Infrastructure, Environment & Information Technology
Greening Defence and Moving Toward Net Zero
National Defence contributes 46% of the federal government’s total emissions from buildings and commercial vehicles, and we are committed to doing our part to reduce these emissions.
Since 2005, National Defence has reduced its emissions by 38%, and is on track to reach 40% reduction by 2025, which is in line with our Defence Energy and Environment Strategy.
National Defence is working hard to ensure its real property portfolio are refitted to today’s emissions standards.
National Defence has committed to achieving net zero emissions from its National Safety and Security fleets – including aircraft and marine vessels – by 2050.
Canada is also working with allies to green our military fleets to maintain interoperability, including options to use environmentally friendly technologies and low-carbon fuels.
Key Facts
June 21, 2021: Contract awarded to upgrade 112 facilities at Canadian Forces Base Halifax and 12 Wing Shearwater. These efforts will:
Reduce energy costs by nearly $3M annually (19%).
Lower emissions by over 15,000 tonnes per year (22%).
Create and sustain 200 jobs.
Greening the federal fleet: National Defence transitioned 34% of the light-duty commercial vehicle fleet to hybrid and electric.
Dedicated “energy managers” are assigned to bases/wings.
These managers lead initiatives to increase energy efficiency and reduce emissions at National Defence infrastructure across Canada.
The RCAF and RCN are developing fleet decarbonisation plans that will be regularly updated to support a net-zero emissions National Safety and Security fleet. These plans will consider availability, affordability and operational feasibility.
Modernization of Information Management and Information Technology (Funding – Budget 2021)
National Defence is committed to ensuring that our Information Management and Information Technology systems remain relevant and effective.
That is why we are requesting approximately $82.5 million in these Estimates to modernize and upgrade three of our core Information Management and Information Technology platforms.
Funding to modernize these three platforms will provide the Defence Team with enhanced tools to manage resources and people, improve operations, and strengthen service delivery.
Key Facts
The platforms being upgraded and modernized include National Defence’s platforms for:
Human Resources management;
Acquisition and support of materiel; and,
Financial and real property systems of record.
Budget 2021: Allocated $267M over five years to upgrade and modernize existing National Defence Information Management and Information Technology platforms and systems.
The $82.5M request is the 2021-22 portion of the submission, which seeks funding to Support Information Management and Information Technology Modernization.
Information Management and Information Technology Support Services (Transfer to Communications Security Establishment)
The Canadian Armed Forces and Communications Security Establishment have a longstanding partnership in developing technical and specialized capabilities that support military operations.
In these Estimates, we are transferring approximately $2.2 million to the Communications Security Establishment to continue this important work.
These funds will be used for information management and support services associated with the provision of highly specialised technical and operational assistance to National Defence.
Cooperation between the Canadian Armed Forces and the Communications Security Establishment ensures the best use of our shared tools and capabilities.
Key Facts
Funding for this request is to support the following objectives:
The identification of single points of contact for specialised Information Management, Information Security, and Information Technology related services;
Engagement processes between National Defence and the Communications Security Establishment; and
Assuring proper performance management tools and metrics.
Capacity Accelerator Project (Transfer to Treasury Board Secretariat)
National Defence recognizes the importance of objective internal audit processes, as part of whole-of-government efforts to strengthen accountability and public stewardship.
The Capacity Accelerator Project supports centralized services that the Treasury Board Secretariat provides to the internal audit community, which National Defence is part of.
In these Estimates, National Defence is transferring $30,000 to Treasury Board Secretariat for services and initiatives that support the government’s audit community.
This includes ongoing advice in the areas of learning, recruitment, and retention, as well as the development and implementation of a diversity and inclusion action plan for the whole of government.
This funding will be used to offset salaries and the costs of goods and services for these initiatives.
Through this financial contribution, National Defence will support the Treasury Board Secretariat in its work to ensure effective decision-making and implementation of internal audit practices across government.
Key Facts
The Treasury Board Secretariat will provide a number of services to the whole of government audit community as part of this project, including:
Ongoing advice and support in the areas of learning, recruitment, and retention;
The development and implementation of a community diversity and inclusion action plan;
Leading the development of interdepartmental standardized work descriptions;
The implementation of an internal audit community data strategy;
Convening, engaging, and supporting the community on emerging horizontal issues and priorities;
Making best practices and tools available to the community via established platforms; and,
Managing and funding ‘Institute of Internal Auditors’ memberships for all eligible internal auditors.
National Defence’s contribution to this project has been set at:
$30,000 for 2021-22;
$40,000 for 2022-23; and,
$40,000 for 2023-24.
Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (Funding)
National Defence acknowledges its responsibility and accountability for the impact that defence activities have on the environment, communities, and people.
Through the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan, we are investing resources to clean up historical contamination and minimize future environmental impact from military activities.
In these Estimates, National Defence is requesting access to $12.6 million of reprofiled funds from the previous fiscal year, to build on progress made in remediating contaminated sites.
These funds will support work plans associated with four ongoing high priority remediation projects in Ontario and British Columbia that are experiencing extended project schedules.
Through programs such as these, National Defence is committed to ensuring our members and activities respect the environment, and promote environmental stewardship.
Key Facts
Four ongoing high priority remediation projects:
The Firefighting Training Area #1, Canadian Forces Base Borden Remediation Project (Ontario);
While the contracts associated with the four high priority projects have already been awarded, the extended project schedules have altered the funding profile for the projects.
The extended project schedules were the result of:
A contractor default (Borden);
Delays associated with contract change order negotiations arising from intricacies and uncertainties associated with the work (Esquimalt); and,
Winter conditions (Highbury and 22 Wing) that necessitated delaying portions of the work until Spring 2021.
Fiscal Year 2021/22 Outcomes:
Assessment activities conducted at 57 sites, of which 26 received Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan funding.
Remediation activities conducted at 193 sites, of which 168 received Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan funding.
54 site closures, of which 26 had received Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan funding.
There was a 10% reduction in contaminated sites liability in 2021-22.
Federal Contaminated Sites: Located on land owned or leased by the federal government, or on land where the federal government has accepted responsibility for the contamination.
Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plans: These projects are associated with high priority contaminated sites for which legal, environmental and/or health risks have been identified.
Remediation of these sites also reduces the liability values reported in the Public Accounts of Canada for National Defence’s contaminated site inventory.
Maintenance of Shirley’s Bay Campus (Transfer to Department of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development)
Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada’s Shirley’s Bay Campus supports vital research for National Defence and other government departments and agencies.
In these Estimates, National Defence seeks to transfer $584,796 to the Department of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development to support the shared maintenance and repair of Shirley’s Bay Campus buildings.
These funds will be used to cover the costs for construction projects in common areas that we share with other departments and agencies.
This will ensure that the facilities at Shirley’s Bay Campus will continue to support the needs of National Defence employees working in this location.
Key Facts
National Defence is the largest single occupant at Shirley’s Bay and is therefore responsible for a significant portion of the maintenance costs.
The Department of Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada (ISED) is responsible for administering the property of the Shirley’s Bay Campus, while Communications Research Centre (CRC) is responsible for the day to day maintenance of the site.
Other Departments and Agencies located at Shirley’s Bay Campus are:
The Communications Research Centre;
The Canadian Space Agency;
Library and Archives Canada; and,
The National Research Council.
Remediation of the North Bay Jack Garland Airport Site (Funding)
National Defence recognizes its responsibility and accountability for the impact that defence activities have on the environment, communities, and people.
That is why, in June 2021, Treasury Board approved a contribution agreement between the federal government and the City of North Bay.
In these estimates, National Defence is requesting $485,000 to fulfill its Fiscal Year 2021/22 contribution for the remediation of the North Bay Jack Garland Airport site.
These funds will allow the City of North Bay to implement their remediation project, which will assist in minimizing the risk of adverse effects to the environment in the local areas.
Through agreements such as this, National Defence is committed to ensuring our members and activities respect the environment, and exercise environmental stewardship.
Key Facts
The Jack Garland Airport: Previously owned by National Defence and Transport Canada and formed part of 22 Wing Canadian Forces Base North Bay.
National Defence’s past practices at 22 Wing and Jack Garland Airport included training activities like fire-fighting, and responses to spills.
These training activities, and use of toxic substances, have contributed to contamination at the site.
July 16, 2021: The contribution agreement between National Defence and the City of North Bay came into effect.
This agreement was rendered in accordance with the federal Policy Framework for Shared-Responsibility Contaminated Sites Project Funding.
Acquisition of the Lieutenant-Colonel Philip L. Debney Armoury (Funding)
The Lieutenant-Colonel Philip L. Debney Armoury is a custom-built facility constructed specifically for the needs of the Canadian Armed Forces Primary Reserve in Edmonton, Alberta.
There is sufficient space within the building and on the land to meet the future needs and projected growth of the Primary Reserve units, and to accommodate unforeseen requirements.
Through these Estimates, National Defence requested $14.5 million to purchase the Debney Armoury.
This acquisition enabled National Defence to provide long-term lodging for Primary Reserve units in Edmonton, and accommodate Canadian Armed Forces reservist growth.
Key Facts
Debney Armoury: Home to 41 Canadian Brigade Group, including:
41 Combat Engineer Regiment;
41 Signals Regiment;
20th Field Artillery Regiment;
41 Service Battalion;
A maintenance support detachment from 1 Service Battalion;
3rd Canadian Division Training Centre;
A recruiting centre; and,
Three Cadet Corps.
Currently occupied by 877 personnel.
Completion date: 2001.
Location: Edmonton, Alberta (McIntyre Industrial Park)
Building size: 12,530 square meters (building and garage combined) and occupies 5.17 hectares of land.
June 16, 2021: Treasury Board provided approval to proceed with the acquisition of the Debney Armoury. The transaction was effectively completed on July 30, 2021.
Overall cost of purchase: $16,050,000
Funding requested through Supps (C), 21-22: $14,450,000
Existing funding amount: $1,600,000
Access Agreement to the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range (Transfer to Department Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs)
National Defence is taking concrete steps to adhere to all existing treaties and agreements with Indigenous Peoples.
The Cold Lake First Nations have requested funding from National Defence to support the five year review of their Access Agreements to the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range.
In these Estimates, National Defence is seeking to transfer $93,500 to Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, who will provide the funding to Cold Lake First Nations.
This funding will be used to help cover the negotiation costs for the Cold Lake First Nations, including their travel, and services for professional advice and support throughout the meetings.
National Defence will continue to build on the progress we have made and look for ways to support meaningful consultation with Indigenous Peoples.
Key Facts
Cold Lake Air Weapons Range:
The Cold Lake Air Weapons Range is a Canadian Armed Forces training facility that encompasses much of the traditional lands of the Cold Lake First Nations.
The Cold Lake First Nations have Access Agreements to the land with National Defence and the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta.
A review of these Access Agreements takes place every five years.
Timeline:
2018: The Cold Lake First Nations approached National Defence to undertake the review of their Access Agreements to the Cold Lake Air Weapons Range.
2019/2020: National Defence forwarded funding to the Cold Lake First Nations though Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs to cover the costs associated with negotiation.
2021-2022: The review of the Cold Lake First Nations’ Access Agreements remains on-going.
Bedford Institute of Oceanography Lab Renovation and Facility for Intelligent Marine Systems (Transfer to Department of Fisheries and Oceans)
National Defence, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, and Natural Resources Canada, are collaborating to create a joint scientific center of expertise related to marine sensor platforms.
This prospective Facility for Intelligent Marines Systems will be located at the Department of Fisheries and Oceans’ Bedford Institute of Oceanography.
In these Estimates, National Defence seeks to transfer $2.7 million to the Department of Fisheries and Oceans to support the renovations associated with the creation of this facility.
These funds will support collaborative use of state-of-the-art unmanned surface and underwater data collection platforms, and promote the development testing of new systems to observe Canada's marine environment.
Key Facts
Intelligent Marine System:
A marine system which can use its own sensed information to make real-time, onboard decisions to execute a mission.
Reinvestment of Revenues from the Sale or Transfer of Real Property (Funding)
National Defence manages the largest infrastructure portfolio in the federal government, including 20,000 buildings and over 2.1 million hectares of land valued at roughly $26 billion.
To ensure that this portfolio is operationally effective, affordable, and environmentally sustainable, National Defence will occasionally transfer or sell underused properties.
In these estimates, National Defence is seeking access to $18.5 million in revenues from the sale or transfer of real property.
These funds will be used for the restoration of a runway at CFB Trenton, as well as the replacement of key building systems, including electrical and plumbing, across Canada.
Investment of these funds will help ensure the maintenance of National Defence’s real property, ensuring operational effectiveness for defence infrastructure across Canada.
Key Facts
Investment of these funds will be used for:
CFB Trenton runway restoration projectcosts: labour, material, supervision and equipment.
Primary Reserve Portfolio: which consists of 189 armouries and other assets across Canada.
Replacement of key building systems, such as heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), electrical, and plumbing; and,
Deferred maintenance for the portfolio.
Reinvestment of Royalties from Intellectual Property (Funding)
National Defence manages intellectual property assets pertaining to copyrights, patents, and trade secrets associated to results from research and development.
In 2020-2021, National Defence generated $1.3 million in royalties from these intellectual property assets.
In these Estimates, National Defence is seeking access to reinvest these royalties which have been deposited into the “Consolidated Revenue Fund.”
Reinvested royalties will be used to pay for the management of royalties received and the disbursement of awards to current and former employees.
The balance of the royalties is used to further research and development within National Defence.
Key Facts
Royalties from Intellectual Property:
Equipment
Defensive Protection: $17,385
Software and Copyright
Tools related to defensive protection: $33,504
Chemical Biological Protection
Decontamination lotion and protection gear: $1.27M
