Archived: Departmental Results Report 2016 to 2017, supplementary tables, Department of Environment, chapter 1

Goal 1: Climate Change

In order to mitigate the effects of climate change, reduce Greenhouse Gas emission levels and adapt to unavoidable impacts.

Target 1.1: Climate Change Mitigation

Relative to 2005 emission levels, reduce Canada’s total Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions 17% by 2020.

As of 2015, Canada’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were 2.2% below the 2005 level of 738 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO₂eq).

Canada's annual GHG emissions are expected to be between 697 and 790 Mt CO₂ eq in 2030, without taking into account the contribution of the land use, land-use change and forestry sector (LULUCF).

Goal 1: Climate Change

In order to mitigate the effects of climate change, reduce Greenhouse Gas emission levels and adapt to unavoidable impacts.

Target 1.2: Climate Change Adaptation

Facilitate reduced vulnerability of individuals, communities, regions and economic sectors to the impacts of climate change through the development and provision of information and tools.

The federal government continued to develop and share scientific knowledge and tools to help provinces and territories, communities, sectors and individual Canadians manage climate risks.

ECCC provided updated information about observed and projected changes in climate to support adaptation planning and decision making in Canada.

Goal 2: Air Pollution

Minimize the threats to air quality so that the air Canadians breathe is clean and supports healthy ecosystems

Target 2.1: Outdoor Air Pollutants

Improve outdoor air quality by ensuring compliance with new or amended regulated emission limits by 2020 and thus reducing emissions of air pollutants in support of Air Quality Management System (AQMS) objectives.

New and amended regulations for air pollutants have contributed to continued decrease in emission levels of five key air pollutants: emissions of sulphur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx), volatile organic compounds (VOCs),  carbon monoxide (CO), and fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) were 18% to 66% lower in 2015 than in 1990.

• SO_X emissions: 66% lower than in 1990
• NO_X emissions: 1 22% lower than in 1990
• VOC emissions: 36% lower than in 1990
• NH₃ emissions: 22% higher than in 1990
• CO emissions: 54% lower than in 1990
• PM_2.5 emissions: 18% decrease from 1990 levels

Goal 3: Water Quality and Water Quantity

Protect and enhance water so that it is clean, safe and secure for all Canadians and supports health ecosystems

Target 3.3: Great Lakes – Canadian Areas of Concern

Take federal actions to restore beneficial uses for delisting 5 Canadian Areas of Concern (AOC) and to reduce the number of Impaired Beneficial Uses in the remaining Areas of Concern by 25% by 2019.

Goal 3: Water Quality and Water Quantity

Protect and enhance water so that it is clean, safe and secure for all Canadians and supports health ecosystems

Target 3.4: Great Lakes

Contribute to the restoration and protection of the Great Lakes by developing and gaining bi-national acceptance of objectives for the management of nutrients in Lake Erie by 2016 and for the other Great Lakes as required.

In partnership with the U.S., Province of Ontario and the eight Great Lakes States, developed and adopted new Canada-United States phosphorus load reduction targets for Lake Erie. The targets call for a 40% reduction in phosphorus loads compared to the 2008 baseline, to combat Lake Erie algal blooms.

Phosphorus levels remain an issue in the offshore areas of 3 of the 4 Canadian Great Lakes (Lake Erie, Lake Ontario, and Lake Huron).

Goal 3: Water Quality and Water Quantity

Protect and enhance water so that it is clean, safe and secure for all Canadians and supports health ecosystems

Target 3.5: St. Lawrence River

Take federal actions to reduce pollutants in order to improve water quality, conserve biodiversity and ensure beneficial uses in the St. Lawrence River by 2016.

Phosphorus levels at 5 out of 9 water quality monitoring stations along the St. Lawrence River and nitrogen levels at 7 out of 9 monitoring stations exceeded water quality guidelines more than 50% of the time during the period 2012 to 2014.

Higher phosphorus levels are found in agricultural areas along the south shore of the river between the Richelieu and Bécancour rivers.

Goal 3: Water Quality and Water Quantity

Protect and enhance water so that it is clean, safe and secure for all Canadians and supports health ecosystems

Target 3.6: Lake Simcoe and South-eastern Georgian Bay

Reduce an estimated 2000 kg of phosphorus loadings to Lake Simcoe by 2017, which will support the Province of Ontario’s target to reduce phosphorus inputs into Lake Simcoe to 44 000 kg/year by 2045.

Reduce an estimated 2000 kg of phosphorus loadings to South-eastern Georgian Bay watersheds by 2017.

Phosphorus reduction projects completed in March 2017 under the Lake Simcoe/South-eastern Georgian Bay Clean-up Fund prevented approximately 19,905 kg of phosphorus from entering the Lake Simcoe watershed.

Similarly, stewardship projects prevented an estimated 5700 kg of phosphorus from reaching South-eastern Georgian Bay and its tributary rivers.

Goal 3: Water Quality and Water Quantity

Protect and enhance water so that it is clean, safe and secure for all Canadians and supports health ecosystems

Target 3.7: Lake Winnipeg Basin

By 2017, reduce phosphorus inputs to water bodies in the Lake Winnipeg Basin, in support of the Province of Manitoba’s overall plan to reduce phosphorus in Lake Winnipeg by 50% to pre‑1990 levels.

Phosphorus levels in Lake Winnipeg were 100% higher in 2014 than pre-1990: 0.1 milligrams of phosphorus per litre compared to 0.05 milligrams. This increase is attributed to human activities in combination with a prolonged wet cycle in the watershed.

Phosphorus levels in Lake Winnipeg’s North and South basins in 2013 were above water quality guidelines for the protection of freshwater plants and animals most of the time. Nitrogen levels in both basins were generally below water quality guidelines.

For the Red River, both phosphorus and nitrogen levels were consistently above water quality guidelines; for the Winnipeg River, they were always below the guidelines. Just over 44% of phosphorus samples in the Saskatchewan River were above guidelines for 2011 to 2013, while nitrogen samples were always below guidelines.

Goal 3: Water Quality and Water Quantity

Protect and enhance water so that it is clean, safe and secure for all Canadians and supports health ecosystems

Target 3.7: Lake Winnipeg Basin

By 2017, reduce phosphorus inputs to water bodies in the Lake Winnipeg Basin, in support of the Province of Manitoba’s overall plan to reduce phosphorus in Lake Winnipeg by 50% to pre‑1990 levels.

Goal 3: Water Quality and Water Quantity

Protect and enhance water so that it is clean, safe and secure for all Canadians and supports health ecosystems

Target 3.9: Marine Pollution – Disposal at Sea

Ensure that permitted disposal at sea is sustainable, such that 85% of disposal site monitoring events do not identify the need for site management action (such as site closure) from 2013 to 2016.

Goal 3: Water Quality and Water Quantity

Protect and enhance water so that it is clean, safe and secure for all Canadians and supports health ecosystems

Target 3.11: Wastewater and Industrial Effluent

Reduce risks associated with effluent from wastewater (sewage) and industrial sectors by 2020.

For Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations, regulatory limits are in force as of January 1, 2015.

In 2016, 77.4% of wastewater systems releases were within regulatory limits.

Goal 3: Water Quality and Water Quantity

Protect and enhance water so that it is clean, safe and secure for all Canadians and supports health ecosystems

Target 3.11: Wastewater and Industrial Effluent

Reduce risks associated with effluent from wastewater (sewage) and industrial sectors by 2020.

For Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations, regulatory limits are in force as of January 1^st, 2015.

In 2016, carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand (CBOD) loadings amounted to 110,826 tons.

In 2016, suspended solids loadings amounted to 98,496 tons.

Goal 3: Water Quality and Water Quantity

Protect and enhance water so that it is clean, safe and secure for all Canadians and supports health ecosystems

Target 3.11: Wastewater and Industrial Effluent

Reduce risks associated with effluent from wastewater (sewage) and industrial sectors by 2020.

Level of regulatory compliance of metal mining effluent released to the environment in rivers shows stable or improving levels.

There was over 99% compliance for metals, cyanide and pH; 97.6% for total suspended solids (TSS); and 99.0% for acute lethality testing in 2014.

These self-reported results have been mostly stable since 2003 – except for total suspended solids, for which compliance has increased from 92.1% in 2003 to 97.6% in 2014.

Goal 3: Water Quality and Water Quantity

Protect and enhance water so that it is clean, safe and secure for all Canadians and supports health ecosystems

Target 3.11: Wastewater and Industrial Effluent

Reduce risks associated with effluent from wastewater (sewage) and industrial sectors by 2020.

Level of regulatory compliance of pulp and paper effluent released to the environment in rivers remains stable or shows improvement.

The compliance rates were 99.9% for total suspended solids (TSS); 99.9% for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD); and 97.6% for effluent non-lethality requirements in 2015.

Since 1985, the quality of pulp and paper effluent released directly to the environment has improved considerably.

Goal 3: Water Quality and Water Quantity

Protect and enhance water so that it is clean, safe and secure for all Canadians and supports health ecosystems

Target 3.12: Water Resource Management

Facilitate sustainable water resource management through the collection of data and the development and dissemination of knowledge from 2013 to 2016.

Goal 4: Conserving and Restoring Ecosystems, Wildlife and Habitat, and Protecting Canadians

Resilient ecosystems with healthy wildlife populations so Canadians can enjoy benefits from natural spaces, resources and ecological services for generations to come.

Target 4.1: Species at Risk

By 2020, populations of species at risk listed under federal law exhibit trends that are consistent with recovery strategies and management plans.

Of the 350 species at risk that had final recovery strategies or management plans as of May 2016, 123 had reassessed population-oriented goals.

Of these 123 species:

• 43 (35%) showed population trends consistent with the goals of the recovery strategies;
• 46 (37%) showed trends that were inconsistent;
• 11 (9%) had some indication of both improvement and decline;
• 23 (19%) had insufficient information to determine their population trends.

Goal 4: Conserving and Restoring Ecosystems, Wildlife and Habitat, and Protecting Canadians

Resilient ecosystems with healthy wildlife populations so Canadians can enjoy benefits from natural spaces, resources and ecological services for generations to come.

Target 4.2: Migratory Birds

Improve the proportion of migratory bird species that meet their population goals.

Of the managed migratory species regularly found in Canada (368 with adequate monitoring data):

• 57% (208 species) have population sizes within an acceptable range;
• 43% (160 species) do not have population sizes within an acceptable range.

Goal 4: Conserving and Restoring Ecosystems, Wildlife and Habitat, and Protecting Canadians

Resilient ecosystems with healthy wildlife populations so Canadians can enjoy benefits from natural spaces, resources and ecological services for generations to come.

Target 4.3: Terrestrial Ecosystems and Habitat Stewardship

Contribute to the proposed national target that by 2020, at least 17% of terrestrial areas and inland waters are conserved through networks of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures

Habitat-conserved indicators:

Cumulative total priority waterfowl habitat (in hectares) retained in the medium term or permanently by Environment and Climate Change Canada and partners in support of North American Waterfowl Management Plan objectives

Habitat-conserved indicators:

8,109,765 ha of priority habitat for waterfowl had been retained in the medium term or permanently by Environment and Climate Change Canada and partners as of 2016, in support of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan (NAWMP)

Goal 4: Conserving and Restoring Ecosystems, Wildlife and Habitat, and Protecting Canadians

Resilient ecosystems with healthy wildlife populations so Canadians can enjoy benefits from natural spaces, resources and ecological services for generations to come.

Target 4.3: Terrestrial Ecosystems and Habitat Stewardship

Contribute to the proposed national target that by 2020, at least 17% of terrestrial areas and inland waters are conserved through networks of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures

Habitat-conserved indicators:

Cumulative total priority waterfowl habitat restored by Environment and Climate Change Canada and partners in support of North American Waterfowl Management Plan objectives

Habitat-conserved indicators:

109 km² of land and 136 km of shoreline habitat were improved through projects under the Habitat Stewardship Program during the program year 2013–14.

As of March 2016, 1,469,527 ha of priority waterfowl habitat has been restored by Environment and Climate Change Canada and partners in support of North American Waterfowl Management Plan objectives

Goal 4: Conserving and Restoring Ecosystems, Wildlife and Habitat, and Protecting Canadians

Resilient ecosystems with healthy wildlife populations so Canadians can enjoy benefits from natural spaces, resources and ecological services for generations to come.

Target 4.3: Terrestrial Ecosystems and Habitat Stewardship

Contribute to the proposed national target that by 2020, at least 17% of terrestrial areas and inland waters are conserved through networks of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures

Habitat-conserved indicators:

Total land area identified that is key to the conservation of migratory birds and species at risk

Habitat-conserved indicators:

109 km² of land and 136 km of shoreline habitat were improved through projects under the Habitat Stewardship Program during the program year 2013–14.

Goal 4: Conserving and Restoring Ecosystems, Wildlife and Habitat, and Protecting Canadians

Resilient ecosystems with healthy wildlife populations so Canadians can enjoy benefits from natural spaces, resources and ecological services for generations to come.

Target 4.3: Terrestrial Ecosystems and Habitat Stewardship

Contribute to the proposed national target that by 2020, at least 17% of terrestrial areas and inland waters are conserved through networks of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures

Habitat-conserved indicators:

Percentage of total terrestrial territory (including inland waters) conserved in protected areas .

Habitat-conserved indicators:

As of the end of 2016, 10.5% (1.05 million km²) of Canada's terrestrial area (land and freshwater), and 0.96% (55 thousand km²) of its marine territory have been recognized as protected.

In the past 20 years, the total area protected has increased by almost 70%. Over the last five years, it has increased by 8%.

At the end of 2016, the federal government had protected a total of 514 thousand km², a slight decrease from five years earlier. This reflects the transfer of lands to provincial and territorial jurisdiction.

Goal 4: Conserving and Restoring Ecosystems, Wildlife and Habitat, and Protecting Canadians

Resilient ecosystems with healthy wildlife populations so Canadians can enjoy benefits from natural spaces, resources and ecological services for generations to come.

Target 4.6: Invasive Alien Species

By 2020, pathways of invasive alien species introductions are identified, and risk-based intervention or management plans are in place for priority pathways and species.

Goal 4: Conserving and Restoring Ecosystems, Wildlife and Habitat, and Protecting Canadians

Resilient ecosystems with healthy wildlife populations so Canadians can enjoy benefits from natural spaces, resources and ecological services for generations to come.

Target 4.6: Invasive Alien Species

By 2020, pathways of invasive alien species introductions are identified, and risk-based intervention or management plans are in place for priority pathways and species.

Goal 4: Conserving and Restoring Ecosystems, Wildlife and Habitat, and Protecting Canadians

Resilient ecosystems with healthy wildlife populations so Canadians can enjoy benefits from natural spaces, resources and ecological services for generations to come.

Target 4.7: Environmental Disasters, Incidents and Emergencies

Environmental disasters, incidents and emergencies are prevented or their impacts mitigated.

Goal 4: Conserving and Restoring Ecosystems, Wildlife and Habitat, and Protecting Canadians

Resilient ecosystems with healthy wildlife populations so Canadians can enjoy benefits from natural spaces, resources and ecological services for generations to come.

Target 4.8: Chemicals Management

Reduce risks to Canadians and impacts on the environment and human health posed by releases of harmful substances

As of 2015, mercury, lead and cadmium emissions to air have been reduced to about 90% lower than in 1990.

Releases of cadmium, lead and mercury releases to water were 55%, 61% and 70% lower in 2015 than in 2003

For the period 2011–2012 the PBDE in fish  guideline was not exceeded in 30% of drainage regions

For the period 2009–2014 the PBDE in sediment guideline was not exceeded for 33% of drainage regions.

For the period 2011–2014 the PFOS in fish  guideline was not exceeded in 100% of drainage regions

For the period 2009–2014 the PFOS in water guideline was not exceeded for 100% of drainage regions.

Goal 4: Conserving and Restoring Ecosystems, Wildlife and Habitat, and Protecting Canadians

Resilient ecosystems with healthy wildlife populations so Canadians can enjoy benefits from natural spaces, resources and ecological services for generations to come.

Target 4.8: Chemicals Management

Reduce risks to Canadians and impacts on the environment and human health posed by releases of harmful substances

Reduce concentrations of harmful substances in the environment - In 80% of drainage regions where Canadian or Federal Environmental Quality Guidelines are not exceeded for selected substances:

• Polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE) in fish and sediment
• Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) in water and fish

As of 2015, mercury, lead and cadmium emissions to air have been reduced to about 90% lower than in 1990.

Releases of cadmium, lead and mercury releases to water were 55%, 61% and 70% lower in 2015 than in 2003

For the period 2011-2012 the PBDE in fish  guideline was not exceeded in 30% of drainage regions

For the period 2009-2014 the PBDE in sediment guideline was not exceeded for 33% of drainage regions.

For the period 2011-2014 the PFOS in fish  guideline was not exceeded in 100% of drainage regions

For the period 2009-2014 the PFOS in water guideline was not exceeded for 100% of drainage regions.

Goal 6: Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions and Energy

Reduce the carbon footprint and energy consumption of federal operations

Target 6.1: GHG emissions reduction

The Government of Canada will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its buildings and fleets by 17% below 2005 levels by 2020

Goal 6: Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions and Energy

Reduce the carbon footprint and energy consumption of federal operations

Target 6.1: GHG emissions reduction

The Government of Canada will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its buildings and fleets by 17% below 2005 levels by 2020

Goal 6: Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions and Energy

Reduce the carbon footprint and energy consumption of federal operations

Target 6.1: GHG emissions reduction

The Government of Canada will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its buildings and fleets by 17% below 2005 levels by 2020

Goal 6: Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions and Energy

Reduce the carbon footprint and energy consumption of federal operations

Target 6.1: GHG emissions reduction

The Government of Canada will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its buildings and fleets by 17% below 2005 levels by 2020

Goal 6: Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions and Energy

Reduce the carbon footprint and energy consumption of federal operations

Target 6.1: GHG emissions reduction

The Government of Canada will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its buildings and fleets by 17% below 2005 levels by 2020

Goal 6: Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions and Energy

Reduce the carbon footprint and energy consumption of federal operations

Target 6.1: GHG emissions reduction

The Government of Canada will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its buildings and fleets by 17% below 2005 levels by 2020

Goal 6: Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions and Energy

Reduce the carbon footprint and energy consumption of federal operations

Target 6.1: GHG emissions reduction

The Government of Canada will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its buildings and fleets by 17% below 2005 levels by 2020

Goal 7: waste and asset management

Reduce waste generated, and minimize the environmental impacts of assets throughout their life cycle.

Target 7.1: Real Property Environmental Performance

As of April 1, 2014, and pursuant to departmental Real Property Sustainability Frameworks, an industry‑recognized level of high-environmental performance will be achieved in Government of Canada real property projects and operations.

Goal 7: waste and asset management

Reduce waste generated, and minimize the environmental impacts of assets throughout their life cycle.

Target 7.1: Real Property Environmental Performance

As of April 1, 2014, and pursuant to departmental Real Property Sustainability Frameworks, an industry‑recognized level of high-environmental performance will be achieved in Government of Canada real property projects and operations.

4 Crown-owned buildings
81,769 m²

0 New lease or lease renewal projects
0 m²

Assessment tool used: BOMA BESt level 1

Goal 7: waste and asset management

Reduce waste generated, and minimize the environmental impacts of assets throughout their life cycle.

Target 7.1: Real Property Environmental Performance

As of April 1, 2014, and pursuant to departmental Real Property Sustainability Frameworks, an industry‑recognized level of high-environmental performance will be achieved in Government of Canada real property projects and operations.

0 Crown-owned buildings
0 m²

1 New construction projects
400 m²

0 Build-to-lease projects
0 m²

0 Major renovation projects
0 m²

3 Green Globes Building Performance Assessment

Goal 7: waste and asset management

Reduce waste generated, and minimize the environmental impacts of assets throughout their life cycle.

Target 7.1: Real Property Environmental Performance

As of April 1, 2014, and pursuant to departmental Real Property Sustainability Frameworks, an industry‑recognized level of high-environmental performance will be achieved in Government of Canada real property projects and operations.

Goal 7: waste and asset management

Reduce waste generated, and minimize the environmental impacts of assets throughout their life cycle.

Target 7.2: green procurement

As of April 1, 2014, the Government of Canada will continue to take action to embed environmental considerations into public procurement, in accordance with the federal Policy on Green Procurement.

Goal 7: waste and asset management

Reduce waste generated, and minimize the environmental impacts of assets throughout their life cycle.

Target 7.2: green procurement

As of April 1, 2014, the Government of Canada will continue to take action to embed environmental considerations into public procurement, in accordance with the federal Policy on Green Procurement.

Goal 7: waste and asset management

Reduce waste generated, and minimize the environmental impacts of assets throughout their life cycle.

Target 7.2: green procurement

As of April 1, 2014, the Government of Canada will continue to take action to embed environmental considerations into public procurement, in accordance with the federal Policy on Green Procurement.

Goal 7: waste and asset management

Reduce waste generated, and minimize the environmental impacts of assets throughout their life cycle.

Target 7.2: green procurement

As of April 1, 2014, the Government of Canada will continue to take action to embed environmental considerations into public procurement, in accordance with the federal Policy on Green Procurement.

Goal 7: waste and asset management

Reduce waste generated, and minimize the environmental impacts of assets throughout their life cycle.

Target 7.2: green procurement

As of April 1, 2014, the Government of Canada will continue to take action to embed environmental considerations into public procurement, in accordance with the federal Policy on Green Procurement.

Goal 7: waste and asset management

Reduce waste generated, and minimize the environmental impacts of assets throughout their life cycle.

Target 7.2: green procurement

As of April 1, 2014, the Government of Canada will continue to take action to embed environmental considerations into public procurement, in accordance with the federal Policy on Green Procurement.

Goal 7: waste and asset management

Reduce waste generated, and minimize the environmental impacts of assets throughout their life cycle.

Target 7.3: Sustainable Workplace Operations

As of April 1, 2015, the Government of Canada will update and adopt policies and practices to improve the sustainability of its workplace operations.

Goal 8: Water Management

Improve water management in federal operations

Target 8.1: Water Management

As of April 1, 2014, the Government of Canada will take further action to improve water management within its real property portfolio.

Goal 8: Water Management

Improve water management in federal operations

Target 8.1: Water Management

As of April 1, 2014, the Government of Canada will take further action to improve water management within its real property portfolio.

Crown, existing 102,237 m², 100%of floor space

New Crown built-to-lease: 0 m²

Major renovations: 0 m²

0%

Leases: 0 m²

0%