Financial overview – Estimates of Environment and Climate Change Canada: appearance before the Standing Committee (December 2, 2020)
Overview of ECCC’s 2020-21 Supplementary Estimates (B)
Issue
- Environment and Climate Change Canada is proud to account for its management of public funds, and to ensure that all relevant legislation, guidelines, regulations and policies are strictly followed.
- These Supplementary Estimates (B) allow us to update our budget allocations and adjust our Main Estimates to deliver on Programs that are important to Canadians.
- Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Supplementary Estimates amounts to a net increase of $5.2 million, bringing the department’s total authorities to $2,028.8 million. This update includes:
- $1.3 million to protect Canada’s nature, parks and wild spaces;
- $0.5 million for government advertising programs;
- $0.6 million to implement British Columbia Agreements (including $0.1 million related to the increase in employee benefit plans);
- $0.1 million for the reinvestment of royalties from intellectual property.
- $11.4 million to support students and youth (including $0.1 million in Operating expenditures - Vote 1 and $11.3 million under the Payments to support students and youth impacted by COVID-19 pursuant to the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act);
- This is offset by transfers with other organizations totaling a net decrease of $8.7 million.
Voted vs statutory
- Voted: Environment and Climate Change Canada’s voted spending authority sought in these Supplementary Estimates totals $2.4 million, including $1.1 million in operating expenditures and $1.3 million in grants and contributions. This new funding is offset by net transfers of $8.7 million, including a decrease of $0.5 million in operating expenditures, an increase of $0.5 million in capital expenditures and a decrease of $8.7 million in grants and contributions. The net voted requirements represent a decrease of $6.3 million.
- Statutory: The statutory amount of $11.5 million consists of $11.4 million for the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy to support students during COVID-19. A total of $128.7 million in 2020-21 was announced by the Government for the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy to fund programs serving high-demand sectors such as agriculture, technology, health, and essential services, including $11.4 million for ECCC. The statutory funding for this measure in 2020-21 is provided through the statutory appropriation contained in the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act. The statutory amount also includes $0.1 million for contributions to employee benefit plans.
Voted grants and contributions
- These Supplementary Estimates include an increase of $0.5 million in grants listing and $1.3 million in contributions listing.
- Grants: an internal reallocation of resources from contributions to grants of $0.5 million in support of the Low Carbon Economy Fund. This increase is required in order to ensure the implementation of the Pan Canadian Framework and Canada's efforts to meet its commitments under the Paris Agreement.
- Contributions: $1.3 million in funds carried over from 2019-20 to protect Canada’s nature, parks and wild spaces (Canada Nature Fund). This reprofile is required in order for ECCC to meet international land and wildlife conservation targets; transitions the species at risk program from recovery planning to protection and recovery actions; and contributes to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples while delivering conservation outcomes.
Description of Items in the Supplementary Estimates B
Voted Appropriations ($2,407,922)
Reprofile under A Nature Legacy for Canada- Canada Nature Fund- Species Stream
- $1,272,715
ECCC is seeking to reprofile $1.3 million from 2019-20 to 2020-21 in contributions for the Nature Legacy for Canada - Canada Nature Fund - Species Stream.
Due to COVID-19, Indigenous communities withdrew from their interactions with others and closed their offices. This, coupled with delays in establishing essential multi-jurisdictional groups involving Indigenous peoples to advance recovery of species at risk, planned Indigenous engagement activities in March were cancelled leading to lapsed 2019-20 funds. Thus, ECCC is seeking the reprofile of $1.3 million allocated in 2019-20 to the year 2020-21.
The reprofile of $1.3 million from 2019-20 for the Nature Legacy for Canada - Canada Nature Fund - Species Stream is required in order for ECCC to meet international land and wildlife conservation targets; transitions the species at risk program from recovery planning to protection and recovery actions; and contributes to reconciliation with Indigenous peoples while delivering conservation outcomes. The reprofile has been approved by Finance Canada.
Government Advertizing Programs
- $500,000
[*Redacted*]
Funding to implement British Columbia Agreements
- $492,318
The Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) and Department of the Environment (ECCC) have sought $182.1 million over 10 years beginning in 2020-21 and $99.0 million for remaining years from 2030-31 to 2044-45 to: implement Reconciliation Funding Agreements with the Musqueam Indian Band, Te’mexw Treaty Association First Nations, Esquimalt First Nation, Snuneymuxw First Nation, Tŝilhqot'in National Government, Tsleil-Waututh Nation, Ktunaxa Nation and Syilx Nation. This includes the provision of fisheries access, vessels and gear, and funds to support DFO and Indigenous internal capacity to co-develop and implement reconciliation agreements. The overall result of this submission is to enhance relationships with, involvement of, and outcomes for Indigenous peoples.
Of this amount, ECCC received $4,412,651 over 3 years beginning in 2020-21 to support the negotiation and early implementation of Reconciliation Agreements with the Musqueam Indian Band, Tsilhqot’in Nation, Tsleil-Waututh Nation, Snuneymuxw First Nation, Esquimalt First Nation, Ktunaxa Kinbasket Treaty Council First Nations, and Syilx First Nations in British Columbia.
Operating funding received through the Supplementary Estimates (B) would allow ECCC to work to collaborate with Indigenous peoples on the development of environmental standards, promotion and compliance with environmental laws and regulations. This proposal will contribute to the realization of the departmental result of Indigenous people engaged in conservation as these agreements will increase Indigenous contribution and engagement in conservation and stewardship activities. This includes a greater and more meaningful role in governance, decision-making and co-management activities and the development of mechanisms to engage and collaborate with ECCC program officials.
Reinvestment of royalties from intellectual property
- $92,314
ECCC conducts basic scientific research in a number of fields related to its mandate. Efforts to improve our weather prediction software, our devices for sampling air and water, our methods for extracting pollutants from waste streams, and our training materials related to environmental initiatives such as Green House Gas Verification have generated useful discoveries of commercial interest. The Department licenses such discoveries to private sector entities so that they can be exploited to their full potential thereby benefiting all Canadians.
The Department is authorized to receive, through the Supplementary Estimates (B), an annual amount equal to all revenues arising from the licensing of Crown-owned intellectual property which were remitted to the Consolidated Revenue Fund in the previous fiscal year.
The funding sought of $0.1 million reflects royalties remitted to the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) in 2019-20 and that will be redistributed to the Program that generated these funds so that they may pay any applicable Inventor Awards and support their ongoing research efforts.
Funding to support students and youth (COVID-19)
- $50,575
$50K in Vote 1 is requested in support of the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy due to the timing of the approval of the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act by Parliament.
Statutory Appropriations ($11,455,508)
Payments to support students and youth impacted by COVID-19 pursuant to the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act
- $11,338,51
This funding supports the government’s announcement for “Supporting Students During COVID-19 through Expanded Youth Employment and Job Skills Programming”. Funding for this measure in 2020-21 is to be provided through the statutory appropriation contained in the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act.
A total of $128.7 million in 2020-21 was approved for the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy to fund programs serving high-demand sectors such as agriculture, technology, health, and essential services. ECCC was approved for $11.4 million for 2020-21, including $0.2 million for salary and benefits, $0.1 million for operating and maintenance (O&M) funds and $11.1 million for contributions funds. The statutory authority is included in the Supplementary Estimates (B) for information purposes.
ECCC Science Horizons Youth Internship Program (Science Horizons) falls under the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS). Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) delivers YESS, which is the Government of Canada’s commitment to help young people gain the skills, work experience, and abilities they need to make a successful transition into the labour market. The objective of Science Horizons is to develop opportunities for youth with post-secondary education by providing eligible employers with wage subsidies (up to $15,000 per intern) to hire youth with a post-secondary education who are eligible to work in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) linked to the green economy. Under Science Horizons, eligible employers represent a range of sectors of the economy, including small and medium-size enterprises (SME), non-governmental organizations, and academic institutions. Interns are hired to work on environmental projects or activities for a period of 6 to 12 months.
Funding for contributions to the employee benefit plans
- $116,998
The increase in funding is associated with the personnel funding sought To implement British Columbia Agreements and A Modernized Youth Employment Strategy mentioned above. The contributions to the employee benefit plans are under a statutory authority.
Transfers from Other Government Departments
Transfer from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to various organizations to respond to Indigenous concerns on the overall health of the Salish Sea
- $454,760
ECCC will support DFO in the implementation of a regional cumulative effects management plan. ECCC’s involvement will focus on research and monitoring of air and water quality which will leverage data and research networks of existing ECCC and Government of Canada initiatives and programs. The plan includes the development and enhancement of environmental baseline information related to air and water quality to determine the overall health of the Salish Sea, which will aid in understanding how the effects of development projects can accumulate and negatively affect the environment.
As part of the 2020-21 Supplementary Estimates (B), a transfer of $0.5 million from DFO to ECCC’s Vote 1 – Operating Vote is being sought to support DFO with specific cumulative impacts activities.
Transfer from Treasury Board Secretariat to Department of the Environment to purchase two electric shuttle buses as part of the Greening Government fund to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in government operations.
- $453,215
The transfer to ECCC will support a project to green its shuttle service by replacing the existing gasoline-powered vans with Canadian made electric mini-buses. This innovation initiative will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while introducing a more sustainable and accessible mass transit solution to departmental operation requirements.
The Greening Government Fund was established to provide funding on a competitive basis for departments to explore and share innovation approaches to reducing GHG emissions in government operations.
As part of the 2020-21 Supplementary Estimates (B), a transfer of $0.5 million from TBS to ECCC Vote 5 – Capital Vote is being sought to support ECCC Greening Government fund to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in government operations.
Internal Transfers
Internal reallocation of resources from contributions ($0.5 million) to grants in support of the Low Carbon Economy Fund.
The transfer from contributions to grants is required in order to ensure the implementation of the Pan Canadian Framework and Canada's efforts to meet its commitments under the Paris Agreement. The increases to grants is also required to respect the funding agreements signed with the partners who accessed funds under the Low Carbon Economy Fund and to meet our federal funding commitments.
Transfers to Other Government Departments
Transfer from the Department of the Environment to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to continue the environmental restoration of key aquatic areas of concern identified under the Canada-United States Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement
- ($945,000)
DFO is leading a multi-department strategy to bring forward the next phase of the Great Lakes Action Plan. This transfer from ECCC to DFO in the 2020-21 Supplementary Estimates (B) would be used to improve the ecological integrity of the Great Lakes ecosystem by continuing the environmental restoration of key aquatic areas of concern such as Hamilton Harbour and the Bay of Quinte. DFO would be conducting habitat research and assess fish populations in support of the rehabilitation of the areas of concern.
As part of the 2020-21 Supplementary Estimates (B), a transfer of $1.0 million from ECCC to DFO Vote 1 – Operating Vote is being sought to support ECCC to improve the ecological integrity of the Great Lakes ecosystem.
Transfer from the Department of the Environment to the Department of Natural Resources through the Low Carbon Economy Fund for the 50 Million Tree Program
- ($3,363,000)
ECCC and NRCan have a history of collaborating in the delivery of programs, and share responsibility for delivering on each other’s mandate. ECCC has committed a portion of unallocated Ontario Leadership Fund resources of the Low Carbon Economy Fund to support NRCan to enter a funding agreement with Forests Ontario to deliver the 50 Million Tree Program project. This project consist of purchasing approximately 3 million existing seedlings and planting of new seedlings as well as developing a long-term, self-sustaining, large-scale tree planting program that will result in positive impacts such as an increase in forest cover and ensuring healthy forests.
An initial Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the project “50 Million Tree Program - Forests Ontario” was signed between ECCC and NRCan to transfer up to $4,911,000 for the first year of the project commencing June 4, 2019, and terminating March 31, 2020. The initital MOU only covered one fiscal year because NRCan’s Forest Innovation Program terms and conditions expired on March 31, 2020, and required renewal.
As per the new signed MOU, ECCC will transfer up to $3.4 million to NRCan in 2020-21. ECCC is also committed to transferring a total of up to $10.1 million between 2020-21 and 2022-23 for the same program to NRCan. The amount of the transfer sought in the 2020-21 Supplementary Estimates (B) 2020-21 is $3.4 million from ECCC’s Vote 10 - Contributions to NRCan.
- Transfer of $5.3 million in Grants and Contributions - Vote 10 from the Department of the Environment to the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs ($0.3 million) and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council ($5 million) to develop plastics science in support of the Canada-wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste;
- Includes: Transfer from the Department of the Environment to Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council to develop plastics science in support of the Canada-wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste. ($5,000,000)
ECCC is collaborating with federal Granting Agencies to increase priority investments in research to initiate implementation of Canada's Plastics Science Agenda. Funds are to launch a call for research proposals to target academic research aligned with knowledge gaps identified in the Draft Science Assessment of Plastic Pollution, as well as the first two pillars of Canada's Plastics Science Agenda, with a specific emphasis on priority knowledge gaps on methods and standards development for detection of plastics and assessing impacts.
As part of the 2020-21 Supplementary Estimates (B), a transfer of $5.0 million from ECCC to Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council Vote 10 – Grants and Contributions (Gs & Cs) Vote is being sought to support ECCC in their efforts to fill knowledge gaps and advancing Canada’s zero plastic waste goals.
Transfer from the Department of the Environment to Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs to develop plastics science in support of the Canada-wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste.
- ($250,000)
The transfer to Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs (CIRNAC) will fund science projects through the Northern Contaminants Program, focused on filling priority knowledge gaps around the environmental presence and effects of microplastics in the North. This funding will help achieve ECCC’s goals to address knowledge gaps identified in the Draft Science Assessment of Plastic Pollution and in Canada’s Plastics Science Agenda. As part of the 2020-21 Supplementary Estimates (B), a transfer of $0.3 million from ECCC to CIRNAC Vote 10 – G&C Vote is being sought to support ECCC plastics research in the North through the Northern Contaminants Program.
Annotated copy of 2020-21 Supplementary Estimates B
Environment and Climate Chanage Canada
Organization Summary (dollars)
- | Authorities to date | These Supplementary Estimates - Transfers2 | These Supplementary Estimates - Adjustments1 | Proposed Authorities to date |
---|---|---|---|---|
Budgetary | ||||
Voted | ||||
1b Operating expenditures | 886,416,572 | (490,240)A | 1,135,207D | 887,061,539 |
5 Capital expenditures | 102,290,045 | 453,215B | 0 | 102,743,261 |
10b Grants and contributions | 829,881,990 | (8,613,000)C | 1,272,715E | 822,541,705 |
Total Voted | 1,818,588,608 | (8,650,025) | 2,407,922 | 1,812,346,505 |
Total Statutory | 204,984,083 | 0 | 11,455,508F | 216,439,591 |
Total Budgetary Expenditures | 2,023,572,691 | (8,650,025)1 | 13,863,4301 | 2,028,786,096 |
Note: Additional details by organization are available on the Treasury Board Secretariat website.
1 Total Supplementary Estimates B: $5,213,405
Explanation of Requirements (dollars)
- | Vote No. | Amount ($) |
---|---|---|
Budgetary | ||
Voted Appropriations | ||
Funding to protect Canada's nature, parks and wild spaces | Vote 10bE | 1,272,715 |
Funding for government advertising programs (horizontal item) | Vote 1bD | 500,000 |
Funding to implement British Columbia agreements | Vote 1bD | 492,318 |
Reinvestment of royalties from intellectual property | Vote 1bD | 92,314 |
Funding to support students and youth (COVID-19) | Vote 1bD | 50,575 |
Total Voted Appropriations | 2,407,922 | |
Total Statutory Appropriations | 11,455,508F | |
Transfers | ||
Transfers from Other Organizations | ||
From the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to various organizations to respond to Indigenous concerns on the overal health of the Salish Sea | Vote 1bA | 454,760 |
From the Treasury Board Secretariat to various organizations for innovative approaches to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in government operations | Vote 5b | 453,215B |
Internal Transfers | ||
Internal reallocation of resources from contributions ($500,000) to Grants in support of the Low Carbon Economy Fund | Vote 10bC | 0 |
Transfers to Other Organizations | ||
From the Department of the Environment to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to continue the environmental restoration of projects under the Canada-United States Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement | Vote 1bA | (945,000) |
From the Department of the Environment to the Department of Natural Resources for the 50 Million Tree Program under the Low Carbon Economy Fund | Vote 10bC | (3,363,00) |
From the Department of the Environment to the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council to develop plastics science in support of the Canada-wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste | Vote 10bC | (5,250,000) |
Total Transfers | (8,650,025) | |
Total Budgetary | 5,213,405 |
Notes
A
- Includes an increase of $0.5M related to a transfer from DFO to respond to Indigenous concerns on the overall health of the Salish Sea; and
- Decrease of $1M related to a transfer to DFO for projects under the Canada-United States Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement
B
- Increase of $0.5M related to a transfer from TBS to support innovative approaches to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in government operations
C
- Transfers to various organizations: $5.0M to NSERC and $0.3M to CIRNA to develop plastics science and $3.4M to NRCan for the 50 Million Tree Program under the Low Carbon Economy Fund; and
- Reallocation of funds of $0.5M from contributions to grants in support of the Low Carbon Economy Fund
D
- Includes $0.5M for the Government advertising programs, specifically to generate awareness and engagement in key nature conservation issues (horizontal item);
- $0.5M to implement B.C. agreements;
- $0.1M for reinvestments of royalties from intellectual property; and
- $0.1M to support students and youth impacted by COVID-19
E
- $1.3M in funds carried over from 2019-20 to protect Canada’s nature, parks and wild spaces (Canada Nature Fund)
F
- Includes $11.3M for payments to support students and youth impacted by COVID-19 pursuant to the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act; and
- $0.1M increase in Employee Benefit Plans
Listing of Transfer Payments (dollars)
Estimates to date | These Supplementary Estimates | Revised Estimates | |
---|---|---|---|
Grants | |||
Grant in support of the Low Carbon Economy Fund | 2,000,000 | 500,0001 | 2,500,000 |
Contributions | |||
Contributions in support of the Canada Nature Fund | 109,175,597 | 1,272,715 | 110,448,312 |
1 $0.5M increase from an internal reallocation of resources from contributions to grants in support of the Low Carbon Economy Fund. The increases to grants is required in order to ensure the implementation of the Pan Canadian Framework and Canada's efforts to meet its commitments under the Paris Agreement. The increases to grants is also required to respect the funding agreements signed with the partners who accessed funds under the Low Carbon Economy Fund and to meet our federal funding commitments.
Listing of Statutory Authorities
Budgetary | Authorities to date | These Supplementary Estimates | Proposed Authorities |
---|---|---|---|
Contributions to employee benefit plans | 95,747,282 | 116,998 | 95,864,280 |
Payments to support students and youth impacted by COVID-19 pursuant to the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act | 0 | 11,338,5101 | 11,338,510 |
1 This funding supports the government’s announcement for “Supporting Students During COVID-19 through Expanded Youth Employment and Job Skills Programming”.
A total of $128.7 million in 2020-21 was approved for the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy to fund programs serving high-demand sectors such as agriculture, technology, health, and essential services. ECCC was approved for $11.4 million for 2020-21. Funding of $11.3 million for this measure in 2020-21 is provided through the statutory appropriation contained in the Public Health Events of National Concern Payments Act and $0.1M is sought under Vote 1 in these Estimates.
Horizontal Items
The items listed in this table are horizontal initiatives and other jointly funded items. Both types of horizontal items involve two or more organizations with a formal finding agreement (e.g. Memorandum to Cabinet or Treasury Board submission). Through horizontal initiatives, the organizations work in partnership toward the achievement of shared outcomes. In jointly funded items, organizations receive incremental funding, and each independently contributes to the realization of the stated objective(s).
Organization | Amount (dollars) |
---|---|
Department of the Environment
|
500,000 |
This funding of $500K has been approved for 2020-21 only and will be used to support ECCC’s Nature Legacy campaign.
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