Environment and Climate Change Canada's 2023-24 Departmental Results Report
From the Minister

The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
I am proud to present ECCC’s 2023-24 Departmental Results Report, which details some of ECCC’s important achievements, and our contributions to tackle the triple planetary crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and rising pollution.
Over the past fiscal year, we’ve taken measures to keep our air clean, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to increase Canadians’ resilience to the effects of climate change, as Canada forges its future in a strong, clean-growth economy. Results of the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan Progress Report, published by ECCC in December 2023, show that we have succeeded in reducing pollution and are on the right path to our current 2030 target. We have continued to promote clean growth in Canada by developing regulatory measures and standards in the areas of clean electricity, electric vehicles, methane emissions reduction, and the capping of greenhouse gas emissions in the oil and gas sector.
To accelerate progress toward clean air and climate goals, ECCC employees advanced work on key regulations to ensure Canadians will have access to clean electricity, see greater availability of electric vehicles, and can enjoy cleaner air.
In 2023, Environment and Climate Change Canada provided unprecedented support and expertise during one of Canada’s worst forest fire seasons, and we published Canada's first National Adaptation Strategy – charting a course for action that all Canadians from coast to coast to coast can take to protect themselves and our lands and shorelines from extreme weather and other effects of climate change.
Building on the 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, ECCC published its first national strategy to protect nature in Canada in June 2024. The strategy is the result of work and collaboration with the provinces and territories, Indigenous partners, businesses, and other stakeholders throughout the 2023-24 fiscal year. ECCC further strengthened partnerships by signing agreements with partners to establish a Project Finance for Permanence in the Northwest Territories, and several other nature agreements to promote bilateral and trilateral cooperation with provinces, territories and Indigenous partners.
Following changes made to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) by Parliament in 2023, the Act includes a recognition within the preamble, that every individual in Canada has a right to a healthy environment. ECCC launched engagement towards the development of the framework for implementing the government’s duty to protect the right when administering CEPA, which represents a step forward for environmental protection, human health and environmental justice.
ECCC employees continue to work hard for the health of the planet and of future generations. Their expertise serves Canadian the global public interest at the highest level and is in demand internationally. As Minister, I am proud of the work they have accomplished, and I offer you this report to learn more about our achievements.
Results – what we achieved
Core responsibilities and internal services
- Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change
- Preventing and Managing Pollution
- Conserving Nature
- Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions
- Internal services
Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change
Description
Support and coordinate the development and implementation of Canada’s environmental and climate change policies, programs, and plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support a transition to a resilient, inclusive low-carbon economy. This will be achieved by developing and implementing climate mitigation measures; supporting adaptation to climate change; contributing to international environment and climate-related actions and initiatives; and engaging with other federal government departments, Indigenous partners, provinces and territories, domestic and international partners and stakeholders, non-governmental organizations, and other interested parties.
Progress on results
Table 1: Targets and results for Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change
Departmental Result Indicators | Target | Date to achieve target | Actual Results |
---|---|---|---|
Canada’s annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (Mt CO2 Eq.)
|
40-45% reduction in GHG emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 |
2032 (data for 2030 will be available in 2032) |
2021-22: This is a new indicator, as of 2023-24. The first year of reporting will be 2023-24. 2022-23: This is a new indicator, as of 2023-24. The first year of reporting will be 2023-24. 2023-24:
|
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from light-duty vehiclesFootnote 1 Footnote 2 |
Under reviewFootnote 2 |
Under reviewFootnote 2 |
2021-22: 23% reductionFootnote 3 2022-23: 26% reductionFootnote 4 2023-24: 28% reductionFootnote 5 |
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from heavy-duty vehiclesFootnote 6 |
[2023 model yearFootnote 7 ]
|
April 2024 |
2021-22: [2020 model year]
2022-23: [2021 model year]
2023-24: [2022 model year]
|
Black carbon emissionsFootnote 8 |
25% reduction from an annually calculated 2013 baseline of national emissions |
December 2025 |
2021-22: 22% reduction from baselineFootnote 9 2022-23: 30% reduction from baseline 2023-24: 30% reduction from baseline |
Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) emissionsFootnote 10 |
10% reduction in consumption relative to calculated Canadian HFC baseline of 18,008,795 tonnes of CO2e |
December 2023 |
2021-22: 38.5% below baseline for calendar year 2021 2022-23: 24.1% below baseline for calendar year 2022 2023-24: 33.6% below baseline for calendar year 2023 |
Methane emissions from the oil and gas sectorFootnote 11 |
Annual decrease towards a 40-45% reduction relative to 2012 levelsFootnote 12 |
December 2025 |
2021-22: 45% reduction (32 Mt CO2e)Footnote 13 2022-23: 35% reduction (37 Mt CO2e)Footnote 14 2023-24: 31.9% reduction (26.9 Mt CO2e)Footnote 15 |
Percentage of coal-fired electricity generation units meeting their regulated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity performance requirement |
100%Footnote 16 |
December 2023 |
2021-22: 100% 2022-23: 100% 2023-24: 100% |
Carbon pollution pricing systems are in place in CanadaFootnote 17 |
All Provinces and Territories continue to have in place carbon pollution pricing that meets the federal benchmark, or the federal system applies |
March 2023 |
2021-22: 13 Provinces and Territories 2022-23: 13 Provinces and Territories 2023-24: 13 Provinces and Territories |
Percentage change in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) operationsFootnote 18 |
40% GHG emissions reduction from ECCC operations (facilities and fleet) relative to 21,549 tonnes in 2005-06 baseline year. |
December 2025 |
2021-22: 40.4% 2022-23: 39.6% 2023-24: 39.6%Footnote 19 |
Departmental Result Indicators | Target | Date to achieve target | Actual Results |
---|---|---|---|
Percentage of national climate change policies or strategies developed by the Department that integrate the knowledge and perspectives of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples | 100% | March 2024 | 2021-22: This is a new indicator, as of 2023-24. The first year of reporting will be 2023-24. 2022-23: This is a new indicator, as of 2023-24. The first year of reporting will be 2023-24. 2023-24: 100% |
Departmental Result Indicators | Target | Date to achieve target | Actual Results |
---|---|---|---|
Cumulative amount of private finance mobilized through Canada’s public sector investmentsFootnote 20 |
$2.65B: Higher cumulative amounts mobilized in private climate finance, from year to year (reaching overall a ratio of private sector finance leveraged by Canada’s public sector investments, of at least 1 to 0.5) |
December 2050 |
2021-22: Between 2017 and 2020, Canada mobilized CAD $205.7M in private climate finance, from public funding of CAD $270.88M as part of Canada's $2.65B climate finance commitment (equivalent to a ratio of 0.759) 2022-23: Between 2017 and 2021, Canada mobilized CAD $312.4M in private climate finance, from public funding of CAD $367.5M as part of Canada's $2.65B climate finance commitment (equivalent to a ratio of 0.85) 2023-24: Between 2017 and 2022, Canada mobilized CAD $347M in private climate finance, from public funding of CAD $394M from Canada $2.65B climate finance commitment (equivalent to a ratio of 0.88)Footnote 21 |
$5.3B: Higher cumulative amounts mobilized in private climate finance, from year to year (reaching overall a ratio of private sector finance leveraged with Canada’s public sector investment, of 1 to 0.75) |
December 2050 |
2021-22: This is a new indicator, as of 2023-24. The first year of reporting will be 2023-24. 2022-23: This is a new indicator, as of 2023-24. The first year of reporting will be 2023-24. 2023-24: From calendar year 2022, Canada mobilized CAD $156,000 from the private sector from public funding of CAD $17M from Canada $5.3B climate finance commitment, equivalent to a ratio of 0.009.Footnote 22 |
|
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions resulting from international initiatives funded by CanadaFootnote 23 |
$2.65B: Higher cumulative reductions from year to year, from the baseline, reaching minimum reduction of 200Mt of GHGs |
December 2050 |
2021-22: An estimated cumulative reduction of 228.6Mt of GHGs is expected from Canada $2.65B climate finance commitment to date 2022-23: An estimated cumulative reduction of 223.7Mt of GHGs is expected from Canada $2.65B climate finance commitment to date 2023-24: An estimated cumulative reduction of 205.3Mt of GHGs is expected from Canada $2.65B climate finance commitment to dateFootnote 24 |
$5.3B: Higher cumulative reductions from year to year, reaching a reduction of 300Mt of GHGs |
December 2050 |
2021-22: This is a new indicator, as of 2023-24. The first year of reporting will be 2023-24. 2022-23: This is a new indicator, as of 2023-24. The first year of reporting will be 2023-24. 2023-24: An estimated 28.7 Mt of GHG emissions reduced are expected from Canada's climate finance commitment to dateFootnote 25 |
|
Cumulative number of people in developing countries who benefitted from Canada’s adaptation financeFootnote 26 |
$2.65B: At least 10M |
December 2030 |
2021-22: A cumulative estimate of 6.6M people with increased resilience are expected from Canada $2.65B climate finance commitment to date 2022-23: A cumulative estimate 8.04M people with increased resilience are expected from Canada $2.65B climate finance commitment to date 2023-24: A cumulative estimate 6.7M people with increased resilience are expected from Canada $2.65B climate finance commitment to dateFootnote 27 |
$5.3B: At least 10M |
December 2050 |
2021-22: This is a new indicator, as of 2023-24. The first year of reporting will be 2023-24. 2022-23: This is a new indicator, as of 2023-24. The first year of reporting will be 2023-24. 2023-24: An estimated 3.8M people are expected to develop increased resilience to climate change from funds delivered so farFootnote 28 |
Departmental Result Indicators | Target | Date to achieve target | Actual Results |
---|---|---|---|
Number of individuals, businesses, and governments accessing climate services and using that information to inform decision-makingFootnote 29 | Increase over the preceding year’s result | Accessing services: Annually in March Using information: (Every 5 years) March 2028 |
2021-22: 167,496 visitsFootnote 30 2022-23: 197,038 visitsFootnote 31 2023-24: 252,340 visits |
Additional information on the detailed results and performance information for ECCC’s program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.
Details on results
The following section describes the results for Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change in 2023-24 compared with the planned results set out in ECCC’s Departmental Plan for the year.
Addressing climate change
The devastating impacts of climate change are clear. In 2023 alone, Canada experienced the hottest summer ever, the largest wildfires in history, drought in the Prairies, and floods in British Columbia and Nova Scotia. Homes were destroyed, lives lost, thousands of people had to evacuate their homes, communities and businesses were impacted, smoke from wildfires blanketed the country, and biodiversity was put at risk. In addition to personal and emotional impacts, these climate impacts have economic consequences that affect families and communities, and send ripples through the Canadian economy. Addressing climate change is a key commitment for Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC).
In June 2023, the Department released Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy and continued to deliver climate services. The full strategy establishes a vision for a more resilient Canada and set a whole-of-society blueprint for more coordinated and ambitious action on adaptation. It includes goals, objectives and targets for reducing the impacts of climate-related disasters, improving health and well-being, protecting and restoring nature and biodiversity, building and maintaining resilient infrastructure, and supporting the economy and workers.
Through 2023-24, the Department worked with other federal departments and whole-of-society partners to implement the National Adaptation Strategy. To note, the Government of Canada Adaptation Action Plan (GOCAAP), released in November 2022 and updated in the spring of 2023, represents the federal contribution to implement Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy. The GOCAAP renews federal climate change adaptation policies and contains the first complete inventory of federal adaptation-related programs. It includes over 70 new and ongoing adaptation measures across 22 federal departments and agencies, and up to $2 billion in new investments to enhance adaptation efforts across Canada.
In addition, the Canadian Centre for Climate Services continued to deliver climate services to Canadians and worked with provinces, territories and Indigenous partners to enhance climate services in regions, expanding its national network of climate service providers across the country.
Canadian greenhouse gas (GHG) and short-lived climate pollutant emissions are reduced
Transitioning to a net-zero future
ECCC continued to help ensure that the goals of the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act become a reality. The Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, which received Royal Assent in June 2021, gives legal force to Canada’s net-zero commitment to achieve net-zero GHG emissions by 2050, and requires that the Government set national targets at least 10 years in advance for the reduction of GHG emissions at five-year intervals. In 2023-24, to establish a 2035 emissions reduction national target as required, ECCC launched engagements with provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples, the Net-Zero Advisory Body, and interested Canadians.
Net-Zero Challenge
ECCC launched the Net-Zero Challenge program in August 2022 to encourage and support businesses operating in Canada to develop and implement plans to transition their facilities and operations to net-zero emissions by 2050. This made-in-Canada initiative allows participating companies to build public and investor confidence in their net-zero plans through credible technical guidance, access to a community of practice, and federal recognition of their commitments, while benefiting from simple reporting requirements. Companies can also leverage participation in the program to meet federal procurement and funding requirements. This includes the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's Standard on the Disclosure of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and the Setting of Reduction Targets for federal procurement over $25 million, and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada's Net Zero Accelerator Strategic Innovation Fund.
As of 2023-24, there has been an impressive response from the private sector, which includes participating companies of all sizes spanning many sectors of the Canadian economy – from energy, transportation, construction, and heavy industry, to IT, retail, and more. In committing to net zero, companies are taking action now to help safeguard Canada’s environment for future generations, while stimulating innovation, demonstrating corporate responsibility, and ensuring their long-term competitiveness in a decarbonizing global economy.
Making progress on reducing emissions
In 2023-24, ECCC continued its work with partners to implement its commitments and collectively increase climate action to achieve Canada’s climate objectives, including work to implement emissions reduction measures as outlined in the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan. As a result of collective efforts, Canada is on a solid path toward achieving its 2030 GHG reduction target of 40 to 45 percent below 2005 levels. The Department’s role in implementation of the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan includes coordination and oversight, and responsibility for several important measures and strategies announced in the plan, such as the regulatory measures to reduce emissions from light-duty vehicles. The Department finalized the Electric Vehicle Availability Standard, the Clean Electricity Regulations, and strengthened Oil and Gas Methane Regulations, and worked to develop a cap on oil and gas sector emissions. Continued engagement with partners and stakeholders to implement the plan was a priority for 2023-24.
In 2023, the first Progress Report on the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan was published, as required under the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act. This report concluded that, with the full implementation of the 2030 ERP, Canada is now projected to exceed Canada’s interim objective of 20 percent below 2005 levels by 2026. Canada is on a solid path toward achieving our 2030 target and is planning for additional actions and work with partners to meet our GHG ambitious emissions reduction targets. Canada is expected to reach 40 percent below 2005 levels if additional actions (accounted for in the Progress Report) and new measures (not accounted for in the Progress Report) are implemented.
ECCC worked with Natural Resources Canada to implement the government’s commitment to cap and cut GHG emissions from the oil and gas sector, thus ensuring that the sector makes an ambitious and achievable contribution to meeting the country’s 2030 climate goals. At COP26 in 2021, the Government of Canada announced new ambitious measures to support the achievement of Canada’s 2030 GHG target. This includes capping and reducing GHG emissions from the oil and gas sector at a pace and scale needed to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and reducing methane emissions from oil and gas by at least 75 percent below 2012 levels by 2030. In 2023-24, ECCC took strong actions to advance these goals. In December 2023, the Department released the proposed Regulatory Framework for an Oil and Gas Sector Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap, which proposes a national cap-and-trade system for the oil and gas sector through regulations to be made under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.
The Department made progress implementing Faster and Further: Canada’s Methane Strategy, a plan to reduce methane emissions across the broader Canadian economy, which is consistent with the Global Methane Pledge calling for a reduction in global methane emissions of 30 percent. ECCC successfully engaged with provinces and territories and other key departments to implement important new methods to quantify fugitive oil and gas emissions within the National Inventory Report by using atmospheric measurements for the first time.
In 2023-24, the Department published draft amendments to oil and gas methane regulations that will achieve Canada’s target of a 75 percent reduction in oil and gas methane relative to 2012 levels by 2030, thus reducing emissions by over 200 megatonnes (carbon dioxide equivalent) between 2027 and 2040. In addition, the Department continued to develop new regulations aimed at reducing landfill methane emissions by 50 percent by 2030. Draft regulations are anticipated in late 2024-25.
ECCC continued to work with provinces, territories, Indigenous groups, industry, non-governmental organizations and academics to develop Clean Electricity Regulations that can enable the electricity sector to achieve net zero, while supporting reliable and affordable electricity. A clean electricity grid is critical to achieving a net-zero economy as it allows for the decarbonization of other sectors. The Department is also supporting efforts to advance the first phase of a modified Atlantic Loop connecting Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, which will support the transmission of clean power between the provinces and help enable the phase-out of coal-fired electricity generation and a net-zero grid.
The Department continued to work with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada, Transport Canada, and Natural Resources Canada to advance toward zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) targets of at least 60 percent of light-duty vehicle sales by 2030 and 100 percent by 2035, as well as 100 percent of medium- and heavy-duty vehicle sales by 2040.Footnote 32 ECCC’s work to accelerate the transition to a zero-emission future includes the publication of regulations to require the supply of light-duty zero-emission vehicles, beginning in 2026. These regulations came into force in December 2023 and require that Canada achieves 100 percent light-duty ZEV sales by 2035. In 2023-24, ECCC also continued to support the work of other federal partners in rolling out a $547.5 million, four-year purchase incentive program for medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles to help businesses upgrade their fleets. This incentive, first announced in 2022, complements other programs supporting the transition to zero-emission vehicles including:
- $1.7 billion to extend the Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles (iZEV) Program until March 2025 to help more Canadians get behind the wheel of zero-emission vehicles with a top up of $607.9 million announced in Budget 2024;
- a $500 million investment by the Canada Infrastructure Bank in large-scale urban and commercial ZEV charging and refuelling infrastructure; and
- $400 million over five years, started in 2022–23, to fund the deployment of ZEV charging infrastructure in suburban and remote communities through the Zero-Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program (ZEVIP).
ECCC also collaborated with California via the recent memorandum of understanding with the California Air Resources Board on measures to advance clean transportation and GHG emissions reductions.
Advancing Indigenous climate leadership
ECCC continued its partnership and constructive dialogue with First Nations, Inuit and Métis governments and representative organizations to advance Indigenous climate leadership and enable the design of federal policies and programs that address their climate priorities. First Nations, Inuit and Métis have been at the forefront of drawing attention to the impacts of climate change. They have been calling for ambitious action to reduce pollution, adapt to the impacts of climate change, and improve the ways in which the natural environment is respected and protected. In doing so, they continue to reinforce the critical importance of Indigenous Peoples’ leadership in achieving the foundational changes required to address climate change and advance reconciliation in Canada. To that end, as identified in the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, the Department continued to engage with Indigenous partners on the development of policies and programs to address climate priorities in a way that is respectful of Indigenous science and knowledge, recognizes the inherent and Treaty rights of Indigenous Peoples, and advances the implementation of the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. It is of great importance to emphasize the necessity of weaving Indigenous science with western science to inform and enhance decision-making while advancing Indigenous climate leadership to ensure that the design of federal policies and programs address Indigenous climate priorities. Key initiatives in 2023-24 included: working collaboratively with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners to develop a distinctions-based Indigenous Climate Leadership Agenda; implementing the National Adaptation Strategy; and advancing clean energy and energy efficiency projects under the Indigenous Leadership Fund.
The Department also worked towards establishing mandatory climate-related financial disclosures. These disclosures support the Minister of Finance in his work with provinces and territories to move toward mandatory climate-related financial disclosures based on the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures framework and to require federally regulated institutions, including financial institutions, pension funds and government agencies, to issue climate-related financial disclosures and net-zero plans. The Department continued to collaborate with the Department of Finance Canada to support the work of the Sustainable Finance Action Council, which provided financial sector input to the development of foundational market infrastructure, including enhanced climate disclosure, defining green and transition investment, and climate data and analytics.
ECCC also continued its development of a Climate Data Strategy and associated action plans, which are expected to be completed in 2024-25. This strategy will build on the work of the Sustainable Finance Action Council and numerous federal climate and data strategies. It will serve as a roadmap for providing relevant federal data to the public to assess physical and transition risks related to climate change. Work supporting the development of a Climate Data Strategy, including analysis and engagement with other federal departments and the private sector, is well underway.
Pricing carbon pollution
ECCC continued to implement the Pan-Canadian Approach to pricing carbon pollution. A price on carbon pollution across Canada creates incentives for individuals, households, and businesses to choose cleaner options, including green technology. Under the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (GGPPA), the federal carbon pollution pricing system has two parts: a regulatory charge on fossil fuels (the federal fuel charge), and a performance-based pricing system for industrial facilities, known as the Output-Based Pricing System (OBPS). The system applies in those provinces and territories that requested it and in those that did not have their own system that meets the federal benchmark stringency criteria. The OBPS is designed to put a price on carbon pollution and reduce the risk of carbon leakage from industry, thereby enabling industries to maintain competitiveness relative to international peers and affording them the flexibility to meet emissions limits through emissions trading and the use of GHG offset credits.
In addition to ensuring that provincial and territorial carbon pollution pricing systems align with the minimum national stringency standards (the federal “benchmark”), ECCC supported pricing carbon pollution in 2023-24 by:
- Continuing to administer the federal Output-based Pricing System (OBPS) for industrial emitters;
- Making amendments to the OBPS Regulations to ensure continued GHG emissions reductions, to reduce the administrative burden, and to improve the implementation; and
- Implementing Canada’s GHG Offset Credit System Regulations and continuing to develop and publish federal GHG offset protocols for project types in additional sectors. The System encourages innovative projects that go beyond legal requirements and common practice to reduce GHG emissions, and that are not covered by carbon pricing, including in the agriculture, forestry, waste and advanced technology sectors. For example, in 2023-24, ECCC published a new draft protocol on Reducing Enteric Methane Emissions from Beef Cattle which will incentivize farmers to reduce methane emissions by providing them with an opportunity to generate and sell federal offset credits to facilities covered under the federal OPBS or to others looking to meet voluntary climate targets.
The Government of Canada continued to return proceeds from the federal carbon pollution pricing system to jurisdictions of origin. In provinces where the federal carbon pricing system applies, the Government of Canada returned the majority of proceeds from the federal fuel charge directly to families through the quarterly Canada Carbon Rebate (CCR) for individuals. The remaining portion of fuel charge proceeds went back to farmers, Indigenous governments through jointly developed mechanisms, and small- and medium-sized businesses. Proceeds collected from the federal OBPS were returned to the jurisdiction in which they were collected, including to support emissions reductions at industrial facilities.
How does federal carbon pricing work?
The federal carbon pollution pricing system has two parts: the federal fuel charge and the Output-Based Pricing System (OBPS). All proceeds from both parts are returned to Canadians.
- Most proceeds from the federal fuel charge go directly to households through quarterly Canada Carbon Rebate (previously the Climate Action Incentive) payments. The remaining proceeds are returned through federal programming to groups that may be disproportionately impacted by climate change, including farmers, Indigenous Peoples, and small and medium-sized businesses.
- Proceeds collected under the federal OBPS are returned via the OBPS Proceeds Fund. These funds support decarbonization and clean energy projects in the jurisdictions where the federal OBPS applies. These projects are supported through the Decarbonization Incentive Program, which supports clean technology projects that reduce GHG emissions within OBPS regulated facilities, and the Future Electricity Fund, which supports large scale clean energy initiatives. Through both streams, ECCC has committed approximately $581 million in OBPS proceeds.
In 2023-24, ECCC continued co-developing approaches to return 1 percent of fuel charge proceeds to Indigenous recipients in jurisdictions where federal programming is in effect. A program was designed based on partners and central agency feedback, with a proposal pending decision. Feedback from partners helped lead to a Minister of Finance decision to increase the percentage of proceeds to be returned to Indigenous governments starting in 2024-25.
The Department continued to advance domestic and international work to reduce short-lived climate pollutant (SLCP) emissions in line with Canada’s Strategy on Short-lived Climate Pollutants. SLCPs such as black carbon, methane, hydrofluorocarbons, and ground-level ozone are potent GHGs and air pollutants that contribute to climate warming and can affect air quality. In 2023-24, Canada contributed to global efforts to reduce SLCP emissions through participation in international fora, such as the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, the Arctic Council, the Global Methane Pledge (where Canada was a champion country), and the Global Methane Initiative. ECCC is also providing $2 million in climate finance funds between 2023 and 2026 for methane mitigation in developing countries through projects selected with the advice of the Global Methane Initiative.
ECCC continued to implement the Ozone-depleting Substances and Halocarbon Alternatives Regulations to phase down the use of Hydrofluorocarbon (HFCs), which are powerful SLCPs that contribute to climate change. These controls are expected to result in cumulative GHG emission reductions of 37Mt CO2e (megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalents) between 2018 and 2030.
Commitment to reduce HFCs
Canada has committed, through the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, to an 85 percent reduction in HFCs by 2036. Canada continues to work with all industry stakeholders to ensure that it meets its international obligations to phase down HFCs and protect our environment.
Providing information to support decision-making and accountability
ECCC continued its commitment to modernize its digital services to improve access to authoritative, foundational climate science and information. This modernization further enables the work of ECCC scientists to inform and support clean growth and climate change program priorities.
The Department also continued to work with partners and experts to develop and publish the best available science and data to make the most recent information on GHG emissions and air pollutants available to the public. This information was published by ECCC in the following annual inventories and reports:
- National Inventory Report: Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in Canada
- Overview of Reported Emissions: Facility Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program
- Canada’s Air Pollutant Emissions Inventory
- Canada’s Black Carbon Emissions Inventory
In 2023-24, ECCC maintained, updated and expanded the Government of Canada’s publicly available Fuel Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Model to support multiple Government initiatives. The Fuel LCA Model is a tool to calculate the lifecycle carbon intensity of fuels and energy sources used and produced in Canada. The Clean Fuel Regulations are the first regulations to use the Model to determine the carbon intensity of fuels and energy sources for credit creation, and other governmental programs are considering its use. The Fuel LCA Model is designed to:
- Provide transparent and traceable carbon intensity calculations;
- Represent Canadian fuel production pathways by relying on Canadian and worldwide data where appropriate;
- Be robust by following the guidelines outlined by the International Standards Organization, particularly standards 14040 and 14044; and
- Be used for a number of Government of Canada's GHG policies and programs to inform and support their development.
ECCC continued to apply the Strategic Assessment of Climate Change (SACC) in federal impact assessments. The SACC provides guidance on how climate change should be considered in impact assessments to ensure greater transparency, clarity, consistency, and improved process certainty. It outlines processes that project proponents can use to mitigate GHG emissions through the use of best available technologies and best environmental practices and develop credible plans to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. In line with the principles of the SACC, ECCC provided advice on the characterization of effects of projects being assessed in 2023-24 and the efficacy of proposed mitigation measures to project proponents and the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada.
The Department continued to implement the Low Carbon Economy Fund (LCEF) to support climate action across Canada. The Department delivered the Low Carbon Economy Leadership Fund in 2023-24 by working with and funding provinces and territories to help them deliver on their commitments to reduce carbon pollution and contribute to meeting or exceeding Canada’s 2030 climate target. The Department also continued to administer the Low Carbon Economy Challenge, which supports projects that will generate clean growth, reduce GHG emissions, and help meet Canada’s Paris Agreement commitments.
The 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan included a recapitalization of the LCEF, which started in 2023-24, including a new $180 million Indigenous Leadership Fund and an Implementation Readiness Fund. Additionally, as a part of the recapitalized LCEF, the Department collaborated with provinces and territories through the Leadership Fund to launch a new merit-based Challenge Fund application intake in 2023-24 that supports projects which advance Canada’s 2030 and 2050 climate goals.
ECCC continued to use funds from the Environmental Damages Fund, a fund which receives money from fines, penalties, court orders, and voluntary payments for environmental violations, to administer the Climate Action and Awareness Fund (CAAF). Established in 2020, the CAAF is a funding initiative that will invest up to $206 million over five years to support Canadian projects that help to reduce Canada’s GHG emissions and build a sustainable net-zero emissions economy by 2050. In 2023-24, the CAAF supported three priorities: (1) supporting youth climate awareness and community-based climate action; (2) advancing climate science and technology; and (3) supporting climate research at Canadian think tank organizations and in academia.
Climate Action and Awareness Fund
The CAAF has launched multiple calls for proposals to support its priorities, including:
- youth climate awareness in the summer of 2020;
- community-based climate action in the fall of 2020 and again in the winter of 2022;
- climate research at Canadian think tanks and in academia in the summer of 2022; and
- climate change science and technology in the spring of 2021.
In 2023-24, ECCC continued to engage Canadians to better communicate the impact of climate change, using the latest behavioural research to inform a multi-pronged approach to better reach Canadians. This includes targeted advertising and social marketing campaigns, and the development of a discussion paper in consultation with provincial and territorial governments and environmental non-governmental organizations to inform the development of a National Framework for Environmental Learning. The Department committed $12.5 million in funding through a new collaboration with philanthropic organizations to support the development of environmental literacy projects across Canada that will help provide young Canadians with the knowledge and skills they need to understand and cope with climate change.
Building on a pilot phase, and working with central agencies and key departments, ECCC continued to develop and implement a climate lens to help integrate climate adaptation and mitigation considerations into government decision-making. The Department developed and sought approval of the new Cabinet Directive on Strategic Environmental and Economic Assessment. This new directive requires the application of a new assessment tool, the Climate, Nature and Economy Lens, in the development of policies, programs and regulations. This approach focuses on reducing GHG, adapting to climate change, protecting biodiversity, and promoting economic growth
Conservation to address climate change
The Department continued to use nature-based solutions to combat climate change, including conserving lands, which will reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by five to seven megatonnes annually in 2030. Climate change and biodiversity loss are often referred to as dual crises for which integrated and complementary solutions are both crucial and urgent. Canada has a role to play in developing and implementing such solutions, partially because we have one of the world’s largest carbon stores in our vast landscapes of forests, wetlands, peatlands, and other carbon-rich ecosystems. The Government of Canada has committed to conserving 25 percent of Canada’s land and oceans by 2025 and 30 percent by 2030.
Through conservation, restoration, and improved management practices in our carbon-rich ecosystems, such as wetlands, Canada will fight climate change by reducing net GHG emissions while providing co-benefits for biodiversity, such as habitat for species, and for the health and well-being of people across Canada. ECCC continued to work with federal partners, provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples, conservation organizations, the private sector, and civil society to implement new investments under the overarching Natural Climate Solutions Fund, including:
- $3.16 billion over 10 years to plant two billion trees (led by Natural Resources Canada);
- $1.41 billion over 10 years to reduce GHG emissions through the protection, improved management, and restoration of wetlands, peatlands, grasslands and forests through the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund; and
- $885 million over 10 years to establish a new Agricultural Climate Solutions program (led by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada).
The Emission Reduction Plan incorporates nature-based climate solutions and complements Canada’s international efforts, including in developing countries where Canada has committed to assign at least 20 percent of our international climate finance funding toward nature-based climate solutions with biodiversity co-benefits.
Canadian communities, economies and ecosystems are more resilient
Enhancing climate services to build resilience to climate change
In 2023-24, ECCC provided Canadians authoritative climate data and information through the Canadian Centre for Climate Services (CCCS). The CCCS continued to work with partners and stakeholders to help Canadians increase their resilience to climate change through information, training, guidance, and resources to support climate-smart decisions. The CCCS continued to expand the national network of regional climate service organizations to increase local capacity, including a new pilot project to deliver regional climate services in Ontario. The CCCS also developed a northern service delivery model to deliver climate services to the North and initiated work with the Climate Risk Institute to develop climate data profiles for northern communities.
The CCCS, in collaboration with its partners, released new information and features on ClimateData.ca. New additions included: future projections of Humidex, future projections for Buildings Climate Zones, the Canadian Spatial Analogues Tool, and a pilot podcast series to make it easier to learn about climate data. ClimateData.ca experienced a 20 percent increase in traffic compared to the previous fiscal year and nine new examples were added to the Map of Adaptation actions. Additionally, the CCCS delivered tailored training sessions, such as an introductory course on using climate data for federal public servants, as well as targeted training for architectural professionals and health sector professionals.
The CCCS’ products and services were being accessed by target audiences at their highest level since its establishment in 2018. The Climate Services Support Desk responded to 793 cases in 2023-24, marking a 10.9 percent increase from the previous fiscal year while maintaining a high client satisfaction rating.
Canada is Warming Quickly
Canada is warming at twice the average global rate and three times this rate in the North, which in turn is increasing the frequency and intensity of heat waves, droughts, and wildfires, and contributing to permafrost thaw and sea-level rise. To meet this growing challenge, ECCC is working with partners to enhance action on climate change adaptation.
Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy
In 2023-24, ECCC and other federal departments and agencies began to implement the National Adaptation Strategy (NAS) through the Government of Canada Adaptation Action Plan (GOCAAP). The Strategy and Action Plan build on a strong foundation of action already being taken across the country, such as the federal Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund, administered by Infrastructure Canada, for infrastructure projects to help communities better prepare for climate-related disasters.
Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy, released by ECCC in June 2023, reflects two years of engagement with: provincial, territorial, and municipal governments; First Nations, Inuit, and Métis representatives; key experts and stakeholders; and Canadians. This level of engagement represents the first time that Canada has assembled adaptation objectives and priorities into a single framework, joining many other national and subnational jurisdictions. The Strategy helps guide the efforts of all areas of society on adaptation and is underpinned by a set of guiding principles to ensure that investments and solutions are fair, inclusive, and equitable. Bilateral action plans as described in the NAS were initiated with provinces and territories, and opportunities for including Indigenous groups from the outset were pursued. All provinces and territories were contacted to initiate adaptation coordination, with the governments of Québec, British Columbia and the three territories all committing to begin joint adaptation planning in 2023-24.
Adapting to the Risks and Challenges of Climate Change
Climate readiness includes measures such as preventing the construction of homes on floodplains, increasing tree coverage in urban forests to reduce the effects of heatwaves, and using data to map and manage the risks of wildfires and flooding.
The GOCAAP complements the adaptation efforts of provinces, territories, and Indigenous partners and includes over 70 new and ongoing actions to advance the priority areas of the NAS. Following collaboration between ECCC and the Federation of Canadian municipalities in 2023-24, a total of $530M will be made available in 2024-25 to expand the Green Municipal Fund in support of community-based adaptation initiatives. The Department also continued to develop a new Canada-wide climate science assessment to provide Canadians with authoritative knowledge and data to support adaptation efforts.
The Department supported domestic cooperation on climate change adaptation. ECCC partnered with the climate consortium Ouranos to plan the seventh Adaptation Futures international conference series on global adaptation, which took place in Montréal in 2023. ECCC continued to collaborate with provinces and territories through the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment, as well as with First Nations, Inuit and the Métis Nation through three distinctions-based senior bilateral tables, to share knowledge and best practices to advance adaptation efforts across jurisdictions.
Canada contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing climate resilience globally
Canada on the global climate stage
In 2023-24, ECCC continued to lead Canada’s engagement on climate change and the environment in various multilateral fora, such as the G7, G20, Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA), among others, thus helping to advance the implementation of the ambitious goals of the Paris Agreement. Canada attended the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the UNFCCC in November and December of 2023 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. At COP28, ECCC participated in the first global stocktake of the Paris Agreement, which resulted in groundbreaking calls to triple renewable energy and double energy efficiency, and reflected a historic consensus by nearly 200 countries to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems. ECCC, in collaboration with other government departments, worked to ensure that all Parties undertake ambitious actions under a common framework that reflects the highest standards of transparency and scientific integrity. Canada also demonstrated leadership to maintain momentum on the phase out of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies and the phase down of unabated coal power to support developing countries in fighting climate change, and to recognize that climate and biodiversity actions are mutually reinforcing.
At the G7 Climate, Energy and Environment Ministers’ Meeting in April 2024, Canada worked with partners to operationalize COP28 commitments and drive ambitious global climate action, including by agreeing on a G7 timeline for the phase out of unabated coal power in the first half of the 2030s. Canada also committed to contribute to global efforts intent on accelerating reductions of global methane emissions and scaling up global energy storage capacity. G7 Ministers also sent a strong signal of support for a new global climate finance goal at COP29 in November 2024. Additionally, at the fourth Leaders-level meeting of the Major Economies Forum (MEF) on Energy and Climate in April 2023, Canada bolstered collective efforts toward keeping a 1.5-degree Celsius limit on climate warming within reach and announced that it is joining the Methane Finance Sprint ahead of COP28 to help developing countries tackle this potent GHG.
ECCC’s international work also includes engaging provinces and territories, Indigenous Peoples, and key stakeholders including youth, civil society, industry and labour, in developing international climate policy and promoting gender equality and the role of women and gender diverse people in climate action around the world.
The Department continued to support the adaptation and mitigation efforts of developing countries, including small island states and least developed countries, which are particularly vulnerable and at risk of climate-related emergencies. ECCC manages Canada’s $5.3 billion climate finance commitment in collaboration with Global Affairs Canada, a commitment, spanning from 2021 to 2026, supports developing countries in their transition to sustainable, low-carbon, climate-resilient, nature-positive and inclusive development. ECCC and Global Affairs Canada co-chair interdepartmental governance committees to ensure an effective whole-of-government approach to the implementation of Canada’s climate finance commitment. In 2023-24, ECCC continued to lead on implementing, through bilateral and multilateral channels, approximately $160 million in climate finance over five years to support climate action in developing countries. ECCC announced $250,000 in additional funding for the Climate Finance Access Network, building on its previous pledge of $5 million in 2022, and Global Affairs Canada’s initial $9.5 million pledge in 2020. The Climate Finance Access Network supports developing countries' capacity to secure public and private finance for priority climate mitigation and adaptation investments in their countries.
ECCC continued to advance international climate action, particularly related to adaptation, through its involvement in targeted multilateral initiatives. This includes participation in the international Champions Group on Adaptation Finance, which Canada joined in 2022. Canada is working in concert with other members to accelerate adaptation finance and improve its quality and accessibility, particularly for Least Developed Countries (LDC) and Small Island Developing States. In 2023-24, Canada announced an international climate finance commitment of $5 million over three years to the LDC Initiative for Effective Adaptation and Resilience, building on Canada’s 2022 announcement to join the Partnership Compact for the LDC 2050 Vision, in support of the LDC Initiative for Effective Adaptation and Resilience.
The Department also continued international partnerships, initiatives, and bilateral cooperation to advance clean growth and climate action. ECCC continued to represent Canada as co-lead the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA) with the United Kingdom, the world’s first and only government-led initiative seeking to accelerate the global phase-out of emissions from coal power. ECCC supported Government initiatives to accelerate Canada’s G20 commitment to eliminate fossil fuel subsidies by 2023, becoming the first G20 country to phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies ahead of the 2025 deadline. In 2023, ECCC released the Inefficient Fossil Fuel Subsidies Government of Canada Self-Review Assessment Framework and the Inefficient Fossil Fuel Subsidies Government of Canada Guidelines, which were developed in collaboration with the Department of Finance Canada.
As part of the Global Carbon Pricing Challenge (GCPC), ECCC engaged with international partners to expand the share of global greenhouse gas emissions covered by carbon pricing. In 2023-24, ECCC facilitated the establishment of the GCPC Secretariat and prepared technical workshops and country-to-country exchanges to promote the development and implementation of carbon pricing policies. ECCC led the organization of a high-level event on the margins of the 78th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, convening international partners to affirm their commitment to carbon pricing, and welcomed three new members: Norway, Denmark, and Côte d’Ivoire. Ahead of COP28, where Canada led a ministerial discussion and a technical panel discussion, Canada also welcomed Sweden and the European Union to the GCPC.
In 2023-24, ECCC took steps to promote clean growth and climate change objectives through ambitious, comprehensive, and enforceable environmental provisions in its free trade agreements (FTAs). ECCC’s work in this area includes negotiating obligations to maintain robust environmental governance as trade and investment are liberalized, and commitments to cooperate on a range of global environmental issues, including biodiversity conservation, pollution reduction, climate change, and clean technology. In April 2023, Canada concluded the negotiations of the modernized Canada-Ukraine FTA, which includes a comprehensive environment chapter, and provisions recognizing the importance of climate change policies. Canada continued to seek the inclusion of environmental provisions in its FTA negotiations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Indonesia, and in exploratory discussions with Ecuador.
The Department also advanced climate action through international discussions and agreements outside of FTAs. For example, Canada and the U.S. released the Renewed Canada-United States commitment on climate and nature ambition, which committed to accelerate joint efforts to combat the climate crisis and to increase economic benefits through bilateral collaboration. Canada also negotiated and signed a memorandum of understanding with the Republic of Korea on Climate Change Cooperation, took steps to deepen collaboration with the EU through the Canada-EU Green Alliance, and hosted the annual Commission for Environmental Cooperation Council Session, bringing together the U.S. and Mexico to advance initiatives on climate adaptation, short-lived climate pollutants, and environmental justice.
Indigenous Peoples are engaged in clean growth and climate change
Indigenous Engagement
Engagement with Indigenous Peoples is an integral component of ECCC’s approach to addressing all of its core responsibilities, including clean growth and climate change. Examples of the Department’s efforts to meaningfully engage Indigenous Peoples in addressing climate change challenges are interwoven in most of the preceding narrative, including:
- Supporting the development of distinctions-based Indigenous Climate Leadership agendas to transform the federal government’s partnerships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis on climate change;
- Convening regular meetings of distinctions-based senior, bilateral tables with First Nations, Inuit and Métis on clean growth and climate change;
- Supporting Indigenous-owned and led renewable energy, energy efficiency, and low-carbon heating projects through the Indigenous Leadership Fund under the Low Carbon Economy Fund;
- Enabling Indigenous representation in international delegations and fora, such as the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the UNFCCC, the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change;
- Integrating Indigenous knowledge and information with Western science to improve the Oil Sands Monitoring Program;
- Building capacity and undertaking on-the-ground activities for ecological restoration, land management, and conservation though Indigenous-Led Natural Climate Solutions stream investments; and
- Engaging with Indigenous Peoples in the development of federal offset protocols under Canada’s GHG Offset Credit System and building capacity of Indigenous Peoples to participate in GHG offset projects.
It is important to note that the Department’s efforts to meaningfully engage Indigenous Peoples are also embedded in the delivery of all its programs. As such, additional notable efforts are found throughout this report.
Key risks
The Department’s ability to deliver results for Canadians on clean growth and climate change requires extensive collaboration with federal, provincial, territorial, Indigenous, and international partners, as well as with the private and non-profit sectors and civil society. This is meant to ensure alignment and effective cooperation. These efforts can be complicated by policy or directional divergences, competing priorities and resource constraints.
The Department continued to enhance its strategic relationships through efforts that support issue-focused engagement on regional matters and the centralization of intra-departmental policy, advice, and guidance to foster relationships, including by participating in the development of a coordinated, government-wide engagement strategy. The Department employed a mix of in-person and virtual approaches to facilitate bilateral and multilateral cooperation, and continued to drive international leadership and advance commitments.
As the impacts of climate change continued to threaten communities during the year, it was increasingly essential to work with and support Indigenous Peoples to build resilience in the North through monitoring, mitigating, and adapting to climate change. To mitigate possible risks to establishing and maintaining quality relationships with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners, the Department continued to implement a departmental framework for Indigenous engagement, reviewed and strengthened ECCC’s internal governance related to Indigenous relationships, and implemented tools and processes to support the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives in the development of ECCC policies, programs and legislation.
Resources required to achieve results
Table 2: Snapshot of resources required for Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change
Table 2 provides a summary of the planned and actual spending and full-time equivalents (FTEs) required to achieve results.
Resource | Planned | Actual |
---|---|---|
Spending | $876,753,252 | $570,748,742 |
Full-time equivalents | 906 | 1,056 |
Complete financial and human resources information for ECCC’s program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.
Related government-wide priorities
Gender-based analysis plus
It is well understood that Canada’s changing climate exacerbates existing challenges and health stressors for Indigenous Peoples in Canada. Climate change also disproportionately impacts northern, rural, remote, and coastal communities, racialized communities, younger and older generations, people with health issues or disabilities, low-income groups, women, and those at the intersection of these identities. ECCC continued to consider the impacts of its climate change policies and programs in order to mitigate, as much as possible, further negative impacts on affected populations. ECCC continued to conduct additional analysis using Gender-based Analysis (GBA) Plus for each policy and program to maximize positive benefits for those most impacted by the negative effects of climate change.
In recognition of climate change’s widespread and often disproportionate effects that exacerbate existing inequalities and compound risks among already impacted populations, ECCC engaged with a diverse range of partners, including the Environment and Climate Change Youth Council to inform the development of the National Adaptation Strategy. The strategy defines respect for Indigenous rights and advancing equity and environmental justice as two of its guiding principles in order to foster adaptation actions and processes that are inclusive of all Canadians. ECCC continued its ongoing engagement with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners through senior-level bilateral tables to support self-determination and enable Indigenous-led climate solutions. On the international front, GBA Plus considerations were included in bilateral and regional environmental cooperation activities with international partners. Members of the Environment and Climate Change Youth Council also participated in UN conferences as part of Canada’s delegation to promote youth voices. Canada also continued to contribute to implementing the Gender Action Plan that was adopted under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The Plan aims to increase women’s participation and leadership in climate action and to better integrate gender considerations in national climate plans and policies. In line with Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy (FIAP), 80 percent of projects under Canada’s $5.3 billion climate finance commitment aim to integrate gender equality considerations, a target which Canada is on track to meet.
In addition, in support of the Government of Canada’s commitments to advance Indigenous climate leadership and align federal policies and programs with Indigenous Peoples’ climate priorities, ECCC is providing tools and resources to help communities and organizations navigate the requirements of Canada’s GHG Offset Credit System. A toolkit of materials is posted to the Department’s website and is available in Ojibwe, Mi’kmaq and Woods Cree. In addition, throughout 2023-24, ECCC delivered in-person and virtual information sessions and workshops on carbon markets and GHG offset projects to Indigenous audiences.
United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals
Information on ECCC’s contributions to Canada’s Federal Implementation Plan on the 2030 Agenda and the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy can be found in our Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy.
Innovation
Transition in home heating
A study was done in partnership with a large urban utility to test the relative efficacy of messaging on the benefits of heat pumps in increasing the adoption of heat pumps. When consumers received emails framing the benefits of heat pumps in different ways to appeal to different motivators of adoption, researchers learned that messaging about the dual functionality of heat pumps (heating and cooling) and social norms (“heat pumps are becoming more popular”) resulted in the most follow-ups for more information. The study continues until November 2024 and insights have already been shared with over 50 representatives from provincial and territorial governments, the UK government and other stakeholders through a series of virtual webinars.
Planning ahead to net-zero
A study on ECCC’s Low Carbon Economy Fund program showed that streamlining the application process and increasing transparency of program requirements could allow applicants to better self-screen and submit more competitive applications. The evidence-based findings and recommendations have resulted in better communications with prospective applicants and have been applied more broadly to other departmental programs, such as the Decarbonization Incentive Program.
Program inventory
Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change is supported by the following programs:
- Clean Growth and Climate Change Mitigation
- Climate Change Adaptation
- International Environment and Climate Action
Additional information related to the program inventory for Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change is available on the Results page on GC InfoBase.
Preventing and Managing Pollution
Description
Develop measures to reduce releases of harmful substances into the environment; monitor levels of pollutants and pollution precursors in air, water and soil; promote and enforce compliance with environmental laws and regulations; and implement pollution reduction and restoration actions and programs. This will be achieved by coordinating, collaborating and consulting with other federal government departments, provinces and territories, Indigenous partners, non-governmental organizations, international partners and other stakeholders.
Progress on results
This section presents detail on how the Department performed to achieve results and meet targets for Preventing and Managing Pollution. Details are presented by departmental result.
Table 3: Targets and results for Preventing and Managing Pollution
Table 3 provides a summary of the target and actual results for each indicator associated with the results under Preventing and Managing Pollution
Departmental Result Indicators | Target | Date to achieve target | Actual Results |
---|---|---|---|
Percentage of the population living in areas where air pollutant concentrations are less than or equal to the Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards | 85% | December 2030 | 2021-22: 71%Footnote 34 2022-23: 64%Footnote 35 2023-24: 85%Footnote 36 |
Departmental Result Indicators | Target | Date to achieve target | Actual Results |
---|---|---|---|
Percentage of wastewater systems where effluent quality standards are achieved | 100% |
December 2040 | 2021-22: 77% 2022-23: 77% 2023-24: Result not availableFootnote 36 |
Departmental Result Indicators | Target | Date to achieve target | Actual Results |
---|---|---|---|
Percentage of actions taken in a timely manner to protect Canada’s environment from chemicals found to be a risk to the environment | 100% | March 2024 | 2021-22: This is a new indicator, as of 2022-23. The first year of reporting is 2022-23. 2022-23: 93% 2023-24: 86% |
Additional information on the detailed results and performance information for ECCC’s program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.
Details on results
The following section describes the results for Preventing and Managing Pollution in 2023-24 compared with the planned results set out in ECCC’s Departmental Plan for the year.
The Canadian environment is protected from harmful substances
Eliminating plastic waste
ECCC continued to lead the Government of Canada’s comprehensive agenda to achieve zero plastic waste and transition to a circular plastics economy. ECCC’s work ranges from undertaking and supporting research and monitoring on the sources and impacts of plastic pollution, to gathering data on the plastics that flow through the Canadian economy, to supporting upstream means of preventing plastic waste through reuse. ECCC continues to ensure public access to findings, data, and knowledge about plastics in the environment and the economy as demonstrated by the significant progress made in the development of a federal plastics registry. In 2023-24, the Department held public consultations to inform the development of an information-gathering notice under section 46 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. The notice will compel plastic producers and other companies across the plastics value chain to help monitor and track plastic from the time it is produced up to its end of life.
In June 2023, prohibitions came into force on the manufacture and import for sale in Canada of single-use plastic ring carriers under the Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations. This was followed by prohibitions on the manufacture and sale of checkout bags, cutlery, food service ware, stir sticks, and straws that came into force in December of 2023.
Consultations on barriers to a circular economy for plastics highlighted the need for a range of policy solutions. These include improving the accuracy of recyclability and compostability labelling for plastic packaging, increasing the use of recycled plastic in new products and packaging, and incentivizing more circular business practices for food packaging. The Department also continued to work with provinces and territories to implement the Canada-wide Action Plan on Zero Plastic Waste – with projects to examine options for better management of fishing and aquaculture gear at end-of-life, and to develop guidance to reduce plastic in food and organic waste processing and sewage biosolids.
ECCC continued to work with partners and invest in organizations to support innovation and market transformation by key sectors, including the textile and food and beverage sectors. These efforts aim to reduce unnecessary or problematic plastics, facilitate the adoption of reuse solutions, and improve national collection and recycling rates of plastic waste from industry and federal operations.
In 2023-24, through the Canadian Plastics Innovation Challenges, ECCC supported the completion of three Phase-1 grants (proofs of concept) for projects aiming to mitigate the release of microplastics from tire wear. The Department also launched two new challenges in September 2023 and awarded nine Phase-1 grants for projects to replace single-use plastics and to improve the collection and/or sorting of plastic film and flexible packaging. Funded projects include the development of an AI-powered hyperspectral system for sorting plastic film and flexible packaging, an automated reusable replacement to single-use industrial plastic wrap for shipping pallets, and a modular reverse vending machine for the collection of reusable goods.
Canada remains an active member of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution and is committed to working with countries and stakeholders to develop an ambitious and effective international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution.
Implementing CEPA
ECCC continued the implementation of the strengthened Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA). Introduced in February 2022, Bill S-5—Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act, received Royal Assent on June 13, 2023. The Bill modernizes the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, represents the first set of comprehensive amendments to CEPA since it was enacted over 20 years ago, and recognizes for the first time in federal law that every individual in Canada has a right to a healthy environment. The amendments to CEPA also strengthened Canada’s chemicals management regime while increasing transparency in the way it is administered.
Public consultation on the development of a right to a healthy environment implementation framework under CEPA began on February 8, 2024. This work is occurring parallel to additional efforts by the federal government to engage Canadians on issues of environmental justice and environmental racism, reflecting that certain communities face disproportionate environmental and health risks.
The input received will inform the development and implementation of the framework and provide context toward the development of a national strategy to assess, prevent, and address environmental racism and to advance environmental justice. The results of consultation related to the implementation framework will be published by June 2025. The public is invited to visit the Advancing Environmental Equity online platform to learn more and to take part in these initiatives.
Addressing chemicals harming Canadians and the environment
To protect the environment and Canadians from harmful substances, ECCC continued to deliver Canada’s Chemicals Management Plan (CMP) in collaboration with Health Canada. As of March 31, 2024, the two departments have addressed 4,326 (99 percent) of 4,363 chemicals identified in 2006 as priorities for attention. The remaining established priority chemicals are expected to be addressed by March 31, 2025. The pace and volume of this risk assessment work were identified as a noteworthy accomplishment in a recent evaluation of the CMP, particularly in comparison to other agencies involved in chemical regulation around the globe. Since the launch of the CMP in 2006, risk management measures for toxic substances have more than doubled: from about 200 in 2006 to over 400 in 2024.
Under the CMP, ECCC also undertook numerous other activities and initiatives, including:
- monitoring and surveillance activities for air, birds, fish, water, sediments, wastewater and biosolids in support of risk assessment and risk management activities;
- several research projects to address issues of chemical fate, bioaccumulation and the effects of CMP priority substances, such as flame retardants, perfluoroalkyl substances, rare earth elements and nanomaterials;
- continued implementation of the 2020 Performance Measurement Evaluation Strategy, in order to provide Canadians with information on the effectiveness of risk management actions in place for toxic substances; and
- investments in changes to ECCC’s Single Window online submission system to support the CMP and streamline and improve data collection, reporting and information dissemination. Certain populations in Canada, such as expectant mothers, children, the elderly, and Indigenous communities, are more vulnerable to harmful substances and their needs will continue to be carefully considered in selecting risk management measures.
The Department continued to support international efforts for the sound management of chemicals and waste by providing expertise to various international fora such as:
- the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal;
- the Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade;
- the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants; and
- the Minamata Convention on mercury.
Under Canada’s Whales Initiative, ECCC continued monitoring the habitats of certain endangered whales for contaminants that are particularly harmful to them. This included developing and using the Pollutants Affecting Whales and their Prey Inventory Tool to track how and where these contaminants are released.
The Department continued to work with Indigenous partners, stakeholders, land users and communities, and conducted research and monitoring to inform decision-making regarding contaminants in Canadian ecosystems and traditionally harvested foods. ECCC continued to monitor priority contaminant trends in ecosystems, including in northern and arctic environments, in support of domestic and international chemical management initiatives, food safety and security, and the maintenance of traditional ways of life. When required, ECCC took appropriate enforcement action.
In addition, ECCC worked with Health Canada to implement a comprehensive action plan to protect Canadians, including firefighters, from exposure to toxic flame retardants found in household products.
ECCC supported pollution prevention under the Fisheries Act
ECCC is the lead federal department for the administration of the pollution prevention provisions of the Fisheries Act. These provisions prohibit the deposit of pollution into water frequented by fish unless authorized by a regulation. In 2023–24, ECCC continued to raise awareness and understanding about the importance of preventing pollution from entering waterways, and the consequences of non-compliance with regulations for the pulp and paper sector, the metal and diamond mining sector, and wastewater systems operated by federal, provincial, and municipal governments and indigenous communities.
The Department continued to advance its work on the modernization of the Pulp and Paper Effluent Regulations, the development of Coal Mining Effluent Regulations, and published proposed amendments for the Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations in Canada Gazette, Part I on May 27, 2023. ECCC continued its work with the Crown-Indigenous Working Group (established in 2021) to explore options to manage the risks from oil sands process-affected water.
Cleaning federal contaminated sites
ECCC continued to lead the government's approach to federal contaminated sites, including through the administration of the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP) horizontal initiative, the delivery of expert support to other federal organizations responsible for managing contaminated sites. The Department, as part of its role as Secretariat of FCSAP, sought and obtained renewed funding for FCSAP from 2025 to 2030. This new funding will contribute to the Minister of the Environment's commitment to identify—and prioritize for clean-up—contaminated sites in areas where Indigenous Peoples and racialized and low-income Canadians live. ECCC also continued to collaborate with other departments in its role as Secretariat. In 2023-24, ECCC conducted 37 site classification reviews to assess eligibility for funding, reviewed 63 technical documents from federal organizations, participated in the development or update of 5 guidance documents, and delivered 4 training and 18 engagement sessions to support federal organizations in managing their contaminated sites. Efforts related to the assessment and remediation of sites for which the Department is responsible are found in the Internal Services section of this report.
Promoting Innovation
The Department provided financial support to promote innovative efforts by Canadian industries, consumers, and governments to reduce the generation of waste and optimize diversion, reuse, recovery, and responsible disposal of domestic and industrial wastes.
In collaboration with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, ECCC invested up to $1.4 million to the Redcliff Cypress Regional Waste Management Authority (Alberta) to continue its efforts to divert organic waste from a landfill and reduce carbon dioxide and methane emissions with the help of a compost treatment facility. Similarly, PurEnergy Inc., in Havelock Township, Ontario used the investment of $10 million to build a waste diversion facility that diverts organic waste from a landfill and processes it using anaerobic digestion to produce biogas and fertilizer.
Canadians have clean water
Establishing the Canada Water Agency
Recognizing the threat to freshwater caused by climate change and pollution, ECCC continued working towards establishing a new Canada Water Agency to work together with provinces, territories, Indigenous communities, local authorities, scientists, and others to find the best ways to keep our water safe, clean and well managed. The Department also worked toward major investments in a strengthened Freshwater Action Plan, which will entail a commitment of $85.1 million over five years, and $21 million per year thereafter.
Protecting Canada’s freshwater
ECCC continued to focus effort on improving, restoring and protecting the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence River, Lake Winnipeg and other large lakes and rivers that are among Canada’s most important freshwater resources. This includes water quality monitoring and science to determine the effectiveness of actions aimed at protecting or enhancing aquatic ecosystems and to inform freshwater management related decisions in these vital waterbodies. The Department continued to engage Indigenous partners in the conservation and restoration of freshwater resources, including by implementing key water agreements, and supporting Indigenous-led projects. ECCC also continued to increase public engagement in conservation and restoration through citizen science, and to fund water conservation and protection activities through various ecosystem initiatives, such as:
- The investment of invested $810,000 in seven projects in the Lake Winnipeg Basin that supported strategic partnerships and program priorities of nutrient reduction, collaboration, and enhancing Indigenous engagement.
- Funding through the Great Lakes Freshwater Ecosystem Initiative to 25 new projects totalling $4.1 million over 3 years to advance the clean-up of degraded hotspots known as Great Lakes Areas of Concern, the prevention of toxic and nuisance algae, and the engagement of Indigenous Peoples.
- The distribution of distributed $435,366 for 12 projects under the St. Lawrence Action Plan Community Interaction Program.
- Funding 25 new projects, under Eco-Action, for a total investment of over $2 million over 3 years.
Protecting the Great Lakes
ECCC continued to lead the implementation of the 2012 Canada-United States Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA). Actions delivered in cooperation with other federal departments, the Province of Ontario, U.S. federal and state agencies, Indigenous communities and organizations, and other partners focused on key challenges and, according to the State of the Great Lakes 2022, the overall status of the Great Lakes is currently assessed as “Fair” and the trend is “Unchanging.” Ongoing challenges include the impacts of nutrient pollution that result in toxic and nuisance algae, and the impacts of aquatic invasive species. Some threats are already exacerbated by climate change.
In partnership with the Government of Ontario, the Department continued leading the implementation of the 2021 Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health (2021-2026). Through this agreement, the Government of Canada and the Province of Ontario coordinate their efforts to implement Canada’s obligations under the GLWQA. The GLWQA addresses key challenges, including chemical (particularly relating to Chemicals of Emerging Concern) and nutrient pollution and the restoration of Canadian Great Lakes Areas of Concern. ECCC, in partnership with the Province of Ontario, developed a detailed inter-agency implementation plan to achieve phosphorus load reduction targets under the Canada-Ontario Lake Erie Action Plan.
Restoring Hamilton Harbour
Randle Reef in Hamilton Harbour on Lake Ontario was once the largest contaminated sediment site on the Canadian side of the Great Lakes. ECCC continued to collaborate with the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Stelco, Hamilton Oshawa Port Authority, City of Hamilton, City of Burlington, and Halton Region to clean up this Great Lakes Area of Concern. Work to dredge and contain contaminated sediments within a six-hectare, double walled engineered containment facility was completed.
The more than $150 million clean-up effort is funded through a public-private approach. The Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario are each contributing one third of the funding, with the remaining third collectively funded by local partners. The final stage of the project is scheduled to be completed in 2025. Once completed, responsibility for the engineered containment facility will be transferred to the Hamilton-Oshawa Port Authority and will provide valuable port lands for the community. The work will include an Indigenous Participation Plan—a measure to foster the inclusion of Indigenous communities in federal contracts through subcontracting, employment, training and skills development.
Conserving our lakes and rivers
ECCC continued to collaborate with provincial governments to conserve and protect the St. Lawrence River. The St. Lawrence River is recognized worldwide, as demonstrated by the Ramsar Convention’s designation of four of its wetlands as Wetlands of International Importance. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) program renewed the World Biosphere Reserve designation of Lac Saint-Pierre for 10 years, and designated the Miguasha National Park as a World Heritage Site. In 2021, the governments of Canada and Québec committed to invest $39 million and $25 million respectively over five years for the conservation and enhancement of the St. Lawrence River as part of the 2021-2026 St Lawrence Action Plan. Implementation of the joint projects developed under this plan continued in 2023-24.
The Department also continued to increase public engagement in conservation and restoration through citizen science, and to fund water conservation and protection activities through various ecosystems initiatives. Initiatives include investments of $41.2 million and $23.1 million over five years starting in 2021, by the governments of Canada and Québec, respectively, as part of the St. Lawrence Action Plan 2011–2026.
In the Lake Winnipeg Basin, ECCC continued its collaboration with Manitoba to implement the Canada-Manitoba Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Respecting Lake Winnipeg and the Lake Winnipeg Basin. The five-year MOU, signed in 2021, facilitated cooperation on protecting water quality in the Lake Winnipeg Basin, and advance efforts to reduce nutrient pollution in the Basin. The MOU also supports engagement of Indigenous Peoples to advance reconciliation and mutual priorities related to water quality and the ecological health of Lake Winnipeg and the Lake Winnipeg Basin. In 2023-24, the MOU Steering Committee engaged Indigenous partners in a dialogue to build relationships, bridge knowledge gaps, and explore opportunities for inclusion of Indigenous Peoples and knowledge in the work of the Committee. A Science Subsidiary Arrangement to the MOU is also being advanced to further coordinate action on shared science and monitoring priorities in the Lake Winnipeg Basin.
ECCC continued to support local freshwater actions, through the Eco-Action Community Funding Program. These included the Grimesthorpe Creek Restoration and Freshwater Protection project on Manitoulin Island in Ontario, the Big Ranch Cottonwood Restoration project in the Elk Valley in British Columbia, and the Albemarle Brook Restoration project on the Bruce Peninsula in Ontario. These projects focused on riparian and floodplain restoration and the restoration of freshwater ecosystems, such as streams and wetlands, to improve freshwater quality.
The Department continued to participate in cooperative water management through water boards, which bring together stakeholders to focus on specific water issues that have implications for more than one jurisdiction. For example, ECCC continued its participation as a member of the Mackenzie River Basin Board, including exploring options for enhancing knowledge of water quality and ecosystem health in the Basin. ECCC also continued to support the work of the Prairie Provinces Water Board and its several committees. In 2023-24, the Board concluded its work to amend the Master Agreement on Apportionment (1969) to add a new schedule focused on the monitoring of groundwater and transboundary aquifers. This schedule is referred to as Schedule F under the Agreement.
In addition, ECCC continued to improve freshwater quality and wetland ecosystems across Canada in 2023-24. The Department developed a National Freshwater Data Strategy Framework which provides the basis for the future collaborative development of a complete, consensus-based National Freshwater Data Strategy, which will establish common principles and commitments for the collection, use, storage, and accessibility of freshwater data across Canada.
Advancing Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan
The Department continued to provide scientific advice as well as regulatory and program support to advance the next phase of Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan (OPP). Starting in 2022-23, the federal government provided $2 billion over 9 years, to renew and expand existing OPP initiatives designed to strengthen Canada’s marine safety system and protect coastal ecosystems. In 2023-24, ECCC received $239 million to support ongoing work on 9 OPP initiatives, including increasing scientific support to respond to environmental emergencies, developing Canada’s strategy for environmental recovery from oil spills, building community-based partnerships for wildlife monitoring, establishing a national integrated marine response planning program, expanding the response regime to hazardous and noxious substances, preventing and removing vessels of concern, and exploring alternative response measures.
In 2023-24, ECCC focused on increasing scientific knowledge and improving the Department’s ability to provide comprehensive, up-to-date technical and scientific advice when responding to marine oil spills. Notable activities that support these objectives include increasing knowledge of environmentally sensitive areas and wildlife in Canada’s marine ecosystems, advancing science to support the response to incidents involving non-oil-related hazardous substances, and continuing to improve the Department’s modelling and pollution detection capability. In addition, ECCC made progress toward developing a national framework for recovery from marine-source oil spills, and provided support to address wrecked vessels that may pose a threat of releasing pollution into the environment.
ECCC continued to advance reconciliation through partnership and collaboration with Indigenous Peoples on OPP initiatives, including by identifying sensitive marine ecosystems and wildlife, and building community-based partnerships for wildlife monitoring. The Department also made progress toward developing and implementing a Gender Based Analysis (GBA) Plus data collection and reporting plan for ECCC OPP activities, focusing on activities that require engagement, collaboration and co-development with Indigenous Nations and communities.
Protecting Canadian shellfish
ECCC continued to provide recommendations to Fisheries and Oceans Canada regarding the health and safety of shellfish bearing waters. The Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program (CSSP) is a federal food safety program that aims to minimize health risks associated with the consumption of contaminated bivalve molluscan shellfish while enabling international trade.
It is jointly delivered through a Memorandum of Understanding with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and ECCC. ECCC’s activities aim to enable the harvest of safe, wholesome food for commercial and recreational stakeholders, and to honour Indigenous rights to harvest. In 2023-24, as a key partner in the CSSP, ECCC provided science-based advice through such ongoing activities as the monitoring of bacteriological water quality, and the identification and evaluation of sanitary pollution sources. In addition to this science-based advice, The Department continued to undertake water quality assessments following any significant environmental events (such as extreme weather events, accidental wastewater discharge, or agricultural runoff).
Canadians have clean air
Working to improve air quality
ECCC continued to work with its key federal partners, including Health Canada and the National Research Council of Canada, to improve air quality and reduce negative air quality impacts on human health and the environment. The Department collaborated with provinces and territories to implement the Air Quality Management System (AQMS), a comprehensive approach to reducing outdoor air pollution in Canada. In collaboration with Health Canada, ECCC completed a review of the 2020 Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards for fine particulate matter (PM2.5), continued to work to develop new, more stringent standards under the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment, and continued to monitor levels of key air pollutants, in collaboration with provinces and territories, through the National Air Pollution Surveillance Program.
ECCC also continued to deliver other air quality monitoring programs, science and research activities to support domestic air pollution policy, regulatory development, and compliance. This included the initiation of the Study of Winter Air Pollution in Toronto to study the impact of weather, furnaces, wood-burning fireplaces, road salt and other wintertime factors on urban air quality.
The Department leveraged its high performance computing infrastructure to conduct research to better understand the impacts of air pollutants deposition (e.g., acid rain) on ecosystems and human health, improve models to predict atmospheric contaminant impact on air quality and provided scenarios to support policy development. ECCC’s air quality models also support research by Health Canada to investigate the effects of air quality on human health, such as the health benefits of air pollutant emission reductions and assessments of long-term exposure to wildfire smoke. In addition, the Department delivered and improved its daily Air Quality Health Index and air quality forecasts to support Canadians in making decisions to protect their health. In collaboration with Health Canada, the Department continued to plan, develop, and implement strategic and targeted enhancements to the Air Quality Health Index.
ECCC continued to develop, administer, and amend, where appropriate, regulations to reduce air pollutant emissions from industrial sources; vehicles, engines and fuels; and consumer and commercial products. This included administration of the Multi-Sector Air Pollutants Regulations and various non-regulatory instruments that address air pollutant emissions from industrial sectors, the assessment and development of options to address gaps in managing air pollutants from the oil and gas sector, and the assessment of options to amend Canada’s Gasoline Regulations to phase out remaining sources of leaded fuel used in Canada.
Reducing emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds
The Department undertook various actions to continue to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which contribute to the formation of PM2.5 and ground-level ozone, the main components of smog. On February 24, 2024, the Department published the draft Reduction in the Release of Volatile Organic Compounds (Storage and Loading of Volatile Petroleum Liquids) Regulations for a 60-day consultation period. The regulations aim to reduce benzene and other VOC emissions from petroleum storage tanks and loading operations. The Department also continues to administer the Reduction in the Release of Volatile Organic Compounds Regulations (Petroleum Sector).
In addition, in February 2024, ECCC and Health Canada published a notice of intent to initiate the development of a risk management strategy, including the potential use of regulations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (1999), to limit benzene emissions from gasoline stations.
ECCC continued to administer the suite of instruments addressing VOCs in consumer and commercial products, including the Volatile Organic Compound Concentration Limits for Certain Products Regulations, as new limits came into effect on January 1, 2024. These provisions will reduce VOC emissions from approximately 130 product categories and subcategories. These include personal care products, automotive and household maintenance products, adhesives, adhesive removers, sealants and caulks, and other products. In addition, the Department continued its work to amend the VOC concentration limits in architectural coatings regulations.
Addressing transboundary air pollution
ECCC continued international efforts to reduce transboundary air pollution under the Canada-U.S. Air Quality Agreement and the Convention on Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution including its Gothenburg Protocol. This included carrying out a joint Review and Assessment of the Canada-U.S. Air Quality Agreement and participation in a review process of the Gothenburg Protocol. In 2023-24, the Department undertook preparations to begin negotiations to amend the agreements.
Additional Departmental Results
ECCC continued to implement a risk-based enforcement approach using threat risk assessments to identify priorities. When a project is identified as high-risk relative to other substances, sectors, laws, or regulations, it signifies there is a greater potential for harm to the environment due to non-compliance. Inspections help to determine whether the assessment was accurate, verify the degree and nature of non-compliance, and mitigate the risk. Enforcement officers carried out inspections for the purpose of targeting non-compliance and gathering information to contribute to ongoing threat risk assessments.
The Department’s environmental enforcement officers continued to verify compliance with environmental legislation and associated regulations that prohibit or control the pollution of air and water. ECCC’s environmental enforcement officers conducted 3,606 inspections under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and the Fisheries Act, including 137 inspections related to risk-based priorities such as engines, chemical manufacturing, and the metallurgical industry.
The inspections initiated 33 new investigations under pollution regulations, and resulted in the implementation of 717 enforcement measures, including Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs), compliance orders, tickets, warnings, directions, prosecutions and alternative measures. Investigations led to 10 convictions and 6 new prosecutions. In 2023-24, a total of $7,155,000 in penalties resulted from prosecutions. Additionally, monetary penalties resulting from AMPs totaled $430,000.
Enforcement actions targeting the pollution of water and air in 2023-24 included the orders for:
- Peace River Hydro Partners to pay $1.1 million for depositing contaminated drainage water into the Peace River after pleading guilty in the Provincial Court of British Columbia in Fort St. John to one charge of depositing a deleterious substance into water frequented by fish, in contravention of the federal Fisheries Act. This represented the highest fine in 2023-24 under the Fisheries Act.
- Plastique Royal Inc. ordered to pay a fine of $600,000 by the Court of Québec, at the Laval Courthouse, which represented the highest fine under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 in 2023-24. The company pleaded guilty to one count of violating the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and one count of violating the Volatile Organic Compound Concentration Limits for Automotive Refinishing Products Regulations.
Most fines paid by offenders are directed to the Government of Canada’s Environmental Damages Fund for use in beneficial environment protection and conservation initiatives.
The Department also continued to build capacity by on-boarding and training newly recruited enforcement officers, and by providing recertification training for existing designated enforcement officers.
Key risks
Pollution prevention programming and other environmental issues are inherently complex. This is particularly true for those issues that are cross-jurisdictional or international, requiring extensive collaboration with various partners. These partners include businesses, non-governmental organizations, Indigenous communities, municipalities, provinces, territories, and other countries. The maintenance of effective relationships with partners can at times be challenging due to competing priorities, changing political landscapes, resource constraints, the absence of sustainable funding for some programs, and an expanding mandate for the Department. To mitigate risks associated with its strategic partnerships, the Department continued to support proactive and strategic approaches to policy development and provision of advice during 2023-24, including by enhancing the breadth and quality of shared material (briefing notes, information on key issues, etc.). ECCC collaborated with its partners through both existing and new governance bodies, continuing to adapt and integrate modernized remote working practices and to explore technological solutions to promote collaboration among partners, including by upgrading conferencing technologies in ECCC boardrooms.
The risk of severe seasonal impacts such as wildfires is growing. To prevent these events from impeding the Department’s ability to maintain operations, such as field activities, ECCC developed new approaches to monitoring both logistically and from a science and design perspective.
In addition, the Department continued to examine lessons learned associated with fieldwork during the pandemic and to ensure that Business Continuity Management Plans and Business Impact Analysis practices remained evergreen and comprehensive.
Resources required to achieve results
Table 4: Snapshot of resources required for Preventing and Managing Pollution
Table 4 provides a summary of the planned and actual spending and full-time equivalents (FTEs) required to achieve results.
Resource | Planned | Actual |
---|---|---|
Spending | $420,436,048 | $471,476,416 |
Full-time equivalents | 2,197 | 2,334 |
Complete financial and human resources information for ECCC’s program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.
Related government-wide priorities
Gender-based analysis plus
ECCC continued to apply a GBA Plus lens to the development of policy recommendations, programs, and measures to address pollution and improve air quality. Exposure to air pollution can have detrimental health effects on all people. These effects can be compounded in individuals who have multiple risk factors, such as being elderly or having chronic health conditions. In addition, some populations are disproportionately impacted by air pollution if they live in areas that have elevated air pollution concentrations. In response to these realities, the Department continued to involve impacted populations, including Indigenous communities located near large industrial complexes or those affected by smoke during wildfires, in air quality work. For example, ECCC participated in a summit meeting with the Aamjiwnaang First Nation and the Province of Ontario and began the work to establish a partnership table to seek solutions to address the air quality concerns of the community. Similarly, the Department continued to engage with Indigenous communities on water quality initiatives in key freshwater ecosystems, including in the Great Lakes, Lake Winnipeg, the St. Lawrence River watershed, and the Wolastoq/Saint John River Watershed. Projects were aimed at addressing communities’ concerns, increasing Indigenous participation in decision-making and governance in water agreements, and expanding the use of Indigenous Traditional Knowledge in water quality initiatives. ECCC’s work to identify and manage harmful substances continued to use scientific information and reflected the importance of sound risk management to reduce risks posed to impacted groups from exposure to toxic chemicals. This contributed to adapting compliance promotion material to better reflect target audiences’ cultural and linguistic profiles. The Department also continued to strengthen its hiring practices to increase representation of the Canadian population in its enforcement workforce.
United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals
Information on ECCC’s contributions to Canada’s Federal Implementation Plan on the 2030 Agenda and the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy can be found in our Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy.
Innovation
Safer and more environmentally friendly products
The International Institute for Sustainable Development’s Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA), a Budget 2022 commitment of $25 million over five years to support science capacity, as well as domestic and international collaborations, continued conducting new and ongoing freshwater science, focusing on examining the implications of microplastics, harmful algal blooms, and emerging contaminants, which are areas of shared priority with the federal government. Key infrastructure upgrades to the research platform were also progressed. Knowledge exchange continued as a priority through national and international science collaborations, as well as through engagement activities with youth and Indigenous Peoples. Notably, IISD-ELA completed its 55th year of collection of long-term climate and biological data, contributing to national and international data networks.
Program inventory
Preventing and Managing Pollution is supported by the following programs:
- Air Quality
- Community Eco-Action
- Compliance Promotion and Enforcement—Pollution
- Water Quality and Ecosystems Partnerships
- Substances and Waste Management
Additional information related to the program inventory for Preventing and Managing Pollution is available on the Results page on GC InfoBase.
Conserving Nature
Description
Protect and recover species at risk and their critical habitat, maintain and restore healthy populations of migratory birds and other wildlife, and manage and expand Canada’s network of protected areas to conserve biodiversity, contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation and support human health and well-being. This will be accomplished through evidence-based decision making that considers cumulative effects, promoting and enforcing applicable laws and regulations, engaging meaningfully with Indigenous peoples, and collaborating with provinces and territories, other domestic and international stakeholders and the public.
Progress on results
Table 5: Indicators, results and targets for Conserving Nature
Table 5 provides a summary of the target and actual results for each indicator associated with the results under Conserving Nature.
Departmental Result Indicators | Target | Date to achieve target | Actual Results |
---|---|---|---|
Percentage of migratory bird species that are within target population ranges | 70% | December 2030 | 2021-22: Result not available 2022-23: Result not availableFootnote 37 2023-24: 54% |
Percentage of Canadian areasFootnote 38 conserved as protected areas and other effective areas-based conservation measures | 25% | December 2025 | 2021-22: 13.5% 2022-23: 13.6% 2023-24: 13.7% |
Departmental Result Indicators | Target | Date to achieve target | Actual Results |
---|---|---|---|
Percentage of species at risk for which changes in populations are consistent with recovery and management objectives | 60% | May 2025 | 2021-22: 41% 2022-23: 43% 2023-24: 44% |
Departmental Result Indicators | Target | Date to achieve target | Actual Results |
---|---|---|---|
Percentage of Indigenous Peoples engaged with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) who indicate that the engagement was meaningful | 61% | April 2024 | 2021-22: 70% 2022-23: 66% 2023-24: 71% |
Additional information on the detailed results and performance information for ECCC’s program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.
Details on results
The following section describes the results for Conserving Nature in 2023-24 compared with the planned results set out in ECCC’s Departmental Plan for the year.
Canada’s wildlife and habitat are conserved and protected
Providing leadership in conservation
The Department continued to play a leading role in advancing the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity under the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, building on the outcomes of part two of the fifteenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 15) held in Montreal in December 2022. In response to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), which provides an ambitious path forward for halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030, ECCC led engagement towards the development of Canada’s 2030 Nature Strategy in collaboration with other departments and external partners. This engagement included the release of a draft strategy in December 2023 for public comments. ECCC engaged with the First Nations Nature Table, Métis Strawberry Moon Table on Nature, Inuit partners involved in the co-development of the distinction-based Inuit Nature Table, and other Indigenous organizations, governments, and communities, and industry groups.
In 2023-24, ECCC also convened experts from the academic community, Indigenous organizations, government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and industry to inform a report on the science and knowledge needs to support Canada’s implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Canada also launched the Ministerial Nature Champions Network to promote continued international momentum in implementing the global Framework. Internationally, Canada worked with its partners through complementary multilateral fora, such as the G7 and G20, towards driving an ambitious and effective implementation of the KMGBF globally.
ECCC engaged the Nature Advisory Committee on the Nature Strategy and other issues to advance commitments to conserving biodiversity. The Committee consists of experts with a range of perspectives who provide strategic advice and recommendations to both the Department and the Minister of Environment and Climate Change on biodiversity conservation, species at risk, and sustainable use of land and resources.
ECCC also continued to represent Canada at meetings under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES). The Department continued to monitor threats to species around the world, acted to effectively contribute to their conservation and sustainable use, and continued to build awareness of the role of wildlife trade in the spread of zoonotic diseases.
ECCC continued to work with federal partners, provinces and territories, Indigenous Peoples, conservation organizations, the private sector, and civil society on an ambitious plan to conserve 25 percent of its terrestrial lands and inland waters and oceans by 2025 and 30 percent by 2030, as committed to in the 2020 Speech from the Throne and adopted as part of the Global Biodiversity Framework. ECCC continued to work with other federal partners, provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples, conservation organizations, the private sector, landowners, and civil society on an ambitious plan to achieve these targets that are grounded in science, Indigenous Knowledge, and local perspectives. To make progress toward these targets, the Department advanced work on many conservation projects across the country with a wide variety of partners. Recognizing that the loss of nature is a global issue requiring global action, as a member of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, Canada also continued to advocate that countries around the world implement the agreed to 30 percent conservation target for 2030.
Canada made significant investments in nature conservation through the Nature Legacy (Budget 2018) and the Enhanced Nature Legacy (Budget 2021) initiatives. The Enhanced Nature Legacy Initiative supports area-based conservation work with provinces and territories, Indigenous Peoples, local governments, environmental non-governmental organizations, key industry sectors, land trusts and private landowners to continue to build a connected network of protected and conserved areas across Canada. In 2023-24, actions included:
- Funding for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous applicants to support the establishment of additional protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs) in a wider variety of landscapes across the country.
- Ambitious commitments by provinces and territories, through the negotiation of nature agreements, to advance the conservation and protection of wildlife habitat, the recovery of species at risk, the conservation of migratory birds, the implementation of natural climate solutions, and the restoration of habitat, all while recognizing and supporting Indigenous-led stewardship initiatives through collaboration and partnership. The first nature agreement was signed with the Government of Yukon and announced at COP15. Since then, a nature agreement has been signed with the Government of Nova Scotia, and a Tripartite Framework Agreement on Nature Conservation has been signed with British Columbia and the First Nations Leadership Council.
- An investment in the Indigenous-Led Area-Based Conservation Program for Indigenous-led Protected Areas or OECMs that are available exclusively to Indigenous applicants to support the planning of future conservation goals and the establishment of protected and conserved areas. Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas, also known by other terms such as Inuit Protected and Conserved Areas or Métis Protected and Conserved Areas, are lands and waters where Indigenous governments have the primary role in protecting and conserving ecosystems through Indigenous laws, governance, and science.
- ECCC’s continued investment, through the Natural Heritage Conservation Program, in public-private partnerships through the Canada Nature Fund investment of $215 million over seven years to support the acquisition and protection of private land with significant value for biodiversity.
- Continued implementation of the Ecological Gifts Program, which built on its 29-year history encouraging donations of private lands for conservation through the provision of tax incentives.
At COP15, Canada announced up to $800 million for four Indigenous-led Project Finance for Permanence conservation initiatives, which will be complemented by contributions from philanthropic foundations in:
- the Northwest Territories, involving Indigenous governments and organizations from across the territory;
- the Great Bear Sea in the Northern shelf Bioregion in British Columbia;
- the Qikiqtani Region in Nunavut; and
- Ontario’s Hudson Bay Lowlands, the coastline of Western Hudson Bay and southwestern James Bay.
These initiatives aim to make a large contribution towards meeting Canada’s area-based conservation commitments by applying an innovative funding model – Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) – which is based on partnership.
The PFP model brings together Indigenous organizations, governments, and the philanthropic community to identify and meet shared goals for protecting nature and realizing other conservation-related benefits. The approach mobilizes investments from third parties to accelerate large-scale Indigenous-led conservation across the country.
Significant progress was made on advancing PFP initiatives in 2023-24, including the signing of the Northwest Territories PFP Framework Agreement. This historic milestone in the NWT PFP process was achieved through unprecedented collaboration and builds on a shared vision for an inclusive and long-term approach to climate change mitigation, environmental stewardship, Indigenous rights, and collaborative governance. Progress continues to be made by all parties toward reaching final agreements in 2024.
Expanding National Wildlife Areas and preserving habitat for species at risk
In 2023-24, ECCC followed through on the expansion of existing National Wildlife Areas (NWAs) to protect important wildlife and its habitat such as the Lac Saint-François NWA in Québec and Portobello NWA in New Brunswick. This advances Canada’s commitment to protect 25 percent of lands in Canada by 2025, and 30 percent by 2030. Thirteen parcels of land were acquired in 2023-24, which will be added to Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Area Regulations in the future.
Halting and reversing the loss of species continued to be a priority for ECCC.
Examples of the kinds of biodiversity protection and recovery initiatives that continued to be pursued by ECCC in 2023-24, using the findings from the Wild Species 2020 report published every 5 years, included investments of: $5.6 million over three years with Ducks Unlimited Canada for projects to increase biodiversity conservation efforts in southern Canadian wetlands and coastal areas in the six eastern provinces of Canada, from Ontario to Newfoundland and Labrador; and $585,000 over three years to support biodiversity conservation efforts at the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve.
ECCC and federal partners continued to implement a $50 million agreement with British Columbia to protect old growth forests and habitats from logging. In 2022, the Government of Canada established a $50 million BC Old Growth Nature Fund, with funding matched by the Province of BC, that will protect old growth forest lands with the highest values for biodiversity, species at risk, and wildlife habitat that were at risk from logging. This funding contributes directly to the Government of Canada’s commitments under the Tripartite Framework Agreement on Nature Conservation announced on November 3, 2023. ECCC took an approach that ensured First Nations, local communities and workers are partners in shaping the path forward on nature protection. Recently, the BC government, along with ECCC, Natural Resources Canada, and seven land trusts and conservancy organizations, worked together to secure critical old growth and habitat for species at risk at eight different sites totalling 316 hectares.
Comprehensive protection for migratory birds
The Department built, maintained, and applied a robust knowledge foundation to conserve migratory birds and other biodiversity through integrated, targeted, and multi-species conservation initiatives, effective regulatory action, and management of protected areas. To halt the loss of species by 2030 and reverse it by 2050, migratory bird conservation and management will be essential. The loss of 3 billion birds in North America since the 1970s underscores the need for diligent work to achieve these outcomes. Migratory bird conservation and management are foundational to the Department and are linked to all biodiversity and conservation acts and regulations administered by ECCC. In 2023-24, the Department continued to deliver on the Government of Canada’s responsibility for migratory birds by working to maintain and restore their populations and habitats. This was accomplished in part by delivering a suite of rigorously designed monitoring and research programs that inform migratory bird conservation and adaptive management, as well as a number of other departmental priorities such as protected areas planning, species at risk recovery activities, impact assessment advice, and emergency response.
The Department also continued to foster collaboration domestically and abroad, and to engage individuals and communities to achieve more impactful conservation outcomes for migratory birds. For example, the Department invested over $5 million in a wide range of programs run by Birds Canada throughout the country for migratory bird monitoring and conservation, including for those that are species at risk. The results of these projects, driven by citizen science, helped to connect Canadians to nature and assisted in planning the recovery of species at risk and in protecting their habitats. This investment reflected Canada’s commitment to making science-based decisions for migratory bird conservation, through a partnership with a national organization and the inclusion of Canadians in these projects. Similarly, over the past several years ECCC has invested almost $7 million to support open science initiatives to create platforms to house, manage, analyze, and share critical and foundational information on the distribution and abundance of migratory birds across the country so that it is available and accessible to decision makers and Canadians alike.
A comprehensive strategy for migratory bird protection
ECCC continued to deliver a coordinated and comprehensive action plan to protect migratory birds and their habitats with the goals of:
- Building and maintaining a robust knowledge foundation to support the conservation and management of Canada’s migratory birds, including those at risk, and their habitats by: implementing cost-effective monitoring programs for migratory birds; undertaking priority research to identify causes of population change; and bridging Indigenous Peoples’ ways of knowing and western science
- Applying this robust knowledge foundation to conserve migratory birds and other biodiversity through targeted and multi-species conservation initiatives, effective regulatory action, and management of protected areas by: working through the recovery process of species listed under the Species at Risk Act to improve migratory bird conservation; supporting effective management and expansion of Canada’s network of protected areas; and delivering a regulatory framework for conservation and management of migratory birds, including harvest, permitting, and work to develop a future incidental take permitting regime.
- Fostering collaboration domestically and abroad, and engaging individuals and communities to achieve more impactful conservation outcomes for migratory birds by: working collaboratively to integrate migratory bird conservation considerations into policies and programs at all levels of government; building and maintaining meaningful relationships with Indigenous Peoples; supporting and encouraging domestic collaboration with partners; fostering international partnerships for full annual life cycle conservation; and mobilizing individuals and communities to empower them to take positive actions for migratory birds.
Assessing and addressing the health of nature
ECCC leveraged the “One Health” model to support wildlife health. The model is a collaborative, multi-sectoral, and transdisciplinary approach that recognizes the connection between people, animals, plants, and their shared natural environment. In 2023–24, in collaboration with other federal departments, provincial and territorial counterparts, and Indigenous Peoples, ECCC continued to provide coordination, planning, research, and monitoring support to inform decision-making on emerging pathogens and the impacts of multiple stressors and cumulative effects on wildlife health. Using the collaborative “One Health” approach, the Pan-Canadian Approach to Wildlife Health encouraged collaboration and cooperation across the human, animal, and environmental sectors to achieve shared benefits. The approach included an increase in surveillance and preparedness to address environmental changes that have impacts on all sectors, including advancing efforts to address issues surrounding Indigenous food safety and security and the maintenance of traditional ways of life. Through such collaboration across all sectors, the One Health approach helps achieve the best health outcomes for people, animals, and plants in a shared environment.
The Department invested $1.080 million over two years in the Western Boreal Initiative to evaluate, with the Dene Nation, the cumulative effects of wildfire, predation, key pests, human disturbances, and climate change on the Western Boreal Forests of Canada. The Western Boreal Initiative was a collaboration between provinces, territories, and First Nations governments to protect the Western Boreal Forests of Canada, a massive area that stretches from the 50th parallel northward to the treeline.
Advancing nature-based solutions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
ECCC continued to implement the $1.4 billion Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF) to support projects that conserve, restore and enhance wetlands, peatlands, forests and grasslands that store and capture carbon. In 2021, the Government of Canada established the $4 billion, ten-year Natural Climate Solutions Fund—led by Natural Resources Canada and in partnership with ECCC and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada—to address the dual crises of climate change and biodiversity loss, including research to foster optimal biodiversity and carbon sequestration benefits. Budget 2022 announced an additional $780 million investment in the NSCSF to achieve GHG emissions reductions through nature-based solutions.
As a stream of this broader fund, the $1.4 billion Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF) focused on three main objectives: restoring degraded ecosystems; improving land management practices, especially in the agriculture, forestry, and urban development sectors; and conserving carbon-rich ecosystems at high risk of conversion to other uses that would release their stored carbon. The NSCSF further includes a dedicated Indigenous-led Natural Climate Solutions stream that supports community-based initiatives to engage First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners in developing and advancing GHG emission reduction activities.
Conserving, Restoring and Enhancing Critical Prairie Wetlands and Grasslands
The Government of Canada invested more than $25 million over three years to conserve, restore and enhance critical wetlands and grasslands in the Prairie Provinces, including up to: $19.28 million for Ducks Unlimited, $4.05 million for Nature Conservancy of Canada and $2.4 million for Manitoba Habitat Heritage Corporation. These initiatives were among fourteen projects to receive funding from the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund. Collectively, they were projected to conserve up to 30,000 hectares, restore up to 6,000 hectares, and contribute to the enhanced management of up to 18,000 hectares of wetlands, grasslands, and riparian areas.
Canada’s species at risk are recovered
Protecting species at risk
The Enhanced Nature Legacy Initiative continued to support the ongoing implementation of the Pan-Canadian Approach to Transforming Species at Risk Conservation in Canada through investments over five years. Starting in 2021-22, investments of $209 million were made to implement conservation actions in priority places and of $377 million to support recovery actions for priority species, which included funding available to Indigenous Peoples through the Indigenous Partnerships for Species at Risk initiative. The Enhanced Nature Legacy Initiative set out a roadmap to protect Canada’s biodiversity through the protection of lands and waters, on-the-ground stewardship activities, and conservation of species at risk. With this initiative and support from the Canada Nature Fund, the Pan-Canadian Approach continued to promote and facilitate collaborative conservation efforts focused on a set of shared priority places, species, and sectors across Canada. This strategic approach was largely a shift from pursuing independent actions on single species to concerted efforts that address multiple species and broader ecosystems-based actions in partnership with federal, provincial, and territorial governments, Indigenous Peoples, and stakeholders.
The federal government has responsibility for migratory birds, species listed under the Species at Risk Act (SARA), ocean management, and international trade of wild species, and shares responsibility for fisheries management, aquatic species, and pollution prevention. In 2023-24, to deliver on key obligations and commitments to protect and recover species at risk under SARA, ECCC advanced the development of policies, risk-based approaches and tools, and program efficiency improvements, to support the assessment and management of effects from human activities on biodiversity (species at risk under SARA, migratory birds under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, wetlands as per the Federal Policy on Wetland Conservation), and also continued to modernize its approach to conservation by advancing the implementation of the Pan-Canadian Approach to Transforming Species at Risk Conservation in Canada.
ECCC continued to engage with provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples, scientists, industry, and other stakeholders in the delivery of SARA activities, such as through the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk which awarded $5.6 million in funding to 100 projects to support stewardship for the recovery of terrestrial species at risk. The Department continued to assess and list species at risk to ensure that they can benefit from the regulatory instruments and obligations offered under SARA. The identification and listing of species at risk allowed for recovery planning and implementation by outlining species habitat needs, threats, and recovery objectives, thus allowing for more focused management and conservation actions. ECCC continues to deliver on commitments to implement the recommendations made by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development to improve SARA implementation, a key mechanism to deliver on the Global Biodiversity Framework.
ECCC continued to implement the Pan-Canadian Approach to Transforming Species at Risk Conservation in Canada by supporting the recovery and conservation of six federal, provincial, and territorial priority species (Barren-ground Caribou [including the Dolphin and Union population], Boreal Caribou, Greater Sage-grouse, Peary Caribou, Southern Mountain Caribou, and Wood Bison) and other species of federal interest. The Department supported species recovery and conservation through collaborative efforts, including matched investments from partners and ongoing multi-jurisdictional conservation planning arrangements with scientists and Indigenous Peoples. In 2023-24, the Stream 1 Priority Species Directed funding supported 34 projects with a total commitment of $37.5 million, facilitating many on-the-ground conservation actions, including building relationships with partners, enhancing capacity in Indigenous communities, conducting population monitoring and reporting, and supporting critical habitat improvements. The text box on protecting boreal caribou further illustrates efforts supported by the priority species initiative in the context of developing conservation agreements under sections 10 and 11 of SARA.
In 2023-24, 75 projects totalling $14 million in investments addressed twenty-three other priority species including the Piping Plover, Polar Bear, Spotted Owl, Grizzly Bear, Caribou, and Monarch Butterfly, among others. Projects looked to address knowledge gaps, implement on-the-ground conservation actions through habitat conservation, and reduce threats to the species.
In addition, ECCC continued to invest in projects to support ongoing species at risk conservation with up to $26.6 million invested in 145 projects in Priority Places across the country, with additional matched funding leveraged from partners. The projects are being carried out in 12 Priority Places identified collaboratively by federal, provincial and territorial governments and in 17 community nominated Priority Places established through open calls for applications. One new Priority Place was created in 2023, the Limestone Landscapes of the Great Northern Peninsula Priority Place in Newfoundland and Labrador. This new Priority Place will support conservation efforts benefitting approximately 40 species at risk and their critical habitat, and encompasses unique arctic-alpine ecosystems on the Great Northern Peninsula of the Island of Newfoundland, such as limestone barrens and outcrops, limestone coasts and islands, and limestone highlands that support high biodiversity, especially plants and birds.
Examples of projects supporting the Priority Places objectives in 2023-24 include:
- Conducting habitat management activities by installing infrastructure (e.g., fencing and signage) to mitigate road mortality of species at risk amphibians and reptiles and undertaking a coordinated approach to outreach and communications between partners and the general public in the Long Point Walsingham Forest Priority Place in Ontario.
- Securing and permanently protecting private land containing habitat, and in particular critical habitat, for multiple species at risk within the Kespukwitk/Southwest Nova Scotia Priority Place. The project also supports targeted outreach and education with private landowners with habitat for species at risk on their properties.
- Enhancing and securing native prairie habitat through beneficial management practices, continued securement of species at risk habitat, and continued species at risk baseline and monitoring surveys to guide range management plan development and beneficial management practices implementation in the Southwest Manitoba Priority Place.
ECCC continued to collaborate with partners and stakeholders to co-develop conservation action plans—Strategic Conservation Frameworks—for species at risk with the forest, agriculture, and urban development sectors. The plans seek to advance opportunities to achieve better conservation outcomes for species at risk and enhance sector sustainability. In 2023-24, the Strategic Conservation Framework for Species at Risk - Agriculture Sector was completed.
Protecting Boreal Caribou in Ontario
In 2022, Canada and Ontario reached an agreement to support the conservation and recovery of boreal caribou in the province. The boreal caribou is an iconic species and a federal, provincial and territorial priority species under the Pan-Canadian Approach to Transforming Species at Risk Conservation in Canada. It is listed as a threatened species under both the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA) and the Ontario Endangered Species Act, 2007. By entering into a conservation agreement under sections 10 and 11 of SARA, the governments of Canada and Ontario collaborated to take important actions to benefit the caribou and its recovery in Ontario. Building on Ontario’s ongoing caribou conservation program and the federal caribou action plan, the agreement included commitments to:
- Planning and implementing habitat restoration activities;
- Increasing protection of boreal caribou habitat through protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures;
- Using evidence-based approaches to achieve self-sustaining local populations;
- Monitoring and reporting on current and projected future population and habitat conditions; and,
- Implementing other collaborative conservation measures that are informed by independent experts, Indigenous communities and organizations, and stakeholders.
ECCC advanced threat risk assessments to focus enforcement efforts on species listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). Through strengthened partnerships with other government departments, provinces, and territories, ECCC identified sources and methods to disrupt and discourage illegal wildlife trade with a focus on securing access to additional databases of illegal wildlife trade intelligence.
The Department engaged with partners in the United States and Mexico to undertake a continental assessment of biodiversity and climate change. By leveraging expertise from the three participating countries across various sectors, the work will lead to a better understanding of the ways that climate change is affecting biodiversity and will evaluate potential policy options to mitigate impacts. A final report is due in 2025.
Indigenous Peoples are engaged in conservation
Establishing distinctions-based Nature Tables
ECCC collaborated with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners to co-develop three distinctions-based Indigenous Nature Tables as part of its new external engagement model on nature. Co-development continued with Inuit partners and the establishment of the First Nations Nature Table and the Strawberry Moon (Métis Nation) Table on Nature, which provided an opportunity for the Government of Canada and these Indigenous partners to begin identifying shared priorities for each table. ECCC remained committed to meaningful engagement with Indigenous Peoples through the implementation of programs that supported reconciliation and Indigenous-led action to achieve conservation outcomes. The Department continued to renew nation-to-nation relationships with Indigenous Peoples as part of the implementation of the Pan-Canadian approach to transforming species at risk conservation in Canada and the federal Species at Risk Act. Under the Canada Nature Fund, partnerships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis advanced the conservation of species at risk in a manner that recognized and enabled Indigenous leadership, knowledge systems and interests in land management. In 2023–24, projects contributed to building Indigenous partners’ capacity to:
- Lead the development and implementation of recovery and protection measures for at-risk species (including several culturally significant caribou species);
- Negotiate and implement conservation agreements for the collaborative conservation of species at risk; and
- Support meaningful participation in Species at Risk Act consultation and cooperation processes.
Indigenous Guardians
ECCC continued to implement the $173 million investment over five years in Indigenous Guardians, which supports Indigenous stewardship in protecting and conserving ecosystems, self-determination, nationhoods and reconciliation. Launched in 2021, this investment continued to support new and existing Indigenous-led Guardians initiatives and the development of national Indigenous Guardians Networks. Funding for Indigenous Guardians is co-designed and co-delivered in partnership with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners using a distinctions-based approach. It supports Indigenous Nations, communities, and organizations in protecting sensitive and culturally important areas and species, monitoring ecological health, developing and maintaining sustainable economies, and continuing the profound connections between natural landscapes and Indigenous cultures.
Learning from Indigenous Partners
Indigenous Guardians are the eyes and ears on the ground in Indigenous territories. They monitor ecological health, maintain cultural sites, and protect sensitive areas and species. Guardians initiatives support Indigenous Peoples in protecting land, water, and ice in their traditional territories through on-the-ground, community-based, stewardship initiatives. Indigenous Guardians also promote social and community well-being through connections to the land and water, culture, language, intergenerational knowledge sharing, and the development and maintenance of sustainable economies.
The First Nations National Guardians Network offers a First Nations-led mechanism to streamline funding for Guardians over time, and a way for Guardians to connect with one another to share best practices as well as accelerate capacity building. It will ensure that the number of successful Guardians initiatives continues to grow at a national scale, protecting ecosystems, species, and cultures for future generations and the benefit of all Canadians.
In 2023-24, ECCC continued to provide support to Indigenous communities to weave Indigenous Knowledge into four regional assessments under the Impact Assessment Act:
- Offshore Oil and Gas Exploratory Drilling East of Newfoundland and Labrador;
- the Ring of Fire in Ontario;
- the St. Lawrence Seaway in Québec; and
- the Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador and Nova Scotia
This work helped ensure that ECCC advice better reflects Indigenous rights, values and interests in decision-making. In addition, efforts continued to incorporate Indigenous Traditional Knowledge in species assessments undertaken by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC).
Additional Departmental Results
The Department on-the-ground enforcement officers continued to verify compliance with wildlife legislation and associated regulations that protect migratory birds, species at risk, wildlife in trade and ECCC’s 177 protected habitats. ECCC, in collaboration with its partners, continued to prioritize its activities according to the risk and impact of non-compliance, including areas and species of concern that are vulnerable to illegal activities.
ECCC inspections initiated 153 new investigations under wildlife regulations, and resulted in the implementation of 611 enforcement measures, including warnings, Administrative Monetary Penalties (AMPs), prosecutions, tickets, compliance orders, and arrests. Investigations led to 10 convictions and 24 new prosecutions. In 2023-24, a total of $498,500 in penalties resulted from prosecutions. Additionally, monetary penalties resulting from AMPs totaled $242,450.
The Department continued to build capacity by on-boarding and training newly recruited enforcement officers, and by providing recertification training for existing designated enforcement officers.
Key risks
ECCC’s nature conservation and recovery efforts are based in western and Indigenous science. The Department risks being unable to exploit available sources of information to support evidence-based decision-making in a timely manner if it is unable to access appropriate scientific and IT tools to collect, share, and analyze the increasingly complex volumes of data at its disposal. To mitigate this risk, ECCC continued to invest in its IT infrastructure, including emerging technologies and cloud-based solutions.
There is also a risk that the Department could have difficulties attracting, developing, and retaining qualified employees to support its conservation and recovery efforts due in part to a highly competitive and transforming labour market, as well as challenges in the Department’s processes related to succession planning, classification, and staffing. To mitigate this risk, in 2023-24 ECCC continued to implement recruitment strategies targeted in key areas and to align these strategies through HR planning, and succession planning and talent management initiatives to retain and attract a qualified workforce.
Resources required to achieve results
Table 6: Snapshot of resources required for Conserving Nature
Table 6 provides a summary of the planned and actual spending and full-time equivalents (FTEs) required to achieve results.
Resource | Planned | Actual |
---|---|---|
Spending | $677,409,744 | $720,108,036 |
Full-time equivalents | 1,243 | 1,568 |
Complete financial and human resources information for ECCC’s program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.
Related government-wide priorities
Gender-based analysis plus
ECCC continued to work to achieve protection and recovery goals for species, while recognizing that Indigenous reserves and lands often provide important refuge for species at risk and migratory birds and that Canada’s Indigenous Peoples are also the holders of Indigenous Traditional Knowledge essential to achieving these goals. To reduce consultation fatigue, a result of repeated gathering of Indigenous Traditional Knowledge on species, the Department focused its efforts on ecosystem-based and multi-species conservation approaches, and on improving coordination among federal departments and provincial/territorial governments.
In its efforts to meet Canada’s biodiversity commitments, ECCC worked to increase its capacity to conserve biodiversity in Canada, including by increasing engagement of Indigenous communities in conservation initiatives. Through the federal impact assessment process, the Department continued to provide expert advice and knowledge to support resource development decisions that mitigate negative impacts on disproportionately impacted populations, such as indigenous communities, and all Canadians. The Department also continued to strengthen its hiring practices to increase representation of the Canadian population in its enforcement workforce.
United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals
Information on ECCC’s contributions to Canada’s Federal Implementation Plan on the 2030 Agenda and the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy can be found in our Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy.
Innovation
Investing in nature and natural climate solutions
To help Canada make better progress towards conservation targets, we surveyed 97 conservation organizations across Canada on their experience with the Ecological Gifts Program and their knowledge of Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs). The study revealed that the key barriers to secure and manage land for these organizations are a lack of capacity and time, as well as financial constraints. Organizations report very positive experiences with the Ecological Gifts Program but have difficulty reaching and identifying potential donors to the program. In addition, these organizations reported low levels of experience, awareness, and understanding of OECMs. The research results informed recommendations to improve communications to enhance program transparency related to time requirements, and the steps involved. They also provided valuable insight to program managers on how to reach donors more effectively.
Program inventory
Conserving Nature is supported by the following programs:
- Species at Risk
- Migratory Birds and Other Wildlife
- Habitat Conservation and Protection
- Biodiversity Policy and Partnerships
- Environmental Assessment
- Compliance Promotion and Enforcement—Wildlife
Additional information related to the program inventory for Conserving Nature is available on the Results page on GC InfoBase.
Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions
Description
Provide authoritative forecasts, warnings, data, and information services related to weather, hydrological, and environmental conditions using a wide range of dissemination systems to help Canadians, public authorities, and targeted weather sensitive sectors make informed decisions about health, safety, and economic prosperity. This will be achieved by: monitoring weather, water quantity, ice, air quality and climate conditions; conducting research and development activities targeting continuous improvement; operating advanced integrated weather and environmental prediction models using high performance computing platforms; exchanging data in near real time, on a continual basis, with members of the World Meteorological Organization to ensure accurate and timely predictions; and collaborating closely with other nations’ weather and hydrologic institutions, and international organizations, to improve services for citizens everywhere.
Progress on results
This section presents details on how the Department performed to achieve results and meet targets for Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions. Details are presented by departmental result.
Table 7: Targets and results for Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions
Table 7 provides a summary of the target and actual results for each indicator associated with the results under Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions.
Departmental Result Indicators | Target | Date to achieve target | Actual Results |
---|---|---|---|
Index of the timeliness and accuracy of severe weather warnings on a scale of 0 to 10 | At least 8.4 | June 2024 | 2021-22: 8.8Footnote 39 2022-23: 8.7Footnote 40 2023-24: 8.7Footnote 41 |
Percentage of program partners rating their satisfaction with Environment and Climate Change Canada’s hydrological services as 8 out of 10 or higher | At least 80% | May 2024Footnote 42 | 2021-22: This is a new indicator, as of 2022-23. The first year of reporting is 2022-23. 2022-23: 69% 2023-24: 91% |
Additional information on the detailed results and performance information for ECCC’s program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.
Details on results
The following section describes the results for Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions in 2023-24 compared with the planned results set out in ECCC’s Departmental Plan for the year.
Canadians use authoritative weather and related information to make decisions about health and safety
Timely and high-quality weather monitoring and prediction
ECCC continued to improve its meteorological services through its scientific expertise, its application of a leading-edge approach to data management, and its continued focus on the changing needs of its clients and stakeholders. As the climate continues to change—causing more frequent and intense high-impact weather events—the provision of timely and high-quality weather services has become increasingly important. In 2023-24, ECCC continued to provide 24/7 prediction services to its clients and partners. This 24/7 predictive capacity is what allows for the anticipation of weather and environmental events with enough time to communicate information and react to the threat.
The Department’s meteorologists and scientists—operating in prediction centres and scientific groups across the country—transform the results of numerical prediction models run on ECCC’s High Performance Computing system into warnings, forecasts, and expert advice on weather, water, and environmental conditions. These are relied upon for decision-making by public authorities such as emergency managers and civil aviation authorities, as well as the Canadian public.
High Performance Computing (HPC)
Canada’s HPC system is composed of supercomputers that are among the fastest in the world. The HPC system is used to run mathematical models of the atmosphere and oceans to predict the weather and make projections of future climate. It allows ECCC to use approximately 13 million observations from Canada and around the world on a daily basis to predict weather and environmental conditions using its numerical prediction systems. Advancements in technology and science have allowed ECCC to go beyond traditional weather forecasts and into other environmental applications, such as air quality, hydrology, oceanography, sea ice, wave, and coastal water level forecasts. For example, ECCC now predicts the levels of nitrogen oxides, ozone and harmful particles released from wildfires which contribute to poor air quality and may cause adverse health effects. The Department also provide seasonal climate predictions up to a year in advance.
The Department has continued to invest in upgrading infrastructure and innovating to improve its weather and environmental monitoring and prediction systems. ECCC continued to invest in weather and environmental prediction models, including for high-impact weather and flooding and the development of a national hydrological prediction system. The Department also continued to test and implement technical innovations for monitoring including enhancing the environmental sustainability of ECCC’s observing networks through testing of new lidar sensors and off-grid power solutions. Investments in testing capacity in laboratory and field sites have been made to accelerate the adoption of new technologies.
The Department has continued modernizing its upper air atmospheric monitoring network through the installation of modern automated weather balloon launching systems. To date, ECCC has installed six automated systems across the country. Day-to-day operations at these sites no longer require manual input by contracted operators. Instead, the system relies on a monthly visit to prepare for the upcoming launches such that operations at these sites are less likely to be affected by local evacuation orders. In addition, requests from partners for additional data when tracking hurricanes, severe storms or forest fire activity can now be handled remotely with the automated systems.
Helping Canadians make informed decisions on weather
Record-breaking wildfires in 2023 provided Canadians a lived experience of the wide-ranging impacts of climate change on their day-to-day lives. In particular, the 2023 wildfire season and the resulting poor air quality across Canada highlighted the risks of climate change on the health and safety of many Canadians. The frequency and intensity of such significant climate-change affected weather events have continued to increase.
ECCC continued to leverage social media and emergency alerts to inform Canadians and assist them in making informed decisions to mitigate weather and climate-related risks to life, property, and the environment. ECCC’s state-of-the-art weather forecasting systems continued to alert Canadians of approaching high impact weather such as severe storms, heatwaves, atmospheric rivers, blizzards and hurricanes. Specifically, Canadians continued to have access to updated forecasts and warnings by visiting ECCC’s weather website, the WeatherCAN app, and subscribing to ECCC’s hurricane e-bulletins. Meteorologists continued to focus their attention on weather events which affected Canada, such as the historic 2023 wildfire season and post-tropical storm Lee that tracked through Atlantic Canada in September of 2023. Both events were costly and deadly, and drove home the importance of timely and accurate forecasts and warnings.
In addition, ECCC continued to develop tailored weather products for its WeatherCAN application, including allowing Canadians to identify the level of Air Quality risk at which they want to be notified on the application. Along with AlertReady’s broadcast immediate functionality and the Hello Weather automated phone service, ECCC tools continued to deliver high-impact weather-related information to Canadians.
Weather Data Dissemination
Every day, ECCC responds to between 65 and 75 million automated requests for weather and environmental data and internally generated data products. The Department’s open data platforms allow Canadian individuals and businesses to access weather and environmental observations and forecast model data. Data served through these platforms are leveraged to perform investigations, develop innovations promoting economic growth and efficiency, and make operational decisions regarding the health, safety and preservation of property. To serve its clients and partners, the Department continued to improve the accessibility and reliability of its data offerings.
The Department improved weather data dissemination both within Canada and the international community. In 2023-24, ECCC was the lead architect in the development and implementation of the new World Meteorological Organization Information System (WIS 2.0), which is the system through which all national meteorological centres around the world share their data. Building on lessons learned from the Department’s implementation of open data for weather and environmental prediction, WIS 2.0 allows weather services around the globe to share trusted data and information in an easy, timely and seamless way. This new system has improved the ability of developing countries to share their data, furthering Canada’s leadership in the international weather prediction community.
Weather Radar Replacement program
ECCC completed the Government of Canada’s $180.4 million Canadian Weather Radar Replacement Program to replace outdated technology with 33 new state-of-the-art radars. As of March 31, 2024, all 33 new S-band dual polarization radars have been fully integrated into the forecasting process. Radars are the primary tools used by meteorologists to forecast short-term severe weather events associated with thunderstorms, tornadoes, ice storms, and blizzards. The new radars use the most modern technology available to provide more detailed information on precipitation type and storm structure and will allow ECCC to give Canadians greater lead time to protect themselves and their property. The coverage area of the new radars increased from just over one million square kilometres to over four million square kilometres, ensuring that 99 percent of Canadians live within 330 kilometres of a Canadian radar.
Emerging Technologies in Weather Forecasting
ECCC is closely monitoring the development of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in the field of weather modelling and forecasting. The potential for AI-based models to produce certain types of forecasts that compare favourably to traditional weather forecasting models is promising. As such, ECCC is exploring these models and comparing them with traditional numerical prediction models. In 2023-24, ECCC developed an AI Road Map that outlines the path for integrating AI into weather and environmental prediction systems, with the aim of improving its high-quality, timely weather information and warning services. For example, AI/ML-based models could be integrated in a hybrid fashion with traditional physical models to verify, augment, and improve predictions. Integration and usage of these technologies will be aligned with government-wide guidelines for the responsible use of AI.
Investing in water monitoring for Canadians
As climate change increases the frequency of droughts and floods, ECCC invested in modernizing national water monitoring for Canadians. Systematic monitoring of water levels and flow has always been a priority in Canada and continued to be increasingly important as Canada’s climate is warming at twice the average global rate. A warmer climate means more weather extremes, including more droughts and floods. ECCC provided high-quality data and information on water levels and flows in real time to provincial and territorial partners, such as emergency management organizations, flow-forecasting agencies and industry. This data, in addition to long-term hydrological data archives, helped these stakeholders to prepare for weather events, such as floods and droughts, and to become more resilient to the consequences of climate change.
Through an $89.9 million investment beginning in 2018, ECCC’s National Hydrological Service has completed the planned modernization and enhancement of its water quantity monitoring program to more effectively support the management of Canada’s changing water resources. These investments supported four major components, which closed out in March 2023 (Capacity building and Prediction) and March 2024 (Infrastructure and Innovation). In 2023-24, ECCC started offering novel water prediction products to support provincial and territorial partners in issuing improved flood and drought forecasts.
New investments have enabled an ongoing life-cycle management approach to maintain hydrometric infrastructure and improve environmental compliance. In 2023-24, the National Hydrological Services (NHS) repaired or replaced more than 270 hydrometric cableways and remediated over 60 sites with environmental contamination. They have also enabled the implementation of innovative technologies that have demonstrated improvements in data efficiency and quality. Eight new field technologies moved from a development phase to implementation (e.g. station cameras and improved station telemetry systems) with three of those becoming fully operational (e.g. cloud data services).
The Department continued to strengthen the relevance, efficiency, capacity, and performance of its national hydrological services. Following observations and recommendations from the 2023 summative evaluation of the NHS, the Department committed to improving engagement and collaboration with Indigenous groups in the management of the program. Commencing in 2023-24, the Department initiated the development of an Indigenous Engagement Strategy for the program.
Supporting Canadians during emergencies
In 2023-24, ECCC continued working with partners to support Canada’s Emergency Management Strategy, flood mapping and other emergency preparedness and resilience efforts. ECCC supported the Government of Canada’s priority to improve the resilience of communities most at risk of flooding by contributing to various initiatives under the Emergency Management Strategy of 2019. The Department completed the development of a national prediction system with the capability of generating forecasts and alerts for coastal flooding in response to the growing frequency and severity of storm surge events. This system will provide predictions based on a range of potential water levels to enable communities to better prepare for possible impacts of coastal flooding. ECCC also completed engagement with four provinces, and it is expected that the impact-based coastal flood products (e.g. Costal Flooding Risk Outlooks and Coastal Flooding alerts) will be available for dissemination in 2024.
The Department is also providing science and engineering support to Natural Resources Canada on flood identification and hazard mapping. Funding agreements supported research to advance floodplain mapping and the development of new engineering guidance to strengthen floodplain mapping science capacity in Canada. Under the National Adaptation Strategy (NAS), published in June 2023, the Government of Canada invested an additional $164.2 million to provide five more years of funding towards projects to advance nationwide flood mapping coverage and to share accessible flood hazard information with Canadians. Three million dollars in NAS funding was awarded in grants and contributions to universities and non-profit organizations. As of April 2024, 21 agreements were established for over 200 projects, in over 300 high-risk locations in Canada.
Providing expert advice on water
ECCC also continued to provide expert advice and recommendations to inter-jurisdictional and international water boards. In 2023-24, the Department continued to provide leadership and technical support to international water boards and committees. This delivers on commitments in the International Joint Commission (IJC) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) as well as other interprovincial and international MOUs. ECCC provides data, technical, engineering and communication support to IJC boards and committees, and takes part in a total of 17 IJC boards and committees, three non-IJC international committees and three domestic water management bodies.
Key risks
To fulfill its mandate and deliver mission-critical weather and environmental prediction services to Canadians, the Department relies on its capital and technological infrastructure. This infrastructure requires maintenance and sustainable investment to prevent rust-out, maximize the benefits of technological advances, ensure functionality in the context of increasingly complex systems and our changing climate, and meet evolving user needs. To address risks in those areas, ECCC invested significantly in its infrastructure and enhanced its planning capabilities to better assess enterprise-wide deficits, align funding needs with priorities, and secure expertise. At the same time, ECCC invested in expanding partnerships and external collaboration to access data from other providers.
The Department’s capacity to access, collect, share, analyze, and use increasingly voluminous and complex data is also critical to sustain core operations and ensure timely delivery of world-class meteorological, environmental, and hydrological information and services for Canadians. Continued access to high performance computing infrastructure enables ECCC to operate the complex modelling systems that are at the heart of its 24/7 mission-critical weather, climate and weather-related advisories and warnings. To guard against any risks that might hamper these capacities in 2023-24, ECCC continued to invest in high performance computing, explored, and implemented, strategies to enhance data governance and transparency, enabled a sustainable data structure, and promoted a data culture across the organization. ECCC also explored acquiring information management systems and tools that can enhance data management and allow for data mining, branch interoperability, and inter-branch information sharing.
ECCC is the authoritative source of information for weather, water quantity, climate, ice, and air quality conditions in Canada. Providing accurate and timely information, including forecasts and warnings, to Canadians is essential to maintain this reputation. As such, the Department made sure to continue to follow a regular planning cycle for periodic investments focused on priority areas and a rigorous quality management system certified by the International Organization for Standardization.
Resources required to achieve results
Table 8: Snapshot of resources required for Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions
Table 8 provides a summary of the planned and actual spending and full-time equivalents (FTEs) required to achieve results.
Resource | Planned | Actual |
---|---|---|
Spending | $229,586,460 | $281,191,207 |
Full-time equivalents | 1,566 | 1,733 |
Complete financial and human resources information for ECCC’s program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.
Related government-wide priorities
Gender-based analysis plus
ECCC continued to gear its weather forecasts, warnings and expert advice concerning extreme weather and environmental events (such as floods, heatwaves, or wildland fires) toward the needs of Canadians, including people in northern and rural areas, older Canadians and children, people with chronic diseases and people experiencing homelessness. To enhance the reach of ECCC information, the Department has adopted strategies to better communicate risk to a wide variety of Canadians and prepare them for the potential impacts of hazardous weather. ECCC continued to provide weather and environmental information through a wide range of platforms, notably the WeatherCAN application, weather website, automated telephone system “Hello Weather,” and weather radios. Provincial and territorial authorities, northern, Indigenous and remote communities, and other specialized clients also used ECCC’s hydrometric data in combination with socio-economic data to identify potential impacts of water hazards on various groups and to implement mitigation measures accordingly. In addition, the Department continued to improve the accessibility and documentation of its weather and environmental data and services, based on the results of stakeholder engagement.
United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals
Information on ECCC’s contributions to Canada’s Federal Implementation Plan on the 2030 Agenda and the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy can be found in our Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy.
Program inventory
Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions is supported by the following programs:
- Weather and Environmental Observations, Forecasts and Warnings
- Hydrological Services
Additional information related to the program inventory for Conserving Nature is available on the Results page on GC InfoBase.
Internal services
Description
Internal services are the services that are provided within a department so that it can meet its corporate obligations and deliver its programs. There are 10 categories of internal services:
- management and oversight services
- communications services
- legal services
- human resources management services
- financial management services
- information management services
- information technology services
- real property management services
- materiel management services
- acquisition management services
Progress on results
This section presents details on how the Department performed to achieve results and meet targets for internal services.
Accessibility
ECCC continued to provide advice and guidance on accommodation and disability management and accessibility tools to its employees. Following the release of the Department’s Accessibility Plan in 2022, ECCC employees were invited in April 2023 to participate in an accessibility survey to gather feedback and determine next steps to increase awareness and improve accessibility. In January 2024, the Department released its 2023 progress report on the implementation of ECCC's Accessibility Plan, which helped assess the commitment of employees in implementing the accessibility plan. Collaborating to exchange experiences, methods, and tools is advantageous for everyone and helps to break down barriers and foster inclusivity.
Strengthening the Department through diversity
The Department continued to implement the departmental Diversity, Inclusion and Employment Equity Strategy. The Department continued to collaborate with employee-led networks and committees that advocate, contribute to and support policies and initiatives that enrich diversity, inclusion, and employment equity throughout the Department resulting in the launch of ECCC's Cultural and Commemorative Calendar, a reflection of our dedication to celebrating the rich tapestry of cultural diversity that exists among us and enriches our collective experiences. It spotlights significant cultural and commemorative dates throughout the year, helping to promote diverse traditions and moments that hold importance for the many communities that make up the Department.
The second annual report on the 2021-2024 Diversity, Inclusion and Employment Equity Strategy was made available to ECCC's employees in November 2023. This report offers comprehensive data on all the actions taken by ECCC, giving a clearer picture of the progress that the Department has made in relation to the stated commitments that encompass recruitment, employee development and retention, education and awareness, and governance support.
ECCC continued to implement and renew the departmental Inuit Employment Plan in line with the whole-of-government Inuit Employment Plan and establish meaningful objectives and take purposeful action to work towards Nunavut Agreement article 23 obligations.
The Department also continued to promote women in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) through an invigorated Women in Science and Technology Committee that has seen its membership grow to include all genders and represent all parts of the Department in headquarters and regions.
Supporting our public servants
ECCC continued to support employees affected by the government-wide pay transformation initiative and supported Public Services and Procurement Canada in addressing the backlog of pay issues. The Department continued to contribute to the government-wide HR-to-Pay stabilization efforts, including various human resources and pay system initiatives.
The Department continued to adapt and adjust to a post-COVID-19 workplace by aligning workplace policies to public health guidance and continuing to invest in its digital transformation. Early in the pandemic, ECCC implemented strategies to bolster its digital transformation to support virtual work, including investments in its network connectivity and extensive use of MS 365 and cloud-based collaboration tools. In consideration of the GoC direction regarding the modernization and associated reduction of the office footprint, and to address the recommendations of the TBS Horizontal Fixed Asset Review.
Data and Analytics Strategy Renewal
As part of its objective to become a more data-driven organization, ECCC made significant progress towards renewing its Data and Analytics Strategy in 2023-24. With an assessment of its current data landscape completed and a new vision in hand for the future, the new strategy will align to the latest developments in data, analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI) once completed, including the 2023-2026 Data Strategy for the Federal Public Service. The renewed strategy is anticipated to be published and initiated in 2024-25.
Digital Services Modernization
In 2023-24, the Department was in year three of a five-year Digital Modernization Roadmap to achieve four objectives: modernize services to digital; become a data-driven organization; enable digital asset platforms; and have a modern workforce. A number of enterprise “platform journey” investments had been prioritized to modernize key areas of focus supporting broad business capabilities, such as Regulatory Reporting and Stakeholder Management.
ECCC launched its Digital Accessibility Toolkit in February 2024. The Toolkit is the result of an effort across multiple GC organizations to provide a comprehensive repository of knowledge, tools, and best practices aimed at making the Department's digital content and communications universally accessible. Whether to create documents, code webpages, design products, or simply send emails, the toolkit equips employees with the essential resources to ensure that everyone, regardless of ability, can engage with the Department's content.
Advancing Canada’s Youth Policy
ECCC and the Minister continued to engage youth in 2023-24 through the ECCC Youth Council on important topics such as:
- Canada’s participation in UNFCCC COP28;
- The development of a 2030 Biodiversity Strategy for Canada;
- ECCC’s climate communication initiatives, environmental literacy, environmental justice and environmental racism; and
- the Science Horizons Youth Internship Program.
To promote and maintain a culture of meaningful youth engagement, the Department updated its Youth Engagement Framework for 2024-2027 which provides tools, guidance, resources, and practical recommendations on how to engage youth in Canada and in the Department.
Transition to Net-Zero
ECCC remained committed to transitioning to net-zero carbon and climate-resilient operations while also reducing other environmental impacts, including on waste, water, and biodiversity. The Department continued to implement measures and assess its performance to support the government-wide goal of reducing energy-related GHG emissions from Government of Canada operations by 40 percent from 2005 levels by 2025. ECCC also continued to work towards transitioning to a circular economy by diverting at least 75 percent of non-hazardous operational and plastic waste, and 90 percent of construction and demolition waste, from landfills by 2030, as per the Government of Canada’s Greening Government Strategy. ECCC continued to track waste diversion rates in buildings and advance its Departmental Green Procurement Plan, which included the promotion of the use of sustainable plastic in goods and the development of criteria to reduce the environmental impact of procurement decisions. In 2023-24, ECCC delivered employee training on green procurement practices and continued to implement the departmental waste management action plan to reduce the generation and increase the diversion of non-hazardous operational waste.
The Department also assessed opportunities to deploy on-site clean electricity in its buildings and purchased off-site clean electricity to help achieve 100 percent clean electricity usage by 2025 at the latest. Moreover, ECCC took actions to reduce energy use in its fleet through fleet-sharing and the purchase of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), with the objective of reaching 80 percent of ZEVs in its light-duty fleet by 2030 and, where possible, through the provision of ZEV charging stations within its facilities.
Remediating contaminated sites
ECCC continued to make progress on the assessment and remediation of contaminated sites for which the Department is responsible. In 2023-24, the Department completed assessment activities at 8 sites and remediation and risk management activities at 10 sites.
Continuous improvement
The ECCC Science Strategy 2024-2029 was published in February 2024 as a guide for the Department’s science over the coming years. The Strategy was developed through engagement across the Department, guided by ECCC’s science governance fora, and reviewed by unions and other science-based departments and agencies in order to:
- Support the modernization and continual improvement of how the Department conducts, uses, governs, and communicates science within the organization to keep pace with a rapidly changing environment;
- Reflect the interconnectivity of diverse environmental challenges and recognizes the need for collaboration and the importance of incorporating Indigenous science on par with Western science, to find and implement effective solutions; and
- Articulate a new science vision to better support the Department’s response to urgent environmental challenges and the horizontal nature of its work
The impact of ECCC’s science efforts is also strengthened when scientific information and advice, along with associated uncertainties, can be easily accessed and understood by decision-makers and the Canadian public. Aligned with government-wide efforts, ECCC approach toward an open and accessible federal science has been in place since the Open Science Action Plan: 2021-26. In line with these efforts, in January 2024, the Department was a leader and key contributor to the launch of the Federal Open Science Repository of Canada, and one of the first participating science-based departments and agencies to onboard many of its publications. This web-based platform hosts the research output of participating science-based departments and agencies, providing a secure and transparent tool to access federal science at no cost to end users.
In 2023-2024, ECCC’s Secretariat for the Career Progression Committee (CPC) initiated a GBA plus review of the Research Scientist Promotion Framework (RES Framework), demonstrating the Department’s commitment for inclusive science and equity. This comprehensive review gathered information through focus groups, online questionnaires and meetings with research manager (REM) and research scientist (RES) with a combination of open-ended questions and poll questions, ensuring an understanding of diverse perspectives and experiences resulting in senior decision makers recognizing systemic barriers facing Employment Equity groups in the RES and REM community. The CPC Secretariat was tasked with devising a plan to address key concerns and promote equity and inclusion moving forward.
Supporting Indigenous awareness
ECCC worked with the Indigenous Employee Network and others across the Department to increase Indigenous awareness and advance reconciliation. In 2023-24, ECCC promoted activities marking commemorative occasions, such as the National Indigenous Peoples Day and the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, to name a few. Indigenous reconciliation messaging was also woven into various other products and activities throughout the year, including DM events and messages, news articles, and more. Using ECCC’s most visible communication channels, these activities are helping to increase employee awareness about Indigenous cultures, colonialization, and our commitments to reconciliation, setting the stage for more specific work to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act.
Resources required to achieve results
Table 9: Snapshot of resources required for Internal Services
Table 9 provides a summary of the planned and actual spending and full-time equivalents (FTEs) required to achieve results.
Resource | Planned | Actual |
---|---|---|
Spending | $241,892,170 | $318,605,055 |
Full-time equivalents | 1,787 | 1,880 |
Complete financial and human resources information for ECCC’s program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.
Contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses
Government of Canada departments are to meet a target of awarding at least 5 percent of the total value of contracts to Indigenous businesses each year. This commitment is to be fully implemented by the end of 2024–25.
Environment and Climate Change Canada is a Phase 3 department and is aiming to achieve the minimum 5 percent target by the end of 2024–25.
The Department has made efforts to ensure Indigenous businesses are awarded at least 5 percent of the total value of all contracts in a given fiscal year. In September of 2023, ECCC first reported having awarded 5.5 percent of all contracts to Indigenous-owned or Indigenous-led businesses, based on 2022-23 data.
For 2023-24, the Department anticipates that approximately 7 percent of all contracts will have been awarded to Indigenous businesses. This improvement from the previous year is the result of a larger number of contracts being set aside or awarded by incident to Indigenous suppliers. ECCC aims to continue meeting and exceeding the minimum 5 percent target by focussing efforts on certain types of goods and services, particularly the purchase of computer equipment, air charter flights, professional services, furniture, construction, and contracts awarded in a geographic region subject to a Comprehensive Land Claims Agreement or Nunavut Land Claims Agreement.
In addition, the Department implemented a procurement communications strategy, that included the distribution of various types of communications to clients through different channels including email, information bulletins, tailored training sessions, and videos. To further enhance departmental capacity and promote engagement of Indigenous businesses, the Department made ‘’Indigenous Considerations in Procurement’’ a mandatory requirement of the Procurement Officer training plan.
Lastly, the Department implemented Business Intelligence Reports that provide real-time reports on the percentage of contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses. These reports allow for improved oversight and for more timely identification of gaps and opportunities.
Internal controls and contracting
As the Department continues to modernize and strengthen its delivery model for effective financial and procurement services, inherent risks are considered and mitigation strategies are implemented. Key controls continue to be assessed by:
- Reviewing the adequacy of oversight procedures established over the impacted areas for enhanced monitoring;
- Remaining vigilant for the potential financial fraud and cyber vulnerabilities;
- Documenting and communicating the results of the assessment of processes and controls and supporting ECCC employees in addressing them; and
- Updating ECCC Fraud Risk Assessment and strengthening fraud detection controls based on scenarios identified.
In addition, following the Auditor General’s ArriveCan audit, ECCC performed a review of procurement and payment process controls. The review highlighted opportunities to improve documentation and monitoring of service delivery in alignment with the audit’s recommendations.
Spending and human resources
In this section
Spending
This section presents an overview of the Department's actual and planned expenditures from 2021–22 to 2026–27.
Budgetary performance summary
Table 11: Actual three-year spending on core responsibilities and internal services (dollars)
Table 11 presents how much money ECCC spent over the past three years to carry out its core responsibilities and for internal services.
Core responsibilities and internal services | 2023–24 Main Estimates | 2023–24 total authorities available for use | Actual spending over three years (authorities used) |
---|---|---|---|
Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change |
876,753,252 |
990,930,506 |
2021–22: 381,382,505 2022–23: 407,374,384 2023–24: 570,748,742 |
Preventing and Managing Pollution |
420,436,048 |
490,243,117 |
2021–22: 380,061,047 2022–23: 390,259,703 2023–24: 471,476,416 |
Conserving Nature |
677,409,744 |
738,696,713 |
2021–22: 413,663,898 2022–23: 576,201,081 2023–24: 720,108,036 |
Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions |
229,586,460 |
312,607,216 |
2021–22: 274,731,867 2022–23: 257,185,465 2023–24: 281,191,207 |
Subtotal |
2,204,185,504 |
2,532,477,552 |
2021–22: 1,449,839,317 2022–23: 1,631,020,633 2023–24: 2,043,524,401 |
Internal services |
241,892,170 |
322,146,060 |
2021–22: 263,049,348 2022–23: 298,661,385 2023–24: 318,605,055 |
Total |
2,446,077,674 |
2,854,623,612 |
2021–22: 1,712,888,665 2022–23: 1,929,682,018 2023–24: 2,362,129,456 |
Analysis of the past three years of spending
The 2023-24 total authorities available for use includes all items approved through the Estimates processes for fiscal year 2023-24. The overall $492.5 million variance between the 2023-24 total authorities available for use ($2,854.6 million) and the 2023-24 actual spending ($2,362.1 million) is mainly due to lower than anticipated spending for:
- The Low Carbon Economy Fund, as a result of the realignment of previously announced funding;
- Conserving Canada’s land and freshwater, protect species, advance Indigenous reconciliation and increase access to nature (Enhanced Nature Legacy), due to delays in species at risk projects and delays in securing conservation land acquisitions; and
- Several other initiatives such as Strong Arctic and Northern Communities (Eureka weather station in Nunavut), for which lower than anticipated spending was caused by delays in decommissioning activities in the North.
The overall $432.5 million increase between the 2022-23 actual spending of $1,929.7 million and the 2023-24 actual spending of $2,362.1 million is mainly due to the following variances in funding:
- Taking action on Clean Growth and Climate Change: The actual spending for 2023-24 is higher than in 2022-23, mainly due to the distribution of revenues to provinces from excess emissions charge payments under the Output-Based Pricing System Proceeds Fund and increased spending for the Low Carbon Economy Fund, and to support the least developed countries under the Canada's International Climate Finance Program.
- Preventing and Managing Pollution: The actual spending for 2023-24 is higher than in 2022-23, mainly due to various ongoing expenditures such as salary expenditures and retroactive payments associated with newly signed collective agreements, funding agreements with eligible Indigenous groups for the delivery of the terrestrial cumulative effects initiative of Trans Mountain Expansion Pipeline project, to advance a circular economy for plastics in Canada, to implement a strengthened Freshwater Action Plan and to establish the Canada Water Agency.
- Conserving Nature: The actual spending for 2023-24 is higher than in 2022-23, mainly due to an increase in Grants and Contributions spending to conserve Canada’s land and freshwater, protect species, advance Indigenous reconciliation and increase access to nature (Enhanced Nature Legacy), the Natural Climate Solutions Fund, the British Columbia Old Growth Nature Fund and for the implementation of the next phase of the Ocean Protection Plan. These are offset by decreased spending due to the sunsetting of funding to protect Canada's nature, parks and wild spaces (Nature Legacy) and for the ECCC’s involvement in the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in 2022-23.
- Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions: The actual spending for 2023-24 is higher than in 2022-23, mainly due to various ongoing expenditures, such as salary expenditures and retroactive payments associated with newly signed collective agreements, payments to international organizations, and engineering consultants. These are offset by decreased spending due to the sunsetting of funding for the Revitalization of Canada's Weather Services.
- Internal Services: The actual spending for 2023-24 is higher than in 2022-23, mainly due to increases in various ongoing expenditures such as salary and retroactive payments associated with newly signed collective agreements.
Please see the 2022-23 Departmental Results Report for additional details on year-over-year actual spending variances between 2021-22 and 2022-23.
More financial information from previous years is available on the Finances section of GC InfoBase.
Table 12: Planned three-year spending on core responsibilities and internal services (dollars)
Table 12 presents how much money ECCC’s plans to spend over the next three years to carry out its core responsibilities and for internal services.
Core responsibilities and internal services | 2024–25 planned spending | 2025–26 planned spending | 2026–27 planned spending |
---|---|---|---|
Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change | 1,036,877,580 | 479,096,757 | 436,256,363 |
Preventing and Managing Pollution | 450,317,681 | 415,301,040 | 405,051,667 |
Conserving Nature | 736,720,545 | 711,691,087 | 360,774,223 |
Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions | 271,887,076 | 262,687,420 | 256,346,437 |
Subtotal | 2,495,802,882 | 1,868,776,304 | 1,458,428,690 |
Internal services | 265,166,344 | 257,881,973 | 241,053,281 |
Total | 2,760,969,226 | 2,126,658,277 | 1,699,481,971 |
Analysis of the next three years of spending
Approximately $2,761.0 million in total funding is anticipated for 2024-25. The increase of $82.3 million from 2023-24 forecast spending to 2024-25 planned spending is mainly due to an increasing funding profile for Canada's National Adaptation Strategy, to Implement a strengthened Freshwater Action Plan and to establish the Canada Water Agency. This increase is partially offset by the Budget 2023 refocusing government spending reductions as well as the absence of statutory revenues to be distributed from the Output-Based Pricing System in the 2024-25 Main Estimates. These statutory revenues will be included in future estimates in 2024-25.
Overall, there is a decrease in planned spending over the 2024-25 to 2026-27 planning horizon presented in the summary table. This is the result of sunsetting initiatives with temporary funding and Budget 2023 refocusing government spending reductions. Funding requests for sunsetting initiatives are subject to government decisions and will be reflected in future Budget exercises and Estimates documents.
Major initiatives whose funding profile will decrease significantly or sunset in 2025-26 include:
- A decrease associated with Canada's National Adaptation Strategy, due to the one-time payment to the Green Municipal Fund;
- Sunsetting of Phase IV of the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan;
- Sunsetting of the British Columbia Old Growth Nature Fund;
- A decrease in contributions for the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy; and
- The sunsetting of the Trans Mountain Expansion Pipeline.
Major initiatives whose funding profile will decrease significantly or sunset in 2026-27 include:
- Sunsetting of the initiative to conserve Canada’s land and freshwater, protect species, advance Indigenous reconciliation, increase access to nature and continue efforts to protect species at risk (Enhanced Nature Legacy); and
- Sunsetting of Canada’s international climate finance program.
More detailed financial information from previous years is available on the Finances section of GC Infobase.
Table 13: Budgetary actual gross and net planned spending summary (dollars)
Table 13 reconciles gross planned spending with net spending for 2023–24.
Core responsibilities and internal services | 2023–24 actual gross spending | 2023–24 actual revenues netted against expenditures | 2023–24 actual net spending (authorities used) |
---|---|---|---|
Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change | 570,748,742 | 0 | 570,748,742 |
Preventing and Managing Pollution | 487,078,681 | 15,602,265 | 471,476,416 |
Conserving Nature | 724,546,901 | 4,438,865 | 720,108,036 |
Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions | 335,490,309 | 54,299,102 | 281,191,207 |
Subtotal | 2,117,864,633 | 74,340,232 | 2,043,524,401 |
Internal services | 319,531,676 | 926,621 | 318,605,055 |
Total | 2,437,396,309 | 75,266,853 | 2,362,129,456 |
Analysis of budgetary actual gross and net planned spending summary
Environment and Climate Change Canada’s major sources of revenues netted against expenditures are the following:
- Provinces which receive water quantity monitoring services (Hydrometric);
- NAV CANADA to which ECCC provides aviation weather services;
- Third parties to which ECCC provides scientific and analytical projects services, and provides rental of non-research facilities;
- Department of National Defense which receives detailed weather services in support of its military operations;
- Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers which funds the Joint Canada-Alberta implementation Plan for Oil Sands;
- Canadian Coast Guard, which receives marine and ice monitoring forecasts and services; and
- Third parties to which ECCC provides permits to dispose of non-hazardous substances into the sea.
Information on ECCC’s organizational appropriations is available in the 2024-25 Main Estimates.
Information on the alignment of ECCC’s spending with Government of Canada spending and activities is available on GC InfoBase.
Funding
This section provides an overview of the Department's voted and statutory funding for its core responsibilities and for internal services. For further information on funding authorities, consult the Government of Canada budgets and expenditures.
Graph 1: Approved funding (statutory and voted) over a six-year period
Graph 1 summarizes the Department's approved voted and statutory funding from 2021-22 to 2026-27.

Long description
Fiscal year | Total | Voted | Statutory |
---|---|---|---|
2021-22 |
1,712,888,665 |
1,611,358,900 |
101,529,765 |
2022-23 |
1,929,682,018 |
1,806,143,889 |
123,538,129 |
2023-24 |
2,362,129,456 |
2,152,273,874 |
209,855,583 |
2024-25 |
2,760,969,226 |
2,638,596,171 |
122,373,055 |
2025-26 |
2,126,658,277 |
2,006,182,060 |
120,476,217 |
2026-27 |
1,699,481,971 |
1,588,613,205 |
110,868,766 |
Analysis of statutory and voted funding over a six-year period
Environment and Climate Change Canada's actual spending for 2023-24 was $2,362.1 million, a year-over year increase of $432.4 million (22 percent) from the 2022-23 actual spending. This increase is mainly due to:
- an increase in the funding to conserve Canada’s land and freshwater, protect species, advance Indigenous reconciliation and increase access to nature (Enhanced Nature Legacy);
- increased payments for salary expenditures and retroactive payments in 2023-24 following the newly signed collective agreements;
- the distribution of revenues to provinces from excess emissions charge payments for the contributions in support of the Output-Based Pricing System Proceeds Fund;
- the renewal and reprofile of funding of the Low Carbon Economy Fund (LCEF); and
- new funding for the Natural Climate Solutions Fund.
See the 2022-23 Departmental Results Report (DRR) for additional details on year-over-year actual spending variances between 2021-22 and 2022-23.
For further information on ECCC’s departmental voted and statutory expenditures, consult the Public Accounts of Canada.
Financial statement highlights
ECCC’s complete financial statements (unaudited) for the year ended March 31, 2024, are available online.
Table 14: Condensed Statement of Operations (unaudited or audited) for the year ended March 31, 2024 (dollars)
Table 14.1 summarizes the expenses and revenues for 2023–24 which net to the cost of operations before government funding and transfers.
Financial information | 2023–24 actual results | 2023–24 planned results | Difference (actual results minus planned) |
---|---|---|---|
Total expenses | 2,647,017,312 | 2,603,121,998 | 43,895,314 |
Total revenues | 91,134,382 | 105,119,050 | (13,984,668) |
Net cost of operations before government funding and transfers | 2,555,882,930 | 2,498,002,948 | 57,879,982 |
The 2023–24 planned results information is provided in ECCC’s Future-Oriented Statement of Operations and Notes 2023–24.
Table 14.2 summarizes actual expenses and revenues which net to the cost of operations before government funding and transfers.
Financial information | 2023–24 actual results | 2023–24 planned results | Difference (2023-24 minus 2022-23) |
---|---|---|---|
Total expenses | 2,647,017,312 | 2,106,684,988 | 540,332,324 |
Total revenues | 91,134,382 | 206,533,022 | (115,398,640) |
Net cost of operations before government funding and transfers | 2,555,882,930 | 1,900,151,966 | 655,730,964 |
Table 15: Condensed Statement of Financial Position (unaudited or audited) as of March 31, 2024 (dollars)
Table 15 provides a brief snapshot of the Department’s liabilities (what it owes) and assets (what the Department owns), which helps to indicate its ability to carry out programs and services.
Financial information | Actual fiscal year (2023–24) | Previous fiscal year (2022–23) | Difference (2023–24 minus 2022–23) |
---|---|---|---|
Total net liabilities | 1,407,484,413 | 1,095,472,223 | 312,012,190 |
Total net financial assets | 929,241,972 | 731,259,344 | 197,982,128 |
Departmental net debt | 478,242,441 | 364,212,879 | 114,030,062 |
Total non-financial assets | 704,605,488 | 653,579,061 | 51,026,427 |
Departmental net financial position | 226,363,047 | 289,366,182 | (63,003,635) |
Human resources
This section presents an overview of the Department’s actual and planned human resources from 2021–22 to 2026–27.
Table 16: Actual human resources for core responsibilities and internal services
Table 16 shows a summary of human resources, in full-time equivalents (FTEs), for ECCC’s core responsibilities and for its internal services for the previous three fiscal years.
Core responsibilities and internal services | 2021–22 actual FTEs | 2022–23 actual FTEs | 2023–24 actual FTEs |
---|---|---|---|
Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change | 744 | 883 | 1,056 |
Preventing and Managing Pollution | 2,229 | 2,255 | 2,334 |
Conserving Nature | 1,302 | 1,487 | 1,568 |
Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions | 1,714 | 1,722 | 1,733 |
Subtotal | 5,989 | 6,347 | 6,691 |
Internal services | 1,698 | 1,797 | 1,880 |
Total | 7,687 | 8,144 | 8,571 |
Analysis of human resources over the last three years
For fiscal years 2021-22 and 2022-23, the figures shown represent the actual FTEs as reported in previous Departmental Results Reports.
The overall increase of 427 FTEs between 2022-23 and 2023-24 is the result of increasing activities within the Department, such as:
- the implementation of the next phase of the Oceans Protection Plan;
- the ongoing development, implementation and administration of carbon pricing and Clean Fuel Regulations;
- the renewal and reprofile of the Low Carbon Economy Fund;
- to advance a circular economy for Plastics in Canada;
- the renewal of the Impact Assessment Act;
- the top up of the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund;
- to support amendments to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999; and
- the new Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy, including the Canadian Centre Climate Services.
Table 17: Human resources planning summary for core responsibilities and internal services
Table 17 shows information on human resources, in full-time equivalents (FTEs), for each of ECCC’s core responsibilities and for its internal services planned for the next three years. Human resources for the current fiscal year are forecasted based on year to date.
Core responsibilities and internal services | 2024–25 planned FTEs | 2025–26 planned FTEs | 2026–27 planned FTEs |
---|---|---|---|
Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change | 1,120 | 1,050 | 808 |
Preventing and Managing Pollution | 2,148 | 2,078 | 2,071 |
Conserving Nature | 1,449 | 1,423 | 1,143 |
Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions | 1,641 | 1,635 | 1,640 |
Subtotal | 6,358 | 6,186 | 5,661 |
Internal services | 1,847 | 1,809 | 1,741 |
Total | 8,205 | 7,995 | 7,402 |
Analysis of human resources for the next three years
One FTE equals one person working a 37.5-hour work week for the entire year, or any number of part-time employees whose combined hours of work equal one FTE.
Overall, there is a decreasing trend in planned FTEs over the 2024-25 to 2026-27 planning horizon. This is the result of sunsetting initiatives with temporary funding. Funding requests for such initiatives are subject to government decisions and will be reflected in future Budget exercises and Estimates documents.
The overall decrease of 210 FTEs between the 2024-25 and 2025-26 planned FTEs is the result of a decrease in funding profile and sunsetting initiatives with temporary funding related to:
- The administration of the Fuel Charge Proceeds Return, the Carbon Pollution Proceeds Return, the development of Climate Change Communications, Public Education and Advertising and support for the Net-Zero Advisory Body, under the Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change Core Responsibility;
- The administration of the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan, under the Preventing and Managing Pollution Core Responsibility;
- Consultations with respect to the Trans Mountain Expansion Project, under the Conserving Nature Core responsibility; and
- Support for High Performance Computing, under the Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions Core Responsibility.
The overall decrease of 593 FTEs between the 2025-26 and 2026-27 planned FTEs is the result of sunsetting initiatives with temporary funding related to:
- Support for the administration of conserving Canada’s land and freshwater, protecting species, advancing Indigenous reconciliation, increasing access to nature and continuing efforts to protect species at risk (Enhanced Nature Legacy) under the Conserving Nature Core responsibility; and
- Regulatory development to support reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation and waste sectors, administration of carbon pollution proceeds return, enhancing climate change policy capacity and implementing the climate lens, under the Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change Core Responsibility.
Corporate information
Departmental profile
Appropriate minister(s): The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, P.C., M.P.
Institutional Head: Jean-Francois Tremblay
Ministerial Porfolio: Environment and Climate Change Canada
Enabling instruments:
- Department of the Environment Act, 1971
- Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
- Fisheries Act, 1985 (administration and enforcement of the Pollution Prevention Provisions)
- Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, 2018 (joint responsibility with Finance Canada)
- Species at Risk Act, 2004
- Manganese-based Fuel Additives Act, 1997
- Antarctic Environmental Protection Act, 2003
- Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Virtual Elimination Act, 2008
- Canada Wildlife Act, 1985
- Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994
- Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act, 1992
- National Wildlife Week Act, 1985
- Canada Water Act, 1985
- International River Improvements Act,1985
- Lake of the Woods Control Board Act, 1921
- Canada Emission Reduction Incentives Agency Act, 2005
- Weather Modification Information Act, 1985
- Canadian Environmental Week Act, 1985
- Environmental Enforcement Act, 2010
- Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties Act, 2009
- Federal Sustainable Development Act, 2008
- National Strategy for Safe and Environmentally Sound Disposal of Lamps Containing Mercury Act, 2017
- Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act, 1985
- Bridge to Strengthen Trade Act, 2012
- Canada Foundation for Sustainable Development Technology Act, 2001
- Canada Oil and Gas Operations Act, 1985
- Canada-Newfoundland Atlantic Accord Implementation Act, 1987
- Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act, 1988
- Energy Supplies Emergency Act, 1985
- Income Tax Act, 1985
- Marine Liability Act, 2001
- Nunavut Planning and Project Assessment Act, 2013
- Resources and Technical Surveys Act, 1985
- Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act, 2003
Year of incorporation: 1971
Departmental contact information
Mailing address:
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Public Inquiries Centre
Place Vincent Massey Building
351 Saint-Joseph Boulevard
Gatineau QC K1A 0H3
Telephone: 1-800-668-6767
TTY:
Fax:
Email: enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca
Website(s): https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change.html
Supplementary information tables
The following supplementary information tables are available on ECCC’s website:
- Details on transfer payment programs
- Gender-based analysis plus
- Response to parliamentary committees and external audits
- Horizontal initiatives
- Up-front multi-year funding
Federal tax expenditures
The tax system can be used to achieve public policy objectives through the application of special measures such as low tax rates, exemptions, deductions, deferrals and credits. The Department of Finance Canada publishes cost estimates and projections for these measures each year in the Report on Federal Tax Expenditures. This report also provides detailed background information on tax expenditures, including descriptions, objectives, historical information and references to related federal spending programs as well as evaluations and GBA Plus of tax expenditures.
Definitions
List of terms
appropriation (crédit)
Any authority of Parliament to pay money out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
budgetary expenditures (dépenses budgétaires)
Operating and capital expenditures; transfer payments to other levels of government, organizations or individuals; and payments to Crown corporations.
core responsibility (responsabilité essentielle)
An enduring function or role performed by a department. The intentions of the Department with respect to a core responsibility are reflected in one or more related departmental results that the Department seeks to contribute to or influence.
Departmental Plan (plan ministériel)
A report on the plans and expected performance of an appropriated department over a 3year period. Departmental Plans are usually tabled in Parliament each spring
departmental priority (priorité)
A plan or project that a department has chosen to focus and report on during the planning period. Priorities represent the things that are most important or what must be done first to support the achievement of the desired departmental results.
departmental result (résultat ministériel)
A consequence or outcome that a department seeks to achieve. A departmental result is often outside departments’ immediate control, but it should be influenced by program-level outcomes.
departmental result indicator (indicateur de résultat ministériel)
A quantitative measure of progress on a departmental result.
departmental results framework (cadre ministériel des résultats)
A framework that consists of the Department’s core responsibilities, departmental results and departmental result indicators.
Departmental Results Report (rapport sur les résultats ministériels)
A report on a department’s actual accomplishments against the plans, priorities and expected results set out in the corresponding Departmental Plan.
Full‑time equivalent (équivalent temps plein)
A measure of the extent to which an employee represents a full person-year charge against a departmental budget. For a particular position, the full-time equivalent figure is the ratio of number of hours the person actually works divided by the standard number of hours set out in the person’s collective agreement.
gender-based analysis plus (GBA Plus) (Analyse comparative entre les sexes plus [ACS Plus])
An analytical tool used to assess support the development of responsive and inclusive how different groups of women, men and gender-diverse people experience policies, programs and policies, programs, and other initiatives. GBA Plus is a process for understanding who is impacted by the issue or opportunity being addressed by the initiative; identifying how the initiative could be tailored to meet diverse needs of the people most impacted; and anticipating and mitigating any barriers to accessing or benefitting from the initiative. GBA Plus is an intersectional analysis that goes beyond biological (sex) and socio-cultural (gender) differences to consider other factors, such as age, disability, education, ethnicity, economic status, geography (including rurality), language, race, religion, and sexual orientation.
government-wide priorities (priorités pangouvernementales)
For the purpose of the 2022–23 Departmental Results Report, government-wide priorities are the high-level themes outlining the government’s agenda in the November 23, 2021, Speech from the Throne: building a healthier today and tomorrow; growing a more resilient economy; bolder climate action; fighter harder for safer communities; standing up for diversity and inclusion; moving faster on the path to reconciliation; and fighting for a secure, just and equitable world.
horizontal initiative (initiative horizontale)
An initiative in which two or more federal organizations are given funding to pursue a shared outcome, often linked to a government priority.
Indigenous business (entreprise autochtones)
For the purpose of the Directive on the Management of Procurement Appendix E: Mandatory Procedures for Contracts Awarded to Indigenous Businesses and the Government of Canada’s commitment that a mandatory minimum target of 5% of the total value of contracts is awarded to Indigenous businesses, a department that meets the definition and requirements as defined by the Indigenous Business Directory.
non‑budgetary expenditures (dépenses non budgétaires)
Net outlays and receipts related to loans, investments and advances, which change the composition of the financial assets of the Government of Canada.
performance (rendement)
What an organization did with its resources to achieve its results, how well those results compare to what the organization intended to achieve, and how well lessons learned have been identified.
performance indicator (indicateur de rendement)
A qualitative or quantitative means of measuring an output or outcome, with the intention of gauging the performance of an department, program, policy or initiative respecting expected results.
plan (plan)
The articulation of strategic choices, which provides information on how an organization intends to achieve its priorities and associated results. Generally, a plan will explain the logic behind the strategies chosen and tend to focus on actions that lead to the expected result.
planned spending (dépenses prévues)
For Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports, planned spending refers to those amounts presented in the Main Estimates.
A department is expected to be aware of the authorities that it has sought and received. The determination of planned spending is a departmental responsibility, and departments must be able to defend the expenditure and accrual numbers presented in their Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports.
program (programme)
Individual or groups of services, activities or combinations thereof that are managed together within a department and that focus on a specific set of outputs, outcomes or service levels.
program inventory (répertoire des programmes)
An inventory of a department’s programs that describes how resources are organized to carry out the Department’s core responsibilities and achieve its planned results.
result (résultat)
An external consequence attributed, in part, to an organization, policy, program or initiative. Results are not within the control of a single organization, policy, program or initiative; instead, they are within the area of the organization’s influence.
statutory expenditures (dépenses législatives)
Expenditures that Parliament has approved through legislation other than appropriation acts. The legislation sets out the purpose of the expenditures and the terms and conditions under which they may be made.
target (cible)
A measurable performance or success level that an organization, program or initiative plans to achieve within a specified time period. Targets can be either quantitative or qualitative.
voted expenditures (dépenses votées)
Expenditures that Parliament approves annually through an Appropriation Act. The vote wording becomes the governing conditions under which these expenditures may be made.
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