2022-2023 Departmental Results Report: Departmental Results Report - Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

Erratum:

Subsequent to the tabling in Parliament and online publication of IAAC’s 2022–23 Departmental Results Report, it was determined that the document of record contained an error. An incorrect total was identified in the “Summary of Assessments in 2022-23” table under the “Results: what we achieved” section of the originally tabled and published document. This error has been corrected.

The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

© His Majesty the King in Right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 2023.

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 Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H3, or information@iaac-aeic.gc.ca.

Catalogue No.: En104-20E-PDF
ISSN: 2563-3589

This document has been issued in French under the title: Agence d’évaluation d’impact du Canada: Rapport sur les résultats ministériels 2022-2023.

On this page

• From the Minister
• From the President
• Results at a glance
• Results: what we achieved
  • Core responsibilities
  • Internal services
• Spending and human resources
  • Spending
  • Human resources
  • Expenditures by vote
  • Government of Canada spending and activities
  • Financial statements and financial statements highlights
• Corporate information
  • Organizational profile
  • Raison d’être, mandate and role: who we are and what we do
  • Operating context
  • Reporting framework
• Supporting information on the program inventory
• Supplementary information tables
• Federal tax expenditures
• Organizational contact information
• Appendix: definitions
• Endnotes

From the Minister

As Minister responsible for the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency), it is an honour to share the Agency’s 2022–23 Departmental Results Report, which outlines the Agency’s achievements in delivering its plans, priorities, and mandate.

Fifty years ago, the Government of Canada established the Federal Environmental Assessment and Review Process that established the principles of informed decision-making and sound environmental stewardship. Today the Impact Assessment Act remains an integral part of ensuring resource development in Canada is sustainable.

Recognizing the importance that timely, predictable assessments play for our country, the Government of Canada committed $1.28 billion over six years to the Agency and partner departments to continue their great work, ensuring an effective and efficient regulatory process.

This year marked a milestone, as the Cedar Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) project decision was the first under the Impact Assessment Act. This project’s assessment delivered what Canadians expected – a thorough review of its positive and negative environmental, economic, social, and health impacts, as well as the potential impacts on Indigenous Peoples and their rights. Completed under the Canada and British Columbia Impact Assessment Cooperation Agreement, this assessment demonstrates how the Government of Canada and the provinces can and do work together to create efficiencies in the impact assessment process.

The Government of Canada also launched two regional assessments that will explore offshore wind energy in Nova Scotia and in Newfoundland and Labrador. Initiatives like this, working together with provinces, will ensure strategic clean energy projects can be evaluated more quickly and Canada can grow its clean economy – a must to help tackle one of the greatest threats to our country, climate change.

The Government of Canada is committed to a renewed nation-to-nation, government-to-government and Crown-Inuit relationship with Indigenous Peoples based on recognition of rights, respect, cooperation, and partnership. This year, the Agency published a framework on how Indigenous Knowledge will be treated in assessments with contributions from Indigenous communities and organizations across the country and concluded the James Bay Lithium Mine assessment that was jointly undertaken in partnership with the Cree Nation Government. These are only some examples of the continued efforts to build meaningful and strong partnerships with Indigenous Peoples to support Indigenous stewardship and jurisdiction and further empower Indigenous leadership in assessments.

I invite you to learn more about the Agency’s 2022–23 achievements and its contributions to a cleaner environment and sustainable future.

_____________________________________
The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, P.C., M.P. (he/him/il)
Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and
Minister responsible for the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

From the President

The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency) proudly presents our 2022–23 Departmental Results Report, which outlines the achievements we attained over the past year.

This year marks the 50^th anniversary of the Federal Environmental Assessment and Review Process, which established the principles of informed decision-making and sound environmental stewardship. This anniversary shows how far assessments have come since the early 1970s and how much more complex and extensive the Agency’s role has become to provide Canadians the high-quality impact assessments they expect.

In 2022–23, the Government of Canada positioned the Agency to provide a robust and evidence-based impact assessment regime by renewing funding for the Agency and partner departments. The Agency also supported the first assessment decision under the Impact Assessment Act (IAA) for the Cedar Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Project, paving the way for future decisions under the IAA and collaboration with provincial partners.

In partnership with British Columbia, and led by the Haisla Nation on their traditional territory, the Cedar LNG Project included conditions to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and consideration of adverse and positive impacts. This ensured that the project would be best-in-class and consistent with Canada’s overall economic transition to a low-carbon economy.

During the reporting period, Agency-led assessments continued to be timely, credible, and predictable; informed by western science, evidence, Indigenous Knowledge, and meaningful participation and engagement with Indigenous Peoples, the public, and stakeholders. Through ongoing collaboration with intergovernmental partners, the Agency was able to provide greater clarity on the environmental and regulatory process for new project proposals such as offshore renewables, critical minerals, and clean technologies as part of the Government of Canada’s ambitious Emissions Reduction Plan. The Agency also released final agreements and terms of reference for the regional assessments of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nova Scotia, which will help Canada meet its green energy commitments.

Supporting reconciliation objectives continued to be a top priority for the Agency as we addressed our statutory obligations under the IAA to consider the direct impacts of projects on Indigenous Peoples and their rights. To ensure that Indigenous perspectives contributed to robust assessments and informed decision-making, the Agency worked closely with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities on releasing the Indigenous Knowledge Policy Framework for Project Reviews and Regulatory Decisions in September 2022. The framework and accompanying communications materials were released in nine Indigenous languages.

Showing our commitment to meaningful engagement and partnership with Indigenous Peoples, the Agency integrated lessons learned on reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and created the Indigenous Relations Sector. This new sector will continue to improve the Agency’s capacity to develop meaningful partnerships with Indigenous Peoples, thereby increasing trust, respect, and collaboration for more focused and efficient impact assessment processes.

The Agency’s commitment to diversity and inclusion advanced all spheres of our work. For instance, the Agency was recognized in the Annual Report on the Operation of the Canadian Multiculturalism Act for our work on the GCT Deltaport Expansion – Berth Four Project, where public comment opportunities were advertised in non-official language media outlets. We also published the Agency’s first Accessibility Plan outlining key commitments to create an inclusive, barrier-free, and accessible workplace for people of all abilities.

Navigating through challenges and opportunities during constant change, Agency staff continued to show their dedication to making positive contributions to sustainability in the public interest, promoting reconciliation, and taking concrete actions to protect the environment.

_____________________________________
Terence Hubbard (he/him/il)
President
Impact Assessment Agency of Canada

Results at a glance

The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (the Agency) is a federal body that reports to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change. Under the Impact Assessment Act (IAA), the Agency is the lead federal organization responsible for conducting and administering environmental and impact assessments. The Agency is also the Crown coordinator for Indigenous consultations on designated projects. In leading these assessments, the Agency is responsible for assessing the positive and negative environmental, economic, social, and health effects, and applying Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus) to understand if these effects are experienced differently by diverse subgroups of people.

An assessment (environmental or impact) is a planning and decision-making tool intended to assist project design, facilitate Indigenous, public, and stakeholder participation, and ensure that appropriate measures are identified and implemented to mitigate the adverse impacts of designated projects.

In 2022–23, the Agency:

• delivered its mandate successfully by continuing to lead the implementation of the IAA through the conduct of timely, credible, and predictable assessment processes informed by western science, evidence, and Indigenous Knowledge;
• supported the first assessment decision under the IAA through its work with the Province of British Columbia on the Cedar Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Project, which pioneered best-in-class guidance for the oil and gas sector and advanced reconciliation as a First Nations-led project;
• provided governance, oversight, effective coordination, and strategic direction on assessment issues by leading interdepartmental committees on ongoing legislative, regulatory, and policy implementation activities, and alignment of resources;
• aligned objectives with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act,^Endnote i by seeking free, prior, and informed consent, conducting meaningful engagement in all phases of assessment processes, and considering Indigenous Knowledge in assessments;
• increased the capacity of Indigenous Peoples to lead in the assessments of impacts on Indigenous rights and interests and participate in consultation, policy engagement, and monitoring and follow-up activities, and supported their participation at conferences (e.g., the National Indigenous Capacity Conference and the First Nations Major Project Coalition Conference);
• collaborated with provincial, territorial, and international partners, including providing federal oversight on the implementation of the Convention on Environmental Impact Assessment in a Transboundary Context (Espoo Convention) for proposals related to the Mary River Project in Nunavut;
• secured renewed and expanded funding for the Agency and 12 partner departments over five years to support the implementation of the IAA and complete assessments started under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012);
• implemented its first Accessibility Plan, which outlines key commitments to create an inclusive, barrier-free workplace where persons of all abilities feel a sense of belonging, are well-represented, and are equipped to progress in their careers; and
• expended $72.5 million and managed 431 full-time equivalents (FTEs).

For more information on the Agency’s plans, priorities and results achieved, see the "Results: what we achieved" section of this report.

Results: what we achieved

Core responsibilities

Impact Assessment

Description

The Agency provides high-quality assessments of environmental, economic, social, health and gender effects to support government decision-making in the public interest. Assessments are evidence-based and ensure that positive and negative effects and impacts on Indigenous groups and their rights are considered in order to foster sustainability.

Results

Fifty years ago, the Government of Canada established the Federal Environmental Assessment and Review Process as a planning tool to facilitate decision-making and sound environmental management. Since then, it has evolved to be more multifaceted and complex to include the consideration of all aspects of sustainable development, including environmental, economic, social, and health effects.

Over the past year, the Agency delivered robust, evidence-based, and high quality assessment processes as part of the ongoing transition from assessments under CEAA 2012 to those under the IAA. In doing so, the Agency continued to advance several assessments of major infrastructure, resource, and energy development projects, such as lithium mines, gold mines, liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities, and water management projects.

Departmental Result: Science, evidence and Indigenous Knowledge is available to inform decisions in the public interest

In fulfilling its mandate, the Agency conducted high quality assessments of designated projects based on scientific and evidence-based information and Indigenous Knowledge in a timely and predictable manner while promoting policies and practices for federal assessments. In addition to conducting assessments, the Agency supported assessments led by independent review panels, conducted regional assessments, and established cooperative approaches with other jurisdictions.

As the table below shows, the Agency continued to conduct high quality environmental assessments for the 17 remaining projects started under CEAA 2012. Additionally, the Agency terminated 13 environmental assessments under CEAA 2012 because the proponent requested termination or did not provide the required information or studies within the legislated time limit.

Further, the Agency completed assessments, and the Minister issued Decision Statements, allowing six projects to proceed with mitigation measures. Five of these projects were under CEAA 2012—Bay du Nord, Valentine Gold Mine, James Bay Lithium Mine, Lynn Lake Gold Mine, Marathon Palladium Mine. The sixth project—Cedar LNG—was a milestone for the Agency as the first decision made under the IAA. In one instance, for the Sukunka Coal Mine Project, the Decision Statement indicated that the potential adverse environmental effects of the designated project were not justified in the circumstances, and the project was not allowed to proceed.

In 2022–23, the Agency extended the three-year legislative timelines for 13 projects under CEAA 2012 and two under the IAA. These extensions were granted in response to requests from proponents, to enable them to provide an Impact Statement that satisfies the information requirements in the Environmental Impact Statement Guidelines and the Tailored Impact Statement Guidelines (TISGs).^Endnote iii

Additionally, the Minister received 15 requests to designate a project under the IAA, which the Agency reviewed to support decision-making. However, none of the 15 requests resulted in a project being designated. Based on the Agency’s review, which was supported by evidence from the proponents and expertise of federal departments, the Minister determined that the designations of those projects were not warranted because other processes address their environmental effects within federal jurisdiction.

As well, seven new projects entered the IAA Planning phase in 2022–23, for a total of 15 projects in this phase. During this phase, the Agency consulted with federal authorities, other jurisdictions, Indigenous groups, and the public to develop project-specific summaries of issues, to which proponents must respond to develop project-specific TISGs. The Agency issued Notices of Commencement and TISGs and plans for three projects—Upper Beaver Gold, GCT Deltaport Expansion - Berth Four, and Crawford Nickel.

There were 12 projects in the Impact Statement phase over the past year, during which the proponents continued to collect the required information for the impact assessments. During this phase, the Agency supported the proponent on the requirements detailed in the TISGs and worked with federal authorities and Indigenous Peoples to satisfy the requirements of the TISGs. The Agency has yet to receive an Impact Statement for a project assessed under the IAA.

On March 15, 2023, following the substituted assessment of the Cedar LNG Project conducted by British Columbia, the Minister issued a Decision Statement indicating that the project may proceed in concurrence with the province’s decision. This project was a first of its kind, as not only was it the first project assessed under the IAA to reach the Decision-making phase, but it supported reconciliation, self-governance, and self-determination as a project led by Haisla Nation on their traditional territory.

In 2022–23, the Minister did not refer any impact assessments to an independent review panel. However, three projects that were previously referred to an independent review panel under the IAA continued to progress through the Impact Statement phase—GCT Deltaport Expansion - Berth Four, Suncor Base Mine Extension, and Gazoduq.

The Minister released the Final Agreements and Terms of Reference for two regional assessments: the Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Regional Assessment of Offshore Wind Development in Nova Scotia. Both were developed in collaboration with Natural Resources Canada and the respective provinces. The Minister also announced the appointment of the two committees that will conduct these regional assessments. At the same time, work continued on the Planning phase for both the Regional Assessment in the Ring of Fire Area, and the Regional Assessment of the St. Lawrence River Area.

Through the Federal-Provincial-Territorial Environmental Assessment Administrators Committee, the Agency collaborated with officials representing each province and territory to encourage coordination in addressing environmental and impact assessment issues. Throughout the year, the Agency chaired and provided secretariat services for the committee and organized meetings regularly, during which members shared information about best practices and updates on their jurisdictions’ assessment regimes.

In 2022–23, the Agency supported federal authorities in implementing IAA requirements for more than a thousand project assessments on federal lands and outside of Canada. In supporting federal authorities, the Agency chaired quarterly interdepartmental working group meetings, maintained a directory of federal expertise on federal lands assessments, and led training sessions for individuals with federal lands assessment responsibilities.

Over the past year, the Agency engaged with international organizations, foreign governments, and international partners to ensure that Canada meets its international obligations and responsibilities related to impact assessment. For example, the Agency:

• coordinated information sessions with Denmark, Germany, and Belgium on the Agency’s regional assessment of offshore wind development in Atlantic Canada;
• chaired two sessions, had 11 presenters, and provided funding for Indigenous Peoples at the International Association for Impact Assessment (IAIA) conference in Vancouver, British Columbia;
• facilitated a two-day policy exchange with the US Council for Environmental Quality;
• represented Canada in the Working Group on Environmental Impact Assessments and Strategic Environmental Assessments for the Espoo Convention;
• hosted, contributed financially, and had six presenters at the Secrétariat Francophone pour l’évaluation environnementale (SIFÉE) conference and workshop in Montreal, Quebec—an international, multidisciplinary francophone forum for the field of environmental assessment;
• participated in the Canada-Australia Public Policy Initiative; and
• represented Canada in its delegation to the United Nations Intergovernmental Conference on the international agreement regarding the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.

For advice on various policy issues and guidance documents related to implementing the IAA, the Agency consulted with the Indigenous Advisory Committee (IAC)^Endnote iv and the Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) on Science and Knowledge.^Endnote v The Agency also coordinated and received input from 19 partner federal organizations through the Deputy Minister Impact Assessment (DM IA) Committee. To that end, in 2022–23:

• IAC members provided advice on the Guidance on Assessing Impacts on Rights for proponents, input on Indigenous Knowledge tools, feedback on the co-administration agreements discussion paper, as well as input on various emerging policy issues at the Agency;
• the Circle of Experts, a sub-committee of the IAC, worked with the Agency on a discussion paper to inform broad engagement in 2023–24 that will shape the future regulatory proposal and policy framework for co-administration agreements. Such regulations would allow the Minister to enter into agreements with Indigenous governing bodies to exercise specific powers, duties or functions related to federal impact assessment on specified lands;
• TAC members examined topics such as Decision-making and Post-decision phases, biodiversity, Indigenous Knowledge and western science, and health impact assessments, and offered guidance on health, social and economic effects; and
• DM IA Committee members collaborated to address a variety of strategic issues and initiatives related to the efficiency and effectiveness of the impact assessment process. These included collaborative frameworks, interdepartmental and intergovernmental coordination, Indigenous consultation and accommodation, risk-based tailoring of impact assessments, management of cumulative effects, and the scientific integrity of the impact assessment process.

Additionally, the Agency continued to support the Minister’s Advisory Council on impact assessment (MINAC),^Endnote vi which discussed the implementation of the IAA and submitted its second report with advice to the Minister. MINAC’s second report was tabled in Parliament on June 8, 2023. The Agency also launched a call for applications to identify new candidates for appointment to the Council. This included a callout for two members from the general public and a specific callout to Inuit organizations and communities for a member to represent Inuit interests.

Throughout the year, the Agency conducted research and analysis on the effective implementation of the legislative framework to mobilize the development of regulatory initiatives covered in its Forward Regulatory Plan.^Endnote vii Grants were also provided to recipients from Canadian academic institutions and non-profit organizations through the Research Program^{Endnote viii} to support research on topics such as the consideration of 2SLGBTQQIA+ persons in impact assessments, health, social, and economic mitigation measures, and advancing impact assessment for Canada’s socio-ecological systems, among others.

To ensure public access to impact assessment-related information, including scientific information and Indigenous Knowledge, the Agency continued to manage and administer the Canadian Impact Assessment Registry (the Registry).^Endnote ix This increased the transparency of information received and generated throughout assessment processes. Through the Registry, the Agency also continued administering an online platform that facilitates participation in public comment periods by enabling the online submission of comments from the public, stakeholders, Indigenous Peoples, and federal authorities. The Agency posted all information received (excluding protected information), which consisted of 1867 documents and 1021 comments for assessments led by the Agency.

Additionally, in partnership with the Cree Nation Government in Quebec, the Agency considered the requirements of the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement^Endnote x and the IAA to implement assessment processes efficiently and effectively. In May 2022, the Cree Nation Government, the Minister, and the Agency signed the Agreement concerning the Troilus external federal assessment process under the James Bay and Northern Quebec Agreement and the Impact Assessment Act^Endnote xi—an agreement on the joint assessment of the Troilus Gold Mine Project. In January 2023, the Minister issued a Decision Statement for the James Bay Lithium Mine, a joint assessment pursuant the Agreement. This increased the capacity of Indigenous Peoples to engage in and lead consultations in assessments, which advances reconciliation.

Departmental Result: Indigenous groups, the public and stakeholders have opportunities to meaningfully participate in assessments

While promoting economic development serves Canada’s national interest, major infrastructure and resource development projects often occur in communities or on the traditional territories of Indigenous Peoples. As such, these projects may impact Indigenous Peoples’ rights and ability to maintain Indigenous culture, customs, and traditions. Over the past year, the Agency effectively and meaningfully consulted with Indigenous Peoples and communities, and engaged with the public and stakeholders who may be affected by a project. Considering the perspectives of Indigenous Peoples, the public, and stakeholders increased the scope of information available to inform assessments, led to better-informed assessment decisions, and ultimately improved the assessment processes.

Among its many initiatives, the Agency delivered funding programs to reduce financial barriers for, and improve relationships with, interested and potentially impacted Indigenous Peoples and members of the public. In particular, the Agency’s funding programs increase participation in virtual and in-person consultations and engagement sessions to help produce reports and inform assessments and assessment-related documents.

The Agency signed 47 new contribution agreements through the Participant Funding Program (PFP)^Endnote xii—31 for assessments under the IAA and 16 for assessments under CEAA 2012—to support the participation of Indigenous Peoples, the public, and stakeholders in assessments. The Agency also disbursed contributions to 57 unique recipients for their participation in six impact assessment processes and 15 environmental assessment processes. An additional 65 new contribution agreements were signed for regional assessments, where contributions were disbursed to 24 unique recipients for four regional assessment processes. Moreover, the PFP disbursed funding through 259 grant agreements, which supported assessment activities and participation in the Indigenous Oversight Forum leadership meetings with the Canada Energy Regulator for the NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd Project.

Through the Indigenous Capacity Support Program (ICSP),^{Endnote xiii} the Agency signed 16 new contribution agreements to support the participation of Indigenous communities and Indigenous non-profit organizations to engage in, and lead consultations on, assessments, policy engagement, and monitoring and follow-up activities. The Agency also disbursed contributions to 30 unique recipients to support their participation in consultation activities, such as the development of governance structures, in-house training, and awareness of the impact assessment process for community members. Additionally, ICSP funding supported an in-person national conference, called the "National Indigenous Capacity Support Conference," wherein recipients shared tools, knowledge, and best practices in impact assessment.

Through the Policy Dialogue Program (PDP),^Endnote xiv the Agency signed 99 new contribution agreements and disbursed contributions to 120 unique recipients to support the participation of Indigenous Peoples, the public, and stakeholders in reviewing and developing policies and guidance. PDP enabled the Agency to collaborate with Indigenous organizations via bilateral discussions with national Indigenous organizations on key policy topics, such as assessing the impacts to Indigenous rights, Indigenous Knowledge, and western science. These discussions will set the groundwork for the development of future regulations related to co-administration agreements.

Over the past year, Indigenous Peoples continued to play a meaningful role in every part of project assessments. The Agency continued its efforts towards reconciliation and strengthening its relationship with Indigenous Peoples to ensure that they benefit directly from project development, and that Indigenous rights and culture were respected and protected throughout assessment processes. Recognizing that designated projects often have disproportionate effects and compound risks for Indigenous Peoples, the Agency remained committed to creating more opportunities for meaningful participation throughout the assessment process.

The Agency’s obligation and commitment to consult with Indigenous communities is in many respects unique. It goes beyond fulfilling the legal duty to consult, by also addressing statutory obligations under the IAA to consider direct impacts on Indigenous Peoples and adverse impacts on rights. The Agency is committed to implementing the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act^Endnote xv and ensuring Indigenous perspectives, concerns, and knowledge contribute to high quality assessments and informed decision-making on major projects. To this effect, the Agency has increased capacity for this important priority through the creation of a new sector dedicated to Indigenous relations.

In 2022–23, the Agency meaningfully collaborated with Indigenous Peoples to develop policies, regulations, and guidance documents. Developed in partnership with the IAC, the Indigenous Knowledge Policy Framework for Project Reviews and Regulatory Decisions^Endnote xvi was published in September 2022. The purpose of the Framework is to support the consistent application of provisions of the IAA, Canadian Energy Regulator Act,^{Endnote xvii} and the Canadian Navigable Waters Act,^{Endnote xviii} as it relates to Indigenous Knowledge, as well as provisions of the Fisheries Act,^Endnote xix regarding fish and fish habitat protection provisions. The Framework ensures that Indigenous Knowledge is treated respectfully and appropriately in regulatory processes. It fosters open communication about how Indigenous Knowledge is considered and protected from disclosure and establishes consistent expectations for the implementation of legislative provisions. The Framework was also translated into nine Indigenous languages, demonstrating the Agency’s commitment to going beyond its legal duty to consult as part of the assessment and policy development processes.

In an effort to facilitate a regular two-way dialogue with Indigenous Peoples, the Agency communicated important project issues through a quarterly e-newsletter that included information on policy issues, workshops, training, and engagement opportunities. Through formal letters, meetings, informal telephone calls, and emails, the Agency maintained its relationship with Indigenous communities and organizations. Indigenous Peoples were notified of opportunities to participate in policy development and partnerships through targeted and general call-outs, and were invited to provide feedback on key policy issues.

The Agency actively supported Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, and Indigenous Services Canada in the negotiations of impact assessment provisions for agreements with the Crees of Eeyou Istchee (Crees of Quebec), Innu of Labrador, Le Regroupement Petapan, Whitecap Dakota First Nation, Atikamekw Nation, Mikisew Cree First Nation, and Kebaowek First Nation. Additionally, the Agency participated in negotiations with the Carrier Sekani First Nation on the Recognition of Indigenous Rights and Self-Determination and the Musqueam Self Government Agreement. Under the British Columbia Treaty Process, the Agency’s Pacific and Yukon Regional office participated in treaty negotiations with: K’ómoks First Nation, Kitselas First Nation, Kitsumkalum First Nation, Ditidaht First Nation, Pacheedaht First Nation, Te’mexw Treaty Association (Beecher Bay/Sc’ianew, Malahat, Snaw’Naw’As, Songhees, and T’Sou-ke), Klahoose First Nation, Metlakatla First Nation, Carcross/Tagish First Nation, and Teslin Tlingit Council.

The Agency’s training program delivered 11 virtual training sessions on the Advanced Impact Assessment Process to 184 participants, which were designed for proponents and federal authorities. Webinars on the IAA overview were delivered to 347 participants. The Agency also began developing a training series on Indigenous participation in assessments, which will be finalized in 2023–24.

Finally, to promote greater visibility of western science and evidence, the Agency shared information on impact assessments to support the improved understanding and assessment of cumulative effects activities available on the Open Science and Data Platform (OSDP).^Endnote xx The Agency also provided status updates on the regional assessments for the Ring of Fire Area, St. Lawrence River Area, Offshore Wind Development in Newfoundland, and Offshore Wind Development in Nova Scotia to Indigenous groups to share information proactively about development activities.

Departmental Result: Assessments result in mitigation measures that minimize the adverse effects of projects

The analysis of a project’s contribution to sustainability offers a broader understanding of the project’s positive and adverse effects. It supports informed decision-making regarding potential environmental, health, social, and economic effects for present and future communities. For a project to proceed under the IAA, the Minister issues a Decision Statement to the proponent with clear, measurable, and enforceable conditions with which the proponent must comply. These conditions include mitigation measures that minimize adverse effects, and a follow-up program to verify the accuracy of assessment predictions and the effectiveness of the mitigation measures. Under CEAA 2012, environmental assessment reports are produced to inform decision-making and identify key mitigation measures to minimize a project’s possible adverse effects. The Minister also issues a Decision Statement under CEAA 2012 with legally enforceable conditions that include mitigation measures and a follow-up program.

Over the past year, the Agency prepared draft conditions that consider public interest factors and address adverse effects within federal jurisdiction for potential inclusion into Decision Statements for seven projects that were allowed to proceed. Before finalizing the conditions, a public comment period was held during which Indigenous Peoples, the public, and stakeholders recommended conditions to be integrated into Decision Statements issued by the Minister. Of the seven projects allowed to proceed, three were substituted assessments conducted in collaboration with the Government of British Columbia, for which the province’s Environmental Assessment Office conducted the public comment period, with the remaining assessments being led by the Agency.

In 2022–23, the Agency reached a milestone with the Cedar LNG Project becoming the first assessment to reach the Decision phase under the IAA, with a public interest decision and Decision Statement. The project’s Impact Assessment Report identified key mitigation measures to minimize the project’s potential adverse effects, which were transformed into 269 legally binding conditions in the federal Minister’s Decision Statement. Among others, these conditions included being net-zero no later than 2050 by balancing the amount of greenhouse gas produced with the amount removed. This Decision Statement requires the proponent to develop and implement follow-up programs to verify the accuracy of assessment predictions, determine the effectiveness of the mitigation measures, and facilitate suitable responses to emerging issues.

To promote and enforce compliance with the IAA, accompanying regulations, and conditions in the Decision Statements issued by the Minister to proponents, the Agency conducted 17 on-site inspections and 28 off-site inspections in 2022–23. The Agency also issued two enforcement actions, such as non-compliance notices—to the proponents of the Springbank Offstream Reservoir Project, and the Site C Clean Energy Project. These notices ensured corrective actions were taken, compliance was restored, and further adverse effects were avoided.

The Agency reviewed changes proposed by proponents for ten projects, including changes in a project’s design, construction or operation plans that may result in different effects from the completed assessment. Of those ten projects, one amended Decision Statement was issued for the Milton Logistics Hub Project. All information related to compliance and enforcement, including annual reports, enforcement actions taken, and inspection summaries, are posted on the Registry or the Agency’s website.

When necessary, the Agency continued to adjust inspection activities to prioritize the health and safety of Canadians while fulfilling its responsibility to verify compliance. For instance, the Agency accommodated the various travel-related, corporate, and community COVID-19 protocols, which impacted inspection activities. Where appropriate, virtual meetings were held with proponents and stakeholders instead of in-person meetings. Moreover, while all planned on-site inspections were conducted in 2022–23, the Agency incorporated various COVID-19 community protocols, such as on-site COVID-19 testing for enforcement officers.

Gender-based analysis plus

To continue supporting the government’s priority to integrate Gender-based Analysis Plus (GBA Plus)^Endnote xxi considerations across programs and policies, the Agency developed tools and guidance to help promote inclusive participation in the assessment process. As an analytical tool to understand people of intersecting identities, GBA Plus helps assess a project’s positive and negative impacts on people of different genders, identities, and abilities. Information gathered through the application of GBA Plus can be used to develop targeted strategies to mitigate or eliminate the potential negative impacts of a project, while identifying ways to broaden the benefits to more sub-populations within a community.

For assessments continuing under CEAA 2012, GBA Plus is considered when project decisions are referred to Governor-in-Council on whether the significant adverse environmental effects of a project are justified in the given circumstances. In 2022–23, three projects required a Governor-in-Council decision. Under the IAA, GBA Plus is required in all impact assessments. The Agency established requirements in TISGs that make the application of GBA Plus mandatory for Impact Statement submissions and Impact Statement Reports.

As the first assessment decision under the IAA, Cedar LNG’s Assessment Report provides a good example of the application of GBA Plus in impact assessments. Cedar LNG’s Assessment Report considered findings from the Final Report on Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and the "Calls for Justice" in the context of how the project may adversely affect the safety and security of Indigenous women, girls, and gender-diverse people. This resulted in a condition that requires the implementation of processes to eliminate workplace violence, harassment, bullying and discrimination that:

• contains gender-specific policies and processes that promote a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for all employees, including women and gender and sexual minorities; and
• includes consideration of the Calls for Justice (13.1-13.5) addressed to the extractive and development industries.

Further, the Agency provided funding to Oxfam Canada to prepare a community and activist guide to intersectional gender-based analysis and impact assessments, titled "Inspiring Change."^{Endnote xxii} While Indigenous Peoples and the public are invited to provide their feedback at all phases of an assessment process, barriers to participation for marginalized groups must be considered. Additionally, resource development projects impact people of diverse identities differently. Consequently, the report prepared by Oxfam Canada provides an overview of advocacy approaches that can be used to help ensure the voices of diverse community members are heard.

United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals

The Agency’s activities under its core responsibility support Canada’s efforts to address the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals by supporting the greening government goal. For example, the Agency contributed to sustainable consumption by transmitting electronic copies of meeting materials (e-Binders) for the interdepartmental impact assessment committees. Using e-Binders resulted in a greener government process via reduced paper consumption, eliminating the need to print records.

Innovation

The Agency used the artificial intelligence tool DeepL to improve its translation services. In 2022–23, this tool was used to enhance the efficiency of translating over 400 documents.

After piloting QR Codes to manage online information, the Agency determined that using these codes simplified messaging in public notices and improved marketing analytics. As a result of this pilot, QR Codes are used for public notice advertisements in print and digital media for public comment periods whenever possible.

To examine environmental assessment documents, NVivo was used for qualitative data analysis and to perform custom query searches, identify text trends, and develop word clouds. Along with the Assessment Management System, the Agency used NVivo to accelerate the processing of information to produce reports and import data into other information management systems.

Key risks

Results achieved

The following table shows, for Impact Assessment, the results achieved, the performance indicators, the targets and the target dates for 2022–23, and the actual results for the three most recent fiscal years for which actual results are available.

Financial, human resources and performance information for the Agency’s program inventory is available in GC InfoBase.^{Endnote xxiii}

Budgetary financial resources (dollars)

The following table shows, for Impact Assessment, budgetary spending for 2022–23, as well as actual spending for that year.

Financial, human resources and performance information for the Agency’s program inventory is available in GC InfoBase.^{Endnote xxiv}

Human resources (full-time equivalents)

The following table shows, in full-time equivalents, the human resources the department needed to fulfill this core responsibility for 2022–23.

Financial, human resources and performance information for the Agency’s program inventory is available in GC InfoBase.^Endnote xxv

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:

• acquisition management services
• communication services
• financial management services
• human resources management services
• information management services
• information technology services
• legal services
• material management services
• management and oversight services
• real property management services

Internal Services offer corporate support to strengthen the Agency’s capacity to implement the IAA, contribute to its core responsibility, and deliver its commitments in a cost-effective and timely manner. The Agency understands that investing in employee career growth and development increases engagement and results in higher quality work. Over the past year, staff were encouraged to participate in interdepartmental and corporate initiatives focused on mentoring and managerial training, such as the Mentorship Plus^{Endnote xxvi} and the Mosaic Leadership Development^{Endnote xxvii} programs. Additionally, to support the professional development of managers and executives, the Agency introduced an internal professional coaching program where executives could receive certification as a Certified Professional Coach or Energy Leadership Index Master Practitioner and offer their services internally to other executives and managers.

In 2022–23, the Agency made great strides in advancing its diversity, inclusion, anti-racism, and accessibility priorities, completing 70% of actions in its extensive three-year Diversity and Inclusion Plan developed in 2021–22. Some accomplishments include:

• strengthening safe spaces for employees of equity-deserving groups by increasing available groups;
• influencing the Agency’s culture through the Diversity and Inclusion Committee and employee-driven initiatives;
• reviewing the Agency’s Staffing policies through a diversity and inclusion lens to remove barriers and align them with changes to the Public Service Employment Act^{Endnote xxviii};
• publishing and implementing the Agency’s first Accessibility Plan and the Accessibility Passport, a platform for employees to discuss challenges and ensure appropriate accommodation;
• developing and workshopping a tool based on GBA Plus considerations, which helps staff identify issues related to identity factors and consider different lived experiences when making decisions, creating initiatives, or reviewing programs and policies; and

• incorporating diversity and inclusion learning objectives into the Agency’s training priorities for all employees.

To foster a safe and healthy workforce, with the help of its Joint Mental Health Committee, the Agency implemented its 2020–22 Mental Health Strategy and began developing its next iteration in 2022–23. The Agency continued to create a culture in which employees felt empowered to speak up on mental health and wellness issues, and deliver several corporate programs to support their overall mental health and wellness.

Further, the Agency completed a review of its physical office spaces to ensure that accommodations in the workplace were appropriate. This helped the Agency retrofit its workspace with ergonomic chairs, sit-stand desks, and other computer accessories to prevent possible physical injury. To ensure alignment with the government’s new hybrid directive for the federal public service and that employees are safe and appropriately equipped in their telework office and the workplace, the Agency also developed a Guide for Equipping Employees in a Hybrid Workplace. The Agency shared and communicated this guide with all Agency employees across Canada.

In 2022–23, the Agency developed and implemented communications strategies, including high quality communications products for seven Ministerial decisions. In the past year, the Agency issued 12 news releases and 38 public notices, made 96 postings to the Registry, and made over 1360 postings on social media. Additionally, the Agency developed an Indigenous Language Directive to advance strategic communications plans and support translation to Indigenous languages.

Through the Registry, the Agency continued to facilitate meaningful engagement with Indigenous Peoples, the public, and stakeholders by developing mechanisms that support plain language communication and improve user experience. For instance, the Agency integrated historical assessment information into the Registry and the OSDP, explored user subscription and update tools, and completed a usability study of the Registry and the Agency’s website to identify potential barriers to accessibility and improve user experience.

New features and changes were also added to the Registry in 2022–23, including:

• a function that enables users to browse active assessments and federal lands assessments;
• access to scientific and geospatial data where users can download files submitted by proponents with detailed project descriptions or Impact Statements;
• a comment editing feature for Registry staff to redact information when required; and
• updates to address performance and stability.

Additionally, the Government of Canada positioned the Agency to provide a robust and evidence-based impact assessment regime by renewing its funding and that of 12 partner departments and agencies until at least 2027–28. As a result of the new funding, the Agency began expanding the organization and the scope of program and policy areas. The Agency also began using innovative talent sourcing strategies to attract and recruit employees and invest in their professional development.

Over the past year, the Agency, in collaboration with partner departments and agencies, effectively completed the Horizontal Evaluation of the Impact Assessment and Regulatory Processes Horizontal Initiative.^{Endnote xxix} The horizontal evaluation of the initiative revealed that the initiative is being implemented effectively, and the intended results and impacts of the horizontal initiative are expected to be achieved through the continued implementation of the IAA.

Contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses

The Agency is a Phase 1 department and as such must ensure that a minimum 5% of the total value of the contracts it awards to Indigenous businesses by the end of 2022–23. In its 2023–24 Departmental Plan, the department forecasted that, by the end of 2022–23, it would award 4% of the total value of its contracts to Indigenous businesses.

As shown in the following table, the Agency awarded 12.8% of the total value of its contracts to Indigenous businesses in 2022–23.

To ensure the Agency’s continued success in meeting or exceeding the 5% target, it conducted outreach activities in 2022–23, including:

• meeting with Indigenous businesses to discuss potential opportunities and the Agency’s business requirements and needs;
• providing briefings to enable Indigenous businesses to better respond to future requirements and increase their chances of success;
• participating in regular meetings with Indigenous Services Canada, the federal coordinating body responsible for training and advising on Indigenous procurement;
• looking for opportunities that enable Indigenous suppliers to participate in smaller-scale procurement requirements for software, computer suppliers, and other hardware; and
• meeting with client departments at the procurement strategy phase to promote collaboration with Indigenous businesses, including, where possible, using the voluntary set-aside^Footnote 1 opportunities.

Budgetary financial resources (dollars)

The following table shows, for internal services, budgetary spending for 2022–23, as well as spending for that year.

Human resources (full-time equivalents)

The following table shows, in full-time equivalents, the human resources the department needed to carry out its internal services for 2022–23.

Spending and human resources

Spending

Spending 2020–21 to 2025–26

The following graph presents planned (voted and statutory spending) over time.

Departmental spending trend graph - Text version

This stacked bar chart presents the planned (voted and statutory) spending for each of the six fiscal years from 2020–21 to 2025–26. In 2020–21, the Agency's planned statutory spending was $6.241 million and the planned voted spending was $70.642 million for a total planned spending of $76.883 million. In 2021–22, the Agency's planned statutory spending was $6.154 million and the planned voted spending was $65.847 million for a total planned spending of $72.001 million. In 2022–23, the Agency's planned statutory spending was $6.150 million and the planned voted spending was $66.355 million for a total planned spending of $72.505 million. In 2023–24, the Agency's planned statutory spending is $7.572 million and the planned voted spending is $91.771 million for a total planned spending of $99.343 million. In 2024–25, the Agency's planned statutory spending is $8.174 million and the planned voted spending is $96.711 million for a total planned spending of $104.884 million. In 2025–26, the Agency's planned statutory spending was $5.794 million and the planned voted spending is $74.654 million for a total planned spending of $80.449 million.

Definitions for Voted expenditures and Statutory Expenditures are available in Appendix: Definition.

The 2022 Fall Economic Statement^{Endnote xxxii} announced renewed and new funding for the Agency. This funding will enable full implementation of the objectives of the new impact assessment process, and improve efficiency to respond to a growing number of proposed major projects. The Agency’s expenditures have remained relatively stable over the past few years but are anticipated to increase due to the forecasted growing number of impact assessments.

Budgetary performance summary for core responsibilities and internal services (dollars)

The "Budgetary performance summary for core responsibilities and internal services" table presents the budgetary financial resources allocated for the Agency’s core responsibilities and for internal services.

Human resources

The "Human resources summary for core responsibilities and internal services" table presents the full-time equivalents (FTEs) allocated to each of the Agency’s core responsibilities and to internal services.

Expenditures by vote

For information on the Agency’s organizational voted and statutory expenditures, consult the Public Accounts of Canada.^{Endnote xxxiii}

Government of Canada spending and activities

Information on the alignment of the Agency’s spending with Government of Canada’s spending and activities is available in GC InfoBase.^{Endnote xxxiv}

Financial statements and financial statements highlights

Financial statements

The Agency’s financial statements (unaudited) for the year ended March 31, 2023, are available on the Agency’s website^{Endnote xxxv}.

Financial statement highlights

Condensed Statement of Operations (unaudited) for the year ended March 31, 2023 (dollars)

The 2022–23 planned results information is provided in the Agency’s Future-Oriented Statement of Operations and Notes 2022–23.^{Endnote xxxvi}

Condensed Statement of Financial Position (unaudited) as of March 31, 2022 (dollars)

The 2022–23 planned results information is provided in the Agency’s Future-Oriented Statement of Operations and Notes 2022–23.^{Endnote xxxvii}

Corporate information

Organizational profile

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

Institutional head: Terence Hubbard, President

Ministerial portfolio: Environment

Enabling instruments: Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012^{Endnote xxxviii} and the Impact Assessment Act^{Endnote xxxix}

Year of incorporation / commencement: 1994

Other: The Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 (CEAA 2012) was 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 Impact Assessment Act is supported by four regulations and a Ministerial order: the Physical Activities Regulations, the Information and Management of Time Limits Regulations, the Cost Recovery Regulations (continued from CEAA 2012), the Regulations Respecting Excluded Physical Activities (Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Exploratory Wells), and the Designated Classes of Projects Order. 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: who we are and what we do

"Raison d’être, mandate and role: who we are and what we do" is available on the Agency’s website.^Endnote xl

For more information on the department’s organizational mandate letter commitments, see the Minister’s mandate letter.^Endnote xli

Operating context

Information on the operating context is available on the Agency’s website.^{Endnote xlii}

Reporting framework

The Agency’s departmental results framework and program inventory of record for 2022–23 are shown below.

Reporting framework - Text version

These block list diagrams represent visually the Departmental Results Framework, in one, and the Program Inventory of record for 2022–23 in another. The Departmental Results Framework is tied to the Agency's Core Responsibility: Impact Assessment. There are three departmental results supporting the core responsibility each of which are measured with at least one indicator. The first Departmental Result is Science, evidence and Indigenous Knowledge is available to inform decisions in the public interest. The indicator measuring it is the Percentage of assessment reports provided to decision-makers that include a science-based assessment of the project, and a summary of public comments and how Indigenous Knowledge and perspectives were considered. The second Departmental Result is Indigenous groups, the public and stakeholders have opportunities to meaningfully participate in assessments. There are two indicators measuring this Departmental Result. The first indicator is the Percentage of Indigenous groups participating in assessment-related engagement/consultation activities that indicate IAAC's engagement was meaningful. The second indicator is the Percentage of public and stakeholder participants in assessment-related engagement/consultation activities that indicate IAAC's engagement was meaningful. The last Departmental Result is Assessments result in mitigation measures that minimize the adverse effects of projects. Its indicator is the Percentage of projects for which reporting indicates that mitigation measures set out in the decision statement effectively address adverse effects of the project. The Core Responsibility and all three departmental results are supported by the Agency's Internal Services.

The Program Inventory of record for 2022–23 is made of two programs: Assessment Administration, Conduct and Monitoring and Indigenous Relations and Engagement.

The definitions for Core Responsibility, Departmental Result, Departmental Result Indicator, Departmental Result Framework, program, and program inventory are all available in Appendix: Definition.

Supporting information on the program inventory

Financial, human resources and performance information for the Agency’s program inventory is available in GC InfoBase.^{Endnote xliii}

Supplementary information tables

The following supplementary information tables are available on the Agency’s website^{Endnote xliv}:

• Reporting on Green Procurement
• Details on transfer payment programs
• Gender-based analysis plus
• Horizontal initiatives
• Response to Parliamentary Committees

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 xlv 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.

Organizational contact information

Mailing address:
Impact Assessment Agency of Canada
Place Bell Canada, 160 Elgin Street, 22nd Floor
Ottawa ON K1A 0H3 Canada

Telephone: 613-957-0700

TTY: 1-866-582-1884

Fax: 613-957-0862

Email: information@iaac-aeic.gc.ca

Website: www.canada.ca/en/impact-assessment-agency.html^{Endnote xlvi}

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 an appropriated department over a 3-year 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 connects the department's core responsibilities to its 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 support the development of responsive and inclusive policies, programs and other initiatives; and understand how factors such as sex, race, national and ethnic origin, Indigenous origin or identity, age, sexual orientation, socio-economic conditions, geography, culture and disability, impact experiences and outcomes, and can affect access to and experience of government programs.

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 where two or more federal organizations are given funding to pursue a shared outcome, often linked to a government priority.

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.

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 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 the department and focus on a specific set of outputs, outcomes or service levels.

program inventory (répertoire des programmes)

Identifies all the department's programs and describes how resources are organized to contribute to the department's core responsibilities and results.

result (résultat)

A 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.

Indigenous business (enterprise 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, an organization that meets the definition and requirements as defined by the Indigenous Business Directory.

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.

Endnotes

Footnotes