2018-2019 Departmental Plan: Departmental Plan

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

© Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 2018.

This publication may be reproduced for personal or internal use without permission, provided the source is fully acknowledged. However, multiple copy reproduction of this publication in whole or in part for purposes of redistribution requires the prior written permission from the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H3, or info@ceaa-acee.gc.ca.

Catalogue No.: En104-15E-PDF

ISSN: 2371-6355

This document has been issued in French under the title: Agence canadienne d’évaluation environnementale: Plan ministériel 2018-2019.

Alternative formats may be requested by contacting: info@ceaa-acee.gc.ca.

Table of contents

Minister’s message

The Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister Responsible for the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

I am pleased to provide you with the 2018–19 Departmental Plan for the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency).

This plan informs Canadians and members of Parliament about what we do, and about the results we want to achieve in the coming year.

In 2018–19, the Agency will continue to support the Government of Canada’s commitment to protect the environment and grow the economy.

A clean environment and a strong economy go hand in hand. The Government of Canada is bringing forward better rules for the review of major projects, and tabled new legislation in Parliament on February 8, 2018. This milestone was informed by over 14 months of public, stakeholder and Indigenous consultations, Expert Panel reports, and Parliamentary studies.

The changes proposed in the legislation would:

  • Create a single agency to lead all federal reviews of major projects;
  • Take into consideration all of a project’s impacts to foster sustainability in addition to environmental factors;
  • Provide more transparency and certainty that decisions will be based on robust science, evidence and Indigenous traditional knowledge;
  • Provide more and earlier opportunities for meaningful participation by Indigenous peoples and the Canadian public;
  • Provide more Indigenous leadership opportunities and partnership in project review;
  • Allow more coordination with provinces and territories to support one project one assessment and avoid duplication; and
  • Provide more predictable and consistent timelines.

Our government firmly believes that the environment and economy go together. The better rules would restore confidence that good projects can move forward in a responsible, timely and transparent way. They would respect Indigenous peoples and protect the environment, and they would create jobs and strengthen the economy.

Until the proposed legislative and program changes come into effect, existing laws and processes, including the Interim Approach and Principles announced in January 2016, continue to apply to major projects undergoing an environmental assessment.

In 2018–19, we will achieve our goals in a spirit of cooperation. We are committed to ensuring that Canadians have an impact assessment system that is trusted, respects Indigenous rights, and provides a healthy environment for future generations.

I invite Canadians and my colleagues to read this plan and learn more about the Agency’s priorities and objectives for 2018–19, and how it plans to achieve them.

___________________________________________________
The Honourable Catherine McKenna, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Environment and Climate Change
and Minister Responsible for the Canadian
Environmental Assessment Agency

Institutional Head’s message

Ron Hallman, President, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

I am pleased to submit this Departmental Plan, outlining how the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) plans to meet its key objectives in the 2018–19 reporting period.

This year again, our team of highly qualified employees is committed to delivering evidence-based environmental assessments (EAs) that protect the environment, foster economic growth, and serve the public interest. The Agency will support the Minister of Environment and Climate Change in carrying out her responsibilities by conducting EAs for major projects that are based on science and include feedback and expertise received from the public, Indigenous groups, and stakeholders. Consultation is at the core of what we do, and we will continue to align our work to government priorities, while promoting transparency in how we engage with Canadians.

In the 2017–18 fiscal year, the Agency actively supported the Minister in leading a national review of federal EA processes. In June 2017, the government released a Discussion paper that outlined a series of changes it was considering to strengthen Canada’s environmental assessment and regulatory processes. After the release of the document, the public had the opportunity to provide feedback which helped the government to inform its decision making as it was considering what policy, program and legislative changes to make to improve environmental assessment and regulatory systems. In 2018–19, the Agency will continue to support the Minister, as the government continues to advance the proposed legislation regarding the future of environmental assessment. In order for the Agency to be prepared for the potential passing of the bill into law, regulatory and policy work, including public consultations, have begun. A transition team is in place at the Agency to ensure the identification and implementation of activities required to support the implementation of proposed new legislation.

In addition to supporting the Minister during the parliamentary process as the proposed Bill is considered, the Agency will continue its important day-to-day work in environmental assessments. Our team will fulfill our mandate of conducting high-quality environmental assessments that contribute to informed decision-making and support sustainable development. In doing so, we will continue to consider feedback and expertise received from the public, Indigenous groups and stakeholders.

I encourage you to read this report for more details on the Agency’s priorities in the coming year.

___________________________________________________
Ron Hallman
President
Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency

Plans at a glance

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (the Agency) is a federal body reporting to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change. The Agency provides high-quality environmental assessments (EAs) that inform government decision making, in support of sustainable development. The Agency is the responsible authority for most federal environmental assessments.

Environmental assessments identify opportunities to eliminate, reduce or control a project’s potential environmental effects before the project is undertaken, and to ensure that appropriate mitigation measures are applied if a project is allowed to proceed. Environmental assessment is a planning tool and a decision-making tool that has been established to minimize or avoid adverse environmental effects before they occur and incorporate environmental factors into decision making.

In 2018–19, the Agency will concentrate on the following key priorities:

  • Deliver high-quality environmental assessments of major projects;
  • Build effective relationships with Indigenous peoples;
  • Engage Canadians, including the public, Indigenous peoples and stakeholders, in the environmental assessment of major projects;
  • Support the Minister in the legislative process for Bill C-69 and in enacting related regulatory and policy changes as required; and
  • Strengthen internal capacity to deliver effective and timely professional support in the delivery of the Agency’s key priorities.

This report outlines planned results and supporting activities to meet the Agency’s Core Responsibility and supporting Internal Services.

Core Responsibility: Environmental Assessment

The Agency conducts high-quality environmental assessments in a timely and predictable manner in accordance with the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012). The 2018–19 Departmental Plan details how the Agency will deliver on the following results:

  • Science, evidence and fact-based environmental assessments resulting in mitigation measures that minimize significant adverse environmental effects;
  • Environmental assessment that considers input from Indigenous groups, the public and stakeholders; and
  • Environmental Assessment Decision Statements that are complied with.

To achieve these results, the Agency will continue to emphasize openness and transparency and meaningful participation by all parties with an interest in the environmental assessment process. In particular, the Agency will continue to build more effective relationships with Indigenous peoples to support the goals of high-quality environmental assessments and reconciliation. The Agency will continue to work with provincial and territorial representatives to harmonize environmental assessment processes where ever possible, in support of the objective of one project, one assessment.

In delivering high-quality environmental assessments and building effective relationships with Indigenous peoples, the Agency will continue to apply a whole-of-government approach to consultation with Indigenous groups potentially affected by projects. The Agency will also continue to engage with Indigenous peoples on key policy issues relevant to environmental assessment processes.

In 2016–17, the Agency secured amendments to its contribution funding terms and conditions. As a result, the Agency is now positioned to expand existing support mechanisms for Indigenous peoples' participation, not only in the environmental assessment process, but also for activities such as policy dialogue. Further amendments to the Contribution funding terms and conditions are contemplated. This, along with a flexible approach to consultation, will enhance opportunities for Indigenous participation in environmental assessment.

Following commitments made in the Minister’s mandate letter Endnote i, the Speech from the Throne Endnote ii and Budget 2016 Endnote iii, a comprehensive review of environmental and regulatory processes was completed. The government is currently moving forward with changes to environmental and regulatory processes through proposed legislation in Bill C-69 Endnote iv. The Agency will support the Minister through the development and implementation of legislative, regulatory or policy changes proposed by the government.

The Agency carries out Gender Based Analysis plus (GBA+) on any project that requires a Governor-in-Council decision as to whether the significant adverse environmental effects are justified in the circumstances. GBA+ analysis allows for a better understanding of the impact of projects on communities and different groups of individuals. It is an important tool in fulfilling the government’s commitment to gender equality and to ensure inclusive outcomes for Canadians.

Delivery of the Agency’s priorities and intended results and compliance with the Government of Canada policy framework requires the provision of internal services in a cost-effective and timely manner. The Agency’s Internal Services focus in 2018–19 will be to improve workplace well-being and undertake an infrastructure initiative to increase the depth and breadth of information available on the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry Internet site. The Agency will leverage innovative practices in terms of processes, technology, and governance.

Conclusion

The Agency’s work will continue to support the Minister in delivering on her mandate letter commitments to protect the environment, introduce new, fair processes and help get resources to market to restore public trust in the environmental assessment process.

As the government moves forward with proposed changes to environmental and regulatory processes, the Agency is well-positioned to continue to support the Minister in delivering on legislative, regulatory or policy changes, while continuing to undertake high-quality environmental assessments.

For more information on the Agency’s plans, priorities and planned results, see the “Planned results” section of this report.

Planned results: what we want to achieve this year and beyond

Core Responsibilities

Environmental Assessment

Description

The Agency provides high-quality assessments of environmental effects to support government decision making. Environmental assessments ensure that adverse environmental effects are considered in a precautionary manner to maintain a healthy environment and to promote sustainable development.

Planning highlights

In 2016, the government launched a comprehensive review of environmental and regulatory processes, including a review of federal environmental assessment processes. In 2017, the government released a Discussion Paper (Environmental and Regulatory Reviews: Discussion Paper) on the review of environmental and regulatory processes for public comment. Drawing on Expert Panel reports, parliamentary studies conducted, and the extensive public consultations over the previous 14 months, the government tabled Bill C-69 in Parliament on February 8, 2018. In 2018–19, the Agency will support the Minister in the parliamentary process and will develop the regulatory and policy changes required to support the implementation of the proposed legislation.

Until new legislation is enacted, the interim approach and principles announced in January 2016, will continue to apply to the assessment of major projects undergoing an EA. The approach and principles call for decision-making that is informed by science and traditional knowledge, the views of the public and affected communities, meaningful consultation with Indigenous peoples an assessment of a project’s direct and upstream greenhouse gas emissions.

Departmental Result: Science, evidence and fact-based environmental assessments resulting in mitigation measures that minimize significant adverse environmental effects.

In order to deliver high-quality, evidence-based EAs, and in support of the Minister’s mandate letter commitments, the Agency will:

  • Carry out EAs that are informed by the best available information and knowledge, including community and Indigenous traditional knowledge, based on validated methods and models, and which lead to proponent designs, plans and actions that incorporate the best available economically and technologically feasible mitigation measures;
  • Assess a project’s direct and upstream greenhouse gas emissions as part of an EA conducted under CEAA 2012 and factor that assessment into the project’s decision statement, as appropriate;
  • Act as the Crown Consultation Coordinator for federal EAs conducted by the Agency or by a review panel, working with federal authorities to apply a whole-of-government approach to consultation with Indigenous groups potentially affected by a project;
  • Explore opportunities to conduct regional studies in order to inform the conduct of project EAs and/or to better understand and manage cumulative environmental effects; and,
  • Effectively and efficiently implement the EA process in areas where CEAA 2012 and other impact assessment requirements established under land claims agreements coexist (e.g., James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement, Nisga'a Final Agreement, Labrador Inuit Land Claims Agreement, Tsawwassen First Nation Final Agreement, Inuvialuit Final Agreement).

In support of high-quality EA delivery, the Agency develops and promotes legislative and policy frameworks, tools and best-practices, as well as seeks opportunities for cooperation and coordinated action between the federal government and other jurisdictions. In 2018–19, the Agency will:

  • Initiate the development of operational policies, procedures, service standards, and guidance to support the implementation of the legislative changes proposed in Bill C-69;
  • Deliver research and advice that supports the shift towards impact assessment, including the proposed expanded scope of effects and factors to consider in an impact assessment;
  • Engage with international partners on capacity-building, enhance international cooperation and engage with other federal departments in developing and negotiating EA provisions in international agreements;
  • Work with other jurisdictions to identify the most efficient and effective means of supporting the objective of “one project, one review”; and,
  • Lead interdepartmental committees to facilitate the exchange of information and best practices, develop and implement strategies to improve consistency and timeliness in federal EAs and for projects on federal lands and outside of Canada, and to help transition to the new impact assessment process as proposed in Bill C-69.

Departmental Result: Environmental assessment that considers input from Indigenous Peoples, the public and stakeholders.

In support of open and transparent government and meaningful participation by all parties with an interest in the EA process, the Agency will:

  • Enhance opportunities for the public, stakeholders and Indigenous peoples to participate in the environmental assessment process in meaningful ways in every stage of the environmental assessment process;
  • Facilitate public and Indigenous involvement in project environmental assessment through the delivery of the Funding Program and explore opportunities for expanding the program in order to better support participation, including Indigenous peoples' participation, in both the environmental assessment process and activities such as policy dialogue and research initiatives;
  • Provide information and training to those engaged in the environmental assessment process, including practitioners, stakeholders, Indigenous peoples, and the public; and,
  • Explore options for increasing the depth and breadth of information available through the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry internet site in support of the vision for a single access portal to environmental assessment and regulatory information about major projects subject to an environmental assessment.

The Agency seeks to build effective relationships with Indigenous peoples in support of high-quality environmental assessment and advance the Government of Canada commitment to support reconciliation with Indigenous peoples. In addition to the above-mentioned activities, the Agency will:

  • Enhance opportunities for Indigenous peoples to participate in the environmental assessment process in meaningful ways and tailor activities to support Indigenous participation to specific projects as appropriate;
  • Provide opportunities for greater collaboration with Indigenous peoples on regulatory and policy development;
  • Provide advice to Indigenous Services Canada and Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada for the negotiation of environmental assessment provisions in agreements with Indigenous peoples; and,
  • Support the President in his role as the Federal Administrator under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement and the Northeastern Quebec Agreement.

Departmental Result: Environmental Assessment Decision Statements are complied with.

The Agency is responsible for the administration of CEAA 2012 including promoting, monitoring and facilitating compliance with CEAA 2012 for the projects for which it is the responsible authority and conducting enforcement activities where appropriate.

Through the Minister's decision statements for projects that are allowed to proceed, the environmental assessment process leads to the issuance of clear, measurable, and enforceable conditions to project proponents, based on mitigation measures and follow-up requirements identified to mitigate adverse environmental effects. Strong decision statements, combined with compliance promotion, compliance verification and enforcement activities in relation to CEAA 2012 and its regulations, leads to the strengthening of environmental protection and ultimately a clean environment.

As part of its approach to compliance with, and enforcement of CEAA 2012, its regulations and the decision statements issued by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, the Agency will:

  • Develop potential conditions that may be established in the decision statement for each project that is allowed to proceed;
  • Provide proponents, Indigenous groups, stakeholders and the general public with an opportunity to comment on potential conditions, and integrate comments received to the extent possible prior to submission of recommended conditions to the Minister for potential incorporation in the decision statement;
  • Promote compliance by offering education and training opportunities, doing outreach, providing information, and consulting and engaging stakeholders and proponents whose designated projects are subject to CEAA 2012;
  • Verify compliance through on-site and off-site inspections and ensure that investigations are conducted where required;
  • Undertake enforcement activities in cases of non-compliance so that corrective actions are taken to avoid adverse environmental effects; and,
  • Expand access to documents related to compliance verification and enforcement activities through the Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry internet site by posting inspection summaries and information submitted by a proponent as required in a decision statement (e.g. implementation schedules, annual reports and plans).
Planned results
Departmental Results Departmental Result Indicators Target Date to achieve target 2014 –15 Actual results 2015 –16 Actual results 2016 –17 Actual results

Science, evidence and fact based environmental assessments resulting in mitigation measures that minimize significant adverse environmental effects

Percentage of projects in which mitigation measures have proven to be effective

90 %

2018 -19

Not available

Not available

Not available

Environmental assessments that consider input from Indigenous peoples, the public and stakeholders

Percentage of environmental assessments in which Indigenous peoples have participated

90 %

2018 -19

Not

available

Not

available

Not

available

Environmental assessments that consider input from Indigenous peoples, the public and stakeholders

Percentage of environmental assessments in which the public and stakeholders have participated

90 %

2018 -19

Not

available

Not

available

Not

available

Environmental Assessment Decision Statements are complied with

Percentage of projects that are in compliance with environmental decision statement conditions

90 %

2018 -19

Not

available

Not

available

Not

available

Note: Indicator results are not available for past years as these indicators are new and developed as part of the Departmental Results Framework.

Budgetary financial resources (dollars)
2018 –19 Main Estimates 2018 –19 Planned spending 2019 –20 Planned spending 2020 –21 Planned spending Footnote 1

27,760,167

27,760,167

27,603,967

14,406,699

Human resources (full-time equivalents)
2018 –19 Planned full-time equivalents 2019 –20 Planned full-time equivalents 2020 –21 Planned full-time equivalents Footnote 2

222

221

115

Financial, human resources and performance information for the Agency’s Program Inventory is available in the GC InfoBase. Endnote v

Internal Services

Description

Internal Services are those groups of related activities and resources that the federal government considers to be services in support of programs and/or required to meet corporate obligations of an organization. Internal Services refers to the activities and resources of the 10 distinct service categories that support Program delivery in the organization, regardless of the Internal Services delivery model in a department. The 10 service categories are: Management and Oversight Services; Communications Services; Legal Services; Human Resources Management Services; Financial Management Services; Information Management Services; Information Technology Services; Real Property Services; Materiel Services; and Acquisition Services.

Budgetary financial resources (dollars)
2018 –19 Main Estimates 2018 –19 Planned spending 2019 –20 Planned spending 2020 –21 Planned spending Footnote 3

5,869,608

5,869,608

5,836,581

3,046,151

Human resources (full-time equivalents)
2018 –19 Planned full-time equivalents 2019 –20 Planned full-time equivalents 2020 –21 Planned full-time equivalents Footnote 4

39

39

20

Planning highlights

Internal Services will deliver effective and timely professional support to the Agency. In particular, it will work to:

  • Foster a healthy, respectful, diverse and inclusive workplace;
  • Build and sustain the desired workforce to deliver high-quality assessments;
  • Ensure the stewardship of financial resources;
  • Monitor and implement measures to stabilize the administration of pay services for Agency employees; and,
  • Ensure that clear and timely communications are available online and in person, with a focus on plain language digital communications.

Furthermore, in support of the Government of Canada transparency and openness agenda, Internal Services provides information management, access to information and technology expertise, to advance the Agency’s vision for an enhanced and interactive public access portal for environmental assessments and regulatory information.

The Agency is committed to ensure transparency in the conduct of its operations and currently maintains an extensive public registry of Environmental Assessment Projects Endnote vi. In 2018–19, the Agency will develop an initiative aimed at increasing the depth and breadth of information available on the registry to include additional regulatory and environmental assessment information coming from the Agency and its partners. Internal Services will assess approaches and technologies to develop a single access point, user experience focussed, online portal for environmental assessment and related regulatory information.

Spending and human resources

Planned spending

Departmental spending trend graph

Departmental spending trend graph

Budgetary planning summary for Core Responsibilities and Internal Services (dollars)
Core Responsibilities and Internal Services 2015 –16 Expenditures 2016 –17 Expenditures 2017 –18 Forecast spending 2018 –19 Main Estimates 2018 –19 Planned spending 2019 –20 Planned spending 2020 –21 Planned spending Footnote 5

Environmental Assessment

23,047,754

32,218,373

28,659,997

27,760,167

27,760,167

27,603,967

14,406,699

Subtotal

23,047,754

32,218,373

28,659,997

27,760,167

27,760,167

27,603,967

14,406,699

Internal Services

6,168,548

6,469,627

5,433,237

5,869,608

5,869,608

5,836,581

3,046,151

Total

29,216,302

38,688,000

34,093,234

33,629,775

33,629,775

33,440,548

17,452,850

The planned spending figures for the Core Responsibility: Environmental Assessment listed in the table above do not include cost-recoverable expenditures. The Agency has the authority to recover up to $8.0 million in costs annually, which is netted against the voted authority.

The Agency’s planned spending for 2018–19 is $33.6 million however changes to planned spending may occur as a result of the next phases of the review of environmental assessment processes. The decrease in expenditures in 2017–18 from 2016–17 is primarily due to the completion of many of the external activities related to the review of environmental assessment processes initiative. The decrease in planned spending in 2020–21 is due to the sunsetting of funding for the Major Projects Management Office Initiative and Aboriginal Consultation which are scheduled to end March 31st, 2020. These sunsetting programs are subject to government budget decisions and have been renewed in the past. Funding decisions will be reflected in the Agency's future budget and estimates documents.

The level of demand to fund public participation in EAs depends on the number of major projects under assessment and on the timing of requests for reimbursement of expenditures by participants. Participants may be approved for funding in a given fiscal year but may not ultimately be reimbursed for the funding until a subsequent fiscal year depending on the pace at which an EA proceeds. Such circumstances may result in a lapse of funds and the establishment of a liability in a subsequent fiscal year. As of March 31, 2017, the Agency's total potential liability related to the Participant Funding Program amounts to $12.1 million.

Planned human resources

Human resources planning summary for Core Responsibilities and Internal Services (full-time equivalents)
Core Responsibilities and Internal Services 2015 –16 Actual 2016 –17 Actual 2017 –18 Forecast 2018 –19 Planned 2019 –20 Planned 2020 –21 Planned Footnote 6

Environmental Assessment

166

223

223

222

221

115

Subtotal

166

223

223

222

221

115

Internal Services

70

42

39

39

39

20

Total

236

265

262

261

260

135

A full-time equivalent is a measure of the extent to which an employee represents a full person year charge against a departmental budget. Full time equivalents are calculated as a ratio of assigned hours of work to scheduled hours of work. Scheduled hours of work are set out in collective agreements.

The decrease in internal service full-time equivalents from 2015–16 to 2016–17 is mainly due to the attribution of direct internal service costs to program delivery (core responsibility). The Agency’s staffing level remains relatively stable in future years. The decrease in 2020–21 is a result of sunsetting funds as noted above. The Agency plans to use 261 FTEs in 2018–19.

Estimates by vote

For information on the Agency’s organizational appropriations, consult the 2018 –19 Main Estimates . Endnote vii

Future-Oriented Condensed Statement of Operations

The Future-Oriented Condensed Statement of Operations provides a general overview of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency’s operations. The forecast of financial information on expenses and revenues is prepared on an accrual accounting basis to strengthen accountability and to improve transparency and financial management.

Because the Future-Oriented Condensed Statement of Operations is prepared on an accrual accounting basis, and the forecast and planned spending amounts presented in other sections of the Departmental Plan are prepared on an expenditure basis, amounts may differ.

A more detailed Future-Oriented Statement of Operations and associated notes, including a reconciliation of the net cost of operations to the requested authorities, are available on the Agency’s website. Endnote viii

Future-Oriented Condensed Statement of Operations for the year ended March 31, 2019 (dollars)
Financial information 2017 –18 Forecast results 2018 –19 Planned results Difference (2018–19 Planned results minus 2017–18 Forecast results)

Total expenses

44,614,022

40,466,132

(4,147,890)

Total revenues

1,626,934

2,000,000

373,066

Net cost of operations before government funding and transfers

42,987,088

38,466,132

(4,520,956)

Total Agency operational expenses are currently expected to decrease by $4.1 million, or 9.3 percent based on the Agency’s current authorities and do not reflect future funding decisions related to the next steps in the review of environmental assessments processes. The $2.0 million in planned revenues is the result of forecasted cost-recoverable panel reviews.

Supplementary information

Corporate information

Organizational profile

Appropriate minister: The Honourable Catherine McKenna, P.C., M.P., Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Institutional head: Ron Hallman, President

Ministerial portfolio: Environment

Enabling instrument(s): Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 Endnote ix

Year of incorporation / commencement: 1994

Other: The Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 is supported by three regulations: the Regulations Designating Physical Activities, the Prescribed Information for the Description of a Designated Project Regulations, and the Cost Recovery Regulations. The Agency supports its President who is also the Federal Administrator under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement and the Northeastern Quebec Agreement.

Raison d’être, mandate and role

“Raison d’être, mandate and role: who we are and what we do” is available on the Agency’s website. Endnote x

Operating context and key risks

Information on operating context and key risks is available on the Agency’s website. Endnote xi

Reporting framework

The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency’s Departmental Results Framework and Program Inventory of record for 2018–19 are shown below:

Core Responsibility

Environmental Assessment

Description

The Agency provides high-quality assessments of environmental effects to support government decision making. Environmental assessments ensure that adverse environmental effects are considered in a precautionary manner to maintain a healthy environment and to promote sustainable development.

Results and Indicators
  1. Result: Science, evidence and fact based environmental assessments resulting in mitigation measures that minimize significant adverse environmental effects.
    Indicator: Percentage of projects in which mitigation measures have proven to be effective.
  2. Result: Environmental assessment that considers input from Indigenous peoples, the public and stakeholders.
    Indicator: Percentage of environmental assessments in which Indigenous peoples have participated.
    Indicator: Percentage of environmental assessments in which the public and stakeholders have participated.
  3. Result: Environmental Assessment Decision Statements are complied with.
    Indicator: Percentage of projects that are in compliance with environmental decision statement conditions.
Program Inventory

Environmental Assessment Policy Development

Environmental Assessment Delivery

Concordance between the Departmental Results Framework and the Program Inventory, 2018–19, and the Program Alignment Architecture, 2017–18
2018 –19 Core Responsibilities and Program Inventory 2017 –18 Lowest-level program of the Program Alignment Architecture Percentage of lowest-level Program Alignment Architecture program (dollars) corresponding to the program in the Program Inventory

Core Responsibility 1: Environmental Assessment

Environmental Assessment

Policy Development Program

Environmental Assessment

Policy Program

100 %

Environmental Assessment

Delivery Program

Environmental Assessment

Delivery Program

100 %

Supporting information on the Program Inventory

Supporting information on planned expenditures, human resources, and results related to the Agency’s Program Inventory is available in the GC InfoBase. Endnote xii

Supplementary information tables

The following supplementary information tables are available on the Agency’s website. Endnote xiii

  • Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy
  • Disclosure of transfer payment programs under $5 million
  • Gender-based analysis plus
  • Planned evaluation coverage over the next five fiscal years
  • Upcoming internal audits for the coming fiscal year

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. Endnote xiv This report also provides detailed background information on tax expenditures, including descriptions, objectives, historical information and references to related federal spending programs. The tax measures presented in this report are the responsibility of the Minister of Finance.

Organizational contact information

Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
Place Bell Canada, 160 Elgin Street, 22nd Floor
Ottawa ON K1A 0H3
Canada

Telephone: 613-957-0700

Fax: 613-957-0946

E-mail: mailto:info@ceaa-acee.gc.ca

Website: https://www.canada.ca/ceaa

Appendix: Definitions

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 appropriated departments over a three-year period. Departmental Plans are tabled in Parliament each spring.
Departmental Result (résultat ministériel)
Any change or changes that the department seeks to influence. 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 factor or variable that provides a valid and reliable means to measure or describe progress on a Departmental Result.
Departmental Results Framework (cadre ministériel des résultats)
The department’s Core Responsibilities, Departmental Results and Departmental Result Indicators.
Departmental Results Report (rapport sur les résultats ministériels)
A report on the actual accomplishments against the plans, priorities and expected results set out in the corresponding Departmental Plan.
experimentation (expérimentation)
Activities that seek to explore, test and compare the effects and impacts of policies, interventions and approaches, to inform evidence-based decision-making, by learning what works and what does not.
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. Full-time equivalents are calculated as a ratio of assigned hours of work to scheduled hours of work. Scheduled hours of work are set out in collective agreements.
gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) (analyse comparative entre les sexes plus [ACS+])
An analytical process used to help identify the potential impacts of policies, Programs and services on diverse groups of women, men and gender-diverse people. The “plus” acknowledges that GBA goes beyond sex and gender differences to consider multiple identity factors that intersect to make people who they are (such as race, ethnicity, religion, age, and mental or physical disability).
government-wide priorities (priorités pangouvernementales)
For the purpose of the 2018–19 Departmental Plan, government-wide priorities refers to those high-level themes outlining the government’s agenda in the 2015 Speech from the Throne, namely: Growth for the Middle Class; Open and Transparent Government; A Clean Environment and a Strong Economy; Diversity is Canada's Strength; and Security and Opportunity.
horizontal initiative (initiative horizontale)
An initiative in which two or more federal organizations, through an approved funding agreement, work toward achieving clearly defined shared outcomes, and which has been designated (by Cabinet, a central agency, etc.) as a horizontal initiative for managing and reporting purposes.
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 organization, program, policy or initiative respecting expected results.
performance reporting (production de rapports sur le rendement)
The process of communicating evidence-based performance information. Performance reporting supports decision making, accountability and transparency.
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.

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 up to the expected result.
priority (priorité)
A plan or project that an organization 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.
Program (programme)
Individual or groups of services, activities or combinations thereof that are managed together within the department and focus on a specific set of outputs, outcomes or service levels.
Program Alignment Architecture (architecture d’alignement des programmes) Footnote 7
A structured inventory of an organization’s programs depicting the hierarchical relationship between programs and the Strategic Outcome(s) to which they contribute.
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.
Strategic Outcome (résultat stratégique)
A long-term and enduring benefit to Canadians that is linked to the organization’s mandate, vision and core functions.
sunsetprogram (programme temporisé)
A time-limited program that does not have an ongoing funding and policy authority. When the program is set to expire, a decision must be made whether to continue the program. In the case of a renewal, the decision specifies the scope, funding level and duration.
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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