Nature, wildlife and conserved areas: Appearance before the Standing Committee – March 27, 2023
Highly pathogenic avian influenza
Q1. What is avian influenza?
Avian influenza (AI) virus, often called "bird flu or avian flu”, is a contagious viral infection that affects primarily domestic and wild birds, and occasionally mammals, including humans.
Many strains occur naturally in wild birds, particularly in waterfowl such as ducks, geese, and swans, and circulate in migratory populations without causing disease.
Currently, the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 circulating in Canada is a variant of the virus that originated in domestic poultry. HPAI H5N1 is causing unprecedented mortality in wild and domestic birds across the globe.
Q2. Will mass mortality from HPAI impact wild bird populations?
To date, it is estimated that >45,000 wild birds have died from HPAI in Canada since the beginning of the outbreak in late 2021.
The level of mortality observed in some species of migratory birds is high enough to have potential conservation implications.
Given continued detections and spread of HPAI in wintering grounds of North, Central, and South America observed through international reporting, a resurgence of cases is expected in spring 2023 with the arrival of northward migrating birds. Surveillance results indicate that HPAI peaks in spring and fall due to large congregations of migrating birds that increase transmission.
Q3. What actions is the Government of Canada taking to respond to the outbreak of HPAI?
Federal agencies and departments, including Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, the Public Health Agency of Canada, Indigenous Services Canada, Parks Canada, along with partners such as provinces and territories, Indigenous governments, the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative (CWHC) and academic institutions, are taking a One Health approach to implement multi-sectoral actions related to wild birds and domestic operations.
Actions include disease surveillance, communication, scientific research and management activities, while working to ensure Canadians are informed on the status of the virus, and on biosecurity and health measures.
The severity of the HPAI outbreak required ECCC to divert staff and funds from other programs, including over 23 Full Time Equivalents, $1 million in operational budgets, and $615,000 in Grants and Contributions awarded to the CWHC.
In preparation for continued outbreaks, ECCC is tracking global movement patterns of HPAI and is conducting disease surveillance in migratory birds to understand geographic spread and transmission routes of HPAI, disease immunity in migratory birds, virus evolution, and threats to the conservation of migratory bird populations.
Activities used in the poultry industry such as depopulation of facilities and vaccination are not feasible or recommended at this time for wild birds. The Food and Agriculture Organization, the World Organization for Animal Health have stated that culling wild birds is not indicated or effective in preventing the spread of HPAI viruses.
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
Q1. What is the Government doing to implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework?
We are facing an unprecedented biodiversity crisis with more than 1 million species facing extinction globally, including over 650 at-risk species in Canada. This rapid decline of biodiversity is threatening the foundations of our economy, food security, health, and quality of life.
The main outcome of the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties in December 2022, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, consists of four global goals and 23 global targets to coordinate and drive international efforts to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and put nature on a path to recovery by 2030. The Framework also addresses direct drivers of global biodiversity loss (land- and sea-use change, overexploitation of species, invasive alien species, pollution, and climate change), as well as indirect drivers of biodiversity loss such as unsustainable production and consumption, and subsidies that are harmful to biodiversity.
Implementing the Framework will have implications for all levels of government and all sectors of society. Achieving our biodiversity goals will require a whole-of-government, whole-of-society approach. To enable this, we are developing a 2030 National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), in collaboration with provinces, territories, Indigenous representatives and other partners and stakeholders, building on the plan to conserve 25% of Canada’s lands and oceans by 2025 and 30% of each by 2030. This NBSAP will go beyond protected and conserved areas to cover all aspects of nature conservation and sustainable use and will be an opportunity to demonstrate domestic ambition and continued leadership on nature conservation and climate action. ECCC will launch formal engagement on the strategy in May 2023.
The Government of Canada is committed to taking ambitious actions to restore and protect the natural safety net granted by biodiversity, and we won’t be starting from scratch. We have and continue to make historic investments to nature. This includes investing over $5 billion over 10 years in Natural Climate Solutions to plant 2 billion trees and to conserve, restore and better manage wetlands, grasslands, forests and agricultural lands. These efforts will benefit biodiversity, build resilience in our ecosystems and nature-based economic sectors, and contribute to Canada’s 2030 and 2050 climate goals.
The Government also committed $4.1 billion to nature protection in Budget 2021, including $2.3 billion over 5 years to support Canada’s Nature Legacy. Taken together with funding provided for the Nature Legacy Initiative announced in 2018, this represents the largest investment in nature conservation in Canada’s history.
If pressed RE developing a federal Biodiversity Act
We will explore all potential tools that will help us to meet our nature objectives, including potential new legislative tools. A Biodiversity Act is at the ideas stage.
Nature-based climate solutions
Q1. What action is Canada taking to address the dual crises of biodiversity loss and climate change?
Canada is investing over $5 billion over ten years (2021-2031) to deliver nature-based climate solutions in forests, grasslands, wetlands, and agricultural lands. This investment includes planting 2 billion trees, restoring degraded ecosystems, improving land management practices, and conserving land at risk of conversion to other uses. These efforts will benefit biodiversity, build resilience in our ecosystems and nature-based economic sectors, create green jobs, and contribute to Canada’s 2030 and 2050 climate goals. This work will build on existing successful initiatives, complement other federal programs, and draw on strong partnerships to ensure its effectiveness.
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Agriculture and Agri-food Canada, and Natural Resources Canada are working together to deliver on the Natural Climate Solutions Fund. In addition to tree planting, working to restore, better manage, and conserve ecosystems, and promoting the adoption of environmentally-friendly farming practices, the Fund includes investments in research, monitoring, science, and reporting to better understand and track greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions from funded activities.
The 2020 Fall Economic Statement provided ECCC with $631 million for 2021-2031 to support projects that collectively reduce GHG emissions by 2-4 megatons annually while providing a host of biodiversity and other benefits. Specifically, funding will support projects that conserve, restore and enhance wetlands, peatlands, and grasslands to store and capture carbon, with direct benefits for migratory birds, species at risk and other species of cultural and/or socio-economic importance to local communities. The initiative also supports Indigenous organizations and communities to undertake Indigenous-led, on-the-ground projects for ecological restoration that result in reduced and captured GHG emissions. As of February 2023, ECCC has funded 81 projects for a total of $188M.
Further, to enhance the potential for the natural environment to store carbon and reduce emissions, through Budget 2022, ECCC received $780 million over eight years, starting in 2023-24 to expand the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund. This additional funding will aim to deliver 3 megatons in greenhouse gas emission reductions annually by 2030.
Combined, the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund is a $1.4 billion fund ending in 2031 and aiming to reduce GHG emissions by 5 to 7 megatons annually by 2023.
Q2. How is Canada encouraging Nature-Based Climate Solutions globally?
Canada is advocating for coordinated global action to address both climate change and biodiversity loss. Canada will allocate at least 20% of its $5.3-billion climate finance commitment to nature-based climate solutions and biodiversity co-benefits in developing countries over the next five years.
This represents more than CA$1 billion. The Prime Minister announced at COP26 that Canada would provide $15 million in support for the Ocean Risk and Resilience Action Alliance and the Global Fund for Coral Reefs. This funding will help developing countries build domestic capacity to take climate action, build resilience, and advance adaptation efforts while also increasing biodiversity.
Canada is also very pleased that its efforts to ensure that the important role of nature-based solutions is recognized in the new Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework paid off, and the Framework looks to address the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change.
Protected and conserved areas
Q1. Why has the government committed to conserving 30% by 2030, and is achieving this commitment feasible?
The world is facing the unprecedented crisis of biodiversity loss and climate change. Canada is committed to addressing the twin crises and recognizes the important role of nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based approaches.
The most recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report suggests that maintaining the resilience of biodiversity and ecosystem services at a global scale depends on effective and equitable conservation of approximately 30% to 50% of the Earth’s land, freshwater and ocean areas.
As host to COP15 in December 2022, Canada is proud to have welcomed the world to Montreal, and played an integral role in fostering consensus among 196 Parties to secure an agreement on a global framework to conserve 30% of lands and oceans by 2030, and halt and reverse the loss of nature around the world: the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
30% by 2030 is an ambitious goal—as of December 2022, approximately 13.6% of terrestrial and 14.7% of ocean areas have been conserved or protected in Canada. Budget 2021 investments set the stage to meet this goal and work is underway.
Additionally, at COP15 the Prime Minister announced funding of up to $800 million to support up to four Indigenous-led Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) initiatives. This work represents a significant reconciliation initiative with Indigenous peoples, underscored by significant conservation and protection of lands and waters. These 4 PFP’s could contribute up to 1 million km2 of protected lands and waters in Canada toward the 30% by 2030 target.
In Canada, working with partners is essential, as land available for conservation and protection are under diverse jurisdictions. Protected and conserved areas are therefore established in close collaboration with Indigenous peoples; provincial, territorial, and municipal governments; non-government organizations; philanthropic foundations and the private sector.
As set out in the Minister’s mandate letter, Canada’s plan is grounded in science, Indigenous knowledge and local perspectives. A variety of tools are used to achieve a diverse portfolio of protected and conserved areas, including federally protected areas, other effective area-based conservation measures, and Indigenous-led area-based conservation.
Q2. What is Canada doing to support protected and conserved areas establishment?
Since 2017, Canada has increased its protected terrestrial and inland water areas by more than 28%. During this time, Canada has protected and conserved over 300,000 km2, which is equivalent to over 3% of Canada and an area the size of Italy. As of December 2022, 13.6% of lands and inland waters have been protected. On the marine side, Canada has protected 14.7% of our marine and coastal areas, an increase of 0.5% since 2015.
Canada’s protected and conserved area standards are based on International Union for Conservation of Nature guidance and managed to ensure the long-term sustainability of the areas’ natural qualities and amenities.
Within Canada, lands can be counted towards our area-based conservation targets if they are considered a protected area or an Other Effective area-based Conservation Measure (OECM). Both types of conservation action deliver enduring conservation; however, conservation is not necessarily the primary use at a site that is considered an OECM.
As part of the Government’s commitment to the conservation targets, Budget 2021 provided funding to Parks Canada to establish 10 new national marine conservation areas, 10 new national parks and 4 new freshwater national marine conservation areas, and to acquire the land needed to expand and complete existing national parks as well as $130 million to work with partners to create a network of national urban parks. Budget 2021 also provided funding to ECCC to protect and expand Canada’s national wildlife areas.
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) supports protected and conserved areas work through funding for third party initiatives on public and private lands, as well as expanding our federally managed network of National Wildlife Areas and Migratory Bird Sanctuaries, managed through regulations under the Canada Wildlife Act and the Migratory Birds Convention Act.
ECCC’s current network includes 92 Migratory Bird Sanctuaries and 57 National Wildlife Areas and covers a terrestrial and marine area of 151,103 km2. Parks Canada’s network includes 47 national parks, 5 national marine conservation areas and the Rouge National Urban Park that protect and conserve approximately 464,000 km2 of Canada’s lands and marine waters and coastlines.
Q3. What is the current status of protection of Canada’s terrestrial and marine areas?
The Government of Canada has achieved 13.5% protection of terrestrial areas and inland waters to date. Parks Canada’s 47 national parks and 2 freshwater national marine conservation areas (NMCAs) contribute 3.53% towards the 13.5% total, accounting for over 25% of the total.
This represents 75% of the federal contribution and is the largest contribution of any province, territory or federal organization to the terrestrial conservation target.
Currently, 14.66% of Canada’s marine waters are protected. Parks Canada-managed national marine conservation areas and national parks with marine components contribute 2.12% of this value, making the Agency the second-largest contributor of any province, territory or federal organization.
Parks Canada’s largest contribution to the marine conservation targets is the 108,000 km2 Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area, which contributes approximately 1.9% to the target.
Q4. How will Parks Canada contribute to the achievement of the Government Canada target to conserve 25% of Canada’s land, inland waters, and marine areas by 2025 and 30% by 2030?
Land and Inland Waters
Budget 2021 allocated to Parks Canada $192.7 million over five years to create 10 new national parks and 4 new freshwater national marine conservation areas that will be co-managed with Indigenous governments and communities, and to acquire the land needed to expand and complete existing national parks. This funding will result in the protection of about 300,000 km2 or 3 per cent to the government’s target of protecting 25 per cent of Canada’s terrestrial lands and freshwater by 2025.
Negotiations for formal establishment agreements are already underway for two new national park reserves.
Parks Canada is working with B.C. and the Syilx / Okanagan Nation to establish a national park reserve in the South Okanagan–Similkameen.
Parks Canada is working with the Epekwitk Assembly of Councils to establish a new national park reserve in Pituamkek (Bee-doo um Gek)/Hog-Island Sandhills chain in northwestern PEI.
The intent to assess the feasibility of a national park reserve in northern Manitoba was announced in December 2022.
7 additional sites have been identified and discussions are underway with provincial/territorial governments and Indigenous governments and communities.
4 potential freshwater NMCA sites have been identified.
Marine Areas
Under Budget 2021, the Government of Canada made an historic investment in protecting the health of Canada’s oceans, including $976.8 million over five years to reach ambitious marine conservation targets. Of this, Parks Canada was allocated $53.6 million to undertake feasibility assessments and negotiations leading to the establishment of 10 new national marine conservation areas that would contribute 230,000 km2 or at least 4 % to the 25 % by 2025 target.
In February 2023 at the Fifth International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC5), Parks Canada announced the launch of the new Policy to guide the establishment and management of National Marine Conservation Areas (NMCAs) and he reiterated the government’s commitment to create 10 new NMCAs to help protect 25% of Canada’s waters by 2025 while ensuring this work is grounded in science, Indigenous knowledge, and local perspectives.
Parks Canada currently has eight active proposals for new national marine conservation areas across Canada. Of these, six are in the process of undertaking a feasibility assessment.
In April 2022, Parks Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador announced that they would negotiate a memorandum of understanding to launch a feasibility assessment for a national marine conservation area to protect the South Coast Fjords offshore southwestern Newfoundland, along with a proposal for an adjacent national park.
In February 2022, Parks Canada and the Nunatsiavut Government announced a commitment to complete a feasibility assessment for the Torngats Area of Interest, a marine area adjacent to the Torngat Mountains National Park in northern Labrador.
In August 2021, Parks Canada and several First Nations and the Province of British Columbia announced the launch of a feasibility assessment for a new national marine conservation area reserve for the Central Coast.
In August 2021, a feasibility study was launched with Indigenous communities for a national marine conservation area in Western James Bay and Southwestern Hudson Bay.
In working towards these new national marine conservation areas, Parks Canada will ensure that this work remains grounded in science, Indigenous knowledge, and local perspectives, and will result in co-management agreements with Indigenous governments and communities.
Q5. How does Canada support Indigenous stewardship of the lands and waters within protected areas?
The Government of Canada is committed to enabling Indigenous peoples to fulfill their roles as traditional stewards of lands and waters within protected areas, and Parks Canada places a priority on working collaboratively with Indigenous governments and communities in establishment and co-management of new protected areas.
Many Indigenous governments and communities have expressed a desire to see additional sites established as national parks and national marine conservation areas. For example, the Mi’kmaq of PEI are working with Parks Canada to protect a traditional area and sacred place as a new national park reserve.
Parks Canada places a priority on working with Indigenous peoples to establish new national marine conservation areas, as seen in the recently launched feasibility assessments on Central Coast, Western James Bay and Southwestern Hudson Bay, and the Torngats Area-of-Interest: all of these projects are being undertaken in partnership and collaboration with Indigenous peoples.
Parks Canada provides funding to support Indigenous leadership in national projects through contribution agreements.
Parks Canada’s commitment to enabling Indigenous peoples to fulfill their roles as traditional stewards of waters has resulted in many Indigenous governments and communities expressing a desire to see additional sites established as national marine conservation areas.
In a recent example, the project of protecting marine areas of western James Bay and Southwestern Hudson Bay was brought forward to Parks Canada by the leadership of the Mushkegowuk Council. The Council unanimously agreed that the area requires protection and sought partnership with Parks Canada to collaborate and work towards the establishment of the area as a national marine conservation area.
Parks Canada and the Nunatsiavut Government are jointly assessing the feasibility of establishing an Indigenous protected area under the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act offshore northern Labrador; this is the first time Parks Canada has committed to an Indigenous protected area from the start of the process.
Species at risk
Q1. What is the Government doing to support species at risk?
We are committed to the protection and recovery of Canada’s species at risk and their habitats based on sound science and Indigenous knowledge.
We are committed to fulfilling our statutory obligations under the Species at Risk Act SARA. These include developing recovery strategies in partnership with provinces and territories, including the identification of critical habitat.
Budget 2021 committed $2.3 billion over five years – the largest investment in nature conservation in Canada’s history. This historic investment will strengthen the protection and recovery of species at risk and their habitats.
Our investments and engagement are enabling real, on-the ground action to achieve better outcomes for species at risk such as caribou, polar bear and Old Growth-dependent species at risk like Spotted Owl and Marbled Murrelet.
We seek to achieve species benefits in all our conservation efforts, be that establishing new protected areas, working with our colleagues in the United States on our shared migratory bird priorities or demonstrating leadership on the international stage.
At home, we will continue to partner with Indigenous peoples to advance conservation actions in a manner that reflects their unique needs, priorities, rights, knowledge, and respecting our collective efforts towards reconciliation.
Q2. What is the Government doing for caribou?
Provinces and territories have the primary responsibility to manage lands and wildlife on non-federal land. The Government of Canada is working in cooperation with provinces, territories, wildlife management boards, Indigenous peoples, and stakeholders to implement actions to protect at-risk caribou species and their habitat, and to achieve positive conservation outcomes.
The Government of Canada has been actively working with provinces and territories, and Indigenous peoples, to negotiate and implement conservation agreements to advance the conservation and recovery of caribou.
To date, 11 conservation agreements have been signed with provinces, territories and Indigenous communities to support the advancement of caribou recovery. Most recently, Canada has signed an agreement with the provinces of Manitoba (February 2023) and Ontario (April 2022), as well as an agreement with Mikisew Cree First Nation and Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (March 2022). Negotiations are underway with Quebec for an agreement that would include measures to support the protection and recovery of caribou.
These agreements aim to deliver tangible on-the-ground actions, with a focus on conservation measures that will improve outcomes for caribou including habitat restoration and protection. In particular, Canada is seeking commitments to range planning or similar approaches that outline a path to achieving self-sustaining local caribou populations. The Government is also supporting these activities by providing financial support through contribution agreements with Indigenous peoples and stakeholders.
Through its historic investments in nature in 2018 and 2021, the Government of Canada has and will continue to advance a number of on-the-ground initiatives to support boreal caribou recovery, many of which are implemented in collaboration with Indigenous peoples. Canada’s 2 Billion Trees program will also contribute to the conservation and restoration of caribou habitat.
Parks Canada has taken concrete steps to reduce threats to southern mountain caribou and create better conditions for their survival and recovery. A Budget 2021 investment of $24M over 5 years from the Enhanced Nature Legacy Initiative is supporting the assessment, engagement and detailed design of a conservation breeding facility to rebuild caribou herds in Jasper National Park. Parks Canada could begin to bring wild caribou into this new conservation breeding facility as early as 2025.
Q3. What is the government doing for caribou in Quebec?
We have been working with the Government of Quebec since 2018 to support its boreal caribou conservation efforts and improve recovery outcomes for the species, including through two agreements between 2018 and 2022. We could only transfer $4.28M of the $11.6M agreed to, for the period 2018 and 2023, to support activities that Quebec had undertaken because the province considerably reduced its ambition.
The Government of Canada indicated our intention to fulfill our regulatory obligations under the Species at Risk Act regarding the protection of the species and its habitat unless there is a clear commitment to negotiating an agreement that would advance and secure caribou recovery in Quebec. Quebec and Canada are currently engaging in negotiations on a broader agreement on biodiversity conservation that would include boreal caribou and protected areas.
We have also invested $19M since 2013 for conservation projects by Indigenous communities and organizations in Quebec, including newly signed agreements funded until 2026. These projects include Indigenous-led protected areas in boreal caribou habitat and a wide variety of conservation measures like habitat restoration, predator control, scientific research and more.
Q4. What is the Government doing for Caribou in Ontario?
On April 21, 2022, the governments of Canada and Ontario signed a conservation agreement for boreal caribou under sections 10 and 11 of the Species at Risk Act.
The agreement includes important new commitments for habitat restoration activities, exploring opportunities for increased habitat protection, refinement and alignment of evidence-based approaches to managing caribou, monitoring and reporting, and Indigenous and stakeholder collaboration.
The agreement is an important step to achieve positive conservation outcomes for boreal caribou in Ontario and will enable a collaborative approach, as well as federal investments in caribou conservation in Ontario.
ECCC committed over $5M in the first year of the agreement, and implementation of conservation measures is underway. ECCC has confirmed the availability of $15M for years 2-4 of the agreement, and further support for those years, in addition to year 5, is being discussed.
ECCC officials will be closely monitoring the implementation of the conservation measures laid out in the agreement, which will be publicly reported on annually as led by the Government of Ontario.
ECCC has additionally provided approximately $3.77M since 2008 for 19 projects in Ontario where caribou benefitted directly or indirectly.
Q5. What is the Government doing for Western Chorus Frog?
The government has taken urgent measures to protect important habitat for the western chorus frog from the threat of urban development in La Prairie and in Longueuil, part of the Montreal Metropolitan Community.
In addition, we have orders in place on our own federal lands to ensure the critical habitat for the species is protected.
We have also made investments in numerous projects like breeding and re-introduction programs that aim to conserve and recover the species across Ontario and Quebec.
ECCC continues to advance collaborative outcomes for protecting and recovering the species through the Pan-Canadian Approach to Transforming Species at Risk Conservation in Canada.
ECCC continues to protect and manage the species’ critical habitat on federal lands through compliance promotion and permitting.
Q6. What is the Government doing for old growth-dependent species in B.C., including Spotted Owl?
British Columbia’s old growth forests are home to many species at risk, including Spotted Owl, Marbled Murrelet, southern mountain caribou, and Northern Goshawk.
The federal government is committed to collaborating towards the recovery and protection of these forest-dependent species at risk in British Columbia.
This includes negotiation of a Trilateral Nature Agreement with the province and Indigenous partners. The agreement will help all parties to better protect and restore habitats, including old growth forests, improve ecosystem resilience, and advance the recovery of species at risk.
It also includes the mandate letter commitment to work with the province to establish a $50 million Old Growth Nature Fund that incents third party funding, supports Indigenous community leadership in conservation, and protects hectares.
Old growth forests and the species dependent on them are found primarily on provincial lands, and we continue to look first to the province to protect and recover species at risk on those lands and to manage its forestry sector.
While the federal government continues to prioritize collaborative work with the province and partners on these issues, the Minister of Environment will use the authorities outlined in federal legislation if British Columbia protection efforts are determined to be ineffective.
With respect to Spotted Owl in particular, the Minister recently determined that the species is facing imminent threats to its survival and recovery, and he is now taking steps to fulfil his obligations under the Species at Risk Act.
Environment and Climate Change Canada is leading a series of consultations with the Government of British Columbia and Indigenous communities. The latter will include taking steps to respect First Nations’ title and rights.
Following this process, the Minister will make a recommendation to the Governor in Council for measures to protect Spotted Owl.
2 Billion Trees
Q1. Why aren’t more of the 2 Billion trees already planted?
The Minister of Natural Resources (NRCan), with support from the Minister of Environment and Climate Change (ECCC), was mandated to develop and implement a plan to plant two billion trees over the next 10 years as part of a broader commitment to nature-based climate solutions. This program was officially launched in February 2021 with federal funds secured in the 2020 fall economic statement.
The process to get from seeds to trees is complex and involves multiple activities from seed collection, to nursery operations, to site preparation, and finally to tree planting, which takes several years for our partner organizations. Many of these activities are seasonal, some of which can occur only 4 to 5 months per year.
Tree planting also requires careful planning to ensure the right tree is planted in the right place for the right reasons. Different species and sizes of trees are required in different planting sites across the country.
This is why planting 2 billion trees will take several years to ramp up. The Program has been designed to plant incrementally more trees in every planting year than the year before. By ramping up planting activities every year Canada will meet its target of 2 billion trees planted over 10 years.
In 2021, partners of the 2 Billion Trees (2BT) program successfully achieved planting approximately 29M trees (97% of the 30M trees planned for the 2021 planting season), representing more than 150 species, planted at more than 500 sites across Canada. Going forward the Government of Canada will enter into longer-term agreements to secure planting over 10 years. After a ramp up, by 2026 the program aims to plant 250-350M trees annually. This is in addition to the 500M already planted in Canada each year.
The exact number of trees planted will be reported by our partners after all of their planting activities are completed. Final results for the 2022 tree planting season will be available in spring 2023.
Q2. What has been done to secure large scale, long-term agreements with partners?
To provide the flexibility and stability to eligible partners, including Indigenous communities and partners, municipalities and for- and non-profit organizations, online call for proposals has been launched in December 2022.
Applicants can submit their tree planting applications at any time through this ongoing call for proposals. The program will provide decisions at four periods in 2023 – July, August, October, and December.
The ongoing call for proposals will help secure multi-year agreements and create long-term stability for contracts and supply chains, including nursery operations and human resources.
Q3. How does ECCC support the 2 Billion Trees program?
In addition to mitigating the impacts of climate change and providing jobs, the 2BT program will also support the restoration of nature and biodiversity. Tree planting activities especially in forested habitat critical for species at risk and other species of conservation interest (such as boreal and southern mountain caribou and migratory birds) will facilitate the recovery and restoration of degraded ecosystems and contribute to biodiversity conservation.
Since the inception of the program ECCC has been working closely with NRCan and other partners – including the provinces and territories – to ensure the 2BT program maximizes biodiversity and conservation benefits.
Furthermore, ECCC is providing scientific expertise, data, and strategic advice to develop policies, identify areas for synergies, review applications, and evaluate horizontal program linkages. This includes ensuring the program alignment with other governmental initiatives such as Enhanced Nature Legacy and the wider Nature-based Climate Solutions program and leveraging ongoing conservation efforts such as section 11 agreements under the Species at Risk Act.
ECCC will continue to actively engage with NRCan, the provinces and territories, and other partners to align priorities, achieve mutual benefits and goals, and advance nature outcomes.
Q4. What will the funding Parks Canada is receiving in the Main Estimates be used for?
The $2,800,000 transfer from the Department of Natural Resources to Parks Canada Agency included in Parks Canada’s 2023-242 Main Estimates is to support the planting of 163,020 trees in Parks Canada-administered places from coast to coast in 2023. This transfer supports the Government of Canada’s commitment to address climate change and protect biodiversity.
Parks Canada worked with local community groups to plant approximately 80,000 trees in or near 17 Parks Canada sites in 2022. This included 2,822 trees planted in Rouge National Urban Park, 14,030 trees in Waterton Lakes National Park, and pilot seed collection projects at nine national parks.
Q5. What is Parks Canada doing to support the 2 billion trees commitment, and is Parks Canada part of the over $4 billion Natural Climate Solutions Fund?
Parks Canada is part of the Natural Climate Solutions Fund. The Agency is currently working with partners to develop long-term planting plans for the next eight years at Parks Canada sites across the country.
Parks Canada is committed to planting trees in ways that enhance biodiversity and ecological integrity and capture carbon. Tree planting takes time and requires the careful selection of site, seed source, and species.
Parks Canada expects to increase planting efforts over the next nine years. Rouge National Urban Park intends to plant 45,000 trees each year over the next eight years. This project will enhance biodiversity and ecological connectivity in an urban landscape.
Gros Morne National Park is planning to plant up to 2 million trees over the next six years as part of a project to restore boreal forest degraded by years of high moose numbers. This project is following a climate smart approach and will provide important habitat for migrating songbirds and a variety of species at risk.
Q6. How can the 2 billion trees commitment support Parks Canada’s new priorities on ecological corridors and national urban parks?
Ecological corridors and national urban parks may be designated in areas where fragmented habitat or degraded lands need restoration to increase their ability to support biodiversity conservation as well as climate change adaptation.
As sites for ecological corridors and national urban parks are identified, the 2 billion trees commitment could support these priorities by working with Parks Canada to assess where the planting of trees would contribute to improve the natural state and/or ecological function of these sites.
Wildfire and flood preparedness
Q1. What is the Federal Flood Hazard Identification and Mapping Program?
Budget 2021 provided $63.8M over three years for the Federal Flood Hazard Identification and Mapping Program, a joint initiative between Natural Resources Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Public Safety Canada, to work with provinces and territories to complete flood maps for higher-risk areas in Canada.
The program will provide flood data and maps for communities in Canada at higher risk of flooding. This information will help keep Canadians safer from floods as it supports flood prevention, mitigation, response, and planning activities.
As part of this program, ECCC received $13.4 million over three years to advance flood mapping practices and support the development of flood maps that integrate climate change and uncertainty. In particular, ECCC is:
Working with colleagues in the Provinces and Territories to set up a community of practice for floodplain mapping;
collaborating with academics to advance science to incorporate climate change considerations into floodplain mapping;
developing the methodology to provide, improve, and support the historical reanalysis of conditions and streamflow information; and
providing water science and engineering support to NRCan and to Provinces and Territories related to the production of flood maps.
Q2. What is ECCC’s role with respect to flooding and flood mapping?
ECCC’s Meteorological Service of Canada is the authoritative source for data and information on weather, water quantity, climate, ice and air quality conditions across Canada.
The Meteorological Service Canada supports provincial and territorial flood forecasting centres by:
Monitoring and predicting weather conditions that may influence flooding (i.e., precipitation, snow pack);
measuring and monitoring water levels and flows; and
providing expert interpretation by meteorologists and hydrologists to assess flood risks and to inform decisions on flood mitigation and emergency management measures.
ECCC is also supporting NRCan in developing flood maps under the Federal Flood Hazard Identification and Mapping Program by ensuring the maps accurately reflect local hydrology as well as uncertainty due to a changing climate.
Q3. What can we expect for the upcoming flooding season?
Preliminary assessments indicate that the likelihood of flooding for the majority of regions is average or normal but there are some areas of higher than normal risk due to recent forecasts showing above average temperatures, snowpack and precipitation in British Columbia, Ontario and Manitoba.
Forecasts this far out are subject to a higher degree of uncertainty and Canadians should always pay attention to the local forecasts and warnings available in their area as conditions can change rapidly.
The Meteorological Service of Canada works closely with provincial and territorial partners, both at the regional and national levels, to gain an understanding of local and regional flood conditions, and provides weekly reports on flood and weather conditions to Public Safety Canada’s Government Operations Centre.
Q4. How will Parks Canada use the funding for wildfire management?
This funding supports the Enhancing Wildfire Resilience of Parks Canada’s Protected Areas program, which is focused on prevention and response measures for wildfires that originate in, traverse through, or otherwise threaten Parks Canada administered lands and adjacent communities.
Parks Canada use the incremental funding to enhance capacity and expand its existing National Fire Management program. Activities focus on strengthening the wildfire resilience of Parks Canada’s protected areas, including the safety of visitors and the protection of built facilities, natural and cultural assets, ecosystems and wildlife, for which Parks Canada has responsibility.
Q5. What is Parks Canada’s role in wildfire management?
Under the Canada National Parks Act, Parks Canada is responsible for managing wildland fire on Parks Canada lands.
Parks Canada is the only federal organization that manages and responds to wildfires on the ground, with similar roles and capabilities as any provincial-territorial wildfire agency.
Parks Canada is responsible for managing wildland fire across 350,195 km2 of federal Crown lands including a number of iconic town sites (Banff, Jasper and Waterton), and critical infrastructure such as the Trans Canada Highway and railways.
In 2022, Parks Canada was faced with a number of incidents that exceeded the capability of local resources. To support those incidents, 89 team members from across the country were deployed to wildfires (including a significant one in Jasper National Park), 16 were deployed to assist with the anthrax outbreak response in Wood Buffalo National Park, and 60 were deployed to Atlantic national parks to assist with the response to Hurricane Fiona.
Parks Canada is the only federal organization that can provide fire fighting equipment and trained personnel in response to requests from provinces, territories, and international partners when they need help fighting wildfires. In 2022, Parks Canada proudly deployed 8 team members, a helicopter, and firefighting equipment to support Newfoundland and Labrador and the Northwest Territories. In 2021, 180 team members were deployed to 5 provinces and territories. In 2020, 38 team members were deployed to Australia and the United States.
With the additional resources provided through Budget 2021, Parks Canada has 22 dedicated four-person fire crews across Canada. Parks Canada also maintains a roster of five additional 20-person National Incident Management Teams comprised of personnel from field/business units across the country. These teams are dispatched to manage complex fires and other incidents.
Q6. How is climate change impacting Parks Canada’s ability to manage wildfire?
Climate change is driving more intense, faster-moving and longer-lasting wildfires, which increases risk to the safety and security of Canadians, to economic activity, and to critical infrastructure.
Parks Canada is facing wildfire resource and capacity challenges as the frequency and damages resulting from wildfires are increasing.
To help mitigate these risks, Budget 2021 provided $52.5M over five years in net new resources to enhance wildfire preparedness in Canada’s national parks.
Parks Canada collaborates with federal, provincial, territorial, municipal, Indigenous and international governments as well as the academic, non-profit, and private sectors to prepare for and respond to wildfires as well as to better understand, prevent, and manage increasing risks as a result of climate change.
