Early mandate actions

1

Climate Change – 25^th Conference of the Parties (COP25) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

COP25 will take place December 2 to 13, 2019, in Madrid Spain, including a high-level Ministerial segment. Chile who had been planning to host, still holds the presidency.

Events related to the Global Commission on Adaptation (GCA) will also take place on the margins of COP25. Canada is a convening member and financial contributor to the Commission, which is designed to raise the profile of climate change adaptation.

Decision on elements of Canada’s participation in COP25.

Decision on Canada’s Commissioner.

3

2

*Redacted*

*Redacted*

Will also include an overview of decisions needed early in 2020 *Redacted*

Early briefing, discussion and decisions

3

3

Impact Assessment – Designation Requests

(LEAD: Impact Assessment Agency of Canada)

Requests have been received to designate 15 projects.

Designation decisions.

3

4

Climate Change – Mitigation Programming

Numerous ECCC climate change mitigation funding programs, including those that support the return of revenues collected under the federal carbon price, the Low Carbon Economy Fund (LCEF), and the Climate Action Fund (CAF).

Direction on next steps.

3

5

World Circular Economy Forum (WCEF) 2020

ECCC is co-organizing the WCEF2020, a global event that brings together business leaders, policymakers and experts to advance circular economy solutions.

Potential announcement regarding Canadian host city and dates for the WCEF2020.

3

6

• ECCC
• Parks Canada Agency
• Impact Assessment Agency

*Redacted*

Approval and signature *Redacted*

2

7

Significant New Activity Notice for a New Substance

(New Substances Notification No. 20087)

Publication of a Significant New Activity Notice for a new substance notified under the New Substances Notification Regulations (Chemicals and Polymers).

Decision on the notice.

3

8

Amendments to the Domestic Substances List

The Domestic Substances List (DSL) is an inventory of substances in commerce in Canada.

Decision on adding substances to the DSL.

3

9

ATIP/Privacy Act Annual Reports

Annual reports tabled in Parliament under the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act.

Approval and tabling of the reports.

2

10

Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC) ATIP reports

(LEAD: Parks Canada Agency)

Annual report tabled in Parliament under the Access to Information Act.

Approval and tabling of the report.

2

#

Item

Description

Action

Legend

11

Methane for the Oil and Gas Sector Equivalency Agreements with British Columbia

Equivalency agreement for federal methane regulations.

Decision on the final equivalency agreement.

3

12

Nature – Imminent Threat Assessment - Wood Bison

Assessment required under section 80 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA).

Opinion regarding imminent threat to Wood Bison.

3

13

Impact Assessment – Teck Frontier Oil Sands Mine Project

(LEAD: Impact Assessment Agency of Canada)

Joint Review Panel Report found there is a potential for significant adverse environmental effects associated with project.

Decision regarding potential significant adverse environmental effects.

3

14

Nature – Negotiating mandate for post-2020 biodiversity framework.

A new global biodiversity framework is slated for final adoption at Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) Conference of the Parties (CoP) 15 in October 2020. Working group negotiations are scheduled for February 2020 and throughout 2020.

Secure approved negotiating mandate prior to mid-February negotiation session.

3

15

Climate Change Reports:

• 3^rd Annual Synthesis Report on the Status of Implementation of the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change (PCF)
• Canada’s 4^th Biennial Report to the UNFCCC

The Synthesis Report is an annual report drafted in collaboration with all PTs on progress achieved towards implementing the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change (PCF). The Synthesis Report is approved by jurisdictions and provided to First Ministers through Intergovernmental Affairs channels.

The 4th Biennial Report updates Canada’s climate change-related activities including GHG emissions and trends, emission reduction targets and progress in achieving them, and the provision of support to developing countries.

Review of report.

Approval of the report and communications strategy.

3

16

Nature – Publication of multi-species report on critical habitat protection under the Species at Risk Act

Updates for listed species under Section 63 of the Species at Risk Act.

Approval of the report.

1

17

Nature – Conservation Agreements for Southern Mountain Caribou

The federal government has negotiated two conservation agreements under SARA for southern mountain caribou: a bilateral agreement with British Columbia and a Partnership Agreement with British Columbia and the West Moberly and Saulteau First Nations.

Approval of various actions.

3

18

*Redacted*

*Redacted*

3

19

Science Assessment of Plastic Pollution

The report is a state-of-the-science assessment on plastics in the environment and examines the fate, behaviour, and environmental and human health impacts of plastic pollution.

Approval to publish the document.

3

20

*Redacted*

*Redacted*

Direction on next steps.

3

21

Heavy-duty Vehicle Trailer Standards

GHG emission standards for trailers.

Decision on whether to maintain or amend the trailer provisions.

3

22

Fossil Fuel Subsidies Reform

Review of non-tax inefficient fossil fuel subsidies next steps.

Early briefing and direction.

3

23

Climate Change – Annual Canada Gazette Notice for Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Reporting

Annual notice of the federal Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program collecting and publishing GHG emissions information from 1,700+ facilities.

Decision on publication in the Canada Gazette.

3

24

Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development (CESD) Report

The CESD is expected to table its report when Parliament resumes.

Awareness.

3

25

Nature – International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) 2020 World Conservation Congress (WCC)

(LEAD: Parks Canada Agency)

Parks Canada is Canada’s State Member for the IUCN and coordinates the Government of Canada’s preparations and contributions to the WCC which occurs every four years and is taking place in Marseille, France June 11-19, 2020.

Canada will be expected to vote on approximately 100 non‑binding motions prior to and during the Congress. Online discussion of draft motions occurs from December 11, 2019, until March 11, 2020.

Decision on Canada’s positions and approach to WCC motions.

3

26

Impact Assessment – Request to conduct a Regional Assessment – James Bay Lowlands in Ontario

(LEAD: Impact Assessment Agency of Canada)

*Redacted*

Decision on whether a regional assessment should be conducted.

3

27

Impact Assessment – CNOOC Flemish Pass Exploration Drilling Project

(LEAD: Impact Assessment Agency of Canada)

A proposed offshore exploration drilling project within two of CNOOC’s exploration licences located in an offshore geographic area known as the Eastern Newfoundland Region, approximately 480 km east of St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Decision on whether the project is likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects.

3

#

Item

Description

Action

Legend

28

The Annual Report on Activities on Federal Lands and Outside Canada under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012.

Consolidated report on behalf of federal authorities under schedule 1 of CEAA 2012 tabled in Parliament.

Approval of the annual report for tabling in December 2019. 

2

29

2018-19 Fees Reports

• ECCC
• Parks Canada Agency
• Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

Annual reports tabled in Parliament under the Service Fees Act.

Approval and tabling of the reports.

2

30

2018-19 Public Accounts

Public Accounts of Canada for the year ended March 31, 2019.

Provided for information.

Will be tabled in the House of Commons by the President of the Treasury Board in December 2019.

2

31

ECCC's Delegation Matrix

Establishing financial authorities through delegation of spending and financial signing authorities.

Approval of the Delegation Matrix.

3

32

Regulatory Forward Agenda

Regulatory priorities.

Determine path forward on the regulatory agenda.

3

33

Plastics – Canadian Plastics Innovation Challenge

Three grants (up to $1 million each) to companies to develop prototypes of innovative technologies to address plastic pollution.

Decision on selection and signing of three grants.

3

#

Item

Description

Action

Legend

34

Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health (COA)

Administrative agreement used to align federal and provincial actions to meet the commitments of the Canada–U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement, and restore and protect Great Lakes water quality and ecosystem health which expires in Dec 2019.

Next steps for draft negotiated COA to cover the next five-year period, 2020-2025.

3

35

Membership on the Governing Council of the Global Plastics Action Partnership

The Global Plastic Action Partnership (GPAP) aims to translate political commitments to address plastic pollution into action by fast-tracking circular economy solutions in coastal countries battling plastic waste. The annual meeting of the Governing Council members is planned on the margins of the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos in January.

Decision on whether to assume the Governing Council membership seat.

3

36

Passenger vehicles and Light-Truck GHG Emission Regulations

Canada’s light-duty vehicle GHG emission standards.

Potential decision.

3

37

Impact Assessment – Cedar LNG

(LEAD: Impact Assessment Agency of Canada)

The Government of British Columbia has requested that the British Columbia assessment process be utilized.

Decision on the impact assessment process.

3

38

*Redacted*

*Redacted*

*Redacted*

2

39

*Redacted*

*Redacted*

*Redacted*

2

40

*Redacted*

• ECCC
• Parks Canada Agency
• Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

*Redacted*

*Redacted*

2