Horizontal initiative: Enhanced Nature Legacy for Canada
2022-2023 Departmental Results Report
Horizontal initiative: 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 department(s)
Parks Canada Agency (PC), Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO), Infrastructure Canada (INFC)
Start date of the horizontal initiative
2022-23
End date of the horizontal initiative
2025-26
Description of the horizontal initiative
Enhanced Nature Legacy will build on the objectives of Nature Legacy for Canada, including 1) Support the recovery of Canada’s species at risk and 2) Protect Canada’s ecosystems, landscapes and biodiversity.
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 structures
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 PC, 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 initiativeand 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 PC, 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)
$2,326,679,234 (including legacy funding)
Total federal planned spending to date (dollars)
$628,006,738
Total federal actual spending to date (dollars)
$462,097,954
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 delivers on the Government’s nature agenda as set out in the 2020 and 2021 Speech from the Throne (SFT). The 2021 SFT committed Canada to conserve 25% its land and 25% of its oceans by 2025 and work toward 30% of each by 2030. In 2021-23, Canada continued to develop an ambitious plan to achieve these targets. Recognizing that the loss of nature is a global issue requiring global action, the Government, as a member of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, also advocated that countries around the world set a “high ambition” of 30% conservation for 2030. Through Canada’s strong leadership, this ambition was formalized through the adoption of the Kunming-Montréal Global Biodiversity Framework at the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity in Montreal in December 2022, that included a global commitment to protecting 30% of the world’s lands and oceans by 2030.
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 2022-23. A key tool to advance progress is the negotiation of Nature Agreements with provinces and territories, led by ECCC. The nature agreements advance shared interests in a more integrated approach to conserving nature, establishing more protected areas, protecting and recovering species at risk and their habitat, while at the same time advancing Indigenous reconciliation. The agreements also help support a green recovery by ensuring the coordinated delivery of nature-based solutions to climate change. Federal coordination is required between ECCC and Parks Canada Agency, and other departments.
Federal departments 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
ECCC
The Department continued to work with partners through the Enhanced 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 2022, 13.6% of Canada’s land and freshwater have been protected and conserved.
- ECCC continued work to establish and expand National Wildlife Areas:
- Resulting from a collaborative partnership between the Dehcho First Nations and the Government of Canada, the Department designated Edéhzhíe as a National Wildlife Area in addition to its designation as a Dehcho Protected Area.
- Big Glace Bay Lake was also designated as a National Wildlife Area in 2022. Located on the northeastern coast of Nova Scotia, Big Glace Bay Lake offers habitat for many migrating and breeding waterfowl and shorebirds.
- Regulatory packages were prepared for the designation of St. Paul Island, Country Island and Isle Haute as National Wildlife Areas.
- Numerous land acquisitions continued to advance to facilitate additional designations and expansions in the future.
- ECCC signed the Canada-Yukon Nature Agreement, the first agreement of its kind, that will advance nature conservation and protection programs across the territory. It includes commitments to advance Indigenous leadership in conservation, increase protection of sensitive habitats, recovery actions for species at risk, and achieve the protection and conservation of 25% of the territory (an additional 6% of Yukon land) by 2025.
- In 2022-23, 86 ecological gifts were completed, conserving more than 8,600 hectares of land. This has brought the cumulative value of ecological gifts donated to over one billion dollars since the Program inception.
- As part of the Conservation Exchange Pilot, work continued to further develop the concept, in collaboration with key partners, of assessing the biodiversity and bio-cultural outcomes of conservation projects funded by businesses and delivered by proven conservation organizations.
- $800 million in funding was announced for up to four Indigenous-led Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) initiatives that will make meaningful contributions to protecting biodiversity and areas of cultural significance across Canada.
- Through the Canada Nature Fund’s Target 1 Challenge initiative, ECCC has helped advance partner’s work on protected areas in a total of 122,015km2 across Canada.
- In the fall 2022, ECCC launched an Expression of Interest for Indigenous-led Area Based Conservation funding and received 95 proposals that are being considered for funding.
- ECCC continued to maintain ongoing capacity to expand and effectively manage the Department’s network of protected areas; increase support to others to expand and effectively manage protected areas and contribute to conservation and stewardship activities; 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.
- In 2021-22 86 ecological gifts were completed, conserving more than 4,700 hectares 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 2022-23 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 ha of forested habitat plus a 100 ha timber reservation. This investment was a down payment on early actions under the Tripartite Framework Agreement for Nature Conservation that was being negotiated between ECCC, BC, and the First Nations Leadership Council (it has since been signed on November 3, 2023).
Indigenous Guardians and other indigenous-led investments
ECCC
- In 2022-23 ECCC continued to support new and existing Indigenous Guardians initiatives. ECCC’s Indigenous Guardians Initiative transitioned 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 December 2022, the First Nations National Guardians Network was launched, marking a major step towards First Nations reconciliation and self-determination. The Network connects First Nations Guardians initiatives across the country that play a key role in protecting the lands and waters of their traditional territories.
- Through the Indigenous Guardians Initiative, 93 Indigenous Governments, organizations, and communities are engaged with ECCC in support of conservation work.
- 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 was measured by the overall number of ECCC Indigenous-led initiatives continued and initiated in 2022-23.
- 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.
PC
- 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
The Natural Infrastructure Fund (NIF) supports diverse organizations to build resilient and healthy communities through the implementation of natural or hybrid infrastructure projects. The NIF has two streams: a Large Projects Stream (projects between $3M and $20M in eligible costs) and a Small Projects Stream (projects between $30K and $3M in eligible costs). The Large Projects Stream will support major cities with existing natural infrastructure strategies such as Vancouver’s Rain City Strategy. The intake for the Small Projects Stream, which includes 10% of program funding for Indigenous-led projects, was launched in July 2022, and closed in Fall 2022. Funded projects will support of range of natural and hybrid infrastructure that provides community services and benefits such as climate resilience, environmental quality, biodiversity and habitat, access to nature, economic and social co-benefits.
Species at risk
ECCC
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.
DFO
- Building on the momentum of the Nature Legacy funding, the Enhanced Nature Legacy allows DFO to further support collaborative multi-species approaches to advance protection and recovery of aquatic species at risk. To guide the implementation of these approaches, DFO is developing a ‘Framework for Aquatic Species at Risk Conservation’. In 2022, DFO launched its first phase of external engagement on the Framework, seeking feedback on key concepts related to multi-species approaches. From June to November 2022, DFO hosted six national engagement sessions and eight regional sessions across Canada. These included sessions for all partners, stakeholders and the public, Indigenous Peoples, provinces and territories, and members of the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). This input informed the development of a Discussion paper for the second phase of engagement in 2023, which will shape the final Framework in 2023-24.
- DFO’s 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. Social Media posts on multiple platforms have highlighted the project work being done by CNFASAR funding recipients.
- This funding supports expanded priorities for CNFASAR, including additional priority areas (Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Arctic) bringing the total to 9; and adding priority species (Atlantic salmon, Pacific salmon and North Atlantic Right Whales). CNFASAR launched a Call for Proposals in 2021-22 and selected 37 new multi-year, multi-species projects across Canada that will help to protect and recover aquatic species at risk.
- In addition, the Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk (AFSAR) annual budget has been bolstered by ENL funding through 2025-26, allowing a greater number of Indigenous organizations to access this historically oversubscribed program and successfully conduct SAR stewardship projects while also building the capacity in communities to lead in the recovery of aquatic SAR.
- DFO also delivered on the expansion of the Aboriginal Fishery Guardians (AFG) Program to ensure dedicated monitoring by Indigenous personnel of activities that affect aquatic species at risk and their critical habitat. Contributions flowed through the ENL initiative supported expanded access to training, equipment and field activities by designated AFGs.
- Funding has supported an interactive public web-based aquatic species at risk mapping tool which is an important resource for those who conduct projects near water to help protect aquatic species at risk. The SAR Mapping Tool is one of the most visited webpages of the Department. In 2022, Critical Habitat data and Distribution Data for Species at Risk were among the top 10 DFO datasets downloaded from Canada’s Open Data Portal.
- On April 1st, 2022, DFO signed a Conservation Agreement under section 11 of SARA with the Cree Nation Government in Quebec to establish a nation-to-nation collaborative framework for the development of a Management Plan for the Lake Sturgeon (Southern Hudson Bay – James Bay populations).
- 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.
- Though the Ghost Gear Fund did not receive any additional Nature Legacy funding in 2022-2023, the Fund received 10 million in 2021-2022, part of the $30.2M allocated to date to 96 projects in Canada and internationally. In total, 1699 tonnes of marine debris and ghost gear has been retrieved and more than 700 jobs have been created by the fund from 2020-2023.
Habitat conservation
ECCC
- In 2022-23, 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.
- In 2022-23 ECCC continued to strengthen conservation collaboratives and implement conservation actions to benefit species at risk and other biodiversity in 11 Priority Places and 18 Community Nominated Priority Places. Investments allowed for improved collaboration, advances in conservation implementation planning, and implementation of on the ground recovery actions for species at risk. ECCC is working with partners toto 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. ECCC continues to seek to improve conservation outcomes for species at risk through investments in the three priority sector of agriculture, forestry, and urban development. This supports collaborative conservation action planning with provinces and territories, Indigenous Peoples, and stakeholders within each sector. A draft conservation action plan with the agriculture sector has been prepared, and efforts in the forest and urban development sectors are progressing through their planning process. Through the Indigenous Partnerships Initiative (IPI), ECCC continues to contribute to reconciliation with its Indigenous partners by enabling First Nations, Inuit and Métis leadership in conservation that advances their priorities for species at risk protection and recovery and supports SARA consultation and cooperation obligations for terrestrial species at risk using innovative approaches across Canada. In 2022-23, ECCC invested over $19.5M in 110 projects with Indigenous recipients.
Contact information
Nature Legacy Secretariat
Canadian Wildlife Service
Environment and Climate Change Canada
351 Saint-Joseph Boulevard, Gatineau QC J8Y 3Z5
ec.secretariatdupatrimoinenaturel-naturelegacysecretariat.ec@canada.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 Peoples 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) | - | ECCC: $37,975,502 |
| Fisheries and Oceans Canada | DFO: $121,629,639 including IS ($21,117,421) | - | DFO: $51,361,569 including IS ($8,384, 813) | - | DFO: $29,502,234 |
| Parks Canada | PC: $23,774,006 including IS ($1,385,267) | PC: $280,341,289 including IS ($15,139,065) | PC: $61,685,938 including IS ($3,573,510) | PC: $191,539,176 including IS ($8,154,204) | PC: $28,252,046 |
| Infrastructure Canada | - | - | - | INFC : $200,000,000 including IS (5,095,374) | INFC $5,095,374 |
Planning information
| Name of horizontal initiative | Total federal funding allocated from start to end (dollars) | 2022-23 Federal planned spending (dollars) |
2022-23 Federal actual spending (dollars) | Horizontal initiative shared outcome(s) | Performance indicator(s) | Target(s) | Date to achieve target | 2022-23 Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Enhanced Nature Legacy |
$2,326,679,234 |
$370,047,100 |
$299,841,312 |
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% |
May 2025 |
43% (as of May 2022) With increasing numbers of species being listed as at risk, progress towards the objective is slow. Recovery of species at risk takes decades, but there is progress being made. |
- |
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 1 |
i) 25% of total land and inland water is conserved ii) 25% of total coastal and marine areas are conservedFootnote 2 |
i) December 2025 ii) December 2025 |
i) 13.6% as of Dec 2022 ii) 14.7% as of Dec 2022 |
|||
| [*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 funding, including legacy funding, allocated since the last renewal* (dollars) | 2022-23 Federal theme planned spendingFootnote 1 (dollars) | 2022-23 Federal theme actual spendingFootnote 1 (dollars) | Theme outcome(s) | Theme performance indicator(s) | Theme target(s) | Date to achieve theme target | 2022-23 Actual Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Species at risk |
$594,712,565 |
$100,607,613 |
$75,408,109 |
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 |
350Footnote 3 |
March 2023 |
304 ECCC: 101% (304/300; March 2022) Note that the reporting cycle for our G&Cs does not align with this reporting cycle. All the data for 2022-23 is not yet available at this time so as in past years, it is reported one year behind. |
| [*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, including legacy funding, allocated to each horizontal initiative activity since the last renewal* (dollars) | 2022-23 planned spending for each horizontal initiative activity (dollars) | 2022-23 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 | 2022-23 Actual 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 |
$15,009,401 |
$13,351,629 |
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% |
March 2023 |
52% |
Enabling the stewardship actions of partners with contributions funding |
$340,843,491 |
$50,250,500 |
$34,172,127 |
SAR Habitat Stewarded by partners under the Canada Nature Fund |
Total areaFootnote 4 of habitat that has been stewarded for conservation |
TBD by 2022-23Footnote 5 |
March 2025 |
35,340 Ha were stewarded for species at risk through actions implemented by partners. (March 2022). |
||
Fisheries and Ocean Canada |
Fisheries Management |
Enabling action to address the threat of abandoned, lost, or discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) |
$10,000,000 |
$0 |
$0 |
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 NA - DFO |
$0 |
Number of eligible Indigenous groups represented in agreements. |
3 |
March 31, 2023 |
11 NA - DFO |
||||||
$0 |
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 NA - DFO |
||||||
- |
Number of opportunities provided to fish harvesters to dispose of end-of-life fishing gear in Atlantic Canada |
4 opportunities |
March 31, 2023 |
9 NA - DFO |
||||||
Enabling action to encourage fish harvesters to adopt whale safe fishing gear |
$21,395, 604 |
$12,015,300 |
$10,927,305 |
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 56 - DFO |
||
Aquatic Ecosystem Science |
Advancing science to detect North Atlantic Right whales (NARW) |
$8,883,223 |
$2,685,992 |
$1,907,938 |
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 1556 - DFO |
|
$1,513,280 |
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 The third system was not able to be deployed due to supply chain issues - DFO |
|||||
Advancing science to determine abundance of Arctic aquatic species at risk |
$5,672,409 |
$2,307,669 |
$2,004,586 |
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 4 - DFO |
||
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 |
$7,588,317 |
$6,367,297 |
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 23.4%* *includes CNFASAR and AFSAR activities from FY 18-19 to FY 21-22. Results for 2022-23 will be available fall 2023 - DFO |
|
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 |
$7,871,539 |
$1,099,801 |
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 12 in FY 21-22 *numbers are for unique populations of species identified in year end reports Results for 2022-23 will be available fall 2023 – DFO |
|
PC |
Heritage Places Conservation |
Priority Species (Southern Mountain Caribou) |
$23,979,706 |
$2,878,895 |
$4,064,146 |
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 6 |
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 funding, including legacy funding, allocated since the last renewal* (dollars) |
2022-23 Federal theme planned spendingFootnote 1 (dollars) |
2022-23 Federal theme actual spendingFootnote 1 (dollars) |
Theme outcome(s) |
Theme performance indicator(s) |
Theme target(s) |
Date to achieve theme target |
2022-23 Actual Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Protected and Conserved Areas |
$884,544,407 |
$106,286,813 |
$123,755,676 |
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 |
ECCC: 13 terrestrial protected areas are making demonstrable progress towards establishment as of March 2023 2 PC: Bruce Peninsula National Park expanded demonstrating demonstrable progress. Furthermore, Tallurutiup Imanga National Marine Conservation Area, Canada’s largest protected area at 108,000 km2, was established using Nature Legacy funding. Fall 2021-22 results are as follows: PAs: 12 (demonstrative progress on 7 NWA expansion projects and completion of 5 private land acquisitions) IPCAs: 24 (T1C 20/Quick Start 4) OECMs: 36 (T1C 18/Quick Start 18) OECMs: Due to the regional nature of activities, results will not be available until late Fall 2023. IPCAs: Due to the regional nature of activities, results will not be available until late Fall 2023. |
| [*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, including legacy funding, allocated to each horizontal initiative activity since the last renewal* (dollars) | 2022-23 planned spending for each horizontal initiative activity (dollars) | 2022-23 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 | 2022-23 Actual 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 |
$25,358,406 |
$82,284,524 |
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 2022, a total of 151,034 km2 (119,963 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 |
This indicator is reported on triennially with the next evaluation scheduled for Fall 2023. Therefore, results are expected to be available for 2023-24. |
|||||
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 |
$53,997,096 |
$6,901,454 |
Collaboration with partners for protected areas, OECMs, and IPCAs is enhanced |
Total area of habitat secured by partners |
9,500 km2 |
March 2023 |
134,033 km2 as of March 2022 |
||
PC |
Heritage Places Conservation |
Effective Management of Protected Areas |
$87,671,036 |
- |
- |
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 |
$26,931,311 |
$34,569,698 |
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 funding, including legacy funding, allocated since the last renewal* (dollars) | 2022-23 Federal theme planned spendingFootnote 1 (dollars) | 2022-23 Federal theme actual spendingFootnote 1 (dollars) | Theme outcome(s) | Theme performance indicator(s) | Theme target(s) | Date to achieve theme target | 2022-23 Actual Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indigenous Conservation | $455,883,086 | $64,217,042 | $74,485,657 | Increased Indigenous leadership and participation in conservation efforts | Percentage enhanced nature legacy contribution agreements that are Indigenous-led | Target will be established for the 2024-25 DP based on baseline established | 2025-26 | In 2022-23, 59% of all new ENL contribution agreements were Indigenous-led. |
| [*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, including legacy funding, allocated to each horizontal initiative activity since the last renewal* (dollars) | 2022-23 planned spending for each horizontal initiative activity (dollars) | 2022-23 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 | 2022-23 Actual 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 |
$44,862,646 |
$51,449,458 |
Indigenous Peoples are engaged in conservation |
Percentage of Indigenous Peoples engaged with ECCC who indicate that the engagement was meaningful |
61% |
April 2023 |
66% for the period between January 1 and December 31 2022. 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 |
$11,933,804 |
$8,840,637 |
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 |
SAR: 77 49 unique AFSAR projects in FY 21-22 and 22-23 28 CNFASAR in FY 21-22 and 22-23 - DFO |
$5,948,739 |
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. |
March 31, 2026 |
DFO: 11 (FY 21-22 and 22-23) - DFO |
||||||
PC |
Heritage Places Conservation |
Indigenous Guardians |
$61,685,938 |
$7,420,592 |
$8,246,823 |
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 |
PC: 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 funding, including legacy funding, allocated since the last renewal* (dollars) | 2022-23 Federal theme planned spendingFootnote 1 (dollars) | 2022-23 Federal theme actual spendingFootnote 1 (dollars) | Theme outcome(s) | Theme performance indicator(s) | Theme target(s) | Date to achieve theme target | 2022-23 Actual Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Canadians and Nature |
$391,539,176 |
$98,935,632 |
$26,191,870 |
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 guidanceFootnote 8 |
TBD once baseline is established after one year of data |
TBD by 2023-24 once baseline is established after one year of data |
N/A first reporting year 2023-24 |
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, including legacy funding, allocated to each horizontal initiative activity since the last renewal* (dollars) | 2022-23 planned spending for each horizontal initiative activity (dollars) | 2022-23 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 | 2022-23 Actual Results |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
PC |
Heritage Places Conservation |
Ecological Corridors |
$60,639,709 |
$6,299,368 |
$7,171,055 |
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 |
$130,899,467 |
$17,636,264 |
$12,949,351 |
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). |
75,000,000 |
$6,071,464 |
Achieve human well-being co-benefits through natural Infrastructure |
Number of projects enhancing access to nature |
50 |
2023-2024 |
3 |
Increased awareness of natural infrastructure |
Percentage of applicants seeking to undertake their first known natural infrastructure project |
20% |
2023-2024 |
TBD |
||||||
| [*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, including legacy funding, allocated since the last renewal* (dollars) | 2022-23 total federal planned spending (dollars) | 2022-23 total federal actual spending (dollars) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theme 1 | $594,712,565 | $100,607,613 | $75,408,109 |
| Theme 2 | $884,544,407 | $106,286,813 | $123,755,676 |
| Theme 3 | $455,883,086 | $64,217,042 | $74,485,657 |
| Theme 4 | $391,539,176 | $98,935,632 | $26,191,870 |
| Total, all themes | $2,326,679,234 | $370,047,100 | $299,841,312 |
| [*This amount includes any additional funding received after the last renewal.] | |||