Mandate and summary of legislation

Note

This information was current as of November 2015.

Table of contents

  1. Introduction
  2. Mandates of department and agencies
  3. Acts for which the minister is primarily responsible
  4. Acts for which the minister of the environment has a secondary role or responsibility

1. Introduction

The Environment Portfolio currently comprises of the Department of the Environment, the Parks Canada Agency, and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency. The Acts establishing these entities set out broad mandates. In addition to work carried out under these general mandates, other Acts, such as the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, the Species at Risk Act and the Canada National Parks Act, provide more specific authorities and obligations. The Minister has primary responsibility for some of these Acts. In other cases, the Minister has a shared or secondary role. The mandates of the department and agencies, as well as the main elements of the Acts for which the Minister has responsibility, are described in more detail below.

2. Mandates of department and agencies

Environment Canada

The Department of the Environment Act, in addition to providing for the establishment of Environment Canada (EC), confers certain powers, duties and functions on the Minister of the Environment, which extend to and include matters relating to:

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

The mandate of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA), as provided for in the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012, is to:

Parks Canada Agency

The Parks Canada Agency Act establishes Parks Canada (PC) as a separate Agency reporting to the Minister of the Environment. The Agency has a broad mandate to ensure that Canada’s national parks, national historic sites, national marine conservation areas, and other heritage areas are protected and preserved for present and future generations. Heritage areas include heritage railway stations, heritage lighthouses, federal heritage buildings, historic places in Canada, federal archaeology, and Canadian heritage rivers. The Agency must ensure that there are long-term plans in place for establishing systems of national parks, national historic sites and national marine conservation areas. The Agency is also responsible for negotiating, and recommending to the Minister, the establishment of these areas and sites.

The Act grants broad powers to the Agency in dealing with human resources and financial matters in addition to providing broad powers for contracting and the acquisition and disposition of property.

3. Acts for which the minister is primarily responsible

Environmental protection acts

Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 [EC]

The Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA), the purposes of which is to protect the environment and human health and to contribute to sustainable development through pollution prevention, confers certain powers, duties and functions on both the Ministers of the Environment and Health. This Act touches on many facets of environmental protection, conferring authority to make regulations or issue notices relating to:

Most regulations that have been made under CEPA to date are for vehicle and engine emissions, the chemical content of fuels, or substances that are on the List of Toxic Substances in Schedule 1 to the Act. Toxic substances in CEPA are those substances that have 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. Some CEPA regulations establish limits on the release of toxic substances or emissions. Others, such as those for ocean disposal and the import and export of hazardous waste, specify the requirements for the permitting regimes established under the Act. The Act also allows the Minister to develop non-regulatory tools to manage environmental risks, including codes of practice, guidelines, and requirements to prepare pollution prevention plans and environmental emergency plans. CEPA’s enforcement regime allows for the use of various tools to enforce the Act and its regulations.

The Minister is also responsible for preparing an annual report to Parliament on the administration of CEPA.

Pollution prevention provisions of the Fisheries Act [EC]

Most of the Fisheries Act is administered by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. By Order in Council, the Minister of the Environment 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 regulations.

In 2012, the Act was amended to allow the Minister to make regulations authorizing deposits under conditions established by a Governor in Council regulation; 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 under them is an important element of the Minister’s overall responsibilities for environmental protection.

Manganese-based Fuel Additives Act [EC]

The Act prohibits the import and inter-provincial trade for commercial purposes of controlled substances, set out in the Schedule to the Act. There are, however, currently no substances listed in the Schedule. Methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl, a manganese-based fuel additive known as MMT, was at once listed in the Schedule but was removed in July 1998 following a NAFTA trade dispute.

Antarctic Environmental Protection Act [EC]

The Antarctic Environmental Protection Act (AEPA) and its regulations provide the legal framework for Canada to implement the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (the “Madrid Protocol”), the purpose of which is to protect the Antarctic from commercial exploitation primarily of its mineral wealth. The AEPA, through a series of prohibitions, protects the marine environment, specially protected areas, historic sites, monuments, and native species of the Antarctic from Canadian activity. The Act also provides a permitting regime for Antarctic ventures, which the Minister is responsible for administering.

Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Virtual Elimination Act [EC]

Originating as a private member’s bill, this Act received Royal Assent in April 2008. It required the Ministers of Health and the Environment to add Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and its salts to the Virtual Elimination List under CEPA. A CEPA regulation to this effect was put in place in 2009, and therefore this Act currently has no practical effect.

Environmental assessment acts

Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012) [CEAA, EC]

This Act and its regulations establish the legislative basis for the federal practice of environmental assessment (EA) in most regions of Canada (primarily South of 60). EAs consider whether “designated projects” are likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects in areas of federal jurisdiction. Projects are “designated” either through regulation or directly by the Minister of the Environment.

Three “responsible authorities” conduct the EA process: the National Energy Board and the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission for designated projects they regulate, and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA), which reports to the Minister of the Environment, for all other designated projects.

The Act prescribes various timelines:

The Minister of the Environment may extend these timelines for up to three months; the Governor in Council may extend them for any additional period.

An EA must consider a prescribed set of factors that includes cumulative effects, mitigation measures and comments received from the public. Public consultation occurs at key points in the EA process, and participant funding is available to facilitate public and Aboriginal participation. At the end of most EAs, the Minister of the Environment must issue a decision statement that includes conditions (mitigation measures and follow-up requirements) that the proponent must satisfy. Enforcement provisions are included in the Act. Maximum fines for non-compliance range from $100,000 to $400,000.

The Act also provides a range of tools—coordination, joint reviews, delegation, substitution and equivalency—in order to reduce duplication and enable cooperation with other jurisdictions.

As a “federal authority” under the Act, the Department of the Environment is required to provide specialist or expert information or knowledge to support environmental assessments when requested by a responsible authority, a review panel or a specified jurisdiction.

Wildlife acts

Species at Risk Act (SARA) [EC, PC]

SARA, which received royal assent in December 2002, 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 as at risk, its goals are to prevent wildlife species assessed as at risk from being extirpated or becoming extinct, to provide for their recovery and to manage species of special concern.. It provides various measures for the protection of species listed as at risk, their residences and critical habitat.

The Minister of the Environment has the lead responsibility for administration of the Act, but does so in cooperation with the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, who has legislative responsibilities under the Act with respect to aquatic species. The Minister also has primary responsibility for taking actions to protect and recover species at risk:

As a major federal landholder, Parks Canada has a significant role to play under SARA with respect to the protection of species listed as being at risk in national parks, national marine conservation areas, national historic sites and other protected heritage areas under its jurisdiction.

The Minister of the Environment makes recommendations to the Governor in Council on the listing of a species as being at risk, taking into account, the assessment by the arms-length, science-based Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. Once listed, the Minister with legislative responsibilities for the species must develop a recovery strategy and action plan for the species. As well, prohibitions against harming individuals of the species, damaging their residence or destroying their critical habitat are either triggered automatically or applied, in certain circumstances, by Cabinet on the recommendation of the Minister.

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

Canada Wildlife Act [EC]

The Canada Wildlife Act allows the Minister to deal with the conservation and study of wildlife through research, cooperation with provinces and the public, coordination of policies and programs, and protection measures.

The Act also allows for the designation of National Wildlife Areas (NWAs) and protected marine areas. There are currently 54 NWAs, all managed by Environment Canada with the exception of one area, Suffield National Wildlife Area, which is managed by the Department of National Defence. According to EC’s policy, to be considered for designation as a NWA, a site must contain “nationally significant” habitat for migratory birds, support wildlife or ecosystems at risk, or represent rare or unusual wildlife habitat or a bio-geographic region.

Protected marine areas address offshore and coastal conservation issues. Several such areas are under study, and the Scott Islands archipelago off British Columbia is close to being finalized as the first marine area protected under the Canada Wildlife Act in Canada.

Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 (MBCA) [EC]

The MBCA implements the Canada-United States Migratory Birds Convention of 1916 by protecting and conserving migratory birds and their nests. The MBCA and its regulations prohibit the purchase, sale, or possession of any migratory bird nests or eggs, unless authorized by regulation.

The Migratory Bird Regulations allow Environment Canada to regulate and monitor hunting activities and their impacts on migratory birds. The Department is also responsible for issuing hunting permits.

The Act also provides for the designation of Migratory Birds Sanctuaries (MBSs). These include a mix of public and private lands under federal, provincial or territorial jurisdiction. MBSs protect birds and their breeding grounds during the nesting season. There are 92 MBSs, 21 of which Environment Canada directly manages.

Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA)[EC]

WAPPRIITAimplements the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) by regulating trade in wild animals and plants. Internationally, more than 35,000 animals and plant species are listed under CITES. The Act forbids the import, export and interprovincial transportation of designated species unless it is done in accordance with a permit. The Act applies to the plant or animal, alive or dead, as well as to its parts and any derived products.

Approximately 6,000 permits are issued each year under this Act. While Environment Canada issues the majority of these permits, Fisheries and Oceans Canada issues export permits for CITES-listed aquatic species. Further, some provincial and territorial governments are responsible for issuing export permits for indigenous species in their jurisdiction.

The Minister is responsible for preparing an annual report to Parliament.

National Wildlife Week Act [EC]

This Act designates the week in which April 10 occurs as National Wildlife Week. April 10 was the birthday of Jack Miner, an early Canadian waterfowl conservationist.

Water acts

Canada Water Act [EC]

The Act provides the legal framework for undertaking federal/provincial/territorial programs and agreements for the conservation, development and utilization of Canada’s water resources. The Minister is the federal lead for administering Canada Water Act agreements (e.g., providing secretariats for and appointing federal members to water boards) and for conducting research and monitoring in support of these agreements. The Minister is also responsible for preparing an annual report to Parliament.

International River Improvements Act (IRIA) [EC]

The IRIAprovides authority to regulate the construction, operation and maintenance of various hydraulic structures (e.g., dams, canals) that alter the flow of water out of Canada or impact the use of a receiving water body outside Canada. The Minister is responsible for issuing IRIAlicences that regulate how improvements on international rivers flowing into the United States may affect water flows, levels and uses. However, the Act prohibits the Minister from issuing licenses that would allow for the bulk removal of water from rivers flowing across the international boundary. The Minister is also responsible for preparing an annual report to Parliament.

Lake of the Woods Control Board Act, 1921 [EC]; Lac Seul Conservation Act [EC]

The Lake of the Woods Control Board Act, 1921 provides for the establishment of the Lake of the Woods Control Board, and defines its purposes and powers. The Board is responsible for regulating specified waters in the Winnipeg River basin.

The Lac Seul Conservation Act provides for the implementation of the Canada-Ontario-Manitoba agreement to construct a dam creating the Lac Seul reservoir in the area of the Winnipeg River basin. This is similar to a Canada Water Act agreement, but because it predates other agreements, it is handled separately. The Minister has the same responsibilities as under the Canada Water Act, and reports activities under this Act in the Canada Water Act annual report.

Parks acts

Canada National Parks Act [PC]

This Act dedicates national parks to the people of Canada for their benefit, education and enjoyment, and provides that parks are to be maintained and used so as to leave them unimpaired for future generations. The Act provides that the Minister is responsible for the administration, management and control of national parks and, in particular, states that the maintenance or restoration of ecological integrity shall be the first priority of the Minister when considering all aspects of the management of parks. There is a Parliamentary requirement to table management plans for national parks within five years of their establishment, and to review them every ten years. The Act confers authority to make regulations relating to a wide range of issues governing the management of national parks, including:

There are currently 29 regulations under the Act.

Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act [PC]

This Act provides for the establishment of national marine conservation areas for the purpose of protecting and conserving representative marine areas for the benefit, education and enjoyment of Canadians, and the world. It states that these areas are to be used in a sustainable manner that meets the needs of present and future generations without compromising the function and structure of marine ecosystems. It provides for zoning to ensure ecologically sustainable use.

The Minister is responsible for the administration, management, and control of marine conservation areas in relation to matters not assigned to any other Minister. There is a Parliamentary requirement to table a management plan for national marine conservation areas within five years of their establishment, and to review them every ten years. The primary considerations in the development or modification of management plans are the principles of ecosystem management, and the precautionary principle. Provisions of management plans respecting fishing, aquaculture and fisheries management, and those respecting marine navigation and marine safety are subject to the agreement of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Minister of Transport, respectively.

The Minister is required to establish a management advisory committee to advise on the management plan for each marine conservation area.

The Act confers authority to make regulations relating to a wide range of issues dealt with by the Government on the management of national marine conservation areas, including:

Any regulations respecting fisheries management, aquaculture, fishing or marine navigation or safety, requires the recommendation of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans or Transport. Regulations for this Act are still under development.

Rouge National Urban Park Act [PC]

This Act establishes the Rouge National Urban Park. The Rouge National Urban Park inaugurates a new category of protected areas within the Parks Canada family, alongside national parks, national historic sites, and national marine conservation areas. The Act provides for the Park’s protection and promotes nature, culture and agriculture while respecting the urban infrastructure required of Canada’s largest metropolitan area.

The Minister is responsible for the administration, management and control of the national urban park, and the administration of public lands in the park. The Minister may also enter into agreements with other levels of government and other persons for the management of the park. Authority is also granted to the Minister to lease, grant easements over, and issue licences of occupation for lands in the national urban park. The Act confers on the Governor in Council authority to make regulations with respect to all aspects of the management and administration of the national urban park.

Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Park Act [PC]

This Act establishes the Saguenay–St. Lawrence Marine Park in accordance with an agreement with the Government of Quebec, and provides for the marine park’s protection, while encouraging its use for educational, recreational, and scientific purposes. The Minister is responsible for the administration, management and control of the marine park and is required to table a management plan in Parliament and review that plan every seven years. A coordinating committee makes recommendations to the Minister of the Environment, and the relevant Minister of the Province of Quebec on the implementation of the management plan. An additional committee exists to ensure harmonization of the activities and programs of the federal and provincial governments with respect to the marine park.

The Act confers authority to make regulations over a broad range of uses relating to the management of the marine park, including the protection of ecosystems, the protection of submerged cultural resources, zoning characteristics, and the control of the nature and type of activities within the marine park. There is currently one regulation under the Act regulating activities within the marine park.

Historic sites acts

Historic Sites and Monuments Act [PC]

The Act establishes the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada (HSMBC) and provides for the commemoration of national historic sites, persons and events. The mandate of the HSMBC, as set out in the Act, is to advise the Government of Canada through the Minister of the Environment, on the commemoration of nationally significant aspects of Canada’s history. Following evaluation and recommendation by the HSMBC, the Minister may declare a site, event or person to be of national historic significance, and may recommend commemoration in the form of a plaque or other suitable manner. The Act also sets out particular requirements for the composition, tenure and meetings of the HSMBC, members of which are appointed by the Governor in Council.

Heritage Railway Stations Protection Act

This Act provides for the designation of heritage railway stations, and requires Governor in Council approval of any alteration, demolition, or transfer of ownership of a designated heritage railway station. The Act requires that eligible stations (those owned by all railway companies governed by Part III of the Canada Transportation Act) be evaluated by the HSMBC. The HSMBC then advises the Minister on whether a building merits designation as a heritage railway station and on its heritage features. The Act authorizes the Minister to designate the railway station as a heritage railway station, and features of the building as heritage features for the purposes of the Act. The Act provides a clear process through which proposed changes to heritage railway stations must be reviewed and approved. The Heritage Railway Stations Regulations, made pursuant to this Act, set out the manner in which public notices and applications for authorization must be made by a railway company that plans to remove, destroy, alter, sell, assign, transfer or otherwise dispose of a heritage railway station that it owns, or is under its control.

Heritage Lighthouse Protection Act [PC]

This Act provides for the designation of heritage lighthouses owned by the federal government, and protects the heritage character of designated lighthouses by preventing their unauthorized alteration or disposition, and by requiring that they are maintained or altered in accordance with established conservation standards. Under the Act, the Minister responsible for Parks Canada may designate a nominated lighthouse as a heritage lighthouse, taking into account the advice of an advisory committee, and criteria established by the Minister. During a 5 year mandated process that ended on May 29 2015, 74 heritage lighthouses were designated. Although the process has officially ended, the Minister can still designate heritage lighthouses at any time pursuant to the Act.

National Cemetery of Canada Act [PC]

This Act, which received Royal Assent in 2009, gives honorary recognition to Beechwood Cemetery in Ottawa, Ontario, as the national cemetery of Canada.

Laurier House Act [PC]

This Act provides for the administration of the property and contents of Laurier House National Historic Site of Canada, and the funds in the Mackenzie King Trust Account in accordance with the will of the late Right Honourable William Lyon Mackenzie King. The Act gives Parks Canada, care, custody, and control of Laurier House and its contents.

Weather acts

Weather Modification Information Act [EC]

This Act creates an obligation on any person engaged in activities aimed at weather modification to inform the Administrator (the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Meteorological Service) of any activity or action in Canada that is designed or intended to produce changes in the weather.

Climate change acts

Canada Emission Reduction Incentives Agency Act [EC]

This Act establishes the Canada Emission Reduction Incentives Agency, for which the Minister of the Environment has overall direction and responsibility. The Act was intended as a vehicle through which Canada could meet its international commitments under the Kyoto Protocol. However, the Agency is no longer operational.

Other acts

Canadian Environment Week Act [EC]

The Act designates the week in which June 5 occurs as Canadian Environment Week. This coincides with the United Nations’ designation of June 5 as World Environment Day.

Environmental Enforcement Act (EEA) [EC, PC]

The bulk of the EEA was brought in force on December 10, 2010. It created the Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties Act and amended nine Acts administered by Environment Canada and Parks Canada, including the CEPA, the MBCA, the AEPA, the Canada National Parks Act, the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act and the Saguenay-St. Lawrence Marine Parks Act. The EEA introduced new sentencing provisions, enforcement authorities, and a new fine regime consisting of different ranges of fines for different categories of offenders, higher maximum fines and mandatory minimum fines for serious environmental offences. The EEA provisions that are not yet in force, including amendments to the fine regime of the MBCA, the Canada Wildlife Act and the WAPPRIITA, were published for comment in the Canada Gazette, Part 1 in 2012. [Information was severed in accordance with the Access to Information Act]

Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties Act (EVAMPA) [EC]

EVAMPA provides the legislative framework for an administrative monetary penalties regime under the nine Acts amended by the Environmental Enforcement Act as well as the Canada Water Act and CEAA 2012. [Information was severed in accordance with the Access to Information Act]

Federal Sustainable Development Act (FDSA) [EC]

The FDSA requires the Minister of the Environment to develop a Federal Sustainable Development Strategy. The Strategy must set out goals, targets, and a responsible minister and implementation strategy for each target. Consultations on the content of the Strategy are required before it is adopted by the Governor in Council. Following the adoption of the Strategy, departments and agencies mentioned in the Act each must adopt a ministerial sustainable development strategy that complies with and contributes to the Strategy.

4. Acts for which the minister of the environment has a secondary role or responsibility

Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act [EC]

The purpose of this Act is to prevent pollution of waters in the Canadian Arctic (i.e., North of 60). Environment Canada helps the Departments of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, Natural Resources, and Transport administer regulations dealing with waste from natural resources.

Bridge to Strengthen Trade Act [EC]

This Act exempts the proposed new international bridge between Detroit and Windsor from a variety of environmental approval requirements. However, the Act creates an obligation for proponents to consult and file a plan for mitigation measures on proposed works, undertakings or activities for the purpose of construction of the bridge that would otherwise require authorizations. This includes an obligation on the proponent to consult the Minister of the Environment in instances where SARA would have otherwise required an authorization regarding a listed wildlife species.

Canada Foundation for Sustainable Development Technology Act [EC]

This Act establishes the Canada Foundation for Sustainable Development Technology, the purpose of which is to provide funding for recipients on projects that meet certain eligibility requirements. The Minister of the Environment, together and in consultation with the Ministers of Industry and of Natural Resources, recommends members to the board of directors that are ultimately appointed by the Governor in Council.

Canada Oil and Gas Operations Act (COGOA)[EC]; Canada-Newfoundland Atlantic Accord Implementation Act, Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act (Accord Acts)[EC, CEAA]

Together withthe Canada Petroleum Resources Act, these Acts govern oil and gas development and activities in Canada’s offshore.

The COGOA governs the exploration, production, processing, and transportation of oil and gas in marine areas controlled by the federal government. Generally speaking, these are areas other than where a Federal-Provincial Accord Act is in place.

The Accord Acts implement agreements between the federal and provincial governments relating to offshore petroleum resources. The Accord Acts mirror COGOA and the Canada Petroleum Resources Act, and outline the shared management of oil and gas resources in the offshore, provide for revenue sharing, and establish the respective offshore regulatory boards. The Accord Acts also provide the necessary tools to enable the offshore boards to be made “responsible authorities” for conducting EAs under CEAA 2012.

Under these Acts, the Minister of the Environment is responsible for:

Canada Shipping Act, 2001 [PC]

This Act governs safety in marine transportation and recreational boating, as well as protection of the marine environment. Under this Act, the Minister responsible for the Parks Canada Agency, is responsible for making joint recommendations with the Minister of Transport to the Governor in Council regarding regulations concerning heritage wrecks.

Cultural Property Export and Import Act [PC]

This Act controls the import and export of movable cultural property and helps to ensure that cultural property of outstanding significance and national importance remains in Canada. The Act establishes the Canadian Cultural Property Export Review Board, members of which are appointed by the Governor in Council and report to the Minister of Canadian Heritage. The Act authorizes the Minister of Canadian Heritage to appoint expert examiners to advise the Board and the Minister of Canadian Heritage on whether cultural property that is proposed for export is of such outstanding significance to Canada’s cultural heritage that its loss to Canada would significantly diminish the national heritage. Parks Canada has been designated by the Minister of Canadian Heritage as an “expert examiner.”

Department of Transport Act [PC]

This Act establishes the Department of Transport, and provides the regulatory authorities for the Historic Canals Regulations and the Canal Regulations. These regulations govern the management, maintenance, use, and protection of the nine historic canals administered by Parks Canada. They also provide the necessary authorities to control various land- and water-based activities as well as navigation. The duties and functions of the Minister of Transport under the Act with respect to these historic canals were transferred to the Minister responsible for Parks Canada when the control and management of the canals were transferred to Parks Canada between 1972 and 1979. Subsection 6(4) of the Parks Canada Agency Act confirms that Parks Canada is responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Historic Canals Regulations.

Dominion Water Power Act [PC]

This Act and the Dominion Water Power Regulations control the development and use of water power on any federal property and applies to water powers on Parks Canada lands.

Emergency Management Act [EC]

This Act, which came into force on August 3, 2007, provides for a national emergency management system. The Act creates the new office of the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness (PSEP). The Minister of PSEP is primarily responsible for leading and coordinating emergency management in Canada. All Ministers accountable to Parliament, including the Minister of the Environment, have a duty under the Act to prepare, test and implement an emergency preparedness plan for those risks that are within or related to each individual Minister's area of responsibility.

Energy Supplies Emergency Act [EC]

This Act permits conservation of energy supplies in Canada during periods of national emergency. The Energy Supplies Allocation Board must consult with the Ministers of the Environment and Health before making regulations relaxing air standards.

Greenhouse Gas Technology Investment Fund Act [EC]

The Minister of Natural Resources is responsible for the implementation of the Act. The Minister of the Environment has a secondary role in making recommendations regarding the contribution rate and number of technology investment units. This Actwas enacted in 2005, but is not yet in force. If the Act is not brought into force, it could be repealed on December 31, 2015 by virtue of the Statutes Repeal Act.

Income Tax Act [EC]

The Income Tax Act provides tax benefits to landowners who donate ecologically sensitive land or a partial interest in an ecologically sensitive land to a qualified recipient. In order for the donation to qualify with Canada's Ecological Gifts Program, the Minister of the Environment is given the responsibility under the Act to certify that the land meets the necessary requirements.

Marine Liability Act [EC]

This Act requires the Minister of Transport to consult the Minister of the Environment in certain circumstances relating to levies imposed under the domestic Ship-source Oil Pollution Fund.

Resources and Technical Surveys Act [EC]

The Minister of the Environment is responsible for technical surveys relating to its responsibilities, such as meteorological surveys. The Act enables the Minister to distribute results, sell publications and conduct relevant research.

User Fees Act [PC]

This Act establishes requirements for all new user fees fixed by a regulatory authority, and for making changes to existing fees. Parks Canada has established its Master List of Fees under this statute.

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