Infographic: Providing a clean, safe, sustainable environment for all Canadians

Infographic depicting an overview of Environment Canada’s (EC) mandate, main activities and on-going accomplishments. The infographic title is Providing a Clean, Safe, Sustainable Environment for All Canadians.

Part 1 of the infographic showcases the three pillars of EC’s mandate.

• Clean – Manage substances and waste, and reduce pollution that directly or indirectly harms human health or the environment.
• Safe – Provide Canadians with high-quality information on immediate and long-term environmental conditions.
• Sustainable – Work to sustain land, water and biodiversity.

Part 2 of the infographic gives a brief overview of EC’s workforce.

• A map of Canada with an overlay graphic of the centre block of Parliament signifies that although EC’s headquarters are in Ottawa, most of EC staff work outside the National Capital Region.
• 6200 employees work in 61 cities and towns across Canada.
• About 60% located outside Ottawa.
• More than 50% of our workforce is in science and tech.

Part 3 of the infographic is titled “Our Business”.

• A banner with the following keywords: Research, Monitor, Conserve + Protect, Regulate, Enforce.
• EC’s business components include:
• Take action on climate change
• Provide historical climate data and future climate models
• Issue weather forecasts, warnings, UV index, Air Quality Health Index
• Track Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions through our single window reporting system
• Provide scientific advice and technical expertise for environmental emergencies
• Monitor air quality
• Assess and regulate substances harmful to the environment
• Coordinate the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy across departments and agencies
• Conduct weather research to improve weather and environmental predictions
• Conserve the country’s natural heritage: land, biodiversity, species at risk, migratory birds
• Work in partnership with provinces/territories and municipalities on environmental issues of mutual interest and concern
• Monitor Canada’s water bodies for changes in water levels and pollutants
• Track toxic substances in the air, land and water through the National Pollutant Release Inventory

Part 4 of the infographic is titled “How We Do It”, which appears as a banner. Below the title, a list of 15 different items describes some of EC’s work and accomplishments:

• 12/70 – Administer and enforce 12 acts of Parliament and over 70 regulations
• 245 – Monitor water quality at 245 sites across Canada
• 85 – Develop and implement 85 international environmental agreements/instruments
• 118 – Administer 118 million dollars in grants and contributions to communities and research institutions for environmental initiatives
• 374 – Published proposed recovery documents for 374 species at risk
• 2700 – Assessed over 2,700 substances under Chemicals Management Plan; target is 4,300 by 2020
• 2800 – Measure water quantity through 2,800 active hydrometric gauges
• 92 – Protect 92 migratory bird sanctuaries
• 4000 – Conduct 4,000 media interviews per year
• 900/1000 – Issue 900 ice forecasts and 1,000 ice charts annually to mariners transiting Canada’s Arctic waters
• 54 – Protect 54 national wildlife areas
• 12.4 – Protect 12.4 million hectares of land and water
• 521 – Listed 521 species under the Species at Risk Act
• 700 – Produce 700 peer-reviewed publications/year
• 1.5 – Issue 1.5 million public weather forecasts and warnings per year