Archived: Departmental Performance Report supplemental tables 2013-14, Environment Canada, chapter 4

User Fees and Regulatory Charges (User Fees Act)

• Fees charged for the processing of access requests filed under the Access to Information Act
• New Substances Fees Regulations
• Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area - Admission fees
• Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area - Hunting permits
• Migratory Bird Program - Migratory game bird hunting permit
• Migratory Bird Program - Wildlife habitat conservation stamp
• Aviculture, taxidermy or eiderdown
• Disposal at sea permit application fee
• Disposal at sea permit fee
• User fee totals
• External Fees (Policy on Service Standards for External Fees)

Fees charged for the processing of access requests filed under the Access to Information Act

Fee type: Other products and services (O)

Fee-setting authority: Access to Information Act (ATIA)

Year last modified: 1992

Performance standards:

A response is provided within 30 calendar days following the receipt of a request. The response time may be extended pursuant to section 9 of the ATIA. A notice of extension must be sent within 30 days after the receipt of a request.

The Access to Information Act provides further details.

Performance results:

Environment Canada received 1,459 requests in 2013-14.

The Department processed 1,424 requests, including some carried over from previous years, and carried 223 requests forward to 2014-15.

The Department was able to complete 75% of requests within 30 days or less. Of all completed requests, 88% were completed within legislated deadlines.

Other information: Under the Access to Information Act, fees may be waived when deemed to be in the public interest. Fees waived during 2013-14 totalled $1,772.40.

New Substances Fees Regulations

Fee type: Regulatory (R)

Fee-setting authorities: Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999), section 328; New Substances Fees Regulations

Year last modified: 2001

Performance standards:

1. All new substances notification submissions receipts are acknowledged by letter, email or facsimile within 10 days.
2. All new substances notification submissions are reviewed (assessed) for their potential to adversely affect human health or the environment and decisions are taken, within the regulatory deadline, to minimize such effects.

Performance results:

1. 100% of the 461 new substances notification submissions received in 2013-14 were acknowledged by letter, email or facsimile within 10 days of their receipt.
2. 100% of the 461 new substances notification submissions received in 2013-14 were triaged and reviewed within the established period. Of the 461 new substances notification submissions, 25 were assessed as substances of concern. Consequently, the New Substances Program published, in the Canada Gazette, 8 ministerial conditions and 17 significant new activity notices.

Other information:

Fees are shared with Health Canada in the following proportion:

• two thirds for Environment Canada; and
• one third for Health Canada.

Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area - Admission fees

Fee type: Regulatory (R)

Fee-setting authority: Canada Wildlife Act, section 12; Wildlife Area Regulations

Year last modified: 2003

Performance standards:

The public has access to facilities, including an interpretation centre and a 20-km hiking trail network. The public also has access to high-quality services, information on the Wildlife Area Regulations, the activities offered, and interpretation services.

The performance standards are intended to ensure that requesters receive access to services as soon as their admission fee is paid, and that visitors are satisfied with the services provided.

Performance results:

In 2013-14, all visitors (35,000) received access to services within minutes of entering the National Wildlife Area (NWA). The verbal comments gathered from some 50 visitors in 2012 demonstrate general satisfaction with the quality of the services. A survey of 500 visitors was conducted during the same year to assess the service standards and to obtain results on program performance. The results are currently being analyzed. This survey tool will be used to consult stakeholders on various aspects of the program.

Other information:

A comparative study conducted in 2012-13 of revenue generated versus costs for visitor and interpretation services showed that, despite streamlining efforts, expenses have continued to exceed revenues since 2003. This shortfall is mainly due to the increase in consumer prices for the goods and services, particularly petroleum products that are required to operate the NWA. In addition, the number of visitors to the NWA has fallen considerably since 2003, despite the rise observed in the number of youth groups from summer camps.

Over the next few years, operating and maintenance costs for the NWA are expected to considerably exceed revenues.

Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area - Hunting permits

Fee type: Regulatory (R)

Fee-setting authority: Canada Wildlife Act, section 12; Wildlife Area Regulations

Year last modified: 2001

Performance standards:

The public has access to high-quality controlled hunt activities, including hunting site preparation, decoys, training sessions supervised by qualified staff, and safe facilities. To access the activities, Canadian residents must pay a non-refundable application fee. If they are chosen by lot, they are issued a non-refundable hunting permit.

These performance standards are intended to ensure that, following the hunting permit application process, the hunters chosen by lot are notified within two months of the draw and that hunters are satisfied with the services provided.

Performance results:

In 2013-14, all of the hunters chosen by lot were notified within 2 months of the draw. A survey of hunters conducted in 2005 demonstrated that hunters were generally satisfied and that many hunters register for the NWA controlled hunt program year after year. The verbal comments gathered from hunters in 2012 show general satisfaction with the quality of the services. This satisfaction is also clearly demonstrated by the steady number of hunting permit applications (800 to 900 per year) and by the fact that all 112 hunting packages are sold every year. In 2013-14, another survey was conducted with 166 hunters to assess the new service standards and obtain performance results. The results are currently being analyzed. This survey tool will be used to consult stakeholders on various aspects of the program.

Other information:

A comparative study conducted in 2012-13 of revenue generated versus costs for the controlled fall hunt showed that, despite streamlined operational costs and a reduced service offering (the controlled fall hunt program was restructured in 2001, 2006 and 2010), expenses continue to exceed revenues. In 2014-15, the operating and maintenance costs of this program are expected to continue to exceed revenues.

In 2013-14, 528 people hunted at the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area. Starting in 2014-15, the number of hunting packages will be increased, raising the forecast revenue to $55,000.

From early February to late April, hunters (800 to 1,000 applicants) can send in their application fee to participate in the draw, which is held in early May. Applicants are informed of their place in the draw order by regular mail by the end of May at the latest. In June, the first 150 applicants receive a telephone call offering them a hunting permit. Once they have paid the fees, they receive confirmation that they will be taking part in the hunt. There are 112 packages for groups of 4 (the applicant and 3 friends). The hunting permit is issued on-site in October.

Migratory Bird Program - Migratory game bird hunting permit

Fee type: Regulatory (R)

Fee-setting authority: Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, section 12; Migratory Birds Regulations

Year last modified: 1998 - SOR/98-314

Performance standards:

The total cost of a migratory game bird hunting (MGBH) permit is $17. Of that amount, $8.50 is the fee for the permit and $8.50 is the cost for the Canadian wildlife habitat conservation stamp. This stamp must be affixed to the permit to make it valid. MGBH permits are available for sale as of August 1 at Canada Post offices and from select provincial and private vendors.

The performance standards are as follows: a) an adequate number of permits are available for distribution for the open hunting season, and b) Canadian citizens or other individuals acquiring a permit can obtain one within a reasonable time.

Performance results:

MGBH permits were available for distribution in time for sale on August 1, 2013, at Canada Post offices, provincial partners and independent vendors. This was in advance of the opening of the hunting season.

As the primary vendor of permits, Canada Post provided information and assistance through its helpline for those who wished to obtain permits. Through its Inquiry Centre, Environment Canada also assists Canadians in locating a permit or making a complaint about obtaining a permit. Private vendors can also obtain additional permits within 3 to 5 days from Environment Canada.

Hunters or their representatives must go to a postal outlet or to a private vendor’s location in person to purchase their MGBH permits. The permits are available within minutes after the transaction is completed.

Other information:

The full cost and estimated full cost include the development, printing and distribution of the permit and hunting summaries. Hunting summaries are one-page summaries of the annual hunting regulations for each province and territory, including season dates and bag limits. Costs also include the National Harvest Survey, a voluntary survey that provides data to help to assess the status of migratory game bird populations in Canada, their productivity, survival rates and amount of harvest they can sustain.

There are currently no talks underway to increase permit prices.

Migratory Bird Program - Wildlife habitat conservation stamp

Fee type: Regulatory (R)

Fee-setting authority: Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, section 12; Migratory Birds Regulations, C.R.C., c. 1035

Year last modified: 1991

Performance standards:

The retail value of each wildlife habitat conservation stamp is $8.50. For a migratory game bird hunting (MGBH) permit to be valid, the stamp must be affixed to it. The stamp is also available in philatelic form for collectors.

The philatelic stamp is packaged in a booklet and is not valid for postage. The price of the philatelic wildlife habitat conservation stamp ranges from $8.50 for a single stamp, to $34 for a block of 4 stamps, and $136 for a sheet of 16 stamps. A limited number of booklets signed by the artist whose painting was used for the stamp are also available for $20 each. The philatelic stamps are available as of April 1 from Wildlife Habitat Canada (WHC).

The performance standard is that the stamps are available in the numbers required for both the migratory game bird hunting permits and predicted philatelic purposes.

Performance results:

MGBH stamps were available in the numbers required for the migratory game bird hunting permits and for predicted philatelic purposes.

As the primary vendor of permits (with stamps affixed), Canada Post provided information and assistance through its helpline for those who wished to obtain permits. Environment Canada also assists Canadians in locating a permit, or to make a complaint about obtaining a permit through their Inquiry Centre. Private vendors can also obtain additional permits within 3 to 5 days from Environment Canada.

Hunters or their representatives must go to a postal outlet or to a private vendor’s location in person to purchase their MGBH permits. The permits (with stamps affixed) are available within minutes after the transaction is completed.

Aviculture, taxidermy or eiderdown

Fee type: Regulatory (R)

Fee-setting authority: Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, section 12; Migratory Birds Regulations

Year last modified: Prior to 1978

Performance standards:

These permits are issued by Environment Canada regional offices for a fee of $10. To be successful, applicants must meet certain requirements; for example, with respect to aviculture, applicants must demonstrate that they will wing-clip, pinion or keep the birds in an enclosure to prevent mixing with wild populations. Each region can attach specific conditions to each permit. Permits generally expire on December 31 of the year issued.

For the 2013-14 fiscal year, the performance standard was to review all applications received and issue permits, or notify applicants of the reasons for denying a permit, within 30 days of receiving the application.

Environment Canada established new service standards and performance indicators for permits issued under the Migratory Birds Regulations for aviculture, eiderdown, and taxidermy in March 2014. The new service standard for a decision on whether the Minister will issue or refuse a permit under the Migratory Birds Regulations will be provided within the following time frames:

• Eiderdown permit decisions will be made within 14 calendar days after the date of the notice, indicating that the application has been received.
• Aviculture permit decisions will be made within 40 calendar days after the date of the notice, indicating that the application has been received.
• Taxidermy permit decisions will be made within 40 calendar days after the date of the notice, indicating that the application has been received.

Where a permit application made under the Migratory Birds Regulations involves activities that may affect a species protected by the Species at Risk Act (SARA), a 90-day service standard will apply in order to ensure consistency with the Permits Authorizing an Activity Affecting Listed Wildlife Species Regulations under SARA.

For more information on service standards for permits issued by Environment Canada, please visit our website.

Performance results:

Taxidermy: 99.5% of permits were issued within 30 days.

Aviculture: 96% of permits were issued within 30 days.

Eiderdown: 86% (6 out of 7) permits were issued within 30 days.

For taxidermy, aviculture and eiderdown, performance targets as set in March 2014 are as follows:

• 2014-15: 80% of decisions regarding permit applications are made within the service standard.
• 2015-16: 85% of decisions regarding permit applications are made within the service standard.
• 2016-17 onward: 90% of decisions regarding permit applications are made within the service standard.

Performance measures for all permit types issued under the Migratory Birds Regulations will be posted annually on the departmental website, no later than June 1, for the preceding fiscal year.

Disposal at sea permit application fee

Fee type: Regulatory (R)

Fee-setting authority: Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999), subsection 135(1); Disposal at Sea Regulations

Year last modified: 2001 (the Regulations were amended in 2013, but the fees have not changed since 2001)

Performance standards:

Under the application fee, each application is reviewed according to Schedule 6 of CEPA 1999 and the Disposal at Sea Regulations. This involves public notice, an application that provides detailed data, scientific review, and the payment of fees. Each permit is published on the CEPA Environmental Registry and issued to the permit holder within 120 days of applying, provided the application is complete and there are no issues from other stakeholders.

Performance results:

Met service standard of permit issuance within 120 days of receipt of a complete application on 93% of delivered permits.

Disposal at sea permit fee

Fee type: Regulatory (R)

Fee-setting authority: Financial Administration Act (FAA), par. 19.1(a); Disposal at Sea Permit Fee Regulations

Date last modified: 2010

Performance standards:

The permittee has access to a permitted site and the ability to dispose of 1,000 m³ of dredged or excavated material for each $470 paid. The collected revenue is used by the Disposal at Sea Program to operate a representative national disposal site monitoring program that allows the client group as a whole to continue to have access to suitable disposal sites and to demonstrate that the resource is used sustainably for the Canadian public. This indicator is under revision to better capture the results for future years.

Performance results:

Met the service standards. Permittees received access to the disposal sites for dredged and excavated material authorized by their permits in 100% of cases. Representative monitoring was carried out in accordance with monitoring guidelines. Refunds were issued for units that were not disposed of.

For further details, see www.ec.gc.ca/seadisposal/.

* Major projects, particularly on the West Coast, have started to cause increases in the actual revenues due to higher disposal volumes. Increased disposal will cause an increase in the costs of monitoring in future years. Following the spike in major development, revenues are expected to return to lower levels. The monitoring of this material will need to be done in subsequent years so the increase and later decrease in costs will lag the spike in revenues by several years.

User Fee Totals

Subtotal - Regulatory

Subtotal - Other Products and Services

Total

External Fees (Policy on Service Standards for External Fees)