Archived: Departmental Performance Report 2015-16, supplemental tables, Environment and Climate Change Canada, chapter 2

Details on Transfer Payment Programs

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

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

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-Program 1.1.4.1 Habitat Conservation Partnerships
• Sub-Program 1.1.5 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

2015-16

The Prevention Stream of the Habitat Stewardship Program awarded $3.1 million to 73 new projects and 3 previously approved projects, involving 69 unique funding recipients. These projects aim to maintain populations of wildlife species in order to prevent them from becoming a conservation concern.

The Connecting Canadians to Nature initiative includes a contribution of $3 million over three years to the Earth Rangers, the “Kids’ Conservation Organization,” to expand its educational program for children and their families. As of March 31, 2016 Earth Rangers has over 130,000 members and, in the second year of the project (2015-16), members raised over $500,000 for wildlife conservation projects.

The Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk (AFSAR) Prevention Stream awarded $746,000 to 26 new projects involving 25 unique funding recipients to support Aboriginal participation in projects that prevent other species, beyond those listed on the Species at risk Act, from becoming a conservation concern.

The AFSAR Species at Risk Stream awarded $3.8 million to 60 new projects and 21 previously approved multi-year projects involving 71 unique funding recipients to support Aboriginal capacity development and engagement in the implementation of the Species at Risk Act to protect species at Risk and their habitat.

Funds to support environmental non-government agencies including Bird Studies Canada and Nature Canada contributed to improved understanding of the status of migratory birds, as well as conservation actions to protect birds. Several different projects engaging thousands of citizen scientists provided data on bird population trends through programs such as breeding bird atlases, Christmas Bird Counts and eBird.

The National Wetland Conservation Fund awarded $10.2 million to 86 new projects and 3 previously approved multi-year projects involving 74 unique funding recipients to conserve wetlands. These projects leveraged additional funds that exceeded $14.1 million (cash and in-kind) and involved Indigenous organizations and communities, conservation authorities, individuals, municipal governments, non-governmental organizations, private corporations, provincial crown corporations, and provincial/territorial governments.

Supported with funding of $2.2 million the North American Waterfowl Management Plan program delivery within the Habitat Joint Ventures through partner orgnanizations. Partners leveraged this funding into much more substantive investment by other federal and non-federal partners (in both Canada and the United States) in habitat conservation efforts.

Through the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD): further developed Caring for Our Coasts Initiative, in collaboration with Bird Life International and supported the participation of the least developed countries in CBD meetings ($175,000).

Assessed contribution to the Secretariat of the Conservation of Arctic Flora and Fauna (CAFF) ensures collaboration with international organizations and Arctic states’ research and policy communities for implementation of the CAFF work plan ($38,000)

Development of the online tool Répertoire des milieux naturels protégés (in French only) that allows the generation of interactive graphics of the protected private lands in Quebec. This online tool provides public access to information in the inventory in a searchable, user-friendly format and will enable landowners, managers and others to self-identify properties that can count towards the 2020 global aspirational target set by the Convention on Biological Diversity to reach at least 17% of terrestrial and 10% of coastal and marine areas conserved.

Compliance with the requirements of the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards was supported by annual contributions of just over $241,946 made to the Fur Institute of Canada.

Comment on variances

Variance is mostly related to normal operational slippage and the withdrawal or cancellation of some projects in the fourth quarter.

Audtis completed or planned

N/A

Evaluation completed or planned

An evaluation of Environment and Climate Change Canada’s umbrella terms and conditions is currently underway.

Engagement of applicants and recipients

Environment and Climate Change 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

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 Grants and Contributions (G&C) funds from other programs had become available for reallocation within G&C vote for other priorities. These additional funds were reallocated to the Sub-Program (3.2.2) to pay a portion of 2016-17 United Nations Environment Programme membership. 

Audits completed or planned

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

Evaluations completed or planned

An evaluation of Environment and Climate Change Canada’s umbrella terms and conditions is currently underway.

Engagement of applicants and recipients

Environment and Climate Change 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 2015-16, the HSP Species at Risk (SAR) Stream provided funding to 96 new projects and 73 previously approved multi-year projects, involving 151 unique funding recipients. A total of $12.1 million in funding was awarded to these projects to conserve and protect the habitat of species at risk.

Since its inception in 2000 and up to the end of March 2015, the HSP SAR Stream has contributed over $151.5 million to 2,402 projects, leveraging an additional $380 million in matching funds from project partners. These projects have legally protected 187 384 hectares of land and benefitted the habitat of more than 420 species at risk.

Comments on variances

Variance is mostly related to funding through the renewal of the Species at Risk Act. Funds were only received through Supplementary Estimates B in June, 2015.

Further, as a result of the Species at Risk Director Generals committee evaluation of overall SARA priorities, $395,000 was reallocated to other SARA priorities during 2015-16.

Additional variance results from normal program operational slippage and the withdrawal or cancellation of some projects in the fourth quarter.

Audits completed or planned

N/A

Evaluation completed or planned

2016-17 (when the Species at Risk Act comes up for evaluation again)

Engagement of applicants and recipients

Annually, the Department, in collaboration with Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Parks Canada, issues a call for proposals.

Contribution to Sustainable Development Technology Canada (SDTC) for the Sustainable Development Technology Fund (SD Tech Fund^TM)

Voted

Start date: March 26, 2001

End date: March 31, 2022

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 and Climate Change Canada and Natural Resources Canada have provided federal oversight of SDTC to ensure compliance with funding agreements and founding legislation. Subsequent to a November 4, 2015, Order in Council, sole responsibility for SDTC has been assumed by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development.

Results achieved

SDTC has been disbursing funds from the SD Tech Fund™ to eligible recipients on an as-needed basis and, in 2015,^Footnote 1 disbursed $110.4 million to eligible recipients. As reported in SDTC’s 2015 Annual Report, 73 completed projects reported annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions of approximately 6.3 megatonnes in 2015. The total annual GHG emissions reduction in 2020 attributable to projects funded by SDTC is projected at 9 megatonnes.

Comments on variances

No variances anticipated.

Audits completed or planned

There was no performance audit in fiscal year 2015-16. The standard financial audit required for annual financial statements was completed by SDTC.

Evaluations completed or planned

An evaluation of SDTC is scheduled to be completed in the 2017-18 fiscal year.

Engagement of applicants and recipients

This is 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 1.3.1 Sustainability Reporting and Indicators
• Sub-Program 1.3.2 Ecosystems and Environmental Assessments
• Sub-Program 1.3.4 Great Lakes
• Sub-Program 1.3.5 St. Lawrence
• Sub-Program 1.3.6 Lake Simcoe/South-eastern Georgian Bay
• Sub-Program 1.3.7 Lake Winnipeg
• Sub-Program 1.3.8 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 2015-16, Environment and Climate Change 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 the integrated management of the St. Lawrence basin, and to carry out joint actions to conserve and to 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 2015-16, approximately $25,000 in additional funding was provided for an International Joint Commission special project for the Richelieu River. Forty-seven (47) projects were carried out as part of the Joint Action Plan and the $450,000 funding contribution supported 13 of these projects and activities. These projects primarily focused on research activities, field work, and the development of tools to support decision making.

The Governments of Canada and Québec also implemented the Community Interaction Program (CIP), which provides funding to non-governmental organizations for projects that aim to conserve and to enhance the ecosystem of the St. Lawrence. Environment and Climate Change Canada distributed $552,500 in funding for 21 projects.

The Areas of Prime Concern Program (Zones d’intervention prioritaire, ZIP) supports Stratégies Saint-Laurent and its 13 committees in their cohesive actions to engage and support local stakeholders working to improve the quality of the surrounding environment. Environment and Climate Change Canada provided $1.1 million in funding 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 2015-16 the Lake Winnipeg Basin Stewardship Fund provided $500,000 in financial support for 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). These activities 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 $3.6 million, leveraging $5.1 million, to 32 community-based projects under the 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.

The Atlantic Ecosystems Initiatives provides $1.2 million funding for projects that improve the health, productivity, and long-term sustainability of ecosystems in Atlantic Canada. The program supported 14 ecosystem-based projects that brought together a diverse group of partners, including academic institutions, various levels of government (Canada and U.S.), and Indigenous organizations to address water quality, habitat and biodiversity, and the impacts of climate change.

The Gulf of Maine Initiative provided $300,000 in funding for eight (8) projects aimed at maintaining a healthy ecosystem that supports long-term sustainability and economic growth. These projects involved collaboration among Canadian and American academic institutions, various levels of government, non-government organizations, and Indigenous governments. Approved projects provide science and information that will lead to action on habitat conservation, responsible development, and sustainable ecosystem health.

Allocated over $220,000 in contributions to partner groups across British Columbia and the Yukon to support informed decision-making on the protection of habitat and biodiversity, economic development, and land use planning. This included: i) developing and implementing tools and indicators to support conservation of wetlands and ecosystem biodiversity in the Okanagan, ii) developing methods to determine environmental flow needs for priority Okanagan streams, iii) hosting workshops to identify the needs of local watershed governance groups, and iv) developing ecosystem health indicators that integrate Indigenous traditional knowledge into existing datasets.

Comments on variances

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 or planned

An evaluation of Environment and Climate Change Canada’s umbrella terms and conditions is currently underway.

Engagement of applicants and recipients

Environment and Climate Change 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 Habitat Conservation Partnerships

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 2015-16

Between April 1, 2015, and March 31, 2016, the NCC and its partners, secured more than 20,560 ha of land under the NACP. In addition, the NCC and its partners conducted stewardship implementation actions under the NACP on more than 208,200 ha of land. The full program details for the 2015-16 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

Not applicable

Audits completed or planned

Not applicable

Evaluations completed or planned

Not applicable

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients

The Department will approve annual work plans and annual reports for the Program. In collaboration with the NCC, the Department will participate in public announcements for the Program, on an ongoing basis.