Archived: Departmental Performance Report 2014–15, Environment Canada, chapter 3

Section II: Analysis of Programs by Strategic Outcomes

Strategic Outcome 1: Canada’s natural environment is conserved and restored for present and future generations

• Program 1.1: Biodiversity - Wildlife and Habitat
  • Sub-Program 1.1.1: Biodiversity Policy and Priorities
  • Sub-Program 1.1.2: Species at Risk
    • Sub-Sub-Program 1.1.2.1: Species at Risk Operations
    • Sub-Sub-Program 1.1.2.2: Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk
    • Sub-Sub-Program 1.1.2.3: Habitat Stewardship Program
  • Sub-Program 1.1.3: Migratory Birds
  • Sub-Program 1.1.4: Wildlife Habitat Conservation
    • Sub-Sub-program 1.1.4.1: Habitat Conservation Partnerships
    • Sub-Sub-Program 1.1.4.2: Protected Areas
• Program 1.2: Water Resources
  • Sub-Program 1.2.1: Water Quality and Aquatic Ecosystems Health
  • Sub-Program 1.2.2: Water Resources Management and Use
  • Sub-Program 1.2.3: Hydrological Service and Water Survey
• Program 1.3: Sustainable Ecosystems
  • Sub-Program 1.3.1: Sustainability Reporting and Indicators
  • Sub-Program 1.3.2: Ecosystem Assessment and Approaches
  • Sub-Program 1.3.3: Community Engagement
    • Sub-Sub-Program 1.3.3.1: EcoAction Community Funding
    • Sub-Sub-Program 1.3.3.2: Environmental Damages Fund
    • Sub-Sub-Program 1.3.3.3: Environmental Youth Employment
  • Sub-Program 1.3.4: Ecosystems Initiatives
    • Sub-Sub-Program 1.3.4.1: Great Lakes
    • Sub-Sub-Program 1.3.4.2: St. Lawrence
    • Sub-Sub-Program 1.3.4.3: Lake Simcoe/South-eastern Georgian Bay
    • Sub-Sub-Program 1.3.4.4: Lake Winnipeg
    • Sub-Sub-Program 1.3.4.5: Community Ecosystem Partnerships
• Program 1.4: Compliance Promotion and Enforcement - Wildlife

Strategic Outcome 2: Canadians are equipped to make informed decisions on changing weather, water and climate conditions

• Program 2.1: Weather and Environmental Services for Canadians
  • Sub-Program 2.1.1: Weather Observations, Forecasts and Warnings
  • Sub-Program 2.1.2: Health-related Meteorological Information
  • Sub-Program 2.1.3: Climate Information, Predictions and Tools
• Program 2.2: Weather and Environmental Services for Targeted Users
  • Sub-Program 2.2.1: Meteorological Services in Support of Air Navigation
  • Sub-Program 2.2.2: Meteorological and Ice Services in Support of Marine Navigation
  • Sub-Program 2.2.3: Meteorological Services in Support of Military Operations
  • Sub-Program 2.2.4: Meteorological Services for Economic and Commercial Sectors

Strategic Outcome 3: Threats to Canadians and their environment from pollution are minimized

• Program 3.1: Substances and Waste Management
  • Sub-Program 3.1.1: Substances Management
  • Sub-Program 3.1.2: Effluent Management
  • Sub-Program 3.1.3: Marine Pollution
  • Sub-Program 3.1.4: Environmental Emergencies
  • Sub-Program 3.1.5: Contaminated Sites
• Program 3.2: Climate Change and Clean Air
  • Sub-Program 3.2.1: Climate Change and Clean Air Regulatory Program
    • Sub-Sub-Program 3.2.1.1: Industrial Sector Emissions
    • Sub-Sub-Program 3.2.1.2: Transportation Sector Emissions
    • Sub-Sub-Program 3.2.1.3: Consumer and Commercial Products Sector
  • Sub-Program 3.2.2: International Climate Change and Clean Air Partnerships
  • Sub-Program 3.2.3: Environmental Technology
    • Sub-Sub-Program 3.2.3.1: Sustainable Development Technologies
    • Sub-Sub-Program 3.2.3.2: Environmental Technology Innovation
• Program 3.3: Compliance Promotion and Enforcement - Pollution

Internal Services

Strategic Outcome 1: Canada’s natural environment is conserved and restored for present and future generations.

Program 1.1: Biodiversity - Wildlife and Habitat

Program Description

This program aims to prevent biodiversity loss while still enabling sustainable use by conserving and managing migratory birds; protecting and recovering species at risk; and monitoring, conserving, restoring and rehabilitating significant habitats. The program works toward these goals by establishing and maintaining a network of protected areas and stewardship programs. It also aims to ensure coordinated and coherent national assessment, planning and action to protect biodiversity, including viable populations of species, healthy and diverse ecosystems, and genetic resources. The program forms strategic partnerships for integrated management of Canada's natural capital, including stewardship and the sustainable management of landscapes. This program has responsibilities under the Species at Risk Act; the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994; the Canada Wildlife Act; and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act. International responsibilities include the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (1992), the Migratory Birds Convention, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna Working Group of the Arctic Council, and the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitat (known as the Ramsar Convention). Contributions in support of Biodiversity - Wildlife and Habitat are used as a component of this program.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

In 2014-15, Environment Canada started to implement the National Conservation Plan, which includes investments in three priority areas:

Conserving Canada’s lands and waters - investments include:

• $100 million to secure ecologically sensitive lands in Canada through the Natural Areas Conservation Program, administered by the Nature Conservancy of Canada;
• $37 million to strengthen marine and coastal conservation and advance collaborative work to conserve Canada’s oceans; For example, work is underway to expand, strengthen and renew national and international partnerships to conserve the Gulf of Maine ecosystem (see also Program 1.2 and 1.3, specifically Sub-Sub-Program 1.3.4.5); and
• $3.2 million to support the development of a complete national inventory of conserved areas in Canada, including private conservation lands.

Restoring Canada’s ecosystems - investments include:

• $50 million to take action to restore drained, degraded or lost wetlands through the new National Wetland Conservation Fund; and
• $50 million to support voluntary actions to restore and conserve species and their habitats. 

Connecting Canadians to nature - investments include:

• $9.2 million to connect urban Canadians to nature, which will help Canada’s urban and suburban population to directly experience nature and help build a “community of stewards” among Canadians; and
• $3 million over three years to the Earth Rangers, the “Kids’ Conservation Organization,” to expand its educational program for children and their families.

The Department also continued development of integrated geospatial datasets and maps that identify zones of interest for species at risk and migratory birds, with regional data. When completed, this information will support and inform conservation planning and activities and improve delivery of departmental programs by integrating and focusing conservation priorities.

Environment Canada continued to support polar bear conservation in Canada and internationally. Domestic highlights included supporting the establishment of a voluntary agreement on harvest levels for the Southern Hudson Bay subpopulation of polar bears. Internationally, conservation work focused on leadership of the range states Circumpolar Action Plan to be published in 2015.

Sub-Program 1.1.1: Biodiversity Policy and Priorities

Sub-Program Description

This program enables Environment Canada to play a national leading role in engaging stakeholders, provincial and territorial governments, and other federal government departments in Canada’s implementation of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity. The program provides scientific expertise, guidance and advice to decision-makers, and develops and applies models for social, cultural and economic valuation of ecosystem services to support sustainable development decision making. This work enables information about the ecosystem and the environmental effects of development proposals to be factored into decisions across different levels of government, environmental and non-governmental organizations, the industrial sector, research community and the general public. Strategies used in Canada include the Canadian Biodiversity Strategy, Biodiversity Outcomes Framework, and Access and Benefit Sharing of Genetic Resources. Canada also participates internationally in the Convention on Biological Diversity; the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit Sharing of Genetic Resources; the Nagoya-Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol on Liability and Redress under the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety; and Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna under the Arctic Council. The program also serves as the Canadian lead and national focal point for the United Nations-sponsored Intergovernmental Panel on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services. Program funding includes Canada’s annual contribution to the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity and support for international working groups.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Promoted Canada’s viewpoint and positions at United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity meetings, including the Twelfth Conference of the Parties and intersessional meetings, and at a first Meeting of the Parties to the Nagoya Protocol. The Department continued to engage with Canadians to further develop the domestic access and benefit-sharing policy and on whether Canada should accede to the Nagoya Protocol.
• Ensured Canada’s perspective was included in decisions of the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna Working Group of the Arctic Council; under Canada’s chairmanship, led the development of the Arctic Migratory Bird Initiative, the Actions for Arctic Biodiversity 2013-2021: Implementation Plan for the Arctic Biodiversity Assessment,and the Arctic Biodiversity Congress.
• Coordinated Canada’s participation with the U.S. and Mexico in the Trilateral Committee for Wildlife and Ecosystem Conservation and Management and helped establish a North American trilateral working group to ensure the conservation of the Monarch butterfly migratory phenomenon, as per the 2014 North American Leaders Summit commitment.
• Released the 2012 Canadian Nature Survey results, part of the Value of Nature to Canadians Study. Results support better understanding of the importance of nature and biodiversity to Canadians by measuring awareness of nature-related concepts (including biodiversity, species at risk, and ecosystem services), and participation and investments in nature-based activities.  
• Led development of the 2020 Biodiversity Goals and Targets for Canada in collaboration with federal, provincial and territorial governments, and with input from Aboriginal organizations and other stakeholders.
• Hosted the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers' Meeting on Conservation, Wildlife and Biodiversity, during which Ministers issued a joint statement confirming their commitment to work together to advance shared priorities related to biodiversity conservation, species at risk and invasive alien species. The statement included a commitment to work towards the strategic goals of An Invasive Alien Species Strategy for Canada (2004).
• Continued to lead and coordinate national efforts under the Intergovernmental Panel on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services by chairing an interdepartmental committee to develop Canadian positions, provide reviews of assessments and nominate experts from Canada.  
• Continued to develop an Ecosystem Services Assessment Toolkit to support project partners undertaking social, cultural, and economic valuation, and ecological assessment of ecosystem services. The Department also completed research on approaches to assessment of ecosystem services using ecological process models and Earth observation data sources.

Sub-Program 1.1.2: Species at Risk

Sub-Program Description

The purpose of this program is to ensure implementation of the Species at Risk Act (SARA). SARA is a key federal government commitment to prevent wildlife species from becoming extinct and to secure the necessary actions for their recovery. It provides for publication of recovery documents, legal protection of wildlife species, and reporting on progress. This is achieved in part through funding programs such as the Habitat Stewardship Program, Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk and Interdepartmental Recovery Fund. The program relies on partnerships with provincial, territorial and other governments, as well as Aboriginal peoples and other organizations (e.g., environmental organizations, industry associations, etc.). A number of advisory bodies and committees have been established to enable key partners to engage in this program. Authority for the program is based on SARA and Canada’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Held the fifth Species at Risk Act Ministerial Round Table to identify areas where federal government action can increase collective success in conserving species at risk and implementing the Species at Risk Act (SARA).
• Led discussions on species at risk during the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Ministers' Meeting on Conservation, Wildlife and Biodiversity, resulting in the development of a joint work plan that outlines measures to advance stewardship and protection of species at risk with appropriate regard to social, economic, and cultural considerations.
• Significantly reduced the number of overdue recovery documents through a redirection of human resources to streamline the process. The Department published proposed recovery strategies and management plans (Species at Risk Public Registry; Three-year Recovery Document Posting Plan) for 63 species (compared to six in 2013-14), final recovery strategies and management plans  for 16 species (32 in 2013-14), and proposed action plans for five species (two in 2013-14) and final action plans for four species.
• Supported the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), which assessed the status of 64 wildlife species in 2014-15. This support included contracts for COSEWIC status reports and Aboriginal Traditional Knowledge reports, translation of COSEWIC status reports, meetings and general operations of the COSEWIC Secretariat.
• The Department also continued to:
  • support development of range plans and continuing collaborative research for the Boreal population of the Woodland Caribou (a threatened species under SARA);
  • collaborate with provinces, territories and others on research in support of recovery of species (including Polar bear), and to partner with the Government of Alberta to fund the establishment (at the Calgary Zoo) of a captive population of Sage Grouse (an endangered species) for possible reintroduction; and
  • lead and participate in recovery projects in support of the Piping Plover in Atlantic Canada, including supporting international organizations to build capacity and develop programs in important wintering areas (e.g., Bahamas and Cuba).
• Completed all four recommendations stemming from the Evaluation of Programs and Activities in Support of the Species at Risk Act (released in September 2012), including the development and implementation of a three-year plan to address the Department’s backlog of overdue recovery strategies and management plans, as well as the development of SARA internal and external policies related to the identification of critical habitat.

Sub-Sub-Program 1.1.2.1: Species at Risk Operations

Sub-Sub-Program Description

This program provides the basic components of Environment Canada’s Species at Risk program. It supports decisions by the Minister to add, reclassify or remove species listed under the Species at Risk Act. For species for which Environment Canada is responsible and that are listed as extirpated, endangered or threatened, the program prepares recovery strategies and action plans (including the identification of critical habitat). It also completes management plans for species of special concern and evaluates populations and threats to listed species. The program supports other federal departments, such as Fisheries and Oceans Canada, in implementing priority recovery strategies, management, and action plans in federal lands and waters, and for federal species as identified in recovery documents. It also supports cooperative arrangements with provinces and territories to implement recovery actions consistent with the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk and bilateral agreements resulting from the Act. The program is also responsible for general administration of the Act (including an annual report to Parliament, issuance of permits under the Act, support for the National Aboriginal Council on Species at Risk and the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada, and maintenance of a public registry). The program fulfills Canada’s obligations under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora by effective implementation of the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act, which controls the import, export and movement within Canada of endangered species, ensuring no species are threatened by international trade.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Amended the list of species under the Species at Risk Act and added three bat species to the list: Little Brown Myotis, Tri-colored Bat, and Northern Myotis (the three species imminently threatened by White-nose Syndrome, a deadly and highly contagious disease that has been confirmed in five provinces).
• Significantly accelerated and streamlined the preparation of recovery strategies and management plans for species at risk, resulting in publication of proposed and final recovery strategies and management plans for 63 and 16 species respectively, proposed action plans for five species, and final action plans for four species in the Species at Risk Public Registry. 
• Reviewed and issued 33 permits under SARA, and 73 SARA-compliant permits affecting threatened and endangered migratory bird species under the Migratory Bird Convention Act, 1994, and continued to streamline permit issuance using a risk assessment framework in the scientific review of applications to ensure national consistency. The 90-day service standard for permit issuance improved to 97% in 2014-15 (from 79% in 2013-14).
• Provided expertise and advice to coordinate federal, provincial and territorial efforts and to advance recovery programs under the National Recovery program, and continued to support the National Aboriginal Council on Species at Risk, including through the development of revised terms of reference for the Council (ratified in March 2015).
• Continued participation to advance Canadian interests through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). The Department’s strategic approach has resulted in Canada maintaining a positive reputation with CITES forums and as a leader in CITES work. This included work related to species with clear conservation risks. Canada continued to chair the CITES Animals Committee.
• Issued, with partners, over 5,000 permits authorizing exports and 190 permits authorizing imports of products regulated under CITES, meeting its 2013 published service standard targets for the issuance of CITES permits.

Sub-Sub-Program 1.1.2.2: Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk

Sub-Sub-Program Description

This program supports the delivery of Environment Canada’s obligations under the Species at Risk Act by funding projects led by Aboriginal organizations and Aboriginal communities across Canada. Collaboration with Aboriginal peoples is key to the protection of species at risk, to the Species at Risk Program results, and to meeting the Department’s core obligations. The funded projects build Aboriginal knowledge and expertise in dealing with species at risk. This enables Aboriginal peoples to actively participate in the conservation and recovery of listed species under the Act, and to protect and recover critical habitat or habitat important for species at risk on First Nations reserves, or on land and waters traditionally used by Aboriginal peoples.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Funded 75 Aboriginal organizations to carry out initiatives that contribute to the conservation and protection of Canada’s biodiversity through species recovery planning, habitat protection, and overall conservation and capacity-building initiatives.
• Funded 17 Aboriginal organizations to take actions to reduce the risk of priority species from becoming a conservation concern under a new prevention stream of the Aboriginal Species at Risk Fund.

Sub-Sub-Program 1.1.2.3: Habitat Stewardship Program

Sub-Sub-Program Description

This program supports the delivery of Environment Canada’s obligations under the Species at Risk Act by funding projects aimed at the protection or conservation of habitats for species listed under the Act as “at risk” (endangered, threatened or of special concern), mainly on non-Aboriginal land. This program engages Canadians in conservation activities to conserve biodiversity, promote the participation of local communities with the recovery of species at risk, and prevent other species from becoming a conservation concern. It allocates funds to a variety of partners (non-governmental organizations, community groups, Aboriginal organizations and communities, private corporations, educational institutions, provincial, territorial and municipal governments, and Crown corporations) to meet regional and national priorities.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Provided funding for 104 new projects and 72 previously approved multi-year projects under the Species at Risk Stream, involving 150 funding recipients. The Department awarded a total of $12.6 million, with recipients leveraging an additional $52.6 million from partners, for a total investment of $65.2 million. These financial investments/contributions resulted in some 46,875 hectares of land being secured and/or protected, and the improvement or restoration of 23,576 hectares of land and 116 km of shoreline.
• Provided over $2.5 million for 81 new projects under the new Prevention Stream, involving 74 recipients, to reduce the risk of other priority species becoming a conservation concern.
• Completed work to address all five recommendations stemming from the evaluation of the Habitat Stewardship Program (released in September 2009) including the development of a performance measurement strategy that will guide the collection and reporting of performance and outcome data by funding recipients.
• Completed activities for 2014-15 in support of the performance measurement strategy, including an analysis of projects funded against recovery strategy objectives; and a special impact study to assess effectiveness of funded targeted activities to support the recovery of species at risk and their habitat.

Sub-Program 1.1.3: Migratory Birds

Sub-Program Description

This program protects and conserves populations of migratory bird species. It is responsible for implementing the Migratory Birds Convention signed with the U.S. in 1916, via the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994. Activities include conserving populations, individual birds, and their nests and habitats through continued conservation actions, stewardship, policy development, and enforcement of the Act and its regulations. It also protects important bird habitats, minimizes other stressors that affect population status, and manages emergencies regarding health and safety issues associated with migratory birds. The program implements recommendations of the review of migratory bird monitoring programs. It is responsible, as a signatory to the North American Bird Conservation Initiative, for ensuring that all conservation plans for North America’s 12 Bird Conservation Regions, and similarly the 25 Bird Conservation Region Strategies are publicly available, in addition to carrying out actions for priority migratory bird species as indicated by the Bird Conservation Regions plans. The Migratory Birds program is delivered in partnership with other governments and inter-governmental and non-governmental organizations. Client groups include the Canadian public, game bird hunters, Aboriginal people (subsistence harvesting), natural resource economic sectors and natural resource users, and other governments (provincial/territorial and foreign).

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Conducted pre-consultations with and briefings to key stakeholders (e.g., Hunting and Angling Advisory Panel) regarding proposed amendments to the Migratory Birds Regulations related to harvest management; consultations also led to the development of more detailed instructions to support the regulatory process.
• Continued to conduct and evaluate major monitoring programs, including waterfowl aerial and ground surveys, the Breeding Bird Survey, shorebird migration monitoring surveys, marsh bird surveys, Arctic shorebird breeding surveys, and the identification and addressing of high-risk gaps in monitoring programs.
• Conducted surveys and research to address particular groups of declining species (especially several species of aerial insectivorous birds and migratory shorebirds) to understand and identify potential causes of declines that could be addressed through conservation actions.
• Collected population and habitat data to determine the location, scale and magnitude of the damage that light geese are causing on breeding grounds in the Arctic. These data informed the decision to expand spring conservation hunts for light geese to reduce numbers in areas such as Alberta and Northwest Territories (in addition to Québec, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Manitoba).
• Completed and posted on the Environment Canada website all 25 Bird Conservation Region Strategies, used to identify zones of importance for conservation and to integrate the conservation needs of migratory birds with those of species at risk.
• Published the Beaufort Coastal Sensitivity Atlas, depicting spatially referenced information based on scientific and Aboriginal traditional knowledge on coastal ecosystem sensitivity, high priority wildlife and traditional use sites. The Department also published information on the general nesting periods of migratory birds on the Environment Canada website to help Canadians plan their activities in a way that avoids harming the nests and eggs of migratory birds.
• Provided funding for Nature Canada to identify mitigation measures that address bird mortality from domestic cats and collisions with buildings.
• Undertook international action for the conservation of migratory birds. Activities included developing projects in the ranching communities of Canada, the U.S. and Mexico to achieve improved grassland conditions for migratory birds (under the auspices of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation), delivering projects for seabird conservation in Chile (under the Canada-Chile Agreement on Environmental Cooperation), as well as shorebird monitoring in Panama (under the Canada-Panama Environment Agreement).

Sub-Program 1.1.4: Wildlife Habitat Conservation

Sub-Program Description

The program provides for the protection of priority, unique and rare habitats required for the conservation of migratory birds and species at risk. It provides mechanisms to enter into partnership arrangements with a wide variety of stakeholders and through initiatives to encourage actions by non-governmental organizations and Canadians that conserve and protect wildlife habitat and habitat for species at risk. The program also coordinates the federal government’s response to the Invasive Alien Species Strategy for Canada. Enabling acts include the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994; the Canada Wildlife Act; the Species at Risk Act; and the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (known as the Ramsar Convention). Program delivery includes the assessed contribution to the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention).

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Continued to support its commitment to conserving wetlands in Canada with the recent establishment of the National Wetland Conservation Fund, a key component of the National Conservation Plan. Through the Fund, Environment Canada provides $50 million over five years for projects that restore or enhance degraded wetlands, scientifically assess and monitor wetlands and encourage wetland stewardship by partners (see also 1.1.4.1, below).
• Continued progress towards making management plans publicly available for its National Wildlife Areas and Migratory Bird Sanctuaries, and progressed with planning and implementing critical capital investments in facilities and equipment (see also 1.1.4.2, below).
• Developed and implemented management plans for all Environment Canada managed Protected Areas, consistent with the recommendations of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development. The Department also made plans publicly available in support of greater transparency and to build community support for this effort.  
• Progressed with development and advancement of new protected areas initiatives-including completion of the Department’s work in support of establishment of the Edéhzhie National Wildlife Area, and progress with consultations in support of the Scott Islands Marine National Wildlife Area (see also 1.1.4.2, below).
• Continued to collaborate with international, federal, provincial, Aboriginal and non-governmental organizations, as well as individuals, to secure priority habitat for migratory birds and species at risk, particularly in the southern Ontario, south central Saskatchewan, and western Alberta areas (see also 1.1.4.1, below).
• Continued to administer gifts of ecologically sensitive land through its Ecological Gifts Program (see also 1.1.4.1, below).

Sub-Sub-program 1.1.4.1: Habitat Conservation Partnerships

Sub-Sub-Program Description

This program supports the delivery of Environment Canada’s obligations under the Species at Risk Act, the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, and the Canada Wildlife Act. It does this by funding projects and encouraging activities that secure, protect, improve and/or restore important and ecologically sensitive habitat to enhance the survival of wildlife, and, in particular, species at risk and migratory birds. The program provides mechanisms to engage organizations and individuals, including property owners, environmental organizations and others. It also encourages voluntary action by other levels of government and non-government, Aboriginal groups and private-sector partners through mechanisms such as tax incentives (the Ecological Gifts Program) and funding initiatives. This program also includes Environment Canada’s participation in the implementation of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan, a Canada-U.S.-Mexico partnership of federal, provincial/state and non-governmental organizations that aims to conserve wetlands in North America, and the implementation of the Ramsar Convention. The program also coordinates the federal government’s response to the 2004 Invasive Alien Species Strategy for Canada, which is implemented by federal science-based and regulatory departments and agencies, including the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Natural Resources Canada, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Program delivery includes contributions in support of Biodiversity - Wildlife and Habitat, and those to the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar Convention).

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Continued implementation of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP) in Canada, with strong collaborative partnerships among international, federal, provincial and non-governmental organizations focused on retaining and enhancing priority habitat. Since NAWMP’s inception in 1986, Canada has secured over eight million hectares, and enhanced over 1.4 million hectares of wetlands and associated uplands habitat for waterfowl.
• Under NAWMP, secured some 15,000 hectares and enhanced over 4,000 hectares through four Canadian Habitat Joint Ventures. New federal funding for Environment Canada ($3.4 million over five years, announced in August 2014), supports 16 new NAWMP projects across Canada that will contribute to conserving important wetlands and related habitat for the benefit of waterfowl and other wildlife. Continued collaboration with and engagement of the many and diverse partners in NAWMP, each with different objectives, is vital to retaining priority habitats.
• Maintained its role as co-chair and secretariat of the North American Wetlands Conservation Council, which implements NAMWP in Canada. This work is key to conserving wetlands of international importance.
• Coordinated Canada’s National Report, outlining the implementation of the Ramsar Convention in Canada over the past three years and Canada’s monitoring and maintenance of the ecological character of its Ramsar sites. The report was developed in preparation for the Twelfth Meeting of the Conference of the Contracting Parties to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar CoP 12).
• Continued to administer the Ecological Gifts program to protect priority habitats across Canada; this year, the Program completed 73 Ecological Gifts, protecting 5,572 hectares of ecologically sensitive land nationwide, with a cumulative fair market value of over $50 million. Ongoing education and promotion of the program to current and potential donors and recipients across the country is critical for continued success.

Sub-Sub-Program 1.1.4.2: Protected Areas

Sub-Sub-Program Description

This program supports the delivery of Environment Canada’s obligations under the Species at Risk Act, the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, and the Canada Wildlife Act. This entails managing a network of protected areas (National Wildlife Areas, Migratory Bird Sanctuaries and Marine Wildlife Areas) to protect priority habitats required for the conservation of Canada’s migratory birds and species at risk. The program also manages rare or unique habitats planned to adapt to ecological change, in conjunction with others; facilitates understanding of ecological processes; and promotes public awareness and understanding of nature conservation and Environment Canada’s role in conservation. The program also carries out the strategic planning, coordination and management of protected areas. Program success involves the support of the public and close collaboration with provincial and territorial governments, Aboriginal groups, other wildlife management agencies, other natural resource agencies, non-governmental organizations and property owners in initiatives such as the Inuit Impact and Benefits Agreement, and the Northwest Territories Protected Areas Strategy (to contribute to the further establishment of National Wildlife Areas in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories). The program operates as part of a broader network of protected areas that includes sites of other federal departments (notably Parks Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada), provincial and territorial agencies and conservation properties owned and/or managed by non-governmental organizations. The Department also undertakes research and provides advice to decision makers on marine ecosystems, including impacts of environmental stressors on migratory birds, species at risk and ecological risks associated with specific high-priority ocean activities.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Continued to progress towards gathering data on private conservation lands in Canada. Currently held in preliminary databases at the regional level, the data will be integrated into a national database.
• Following up on recommendations from the Commission of Environment and Sustainable Development, continued to make publically available completed Site Management Plans for national wildlife areas and migratory bird sanctuaries in order to enhance a broader understanding and support for the role and importance of Protected Areas in conserving and protecting wildlife.  Environment Canada posted 12 plans as final (compared to three plans in 2013-14), with 27 more plans in the process of being drafted. The Department continued progress with planning and implementing critical capital investments in facilities and equipment.
• Progressed with establishing Scott Islands Marine National Wildlife Area to the regulatory drafting stage and completed most planned consultations.
• Completed its work to allow for the establishment of Edéhzhie National Wildlife Area (expected to be established in 2017); local First Nations are negotiating agreement with the Government of Northwest Territories on a number of related issues before establishment can be completed.
• Continued to implement the Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement (IIBA) to meet commitments in the Nunavut Land Claim Agreement. Work included ongoing negotiations with Nunavut Tunngavik Incorporated on the establishment of a new IIBA, as well as collaboration with the Government of Northwest Territories on the establishment of new protected areas in Northwest Territories, and finalization of the NWA designation for the Edéhzhie National Wildlife Area.

Results of an evaluation of the Protected Areas program confirmed its ongoing relevance and indicated that the program is making progress toward the achievement of many of its intended outcomes. In response to a recommendation of the evaluation, the Department began development of an approach to engage more actively with its stakeholders.

Program 1.2: Water Resources

Program Description

This program addresses the risks to and impacts on water resources from industrial activities, agriculture, climate change and other factors. Its goal is to ensure threats to Canada’s water resources and aquatic ecosystems are minimized, and the sustainability of the resource is maintained. The program is delivered in collaboration with partners that include other federal departments, provinces and territories, and a range of non-governmental organizations. The program focuses on Environment Canada’s contribution to monitoring water quality and conducting water-related research and analysis, and its role in collaborating with other departments to determine priorities for water quality, quantity, and aquatic ecosystem monitoring and research. It provides scientific information and advice to decision-makers. The program supports the implementation of the Canada Water Act, the Action Plan for Clean Water, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, the Fisheries Act, the International Boundary Waters Treaty Act, and the International River Improvements Act. Contributions in support of Water Resources are used as a component of this program.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Through water quality and quantity monitoring, Environment Canada continued to support third party water resource managers with data and analysis on water level and flow to help with decision-making for flood prevention and mitigation. The Department also continued to develop a hydrological model to estimate possible river flow scenarios to support both preparation for and response to a flood.

The Department continued to engage with Water Boards on trans-boundary water issues to help inform water resource decision makers meet their inter-jurisdictional obligations. EC undertook a special project in support of the International Joint Commission (IJC) and the International Rainy-Lake of the Woods Watershed Board, supported IJC work on regulating Lake Superior and Lake Ontario, and provided technical expertise on the observed and projected impacts of climate change in the Great Lakes Basin.

Work continued on development of the Department’s climate watch capacity and expansion of seasonal climate outlook forums working with key stakeholders (including emergency measures organizations) for improved and integrated climate-related guidance across the country. Investments in innovations in environmental monitoring were made to support the watershed science community in achieving accurate and cost-effective field methods.

Environment Canada became the lead for development of the binational Canada-U.S. Quarterly Climate Impacts and Outlook Bulletins for the Great Lakes and the Gulf of Maine Regions. The Bulletins summarize the latest season’s weather and water level conditions and related impacts, and provide an outlook for the upcoming season.

Sub-Program 1.2.1: Water Quality and Aquatic Ecosystems Health

Sub-Program Description

The program supports the water quality-related obligations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, the Canada Water Act, the Fisheries Act, the International Boundary Waters Treaty Act, and federal/provincial/territorial and Canada-U.S. water quality agreements. The program provides water quality monitoring and reporting, including through annual reports on the Freshwater Quality Index. The program delivers on Environment Canada’s responsibilities under the Lake Winnipeg Basin Initiative, such as scientific monitoring activities and support for initiatives to increase information-sharing and analysis among partners and networks. The program also coordinates with the United States several research and monitoring activities in the Great Lakes under the Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. The program collaborates with the Government of Alberta and stakeholders to implement the three-year Joint Canada-Alberta Implementation Plan for Oil Sands Monitoring. The Plan is an industry-funded integrated approach to monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on the significance of environmental contaminant pathways in air and water, biological effects, and impacts of habitat disturbance from the oil sands. The program also monitors water quality in Canadian shellfish growing areas for the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program, which is administered jointly by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Environment Canada, and Fisheries and Oceans Canada.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Completed sanitary pollution assessments and water quality monitoring in support of the Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program. An analysis (completed in 2014-15) will result in proposals to modify some shellfish harvest area classifications, with related program efficiencies for the Department.
• Collected over 31,500 bacteriological samples from 7,493 sites located in commercial shellfish harvest areas (i.e., south of 55° latitude), thereby meeting U.S. Food and Drug Administration standards for export.
• Implemented a risk-based approach to optimize the substances monitored and the frequency of monitoring and to better evaluate the risks of contaminants in Canadian watersheds.
• Through the Joint Canada-Alberta Oil Sands Monitoring Plan, significantly improved the ability to track low-level contaminants by increasing geographic coverage of monitoring efforts (nearly doubling the number of sites monitored) and the frequency of sampling, to sample for more compounds using more sensitive detection methods, and to integrate results. Environment Canada continued to work with Alberta, Aboriginal peoples and stakeholders to support the reliable and robust environmental monitoring of oil sands development.
• Supported the work of the University of New Brunswick’s Canadian Rivers Institute on development of a new gene-based environmental monitoring method that is both more cost-effective and more accurate than other observation techniques, by providing access to environmental samples and training and advice from Environment Canada’s research scientists.
• Successfully completed implementation of the National Laboratory Information Management System (NLIMS) at four of eight departmental laboratories, with full implementation scheduled for 2016-17. A harmonized data system across the laboratories will ensure efficient and secure centralized data management, facilitate sample transfer within the laboratory network, and allow for the generation of multi-laboratory reports for clients and/or management staff.
• Conducted research in regions vulnerable to climate impacts (including western Canadian mountain headwaters, permafrost regions and the Great Lakes) to support the domestic environmental assessment and priorities set by the Arctic Council, focusing on the increasing risk of drought linked to diminishing mountain snowpacks, field studies in permafrost regions, and Great Lakes ice-lake temperature-evaporation-water levels.
• Completed the Guidance Manual for Developing Nutrient Guidelines for Rivers and Streams for decision-makers across provinces and territories; formal approvals through the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment will start in summer 2015.

Sub-Program 1.2.2: Water Resources Management and Use

Sub-Program Description

This program conducts research and monitoring, and advances knowledge on the state of watersheds through the Canadian Council of Ministers on the Environment, in order to support integrated water management decisions at the federal/provincial/territorial levels. It promotes and enables the application of science-based information to inform decision-making in an integrated and coherent manner consistent with the Canada Water Act. The program coordinates water quality and water quantity science and monitoring to inform decisions, policy development and management approaches. The program coordinates with Canadian and U.S. government agencies (e.g., International Joint Commission), and lends expertise to domestic and international water boards on domestic and transboundary issues such as protecting ecosystems, avoiding flooding and providing sufficient flow of water to support economic activities in waterways from Lake Ontario to the St. Lawrence River, Lake Superior to Lake Huron, and in other transboundary rivers.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Progressed with a hydrological model to estimate possible scenarios of river flow up to ten days out, and developed a hydrological forecasting model for Lake of the Woods that will support preparation and response during a flood event. Results were shared, as the model may be applicable to other water management boards. Environment Canada also continued a project to review apportionment methods for the Prairie Provinces Water Board (PPWB).
• Contributed (through the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment) expert review and advice to a guidance document to assist with implementation of the 2013-14 Groundwater Sustainability Assessment Approach.
• Continued work to engage water boards on trans-boundary water issues, including by: providing in-kind contributions and operational funding for domestic and international water management boards (including International Joint Commission (IJC) led boards); undertaking special projects in support of the IJC and the International Rainy-Lake ofthe Woods Watershed Board; supporting IJC work on regulating Lake Superior and Lake Ontario; providing technical expertise on the observed and projected impacts of climate change in the Great Lakes Basin; tracking the implementation of bilateral water management negotiations between Mackenzie River Basin Board jurisdictions; and developing a proposal to gather and communicate water-related Traditional Knowledge from around the Mackenzie River Basin.
• Results of an evaluation of Water Resources Management and Use confirmed the program’s ongoing relevance and effectiveness, and the quality of technical information provided and the advice in support of decision-making. In response to an evaluation recommendation, the Department initiated a review to enhance program effectiveness and efficiency through increased information sharing, consistency and program-wide collaboration.
• Helped to ensure that Canada’s water resources are developed and utilized in the best national interest, through ongoing implementation of the International River Improvements Act. The Department neared completion of the re-licensing of four dams and associated water storages for two-year terms and initiated the licensing process for a proposed new dam.

Sub-Program 1.2.3: Hydrological Service and Water Survey

Sub-Program Description

Information on the water cycle is critical to Canada’s health and safety (e.g., flood forecasting and prevention) and to economic efficiency (e.g., agriculture, hydroelectricity and international shipping), by collecting and disseminating hydrological data and information to support water management decisions. The hydrological data, meteorological and ancillary information provided through this program are used by international, federal, provincial, territorial and municipal agencies to regulate and respond to changing water levels and flows within Canada, and in bodies of water that cross international boundaries. Under the Canada Water Act, monitoring activities of this program are carried out through cost-shared bilateral agreements between Environment Canada and each of the provinces and territories (Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada represents Nunavut and the Northwest Territories). These agreements create the national framework within which Environment Canada collects, interprets and provides level and flow information, and supports scientific investigations. Delivery of the program involves staff in Environment Canada headquarters and each region. Program delivery may include contributions in support of Water Resources.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Developed an internet access mechanism for real-time hydrometric data in support of the federal government’s Open Data initiative.
• Continued to acquire, produce and disseminate data and information on water levels and flows for 2,200 active federally operated hydrometric stations on rivers and lakes across Canada, with the number of stations transmitting data in near real-time increasing by about 70 stations per year.
• Continued to support provincial and territorial decision-making for flood prevention and mitigation by providing near real-time water level and flow data (including analysis) for rivers and lakes across Canada, and through expertise and the delivery of critical services during flood events in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Northwestern Ontario.
• In response to a recommendation of a 2013-14 Evaluation of the Hydrological Service and Water Survey program, surveyed partners to improve the Department’s understanding of user data and information needs; results indicated a high level of satisfaction among major partners and that grading of data (as provisional or approved) would further enhance use of data.
• Signed a hydrometric monitoring agreement with Northwest Territories and renewed an agreement with Nova Scotia, in the context of devolution. 
• Signed two memoranda of understanding (MOUs) with the Canadian Space Agency (to advance remote sensing of water from space); and continued work with the U.S. Geological Survey-signing four annexes within the MOU which address data and information systems, hydrometric instrument testing, monitoring of technological developments and training for common hydrometric operations between the two countries. 
• Led Canada’s contribution to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Commission for Hydrology’s four-year plan and led advances in the WMO Arctic HYCOS (Hydrological Cycle Observing System) program which, among other activities, collects, manages and shares high quality data from a defined basic network of hydrological stations in the Arctic basin to evaluate freshwater flux to the Arctic Ocean and Seas. The Department chaired the first steering committee meeting of the HYCOS in March 2015. 

Program 1.3: Sustainable Ecosystems

Program Description

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

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

In 2014-15, the Department continued to provide an ecosystem approach to environmental management, participating in approximately 150 project assessments over the year, in support of a range of projects across Canada. Environment Canada also continued to work to invest in improving and restoring key Canadian ecosystems (including the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence River, Lake Simcoe/South-east Georgian Bay, Lake Winnipeg and the Okanagan, Salish Sea and Atlantic ecosystems) through monitoring activities, research with partners in Canada and internationally and through funding of projects and activities at the local level. (See also 1.3.4.1 - 1.3.4.5 below).

The Department improved coverage of the goals and targets of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy, to make the Strategy and related reporting more relevant to federal and external decision-makers. In support of sustainability reporting, four new indicators were added and many others were updated in the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators to provide a more comprehensive picture of progress toward environmental targets.

Environment Canada played leadership roles and/or participated in a number of initiatives to ensure that environmental considerations are reflected in Canada’s free trade negotiations and agreements. The Department also continued to advance Canada’s international environmental objectives through engagement in international organizations, and through bilateral and regional cooperation agreements.

The Department led the negotiation and development of environment commitments within the recently concluded Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, and the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement. Environment Canada has continued its activities under additional bilateral environment commitments arising from Canada’s free trade agreements with Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, Colombia, Panama, Jordan, and Honduras.

Environment Canada’s engagement in in the United Nations Environment Programme secured the nomination of Canadian experts for the development of the 6th Global Environmental Outlook (GEO-6) Report. As well, strategic engagement at the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development  has continued to provide tools, information, policy and economic analysis in support of the Department’s environmental policy and regulatory agenda.

Through its engagement in the China Council for International Cooperation, the Department provided advice for the Chinese government on environmental matters such as wildlife crime and short-lived climate pollutants. Effective engagement with China and action by China is important for effective global action and important to avoid adverse environmental outcomes in Canada.

Sub-Program 1.3.1: Sustainability Reporting and Indicators

Sub-Program Description

The program works with other government departments, through the Sustainable Development Office to implement the Federal Sustainable Development Act, which mandates Environment Canada to lead the implementation, tracking and reporting of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS). The Act requires the Minister of the Environment to develop and implement a federal sustainable development strategy that will make environmental decision-making more transparent and accountable to Parliament. In accordance with the Act, every three years the Strategy is tabled in Parliament setting out the federal sustainable development goals, targets and implementation strategies. In addition, the Sustainable Development Office provides, at least once every three years, a report on the federal government’s progress in implementing the FSDS. Finally, this program supports the responsible federal departments and agencies in developing and tabling their individual strategies to reflect how their program activities will support the FSDS within one year of the tabling of the FSDS in the House of Commons. These strategies support and foster greater transparency and accountability both to the public and Parliament. This program also works with other government departments, through the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators initiative, to report on environmental indicators that track the progress of the FSDS and issues of concern to Canadians including air quality and climate, water quality and availability, and protecting nature.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Adopted information technologies that resulted in a number of benefits, including reduced workload for the 33 federal departments and agencies contributing to the FSDS, improved internal review and approval processes, reduced paper burden, streamlined decision-making, improved record keeping and support for the work and professional development of departmental experts. 
• Enhanced the policy relevance and utility of the FSDS to government and external decision-makers, including by establishing a cross-cutting thematic database of FSDS activities that allows analysts to more precisely tailor and group FSDS-related programs and activities that cut across the FSDS core policy themes (Climate Change and Clean Air, Water, and Nature).
• Added four new indicators and updated 25 indicators on the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators (CESI) website as part of ongoing efforts to enhance the provision of indicators related to environmental sustainability issues of concern and to inform progress towards the goals and targets of the FSDS.
• Directed a review of CESI to validate the current scope and identify potential gaps and opportunities. Work is ongoing to enhance the indicators suite based on suggestions provided through the peer review; the review also showed that there is a very positive impression of the CESI program among international peers and other organizations.
• Continued groundwork for creating a web-based “E-Strategy” for the 2016-2019 FSDS. The E-Strategy will enhance public and stakeholder ability to access and tailor information from the FSDS relevant to particular priorities, while permitting the Department to address key recommendations from reviews of the 2010-2013 and 2013-2016 FSDS by the Commissioner on the Environment and Sustainable Development.
• Based on an interdepartmental lessons learned workshop on the 2013-2016 FSDS and the 2012 FSDS Progress Report, developed a plan for improvements on several fronts: enhancing the whole-of-government view; communicating the FSDS as a shared responsibility; providing greater transparency about progress, fairness and balance; and maximizing use and impact of the FSDS.

Sub-Program 1.3.2: Ecosystem Assessment and Approaches

Sub-Program Description

This program contributes to a consolidated activity that ensures the assessment, evaluation and management of Canada’s ecosystems in a sustainable manner. These diverse components provide scientific expertise, guidance and advice to decision-makers across different levels of government, environmental and non-governmental organizations, industry, the research community and the general public. The goal is to ensure that ecosystem information and environmental effects of development proposals can be factored into their decisions. The program conducts research, monitoring, assessment and reporting on the health of ecosystems and biodiversity. It also monitors biodiversity contaminants as part of the Joint Oil Sands Monitoring Implementation Plan in order to provide an improved understanding of the long-term cumulative effects of oil sands development. Environment Canada (EC) participates in federal environmental assessments, including those in the North, and also contributes scientific expertise in territorial and provincial environmental assessments. EC contributes to the health of Canada’s ecosystems through its involvement in these strategic assessments.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Participated in some 150 project assessments under Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA), National Energy Board, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, and Northern environmental assessment processes, providing science-based expertise to assess the anticipated impacts of proposed projects on water, biodiversity, air and greenhouse gases.
• Continued to work with CEAA to streamline the timing and contents of guidance to proponents to help focus the content of their environmental impact statement.
• Continued to participate in the federal government’s Major Projects Management Office Initiative (MPMO) cycle of Deputy Minister meetings, including through support to MPMO policy initiatives, such as resource tracking and Aboriginal engagement, as well as by providing policy leadership on the interaction of environmental assessment, Species at Risk Act and environmental monitoring.
• Continued to explore issues regarding the monitoring, assessment and management of the cumulative environmental effects of natural resource development. The long-term goal is to improve  protection of ecosystems, given that the cumulative effects of multiple projects can challenge regional ecosystem health.
• Completed the internal process for implementing the Department’s legislative responsibilities under sections 66 to 72 of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (for projects on federal lands and outside Canada). A reporting tool and policy guidance were distributed Department-wide to support this work.
• Continued to conduct terrestrial biodiversity and habitat disturbance monitoring under the Joint Canada-Alberta Implementation Plan for Oil Sands Monitoring. Data on all components (air, water, biodiversity, wildlife contaminants) are posted on the Canada-Alberta Oil Sands Environmental Monitoring Portal.
• Continued to strengthen engagement processes among groups with interests in development of the oil sands resources, including with First Nations, Métis groups, industry, monitoring organizations and non-governmental stakeholders.

Sub-Program 1.3.3: Community Engagement

Sub-Program Description

This program engages Canadians and communities in protecting and restoring the environment through behavioural change, capacity building, community-based funding programs and engagement activities.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Engaged communities and individual Canadians across the country in local initiatives to protect and restore the environment through three key programs: EcoAction (funds community initiatives), Environmental Damages Fund (receives funds as compensation for environmental damages and distributes funds for environmental restoration and improvement), and Environmental Youth Employment (funds internships for science-related employment).
• Received the largest award ($6.83 million) in the 20-year history of the Environmental Damages Fund, and made available $2.6 million for new restoration and improvement projects.
• Ceased delivering the International Environmental Youth Corps initiative, and evaluated the expansion of the Science Horizons Youth Internship program to align with changes announced in Economic Action Plan 2014 and to increase the number of youth hired on completion of their internship.

See also sub-sub programs 1.3.3.1 to 1.3.3.3 for more information.

Sub-Sub-Program 1.3.3.1: EcoAction Community Funding

Sub-Sub-Program Description

This community funding program was established to provide financial support to not-for-profit and non-governmental organizations for projects that have measurable positive impacts on the environment. Projects funded by EcoAction protect, rehabilitate or enhance the environment, and build the capacity of communities and individuals to sustain these activities in the future. Projects are funded in one of four priority areas: clean air, climate change, clean water or nature. EcoAction projects require the involvement of members of the community, including volunteers, to ensure that projects are successful.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Approved 85 funded projects across Canada for funding totalling $4.3 million over four fiscal years (announced in May 2014). Since 2006, EcoAction has approved almost $39 million in funding for over 1,000 projects. EcoAction projects support the key priorities of the National Conservation Plan (see program 1.1), aimed at providing a shared and coherent vision to advance conservation efforts across the country. Funded projects vary widely to meet community needs; for example:
  • “Let’s Clear the Air” with the Fraser Basin Council is an air quality project with First Nations communities in British Columbia’s Fraser Valley;
  • The Waste Reduction Road project through the Green Action Centre raises awareness in Manitoba schools (including six Northern schools) of the need to minimize waste; and
  • Leeds Grenville Stewardship Council in Ontario is working to reduce excessive nutrient supply to the Gananoque River watershed in support of improved water quality and riparian habitat.
• Addressed recommendations of an evaluation of the EcoAction Community Funding Program (released in September 2013) through a review and implementation of best practices, such as improved information management systems, increased communication of the program to community organizations, and more comprehensive site visits to better assist funding recipients.

Sub-Sub-Program 1.3.3.2: Environmental Damages Fund

Sub-Sub-Program Description

The Environmental Damages Fund (EDF) was created in 1995 to manage funds received as compensation for environmental damages. Funds may come from fines, court-ordered payments, out-of-court settlements and voluntary payments. This program’s goal is to improve the quality of Canada’s natural environment. Funds are disbursed in the geographic region where the original incident occurred if possible and are used to finance projects that focus on environmental restoration. The latter includes research, development, education and awareness, environmental quality improvement and compliance with environmental regulations. Eligible recipients include non-governmental organizations, universities and academic institutions, Aboriginal groups, and provincial, territorial and municipal governments. Partners include Transport Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Parks Canada.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Provided funding that engaged close to 1,000 Canadians in projects and activities that restored or enhanced over 3,000 hectares of degraded environments.
• Received $8.3 million in funding from 29 fines and awards across the country, with over one third (37%) from the western and northern regions. For example, two companies agreed to make a voluntary payment of $75,000 each, in response to charges laid in 2013 after inspection of drills rigs revealed release of drilling materials that could be harmful to fish into a Nunavut river.
• Received the largest award in its 20-year history: $6.83 million for 45 counts under the Fisheries Act, at Bloom Lake, Québec. This case has raised the profile of the Environmental Damages Fund (EDF); the program strategically and consistently seeks ways to invest funds in the projects that will deliver the strongest results for Canada’s natural environment.
• Posted $2.6 million in available funds on the EDF website to solicit proposals. The Department funded 13 new projects in 2014-15 for a total Environmental Damages Fund contribution of $591,631; seven in the Atlantic and Quebec regions, one in Ontario and six in the western and northern regions.
• An evaluation of the EDF Program determined that the program continues to be relevant, is progressing toward intended outcomes, and is aligned with federal priorities for sustainable ecosystems and environmental protection. In response to evaluation recommendations, the Department completed work to refine the program logic model and performance indicators and initiated improvements to national consistency in program delivery, which are intended to lead to increased effectiveness and efficiencies. For example a streamlined awards assessment process has allowed a greater number of funds to be made available for the most suitable projects yielding the best environmental results.

Sub-Sub-Program 1.3.3.3: Environmental Youth Employment

Sub-Sub-Program Description

Environment Canada manages two youth employment initiatives, International Environmental Youth Corps (IEYC) and Science Horizons, under the Careers Focus stream of the federal Youth Employment Strategy led by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.^Footnote 6 Consistent with Environment Canada’s mandate to promote the integration of the economic, social and environmental aspects of sustainable development, the youth employment initiatives offer opportunities to unemployed and under-employed Canadian youth to gain work experience in the environmental sector. The IEYC offers approximately 130 intern placements in the environment sector per year, which last six to 12 months. IEYC funding is allocated equitably across Canada. Care is taken to ensure all regions of the country benefit from IEYC funding. In collaboration with universities, non-governmental organizations and industry, Science Horizons offers approximately 100 internships, lasting from six to 12 months, to youths working on environmental science projects allocated across Canada each year.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Provided environmental internship opportunities to host recipients across Canada within a wide range of sectors including academia, industry and non-governmental organizations. Additional outreach activities and recipient incentives are being explored to further expand the distribution of the internships and to increase the employment rate of the interns.
• Funded 224 host recipients, resulting in 243 paid internships under the IEYC and Science Horizons programs. The total number of internships exceeded the Department’s target number of internships (223). The internships resulted in 80% of youth participants either obtaining employment at the end of their internships or returning to school for advanced studies.

Sub-Program 1.3.4: Ecosystems Initiatives

Sub-Program Description

This program advances implementation of an ecosystem approach by providing coordination and oversight for ecosystem initiatives. It responds to growing interest in achieving measurable environmental progress by developing non-regulatory tools and moving beyond jurisdictional concerns. The program seeks to establish and support shared governance mechanisms, as well as to implement grants and contributions programs for clean-up and community projects. It also seeks to manage administrative or other types of funding arrangements as well as partnerships with provinces, the U.S. government, Aboriginal groups or regional stakeholders.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Continued to provide coordination and oversight for initiatives in key ecosystems, including in the Great Lakes (see 1.3.4.1), Lake Winnipeg Basin (1.3.4.2), Lake Simcoe/South-east Georgian Bay (1.3.4.3) and the St. Lawrence (1.3.4.4). 
• Concluded work to establish a new five-year Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health, which came into force in December 2014.
• Maintained strategic partnerships and supported initiatives in priority ecosystems including the Salish Sea, the Okanagan Valley and the Atlantic ecosystems (see also 1.3.4.5).
• Continued to collaborate with local organizations and communities, including funding a wide range of projects and initiatives across major ecosystems aimed at improving ecosystem health, water quality, biodiversity and wetlands conservation, and at reducing phosphorus levels and inputs in targeted areas.
• In collaboration with the Ontario government and local partners, completed preparations for remediation of the largest contaminated site in Canadian waters of the Great Lakes: Randle Reef in Hamilton Harbour. The clean-up will start next year, with completion of this complex sediment remediation project set for 2023.
• Continued to work in collaboration with federal and provincial departments and agencies to contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge on the St. Lawrence ecosystem.

For more information about the work carried out in major ecosystems, see sub-programs 1.3.4.1 to 1.3.4.5, below.

Sub-Sub-Program 1.3.4.1: Great Lakes

Sub-Sub-Program Description

This program provides leadership, oversight, coordination, funding and governance mechanisms for the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem Initiative by managing, delivering and reporting on the Canada-U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA), the Canada-Ontario Agreement (COA), the Great Lakes Nutrient Initiative, the Great Lakes Action Plan (GLAP) and Action Plan for Clean Water (Great Lakes sediment remediation implementation). Work encompasses policy development, issues management, work planning, reporting, co-ordination of science and monitoring, and the development, implementation and analysis of agreements, plans and initiatives. The program achieves results in collaboration with other federal departments and other levels of government in both Canada and the U.S., Aboriginal groups, conservation authorities and watershed management agencies, municipalities, environmental organizations and stewardship networks. Specifically, this program implements Remedial Action Plans and Lakewide Action and Management Plans to improve environmental quality and achieve the vision of a healthy, and prosperous Great Lakes ecosystem. It uses targeted funding from the GLAP to restore beneficial use impairments in Areas of Concern, and implements contaminated sediment remediation projects with funding from the Action Plan for Clean Water. Funding from the Great Lakes Nutrient Initiative is used to determine phosphorus targets and identify possible actions to reduce levels that contribute to harmful algae. The program also develops action plans and strategies to address evolving and historic issues of emerging concern in the Great Lakes. These issues include species and habitat protection, chemicals of concern to Canada and the U.S., and the identification of climate change impacts on Great Lakes water quality. The program also regularly reports federally and provincially through the COA and bi-nationally through the Canada-U.S. GLWQA. Reporting includes the State of the Great Lakes reports on environmental indicators, the Progress Report of the Parties (Canada-U.S.), updates on Lakewide Action and Management Plans, COA Progress Reports, and a report on Groundwater science.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

In 2014-15, the Department continued its long-standing collaboration with the U.S. and Ontario to restore, protect and conserve the Great Lakes. Environment Canada:

• Finalized negotiations and began implementation of a new five-year COA to coordinate joint actions. The Agreement came into force in December 2014.   
• Jointly prepared, with the Province of Ontario, a report on the status of previous Canada-Ontario Agreement Tier I and II substances, and established the Canada-Ontario Chemicals Management Committee.
• Continued to lead implementation of the Canada-U.S. GLWQA, 2012.
• Prepared 2014 Lakewide Management and Action Plans reports and advanced implementation through discussions on governance, lake ecosystem objectives, outreach and engagement.
• With respect to nutrients, co-led the development of recommended binational phosphorus load reduction targets for Lake Erie, in preparation for public consultation and future adoption, and launched a Canada-Ontario Inter-Agency Committee to analyze policy options to achieve phosphorus targets.
• With respect to habitat and species, finalized a Canada-U.S. Biodiversity Conservation Strategy for Lake Superior.
• With respect to chemicals, co-led the identification of the first set of proposed Canada-U.S. Chemicals of Mutual Concern, and drafted a Canada-Ontario status report on legacy chemicals.
• With respect to climate change, completed an analysis on the state of climate change knowledge in the Great Lakes; results will be used to identify science priorities.
• Reached formal funding agreement on ($138.9 million is funded equally by the federal and Ontario governments and the local community) and implementation of the contaminated sediment remediation of Randle Reef (Hamilton Harbour), the largest contaminated site in the Canadian Great Lakes waters.
• Through the Great Lakes Sustainability Fund, contributed $1.5 million to support 27 new projects to restore environmental quality (through, for example, restoring fish and wildlife habitat and populations, cleaning up contaminated sediment, and controlling pollution from municipal wastewater, urban storm water and rural run-off) in Great Lakes Areas of Concern. The funds leveraged nearly $4.8 million from non-federal sources for a total investment of $6.3 million for projects in several Areas of Concern, such as the Bay of Quinte, Detroit River and Nipigon Bay.
• Contributed $435,310 to 10 projects to support: biodiversity conservation; assessments of watersheds, wetlands, and the nearshore; engagement of First Nations and stakeholders; habitat restoration; and promotion of best management practices for nutrient management.

Sub-Sub-Program 1.3.4.2: St. Lawrence

Sub-Sub-Program Description

This program provides leadership, oversight and coordination to the overall governance of the St. Lawrence Action Plan, and reports results achieved between the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec. It works to establish cooperative partnerships between the federal and provincial governments to address biodiversity conservation, water quality improvement and sustainability of beneficial uses. It also supports stakeholder participation in collaboration processes and communities in improving environmental quality through grants and contribution agreements. The program conducts and coordinates prediction and monitoring activities in the St. Lawrence with other federal and provincial departments, and releases reports regularly on the State of the St. Lawrence and factsheets on 21 environmental indicators, as well as results of the St. Lawrence Action Plan.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Continued, as the federal lead to implement the St. Lawrence Action Plan 2011-2026 with federal and provincial partners through some 50 joint projects and activities to address three priority issues: biodiversity conservation, sustainable use and improved water quality.
• Developed, through the St. Lawrence Action Plan, a solid foundation for Canada-Québec collaboration in such areas as the use of the St. Lawrence River as an economic lever, and developing measures to strengthen Canada’s marine oil spill system.
• Under the Action Plan, the Department also:
  • organized the fourth St. Lawrence Forum under the theme “Adapting to Climate Change” which resulted in the development of common directions to guide stakeholders toward implementation of consistent integrated management initiatives. Participants identified collaborative projects as well as potential partnerships and concrete actions to take in their respective areas;
  • continued to provide financial support for the 13 committees of the Priority Intervention Zones program and Stratégie Saint-Laurent that support local groups and individuals in efforts to improve water quality in the St. Lawrence;
  • funded 21 community projects aimed at conserving and improving the St. Lawrence ecosystem under the Community Interaction Program; and
• Through its Action Plan working groups, developed tools to support management of waters in the St. Lawrence and its basin, and continued to monitor the state of the river, providing regular State of the St. Lawrence reports and updates (factsheets) to inform decision-makers and local communities of the status of and changes in environmental indicators. Monitoring sheets published in 2014-15 address changes in water levels and flows, biological resources and sediments.

Sub-Sub-Program 1.3.4.3: Lake Simcoe/South-eastern Georgian Bay

Sub-Sub-Program Description

This program provides financial and technical support through the Lake Simcoe/South-eastern Georgian Bay Clean-Up Fund to implement priority projects through contributions to citizens, non-governmental organizations, provincial ministries, conservation authorities, landowners, universities and industry. The Fund also supports key research within federal departments. Priority objectives of the Fund are to support projects which improve monitoring, assessment and information required to improve decision-making for phosphorus reduction strategies; conserve critical aquatic habitat and associated species through targeted aquatic habitat protection, restoration and creation; reduce rural and urban non-point sources of nutrients including implementation of Best Management Practices for the management of soil, crops, livestock, etc. and creating and rehabilitating wetlands and naturalizing watercourses; and, reduce discharges of phosphorus from point sources including sewage, combined sewer overflows and urban storm water systems including support to development and testing of innovative approaches to manage urban storm water and wastewater. The initiative is administered by Environment Canada’s Lake Simcoe/South-Eastern Georgian Bay office in consultation with Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Province of Ontario, Lake Simcoe Conservation Authority and other key stakeholders. Program investments are expected to improve water quality for recreational use, substantially reduce phosphorus loads from urban and rural sources, and advance the restoration of a sustainable cold-water fishery, as well as ecological integrity. This initiative is a key component of the Government’s Action Plan for Clean Water and supports commitments of the federal government related to the Canada-United States Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Committed $8 million to 32 new (Round 2) projects in its second year of funding; together, these projects will leverage an additional $10.2 million from non-federal partners to undertake priority actions to reduce phosphorus inputs, conserve aquatic habitat and carry out research and monitoring to improve information for decision-making.
• Initiated the call for proposals, review and approvals for projects to be funded in Round 3 of the initiative. The program identified need for increased promotion of program goals to ensure a high quality of applications/project proposals.

Sub-Sub-Program 1.3.4.4: Lake Winnipeg

Sub-Sub-Program Description

The Lake Winnipeg Basin Initiative focuses on three key areas: science (research, information and monitoring); transboundary partnerships; and the implementation and administration of the Lake Winnipeg Basin Stewardship Fund. This Fund supports projects to improve water quality by identifying, assessing, and addressing key issues such as pollutants and nutrient loads in the lake and its contributing watershed. National science and governance initiatives, aligned to the Water Quality and Aquatic Ecosystems Health program (1.2.1), also support the Lake Winnipeg Basin Initiative. The Lake Winnipeg Basin Office coordinates and manages the activities of the Lake Winnipeg Basin Initiative. It works with existing water governance bodies; explores options and opportunities to cooperatively develop, and support implementation of a basin-wide nutrient strategy; and provides a forum for communication. This includes working with the Province of Manitoba to continue implementation of the Canada-Manitoba Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Respecting Lake Winnipeg, which provides for a long-term collaborative and coordinated approach between the two governments to ensure the sustainability and health of the Lake Winnipeg Basin. The program also financially supports the ongoing development and expansion of the single-window Web information portal, housed at the University of Manitoba, to better promote and enable data sharing and analysis with partners and other networks, in order to support research on Lake Winnipeg.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

In 2014-15, in Phase II (2012-17) of the Lake Winnipeg Basin Initiative, the Department:

• Continued its collaboration with Manitoba to implement the Canada-Manitoba MOU Respecting Lake Winnipeg and the Lake Winnipeg Basin, which included completing a management review of the MOU to extend it for an additional five years (to 2020). 
• Developed Environment Canada’s Annex for the Lake Friendly Accord, which details specific actions the Department will take to improve water quality and reduce nutrient pollution in the Lake Winnipeg Basin
• Completed and published the Progress Report on the Lake Winnipeg Basin Initiative (2012-2014).
• Negotiated contribution agreements under the Lake Winnipeg Basin Stewardship Fund for action that will reduce nutrient loading in Lake Winnipeg and its basin. In total, $890,000 was allocated to successful applicants and $2.7 million was leveraged from other stakeholders ($3.06 for every dollar from the Fund). 
• Provided financial support for the Lake Winnipeg Research Consortium for the operation of the MV Namao, the only research and monitoring vessel operating in Lake Winnipeg, and the University of Manitoba’s Lake Winnipeg Basin Information Network, a web-based information-sharing portal for lake-related science.
• Continued implementation of 13 scientific research, modelling and monitoring projects in Lake Winnipeg and its watershed to fill knowledge gaps and support nutrient management policy and program development.
• Conducted water quality and biotic monitoring at transboundary and other sites to track spatial and temporal flux of nutrients transported from the watershed to Lake Winnipeg. This work will contribute to the sound science that informs nutrient management policy in the basin.

Sub-Sub-Program 1.3.4.5: Community Ecosystem Partnerships

Sub-Sub-Program Description

This program maintains and restores the beneficial uses and environmental quality of targeted ecosystems of federal interest, such as northern Canada, the Georgia and Okanagan Basins, and coastal ecosystems in Atlantic Canada (through the Atlantic Ecosystem Initiative). The program coordinates and oversees initiatives in these targeted ecosystems. The initiatives use strategic partnerships, research, science, and funding programs to support community ecosystem projects and partnerships. It works collaboratively with other regional partners in Atlantic Canada to advance efforts to conserve and restore important habitat, improve water quality, and better address the impacts of climate change. The program uses mechanisms such as the Canada-U.S. Gulf of Maine Council on the Marine Environment 2012-2017 Action Plan. The goal is to expand knowledge, increase stakeholder capacity and involvement, improve decision-making and increase use of best practices to address complex environmental issues regarding water resources. The program is aimed at several levels of government, communities, businesses, industry, Aboriginal groups, non-governmental organizations and academia. It works to cooperate on opportunities to move forward on issues such as lake evaporation in the Okanagan Basin ecosystem and sustainability indicators that incorporate First Nations traditional knowledge in the Okanagan and Salish Sea ecosystems.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Provided $1.2 million in grants and contributions to support projects aimed at water quality, habitat and biodiversity, and the impacts of climate change in Atlantic Canada. Funded projects benefited from collaboration with diverse partners, including academic institutions, various levels of government (in Canada and the U.S.) and First Nations.
• An evaluation of the Community Ecosystem Partnerships Program (completed in March 2015) indicated that the program continues to be relevant. In response to evaluation recommendations, the Department transformed the funding process of the Atlantic Ecosystem Initiative. The process is now open and competitive, which is intended to enable Environment Canada to have greater Atlantic-wide impact on its priorities, to achieve greater transparency of funding, to better address departmental priorities on a broader scale, and to strengthen external partnerships including engaging provincial governments in identifying priorities for investment.
• Through the National Conservation Plan’s Gulf of Maine Initiative (GMI), awarded funding of $600,000 over two fiscal years to eight projects that focus on improving scientific understanding and monitoring of the interaction between human activities and ecosystem health in the area, and on the generation of information to better inform conservation and sustainable development decisions. The effort included collaboration with other federal and provincial partners to identify opportunities to collaborate, share information and exchange expertise on issues of common interest. 
• In support of work in the Okanagan, invested over $200,000 in contributions awarded to groups across British Columbia and Yukon. To conserve wetlands and ecosystem biodiversity in the Okanagan, the Department undertook watershed mapping and modeling in the Cowichan Valley, developed and implemented watershed health indicators in the Nechako, and engaged local First Nations in Yukon in citizen science to support priority water quality monitoring activities.

Program 1.4: Compliance Promotion and Enforcement - Wildlife

Program Description

This program works to conserve and protect the natural environment through compliance promotion and enforcement of the Species at Risk Act, the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act, and the Canada Wildlife Act. The program promotes compliance through the communication of information, education and consultation with parties affected by the statutes. It maintains a contingent of enforcement officers, whose activities include verifying conformity and bringing back conformity with laws, regulations and permits pertaining to wildlife and Environment Canada Protected Areas, as well as gathering intelligence, conducting inspections and pursuing investigations regarding alleged offenders. The program also works with the U.S. and Mexico under the auspices of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation to strengthen wildlife enforcement. These actions ensure that damages and threats to biodiversity are reduced for the benefit of Canadians and the international community.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

In 2014-15, the Department conducted and reported on over 4,400 inspections and over 360 investigations under the Species at Risk Act (SARA), the Canada Wildlife Act, the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 (MBCA, 1994), and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA) resulting in 2,191 identified violations. The number of inspections was significantly lower than in 2013-14 (13,700 inspections, of which 10,000 were related to shipments of an illegal weight-loss product made from Aloe ferox, an endangered species).

The Department completed and reported on approximately 190 inspections and 36 investigations related to protected areas; the majority focused on high-risk areas and the conservation of species, as well as on illegal activities (e.g., illegal hunting). Investigations resulted in six convictions and successfulprosecutions were published in the Enforcement Notifications.

Key enforcement achievements in 2014-15 to protect at-risk species included: seizure and fines for unlawfully held elephant tusks; the arrest, in collaboration with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, of an illegal importer and seller of endangered black rhinoceros horn and other wildlife products (which led to incarceration in the U.S.); and seizure and fines for sea containers holding illegally imported protected species of turtles and tortoises under WAPPRIITA. Another important initiative, “Operation Qiniq,” focused on increasing monitoring and patrols of Protected Areas in the Canadian North. The Department monitored compliance with regulations under the MBCA, 1994, among migratory bird hunter communities by conducting 1,751 inspections and 182 investigations. Compliance in 2014-15 was 93%, which surpassed the 90% target and reflects an increase from 87% in 2013-14.

Collaboration with international partners continued, including under the auspices of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation’s Enforcement Working Group. Environment Canada engaged in cooperative activities (such as training on making greater use of technological advancements in enforcement) and intelligence and information-sharing with its counterpart organizations in the U.S. and Mexico. Trilateral cooperation on environmental enforcement in North America has fostered collaboration and helped each country prevent, detect and deter transboundary violations of environmental law.

Work to develop intelligence and operational capacity continued, in support the Department’s capacity to identify high risk non-compliance in the North (e.g., illegal entry into protected areas).

Strategic Outcome 2: Canadians are equipped to make informed decisions on changing weather, water and climate conditions.

Program 2.1: Weather and Environmental Services for Canadians

Program Description

This program provides reliable, accurate and timely forecasts and warnings, as well as weather and environmental intelligence, to anticipate, manage and adapt to the risks and opportunities of changing weather, water, air quality and climate conditions. It involves monitoring, research, prediction and service delivery, based on sound science, to help Canadians make informed decisions to protect their health, safety, security and economic prosperity. Because a global effort is needed to monitor, understand and predict constantly changing weather, water, air quality, sea ice and climate conditions, the program works with various collaborators in Canada and around the world. Key partners include the World Meteorological Organization of the United Nations and its Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, as well as the news media, academia and all levels of government in Canada. The program meets the Department’s responsibilities under the Department of the Environment Act, the Weather Modification Information Act, the Emergency Management Act (2007), the Convention of the World Meteorological Organization, and memoranda of agreement with national meteorological and space agencies. It provides forecasts and information in case of environmental emergencies associated with the release of toxic and radioactive material in the atmosphere. Grants and contributions in support of Weather and Environmental Services for Canadians are used as components of this program.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Environment Canada continued to ensure the delivery of 24/7 mission critical weather services to Canadians. The Department also continued to modernize its weather monitoring infrastructure with a federal government investment of $107.5 million for significant monitoring network upgrades and $26.5 million for major upgrades to weather warning and forecast systems (announced in January 2015 as part of a $348 million investment in core weather monitoring networks). These investments allowed monitoring infrastructure to be more resilient, and weather forecasts and warnings to be more accurate, detailed and timely, in order to support the health and safety of Canadians. The upgrades are part of a multi-year, major initiative aligned with the principles set out in Environment Canada’s Science Strategy 2014-2019 and demonstrate that the Department is keeping pace with evolving technology and has in place the required skills needed to deliver the Department’s mission critical services.

In 2014-15, Environment Canada continued to collaborate with the meteorological community in Canada and internationally in sharing the latest scientific knowledge and data to improve the accuracy of weather, climate and air quality information available to Canadians. Through its work with the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), the Department exerted influence to leverage international science and technology expertise to enable Canada to remain at the forefront of knowledge and technology with respect to meteorology, climatology and hydrology.

The Department also continued to expand and improve the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), making it accessible to over two-thirds (69%) of Canadians. 

Environment Canada continued to collaborate with its North American counterparts to increase the availability of weather prediction for monthly and seasonal forecasts and to improve meteorologists’ ability to deliver quality forecasts. In collaboration with Shared Services Canada and private sector partners, the Department also continued to ensure that current and future technologies to support warning re-engineering and next generation prediction system are maintained and developed. Maintaining and/or upgrading critical systems and infrastructure to provide services that Canadians rely on helps to reduce the risk of disruption as a result of potential natural or human-made hazards. In addition, the active maintenance and exercise of business continuity plans and leveraging a rigorous management system that is certified to the internationally recognized ISO 9001 standard helps to manage the risk of service disruption.

Sub-Program 2.1.1: Weather Observations, Forecasts and Warnings

Sub-Program Description

This program provides all-day, every-day weather warnings, forecasts and information with lead times of minutes to weeks. Its purpose is to help Canadians anticipate dangerous meteorological events so they have enough time to protect themselves and their property. Program activities combine research in science and modelling with regional monitoring, prediction and service delivery. These activities depend on the supercomputing capacity managed by Shared Services Canada. The program is delivered through collaborations involving data, science and information distribution in Canada and internationally. Key partners are the news media, all levels of government and academia in Canada, other national meteorological services, research and space agencies, and the United Nations World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The program contributes about $2 million annually to WMO to support Canada’s international commitments in meteorology and hydrology. It meets responsibilities under the Department of the Environment Act and Weather Modification Information Act and supports other departments acting under the Emergency Management Act (2007). Program delivery includes assessed contribution to the WMO and may include Grants and Contributions in support of Weather and Environmental Services for Canadians.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Continued to modernize its weather monitoring infrastructure by improving reliability and reducing unscheduled outages at eight radar sites through on-going maintenance and upgrades to equipment, and commissioning two new hydrogen generations systems at upper air stations. In addition, the Department upgraded or installed 23 surface weather stations, installed eight new land stations and deployed buoys in the Arctic, increasing capacity by more than one million observations.
• Advanced new technologies and innovative products for the purposes of the 2015 Pan American and Para Pan American Games. These products will also form the basis of future weather products.    
• Continued to play international leadership and collaboration roles, and engaged with multilateral and bilateral partners to support the advancement of meteorological and hydrographic expertise and to share data.
• Some key leadership roles include:
  • Organizing the first World Weather Open Science Conference, jointly led by the Department and WMO, which brought together participants from approximately 50 countries to examine the status of scientific advances, identify challenges, and collectively set priorities and develop joint programs;
  • Federal lead and active international role in the leadership and funding of implementation of the Global Framework for Climate Services, aimed at enhancing access to atmospheric and other Earth observation information internationally and at improving global climate information services for decision-making;
  • Federal lead for the International Group on Earth Observations, which seeks to implement the Global Earth Observation System of Systems to allow free and open access to Earth observations for decision- and policy-makers in all countries;
  • Interdepartmental lead within the Federal Committee on Geomatics and Earth Observation to identify priority data sets to populate the Federal Geospatial Platform;
  • Initiation of cooperation activities with space partners such as the U.S. National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites, and the Japan Meteorological Agency, for access to current and future atmospheric and other observations; and
  • In the Solid Precipitation Intercomparison Experiment (SPICE), organizing and supporting an international initiative with 20 sites in 15 countries dedicated to measuring, understanding and documenting the differences between automatic and manual measurements of precipitation in cold climates.
• Generated and disseminated to the science community the results of the Department’s meteorological research to improve weather and environmental prediction work in close to 50 peer-reviewed publications. Eight technological scientific advances were implemented by the Department.

Sub-Program 2.1.2: Health-related Meteorological Information

Sub-Program Description

This program provides forecasts, tools and information on atmospheric conditions that affect health, such as air quality, extreme temperatures and ultraviolet (UV) radiation. It supports the mandates of Environment Canada, Health Canada and many public and non-governmental health agencies. The program includes work on the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) and other projects that assist Canadians in making informed decisions to protect their health and reduce pollution, and enable health agencies to help vulnerable populations to respond to changing atmospheric conditions. It is delivered across Canada through collaborations promoting data and information dissemination. Collaborators include the media, public health agencies at all levels of government, provincial environment agencies and non-governmental agencies. This program also includes conducting systematic observations and monitoring of background air pollutant monitoring (CAPMon Network) and ozone in the atmosphere and hosting the World Ozone and UV Data Centre, operated on behalf of the World Meteorological Organization and used by over 75 government agencies around the world. Program delivery may include grants and contributions in support of Weather and Environmental Services for Canadians.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Expanded access to the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI), which identifies the level of health risk associated with local air quality, and provides information to help Canadians make decisions about outdoor activities. As of March 2015, the AQHI was available to 23.1 million Canadians (69% of the population), in 10 provinces and one territory, representing an increase of 4% over 2013-14. The service expanded to five additional locations and is now available at 84 locations across Canada.
• In response to strong interest in multi-hazard alerts by AQHI health partners, continued to build and maintain partnerships with provinces, territories and some municipalities to deliver the AQHI service to meet regional needs, and worked with partners through the National Air Pollution Surveillance network to improve data collection and delivery for expanding AQHI into remote areas and the North.
• Created a new tool for combining model predictions and air quality measurements for nitrogen dioxide, sulphur dioxide and coarse particulate matter that will produce the best possible spatial and temporal representations of air quality levels. The product will support AQHI forecasts.
• Piloted a new system called Firework that resulted in an improved air quality particulate matter forecast, including capturing the long distance transport of wildfire plumes.
• Continued to generate high quality and unique data sets for long-term trend analysis to allow for and validate Ultraviolet radiation (UV) Index forecasting and to track changes to the stratospheric ozone layer. The Department contributed to domestic and global ozone monitoring data by:
  • hosting the WMO World Brewer Calibration Centre and calibrating instruments worldwide through the World Brewer travelling standard;
  • supporting ozone monitoring in developing countries through the Brewer Trust Fund; and
  • supporting completion of the World Meteorological Organization-United Nations Environment Programme Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion: 2014. 

Sub-Program 2.1.3: Climate Information, Predictions and Tools

Sub-Program Description

This program generates new knowledge and information about past, present and future states of the climate system and how it functions, as well as the changing composition of the atmosphere and its impacts. Its work includes developing global and regional climate models and scenarios; detecting human influence on climate change in Canada, including extremes; understanding the North and Canadian cryosphere; and tracking atmospheric levels of greenhouse gases and aerosols across Canada, including in remote locations. These activities increase understanding of the impacts of climate change on economic sectors and ecosystems. Results from the program’s analysis and research activities provide the scientific basis for policy development, mitigation, adaptation planning and decision-making to programs such as the Federal Adaptation Policy Framework, as well as products, services and tools to Canadians. In particular, climate services inform and assist users in adapting to both present climate variability and medium- to long-term changes in climate. The program shares data, science and information with all levels of government in Canada, academia, industry, consortia, standards councils, and the national and international scientific community, including organizations such as the World Meteorological Organization, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and the Canadian Meteorological and Oceanographic Society. The program meets responsibilities under the Department of the Environment Act, Canadian Environmental Protection Act (1999), Emergency Management Act (2007) and the National Research Council Act (Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes), and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (Articles 4 and 5: monitoring and research). Program delivery may include grants and contributions in support of Weather and Environmental Services for Canadians.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• To inform adaptation and mitigation actions by the private sector, academia, and all levels of government in Canada, enhanced existing climate models (by incorporating better representation of oceans, snow, short-lived climate pollutants and carbon cycle processes) and created new/updated existing climate data records (in the Department’s Data Catalogue and in the Government of Canada’s Open Data portal).
• Performed new climate model experiments to inform the understanding of climate change and the provision of climate scenarios to address policy-relevant climate questions (for example, the influence of short-lived climate pollutants) and completed planned enhancements to the regional atmospheric monitoring network for greenhouse gases. 
• Continued, through the Department’s online presence, to engage with stakeholders in the provision and use of updated climate data and information to support adaptation decisions. Work included updating the Canadian Climate Data and Scenarios website to provide the latest multi-model climate change scenario information and to align with new web accessibility requirements.
• Responded to over 3,000 requests for site-specific wind pressure analyses in support of cellular tower construction, as well as more than 200 requests for other climatic design data in support of the National Building Code of Canada and other infrastructure standards.
• Generated and disseminated results of its work under the Climate Information, Prediction and Tools Program in 133 peer-reviewed publications and held lead roles with the responsibility of providing expert advice for development of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fifth Assessment Report, the Arctic Report Card, the World Metrological Organization, and to Technical Reports from the Arctic Council Expert Groups on Methane and Black Carbon.

Program 2.2: Weather and Environmental Services for Targeted Users

Program Description

Environment Canada provides specific predictions and services for targeted, weather sensitive sectors through formal arrangements and revenue contracts. Building on the core capabilities described under Program 2.1, this program provides reliable, accurate and timely weather, water, climate, air quality and ice observations, predictions and services to support the specific decision-making needs of the aviation, marine transportation, military, commercial and other sectors. The program delivers its services using various collaborations within Canada (including with other government departments), and internationally with the World Meteorological Organization, as well as other countries and international bodies such as the International Civil Aviation Organization. This program supports the Department in meeting obligations and responsibilities conferred by the Department of the Environment Act and the Convention of the World Meteorological Organization. It also helps other government departments meet their obligations under the Aeronautics Act and the Treaty in Support of International Civil Aviation, the Oceans Act and the Fisheries Act, and it supports memoranda of agreement with Transport Canada, National Defence and various provincial and territorial agencies.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

In 2014-15, Environment Canada continued to provide ice products and other weather services on a 24/7 basis to support the Canadian Coast Guard, Department of National Defence, NAV CANADA and other clients.

In collaboration with its clients, the Department completed or progressed with a number of key initiatives, including deploying weather buoys in the Arctic (see 2.2.1 and 2.2.3, below), developing, improving or implementing key prediction systems, and completing commitments to the International Maritime Organization for service delivery (see 2.2.2, below). The success of these and other collaborative initiatives reinforce the importance and value of leveraging relationships for effective and efficient service delivery.

The Department continued to modernize its weather monitoring infrastructure with a federal government investment of $107.5 million for significant monitoring network upgrades and $26.5 million for major upgrades to weather warning and forecast systems (announced in January 2015 as part of a $348 million investment in core weather monitoring networks). These investments maintain the weather, water and climate data that are used by Environment Canada to produce warnings and forecasts. The data are provided by a set of observing networks across the country that includes: weather radars; land-based and marine surface weather and climate stations; upper air stations (balloon-borne instruments called radiosondes); the Canadian Lightning Detection Network; and satellite ground receiving stations that receive Canadian and international satellite data. The new investments enable Environment Canada to further tailor weather forecasts and warnings to users’ needs, with increased accuracy, detail and timeliness.

Environment Canada continued to collaborate at home and internationally on products and service enhancements, including work with domestic partners to ensure smooth dissemination of the Department’s marine and ice products. For example, work is ongoing with the Safe at Sea Alliance of Nova Scotia to improve safety at sea for fishers.

An audit performed by the Commissioner of the Environmental Sustainable Development concluded that “Environment Canada has been improving weather and ice information in the Arctic.” The audit also identified emerging challenges such as the cost and availability of radar satellite imagery for the purpose of ice information; in response, the Department initiated (in collaboration with the Canadian Coast Guard) an assessment of the use and cost of a variety of radar satellites.

Sub-Program 2.2.1: Meteorological Services in Support of Air Navigation

Sub-Program Description

This program provides the aviation industry and its regulatory agency with meteorological services (observations, forecasts and warnings) all day and every day of the year. It supports the goals and missions of NAV CANADA and Transport Canada, and supports the domestic and international airlines operating in Canadian territory to make tactical decisions to maximize their efficiency, effectiveness and safety. The program also includes the Volcanic Ash Advisory Centre (VAAC), one of nine such centres around the world operating under the authority of the International Civil Aviation Organization. The VAAC forecasts the transport of airborne volcanic ash to reduce the risk of aircraft disasters, and provides operational support and backup to other VAACs worldwide. The program is delivered under a contract between Environment Canada and NAV CANADA.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Continued to provide high-quality meteorological services for NAV CANADA, including a range of aviation forecasts, observation monitoring and other data services. The results of a 2014 client satisfaction survey indicated that NAV CANADA’s needs are understood and being met by the Department-it is valued as a client. A significant transition continued to near conclusion in 2014-15, which saw NAV CANADA assume responsibility for almost all of the aviation weather observing programs.
• Continued with a multi-year initiative to modernize airport forecasts. This initiative is expected to lay the foundation for future aviation weather forecast services. The project will see improved forecasts provided for airports through the use of new forecasting tools.

Sub-Program 2.2.2: Meteorological and Ice Services in Support of Marine Navigation

Sub-Program Description

This program provides marine industries and regulatory agencies with forecasts of the sea state, ice conditions and weather all day and every day of the year. It supports the International Maritime Organization by providing meteorological information for Canadian and international Arctic waters. It also supports the goals and mandates of the Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) of Fisheries and Oceans Canada. The program also helps marine industries and other interests operating in Canadian waters, including organizations involved in shipping, fisheries and resource extraction, make tactical decisions, such as ship routing, to maximize their safety and efficiency. As a key collaborator, the CCG broadcasts information related to this program to marine interests, as well as providing in-situ weather, sea-state and ice information to Environment Canada. This program is operated in part through a memorandum of understanding with Fisheries and Oceans for services related to current and forecast ice conditions over Canadian navigable waters. The program meets responsibilities under the Department of the Environment Act, the Oceans Act and the Fisheries Act. It also supports commitments to the International Convention on Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, and the North American Ice Service.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Continued to provide satellite-based oil spill monitoring in Canada’s navigable waters, including in the Canadian Arctic Archipelago, 18 hours a day. Environment Canada took part in preparing a response to the report and recommendations on Phase II of the World Class Tanker Safety Panel, on Canada’s oil spill preparedness in the Arctic.
• Deployed weather buoys in the Arctic, with the support of the Department of National Defence, to increase availability of real-time weather observation data for mariners and to support the Department’s work in making timely and accurate forecasts. Forty on-ice and in-water buoys have been deployed in the Arctic since 2011.
• Coordinated with the Canadian Coast Guard (NAVAREA Coordinator) to update input to the international manual on the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System to include the Arctic Meteorological Area (METAREA) services available.
• Signed a letter of agreement with the Canadian Coast Guard for the delivery of ice information and services for 2014-15.
• Completed all commitments under the METAREAs initiative, with services delivered in accordance with Canada’s commitment to the International Maritime Organization. Environment Canada now delivers weather and ice forecast information and data for two METAREAs, comprising the waters of the Canadian Arctic (including the Northwest Passage), a portion of international waters in the High Arctic, and waters north of Alaska and along parts of the western coast of Greenland.
• On the research front, progressed with development of the Regional Ice-Ocean Prediction System (a full 3-D ice-forecasting system scheduled to begin experimental implementation in 2015); saw the Global Ocean Ice Prediction System approved for experimental mode; made significant improvements to the Regional Ice Prediction System; and put in operation (at the Canadian Ice Service) the Automated Sea Ice Tracking System.

An evaluation of the METAREAs initiative concluded that the program is relevant, well managed and delivered, and is making progress toward intended outcomes. In response to the evaluation’s recommendations, the program has initiated a review of service standards as part of continuing efforts to engage users to better determine and prioritize their needs and options for disseminating information in the future, and has initiated a review of the program’s logic model and performance measurement strategy.

Sub-Program 2.2.3: Meteorological Services in Support of Military Operations

Sub-Program Description

This program provides the Department of National Defence (DND) with meteorological and oceanographic information, predictions and tools needed for operations of the Canadian Forces (CF) in Canada and abroad. It is a collaborative program, operating under a formal memorandum of understanding with DND, responding to CF-specific needs and recovering its incremental costs from DND. This program is critical to CF operations, contributing to the effectiveness and safety of tactical, operational and strategic manoeuvres within Canada and in various active military areas globally. It also supports DND’s legal and statutory responsibilities under the Aeronautics Act, which is the legal foundation for military aviation safety.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Provided timely and accurate weather prediction services for military missions and exercises both at home and abroad, including support to Operation Nunalivut, a major, annual multi-departmental sovereignty operation led by the Department of National Defence (DND).
• Collaborated with National Defence to complete the Joint Meteorological Centre at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown. The Centre is fully staffed with complete meteorological support to DND.
• Continued to provide ongoing support for various North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) working panels in developing specific products for military operations. Through collaboration with DND, Canada will be the “lead nation” to NATO for the global response force in 2018, with other NATO nations relying on Canada to provide big-picture meteorological support for each operation to avoid duplication of effort and inconsistent meteorological support.
• Collaborated with DND on the aircraft and ship-based deployment of ice buoys in the Beaufort Sea (which provided detailed information not possible from ice breakers), and with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans on the deployment of both drifting buoys (ice buoys) and one seasonal moored buoy in the Beaufort Sea.

Sub-Program 2.2.4: Meteorological Services for Economic and Commercial Sectors

Sub-Program Description

This program provides a variety of economic and commercial sectors (such as news media, natural resources sectors and specialized users) with climate and meteorological services, including data from the Canadian Lightning Detection Network. The information and tools are used to make tactical and strategic decisions that maximize economic and commercial efficiency, competitiveness, environmental performance and safety in the short and longer term. In doing so, the program supports the mandates of Natural Resources Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and others (such as provincial agencies). Many economic sectors are sensitive to changing weather and climate with respect to the safety and cost-effectiveness of their operations (e.g., just-in-time delivery, pest management), the demand for their services (e.g., hydro-electrical generation) and the future of their industry. Specialized data services allow users to obtain pertinent information through such mechanisms as specialized data links or one-on-one consultations. This program is delivered across Canada through collaborations involving data and science, often on a cost-shared or cost-recovered basis.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Facilitated expansion of the use of lightning information by the power utility sector. Environment Canada worked with public authorities and the private sector to ensure that an increasing number of jurisdictions have access to lightning information to support decision-making.
• Provided Canadians with up-to-date information on past, present and future weather conditions, in addition to offering multiple data access services to specialized users that required information at regular intervals and in an unprocessed form.
• Expanded Datamart to include hydrometric observations across Canada, experimental hurricane trajectories, and data from Very High Resolution continental weather models in order to meet the growing needs of specialized users. 

Strategic Outcome 3: Threats to Canadians and their environment from pollution are minimized.

Program 3.1: Substances and Waste Management

Program Description

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

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

In 2014-15, Environment Canada carried out a range of activities to assess risks to the environment from existing and new substances, and implemented measures to prevent and manage risks. Over the year, the Department published screening assessment reports (draft or final) that cover some 1,100 substances. These screening reports communicate with industry stakeholders and Canadians on the risk findings and conclusions of Environment Canada’s risk assessments completed under the Chemicals Management Plan (CMP).The Department received notification of, assessed and, where appropriate, took risk management actions. Actions included notification of new uses for chemical substances with respect to 500 new substances (including chemicals, polymers, nanomaterials and living organisms).

Environment Canada continued its work to build and maintain a strong science foundation for the CMP. With information received during the second phase of the Domestic Substances List Inventory Update, the Department set priorities for the next phase of the CMP, helped align with international initiatives applicable to Canadian context, and supported subsequent risk assessment and risk management activities.

The Department maintained stakeholder engagement by organizing three workshops to discuss scientific issues, future priorities for assessment and issues with the current program (see also 3.1.1, below).

In collaboration with Health Canada, the Department published two issues of the Chemicals Management Progress Report (July and December 2014) which provided stakeholders and others with up-to-date information on the activities and programs of the CMP. In addition to these reports, biannual reporting was undertaken to enhance the transparency of work under the CMP.

On the international front, under the Canada-China Joint Committee on Environmental Cooperation, the Department hosted a workshop for Chinese delegates (including site visits, case studies and an overview of Canada’s Environmental Emergencies Management System) and maintained discussions with China on chemical management frameworks, including approaches to managing perfluoroctane sulfonate and mercury.

Sub-Program 3.1.1: Substances Management

Sub-Program Description

This program is jointly implemented by Health Canada and Environment Canada. It is responsible for assessing all targeted existing commercial substances identified under the Chemicals Management Plan, as well as new substances, upon notification by industry of their import or manufacture, for risks to the environment. The program uses science-based risk assessment, priority-setting and timely regulatory actions (or other measures where appropriate) to manage these substances. It works to improve substance management through research and monitoring, and tracking of pollutant releases through reporting to the National Pollutant Release Inventory and ensures appropriate risk measures are in place, as well as engaging in national and international collaborations. The program maintains transparency with stakeholders through consultation processes. International obligations include the Basel, Rotterdam Convention and Stockholm Conventions, the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution and the Minamata Convention. Program delivery includes the assessed contribution to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. This program also uses regulations and other control measures to address the risks posed by end-of-life substances of concern, international and interprovincial movement of waste and hazardous recyclable material.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Published National Targets for the Road Salts Code of Practice, and published the Regulations Amending the PCB Regulations and Repealing the Federal Mobile PCB Treatment and Destruction Regulations
• Continued to implement the Chemical Management Plan (CMP), including:
  • Published the Products Containing Mercury Regulations (PCMR), a Code of Practice for 2-Butanone, oxime and amended the 2-Butoxyethanol Regulations.
  • Continued to implement the Prohibition of Certain Toxic Substances Regulations, 2012 and the CMP2 Groupings Initiative, including three risk management scope documents and two risk management approach documents. 
  • Published final risk assessments for approximately 500 substances and prepared draft risk assessments for an additional 1,170.
  • Received and assessed (within prescribed regulatory timelines) 100% of approximately 500 new substances notifications and subsequently published five Significantly New Activity Orders/Notices for chemicals and polymers, and five Ministerial Conditions
  • Received 26 Pre-Notification Consultations for chemicals and polymers, and four for organisms. These provide stakeholders with the opportunity to discuss the regulatory requirements of their notifications prior to the submission of these substances.
  • Published risk assessment summaries for six chemical and polymer substances and new living organisms; these communicate the risk assessment findings of the Department’s work under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999), and help ensure transparency in its decision making process.
  • Published a non-confidential summary of information received from the second phase of the Domestic Substances List Inventory Update, to increase public awareness of and access to information on manufactured and/or imported substances.
  • Hosted two multi-stakeholder workshops to plan the next phase of the CMP and initiated 21 research projects that addressed priority substances and issues under the CMP and CEPA 1999.
• Completed annual data collection under the National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI), conducted quality control of facility-reported information, data interpretation and trend analysis, and published data on the website in various searchable formats-work that helps maintain the NPRI as a reliable and relevant means to track pollutant releases.
• Continued to chair the Small Intersessional Working Group on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) waste under the Basel Convention and led on two technical guidelines for sound management of POPs waste; also engaged in discussions under the Minamata Convention on Mercury and supported negotiations on chemicals and waste at the first United Nations Environment Assembly.

Sub-Program 3.1.2: Effluent Management

Sub-Program Description

This program manages the risks to the environment and human health from the discharge and deposit of waste residues (e.g., effluent). It does this by developing, implementing and administering strategies and programs, such as pollution prevention plans, regulations, codes of practice, guidelines and environmental performance agreements. It works under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, and the Fisheries Act to address waste discharges and substances of concern from industrial and public sectors, including but not limited to the mining and processing, forestry, wastewater and other sectors. Key activities include conducting research and risk analysis; developing and implementing regulations and other control instruments; assessing the results of environmental effects monitoring of regulated facilities; providing technical advice to environmental assessments; and acting as the focal point for the Department for the Fisheries Act Pollution Prevention Provisions (FA-PPP). Specifically, the program administers the FA-PPP, including the development of risk management instruments; administers the Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations to reduce the threats to fish, fish habitat and human health from fish consumption; works with the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, Quebec, and Newfoundland and Labrador on minimum effluent quality standards for wastewater effluent for the Far North; works to amend the Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations to include the Far North, and administers the Metal Mining Effluent Regulations and the Pulp and Paper Effluent Regulations under the Fisheries Act to control or manage the deposit of deleterious substances into water to protect water quality and aquatic ecosystems.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Continued to administer the Metal Mining Effluent Regulations (MMER), which included advancing the 10-year review of the Regulations through consultations with industry, environmental and Aboriginal organizations on various proposed changes. The consultations included consideration of expanding the MMER to include diamond mines, as well as exploring possible regulatory approaches for coal mines.
• Continued to issue authorizations to system owners and operators regulated by the Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations (WSER), and completed development of a Web-based reporting system through which the 2,500-plus wastewater system owners and operators submit information required under the regulations. Intergovernmental cooperation was essential to the progress made in establishing long-term partnerships, as well as to the WSER bilateral agreements made with Yukon and New Brunswick, which reduce administrative regulatory burden and duplication.
• Through the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment Working Group on wastewater, progressed with analysis regarding risk level criteria, performance standards, monitoring and reporting in the North.
• Finalized the Regulations Establishing Conditions for Making Regulations under Subsection 36(5.2) of the Fisheries Act and the Experimental Lakes Area Research Activities Regulations, both aligned with the Minister of the Environment’s role for the enforcement and administration of pollution prevention in compliance with the Fisheries Act.
• Continued to administer the Pulp and Paper Effluent Regulations, including promoting compliance and providing advice for the pulp and paper sector on the regulatory and environmental effects monitoring requirements.
• Organized expert exchanges with bilateral partners, including through the Environment Working Group of the Canada-Mexico Partnership, with the objective of contributing Canada’s capacity and knowledge to assist Mexico in strengthening its ability to establish a robust regulatory framework for mining operations.

Sub-Program 3.1.3: Marine Pollution

Sub-Program Description

This program assesses, controls and monitors the disposal of wastes and other matter at sea and advises on marine pollution from ships. Since 2010, the program also has responsibility for assessing and controlling the risk of impacts to the marine environment resulting from Canadians or Canadian maritime traffic in the Antarctic. The program uses a mix of regulatory and non-regulatory instruments to prevent marine pollution. It addresses impacts on sediments and other wastes; administers prohibitions and controls, assesses and issues permits for disposal at sea and Antarctic expeditions; and researches and develops decision-making and monitoring tools, and standards. The program contributes to federal coordination of marine pollution prevention (ship-sourced); It works under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, including Part 7, Division 3 (Disposal at Sea), and the Antarctic Environmental Protection Act, 2003. The program also meets international obligations, including the London Convention and Protocol, the Antarctic Treaty and Madrid Protocol, and works to advance Canadian positions to influence global rules toward reducing and managing global marine pollution from all sources. Two cost recovery fees are applicable to disposal at sea permits: an application fee assessed on all permits, and a permit fee assessed on dredged and inert inorganic material.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Led and participated in a number of activities relating to the London Convention and London Protocol, accepted the role of Chair of the Scientific Groups of the London Convention and London Protocol and participated in the Compliance Group of the London Protocol.
• Continued to participate in the Madrid Protocol regarding Antarctic Environmental Protection, and provided advice for Transport Canada relating to the Marine Pollution Convention.
• Successfully completed amendments to Disposal at Sea Regulations and a related Applicant’s Guide (implemented in September 2014). The amendments introduced service timelines, a newly created prioritization and delivery process, and 12 new policies directly relevant to national permit delivery.
• Conducted a major national study that will allow up-to-date information to be used to generate a modern marine pollution placement regime; the study included recommendations on potential marine geoengineering activities (such as ocean fertilization) in the next decade, as well as potential implementation options for the London Protocol Amendment.

Sub-Program 3.1.4: Environmental Emergencies

Sub-Program Description   

This program aims to reduce the frequency and consequences of spills and related environmental emergencies involving toxic and other hazardous substances. The program conducts five major activities: prevention, preparedness, response, recovery, and research and development. Prevention involves regulating chemical facilities to develop and implement environmental emergency plans. Preparedness includes coordinating and planning international, national and regional environmental emergency preparedness capabilities, as well as sensitivity mapping. Response includes monitoring the actions of responsible parties, providing scientific and technical advice on weather and sea state, and on behaviour and effects of chemicals; providing sensitivity mapping and trajectory modelling; attending significant incidents; and operating the 24/7 National Environmental Emergencies Centre in Montréal. Recovery activities include assessing the damage and providing advice to polluters on repairing an environment damaged by an environmental emergency. Other activities include development of spill models, analysis methods, fate and behaviour algorithms, measurement and remote-sensing capabilities, decontamination protocols and counter-measures used during incidents. The program’s authority comes from the Environmental Emergency Regulations, as well as sections 34-8 of the Fisheries Act. Its responsibilities during an emergency are described in the Federal Emergency Response Plan’s Emergency Support Function, Annex #6 - Environment (2009).

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Updated approximately 95% of regulatee records under the Environmental Emergencies (E2) Regulations. Of the 4,601 registered facilities in Canada, 2,852 required E2 plans; the majority (86%) of these facilities have developed and implemented the required plans.
• Completed preliminary consultations with stakeholders and the public, which supported potential regulatory amendments to the E2 Regulations. These amendments could help improve the clarity and effectiveness of the Regulations, and harmonize them with existing laws and regulations.
• Continued work with provincial and territorial counterparts on the development of standard operating procedures for the collection and processing of notifications of environmental occurrences in accordance with Environmental Occurrences Notification Agreements,and initiated discussions with British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Northwest Territories and Yukon in preparation for renewal of existing agreements.
• Provided scientific support (for example, on the fate and behaviour of spilled contaminants in the environment) for approximately 50 environmental emergency incidents. For example, under the World Class Tanker Safety System program, the Department conducted studies on the physical and chemical properties of spilled bitumen in support of federal marine oil spill safety priorities. This work reaffirmed the importance of research on spilled hazardous materials and confirmed that these studies provide essential new knowledge needed to mitigate the environmental effects of spill events. 
• Completed the Beaufort Coastal Sensitivity Atlas, which provides a consolidated source of key environmental information. The Atlas is critical for prioritizing operational and on-site oil spill response activities and supports responsible environmental decision-making across the coastal areas of the Beaufort Sea region.  
• Continued to operate the National Environmental Emergencies Centre 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Highlights of its performance include:
  • Assessed notifications for the approximately 36,000 pollution incidents received, and engaged in 3,000 of these incidents that fell within its mandate and met a set of triggers that include jurisdiction, size, complexity, source and/or impact. The triggers determined Environment Canada’s level of engagement, which included activities such as notifying partners and assessing the emergency and mitigation measures. The Department also coordinated and/or provided scientific and technical advice remotely and on-site for approximately 250 incidents; and
  • Chaired approximately 25 Environmental Emergencies Science Tables, an advisory mechanism that coordinates the best available scientific and field expertise and abilities to identify environmental protection priorities.

Sub-Program 3.1.5: Contaminated Sites

Sub-Program Description

This program is primarily directed to Environment Canada’s responsibilities in supporting the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP). The FCSAP is a 15-year Government of Canada horizontal program with the aim of reducing environmental and human health risks from known federal contaminated sites and associated federal financial liabilities. Sixteen federal departments, agencies and consolidated Crown corporations responsible for contaminated sites, including Environment Canada, are currently involved in the FCSAP program as custodians of sites. The Contaminated Sites Program responsibilities include hosting the FCSAP Secretariat, developing guidance and program policies, and providing expert support to federal custodians for the assessment and remediation/risk management activities at their sites. In addition, the FCSAP Secretariat coordinates the implementation of the Shared Sites Policy Framework. Under the Contaminated Sites Program, EC also provides technical and scientific advice to the custodial department responsible for the Sydney Tar Ponds project.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Continued, as part of the Department’s ongoing and overall role as Secretariat for the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP), to work closely with custodians and Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat to ensure that information reported to the Federal Contaminated Site Inventory is accurate and complete.
• Led the development of a successful proposal for the renewal of FCSAP (Phase III) using a risk-based prioritization approach to identify sites that should be addressed in Phase III, in collaboration with program partners in other federal organizations.
• Published the 2011-12 FCSAP annual report on the federal contaminated sites web portal and prepared draft 2012-13 and 2013-14 annual reports. Work on these reports was delayed due to the priority of preparing the Phase III proposal.
• Developed a guidance document for federal custodians on monitored natural attenuation in soil and water, finalized new modules for the Ecological Risk Assessment Guidance (to address specific contaminants, such as perfluorooctane sulfonate), and delivered training sessions at the 2014 Real Property Institute of Canada Federal Contaminated Sites National Workshop, all in its role as an expert support department to FCSAP.

Program 3.2: Climate Change and Clean Air

Program Description

This program aims to protect the health of Canadians, the state of the environment and Canada’s economy from the harmful effects of air pollutants and the impacts of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through the development and implementation of regulations and other control measures. Actions are based on sound scientific and economic analysis, and emissions monitoring and reporting. Work under this program involves continued collaboration with other governments and stakeholders; expert environmental science and technology advice, assessment, and program management in support of technology investment decisions, policy-making and regulations; and cooperation with the U.S. to align GHG regulations as appropriate, reduce transboundary air pollution and advance the development of clean technologies. It also involves participation, negotiations and contributions to international fora to address climate change and transboundary air pollution, and bilateral and multilateral processes in order to support Canada’s positions and objectives. This program includes contributions in support of Climate Change and Clean Air, and grants for the implementation of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

The Department continued to advance its sector-by-sector regulatory approach to reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions towards meeting the national 2020^Footnote 11 reduction target. With regulations already in place for the transportation and coal-fired electricity sectors, work continued on development of regulations for other major emitting industrial sectors, as well as more stringent standards for transportation.

The Department also continued implementing the Air Quality Management System (AQMS) in collaboration with provinces, territories, and stakeholders to better protect human health and the environment. The system includes new ambient air quality standards, a framework for managing air quality through local air zones and regional airsheds, and emissions requirements for major industrial sectors and equipment types, as well as enhanced collaboration among governments to reduce emissions from mobile sources. Among its efforts on this front, in June 2014, the Department proposed in Canada Gazette, Part I the Multi-sector Air Pollutants Regulations, and published two draft Codes of Practice (see also 3.2.1.1). Environment Canada also continued work with provinces, territories and stakeholders to develop Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards for two other air pollutants of concern: sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. Early and ongoing engagement with provinces, territories and stakeholders continues to be important for the successful implementation of AQMS.

Environment Canada also continued to address short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs). The Department co-chaired the Arctic Council Task Force for Action on Black Carbon and Methane, which finalized a framework to improve black carbon and methane science and reporting (see also 3.2.2). Canada developed its first black carbon inventory for submission in 2015 under the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution (see also 3.2.2), and continued its leadership under the Climate and Clean Air Coalition. The Department’s active contributions under international fora are key to engaging with international partners; Canada also benefits from collective advancements in science and best practices for SLCPs.

Sub-Program 3.2.1: Climate Change and Clean Air Regulatory Program

Sub-Program Description

This program develops domestic approaches to climate change and air pollution by controlling emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) and air pollutants, and promotes science-based approaches to develop new standards and regulations. Core program activities focus on developing and implementing regulations to achieve the reduction of emissions from the industrial, transportation, and consumer and commercial products sectors while maintaining economic competitiveness. The program also involves analysis related to cross-cutting issues, compliance flexibilities, and equivalency agreements with provinces, as well as consultations with industry, provincial and territorial governments, and other stakeholders. The program works with provinces and territories through the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment and is implementing the new Air Quality Management System, which includes establishing new outdoor air quality standards, implementing the industrial emission requirements. The program also works with other jurisdictions, including the U.S., to undertake regional and international efforts to manage transboundary air pollution. The program’s core activities are supported by legal and economic analysis, as well as scientific research, monitoring and modelling on the impacts of air pollution, which provide a basis to develop, implement and evaluate standards and regulations. The program involves data collection, emissions estimation and reporting to support domestic programs and meet international requirements. This includes: the design and implementation of the Single Window Reporting Initiative to provide a single harmonized system to report on GHG and air pollutant emissions; the maintenance of the GHG Emissions Reporting Program to track progress in GHG emission reduction; the estimation of emissions and removals for GHGs and the development, submission, and publication of the annual National GHG Inventory Report and Canada’s Air Pollutant Emissions Inventory; and, the submission of emission data to the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and to the U.S. to meet commitments under the Ozone Annex andassess general performance reducing air pollutant emissions.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Published the final Regulations Amending the Passenger Automobile and Light Truck Greenhouse Gas Emissions Regulations, which establish progressively stringent emission standards over the 2017 to 2025 model years. Environment Canada benefited from active and sustained engagement with other federal agencies, provinces, territories and stakeholders in the development of GHG regulatory approaches.
• Undertook regulatory development for other major emitting industrial sectors, including work to develop regulatory frameworks  to address methane emissions from the oil and gas sector, for natural gas-fired electricity generation and for the production of chemicals and nitrogen fertilizers.
• Made progress in developing regulatory and non-regulatory measures to reduce air pollutant emissions from major industrial and mobile sources. Early and ongoing engagement with industry, provinces and territories contributed to a more transparent process for development of the proposed measures.
• Developed and submitted (to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) Canada’s intended nationally determined contribution under a new international climate change agreement.
• Published approximately 90 peer-reviewed publications related to air quality science studies to inform decision making, and to evaluate the effectiveness and impacts of actions on Canadians and the environment. These studies highlighted results related to atmospheric processes, air quality forecast models, health impacts from air pollutants and the effects of oil sands emissions on ecosystems.
• Led or contributed to a number of science assessments published in 2014, including the Canadian Smog Science Assessment, the Global Assessment of Precipitation Chemistry and Deposition, and the Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion.
• Continued to conduct air quality monitoring under the Joint Canada-Alberta Implementation Plan for Oil Sands Monitoring. Data on all components (air, water, biodiversity and wildlife contaminants) are posted on the Canada-Alberta Oil Sands Environmental Monitoring Information Portal.
• Published key inventories that meet domestic and international reporting requirements and informed projections and policy development, including Canada’s Air Pollutant Emission Inventory (February 2015); Canada’s first Black Carbon Emission Inventory (February 2015), and Canada’s National Inventory of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Removals (April 2015), and a number of regulatory impact analysis statements pertaining to air pollutant and GHG regulations.
• Prepared Canada’s Emissions Trends 2014, which presents projections of GHG emissions to 2020 by economic sector and sub-sector (and by province), and describes the expected trends in the emission trajectories as well as the recent past.
• Performed modelling and analysis, including of economic and competitiveness impacts, to inform policy and regulatory development to reduce GHG and air pollutant emissions.

Sub-Sub-Program 3.2.1.1: Industrial Sector Emissions

Sub-Sub-Program Description

This program aims to reduce emissions of air pollutants and greenhouse gases (GHGs) from industrial sectors. Key activities include the development, implementation and administration of standards, regulations and other risk management instruments to reduce air pollutant in the major industrial sectors and GHG emissions from electricity, oil and gas and emissions-intensive, trade-exposed (EITE) industrial sectors. The program includes the implementation of the new ambient air quality standards and the new industrial emission standards, which are key elements of federal responsibility within the new Air Quality Management System. Additional activities include monitoring, emission quantification and reporting, verification, research and modelling, as well as economic and scientific assessments of current and future levels of air pollutants and GHG emissions to improve risk management, develop standards, regulations and other risk management instruments. The program is also responsible for reporting requirements under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, and reporting to meet domestic and international obligations. It includes the design and implementation of the Single Window Reporting Initiative. Furthermore, the program provides information to Canadians and decision-makers about the environmental impacts associated with air pollutants, which includes scientific monitoring and short-term studies regarding impacts from the oil sands.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Continued to implement the Air Quality Management System (AQMS) through collaboration with provinces, territories and stakeholders. Highlights include:
  • Published (June 2014) proposed Multi-sector Air Pollutants Regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part I, which will establish, for the first time, mandatory national emission requirements for major industrial sectors and various types of equipment.
  • Published two draft codes of practice to reduce air emissions from the aluminum and iron and steel sectors. The codes outline best practices for these sectors to reduce emissions of particulate matter and volatile organic compounds
  • Continued to monitor concentrations of contaminants in outdoor air and to assess air quality trends, and contributed air quality data, science products and expertise to support development of new Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards for sulphur dioxide and nitrogen dioxide. 
  • Established regional airsheds to report on the movement of air pollutants and worked to advance knowledge of transboundary flow of pollutants (and their transformation and deposition).
• Continued to implement the Federal Coal-Fired Electricity Generation Regulations, and to engage with provinces, territories and industry toward developing a federal approach for the remaining emissions-intensive and trade-exposed industrial sectors.
• Renewed five-year bilateral agreements with Ontario, British Colombia and Alberta for data collection via the Department’s Single Window Reporting System and established a new agreement with New Brunswick.
• Continued to conduct air quality monitoring-findings will support development of new Canadian Ambient Air Quality standards for nitrogen dioxide and sulphur dioxide. The Department improved regional and national understanding of transboundary transport and deposition of air pollutants to ecosystems through the delivery of monitoring and research results, including through air and precipitation monitoring sites in western Canada upwind and downwind of the oil sands. Results were posted under the Joint Canada-Alberta Implementation Plan for Oil Sands Monitoring.
• Completed expansion of the GHG monitoring network to improve baseline monitoring and understanding of source influences of GHGs and aerosols, and further enhanced climate system computer models to better simulate global and regional climate change.
• Monitored levels of atmospheric pollutants of concern in a number of wildlife indicator species from priority ecosystems; evaluated the impacts of exposure on gene expression and hormone regulations; and developed a new methodology for rapid estimation of health impacts on wildlife in support of Environment Canada’s air pollutant regulatory initiatives.

Sub-Sub-Program 3.2.1.2: Transportation Sector Emissions

Sub-Sub-Program Description

Under the Canadian Environmental Protection Agency, this program aims to reduce emissions from transportation sources (vehicles, engines and fuels) through key activities such as: the delivery of sound science and scientific advice, the development of GHG and air pollutant regulations as well as the implementation and administration of those regulations. These activities also include scientific testing and emissions verification to ensure compliance with standards. In addition, the program is working with Transport Canada to address air pollutant and GHG emissions from maritime shipping through the development of new domestic and international standards, and recommends practices for marine vessels in collaboration with the International Maritime Organization. As well, it shares information and identifies areas of joint interest with provinces and territories toward reducing emissions, through a Mobile Sources Working Group.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Further supported Canada’s contribution to curb GHG emissions and provided cleaner air for Canadians through regulatory initiatives developed in alignment with the U.S. Such alignment provides industry with regulatory certainty. It can both reduce the compliance burden on regulatees and provide efficiencies in the administration of regulatory programs.
• Key regulatory developments included:
  • publication of final Regulations Amending the Passenger Automobile and Light Truck Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations (in Canada Gazette, Part II - October 2014) which establish more stringent GHG emission standards for new vehicles of 2017 and later model years;
  • publication of a Notice of Intent in Canada Gazette, Part I (October 2014) to develop regulations to further reduce GHG emissions from on-road heavy-duty vehicles and engines; and
  • publication of proposed Regulations Amending the On-Road Vehicle and Engine Emission Regulations and Regulations Amending the Sulphur in Gasoline Regulations (Canada Gazette, Part I - September 2014) which would establish more stringent air pollutant emission standards for new cars, light-duty trucks and certain heavy-duty vehicles of the 2017 and later model years, and would reduce the allowable sulphur content of gasoline.
• Continued work to align standards for vehicle and engine emissions and coordinated their implementation with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, consistent with a work plan established under the framework of the Canada-U.S. Air Quality Committee. This collaborative work included information-sharing, technical work-sharing and emission testing.
• Continued collaboration with provinces and territories on implementation of the Action Plan for the Mobile Sources Working Group^Footnote 12 on initiatives to address emissions from mobile sources.
• Supported Canada’s participation at the International Maritime Organization by providing technical advice for Transport Canada on emission reduction approaches, and presented to the Arctic Council an updated work plan to assess the impacts of current and future ship emissions on the Canadian Arctic.
• Operated a comprehensive program to administer six vehicle and engine emission regulations, including review of over 1,700 submissions such as annual reports, Canada-unique submissions and importation declarations, response to approximately 1,000 technical queries and testing of 84 vehicles and engines to verify compliance against emission standards.

Sub-Sub-Program 3.2.1.3: Consumer and Commercial Products Sector

Sub-Sub-Program Description

This program aims to reduce emissions of air pollutants from consumer and commercial products. This is achieved through the development and administration of regulations and other measures under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (Part 5-Controlling Toxic Substances). The program provides strategic planning to guide action in other consumer and commercial product sectors for the next phase of regulatory and non-regulatory measures.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

In 2014-15, the Department continued to target control measures for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in some consumer and commercial products, such as solvents, which account for approximately 33% of all VOC emissions.

Highlights of the Department’s work included:

• Held stakeholder consultations regarding proposed modifications (published in Canada Gazette, Part I, May 2015) to the scope of VOCs regulated under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. These changes are aimed at alignment with the U.S. definition (given the integrated North American market) to: ensure a level playing field for manufacturers and importers of products containing VOCs; avoid varying requirements across jurisdictions; and offer greater choice to industry of compounds that meet VOC regulations.
• Published a consultation document on a draft Code of Practice for the Reduction of VOC Emissions from the Use of Cutback and Emulsified Asphalt in 2014. This was followed by a 60-day comment period. Comments received from stakeholders are being considered in the development of a final Code. The objective of the Code is to contribute to the reduction of VOC emissions from the use of cutback and emulsified asphalt to reduce health and environmental impacts in Canada.

Sub-Program 3.2.2: International Climate Change and Clean Air Partnerships

Sub-Program Description

This program leads the development and implementation of bilateral and international agreements to address air pollutants and global greenhouse gas emissions, and coordinates Canada’s policy, negotiating positions and participation in relevant international fora. The program represents Canada at the North American Leaders’ Summit; leads and participates in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) process and complementary international processes to negotiate a comprehensive, binding international climate change agreement; and advances Canada’s negotiating positions and objectives in international fora, such as: the Climate Change and Clean Air Coalition to reduce Short Lived Climate Pollutants, the Arctic Council, Global Methane Initiative and Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves. The program meets international obligations by contributing to organizations such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the Inter American Institute for Global Change. The program also works with the U.S. under the Canada-U.S. Air Quality Agreement (AQA), to undertake regional and international efforts to manage transboundary air pollution. The program also works to implement the U.S.-Canada Clean Energy Dialogue, to support bilateral collaboration on clean energy priorities, as well as with the Commission for Environmental Cooperation to address common issues related to climate change and air quality. It also participates in the ongoing negotiations and implementation of the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution. Using the National Pollutant Release Inventory, the program prepares and submits the Air Pollutant Emission Inventory to meet domestic needs and international reporting requirements. As well, it coordinates Canada’s participation under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and its Multilateral Fund, with a view to ensuring the gradual elimination of ozone-depleting substances at a global level. Participation under the Montreal Protocol includes promoting a North American proposal to phase-down consumption and production of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), in a manner complementary to provisions on HFCs under the UNFCCC. Participation in the Multilateral Fund includes ensuring payment of Canada’s assessed contribution to the Fund and of the costs of hosting its Secretariat in Montreal (paid through the grants for implementation of the Montreal Protocol). The program supports, in cooperation with other departments and in alignment with international programs, domestic priorities regarding climate change.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Led delegations to UNFCCC negotiations in collaboration with all Parties under the Convention and delivered on its UNFCCC reporting and financial commitments by submitting Canada’s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report, and its Sixth National Communication and First Biennial Report on Climate Change. Canada also pledged $300 million to the Green Climate Fund.
• Played a leadership role, through the Arctic Council, in advancing work to address short-lived climate pollutants by co-chairing the Task Force for Action on Black Carbon and Methane, followed by successful negotiation of a Framework for Action among Arctic States (adopted by Ministers in April 2015).
• Submitted its first black carbon inventory to the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution and continued its leadership under the Climate and Clean Air Coalition through initiatives on agriculture, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and diesel engines.
• Continued to participate in and advance air quality and climate work through international partnerships, including: the Gothenburg Protocol to the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution; the Montreal Protocol; the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development; and the annual meeting of the federal environment ministers of Canada, the U.S. and Mexico, under the Commission for Environmental Cooperation.
• Continued collaborative work under the Canada-U.S. Air Quality Agreement to reduce transboundary air pollution, including completing joint scientific and technical analyses to update the 2004 Canada-U.S. Transboundary Particulate Matter Science Assessment.
• Published a Notice of Intent to Regulate HFCs in the Canada Gazette, Part I and initiated stakeholder consultations on the proposed regulatory measures, which are intended to align, to the extent possible, with recently proposed U.S. measures. The Department also published proposed revisions to the domestic regulations on ozone-depleting substances in the Canada Gazette, Part I, implementing Canada’s commitment to accelerate the phase-out of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) while introducing a permitting and reporting regime for HFCs.
• Continued to advance clean energy technologies to reduce GHG emissions and the transition to a low-carbon economy through the U.S.-Canada Clean Energy Dialogue, including over 50 projects either completed or underway.^Footnote 13
• Contributed to the work under the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI), including the completion of the IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report, and made financial contributions to the IPCC ($150,000) and the IAI (US$159,000).

Sub-Program 3.2.3: Environmental Technology

Sub-Program Description

This program delivers expert environmental science and technology analysis and assessment, and program management to support the Government of Canada’s clean air and greenhouse gas (GHG) technology investment decisions, policy-making and regulations. It oversees the operations of Sustainable Development Technology Canada with Natural Resources Canada and a range of other science and technology programs related to clean technology. It provides expert analysis and assessment to advance clean technologies to help ensure that government priorities regarding clean air, climate change mitigation and green infrastructure are addressed.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• Continued to deliver science and technology analysis and program management to support the Government of Canada’s clean air and greenhouse gas (GHG) technology investment decisions,  and provided expert analysis to support clean technologies and government priorities regarding clean air, climate change mitigation, and green infrastructure.
• Through Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC), delivered jointly with Natural Resources Canada, the SD Tech Fund^TM awarded grants for a maximum amount of $82 million (compared to $102 million in 2013). Total disbursements to eligible recipients during the fiscal year were $56 million (compared to $59 million in 2013). Completed projects in the SDTC portfolio reduced GHG emissions significantly (see also 3.2.3.1, below) and, since its inception in 2001, the portfolio of completed projects has achieved cumulative estimated reductions in particulate matter (311 tonnes), nitrogen oxide (3,705 tonnes), sulphur oxide (3,515 tonnes), and volatile organic compounds (165 tonnes).
• Provided over $57 million in below-market loans and grants for 60 environmental initiatives through the Green Municipal Fund (see also 3.2.3.2, below).

Sub-Sub-Program 3.2.3.1: Sustainable Development Technologies

Sub-Sub-Program Description

Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) is a not-for-profit foundation, created by the Government of Canada, to finance and support the development and demonstration of clean technologies. It is overseen by Environment Canada and Natural Resources Canada. SDTC operates two funds aimed at the development and demonstration of innovative technological solutions: the $590-million SD Tech Fund™, which supports projects that address climate change, air quality, clean water and clean soil; and the $500-million NextGen Biofuels Fund™, which supports the establishment of first-of-kind, large demonstration-scale facilities for the production of next-generation renewable fuels. SDTC reports to Parliament through the Minister of Natural Resources Canada. Federal funding flows to SDTC from Environment Canada (50 percent) and Natural Resources Canada (50 percent).

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:

• With Natural Resources Canada, finalized a funding agreement with Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) governing $325 million announced in Budget 2013 for the SD Tech Fund^TM. The agreement provides funding over eight years for ongoing support for the development and demonstration of new technologies that deliver economic, environmental and health benefits to Canadians in addressing issues related to air quality, clean water, clean soil, and climate change. To enhance oversight, the funding agreement contains new financial and performance reporting requirements.
• Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) indicated that 66 completed projects reported GHG emissions reductions of approximately 4.5 megatonnes in 2014; they are collectively on track to deliver a projected annual reduction of 6 to 12 megatonnes by the end of 2015.
• The 2014-15 difference that appears in the Budgetary Financial Resources table (above) for 3.2.3.1 is a result of the following: $12.5M allocated for the SD Tech Fund^TM was re-profiled to future years; $25M in appropriated funds for the NextGen Biofuels Fund™ (NGBF) was returned to the fiscal framework; and $79.3M in statutory funding that was available for the NGBF which was not provided as SDTC was able to meet its 2014-15 obligations without needing additional funding.

Sub-Sub-Program 3.2.3.2: Environmental Technology Innovation

Sub-Sub-Program Description

This program delivers expert environmental science and technology (S&T) analysis, assessment and program management. It provides advice and conducts assessments of the environmental performance (benefits and impacts) of new and emerging technologies that advance clean technologies on a life cycle basis. It also supports interdepartmental steering committees in prioritizing and governing the activities of funds aimed at supporting clean technologies, including providing expert advice, establishing criteria to guide funding decisions and evaluating environmental outcomes of funded projects. It oversees and supports a range of S&T programs including the Program of Energy Research and Development (PERD), Clean Energy Fund (CEF), ecoENERGY Innovation Initiative (ecoEII), Green Municipal Fund (GMF), Strategic Technology Applications of Genomics in the Environment (STAGE), and the Canadian Environmental Technology Advancement Centres (CETACs). The program also manages the Canadian Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) Program, which provides validation and independent verification of clean technologies.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Highlights of the Department’s performance in 2014-15 include the following:  

• Delivered environmental science and technology analysis and program management to support the Government of Canada’s clean air and GHG technology investment in the Green Municipal Fund (GMF).
• Continued to lead the development of an International Organization for Standardization (ISO) standard on ETV (ISO 14034) on behalf of Canada. Work by two international working group meetings brought the standard closer to publication. Environment Canada was appointed Convener and Chair of the ISO 14034 Expert Working Group for the duration of the project (to 2016). The standard has already garnered interest in Canada from Sustainable Development Technology Canada and the GMF as a due diligence tool for federal investment in environmental technologies.
• Completed two environmental technology verifications and renewed six others through Globe Performance Solutions (Environment Canada’s third-party delivery agent for the ETV Program until March 31, 2015).

Program 3.3: Compliance Promotion and Enforcement - Pollution

Program Description

This program contributes to minimizing damage and threats to the natural environment and biodiversity through the promotion and enforcement of legislation administered by Environment Canada. Activities focus on pollution including toxic substances, their release to air, water or land, and the import and export of hazardous waste that presents a risk to the environment and/or human health. The program maintains a contingent of compliance promotion and enforcement officers. Compliance promotion officers deliver activities to increase regulatees’ awareness, understanding and compliance with regulations and other risk management instruments under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, and the Fisheries Act. The goal is to increase the effectiveness in achieving desired environmental results. The officers also provide information on risk management instrument requirements, the benefits of compliance and the potential penalties of non-compliance, when applicable. Enforcement officers gather intelligence, conduct inspections to verify compliance with laws and regulations, and pursue investigations to take appropriate enforcement measures against offenders. The program works with the U.S. and Mexico through the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation to strengthen transboundary environmental enforcement. The program also includes officer training, information management systems for new regulations and administration, and is informed by scientific analyses and expertise, including science advice to support compliance promotion and enforcement actions.

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

In 2014-15, Environment Canada conducted and reported on 7,944 inspections and 66 investigations to enforce regulations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999) and the Fisheries Act. These activities resulted in 3,430 enforcement measures taken in cases of non-compliance, which included prosecutions, written warnings, Environment Protection Compliance Orders, directions and tickets. Successful prosecutions totaled 40 and resulted in over $9.4 million in penalties. The largest penalty ever imposed for environmental infractions in Canada saw a company (Québec) fined $7.5 million for 45 charges under the Fisheries Act, resulting from several incidents. In another case, a company (Alberta) was fined $850,000 under the Fisheries Act. Other successful prosecutions were published in the Enforcement Notifications.

In order to increase regulatory compliance in the dry cleaning sector, the Department contacted and provided promotional materials for all concerned dry cleaners resulting in 100% of the community being aware of the regulatory requirements. Environment Canada conducted 720 new inspections and 16 new investigations under the Tetrachloroethylene (Use in Dry Cleaning and Reporting Requirements) Regulations, resulting in 706 enforcement measures.

Action taken to address some priority issues under the National Enforcement Plan included: establishing a baseline compliance rate for Metal Mining Effluent Regulations (98.6%); initiating work to ensure the removal of 325 high-risk storage tanks (Storage Tanks Systems for Petroleum Products and Allied Petroleum Products Regulations); and improving reporting to the National Pollutant Release Inventory in the Chemicals and Manufacturing, Oil and Gas and Metal Manufacturing sectors.

The Department continued to develop operational capacity to identify high risk non-compliance in the North (e.g., illegal entry into protected areas) and continued its participation in interdepartmental working groups to ensure environmental enforcement is taken into consideration in pan-government policy development regarding the North.

The Department engaged with the U.S. and Mexico under the auspices of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation’s Enforcement Working Group to deliver on its multilateral commitments and participated in capacity building initiatives.

Internal Services

Description

Internal Services are groups of related activities and resources that are administered to support the needs of programs and other corporate obligations of an organization. These groups are: Management and Oversight Services; Communications Services; Legal Services; Human Resources Management Services; Financial Management Services; Information Management Services; Information Technology Services; Real Property Services; Materiel Services; Acquisition Services; and Travel and Other Administrative Services. Internal Services include only those activities and resources that apply across an organization and not to those provided to a specific program.

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

In 2014-15, Environment Canada’s internal services continued to enable the Department to align with government-wide goals to accelerate the transformation of systems and processes providing increased efficiency. Progress on several fronts of the Department’s Transformation@ EC Agenda aligned with Central Agencies’ directions (including the Clerk of the Privy Council’s Blueprint 2020 Initiative).

The Department:

• Established a senior management committee to implement and oversee change management in a manner that supports employees and managers during the transformation.
• Continued to implement key human resources change strategies, focusing on building a shared understanding and promoting greater employee engagement in the performance assessment and rating process (including for core competencies), and supported employees during the migration to a new standardized online system to document performance conversations.
• Completed all necessary design, development, testing and training to allow for migration to the new SAP financial system, and advanced migration to new enterprise-based systems for telephony and electronic mail.
• Worked closely with partner organizations to prepare content for migration to the site, as theme lead for the Environment and Natural Resources section on the newly created canada.ca.
• Improved the usability of the Department’s intranet site, reducing content by 75% and introducing a structure that makes content easier to find.
• Continued to implement a national accommodation strategy to modernize and to reduce EC’s footprint.
• Developed, implemented and monitored an overarching communications approach for each transformation initiative with a view to gauging readiness, awareness, employee engagement and adaptation throughout each phase of change.
• Advanced Environment Canada’s greening government operations by shifting the focus of departmental publications from print to online and updating the Greenhouse Gas reduction implementation plan for departmental facilities and fleet, and continued to implement the federal Policy on Green Procurement.

In collaboration with the Department’s science and technical programs, Internal Services continued to address the challenges of recruiting and retaining highly specialized staff to deliver key scientific programming. Efforts focused on maintaining long-term recruitment and staff development strategies, and on maintaining the close working relationships with universities to assist in developing the future workforce.

As part of a broader strategy to reduce the risk of not being able to deliver its services because of the failure of essential infrastructure and systems, Internal Services providers continued to support key departmental programs in developing and testing business continuity plans.