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ARCHIVED - RPP 2006-2007
Health Canada


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Section 3: Supplementary Information

Table 1: Departmental Planned Spending and Full Time Equivalents
($ millions) Forecast Spending 2005-2006 Planned Spending 2006-2007 Planned Spending 2007-2008 Planned Spending 2008-2009
Health Policy. Planning and Information 448.4 288.6 218.2 214.9
Health Products and Food 262.4 303.2 298.4 283.1
Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety 287.8 306.1 301.7 301.3
Pest Control Product Regulation 58.3 58.7 58.2 54.1
First Nations and Inuit Health 1.867.7 2.087.9 2.126.9 2.138.8
Budgetary Main Estimates (gross) 2.924.6 3.044.5 3.003.4 2.992.2
Less: Respendable Revenues 68.9 69.1 69.4 69.7
Total Main Estimates 2.855.7 2.975.4 2.934.0 2.922.5

Adjustments: 1

Governor General Special Warrants:

Operating Budget Carry Forward (horizontal item) 14.1      
Additional funding in support of Aboriginal health further to the Special Meeting of First Ministers and Aboriginal Leaders on September 13. 2004 25.5      
Additional funding to territories for medical travel costs and health systems reform (TB vote 5) 30.0      
Additional funding for initiatives related to the 10-Year Plan to Strengthen Health Care. such as wait times reduction. internationally educated health care professionals. and improved reporting to Canadians on the progress made in strengthening health care ($15.0 million from TB Vote 5) 25.7      
Funding to ensure the safety of therapeutic products. including enhanced clinical trials oversight. monitoring of drugs and medical devices in the marketplace. and the implementation of new regulations for blood transfusion and organ transplantation (horizontal item) 2.6      
Funding to enhance early learning and childcare programs for First Nations on reserve (horizontal item) 6.1      
Additional funding for health risk assessments and protection measures related to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act 1.7      
Activities to mitigate the impact of the Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) crisis (horizontal item) 1.1      
Funding to deliver federal programs and services. including health in two Labrador Innu communities (Labrador Innu Comprehensive Healing Strategy) (horizontal item) 3.9      
Funding to continue the Government's plan to establish core genomics research and development capacity (horizontal item) 0.2      
Additional funding for the Access to Medicines Program which provides affordable access to Canadian patented pharmaceuticals for the treatment of HIV/AIDS. malaria. tuberculosis and other epidemics. in the least developed and developing countries 0.7      
Funding related to the assessment. management and remediation of federal contaminated sites (horizontal item) 0.6      
Funding to strengthen initiatives in support of the Canadian Strategy on HIV/AIDS in Canada (horizontal item) ($0.8 million from TB Vote 5) 1.2      
Funding to improve the capacity to detect and the readiness to respond to a potential pandemic influenza outbreak including emergency preparedness. antiviral stockpiling and rapid vaccine development technology (horizontal item) 0.4      
Funding for the environmental clean-up of the Sydney Tar Ponds and Coke Oven Sites in the Muggah Creek Watershed (horizontal item) 0.1      
Funding to launch an integrated public health strategy to reduce the impact of chronic disease by promoting healthy living including specific initiatives to combat diabetes. cancer and cardiovascular disease (horizontal item) 0.2      
Funding to undertake projects related to the development and application of biotechnology (Canadian Biotechnology Strategy) (horizontal item) 0.2      
Funding for the development of and reporting on environmental indicators related to clean air. clean water and greenhouse gas emissions (horizontal item) 0.2      
Funding for the delivery of federal programs and services. including health. to the O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation (horizontal item) 0.1 1.5 1.6 0.4
Less: Spending authorities available -61.0      
Other adjustments:
Collective Agreements 41.4      
Joint Career Transition Committee (TB Vote 10) 0.1      
Adjustment - Statutory Items 0.4      
EBP Adjustment 7.9      
Funding for the Genomics Research and Development Initiative. under the auspices of the Canadian Biotechnology Strategy       4.0
Funding to Recognize a Landless Band and for the Registration of Newfoundland Indians   7.3 7.5 7.8
Funding for the Winter Olympics       0.6
One year extension of funding authority for First Nations and Inuit Non-Insured Health Benefits Program Review   30.0    
Funding for the Settlement Agreement for Indian Residential Schools     2.0 11.0
Funding for Avian and Pandemic Influenza Preparedness. with a Focus on Animal and Human Health   1.5 4.0 4.0
Government Wide Efficiencies - Procurement Savings   -4.6    
Year End Lapse 2 -66.9      
Total Adjustments 36.3 35.7 15.1 27.8
Total Planned Spending 3 2,892.0 3,011.1 2,949.1 2,950.3
Less: Non-respendable Revenue 8.9 8.9 8.9 8.9
Plus: Cost of services received without charge 4 85.6 84.7 84.6 84.6
Total Departmental Spending 2,968.7 3,086.9 3,024.8 3,026.0
Full-Time Equivalents 5 8,544.0 8,711.0 8,773.0 8,671.0

1 Adjustments reflect Governor General Special Warrants and TB Vote 5 Access for 2005-2006.
2 Year-end Lapse as per the 2005-2006 Public Accounts.
3 Refer to Section 2 for an explanation by program activity of year-over-year fluctuations.
4 Includes the following services received without charge: accommodation charges (Public Works and Government Services Canada); contributions covering employers' share of employees' insurance premiums and expenditures (Treasury Board Secretariat); Workers' Compensation (Human Resources and Skills Development Canada); and Legal Services
(Department of Justice Canada).
5 Full-time equivalents reflect the human resources that the Department uses to deliver its programs and services. This number is based on a calculation that considers full-time. term. casual employment. and other factors such as job sharing.

 

Table 2: Program Activities for 2006-2007 (in millions of dollars)
Program Activity Operating Capital Grants Contributions Gross Respendable Revenue Total Main Estimates Adjustments (planned spending not in Main Estimates) Total Planned Spending
Health Policy. Planning and Information 95.6   57.1 135.9 288.6   288.6 -0.2 288.4
Health Products and Food 291.9 1.4 5.9 4.0 303.2 -41.2 262.0 0.1 262.1
Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety 260.4 1.0 5.1 39.6 306.1 -15.4 290.7 -0.8 289.9
Pest Control Product Regulation 58.7       58.7 -7.0 51.7 -0.1 51.6
First Nations and Inuit Health 1,144.7 1.5 30.0 911.7 2,087.9 -5.5 2,082.4 36.7 2,119.1
Total 1,851.3 3.9 98.1 1,091.2 3,044.5 -69.1 2,975.4 35.7 3,011.1

 

Table 3: Voted and Statutory Items listed in Main Estimates (in millions of dollars)
2006-2007  
Vote or Statutory Item Truncated Vote or Statutory Wording Current Main Estimates Previous Main Estimates
1 Operating expenditures 1,674.4 1,552.6
5 Grants and contributions 1,189.3 1,201.8
(S) Minister of Health- Salary and motor car allowance 0,1 0,1
(S) Contributions to employee benefit plans 111.5 101.2
  Total Department 2,975.4 2,855.7

The difference between the current and previous year is due to various increases and decreases to the reference levels, of which some of the major increases are related to: the Special Meeting of the First Ministers and Aboriginal Leaders, the Strengthening the Safety of Drug Strategy, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, and the yearly growth of the Indian Envelope.

The major increases are partially offset by the major decrease in the level of funding for the Primary Health Care Transition Fund.

 

Table 4: Services Received Without Charge
($ millions) 2006-2007
Accommodation provided by Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) 36.6
Contributions covering employers' share of employees' insurance premiums and expenditures paid by Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat Employers' contribution to employees' insured benefits plans and expenditures paid by TBS 44.1
Worker's compensation coverage provided by Human Resources and Skills Development Canada 0.8
Salary and associated expenditures of legal services provided by the Department of Justice Canada 3.2
2006-2007 Services received without charge 84.7

 

Table 5: Sources of Respendable and Non-Respendable Revenues
Respendable Revenues (millions of dollars)
Program Activity Forecast Revenue 2005-2006 Planned Revenue 2006-2007 Planned Revenue 2007-2008 Planned Revenue 2008-2009
Health Products and Food 37.7 41.2 41.2 41.2
Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety 12.0 15.4 15.7 16.0
Pest Control Product Regulation 5.9 7.0 7.0 7.0
First Nations and Inuit Health 3.4 5.5 5.5 5.5
Total Respendable Revenues 59.0 69.1 69.4 69.7
Non-respendable Revenues (millions Of Dollars)
Program Activity Forecast Revenue 2005-2006 Planned Revenue 2006-2007 Planned Revenue 2007-2008 Planned Revenue 2008-2009
Health Products and Food 3.9 3.9 3.9 3.9
Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety 1.7 1.7 1.7 1.7
Pest Control Product Regulation 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
First Nations and Inuit Health 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.3
Total Non-Respendable Revenues 8.9 8.9 8.9 8.9
Total Respendable and Non-Respendable Revenues 67.9 78.0 78.3 78.6

 

Table 6: Resource Requirements by Branch and by Program Activity (in millions of dollars)
($ millions) Health Policy. Planning and Information Health Products and Food Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Pest Control Product Regulation First Nations and Inuit Health Total Planned Spending
Health Policy Branch 269.6         269.6
Health Products and Food Branch   204.4       204.4
Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch     237.5     237.5
Pest Management Regulatory Agency       40.1   40.1
First Nations and Inuit Health Branch         1,997.9 1,997.9
Chief Financial Officer Branch 3.2 9.2 8.6 2.0 16.7 39.7
Corporate Services Branch 7.9 24.3 21.9 4.8 41.3 100.2
Departmental Executive Branch* 7.7 24.2 21.9 4.7 63.2 121.7
Total 288.4 262.1 289.9 51.6 2,119.1 3,011.1

Note:

*Includes such areas as Communications, Legal Services, Office of the Chief Scientist, Audit and Accountability Bureau, Executive Offices and Offices of Regional Directors General.

 

Table 7: Major Regulatory Initiatives
Part A - New Initiatives
Program Activity: Health Policy, Planning And Information
Regulations Expected Results
Regulations under the Assisted Human Reproduction Act New regulations will protect the health and safety of Canadians who use assisted human reproduction (AHR) procedures and ensure that AHR-related research, which may help find treatments for infertility and diseases, takes place in a controlled environment. Regulated activities include embryo research, clinical and laboratory practices and pre-implantation genetic diagnosis. The regulatory framework will also include a licensing framework for AHR activities, and provisions governing the reimbursement of expenditures, counselling, and the reporting of health information.
Program Activity: Health Products And Food
Regulations Expected Results
Food and Drug Regulations (Amendments to Division 3 respecting Positron Emitting Radiopharmaceuticals) Amendment to Part C, Division 3 of the Food and Drug Regulations to provide for an exemption for the requirement to file Clinical Trial applications for certain radiopharmaceutical studies. The amended regulations will eliminate regulatory burden for certain limited basic research studies, while helping to ensure that patient safety is not compromised.
Food and Drug Regulations (Introduction of Emergency Use New Drug Regulations in Division 8) Division 8 of the Food and Drug Regulations requires manufacturers of new drugs intended for sale in Canada to provide substantial evidence of clinical effectiveness in humans. This initiative will provide Health Canada with a formal mechanism to approve products which only contain substantial evidence of clinical effectiveness in animal or in-vitro studies for use in emergency situations and meet emergency preparedness measures, such as the approval and distribution of a vaccine for the treatment and prevention of a pandemic influenza virus.
Food and Drug Regulations (Prohibition of Importation for Personal Use) Increase the scope of the prohibition on importation of veterinary drugs to include the personal importation of drugs intended to be used in food-producing animals to avoid potentially harmful residues in food products from animals treated with these drugs.
Food and Drug Regulations (Carbadox) Prohibition of sale of products containing carbadox for sale in Canada to avoid potentially harmful residues in food products from animals treated with this drug.
Medical Device Regulations (Introduce additional requirements for investigational testing for medical devices) Further address risks to health associated with investigational testing by requiring conformity to Good Clinical Practices, reporting to Health Canada for reviewing/ monitoring, and introducing an inspection program.
Medical Device Regulations (Amendment to regulate the reprocessing of single-use devices) The amended regulations will mitigate the risks associated with the reprocessing of single-use devices by requiring reprocessors of single-use devices to operate under a standards-based licencing program administered by Health Canada.
Food and Drug Regulations (Regulations amending Divisions 1 and 8, Progressive Licensing Project) A new regulatory framework that is based on sound science and risk management is being developed, including revised requirements for initial licensing of new products, provisions allowing for conditions of licensing (e.g., post-market commitments), regulations for the content and revisions of product monographs, provisions for continual evaluation and re-evaluation of licenses, new enforcement and compliance tools, regulations for the issuance of risk communication tools, and provisions for public involvement in the regulatory process.
Program Activity: Pest Control Product Regulation
Regulations Expected Results
Pest Control Products Act (Sales Information Reporting Regulations) New regulations will specify how pest control product sales information will be collected by specifying the requirements for recording, retaining and reporting sales of pest control products.
Part B - Ongoing Initiatives
Program Activity: Health Products And Food
Regulations Expected Results
Food and Drugs Act (New regulatory framework for cells, tissues and organs intended for use in transplantation) The new regulations will aim to balance the need for safe cells, tissues, and organs of high quality with the need to ensure the availability of cells, tissues and organs for transplantation. Phase I regulations will focus on the basic safety requirements for human cells, tissues and organs. Phase II regulations will include adverse event reporting requirements and a compliance and enforcement strategy.
Food and Drugs Act (New Regulations Respecting Blood and Blood Components) The new regulations will aim to balance the need for safe blood and blood components with the need to ensure their availability for transfusion. They will include basic safety requirements, adverse event reporting requirements and a compliance and enforcement strategy.
Food and Drug Regulations (Amendment to provisions respecting plasmapheresis in Division 4 of Part C) The amended regulations will reflect current methods and practices used to collect human plasma as well as the list of transmissible diseases for which tests must be performed in order to maximize the safety of plasma and plasma donors.
Food and Drugs Act (Amendment to the Processing and Distribution of Semen for Assisted Conception Regulations) The amended regulations will reflect current safety standards for semen used in assisted conception.
Food and Drug Regulations (Addition of Vitamins and Minerals to Foods) Facilitation of greater consumer choice and industry innovation by revision of regulations on the addition of vitamins and mineral nutrients to foods taking into account the role of nutrient addition to foods, consumer needs and expectations, and industry requests.
Food and Drug Regulations (Enhanced Labelling) Enhanced protection of allergic consumers through mandatory labelling of specific food allergens, gluten sources and sulphites when present at 10 parts per million or more on the labels of prepackaged food products, whether they have been added directly or indirectly.
Food and Drug Regulations (Mandatory Labelling of Raw Ground Meat and Ground Poultry) Reduction of foodborne illness as a result of providing safe handling information on the labels of these products which, due to their raw state, can introduce diseasecausing bacteria to the food preparation environment.
Food and Drug Regulations (Health Claims) Addition of two diet-related health claims to the list of claims manufacturers can use to promote healthy foods (e.g., fruits, vegetables and whole grains and reduced risk of heart disease, folic acid and reduced risk of neural tube defects).
Food and Drug Regulations (Saccharin) Availability of an additional intense sweetener to allow a wider range of low sugar or sugar free food products for the benefit of consumers who wish to consume these products.
Food and Drug Regulations (Caffeine) Additional label information on levels of caffeine in prepackaged beverages, including caffeine containing energy drinks, to allow consumers to make an informed choice about their caffeine intake.
Food and Drug Regulations (Labelling of Unpasteurized Juice) Reduction of foodborne illness related to the consumption of prepackaged unpasteurized juice products by providing additional information on the labels of these products.
Food and Drug Regulations (Revisions to Division 12 - Prepackaged Water and Ice) Modernization and expansion of the safety and labelling requirements for prepackaged water and ice products.
Food and Drug Regulations (Regulations amending the Special Access Program) The current Special Access Program allows for the use of unauthorized drugs prescribed to patients on an individual basis. The amendment will allow for the block release of unauthorized drugs to a population and/or for stockpiling to address public health emergencies.
Food and Drug Regulations (Regulations amending the data protection provisions) The data protection provisions are being amended to provide effective data protection for a period of eight years for innovator drugs that contain medicinal ingredients not previously approved for sale in Canada. Submissions including pediatric studies that were designed and conducted with the purpose of increasing knowledge about the drug in pediatric age groups will be protected for an additional six months.
Program Activity: Healthy Environments And Consumer Safety
Regulations Expected Results
Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (Regulations to expand the authority for regulated health professionals to prescribe controlled substances where appropriate) Federal legislation will not unnecessarily restrict the professional practice of any health profession regulated by provincial or territorial (P/T) authorities, including practitioners of medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, podiatric medicine, midwifery, and nurse practitioners, with respect to the use of controlled substances in the treatment of their patients. This result will be achieved over the next 2 to 3 years as federal and P/T regulations are amended to allow health professionals to prescribe controlled substances in accordance with the standards of professional practice defined by their regulatory authorities. Achievement will be measured by improved alignment of federal and P/T regulatory frameworks governing the appropriate use of controlled substances for medical purposes.
Tobacco Advertising Regulations Increased awareness of tobacco-related health hazards through mandating of new health warnings in advertising. Awareness will be measured through surveys.
Tobacco Act (Amendment to the Tobacco Labelling Regulations) Increased awareness of tobacco-related hazards through the introduction of new health warnings on packaging. Awareness will be measured though surveys.
Tobacco Regulations (Amendments regarding "Light" and "Mild" Descriptors) Reduced confusion among smokers regarding these descriptors. Greater awareness that no class of cigarettes is a "safer" alternative. Achievements will be measured through surveys.
Tobacco Retail Promotion Regulations Reduced visibility of tobacco promotion at retail. Achievements will be measured through surveys at retail
Program Activity: Pest Control Product Regulation
Regulations Expected Results
Pest Control Products Regulations Revised regulations will include changes to clarify and modernize the Pest Control Product Regulations (PCPR) to make the PCPR coherent with the new Pest Control Products Act, and to formalize current procedures and practices for better compliance.
Pest Control Products Act (Amendments to the Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations) Revised regulations will address violations under the new Pest Control Products Act and regulations.
Pest Control Products Act (New regulations on review panels) The new Pest Control Product Act includes a process for the reconsideration of major registration decisions by a review panel. New regulations will specify the parameters for establishing review panels and for the selection and remuneration of panel members. This will contribute to better public participation in the regulatory process, increased transparency and increased public and stakeholder confidence in pesticide regulation.
Pest Control Products Act (New regulations on the reporting of adverse effects from the use of pest control products) New regulations will specify the prescribed information and time frames for reporting adverse effects of pest control products. This will contribute to strengthened health and environmental protection.

 

Table 8: Details on Transfer Payments Programs
Over the next three years, Health Canada will manage the following transfer payment programs in excess of $5 million:
2006-2007
  • Organization for the Advancement of Aboriginal People's Health (OAAPH)
  • Payments to Indian bands, associations or groups for the control and provision of health services
  • First Nations and Inuit Health Governance and Infrastructure Support (HG/IS)
  • First Nations and Inuit Community Programs
  • First Nations and Inuit Health Facilities and Capital Program
  • First Nations and Inuit Health Benefits
  • First Nations and Inuit Health Protection
  • First Nations and Inuit Primary Health Care
  • Bigstone Non-Insured Health Benefits Pilot Project
  • Grant for Nunavut Medical Travel Fund
  • Named Grant to the Health Council of Canada
  • Grant to the Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI)
  • Grant to the Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment (CCOHTA)
  • Contributions for the Primary Health Care Transition Fund (PHCTF)
  • Health Care Strategies and Policy Contribution Program
  • Contributions Program to Improve Access to Health Services for Official Language Minority Communities
  • Grant to the Canadian Blood Services
  • Contributions in support of the Federal Tobacco Control Strategy (FTCS)
  • Alcohol and Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Contribution Program
  • Drug Strategy Community Initiatives Fund
2007-2008
  • Organization for the Advancement of Aboriginal People's Health (OAAPH)
  • Payments to Indian bands, associations or groups for the control and provision of health services
  • First Nations and Inuit Health Governance and Infrastructure Support (HG/IS)
  • First Nations and Inuit Community Programs
  • First Nations and Inuit Health Facilities and Capital Program
  • First Nations and Inuit Health Benefits
  • First Nations and Inuit Health Protection
  • First Nations and Inuit Primary Health Care
  • Bigstone Non-Insured Health Benefits Pilot Project
  • Grant for Nunavut Medical Travel Fund
  • Named Grant to the Health Council of Canada
  • Grant to the Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI)
  • Grant to the Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment (CCOHTA)
  • Health Care Strategies and Policy Contribution Program
  • Contributions Program to Improve Access to Health Services for Official Language Minority Communities
  • Grant to the Canadian Blood Services
  • Contributions in support of the Federal Tobacco Control Strategy (FTCS)
  • Alcohol and Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Contribution Program
  • Drug Strategy Community Initiatives Fund
2008-2009
  • Organization for the Advancement of Aboriginal People's Health (OAAPH)
  • Payments to Indian bands, associations or groups for the control and provision of health services
  • First Nations and Inuit Health Governance and Infrastructure Support (HG/IS)
  • First Nations and Inuit Community Programs
  • First Nations and Inuit Health Facilities and Capital Program
  • First Nations and Inuit Health Benefits
  • First Nations and Inuit Health Protection
  • First Nations and Inuit Primary Health Care
  • Bigstone Non-Insured Health Benefits Pilot Project
  • Grant for Nunavut Medical Travel Fund
  • Named Grant to the Health Council of Canada
  • Grant to the Canadian Patient Safety Institute (CPSI)
  • Grant to the Canadian Coordinating Office for Health Technology Assessment (CCOHTA)
  • Health Care Strategies and Policy Contribution Program
  • Contributions Program to Improve Access to Health Services for Official Language Minority Communities
  • Grant to the Canadian Blood Services
  • Contributions in support of the Federal Tobacco Control Strategy (FTCS)
  • Alcohol and Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Contribution Program
  • Drug Strategy Community Initiatives Fund
For further information on the above-mentioned transfer payments programs see www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/est-pre/estime.asp

 

Table 9: Conditional Grants (Foundations)
Over the next three years, Health Canada will contribute to the following foundations using conditional grants:
2006-07
  1. Canada Health Infoway Inc. (Infoway)
  2. Canadian Institute for Health Information
  3. Canadian Health Services Research Foundation
2007-08
  1. Canada Health Infoway Inc. (Infoway)
  2. Canadian Institute for Health Information
  3. Canadian Health Services Research Foundation
2008-09
  1. Canada Health Infoway Inc. (Infoway)
  2. Canadian Institute for Health Information
  3. Canadian Health Services Research Foundation
For further information on the above-mentioned foundations see http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/est-pre/estime.asp

 

Table 10: Horizontal Initiatives
Over the next three years, Health Canada will be involved in the following horizontal initiatives as either the lead or as a partner:
2006-07
  1. Canada's Drug Strategy (lead)
  2. Building Public Confidence in Pesticide Regulation and Improving Access to Management Products (lead)
  3. Federal Early Childhood Development (ECD) Strategy for First Nations and Other Aboriginal Children (lead)
Further information on the above-mentioned horizontal initiatives see http://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/est-pre/estime.asp

 

Table 11: Sustainable Development Strategy

Health Canada's current Sustainable Development Strategy entitled Becoming the Change We Wish to See is a three year strategic plan that tells Canadians and Parliament what general and specific commitments Health Canada has made to sustainable development (SD). To build on the success of the previous strategy, the Department's third strategy continues with the themes identified in the previous one. These key themes are:

  • Helping to create healthy social and physical environments.
  • Integrating sustainable development into departmental decision-making and management processes.
  • Minimizing the environmental and health effects of the Department's physical operations and activities.

Whereas the Department's first strategy contained over 100 commitments, this Strategy focuses on 20 commitments, highlights how employees are an integral part of the overall plan, and identifies a number of practical tools to help incorporate sustainable development at work and at home.

Sustainable Development Strategy Commitments
1.1.1:
In partnership with federal, provincial and territorial departments of health and environment, Health Canada will develop an integrated, source-to-tap approach to drinking water quality in Canada.
1.1.2:
Health Canada will work with other federal departments to develop a compliance framework for drinking water quality in areas of federal jurisdiction.
1.1.3:
Health Canada, in conjunction with other federal departments, will reduce cross-border air pollution by undertaking pilot projects that enable greater opportunities for coordinated air quality management between Canada and the United States.
1.1.4
Health Canada will collaborate with partners and other federal departments to assess climate change impacts on human health and well-being, and research and develop approaches to adaptation planning and implementation as part of the Climate Change Plan for Canada.
1.1.5:
Health Canada will work in consultation with stakeholders to develop and/or update science-based guidelines and standards to improve the safety of the food supply and reduce foodborne illness.
1.1.6:
Health Canada will help prevent the exploitation of flora and fauna used for medicinal purpose
1.1.7:
Health Canada will improve its process for making regulatory decisions for pest control products, including providing access to safer products, and will provide information on pest control products and on sustainable pest management practices.
1.2.1:
Health Canada will work in collaboration with First Nations and Inuit and provinces and territories to better integrate health services for a sustainable, seamless system of health services for First Nations and Inuit.
2.1.1:
Health Canada will improve the integration of SD considerations within the Department by developing a framework to identify key planning, reporting activities and modern management practices that could incorporate SD considerations, and will integrate sustainable development into these areas where appropriate by March 31, 2007.
2.1.2:
Health Canada will improve the integration of SD considerations within the Department by effectively integrating SD into key departmental policies, legislation and contracts where appropriate, and establishing a formal process to evaluate this integration by March 31, 2007.
2.1.3:
Health Canada will increase employee awareness about sustainable development by developing and implementing a social marketing campaign for March 31, 2007.
2.1.4:
Health Canada will increase employee awareness about sustainable development by developing and implementing a departmental training curriculum on sustainable development to be provided to at least 1,000 Health Canada employees by March 31, 2007.
2.1.5:
Health Canada will contribute to increase federal employee awareness of sustainable development through partnering with other government departments, federal committees and networks to design and deliver an interdepartmental course about sustainable development by March 31, 2007.
3.1.2:
By March 2007, Health Canada commits to providing facility managers and other managers with authorities over facilities with training on the sustainable operation and management of Health Canada facilities. The training will be based on the departmental guidebook.
3.2.3:
By January 2007, Health Canada will begin implementing and reporting the recommendations outlined in the departmental pollution prevention guidebook and action plan.

Since the first strategy, Health Canada has worked to create a culture that recognizes the importance of sustainable development in its operations. Approval of a Sustainable Development Policy in December 2000 enabled the integration of five key principles (shared responsibility, integrated approaches, equity, accountability, and continuous improvement) into the Department's third Sustainable Development Strategy. They will act as guiding principles for the development of the next strategy covering 2007 to 2010, to be tabled in Parliament in December 2006. The Department will continue to report annually on progress made on SD Strategy commitments.

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) is a systematic and comprehensive process for evaluating the environmental effects of a policy, plan or program and its alternatives, at the earliest stage in planning. Health Canada has a requirement to complete SEAs in conformance with the 2004 Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals. Health Canada has developed a policy and guidelines for strategic environmental assessment to support departmental efforts to ensure proposals with important positive or negative environmental effects are identified and enhancement or mitigation measures are identified. The Department is committed to providing training on this initiative to policy staff as required and will continue to consider the environmental impacts of our activities.

Additionally, use of an environmental management system, or EMS, is another way to promote sustainable development. Two of the priorities of the EMS Division are the review of the EMS to reflect the multiple changes within the federal government and the revamping of the EMS database (the primary resource for environmental information). Some preliminary work on the EMS database has already started and will continue in 2006-2007. Other databases in the Health Portfolio used to capture environmental information include a fleet database for tracking vehicle operations and a hazardous waste database for some hazardous streams.

Building on previous experiences and incorporating best practices in our work will help to achieve sustainable development in the long term.

 

Table 12: Internal Audits and Evaluations
Project Title Estimated Completion Date1
Recently Completed Internal Audits
Review of the Administration of the Health Canada Contract with First Canadian Health Management Corporation Inc. Approved by the DA&EC on April 7, 2005
Follow-up of the Directed Audit of Société Santé en Français Inc. Approved by the DA&EC on November 1, 2005
Upcoming Internal Audits
Audit of the Handling of Controlled Drug Substances (CDS) in FNIHB Health Facilities within Two Selected Regions Approved by the DA&EC April 2006
Audit of Primary Health Care Transition Fund (PHCTF) Contributions to the Ministry of Health and Long Term Care of the Province of Ontario Fall 2006
Audit of Selected Administrative Areas Summer 2006
Audit of Health Canada Initiatives for GOL Approved by the DA&EC June 2006
Audit of IT Security in Health Canada Fall 2006
Audit of the Implementation of Corrective Measures Ordered by the Public Service Commission Fall 2006
Selected Results-Based Management Accountability Frameworks January 2007
Audit of Mental Health and Addictions Programs January 2007
Audit of the Drug Strategy and Controlled Substances Programme January 2007
Recently Completed Evaluations
Evaluation of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Assistant Deputy Ministers and Regional Directors General Approved by the DA&EC November 2005
Evaluation of the Health Canada Innovation Fund Approved by the DA&EC November 2005
Evaluation of the Canada Health Infostructure Partnership Program Approved by the DA&EC November 2005
Impact Evaluation of the Health Transition Fund Approved by the DA&EC November 2005
Formative Review of the Research Management and Dissemination Division Approved by the DA&EC November 2005
Health Transfer Policy - FNIHB Approved by the DA&EC April 2006
Brighter Futures and Building Healthy Communities Program - FNIHB Approved by the DA&EC April 2006
Non-Insured Health Benefits Pilot Projects - FNIHB Approved by the DA&EC April 2006
Primary Health Care Transition Fund - interim evaluation - Health Policy Branch (HPB) Approved by the DA&EC April 2006
Cost Recovery in the Pest Management Regulatory Agency Approved by the DA&EC April 2006
Health Care Strategies and Policy Grant and Contribution programs - Performance Measurement System Review - HPB Approved by the DA&EC June 2006
Upcoming Evaluations
Review of Evaluation and Performance Measurement at Health Canada - CFOB Fall 2006
First Nations and Inuit Home and Community Care Program - FNIHB Fall 2006
Canada Prenatal Nutrition Program - FNIHB Fall 2006
Aboriginal Diabetes Initiative - FNIHB Winter 2006-2007
Augmenting Health Canada's Response to Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) - BSE I phase II of Health Canada's and the PHAC's response to BSE in the areas of Risk Assessment and Targeted Research - BSE II Fall 2006
Federal Drinking Water Compliance Program (HECS) Winter 2006-2007
Federal Tobacco Control Strategy March 2007
Contribution Program for Improving Access to Health Services for Official Languages Minority Communities - HPB Winter 2006-2007
Canadian Regulatory System for Biotechnology - HPFB Fall 2006
Therapeutics Access Strategy - HPFB Fall 2006
Natural Health Products Research Program - HPFB Fall 2006
Drug Strategy and Controlled Substances Program, Canada's Drug Strategy Renewed Year 2 - HECSB Fall 2006
Canadian Environmental Protection Act - HECSB Fall 2006
Building Public Confidence in Pesticide Regulation and Improving Access to Pest Management Products - PMRA Fall 2006
Expenditure Review Reductions and the Impact on Health Canada - DAEC/DPMED Winter 2006-2007
Contracting for Professional and Special Services in Health Canada - DAEC/DPMED Winter 2006-2007
1 The 'Estimated Completion Date' is the date the internal audit or evaluation report is expected to be tabled for approval by Health Canada's Departmental Audit and Evaluation Committee (DA&EC).