Supplementary Information Tables 2021-2022
Table of contents
- Reporting on Green Procurement (Procurement)
- Details on transfer payment programs
- Gender-based analysis plus
- Response to parliamentary committees and external audits
Reporting on Green Procurement (Procurement)
This supplementary information table supports reporting on green procurement activities in accordance with the Policy on Green Procurement.
1. Context
Although Polar Knowledge Canada is not bound by the Federal Sustainable Development Act and is not required to develop a full Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy (DSDS), Polar Knowledge Canada adheres to the principles of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) by complying with the Policy on Green Procurement.
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 | Departments will use environmental criteria to reduce the environmental impact and ensure best value in government procurement decisions |
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Results: In 2021-22, common use procurement instruments which include environmental considerations were leveraged, where available and feasible. In 2021-22, all POLAR contracting templates were reviewed. |
Green procurement incorporates environmental considerations into purchasing decisions and asset management; and motivates 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 |
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Green procurement incorporates environmental considerations into purchasing decisions and motives suppliers to green their goods, services and supply chain. | POLAR procurement specialists are trained on Green Procurement criteria and processes |
3. Report on integrating sustainable development
| During the 2021–22 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
Details on transfer payment programs of $5 million or more
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 | 2015-2016 |
| Link to departmental result(s) |
POLAR’s Transfer Payment Program supports all four of the Agency’s departmental results:
|
| Link to the department’s Program Inventory | Science and Technology |
| Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program |
This program aims to anchor a strong research presence in Canada’s Arctic. It focuses on science, monitoring, and technology development and transfer. By partnering with key stakeholders and through its internal science and technology capacity, POLAR will acquire the wide range of information needed to pursue effective solutions to polar issues, policy and program development, and advance Canada’s position as a leading Arctic nation. This program will create an environment in which Indigenous knowledge, local knowledge and science will inform POLAR’s work to addressing challenges in the Arctic. This Transfer Payment program does not have provisions for repayable contributions. |
| Results achieved |
In 2021-22 POLAR provided transfer payments totalling $6,325,459 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 2021-22:
|
| Findings of audits completed in 2021-22 | No audits have been completed. |
| Findings of evaluations completed in 2021-22 | As required by the Financial Administration Act and the Policy on Results, an evaluation is underway for POLAR’s transfer payment programs. |
| Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2021-22 | POLAR solicits proposals from potential applicants through open calls for proposals, 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 | 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 | 10,000 | 1,290,000 | 1,356,734 | 1,356,734 | 1,355,814 | 920.00 |
| Total contributions | 5,122,570 | 2,536,293 | 6,040,000 | 6,040,000 | 4,969,645 | 1,070,355 |
| Total program | 5,132,570 | 3,826,293 | 7,396,734 | 7,396,734 | 6,325,459 | 1,071,275 |
| Explanation of variances | Variance is due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions on the delivery of its transfer payment programs | |||||
Details on transfer payment programs under $5 million
Transfer Payments to support Research and Activities Relating to the Polar Regions
| Start date | June 2015 |
| End date | Ongoing |
| Type of transfer payment | Grant |
| Type of appropriation | Estimates |
| Fiscal year for terms and conditions | 2015-2016 |
| Link to departmental result(s) |
POLAR’s Transfer Payment Program supports all four of the Agency’s departmental results:
|
| 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 2021-22 POLAR provided transfer payments totalling $399,266 support of the expected results under this transfer payment program. Through this funding, POLAR supported early career researchers, and Indigenous knowledge 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 2021-22:
|
| Findings of audits completed in 2021-22 | No audits have been completed. |
| Findings of evaluations completed in 2021-22 | As required by the Financial Administration Act and the Policy on Results, an evaluation is underway for POLAR’s transfer payment programs. |
| Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2021-22 | POLAR solicits proposals from potential applicants through open calls for proposals, 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 | 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 | 1,739,800 | 336,571 | 399,266 | 399,266 | 399,266 | 0 |
| Total contributions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total program | 1,739,800 | 336,571 | 399,266 | 399,266 | 399,266 | 0 |
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 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-based, Indigenous, Early Career Researchers, Technicians/Support Staff and Youth
Distribution of benefits
| First group | Second group | Third group | Fourth group | Fifth group | |||
| By gender | Men | — | — | — | Yes | — | Women |
| First group | Second group | Third group | |||
| By age group | Youth | Yes | — | — | Senior |
Key Program impacts on Gender and diversity
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-based, Indigenous, Early Career Researchers, Technicians/Support Staff and Youth
Distribution of Benefits
| First group | Second group | Third group | Fourth group | Fifth group | |||
| By gender | Men | — | — | — | Yes | — | Women |
| First group | Second group | Third group | |||
| By age group | Youth | Yes | — | — | Senior |
Key Program impacts on Gender and diversity
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.
Definitions
Target Population
See Finance Canada definition of Target Group in the (User Instructions for the GBA Plus Departmental Summary)
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
Response to parliamentary committees and external audits
Response to parliamentary committees
There were no parliamentary committee reports requiring a response in 2021-22.
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 2021–22 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 2021–22 requiring a response.
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