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Horizontal Initiatives




Name of Horizontal Initiative: The Canadian Group on Earth Observations is a collection of federal departments participating in the international Group on Earth Observations (GEO).

Name of Lead Department(s): Environment Canada is the lead department by virtue of the identification of the ADM of the Meteorological Service of Canada as the GEO Principal.

Lead Department Program Activity: Canadians are equipped to make informed decisions on changing weather, water and climate conditions.

Start Date: July 2003. There are no dedicated funds; however, this initiative is funded from existing resource envelope (A-Base).

End Date: Ongoing.

Total Federal Funding Allocation (from start date to end date): Provided through existing resource envelope and in-kind contributions from federal departments.

Description of the Horizontal Initiative (including funding agreement): The GEO is seeking to implement the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), which will allow free and open access to Earth observations for decision- and policy-makers in all countries.  In so doing, users such as Environment Canada and other participating departments will be better able to more accurately predict the future state of planet Earth and better warn citizens of the onset of hazardous conditions.  See the GEO website for more details at http://www.earthobservations.org/.

Shared Outcome(s)

  • Enhancing access to Global Earth Observation data and science to meet Canadian environmental and socio-economic monitoring requirements;
  • Maximizing the effectiveness of Canadian investments in Earth observation networks, both domestic and international; and
  • Improving evidence-based decision-making in operational and policy domains based on coordinated, comprehensive and sustainable Earth observations.

Governance Structure(s): Coordination is achieved through the ADM Steering Committee, the DG‑level Interdepartmental Coordinating Committee (ICC) and ad hoc working-level committees and task groups.

Performance Highlights:

($ millions)
Federal Partners Federal Partner Program Activity Names of Programs for Federal Partners Total Allocation (from start date to end date) 2010-2011
Planned Spending Actual Spending Expected Results Results Achieved
1 Environment Canada PA1 Weather and environmental services for Canadians a. Meteorological Service of Canada Not available $150,000 salary
$75,000 O&M
$38,000 G&C
$25,000 in-kind
$100,000 salary
$50,000 O&M
$88,000 G&C
$50,000 in-kind
See below See below
2 Natural Resources Canada PA1 N/A a. Earth Sciences Sector Not available Not available Not available See below See below
b. Canadian Forest Service Not available Not available Not available See below See below
3 Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada PA1 N/A a. Agri-Environment Services Branch Not available $20,000
In-kind TBD
Not available See below See below
b. Research Branch Not available $20,000
In-kind TBD
Not available See below See below
4 Canadian Space Agency PA1 N/A a. Earth Observations Not available $40,000
In-kind TBD
Not available See below See below
5 Fisheries and Oceans Canada PA1 N/A a. Science and Technology Not available Not available Not available See below See below
6 Health Canada PA1 N/A a. Radiation Not available Not available Not available See below See below
7 Statistics Canada PA1 N/A a. Agriculture Not available Not available Not available See below See below
8 Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada PA1 N/A a Environment Not available Not available Not available See below See below
9 National Defence PA1 N/A a. Meteorology and Oceanography Not available Not available Not available See below See below
Total          

Comments on Variances: In general, Environment Canada expenditures in terms of salary and O&M for GEO were reduced as a result of limited capacity being redirected to other priorities. In terms of grants and contributions, in the past DFAIT made a contribution of $50K to GEO, which the department stopped doing a couple of years ago. Environment Canada has been able to find room in its grants and contributions budget to continue to keep the Canadian contribution at $88K since that time.

Expected Results:

 Environment Canada:

  • Bilateral projects and activities with United States, including international testbeds and research projects
  • Coordination of Canadian inputs and positions for international 2010 GEO Ministerial Summit in China
  • CGEO departments are engaged in Earth observation data issues and policy development

Results Achieved in 2010–2011:

 Environment Canada:

  • The binational Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS), was accepted as an international GEO participating organization to advance monitoring and data sharing of Earth observation data in the Great Lakes Basin
  • Progress was achieved in development and implementation of activities for binational testbed and research projects for better understanding of the water cycle and better predictions of drought, flood and water quality conditions
  • Canada was actively engaged in achieving significant outcomes from the 2010 GEO Ministerial Summit and Plenary meeting in Beijing, China, November 3–5
  • Canada is contributing and leading global initiatives in  areas including forest carbon tracking (FCT), the Joint Experiment for Crop Assessment and Monitoring (JECAM), the GEO Monitoring and Evaluation Working Group, and the first and second evaluations of GEO and GEOSS progress and results
  • High-level interdepartmental initiatives were established to engage and align Earth observation data issues and policy development in line with Government of Canada Open Data initiatives

Results Achieved by Non-federal Partners (if applicable): Not applicable

Contact Information:

Michael Crowe
Director, Strategic Integration
Meteorological Service of Canada
Environment Canada
141 Laurier Ave. W.,
Ottawa, ON  K1A 0H3
613-943-5580



Name of Horizontal Initiative: The Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP), approved March 2005 (followed from the two-year Federal Contaminated Sites Accelerated Action Plan (FCSAAP)).

Name of Lead Department(s): Environment Canada and Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.

Lead Department Program Activity: Threats to Canadians and their environment from pollution are minimized (EC); Management Policy Development and Oversight (TBS).

Start Date: The FCSAP has been in effect since April 2005. Former two-year FCSAAP program commenced April 2003.

End Date: The FCSAP is expected to continue until 2020. However, the current policy approval ended in March 31, 2011.

Total Federal Funding Allocation (from start date to end date): $1,775.5 M (including PWGSC accommodations charges) to March 31, 2011.

Description of the Horizontal Initiative (including funding agreement): The Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP) provides a long-term mechanism to address federal contaminated sites having the highest human health and ecological risks. At the end of March 2004, federal contaminated sites represented a financial liability of approximately $3.5 billion. Although responsibility for the actual management and remediation of federal contaminated sites rests with responsible custodial departments, the overall program is administered jointly by Environment Canada and the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat.

Shared Outcome(s): Reduce federal financial liability and risks to human health and the environment, including fish habitat. Increase public confidence in the overall management of federal real property through the effective risk management or remediation of individual federal contaminated sites.

Governance Structure(s): The Federal Contaminated Sites Assistant Deputy Ministers Steering Committee is supported by the Director Generals’ Committee, the Contaminated Sites Management Working Group (CSMWG) and the FCSAP Secretariat (Environment Canada), which provides overall program coordination.

Performance Highlights: Fiscal year 2010–2011 represented the second year of FCSAP accelerated activities under Canada’s Economic Action Plan (CEAP). Along with ongoing assessment and remediation activities undertaken during the year by FCSAP partners, Environment Canada developed, in collaboration with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat and 16 other participating federal entities, a proposal seeking program and policy approval for the FCSAP for the next 5 years. Several key program aspects and tools were developed during 2010–2011 to improve decision making, performance measurement and program reporting.

($ dollars) (Totals may not add due to rounding)
Federal Partners Federal Partner Program Activity Names of Programs for Federal Partners Total Allocation (from start date to end date) 2010-2011
Planned Spending1 Actual Spending1,2 Expected Results Results Achieved
Agriculture and Agri-
FoodCanada
Enterprise Activities Asset Management $5,465,649 1,282,000 1,168,637 See below
Canada Border Services Agency Corporate Management and Direction Infra-
structure and Environment
$1,620,212 $0 $0 NA
Canadian Food Inspection Agency N/A N/A $183,783 $0 $0 NA
Correctional Service Canada Internal Services Facilities/
Asset Management Services
$10,368,090 $4,867,669 $3,215,092 See below
Environ-
ment Canada
Threats to Canadians and their environment from pollution are minimized Asset Remediation and Disposal $48,874,994 $16,213,037 $12,110,733 Custodian
Contamina-
ted Sites
$44,900,126 $6,640,375 $5,804,727 Secretariat and Expert Support
Subtotal $93,775,120 $22,853,412 $17,915,460  
Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) Internal Services Contamina-
ted Sites – FCSAP projects
$78,437,194 $22,277,365 $22,202,165 Custodian
FCSAP Expert Support $21,665,285 $3,335,637 $3,336,166 Expert Support
Subtotal $100,102,479 $25,613,002 $25,538,331  
Health Canada First Nations and Inuit Health First Nations and Inuit Health Protection $7,445,162 $536,000 $195,792 Custodian
Contamina-
ted Sites
Healthy Environ-
ments Consumer Safety Branch
$43,721,890 $6,689,725 $6,686,888 Expert Support
Subtotal $51,167,052 $7,225,725 $6,882,680  
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Develop-
ment Canada
Responsible Federal Stewardship Contamina-
ted Sites Management Program
$148,254,393 $48,563,181 $51,706,447 See below
Northern Land and Resources Contamina-
ted Sites
$685,536,311 $139,912,237 $139,617,268 See below.
Subtotal $833,790,704 $188,475,418 $191,323,715  
Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorpo-
rated
Management of federal bridge, highway and tunnel infra-
structure, and properties in the Montréal area
N/A $955,672 $293,000 $0 See below
Marine Atlantic Inc. Corporate Management FCSAP (projects) $120,000 $70,000 $0 See below
National Capital Commission Real Asset Management Land and real asset management $8,600,052 $3,620,000 $3,535,028 See below
National Defence Environ-
mental Protection and Stewardship
A Defence Contamina-
ted Sites Management Plan in which funding is provided to clean up worst sites first
$380,070,345 $61,064,529 $55,943,233 See below
National Research Council of Canada Internal Services Environ-
mental Operations
$4,835,000 $2,455,000 $2,533,151 See below
Natural Resources Canada Corporate Management The provision of relevant and timely policy analysis and advice for decision making on government priorities and departmental responsi-
bilities
$27,915,807 $8,970,000 $9,239,527 See below
Parks Canada Conserve Heritage Resources Active Management and Restoration $38,814,369 $16,589,822 $18,344,878 See below
Public Works and Government Services Canada Federal Accommoda-
tion and Holdings
FCSAP (projects) $26,360,173 $5,203,785 $14,410,745 See below
FCSAP (expert services) $5,450,000 $900,000 $879,824 See below
Subtotal $31,810,173 $6,103,785 $15,290,569  
Royal Canadian Mounted Police Corporate Infra-
structure / Internal Services
FCSAP (projects) $23,100,214 $4,500,500 $3,309,699 See below
Transport Canada Sustainable Transporta-
tion Development and the Environment
Environ-
mental Programs
$150,758,925 $62,266,540 $28,439,600 See below
Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat Management Policy Development and Oversight Assets and Acquired Services $2,747,200 $480,229 $478,330 See below
Totals for All Federal Partners $1,766,200,846 $416,730,631 $383,157,930  

1Excluding PWGSC accommodations charges.
2Actual Spending: Estimate based on information provided by custodians in summer 2011. Program reporting for 2010–2011 will not be finalized before fall 2011.

Expected Results1 and Results Achieved for each Federal Partner:

  • Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
    • Expected Results:
      • Completion of 34 assessment projects and 11 remediation and risk management projects.
    • Results Achieved:
      • Completion of 25 assessment projects and advancement of 3 remediation projects.
  • Correctional Service Canada
    • Expected Results:
      • Sites being risk-managed: 3
      • Sites being remediated (multi-year): 5
      • Remediations expected to be completed: 3
      • Site assessments: 15
    • Results Achieved:
      • Sites being risk-managed: 0
      • Sites being remediated (multi-year): 5
      • Remediations expected to be completed: 3
      • Site assessments: 82
  • Environment Canada – Custodian
    • Expected Results:
      • Implementation of 9 remediation projects and approximately 42 assessment projects.
    • Results Achieved:
      • Implementation of 17 remediation projects and 46 assessment projects.
  • Environment Canada – Secretariat
    • Expected Results:
      • In cooperation with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat, supports the DG and ADM Steering committees and the Contaminated Sites Management Working Group (CSMWG); manages project selection process; coordinates funding and reporting processes; manages data and program communications; evaluates program performance; and oversees audit and evaluation. In 2010–2011 the Secretariat will also lead the development of the 5-year program renewal proposal.
    • Results Achieved:
      1. Developed a proposal seeking program and policy approval.
      2. Initiated the development of the detailed proposal required to seek funding approval for the next five years of the program.
      3. Prepared annual funding documents for Ministerial approval.
      4. Developed and coordinated the 2010–2011 project submission process.
      5. Provided ongoing Secretariat support to the Contaminated Sites Management Working Group (CSMWG) and the Federal Contaminated Sites Steering Committees.
      6. Implemented the second year of accelerated FCSAP activities under Canada's Economic Action Plan (CEAP).
  • Environment Canada – Expert Support
    • Expected Results:
      • Provides to custodians scientific and technical advice with respect to ecological risks at federal contaminated sites such that the remediation/risk management strategies implemented at these sites will mitigate or reduce these risks; provides supplemental ecological risk assessment tools, as well as a tool to measure ecological risk reduction resulting from remediation/risk management project implementation.
    • Results Achieved:
      1. Provided scientifically sound guidance and expert advice to 19 custodial departments for the management of their sites so that risk to the environment is reduced or minimized.
      2. Reviewed the site classification for more than 160 projects to ensure that remediation/risk management projects are eligible for funding.
      3. Developed and provided training to custodians on the National Classification System and the FCSAP Aquatic Site Classification System to assist in the prioritization of their sites and for making decisions on remediation/risk management of their sites.
      4. Partially developed the Tool for Risk Assessment Validation and the Site Closure Reporting Tool to assist custodians in evaluating the reduction of risk at their sites where remediation/risk management activities are being completed and for closing sites.
      5. Developed a guidance document entitled FCSAP Ecological Risk Assessment (ERA) Guidance for use by custodians in conducting ecological risk assessment at their contaminated sites.
      6. Finalized two technical guidance documents (Toxicity Testing and Toxicity Reference Values) to supplement the FCSAP Ecological Risk Assessment Guidance and to be used for toxicity testing and for selecting toxicity reference values when conducting an ERA at contaminated sites.
      7. Developed the Framework for addressing and managing aquatic contaminated sites under FCSA with Fisheries and Oceans Canada to ensure a nationally consistent approach to decision making for assessing and managing aquatic contaminated sites funded by FCSAP.
  • Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) – Custodian
    • Expected Results:
      • 719 baseline assessment projects
      • 674 accelerated assessment projects
      • 117 baseline remediation/risk management projects
      • 37 accelerated remediation/risk management projects
    • Results Achieved:
      • 415 baseline assessment projects
      • 487 accelerated assessment projects
      • 129 baseline remediation/risk management projects
      • 29 accelerated remediation/risk management projects
  • Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) – Expert Support
    • Expected Results:
      • Provision of scientific and technical advice to custodial departments with respect to the management of federal contaminated sites that may be impacting, or have the potential to impact, fish or fish habitat.
      • Development of guidance material and provision of training on the management of FCSAP Aquatic Sites to custodial organizations (e.g. the Aquatic Sites Classification System and Aquatic Sites Framework).
      • Review of project submissions to ensure that the potential impacts to fish and fish habitat have been appropriately considered.
      • Review and evaluation of FCSAP projects to ascertain if, and to what degree, the risk to fish and fish habitat has been reduced as a result of custodial actions.
    • Results Achieved:
      • DFO Expert Support provided technical and expert advice to custodians on issues and questions related to risks to fish and fish habitat (e.g. on assessment, remediation/risk management and monitoring plans). Further, in collaboration with the Aquatic Sites Working Group, DFO Expert Support co-led the rollout of and provision of training on the FCSAP Aquatic Sites Classification System and the Aquatic Sites Contaminated Sites Management Framework. As well, DFO Science conducted 5 targeted research projects and 2 literature reviews related to the impacts that contaminated sites pose to fish and fish habitat.
  • Health Canada – Custodian
    • Expected Results:
      • To complete remediation at Kasabonika and Moose Factory communities and also undertake remediation at the communities of Lansdowne House and Summer Beaver.
    • Results Achieved:
      • Remediation proceeded at one site: Moose Factory Hospital.
  • Health Canada – Expert Support
    • Expected Results:
      • Service delivery to federal custodial departments with respect to the provision of guidance, training and advice on human health risk assessment and public involvement; peer review of human health risk assessments conducted for federal contaminated sites; participation in interdepartmental regional working groups and input to public involvement plans and remedial action plans on a site-by-site basis; assistance to custodial departments in the application of the Risk Reduction Metric on a site-by-site basis; publication of national guidance documents on the conduct of human health risk assessments at federal sites; support for scientific research to address data gaps on issues that influence exposure at contaminated sites; toxicological evaluations of toxic substances found at federal contaminated sites; development of scientific criteria documents to support new or revised CCME soil quality guidelines that protect human health.
    • Results Achieved:
      • Provided expert advice and training on human health risk assessments, risk management and public involvement to custodial departments under the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP). Conducted site visits and reviewed site related documents submitted under the FCSAP program.
      • HC provided assistance to custodial departments in the application of the Risk Reduction Metric on a site-by-site basis.
      • Developed soil quality guidelines (SQG) and initiated protocol development for indoor dust and sediment.
      • Developed guidance documents - 1) human health risk assessment guidance including preliminary and detailed risk assessment, vapour intrusion, radiological, toxicity reference values (TRVs), peer review checklists, supplemental air guidance, remediation, country foods, amortization, model statement of work for risk assessment; 2) public involvement; and 3) site investigation. Most of the documents are in the final stages of publication.
      • Supported research in the areas of bioaccessability / bioavailability and other studies directly applicable to guideline development, human health risk assessment and risk management of contaminated sites in Canada.
      • Reviewed projects and site submissions in order to determine the eligibility for funding.
  • Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada – Indian and Inuit Affairs
    • Expected Results:
      • The financial liability associated with high- and medium-risk contaminated sites on reserve lands and lands under Indian and Inuit Affairs jurisdiction will be reduced by 15% from April 1, 2010 baseline levels.
    • Results Achieved:
      • The financial liability associated with high- and medium-risk contaminated sites on reserve lands and lands under Indian and Inuit Affairs jurisdiction will be reduced by 9.46% from April 1, 2010 baseline levels.
  • Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada – Northern Affairs
    • Expected Results:
      • Phase I/II environmental site assessment (ESA) activity undertaken at 264 sites.
      • Phase III ESA activity undertaken at 35 sites.
      • Remediation activity undertaken at 89 sites.
      • Ongoing risk management activity and/or long-term monitoring at 9 sites.
      • The completion of 22 priority contaminated sites by fiscal year-end.
    • Results Achieved:
      • Phase I/II environmental site assessment (ESA) activity undertaken at 260 sites.
      • Phase III ESA activity undertaken at 24 sites.
      • Remediation activity undertaken at 21 sites.
      • Ongoing risk management activity and/or long-term monitoring at 9 sites.
      • The completion of 27 priority contaminated sites by fiscal year-end (12 in 2010–2011).
  • Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated
    • Expected Results:
      • Complete remediation/risk management strategy for 1 project.
    • Results Achieved:
      • Remediation strategy was established.
  • Marine Atlantic Inc.
    • Expected Results:
      • To have the environmental site assessment completed and a remediation and risk management plan initiated for 1 project (1 site).
    • Results Achieved:
      • RFP was awarded to have an environmental remedial action plan developed for the Bar Harbor Facility but due to the timeline required to complete the RFP, the project was not initiated in time for the 2010–2011 budget.
  • National Capital Commission
    • Expected Results:
      • Conduct 63 site assessments and 7 remediation projects.
    • Results Achieved:
      • Conducted 28 site assessments and 5 remediation projects.
  • National Defence
    • Expected Results:
      • In 2010–2011, 65 more sites will be under remediation or under risk management and 19 suspected sites will have been assessed and will have completed step 3 of the Federal Approach to Contaminated Sites (10-step process).
      • The Department’s current Sustainable Development Strategy (SDS) includes a target for a contaminated sites year-over-year reduction in liabilities of 7% per year.
    • Results Achieved:
      • In 2010–2011, 32 more sites were under remediation/risk management; 42 suspected sites were assessed, and step 3 of the Federal Approach to Contaminated Sites (10-step process) was completed.
      • The liability reduction in fiscal year 2010–2011 is 16.1%.
  • National Research Council of Canada
    • Expected Results:
      • Completion of soil remediation projects at NRC’s two existing registered contaminated sites and completion of assessment projects at 5 other NRC sites.
    • Results Achieved:
      • Completion of soil remediation projects at 4 NRC contaminated sites and completion of assessment projects at 7 other NRC sites.
  • Natural Resources Canada
    • Expected Results:
      • Remediation and risk management for 2 projects (3 sites).
      • Assessment of approximately 6 sites.
    • Results Achieved:
      • Remediation of 2 contaminated sites (2 projects).
      • Five environmental site assessments and additional groundwater sampling events at 3 individual sites, supplementing historical environmental site assessments.
  • Parks Canada
    • Expected Results:
      • Twenty-five contaminated site assessment projects, comprising 61 sites, are planned for 2010–2011.
      • Fifty contaminated site remediation/risk management projects, comprising 57 sites, are planned for 2010–2011.
    • Results Achieved:
      • A total of 63 contaminated site assessment projects, comprising 137 sites, were undertaken in 2010–2011.
      • Fifty-one contaminated site remediation/risk management projects, comprising 78 sites, were carried out in 2010–2011.
  • Public Works and Government Services Canada – Custodian
    • Expected Results:
      • The reduction of the Department’s financial liability associated with contaminated sites, as well as the reduction of associated risks to human health and the environment.
    • Results Achieved:
      • The Department’s financial liability associated with contaminated sites was reduced, as well as the associated risks to human health and the environment.
  • Public Works and Government Services Canada – Expert Support
    • Expected Results:
      • The development of project management tools and best practices, to assist with successful implementation of remediation projects by custodial departments. thus allowing other departments to achieve their objectives.
      • The collection and sharing of information on innovative technologies to promote their use.
      • Liaison with the environmental industry to ensure that industry members are aware of future federal demand and can build adequate capacity to respond.
    • Results Achieved:
      • Project management tools and best practices were developed to assist with successful implementation of remediation projects by custodial departments, thus allowing other departments to achieve their objectives.
      • Information on innovative technologies was collected and shared with federal custodians to promote their use.
      • Demand forecast reports were shared with the environmental industry to provide awareness of future federal demand so that the private sector could ensure adequate capacity to respond.
  • Royal Canadian Mounted Police
    • Expected Results:
      • The RCMP plans to complete 23 remediation sites and 6 risk management sites, and to assess 154 sites.
    • Results Achieved:
      • Remediation work was performed at 15 sites and 144 assessments were performed.
  • Transport Canada
    • Expected Results:
      • Transport Canada will undertake 4 accelerated site assessments and 22 accelerated remediation projects in 2010–2011. In addition, 3 baseline site assessments and 15 baseline remediation projects will be undertaken.
    • Results Achieved:
      • Transport Canada undertook 5 accelerated site assessments and 20 accelerated remediation projects in 2010–2011. In addition, 11 baseline assessment and 21 baseline remediation projects were undertaken.
  • Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat
    • Expected Results:
      • Ensures consistency with Treasury Board policies on management of federal contaminated sites, reviews financial aspects of proposals, administers the fund, advises Environment Canada on the monitoring of government-wide progress, maintains the Federal Contaminated Sites Inventory and coordinates planning for the 2010 Federal Contaminated Sites National Workshop, to be held in Montréal, Quebec from May 10–13, 2010.
    • Results Achieved:
      1. Supported the Environment Canada FCSAP Secretariat and custodians to ensure that implementation of the second year of accelerated FCSAP activities under Canada’s Economic Action Plan were consistent with Treasury Board policies on management of federal contaminated sites.
      2. Supported Environment Canada in the development of the proposal for program renewal for presentation to Cabinet and Treasury Board in 2011, including advising on progress achieved in Phase I of FCSAP.
      3. Reviewed financial aspects of proposals and administered the FCSAP fund.
      4. Maintained the Federal Contaminated Sites Inventory.
      5. Delivered the May 2010 Federal Contaminated Sites National Workshop in Montréal.

1 Expected Results: Note that custodians have flexibility with respect to activities undertaken and often the number of sites actually worked on will vary from what was planned due to unforeseen delays (weather, difficult access to remote locations, etc.) or changes in custodian priorities.

Comments on Variances:

For the program as a whole, $12.4 M was reprofiled or carried forward and $37.8 M was lapsed. See below for details.

  • Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
    • The estimated actual spending for 2010–2011 differs from the planned spending as a result of a minor lapse in project dollars ($2.8 K) resulting from a change in project priorities and projects coming in under budget. The anticipated number of remediation projects had considerable uncertainty and was contingent on results of forthcoming assessment projects. As a result of additional assessment work at one of AAFC's priority sites that identified additional contamination, the majority of remediation funds were redirected from smaller projects to this high-priority project.
  • Correctional Service Canada
    • $1.4 M and $1 M was transferred via Supplementary Estimates (B) to PWGSC and to NRC. Also $2.04 M was carried into 2010–2011 and $1.29 M was carried forward into 2011–2012. $0.5 K was lapsed.
  • Environment Canada
    • Custodian
      • Actual spending for one of the major projects was less than planned. $3.527 M has been reprofiled for this project. Funding and resources were available to carry out more projects than planned. $575 K was lapsed.
    • Secretariat and Expert Support
      • $836 K was lapsed from the program as a result of delays in completion of contracts due in large part to the significant workload of the FCSAP Secretariat during the year in preparing documentation to secure program renewal and work required to support program commitments and reporting under Canada's Economic Action Plan.
  • Fisheries and Oceans Canada
    • Custodian
      • $37.5 K of the variance of $75,200 is attributable to the Employee Benefit Program (EBP) conversion penalty. The remaining $37.7 K was lapsed.
      • The expected results for 2010–2011 originated from the 2009–2010 Treasury Board submission, which was developed at the end of fiscal year 2008–2009. Since these projections, the FCSAP program has changed significantly, including the introduction of the 2-year accelerated Economic Action Plan program, resource allocation and the ability to move FCSAP projects from baseline to accelerated and vice versa. The reason for the decrease in the number of projects is that the projects going forward have higher costs, i.e. assessments scheduled for 2010–2011 have higher costs then the original Treasury Board submission. It is important to note that all FCSAP spending and projects were undertaken in accordance with FCSAP program requirements.
  • Health Canada
    • Discrepancy of $2.8 K surplus (lapsed).
  • Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
    • Responsible Federal Stewardship
      • Total FCSAP Allocations for 2010–2011 were: $52.7 M; Reprofiled from 2009–2010 to 2010–2011: $1.8 M; Cash-managed from 2009–2010 to 2010–2011: $2.3 M; Cash-managed from 2010–2011 to 2011–2012: $711 K: Lapsed: $292 K.
      • The total reduction of our liabilities in dollar amounts surpassed any previous year ($29.6 M); however, due to some changes in our liability calculations that helped make them more robust, we did not meet our percentage decrease. The expected result was determined prior to the 2010–2011 liability exercise, and considering the unexpectedly high increase in our liabilities (from $142 M to $312 M) between the 2009–2010 and the 2010–2011 liability reports, our future expected results will be re-evaluated to be in line with the change in our liabilities and the change in our funding.
    • Northern Land and Resources
      • The NCSP had an additional $16.5 M of reprofiled funds and internal reallocations of $6.7 M. The program expended $139.6 M on projects and program management. $7.5 M has been reprofiled to 2011–2012, and $2.6 M was lapsed by the program.
      • The statement "Remediation activity undertaken at 89 sites" under "Expected Results for 2010–2011" is incorrect. AANDC NAO only has a total of 79 class 1 and 2 sites, 15 of which already had completed remediation activities prior to the 2010–2011 fiscal year, and AANDC NAO was not planning on working on all its remaining class 1 and 2 sites.
  • Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated
    • Financing was taken from regular parliamentary appropriation instead of FCSAP. $205 K was carried forward to 2011–2012. $88 K was lapsed.
  • Marine Atlantic Inc.
    • Due to the timeline required to complete the RFP, the project was not initiated in time for the 2010–2011 budget. $70 K was lapsed.
  • National Capital Commission
    • Objective presented in column B of this document is on 2 years: 2009–2010 and 2010–2011. Expected Results for 2010–2011 were: Conduct 35 site assessments and 5 remediation projects. $85 K was lapsed.
  • National Defence
    • $5.1 M was lapsed. Because of short field season and lack of resources, fewer sites were under remediation/risk management than planned. The increase in sites assessed is due to a collective assessment of suspected sites, which is more efficient. DND is actively engaged in meeting the contaminated sites liabilities reduction target of 7% per year.
  • National Research Council of Canada
    • The number of projects has been increased from 2 to 4 since new assessment work identified two additional contaminated sites requiring remediation and/or risk management (R/RM) work. Funding for this additional R/RM work came from cost savings on the 2 projects that were originally planned.
  • Natural Resources Canada
    • NRCan received a transfer of $4 M via Supplementary Estimates B for completion of remediation projects in fiscal year 2010 from other government departments. Only a small portion of those funds were spent; $3.7 M was lapsed.
  • Parks Canada
    • The $1.8 M variance represents spending from funding available due to Parks Canada’s ability to spend amounts appropriated over a 2-year period.
    • Contaminated site remediation/risk management and assessment activities were undertaken at more sites than initially planned so as to ensure continued site eligibility for FCSAP funding under the renewed program (2011–2012 to 2015–2016).
  • Public Works and Government Services Canada
    • Custodian
      • Additional projects were facilitated via funds transferred from Correctional Service Canada and Transport Canada. $3.2 M was lapsed.
    • Expert Support
      • Consultant billings were less than the original estimates.
  • Royal Canadian Mounted Police
    • The variance is explained by a total of $1.1 M worth of projects not going through: approximately $726 K of unspent remediation funds and $381 K of unspent assessment funds. $864 K was lapsed.
    • For remediation projects, the majority of the variance is explained by one project being postponed ($450 K) and another for which the remediation strategy was altered to a risk management strategy, thereby reducing cost by $185 K. Numerous other remediation projects have also come in under budget.
    • For assessment projects, $381 K was not spent. Numerous assessment projects were performed under budget. Cost savings were also due to contracting being performed in bulk.
    • A transfer of $250 K of FCSAP funds had been approved for Supplementary Estimates C to the National Research Council. However, the government was dissolved prior to Supplementary Estimates C and the transfer did not take place.
    • Finally, $76.5 K of program management was not spent in 2010–2011 and was carried forward into 2011–2012.
    • The RCMP performed fewer projects than expected due to 1) the extensive reporting requirements for Canada’s Economic Action Plan (CEAP) hindering progress and implementation of projects; and 2) with the increased workload, no additional resources were available.
  • Transport Canada
    • The variance is attributable to more cost-effective remedial options chosen, lower-than-expected tender prices and additional assessment required prior to remediation. More projects were undertaken than initially forecasted. $14 M of FCSAP funding was transferred early to other government departments that needed additional funding. $19.7 M was lapsed.

Results Achieved by Non-Federal Partners (if applicable):

Contact Information:

FCSAP Secretariat
Contaminated Sites Division
15th floor, Place Vincent Massey
351 St-Joseph Blvd.
Gatineau, QC, K1A 0H3
819-934-8153



Name of Horizontal Initiative: Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem Initiative

Name of Lead Department(s): Environment Canada

Lead Department Program Activity: Delivery of the Canada–Ontario Agreement (COA) Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem

Start Date of the Horizontal Initiative: April 1, 2010 (Great Lakes Action Plan, Phase V (GLAPV) resources)

End Date of the Horizontal Initiative: March 31, 2015 (expiry of GLAPV resources)

Total Federal Funding Allocation (start date to end date): $40 million over 5 years (GLAPV resources, plus departmental resource envelope)

Description of the Horizontal Initiative (including funding agreement): The Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem Initiative is Environment Canada’s mechanism for coordinating efforts to restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biological integrity of the Great Lakes Basin ecosystem, and ensure delivery of federal commitments as expressed in the Canada–U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Environment Canada uses the Canada–Ontario Agreement (COA) Respecting the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem to engage other federal departments and Ontario in delivering Canada’s Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement commitments.

Environment Canada’s Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem Initiative (GLBEI) reflects Budget 2010 investments targeted at continuing the work under the Great Lakes Action Plan to improve the ecological integrity of the Great Lakes Basin ecosystem. A total of $40 million over five years was allocated in the GLAPV to continue the environmental restoration of key aquatic Great Lakes Areas of Concern. Other federal departments also use resource envelopes to support their efforts towards achieving COA results.

Shared Outcome(s): The Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement establishes broad, long-term objectives for Canada and the United States in restoring and protecting the Great Lakes. The COA provides a short-term plan for achieving Canada’s commitments under the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement. Through the COA, federal and provincial agencies are guided by a shared vision of a healthy, prosperous and sustainable Great Lakes Basin ecosystem for present and future generations. The COA also establishes a common purpose and shared goals, results and commitment in four priority areas: restoration of Areas of Concern; reduction of harmful pollutants; achievement of lakes and basin sustainability; and coordination of monitoring, research and information.

Governance Structure(s): Eight federal departments are engaged in delivering GLBEI results under the COA: Environment Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Parks Canada, Transport Canada, Infrastructure Canada and Health Canada.

The COA Management Committee is the senior federal/provincial management body responsible for setting priorities, establishing strategies to ensure delivery of the COA, and developing common positions and joint action plans for representing Canadian interests and engaging in cooperative initiatives with United States agencies and the International Joint Commission.

Planning, prioritization and allocation of GLAPV monies is managed through the Great Lakes Division of Environment Canada with the advice of the GLAPV Workplan Review Team. Members of the GLAPV Workplan Review Team consist of representatives from Environment Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada receiving GLAPV funds. The GLAPV Workplan Review Team reviews proposed projects and activities, developing and regularly updating a coordinated federal workplan based on priorities required to support Great Lakes Action Plan implementation.

($ millions)
Federal Partners Federal Partner Program Activity Names of Programs for Federal Partners Total Allocation (from start to end date) 2010-2011
Planned Spending Actual Spending Expected Results Results Achieved
Environment Canada Sustainable use and management of natural capital and working landscapes COA $40 million GLAPV, plus Departmental resources envelope (permanent plus temporary funding) $8 million GLAPV, plus Departmental resources envelope (permanent plus temporary funding) $4.1 million GLAPV, plus $3.0 million, Departmental resources envelope (permanent plus temporary funding) All COA results, except App. 2-3.2 See below
Fisheries and Oceans Canada Healthy and productive aquatic ecosystems COA

Sea Lamprey Control Program
$437.1K GLAPV, plus Departmental resources envelope (permanent plus temporary funding) $437.1K GLAPV, plus $6.8 million, Departmental resources envelope (permanent plus temporary funding) $437.1K GLAPV, plus $6.8 million, Departmental resources envelope (permanent plus temporary funding) App. 1-2.4; App. 1-2.6; App. 3-1.2; App. 3-1.3; App. 3-1.4; App. 3-3.1; App. 3-3.2; App. 3-4.1; App. 3-4.2; App. 3-5.1; App. 4-1.1; App. 4-2.2 See below
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Health of the environment Growing Forward $57 million for environment and climate change from April 1, 2008, to March 31, 2013 $7.7 million $7.7 million App. 1-1.2; App. 1-2.2; App. 2-2.3; App. 3-1.2; App. 3-1.4; App. 3-2.2; App. 4-1.1; App. 4-2.2 See below
Natural Resources Canada Canada is a world leader on environmental responsibility in the development and use of natural resources Port Hope Long-term Low-level Radioactive Waste Mgmt. Project Departmental resources envelope (permanent plus temporary funding) Port Hope
$940K

Harvesting
$32K

Pesticides
$125.5K
Port Hope
$910K

Harvesting
$21K

Pesticides
$117.1K
App. 1-2.3; App. 3-1.4; App. 3-2.4 See below
CFS

Forest harvesting in riparian zones
Ecosystem risk management: Canada understands and mitigates risks to natural resource ecosystems and human health CFS Pesticides Program
Parks Canada Heritage resources conservation

Public appreciation and understanding
COA Departmental resources envelope (permanent plus temporary funding) $0 $0 App. 3-1.1; App. 3-1.2; App. 3-1.3; App. 3-2.2; App. 3-3.2; App. 3-3.3; App. 4-1.1; App. 4-2.2 See below
Transport Canada Environmental protection and remediation; Canadian Ballast Water Program COA Departmental resources envelope (permanent plus temporary funding) $955K $955K App. 3-1.3; App. 3-2.1; App. 3-4.1; App. 3-4.2 See below
Infrastructure Canada (INFC) Infrastructure funding programs The Building Canada plan (Building Canada Fund, Provincial/
Territorial Base Fund, and Gas Tax Fund), the Green Infrastructure Fund, as well as sunsetting programs (Canada Strategic Infrastructure Fund (CSIF), Municipal Rural Infrastructure Fund (MRIF).
No COA allocation No COA allocation No COA allocation INFC supports the objectives of the COA with particular emphasis on Appendix items 1-1.1 and App. 1-2.1 See below
Health Canada Healthy environments and consumer safety COA Departmental resources envelope (permanent plus temporary funding) No departmental resources envelope (permanent plus temporary funding)
COA commitment incorporated in Chemicals Management Plan (CMP) initiatives
$* App. 2-3.2 See below
TOTAL GLAP V
(plus departmental funding)
$8.4 million $4.5 million      

* Activities are supported with funds from Canada’s Chemicals Management Plan (CMP).

Results achieved in 2010–2011:

Specific Results by Department:

Environment Canada

Work continued to achieve progress in restoration of Great Lakes Areas of Concern. In delivering its results, the Department

  • Completed environmental restoration in Wheatley Harbour on Lake Erie, which was consequently delisted as an Area of Concern (AOC). The delisting represents a major achievement under Annex 2 of the Canada–U.S. Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA), through which Wheatley Harbour had been identified as an AOC in 1987.
  • Implemented all priority actions in the St. Lawrence River (Cornwall) AOC. The Stage 3 report, which describes the results of monitoring and restoration of beneficial uses, is being produced and a decision is expected in 2011–2012 on whether to delist the AOC or recognize it as an Area in Recovery.
  • Completed the Stage 2 report for the Canadian portion of the Detroit River AOC; the Detroit River Remedial Action Plan (RAP) represents an assessment of the current status of beneficial use impairments in the AOC. The Department conducted an evaluation of the remedial actions to restore beneficial uses that have been undertaken from 1998 to 2008, and formulated recommendations on the remaining remedial actions, their priority, proposed timelines and agency or organization responsible for implementing the remedial actions.
  • Produced a Stage 2 RAP update report for the Niagara River AOC. The report updates the recommendations and delisting criteria presented in the 1995 Stage 2 report and the 2000 Implementation Annex.
  • Accepted the status report on the Jackfish Bay AOC prepared by Lakehead University. The report confirms that, while significant improvement has occurred since the area was originally listed as an AOC, additional time is required for sufficient ecosystem recovery to be detected. A long-term monitoring plan has been developed to track recovery in the Jackfish Bay AOC, which will be implemented in 2011–2012.

Work continued to reduce the release of harmful substances. Environment Canada worked on a variety of activities and projects. In delivering its results, the Department

  • Amended PCB regulations published in 2008 (SOR/2008-273, September 5, 2008) to accelerate the elimination of PCBs in use and storage. Preliminary data indicate that Canada’s challenge goal of a 90% reduction of high-level PCBs in service, from a 1993 baseline, has been met.
  • Collaborated with the United States to reduce uncontrolled combustion sources such as burn barrels, and launched the new Open Burning of Garbage website (http://www.ec.gc.ca/gdd-mw/default.asp?lang=En&n=684B44DD-1) that includes an overview of issues associated with the open burning of garbage and gives links for further information; and produced a new brochure that informs the public of the hazards of open garbage burning.
  • Released the Great Lakes Binational Toxics Strategy (GLBTS) 2008–2009 Biennial Progress Report, which documents progress achieved and actions taken to reduce the use and release of GLBTS Level 1 substances. The report highlights the activities of a new group focused on emerging substances of concern, and presents environmental trend data of Strategy substances collected by Great Lakes monitoring and surveillance programs.

Work continued to achieve a better understanding of, and to report on the Great Lakes Basin ecosystem status and trends. Environment Canada worked collaboratively with universities and other government and non-governmental agencies on many projects with the following results:

  • Published annual Lakewide Management Plan reports for each of the Canadian Great Lakes.
  • Reviewed and revised the state of the Great Lakes ecosystem assessment framework and indicators.
  • Completed the final draft of the Lake Superior Aquatic Invasive Species Complete Prevention Plan following public workshops that were held throughout the basin to promote the plan and gather input. The purpose of the plan is to prevent new aquatic invasive species from entering, and becoming established in Lake Superior.
  • Finalized the international Lake Huron Biodiversity Conservation Strategy for following a two-year conservation action planning process that engaged more than 100 agencies and organizations around the Lake Huron watershed. The Strategy identifies conservation features that represent the biodiversity of Lake Huron, ranks critical threats, and recommends strategies and opportunities for implementation.
  • Completed the final draft of the Lake Erie Binational Nutrient Management Strategy. The Strategy identifies priority watersheds and defines goals, objectives, targets, indicators, monitoring and research required to limit further eutrophication and improve current conditions in Lake Erie.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

Work continued to conduct science, enhance fish habitats and control the negative impacts of established invasive species. In delivering its results, the department

  • Provided monitoring and science to support delisting Areas of Concern, including the Bay of Quinte, Toronto Harbour, Hamilton Harbour, Detroit River and St. Clair River. Results include developed indices of biotic integrity and habitat productivity for nearshore fish populations. The department also developed fish habitat classification and supply models to measure the success of habitat restorations, continued long-term assessment of lower trophic levels and food web statuses, and developed ecosystem models.
  • Delivered an integrated program of Sea Lamprey management in the Great Lakes in collaboration with the US Fish and Wildlife Services, under the direction of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. Results include successful lampricide treatments in tributaries and connection channels in lakes Ontario, Erie, Huron and Superior to suppress invasive Sea Lampreys and to protect and restore native fishes. The department achieved suppression targets for abundances of adult Sea Lampreys in lakes Ontario and Superior. The department also continued research and development of new alternative Sea Lamprey control methods including field trials of Sea Lamprey pheromones.
  • Carried out risk assessments of potential aquatic invasive species; evaluated the impact of aquatic invasive species on Great Lakes ecosystems; and monitored ballast water management establishing their effectiveness in eliminating importation of new species through this vector.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

Work continued to improve beneficial agriculture management practices with the involvement of the Great Lakes farming community in numerous projects. In delivering its results, the department

  • delivered, under an agreement with Ontario, the Canada–Ontario Environmental Farm Plan and Canada–Ontario Farm Stewardship Program to farmers, which resulted in province-wide implementation of 673 environmental farm plans and 1800 on-farm beneficial management practice projects in 2010–2011.

Natural Resources Canada

Work continued towards the achievement of the sustainable development of Canada’s energy, forestry and mineral metals resources within the Great Lakes Basin. Results included

  • Enhanced policies and practices to mitigate forestry impacts on creeks and rivers.
  • Enhanced accuracy of pesticide applications on forests to reduce impacts on aquatic organisms.
  • Completion of detailed designs for the remediation of sites, including Port Hope Harbour, and for the new long-term waste management facility to manage the Port Hope area’s historic low-level radioactive wastes.

Parks Canada

Delivers national parks programs and the National Marine Conservation Areas Program, and works to develop and maintain a viable protected areas network in the Great Lakes Basin that is relevant to Canadians. Projects included

  • State of the park reports for Bruce Peninsula National Park and Fathom Five National Marine Park.
  • Parks Canada information and messages at tourist information centres along the north shore of Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area.
  • Monitoring of coastal streams in Pukaskwa National Park.

Transport Canada

Work continued to ensure compliance with the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 regulations related to the ecosystem health of the Great Lakes. Transport Canada undertook a wide variety of inspection, monitoring and training programs, and

  • Boarded vessels entering the Great Lakes to ensure compliance with ballast water regulations.
  • Carried out biological analysis and evaluation of vessels targeted in the Joint Boarding Program.
  • Supported Canadian firms interested in the development of ballast water technology programs compliant with the International Marine Organization’s Ballast Water Discharge Standards.

Infrastructure Canada

Work continued toward providing funding to eligible infrastructure projects in support of federal objectives such as a cleaner environment, which includes improved wastewater treatment.

Federal funding has been announced for numerous wastewater projects that directly support the delisting of Areas of Concern as identified by COA and in communities located in and around the Great Lakes watershed. In 2009–2010, a total of $264.6 million in federal funding was announced, through the Building Canada Fund –Major Infrastructure Component and the Green Infrastructure Fund, in support of 9 projects located in communities near the Great Lakes. Of this amount, $173.5 million will go toward the upgrade of 4 sewage treatment plants to help rehabilitate the St. Lawrence River, Hamilton Harbour and the Nipigon Bay Areas of Concern in particular. In 2010–2011, Infrastructure Canada focused on moving all of these projects toward final approvals and negotiating contribution agreements.

Since the launch of the Building Canada Plan in 2007, Infrastructure Canada has committed over $890 million toward more than 575 water and wastewater projects that will improve the ecosystem health of rivers and lakes in the Great Lakes watershed.

Health Canada

Work continued to enhance environmental health knowledge within the Great Lakes Basin that can be integrated into policies to address risks to human health by all levels of government.

  • The department supported and facilitated the development of environmental public health networks in the Great Lakes Basin.
  • The Great Lakes Public Health Network (GLPHN) supported a Risk Communication Workshop hosted by University of Toronto and Public Health Ontario staff from federal, provincial and municipal governments in February 2011 in Toronto, Ontario.
  • The department developed the Health Science Framework to guide and facilitate health science research activities specifically for Great Lakes Basin populations.

Comments on Variances:

Environment Canada: Dedicated Great Lakes funding (GLAPV) is received only by Environment Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada, which also each contribute resources from their departmental resource envelope (permanent plus temporary funding) towards achieving results under the COA. All other partners (federal and provincial) to the COA achieve COA results via departmental funding.

Natural Resources Canada: Actual spending in 2010–2011 was slightly less than planned as a result of a minor delay in approval of expenditure authority under the Port Hope Long-term Low-level Radioactive Waste Management Project. The variance explanation in both Canadian Forest Services (CFS) programs (pesticides, and forest harvesting in riparian zones) is that there was less resource envelope money allocated to these programs than requested.

Parks Canada: Figures for planned and actual spending are not available as Parks Canada financial coding systems are not designed to separate out Great Lakes-specific activities.

Health Canada: Health Canada supports work for the Great Lakes Basin Ecosystem Initiative through the joint Environment Canada–Health Canada Chemicals Management Plan. Specific resource figures are not available as this spending is not tracked separately in Health Canada's financial system.

Infrastructure Canada: Federal infrastructure funding programs do not include an allocation specific to the COA.

Results achieved by non-federal partners (if applicable):

Contact information:

Linda Robertson
Great Lakes Environment Office
Environment Canada
416-739-5808

Appendix – COA Results Statements

PRIORITY 1 – AREAS OF CONCERN

Result 1.1 – Reduce microbial and other contaminants and excessive nutrients from industrial or municipal wastewater to achieve delisting targets in Nipigon Bay and St. Lawrence River (Cornwall) AOCs.

Result 1.2 – Reduce microbial and other contaminants and excessive nutrients from rural non-point sources to meet delisting criteria in the St. Lawrence River (Cornwall) AOC.

Result 1.3 – Contaminated sediment management strategies developed for the Wheatley Harbour AOC and implemented in the St. Lawrence River (Cornwall) AOC.

Result 1.4 – Plans in place and being implemented to rehabilitate fish and wildlife habitats and populations to meet delisting targets in the Wheatley Harbour and St. Lawrence River (Cornwall) AOCs.

Result 1.5 – Informed, effective collaboration amongst government, communities and individuals to prioritize and complete actions required for delisting and confirming environmental recovery in Nipigon Bay, Jackfish Bay, Wheatley Harbour and St. Lawrence River (Cornwall) AOCs.

Result 1.6 – Environmental monitoring and reporting to document improvements and track environmental recovery.

Result 2.1 – Reduce microbial and other contaminants and excessive nutrients from municipal sewage treatment plants, combined sewer overflows, urban stormwater and industrial wastewater towards delisting targets in St. Marys River, St. Clair River, Detroit River, Niagara River, Hamilton Harbour, Toronto and Region, and Bay of Quinte AOCs.

Result 2.2 – Reduce microbial and other contaminants and excessive nutrients from rural non-point sources towards achieving remedial action plan (RAP) delisting criteria in St. Clair River, Detroit River, Niagara River, Hamilton Harbour, and Toronto and Region AOCs.

Result 2.3 – Progress made in developing sediment management strategies to reduce ecological and human health risk from contaminated sediments in Thunder Bay, Peninsula Harbour, St. Marys River, St. Clair River, Detroit River, Niagara River, Hamilton Harbour, Port Hope and Bay of Quinte AOCs.

Result 2.4 – Long-term management plans being developed and priority actions for delisting being implemented for rehabilitation and protection of fish and wildlife habitats and populations in the St. Marys River, St. Clair River, Detroit River, Niagara River, Hamilton Harbour, Toronto and Region, and Bay of Quinte AOCs.

Result 2.5 – Informed, effective collaboration amongst government, communities and individuals to prioritize and complete actions required for delisting and confirming environmental recovery in AOCs.

Result 2.6 – Identify monitoring needs, undertake required studies and evaluate results to assess environmental recovery and support remediation strategies in AOCs.

PRIORITY 2 - HARMFUL POLLUTANTS

Result 1.1 – Reduction in releases of Tier 1 substances beyond the 2005 achievements towards the goal of virtual elimination.

Result 2.1 – Reduction in releases of criteria air pollutants.

Result 2.2 – Coordinated activities to reduce releases from municipal wastewater.

Result 2.3 – Develop and initiate a program for the sound management of chemical substances in the Great Lakes Basin.

Result 3.1 – Improved understanding of the sources, fate and impacts of harmful pollutants in the Great Lakes Basin.

Result 3.2 – Human health risks from harmful pollutants are understood and addressed in the Great Lakes Basin.

PRIORITY 3 – GREAT LAKES AND GREAT LAKES BASIN SUSTAINABILITY

Result 1.1 – Increased awareness and appreciation of the Great Lakes and their contributions to social, economic and environmental well-being.

Result 1.2 – Increased stewardship actions that work towards a balance between human well-being and prosperity, and healthy aquatic ecosystems.

Result 1.3 - Sustainable use of land, water and other natural resources to provide benefits from the Great Lakes now and in the future.

Result 1.4 – Enhanced knowledge about beneficial and harmful impacts of human activities on Great Lakes aquatic ecosystems and resources.

Result 2.1 – Reduce microbial and other contaminants and excessive nutrients from industrial and municipal wastewater, combined sewer overflows and urban stormwater sources consistent with actions specified in binational Lakewide Management Plans (LaMPs) and binational lake action plans.

Result 2.2 – Reduce microbial and other contaminants and excessive nutrients from rural sources by undertaking actions specified in the binational Lakewide Management Plans and binational lake action plans.

Result 2.3 – Identification of contaminated sediment and development of sediment management plans to reduce the release and impact of sediment-bound contaminants on the Great Lakes Basin ecosystem.

Result 2.4 – Enhanced knowledge about beneficial and harmful impacts of human activities on Great Lakes water quality.

Result 3.1 – Great Lakes aquatic ecosystems and habitats are protected, restored and sustained consistent with binational Great Lakes planning.

Result 3.2 – Progress on rehabilitation of Great Lakes native species to restore the health of aquatic ecosystems, consistent with binational Great Lakes planning.

Result 3.3 – Enhanced knowledge about beneficial and harmful impacts of human activities on Great Lakes aquatic ecosystems, habitats and species.

Result 4.1 – Implementation of the National Action Plan to Address the Threat of Aquatic Invasive Species in the Great Lakes.

Result 4.2 – Enhanced knowledge about the harmful impacts of aquatic invasive species on Great Lakes aquatic ecosystems, food webs and species.

Result 5.1 – The impacts of climate change on the Great Lakes ecosystem composition, structure and function, including biodiversity (organisms and their habitat), water quality and quantity, human health and safety (including access to clean drinking water), social well-being and economic prosperity are understood by governments and the Great Lakes community.

Result 6.1 – The potential risks to Great Lakes drinking water intakes are identified and assessed, and early actions to address risks are undertaken.

Result 6.2 – Develop knowledge and understanding of water quality and quantity issues of concern to the Great Lakes as drinking water sources.

PRIORITY 4 - COORDINATION OF MONITORING, RESEARCH AND INFORMATION

Result 1.1 – Responsive and comprehensive monitoring and research programs.

Result 2.1 – Improved reporting on environmental conditions, changes and progress.

Result 2.2 – Increased sharing of data and information among governments, organizations and basin residents.




Clean Air Agenda

Lead Department

Environment Canada

Lead Department Program Activity 3.2 -  Climate Change and Clean Air
Federal Theme Partners

Natural Resources Canada, Transport Canada, Health Canada, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada, National Research Council Canada, Industry Canada

Start Date
April 1, 2007
End Date March 31, 2011
Total Federal Funding Allocation $ 2.57 billion

Description

Through the Clean Air Agenda (CAA), the Government of Canada has been working towards making tangible improvements in Canada's environment by addressing the challenges of climate change and air pollution. Since 2007, the CAA has been supporting

  • regulatory initiatives in the industrial, transportation, consumer and commercial sectors; and,
  • a range of complementary program measures, such as the ecoACTION programming to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, ways to improve indoor air quality, approaches for adapting to the impacts of climate change, and engagement at the international level.
The CAA is managed through a horizontal management, accountability and reporting framework. This framework facilitates comprehensive and systematic review of planning for and reporting on the financial and non-financial performance of CAA programming. Progress towards the CAA outcomes has been reported publically through this horizontal framework since 2007.

Shared Outcomes

The 44 programs of the CAA are organized within seven themes: clean air regulatory agenda (CARA), clean energy, clean transportation, indoor air quality, international actions, adaptation, and management and accountability.

The shared outcomes for these programs are:

  • The health, economic and environmental benefits for Canadians have been realized;
  • The risks to the health of Canadians and the environment resulting from exposure to air pollution have been reduced; and,
  • The risks to communities, infrastructure and to the health and safety of Canadians resulting from climate change have been reduced.

The Government of Canada remains committed to a reduction of 17 per cent from 2005 levels in Canada's total GHG emissions by the year 2020.

Governance Structure(s)

The horizontal management, accountability and reporting framework is led by Environment Canada (EC) and governed by 9 Deputy Ministers, 18 Assistant Deputy Ministers and Chief Financial Officers, seven Director General Theme Leads, and Director General Management Committees for the seven themes of the CAA.

The Clean Air Agenda Results Management Secretariat (CAARMS) supports the CAA governance and EC in facilitating collaboration and overseeing the accountabilities and responsibilities concerning the horizontal management of this Agenda.

2010-11 Agenda Performance Summary

CAA programming continued to reduce GHGs and air pollutants and address the challenges of climate change and air pollution with a view to building a clean and healthy environment for all Canadians.

CARA advanced the development and implementation of regulatory frameworks to manage air pollution and GHG emissions through significant policy work, analysis, consultation, as well as extensive scientific activities. Over 2010-11, Canada’s work was re-oriented towards the development of sector-by-sector regulations aligned with the United States (U.S.) when appropriate. Key advances were made in a number of sectors with the publication of the three transportation regulations for new vehicles and engines, and with proposed draft regulations that will limit greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired electricity generating units.  The Automotive Refinishing Regulations and the Architectural Coatings Regulations came into effect in 2010. Once these regulations are fully implemented they are expected to result in a 40% and a 28% annual reduction of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) emissions respectively from the targeted products categories.  

Scientific activities continue to inform the development of critical standards, science assessments, air emissions policies, regulations, agreements and obligations. Also, the Government’s internationally renowned scientists were invited to assume leadership roles in the development of international reports on air pollution and with the World Meteorological Organization.  

On air pollution, the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment agreed to move forward with the finalization of a new collaborative air quality management approach, based on the Comprehensive Air Management System (CAMS) framework which will, when implemented, represent the first systematic national approach to managing air quality.

As a result of Clean Energy programs, Canadians are adopting more energy efficient and renewable energy products and services and benefitting from strengthened infrastructure. This has been achieved through energy efficient retrofits for homes, small buildings and industrial facilities, and through increased use of renewable energy technologies. As of March 31, 2011, 31 projects under ecoENERGY programming for Aboriginal and Northern communities were fully commissioned and are achieving GHG reductions.

Scientific research over 2010-11 generated knowledge essential to achieving Canada’s climate change goals by informing codes, standards and regulations to facilitate the adoption of new technologies. Activities were in the areas of cleaner fossil fuels, cleaner transportation, energy efficiency in residential, commercial and institutional buildings, improved industrial processes, carbon capture and storage and bioenergy.

Overall the results achieved from clean energy activities have ultimately reduced GHG emissions and Criteria Air Contaminants. Collectively, Natural Resources Canada’s programs under the Clean Energy Theme reduced GHG emissions by an estimated 9.3 megatonnes in 2010-11.

Clean Transportation programming continued to address the challenges of pollution and GHG emissions from the movement of people and goods in Canada. Information essential to regulating emissions, and coordinating and harmonizing regulations across different jurisdictions was developed in partnership with vehicle manufacturers, industry associations, government departments and other stakeholders. To support transport sector regulatory initiatives, programming also focussed on changing the behaviour of consumers and industry by tackling two key barriers to reducing pollution from transportation, that is, the lack of information, knowledge and engagement of consumers and industry, and, the costs and risks  associated with technology uptake. Memoranda of Understanding with the rail and aviation sectors have reported encouraging results in reducing GHG emission intensity and improving average annual fuel efficiency respectively.

The focus of the last year of the CAA four year mandate for Clean Transportation was to complete projects and program activities, measure their impacts, and gather information about results and case studies to provide to industry and other stakeholders. A number of incentive programs were completed to retire over 70,000 high-polluting vehicles, demonstrate clean freight transportation technology including shore power technology and energy saving technology for passenger cars, light trucks, heavy trucks and rail transportation, provide training on fuel-efficient driving practices and provide municipalities with tools to support transportation demand management in urban areas.

Canada’s participation in United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change meetings and other multilateral and bilateral processes was supported over 2010-11 which enabled Canada’s clean air objectives to be advanced internationally. Public-private partnership clean technology projects delivered environmental benefits (in particular, GHG reductions) and economic benefits to Canadian companies, and accelerated clean technology development and deployment across a range of industrial sectors. Collaboration and knowledge sharing were undertaken with the U.S. by coordinating clean energy technology research and development to reduce GHG emissions. Canada also hosted the annual meeting of the Canada-U.S. Air Quality Committee during which the Committee agreed to a path forward on a Particulate Matter Annex. Canada and the U.S. will also implement a number of activities in 2011-12 to mark the 20th anniversary of the Canada-U.S. Air Quality Agreement.

Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) programming launched a public education campaign to inform Canadians about the health risks that may be present in their homes from radon gas, so that they may better protect their health. To date, 90% of federal buildings in known areas of high radon potential have been measured, which is expected to improve awareness by the public, property managers and governments of the health risks and causes of reduced IAQ, and strategies to improve it. Measurements of both aerial radiation and soil radon gas were made, which will allow researchers to map potential areas of radon and lower the risk of exposure to Canadians. Comprehensive field studies were performed that gathered data on different residential ventilation rates, a wide range of IAQ parameters, and the health of asthmatic Canadians living in these homes. These studies were performed to confirm the relationship between residential IAQ, installed ventilation technologies, and occupants’ health. Protocols were developed to assess the efficacy of methods to improve IAQ. A balanced, multi-stakeholder Canadian Committee on Indoor Air Quality and Buildings is working to raise public awareness of IAQ issues, and provide solutions through targeted best practice information suitable for practitioners, and building and home owners.

Adaptation Theme programming fulfilled or exceeded many of the expected results for 2010-11. These included Aboriginal and northern communities assessing climate change risk information, and developing adaptation plans. The Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) was fully implemented in six provinces replacing the outdated Air Quality Index (AQI), thus increasing awareness and understanding among health professionals. Climate research activities led to the development and operation of global and regional climate models, and the development of a substantial suite of new climate change scenarios based on both Canadian and other climate models to inform adaptation planning and decision-making. Pilot projects related to heat and infectious disease were undertaken to anticipate and address the impacts of climate change on the health of Canadians. Collaboration through six Regional Adaptation Collaboratives and the creation of a national integration group has enhanced communication and joint work on key regional adaptation issues.

The horizontal management of the CAA continued to support the accountability of the federal government to parliamentarians and Canadians for expenditures and activities of the Clean Air Agenda, as well as to support decision-makers in determining the path forward for clean air and climate change programming.

2010-11 Agenda Lessons Learned

Over 2010-11, programs of the Clean Air Agenda faced key challenges that were similar to the challenges faced in previous years. These were:

  • The state of the economy and its continued effect on many stakeholders’ uptake of a number of programming opportunities; and,
  • The continued need to provide flexibility to support alignment with the evolving approaches of the U.S., where appropriate, in order for Canada to establish a broad approach to climate change.
Total Funding Approved under the CAA (to March 31, 2011)

Total Planned Spending
in 2010-11

Total Actual Spending
in 2010-11

2010-11 Actual Spending Reported within Economic Action Plan (EAP)

$  2,417,538,077 $  867,151,782 $  787,851,989 $  351,366,517

Contact information: Paula Brand, Executive Director, Environment Canada, (819) 997-3729 Paula.Brand@ec.gc.ca

CAA Theme-Level Reporting

Clean Air Regulatory Agenda

Clean Energy

Clean Transportation

Indoor Air Quality

Adaptation

International Actions

Management and Accountability

 

Theme: Clean Air Regulatory Agenda (CARA)

Lead Department

Environment Canada

Federal Theme Partners

Transport Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Health Canada

Summary by Department

Federal Partner Name # Programs
for Federal Partners

Funding Approved
under CAA

(to March 31, 2011)

Planned Spending
2010-11

Actual Spending 2010-11
Environment Canada 8 $ 273,246,244 $ 101,371,032 $ 62,216,068
Transport Canada 1 $ 19,170,216 $ 4,769,514 $ 2,917,011
Natural Resources Canada 2 $ 35,200,000 $ 9,566,000 $ 7,992,054
Health Canada 2 $ 88,800,000 $ 27,500,000 $ 23,642,844
Total 13 $ 416,416,460 $ 143,206,546 $ 96,767,977

2010-11 Expected Results

Theme: Clean Air Regulatory Agenda - 2010-11 Expected Results

2010-11 Theme Performance Summary

In support of the reduction of air emissions, progress was made towards the development and implementation of regulatory frameworks to manage air pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.  Preparatory work for a North American cap and trade system was completed; however, due to a shift in United States (U.S.) climate policy toward a regulatory approach, Canada’s work was re-oriented toward development of sector-by-sector regulations aligned with the U.S., and analysis (quantitative and qualitative) focuses on sector concerns and key competitiveness issues. Analysis was also undertaken to support Canada's position and views on climate change and related issues at a number of international meetings and venues. This includes, among others, support for the Copenhagen Accord negotiations, the G8 Leaders Summit, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Ministerial Council Meeting, and the Arctic Council Task Force on Short-lived Climate Forcers.

Long-term projections for GHGs and air pollutants were developed to serve as a reference point for analysing the government’s climate change initiatives and Clean Air Agenda as they evolved since early 2010. This included economic analysis for the announced Passenger Automobile and Light Truck Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations, and for the proposed regulation for coal-fired electricity generation units that is expected to be published in Canada Gazette in 2011 and come into force on July 1, 2015.

Significant policy work and consultations were undertaken to support the development of regulations for the transport and electricity sectors, and to take steps to address emissions from other major industrial sectors. This involved extensive engagement with stakeholders, including provinces and territories, for example through the Federal / Provincial / Territorial Working Group on Domestic Climate change.  As a result of this engagement, an Agreement in Principle on efforts to address climate change was signed with British Columbia, and discussions were initiated on an Agreement in Principle with Quebec. Ongoing engagement also took place with the provincial members of the Western Climate Initiative (ON, QC, BC) participating in meetings on the development of the Western Climate Initiative cap and trade system.

Policy work was also undertaken related to Short-Lived Climate Forcers, including black carbon, to support Canada’s engagement in various international fora on this issue, including under the Arctic Council and the Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution. The former included the development of a national black carbon emissions inventory.

In October 2010, the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment (CCME) reviewed a proposal, produced over two years through a multi-stakeholder process, for a Comprehensive Air Management System. Ministers agreed to move forward with a new Air Quality Management System (AQMS) based on this report and asked officials to finalize the key elements of the system in 2011, including Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS) for particulate matter and ozone and associated trigger levels, airsheds and air zones delineation, and base-level industrial emissions requirements for key sectors. Implementation of the system will begin in 2013.

Scientific activities continued to inform the development of critical standards, science assessments, indicators, air emissions policies, regulations, targets/limits, objectives, guidelines, inventories, agreements and obligations.  Air quality science informed the finalization of major elements of the new AQMS including the decision-making process leading to the new CAAQs; improved prediction capability; assessed the change in ambient concentrations of smog resulting from biodiesel use in Canada; enhanced the understanding of new particulate matter formation and transformation pathways to help prioritize future regulations; quantified the contribution of mercury emissions from other countries to Canada to support international negotiations; and demonstrated via the Canada-U.S. Air Quality Agreement’s 2010 biennial progress report that both countries have reduced emissions of ground-level ozone precursors and acid rain-causing compounds in line with commitments made under the Agreement. 

Also, the Government’s internationally renowned scientists were invited to assume leadership roles in the development of the 2010 Hemispheric Transport of Air Pollution Assessment Report and, the World Meteorological Organization’s 2011 Global Assessment of Precipitation Chemistry and Deposition.

In support of a more efficient and cleaner transportation sector, the Government made significant progress through the publication of three new emissions regulations from new vehicles and engines aligned with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) standards: Marine Spark-Ignition Engine, Vessel and Off-Road Recreational Vehicle Emission Regulations, and Passenger Automobile and Light Truck Greenhouse Gas Emission Regulations. Environment Canada continued to administer its five regulations for vehicles and engines that are currently in effect. Stakeholder consultations on the development of regulations to reduce air emissions from small inshore vessels (e.g. harbour craft, ferries, tugs) and large ships operating in the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence Seaway System and from ships operating in Canada’s jurisdiction and Canadian ships overseas were carried out. These proposed regulations will implement new International Maritime Organization (IMO) standards for air pollutant emissions from ships, including the North American Emission Control Area. Participation at the IMO continued to advance, global measures to reduce GHG emissions from marine vessels.

Work also took place to monitor the development of the new U.S. labelling regulations for new light-duty vehicles and analysis was undertaken to develop a harmonized approach in Canada.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Government of Canada and the Railway Association of Canada expired December 31, 2010.  Through the MOU, the industry has decreased its GHG emission intensity by 23.3% in 2008 compared with the 1990 baseline. The Government of Canada and the Railway Association of Canada are continuing to collaborate in advancing industry efforts to reduce emissions and in reporting on results achieved under the MOU. The 2009 Locomotive Emissions Monitoring Report will be released in 2011.

In support of safer and energy efficient consumer products, the manufacturing, import prohibitions associated with the Automotive Refinishing Regulations and the Architectural Coatings Regulations came into effect in 2010. The sales prohibitions came into effect in 2010 for the Automotive Refinishing Regulations and will begin in 2012 for the Architectural Coatings Regulations. Once these regulations are fully implemented they are expected to result in a 40% and 28% annual reduction of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) emissions respectively from the targeted product categories.

Analysis and consultations were completed to support the publication of amendments to the Energy Efficiency Regulations in the fall of 2011, and all CARA efficiency regulations are estimated to be in effect by June 2012. Also, market transformation program impacts (ENERGY STAR) are expected to be met as awareness of the program by the public and its use by participants remains high.

In support of improving air quality in Canadian households and buildings, 9,000 participants were recruited for the cross-Canada 2011-12 radon survey. The Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) program increased both the scientific understanding and the public awareness of the health risks of indoor air pollutants through risk assessments, research and public outreach. A Geographic Information System-based procedure for the mapping of indoor radon potential has been used to create a radon potential map of southern Ontario. Scientific assessments were completed for three priority indoor air contaminants and a proposed Residential Indoor Air Quality Guideline for Toluene was published. 

A multi-city and multi-year project to assess the IAQ in Canadian homes and to identify the major sources of contaminants was completed. While analysis is still on-going for certain cities, results from these projects have already been used in risk assessments and have been made available through scientific journals, presentations at conferences and in technical reports. 

This year also saw significant public outreach, as indoor air quality, including radon, was included as a major focus for First Nations public awareness campaigns.  In combination with the targeted radon outreach program, there has been an increase in radon awareness exceeding the target of 25% and a significant increase in the distribution of radon outreach materials.

In support of more accurate reporting, as well as easier compliance on air emissions, the National Inventory Report for GHGs to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was submitted and was also used to support domestic decisions and actions on climate change policy; Canada’s 2009 air pollutant emissions inventory data and historical trends were published; and, the 2009 GHG emissions information from large industrial and institutional facilities under its Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting Program (GHGRP) was collected and published. The GHGRP collected the emissions data through the department's newly launched Single Window Reporting (SWR) system, which was facilitated through bilateral agreements with provinces.  Furthermore, the expanded version of the SWR system for the Greenhouse Gas and the and National Pollutant Release Inventory reporting was publicly launched in the Spring. 

A request for proposals, based on the Offset System rules, for offsetting GHG emissions resulting from federal participation in the Vancouver Winter Games and the G8/G20 Summits was developed. Much of the design of a domestic credit tracking system was completed, but it has yet to be implemented. 

Work was completed on bringing Canada’s Kyoto Protocol National Registry into compliance with international data exchange standards.

2010-11 Theme Lessons Learned

The key challenges facing Canada in establishing a broad approach to climate change is the need to remain flexible enough to respond to changing priorities, and keeping pace with international and U.S. policy and regulatory developments. Despite significant shifts in U.S. climate policy, from a cap and trade to a regulatory approach, preparatory work for either approach was successfully undertaken. The Federal-Provincial-Territorial Working Group on Domestic Climate Change provided a useful forum to work with provinces and territories in developing federal policy, and will be a useful venue for consultation going forward.

Canada experienced a number of challenges with respect to managing the coordination and communication amongst a number of key players in many of its Clean Air Regulatory Agenda activities. The main challenges experienced during the reporting period included the need to:

  • reconcile divergent stakeholder opinions;
  • actively engage the U.S. EPA on future regulatory changes in order to maintain Canada’s alignment with U.S. regulations and standards;
  • better collaborate with partners and programs, such as the Chemicals Management Plan, Consumer Product Safety and the National Research Council, to better address cross-cutting issues under the indoor air program; and,
  • clearly communicate partners’ needs from the outset of the development cycle  for the SWR system associated with business requirements of provincial partners in order to eliminate unnecessary delays.

There remain some challenges in moving forward with the Comprehensive Air Management System, such as concerns about potential for administrative burden in implementation, competitiveness impacts on the industry, development of emission limits and validation for all key sectors.

A lengthy consultation process to inform the development of the new U.S. GHG label for light-duty vehicles caused delays in Canada's plan to move forward with a harmonized voluntary label in 2010-11.  The U.S. finalized its new label in May 2011, paving the way for Canada to proceed with updates to its label that align with upgrades introduced in the U.S.

Theme Financial Summary

Federal Partner Programs Funding Approved under CAA Planned Spending
2010-11
Actual Spending
2010-11
Environment Canada
Industrial Sector Regulatory Actions $ 85,924,181 $ 32,046,428 $ 21,632,154
Transport Sector Regulatory Actions $ 31,474,967 $ 11,847,484 $ 6,893,031
Consumer and Commercial Products Regulatory Actions $ 12,000,000 $ 3,363,020 $ 2,050,763
Science in Support of Regulatory Activities and Accountability $ 47,985,868 $ 17,803,315 $ 14,666,748
Emissions Reporting $ 54,573,952 $ 20,473,744 $ 11,623,762
Emissions Trading $ 24,901,559 $ 11,402,242 $ 3,368,622
Enforcement Advice and Reporting on Progress $ 7,000,000 $ 1,741,960 $ 630,680
Policy Development, Analysis and Coordination $ 9,385,717 $ 2,692,839 $ 1,350,308
Subtotal $ 273,246,244 $ 101,371,032 $ 62,216,068
 
Transport Canada
Transport Sector Regulatory Actions $ 19,170,216 $ 4,769,514 $ 2,917,011
Subtotal $ 19,170,216 $ 4,769,514 $ 2,917,011
 
Natural Resources Canada
Transport Sector Regulatory Actions $ 3,200,000 $ 400,000 $ 332,872
Consumer and Commercial Products Regulatory Actions $ 32,000,000 $ 9,166,000 $ 7,659,182
Subtotal $ 35,200,000 $ 9,566,000 $ 7,992,054
 
Health Canada
Indoor Air Quality Management Actions $ 17,500,000 $ 4,500,000 $ 3,584,996
Science in Support of Regulatory Activities and Accountability $ 71,300,000 $ 23,000,000 $ 20,057,848
Subtotal $ 88,800,000 $ 27,500,000 $ 23,642,844
Total Theme $ 416,416,460 $ 143,206,546 $ 96,767,977

 

Theme: Clean Energy

Lead Department

Natural Resources Canada

Federal Theme Partners

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

Summary by Department

Federal Partner Name # Programs for Federal Partners Funding Approved
under CAA

(to March 31, 2011)
Planned Spending
2010-11
Actual Spending 2010-11
Natural Resources Canada 7 $ 1,336,242,000 $ 590,127,394 $ 573,290,098
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada 1 $ 15,000,000 $ 3,750,000 $ 3,726,082
Total 8 $ 1,351,242,000 $ 593,877,394 $ 577,016,180

2010-11 Expected Results

Theme: Clean Energy - 2010-11 Expected Results

2010-11 Theme Performance Summary

Natural Resources Canada

Programs under the Clean Energy Theme continued to surpass expectations and achieve concrete benefits for Canadians in 2010-11. These benefits include increased energy efficiency, renewable energy production and facilitation of emerging technologies. Tangible reductions of Greenhouse Gases (GHG) and Criteria Air Contaminants (CAC) have also been realized from clean energy activities.

As a result of Clean Energy programs, Canadians are adopting energy efficient products and services.

During the four-year program period ending March 31, 2011, the ecoENERGY Retrofit program received over 510,000 grant applications against a program target of supporting 520,000 grants for energy efficient retrofits for homes. In addition, in the 2010-11 fiscal year, 483 contribution agreements for small and medium organizations were signed, providing financial support to retrofit smaller buildings and industrial facilities.

ecoENERGY for Buildings and Houses enabled consumer choice in energy efficient housing by administering the labelling of approximately 15,900 new houses and issuing approximately 369,000 labels for existing houses according to their energy performance. These results exceeded the expected achievements for 2010-11 (10,000 new and 125,000 existing houses). Over the 4-year program period, almost 350 commercial buildings received energy labels as part of a pilot energy management labelling and benchmarking program, and approximately 1,600 building owners, managers, operators, designers and builders received energy management training. As well, the National Energy Code for Buildings 2011 code was updated and formally approved by the Canadian Commission on Building and Fire Codes.

Industry managers have also been engaged on energy efficiency: In 2010-11, approximately 1,000 industrial energy managers were trained under the ecoENERGY for Industry program. Furthermore, 208 new companies registered their commitment to improved energy efficiency and became Canadian Industry Program for Energy Conservation leaders. In addition, 9 energy assessments to identify opportunities for energy efficiency in companies were funded.

As a result of Clean Energy programs, Canadians are adopting renewable energy products and services and benefitting from strengthened infrastructure.

In 2010-11, 39 projects were commissioned (i.e., in operation) and eligible to receive the production incentive under ecoENERGY for Renewable Power. This represents 1,504 megawatts (MW) of renewable power capacity and commitments of $453 million over 10 years, meeting the 2010-11 target of 1,500 MW. Over the 4-year period ending March 31, 2011, 104 renewable power projects have signed contribution agreements, representing almost 4500 MW of capacity and federal commitments of about $1.4 billion over 14 years.

ecoENERGY for Renewable Heat increased the use of renewable thermal energy technologies in Canada in 2010-11.Under the Residential Pilot Incentive, 9 contribution agreements with collaborators to run residential solar water programs were active and 591 solar water heating systems were installed in residential systems under these agreements, providing $560,000 in funding. In total over the life of the program, 14 contribution agreements were signed, surpassing the program target to support at least 8 residential pilot projects, and a total of 1154 residential solar water systems were installed. As well, 523 commercial systems were installed in 2010-11, providing $8.9 million in funding and leading to a total of 1268 commercial systems over the life of the program and surpassing the program target of 700 systems.

As a result of Clean Energy programs, research has been supported that will generate knowledge essential to achieving Canada’s climate change goals.

Under the ecoENERGY Technology Initiative, scientific research in the 2010-11 fiscal year has been used to inform codes, standards and regulations facilitating the adoption of new technology. Activities were in the areas of cleaner fossil fuels, cleaner transportation, energy efficiency in residential, commercial and institutional buildings, improved industrial processes, carbon capture and storage, and bioenergy. For instance, the program supported the provision of on-going information and expert advice to Environment Canada on energy policy and technology to develop regulations under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act to limit greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired electricity generation. Another example is the Biomass Inventory and Mapping Analysis Tool, which was further developed and improved, and continues to be used by a wide variety of stakeholders to aid in decision-making. Modelling and simulation capabilities are a third example – these were used to develop five case studies on the integration of distributed generation that will have a significant impact on how renewable energies will be integrated onto the electricity grid. 

The Policy, Communications, Monitoring and Reporting program supported Natural Resources Canada's (NRCan) 2010-11 clean energy achievements with timely and strategic advice provided to senior management on clean energy, environment and forest carbon issues.  The program also led accurate reporting on NRCan’s Clean Energy activities through the CAA and other government reports, and contributed to the development of NRCan’s next suite of clean energy programs in Budget 2011. It provided forest-carbon related information for reporting in Canada's 2011 National Inventory Report to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Furthermore in 2010-11, the program increased awareness and understanding among stakeholders of the potential for, and methods of, reducing GHGs and CACs with responses to 95 media calls related to the ecoENERGY initiatives, organization of 124 announcements related to clean energy programming, and the production of marketing and outreach material to support the ecoENERGY initiatives.

Finally, the results achieved under the Clean Energy Theme have ultimately reduced emissions of GHGs and CACs from clean energy activities. Collectively, Natural Resources Canada’s programs under the Clean Energy Theme reduced GHG emissions by an estimated 9.3 megatonnes (Mt) in 2010-11.

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

In 2010-11, the ecoENERGY for Aboriginal and Northern Communities Program funded 47 projects in 42 communities, totalling $2.5 million. The program was fully subscribed by November 2010. The funded projects can be broken down as follows:

  • 12 Community Energy Planning (4-yr total: 25)
  • 18 Energy Efficiency (4-yr total: 41)
  • 17 Renewable Energy (4-yr total: 57)

The program has achieved its goal to support projects within Aboriginal and northern communities which will result in an estimated 1.3 Mt GHG reduction over a 20-year period once projects have been commissioned. As of March 31, 2011, a total of 31 projects have been fully commissioned and are currently achieving GHG reductions.

2010-11 Theme Lessons Learned

Natural Resources Canada

Risks, challenges and lessons learned through programs promoting energy efficiency in buildings, houses and industrial sectors:

  • Program uptake can be greatly impacted by the economy and by other incentive programs offered provincially or by utilities;
  • Contribution agreements may not be suited for low value incentives or for some small and medium-sized businesses due to administrative requirements that are needed to ensure due diligence with financial management;
  • During the economic downturn, some smaller urban centres or remote locations did not yield the expected number of industrial workshop attendees, despite increased staff efforts. The reduced participation did not allow for the full complement of scheduled workshops to be delivered. This compelled the program to concentrate on larger centers and traditional industrial locations in order to deliver the targeted number of workshops with a viable number of attendees; and,
  • Participants of the pilot energy management labelling and benchmarking project felt that the most important lesson learned was the understanding as to the amount of time and effort needed for benchmarking. The data collection process during the pilot project provided useful insights into the availability of data for facilities in each participant’s commercial building portfolio and allowed pilot project participants to conclude that there is room for improvement in existing energy and building data management processes.

Risks, challenges and lessons learned through programs encouraging the deployment of renewable energy technologies:

  • While ecoENERGY for Renewable Heat surpassed its program target to support at least 8 residential pilot projects under the Residential Pilot Incentive activity (in total, 14 contribution agreements were signed), the program fell short of the estimate it provided for the 2010-11 Horizontal Report on Plans and Priorities that it would support the installation of 3,000 residential systems (the program supported the installation of 591 residential solar water systems in 2010-11). The shortfall was due to regulatory issues with respect to deployment of solar water heaters in the residential sector and changes in builders’ priorities.  The program was able to address the regulatory issues and was still able to meet its primary objective, which was to test different approaches to deliver solar thermal programs to the residential sector.

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

Risks, challenges and lessons learned through the ecoENERGY for Aboriginal and Northern Communities program:

  • Since the program does not enter into multi-year funding arrangements with proponents and applicants must reapply on an annual basis, there is a risk that the funds sent to a proponent are not spent within the fiscal year that they are received. This is being addressed through the Departmental financial management system;
  • Emission reduction calculations are a challenge as commission dates are frequently beyond the program life of four years, especially for projects with higher emission reductions. The program has attempted to mitigate this risk by having a third party technical review completed for the GHG calculations; and,
  • Other program risks include the oversubscription of the program, which may result in the program missing opportunities to fund good projects that could potentially lead to high emission reductions, as well as a lack of awareness of the program, which may disadvantage some communities. The latter is being addressed through regional collaboration.

Theme Financial Summary

Federal Partner Programs Funding Approved under CAA Planned Spending
2010-11
Actual Spending
2010-11
Natural Resources Canada
ecoEnergy for Buildings and Houses $ 61,000,000 $ 13,608,000 $ 13,532,259
ecoEnergy Retrofit $ 801,000,000 $ 385,999,100 $ 382,885,119
ecoEnergy for Industry $ 18,000,000 $ 3,616,000 $ 3,481,757
ecoEnergy for Renewable Power $ 228,000,000 $ 90,660,000 $ 90,152,716
ecoEnergy for Renewable Heat $ 34,430,000 $ 11,480,000 $ 11,468,619
ecoEnergy Technology Initiative $ 169,252,000 $ 78,624,294 $ 66,411,774
Policy, Communications, Monitoring and Reporting $ 24,560,000 $ 6,140,000 $ 5,357,854
Subtotal $ 1,336,242,000 $ 590,127,394 $ 573,290,098
 
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
ecoEnergy for Aboriginal and Northern Communities $ 15,000,000 $ 3,750,000 $ 3,726,082
Subtotal $ 15,000,000 $ 3,750,000 $ 3,726,082
Total Theme $ 1,351,242,000 $ 593,877,394 $ 577,016,180

2010-2011 Theme Actual Spending within Economic Action Plan
$ 351,366,517

 

Theme: Clean Transportation

Lead Department

Transport Canada

Federal Theme Partners Natural Resources Canada, Environment Canada, Human Resources and Skills Development Canada

Summary by Department

Federal Partner Name # Programs for Federal Partners Funding Approved under CAA
(to March 31, 2011)
Planned Spending 2010-11 Actual Spending 2010-11
Transport Canada 9 $ 315,300,000 $ 16,603,011 $ 12,155,856
Natural Resources Canada 2 $ 43,000,000 $ 9,760,000 $ 9,476,059
Environment Canada 1 $ 90,800,000 $ 41,388,000 $ 30,247,496
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada 1 $ 11,300,000 $ 0 $ 0
Total 13 $ 460,400,000 $ 67,751,011 $ 51,879,411

2010-11 Expected Results

Theme: Clean Transportation - 2010-11 Expected Results

2010-11 Theme Performance Summary

During their fourth and final year of operation, Clean Transportation programs continued to address the challenges of pollution and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the movement of people and goods in Canada.

Programs provided information essential to the development of informed regulations and to the coordination and harmonization of regulations across different jurisdictions. Programs also supplemented regulations and helped to ensure their success by tackling two key barriers to reducing pollution from transportation: the lack of information, knowledge and engagement on the part of consumers and industry, and the costs and risks associated with uptake of new technologies. In 2010-11, the focus was on completing the projects and program activities, measuring their impact, and gathering information about results and making this available to industry and other stakeholders.

To help inform the regulatory process, the ecoTechnology for Vehicles program worked in partnership with vehicle manufacturers, industry associations, government departments and other stakeholders to test and evaluate emerging vehicle technologies in accordance with the test procedures developed by standard testing bodies and important regulatory agencies like the Society of Automotive Engineers. 

Under the National Harmonization Initiative for the Trucking Industry two studies were commissioned examining the performance and potential safety implications of emerging add-on aerodynamic devices in the trucking industry. This includes the “Truck Trailer Side Skirts” study, which reports on commercially available designs, their construction materials and mounting methods; cost; whether there are any side effects on vehicle safety such as on brake cooling; and their ability to provide side underrun protection to vulnerable road users such as cyclists.

Addressing the lack of information and improving knowledge is essential to change the behaviour of consumers and industry. A number of programs addressed this objective.

The ecoENERGY for Personal Vehicles program contributed to reduced emissions from personal vehicles by providing training on fuel-efficient driving practices to approximately 580,000 new drivers.  Additionally, fuel efficient driving instruction was delivered to 10,500 experienced drivers.  As a result of activities undertaken by the ecoENERGY for Personal Vehicles program since its launch in 2007, Canadians have reduced their annual GHG emissions by 0.21 megatonnes (Mt).  Additionally, a Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2005 with Automobile Manufacturers achieved a GHG reduction of between 3.1 Mt and 3.4 Mt.

The ecoENERGY for Fleets program contributed to reduced emissions from trucking by providing training in fuel-efficient driving practices to over 8000 drivers. To elicit the engagement of stakeholders, the ecoENERGY for Fleets program concluded agreements with the trucking industry under which over 500 tractors and trailers were retrofitted with fuel-efficient components.

Under the ecoFREIGHT Partnership program, Memoranda of Understanding continued to be implemented with the aviation and rail industries. In the aviation industry, annual average fuel efficiency improvements between 1990 and 2009 were 1.9%, surpassing the Memorandum of Understanding-established target of 1.1%. The rail industry GHG emission intensity similarly decreased by 23.3% by 2008 compared with the 1990 baseline. Finally, under the Freight Technology Demonstration Fund and the Freight Technology Incentive Program, over 30 different information sharing products were developed including webinars, technology case studies, and success stories. These products are available on the programs' web site to inform stakeholders on the benefits of green freight technologies. In addition one newsletter was developed and directly distributed to over 800 freight industry stakeholders to further stimulate technology adoption.

Under the Vehicle Scrappage program incentives were provided to eligible recipients that led to the retirement of over 70,000 old, high-polluting vehicles.

The costs and risks associated with new technologies are important barriers to capital turnover, particularly during a period of economic recession. In 2010-11, a number of Clean Transportation programs continued to be implemented in order to assist in reducing such risks. The Freight Technology Demonstration and Freight Technology Incentives programs completed their sponsorship of 40 projects with $25 million in value covering a wide range of best practices and technology applications such as aerodynamics, electrification, engine innovation and best operating practices. The Marine Shore Power program completed its second tranche of funding with the provision of $645,000 to the Prince Rupert Port Authority to demonstrate shore power technology for container ships at Fairview Terminal. The ecoMobility program continued to provide funding to 13 projects in 12 communities across Canada and developed several information and social marketing tools needed to support Transportation Demand Management project implementation across Canada.

Finally, international harmonization and cooperation is essential to emissions reduction. Transport Canada continued its presence at international fora under the ecoFREIGHT Partnerships programs, contributing to the development of international environmental standards, practices, and guidelines, and sharing of information and best practices within organizations such as the International Civil Aviation organization, the International Maritime Organization, and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, among others.

Theme Financial Summary

Federal Partner Programs Funding Approved under CAA Planned Spending
2010-11
Actual Spending
2010-11
Transport Canada
ecoMobility $ 8,200,000 $ 2,814,000 $ 2,321,320
ecoTechnology for Vehicles $ 14,100,000 $ 2,693,000 $ 2,569,757
National Harmonization Initiative for the Trucking Industry $ 5,400,000 $ 1,855,000 $ 840,560
Freight Technology Demonstration Fund $ 9,300,000 $ 2,339,655 $ 1,996,141
Freight Technology Incentives Program $ 9,350,000 $ 2,609,856 $ 1,596,093
ecoFreight Partnerships $ 6,550,000 $ 1,452,000 $ 967,885
Marine Shore Power Program $ 5,700,000 $ 1,841,500 $ 1,054,144
Analytical and Policy Support $ 4,000,000 $ 998,000 $ 809,956
ecoAUTO Rebate Program $ 252,700,000 $ 0 $ 0
Subtotal $ 315,300,000 $ 16,603,011 $ 12,155,856
 
Natural Resources Canada
ecoENERGY or Personal Vehicles $ 21,000,000 $ 4,632,275 $ 4,665,288
ecoENERGY for Fleets $ 22,000,000 $ 5,127,725 $ 4,810,771
Subtotal $ 43,000,000 $ 9,760,000 $ 9,476,059
 
Environment Canada
Vehicle Scrappage Program $ 90,800,000 $ 41,388,000 $ 30,247,496
Subtotal $ 90,800,000 $ 41,388,000 $ 30,247,496
 
Human Resources and Skills Development Canada
ecoAUTO Rebate Program $ 11,300,000 $ 0 $ 0
Subtotal $ 11,300,000 $ 0 $ 0
Total Theme $ 460,400,000 $ 67,751,011 $ 51,879,411

 

Theme: Indoor Air Quality

Lead Department

Health Canada

Federal Theme Partners National Research Council Canada

Summary by Department

Federal Partner Name # Programs
for Federal Partners
Funding Approved
under CAA

(to March 31, 2011)
Planned Spending
2010-11
Actual Spending 2010-11
Health Canada 1 $ 15,000,000 $ 4,100,000 $ 3,819,144
National Research Council Canada 1 $ 8,000,000 $ 2,000,000 $ 1,998,495
Total 2 $ 23,000,000 $ 6,100,000 $ 5,817,639

2010-11 Expected Results

Theme: Indoor Air Quality - 2010-11 Expected Results

2010-11 Theme Performance Summary

Radon Strategy

A radon educational toolkit was completed and distributed to stakeholders, and a resource kit for health professionals was completed and mailed to family doctors, oncologists, respirologists and other healthcare providers across Canada. The purpose of these kits is to provide stakeholders with a variety of information which can be used to develop regional or community-focused outreach programs and activities. In addition, a radon fact sheet for smokers was developed and will be distributed in 2011-12.

In an effort to reduce environmental health risks, Health Canada launched the Hazard Check guide and public education campaign in March 2010, which included radon as one of the key risks targeted by increased awareness efforts.    

Aerial radiation surveys were performed in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba to assess the levels of uranium and other naturally-occurring radioactivity. At least 35% of Canada’s geographic area is now available for use in radon potential maps. Soil gas radon measurements were made in three major population centres in Ontario (Kingston and the Greater Toronto Area) and Quebec (Montreal) for use in the mapping of radon potential. 

Approximately 6,000 federal buildings were tested for radon in 2010-11, which exceeded the target of 5,000. The total number of federal buildings now tested over the four years of the project is approximately 9,000 or ~ 90% of federal buildings in known areas of high radon potential.

Health Canada and the National Environmental Health Association Radon Proficiency Program have developed Canadian-specific certification exams in both official languages, as well as a training curriculum which addresses radon within the Canadian context.

Indoor Air Research and Development Initiative

A field study on ventilation, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and respiratory health has been performed and is 92% complete. With valuable input from the Indoor Air Research Laboratory, all interventions (introducing HRV, heat recovery ventilator, and ERV, energy recovery ventilator, systems) have been completed to improve ventilation. The Institut national de santé publique du Québec and the National Research Council Canada (NRC) have created databases for chemical, biological, physical, environmental, behavioural and medical results obtained from the field study, which will be analyzed to determine the relationships between ventilation scenarios and technologies, IAQ and health.

The following three IAQ solutions and technologies have been prioritized out of 50 potential candidate solutions: portable air cleaners, HRV and commercial air duct cleaning. Three evaluation protocols regarding these technologies have been developed under the guidance of a multi-stakeholder Technical Advisory Committee, and the performance of these solutions has been evaluated.

The Canadian Committee on Indoor Air Quality in Buildings met regularly, and an Executive Committee was established to guide this committee. The work of the committee has led to a survey on ‘Building Managers’ Knowledge of IA and Improvement Strategies’, as well as to a guidance document on ‘Sampling Strategies and Protocols for Organic Compounds in Buildings’.

2010-11 Theme Lessons Learned

It is unlikely that all federal buildings (~20,000) will have been tested by the funding completion date (end of 2012-13) for federal building testing. To further engage federal departments and organizations, Health Canda has provided information on the requirements under the Canadian Occupational Health and Safety Regulations to federal departments. In cases where departments have a large building stock and have developed a multi-year testing plan, provisions have been made for continued radon detector support beyond 2012-13, in order to ensure that the maximum number of buildings is completed.

Field studies with human subjects, especially from parts of vulnerable populations, are difficult to perform and often take more time than planned. There is a risk of participants dropping out and the study not having sufficient population to be statistically meaningful. To mitigate this risk and ensure timely completion, NRC continuously recruited participants and ensured participants met inclusion criteria. 

Involvement of stakeholder committee provides valuable input, but consensus-based decisions require much time and many revisions of the projected deliverables. To ensure timely outputs, stakeholders were engaged by NRC and were provided with clear objectives and timelines.

Theme Financial Summary

Federal Partner Programs Funding Approved under CAA Planned Spending
2010-11
Actual Spending
2010-11
Health Canada
Radon Strategy $ 15,000,000 $ 4,100,000 $ 3,819,144
Subtotal $ 15,000,000 $ 4,100,000 $ 3,819,144
 
National Research Council Canada
Indoor Air Research and Development Initiative $ 8,000,000 $ 2,000,000 $ 1,998,495
Subtotal $ 8,000,000 $ 2,000,000 $ 1,998,495
Total Theme $ 23,000,000 $ 6,100,000 $ 5,817,639

 

Theme: Adaptation

Lead Department

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada

Federal Theme Partners

Natural Resources Canada, Health Canada, Environment Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada

Summary by Department

Federal Partner Name # Programs for Federal Partners Funding Approved
under CAA

(to March 31, 2011)
Planned Spending
2010-11
Actual Spending 2010-11
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada 1 $ 14,000,000 $ 6,050,000 $ 5,978,661
Natural Resources Canada 1 $ 23,655,000 $ 10,564,323 $ 9,881,683
Health Canada 3 $ 23,600,000 $ 7,100,000 $ 6,757,117
Environment Canada 2 $ 36,300,000 $ 10,418,627 $ 9,904,657
Public Health Agency of Canada 1 $ 6,750,000 $ 2,544,210 $ 2,728,000
Total 8 $ 104,305,000 $ 36,677,160 $ 35,250,118

2010-11 Expected Results

Theme: Adaptation - 2010-11 Expected Results

2010-11 Theme Performance Summary

The Adaptation Theme has met or exceeded many of its expectations for 2010-11. 

Working directly with partners at the community, regional and national level, the theme was able to increase capacity to conduct science and encourage greater collaboration. Fifty-two Aboriginal and northern communities, traditional territories, settlement areas and Territorial governments and First Nations South of 60° were funded to complete 36 projects looking at climate change impacts and adaptation in Aboriginal and northern communities. Of the 36 projects, 16 focused on assessing climate risks and building adaptive capacity, 10 involved sharing climate change risk information to strengthen local decision making and adaptation planning, and 10 involved the development and use of adaptation plans. An additional 16 projects were funded to address the health impacts of climate change in the North. The projects focused on increasing understanding and developing adaptation options for community-based ice monitoring, surveillance and communication networks, land, water and ice safety, drinking water and food security and safety, and traditional medicine. Each year the number of projects funded and conducted has increased and many have included youth and Elders working together to gain knowledge.

Bilateral meetings were held with each territory to develop a framework on federal/territorial collaborations around climate change adaptation within territorial boundaries. Preliminary discussions are expected to begin to decide which projects will be included in this framework to deliver on territorial priorities. A PanArctic Results Workshop was also held in February 2011 and brought all communities funded to assess and plan for climate change and health impacts in the North together to showcase their results and share their knowledge and experiences with other communities, Aboriginal leaders and organizations, government, academia and Members of Parliament.

Communities were also supported in better understanding the health impacts of climate change through pilot processes and the dissemination of information products. Four community-based, pilot, heat alert and response systems were completed. Table top exercises were held in all four communities to assist public health practitioners and emergency planners in developing their systems (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/climat/adapt_bulletin-adapt3/index-eng.php). Broad dissemination to medical officers of health and public health and emergency management officials is planned for:  “Heat Alert and Response Systems to Protect Health: Best Practices Guidebook” (Fall 2011);  “Extreme Heat Events Guidelines: Technical Guide for Health Care Workers” and associated fact sheets (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/climat/index-eng.php) (Summer 2011); and,  “Communicating the Health Risks of Extreme Heat Events: Toolkit for Public Health and Emergency Management Officials” and associated heat-health brochures (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/ewh-semt/pubs/climat/heat-chaleur/index-eng.php) (Spring 2011). A series of workshops was also completed to support efforts to link urban planning with heat adaptation and mitigation.

Focusing on infectious disease, four geographically distinct pilot sites across Canada (Saint John, NB; Niagara, ON; Canmore-Cochrane, AB; Comox Valley Regional District, BC) addressed the health impacts of climate change in their regions. In addition, five universities (McGill University, Université de Montréal, University of Saskatchewan, University of Victoria, and York University) were solicited to conduct targeted research in vector-borne or water-borne infectious disease. Studies included: modelling West Nile virus transmission to predict and map future risk; development of multi-criteria decision analysis tools to assess and proactively manage vector-borne zoonosis (e.g. WNv and Lyme) risk at the community level; study of climate variables (precipitation, temperature) and landscape as predictors of mosquito vector populations to create the real time warning system for West Nile virus; and identification of the relationships between climate and existing and new water-borne pathogens and predicting future risk with a changing climate.

Partnerships have been established across Canada to enhance decision-making on adaptation issues. Six Regional Adaptation Collaboratives (RAC), covering all regions of Canada, have attracted 120 partners from municipalities, NGOs, Aboriginal organizations, academia and the private sector as well as 40 provincial and territorial agencies and departments, enhancing communication and joint work on 17 key regional adaptation issues. Collaboration is also taking place nationally through the creation of an integration group which allows RAC leaders to share experiences and expertise. An unplanned outcome from this activity has been an increase in adaptation-related activities both inside and outside of governments. Information has been disseminated and training delivered to further benefit adaptation planning. Four decision-support tools, 3 infrastructure case studies, and 23 reports were released increasing the availability of tools and information for use in planning adaptation. Engineers Canada delivered 6 workshops on the infrastructure risk assessment protocol bringing the number of people trained in its use to 345. The planners delivered two training workshops and are already noting an increase in application of climate change information in planners’ work.

There has also been progress in increasing the availability of adaptation and air quality information through the wider use of the Air Quality Health Index (AQHI) and development and dissemination of climate change scenarios. By March 31, 2011, the AQHI was fully implemented across Canada in six provinces (NFLD, PEI, NS, MN, SK and BC) where the older, out of date provincial Air Quality Index (AQI) was dropped in favour of the AQHI. Successful negotiations with New Brunswick have led to the decision to move forward with province-wide implementation for Spring 2012. Alberta is planning to begin a phased approach towards full province-wide implementation beginning in June 2011. Quebec has completed its pilot of the AQHI in three locations and is evaluating next steps towards implementation. To date, the AQHI is available to approximately 17.5 million Canadians in 49 locations across Canada. Promotion of the AQHI has been extensive through a number of partners including: the Weather Network, the University of British Columbia, the Asthma Society, provincial Lung Associations and the College of Family Physicians of Canada. As of March 2011, 392 participants had enrolled and 160 participants had completed an e-learning course to raise awareness and understanding of the AQHI among health professionals. To view the public on-line website of the AQHI, please see www.airhealth.ca.

The development and dissemination of climate change projections and scenarios has strengthened the ability of all partners to conduct adaptation science. New climate change simulations and projections for Canada and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fifth Assessment Report, to be released in 2014, continued to be in production using the internationally competitive Canadian global climate model. A new regional climate model used to downscale global climate change projections was developed, with testing and evaluation underway. Global and regional climate model output continued to be disseminated to users via the Canadian Centre for Climate Modelling and Analysis (CCCma) data server and research results were widely disseminated via the CCCma website (http://www.cccma.ec.gc.ca/) and through peer-reviewed publications. A substantial suite of new climate change scenarios were also developed based on both Canadian and other climate models that are being delivered via the Canadian Climate Change Scenarios Network (http://cccsn.ca/) website. Further, legally required climatic design information has been updated in cooperation with the Canadian Standards Association for the development of new codes and standards for Canadian infrastructure.

2010-11 Theme Lessons Learned

Interest in Adaptation Theme programs has increased significantly over the three years of funding. Some funding programs were oversubscribed in the final year, and delivery of the funding in a timely and consistent manner has been challenging. Multi-year funding would provide long-term stability for proponents and allow projects to start earlier in the fiscal year. Ensuring ongoing support and implementation of partnerships and pilot studies was also a challenge. Programs provided support through departmental sharing of expertise and information with pilot communities and stakeholders, which enhanced the impact of projects. Local ownership and the development of sustainability plans were promoted to encourage continuation of programs. Early engagement was found to be key and a commitment to improving outreach and knowledge transfer is an ongoing need as communities and partners deal with competing priorities. Programs strived to be flexible to accommodate regional needs and variabilities, while maintaining national consistency.

Theme Financial Summary

Federal Partner Programs Funding Approved under CAA Planned Spending
2010-11
Actual Spending
2010-11
Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
Assist Northerners in Assessing Key Vulnerabilities and Opportunities $ 14,000,000 $ 6,050,000 $ 5,978,661
Subtotal $ 14,000,000 $ 6,050,000 $ 5,978,661
 
Natural Resources Canada
Innovative Risk Management Tools / Regional Adaptation Action Partnerships $ 23,655,000 $10,564,323 $ 9,881,683
Subtotal $ 23,655,000 $ 10,564,323 $ 9,881,683
 
Health Canada
National Air Quality Health Index and Air Quality Forecast Program $ 8,700,000 $ 2,200,000 $ 1,635,999
Climate Change and Health Adaptation in Northern/Inuit Communities $ 7,000,000 $ 2,150,000 $ 2,162,693
Climate and Infectious Disease Alert and Response System to Protect the Health of Canadians $ 7,900,000 $ 2,750,000 $ 2,958,425
Subtotal $ 23,600,000 $ 7,100,000 $ 6,757,117
 
Environment Canada
National Air Quality Health Index and Air Quality Forecast Program $ 21,300,000 $ 5,800,000 $ 5,750,940
Improved Climate Change Scenarios $ 15,000,000 $ 4,618,627 $ 4,153,717
Subtotal $ 36,300,000 $ 10,418,627 $ 9,904,657
 
Public Health Agency of Canada
Climate and Infectious Disease Alert and Response System to Protect the Health of Canadians $ 6,750,000 $ 2,544,210 $ 2,728,000
Subtotal $ 6,750,000 $ 2,544,210 $ 2,728,000
Total Theme $ 104,305,000 $ 36,677,160 $ 35,250,118

 

Theme: International Actions

Lead Department

Environment Canada

Federal Theme Partners

Natural Resources Canada, Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Industry Canada

Summary by Department

Federal Partner Name # Programs for Federal Partners Funding Approved under CAA
(to March 31, 2011)
Planned Spending 2010-11 Actual Spending 2010-11
Environment Canada 5 $ 39,831,067 $ 13,418,671 $ 15,393,666
Natural Resources Canada 3 $ 7,838,650 $ 2,304,000 $ 2,154,707
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade 3 $ 9,264,900 $ 2,527,000 $ 2,405,648
Industry Canada 1 $ 240,000 $ 40,000 $ 22,665
Total 12 $ 57,174,617 $ 18,289,671 $ 19,976,686

2010-11 Expected Results

Theme: International Actions - 2010-11 Expected Results

2010-11 Theme Achieved Results

Canada has met all current financial and other obligations under international climate change treaties and agreements; dues were paid to United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC); and Canada complied with all reporting requirements. Environment Canada (EC), Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT) and, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) constructively engaged in five UNFCCC negotiating meetings to advance Canada’s objectives and advocated Canada’s objectives at other multilateral processes such as the G8, G20, Major Economies Forum, la Francophonie, Clean Energy Ministerial and Arctic Council. Environment Canada strengthened bilateral policy and project-based cooperation with key countries (in particular, China and Mexico), and engaged with key domestic constituencies (Provinces/Territories, national Aboriginal organizations and civil society) regarding Canada’s UN negotiation objectives and positions. In December 2010, Canada adopted the UNFCCC’s Cancun Agreements, which meets Canada’s objectives for a comprehensive range of issues.

In this final of four years, EC, working with DFAIT, Industry Canada and NRCAN, invested nearly $8M in Canadian public-private partnership clean technology projects under the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate, the Global Methane Initiative, and the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership. This resulted in a total 4-year investment of nearly $16M which leveraged over $115M in investments from the private sector and other governments. The projects delivered environmental benefits (in particular, greenhouse gas reductions), economic benefits to Canadian companies and accelerated clean technology development and deployment across a range of industrial sectors, including zero energy buildings, renewable energy, landfill gas, power generation and oil & gas.

Preliminary analysis of the proposed United States (U.S.) approach to reducing emissions of particulate matter (PM) precursors on Canada’s air quality were completed and Canada continued to engage Canadian  stakeholders to help finalize elements of Canada’s proposed Air Quality Management System.  Canada hosted the annual meeting of the Canada-U.S. Air Quality Committee in November 2010, during which the Committee agreed to a path forward on a PM Annex. Canada and the U.S. will also implement a number of activities in 2011-12 to mark the 20th anniversary of the Canada-U.S. Air Quality Agreement. 

Environment Canada, NRCan and DFAIT’s Clean Energy Dialogue (CED) program increased collaboration and knowledge sharing with the US by coordinating clean energy technology research and development to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Theme Financial Summary

Federal Partner Programs Funding Approved under CAA Planned Spending
2010-11
Actual Spending
2010-11
Environment Canada
International Obligations $ 2,892,000 $ 623,000 $ 989,621
International Participation and Negotiations $ 11,400,000 $ 2,700,000 $ 4,227,408
Asia-Pacific Partnership $ 18,882,664 $ 7,308,166 $ 8,163,023
PM Annex $ 2,200,000 $ 550,000 $ 153,079
Clean Energy Dialogue $ 4,456,403 $ 2,237,505 $ 1,860,535
Subtotal $ 39,831,067 $ 13,418,671 $ 15,393,666
 
Natural Resources Canada
International Participation and Negotiations $ 5,200,000 $ 1,200,000 $ 1,118,586
Asia-Pacific Partnership $ 877,300 $ 181,800 $ 181,800
Clean Energy Dialogue $ 1,761,350 $ 922,200 $ 854,321
Subtotal $ 7,838,650 $ 2,304,000 $ 2,154,707
 
Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade
International Obligations $ 1,908,000 $ 477,000 $ 477,000
International Participation and Negotiations $ 6,400,000 $ 1,450,000 $ 1,370,879
Clean Energy Dialogue $ 956,900 $ 600,000 $ 557,769
Subtotal $ 9,264,900 $ 2,527,000 $ 2,405,648
 
Industry Canada
Asia-Pacific Partnership $ 240,000 $ 40,000 $ 22,665
Subtotal $ 240,000 $ 40,000 $ 22,665
Total Theme $ 57,174,617 $ 18,289,671 $ 19,976,686

 

Theme: Management and Accountability

Lead Department

Environment Canada

Summary by Department

Federal Partner Name # Programs for Federal Partners Funding Approved under CAA
(to March 31, 2011)
Planned Spending 2010-11 Actual Spending 2010-11
Environment Canada 1 $ 5,000,000 $ 1,250,000 $ 1,143,978
Total 1 $ 5,000,000 $ 1,250,000 $ 1,143,978

2010-11 Expected Results

Theme: Management and Accountability - 2010-11 Expected Results

2010-11 Theme Performance Summary

Improved accountability of the federal government to parliamentarians and Canadians for Clean Air Agenda (CAA) expenditures and activities was supported through the engagement of CAA partner departments and agencies in the development of horizontal performance reports by the Clean Air Agenda Results Management Secretariat (CAARMS).

The evaluation of the Management and Accountability (M&A) Theme concluded that the Theme “brought coherence to the horizontal reporting of CAA activities and results and has emerged as a strong success story, in large part because of the CAARMS. Central agency representatives said that it was a key model to follow for reporting on horizontal initiatives.”

Through the Clean Air Agenda - Horizontal Management, Accountability and Reporting Framework, the M&A Theme provided integrated performance data (financial and non-financial) on CAA Themes and programs for the 2007-11 mandate to CAA partner departments. The evaluation of the CAA noted as a best practice: “the approach of the CAARMS to ensure effective financial and performance data collection, compilation and reporting (acknowledged by the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat to be a model of reporting on a horizontal initiative)”. This data assisted the CAA governance and decision-makers in planning for the renewal of CAA funding post 2011.

Central agencies were assisted with their responsibilities for ongoing horizontal governance and accountability of federal management of environmental investments through analyses of the 2007-11 data developed by CAARMS.  

2010-11 Theme Lessons Learned

In developing forward looking proposals for the Horizontal Management, Accountability and Reporting Framework, the M&A Theme turned its focus to finding more efficient and effective ways to integrate with existing processes (e.g., existing Assistant Deputy Minister committees) with a view to improving policy linkages and reducing administrative burdens on participating departments while supporting ongoing transparency of the federal management of clean air.

Theme Financial Summary

Federal Partner Programs Funding Approved under CAA Planned Spending
2010-11
Actual Spending
2010-11
Environment Canada
Management and Accountability $ 5,000,000 $ 1,250,000 $ 1,143,978
Subtotal $ 5,000,000 $ 1,250,000 $ 1,143,978
Total Theme $ 5,000,000 $ 1,250,000 $ 1,143,978