Archived: Departmental Results Report 2016 to 2017, supplementary tables, Department of Environment, chapter 2

June 10, 2010

Ongoing

Contribution

The program is appropriated annually through Estimates.

2010–11

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 and Sub-Program 1.1.5 Protected Areas

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

• In 2016-17, the HSP Prevention Stream awarded over $2.8 million to 63 new projects and 14 previously approved multi-year projects to maintain populations of wildlife species in order to prevent them from becoming a conservation concern.
• Between its inception in 2014 and the end of March 2016, the HSP Prevention stream has invested over $5.6 million in 165 projects.

• The department provided 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, 2017 Earth Rangers has over 159,000 members and, in the third year of the project (2016-2017), members raised over $500,000 for wildlife conservation projects.
• In 2016-17, The AFSAR Species at Risk Stream awarded $4.0 million to 30 new projects and 37 previously approved multi-year projects to support Aboriginal capacity development and engagement in the implementation of the Species at Risk Act to protect species at risk and their habitat.
• Between its inception in 2004 and the end of March 2016, AFSAR Species at Risk Stream has invested more than $33.1 million into 851 local conservation projects, and has leveraged more than $23.5 million in matching funds from project partners. Funded projects benefited the habitat for more than 300 SARA-listed species and supported the improvement or restoration of close to 13,500 ha of land and 190 km of shoreline.
• In 2016-17, The Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk (AFSAR) Prevention Stream awarded over $703,000 to 17 new projects and 3 previously approved multi-year projects to support Aboriginal participation in projects that prevent other species, beyond those listed on the Species at risk Act, from becoming a conservation concern.
• Between its inception in 2014 and the end of March 2016, the AFSAR Prevention stream has invested over $1.5 million to support 45 local conservation projects and has partnered with more than 20 different Indigenous organizations and communities.

• Funds to support environmental non-government agencies including Bird Studies Canada, Nature Canada and NatureServe Canada (collectively over $1.5 million) contributed to improved understanding of the status of migratory birds and other wildlife, 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, migration monitoring programs and eBird. NatureServe Canada and the associated network of CDCs contributed to producing the recently published WildSpecies 2015 report. Significant efforts on data management and analysis provided data to help guide conservation of both migratory birds and species at risk.

• The National Wetland Conservation Fund (NWCF) awarded over $9.9 million to 70 new projects involving 59 unique funding recipients to conserve wetlands. These projects leveraged additional funds that exceeded $21.3 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.
• Between its inception in 2014 and the end of March 2016, the NWCF has invested over $15.6 million to support 133 local conservation projects and has restored over 1,045 hectares of wetlands and associated uplands and enhanced over 318,000 hectares of wetlands and associated uplands.
• Supported with funding of $2.1 million the North American Waterfowl Management Plan program delivery within the Habitat Joint Ventures through partner organizations. 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): supported implementation of the CBD’s Gender Plan of Action, scientific assessments and communications to support implementation of the CBD’s strategic Plan and Aichi Biodiversity Targets, collaboration with sub-national governments, communication, education and public awareness, and supported the participation of the least developed countries in CBD meetings ($100,000). 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) and provided support for the Arctic Migratory Bird Initiative ($20,000)

• Concluded a $200,000 5-year contribution with the United Nations - Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services that provide independent scientific review of the status and trends of biodiversity and the associated consequences for provision of ecosystem services.

• $200,000 Contributions with the Universities of Alberta and Manitoba for Polar Bears - Assessing impacts of changing climatic and ice regimes on polar bears across their Canadian range / Assessing impacts of climate and increasing industrial development on polar bears and their prey (ringed seals) in Baffin Bay

• $168,500 Contribution with Simon Fraser University for Applied ecosystem research focused on priority Migratory Birds (sea ducks, seabirds, shorebirds and insectivores) and Species at Risk (e.g. Marbled Murrelets, Lewis' Woodpecker) affected by intensifying human development in British Columbia; especially in coastal areas, riparian areas, central grasslands, and heavily-impacted Okanagan and Fraser valleys

• Concluded a 4-year $220,000 contribution with the University of British Columbia for Applied ecosystem research focused on priority Migratory landbirds (mature forest passerines, alpine birds) in British Columbia, which are affected by increasing human development, forest harvesting, climate change and invasive species (e.g. Mountain Pine Beetle), especially in industrial forests and alpine/montane habitats that cover most of the province.

• 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.

The variance is mainly due to an additional $3.1 million received to fund Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement (IIBA) and $595,660 reallocated from the Habitat Stewardship Program Species at Risk Stream to support other Species at Risk Director Generals committee priorities. This was offset by $492,000 reallocated to Departmental pressures and priorities, while the additional variance results from normal program operational slippage or cancellation of some projects during the fourth quarter.

N/A

An evaluation of Environment and Climate Change Canada’s umbrella terms and conditions was completed in 2016-17 and the final report was released in July 2017.

An evaluation of the National Wetland Conservation Fund (NWCF) is planned for 2018-19

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.

June 10, 2010

Ongoing

Contribution

The program is appropriated annually through Estimates.

2010–11

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; and Sub-Program 3.2.3 Environmental Technology

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.

• 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 and supported.
• 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.

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.

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

An evaluation of Environment and Climate Change Canada’s umbrella terms and conditions was completed in 2016–17 and the final report was released in July 2017.

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.

August 20, 2000

Ongoing

Contribution

The program is appropriated annually through Estimates.

2009–10

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

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.

In 2016–17, the HSP Species at Risk (SAR) Stream awarded over $13.9 million in funding to 159 new projects and 42 previously approved multi-year projects to support the recovery of species at risk and the protection of their habitat.

Between its inception in 2000 and the end of March 2016, the HSP SAR Stream has invested over $163.7 million in 2,498 projects, leveraging more than $397.1 million in matching funds from project partners. These projects have legally protected over 191,000 hectares of land and benefitted the habitat for more than 420 species at risk.

As a result of the Species at Risk Director Generals committee evaluation of overall SARA priorities, $473,208 was reallocated to support other SARA priorities, namely, the negotiation of Species at Risk Act Section 11 agreements. An additional $122,452 was used to support high quality projects in the Prevention Stream.

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

N/A

2017–18 (when the Species at Risk Act evaluation will be completed)

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

March 26, 2001

March 31, 2022

Contribution

The program is appropriated annually through Estimates.

2014–15

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

SDTC is an arm’s length, not-for-profit foundation created by the Government of Canada to finance and support new technologies that deliver environmental, health and economic benefits to Canadians. The Sustainable Development Technology Fund supports clean technology projects that address issues related to climate change, air quality, clean water and clean soil.

SDTC will report results in its 2016–17 Annual Report, which is required to be submitted to the designated Minister before the end of August, 2017.

The variance reported below represents the spending authorities transferred to ISED.

While there was no performance audit in fiscal year 2016–17, the standard financial audit required for annual financial statements was completed by SDTC.

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

This falls under the purview of SDTC.

June 10, 2010

Ongoing – Evaluation to be completed by March 31, 2015

Contribution

The program is appropriated annually through Estimates.

2010–11

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 and Sub-Program 1.3.8 Ecosystems Partnerships

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.

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 2016–17, 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. Thirty-seven (37) projects were carried out as part of the Joint Action Plan where $444,996 of the available funding contribution supported 15 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 $556,000 in funding for 22 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 2016–2017 the Lake Winnipeg Basin Stewardship Fund provided $700,000 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 completed 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. Budget 2017 committed five years (2017-2022) of funding for Environment and Climate Change Canada to meet Ministerial mandate commitments in the Lake Winnipeg Basin.
• 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 $1.76 million, leveraging $1.6 million, to 17 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 annually in funding for projects that improve the health, productivity, and long-term sustainability of ecosystems in Atlantic Canada. In 2016–17, the program supported 18 ecosystem-based projects that brought together a diverse group of partners, including academic institutions, various levels of government (Canada and United States), and Indigenous organizations to address water quality, habitat and biodiversity, and the impacts of climate change.
• The Gulf of Maine Initiative provided $260,000 in funding for four projects aimed at maintaining a healthy ecosystem that supports long-term sustainability and economic growth. These projects build upon previously funded work; and involved collaboration from academic institutions, various levels of government (Canada and the United States), non-government organizations, and industry stakeholders. These projects provide science and information that will lead to action on habitat conservation, responsible development, and sustainable ecosystem health.
• Through the Ecosystem Partnerships Program, ECCC committed nearly $200,000 to fund 4 projects with Indigenous and other groups in the Okanagan Basin of BC focusing on building science and knowledge to understand stream health, groundwater resources, and support biodiversity conservation throughout the ecosystem. These Okanagan based projects are helping to inform partners on how to manage local water resources by establishing environmental flow regimes that maintain a variety of human, fisheries, and other environmental values under threat from development, climate change, and other impacts.

In addition, some funds were reallocated from other initiatives to support additional projects under the Sustainable Ecosystems Program.

Not applicable

An evaluation of Environment and Climate Change Canada’s umbrella terms and conditions was released in July 2017.

The Lake Winnipeg Basin Initiative Program Evaluation was completed in 2016–2017 and the final report was released in July 2017.

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.

September 11, 2014

March 31, 2019

Grant

The program is appropriated annually through Estimates.

2014–15

Program 1.1 Biodiversity – Wildlife and Habitat and Sub-Program 1.1.4 Habitat Conservation Partnerships

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 and other conservation –based organizations/ land trusts acquire and preserve 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 monitor compliance of conservation agreements on an estimated 100,000 ha of land secured under the NACP.

Between April 1, 2016, and March 31, 2017, the NCC and its partners, secured more than 11,500 ha of land under the NACP. In addition, the NCC and its partners conducted stewardship implementation actions under the NACP on more than 217,000 ha of land. The full program details for the 2016–17 fiscal year will be reported to the Department by the NCC through the submission of its annual report, in line with the funding agreement.

Not applicable

Not applicable

The NCC will finalize an independent evaluation in 2017–18

The program is included as part of a broader evaluation on Habitat Conservation Partnerships to be completed in 2017–18.

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.