Departmental overview for the Minister of Environment 2025

About the Environment and Climate Change Portfolio

Introduction to the Department

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is the lead department for environmental issues, including decarbonization, climate change adaptation, pollution prevention and management, nature conservation and weather and environmental prediction.

The Department was created in 1971, bringing together several agencies and services with an even longer history, such as:

• The Meteorological Service of Canada (founded 1871)
• The Water Survey of Canada (founded 1908)
• The Canadian Wildlife Service (founded 1947)

In some areas, ECCC shares responsibility with other departments, such as Natural Resources Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Health Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. ECCC also works with two partner agencies: the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and the Canada Water Agency. ECCC engages with a broad range of partners outside the federal government to advance its mandate.

ECCC manages environmental, climate, nature and weather policy issues through various tools, levers and strategies:

• Legislation & Regulations: 49 Acts, in whole or in part, and 125 regulations and non-regulatory instruments
• Weather Prediction & Monitoring: Provision of trusted information on weather to ensure real-time emergency alerts and public awareness, directly supporting economic, national security, and defense activities
• Science & Data: Lead public research and science to advance environmental outcomes as well as the health and safety of Canadian
• Programs: Broad range of programs to incent action
• Convening Power & Partnerships: Convene all levels of government, industry, and stakeholders to share best practices, mobilize action and investment towards common goals
• Information Broker & Communications: Communicate informationto support evidence-based decisions, raise public awareness, and drive investment
• International Engagement: Champion Canadian views, contribute science and leadership, and leverage consensus-builder reputation in international fora, multilateral fora, and bilaterally

The Environment Portfolio

• Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) carries out high-quality impact assessments that contribute to informed decision-making on major projects, like mines, roads, dams and pipelines. Impact assessments help us understand the possible impacts of these types of projects before they start, identify the best ways to avoid or reduce a project's negative impacts, and find ways to enhance its positive aspects. About eight major projects per year enter the federal assessment process and many complete it within six months. IAAC leads and manages the impact assessment process for designated projects; leads Crown engagement and consultation with Indigenous peoples; provides opportunities and funding to support public participation in impact assessments; ensures that mitigation measures are applied and are working as intended; promotes uniformity and coordination of impact assessment practices across Canada through research, guidance and ongoing discussion with stakeholders and partners; and works with a range of international jurisdictions and organizations to exchange best practices in impact assessment. IAAC also provides permitting coordination services to ensure projects receive all federal permits and get to construction faster.
• Canada Water Agency (CWA) has a mandate to improve freshwater management in Canada by providing leadership, effective collaboration federally, and improved coordination and collaboration with provinces, territories, and Indigenous Peoples to proactively address national and regional transboundary freshwater challenges and opportunities. The Agency fulfills this mandate by providing whole-of-government federal leadership in freshwater policy, management, and stewardship; improving freshwater management, quality and ecosystem health in eight major waterbodies with partners and stakeholders; partnering with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis to steward transboundary freshwater ecosystems; and enabling informed decision-making by leveraging freshwater data, science, and reporting on the state of national freshwater ecosystems. The CWA is a regionally responsive national organization headquartered in Winnipeg.

Workforce Overview

*Data current as of February 12th, 2025, and based on substantive positions and include active employees and those on leave with (seconded out) or without pay. Includes employees who are indeterminate, seasonal or term of greater than three months.

Financial Overview

^aAmounts have been rounded to the nearest million. Totals may not add up due to rounding.
^bIncludes 2024-25 Main Estimates, Supplementary Estimates (B) and collective agreements, less deemed appropriations to CWA, but does not  include statutory G&Cs or carry-forwards.

Historical and Future A-Base vs B-Base Reference Level (excluding Statutory G&Cs)

Notes:

• Net of vote netted revenues (VNR)
• 2024-25 includes Main Estimates, Supplementary Estimates (B) and collective agreements, less deemed appropriations to CWA, but does not include statutory G&Cs or carry-forwards.
• 2025-26 through 2029-30 reference levels are as per the 2025-26 Main Estimates (pending approval), excluding statutory G&Cs.
• The Refocusing Government Spending reductions (RGS 2.0) are not reflected in the 2025-26 Main Estimates (2025-26 and future years).

Organizational Chart

ADM: Assistant Deputy Minister
DG: Director General
A/: Acting

*Employee of Justice Canada

Senior leadership team biographies

Jean-François Tremblay, Deputy Minister

Jean-François Tremblay was appointed Deputy Minister of ECCC, effective September 18th, 2023.

Prior to working in that capacity, Mr. Tremblay served as Deputy Minister of Employment and Social Development Canada from 2022 to 2023, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources Canada from 2020 to 2022, Deputy Minister of Indigenous Services from 2017 to 2020, Deputy Minister for Infrastructure and Communities Canada from 2016 to 2017 and Deputy Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities (TIC) from 2015 to 2016.

Before joining the TIC portfolio, Mr. Tremblay was Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet Operations, Privy Council Office, since April 2013. He was at Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, where he held the positions of Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Treaties and Aboriginal Government (2012 to 2013) and Senior Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy and Strategic Direction (2010 to 2012).

Mr. Tremblay joined the federal public service in 2000 as a policy analyst with the Privy Council Office.

He holds a PhD in Political Science from Université Laval.

John Moffet, Associate Deputy Minister

John Moffet was appointed Associate Deputy Minister of ECCC on July 22nd, 2024.

Mr. Moffet joined ECCC in 2006 on Executive Interchange. Before becoming Associate Deputy Minister, he was ADM of the Environmental Protection Branch and was Director General of various directorates working on domestic and international issues. He has overseen the Department’s law reform work and numerous regulatory initiatives, including on carbon pricing and the Clean fuel Regulations.

Before joining ECCC, Mr. Moffet worked as a lawyer and then as a political assistant for the Attorney General of Ontario, and for ten years was an environmental law and policy consultant supporting governments and businesses in Canada, Europe and various developing countries.

Mr. Moffet has lectured and published on a wide range of environmental law and policy topics.

Legal Services

The Department of Justice’s Legal Services Unit (LSU) is a centre of expertise in the area of environmental law for Justice Canada, and the Government of Canada as a whole.

The LSU provides legal and advisory services, litigation support and legislative and regulatory drafting support to ECCC, Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) and Canada Water Agency (CWA).

The Environment LSU is comprised of several teams, which provide specialist training and advice in different areas of environmental law of relevance to programs and policies of ECCC, PC and IAAC.

Carla McGrath, Executive Director and Senior General Counsel*

Carla McGrath was appointed the Executive Director and Senior General Counsel of Environment Legal Services on February 20th, 2025.

She brings more than 25 years of experience providing legal, policy and strategic advice on a wide range of issues to both governments and Indigenous communities. She joined the Department of Justice in 2007, following a year at the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation and a number of years in private practice

Ms. McGrath has worked in several legal, policy and management roles at Justice, including working as General Counsel in the Aboriginal Law Centre from 2015-2018. In 2018, she joined the Department of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs, first as the Director General of Negotiations – Central Canada from 2018-2021, and then as the Director General of Policy and Litigation from 2021-2025.

Ms. McGrath holds a Joint Honours Bachelor’s degree in Applied Studies (Management Specialization) and History from the University of Waterloo and an LLB in Common Law from the University of Ottawa. She was admitted to the Law Society of Upper Canada in 2002.

*Employee of Justice Canada

Science and Technology Branch

Science and Technology Branch (STB) is Canada’s leader in environmental science. As a government science organization, STB scientists work to monitor and report on Canada’s environment, understand how it is changing and the associated impacts to inform policy, regulations and operations of the Department.

STB provides a series of science assessments to manage chemicals in Canada as well as broad science priorities for the country.

STB scientists are using leading edge tools, including genomics, Earth observation, and machine learning/AI to improve operations of key services such as MSC, and to accelerate our understanding of environmental changes to inform the policies and programs of the Government of Canada.

Marc D’Iorio, Assistant Deputy Minister

Marc D’Iorio was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister of the Science and Technology Branch of ECCC on February 1st, 2021.

Mr. D’Iorio began his career in government as a post-doctoral fellow in climate change. He has worked in science, policy, and regulatory organizations as an executive at Natural Resources Canada and at ECCC.

Mr. D’Iorio is Canada’s Focal Point on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and Canada’s Permanent Representative to the Inter- American Institute for Global Change Research. He is a member of the Executive Committee of the Pacific Institute for Climate Solution and also represents Canada on the steering committee of the UN International Methane Emissions Observatory.

Under Mr. D’Iorio's leadership, the Branch has published Canada’s National Priorities in climate science, as well as science requirements to achieve the Global Biodiversity Framework. The Branch has completed significant science assessments such as assessment of the PFAS class of substances and has accelerated production of its National Inventory Report on greenhouse gases, including integration of atmospheric measurements.

Environmental Protection Branch

The Environmental Protection Branch (EPB) implements legislation, regulations and other policies and programs that protect Canadians and the environment.

In particular, the Branch works with other federal departments, provinces and territories, Aboriginal people, municipalities, industry and environmental non-governmental organizations on clean air and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission regulations, chemical substances management, environmental emergencies as well as on advancing the Government’s plastics and waste agenda.

Megan Nichols, Assistant Deputy Minister

Megan Nichols serves as Assistant Deputy Minister of the Environmental Protection Branch of ECCC since July 22nd, 2024.

Before her current role, Ms. Nichols was the Associate Assistant Deputy Minister of EPB. She joined ECCC from Transport Canada, where she spent four years, first as the Director General of Environmental Policy, and then as Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy. Prior to her time at Transport Canada, she was Director General in the Lands and Minerals Sector at Natural Resources Canada, with responsibility for the leadership of Canada’s mining policy. 

From 2012-2017, Ms. Nichols held a number of positions at Public Safety Canada, focused mainly on international and Canada-U.S. border and security issues. She also spent six years designing and managing public infrastructure funding programs at Infrastructure Canada. From 1999 to 2004, she worked in the Canadian Heritage portfolio in a variety of roles. Ms. Nichols holds a Master’s degree in History from Queen’s and enjoys hiking, canoeing and cross-country skiing.

Judy Meltzer, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister

Judy Meltzer was appointed Associate Assistant Deputy Minister of the Environmental Protection Branch of ECCC as of July 22nd, 2024.

Ms. Meltzer joined ECCC in 2009 and has worked in a variety of roles including most recently as Director General of the Carbon Markets Bureau since 2017. 

Prior to joining ECCC in 2009, Ms. Meltzer worked in various policy and research institutions on issues related to international development and natural resource management.

Ms. Meltzer holds an MA in International Relations from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs, Carleton University, and a PhD in Political Science from Carleton University. 

Strategic Policy and International Affairs Branch

The Strategic Policy and International Affairs Branch (SPIAB) has a leadership role within the Department in a number of areas.

These include: strategic and international policy development, agenda management, policy planning, results and delivery, Indigenous and intergovernmental affairs, integration and the coordination of the Government of Canada’s international and cross-governmental climate action and environmental interests, economic analysis, regional analysis, outreach and program delivery.

Alison McDermott, Assistant Deputy Minister

Alison McDermott was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister of the Strategic Policy Branch of ECCC on July 18th, 2024, which became the Strategic Policy and International Affairs Branch on October 15th, 2024.

Ms. McDermott was previously Assistant Deputy Minister of the Federal Provincial Relations and Social Policy Branch and Associate Assistant Deputy Minister of the Economic and Fiscal Policy Branch at the Department of Finance. Prior to this, she has held several positions at the Department of Finance, at the Privy Council Office and at Innovation Science and Economic Development Canada.

Ms. McDermott has undergraduate and Master’s degrees in Economics from Queen’s University.

Michael Bonser, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister

Michael Bonser serves as Associate Assistant Deputy Minister of the Strategic Policy and International Affairs Branch of ECCC.

Prior to this, Mr. Bonser held the positions of Executive Director of the G7/G20 Summit Team at Global Affairs Canada, Minister Counsellor and Political Coordinator at Canada’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York, and Director, Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Response.

He was part of the interdepartmental team that was awarded Canada’s Public Service Award for Excellence in 2010 in recognition of Canada’s response to the January 12th, 2010 Haiti earthquake.

Prior to his career at Global Affairs Canada, Mr. Bonser served as a Legislative Assistant in the Parliament of Canada and worked in the non-profit sector in the field of human right advocacy and protection.

Mr. Bonser holds a Master’s degree in International Relations from Acadia University and an Honours BA in History and Political Studies from Queen’s University.

Canadian Wildlife Service

The Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) conserves species and spaces by administering conservation programs.

The Branch protects and manages recovery of species at risk and their critical habitat as well as conserves, protects, and sustainably manages to foster healthy populations of migratory birds and other wildlife.

CWS conserves, restores and protects significant habitats by developing and implementing stewardship programs, establishing and maintaining a network of protected areas, and enabling and supporting partnerships for the integrated management of Canada's natural capital.

In addition, the Branch advances national biodiversity policies and partnerships and fulfills international responsibilities; and supports coordinated and coherent national assessment, monitoring, research, planning, action, and compliance promotion and enforcement to protect biodiversity.

Tara Shannon, Assistant Deputy Minister

Tara Shannon was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister of the Canadian Wildlife Service of ECCC in April 2021. Prior to joining the CWS, Ms. Shannon held a variety of executive positions with then Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, including in the areas of northern regulatory policy and Indian Residential Schools, and the Privy Council Office, where she advised on a wide range of matters including Indigenous reconciliation, justice, veterans affairs, and diversity and inclusion, amongst others.

Ms. Shannon holds a Bachelor of Arts (Asian studies and economics) from the University of Victoria and a Master of Arts (Theory and Practice of Human Rights) from the University of Essex.

Meteorological Service of Canada

The Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC) is the authoritative source of meteorological and water quantity information in Canada.

MSC issues forecasts, warnings, and provides information about past, present and future conditions of the atmosphere, climate, water, air quality, ice and related environment.

MSC maintains a Canada-wide observation network to monitor changes in the weather, climate, water, ice and air quality to obtain the data which are fed into sophisticated modelling systems that are the foundation of weather and environmental prediction.

Weather forecasts and warnings are provided 24 hours a day, seven days a week to Canadians, provincial and territorial public authorities, Government of Canada departments and other specialized clients.

Cécile Siewe, Assistant Deputy Minister

Cécile Siewe is the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Meteorological Service of Canada of ECCC. She is also the Permanent Representative for Canada to the World Meteorological Organization. She was appointed ADM in January 2024, after three years in the Environmental Protection Branch as Director General of the Industrial Sectors and Chemicals Directorate.

Ms. Siewe has also worked in academia and in the private sector. She joined the faculty of Chemical Engineering of the University of Waterloo as a Post-Doctoral Fellow and Lecturer. After that she worked at Shell Canada for 11 years.

Ms. Siewe has a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Imperial College, University of London, UK. She also holds Bachelor of Science in Industrial Chemistry from City University in London, UK, and an MBA from the University of Calgary.

Ms. Siewe is a Fellow in the Canadian Academy of Engineering to which she was inducted in 2020. She is also a member of the Board of Directors for APEX, the Association of Professional Executives of the Public Service of Canada.

Corporate Services and Finance Branch

The Corporate Services and Finance Branch (CSFB) provides leadership as a valued agile strategic business partner, working collaboratively with branches and other government Departments (OGDs).

The Branch supports programs though sound stewardship of financial resources and effective corporate management and procurement; delivers project management, accommodations and infrastructure management for real property portfolio, and security services; ensures a secure, diverse and inclusive workplace environment and develops corporate tools and reports to demonstrate alignment of departmental priorities, results and accountabilities to the Canadian public.

Linda Drainville, Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Financial Officer

Linda Drainville became the Corporate Services and Finance Branch’s Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Financial Officer of ECCC in March 2021. Ms. Drainville’s responsibilities span across financial management, procurement, accounting and controls, assets, real property and security management, departmental planning and results reports, governance, integrated planning and risks, as well as investment planning and project management.

Prior to working with ECCC, Ms. Drainville worked at the Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) as the Associate Assistant Deputy Minister Finance. She has also served as the Deputy Chief Financial Officer and Director General, Financial Operations and Services with DND/CAF, providing strategic advice in the areas of public accounts, compliance, inventory management, and financial litigation.

Ms. Drainville has had an accomplished career working in the fields of finance, audit, and forensic accounting, notably with the United Nations, the Office of the Auditor General, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and the Canada Revenue Agency.

Ms. Drainville holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (Major in Accounting) from the University of Québec in Montréal. She also holds a Diploma in Investigative and Forensic Accounting from the University of Toronto. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA), a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), and is certified in Financial Forensics (CFF).

Digital Services Branch

The Digital Services Branch (DSB) provides strategic direction and leadership in the pursuit of excellence in information management, information technology, cybersecurity, and service delivery improvement across ECCC.

DSB is focused on leading the ECCC digital transformation and modernization journey, prioritizing efforts to harness and maximize the benefits of the Department’s technology investments and ensure that our planned activities create clear business value for programs, for our stakeholders, and ultimately, for Canadians.

Mackenzie Lambe, Assistant Deputy Minister and Chief Service and Digital Officer

Mackenzie Lambe was appointed Chief Information Officer of ECCC in April 2023 and Assistant Deputy Minister of the Digital Services Branch in January 2024.

Ms. Lambe is from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, and has nearly 25 years of experience in the public service, specializing in business transformation, digital and service modernization, human resources service delivery, information management and information technology.

As Chief Service and Digital Officer, Ms. Lambe leads the implementation of ECCC's Digital and Data Strategy and oversees a team of digital professionals from across the country. Prior to joining ECCC in April 2023, she led the business transformation at Correctional Services Canada (CSC) as Director General, Offender Management System Modernization. Prior to that role, she was interim Chief Information Officer at CSC.

Programs, Operations and Regional Affairs Branch

Created in February 2025, the Programs, Operations and Regional Affairs Branch brings together resources and expertise to support broader transformation efforts within the Department - one that will strengthen the stewardship of grants and contributions nationwide through a coordinated place-based delivery, engagement, and decision-making approach.

The PORAB team is present across the country, enabling programming to respond to regional priorities and realities. It also supports effective regional, intergovernmental and Indigenous relationships and engagement with key partners, stakeholders, and advisory bodies in addition to providing leadership for the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy.

As such, it aims to foster coordination and synergies among program delivery, engagement, reporting, and advisory functions.

Michael Zinck, Assistant Deputy Minister

Michael Zinck was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister of the Program, Operations and Regional Affairs Branch of ECCC in January 2025. He was previously ADM of the Public Affairs and Communications Branch.

Mr. Zinck first joined ECCC in October 2017 as Executive Director of Strategic Communications and was promoted to Director General of Communications in March 2019.

Mr. Zinck began his career in the field of regional economic development in Moncton, New Brunswick, after having worked on the international scene, notably within the framework of non-governmental organization activities in Kenya and Cuba. He has extensive experience in strategic communications, ministerial liaison services and economic development policies.

Mr. Zinck holds a Bachelor's degree in political science from Saint Mary's University and a Master's degree in public administration from Dalhousie University. He is also a certified sommelier.

Human Resources Branch

The Human Resources Branch (HRB) is responsible for developing and implementing an integrated framework of human resources strategies, policies, programs and advisory services.

To that end, HRB is responsible for identifying departmental needs with regard to human resources and people management, including the development of associated health and safety measures, learning and recruitment strategies, as well as strategies and initiatives to enable the Department to recruit, develop and retain a representative workforce, including an accessibility strategy and a diversity, inclusion and employment equity strategy.

Jocelyne Kharyati, Chief Human Resources Management Officer

Jocelyne Kharyati was appointed Chief Human Resources Management Officer of ECCC on March 30th, 2021.

Ms. Kharyati has more than 20 years of federal government experience in education and human resources management.

At ECCC, Ms. Kharyati notably supported the onboarding to Phoenix and MyGCHR. In 2017, she accepted to co-chair an interdepartmental committee to conduct a root-cause analysis of Phoenix pay issues and support evidence-based decision making. Most recently, she was Chief Audit Executive and Head of Evaluation from September 2020 to March 2021.

Prior to this, Ms. Kharyati occupied executive positions in human resources at Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Health Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada, and the Canada School of Public Service.

Ms. Kharyati obtained a Baccalaureate in Science from the University of Ottawa, as well as a Diploma in Adult Education from St. Francis Xavier University. In 2019, she completed the University of Ottawa Certificate Program in Public Sector Leadership and Governance.

Public Affairs and Communications Branch

The Public Affairs and Communications Branch (PACB) is responsible for Communications, Parliamentary Affairs, Access to Information and Privacy.

Communication provides full-service communications support including marketing, advertising, speeches, web publications, and social media engagement, as well as support for Ministerial media and events.

Public Affairs Unit (PAU) supports ECCC, Impact Assessment Agency Canada and Canada Water Agency on all matters related to parliamentary business, including Question Period (QP) notes, tabling documents in the Parliament, while also advising the Minister, their staff, and senior officials when appearing before the House of Commons and the Senate standing committees.

Access to Information and Privacy (ATIP) is responsible for coordinating access to information and privacy requests throughout the Department, advising on best practices and supporting the Department on privacy issues.

Katie Donnelly O’Neill, Director General

Katie Donnelly O'Neill is the Director General of the Public Affairs and Communications Branch of ECCC. She is dedicated to providing accessible information to Canadians through innovative and inclusive channels.

Prior to her role at ECCC, Ms. Donnelly O’Neill held various positions within the public affairs sector at several federal departments, including: Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Natural Resources Canada, Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Justice Canada.

She earned a Bachelor of Journalism from Carleton University and a Master of Arts in Communications and Social Justice from the University of Windsor.

Audit and Evaluation Branch

The Audit and Evaluation Branch (AEB) provides independent, objective assurance, and advisory services in the areas of governance, risk management and internal controls, guided by the Treasury Board Policy on Internal Audit.

AEB also provides neutral, objective evaluation services for the Department in accordance with the Policy on Results.

The Branch’s work is guided by the Departmental Audit and Evaluation Plan, which takes a 5-year view and accounts for key departmental risks, priorities, and programs.

Christopher MacDonald, Director General, Chief Audit Executive and Head of Evaluation

Christopher was appointed Chief Audit Executive and Head of Evaluation, Audit and Evaluation Branch of ECCC on April 26, 2021. He is also the departmental co-champion of values and ethics.

Before joining Environment and Climate Change Canada, he was Chief Audit and Evaluation Executive at the Public Service  Commission of Canada from December 2017 to April 2021. He has also held internal audit executive roles at Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada and Infrastructure Canada.

Earlier, he worked for the Office of Audit and Inspection at the Supreme Headquarters Allied  Powers Europe in Belgium and held various audit, evaluation, and related positions in a number of Canadian federal public service organizations - including the Office of the Auditor General of Canada.

He is a Certified Internal Auditor and has a certification in risk management assurance. He  holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from St. Francis Xavier University, a Master’s  degree in Development Economics from Dalhousie University, and a Master’s degree in Public  Administration from Queen’s University.

Enforcement Branch

The Enforcement Branch (EB) is responsible for enforcing Canadian environmental and wildlife acts and regulations through the work of on-the-ground enforcement officers across Canada who are designated under specific legislation and are granted a variety of powers.

The Branch’s mandate is to enforce the environmental and wildlife acts and related regulations in a fair, predictable and consistent manner.

In collaboration with several ECCC programs and other provincial, national and international partners, the Branch works to ensure that individuals and companies comply with applicable legislation in order to protect and conserve the environment, wildlife and their habitat.

Michael Enns, Acting Chief Enforcement Officer

Michael Enns is acting Chief Enforcement Officer of ECCC since May 2024.

Prior to this, Michael served as Enforcement’s Director General of National Policy and Priorities, where he was responsible to develop and employ the latest risk assessment and intelligence methods to identify the highest risk forms of non-compliance with Canada’s environmental and conservation laws, and to ensure departmental resources were appropriately targeted to reduce such risks.   

Before joining ECCC’s Enforcement Branch, Michael held several key positions within ECCC including as a senior advisor to three Deputy Ministers, and as Canada’s lead negotiator for the accountability and compliance elements of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Michael holds Honors and Master’s degrees in criminology from the University of Ottawa.

Mandate

The Minister of Environment and Climate Change has direct responsibilities under 33 acts and secondary responsibilities under 16 others.

Department of the Environment Act, 1971

Together with other major pieces of legislation, the Department of the Environment Act, in addition to providing for the establishment of the Department itself, confers certain powers, duties and functions on the Minister, which extend to and include matters relating to:

• The preservation and enhancement of the quality of the natural environment, including water, air and soil quality
• Renewable resources, including migratory birds and other non-domestic flora and fauna
• Water
• Meteorology
• The enforcement of any rules and regulations made by the International Joint Commission relating to boundary waters, and questions arising between the United States and Canada related to the preservation and enhancement of the quality of the natural environment
• The coordination of the policies and programs of the Government respecting the preservation and enhancement of the quality of the natural environment

Beyond those authorities conferred under the Department of the Environment Act, the Minister exercises additional authorities provided under other acts and regulations. These include but are not limited to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) and several pieces of legislation relating to climate change (the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act and the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act) and the protection of biodiversity and water (e.g., the Species at Risk Act).

High Activity Acts for which the Minister is Primarily Responsible

While the Minister of Environment and Climate Change derives powers, duties and functions from the Department of the Environment Act, they also exercise additional authorities provided under a number of other acts and regulations.

Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999) [ECCC, Health Canada]

CEPA provides the authority for many of ECCC’s environmental protection activities, including:

• Environmental and biomonitoring
• Pollution prevention planning
• Toxic substances
• Animate products of biotechnology
• Nutrients, ocean disposal, fuels, vehicle and engine emissions, international air and water pollution, and the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes
• Environmental emergencies
• Government operations, and federal and Indigenous lands.

Because of its dual focus on protecting the environment and human health, many provisions apply to both the Ministers of Environment and Climate Change and of Health.

There are many regulations under the Act, which apply to substances that are on the List of Toxic Substances in Schedule 1 of the Act. Under CEPA, the test to add a substance to Schedule 1 is that the substance has or may have an immediate or long-term harmful effect on the environment or its biological diversity; constitute or may constitute a danger to the environment on which life depends; or constitute or may constitute a danger in Canada to human life or health. Recent amendments to strengthen the Act have recognized that every individual in Canada has a right to a healthy environment.

Some CEPA regulations establish limits on the release or emissions of substances. Others, such as those for ocean disposal and the import and export of hazardous waste, specify the requirements for obtaining a permit to carry out the activity.

The Act also allows the Minister to develop a wide range of non-regulatory tools to manage environmental and health risks, including codes of practice, guidelines, and requirements to prepare pollution prevention plans and environmental emergency plans. CEPA’s enforcement regime similarly allows for the use of various tools to promote compliance and enforce the Act and its regulations. The Minister is also responsible for maintaining an online public database of activities undertaken under CEPA and for preparing an annual report to Parliament on the administration of the Act.

Species at Risk Act, 2002 (SARA) [ECCC, Parks Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada]

This Act came into force in 2002 and plays an important role in Canada’s conservation of biological diversity. Designed to work in a complementary fashion with provincial and territorial legislation on species at risk, its purposes are to prevent wildlife species from being extirpated or becoming extinct, to provide for the recovery of wildlife species that are extirpated, endangered or threatened Act but human activity and to manage species of special concern to prevent them from becoming endangered or threatened. It provides various measures for the protection of species listed as at risk, their residences and critical habitat.

The Minister of Environment and Climate Change has the lead responsibility for administration of the Act but does so in cooperation with the Ministers responsible for the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and Parks Canada (PC).

The Minister of Environment and Climate Change makes recommendations to the Governor in Council on whether to list a species on Schedule I, based on the assessment of the status of a candidate species by the arms-length, science-based Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. The Minister is also responsible for the development of recovery strategies and action plans for listed species for which the Minister is the competent authority. These include:

• Species at risk in national parks, national historic sites or other protected heritage areas
• All migratory birds
• All other species at risk on federal lands, with the exception of aquatic species, which are under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans

The Minister of ECCC also leads the negotiation of administrative agreements with provincial and territorial authorities and is responsible for an annual report to Parliament on the administration of the Act.

Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, 2021 (CNZEAA) [ECCC and Finance Canada]

This Act came into force on June 29th, 2021. The purpose of this Act is to require the setting of national targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions based on the best scientific information available and to promote transparency, accountability and immediate and ambitious action in relation to achieving those targets, in support of achieving net-zero emissions in Canada by 2050 and Canada’s international commitments in respect of mitigating climate change.

This Act requires that targets be set by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change for 2030, 2035, 2040 and 2045. The target for 2030 is Canada’s nationally determined contribution for that year communicated under the Paris Agreement. In order to promote transparency and accountability in relation to meeting those targets, the CNZEAA:

• Requires that an emissions reduction plan, a progress report and an assessment report with respect to each target be tabled in each House of Parliament
• Provides for public participation
• Establishes an advisory body to provide the Minister of Environment and Climate Change with advice with respect to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and matters that are referred to it by the Minister
• Requires the Minister of Finance to prepare an annual report respecting key measures that the federal public administration has taken to manage its financial risks and opportunities related to climate change
• Requires the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development to, at least once every five years, examine and report on the Government of Canada’s implementation of measures aimed at mitigating climate change
• Provides for a comprehensive review of the Act five years after its coming into force

Fisheries Act Pollution Prevention Provisions, 1985 [ECCC, Fisheries and Oceans Canada]

Most of the Fisheries Act is administered by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. By Order in Council, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change has been designated as responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Act’s pollution prevention provisions, other than for aquaculture, pest management and aquatic invasive species. The pollution prevention provisions prohibit the deposit of deleterious substances into water frequented by fish unless authorized by Governor in Council regulations. There are such regulations currently in place, including regulations addressing effluent from metal and diamond mining, wastewater systems, and pulp and paper mills.

In 2012, the Act was amended to allow the Minister to make regulations authorizing deposits under certain conditions; that is, where deposits are of lower risk and already well-controlled by a federal or provincial instrument. To date, one ministerial regulation has been made establishing conditions for research activities in the Experimental Lakes Area in Northern Ontario.

The implementation of these provisions, and of the regulations made under them, are important elements of the Minister’s overall responsibilities for environmental protection.

Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, 2018 (GGPPA) [ECCC, Finance Canada]

This Act establishes the legal framework for the federal carbon pricing system –the “backstop.” The purpose of this Act is to implement stringent pricing mechanisms designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by creating incentives for behavioural change. It establishes the legal framework for a federal carbon pricing system that applies only in provinces or territories that do not have a sufficiently stringent pricing mechanism. The carbon pricing system created by this Act has two complementary components:

• A charge on fossil fuels that is generally paid by fuel producers or distributors; also known as the fuel charge (Part 1 of the Act, which is under the responsibility of the Minister of Finance)
• A performance-based pricing system for industrial facilities that are trade-exposed; also known as the output-based pricing system (Part 2 of the Act, which is under the responsibility of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change)

The output-based pricing system complements the fuel charge. Fuels used at the facilities covered by the output-based pricing system under Part 2 are not subject to the fuel charge under Part 1. Instead, pricing applies to a portion of a covered facility’s emissions that exceed an emissions limit.

The application of Part 1 and Part 2 of the GGPPA is triggered by adding the names of provinces and territories on Schedule 1 of the Act when they do not have a pricing system that sufficiently meets the federal standard. Direct revenues generated under GGPPA are returned to the jurisdiction of origin.

How we work with others

Provinces and Territories

Constitutional Areas of Responsibility

Protection of the environment is recognized as a matter of shared jurisdiction:

• While Section 91 and 92 of the Constitution Act, 1867 assigns areas of authority to the federal and provincial legislatures, neither explicitly includes “environment” as a subject matter
• Which level of government has jurisdiction in relation to a specific environmental issue depends on which subject matter listed in the Constitution best describes the substance over which applies an environmental issue
• While some issues can be deemed to fall solely under a specific jurisdictions, many matters are shared

As a result, addressing environmental matters requires cooperation and collaboration between all governments:

• Intergovernmental agreements can help to find efficiencies and provide regulatory certainty, for example, the Canada-Saskatchewan equivalency agreement respecting the release of methane from the oil and gas sector
• Note: Municipalities are not a constitutionally recognized level of government. Municipalities are derived by statute and receive their power through the constitutional jurisdiction of the provinces

Federal, provincial, and territorial (FPT) policies, legislations and regulations continues to evolve, reflecting emergence of new issues and public interest.

Provinces and Territories Engagement

Domestic

Bilateral – Direct engagement with provincial or territorial partners

PTs have their own respective priorities, which are informed by regional considerations, distinct realities (e.g. economy, geography), and unique political cultures and characteristics.

Level and mechanisms for engagement can vary and are not limited to ECCC’s direct counterpart. For instance:

• Some jurisdictions may favour government-wide meetings or specific mechanisms (e.g. resources tables)
• Others are pursuing engaging trilaterally with Indigenous partners (e.g. land and resources management, nature and biodiversity)

Multilateral – FPT councils and forums that prioritize and address transboundary environmental issues

Currently, ECCC’s participation is primarily focused on two multilateral forums: 

• The Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME), established in 1964 mostly as a technical and scientific collaboration forum, has contributed to the development and implementation of the Air Quality Management System (AQMS), Canadian Environmental Quality Guidelines, the Canada-wide Action Plan on Zero Plastic Waste, and the Canada-wide Strategy for the Management of Municipal Wastewater Effluent. The Ministers meet every year to discuss issues of shared interest
• The Ministers for Conservation, Wildlife and Biodiversity (CWB) has contributed towards increasing the amount of protected lands and the on-going work under the Pan-Canadian Approach to Transforming Species at Risk Conservation in Canada and the development of Canada’s 2030 National Biodiversity Strategy

Other multilateral FPT forums also work on environment issues: Energy and Mines Ministers Conference, Canadian Council of Forest Ministers, Agriculture Ministers and Ministers responsible for Infrastructure.

International

• While international matters are under federal jurisdiction, PTs have high interest in international developments and agreements on issues of shared jurisdiction. As such; ECCC works with PTs partners on key elements of planning, position and participation.
• PT participation at key international and domestic events can help to showcase Canadian innovation and leadership. Working with partners to showcase sub-national action at international events can help attract investment.

Provincial and Territorial Counterparts

Indigenous Peoples

ECCC has an important relationship with Indigenous peoples – a relationship grounded in constitutionally-protected Aboriginal and treaty rights, modern treaty obligations and constitutional obligations to consult.

ECCC also has statutory obligations to consult with Indigenous peoples, through Acts such as the Species at Risk Act, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act and the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.

United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDA)

The UNDA provides the framework for ECCC’s work to implement the UN Declaration, including taking measures, in consultation and cooperation with Indigenous peoples, to ensure that the laws and regulations it administers are consistent with the Declaration.

ECCC is the lead for five UNDA Action Plan Measures in relation to Indigenous Climate Leadership; Indigenous leadership in conservation; Indigenous science; the Canada Water Act and the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy.

Indigenous relationships

ECCC maintains active relationships directly with communities to uphold rights and advance Indigenous stewardship and priorities, which are closely connected to the Department’s mandate.

ECCC also engages through various formal fora, such as the permanent bilateral mechanisms with First Nations, Inuit and Métis leaders, ECCC's distinctions-based climate and nature tables (respectively), and advisory bodies such as the National Aboriginal Council on Species at Risk (NACOSAR).

In addition to ECCC’s strong relationships with communities, ECCC engages with National Indigenous Organisations (NIOs) who play a pivotal by acting as advocates for their respective member organizations, supporting the development of shared agendas and fostering collaboration on environmental policies and programs.

International Engagement

ECCC's International Activities

• Leads the policy development, negotiations, advocacy, and integration of Canada’s priorities and positions on environment and climate change internationally
• Works with international partners and stakeholders in multilateral fora, treaties and initiatives, and through regional/bilateral mechanisms to defend and advance Canadian interests
• Coordinates with lead federal departments and agencies, provincial and territorial governments and Indigenous Peoples to bring a whole-of-Canada perspective to international engagement
• Current areas of active engagement for ECCC include:
  • Hosting of the G7 in 2025 (June 2025 Leaders’ Summit and possible ministerial meeting in fall of 2025)
  • Ensuring effective and strategic bilateral engagement with the new US Administration
  • Representing Canada in climate, biodiversity and pollution negotiations under the UN, the G20 and other multilateral fora
  • Negotiating and implementing environment and climate provisions in Free Trade Agreements
  • Delivering international climate finance each year ($45M in 2024-25; $35M in 2025-26)
  • Engaging bilaterally with other key partners to advance Canada’s domestic climate and environment agenda.

Key multilateral organizations, bodies and treaties

• G7 and G20;
• United Nations (UN) bodies:
  • Framework Convention on Climate Change and Paris Agreement
  • Convention on Biological Diversity
  • Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee on Plastic Pollution
  • UN Environment Programme
  • UN General Assembly
• Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development
• Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation
• Arctic Council

Key bilateral mechanisms

• Transboundary Water: International Joint Commission and the Columbia River Treaty
• Trilateral engagement with the US and Mexico, including through the Canada-US-Mexico Free Trade Agreement (CUSMA), North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation, and Trilateral Committee for Wildlife and Ecosystem Conservation
• Bilateral engagement with the European Union (EU) under the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA); the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement and the Canada-EU Green Alliance
• China Council for International Cooperation on Environment and Development
• Negotiation on Environment Chapters in Free Trade Agreements with ASEAN, UK, MERCOSUR, and exploratory discussion with the Philippines
• Implementation of FTAs, MOUs, environmental cooperation agreements, dialogues, and mechanisms including with CARICOM, Chile, Colombia, France, Germany, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Rwanda, South Korea, Ukraine, UK, and select U.S. subnational governments (i.e. California)

Our areas of work

Decarbonization

Adaptation

Environmental Protection

Nature

Hydro-Meteorology

Reference Documents

In addition to the materials found in this book, the links below provide access to a number of additional key documents and reports related to the Department’s mandate, and operations.

Departmental Results Report 2023-2024:

• The Departmental Results Report (DRR) accounts for the results achieved in relation to the expected results identified in the corresponding departmental plans.

2024-2025 Departmental Plan:

• The Departmental Plan outlines the strategic actions ECCC is undertaking around clean growth, climate change, pollution prevention, nature conservation and meteorological and environmental prediction.

Canada’s Changing Climate Report (2019) (PDF) and Canada’s Changing Climate Report in Light of the Latest Global Science Assessment (2022) (PDF):

• The 2019 Canada’s Changing Climate Report documents and explores changes in temperature, precipitation, snow, ice, permafrost, freshwater availability and conditions in Canada’s three oceans. A supplement to the report, published in 2022, provides additional perspectives on the implications of recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change findings.

Other documents

2030 Emissions Reduction Plan (PDF) and 2023 Progress Report (PDF):

• The 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan is the first iteration of the Emissions Reduction Plan, as mandated under the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act. It outlines a sector-by-sector path for Canada to reach its emissions reduction target of 40 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050.

National Adaptation Strategy (PDF):

• In June 2023, Canada released its first National Adaptation Strategy which provides a path toward a climate-resilient Canada, including both medium and long-term goals, as well as short-term adaptation action plans.

Canada's 2030 Nature Strategy:

• Canada's 2030 Nature Strategy charts a path for how Canada will implement the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), adopted at the Montreal COP15 in December 2022 and which provides an ambitious path forward for halting and reversing biodiversity loss at the global level. The 2030 Strategy builds on existing initiatives in all regions and sectors across the country and establishes six pillars will ensure our path to 2030 is inclusive, adaptable, and evidence-based.

Canada-Wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste (PDF):

• The Canada-wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste was adopted by the federal, provincial and territorial governments in 2018. It outlines a vision to keep plastics in the economy and out of the environment through solutions to better prevent, reduce, reuse, and clean up plastic waste.

2022-2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy:

• The 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy is the first to be developed under the recently strengthened Federal Sustainable Development Act. Taking a whole-of-government approach, it brings sustainable development goals, targets, milestones and implementation strategies across 101 federal organizations together in one place.