Departmental Results Report 2020 to 2021, supplementary tables: Department of Environment, chapter 1

• In 2020-21, the CEC concluded the 2019-20 operational plan, which facilitated the implementation of ten trilateral cooperative projects to protect, enhance, and preserve the North American environment. Over two years, more than $5M was allocated to these projects from Party contributions.
• These projects enhanced North American preparedness to extreme weather events, mitigated climate change by reducing food loss and waste, supported ecosystems by preventing litter and preserving pollinator habitats, encouraged innovation, and strengthened Indigenous participation in environmental decision making.
• Eleven community projects were funded through the CEC’s $1.5M North American Partnership for Environmental Community Action program. Through this funding, communities across North America were able to implement projects that strengthened their resilience to climate change.
• Finally, the CEC Council (ministerial) approved the 2021-25 CEC Strategic Plan at the 2021 annual Council Session. This strategic plan will guide trilateral cooperation over the course of the next five years, and establishes the following areas of mutual interest: Clean Air, Land, and Water; Preventing and Reducing Pollution in the Marine Environment; Circular Economy and Sustainable Materials Management; Shared Ecosystems and Species; Resilient Economies and Communities; and, Effective Enforcement of Environmental Laws.
• The CEC Council also approved the launch of five new trilateral projects related to grasslands conservation, implementation of CITES Appendix II, recycling and solid waste management, nature-based solutions to climate change, and marine litter to be implemented over the coming two fiscal years.

Canada’s wildlife and habitat are conserved and protected

Canada’s species at risk are recovered

Indigenous peoples are engaged in conservation

The Canada Nature Fund is a critical tool for advancing actions by others that conserve and protect Canada’s habitat and biodiversity.

The Canada Nature Fund will secure private land, support provincial and territorial species protection efforts and help build Indigenous capacity to conserve land and species. It will support and enable others to undertake actions that conserve wildlife and protect and improve their habitat.

• In 2020-21, 79 new and 184 ongoing Canada Nature Fund projects were funded. The majority of these projects were multi-year projects to maximize conservation results.
• Under the Priority Places component of the Species Stream:
  • $6.7M was invested in 65 projects in 11 federal-provincial-territorial Priority Places that advanced collaborative multi-species and ecosystem-based conservation action planning, and implemented early priority actions on-the-ground. Additionally, $4.4M was invested in 15 complementary Community-Nominated Priority Places for Species at Risk projects to support multi-partner initiatives in Priority Places across Canada, where there are opportunities to protect and recover species at risk and their habitat through multi-species and ecosystem-based conservation action.
  • $5M was invested in seven projects that contribute to the recovery of wetland-dependent species at risk and the prevention of other priority species, such as migratory birds, from becoming a conservation concern by securing over 7,846 hectares of wetland and associated upland habitat.
  • Just under $6.1M was invested in 19 projects that supported the protection and recovery of several species at risk including six priority species, namely, Boreal Caribou, Peary caribou, Barren-ground caribou, Southern Mountain caribou, Greater sage-grouse and Wood bison.
• Under the Indigenous Partnerships component of the Species Stream, over $4.6M was invested in 47 projects that advanced relationships with Indigenous peoples. Projects supported Priority Species (caribou) recovery; wildlife health monitoring; including Indigenous priorities in multi-species conservation planning; and a new approach to meeting Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) consultation obligations for species at risk, in addition to ongoing mapping, stewarding and restoring species at risk and their habitat on Indigenous lands.
• In 2020-21, under the Priority Sectors and Threats –domestic component of the Species Stream, $1.2M was invested in 10 projects that enabled strategic sectoral approaches for mainstreaming species at risk conservation through natural capital valuation, fiscal incentives, knowledge transfer, and integration of conservation targets into existing sectoral management and regulatory instruments. Under the Priority Sectors and Threats- international component, $631,000 was invested in 15 international projects that address threats outside of Canada to the recovery of migratory birds. Activities were undertaken throughout the Americas and results include outreach to private landowners, local communities and hunters, development of communication and outreach products, training of local individuals and community leaders, identifying key sites for protection, and habitat conservation planning.
• Under the Target 1 Challenge component of the Spaces Stream, $45.2M was invested in 67 projects that advance the establishment of protected or conserved areas, which will contribute to Canada’s area-based conservation target.
• Under the Natural Heritage Conservation Program component of the Spaces Stream, $25M was invested with the Nature Conservancy of Canada to partner with Ducks Unlimited Canada, Wildlife Habitat Canada, and many regional and local land trusts resulting in approximately 29 hectares of ecologically sensitive private lands being secured.
• A $20,000 contribution to the Friends of the Royal Saskatchewan Museum was awarded to entice urban Canadians to explore Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area through the intensely personal process of songwriting and to build a community of stewards through online multimedia outreach.
• A $72,000 contribution to Ducks Unlimited Canada was awarded to do rehabilitation work on wetland maintenance structures in Lac-Saint-François National Wildlife Area in Quebec. This will result in maintaining the marsh and critical habitat for species at risk and connecting Canadians to nature.

Canada’s wildlife and habitat are conserved and protected

Canada’s species at risk are recovered

Indigenous peoples are engaged in conservation

• In 2020-21, the Aboriginal Species at Risk fund (Species at Risk Stream) awarded over $1.9M to 23 new projects and 22 previously approved multi-year projects to support Indigenous capacity development and engagement in the implementation of the Species at Risk Act to protect Species at Risk and their habitat.
• The Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk (Prevention Stream) awarded over $81,000 to 4 previously approved multi-year projects to support Indigenous participation in projects that prevent other species, beyond those listed on the Species at Risk Act, from becoming a conservation concern.
• The Habitat Stewardship Program (Species at Risk Stream) awarded over $3.7M in funding to 42 new terrestrial projects and 40 previously approved multi-year projects to support aquatic and terrestrial stewardship projects for the recovery of species at risk and the protection of their habitat.
• $2.4M in contributions were collectively provided to 4 different partners to support delivery of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan. Partners leveraged this funding into much more substantive investment by other federal and non-federal partners (in both Canada and the United States) in habitat conservation efforts.
• The Species at Risk Partnership on Agricultural Lands Initiative invested over $2.3M in 9 new projects and 12 previously approved multi-year projects to conserve and protect species at risk on agricultural lands through activities, such as the development and implementation of best management practices, strategic and farm-level conservation action planning, and exploring tax incentives and payments for ecosystem services to enable species and habitat conservation.
• The Indigenous Guardians Pilot invested $5.5M in 40 projects that provided Indigenous peoples with greater opportunity to exercise responsibility in stewardship of their traditional lands, waters, and ice.
• Under the Powley Initiative, $367,000 was awarded to 5 Métis organizations/governments in order to support capacity building and the collection and sharing of migratory game bird harvest data.
• A $10,000 contribution to the Delta Marsh Bird Observatory was awarded to undertake Bird Migration Monitoring in the Delta Marsh area in Manitoba and train volunteers to assist in Migration Monitoring.
• $125,000 in contributions were collectively provided to 5 national Indigenous organizations and governments to support them in engaging in and providing input on the development and implementation of policies and programs related to conservation, wildlife and biodiversity, including Canada’s positions regarding the post-2020 global biodiversity framework being developed under the Convention on Biological Diversity.
• A $1.47M contribution to Wildlife Habitat Canada was awarded to manage the Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp Initiative that enabled 29 conservation partner-led projects to support waterfowl and migratory birds by conserving or restoring 9,497 hectares of their habitat across Canada and engaging over 26,000 Canadians in conservation and stewardship activities. An additional contribution of $130,000 allowed Wildlife Habitat Canada to support conservation partners in conserving or restoring 65 hectares of waterfowl and migratory bird habitat in Newfoundland and Ontario.
• A $50,000 contribution was awarded to the University of Washington to undertake some Polar bear modelling related to climate change and harvest.
• A $698,000 contribution was awarded to the Earth Rangers Foundation to engage children aged 6-12 across the country in wildlife conservation, with a particular emphasis on species at risk education and stewardship.

The Low Carbon Economy Fund (LCEF) is a critical tool for advancing incremental domestic mitigation action under the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change (the Framework) to support its implementation, transition Canada to a low-carbon economy, and work towards meeting or exceeding commitments under the Paris Agreement.

The LCEF supports the Framework by leveraging investments in projects that will generate clean growth, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The LCEF is comprised of two components: the Leadership Fund that supports provincial and territorial actions; and the Challenge, which is further divided into two streams (Champions and Partnerships) that support climate action projects across a broader range of recipients (e.g., provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous organizations, and not-for-profit/for-profit businesses).

In 2020-21, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) continued working with provinces and territories to finalize projects being funded through the Leadership Fund. 51 projects are underway with expected GHG reductions of approximately 3.9 Mt in 2030, 25 PJ of energy savings in 2030, and 33,500 new jobs by 2024.

For the Champions stream, 57 projects are underway with expected annual GHG emissions reductions of approximately 0.9 Mt in 2030, 5.5 PJ of annual energy savings in 2030, and 2,900 new jobs by 2024.

For the first intake of the Partnerships stream, 12 additional funding agreements were established with recipients. Four funding agreements were signed through a second intake of the Partnerships stream, which targeted small- and medium-sized businesses. The first intake of Partnerships stream has 20 projects underway with expected annual GHG emissions reductions of approximately 0.03 Mt in 2030, 0.4 PJ of annual energy savings in 2030, and 150 new jobs 2024. The second intake of the Partnerships stream has four projects underway with expected annual GHG emissions reductions of approximately 0.001 Mt in 2030, 0.02 PJ of annual energy savings in 2030, and 10 new jobs by 2024.

For the Energy Savings Rebate program in Ontario, using a portion of Ontario’s notional allocation from the Leadership Fund, 169 retailers throughout the province continued to provide rebates. 16 larger retailers provided rebates until December 31, 2020 and 153 smaller retailers provided rebates until March 31, 2021. This program stream supported rebates on the purchase of energy efficient products in Ontario.

An internal audit began in 2019-20 and was finalized in 2020-21. The Audit recommended that the program:

1. Review, refine, document and monitor LCEF business processes for funding agreement management, project monitoring and claims processing.
2. Review staff roles and responsibilities to ensure that all LCEF financial responsibilities are assigned and carried out in a timely manner, to support sound management and effective decision making regarding the overall LCEF program.
3. Review the overall governance structure to address the evolving oversight needs of the LCEF; and reinforce the monitoring role and activities of the Agreement Oversight Committees to support compliance with the Leadership funding agreements and the delivery of projects and programs at the provincial and territorial level.
4. Develop, document and implement an evergreen risk management strategy that formalizes the analysis of external and internal risk factors and documents risk tolerance and risk mitigation plans, to support strategic and operational objectives.
5. Develop and implement an information management strategy to ensure that all supporting documentation and information of business value are stored appropriately; and provide guidance to staff regarding what constitutes information of business value and where it should be stored.

In response to the Audit recommendations, a detailed Management Action Plan was developed and is being implemented.

For the Leadership Fund, ECCC continued meetings with provinces and territories to provide clarification on the program and to refine/adjust project proposals.

ECCC also engaged applicants across all LCEF program streams to negotiate and execute funding agreements.

Lake Winnipeg Basin Program (LWBP)

In 2020-21, the LWBP funded 15 new projects ($1.18M over two years) to reduce excessive nutrients, and increase Indigenous engagement and stakeholder collaboration to protect Lake Winnipeg and its basin. The projects will see Indigenous peoples, watershed organizations, academics, and citizen scientists undertake projects to apply and share their knowledge and expertise to achieve tangible nutrient-reduction results by 2021-22.

The LWBP continued to support the Lake Winnipeg Research Consortium’s operation of the only in-lake science platform. The Program also supported the operation and efforts to expand awareness and use of the University of Manitoba’s Canadian Watershed Information Network (CanWIN), an open-access data and information portal that enables data sharing and analysis with residents, watershed managers and researchers in the Lake Winnipeg Basin.

Work continued with existing water governance bodies to explore options and opportunities to work collaboratively towards the development and implementation of a basin-wide nutrient strategy, including the development of transboundary nutrient objectives. This includes working with the Province of Manitoba to continue implementing the Canada-Manitoba Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Respecting Lake Winnipeg, which expired in September 2020. A new MOU is being developed to continue to facilitate ongoing long-term collaboration between the two governments to support the sustainability and health of the Lake Winnipeg Basin.

In 2020-21, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) continued to implement the Lake Winnipeg Science Plan; however, a significant of amount of planned fieldwork could not proceed in 2020-21 due to COVID-19 implications. However, data collected by partners along with historical data enabled significant progress to be made on quantifying nutrient sources and transport processes via tributaries to Lake Winnipeg.

The Lake Winnipeg Science Plan’s research findings will improve the understanding of Lake Winnipeg’s response to nutrient reduction actions in the basin, the impact of climate variability on nutrient loading, and the impact of zebra mussels on nutrient cycling and the food web in Lake Winnipeg. It will also provide sound science to inform policy and nutrient management action.

To support knowledge transfer, ECCC continued to develop and share information on Lake Winnipeg-based research and science efforts including the annual Lake Winnipeg Basin Algal Bloom Severity Index Report and several webinars to share scientific findings with stakeholders. Additionally, ECCC contributed several scientific publications, and provided editorial support, for a special issue of the Journal of Great Lakes Research on Lake Winnipeg, published online in 2020.

Great Lakes Protection Initiative

In 2020-21, $784,609 was provided to support single and multi-year partner-led projects to address priorities for action (restoring Areas of Concern, preventing toxic and nuisance algae, reducing releases of harmful chemicals, engaging Indigenous peoples, and increasing public engagement through citizen science). Highlights of results achieved include:

• 95.7% of Great Lakes projects were delivered on time, on scope, and on budget.
• 44 Indigenous organizations/communities and two Indigenous organizations (Chiefs of Ontario and Metis Nation of Ontario) participated in Great Lakes decision-making processes and projects that supported the restoration and protection of Great Lakes water quality.
• Twelve stakeholder phosphorus reduction projects were supported that implement and promote broad application of best management practices and new technologies.
• Three projects were supported that demonstrated beyond compliance approaches to reduce releases of chemicals of mutual concern from Canadian sources.

Atlantic Ecosystems Initiatives (AEI)

AEI funding of $355,136 was provided to six new projects to enhance integrated ecosystem planning and decision-making, increase ecosystem knowledge and science, and undertake actions to conserve, restore and enhance water quality in two priority ecosystems: Wolastoq/Saint John River Watershed and the Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence. Successful recipients included Bluenose Coastal Action Foundation, Eastern Charlotte Waterways Inc., ACAP Saint John, University of New Brunswick (two projects), and the Coalition-Southern Gulf of St. Lawrence.

In addition, five projects were successfully completed in 2020-21. Project results included the assessment, monitoring, modeling, and/or mitigation of multiple stressors and their cumulative effects on water quality in Atlantic Canada ecosystems.

St. Lawrence

• The Canada-Quebec Agreement on the St. Lawrence 2011–26.
• PZIP (Programme Zones intervention prioritaire): 13 Agreements to engage communities along the St. Lawrence to have positive impacts on the St. Lawrence ecosystems. $1,100,000.00 engaged.
• PIC (Programme Interactions communautaires): three new agreements and nine ongoing agreements in order to raise awarness and to conserve and restore the St. Lawrence ecosystems. $376,249.00 engaged.

EcoAction Community Funding Program

In 2020-21, the EcoAction Community Funding Program provided approximately $43.8 million over 36 months for new community-based projects that aim to deliver positive results related to the protection and conservation of Canada’s freshwater resources. The 52 new projects helped protect and conserve Canada’s freshwater by taking action to divert and reduce harmful substances like plastic waste, restore aquatic habitat and encourage actions to conserve freshwater resources. All projects involved one or more of the Departmental Priority Groups: Indigenous peoples, Youth and Small Businesses.

In 2020-21, EcoAction continued funding 43 ongoing projects for a total contribution of approximately $3.4 million. Those projects help advance Departmental priorities by engaging Canadians in delivering positive environmental outcomes.

The Climate Action Incentive Fund (CAIF) provided funding over two years from the fuel charge component of the carbon pricing backstop to small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and schools.

The CAIF supported these recipients to reduce energy usage, achieve cost savings and ultimately reduce GHG emissions.

CAIF was comprised of two funding streams:

1. The SME Project stream provided funding to SMEs to undertake various types of projects that will result in reduced energy usage and costs as well as GHG emissions.
2. The MUSH Retrofit Stream provided funding support to undertake energy saving projects in schools.

A combination of directed funding and open calls for proposals to ensure the recipient achieves the desired outcomes, maximize efficiencies, and streamline administration.

In 2020-21, CAIF recipients/applicants were engaged on an ongoing basis by departmental officials to support the execution and negotiation of funding agreements. No new intakes were opened for CAIF programming.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) manages Science Horizons Youth Internship Program (Science Horizons). It is funded through the Career Focus stream of the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS), overseen by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Programs under the Career Focus stream aim to demonstrate federal leadership by investing in the skills required to meet the needs of the knowledge economy, facilitate the transition of skilled young people to a rapidly changing labour market, and promote the benefits of advanced studies.

Science Horizons provides opportunities for youth up to age 30 with post-secondary education to receive hands-on working experience in the science, technology, engineering or math (STEM), environmental and clean technology sectors.

The last evaluation of Science Horizons was completed in February 2020 as part of ESDC’s horizontal evaluation of the Youth Employment Strategy.

While not specific to Science Horizons, the evaluation found that:

• Immediately after completing a Career Focus initiative, a larger share of participants still worked, compared to those who returned to school; and
• Through Career Focus, youth enjoyed a positive and lasting impact on their labour market attachment. On average, participants earned $5,535 more per year than non-participants did.

Over a 10-year period, Career Focus yielded a positive return on investment for individuals and society as a whole.

On December 1, 2020, ECCC and Natural Resources Canada initiated a joint call seeking proposals (via internet and social media) from potential recipients to collaborate in the delivery of their respective youth employment programs for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 fiscal years. ECCC is currently expecting ministerial approval to negotiate contribution agreements with six recipients.

Each recipient targets a specific market segment within environmental and clean technology sectors to leverage their own network of organizations and educational institutions to promote Science Horizons. This includes promoting the program through their networks, attending career or job fairs, and participating in conferences and networking events with organizations in the environmental and clean technology industry.

In addition, ECCC promotes the program annually to applicants (both employers and interns) through Ministerial Announcements in coordination with social media communications and the program’s departmental internet site to share success stories on employers and interns who have benefitted from the program.

Canadian greenhouse gas and short-lived climate pollutant emissions are reduced.

Indigenous peoples are engaged in clean growth and climate change.

Canada contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing climate resilience globally.

Canadian communities, economies, and ecosystems are more resilient.

In 2020-21, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) continued to work with provinces, territories, other government departments and with external partners to implement actions outlined in Canada’s climate plan both within Canada, and internationally.

Key results achieved include:

• Through the Climate Action Fund, supported projects delivered by not-for-profit organizations, Indigenous organizations, and universities and academic institutions for communities like students, youth, Indigenous peoples and organizations, and small- and medium-sized enterprises that increase awareness of climate change and build capacity for climate action;
• The Canadain Centre for Climate Services (CCCS) released a health sectorial module, analysis tool and new Learning Zone on ClimateData.ca, providing Canadians with easier access to climate data and information. These initaitives are the result of a collaboration between the Computer Research Institute of Montréal, Ouranos, the Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium, the Prairie Climate Centre, and Habitat Seven, with support from the CCCS.
• As part of CCCS’ efforts to enhance consideration of climate information in decision-making, a new guide was developed to support municipal staff in speaking with decision-makers and elected officials about adapting to the local impacts of climate change. This was developed under the Municipal Climate Service Collaborative initiative, in collaboration with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
• The CCCS continued to advance its efforts to build capacity and expertise across the country by collaborating with the Atlantic provinces to design and launch a competitive process for the establishment of a new regional climate organization to service the Atlantic region. The competitive process identifed a recipient to lead the new organization, which will be established in 2021-22. This new organization will deliver regionally tailored climate information, data, tools and training to meet the growing demand for climate services in support of adaptation to climate change.
• Continued effective partnership and constructive dialogue with the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Métis National Council on the topic of clean growth and climate change. These partnerships are vital to the successful implementation of the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change (PCF), and each of the three Indigenous tables informs the design of polices and programs to reflect and advance Indigenous peoples’ clean growth and climate change priorities.
• Supported capacity building and engagement with Indigenous peoples on clean growth and climate change.
• Delivered on Canada’s $2.65 billion climate finance commitment, in collaboration with Global Affairs Canada to support developing countries, in particular the poorest and most vulnerable, in their transition to low-carbon and climate-resilient economies.
• Developed and maintained Canada’s international partnerships with organizations to help assist all countries in moving towards low-carbon economies. Through Canada’s co-leadership of the Powering Past Coal Alliance alongside the UK, Canada shows its commitment and ambition to accelerate the global phase-out of unabated coal power.

Canada’s wildlife and habitat are conserved and protected

Canada’s species at risk are recovered

Indigenous peoples are engaged in conservation

Canada has been a Contracting Party to the Ramsar Convention since 1981.

Annual membership dues are an obligation of the Parties based on terms agreed to at the Convention of the Parties.

Canadians have clean water

The Canadian environment is protected from harmful substances

Canada has been a member of the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) since 1950 as one of the initial signatories to the convention. The annual assessed contribution is based on the U.N. Scale as agreed to every three years by the U.N. General Assembly and adapted, as is normal practice, to accommodate the varying membership of U.N. organizations.

As a signatory to the WMO Convention, Canada is required to pay an assessed contribution in order to remain a member. Our contribution to WMO gives Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) access to global meteorological observations and research, which is essential to improving domestic meteorological services, and would be prohibitively expensive to achieve on our own.

Canada's assessed rate is 2.88% of the WMO Budget (which is calculated as approximately $1,867,141 (Swiss Francs) for this financial period).

The amount in Canadian dollars is based on current exchange rates. It should be noted that, as exchange rates fluctuate, the amount provided in Canadian funds will also fluctuate.

The associated Departmental result indicator is the index of the timeliness and accuracy of severe weather warnings on a scale of 0 to 10.

The target of 7.9 was exceeded in 2020-21, with a result achieved of 8.8 (three year rolling average 2018-20). The result achieved for 2019-20 was also 8.8.

No audits were completed in 2020-21.

The management action plan to address the findings in response to the 2019 internal audit of Infrastructure Renewal within the Meteorological Service of Canada is in implementation and nearing completion.

As a signatory to the WMO Convention, Canada is required to pay an assessed contribution in order to remain a member. Our contribution to WMO gives ECCC access to global meteorological research, which is essential to improving domestic meteorological services, and would be prohibitively expensive to achieve on our own.

Additionally, Canada engages with the WMO at many levels:

• Canada’s Permanent Representative to WMO is from ECCC;
• Canada is a member of WMO Executive Council as well as the Services and Infrastructure Commissions;
• ECCC has members of the Policy Advisory Committee (PAC) and Financial Advisory Committee (FINAC), providing a window into the risks for WMO and to be part of developing strategies to mitigate these risks and ensure WMO’s financial position remain strong; and
• ECCC has numerous staff participate at the “expert level” on various expert teams, working groups, etc.

This does not change on an annual basis.

The expected results are linked to the Departmental Result that Canadians use authoritative weather and related information to make decisions about their health and safety.

The associated Departmental result indicator for Weather is the index of the timeliness and accuracy of severe weather warnings on a scale of 0 to 10.

The target of 7.9 was exceeded in 2020-21, with a result achieved of 8.8 (three year rolling average 2018-20).

The associated Departmental Result Indicator for Hydro is the percentage of Canadians that use ECCC information to address water-related impacts on health, safety, economy and environment.

The target of at least 80% by May 2021 was not met in 2020-21*, with a result achieved of 60%. This is due to the fact that several respondents rated their satisfaction as a 7 out of 10, which is not captured by the methodology. The survey questionnaire will be updated in the future to indicate the different satisfaction levels. Additionally, the Hydro Program reaches about 7% of the Canadian population (water resource decision makers, recreational boaters, those living on the coasts or shorelines) as per the 2013 Public Opinion Research (POR) survey. Hence, reaching their ‘usergroup’ is not representative of reaching all Canadians. Therefore, the Hydro indicator itself is not representative of the final program outcome. As such, the Hydro indicator is being replaced.

*Note that the POR survey is conducted every 4 years, and the results from the 2021 survey have not yet been released (expected later in 2021).

No audits were completed in 2020-21.

The management action plan to address the findings in response to the 2019 internal audit of Infrastructure Renewal within the MSC is in implementation and nearing completion.

Canada’s wildlife and habitat are conserved and protected

Canada’s species at risk are recovered

Indigenous Peoples are engaged in conservation

Regional Assessment – Newfoundland Offshore

In 2020-21, under the Impact Assessment - Cumulative Effects Initiative,  $400,000 was invested in 3 projects in Atlantic Canada to three recipients: Nunatsiavut Government ($250,000), Queen's University ($70,000) and Birds Canada ($80,000). These projects supported Indigenous capacity to contribute to the Newfoundland offshore regional assessment, contributed to key research on impacts of light pollution on migratory seabirds to inform mitigation measures, and built regional capacity for conservation planning for Leach’s Storm Petrel, a species that was recently assessed as threatened by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada.

Regional Assessment – Ring of Fire (ON)

In 2020-21, for the Ring of Fire Regional Assessment, two contribution agreements were established with Indigenous partners. The first was a three-year agreement with Matawa Four Rivers Environmental for capacity building, contributing to migratory bird and bat knowledge and documenting environmental values important to Matawa First Nation communities. The value of this agreement was $149,500 in 2020-21. The second was a one-year agreement with Webequie First Nation to support collection and compilation of Boreal Caribou Indigenous Traditional Knowledge. The value of this agreement was $50,050.

Projecting cumulative effects of natural and anthropogenic disturbance on caribou in the Ring of Fire in Ontario

In 2020-21, under the Impact Assessment – Cumulative Effects Initiative, ECCC invested $40,400 in a project that will contribute to a broad, multi-departmental effort to quantitatively model cumulative effects, in anticipation of questions that will be asked in the Ring of Fire Regional Assessment: “what are the cumulative effects (CE) of human activities and natural disturbance on wildlife in the Ring of Fire?” The recipient of this transfer payment program worked with a scientific advisory committee, and has successfully identified limitations of the existing models and proposed options for addressing these limitations. Their tools and analysis of the models and modelling framework has helped clarify what we have and what more is needed for quantitative assessment of the cumulative effects of human activities and natural disturbance on caribou in the Ring of Fire area.

Cumulative Effects – Open Data

In 2020-21, funding was allocated to three recipients, Birds Canada (BSC) ($500,000), Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute (ABMI) ($335,000) and NatureServe Canada (NSC) ($553,305), as the middle year of funding for 5-year agreements with each recipient. All funds were fully expended as allocated. Collectively, these three recipients manage or coordinate some of the most important collections of wildlife data in Canada, for migratory birds (BSC and ABMI) and for species of conservation concern, including species listed under SARA (NSC). Funding is focused on developing platforms that will allow for better management of these data, and openly displaying these data at appropriate levels of resolution to match the sensitivity associated with the data. Specifically, these are supporting the development of the NatureCounts platform to display and manage migratory bird data. WildTrax manages data collected with a variety of sensors, including acoustic recorders and camera traps, that can be used by many different users including government, ENGOs, private citizens, and industry proponents. NatureServe Explorer 2.0 shares and disseminates data on species of conservation concern. Basics of all of these platforms are well advanced, with many features already publicly available, though others are still in development. A workplan is in place to have these platforms fully developed and inter-operational by the end of the current 5-year agreements.

Cumulative Effects – Coordination

A $75,000 contribution was allocated to the University of British Columbia Centre for Environmental Assessment Research. These funds allowed the Centre to build a new regional screening tool, which provides a quantitative depiction of cumulative environmental, socioeconomic and health impacts in the Alberta Foothills region, an area affected by development. The tool builds on existing best practices in cumulative effects assessment and contributes to the understanding of changes to landscape values over time. The contribution also enabled the creation of an Advisory Working Group, composed of stakeholders, public servants and Indigenous communities, who are interested in the tool and its development.

Investigating potential cumulative effects from exposure of northern marine species to oil-related contaminants and other environmental stressors

In 2019-20 fiscal year, under the Habitat Conservation and Protection program inventory – under the Cumulative Effects Initiative, WLSD invested $160,000 ($80,000 for 2019-20 and $80,000 for 2020-21 fiscal year) in this project in the Baffin Bay – Davis Strait (BBDS) region. The objects is to develop a highly complex database of on-the-ground assessments investigating potential cumulative effects of the exposure of highly valued wildlife to multiple stressors. The information generated will be useful for evidence-based conservation decision making and for the formal process of regional environmental assessments and regional strategic environmental assessments.

The recipient successfully completed several of the project tasks, like setting up workshops with partners to conduct project specific training and evaluation exercises. The recipient also completed several analyses of contaminants in northern fulmar tissues. Third, as part of the work examining cumulative effects, the recipient conducted a spatial analysis and created a series of maps that overlay the stressors that may affect northern fulmars in the BBDS region. The project team is currently preparing reports for sharing the results of the mapping exercises.

Regional Assessment – Newfoundland Offshore

Due to the global pandemic, all meetings with applicants and recipients were held virtually. There were no major differences between the planned activities in the 2020-21 Departmental Plan and the actual activities undertaken.

Regional Assessment – Ring of Fire

Due to the global pandemic, all meetings with applicants and recipients were held virtually. There were no major differences between the planned activities in the 2020-21 Departmental Plan and the actual activities undertaken.

Cumulative Effects – Open Data

The project manager within the Monitoring, Assessment and Information Division of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), met regularly (approximately monthly) by video conference with each of the Recipients of the Cumulative Effects and Open Data funding stream to discuss progress, accomplishments, challenges and opportunities related to the activities being supported under these agreements. In addition, some presentations were made to a broader ECCC community on specific issues. The actual activities undertaken matched well with those that were planned.

Projecting cumulative effects of natural and anthropogenic disturbance on caribou in the Ring of Fire in Ontario

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all our meetings with applicants and recipients were held virtually. All the activites were as per the 2020-21 Departmental Plan.

Regionalization of Boreal Avian Modelling species distribution models for northern Ontario birds to improve cumulative effects modelling in the Ring of Fire Regional Assessment

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all our meetings with applicants and recipients were held virtually. All the activites were as per the 2020-21 Departmental Plan.

Development of science-based approaches to assessing and managing regional cumulative effects that promote biodiversity conservation and sustainable development

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all our meetings with applicants and recipients were held virtually and the workplan was revised to advance the project. 

Investigating potential cumulative effects from exposure of northern marine species to oil-related contaminants and other environmental stressors

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all our meetings with applicants and recipients were held virtually. All activities were completed through virtual collaborative working relationships for outreach and for virtual meetings with the recipient’s team were held for discussion of project results and the production of project reports and manuscripts for the public release of results.

The purpose of the Grant is:

1. to pay up to 20% of Canada’s mandatory annual contribution to the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol (MLF); and
2. to reimburse the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) for the differential administrative costs associated with locating the MLF Secretariat in Montreal as compared to UNEP Headquarters in Nairobi. The MLF assists developing countries in complying with their obligations under the Montreal Protocol. Global Affairs Canada pays the remaining 80% of Canada’s contribution.

• Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) directly benefits from these supplements because they are low risk, and they encourage and help young Canadians to study and pursue careers in the atmospheric sciences.
• Six applications have been selected to receive the Undergraduate supplement and three applications have been selected to receive the Post Graduate supplement.

No audits were completed in 2020-21.

The management action plan to address the findings in response to the 2019 internal audit of Infrastructure Renewal within the Meteorological Service of Canada is in implementation and nearing completion.

• This ECCC Grant Program assists the applicants with undertaking the projects that will connect to ECCC’s Atmospheric and Meteorological Graduate and Undergraduate supplements. Applicants review the criteria on the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada Website, where they can determine their eligibility. In addtion, contact details to directly interact with a Departmental Representative for questions, concerns, issues or clarification are available.
• Assistant Deputy Minister-Level Notification letters are drafted to inform the applicants of their grant award along with other relevant paperwork (Vendor Template, Direct Deposit).

Incentivize clean technology development and innovation to reduce plastic waste.

Includes grant funding from Oceans Agenda TB Submission, as well as internal re-allocation to fund pressure.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) manages Science Horizons Youth Internship Program (Science Horizons). It is funded through the Career Focus stream of the Government of Canada’s Youth Employment and Skills Strategy (YESS), overseen by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC). Programs under the Career Focus stream aim to demonstrate federal leadership by investing in the skills required to meet the needs of the knowledge economy, facilitate the transition of skilled young people to a rapidly changing labour market, and promote the benefits of advanced studies.

Science Horizons provides opportunities for youth up to age 30 with post-secondary education to receive hands-on working experience in the science, technology, engineering or math (STEM), environmental and clean technology sectors.

The last evaluation of Science Horizons was completed in February 2020 as part of ESDC’s horizontal evaluation of the Youth Employment Strategy.

While not specific to Science Horizons, the evaluation found that:

• Immediately after completing a Career Focus initiative, a larger share of participants still worked, compared to those who returned to school; and
• Through Career Focus, youth enjoyed a positive and lasting impact on their labour market attachment. On average, participants earned $5,535 more per year than non-participants did.

Over a 10-year period, Career Focus yielded a positive return on investment for individuals and society as a whole.

On December 1, 2020, ECCC and Natural Resources Canada initiated a joint call seeking proposals (via internet and social media) from potential recipients to collaborate in the delivery of their respective youth employment programs for the 2021-22 and 2022-23 fiscal years. ECCC is currently expecting ministerial approval to negotiate contribution agreements with six recipients.

Each recipient targets a specific market segment within environmental and clean technology sectors to leverage their own network of organizations and educational institutions to promote Science Horizons. This includes promoting the program through their networks, attending career or job fairs, and participating in conferences and networking events with organizations in the environmental and clean technology industry.

In addition, ECCC promotes the program annually to applicants (both employers and interns) through Ministerial Announcements in coordination with social media communications and the program’s departmental internet site to share success stories on employers and interns who have benefitted from the program.