2021-2022 Departmental Results Report: Details on transfer payment programs - Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

Transfer payment programs with total planned spending of $5 million or more

Contributions to support the participation of the public and Indigenous groups in impact assessment and policy dialogue and the development of Indigenous knowledge and capacity associated with impact assessments and related activities — Participant Funding Program, Policy Dialogue Program and Indigenous Capacity Program
Start date	2018
End date	Ongoing
Type of transfer payment	Contribution
Type of appropriation	Appropriated annually through the Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions	2019–20
Link to departmental result	Indigenous groups, the public and stakeholders have opportunities to meaningfully participate in assessments
Link to the department’s Program Inventory	Assessment Administration, Conduct and Monitoring Indigenous Relations and Engagement
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program	PUBLIC Participant Funding Program: provides limited financial contributions to individuals, incorporated not-for-profit organizations, and Indigenous groups to help prepare for and participate in key stages of impact assessments undertaken by the Agency or review panels. Policy Dialogue Program: supports the provision of external advice and participation in developing policies, methodologies, tools, and practices related to impact assessments, regional assessments, and strategic assessments. INDIGENOUS Indigenous Capacity Support Program: supports the development of local and regional Indigenous knowledge and capacity to participate in, or undertake, project impact assessments, regional assessments, policy engagement, impact assessment monitoring and follow-up activities, and Impact Assessment Act (IAA) related activities effectively.
Results achieved	The Participant Funding Program created 134 contribution agreements^Footnote1 to support the participation of the public, Indigenous peoples, and stakeholders in assessments. Of the 134 contribution agreements, 13 unique recipients received $58,324 in contributions to support their participation in impact assessment processes. This program also disbursed a total of $80,582 in contributions to 12 unique recipients to support their participation in regional assessment processes. The Policy Dialogue Program disbursed $2,774,790 in contribution funds to 129 unique recipients to support public and Indigenous participation in policy and guidance development. Participants provided feedback on Agency policies and guidance, engaged in collaborative work on policy issues, and provided support for the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) on Science and Knowledge and the Indigenous Advisory Committee (IAC). Through the program, the Agency had an expressions of interest process that focused on knowledge and tools to support the implementation of the IAA, under which several projects were selected for multi-year funding. In 2021–22, TAC held six meetings during which the committee examined several critical topics, including pre-planning, Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines, biodiversity, adaptive management, and follow-up. IAC held four meetings, where it examined a number of critical topics, including Indigenous knowledge and science, Assessment of Impacts to Rights, as well as Indigenous collaboration and participation. Information on TAC and IAC, including summaries of their meetings, can be found on the Agency’s Advisory Groups webpage. The Indigenous Capacity Support Program created 52 contribution agreements^Footnote2 worth $10,041,916 to 49 unique recipients to increase the recipients’ ability to participate and collaborate meaningfully in consultation activities related to impact assessments. Activities included the development of governance structures, generic tools and studies, in-house training, and general awareness of the impact assessment process for community members. Funding also supported a national conference wherein recipients shared tools, knowledge, and best practices in impact assessments.
Findings of audits completed in 2021–22	No audit was completed in 2021–22.
Findings of evaluations completed in 2021–22	No evaluation was conducted in 2021–22.
Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2021–22	PUBLIC Participant Funding Program: public notices related to financial support for participation were posted in various news outlets and on the Agency’s website. News releases were also provided to media outlets in regions relevant to proposed designated projects. These public notices and news releases provided the following information: a brief description of the proposed project; the purpose of the participant funding; the phase or phases of the environmental or impact assessment for which funding is available; the deadline to submit applications; the process to obtain application forms; and how to learn more about the Participant Funding Program. Policy Dialogue Program: For some initiatives under this Program, stakeholders are identified based on expertise and the policy issues at hand. The Agency contacted stakeholders, using targeted means, about available funding opportunities. For other initiatives, the Agency advertises funding availability on the Canada.ca website and application forms that are available to eligible applicants. INDIGENOUS Participant Funding Program: Throughout a project’s life, the Agency maintained regular contact with Indigenous communities through consultations, community visits, correspondence, and telephone calls. Indigenous communities potentially affected by a project were contacted and notified of opportunities to participate in consultation activities. Communities that believed they may potentially be affected by a project were also invited to contact the Agency. Consultation work plans were prepared jointly with potentially affected communities, and feedback was solicited at key points in the process. For example, during the Planning phase of an assessment, the Agency solicited feedback on the Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines and draft Indigenous Engagement and Partnership Plans. Later in the assessment process, it solicited input on the draft Environmental or Impact Assessment Report and potential conditions. Feedback was also solicited for assessments by review panels on joint review panel agreements (when applicable), terms of reference, information provided by the proponent, during public hearings, the conclusions of panel reports, and potential conditions. Indigenous communities that the Agency did not identify as potentially affected by a project could find information on the availability of participant funding on the Agency’s website.

Transfer payment programs with total planned spending of less than $5 million

Contributions to support the participation of the public and Indigenous groups in environmental assessment and policy dialogue, and the development of Indigenous knowledge and capacity related to environmental assessments and related activities — Participant Funding Component, Policy Dialogue Component, and Indigenous Capacity Component
Start date	1990
End date	2022–23
Type of transfer payment	Contribution
Type of appropriation	Appropriated annually through the Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions	2018
Link to departmental result	Indigenous groups, the public and stakeholders have opportunities to meaningfully participate in assessments
Link to the department’s Program Inventory	Assessment Administration, Conduct and Monitoring Indigenous Relations and Engagement
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program	The program provides financial contributions for recipients to participate in an environmental assessment by a review panel or by the Agency.
Results achieved	The Participant Funding Program disbursed $1,831,409 in contributions to support the participation of the public, Indigenous peoples and other stakeholders in environmental assessment processes. The program facilitated public participation in environmental assessments for 60 unique recipients out of 134 contribution agreements.^Footnote3
Findings of audits completed in 2021-22	No audit was completed in 2021–22.
Findings of evaluations completed in 2021-22	No evaluation was conducted in 2021–22.
Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2021-22	PUBLIC Participant Funding Program: The public was notified about funding availability through public notices posted in various news outlets and on the Agency’s website. News releases were provided to media in regions relevant to proposed designated projects. These public notices and news releases provide the following information: a brief description of the proposed project; the purpose of the participant funding; the phase or phases of the environmental assessment for which funding is available; the deadline to submit applications; the process to obtain application forms; and how to learn more about the Participant Funding Program. INDIGENOUS Participant Funding Program: Throughout a project’s life, the Agency maintained regular contact with Indigenous communities through consultations, community visits, correspondence, and telephone calls. Indigenous communities potentially affected by a project were contacted and notified of opportunities to participate in consultation activities. Communities that believed they may potentially be affected by a project were also invited to contact the Agency. Consultation work plans were prepared jointly with potentially affected communities, and feedback was solicited at key points in the process, such as during the environmental assessment phase. Feedback was also solicited for review panels for panel agreements and terms of reference, assessments during public hearings, panel reports, and potential conditions. Indigenous communities that the Agency did not identify as potentially affected by a project could find information about the availability of participant funding on the Agency’s website. Policy Dialogue Program and Indigenous Capacity Support Program: The Agency maintained regular contact with Indigenous communities and organizations, both formally (e.g., letters and meetings) and informally (e.g., telephone calls and emails) for policy collaboration, capacity building, and partnership. Through targeted and general call-outs, Indigenous communities and organizations were notified of opportunities to participate in policy collaboration, capacity building, and partnerships. Feedback was solicited on key policy issues, such as Indigenous knowledge, collaboration and partnership, and capacity support.

Contribution to the Province of Quebec – *James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement*
Start date	1978
End date	2022-2023
Type of transfer payment	Contribution
Type of appropriation	Appropriated annually through the Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions	This agreement was renewed and signed between Canada and Quebec in March 2002. It outlines the terms and conditions for the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement (originally enacted in 1975), which establishes obligations for funding.
Link to departmental result	Science, evidence and Indigenous knowledge is available to inform decisions in the public interest
Link to the department’s Program Inventory	Indigenous Relations and Engagement
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program	Maintain and provide funding for the secretariats supporting the James Bay Advisory Committee on the Environment and the Kativik Environmental Advisory Committee.
Results achieved	Disbursed $345,500 to the Province of Quebec ─ James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement.
Findings of audits completed in 2021-22	No audit was completed in 2021–22.
Findings of evaluations completed in 2021-22	No evaluation was conducted in 2021–22.
Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2021-22	Not applicable

Grants to support the participation of the public and Indigenous groups in impact assessment and impact assessment-related research
Start date	2019–20
End date	Ongoing
Type of transfer payment	Grant
Type of appropriation	Appropriated annually through the Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions	2019–20
Link to departmental results	Science, evidence and Indigenous knowledge is available to inform decisions in the public interest Indigenous groups, the public and stakeholders have opportunities to meaningfully participate in assessments
Link to the department’s Program Inventory	Assessment Administration, Conduct and Monitoring Indigenous Relations and Engagement
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program	Better informed decision-making through the active participation of the public and Indigenous groups with knowledge or expertise relevant to project impact assessments. Provides grants for recipients to participate in regional assessments or an assessment conducted by a review panel or by the Agency. Promotes and disseminates new and innovative research that furthers the practice of impact assessment, including regional/strategic assessments.
Results achieved	The Participant Funding Program created 282 grant agreements^Footnote4 worth $1,652,171 to support the participation of Indigenous groups, not-for-profit organizations and individuals in assessment processes: $1,237,171 was disbursed to 132 unique recipients for their participation in 22 project assessment-related activities; and $415,000 was disbursed to 40 unique recipients to facilitate their participation in regional assessment-related activities for two different projects. The Research Program disbursed $230,603 in grants to four recipients to support research on topics including: methods for assessing project impacts under the IAA; Office of the Chief Science Advisor tools testing; and advancements in socio-ecological systems in impact assessments.
Findings of audits completed in 2021-22	No audit was completed in 2021–22.
Findings of evaluations completed in 2021-22	No evaluation was conducted in 2021–22.
Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2021-22	Grants under the Research Program: The Agency’s current Research Program, comprised of grant and operations and maintenance (O&M) funding, was established to support implementation of the Impact Assessment Act. In 2021–22, $230,603 in grants was provided to four recipients. Grants were provided to recipients from Canadian academic institutions to enable research and associated deliverables on topics including: methods for assessing project impacts under the Impact Assessment Act; testing and validation of tools to assist with the review of scientific information in impact assessments; and the Network on Expertise and Dialogue for Impact Assessment (NEDIA), a network led by academics that aims to better integrate the social sciences and humanities in the field of impact assessment. Grant funding was also provided to the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) to support Research Program objectives. The funding transferred to NSERC supported university-based researchers at the post-graduate and/or post-doctoral levels undertaking research in the physical sciences related to the field of impact assessment. Grants under the Participant Funding Program: Participant Funding Program grants were provided to recipients for such initiatives as supporting early engagement and post-decision phase activities with the Agency for assessments, and providing feedback on key scoping documents for projects and regional assessments. Grants for Indigenous groups: Indigenous communities potentially affected by a project were contacted and notified of opportunities to participate in consultation and engagement activities for the Pre-planning and Planning phases of impact assessments and for the Planning phase of regional assessments. Communities that believed they may be potentially affected by a project were invited to contact the Agency. Consultation work plans were prepared jointly with potentially affected communities, and feedback was solicited at key points in the process. Grants for the public: Grants were provided to public groups or individuals participating in Planning phase activities of impact assessments and early engagement activities for regional assessments. The public was notified of opportunities to participate in such activities by the Agency. The public is also notified about funding availability through public notices posted in various news outlets and on the Agency’s website.

Financial information (dollars)

Type of transfer payment	2019–20 Actual spending	2020–21 Actual spending	2021–22 Planned spending	2021–22 Total authorities available for use	2021–22 Actual spending (authorities used)	Variance (2021–22 actual minus 2021–22 planned)
Total grants	1,262,784	2,206,017	4,000,000	3,850,000	1,882,774	- 2,117,226
Total contributions	6,125,647	16,232,360	18,172,274	18,172,274	15,132,521	- 3,039,753
Total other types of transfer payments	0	0	0	0	0	0
Total program	7,388,431	18,438,377	22,172,274	22,022,274	17,015,295	- 5,156,979
Explanation of variances	The level of demand to fund participation in impact and environmental assessments depends on the number of major projects under assessment and the timing of requests for reimbursement of expenditures claimed by participants. Participants may be approved for funding in a given fiscal year, but may not be reimbursed until the subsequent fiscal year depending on the pace at which an impact or environmental assessment proceeds. To address this, the Agency will: evaluate its risk management strategies; implement a structured and integrated strategic and business annual planning exercise; streamline internal reallocation and approval processes; leverage in-year funding flexibility; and explore the use of technology and innovative practices to deliver funding programs. In addition, a portion of this variance can be attributed to disruptions in the consultation function of the Agency’s transfer payment program due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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Date modified:: 2022-12-02