Archived: Departmental Performance Report supplemental tables 2014-15, Environment Canada, chapter 2

Details on Transfer Payment Programs

1. Contributions in support of Biodiversity - Wildlife and Habitat
2. Contributions to support Climate Change and Clean Air
3. Habitat Stewardship Program (HSP) for Species at Risk
4. Grants in support of The Natural Areas Conservation Program
5. Contribution to Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) for the Sustainable Development Technology Fund (SD Tech Fund™), and the Next Generation Biofuels Fund (NGBF)
6. Contributions to Support Sustainable Ecosystems

Contributions in support of Biodiversity - Wildlife and Habitat

Voted

Start date: June 10, 2010

End date: Ongoing

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2010-11 - Evaluation to be completed in 2015-16

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

Link to department's Program Alignment Architecture

• 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-Program 1.1.3 Migratory Birds
• Sub-Sub-Program 1.1.4.1 Habitat Conservation Partnerships
• Sub-Sub-Program 1.1.4.2 Protected Areas

Description

Contributions in support of Biodiversity - Wildlife and Habitat encourage and support individuals and organizations engaged in activities to maintain or restore wildlife populations, in particular migratory birds and species at risk, to target levels.

Results achieved

Individuals and organizations were increasingly engaged in priority activities related to the conservation of wildlife, in particular migratory birds and species at risk. For example, new funding in 2014-15 under the National Conservation Plan expanded the Habitat Stewardship Program and provided over $2.5 million to 80 new projects, involving 71 funding recipients, addressing other priority species beyond the protection and recovery of species at risk under the Species at Risk Act to prevent them from becoming a conservation concern.

There was increased Aboriginal participation in wildlife and habitat conservation. Key areas of focus in this respect included the Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk, Species at Risk Stream and Prevention Stream ($2.8 million annually).

New knowledge and data produced by collaborating organizations contributed to the conservation of migratory birds, species at risk and their habitat. Activities undertaken by partners included monitoring priorities species (notably migratory birds) and supporting organizations such as the conservation data centres across the country, which provided important data storage functions.

Priority habitats for migratory birds and species at risk were conserved by partners through stewardship and protection. The North American Waterfowl Management Plan is a key partnership program that supported this activity. The $2.3 million in funding provided by the Department acted as leveraged funding that supported a much more substantive investment by federal and non-federal partners (in both Canada and the United States) in habitat conservation efforts.

Factors limiting priority species at risk and migratory bird populations were mitigated or avoided by partners.

There was increased collaboration within Canadian and international research and policy communities related to Environment Canada's biodiversity priorities.

Compliance with the requirements of the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards was supported. Annual contributions of just over $241,946 were made to the Fur Institute of Canada in support of this result area.

Comment on variances

Variance is mostly related to funding through the National Conservation Plan, which was approved in June 2014.

Audits completed or planned

N/A

Evaluations completed of planned

An evaluation of the Biodiversity - Wildlife and Habitat umbrella Terms and Conditions is underway and is scheduled to be completed in 2015-16.

Engagement applicants and recipients

Environment Canada engages applicants and recipients under this program in two ways: applicants through applications related to specific program elements; and recipients through single or named recipients identified on the basis of their unique ability to address targeted program results.

The Department employs one or a combination of the following initiatives to provide access to the program in a clear, understandable and useable manner: publicity in news media, information provided on the departmental website, letter-writing activities and meetings with targeted recipient communities. Administrative requirements have been tailored to evaluated risk levels, and efficiency is being addressed through simplified agreement templates.

Contributions to support Climate Change and Clean Air

Voted

Start date: June 10, 2010

End date: Ongoing - Evaluation to be completed by March 31, 2015

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2010-11

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

Link to department's Program Alignment Architecture

• Program 3.2 Climate Change and Clean Air
• Sub-Program 3.2.1 Climate Change and Clean Air Regulatory Program
• Sub-Program 3.2.2 International Climate Change and Clean Air Partnerships
• Sub-Program 3.2.3 Environmental Technology

Description

The purpose and overall objective of contributions made under these terms and conditions are to encourage and support international organizations and foreign states engaged in activities that advance international action, improve Canadian air quality, reduce global greenhouse gas emissions and promote change towards sustainable environmental development and policies.

Results achieved

New knowledge and data produced by collaborating organizations contributed to improved air quality and/or reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

Verification of environmental claims of Canadian technologies was carried out.

International organizations that promote the reduction of emissions of air pollutants and/or greenhouse gases were engaged.

Partners, in particular the Canadian private sector, were engaged in projects that advance the role of clean technology in addressing emissions of air pollutants and/or greenhouse gases.

Canada's environmental interests and priorities were addressed by international institutions.

New information and analysis supported the development of policy on sustainable development and the effective governance of environmental issues in Canada and internationally.

The public had increased access to information and research findings pertaining to sustainable development and environmental governance.

Comments on variances

As a result of prudent financial management, additional G&C funds from other programs had become available for reallocation within Grants and Contributions (G&C) vote for other priorities. These additional funds were reallocated to the Sub-Program (3.2.2) to pay a portion of 2015-16 United Nations Environment Programme membership.

An increase in spending under Climate Change and Clean Air in 2012-13 was due to the fast-start financing that the Department received in 2011-12 ($3.55 million) and 2012-13 ($31.9 million). The fast-start climate financing initiative ended on March 31, 2013, and as a result, the overall program expenditures levelled off in 2013-14.

Audits completed or planned

An audit of grants and contributions was completed in 2012-13.

Evaluations completed of planned

An evaluation of Environment Canada’s Contributions to support Climate Change and Clean Air will be completed by September, 2015.

Engagement applicants and recipients

Environment Canada engages applicants and recipients under this program in two ways: applicants through applications related to specific program elements; and recipients through single or named recipients identified on the basis of their unique ability to address targeted program results. The Department employs one or a combination of the following initiatives to provide access to the program in a clear, understandable, and accessible manner: publicity in news media, information provided on the departmental website, letter-writing activities, and meetings with targeted recipient communities. Administrative requirements have been tailored to evaluated risk levels, and efficiency is being addressed through simplified agreement templates.

Habitat Stewardship Program (HSP) for Species at Risk

Voted

Start date: August 20, 2010

End date: Ongoing

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2009-10

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

Link to department's Program Alignment Architecture

• Program 1.1 Biodiversity - Wildlife and Habitat
• Sub-Program 1.1.2 Species at Risk

Description

The purpose of the HSP is to contribute to the recovery of endangered, threatened, and other species of concern and to prevent other species from becoming a conservation concern, by engaging Canadians in conservation actions to benefit wildlife. The HSP fosters partnerships among organizations interested in the recovery and protection of species at risk. It provides funding for on-the-ground activities that conserve or restore habitats for species at risk and other priority species that are not at risk, as well as for other practical actions for the recovery of such species. The HSP enables non-governmental organizations, landowners, the private sector, Aboriginal organizations, educational institutions, community groups, and other levels of government to plan, manage and complete projects that will achieve the program goal.

Results achieved in 2014-15

In 2014-15, the HSP Species at Risk (SAR) Stream provided funding to 104 new projects and 72 previously approved multi-year projects, involving 150 funding recipients. A total of $12.6 million in funding was awarded to these projects, and an additional $52.6 million was leveraged from partners, for a total investment of $65.2 million. These contributions provided support to stewardship efforts across Canada that resulted in the securement and protection of 46,875 hectares (ha) of land, including 3,221 ha through legally binding means, such as acquisition, conservation easements, covenants, servitudes, and long-term (> 10 year) leases. Non-legally binding protection through the use of written conservation agreements with landowners accounts for 43,654 ha (including the renewal of 23,687 ha through written agreement). The program also supported the improvement or restoration of 23,576 ha of land and 116 km of shoreline.

Since its inception, the HSP SAR Stream has contributed over $151.5 million to 2,402 projects, leveraging an additional $325 million in matching funds from project partners.

Additionally, to address the 2013 audit by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, a Performance Measurement Strategy was finalized in 2014-15 for the three SAR funding programs (Habitat Stewardship Program, Aboriginal Fund at Species at Risk, Interdepartmental Recovery Fund). Subsequently, three contracts were carried out that began to address the strategy by determining:

• the overall contribution of the three SAR funding programs in the implementation of prescribed recovery actions identified in federal recovery documents;
• the impact of the three SAR funding programs on the recovery of SAR and their habitat; and
• the impact of the HSP on the recovery of SAR and their habitat, more specifically, how the HSP has contributed to the securement or to the improvement of identified critical habitat.

Comments on variances

Variance is mostly related to funding through the National Conservation Plan, which was approved in June 2014.

Audits completed or planned in 2014-15

N/A

Evaluations completed of planned in 2014-15

Future evaluations of the HSP are to be included in evaluations of the Species at Risk Act implementation. The next scheduled evaluation will start late in fiscal year 2015-16.

Engagement applicants and recipients

Environment Canada engages applicants and recipients under this program in two ways: applicants through applications related to specific program elements; and recipients through single or named recipients identified on the basis of their unique ability to address targeted program results.

The Department employs one or a combination of the following initiatives to provide access to the program in a clear, understandable, and accessible manner: publicity in news media, information provided on the departmental website, letter-writing activities, and meetings with targeted recipient communities. Administrative requirements have been tailored to evaluated risk levels, and efficiency is being addressed through simplified agreement templates.

Grants in support of The Natural Areas Conservation Program

Voted

Start date: September 11, 2014

End date: March 31, 2019

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2014-15

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

Link to department's Program Alignment Architecture

• Program 1.1 Biodiversity - Wildlife and Habitat
• Sub-Program 1.1.4 Wildlife Habitat Conservation

Description

Funding ($100 million total investment starting in 2014-15, for 5 years) enables the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) to implement the Natural Areas Conservation Program (NACP). The NCC works to ensure the long-term protection of biodiversity by working with private landowners to secure and steward ecologically significant lands that have been identified as priorities for conservation. The NCC acquires and preserves private land primarily through land purchase, land donations, conservation agreements, relinquishment of rights, and stewardship actions. The aim of the program is to secure over 130,000 ha of ecologically sensitive land and undertake stewardship implementation actions, such as property management plan actions on an estimated 120,000 ha and monitoring compliance of conservation agreements on an estimated 100,000 ha of land secured under the NACP.

Results achieved in 2014-15

Between September 11, 2014 and March 31, 2015, the NCC secured more than 4,600 ha of land under the NACP. Due to the late signing of the funding agreement, the NCC did not conduct any stewardship implementation actions during this period under the NACP. As well, no funds were allocated in 2014-15 to other qualified organizations, including Ducks Unlimited Canada. The full program details for the 2014-15 fiscal year will be reported to the Department by the NCC through the submission of its annual report, in line with the funding agreement.

Comments on variances

Variance results from funds being reprofiled from other initiatives to fund additional Habitat Stewardship Program projects.

Audits completed or planned

N/A - first year of program

Evaluations completed of planned

N/A - first year of program

Engagement applicants and recipients

The NCC provides annual work plans and annual reports for the NACP. The Department, in collaboration with the the NCC, participates in public announcements for the NACP on an ongoing basis.

Contribution to Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) for the Sustainable Development Technology Fund (SD Tech Fund™), and the Next Generation Biofuels Fund (NGBF)

Voted

Start date: March 26, 2001 for the Sustainable Development Technology Fund (SD Tech Fund^TM) and April 1, 2007 for the Next Generation Biofuels Fund (NextGen Biofuels Fund^TM or NGBF)

End date: March 31, 2022 for the SD Tech Fund^TM and September 30, 2027 for the NGBF.

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2014-15

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

Link to department's Program Alignment Architecture

• Program 3.2 Climate Change and Clean Air
• Sub-Program 3.2.3 Environmental Technology

Description

Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) is a not-for-profit foundation created by the Government of Canada to finance and support solutions to issues related to climate change, clean air, and water and soil quality, that deliver economic, environmental, and health benefits to Canadians. As sponsoring departments for the federal government, Environment Canada and Natural Resources Canada provide federal oversight of SDTC to ensure that it complies with funding agreements and founding legislation. The Minister of Natural Resources is responsible for reporting to Parliament on SDTC.

SDTC manages two separate funds:

• The SD Tech Fund^TM provides financial support to projects that have the potential to advance sustainable development, including technologies to address climate change, clean air, and water and soil quality issues; and
• The NGBF provides financial support towards the establishment of facilities producing next generation renewable fuels at large demonstration scale.

To date, the SD Tech Fund^TM has received $550 million in Government of Canada funding (up-front multi-year grants), with an additional $40 million announced in Budget 2011 and $325 million announced in Budget 2013. Beginning 2015-16, all transfers to SDTC will be in the form of contributions.

The Government budgeted a total of $500 million in combined appropriated and statutory funds for the NGBF.

Results achieved

SD Tech Fund^TM

SDTC has been disbursing funds to eligible recipients on an as-needed basis and, in 2014,^Footnote 1 disbursed $55.6 million to eligible recipients. As reported in SDTC’s 2014 Annual Report, 66 completed projects reported annual actual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions of approximately 4.5 megatonnes in 2014. The total annual GHG emissions reduction in 2015 attributable to projects funded by SDTC is projected at between 6 and 12 megatonnes.

NextGen Biofuels Fund^TM

SDTC has been disbursing funds on an as-needed basis and provided $585,000 to project proponents in 2014. Demand for funding has been lower than expected largely due to a market in which next generation biofuels are not economically competitive.  

Comments on variances

$12.5M in transfer payments to the SD Tech Fund™ have been reprofiled to future years. $25M in unneeded appropriations for the NGBF were returned to the fiscal framework and $79M in available statutory funding for the NGBF which was not provided as SDTC was able to meet its 2014-15 obligations without needing additional funding.

Audits completed or planned

There was no performance audit in fiscal year 2014-15, except for the standard financial audit required for the financial statements submitted yearly. A value-for-money (performance) audit may be conducted by the government.

Evaluations completed of planned

The last evaluation of the NGBF was completed by Robinson Research and submitted to Environment Canada and Natural Resources Canada on November 30, 2012. No evaluation was completed during the 2014-15 year. An evaluation of SDTC is scheduled for the 2017-18 fiscal year and will begin during 2016-17.

Engagement applicants and recipients

This is solely the responsibility of SDTC.

Contributions to Support Sustainable Ecosystems

Voted

Start date: June 10, 2010

End date: Ongoing - Evaluation to be completed by March 31, 2015

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2010-11

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

Link to department's Program Alignment Architecture

• Program 1.3 Sustainable Ecosystems
• 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 Ecosystems Partnerships

Description

Contributions under the Sustainable Ecosystems Program encourage and support individuals and organizations engaged in activities to manage ecosystem resources in a manner consistent with ecosystem sustainability.

Results achieved

Projects under Sustainable Ecosystems addressed one or more of the elements of an ecosystem approach:

1. integrated planning and decision making;
2. action to improve the environment; and
3. knowledge generation and assessment for decision making.

In 2014-15, Environment Canada worked with a wide range of recipients to carry out this work:

• The St. Lawrence Action Plan 2011-2026 (SLAP) is an agreement between the governments of Canada and Québec, intended to strengthen collective efforts in integrated management of the St. Lawrence basin and to carry out joint actions to conserve and enhance its ecosystem. These efforts are based on three priorities: biodiversity conservation, improved water quality and sustainable use.
• Appendix G of the SLAP sets out the terms and conditions under which Canada provides an annual contribution of $450,000 to Québec through the Province’s Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques. In 2014-15, about 50 projects were carried out as part of the joint Action Plan. These projects primarily focused on research activities, field work, and the development of decision-support tools.
• The governments of Canada and Québec also implemented the Community Interaction Program (CIP), which provides funding to non-governmental organizations whose projects aim to conserve and enhance the ecosystem of the St. Lawrence. In 2014-15, Environment Canada distributed $553,000 in contributions to 21 projects.
• The Areas of Prime Concern (Zones d’intervention prioritaire) Program supports Stratégies Saint-Laurent and its 13 committees in their cohesive actions to engage and support local stakeholders operating along the St. Lawrence to improve the quality of the surrounding environment. Environment Canada provided $1.1 million in contributions under this program.

The Lake Winnipeg Basin Initiative continued to engage citizens, scientists, and domestic and international partners in actions to restore the ecological health of Lake Winnipeg, reduce nutrient loading, and improve water quality. In 2014-15 the Lake Winnipeg Basin Stewardship Fund provided $1.499M in financial support for 32 stakeholder-driven, action-oriented projects focused on nutrient reduction activities and restoring the health of Lake Winnipeg and its basin. Work continued with existing water governance bodies to explore options and opportunities to cooperatively develop and support the implementation of a basin-wide nutrient strategy. Implementation of the Canada-Manitoba Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Respecting Lake Winnipeg continued with the Province of Manitoba, and the MOU was recently extended to September 2020. The MOU provides for a long-term collaborative and coordinated approach between the two governments to support the sustainability and health of the Lake Winnipeg Basin. Scientists continued to implement 13 research and monitoring projects in Lake Winnipeg and its watershed, and conducted monitoring, surveillance, and modelling activities to fill Lake Winnipeg and watershed ecosystem health knowledge gaps. These actions increased the understanding of nutrient cycling in Lake Winnipeg, as well as the fate and effects of nutrient loading in the watershed, and support Manitoba’s efforts to develop transboundary nutrient objectives.

Continued to fund the co-ordination of Remedial Action Plan (RAP) implementation activities in Great Lakes Areas of Concern (AOCs) which also included assessment and reporting on success actions and determining remaining actions required to remediate Canadian AOCs through the Great Lakes Action Plan V (GLAPV). For example, all restoration actions identified in the Nipigon Bay AOC RAP were completed. GLAPV resources were also used to fund multi-stakeholder projects to restore beneficial uses of the ecosystem in Great Lakes AOCs via the Great Lakes Sustainability Fund (GLSF). In partnership with local and provincial stakeholders, GLSF funds were used to support projects in three key areas: (1) improving point and non-point source water quality; (2) rehabilitating and protecting fish habitat and wildlife habitat; and (3) characterizing contaminated sediment and developing contaminated sediment management plans in AOCs.

Committed $8.0 million, leveraging $10.2 million, to 32 community-based projects under the renewed and expanded Lake Simcoe/South-eastern Georgian Bay Clean-Up Fund. These projects included activities to reduce phosphorus inputs to the watersheds from urban and rural point and non-point sources, restore and create aquatic habitat, and support innovation and advance research into the water quality issues of South-eastern Georgian Bay and Lake Simcoe.

Provided $1.2M in grants and contributions through the Atlantic Ecosystem Initiative to support 41 stakeholder projects aimed at water quality, habitat and biodiversity, and the impacts of climate change in Atlantic Canada. Projects brought together a diverse group of partners, including academic institutions, various levels of government (Canada and U.S.), and First Nations, to address priority issues in the Atlantic Ecosystem. In collaboration with the 21 non-governmental organizations that received funding, 95% of priority environmental issues for targeted ecosystems had near-term objectives that are measurable and time bound as articulated in the management plans developed by these organizations.

Through the National Conservation Plan - Gulf of Maine Initiative, $600,000 in grants and contributions was awarded over two years for eight projects aimed at maintaining a healthy ecosystem that supports long-term sustainability and economic growth. These projects invested in collaboration among Canadian and American academic institutions, various levels of government, non-government organizations and Aboriginal governments. Approved projects provide science and information that will lead to action on habitat conservation, responsible development and sustainable ecosystem health. 

Invested over $200,000 in contributions to partner with groups across BC and the Yukon to develop and implement tools and indicators to support informed decision-making on economic development, land use planning, and the protection of habitat and biodiversity. This included conservation of wetlands and ecosystem biodiversity in the Okanagan, watershed mapping and modeling in the Cowichan Valley, developing and implementing watershed health indicators in the Nechako, and engaging local First Nations in the Yukon in citizen science to support priority water quality monitoring activities. Data collection on the three-year Okanagan Lake Evaporation Study was completed and the information will be used by the local water board and others to make water allocation decisions.

Comments on variances

The variance is due to late funding for the Gulf of Maine which was received as part of the National Conservation Plan and not included in planned spending. In addition, some funds were reallocated from other initiatives to support additional projects under the Sustainable Ecosystems Program.

Audits completed or planned

Not applicable

Evaluations completed of planned

An evaluation of the Community Ecosystem Partnerships sub-sub program (1.3.4.5) by Environment Canada’s Audit and Evaluation Branch was completed in March 2015 and posted on the Department’s website in May.

Engagement applicants and recipients

Environment Canada engages applicants and recipients under this program in two ways: applicants through applications related to specific program elements, and recipients through single or named recipients identified on the basis of their unique ability to address targeted program results.

The Department employs one or a combination of the following initiatives to provide access to the program in a clear, understandable, and accessible manner: publicity in news media; information provided on the departmental website; letter-writing activities; and meetings with targeted recipient communities. Administrative requirements have been tailored to evaluated risk levels, and efficiency is being addressed through simplified agreement templates.