on standard methodologies to address common issues. The Department will also publish the final Strategic Assessment on Climate Change (SACC) and contribute to the federal approach to cumulative effects under the new Act.

United Nations’ 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals

ECCC’s new Pan-Canadian Approach to Species at Risk and its substantial new investments in federal and other protected areas under its Nature Legacy initiative, combined with ongoing action in wetlands protection, habitat stewardship, and wildlife conservation, will serve to: conserve biodiversity and the quality and viability of natural ecosystems; preserve and restore air and water quality; and promote sustainable land use and wildlife harvesting practices. These will constitute support primarily for life in water (Goal 14) and life on land (Goal 15).

Planned results for Conserving Nature

Core Responsibility: Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions

Planning highlights

In 2020-21, ECCC will continue to provide Canadians with accurate and timely information on weather and environmental conditions to help them make decisions about their health, safety and economic well-being. To do so, ECCC will rely on scientific expertise, a leading-edge approach to data management and analysis, and innovative information techniques^{Footnote 3} . Using a state-of-the-art supercomputer solution to bring together thousands of observations about Canada’s environment and other data available from domestic and international partners, ECCC’s meteorologists and scientists work around the clock in prediction centres across the country to deliver forecasts for the weather, extreme weather conditions, and water-related events. This helps Canadians and weather-sensitive businesses prepare for weather events and become more resilient to the consequences of climate change. For example, the Canadian Hurricane Centre meteorologists track the intensity and path of storms and issue warnings for those with potential to affect Canada or its waters. In addition, ECCC will continue to leverage social media channels to broaden its reach when notifying Canadians of the potential for high-impact weather events.

Modernizing national water monitoring for Canadians

Monitoring the quantity and flow of water is increasingly important, as Canada is warming twice as fast as the global average. A warmer climate means more weather extremes, including higher storm surges, thus increasing coastal flooding and urban flood risks. Better information on water levels means Canadians will have access to the information they need to be prepared. In 2020-21, ECCC’s National Hydrological Service will continue to modernize and strengthen its engineering and technical capacity, modernize its infrastructure, and put in place new technologies to gather and analyze water information. The National Hydrological Service will continue to work in partnership with the provinces and territories to co-develop capability for the prediction of water quantity, starting with five major basins in Canada (the Saskatchewan, Nelson, Mackenzie, Columbia and Churchill Rivers) and the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River. This work will be completed for the Churchill and Mackenzie Rivers in the next two years. This major initiative represents a $90 million federal government investment over five years, ending in 2022-2023. ECCC will continue to provide expert advice and recommendations to inter-jurisdictional and international water boards. This investment will also modernize engineering models and systems for better service delivery to partner agencies involved with domestic and transboundary water management across the country.

United Nations’ 2030 Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (UNSD)

ECCC’s weather and environmental observations, forecasts and warnings, including its water monitoring programs, are vital for governments, industry, and citizens alike to make daily decisions related to weather-dependent economic activities. ECCC’s Air Quality Program and Air Quality Index, together with its extreme weather warnings, contribute to public health and safety (Goal 3). Its weather forecasts play a vital role in assisting farming, forestry, transportation and other sectors plan and schedule their operations for optimal production and sustainability (Goal 12), while water-monitoring services contribute to responsible water conservation and use (Goal 6). More generally, the accumulated knowledge about weather and climate patterns and trends support development of effective long-term strategies for water and air quality management, action on climate change, and conservation of marine resources for sustainable development (Goal 13 and Goal 14).

Planned results for Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions

Financial, human resources and performance information for Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Program Inventory is available in the GC InfoBase.