Horizontal initiatives: 2021-2022 Departmental Results Report
Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan
The Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan Horizontal Initiative Supplementary Table is undergoing final review and confirmation across implicated federal departments. The table will be published on this web page as soon as it is finalized. Please check here later for further updates, or reach out to FCSAP.PASCF@ec.gc.ca for more information.
Nature Legacy for Canada
General information
Name of horizontal initiative
Nature Legacy for Canada
Lead department
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)
Federal partner departments
Parks Canada (PCA); Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO); Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
Nonfederal‑ and non‑governmental partners
Not applicable
Start date of the horizontal initiative
2018-19
End date of the horizontal initiative
2022-23
Description of the horizontal initiative
Natural spaces will be protected by establishing and expanding protected areas, managing them to high standards, and linking them through a well-connected network of protected lands, inland water and coastal and marine areas. Species will be conserved by developing and implementing, in collaboration with partners, protection and recovery measures for multiple species and ecosystems through collaborative action on priority places, species, sectors, and threats, and to address risks; and the rights and responsibilities of Indigenous Peoples in conserving species and spaces will be respected and supported.
Governance structures
A senior management committee (Senior Oversight Committee), chaired by ECCC, was established at the ADM level with representation from ECCC, PCA, DFO and NRCan to guide the initiative, address any issues, and overcome any roadblocks that become apparent. The Oversight Committee developed for Nature Legacy will be combined with Enhanced Nature Legacy to ensure consistency between initiatives.
The Committee meets at least once a year to consider a status report on the implementation of the Nature Legacy for Canada.
Total federal funding allocated (from start to end date) (dollars)
$1,168,087,505 from June 2018 to March 2023
Total federal planned spending to date (dollars)
$535,444,284
Total federal actual spending to date (dollars)
$521,306,856
Date of last renewal of the horizontal initiative
Not applicable
Total federal funding allocated at the last renewal, and source of funding (dollars)
Not applicable
Additional federal funding received after the last renewal (dollars)
$46,500,000 (Off cycle funding decision providing Southern Mountain Caribou (SMC).
Total planned spending since the last renewal
Not applicable
Total actual spending since the last renewal
Not applicable
Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation
2022-23 for the Species at Risk and Habitat Conservation and Protection Programs
Performance highlights
In 2021-22, the fourth year of this funding, the Government of Canada has been working closely with provinces and territories, Indigenous Peoples, Canadians, international partners and other stakeholders, to make significant progress towards our objectives under exceptional circumstances during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some key highlights include:
Species at risk:
- In collaboration with the provinces and territories, Indigenous Peoples, stakeholders, and other partners – ECCC continued implementation of the Pan-Canadian Approach to Transforming Species at Risk Conservation in Canada (Pan-Canadian Approach) for terrestrial species through collaborative action for identified priority places, species, sectors and threats to improve conservation outcomes for species at risk and other wildlife.
- Across 11 Priority Places – places with significant biodiversity, concentrations of species at risk, and opportunities to advance conservation efforts – funded 117 projects (Canada Nature Fund) to engage partners and stakeholders, establish governance frameworks, initiate collaborative multi-species and ecosystem-based conservation action planning, and implement priority actions on-the-ground.
- Continued to support a suite of 18 complementary Community-Nominated Priority Places for Species at Risk (3 new places were added in the territories in 2021-22; Canada Nature Fund) that support multi-partner initiatives in priority places where there are opportunities to protect and recover species at risk and their habitat through multi-species and ecosystem-based conservation action.
- For the six Priority Species (Barren-ground Caribou, Boreal Caribou, Greater Sage-Grouse, Peary Caribou, Southern Mountain Caribou and Wood Bison), 26 new and ongoing projects were funded across the country. Progress towards collaborative planning and advancement of stewardship approaches, including the use of conservation agreements and implementation of actions continued through engagement with federal, provincial, and territorial governments, Indigenous Peoples, and other key partners and stakeholders.
- In September 2020, ECCC launched Priority Species webpages to share information and increase communication to all Canadians on progress for the six Priority Species
- Engaged partners and stakeholders to initiate co-creation of conservation action plans with the agriculture, urban development, and forest priority sectors. Established core planning teams for the agriculture and forest priority sectors to align conservation and sector policy and practice with positive outcomes for species at risk and sector sustainability. Funded 10 projects to advance the mainstreaming of species at risk (SAR) conservation into sector practices.
- Advanced relationship building with Indigenous partners through 33 new and 32 continuing multi-year projects that aim to enable Indigenous peoples’ leadership in SAR conservation by supporting capacity to implement conservation planning and action for SAR and their habitat, negotiate and implement conservation agreements for the collaborative conservation of SAR, and participate in the implementation of the Species at Risk Act (SARA), with a focus on effectively fulfilling consultation requirements.
- Decisions were made on the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) assessments of SAR. These resulted in changes to Schedule 1 of the SARA, further reducing the backlog of on species listing decisions. With the addition of 22 SAR, 622 species were listed on Schedule 1 as of March 31, 2020. DFO also put forward three populations of aquatic SAR, which were reclassified from threatened to endangered.
- Published 13 recovery strategies, five management plans, and two action plans for SAR under the responsibility of ECCC, bringing the number of required recovery documents to 93% compliance with the requirements of SARA.
- Published two bi-annual reports on the steps taken by provinces and territories, and through federal action, towards the of protection critical habitat for terrestrial species.
- In 2021-22 ECCC funded 10 projects delivered by federal land managers to contribute to the recovery of SAR and the conservation of critical habitat on federally-administered lands.
- To date seven protection orders under s58.5 of SARA for seven SARA listed species on federal lands (excluding reserve lands)
- One Emergency Protection Order under s80.1 of SARA for Western Chorus Frog, a SARA listed species
- 43 Gazette statements were published for 43 SARA listed species which led to a 77% compliance for critical habitat on federally protected lands
- Parks Canada added 2 more site-based, multi-species action plans for a total of 23 plans that identify recovery measures for more than 254 species of conservation concern (including over 213 SARA-listed species). Parks Canada is on track to achieve the Nature Legacy target of implementing 50% of recovery measures in SARA action plans by 2023. As of March 2021, 44% are complete.
- In 2020-2021, Parks Canada has legally protected critical habitat for 11 species at risk in 17 Parks Canada-administered places. In total, completing 9 critical habitat descriptions in the Canada Gazette, 1 protection statement, and 2 Ministerial Orders. Some species can have more than one legal instrument used to protect its critical habitat.
- DFO participated along with Transport Canada and PCA in the Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW) initiative to address the threats of prey availability and physical and acoustic disturbance to these whales. This was done by: enhancing existing recovery measures; developing a suite of new management measures - including creation of marine sanctuaries - by engaging in Indigenous and stakeholder consultations in support of the creation of marine sanctuaries; and by enhancing compliance and enforcement measures.
- Of note, in 2019, DFO in collaboration with Transport Canada, signed a conservation agreement under section 11 of SARA with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (VFPA) and six other industry member organizations to the Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program led by the VFPA. This 5-year agreement helps support recovery of the SRKW and has served to highlight the value of such an approach toward implementation of measures to help reduce threats to the endangered SRKW. An annual report summarizing progress from May 2019 - May 2020 is published, and a second annual report covering May 2020 - May 2021 is pending.
- DFO led or provided support on measures to reduce threats to North Atlantic Right Whales in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and identified with the Province of British Columbia a plan to respond to declines of Thompson and Chilcotin Steelhead on an urgent basis.
- The Canada Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk (CNFASAR) aims to build relationships with Indigenous Peoples, provinces and territories, industry and other partners for aquatic SAR by supporting and encouraging stewardship actions through the implementation of multi-species, threat, and place-based approaches to recovery and protection.
- CNFASAR is funding over 56 projects over five years that target over 75 populations of aquatic species at risk in seven priority freshwater places and over 70 populations of aquatic species at risk associated with two marine threats. These projects advanced work to recover and protect species at risk in priority places, addressed priority threats, and advanced Indigenous partnerships and collaboration with provincial partners.
- As of March 31, 2021, 86% of aquatic species listed under SARA had a proposed recovery strategy or management plan published on the Species at Risk Public Registry, surpassing the 2023 established target of 80%.
- DFO has steadily decreased the backlog of both overdue proposed and final management plans, recovery strategies, action plans and Critical Habitat Orders from 72 in 2014 to 25 as of January 2021.
- 96% of listed aquatic species with critical habitat identified in a final recovery strategy or action plan have a Critical Habitat Order in place. In the last two years, DFO has increased the number of Critical Habitat Orders from 13 to 48 between 2018 and the end of 2020-21.
- Nature Legacy funding also enabled increased implementation of on-the-water measures identified in recovery documents to advance population and distribution objectives for aquatic at-risk species.
- Implemented over 60 SAR recovery projects prescribed in site-based Action Plans across Parks Canada’s protected heritage areas, including 4 projects focussing on the conservation of bison and caribou signature species.
- Conducted research on the cumulative impacts of natural and anthropogenic disturbances, including climate change, to caribou habitat and populations.
- Protection and recovery of woodland caribou and their critical habitat is being enhanced through advanced relationship building with Indigenous partners by funding 5 multi-year projects that build Indigenous Peoples’ capacity to implement conservation measures for the woodland caribou habitat, a species at risk. The funding provides Indigenous Peoples with the opportunity to participate in the meaningful implementation of the SARA.
- Provided guidance in caribou habitat restoration to resource managers through collaboration, sharing of expertise, and developing strategies and tools
Protected areas:
- Implemented 20 initiatives to conserve ecological connectivity for species and ecosystems across the boundaries of national parks and other places administered by Parks Canada throughout the country. For example, Kejimkujik, Fundy and La Mauricie National Parks are working with partners to map multi-species habitat connectivity across greater park landscapes as a basis for regional conservation planning. Other national parks, such as Kootenay, Mount Revelstoke and Glacier are working to manage transboundary connectivity for species such as Mountain Goats and Bighorn Sheep.
- The Department continued to work with partners through the Nature Legacy initiative and the Canada Nature Fund to protect and conserve 25% of Canada’s terrestrial lands and inland waters by 2025, working towards 30% by 2030.
- By the end of 2021, 13.5% of Canada’s land and freshwater have been protected and conserved.
- Through the Canada Nature Fund’s Target 1 Challenge initiative, ECCC helped to advance protected areas work in a total of 90,556.11km2 across Canada and made progress on Indigenous protected and conserved areas.
- In 2020-2021, the Indigenous Guardians Pilot, invested $600,000 in an additional 10 Indigenous guardians initiatives, bringing its total to over 80 funded proposals totalling approximately $20.4 million in funding, to support First Nations, Inuit and Metis communities in their stewardship work to protect sensitive areas and species, monitor ecological health, and maintain Indigenous cultural sites.
- ECCC continued work to establish and expand National Wildlife Areas.
- Edéhzhíe is designed in regulations as a National Wildlife Area as of May 2022, in addition to being a Dehcho Protected Area.
- Conversion of the Big Glace Bay Lake Migratory Bird Sanctuary to a National Wildlife Area, and the expansion of the Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area have been made official in June 2022.
- Progress was made in designating St. Paul Island, Country Island and Isle Haute as NWAs
- Three additional islands (Guyon, Hog and Seal islands) in Nova Scotia are being transferred from Department of Fisheries and Oceans in order to create the future Atlantic Archipelago National Wildlife Area.
- Progress being made to discuss the protection of the Mount Saint-Bruno rifle range in the transfer from DND to the SÉPAQ, including PCA option for a potential urban park designation.
- Progress being made in agreeing with the Department of Fisheries and Ocean for the transfer of lands to create the St. Lawrence Islands' future National Wildlife Areas.
- Progress on Indigenous protected and conserved areas such as:
- An investment of $3.2 million in the Seal River Watershed Indigenous Protected Area initiative (Taiga Shield of northern Manitoba) in the traditional territories of the Cree, Dene and Inuit.
- An investment of $1.43 million to support the creation of the Arqvilliit Indigenous protected and conserved area, a chain of 24 islands spanning 24,000 hectares in the north-eastern Tasiujarruaq (Hudson Bay), in partnership with the Inuit community of Inukjuak.
- A joint (50/50) investment of $1.5 million by ECCC’s Canada Nature Fund and Ducks Unlimited Canada to restore 75.5 hectares of wetlands in Lake Saint-François National Wildlife, and
- The addition of 268 hectares to the Portobello Creek National Wildlife Area in New Brunswick, bringing the total to over 3,200 hectares.
- The Canada Nature Fund invested $125 million over four years in the Natural Heritage Conservation Program. In 2021-22 $50M was invested resulting approximately 101,000 hectares conserved.
- The COVID-19 pandemic impeded collaboration with external partners, the technical work needed to monitor populations, and the establishment of protected and conserved areas.
- A partnership has been built by the Canada Nature Fund to enable progress towards achieving Canada’s biodiversity targets for conserving land and inland waters, and advancing the protection and recovery of species at risk.
- ECCC continued to maintain ongoing capacity to protect and recover species at risk and critical habitat; increase support to others to expand and effectively manage protected areas and contribute to conservation and stewardship activities; expand and effectively manage the Department’s protected areas; and advance the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity.
- Further developed the concept in collaboration with key partners to prepare the way for assessing the biodiversity and bio-cultural outcomes of conservation projects funded by businesses and delivered by proven conservation organizations.
- As of March 2021, the ecological integrity of 82% of ecosystems has been maintained or improved.
Indigenous Guardians
- In January 2021, ECCC supported the Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas and Métis Guardians Gathering, which took place virtually. The intention of the Gathering was to further support the historic and ongoing relationship of the Métis Nation to their traditional lands, rekindle their stewardship and reunite generations by engaging with initiatives like the Métis Nation’s Guardians and Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs).
- Throughout 2021-22, ECCC partnered with Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada’s (CIRNAC) Indigenous Community-Based Climate Monitoring Program to support a series of four targeted virtual workshops for Inuit Guardians. Workshops focused on the themes of: Collection and Management of Indigenous Knowledge and Scientific Data; Adapting Monitoring and Guardianship Projects during the Covid-19 Pandemic; Youth Engagement; and Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation.
- In June 2021, the Indigenous Guardians Pilot announced $600,000 in funding to support 10 First Nations Tier 1 (new) initiatives for 2021-22.
- Budget 2021 announced up to $173 million in funding through the Enhanced Nature Legacy to support new and existing Indigenous Guardians initiatives and the development of Indigenous Guardians Networks for First Nations, Inuit and Métis. With this funding, starting in 2021-22, ECCC’s Indigenous Guardians began the transition out of the Pilot phase, while continuing to co-design, co-develop and co-deliver ongoing programming using a distinctions-based approach with First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners.
In 2021-22, three distinctions-based evaluations of the Pilot continued with each First Nations, Inuit and Métis governance bodies.
DFO
- In 2020-21, the third year of this funding, the Government of Canada has been working closely with provinces and territories, Indigenous Peoples, Canadians and international partners and other stakeholders, to make significant progress towards our objectives under exceptional circumstances during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Some key highlights include:
Species at risk
- In collaboration with the provinces and territories, Indigenous Peoples, and stakeholders, ECCC initiated implementation of the Pan-Canadian Approach to Transforming Species at Risk Conservation in Canada (Pan-Canadian Approach) for terrestrial species through collaborative action for identified priority places, species, and sectors and threats to improve conservation outcomes for species at risk.
- Across 11 federal-provincial-territorial Priority Places – places with significant biodiversity, conservation efforts – funded 64 projects (Canada Nature Fund) to engage partners and stakeholders, establish governance frameworks, initiate collaborative multi-species and ecosystem-based conservation action planning, and implement priority actions on-the-ground.
- Continued to support a suite of 15 complementary Community-Nominated Priority Places for Species at Risk (Canada Nature Fund) and that support multi-partner initiatives in priority places where there are opportunities to protect and recover species at risk and their habitat through multi-species and ecosystem-based conservation action.
- For the six Priority Species (Barren-ground Caribou, Boreal Caribou, Greater Sage-Grouse, Peary Caribou, Southern Mountain Caribou and Wood Bison), 24 new and ongoing projects were funded across the country. Progress towards collaborative planning and advancement of stewardship approaches, including the use of conservation agreements and implementation of actions continued through engagement with federal, provincial, and territorial governments, Indigenous Peoples, and other key partners and stakeholders.
- In September 2020, ECCC launched Priority Species webpages to share information and increase communication to all Canadians on progress for the Six Priority Species.
- Engaged partners and stakeholders to initiate co-creation of conservation action plans with the agriculture, urban development, and forest priority sectors. Established core planning teams for the agriculture and forest priority sectors to align conservation and sector policy and practice with positive outcomes for species at risk and sector sustainability. Funded 10 projects to advance the mainstreaming of species at risk (SAR) conservation into sector practices.
- Advanced relationship building with Indigenous partners through 20 new and 28 continuing multi-year projects that aim to build Indigenous Peoples’ capacity to implement conservation measures for SAR and their habitat, negotiate and implement conservation agreements for the collaborative conservation of SAR, and support their meaningful participation in the implementation of the Species at Risk Act (SARA).
- Decisions were made on the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) assessments of SAR. These resulted in changes to Schedule 1 of the SAR, further reducing the backlog of on species listing decisions. With the addition of 22 SAR, 622 species were listed on Schedule 1 as of March, 2022. DFO also put forward three populations of aquatic SAR, which were reclassified from threatened to endangered.
- Published 13 recovery strategies, five management plans, and two action plans for SAR under the responsibility of ECCC, bringing the number of required recovery documents to 93% compliance with the requirements of SARA.
- Published an update report on the steps taken by provinces and territories, and through federal action, towards the protection of critical habitat for terrestrial species.
- Funded 11 projects delivered by federal land managers to contribute to the recovery of SAR and the conservation of critical habitat on federally-administered lands.
- Parks Canada added 2 more site-based, multi-species action plans for a total of 23 plans that identify recovery measures for more than 254 species of conservation concern (including over 213 SARA-listed species). Parks Canada is on track to achieve the Nature Legacy target of implementing 50% of recovery measures in SARA action plans by 2023. As of March 2021, 44% are complete.
- In 2020-2021, Parks Canada has legally protected critical habitat for 11 species at risk in 17 Parks Canada-administered places. In total, completing 9 critical habitat descriptions in the Canada Gazette, 1 protection statement, and 2 Ministerial Orders. Some species can have more than one legal instrument used to protect its critical habitat.
- In 2019, DFO signed a five year conservation agreement in collaboration with Transport Canada under section 11 of SARA with the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (VFPA) and six other industry member organizations to the Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program led by the VFPA. This agreement helps support recovery of the Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW) and has served to highlight the value of such an approach toward implementation of measures to help reduce threats to the engendered SRKW. Annual reports summarizing progress from May 2019-May 2021 are published, and a third annual reporting covering May 2021 – May 2022 is pending.
- In 2021-22, DFO hosted serval virtual and in-person information sessions on species at risk throughout the country, including hosting a series of virtual information sessions on aquatic species at risk present in Manitoba. The sessions addressed threats to species’ survival and promoted Grants and Contributions programs for aquatic species at risk. Individual sessions were held with Indigenous groups, stewardship groups, environmental organizations, academia, and other levels of governments.
- DFO also developed a mobile trailer with various outreach materials to educate the public on aquatic species, including the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale, inner Bay of Fundy Atlantic Salmon, and Leatherback Sea Turtle.
- The Canada Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk (CNFASAR) aims to build relationships with Indigenous Peoples, provinces and territories, industry and other partners for aquatic SAR by supporting and encouraging stewardship actions through the implementation of multi-species, threat, and place-based approaches to recovery and protection.
- Since 2018, CNFASAR has allocated funding from Nature Legacy and Enhanced Nature Legacy initiatives to over 75 multispecies projects across Canada that target over 100 aquatic species at risk in nine freshwater priorities areas, to address to priority marine threats, and to support the recovery of three priority species.
- The Habitat Stewardship Program for Aquatic Species at Risk funded 34 new projects in 2021-22 that contributed directly to recovery objectives and population goals of species at risk.
- These projects advanced work to recover and protect species at risk in priority places, addressed priority threats, and advanced Indigenous partnerships and collaboration with provincial partners.
- In 2021-22, 2 final recovery strategies, 2 action plans and 5 management plans were published by DFO for aquatic SAR. As of March 31, 2021, 87% of aquatic species listed under SARA had a proposed recovery strategy or management plan published on the Species at Risk Public Registry, surpassing the 2023 established target of 80%.
- The last remaining Critical Habitat Order in DFO’s backlog was published in January 2022. This means that 100% of listed aquatic species with critical habitat in a final recovery strategy or action plan have a Critical Habitat Order in place. In the last four years, DFO has increased the number of Critical Habitat Orders from 13 to 51.
- Nature Legacy funding also enabled increased implementation of 223 on-the-water measures identified in recovery documents to advance population and distribution objectives for aquatic at-risk species.
- Implemented over 60 SAR recovery prescribed in site-based Action Plans across Parks Canada’s protected heritage areas, including 4 projects focussing on the conservation of bison and caribou signature species.
- Conducted research on the cumulative impacts of natural and anthropogenic disturbances, including climate change, to caribou habitat and populations.
- Protection and recovery of woodland caribous and their critical habitat is being enhanced through advanced relationship building with Indigenous partners by funding 5 multi-year projects that build Indigenous Peoples’ capacity to implement conservation measures for the woodland caribous habitat, a species at risk. The funding provides Indigenous Peoples with the opportunity to participate in the meaningful implementation of the SARA.
- Provide guidance in caribou habitat restoration to resource managers through collaboration, sharing of expertise, and developing strategies and tools.
Contact information
Nature Legacy Secretariat
Canadian Wildlife Service
Environment and Climate Change Canada
315 Saint-Joseph Boulevard
Gatineau QC J8Y 3Z5
secretariatdupatrimoinenaturel-naturelegacysecretariat@ec.gc.ca
Horizontal initiative framework: departmental funding by theme (dollars)
Shared outcomes: Canada’s species at risk are recovered and Canada’s ecosystems, landscape and biodiversity are protected
| Name of theme | Species at Risk | Protected Areas | Internal Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theme outcome(s) | Protection and recovery action for 230 species at risk is enhanced | Canada’s network of protected areas, OECMs and IPCAs is expanded and strengthened | Not applicable |
| Environment and Climate Change Canada | ECCC: $331,173,996 | ECCC: $452,632,353 | $22,194,340 |
| Parks Canada | PCA: $58,667,050 including IS ($3,891,941) | PCA: $162,010,390 including IS ($11,237,574) | PCA: 15,129,515 |
| Fisheries and Oceans Canada | DFO: $159,183,716 and $14,600,000 ongoing | n/a | DFO: $13,647,819 |
| Natural Resources Canada | $4,420,000 | n/a | n/a |
*These amounts include Internal Services costs.
Performance information
| Name of horizontal initiative | Total federal funding allocated from start to endFootnote 1 (dollars) | 2021-22 Federal planned spendingFootnote 1 (dollars) | 2021-22 Federal actual spendingFootnote 1 (dollars) |
Horizontal initiative shared outcome(s) | Performance indicator(s) | Target(s) | 2021-22 Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nature Legacy for Canada | $1,168,087,505 | $251,186,951 | $252,997,222 | Canada’s species at risk are recovered | Percentage of species at risk for which changes in populations are consistent with recovery and management objectives | 60% by May 2025 | 41% (as of May 2021) |
| Canada’s ecosystems, landscape and biodiversity are protected | Percentage of total
|
|
|
| Name of theme | Total federal theme funding allocated from start to endFootnote 2 (dollars) |
2021-22 Federal theme planned spendingFootnote 1 (dollars) | 2021-22 Federal theme actual spendingFootnote 1 (dollars) |
Theme outcome(s) | Performance indicator(s) | Theme Target(s) | Date to achieve theme target | 2021-22 Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Species at risk | $553,444,762 | $133,165,635 | $128,389,318 | Protection and recovery action for 230 species at risk is enhanced | Percentage of 230 species at risk for which protection or recovery actions are being implemented through action for priority places, species, and threats | 100% | 2023 | 129% (as of March 31, 2021) Priority Places: 254 species at risk are expected to benefit from actions implemented by partners in the 11 Priority Places and the 18 projects implemented in Community Nominated Priority Places in 2020-21. DFO: 260% (78/30 aquatic species at risk) as of March 31, 2022) DFO has exceeded the target of 30 aquatic species (out of the 230) for the total of 78 aquatic species at risk where protection or recovery actions are being implemented through actions for priority places, species and threats. |
| Department | Link to the department’s Program Inventory | Horizontal initiative activity | Total federal funding allocated to each horizontal initiative activity from start to end (dollars) |
2021-22 planned spending for each horizontal initiative activity (dollars) |
2021-22 actual spending for each horizontal initiative activity (dollars) | 2021-22 horizontal initiative activity expected result(s) | 2021-22 horizontal initiative activity performance indicator(s) | 2021-22 horizontal initiative activity target(s) | 2021-22 Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECCC | Species at risk | Protection and recovery of species and their critical habitat through science, action planning, stewardship actions, regulations, enforcement, and reporting | $117,444,701 | $27,819,709 | $27,604,199 | Protection and recovery action for species at risk is enhanced | Percent of species whose critical habitat has been identified on federal land for which habitat, wholly or in part, is protected | 55% by 2025Footnote 3 | 44% |
| Enabling the stewardship actions of partners with contributions funding through the Canada Nature Fund | $167,475,500 | $45,427,100 | $43,401,655 | Collaboration with partners for species at risk is enhanced through the Canada Nature Fund | Total land area (in hectares) that has been (i) secured; (ii) protected (new); or (iii) protected (renewed) for species at risk | 3 year rolling average
|
Priority Places: In 2020-21 i) 5,149 Ha were secured for species at risk through actions implemented by partners for the 65 projects implemented in the 11 Priority Places. In 2020-21 i) 5,205 Ha were secured for species at risk through actions implemented by partners for the 15 projects implemented in Community Nominated Priority Places. | ||
| Percentage of Indigenous peoples engaged with ECCC who indicate that the engagement was meaningful | 61% (2018-19 baseline data) | 70% of survey respondents indicated that ECCC’s engagement on conservation, including species at risk, was meaningful. Department-wide indicator |
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| Renewing capacity for assessment, listing, and recovery planning | $46,253,795 | $9,250,759 | $6,459,930 | Core capacity to implement the Species at Risk Act is renewed | Percentage of legally listed species at risk with recovery strategy; management plan available on the Species at Risk public registry where a recovery document is due. | 100% by 2023 | 87.5% (March 31, 2022) | ||
| PCA | Heritage Places Conservation Program | Protection and recovery of species and their critical habitat through science, implementation of on-the ground recovery actions, enforcement, and reporting | $41,968,610 | $9,221,440 | $10,407,196 | Heritages places are managed responsibly | Percentage of actions identified in Parks Canada led Species at Risk Act action plans that are implemented | 50% by 2023 | 70% |
| Renewing capacity for assessment, listing, and recovery planning | $16,698,440 | $3,248,110 | $4,363,757 | Number of species at risk action plans for Parks Canada places with 3 or more species at risk that are completed | 24 by 2020 | 23 in place and more multi-species action plans are in development. Two single species combined recovery strategy/action plan have also been developed. | |||
| DFO | Species at Risk | Protection and recovery of species and their critical habitat through science, action planning, stewardship actions, regulation, enforcement, and reporting | $58,831,716 | $13,078,117 | $12,399,739 | Protection and recovery action for species at risk is enhanced | Percentage of listed aquatic species that, when reassessed, have trends consistent with the population and distribution objectives laid out in the recovery strategies or management plans | 75% by 2023 | 33 (March 31,2022) For 2021-22’s measure, there was a slight decrease in the number of species with rends consistent with recovery objectives (27) along with an increase in the number of reassessed listed aquatic species (82) resulting in 33% (27 total species / Total # of reassessed aquatic listed species - 82) |
| Enabling the stewardship actions of partners with contributions funding through the Canada Nature Fund | $59,352,000 | $15,870,400 | $15,453,155 | Collaboration with partners for species at risk is enhanced through the Canada Nature Fund | Number of stakeholders actively involved in species at risk protection and recovery activities | 50 by 2023 | 50 (March 31, 2022) Since 2018, CNFASAR allocated Nature Legacy only funding for 50 Contribution Agreements |
||
| Renewing capacity for assessment, listing, and recovery planning | $41,000,000 | $8,200,000 | $7,314,552 | Core capacity to implement the Species at Risk Act is renewed | Percentage of aquatic species/populations at risk listed under the Species at Risk Act for which a recovery strategy/management plan is completed | 75% by 2023Footnote 4 | 87% (March 31, 2022) As of March 31, 2022, there were 82 Proposed Recovery Strategies and 40 Proposed Management Plans (total 122) posted on the Registry. Calculation: 122/140 * 100 = 87% 140 is the number of listed aquatic species. |
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| NRCan | Cumulative Effects | Protection and recovery of species and their critical habitat through science | $4,420,000 | $1,050,000 | $985,135 | Protection and recovery action for species at risk is enhanced | Trends in the use of tools, products and approaches by key decision makers to enhance information, decisions and responses regarding management of disturbance in ecosystems | Minimum of 5 tools, products and approaches used by key decision-makers by 2023 | 9 |
| Name of theme | Total federal theme funding allocated from start to endFootnote 5 (dollars) |
2021-22 federal theme planned spending (dollars) |
2021-22 federal theme actual spending (dollars) |
Theme outcome(s) | Performance indicator(s) | Target(s) | 2021-22 results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protected areas | $614,642,743 | $118,021,316 | $124,607,904 | Canada’s network of protected areas, OECMs and IPCAs is expanded and strengthened | Number of protected areas, OECMs and IPCAs with demonstrable progress toward establishment or expansion | 15 protected areas by 2023 | Results will be available in September 2022. Regions are still collecting the annual reports required for this result. |
| 20 Indigenous Protected Conservation Areas (IPCAs) by 2023 | Results will be available in September 2022. Regions are still collecting the annual reports required for this result. | ||||||
| 10 Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs) by 2023 | Results will be available in September 2022. Regions are still collecting the annual reports required for this result. | ||||||
| Percent of existing ECCC and PCA protected areas where overall ecological condition or management effectiveness is maintained or improvedFootnote 6 | 78% by 2023 | ECCC: N/A. This indicator was not helpful in fulfilling the purpose that we created it for and we were unable to find a workable methodology. It has not been included in the Enhanced Nature Legacy TB Sub and we have proposed retiring it. PCA: As of March 2021, the ecological integrity of 82% of ecosystems has been maintained or improved. |
| Department | Link to the department’s Program Inventory | Horizontal initiative activity | Total federal funding allocated to each horizontal initiative activity from start to end (dollars) |
2021-22 planned spending for each horizontal initiative activity (dollars) |
2021-22 actual spending for each horizontal initiative activity (dollars) | 2021-22 horizontal initiative activity expected result(s) | 2021-22 horizontal initiative activity performance indicator(s) | 2021-22 horizontal initiative activity target(s) | 2021-22 results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECCC | Habitat Conservation and Protection | Protection of wildlife habitat as National Wildlife Areas, Migratory Bird Sanctuaries, and Conservation Areas through regulation, management, and evaluation | $90,590,629 | $24,913,680 | $20,348,054 | ECCC network of protected areas is expanded | Total area of habitat protected as ECCC National Wildlife Areas, Migratory Bird Sanctuaries, and Conservation Areas | 136,848 km2 by 2020 | As of the end of December 2021, a total of 151,018 km2 (119,946 km2 terrestrial and 31,072 km2 marine) |
| ECCC network of protected areas is effectively managed | Effective management of the ECCC protected areas network (average performance of all sites) | 75% by 2023 | N/A. This indicator is not reported on annually. Next reporting year is 2022-23. | ||||||
| Supporting the actions of partners to create protected areas, other effective conservation measures, and Indigenous protected and conserved area with contribution funding from the Canada Nature Fund | $323,768,488 | $56,145,997 | $60,068,318 | Collaboration with partners for protected areas, OECMs, and IPCAs is enhanced through the Canada Nature Fund | Percentage of total terrestrial territory (land and inland water) conserved by partners, OECMs and IPCAs | 6.2% by 2020 Data Source: Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD) |
This indicator has been retired. The same data is reported under indicator “Percentage of total i) terrestrial territory (land and inland water) and ii) coastal and marine areas that are conserved through networks of protected areas, Other Effective Conservation Measures (OECMs) and Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs)” (see above). | ||
| Enabling the participation of Indigenous peoples in the establishment, management, and monitoring of protected areas, other effective conservation measures, and Indigenous conserved and protected areas with contribution funding | $38,273,236 | $7,368,740 | $8,120,651 | Indigenous peoples are engaged in conservation | Percentage of Indigenous peoples engaged with ECCC who indicate that the engagement was meaningful | 61% | 70% of survey respondents indicated that ECCC’s engagement on conservation, including habitat conservation and protection, was meaningful. Department-wide indicator |
||
| PCA | Heritage Places Establishment Program | Complete negotiations to establish Protected Areas | $7,000,000 | - | - | Indigenous peoples actively participate and contribute to the stewardship and establishment of heritage places | Number of negotiated agreements signed (Nahanni) | 1 by 2020 | Signed an interim agreement with Nahɂą Dehé Dene Band for Nahanni National Park Reserve. Negotiations continue for one or two impact and benefit agreements for Nahanni National Park Reserve with expectation of signing in fiscal year 2021-2022. |
| $32,373,564 | - | $2,144,437 | Number of agreements under negotiation | 2 by 2020 | Completed | ||||
| Heritage Places Conservation Program | Effective Management of National Parks and National Marine Conservation Areas | $118,231,830 | $29,592,899 | $33,877,379 | Canada’s natural heritage is protected for future generations | Percentage of National Park ecosystems where ecological integrity is maintained or improved | 92% by 2023 | 79% of national park ecosystems showed that ecological integrity was maintained or improved. | |
| National marine conservation areas are ecologically sustainable | Percentage of ecological sustainability measures for which data is collected and assessed | 65% by 2021 Data Source: Nature Legacy SharePoint |
45% Work was delayed due to the impacts of COVID-19 and is ongoing. This target tried as of 2021. |
||||||
| Support new National Advisory Committee on Nature for planning, consensus-building, coordination, and Indigenous engagement | $4,404,996 | - | $49,065 | Indigenous peoples actively participate in and contribute to the stewardship and conservation of heritage places | Percentage of Conservation and Restoration (CoRe) projects that incorporate Indigenous Knowledge | 35% by 2020 | In February 2020, Parks Canada held a precedent-setting collaborative workshop with Indigenous partners to co-develop the methodology by which we could measure success. Continued disruptions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic have prevented implementation of the methodology and reporting on the target. |
| Theme | Total federal funding allocated from start to end (dollars) |
2021–22 total federal planned spending (dollars) |
2021–22 total federal actual spending (dollars) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theme 1 – Species at Risk | $553,444,762 | $133,165,635 | $128,389,318 |
| Theme 2 – Protected Areas | $614,642,743 | $118,021,316 | $124,607,904 |
| Total, all themes | $1,168,087,505 | $251,186,951 | $252,997,222 |
[*This amount includes any additional funding received after the last renewal. Where the initiative is new (with no renewal), insert the initial total allocation approved.]
Enhanced Nature Legacy for Canada
General information
Name of horizontal initiative
Enhanced Nature Legacy for Canada
Lead department
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)
Federal partner organization(s)
Parks Canada Agency (PCA), Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Infrastructure Canada (INFC)
Start date
2022-23
End date
2025-26
Description
The objectives of the Enhanced Nature Legacy initiative are that: 1) Canada’s species at risk are recovered and 2) Canada’s ecosystems, landscapes and biodiversity are protected.
Work to meet these objectives will be conducted in ways that a) also advance reconciliation through support for Indigenous leadership and engagement in nature conservation, wildlife management and sustainable resource practices; and b) enhance the well-being of Canadians through employment, natural infrastructure and increased access to nature.
Governance structure
Continuing the model from the 2018 Nature Legacy, ECCC will convene a Horizontal Initiative Oversight Committee, chaired by the Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) of the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS), and including the Vice-President of Protected Areas Establishment and Conservation at PCA, the ADM of Aquatic Ecosystems at DFO, and the ADM of Policy and Results, INFC. The Oversight Committee developed for Nature Legacy will be combined with Enhanced Nature Legacy to ensure consistency between initiatives. The Oversight Committee will be responsible for ensuring that the initiative is properly managed. To that end, it will meet at least yearly during the life of the initiative—on an ad hoc basis when useful—and will guide effective and efficient implementation of the initiative, ensure coordination, and support timely and accurate reporting on results. It will also be responsible for resolving any disputes related to implementation of the Enhanced Nature Legacy.
A Director General-level Steering Committee chaired by ECCC and involving PCA, DFO and INFC, will support the Oversight Committee. It will maintain flexibility to use existing and/or establish new horizontal working groups, including to facilitate regional coordination, as required. These working groups, established at the Director or senior advisor level, will operate under terms of reference approved by the Oversight Committee.
Total federal funding allocated from start to end date (dollars)
$2,326,443,834
Total federal planned spending to date (dollars)
$257,959,638
Total federal actual spending to date (dollars)
$162,256,642
Date of last renewal of initiative
Not applicable
Total federal funding allocated at last renewal and source of funding (dollars)
Not applicable
Additional federal funding received after last renewal (dollars)
Not applicable
Total planned spending since the last renewal
Not applicable
Total actual spending since the last renewal
Not applicable
Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation
Not applicable
Performance highlights
The Enhanced Nature Legacy Initiative builds on and extends selected element of the 2018 Nature Legacy initiative, and deliver on the Governments nature agenda as set out in the 2020 and 2021 Speech from the Throne. The Speech from the Throne in 2021 committed Canada to conserve 25% of our country’s land and 25% of our country’s oceans by 2025 and work toward 30% of each by 2030. In 2021-22, we continued to develop an ambitious plan to achieve these targets. Recognizing that the loss of nature is a global issue requiring global action, the Prime Minister also advocated in September 2020 that countries around the world set a “high ambition” of 30% conservation for 2030.This enhanced plan also supports the creation of new protected areas, such as national parks, national wildlife areas and freshwater national marine conservation areas, the recognition of areas that are currently achieving the conservation of biodiversity and the effective management of existing and new areas to achieve biodiversity objectives.
Work under this horizontal initiative to support the recovery of Canada’s species at risk, the conservation of migratory birds and the protection of Canada’s ecosystems, landscapes and biodiversity continued to be a priority for ECCC in 2021-22. A key tool to advance progress will be the negotiation of Nature Agreements with provinces and territories, led by ECCC. The nature agreements will advance shared interests in a more integrated approach to conserving nature, establish more protected areas, protect and recover species at risk and their habitat, while at the same time advancing Indigenous reconciliation. The agreements will also help support a green recovery by ensuring the coordinated delivery of nature-based solutions to climate change. Federal coordination will be required between ECCC and Parks Canada Agency, and other departments as required.
ECCC continued to advance partnerships with Indigenous peoples to support First Nations, Inuit, and Métis leadership as a means to advance reconciliation, and to support conservation planning and action led by Indigenous peoples’ that reflects their unique priorities, needs, and rights related to lands and wildlife. This work will be measured by the overall number of Indigenous led projects.
For species at risk, under the Enhanced Nature Legacy initiative, ECCC continued to emphasize and work towards improved outcomes. This is measured by the number of species where changes in population status are consistent with recovery strategy, action plan and management plan population and distribution objectives. Building on Nature Legacy 2018, this initiative enables participating departments to increase the total number of species at risk that should benefit from conservation and recovery efforts.
In 2021-22, ECCC continued to advance conservation outcomes for the six federal-provincial-territorial priority species through increased investment and ambition providing for enhanced collaboration with partners, governance, and action implementation. Parks Canada also continued to support the recovery of Southern Mountain Woodland Caribou in Jasper National Park. ECCC will explore opportunities to identify new terrestrial priority species with partners, including Indigenous peoples. ECCC will continue to advance collaboration, governance, conservation action planning, and action implementation in priority places through increasing investments in existing priority places and will explore opportunities to expand the boundaries of existing priority places and establish new ones, ECCC will also continue to advance implementation of Community-Nominated Priority Places for species at risk and continue to implement the multi-year workplan for the priority places initiative.
Federal departments will also continue to invest in nature conservation and natural infrastructure where the majority of Canadians live through supporting the creation of national urban parks, ecological corridors and natural infrastructure.
Protected areas
- Further developed the concept in collaboration with key partners to prepare the way for assessing the biodiversity and bio-cultural outcomes of conservation projects funded by businesses and delivered by proven conservation organizations.
- In 2021-22 86 ecological gifts were completed, conserving more than 4,700 hectare of land, valued at over $52M.
- ECCC continued work to establish and expand National Wildlife areas:
- Six additional islands in Nova Scotia are in the process of being transferred from the Department of Fisheries and Ocean to ECCC in 2022-2023 to create the potential Atlantic Archipelago National Wildlife Area
- Efforts continue to achieve marine protection for Qikiqtait and Sarvarjuaq (the Canadian portion of the Pikialasorsuaq/North Water Polynya). DFO is working closely with other Federal Departments to ensure a Whole-of-Government approach. ECCC is participating in these negotiations with an interest in marine, terrestrial, and coastal conservation of Qikiqtait and marine conservation in Sarvarjuaq through a NWA or s.7 Agreement under the Canada Wildlife Act.
- ECCC invested $3.5 million to secure 306.5 hectares of forested habitat plus a 100 ha timber reservation. This investment is a down payment on early actions under the Bilateral Nature Agreement between ECCC and BC.
Indigenous Guardians
- Budget 2021 announced up to $173 million in funding through the Enhanced Nature Legacy to support new and existing Indigenous Guardians initiatives and the development of Indigenous Guardians Networks for First Nations, Inuit and Métis. With this funding, starting in 2021-22, ECCC’s Indigenous Guardians began the transition out of the Pilot phase, while continuing to co-design, co-develop and co-deliver ongoing programming using a distinctions-based approach with First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners.
- In 2021-22, ECCC’s Indigenous Guardians invested early funding through the Enhanced Nature Legacy for 21 new and existing Guardians initiatives.
DFO
To date, the Ghost Gear Fund has provided $16.7M in funding to 49 projects in Canada and internationally. In total, 1261 tonnes of marine debris and ghost gear has been retrieved and approximately 300 jobs have been created by the fund.
Building on the momentum of the Nature Legacy funding, the Enhanced Nature Legacy allows DFO to further support in-the-water, multi-species approaches to protect and recover aquatic species at risk through Indigenous engagement and partnerships.
Expanded priorities for the Canadian Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk (CNFASAR) include new priority areas (Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Arctic); new priority species (Atlantic salmon, Pacific salmon and North Atlantic Right Whales); and capacity funding to support the consideration of Indigenous knowledge in conservation efforts. Under Enhanced Nature Legacy, CNFASAR launched a Call for Proposals in 2021-22, selecting for multi-species projects across Canada that can help to protect and recover aquatic species at risk in nine freshwater priority areas, to address two priority marine threats, and to support the recovery of three priority species.
Funding also supports an interactive public web-based aquatic species at risk mapping tool which is an important resource for those who conduct projects near water in order to help protect aquatic species at risk. The SAR Mapping Tool is one of the most visited webpages of the Department. In 2021, Critical Habitat data and Distribution Data for Species at Risk were among the top 10 DFO datasets downloaded from Canada’s Open Data Portal.
In addition to increasing the total number of flights hours contributing to surveillance of the North Atlantic right whale, in 2021-22, DFO Science acquired satellite imagery to test its usefulness in informing population abundance and distribution for at least two at-risk species (Walrus and Beluga of which there are multiple populations). This test application will help to determine whether this methodology could be useful to add to our repertoire of techniques in future.
PCA
- Parks Canada initiated discussions towards co-designation of IPCA’s with Indigenous Nations in four different provinces / territories.
- Parks Canada continued negotiations with the Sylix People of the Okanagan Nation as represented by the Osoyoos Indian Band and the Lower Similkameen Indian Band, toward the establishment of a national park reserve in the south Okanagan-Similkameen region.
- A Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Epekwitk Assembly of Councils to establish a new national park reserve in Pltuamkek/Hog-Island.
- Once established, these protected areas will bring the percentage of represented terrestrial regions by 84.6%
- Discussions have been initiated with provinces / territories and Indigenous governments on five different new national park projects across the country.
- Exploratory work to access the potential for national urban park sites has begun in: Victoria, BC; Edmonton, AB; Saskatoon, SK; Winnipeg, MB; Windsor, ON; Halifax, NS, and discussion also begun in Montreal, Qc.
- Parks Canada, through the National Program for Ecological Corridors, provided funding via two contribution agreements to acquire land adjacent to two protected areas (Gatineau Park and La Mauricie National Park) to improve the areas’ ecological connectivity.
- Parks Canada also implemented 34 ecological connectivity initiatives that engage partners to advance connectivity conservation mapping, monitoring connectivity and developing strategies to address challenges. For example, Kejimkujik, Fundy and La Mauricie National Parks are working with partners to map multi-species habitat connectivity across greater park landscapes as a basis for regional conservation planning. Other national parks, such as Kootenay, Mount Revelstoke and Glacier are working to manage transboundary connectivity for species such as Mountain Goats and Bighorn Sheep.
- As of March 2022, the ecological integrity of 79% of ecosystems has been maintained or improved.
INFC
- Data not available – 2021-22 was the first year of the initiative’s implementation. INFC is currently accepting project applications
Contact information
Nature Legacy Secretariat
Canadian Wildlife Service
Environment and Climate Change Canada
315 Saint-Joseph Boulevard
Gatineau QC J8Y 3Z5
secretariatdupatrimoinenaturel-naturelegacysecretariat@ec.gc.ca
Horizontal initiative framework: departmental funding by theme (dollars)
Horizontal initiative: Enhanced Nature Legacy for Canada
Shared outcomes: 1) Canada’s species at risk are recovered and 2) Canada’s ecosystems, landscapes and biodiversity are protected.
| Name of theme | Species at Risk | Protected and Conserved Areas | Indigenous led Conservation and Stewardship | Canadians and Nature | Internal Services |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theme outcome(s) | Protection and recovery action for species at risk is enhanced. | Canada’s terrestrial lands and inland waters are protected. | Indigenous People are engaged in conservation. | Increased co-benefits to Canadians and nature | Not applicable |
| Environment and Climate Change Canada | ECCC: $449,103,220 including IS ($11,876,029) | ECCC: $604,203,118 including IS ($21,210,279) | ECCC: $342,835,579 including IS of ($4,889,194) | n/a | ECCC: $37,975,502 |
| Fisheries and Oceans Canada | DFO: $121,629,639 (includes ISS of) ($21,117,421) | n/a | DFO: $51,361,569 (includes ISS of) ($8,384, 813) | n/a | DFO: $29,502,234 |
| Parks Canada | PCA: $23,774,006 including IS ($1,385,267) | PCA: $280,341,424 including IS ($15,139,065) | PCA: $61,653,366 including IS ($3,573,510) | PCA: $191,541,913 including IS ($8,154,204) | PCA: $28,252,046 |
| Infrastructure Canada | n/a | n/a | n/a | INFC : $200,000,000 including IS ($7,800,000) | INFC : $7,800,000 |
Planning information
| Name of horizontal initiative | Total federal funding allocated from start to end (dollars) | 2021-22 Federal planned spending (dollars) |
2021-22 Federal actual spending (dollars) |
Horizontal initiative shared outcome(s) | Performance indicator(s) | Target(s) | Date to achieve target | 2021-22 Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Enhanced Nature Legacy | $2,326,443,834 | $257,959,638 | $162,256,642 | Canada’s species at risk are recovered. | Percentage of species at risk for which changes in populations are consistent with recovery and management objectives | TBD by March 2023, pending updates to the methodology7 | March 2025 | The results from 2020-21 were 42%. The results from 2021-2022 were 41%. |
| Canada’s ecosystems, landscapes and biodiversity are protected. | Percentage of total i) terrestrial territory (land and inland water) and ii) coastal and marine areas that are conserved through networks of protected areas and Other Effective Conservation Measures (OECMs)Footnote 8 |
|
|
|
[*This amount includes any additional funding received after the last renewal. Where the initiative is new (with no renewal), insert the initial total allocation approved.]
| Name of theme | Total federal theme funding allocated from start to endFootnote 9 (dollars) |
2021-22 Federal theme planned spendingFootnote 7 (dollars) |
2021-22 Federal theme actual spendingFootnote 7 (dollars) |
Theme outcome(s) | Theme performance indicator(s) | Theme target(s) | Date to achieve theme target | 2021-22 Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Species at risk | $594,506,865 | $86,108,057 | $55,213,569 | Protection and recovery for species at risk is enhanced. | Number of species at risk for which protection or recovery actions are being implemented through action for priority places, species and threats | 350 | March 2023Footnote 10 | NA |
[*This amount includes any additional funding received after the last renewal. Where the initiative is new (with no renewal), insert the initial total allocation approved.]
| Departments | Link to department’s Program Inventory | Horizontal initiative activity (activities) | Total federal funding allocated to each horizontal initiative activity from start to end (dollars) |
2021-22 planned spending for each horizontal initiative activity (dollars) |
2021-22 actual spending for each horizontal initiative activity (dollars) | 2021-22 horizontal initiative activity expected result(s) | 2021-22 horizontal initiative activity performance indicator(s) | 2021-22 horizontal initiative activity target(s) | 2021-22 date to achieve horizontal initiative activity | 2021-22 results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECCC | Species at Risk | Protection and recovery of species and their critical habitat through science, action planning, stewardship actions, regulation, enforcement, and reporting | $108,259,729 | $7,129,863 | $5,345,061 | Protection and recovery action for species at risk is enhanced | Percentage of species whose critical habitat has been identified on federal land for which that habitat, wholly or in part, is protected | 51%Footnote 11 | March 2023 | 44% |
| Enabling the stewardship actions of partners with contributions funding | $340,843,491 | $29,947,287 | $14,125,577 | SAR Habitat Stewarded by partners under the Canada Nature Fund | Total area of habitat that has been stewarded for conservation | TBD by 2022-23. | March 2025Footnote 12 | - | ||
| Fisheries and Ocean Canada | Fisheries Management | Enabling action to address the threat of abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) | $10,000,000 | $10,000,000 | $8,441,292 | Fish harvester participation in retrieval of ALDFG is expanded. | Number of recipients with signed contribution agreements participating in gear retrieval efforts. | 8 | March 31, 2023 | 17 |
| - | Number of eligible Indigenous groups represented in agreements. | 3 | March 31, 2023 | 11 | ||||||
| - | Number of fish harvesters and fishing vessels adopting innovative technology under the Gear Acquisition and Modernization pillar of the Sustainable Fisheries Solutions and Retrieval Support Contribution Program. | 20 | March 31, 2023 | 21 | ||||||
| - | Number of opportunities provided to fish harvesters to dispose of end-of-life fishing gear in Atlantic Canada | 4 opportunities | March 31, 2023 | 9 | ||||||
| Enabling action to encourage fish harvesters to adopt whale safe fishing gear | $21,395, 604 | 10,431,802 | 8,466,757 | Fish harvester’s adoption of whale safe fishing gear is enhanced | Numbers of groups that have used this fund to help fish harvesters adopt whale safe fishing gear | 50 | March 31, 2023 | 44 | ||
| Aquatic Ecosystem Science | Advancing science to detect North Atlantic Right whales (NARW) | $8,883,223 | 6,197,230 | 4,062,775 | Monitoring and surveillance of NARW is increased | Number of flying hours surveying NARW in Canadian waters | Year 1 (2021-22): 825 hours Year 2 (2022-23): 825 hours |
March 31, 2023 | 1701 | |
| - | Scientific information on the near real-time presence of NARW in Canadian waters is available to help inform management measures aimed at reducing the risk of entanglements and vessel strikes | Number of acoustic detection systems capable of detecting the presence of NARW in near real-time are operationalized | Total of 3 near real-time acoustic detections systems for NARW in place (includes existing system on fixed buoys) | March 31, 2023 | 1 | |||||
| Advancing science to determine abundance of Arctic aquatic species at risk | $5,672,409 | $3,364,739 | 2,399,236 | Population abundance and distribution of key at-risk marine mammal species in the Arctic is better understood | Number of key at-risk Arctic marine mammal species for which the use of satellite imagery is tested to determine population abundance and to better understand their distribution in the Arctic | 2 | March 31, 2023 | 2 | ||
| Species at Risk, Conservation and Protection, Fisheries Economics and Statistics, and Fisheries Management programs | Protection and recovery of species and their critical habitat through assessment, listing, stewardship actions, enforcement, and reporting. | $36,421,354 | $8,924,270 | 5,867,547 | Protection and recovery action for species at risk is enhanced | Percentage of measures in action plans and management plans that are underway or completed to support priority species, priority places and or address priority threats to aquatic species at risk | 10% of measures in action plans and management plans are underway or completed | March 31, 2026 | The Canada Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk has funded work towards starting and/or completing 19% of measures in recovery strategies. Management plans, and action plans | |
| Species at Risk program | Enabling the stewardship actions of partners with contributions funding through the Canada Nature Fund for Aquatic Species at Risk (CNFASAR) | $39,257,049 | $8,364,694 | 5,426,694 | Protection and recovery action for species at risk is enhanced | Number of COSEWIC assessed aquatic species at risk and the # of SARA-listed aquatic species that benefit from CNFASAR funding | 30 COSEWIC assessed or SARA-listed aquatic species | March 31, 2026 | 13 species based on 8 SARA listed + 5 COSEWIC assessed species” that benefit from CNFSAR funding | |
| PCA | Heritage Places Conservation | Priority Species (Southern Mountain Caribou) | $23,774,006 | $1,748,172 | $1,078,630 | Natural and cultural resources in heritage places are maintained or improved | Number of Southern Mountain Woodland Caribou in the wild Tonquin herd in Jasper National Park. | At least 200 | 2032Footnote 13 | Contracting and preparation of facility design; facility site assessments complete; consultation plan development; draft detailed impact assessment prepared. |
[*This amount includes any additional funding received after the last renewal. Where the initiative is new (with no renewal), insert the initial total allocation approved.]
| Name of theme | Total federal theme funding allocated from start to end (dollars) |
2021-22 federal theme planned spending (dollars) |
2021-22 federal theme actual spending (dollars) |
Theme outcome(s) | Theme performance indicator(s) | Theme target(s) | Date to achieve theme target | 2021-22 results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Protected and Conserved Areas | $884,544,542 | $88,999,200 | $89,324,256 | Canada’s network of protected areas, OECMs and IPCAs is expanded and strengthened. | Number of protected areas, OECMs and IPCAs with demonstrable progress toward establishment or expansion | ECCC and PCA : 15 IPCAs: 20 OECMS: 10 |
March 2023 | Results will be available in September 2022. Regions are still collecting the annual reports required for this result. PCA: Parks Canada initiated discussions towards co-designation of IPCA’s with Indigenous Nations in four different provinces / territories. |
[*This amount includes any additional funding received after the last renewal. Where the initiative is new (with no renewal), insert the initial total allocation approved.]
| Departments | Link to department’s Program Inventory | Horizontal initiative activity (activities) | Total federal funding allocated to each horizontal initiative activity from start to end (dollars) |
2021-22 planned spending for each horizontal initiative activity (dollars) |
2021-22 actual spending for each horizontal initiative activity (dollars) | 2021-22 horizontal initiative activity expected result(s) | 2021-22 horizontal initiative activity performance indicator(s) | 2021-22 horizontal initiative activity target(s) | Date to achieve horizontal initiative activity target | 2021-22 results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECCC | Habitat Conservation and Protection | Protection of wildlife habitat as National Wildlife Areas, Migratory Bird Sanctuaries, and conservation areas in through regulation, management, and evaluation | $183,613,359 | $12,152,629 | $5,003,642 | ECCC’s network of protected areas is expanded | Total area of habitat protected as ECCC National Wildlife Areas, Migratory Bird Sanctuaries, and Conservation Areas | 136,848 km2 terrestrial and 31,187 km2 marine (Total 168,035 km2) | December 2025 | As of the end of December 2021, a total of 151,018 km2 (119,946 km2 terrestrial and 31,072 km2 marine) |
| 0 | Habitats and wildlife in ECCC protected areas network are managed, maintained or stabilized | Effective management of the ECCC Protected Areas network (average percentage performance of all sites), as assessed by the application of the Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool | 75% | March 2023 | N/A. This indicator is not reported on annually. Next reporting year is 2022-23. | |||||
| Supporting the actions of partners to create and manage protected areas, recognize other effective conservation measures, and establish Indigenous protected and conserved areas with contribution funding. | $420,589,759 | $38,886,749 | $46,317,030 | Collaboration with partners for protected areas, OECMs, and IPCAs is enhanced | Total area of habitat secured by partners | 9,500 km2 | March 2023 | Results will be available in September 2022. Regions are still collecting the annual reports required for this result. | ||
| PCA | Heritage Places Conservation | Effective Management of Protected Areas | $87,671,171 | - | - | Canada’s natural heritage is protected for present and future generations. | Percentage of National Park ecosystems where ecological integrity is maintained or improved. | 92% | December 2025 | 79% |
| Heritage Places Establishment | National Parks and Freshwater National Marine Conservation Areas | $192,670,253 | $37,959,822 | $38,003,584 | Heritage places are established | Number of National Parks and freshwater National Marine Conservation Areas with demonstrable progress toward establishment. | 8 | December 2025 | Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Epekwik Assembly of Councils to establish a new national park reserve in Pltuamkek/Hog-Island Sandhills. Negotiations with the Osoyoos Indian Band and the Lower SimilkameenIndian Band, toward the establishment of a national park reserve in the south Okanagan-Similkameen region advanced. Discussions initiated with provinces/ territories and Indigenous governments on five different new national park projects across the country. |
[*This amount includes any additional funding received after the last renewal. Where the initiative is new (with no renewal), insert the initial total allocation approved.]
| Name of theme | Total federal theme funding allocated from start to end (dollars) |
2021-22 federal theme planned spending (dollars) |
2021-22 federal theme actual spending (dollars) |
Theme outcome(s) | Theme performance indicator(s) | Theme target(s) | Date to achieve theme target | 2021-22 results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indigenous Conservation | $455,850,514 | $29,936,505 | $10,805,112 | Increased Indigenous leadership and participation in conservation efforts | Percentage enhanced nature legacy contribution agreements that are Indigenous-led | TBD once baseline is established by March 2023 | 2025-26 | N/A first reporting year will be 2022-23. |
[*This amount includes any additional funding received after the last renewal. Where the initiative is new (with no renewal), insert the initial total allocation approved.]
| Departments | Link to department’s Program Inventory | Horizontal initiative activity (activities) | Total federal funding allocated to each horizontal initiative activity from start to end (dollars) |
2021-22 planned spending for each horizontal initiative activity (dollars) |
2021-22 actual spending for each horizontal initiative activity (dollars) | 2022–23 horizontal initiative activity expected result(s) | 2022–23 horizontal initiative activity performance indicator(s) | 2022–23 horizontal initiative activity target(s) | Date to achieve horizontal initiative activity target | 2021-22 results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECCC | Habitat Conservation Program | Enabling the participation of Indigenous peoples in the establishment, management, and monitoring of protected areas, other effective conservation measures, and Indigenous conserved and protected areas and the recovery of species at risk with contribution funding | $342,835,579 | $19,171,722 | $4,692,603 | Indigenous people are engaged in conservation | Percentage of Indigenous people engaged with ECCC who indicate that the engagement was meaningful | 61% | April 2023 | 70% of survey respondents indicated that ECCC’s engagement on conservation was meaningful. Department-wide indicator |
| DFO | Aboriginal Programs and Treaties and the Species at Risk Program | Enabling the participation of Indigenous peoples in the protection and recovery of aquatic species at risk. | $51,361,569 | 8,733,309 | 4,448,704 | Projects are inclusive of Indigenous groups and Indigenous knowledge | Number of Indigenous groups involved as project leads or partners that participate in DFO-supported stewardship activities that support the recovery and protection of aquatic species at risk. | 30 | March 31, 2026 | Data not available |
| - | Projects are inclusive of Indigenous groups and Indigenous knowledge | Number of Indigenous groups involved as project leads or partners that are funded as part of the Aboriginal Fishery Guardian for Aquatic Species at Risk Program. | 25Footnote 14 | March 31, 2026 | DFO: 11 | |||||
| PCA | Heritage Places Conservation | Indigenous Guardians | $61,653,366 | $2,031,474 | $,1,663,805 | Indigenous peoples actively participate in and contribute to the stewardship and conservation of heritage places | Number of Indigenous Guardians Programs operating in Parks Canada administered places. 15-20 |
30 | December 2025 | PCA: Sustained the following existing Indigenous Guardian programs: Coastal BC, Broken Group Islands Beach Keepers and West Coast Trail Guardians. Gwaii Haanas, Haida Gwaii Watchmen. Nunavut, HMS Erebus and Terror Guardian program. |
[*This amount includes any additional funding received after the last renewal. Where the initiative is new (with no renewal), insert the initial total allocation approved.]
| Name of theme | Total federal theme funding allocated from start to end (dollars) |
2021-22 federal theme planned spending (dollars) |
2021-22 federal theme actual spending (dollars) |
Theme outcome(s) | Theme performance indicator(s) | Theme target(s) | Date to achieve theme target | 2021-22 results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canadians and Nature | $391,541,913 | $52,915,876 | $6,913,705 | Increased co-benefits to Canadians and nature | Access to nature indicator placeholder. Indicator to be developed within the next 18 months, based on QOL indicator guidance | TBD by 2022-23 | TBD by 2022-23 | N/A first reporting year 2022-23 |
| Number of direct jobs created | 2,000 | December 2025 | N/A first reporting year 2023-24 |
[*This amount includes any additional funding received after the last renewal. Where the initiative is new (with no renewal), insert the initial total allocation approved.]
| Departments | Link to department’s Program Inventory | Horizontal initiative activity (activities) | Total federal funding allocated to each horizontal initiative activity from start to end (dollars) |
2021-22 planned spending for each horizontal initiative activity (dollars) |
2021-22 actual spending for each horizontal initiative activity (dollars) | 2022–23 horizontal initiative activity expected result(s) | 2022–23 horizontal initiative activity performance indicator(s) | 2022–23 horizontal initiative activity target(s) | Date to achieve horizontal initiative activity target | 2021-22 results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCA | Heritage Places Conservation | Ecological Corridors | $60,639,811 | $1,521,683 | $1,476,661 | Heritage places are managed responsibly | Number of Ecological Corridors designated | 3 | December 2025 | Parks Canada, through the National Program for Ecological Corridors, provided funding via two contribution agreements to acquire land adjacent to two protected areas (Gatineau Park and La Mauricie National Park) to improve the areas’ ecological connectivity. |
| Heritage Places Establishment | Urban Parks | $130,902,102 | $5,102,189 | $2,337,044 | Heritage places are established | Number of National Urban Parks designated | 4 | December 2025 | Exploratory work to assess the potential for national urban park sites has begun in: Victoria, BC; Edmonton, AB; Saskatoon, SK; Winnipeg, MB; Windsor, ON; Halifax, NS, and discussion also begun in Montreal, QC. | |
| INFC | Allocation and direct-delivery funding oversight | Natural Infrastructure Fund | $200,000,000 Please note that $200M includes the full authorities for this program (i.e. Vote 1, Vote 10, and EBP Stat funding).
|
46,292,004 | $3,100,000 | Achieve human well-being co-benefits through natural Infrastructure | Number of projects enhancing access to nature | TBD by 2022-23 | TBD by 2022-23 | N/A Data not available – 2021-22 was the first year of the initiative’s implementation. INFC is currently accepting project applications.
|
| Increased awareness of natural infrastructure | Percentage of applicants seeking to undertake their first known natural infrastructure project | Percentage to be determined by the end of the program | 2023-2024 |
[*This amount includes any additional funding received after the last renewal. Where the initiative is new (with no renewal), insert the initial total allocation approved.]
| Theme | Total federal funding allocated from start to end (dollars) |
2021–22 total federal planned spending (dollars) |
2021–22 total federal actual spending (dollars) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theme 1 | $594,506,865 | $86,108,057 | $55,213,569 |
| Theme 2 | $884,544,542 | $88,999,200 | $89,324,256 |
| Theme 3 | $455,850,514 | $29,936,505 | $10,805,112 |
| Theme 4 | $391,541,913 | $52,914,876 | $6,913,705 |
| Total, all themes | $2,326,443,834 | $257,958,638 | $162,256,642 |
[*This amount includes any additional funding received after the last renewal. Where the initiative is new (with no renewal), insert the initial total allocation approved.]
Federal Leadership towards Zero Plastic Waste
The Federal Leadership towards Zero Plastic Waste in Canada Horizontal Initiative Supplementary Table is undergoing final review and confirmation across implicated federal departments. The table will be published on this web page as soon as it is finalized. Please check here later for further updates, or reach out to Susan Young at Susan.Young@ec.gc.ca for more information.
Addressing Air Pollution
The Addressing Air Pollution Horizontal Initiative Supplementary Table is undergoing final review and confirmation across implicated federal departments. The table will be published on this web page as soon as it is finalized. Please check here later for further updates, or reach out to secretariatinitiativeairsecretariatairinitiative@ec.gc.ca for more information.
Clean Growth and Climate Change
The Clean Growth and Climate Change Horizontal Initiative Supplementary Table is undergoing final review and confirmation across implicated federal departments. The table will be published on this web page as soon as it is finalized. Please check here later for further updates, or reach out to ECCC’s Climate Change Secretariat at SecretariatCC@ec.gc.ca for more information.
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