Evaluation of Water Resource Management and Use program: chapter 8


5. Conclusions

Relevance

EC’s WRMU program is highly relevant and addresses ongoing needs for the management of watersheds across inter-jurisdictional boundaries. It is consistent with federal roles and responsibilities and supports federal priorities and commitments outlined in various domestic and international agreements, including obligations to administer the IRIA.

Performance - Achievement of Outcomes

The evaluation found that the WRMU program has been effective in achieving or making progress toward its intended direct and intermediate outcomes related to meeting legal obligations and commitments, ensuring water resource decision-makers have the information they need to make decisions, and supporting collaboration, cooperation and shared decision making.

Appropriate progress has also been made towards the long-term outcomes of conserving and effectively managing Canada’s water resources to protect ecosystems, protect the health and property of citizens, and support economic activities.

Performance - Efficiency and Economy

Resources for the program are generally perceived to be adequate. Challenges were nonetheless identified in filling vacancies for western boards and the ability to respond to requests from the IJC or domestic water boards for special studies and analyses. While current agreements with the various boards provide adequate protection in terms of the potential for decisions to be made at the board level to impact operational budgets, there are, nevertheless, considerable demands on resources related to special studies and analyses.

Evidence suggests that activities at the individual board level are being conducted in an efficient manner and that roles and responsibilities are clearly understood by those involved in delivery of the program. It is felt, however, that EC’s involvement in this program, including EC roles and obligations, is not particularly well understood by senior management or outside of the program. The governance and management of the program are unclear, as delivery of the program is very dispersed and there is no forum that coordinates all of EC’s work in this area.

While some degree of annual performance reporting occurs at the board level, as well as for key activities associated with administration of the IRIA and the IJC MOU, no overall performance measurement strategy for the WRMU program exists to provide an integrated picture of the Department’s performance in the program.

 

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