Horizontal initiative: Nature Legacy for Canada

2022-2023 Departmental Results Report
Horizontal initiative: Nature Legacy for Canada

General information

Name of horizontal initiative

Nature Legacy for Canada

Lead department

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)

Federal partner department(s)

Parks Canada (PC); Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO); Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)

Non-federal 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, PC, 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)

$1,168,087,505

Total federal actual spending to date (dollars)

$1,124,592,635

Date of last renewal 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 2022-23, the fifth year of this funding, the Government of Canada has been working closely with provinces and territories, Indigenous Peoples, Canadians, international partners and stakeholders, to make significant progress towards our objectives. Some key highlights include:

Protected areas

ECCC
PC

Indigenous Guardians

ECCC
Species at risk
ECCC
PC
DFO
NRCan

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: 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 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 including IS ($13,703,435) ECCC: $452,632,353 including IS ($8,490,905) ECCC: $22,194,340
Parks Canada PC: $58,667,050 including IS ($3,891,941) PC: $162,010,390 including IS ($11,237,574) PC: $15,129,515
Fisheries and Oceans Canada DFO: $159,183,716 including IS ($13,647, 819) and $14,600,000 ongoing n/a DFO: $13,647,819
Natural Resources Canada NRCan: $4,420,000 including IS ($323,868) n/a NRCan: $323,868
*These amounts include Internal Services costs.

Performance information

Horizontal initiative results overview
Name of horizontal initiative Total federal funding, including legacy funding, allocated since the last renewal* (dollars) 2022-23 Federal planned spendingFootnote 1 (dollars) 2022-23 Federal actual spendingFootnote 1 (dollars) Horizontal initiative shared outcome(s) 2022-23 Performance indicator(s) 2022-23 Target(s) Date to achieve target 2022-23 Actual results

Nature Legacy for Canada

$1,168,087,505

$247,111,161

$232,122,388

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 progress is being made.

Canada’s ecosystems, landscape 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, other effective conservation measure (OECMs) and Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs)

i) 17% of total land and inland water is conserved; and

ii) 10% of total coastal and marine areas are conserved

2020

i) 13.6% as of December 2022Footnote 1

ii) 14.7% as of December 2022

Theme 1 details
Name of theme Total federal theme funding, including legacy funding, allocated since the last renewal*Footnote 2  (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

$553,444,762

$137,598,957

$120,143,703

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 threatsFootnote 3

100%

2023

173% (398/230)

ECCC: 152% (304/200; March 31, 2022)

DFO: 313% (94/30 aquatic species at risk)

The reporting cycle for our G&Cs does not align with this reporting cycle. We do not have all the data for 2022-23 at this time so as in past years we are reporting one year behind.

Both ECCC and DFO have exceeded the target of 200 terrestrial species and 30 aquatic species, respectively, for the total of 304 terrestrial and 94 aquatic species at risk where protection or recovery actions are being implemented through actions for priority places, species and threats.Footnote 4

Theme 1 horizontal initiative activities
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, regulations, enforcement, and reporting

$117,444,701

$27,550,786

$27,592,315

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

51%

March 2023

52%

Enabling the stewardship actions of partners with contributions funding through the Canada Nature Fund

$167,475,500

 $49,782,100

 $37,704,373

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

(i) 7,000

(ii) 10,000

(iii) 100,000

2023

In 2021-22 6233 HaFootnote 5  were secured for species at risk through actions implemented by partners.

Note that the reporting cycle for our Gs&Cs does not align with this reporting cycle. We do not have all the data for 2022-23 at this time so as in past years we are reporting one year behind.

Targets were missed because investments focused on implementing stewardship actions other than securement.

ii and iii results are not available, Gs&Cs recipients did not report results at this level of granularity.

Percentage of Indigenous Peoples engaged with ECCC who indicate that the engagement was meaningful

61% (2018-19 baseline data)

Ongoing

66% for the period of January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022.

Department-wide indicator

Renewing capacity for assessment, listing, and recovery planning

$46,253,795

$9,250,759

$7,828,299

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.

75%

March 2022

-

PC

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

$9,026,350

$9,940,015

Heritages places are managed responsibly

Percentage of actions identified in Parks Canada led Species at Risk Act action plans that are implemented

50%

-

70%

Renewing capacity for assessment, listing, and recovery planning

$16,698,440

$3,443,200

$2,624,659

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

$13,400,879

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

-

35% for FY 2022-23

Enabling the stewardship actions of partners with contributions funding through the Canada Nature Fund

$59,352,000

$16,287,645

$15,188,255

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

-

Over 57 stakeholders wereinvovled in FY 2022-23

Renewing capacity for assessment, listing, and recovery planning

$41,000,000

$8,200,000

$4,973,112

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 6

-

90%

NRCan

Cumulative Effects

Protection and recovery of species and their critical habitat through science

$4,420,000

$920,000

$891,797

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

-

5

[*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 2 details
Name of theme Total federal funding, including legacy funding, allocated since the last renewal* (dollars) 2022-23 Federal theme planned spending1 (dollars) 2022-23 Federal theme actual spending[1] (dollars) Theme outcome(s) Theme performance indicator(s) Theme target(s) Date to achieve theme target 2022-23 Actual results

Protected areas

$614,642,743

$109,572,204

$111,978,685

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

2023

13 ECCC 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.

20 Indigenous Protected Conservation Areas (IPCAs)

2023

Due to the regional nature of activities, results will not be available until late Fall 2023.

Results from Fall 2021-22 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)

PC: Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve, encompassing 14,070km2, was established using Nature Legacy funds, as part of a larger Indigenous Protected and Conservation Area.

10 Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs)

2023

Due to the regional nature of activities, results will not be available until late Fall 2023.

Parks Canada recognized two Other Effective Area Based Conservation Measures (OCEM) in 2022, both in Atlantic Canada: Beaubears Island in New Brunswick (0.72 km2 and the Fortress of Louisburg National Historic Site in Nova Scotia (59.22 km2).

Percent of existing ECCC and PCA protected areas where overall ecological condition or management effectiveness is maintained or improved

78%

2023

ECCC: N/A. This indicator was not compatible for measuring the management effectiveness of ECCC sites. Instead, the below indicator of “Effective management of the ECCC protected areas network (average performance of all sites)” is used.

PCA: As of March 2021, the ecological integrity of 82% of ecosystems has been maintained or improved.

Theme 2 horizontal initiative activities
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 through regulation, management, and evaluation

$90,590,629

$24,167,557

$20,793,333

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

2020

As of the end of December 2022, a total of 151,034 km2 (119,963 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%

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 protected areas, other effective conservation measures, and Indigenous protected and conserved area with contribution funding from the Canada Nature Fund

$323,768,488

 $48,045,997

 $47,647,905

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%

Data Source:

Canadian Protected and Conserved Areas Database (CPCAD)

2020

This indicator has been retired as of the 2020-21 DRR and, as such, no data has been collected. It will be removed from this table moving forward.

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

$0

$0

Indigenous Peoples are engaged in conservation

Percentage of Indigenous Peoples engaged with ECCC who indicate that the engagement was meaningful

61%

Ongoing

66% for the period of January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2022

Department-wide indicator

PC

Heritage Places Establishment Program

Complete negotiations to establish Protected Areas

$7,000,000

$7,000,000

$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

$1,000,600

$966,826

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

$29,358,050

$35,474,519

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

-

$96,102

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.

Total spending, all themes
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 – Species at Risk $553,444,762 $137,538,957 $120,143,703
Theme 2 – Protected Areas $614,642,743 $109,572,204 $111,978,685
Total, all themes $1,168,087,505 $247,111,161 $232,122,388
[*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.]

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2025-09-23