Financial overview: Appearance before the Standing Committee – March 24, 2022

Overview of Environment and Climate Change Canada’s 2021-2022 Supplementary Estimates C

Issue

• The Supplementary Estimates C is the third and final opportunity for ECCC to make adjustments to its 2021-22 reference levels.
• ECCC is seeking to increase its reference levels in the amount of $48.6 million through these Supplementary Estimates.

Points to register

• This brings the department’s total authorities to $2.0 billion in 2021-22. This update includes:
  • $9.8 million to reduce greenhouse gas emission in the transportation and methane waste sectors (Budget 2021);
  • $7.9 million to establish the Canada Water Agency Transition Office (Budget 2021);
  • $7.3 million for the carbon pollution pricing proceeds return;
  • $6.5 million to help developing countries address the impact of climate change (horizontal item);
  • $4.2 million for International Climate Finance;
  • $3.2 million for wildfire and flood preparedness and response capacity (Budget 2021) (horizontal item);
  • $1.9 million for the Climate Lens Initiative (Budget 2021) (horizontal item);
  • $1.3 million for the Terrestrial Cumulative Effects Initiative;
  • $1.2 million to maintain actions to address phosphorus pollution in Lake of the Woods (Budget 2021);
  • $0.9 million to address Canadian data receiving infrastructure for the Space-Based Earth Observation Network (Budget 2021) (horizontal item);
  • $0.7 million to renew and advance clean technology-enabling measures (Budget 2021) (horizontal item);
  • $0.7 million to establish the Sustainable Finance Action Council (horizontal item);
  • $0.4 million to create a census of the environment (Budget 2021) (horizontal item);
  • $0.1 million to strengthen the capacity and transparency of the pesticide review process (horizontal item);
  • $0.03 million for the reinvestment of royalties from intellectual property;
  • $4.6 million for contributions to employee benefit plans; and
  • Transfers with other organizations totaling a net decrease of $2.1 million.

Voted vs statutory

• Voted: ECCC’s voted spending authority sought in these Supplementary Estimates totals $44.0 million:

• Statutory: The statutory amount of $4.6 million consists of contributions to the employee benefit plans related to new salary funding received:

Voted grants and contributions

• These Supplementary Estimates include an increase of $8.2 million in contributions listing:
  • $4.7 million in support of Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change;
    • $4.2 million in funding for International Climate Finance;
    • $0.3 million to support the Greening Growth in the Agriculture and Agri-Food Sector; and
    • $0.2 million to reduce greenhouse gas emission in the transportation and methane waste sectors.
  • $2.5 million in support of Preventing and Managing Pollution;
    • $3.6 million to establish the Canada Water Agency Transition Office;
    • $1.3 million for the Terrestrial Cumulative Effects Initiative;
    • $0.1 million to maintain actions to address phosphorus pollution in Lake of the Woods; and
      Offset by:
    • $2.5 million in transfer to Department of Natural Resources to deliver capacity funding under the Terrestrial Cumulative Effects Initiative.
  • $1 million in support of Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions;
    • $1 million for wildfire and flood preparedness and response capacity.
• These Supplementary Estimates include an increase of $6.7 million in grants listing:
  • $6.2 million in support of Canada’s International Climate Finance Program;
    • $6.2 million to help developing countries address the impact of climate change;
  • $0.4 million in support of Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change;
    • $0.4 million for the carbon pollution pricing proceeds return; and
  • $0.1 million for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer;
    • $0.1 million to help developing countries address the impact of climate change.

• Total G&Cs authorities amount to $785.6M as of Supplementary Estimates C. Of this amount, $302.5M (or 38.5%) is currently forecast to Provinces/Territories.
  • $266.5 million (or 88%) is through the LCEF Leadership/Challenge streams.
  • The majority of the remaining $36.0 million (or 12%) is through the Canada Nature Fund.

ECCC’s 2021-2022 Supplementary Estimates C

Supplementary Estimates (C), 2021-22 – Department of the Environment

Overview of Impact Assessment Agency of Canada’s 2021–2022 Supplementary Estimates C

Issue

The Supplementary Estimates C is the third and final opportunity for the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency) to make adjustments to its 2021–2022 reference levels. The Agency is seeking to increase its voted authorities by $845,000 through 2021–2022 Supplementary Estimates C.

Points to register

• Through the 2020–21 Supplementary Estimates (C), the Agency sought to increase its reference levels in the amount of $845,000, bringing the Agency’s total authorities to $82.8 million. This update includes:
  • $1,000,000 (increasing Vote 1: Operating expenditures) from the Department of the Environment to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada to facilitate portfolio activities in the field of impact assessment.
  • $155,000 (decreasing $5,000 from Vote 1: Operating expenditures and decreasing $150,000 from Vote 5: Grants and contributions) from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada to the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council for research in the field of impact assessment.

Voted vs statutory

• Voted: The Agency’s voted spending authority sought in these Supplementary Estimates totals $845,000, including a net increase of $995,000 in Vote 1: Operating expenditures and a net decrease $150,000 in Vote 5: Grants and contributions expenditures.
• Statutory: There is no change to the Agency’s statutory amount.

Voted grants and contributions

• These Supplementary Estimates include a decrease of $150,000 in grant expenditures.

Background/description of items

• See page proofs attached.

Transfers

• From the Department of the Environment to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada to assist in the administration of funding for the Regional Information and Monitoring Network.
  • Transfer of $1,000,000 from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada to:
    • assist in the administration of funding to Indigenous communities and public stakeholders through the Regional Information and Monitoring Network for the Ottawa River Watershed initiative. This will be the first time the Agency will process all of the funding agreements on behalf of ECCC for this initiative.
    • supplement an unforeseen increase in the workload for the Agency’s Cabinet Affairs unit in their role of assisting and supporting the Minister’s staff. Following the enactment of the Impact Assessment Act and the expanded mandate of the Agency, a new briefing process was established. Given the complexity of many of the projects, the Agency has adopted a two-step process for seeking projects decisions. The first step provides the Minister with an opportunity to present the project, key issues and challenges to Cabinet colleagues. The second step is for the Minister to seek Cabinet’s recommendation to the Governor in Council on a project decision.
    • support policy analysis, interdepartmental coordination, and collaboration regarding the recent Ministerial announcement on thermal coal and climate change.
• From the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada to the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council for research in the field of impact assessment.
  • Transfer of $155,000 from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada to the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council (NSERC) for supplemental funding for research in the field of impact assessment. This transfer is part of a three-year agreement, wherein the Agency agrees to support up to a maximum of $205,000 annually. Funding will be used to supplement successful existing NSERC award holders undertaking research related to the field of impact assessment. This will contribute to the implementation of the Agency’s Research Program, which aims to support the new impact assessment system by providing research and evidence related to the field of impact assessment, to forge partnerships, and to disseminate knowledge.

IAAC’s 2021-2022 Supplementary Estimates C

Supplementary Estimates (C), 2021-22 – Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

Q1. IAAC’s 2021–2022 Supplementary Estimates are $845,000, could you elaborate on the composition of these Estimates?

• Yes, the Agency has two minor funding requests through Supplementary Estimates (C), both interdepartmental transfers:
  1. From Environment and Climate Change Canada to the Agency for three objectives: to assist in the administration of funding for the Regional Information and Monitoring Network for the Ottawa River Watershed initiative; to supplement an unanticipated increase in workload for the Agency’s Cabinet Affairs unit stemming from the new expanded mandate; and, to provide support on the public policy statement on thermal coal mining.
  2. To Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council to supplemental funding for research in the field of impact assessment.
• These two items have a net total $845,000 for 2021–2022.

Q2. What is the impact of these Estimates on the Agency’s authorities for 2021–2022?

• There is a net increase to $82.8 million, primarily a result in the increase in operating expenditures.

Overview of Parks Canada Agency’s 2021-2022 Supplementary Estimates C

Issue

• The Supplementary Estimates (C) is the last opportunity for Parks Canada to make adjustments to its 2021-22 reference levels.
• Parks Canada is seeking to increase its reference levels in the amount of $14,772,949 through these Supplementary Estimates.

Points to register

• Through the 2021-22 Supplementary Estimates (C), the Agency is seeking to increase its reference levels in the amount of approximately $14.8 million.
• The $14.8 million is composed of:
  • A voted spending authority amount of $13.1 million (89%) in program expenditures (Vote 1);
  • A statutory amount of $1.7 million (11%) for the contributions to employees benefit plans.
• Items included in these Estimates are:
  • $7.5 million for the wildfire and flood preparedness and response capacity
  • $2.1 million for the archeology and conservation of the Wrecks of HMS Terror National Historic Site;
  • $1.5 million for the Indigenous Affairs Negotiations;
  • $1 million for the government advertising programs capacity;
  • $0.4 million to advance reconciliation with the Innu of Labrador;
  • $0.3 million to implement the Inuit and Impact Benefit Agreement for the Wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror National Historic Site;
  • $0.4 million in transfers with other organizations; and
  • $1.7 million for the contributions to employees benefit plans related to new salary funding received.
• These Estimates also include adjustments that do not change the Agency’s reference level: a vote transfer in the amount of $0.9 million to the New Parks and Historic Sites Account to support the establishment of the Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve; and an internal reallocation of resources in the amount of $1.8 million from contributions to the Grant to implement the establishment agreement related to Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve.

Background/description of items

Parks Canada’s 2021-22 Supplementary Estimates (C) total $14.8 million as per table below:

Description of items

(A) New funding – Total increase of $14,375,872:

1. Funding for wildfire and flood preparedness and response capacity: $7,490,879 (plus $1,194,696 EBP for a total of $8,685,575)

This funding will support the Enhancing Wildfire Resilience of Parks Canada's Protected Areas program focused on prevention and response measures for wildfires that originate in, traverse through, or otherwise threaten Parks Canada administered lands and adjacent communities. It is part of a program that will collectively help Canada better understand, be resilient to, and protected from, natural hazards by improving availability and access to crucial data and mapping, as well as increasing operational capacity to prevent and respond to wildfires. Parks Canada will use the incremental funding to enhance capacity and expand its existing National Fire Management program. Activities will focus on strengthening the wildfire resilience of PCA’s protected areas, including the safety of visitors and the protection of built facilities, natural and cultural assets, ecosystems and wildlife, for which PCA has responsibility.

Budget 2021 provided new resources for wildfire of $52.5 million over five years. The $8.7 million, composed of $7.5 million in voted program expenditures and $1.2 million in EBP, in this Supplementary Estimates (C) represents the first year of this additional investment.

2. Archaeology and conservation of the Wrecks of HMS Erebus and Terror National Historic Site: $2,099,061 (plus $142,452 EBP for a total of $2,242,053)

The discovery of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror has provided Parks Canada and Inuit with an opportunity to work together to better understand one of the greatest Canadian maritime mysteries of all time. Funding is required to increase resources and capacity to ensure the success of one of the largest, most complex archaeological initiatives in Canada’s history.

Since 2014, the wreck of HMS Erebus has been studied by Parks Canada underwater archaeologists in consultation with Inuit. Archaeological study of the wreck of HMS Terror began in 2016. All research at both wrecks has required complex logistical fieldwork operations, including diving, under very challenging environmental conditions.

There is an urgent need to act as the impacts on HMS Erebus are becoming more pronounced, with reduced ice cover over the last few years. An accelerated archeology and conservation program is required to mitigate reputational risk to the Government of Canada that accepted the exceptional gift of the Wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror and artifacts from the United Kingdom with the understanding they would be managed and protected by Parks Canada.

Budget 2021 provided $15 million over four years in new funding for this initiative. The $2.2 million, composed of $2.1 million in voted program expenditures and $0.1 million in EBP, in this Supplementary Estimates (C) represents the first year of the investments.

3. Indigenous Affairs Negotiations: $1,476,668 (plus $299,565 EBP for a total of $1,776,233)

The Government of Canada has committed to a renewed relationship with Indigenous peoples. Negotiations with Indigenous peoples provide an opportunity to implement rights and advance reconciliation while reducing litigation risks, building partnerships and advancing mutual priorities. As the manager of 88% of federal lands, nearly 36 million hectares, Parks Canada is uniquely positioned to advance reconciliation by supporting Indigenous decision-making in environmental protection, access to significant cultural sites and practices, and intergenerational cultural continuity through protection of and access to natural and cultural heritage.

Since the introduction of the Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination processes in 2017, the number of tables demanding Parks Canada’s participation has more than doubled. Budget 2021 provided additional funding to Parks Canada of about $2 million annually to support a more proactive and timely approach to Indigenous negotiations.

4. Funding for government advertising programs (horizontal item): $1,000,000

This funding will support Parks Canada's Visitation and Conservation National Campaign which aims to promote visitation to Parks Canada administered places, protection of Canada's heritage places and to support safe and sustainable tourism recovery. The campaign, leveraging the 450 000km² of memories tagline, will invite Canadians to experience some of the best outdoor and cultural experiences that our country has to offer and emphasize Parks Canada administered places as prime tourism destinations by presenting the beauty and value in visiting these protected places.

5. Funding to advance reconciliation with the Innu of Labrador – Incremental Treaty Agreements on Fisheries and Parks: $393,121 (plus $28,890 EBP for a total of $422,011)

This new ongoing funding supports an Incremental Treaty Agreement (ITA) relating to the cooperative management of the Akami-uapishku – KakKasuak - Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve, pending the conclusion of a final Treaty Agreement.

Within the modern treaty negotiations, the Innu signed a Park Impacts and Benefits Agreement (PIBA) with Parks Canada for the cooperative management of the Akami-uapishku – KakKasuak - Mealy Mountains National Park Reserve in 2015. This agreement was based on all parties’ expectations that treaty negotiations would conclude shortly thereafter. Treaty negotiations, however, are ongoing and not expected to conclude before 2025, or come into effect prior to 2028. Hence the approach is to proceed with an Incremental Treaty Agreement (ITA) in the interim, until a final agreement is concluded.

6. Funding to implement the Inuit and Impact Benefit Agreement for the Wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror National Historic Site: $250,000

The Nunavut Agreement legally binds Canada to enter into Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreements (IIBA) for National Historic Sites in the Nunavut Settlement Area. IIBA negotiations between Parks Canada and Kitikmeot Inuit Association for the Wrecks of HMS Erebus and HMS Terror NHS IIBA began in 2016. This funding will enable the ratification of the IIBA by April 1, 2022 and support its implementation which include the establishment of a cooperatively managed, Inuit-led and operated national historic site with direct benefits to Inuit.

(B) Transfers with Other Government Departments – Total increase of $397,077:

1. Transfer from the Department of Natural Resources to Parks Canada Agency to support the planting of 150,000 trees in 2021 in 18 parks from coast to coast: $660,410

This transfer from Natural Resources Canada will support Government of Canada's commitment to address climate change and protect biodiversity. This funding will help Parks Canada to plant 150,000 trees in Parks Canada administered places in 2021. The initiative contributes to a larger campaign led by NRCan to plant 2 billion trees over the next 10 years.

2. Transfer from Parks Canada Agency to the Department of Transport to return unused funds related to the Transportation Assets Risk Assessment (TARA) initiative: -$255,000

The $255,000 was originally expected to be used by PCA to undertake projects under the Transport Assets Risk Assessment (TARA) initiative. Due to changing financial profiles and scope modifications of PCA's Tara projects over several years, this surplus remained unused by PCA in the final fiscal year of TARA operations. The amount is to be returned to Transport Canada and used to support other projects and activities under the TARA initiative.

3. Transfer from Parks Canada Agency to the Treasury Board Secretariat for the Financial Community Developmental Programs and the Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility initiative: -$8,333

Departmental contributions to the Financial Community Developmental Programs and Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility (IDEA) initiative.

(C) Other Adjustments – No change to reference levels:

1. Internal reallocation of resources to support the creation, expansion and designation of new National Historic Sites, National Parks, National Marine Conservation Areas and other Protected Heritage Areas

Parks Canada is seeking to transfer $910,786 Vote 1 Program expenditures to Vote 5 Payment to the New Parks and Historic Sites Account. The vote transfer of $910,786 is related to the purchase of a vessel which will be one of the primary support platforms essential to fulfilling requirements of Parks Canada’s operational mandate in Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve.

The NPHS Account is a special purpose account that provides the Agency with the ability to set aside funds for new or expanded national historic sites, national parks, national marine conservation areas and other protected areas. Funds are deposited into the New Parks and

Historic Sites Account in order to protect the funding required for use at a future date and honor the Agency’s commitment for the establishment, enlargement or designation of national historic sites, national parks, national marine conservation areas or other protected heritage areas.

Grants and contributions

1. Grant to implement the establishment agreement related to Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve

The grant funding will fulfill the Agency’s commitment under the Establishment Agreement signed with the Yellowknives Dene for the establishment of Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve, within their territory. Funding will be transferred from existing contributions through Supplementary Estimates (C).

PCA’s 2021-2022 Supplementary Estimates C

Supplementary Estimates (C), 2021-22 – Parks Canada Agency