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Supplementary Information Tables 2020-2021

Table of contents

Reporting on Green Procurement

This supplementary information table supports reporting on green procurement activities in accordance with the Policy on Green Procurement.i

1. Context

Although Polar Knowledge Canada is not bound by the Federal Sustainable Development Actii and is not required to develop a full Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy, Polar Knowledge Canada adheres to the principles of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy by complying with the Policy on Green Procurement.iii

The Policy on Green Procurement supports the Government of Canada’s effort to promote environmental stewardship. In keeping with the objectives of the policy, Polar Knowledge Canada supports sustainable development by integrating environmental performance considerations into the procurement decision making process through the actions described in the 2019 to 2022 FSDS “Greening Government” goal.

2. Commitments

Greening Government: The Government of Canada will transition to low-carbon, climate-resilient, and green operations

FSDS target(s) FSDS contributing action(s) Corresponding departmental action(s) Starting point(s)
Performance indicator(s)
Target(s)		 Results achieved Contribution by each departmental result to the FSDS goal and target
Actions supporting the Greening Government goal and the Policy on Green Procurement POLAR will use environmental criteria to reduce the environmental impact and ensure best value in government procurement decisions
  • Leverage common use procurement instruments available through Public Services and Procurement Canada that include environmental considerations.
  • Integrate environmental considerations into procurement management processes and controls.

Starting point: Not applicable

Targets (by March 31, 2021) and performance indicators:

  • Common use procurement instruments are leveraged, where available and feasible.
  • All POLAR contracting templates are reviewed.

Results: In 2020-21, common use procurement instruments which include environmental considerations were leveraged, where available and feasible.

In 2020-21, all POLAR contracting templates were reviewed.

 Green procurement incorporates environmental considerations into purchasing decisions and motives suppliers to green their goods, services and supply chain.
Support for green procurement will be strengthened, including guidance, tools and training for public service employees
  • Ensure that decisions makers, and material management and procurement specialists have the necessary training and awareness to support green procurement.

Starting point: Not applicable

Targets (by March 31, 2021) and performance indicators:

  • 100% of designated specialists in procurement and materiel management have completed training on green procurement.
 Results: In 2020-21, 100% of designated specialists have completed training on green procurement. Green procurement incorporates environmental considerations into purchasing decisions and motives suppliers to green their goods, services and supply chain.

3. Report on integrating sustainable development

During the 2020–21 reporting cycle, Polar Knowledge Canada had no proposals that required a strategic environmental assessment and no public statements were produced.

Details on transfer payment programs

Transfer Payments to Support the Advancement of Northern Science and Technology

Start date June 2015
End date Ongoing
Type of transfer payment Grants and Contribution
Type of appropriation Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions 2015-16
Link to departmental result(s)

POLAR’s Transfer Payment Program supports all four of the Agency’s departmental results:

  • Canada’s polar science and technology research is publicly available and being applied
  • Canada’s Arctic science includes Indigenous and local knowledge
  • Canada fosters domestic and international knowledge exchange and partnerships in polar science and technology
  • The next generation of Canadian polar researchers is developed
Link to the department’s Program Inventory Science and Technology
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program The purpose of this transfer payment program is to provide an integrated suite of grants and contributions that support Canadian Arctic science and technology for POLAR. The contribution programs support project proposals that will help address specific aspects of POLAR’s mandate, while the grant programs support student researchers, recognize significant achievement and coordinate northern scientific university-related activities. The provision of support to the advancement of northern science and technology is essential to deliver on POLAR’s mandated themes and the objective of Article 23 of the Nunavut Land Claims Agreement “to increase Inuit participation in government employment in the Nunavut Settlement Area to a representative level. It is recognized that the achievement of this objective will require initiatives by Inuit and by Government.” To this end, POLAR regularly uses Multi-Stakeholder Review Committees to engage Indigenous peoples/groups and northerners on the review of funding proposals.
Results achieved

In 2020-21 POLAR provided transfer payments totalling $3,826,293 in support of the expected results under this transfer payment program.

Through this funding, POLAR supported Indigenous organizations, students and academia, and northern communities and governments. Projects focused on ecosystem and wildlife research and science capacity building through contributions; and education and training opportunities with grants and scholarships.

POLAR’s transfer payment programs complement POLAR’s own research and science-based activities to further key objectives and support meeting results targets. These projects were instrumental in POLAR achieving the following results in 2020-21:

  • 60% of research projects led by POLAR involved external partners
  • 439 citations of POLAR led and supported research
  • 94% of Arctic research projects led or supported by POLAR include indigenous or local knowledge
  • 100% of Arctic projects led or supported by POLAR involved Northerners
  • 344 knowledge exchange activities or initiatives were led or supported by POLAR
  • 48% of funding for POLAR-supported projects was leveraged investments by partners
  • 60% of research publications led or supported by POLAR are available online to the Canadian public
  • 100% of POLAR led and supported projects involve youth and early-career researchers
Findings of audits completed in 2020-21 No audits have been completed.
Findings of evaluations completed in 2020-21 As required by the Financial Administration Act and the Policy on Results, an evaluation is planned for POLAR’s transfer payment programs in 2021-22.
Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2020-21 POLAR solicits proposals from potential applicants through open calls for proposals posted on POLAR’s website, as well as targeted calls for proposals. As part of its response to pandemic-related disruptions to northern research, POLAR worked with funding recipients to adjust funding agreements and reporting plans accordingly. POLAR monitors recipient compliance with the terms of active funding agreements through in-depth review of financial and project progress reports that are submitted in accordance with the approved project reporting plan.

Financial information (dollars)

Type of transfer payment 2018–19 Actual spending 2019–20 Actual spending 2020–21 Planned spending 2020–21 Total authorities available for use 2020–21 Actual spending (authorities used) Variance (2020–21 actual minus 2020–21 planned)
Total grants 10,000 10,000 10,000 1,411,430 1,290,000 1,280,000
Total contributions 7,194,858 5,122,570 6,040,000 6,040,000 2,536,293 (3,503,707)
Total other types of transfer payments 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total program 7,204,858 5,132,570 6,050,00 7,451,430 3,826,293 (2,223,707)
Explanation of variances The variance is due to an internal reallocation of resources from Grants to individuals, organizations, associations, and institutions to support research and activities relating to the polar regions ($1,401,429) to Grants to support the advancement of Northern Science and Technology, and to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on the delivery of its transfer payment programs.

Transfer Payments to Support Research and Activities Relating to the Polar Regions

Start date June 2015
End date Ongoing
Type of transfer payment Grants
Type of appropriation Estimates
Fiscal year for terms and conditions 2015-16
Link to departmental result(s)

POLAR’s Transfer Payment Program supports all four of the Agency’s departmental results:

  • Canada’s polar science and technology research is publicly available and being applied;
  • Canada’s Arctic science includes Indigenous and local knowledge;
  • Canada fosters domestic and international knowledge exchange and partnerships in polar science and technology; and,
  • The next generation of Canadian polar researchers is developed.
Link to the department’s Program Inventory Knowledge Management and Engagement
Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program The program aims to strengthen awareness and understanding of Arctic and Antarctic research, increase coordination and collaboration among the polar research community, and strengthen the next generation of polar researchers and highly qualified personnel, especially northern youth.
Results achieved

In 2020-21 POLAR provided transfer payments totalling $336,571 in support of the expected results under this transfer payment program.

Through this funding, POLAR supported early career researchers, and Indigenous and Traditional Knowledge holders to undertake skills and knowledge development activities, and additional activities to support youth engagement in Arctic science.

POLAR’s transfer payment programs complement POLAR’s own knowledge mobilization, outreach and capacity-building activities to further key objectives and support meeting results targets. These projects were instrumental in POLAR achieving the following results in 2020-21:

  • 60% of research projects led by POLAR involved external partners
  • 439 citations of POLAR led and supported research
  • 94% of Arctic research projects led or supported by POLAR include indigenous or local knowledge
  • 100% of Arctic projects led or supported by POLAR involved Northerners
  • 344 knowledge exchange activities or initiatives were led or supported by POLAR
  • 48% of funding for POLAR-supported projects was leveraged investments by partners
  • 60% of research publications led or supported by POLAR are available online to the Canadian public
  • 100% of POLAR led and supported projects involve youth and early-career researchers
Findings of audits completed in 2020-21 No audits have been completed.
Findings of evaluations completed in 2020-21 As required by the Financial Administration Act and the Policy on Results, an evaluation is planned for POLAR’s transfer payment programs in 2021-22.
Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2020-21 POLAR solicits proposals from potential applicants through open calls for proposals posted on POLAR’s website, as well as targeted calls for proposals. As part of its response to pandemic-related disruptions to northern research, POLAR worked with funding recipients to adjust funding agreements and reporting plans accordingly. POLAR monitors recipient compliance with the terms of active funding agreements through in-depth review of financial and project progress reports that are submitted in accordance with the approved project reporting plan.

Financial information (dollars)

Type of transfer payment 2018–19 Actual spending 2019–20 Actual spending 2020–21 Planned spending 2020–21 Total authorities available for use 2020–21 Actual spending (authorities used) Variance (2020–21 actual minus 2020–21 planned)
Total grants 1,745,857 1,739,800 1,746,000 344,571 336,571 (1,409,429)
Total contributions 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total other types of transfer payments 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total program 1,745,857 1,739,800 1,746,000 344,571 336,571 (1,409,429)
Explanation of variances The variance is due to an internal reallocation of resources from Grants to individuals, organizations, associations and institutions to support research and activities relating to the polar regions ($1,401,429) to Grants to support the advancement of Northern Science and Technology.

Gender-based analysis plus

Section 1: Institutional GBA Plus Capacity

POLAR collects disaggregated data on projects supported by its transfer payment programs. POLAR requests that funding recipients complete surveys and report information to POLAR to help POLAR understand the impacts and results of its funding. The gender disaggregated data collected through these surveys includes reported instances of participation in projects by the following groups: northern-based individuals; Indigenous Peoples; early career researchers; technicians / support staff; and, youth.

When reading the data highlights below, it is important to note that POLAR is unable to track individual participants. Rather, POLAR tracks instances of participation, as reported by funding recipients through project surveys.

GBA Plus analysis also is used to support POLAR in meeting its obligations under Article 23 of the Nunavut Agreement through the departmental Inuit Employment Plan. POLAR will continue to use GBA Plus analysis to inform efforts to recruit, develop and retain Inuit staff, notably in science-based positions.

Section 2: Gender and Diversity Impacts, by Program

Core Responsibility: Polar Science and Knowledge

Program Name: Science and Technology

Target Population: Northern communities, Indigenous Peoples, scientific researchers

Distribution of Benefits:

First group Second group Third group Fourth group Fifth group
By gender Men ✔ Women

Key Impacts:

Not available.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

Annual project results surveys are distributed to project leads for both internally led programs and for externally funded projects.

Program Name: Knowledge Management and Engagement

Target Population: Northern communities, Indigenous peoples, and scientific researchers.

Distribution of Benefits:

First group Second group Third group Fourth group Fifth group
By gender Men ✔ Women

Key Impacts:

Not available.

GBA Plus Data Collection Plan:

Annual project results surveys are distributed to project leads for both internally led programs and for externally funded projects.

Section 3: Program Links to Gender Results Framework

Core Responsibility Polar Science and Knowledge

Program name Education and Skills Development Economic Participation and Prosperity Leadership and Democratic Participation Gender-based Violence and Access to Justice Gender Equality around the World
Science and Technology ✔
Knowledge Management and Engagement ✔ ✔

Section 4: Program Links to Quality of Life Framework

Core Responsibility Polar Science and Knowledge

Prosperity Health Environment Society Good Governance
Science and Technology ✔ ✔ ✔
Knowledge Management and Engagement ✔ ✔

Definitions

Target Population: See Finance Canada definition of Target Group in the following document: User Instructions for the GBA Plus Departmental Summary – Budget 2020 - Canada.ca)iv

Gender Scale:

  • First group: Predominantly men (e.g. 80 per cent or more men)
  • Second group: 60 per cent - 79 per cent men
  • Third group: Broadly gender-balanced
  • Forth group: 60 per cent - 79 per cent women
  • Fifth group: Predominantly women (e.g. 80 per cent or more women)

Income Level Scale:

  • First group: Strongly benefits low income individuals (Strongly progressive)
  • Second group: Somewhat benefits low income individuals (Somewhat progressive)
  • Third group: No significant distributional impacts
  • Forth group: Somewhat benefits high income individuals (Somewhat regressive)
  • Fifth group: Strongly benefits high income individuals (Strongly regressive)

Age Group Scale:

  • First group: Primarily benefits youth, children and/or future generations
  • Second group: No significant inter-generational impacts or impacts generation between youth and seniors
  • Third group: Primarily benefits seniors or the baby boom generation

Gender Results Framework Pillars: see definitions at the following page: Gender Results Framework - Women and Gender Equality Canada)v

Quality of Life Domains: See definitions in Annex-5-eng.pdf (budget.canada.ca)vi

Response to parliamentary committees and external audits

Response to parliamentary committees

There were no parliamentary committee reports requiring a response in 2020-21

Response to audits conducted by the Office of the Auditor General of Canada (including audits conducted by the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development)

There were no audits in 2020–21 requiring a response.

Response to audits conducted by the Public Service Commission of Canada or the Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages

There were no audits in 2020–21 requiring a response.

Endnotes

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2022-12-06