Federal contaminated sites policy framework

Between 2000 and 2002, the Treasury Board of Canada approved a policy framework for the management of federal contaminated sites. The framework was a collection of policies and best practices to guide custodians in the management of federal contaminated sites and was accompanied by the public release of the Federal Contaminated Sites Inventory (FCSI).

Currently, policy direction for the management of federal contaminated sites is contained in the Treasury Board Policy on the Management of Real Property, in effect since November 2006. The objective of the policy is to ensure that federal real property is managed in a sustainable and financially responsible manner throughout its life cycle to support the cost-effective and efficient delivery of government programs. The policy outlines a number of requirements related to environmental considerations in the management of federal real property, including the management of federal contaminated sites.

The accounting for remediation liabilities related to contaminated sites is driven by the accounting policies of the Government of Canada, which are based on the accounting standards set by the Public Sector Accounting Board and by the Policy on Management of Real Property and its associated directives, standards, guides and relevant legislation.

Other Related Treasury Board Policies and Guidance:

• Treasury Board Reporting Standard on Real Property
• Guide to the Management of Real Property
• Treasury Board Directive on Contingencies
• Remediation Liabilities Related to Contaminated Sites

Key federal legislation:

• Canadian Environmental Protection Act
• Fisheries Act
• Canadian Environmental Assessment Act
• Species at Risk Act
• Migratory Birds Convention Act
• Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act