COVID-19 response: appearance before the Standing Committee (March 10, 2021)

ECCC’s COVID-19 response

Introduction

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on ECCC operations and what have you done to prepare the workplace for the safe return of employees? How much has it cost?

• ECCC provides critical services to Canadians and is required to maintain operations during COVID-19. However, to ensure this happens in a safe manner, the Department has invested in equipment and processes to ensure the workplace is safe for those critical services employees that remain onsite.
• Weather forecasting offices were retrofitted with measures to maintain social distancing and necessary personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure continued operations. These offices use specialized equipment for everything from monitoring water levels in the spring, to wildfires, severe weather such as tornadoes, as well as hurricanes through the summer and fall.
• The National Environmental Emergencies Centre is using a hybrid model with staff rotating in the office to maintain physical distancing while monitoring for emergencies 24/7 and providing assistance using specialized tools.
• In March 2020, ECCC suspended long-term water quality monitoring field and laboratory activities. In the fall of 2020, ECCC launched the resumption of these activates; the scope of which has been influenced by local and regional COVID-19 epidemiology, as well as public health directives.
• ECCC continues to assess sanitary pollution risks in shellfish-bearing marine waters and work with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and Fisheries and Oceans Canada to meet food safety objectives and the protection of shellfish consumers.
• EB continues to respond to pollution and toxic substance events having significant impact human health and/or the environment.
• Enforcement activities are prioritized based on a risk assessment where enforcement officers consider, on a case-by-case basis, any damage to the environment, any other aggravating factors and whether all reasonable measures were taken by an individual or company to mitigate and to comply.
• All officers are equipped with appropriate COVID-19 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and have received training on how to use it.
• In June 2020, the Department gradually opened select national wildlife areas (NWAs) with modifications to mitigate health and safety risks, in order to provide Canadians with access to the health and wellness benefits of being outdoors in nature.
• Up to 96% of the Department’s workforce is operational despite challenges related to COVID-19. Approximately 80% of ECCC employees are working remotely.
• COVID-19 prevention measures are in effect and TBS signage requiring physical distancing has been installed in all ECCC facilities. Prevention measures include requirements for mask wearing, physical distancing and surface and hand disinfection.
• Task Hazard Analysis and Safe Work Procedures were developed, implemented and updated for field work, laboratory operations and office work.
• All employees and managers accessing the worksite had to take the “Access to the Worksite” mandatory training and awareness session.
• As of January 2021, ECCC has absorbed $4.6M in expenditures related to COVID. This includes:
  • The purchase of masks, goggles, hand sanitizer and protective equipment for enforcement officers and employees of National Wildfire Areas.
  • Upgrades to bandwidth to enable remote work as well as enhanced cleaning at critical offices.

Background/current status

ECCC has implemented flexible work options and new strategies to support employee health and wellbeing and maintain departmental operations throughout the pandemic. For ECCC employees that are required to access the workplace, measures are in place to ensure their health and safety. The department’s risk-based approach includes a comprehensive COVID-19 response framework and algorithm to guide decision-making regarding the return of employees to the workplace. Task Hazard Analysis and Safe Work Procedures were developed, implemented and updated for field work, laboratory operations and office work.

Only a subset of ECCC employees are expected to access the workplace during the pandemic. To ensure the health and safety of ECCC employees, maximum occupancy will be managed via the mandatory use of a booking through the Return to Workplace Application. Maximum occupancy by building and floor have been determined based on criteria such as occupational health and safety (OHS) regulations, National Building Code requirements and physical distancing measures. In addition, all employees and managers accessing the worksite had to take the “Access to the Worksite” mandatory training and awareness session.

The Department-wide launch of the Return to the Workplace Application (RTW App) took place on November 18, 2020 and as of mid-February over 25,000 requests have been submitted in the RTW App.

In addition, the Department has installed COVID-19 prevention measures in all ECCC facilities in consultation with our various bargaining agents and OHS committees throughout the Department. ECCC has installed TBS approved signage and floor markers throughout our buildings to require staff to maintain minimum physical distancing. Prevention measures in effect are in-line with guidance from health authorities and central agencies. These measures include mask wearing, enhanced cleaning measures, hand cleaning and disinfection stations and training for all employees working on site.

Up to 96% of the workforce is operational despite challenges related to COVID-19.

• Approximately, 1,583 positions have been identified as mission critical and critical support services
• Up to 1,100 of these employees continued to work on site during the pandemic
• Approximately 80% of ECCC employees are working remotely.

The Department has completed a planning and preparation exercise to guide the eventual return to the workplace for ECCC employees. The departmental plan outlines a gradual and phased approach to the return to the workplace. The phased approach is based on federal, provincial and local public health measures and advice. The movement between phases, and gradually increase of the number of employees onsite, is dependent on the various public health emergency measures in effect across Canada.

From a financial perspective, how is ECCC impacted by the COVID-19?

In terms of expenditures related to COVID-19, ECCC has incurred a total of $15.9M as of January 2021. These expenses are mostly related to the statutory authority for the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy, representing $11.3M and the remaining expenses of $4.6M were absorbed within the Department’s existing reference levels.

In early June 2020, new funding to support ESDC-led Youth Employment and Skills Strategy was announced including $11.4M in 2020-21 for ECCC, primarily within grants and contributions. This funding supports the government’s announcement for ‘’Supporting Students during COVID-19 through Youth Employment and Job Skills Programming” and is mainly provided through a statutory appropriation contained under the Public Health Events of National Concern Payment Act. This additional funding was presented in the 2020-21 Supplementary Estimates B. Of the $11.4M in funding received, $11.3M was spent.

As of January 2021, ECCC absorbed $4.6M in Operating expenditures for:

• Interactions with the public including the purchase of protective equipment such as masks, goggles, hand sanitizer and cleaning products for the enforcement officers and employees of the National Wildlife Areas,
• Internal requirements to support operations including enhanced cleaning protocols, bandwidth upgrades for remote work and the establishment of a COVID Secretariat, and;
• Expenses related to an employee supporting Health Canada’s COVID-19 task team.

-	Youth Employment and Skills Strategy	Other expenses (masks, goggles, hand sanitizer, protective equipment, task team, etc)	Total
Funding approved	$11.4M	-	$11.4M
Department existing funding used	-	$4.6M	$4.6M
Expenses as of Jan 31st	$11.3M	$4.6M	$15.9M

How many employees are currently using code 699?

• From October 1, 2020, to February 28, 2021, 346 employees have submitted at least 1 hour of 699 leave and 260 employees have submitted at least 7.5 hours.

What is the total accumulated cost to the Department of employees using code 699?

• The total amount for ECCC is $8.57M as of February 28, 2021.

How many employees are working remotely?

• The majority of the ECCC workforce continues to telework, as recommended by the Public Health Officer of Canada and the Chief Human Resources Officer (OCHRO).
• Up to 96% of the workforce is operational despite challenges related to COVID-19.
  • Approximately, 1,583 positions have been identified as mission critical and critical support services.
  • Up to 1,100 of these employees continued to work on site during the pandemic.
  • Approximately 80% of ECCC employees are working remotely.

How many employees are working from the office?

• ECCC’s Business Continuity Plan identifies approximately 1,583 employees performing critical functions at Environment and Climate Change Canada. Up to 1,100 of these employees continue to work on site during the pandemic.

How much has the Department spent to equip a remote workforce?

• As of February 9, 2021, the Department has spent $410,255 on the purchase of telecommuting equipment.