Ottawa, 17 October 2013—The 2013 Fall Report of the Interim Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, Neil Maxwell, will be tabled in the House of Commons on Tuesday, 5 November 2013.
7:00 a.m.–9:45 a.m. (ET)
Office of the Auditor General of Canada, 240 Sparks Street, Ottawa
(for journalists accredited by the Canadian Parliamentary Press Gallery only).
When you arrive, please go to the OAG’s desk on the main floor and someone from the OAG will greet you. Please bring a photo ID.
Journalists must respect the media embargo until the report is tabled in the House of Commons shortly after 10:00 a.m. However, journalists will be allowed to leave the media lock-up at 9:45 a.m. Internet access will be available for filing stories once the report has been tabled.
11:00 a.m.–11:45 a.m. (ET)
National Press Theater, 150 Wellington Street, Ottawa
To book an interview, please call 613-952-0213 extension 6292.
The 2013 Fall Report of the Interim Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development contains the following chapters:
Chapter 1—Backgrounder on Biological Diversity. The backgrounder provides information on the nature and importance of biological diversity. It is included to complement information presented in the other chapters in this report. It is not an audit report and should not be considered an assessment of current government practices or their impacts.
Chapter 2—Meeting the Goals of the International Convention on Biological Diversity. The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity is an international treaty that seeks to ensure that humanity conserves biodiversity, uses it sustainably, and shares the benefits equitably. The audit examined whether Environment Canada has fulfilled selected responsibilities as Canada’s National Focal Point for the Convention, and whether the Department has developed and applied models for the economic valuation of biodiversity and ecosystem goods and services.
Chapter 3—Conservation of Migratory Birds. Environment Canada is the lead federal agency responsible for the conservation and protection of 555 migratory bird species. The audit examined whether the Department has fulfilled its responsibilities regarding conservation plans and activities for these species, including bird population monitoring and assessing results.
Chapter 4—Protected Areas for Wildlife. Environment Canada manages a network of 54 national wildlife areas and 92 migratory bird sanctuaries designated for the protection of wildlife and species at risk and their habitat. The audit examined how the Department has fulfilled selected responsibilities related to these protected areas, with a focus on management plans and monitoring activities.
Chapter 5—Funding Programs for Species at Risk. The audit examined whether Environment Canada has assessed the results of five funding programs that directly or indirectly support the protection and recovery of species at risk.
Chapter 6—Recovery Planning for Species at Risk. Under the Species at Risk Act, Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Parks Canada are responsible for preparing recovery strategies, action plans, and management plans for the species at risk that each organization is mandated to protect. The audit examined whether recovery strategies and plans required by 31 March 2013 were completed.
Chapter 7—Ecological Integrity in National Parks. The Parks Canada Agency is responsible for protecting ecological integrity in national parks and managing parks for the benefit, education, and enjoyment of current and future generations of Canadians. The audit examined whether the Agency has fulfilled its key responsibilities to maintain or restore ecological integrity in national parks.
Chapter 8—Federal and Departmental Sustainable Development Strategies. This chapter presents the results of three separate reviews we conducted of
- the draft Federal Sustainable Development Strategy 2013–16. The results of our review were previously released in June 2013 and are included in the Fall 2013 report for reference;
- the government’s 2012 Progress Report of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy for 2010–13; and
- the implementation of selected commitments from the sustainable development strategies of six federal organizations.
Chapter 9—Environmental Petitions. This chapter is the annual report on petitions as required by section 23 of the Auditor General Act. It informs Parliament and Canadians about the number, nature, and status of environmental petitions and the government’s responses received between 1 July 2012 and 30 June 2013. The chapter also highlights the relevance of petitions to other work of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development.
The 2013 Fall Report of the Interim Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, along with news releases for each chapter, will be available on the Office of the Auditor General of Canada Website immediately following tabling.
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