Environment and Climate Change Canada’s 2024-25
Departmental plan

From the Minister

As the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, I am pleased to present the 2024-2025 Departmental Plan.

This plan outlines strategic actions that Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is taking to support clean growth, address climate change, help prevent and manage pollution, conserve nature, and predict weather and environmental conditions. Pressing environmental challenges are accelerating and intensifying environmental degradation, species decline, biodiversity loss, and extreme weather events.

Together with our partners and using scientific insights and data we must keep fighting to address the triple crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution.

We must also understand and reduce the risk of environmental changes we are already seeing —that are here to stay—and prepare for the changes that are still to come. Canada is rising to this challenge.

Clean Growth and Climate Change

The actions taken today are essential to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change in the years to come. ECCC is prioritizing efforts to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. To keep pace, ECCC will work collaboratively with provinces and territories as well as Indigenous Peoples to implement the National Adaptation Strategy to move Canada toward a safe and resilient future. Furthermore, through our efforts to increase environmental literacy, we can help ensure that Canadians understand how their actions can make a difference and help them adapt to the unavoidable impacts of climate change.

ECCC will continue to work in partnership with provinces, territories, First Nations, Inuit, and Métis to address climate change and its impacts, and chart collaborative strategies. ECCC’s mandate and the rights and priority interests of Indigenous Peoples are closely interrelated. This provides opportunities for ECCC to advance Reconciliation in all its activities and decisions, including through the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and associated Action Plan measures.

ECCC will work to support climate action across Canada to reduce carbon pollution and provide funding to support projects aimed at developing a low-carbon economy. ECCC relies upon the best available science to inform risk-based decision-making to identify and respond strategically to the effects of climate change and assess the potential of decarbonization measures.

Preventing and Managing Pollution

To ensure that we protect our environment from harmful substances and preserve clean water and air, we must build and maintain strategic partnerships and collaborate extensively to deliver programs that prevent and manage pollution. ECCC will continue to provide the scientific foundation that underpins the understanding of the evolving risks and environmental impacts of pollution, including enhancing engagement and community participation to support risk management and environmental protections.

ECCC will implement new initiatives under a modernized Canadian Environment Protection Act, recently amended to recognize that every individual in Canada has a right to a healthy environment. As a shared responsibility, ECCC and Health Canada will focus on delivering on two key initiatives: an implementation framework on the right to a healthy environment; and a new Plan of Chemicals Management Priorities.

While plastic is a valuable material and resource because of its unrivalled functionality, durability and low cost, the way we currently use and manage it affects our ecosystems and wildlife and burdens our economy. It is time to shift toward a more resource-efficient and circular economy for plastics. In 2024-25, ECCC will continue to lead the Government of Canada’s agenda to achieve zero plastic waste and transition to a circular plastics economy. ECCC will also maintain Canada’s leadership position in addressing plastic waste and pollution internationally.

The federal government is also taking action in the face of increasing threats to freshwater caused by climate change and pollution. Some of the key initiatives include the establishment of the new Canada Water Agency, engaging Canadians in the review and modernization of the Canada Water Act, making major investments in a strengthened Freshwater Action Plan, and continuing to work with the Crown-Indigenous Working Group to manage the risks from oil sands process-affected water. Canada is home to 20 per cent of the world's freshwater supply. Healthy lakes and rivers are essential to Canadians, communities, and businesses across the country.

Air quality is a shared responsibility between federal and provincial/territorial governments. The Government of Canada is working closely with provinces and territories, Indigenous Peoples, industry, and other stakeholders to improve air quality and protect public health and the environment.

Conserving Nature

The Government of Canada is taking bold action to protect the natural environment that helps define our country. ECCC will provide domestic and international leadership in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework to guide nature protection and conservation efforts over the next decade. In parallel, ECCC will coordinate the development of Canada’s 2030 National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, which is focused on halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030 and achieving a full recovery by 2050.

We know that protecting nature has climate, health, social, and economic benefits for communities, especially in remote and rural areas. ECCC remains committed to working with federal partners, provinces and territories, Indigenous Peoples, local governments, conservation organizations, the private sector, and civil society to reach our biodiversity goals and targets. We must work on all fronts to recover Canada’s species at risk, such as migratory birds and other wildlife, and restore our natural areas and their biodiversity.

Indigenous-led conservation is one of the most important pathways for achieving Canada’s biodiversity goals and sustaining long-term conservation and climate gains. Successful progress in these priority areas must draw from the insights of bridging, braiding, and weaving Indigenous science with Western science. By mobilizing this collaborative approach into conservation action, we can address shared concerns about the loss of biodiversity and leave a lasting impact on communities and the environment for future generations.

Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions

As the climate continues to change—causing more frequent and intense high-impact weather events—ECCC continues to provide and improve timely and high-quality weather and climate services and the science that supports them. Every day, ECCC uses a state-of-the-art High-Performance Computing system and other data available from domestic and international partners to bring together 13 million observations about Canada’s environment. ECCC continues to explore emerging trends and innovate in many areas related to numerical weather prediction.

ECCC will continue to leverage social media and emergency alerts to communicate approaching high-impact weather and related events such as severe storms, poor air quality, heatwaves, atmospheric rivers, and hurricanes to Canadians so they can make informed decisions to mitigate weather and climate risks to life, property, and the environment.

We have an ambitious year ahead of us that continues to push environmental sustainability alongside economic well-being. I invite you to read this plan to learn more about the priorities of ECCC, and our ongoing commitment to deliver on them as we work toward a cleaner and more prosperous future.

______________________________________________

The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Plans to deliver on core responsibilities and internal services

Core responsibilities and internal services:

• Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change
• Preventing and Managing Pollution
• Conserving Nature
• Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions
• Internal Services

Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change

• In this section

  • Description
  • Quality of life impacts
  • Results and targets
  • Plans to achieve results
  • Key risks
  • Snapshot of planned resources in 2024-25
  • Related government priorities
  • Program inventory

Description

Support and coordinate the development and implementation of Canada’s environmental and climate change policies, programs, and plans to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and support a transition to a resilient, inclusive low-carbon economy. This will be achieved by developing and implementing climate mitigation measures; supporting adaptation to climate change; contributing to international environment and climate-related actions and initiatives; and engaging with other federal government departments, Indigenous partners, provinces and territories, domestic and international partners and stakeholders, non-governmental organizations, and other interested parties.

Quality of life impacts

This core responsibility plays a pivotal role within the “Environment” domain of the Quality of Life Framework for Canada. Specifically, it contributes to the “Greenhouse gas emissions” and “Climate Change Adaptation” indicators through a range of activities inherent to the core responsibility. Furthermore, its influence extends into the “Prosperity” domain, notably affecting indicators such as “GDP per capita” and “firm growth”. In addition to these key connections, it exhibits a strong alignment with the overarching lens of “Sustainability and Resilience”.

Results and targets

The following tables show, for each departmental result related to Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change the indicators, the results from the three most recently reported fiscal years, the targets and target dates approved in 2024-25.

Table 1: Indicators, results and targets for departmental result

Departmental result: Canadian greenhouse gas (GHG) and short-lived climate pollutant emissions are reduced

Indicator	2020-2021 result	2021-2022 result	2022-2023 result	Target	Date to achieve
Canada’s annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (Mt CO2 Eq.)	This is a new indicator, as of 2023-24. The first year of reporting will be 2023-24.			40-45% reduction in GHG emissions from 2005 levels by 2030	2032 (data for 2030 will be available in 2032)
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from light duty vehiclesFootnote 1 Footnote 2	21% reductionFootnote 3	23% reductionFootnote 4	26% reductionFootnote 5	Under reviewFootnote 2	Under reviewFootnote 2
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from heavy duty vehiclesFootnote 6	[2019 model year] 13%: heavy-duty pick-up trucks and vans 20%: combination tractors 9%: vocational vehicles	[2020 model year] 15%: heavy-duty pick-up trucks and vans 19%: combination tractors 9%: vocational vehicles	[2021 model year] 3%: heavy-duty pick-up trucks and vans 10%: combination tractors 11%: vocational vehicles	[2023 Model Year] 2%: heavy-duty pick-up trucks and vans 13%: Combination Tractors 8%: Vocational vehicles	April 2025
Black carbon emissionsFootnote 7	19% reduction from baseline (30kt in 2019)Footnote 8	30% reduction from baseline (26kt in 2020)Footnote 9	30% reduction from baseline (26kt in 2021)	25% reduction from an annually calculated 2013 baseline of national emissions	December 2025
Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) emissionsFootnote 10	23% below baseline for calendar year 2020	38.5% below baseline for calendar year 2021	24.1% below baseline for calendar year 2022	40% reduction in consumption relative to calculated Canadian HFC baseline of 18,008,795 tonnes of CO2e	December 2024
Methane emissions from the oil and gas sectorFootnote 11	Result not available	45% reduction (32 Mt CO2e)Footnote 12	35% reduction (37 Mt CO2e)Footnote 13	Annual decrease towards a 40-45% reduction relative to 2012 levelsFootnote 14	December 2025
Percentage of coal-fired electricity generation units meeting their regulated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions intensity performance requirement	100%Footnote 15	100%	100%	100%Footnote 16	December 2024
Carbon pollution pricing systems are in place in CanadaFootnote 17	13 Provinces and Territories	13 Provinces and Territories	13 Provinces and Territories	All Provinces and Territories continue to have in place carbon pollution pricing that meets the federal benchmark, or the federal system applies	March 2025
Percentage change in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) operationsFootnote 18	42%	40.4%	39.6%	40% GHG emissions reduction from ECCC operations (facilities and fleet) relative to 21,549 tonnes in 2005-06 baseline year.	December 2025

Departmental result: Indigenous Peoples are engaged in clean growth and climate change

Indicator	2020-2021 result	2021-2022 result	2022-2023 result	Target	Date to achieve
Percentage of national climate change policies or strategies developed by the Department that integrate the knowledge and perspectives of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples	This is a new indicator, as of 2023-24. The first year of reporting will be 2023-24.			100%	March 2025

Departmental result: Canada contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing climate resilience globally

Indicator	2020-2021 result	2021-2022 result	2022-2023 result	Target	Date to achieve
Cumulative amount of private finance mobilized through Canada’s public sector investmentsFootnote 19	$2.65B: Results not available; the results of private finance leveraged in 2020 are expected to become available by the end of 2021.	$2.65B: Between 2017 and 2020, Canada mobilized CAD $205.7M in private climate finance, from public funding of CAD $270.88M as part of Canada's $2.65B climate finance commitment (equivalent to a ratio of 0.759)	$2.65B: Between 2017 and 2021, Canada mobilized CAD $312.4M in private climate finance, from public funding of CAD $367.5M as part of Canada's $2.65B climate finance commitment (equivalent to a ratio of 0.85)Footnote 20	$2.65B: Higher cumulative amounts mobilized in private climate finance, from year to year (reaching overall a ratio of private sector finance leveraged by Canada’s public sector investments, of at least 1 to 0.5)	December 2050
	$5.3B: This is a new indicator, as of 2023-24. The first year of reporting will be 2023-24.			$5.3B: Higher cumulative amounts mobilized in private climate finance, from year to year (reaching overall a ratio of private sector finance leveraged with Canada’s public sector investment, of 1 to 0.75)	December 2050
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions resulting from international initiatives funded by CanadaFootnote 21	$2.65B: An estimated cumulative reduction of 222.2Mt of GHGs is expected from Canada’s $2.65B climate finance commitment to date	$2.65B: An estimated cumulative reduction of 228.6Mt of GHGs is expected from Canada's $2.65B climate finance commitment to date	$2.65B: An estimated cumulative reduction of 223.7Mt of GHGs is expected from Canada's $2.65B climate finance commitment to date	$2.65B: Higher cumulative reductions from year to year, from the baseline, reaching minimum reduction of 200Mt of GHGs	December 2050
	$5.3B: This is a new indicator, as of 2023-24. The first year of reporting will be 2023-24.			$5.3B: Higher cumulative reductions from year to year, reaching a reduction of 300Mt of GHGs	December 2050
Cumulative number of people in developing countries who benefitted from Canada’s adaptation financeFootnote 22	$2.65B: A cumulative estimate of 5.9M people with increased resilience is expected from Canada’s $2.65B climate finance commitment to date	$2.65B: A cumulative estimate of 6.6M people with increased resilience are expected from Canada's $2.65B climate finance commitment to date	$2.65B: A cumulative estimate 8.04M people with increased resilience are expected from Canada's $2.65B climate finance commitment to date	$2.65B: At least 10M	December 2030
	$5.3B: This is a new indicator, as of 2023-24. The first year of reporting will be 2023-24.			$5.3B: At least 10M	December 2050

Departmental result: Canadian communities, economies and ecosystems are more resilient

Indicator	2020-2021 result	2021-2022 result	2022-2023 result	Target	Date to achieve
Number of individuals, businesses, and governments accessing climate services and using that information to inform decision makingFootnote 23	201,272 visitsFootnote 24	262,812 visitsFootnote 25	296,974 visitsFootnote 26 98% of individuals, businesses, and governments accessing climate services indicate that they intend to use this information to inform decision making	Increase over the preceding year’s result	Accessing services: (Annually) March 2025 Using information: (Every 5 years) March 2028

The financial, human resources and performance information for ECCC’s program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.

Plans to achieve results

Overall supporting efforts

In 2024-25, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) will continue to work with partners to achieve Canada’s climate objectives. Budget 2023 and the 2023 Fall Economic Statement provided details and further commitments for five different clean investment tax credits valued at an estimated $60 billion over the coming 10 years. These credits will support green innovation in the private sector, grow the economy, and create or secure thousands of good middle-class jobs. They will also help stimulate Canada’s transition to net-zero by mobilizing additional investments in clean growth projects such as clean electricity, hydrogen, clean technology manufacturing, electric vehicles, and batteries.

ECCC will implement initiatives set out in the 2023 Progress Report on the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Clean Air, Strong Economy. The Department will also continue to advance Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy, which establishes a vision for a more resilient Canada and sets a whole-of-society blueprint for more coordinated and ambitious action on adaptation. The Department will also continue to deliver climate services and work with provinces, territories, and Indigenous partners to support regional climate service expert organizations and enhance the national network of climate service providers.

ECCC will continue to engage Canadians to better communicate the impact of climate changes. In 2024-25, ECCC will continue to use the latest behavioural research to inform a multi-pronged approach to better reach Canadians. This includes: targeted advertising and social marketing campaigns; delivery of $12.5 million to support environmental literacy projects; and development of a National Strategy on Environmental Learning—in consultation with provincial and territorial governments and environment non-government organizations. The aim is to connect Canadians to experts and a network of partners in climate change literacy and philanthropy, and to mobilize existing knowledge and expertise in environmental education.

Departmental result: Canadian greenhouse gas (GHG) and short-lived climate pollutant emissions are reduced

In 2024-25, ECCC will continue to help ensure that the requirements of the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act are met. The Act—which received Royal Assent in June 2021—gives legal force to the achievement of the goal of net-zero GHG emissions by 2050. It requires the Government to set national targets at least 10 years in advance for the reduction of GHG emissions at five-year intervals. Implementation of this legislation will ensure transparency and accountability through requirements for emissions reduction plans, progress reports, and assessment reports with respect to each five-year target. The Act also provides accountability and transparency by enshrining the role of Indigenous Knowledge in the climate accountability process. It requires that the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, when setting or amending a target or plan, provide the opportunity for provincial/territorial governments, Indigenous Peoples, the Net-Zero Advisory Body, and the public to make submissions. The Act sets out requirements for the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development to report on actions taken to mitigate climate change, and for the Minister of Finance to manage financial risks and opportunities.

The Act also sets out requirements for the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development to report on actions taken to mitigate climate change, and for the Minister of Finance to manage financial risks and opportunities.

This year the Department will support the Minister in setting a national emissions reduction target for the year 2035 by no later than December 2024 that aligns with requirements set out in the act (for example, to take into account best available science). An engagement process will also be launched in early 2024 to provide provinces and territories, Indigenous Peoples, the Net-Zero Advisory Body (NZAB) and interested Canadians with the opportunity to make submissions to the 2035 target setting process.

The Act also established the Net-Zero Advisory Body, whose mandate is to engage with Canadians and provide advice to the Minister on achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

In their mandate, the NZAB must submit an annual report to the Minister that outlines advice and informs on the developments of policies and practices to achieve net-zero emissions. In early 2024, the Minister will receive the NZAB’s second annual report. The Department will support the Minister is making the annual report public within 30 days of receiving it and publicly responding to the advice within 120 days of receiving it, as outlined in the Act.

ECCC, along with other federal departments, will implement the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) to achieve Canada’s target of 40 percent to 45 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. The Department will also support efforts to mobilize Canada towards a net-zero emissions economy by 2050 and help position Canada as a leading competitor in the global transition to cleaner industries and technologies. ECCC will support a whole-of-government effort to implement the 2030 ERP and help ensure that Canada continues to make progress towards its 2030 and 2050 climate mitigation targets. In addition to providing general coordination and oversight of ERP, the Department will be responsible for several key initiatives, including: regulatory measures to reduce emissions from light-duty vehicles; development of Clean Electricity Regulations; and work to develop a cap on oil and gas sector emissions. As required under the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, the Department will provide provinces, Indigenous Peoples, the Net-Zero Advisory Body, and interested persons the opportunity to provide submissions on plans to achieve net-zero objectives.

ECCC will work with Natural Resources Canada to cap and cut GHG emissions from the oil and gas sector. The aim is to ensure that the sector makes an ambitious and achievable contribution to meeting the country’s 2030 climate goals, and to reduce methane emissions consistent with the Global Methane Pledge. At COP26, the Government of Canada announced new measures to support achievement of Canada’s 2030 GHG target. This includes capping and reducing GHG emissions from the oil and gas sector at a scale and scope needed to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and reducing methane emissions from oil and gas by at least 75 percent below 2012 levels by 2030.

The Department will also make progress implementing the Faster and Further: Canada’s Methane Strategy to reduce methane emissions across the broader Canadian economy. This will be consistent with the Global Methane Pledge that calls for a reduction in global methane emissions of 30 percent across all economic sectors—considered one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to combat climate change. Canada’s plan is expected to result in a reduction of methane emissions of at least 35 percent below 2020 levels by 2030. In addition, the Department will continue developing new regulations aimed at reducing landfill methane emissions by 50 percent by 2030. Pre-consultation is underway, and proposed regulations are anticipated in 2024.

ECCC will also publish draft upstream oil and gas methane regulations. These proposed regulations will set performance standards and promote a risk-based approach for leak detection and repair (LDAR), including increased stringency for sites with the highest risk of unintentional releases (fugitive emissions). This work builds on complementary regulations for oil and gas methane emissions, including offshore framework regulations and updates to the Multi-Sector Air Pollutants Regulations.

In 2024-25, ECCC will invest more than $575,000 through the Emerging Approaches for Reducing Landfill Methane Emissions Fund. This funding willsupport five pilot-scale projects testing innovative monitoring and automation systems to reduce methane emissions at Canadian landfills:

• Comcor Environmental Limited, in Cambridge, Ontario, received $49,748 to work to identify methane surface emissions and compare field method approaches and detectors at three Canadian landfills;
• Carbonaxion Bioénergies Inc., in Québec, received $200,000 to demonstrate and validate advanced technologies for monitoring landfill gas recovery systems;
• The University of Western Ontario received $200,000 to monitor methane emissions from the City of London’s W12A Landfill using several emerging technologies;
• The City of Vancouver received $75,000 to evaluate and compare the use of several technologies for monitoring landfill methane emissions; and
• Comox Valley Regional District, in British Columbia, received $51,000 to use drones for monitoring landfill gas emissions to assess collection efficiency and identify system leaks.

In 2024-25, ECCC will continue implementing a key offset system outlined in Canada’s 2030 ERP. Canada’s Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit System gives municipalities, foresters, farmers, Indigenous Peoples, and others a market-based incentive to undertake innovative projects that reduce GHGs by preventing emissions and removing GHGs from the atmosphere. Registered participants can carry out projects following a federal offset protocol that sets out a consistent approach for measuring GHG emissions reductions or removals for specific types of projects. These projects can generate one tradeable offset credit for every tonne of emissions reduced or removed from the atmosphere. Once a credit is earned, it can be sold to others to help them meet their compliance obligations under the carbon pollution pricing system or other emissions reduction goals.

The Department will work with other federal departments to advance sustainable finance priorities. As announced in the 2023 Fall Economic Statement, ECCC will work with the Department of Finance as well as Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada to develop options for making climate disclosures mandatory for private companies. These mandatory climate disclosures will ensure that private companies and other organizations publish the carbon footprint of their activities as well as their exposures to climate risks. The aim is to expand the coverage of mandatory climate disclosures. Building on the work of the Sustainable Finance Action Council, ECCC will also work with the Department of Finance and Natural Resources Canada to further develop a sustainable finance taxonomy that is aligned with reaching net-zero by 2050.

In 2024-25, ECCC will continue to implement the pan-Canadian approach to pricing carbon pollution. A price on carbon pollution across Canada creates incentives for individuals, households and businesses to choose cleaner options, including green technology. Under the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (GGPPA), the federal carbon pollution pricing system has two parts: a regulatory charge on fossil fuels (the fuel charge); and a performance-based pricing system for industrial facilities, known as the Output-Based Pricing System (OBPS). The system applies in those provinces and territories that requested it as well as in those that did not have their own system that meets the federal benchmark stringency criteria. The OBPS is designed to put a price on carbon pollution and reduce the risk of carbon leakage from industry. This enables industries to maintain competitiveness relative to international peers and affords them the flexibility to meet emissions limits through emissions trading and the use of GHG offset credits.

ECCC will support pricing carbon pollution through the following measures:

• Continuing to administer the federal OBPS for industrial emitters;
• Ensuring that all carbon pollution pricing systems align with the minimum national stringency standards (the federal “benchmark”);
• Implementing Canada’s GHG Offset Credit System and continuing to develop federal GHG offset protocols for more activities in additional sectors. The system will encourage cost-effective GHG reductions and removals from activities that are not covered by carbon pricing, including in the agriculture, forestry, and waste sectors; and
• Submitting ECCC’s annual report to Parliament on the administration of the GGPPA.

ECCC will return proceeds from the federal carbon pollution pricing system to jurisdictions of origin through federal programming. As obligated by the GGPPA, all proceeds collected under the federal carbon pollution pricing system—including the federal fuel charge and the federal OBPS—will be returned to jurisdictions of origin. Participating provincial and territorial governments that have committed to addressing climate change by voluntarily adopting the federal system can receive these proceeds directly from the Government of Canada. In the remaining jurisdictions where the federal price on carbon pollution is in effect, whether in whole or in part, the Government of Canada returns the proceeds through several mechanisms. Most fuel charge proceeds go directly to Canadian households through quarterly Climate Action Incentive payments delivered by the Canada Revenue Agency. In 2024-25, ECCC will continue to be responsible for the Fuel Charge Proceeds Return Program, which will return proceeds back to the jurisdictions of origin through direct payments to small and medium-sized enterprises in emissions-intensive and trade-exposed sectors. In addition, ECCC will continue working in close collaboration with Indigenous partners to return one percent of fuel charge proceeds to Indigenous governmentsin jurisdictions where federal fuel charge programming is in effect. The Department will also continue to administer the OBPS Proceeds Fund program, which facilitates the return of proceeds back to provinces where the federal OBPS has been applied and not requested, in support of industrial decarbonization projects and greening the electricity sector.

ECCC will continue its commitment to modernize its digital services to improve access to authoritative, foundational climate science and information. This modernization will further enable the work of ECCC scientists to inform and support clean growth and climate change program priorities. ECCC will continue to work with partners to gather the best available science and provide the most recent information on GHG emissions and air pollutants. These will continue to be published by ECCC in the following annual inventories and reports:

• National Inventory Report: Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in Canada
• Overview of Reported Emissions: Facility Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program
• Canada’s Air Pollutant Emissions Inventory
• Canada’s Black Carbon Emissions Inventory

ECCC will also continue to develop and implement a climate lens to help integrate climate adaptation and mitigation considerations into government decision-making. Building on a pilot phase, and working with the Privy Council Office, the Department of Finance and the Treasury Board Secretariat, ECCC will continue to expand this analytical tool in 2024-25 to support decision-making throughout government.

In 2024-25, ECCC will maintain and further develop the Government of Canada’s publicly available Fuel Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) Model to support multiple Government initiatives. The Fuel LCA Model is a tool to calculate the lifecycle carbon intensity (CI) of fuels and energy sources used and produced in Canada. The Clean Fuel Regulations is the first regulation to use the Fuel LCA Model to determine the CI of fuels and energy sources for credit creation. Other governmental programs are now considering its use. The Fuel LCA Model is designed to:

• Provide transparent and traceable CI calculations;
• Take into account Canadian and worldwide data, where appropriate, to accurately reflect Canada’s fuel production profile and pathways;
• Follow robust guidelines outlined by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), particularly standards 14040 and 14044 dealing with life-cycle environmental assessment and management principles and frameworks; and
• Inform and support the development of several Government of Canada GHG policies and programs.

ECCC will work with Finance Canada to phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies, in line with the Inefficient Fossil Fuel Subsidies Government of Canada Self Review Assessment Framework and the Inefficient Fossil Fuel Subsidies Government of Canada Guidelines, released in July 2023.

The Department will support climate action across Canada by helping provinces and territories to reduce carbon pollution through projects aimed at developing a low carbon economy. To support climate action across the country, ECCC will continue to implement the Low Carbon Economy Fund to provide funding to reduce carbon pollution. The Department will continue to work with provinces and territories to help them deliver on their commitments to reduce carbon pollution and contribute to meeting or exceeding Canada’s 2030 climate target to reduce emissions levels by 40 to 45 percent compared to 2005 emission levels. Additionally, the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan included the announcement of a new Indigenous Leadership Fund and an Implementation Readiness Fund.

ECCC will finalize regulations to fight climate change and improve air quality. To realize Canada’s enhanced GHG emission reduction target of 40 percent to 45 percent compared to 2005 emission levels by 2030, ECCC will continue to use regulations to reduce GHG emissions from the oil and gas, transportation, electricity, and other industrial sectors. This will include initiatives such as:

• Finalizing proposed regulations to require the supply of zero-emission vehicles so that 100 percent of new light-duty vehicles sold in Canada are zero-emission by 2035, with at least 60 percent being zero-emission by 2030;
• Developing emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles that are aligned with the most ambitious standards in North America and requiring that 100 percent of selected categories of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles be zero-emission by 2040;
• Strengthening Canada’s light-duty vehicle regulations for the post-2025 period by aligning them with the most stringent performance standards in North America;
• Developing an approach to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas sector by at least 75 percent below 2012 levels by 2030;
• Continuing to work with provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples, industry, non-governmental organizations, academics, the financial sector, and Canadians to develop an approach to capping and reducing oil and gas sector emissions at a pace and scale necessary to ensure Canada meets its overall climate targets;
• Working with provinces, territories, Indigenous partners, and stakeholders to design and implement Clean Electricity Regulations to support a net-zero electricity grid by 2035—a key foundational element in the ongoing decarbonisation of the economy to achieve net zero by 2050; and
• Supporting efforts to advance the Atlantic Loop initiative to connect surplus clean power to regions transitioning away from coal and to help transform how Canadians power their economy and communities.

ECCC will continue to administer the Climate Action and Awareness Fund (CAAF). This is a funding initiative that will invest up to $206 million over five years to support Canadian projects that help to reduce Canada’s GHG emissions and build a sustainable net-zero emissions economy by 2050. ECCC will continue to use funds from the Environmental Damages Fund to create this unique opportunity. In 2024-25, ECCC will continue to apply monies from this fund to support environmental initiatives under three priorities: youth climate awareness and community-based climate action; advancing climate science and technology; and supporting climate research at Canadian think tank organizations and in academia.

The Department will encourage voluntary business action on climate change through a Net-Zero Challenge aimed at developing plans to transition to net-zero emissions by 2050. The Net-Zero Challenge is a national voluntary initiative launched in 2022 for businesses operating in Canada. Businesses that join the challenge commit to developing and implementing credible and effective plans to transition their facilities and operations to net-zero emissions by 2050. Companies will benefit from technical guidance, best practices, a community of peer businesses and the opportunity to highlight their commitment to achieving net-zero emissions.

ECCC will also continue to support the work of other federal partners in rolling out a $547.5 million, four-year purchase incentive program for medium- and heavy-duty zero-emission vehicles to help businesses upgrade their fleets. This incentive—first announced in 2022—will complement other programs supporting the transition to zero-emission vehicles.

Nature-based solutions associated with initiatives to conserve land and oceans (see Conserving Nature section) will reduce emissions by two to four megatonnes annually. Climate change and biodiversity loss are dual crises, for which integrated and complementary solutions are both crucial and urgent. Canada has a role to play in developing and implementing such solutions, particularly because the country has one of the world’s largest carbon stores in its vast landscapes of forests, wetlands, peatlands, and other carbon-rich ecosystems. By conserving, restoring and improving management practices in carbon-rich ecosystems, such as wetlands, Canada will build climate resilience by reducing net GHG emissions while providing co-benefits for nature, including habitat for species, and the health and well-being of people across Canada. As identified in Canada’s Strengthened Climate Plan, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, ECCC will support implementation of major initiatives under the overarching Natural Climate Solutions Fund:

• $3.16 billion over 10 years to plant two billion trees (led by Natural Resources Canada);
• $1.41 billion over 10 years to conserve, restore, and enhance forests, wetlands, peatlands, and grasslands to store and capture carbon through the Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (led by ECCC); and
• $869 million over 10 years to establish a new Agricultural Climate Solutions program (led by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada).

Canada’s Strengthened Climate Plan incorporates nature-based climate solutions as one of its five pillars. It also complements Canada’s international efforts, including those for developing countries, where Canada committed to assign at least 20 percent of its international climate finance funding toward nature-based climate solutions and projects with biodiversity co-benefits.

ECCC will continue to reduce energy related GHG emissions from its own facilities. This will include cost-effective GHG emission reduction projects, rationalization of ECCC’s real estate portfolio, optimization of space and ensuring that all new buildings and major building retrofits prioritize low-carbon investments. The Department will also assess opportunities to deploy on-site clean electricity in its buildings and purchase off-site clean electricity. This will help achieve 100 percent clean electricity usage by 2025. The Department will also take actions to reduce energy use in its fleet through fleet-sharing, purchase of zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), and provision of ZEV charging stations within ECCC facilities. The objective is to reach 80 percent of ZEVs in ECCC’s light-duty fleet by 2030. In 2024-25, ECCC will also continue to implement actions identified in its Departmental Adaptation Plan to address climate change risks to its assets, services, and operations.

Departmental result: Canadian communities, economies and ecosystems are more resilient

ECCC will continue to provide Canadians with authoritative climate data and information through the Canadian Centre for Climate Services (CCCS). The CCCS works with partners and stakeholders to help Canadians increase their resilience to climate change through the provision of information, training, guidance, and resources to support climate-smart decisions. The Department will continue to support the national network of regional climate service organizations to increase local capacity. The CCCS will collaborate with partners to develop climate information products and tools to help Canadians use climate information. Expert support will also be provided to individual enquiries sent through the National Inquiries Response Team (NIRT), the Prediction Services Applied Climatology Services, and the Climate Services Support Desk. In addition, ECCC will continue state-of-the-art climate modelling and research, and continue sharing this information through the CCCS, to help Canadians make climate-informed decisions. The Department is investing $70.28 million over five years on improving and disseminating this information. Work will include delivery of a new Canada-wide climate science assessment, which will provide authoritative knowledge and data about climate change in Canada to inform future adaptation approaches.

ECCC will continue to work in partnership with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis to address climate change and its impacts, and chart collaborative strategies. Indigenous Peoples have long histories of adapting to and stewarding the environment. They are also leaders in climate action—at local, regional, national and international levels. They are advancing responses to climate change in ways that reflect their Indigenous Knowledge systems, legal systems, governance, values, worldviews and nationhoods. Further, Indigenous Peoples have been calling for Canada to implement climate action that is consistent with the Paris Agreement. Recognizing that Indigenous Knowledge systems and ways of doing must be a cornerstone of Canadian climate policy, Canada has committed to implementing a model of partnership that: empowers self-determined climate action; leverages the transition to a net-zero economy in ways that support self-determination and implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples; and supports the inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge in national climate policy. Key initiatives in 2024-25 include: working with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners to advance a distinctions-based Indigenous Climate Leadership Agenda; implementing the National Adaptation Strategy; and advancing clean energy and energy efficiency projects under the Indigenous Leadership Fund.

In 2024-25, ECCC and other federal departments and agencies will implement the National Adaptation Strategy (NAS) through the Government of Canada Adaptation Action Plan (GOCAAP). The NAS and GOCAAP build on a strong foundation of action already in motion across the country. Canada’s NAS, released in June 2023, reflects two years of engagement with: provincial, territorial, and municipal governments; First Nations, Inuit, and Métis Nation representatives; key experts and stakeholders; and Canadians. This level of engagement represents the first time that Canada assembled adaptation objectives and priorities into a single framework, joining many other national and subnational jurisdictions. It will help guide the efforts of all areas of society on adaptation. The NAS is underpinned by guiding principles to ensure that investments and solutions are fair, inclusive, and equitable.

The GOCAAP complements the adaptation efforts of provinces, territories, and Indigenous Peoples. It includes 73 new and ongoing actions to advance the priority areas of the NAS, including $2 billion in new investments. The new Climate Data Strategy, led by the CCCS, will ensure that the private sector and communities have access to data to inform planning and infrastructure investments.

In addition, ECCC will continue expanding the Green Municipal Fund with $530 million in new funding to support community-based adaptation initiatives in collaboration with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. The Department will also develop a new Canada-wide climate science assessment to provide Canadians with authoritative knowledge and data to support adaptation efforts.

Departmental result: Canada contributes to reducing GHG emissions and increasing climate resilience globally

ECCC will continue to lead Canada’s engagement on climate change and the environment in various multilateral fora. This includes ongoing work with the G7 and G20, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) and others, to help advance the implementation of the ambitious Paris Agreement, which Canada ratified in October 2016. Canada is preparing for the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change planned for November/December 2024 where ECCC will continue to lead Canada’s engagement and ensure that all Parties undertake ambitious actions under a common framework that reflects the highest standards of transparency and environmental integrity. ECCC’s international work also includes engaging Indigenous Peoples in developing international climate policy and promoting gender equality and the role of women in climate action around the world.

In 2024-25, ECCC will also continue to work with its G7 and G20 partners to support ambitious outcomes on climate and the environment under Italy’s G7 presidency and Brazil’s G20 presidency, helping set the groundwork for Canada’s G7 presidency in 2025.

In collaboration with Global Affairs Canada and the implementing partners, ECCC will continue to support the adaptation and mitigation efforts of developing countries. These efforts will focus especially on small island states and least developed countries that are particularly vulnerable and at risk of climate-related emergencies. In June 2021, Canada announced a doubling of its international climate finance to $5.3 billion over the next five years to support developing countries in their transition to sustainable, low-carbon, climate-resilient, nature-positive, and inclusive development. ECCC and Global Affairs Canada will continue to co-chair interdepartmental governance committees to ensure an effective whole-of-government approach to the implementation of Canada’s climate finance commitment. In addition, ECCC will continue to lead on implementing—through bilateral and multilateral channels—approximately $160 million in climate finance over five years (FY 2021-22 to 2025-26) to support climate action in developing countries. For example, the Department is supporting Pacific Alliance countries (Chile, Colombia, Mexico, and Peru) along with Ecuador and four West African countries (Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, and Togo) to strengthen their national climate measurement, reporting and verification (MRV) systems.

In 2024-25, the Department will also continue to advance international climate action—particularly related to adaptation—through involvement in targeted multilateral initiatives. This includes Canada’s participation in the international Champions Group on Adaptation Finance, which it joined in 2022. Canada is working in concert with other members to accelerate adaptation finance and improve its quality and accessibility, particularly for least developed countries and small island developing states. Canada will also further its engagement on adaptation through the Least Developed Countries Initiative for Effective Adaptation and Resilience (LIFE-AR), which it joined in the fall of 2022 to promote locally led adaptation.

In 2024-25, ECCC will also continue international partnerships, initiatives, and bilateral cooperation to advance clean growth and climate action, including:

• Continue to co-lead the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA) with the United Kingdom in support of the goals of the Paris Agreement. The PPCA is the world’s first and only government-led initiative seeking to accelerate the global phase-out of emissions from coal power;
• Support Government initiatives to accelerate Canada’s G20 commitment to eliminate fossil fuel subsidies by 2023 instead of 2025. It will also develop a plan to phase out public financing of the fossil fuel sector, including by federal Crown corporations;
• Represent Canada as a member of the Breakthrough Agenda Oversight group and will support the strategic direction, oversight, and overall coordination of Canada’s participation in the Breakthrough Agenda initiatives. As a signatory country to the Breakthrough Agenda and co-lead of the Cement and Concrete Breakthrough, Canada will contribute to collective efforts to strengthen international collaboration to accelerate clean technology transition in key sectors; and
• Continue its leadership in the Global Carbon Pricing Challenge, working with international partners to advance a flexible and powerful tool to align economic incentives with net-zero objectives.

ECCC will support initiatives by Canada to promote clean growth and climate change interests through ambitious, comprehensive, and enforceable environmental provisions in its free trade agreements (FTAs). ECCC’s work in this area includes negotiating obligations to maintain the historical climate robust environmental governance as trade and investment are liberalized, and commitments and international cooperation on a range of global environmental issues, including illegal wildlife trade, pollution reduction, climate change, and clean technology. These commitments are being implemented as part of Canada’s FTAs and other bilateral and regional cooperation instruments with key trading partners, including the United States, Mexico, Chile, the European Union, the United Kingdom, South Korea, and countries party to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

Canada in 2023 pledged $450 million to the Green Climate Fund, established under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. This establishes a financial mechanism to assist developing countries in adaptation and mitigation practices to counter climate change. This is being backed up by Canada’s commitments to: end inefficient fossil fuel subsidies; support a global target to triple renewables and double energy efficiency by 2030; increase the production of hydrogen and other clean energy sources; and continue working towards phasing out emissions from unabated coal power in developed countries by 2030, and in the rest of the world by 2040.

The Department will continue to advance domestic and international work to reduce short-lived climate pollutant (SLCP) emissions in line with Canada’s Strategy on Short-lived Climate Pollutants. SLCPs such as black carbon, methane, hydrofluorocarbons, and ground-level ozone, are both potent GHGs and air pollutants. They contribute to climate warming and can affect air quality. In 2024-25, Canada will continue to contribute to global efforts to reduce SLCP emissions through participation in international fora, such as the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, the Arctic Council, and the Global Methane Initiative. Canada will leverage its role as a Global Methane Pledge Champion to spur global efforts to reduce methane emissions from key sectors such as agriculture, oil and gas, and waste.

Key risks

To pursue the delivery of results for Canadians on clean growth and climate change in the context of rapidly changing science, technology, and domestic and geopolitical dynamics, ECCC needs to work closely with a wide array of partners and stakeholders, including federal, provincial, territorial, Indigenous, and international partners, as well as with the private and non-profit sectors and civil society. Should these relationships stumble, there is a risk that the achievement of the Department’s mandate may be impeded should the actions and objectives of partners not be aligned to those of ECCC.

To ensure a coordinated implementation of Canada’s environmental and climate priorities, the Department will continue to sustain and build upon strategic relationships with federal, provincial, territorial, and Indigenous counterparts. To that end, ECCC continues to work diligently to harmonize its engagement activities, especially when dealing with the same partners on multiple issues.

For instance, Canada continues to maintain strong partnerships with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis through Senior Bilateral Tables on Clean Growth and Climate Change. These tables were established in 2016 and, more than six years later, continue to be instrumental in fostering relationships between the federal government and Indigenous partners, sharing climate action that Indigenous Peoples are leading, and providing opportunities for cultural teachings and land-based learning. They are important spaces for identifying barriers, finding mutually beneficial solutions, and advancing joint climate priorities. To strengthen Canada’s partnership with Indigenous Peoples on climate, and in response to longstanding recommendations provided by Indigenous partners at the Senior Bilateral Tables, the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan and Budget 2022 announced Canada’s commitment to advancing an Indigenous Climate Leadership agenda that will transform and renew Canada’s relationship with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis on climate change. This initiative is focused on providing stable, long-term, flexible funding for Indigenous Peoples to implement self-determined climate actions, enabling Indigenous participation in climate-related decisions with the Government of Canada, and addressing systemic barriers to Indigenous climate leadership.

The Department is also taking measures to build trust and mitigate risks to continued international cooperation on the implementation of the Paris Agreement. ECCC’s efforts include constructively engaging in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change process to build consensus and trust with international partners and deliver on its climate finance commitments. These measures are intended to ensure that the international process delivers results for Canadians and mitigate risks to cooperation posed by geopolitical dynamics and macroeconomic conditions.

In addition, to attenuate the potential negative effects of a changing climate on departmental operations, ECCC will continue to implement its Departmental Adaptation Plan and identify priority measures to protect departmental assets and enable the continuity of departmental operations and services. Among other things, ECCC helps protect its assets and avoid service interruptions by ensuring that the potential impacts of climate change are considered in the development and implementation of all its programs.

Related government priorities

Program inventory

Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change is supported by the following programs in the program inventory:

• Clean Growth and Climate Change Mitigation
• Climate Change Adaptation
• International Environment and Climate Action

Supporting information on planned expenditures, human resources, and results related to ECCC’s program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.

Preventing and Managing Pollution

• In this section

  • Description
  • Quality of life impacts
  • Results and targets
  • Plans to achieve results
  • Key risks
  • Snapshot of planned resources in 2024-25
  • Related government priorities
  • Program inventory

Description

Develop measures to reduce releases of harmful substances into the environment; monitor levels of pollutants and pollution precursors in air, water, and soil; promote and enforce compliance with environmental laws and regulations; and implement pollution reduction and restoration actions and programs. This will be achieved by coordinating, collaborating, and consulting with other federal government departments, provinces and territories, Indigenous partners, non-governmental organizations, international partners, and other stakeholders.

Quality of life impacts

This core responsibility contributes to the “Environment” domain of the Quality of Life Framework for Canada and, more specifically, the “Air quality” and “Water quality in Canadian rivers” indicators through reduction of releases and monitoring levels of contaminants in air and water, the “Waste management” indicator by promoting and enforcing compliance with environmental laws and regulations, and, the “Satisfaction with local environment” indicator through the prevention and management of pollution.

Results and targets

The following tables show, for each departmental result related to Preventing and Managing Pollution, the indicators, the results from the three most recently reported fiscal years, the targets and target dates approved in 2024-25.

Table 2: Indicators, results and targets for departmental result

Departmental result: Canadians have clean air

Indicator	2020-2021 result	2021-2022 result	2022-2023 result	Target	Date to achieve
Percentage of the population living in areas where air pollutant concentrations are less than or equal to the Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards	68%Footnote 28	71%Footnote 29	64%Footnote 30	85%	December 2030

Departmental result: Canadians have clean water

Indicator	2020-2021 result	2021-2022 result	2022-2023 result	Target	Date to achieve
Percentage of wastewater systems where effluent quality standards are achieved	77%	77%	Result not yet availableFootnote 31	100%	December 2040

Departmental result: The Canadian environment is protected from harmful substances

Indicator	2020-2021 result	2021-2022 result	2022-2023 result	Target	Date to achieve
Percentage of actions taken in a timely manner to protect Canada’s environment from chemicals found to be a risk to the environment	This is a new indicator, as of 2022-23. The first year of reporting is 2022-23.		93%	100%	March 2025

The financial, human resources and performance information for ECCC’s program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.

Plans to achieve results

Departmental result: The Canadian environment is protected from harmful substances

ECCC will continue to lead the Government of Canada’s agenda to achieve zero plastic waste and transition to a circular plastics economy. ECCC’s work on plastics ranges from developing standardized scientific methods to undertaking research and monitoring to better understand the effects of plastics—including nano- and microplastics—on human health and the environment. ECCC will continue to support the collection of data, facilitated by a federal plastics registry, currently under development. The registry will require producers to report annually on the plastic products they put on the Canadian market and, eventually, how plastics are managed at their end-of-life. ECCC will ensure public access to findings, data, and knowledge about plastics in the environment and the economy. In 2024-25, the Department plans to publish a report on progress toward reaching zero plastic waste.

In 2024-25, ECCC will continue to work with partners to support evidence-based environmental action. For example, in the packaging, textile and beverage bottle sectors, the Department will support regional reuse pilots in the food and food services sectors to prevent single-use plastic packaging waste. It will also begin stakeholder consultations on ways to reduce textile and apparel waste. ECCC will also work with stakeholders to improve the national collection and recycling rate for plastic beverage containers. The Department will implement Canadian Plastics Innovation Challenges for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). These will focus on projects in two areas in 2024-25: advancing ‘reuse to replace’ single-use plastics; and improving the collection and/or sorting of plastic film and flexible packaging.

In 2024-25, the Department will continue to provide financial support to promote innovative efforts by Canadian industries, consumers, and governments to reduce the generation of waste and to optimize diversion, reuse, recovery, and responsible disposal of domestic and industrial wastes. For example, in 2024-25 the Redcliff Cypress Regional Waste Management Authority (Alberta) will continue its efforts to reduce carbon dioxide and methane emissions by diverting organic waste from a landfill. This will be supported by a compost treatment facility funded through a government investment of $1.4 million. Similarly, PurEnergy Inc., in Havelock Township, Ontario will use a government investment of $10 million to continue to build a waste diversion facility that diverts organic waste from a landfill and processes it using anaerobic digestion to produce biogas and fertilizer.

ECCC will continue to support Canadian leadership in addressing plastic waste and pollution internationally. Canada is working with other countries and stakeholders—including as an inaugural member of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution—to develop an ambitious and effective international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution. In April 2024 in Ottawa, Canada will welcome the fourth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee for this agreement. ECCC will also support Canada’s advocacy for ambitious action on plastic pollution in international fora and initiatives, including the G7, G20, OECD, and UNEA.

ECCC will continue to work on regulatory amendments to the Cross-border Movement of Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Recyclable Material Regulations (XBR) whichwould allow Canada to ratify and accept amendments to the Basel Convention on transboundary movement of hazardous waste. The Basel Convention, to which Canada is a Party, is an international agreement operating under the United Nations Environment Program. The Basel Ban amendments deal with electrical and electronic waste—or “e-waste”— which is one of the fastest growing waste streams in the world. E-waste contains substances of concern—such as mercury, lead, and brominated flame retardant—that can adversely affect the environment and human health. Since the current regulations apply to only a subset of hazardous e-waste, the proposed amendments to the XBR would be broadened to control the transboundary movements (import, export, and transit) of alle-waste to all countries. This would align Canadian rules with recent amendments to the Basel Convention. The amendments would also align with the Basel Ban requirement to prohibit most exports of hazardous wastes from member states of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) (including Canada, the European Union, and Liechtenstein), to developing countries. These changes would place Canada in a position to ratify the Basel Ban Amendment to the Basel Convention.

ECCC will implement a strengthened Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Introduced in February 2022, Bill S-5—Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act, received Royal Assent on June 13, 2023. The Bill modernizes the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999), represents the first set of comprehensive amendments to CEPA since it was enacted over 20 years ago, and recognizes for the first time in federal law that every individual in Canada has a right to a healthy environment.

As a result, ECCC and Health Canada will work together to implement the modernized CEPA, for which their Ministers have shared responsibility. Work will focus on two key initiatives: an implementation framework on the right to a healthy environment; and a new Plan of Chemicals Management Priorities. ECCC and Health Canada will also implement other changes under the amended Act, such as: providing better protection for marginalized populations; advancing Indigenous reconciliation; increasing openness, transparency and accountability; increasing the assessment of cumulative effects of exposure to multiple chemicals; developing a Watch List to support the shift to safer chemicals; promoting the development and implementation of scientifically justified alternative testing methods; and introducing strategies to replace, reduce or refine the use of vertebrate animals in toxicity testing.

ECCC will continue to deliver Canada’s Chemicals Management Plan (CMP) in collaboration with Health Canada. As of September 2022, the two departments had addressed 4,139 of 4,363 chemicals identified in 2006 as priorities for attention. The remaining priority chemicals will be addressed in subsequent years as required. The pace and volume of this risk assessment work was identified as a noteworthy accomplishment in a recent evaluation of the CMP, in particular when compared to other agencies involved in chemical regulation around the globe. Since the launch of the CMP in 2006, the number of new or enhanced risk management measures implemented each year for toxic substances has more than doubled: from about 200 in 2006, to over 500 in 2022. CMP research will continue in 2024 on 19 projects to address issues of chemical fate, bioaccumulation, and the effects of CMP priority substances. ECCC will also continue to raise awareness and understanding of chemical issues. Enforcement of CMP regulations will include prioritization of inspections guided by a risk-based approach. In addition, the Department will also make changes and improvements to its single window infrastructure to streamline and improve data collection, reporting and information dissemination.

The Department, in partnership with Health Canada, will release in 2024 a strategy for enhancing the availability of information on chemicals in products. The strategy will support Canada’s chemicals regulatory framework and contribute to Canada’s efforts to prevent the impact of pollution on the environment and human health.

In 2024-25, ECCC will continue to support informed approaches to the clean-up of contaminated sites and improvements in waste reduction and diversion. The Department will continue to provide expert advice under the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan (FCSAP). Efforts will be focused on helping federal custodians assess and remediate their contaminated sites to ensure that the highest-priority sites are remediated, and that risks to human health and the environment are reduced. The Department will also work to identify—and prioritize the clean-up of—contaminated sites in areas where Indigenous Peoples and racialized and low-income Canadians live.

Departmental result: Canadians have clean water

ECCC will continue to deliver on pollution prevention under the Fisheries Act. The work will entail leading the administration and enforcement of the pollution prevention provisions of the Fisheries Act. These provisions prohibit the deposit of pollution into water frequented by fish unless authorized by a regulation.

In 2024-25, the Department will continue to advance its work on the development of Coal Mining Effluent Regulations. Effluent from coal mines in Canada can be a source of pollution that harms aquatic life, including fish and fish habitat. The evidence of environmental effects of coal mining effluents is clear, and Canada is moving to address the issue. The Department will develop Coal Mining Effluent Regulations under the Fisheries Act to manage the threats to fish, fish habitat, and the use of fish by humans. The regulations will set limits on harmful substances in coal mining effluent and will apply to all coal mines in Canada. The proposed regulations are targeted for publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I in 2024, for a 60-day consultation period, with final regulations following about a year later, in 2025.

In addition, the Department will further efforts to improve other regulatory tools in 2024-25. ECCC published proposed amendments for the Wastewater Systems Effluent Regulations in Canada Gazette Part I in the spring of 2023 for a 60-day consultation period, and intends to publish final amendments in Canada Gazette in the fall of 2024. These amendments focus on transitional and temporary authorizations and administrative changes to reduce burden, improve clarity and address administrative challenges. The amendments aim to strengthen environmental protection and to improve transparency and regulatory oversight of wastewater effluent.

ECCC will also continue to work on proposed amendments for the Pulp and Paper Effluent Regulations to improve environmental protection.

In 2024-25, the Department will continue to work with the Crown-Indigenous Working Group to explore options to manage the risks from oil sands process-affected water. ECCC will continue to work with Indigenous partners, stakeholders, land users and communities, and will conduct research and monitoring to inform decision-making regarding contaminants in Canadian ecosystems and in traditionally harvested foods. ECCC will monitor priority contaminant trends in ecosystems, including in northern and arctic environments. The Department will also support domestic and international chemical management initiatives, food safety and security, and the maintenance of traditional ways of life. This will include taking appropriate enforcement action.

Recognizing the threat to freshwater caused by climate change and pollution, the federal government is establishing a new Canada Water Agency and making major investments in a strengthened Freshwater Action Plan. This will entail a commitment of $85.1 million over five years, and $21 million per year thereafter. In 2024-25, ECCC will also continue to deliver on a $22.6 million commitment over three years to improve the coordination of efforts to protect freshwater across Canada. Canada is home to 20 percent of the world's freshwater supply. Healthy lakes and rivers are essential to Canadians, communities, and businesses across the country.

ECCC will protect Canada’s freshwater resources, including the Great Lakes, St. Lawrence River, and Lake Winnipeg. In 2024-25, the Department will continue to focus effort on improving, restoring, and protecting these and other large lakes. This includes undertaking the science necessary to improve water quality, and to conserve and enhance aquatic ecosystems in these vital watersheds. The Department will engage Indigenous organizations and communities in the conservation and restoration of freshwater resources. This will include implementing key water agreements and providing support for capacity development projects for Indigenous communities. The Department will also increase public engagement in conservation and restoration through citizen science.^{Footnote 32}

The Government will protect the Great Lakes Basin. The Great Lakes Basin is home to one in three Canadians and one in ten Americans and provides significant environmental and economic benefits to both countries. According to the State of the Great Lakes 2022, the overall status of the Great Lakes is currently assessed as only “Fair” and the trend is “Unchanging”. Ongoing challenges include the impacts of nutrient pollution that result in toxic and nuisance algae, and some threats are already exacerbated by climate change.

To address these challenges and protect and conserve these major lakes, ECCC will continue to lead the implementation of the 2012 Canada-United States Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA) on behalf of the Government of Canada. It will also advance efforts to implement bi-national priorities for 2023-2025 in cooperation with other federal departments, the Province of Ontario, U.S. federal and state agencies, Indigenous communities and organizations, and other partners. In partnership with the Government of Ontario, the Department will lead the implementation of the 2021 Canada-Ontario Agreement on Great Lakes Water Quality and Ecosystem Health (2021-2026). These major agreements are aligned to address key challenges, including chemical pollution and plastic waste.

As announced in the spring of 2023, ECCC will continue in 2024-25 to help deliver on the Government’s historic investment of $420 million over 10 years to accelerate the restoration and protection of the Great Lakes, as part of the strengthened Freshwater Action Plan. The aim is to complete cleaning up 12 of 14 remaining Canadian Areas of Concern in the Great Lakes by 2030, and all 14 of them within 15 years.

In 2024-25 ECCC will collaborate with provincial governments to conserve and protect the St. Lawrence River. The St. Lawrence River is recognized worldwide as shown by the Ramsar Convention’s designation of four of its wetlands as Wetlands of International Importance. In addition, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) program has renewed in 2023 for the 10 years, the World Biosphere Reserve designation of the Lac Saint-Pierre located in the St. Lawrence River. In addition, UNESCO has designated the Miguasha National Park and Anticosti Island in the Gulf of St. Lawrence as World Heritage Sites. In 2021, the governments of Canada and Québec committed to invest $39 million and $25 million respectively over five years for the conservation and enhancement of the St. Lawrence River as part of the 2021-2026 St Lawrence Action Plan. Implementation of the joint projects—developed under the latest amendment of the 2021-2026 Canada-Québec Agreement on the St. Lawrence—will continue in 2024-25. ECCC will also continue collecting water quality data through the St. Lawrence River Monitoring Program and will develop the next five-year Overview of the State of the St. Lawrence, to be published in 2024-25.

In the Lake Winnipeg Basin, ECCC will continue to collaborate with Manitoba to implement the Canada-Manitoba Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Respecting Lake Winnipeg and the Lake Winnipeg Basin. The five-year MOU, signed in 2021, facilitates cooperation on protecting water quality in the Lake Winnipeg Basin. It advances efforts to reduce nutrient pollution in the Basin in support of the established nutrient reduction targets of 50 percent for Lake Winnipeg. The Canada-Manitoba MOU also supports engagement of Indigenous Peoples to advance reconciliation and mutual priorities related to water quality and the ecological health of Lake Winnipeg and the Lake Winnipeg Basin. In 2024-25, the Canada-Manitoba MOU Steering Committee will proactively engage Indigenous partners in a continuing dialogue to build relationships, bridge knowledge gaps, and explore opportunities for inclusion of Indigenous Peoples and knowledge in the work of the Committee.

ECCC will follow through on initiatives to improve freshwater quality and wetland ecosystems across Canada. ECCC will continue to support local action-based initiatives. This will include the provision of four years of support to a dozen projects in British Columbia, through the EcoAction Community Funding Program. The Department will also continue to support the work of the Mackenzie River Basin Board and explore options for enhancing knowledge of water quality and ecosystem health in the Basin. In the Fraser River Basin, ECCC will continue to engage watershed management partners to explore, identify and advance water quality and ecosystem health priorities. In addition—supported by Budget 2022 commitments to provide $25 million over five years, starting in 2022-23—the Department will invest in science capacity and domestic and international collaboration at the Experimental Lakes Area, a leading freshwater research centre in northern Ontario.

In 2024-25, ECCC will continue to work with the Tsleil-Waututh Nation to assess disposal at sea applications in the Burrard Inlet. This work is a landmark first-of-its kind collaborative decision-making agreement for Burrard Inlet. It involves shared decision-making between ECCC and the Tsleil-Waututh Nation under ECCC’s Disposal at Sea Program. This agreement recognizes the Tsleil-Waututh Nation’s essential role as a partner with Canada in monitoring, protecting, and restoring the health of the Burrard Inlet and its long stewardship over the land.

The Department will support the next phase of Canada’s Oceans Protection Plan. Through Budget 2022, the Government provided $2 billion over 9 years, starting in 2022-23, to renew and expand the Oceans Protection Plan (OPP). ECCC will continue to use these resources to invest in a suite of new measures and expand existing OPP initiatives. These are designed to strengthen Canada’s marine safety system and protect coastal ecosystems. In 2024-25, ECCC will focus on increasing scientific knowledge and improving ECCC’s ability to provide comprehensive, up-to-date technical and scientific advice during the response to marine oil spills. ECCC will advance work on increasing knowledge of environmentally sensitive areas and wildlife in Canada’s marine ecosystems. It will advance science to support responses to incidents involving non-oil related hazardous substances. ECCC will also: improve its modelling and pollution detection capability; develop a framework for the federal government on recovery from marine oil pollution incidents; and provide support to address wrecked vessels that may pose a threat of releasing pollution into the environment. In addition, ECCC will advance reconciliation through partnership and collaboration with Indigenous Peoples on OPP initiatives. In support of these efforts, ECCC will increase its capacity to take enforcement action in response to pollution incidents.

ECCC will continue to assess the potential environmental impacts of Canadian activities proposed for Antarctica through a permit system under the Antarctic Environmental Protection Act and its Regulations. These activities deliver on Canada’s responsibilities and obligations under the Antarctic Treaty and the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (also known as the Madrid Protocol) and strengthen Canada’s international influence. ECCC will complete amendments to the Act required to implement changes to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty adopted by the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meetings. The amendments will also address changes requested by the Standing Joint Committee for the Scrutiny of Regulations.

ECCC will continue to provide recommendations to Fisheries and Oceans Canada regarding the health and safety of shellfish bearing waters. The Canadian Shellfish Sanitation Program (CSSP) is a federal food safety program that aims to minimize health risks associated with the consumption of contaminated bivalve molluscan shellfish while enabling international trade. The CSSP is jointly delivered through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and ECCC. ECCC activities aim to enable the harvest of safe, wholesome foods for commercial and recreational stakeholders, and to honor Indigenous rights to harvest. As a key partner in the CSSP, ECCC will provide science-based advice through such ongoing activities as the monitoring of bacteriological water quality, and the identification and evaluation of sanitary pollution sources. In addition to this science-based advice, ECCC will continue to undertake water quality assessments following any significant environmental events (such as extreme weather events, accidental wastewater discharge, or agricultural runoff). It also will continue to provide recommendations to Fisheries and Oceans Canada regarding any need for emergency closures of shellfish harvest areas.

Departmental result: Canadians have clean air

In 2024-25, ECCC will continue to work with its key federal partners, including Health Canada and the National Research Council of Canada, to implement the Air Quality Program. The aim is to improve air quality and reduce negative air quality impacts on human health and the environment. ECCC will continue to collaborate with provinces and territories to implement the Air Quality Management System (AQMS)—a comprehensive collaborative approach to reducing outdoor air pollution in Canada. ECCC, in collaboration with Health Canada, will work to advance the AQMS stock-take to assess progress in implementation since its adoption. Together, the departments will also finalize the review of the 2020 Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards for fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), aiming to propose updated standards by the end of 2025 to federal, provincial and territorial ministers of the environment.

In 2024-25, ECCC will continue to monitor levels of key air pollutants, in collaboration with provinces and territories, through the National Air Pollutant Surveillance Program. It will also continue to maintain the Air Pollutants Emissions Inventory, a comprehensive inventory of air pollutants at the national, provincial and territorial levels. The Department will leverage its high-performance computing infrastructure to conduct research to better understand the impacts of air pollutants on ecosystems and human health. It will work to improve models to predict atmospheric contaminant effects on air quality and to provide scenarios to support policy development. In addition, the Department will continue to deliver and improve its daily Air Quality Health Index observation and forecast services to support Canadians in making decisions to protect their health.

ECCC will continue to develop, administer, and amend, where appropriate, regulations to reduce air pollutant emissions from industrial sources, vehicles, engines and fuels, and consumer and commercial products. The Department will also continue to administer the Multi-sector Air Pollutants Regulations (MSAPR), and the Reduction in the Release of Volatile Organic Compounds Regulations (Petroleum Sector), as well as various non-regulatory instruments that address air pollutant emissions from industrial sectors.

The Department will publish regulations to reduce benzene and other Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) emissions from petroleum storage tanks and loading operations. It will also continue to assess options to reduce other air pollution from the oil and gas sector. ECCC will administer the suite of instruments addressing VOCs in products, including Volatile Organic Compound Concentration Limits for Certain Products Regulations, published in January 2022. These provisions will reduce VOC emissions from approximately 130 product categories and subcategories of personal care products, automotive and household maintenance products, adhesives, adhesive removers, sealants and caulks, and other products. VOCs lead to the formation of PM_2.5 and ozone, which are main components of smog.

In 2024-25, ECCC will continue international efforts to reduce transboundary air pollution. This will entail initiatives under the Canada-U.S. Air Quality Agreement and the Gothenburg Protocol. ECCC will assess options to amend Canada’s Gasoline Regulations to phase out remaining sources of leaded fuel used in Canada. This will respond to the final “endangerment finding” for leaded aviation fuel published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in October 2023, and will align with expected U.S. regulatory amendments.

Additional expected departmental results

The Department will continue to verify compliance with environmental legislation and associated regulations that prohibit or control the pollution of air, water, and soil. ECCC will continue to take enforcement actions, where warranted, when non-compliance is found. The Department, in collaboration with its partners, will continue to prioritize its activities based on the risk of harm to the environment and human health from non-compliance. The Department will continue to concentrate on capacity building by on-boarding and training newly recruited enforcement officers, and by providing re-certification training for existing designated enforcement officers.

ECCC will continue to support implementation of the 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy. On November 2, 2022, Minister Guilbeault, on behalf of the Government of Canada, tabled the 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy (FSDS) in Parliament. The FSDS sets out the federal government’s sustainable development priorities, establishes goals and targets, and identifies actions to achieve them. These include: achieving net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050; conserving nature and biodiversity for future generations; advancing reconciliation with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis communities; promoting gender equality; and supporting innovation and growth. While this is Canada’s fifth FSDS, it is the first developed under a strengthened Federal Sustainable Development Act—the first to include contributions from 101 federal organizations, and the first framed by all 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda. This now provides a balanced view of the environmental, social, and economic dimensions of sustainable development.

Key risks

Extensive collaboration with strategic partners is key to the Department’s efforts to deliver programs that prevent and manage pollution. Similarly, the promotion and enforcement of compliance with environmental laws and regulations is a shared responsibility with provincial and territorial governments. The achievement of shared objectives can therefore be put to the test if efforts are not well aligned and coordinated in the face of competing priorities, changing political landscapes, advances in science and technology, and resource constraints.

To ensure the Department’s priorities are well coordinated with those of its partners and stakeholders, ECCC will continue to develop and build important relationships. For example, ECCC will keep on working with Indigenous partners, stakeholders, land users and communities by continuing to monitor priority contaminant trends in ecosystems, including in northern and Arctic environments, in support of domestic and international chemical management initiatives, food safety and security, and the maintenance of traditional ways of life.

ECCC will continue to work with its external partners through existing and new governance bodies and will continue to explore technological solutions that foster collaboration between them. Among other things, this will support the Department in its continuous efforts to promote a sensible, collaborative approach to the development and effective implementation of flagship initiatives—including the implementation of a strengthened Canadian Environmental Protection Act and the establishment of the new Canada Water Agency—and ensuring maximum buy-in among targeted partners and sectors.

In addition, continuous risk-based planning of enforcement initiatives and maintenance of strong relationships will help ensure resources are allocated to address the highest non-compliance risks and that operations are well coordinated and executed across jurisdictions.

Related government priorities

Program inventory

Preventing and Managing Pollution is supported by the following programs in the program inventory:

• Air Quality
• Community and Sustainability
• Compliance Promotion and Enforcement—Pollution
• Aquatic Ecosystems Health, Substances and Waste Management
• Canada Water Agency

Supporting information on planned expenditures, human resources, and results related to ECCC’s program inventory is available on GC Infobase.

Conserving Nature

• In this section

  • Description
  • Quality of life impacts
  • Results and targets
  • Plans to achieve results
  • Key risks
  • Snapshot of planned resources in 2024-25
  • Related government priorities
  • Program inventory

Description

Protect and recover species at risk and their critical habitat, maintain and restore healthy populations of migratory birds and other wildlife, and manage and expand Canada’s network of protected areas to conserve biodiversity, contribute to climate change mitigation and adaptation and support human health and well-being. This will be accomplished through evidence-based decision-making that considers cumulative effects, promoting and enforcing applicable laws and regulations, engaging meaningfully with Indigenous Peoples, and collaborating with provinces and territories, other domestic and international stakeholders, and the public.

Quality of life impacts

This core responsibility contributes to the “Environment” domain of the Quality of Life Framework for Canada and, more specifically, the “Conserved areas” and “Canadian species index” indicators through its conservation and stewardship activities, including the protection of migratory birds, species at risk, and critical habitat. It also contributes to “Satisfaction with local environment” by collaborating with domestic partners to advance the conservation of biodiversity and “Greenhouse gas emissions” through the expansion of protected areas.

Results and targets

The following tables show, for each departmental result related to Conserving Nature, the indicators, the results from the three most recently reported fiscal years, the targets and target dates approved in 2024-25.

Table 3: Indicators, results and targets for departmental result

Departmental result: Canada’s wildlife and habitat are conserved and protected

Indicator	2020-2021 result	2021-2022 result	2022-2023 result	Target	Date to achieve
Percentage of migratory bird species that are within target population ranges	Result not yet available	Result not yet available	Result not yet availableFootnote 34	70%	December 2030
Percentage of Canadian areasFootnote 35  conserved as protected areas and other effective areas-based conservation measures	12.5%	13.5%	13.6%	25%	December 2025

Departmental result: Canada’s species at risk are recovered

Indicator	2020-2021 result	2021-2022 result	2022-2023 result	Target	Date to achieve
Percentage of species at risk for which changes in populations are consistent with recovery and management objectives	42%	41%	43%	60%	May 2026

Departmental result: Indigenous Peoples are engaged in conservation

Indicator	2020-2021 result	2021-2022 result	2022-2023 result	Target	Date to achieve
Percentage of Indigenous Peoples engaged with Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) who indicate that the engagement was meaningful	64%	70%	66%	61%	April 2025

The financial, human resources and performance information for the ECCC’s program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.

Plans to achieve results

Departmental result: Canada’s wildlife and habitat are conserved and protected

The Department will continue to play a leading role in advancing the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. This builds on the outcomes of part two of the fifteenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP15) held in Montreal in December 2022. At COP15, Canada, along with 195 other countries, adopted the historic Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). The Framework aims to safeguard the world’s nature, halt, and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030, and put nature on a path to recovery by 2050. To maintain strong leadership and ensure the framework is well-informed by the best available science, ECCC will continue engaging internationally to press nature as a priority, notably through the recently established Nature Champions Network. Further, ECCC will continue to represent Canada at meetings under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES) and the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. The Department will continue to monitor threats to species around the world, and act to effectively contribute to their conservation and sustainable use, including the protection of animals in captivity. ECCC will also work with global partners through various other multilateral for a—such as the G7, G20, UNEA, and others—to advance efforts to halt and reverse biodiversity loss globally. This will include driving implementation of the KMGBF and other relevant international frameworks.

Domestically, ECCC will coordinate the development of Canada’s 2030 National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan in collaboration with other departments and external partners in advance of COP16 in 2024. Engagement on the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework in Canada will entail collaboration with provinces, territories, Indigenous partners, and others, including the Nature Advisory Committee.

ECCC will continue to work with federal partners, provinces and territories, Indigenous Peoples, local governments, conservation organizations, the private sector, and civil society on an ambitious plan to conserve 25 percent of Canada’s lands and oceans by 2025 and 30 percent by 2030. The 2020 Speech from the Throne committed Canada to these targets, which have now been formally adopted as part of the Global Biodiversity Framework. ECCC will continue to work with all partners to achieve these targets through a plan that is grounded in science, Indigenous Knowledge and local perspectives. Recognizing that the loss of nature is a global issue requiring global action, Canada—as a member of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People—will also continue to advocate that countries around the world implement the agreed to 30 percent area-based conservation target for 2030.

Canada’s Enhanced Nature Legacy initiative supports work with provinces and territories, Indigenous Peoples, local governments, environmental non-governmental organizations, key industry sectors, land trusts and private landowners to continue to build a connected network of protected and conserved areas across Canada and to further advance collective progress through actions that include:

• Funding to support the establishment of additional protected areas and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs);
• Ambitious commitments by provinces and territories—including through negotiation of Nature Agreements—to advance area-based conservation and protection of habitat; recovery of species at risk; conservation of migratory birds and restoration of habitat, while recognizing and supporting Indigenous-led stewardship initiatives through collaboration and partnership;
• Investment in the Indigenous-led Area Based Conservation Program for Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) and other Indigenous-led conservation areas, with support available exclusively to Indigenous applicants to assist the planning of future conservation goals and the establishment of IPCAs;
• Investment, through the Natural Heritage Conservation Program, in public-private partnerships supported by the Canada Nature Fund investment of $215 million over seven years to enable the acquisition and protection of private land with significant value for biodiversity; and
• Continuation of the Ecological Gifts Program, which will build on its 28-year history and continue to encourage donations of private lands for conservation through the provision of tax incentives.

In 2024-25, ECCC will continue working with Indigenous communities, philanthropic partners and provinces and territories in a whole-of-government initiative to support Indigenous Peoples in establishing and managing protected areas. Four Project Finance for Permanence (PFP) conservation initiatives in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, British Columbia, and Ontario, were announced at COP15. Canada’s approach is centred on Indigenous leadership in conservation empowering communities to manage land and waters while supporting job creation and sustainable economic development. The PFP model brings together all partners at the beginning to identify shared goals for protecting, conserving, and sustaining nature. The aim is to halt biodiversity loss while advancing reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples. Since the COP15 announcement, significant progress has been made in advancing PFP initiatives, including:

• Signing a Framework Agreement with 25 partners in the Northwest Territories which will lead to one of the largest Indigenous-led land conservation initiatives in the world; and
• Signing an Agreement in Principle on Closing Conditions for the Qikiqtani PFP, which will create one of the largest networks of Inuit-led protected areas in the world.

In 2024-25, ECCC will continue to follow through on more than 79 nature conservation projects announced in June 2020 to protect biodiversity, ecosystems, and habitat across the country. More than three quarters of these projects are led by, or are being implemented in partnership with, Indigenous Peoples to create Indigenous-led conservation areas that will contribute to the target of conserving 25 percent of Canada’s terrestrial lands and inland waters by 2025 and 30 percent by 2030.

Other conservation initiatives are expected to:

• Expand existing National Wildlife Areas (NWAs) to protect important wildlife and its habitat, such as the Lake Saint-François NWA in Québec and the Big Creek NWA in Ontario;
• Advance the establishment of marine National Wildlife Areas to protect nationally important habitats for migratory birds and other wildlife;
• Enhance management of biodiversity conservation areas in the Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve in Cape Breton and the Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve in southwestern Nova Scotia;
• Implement the signed Nature Agreements with the Yukon, Nova Scotia and British Columbia; and
• Finalize negotiations—including Indigenous engagement—on Nature Agreements with several other jurisdictions over the coming year, to advance shared priorities related to protected and conserved areas, species at risk and migratory bird conservation and Indigenous leadership in conservation.

The Government of Canada will continue to take steps towards halting—and reversing—nature loss by 2030 and achieving a full recovery for nature by 2050. The first step to enabling this commitment is the identification of current species in Canada, where they occur, and their status. To that end, the Wild Species 2020 report was tabled in Parliament in November of 2022. Published every five years in collaboration with all provinces and territories, it is one of the most comprehensive national-level inventories of species in the world. It represents the most complete understanding Canada has ever had of the conservation status and distribution of wild species in Canada. The data in this report will support provinces, territories, municipalities and other partners in their conservation efforts, and will inform the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) of the species that may be at risk. ECCC is continuing to invest in updating the status assessments for the 2025 report (to be tabled in 2027), to include additional species groups and to monitor how their status is changing in response to ongoing conservation actions. This work is undertaken in close collaboration with other federal departments and with the provincial and territorial conservation data centres and NatureServe Canada.

In 2024-25, ECCC and federal partners will continue to implement an agreement with British Columbia to protect old growth forests and habitats. In 2022, the Government of Canada established a $50 million BC Old Growth Nature Fund (OGNF), that will protect at-risk old growth forest lands with the highest values for biodiversity, species at risk and wildlife habitat. This funding will contribute directly to the Government of Canada’s commitments under the Tripartite Framework Agreement on Nature Conservation (BC Nature Agreement) announced on November 3, 2023. ECCC is taking an approach that ensures First Nations, local communities and workers are partners in shaping the path forward on nature protection. Funding under the OGNF will be matched by the province of BC. The initiative will support collaboration with First Nations to protect and conserve old growth, and it will fund the establishment of protected or conserved areas. This work is expected to result in the protection of over 4,000 km² of at-risk old growth forests.

ECCC will continue to develop Nature Agreements with interested provinces and territories. The agreements will promote the recovery of species at risk and migratory birds and protect and conserve lands and freshwater. ECCC is working in partnership with other key federal departments, such as Natural Resources Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada to develop the Nature Agreements. The Nature Agreements will advance shared interests and encourage further ambition from provincial and territorial partners in more integrated and collaborative approaches to: conserve nature; establish more protected areas; recognize more protected areas and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs); protect and recover species at risk, migratory birds and their habitat; and advance reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples through their leadership in conservation. These agreements also help support a green recovery by ensuring the coordinated delivery of nature-based solutions to climate change. ECCC has committed to invest up to $20.6 million in support of the signed Agreement. Now in the implementation phase, it will protect up to an additional 6 percent of Yukon’s territory by 2025. ECCC has also signed the Canada-Nova Scotia Nature Agreement with commitment to invest up to a total of $28.5 million, and a tripartite framework agreement on nature Conservation between Canada, British Columbia, and the First Nations Leadership Council with up to $500M in federal funding to support nature protection and conservation in those provinces. Efforts will now shift to their implementation in 2024-25. Exploratory discussions are ongoing in several jurisdictions, and ECCC continues to pursue interests in Nature Agreements with other provincial and territorial governments.

The Department will build, maintain, and apply a robust knowledge foundation to conserve migratory birds and other biodiversity. Migratory bird conservation and management is foundational to the Department and is linked to all biodiversity and conservation acts and regulations administered by ECCC. The Department will continue to deliver on the Government of Canada’s responsibility for migratory birds by ensuring that their populations and habitats are maintained and restored, helping to leave a legacy of biodiversity for future generations. This will be accomplished in part by conducting focused research and delivering a suite of rigorously designed monitoring programs. The results will inform migratory bird conservation and adaptive management, and support several other departmental priorities, including protected areas planning, species at risk recovery, impact assessment and emergency response. ECCC will also continue to foster collaboration domestically and abroad, and to engage individuals and communities to achieve more impactful conservation outcomes for migratory birds. For example, the Department will continue to invest over $2 million in 2024-25 to support a wide range of programs across Canada run by Birds Canada working with citizen scientists and community members to monitor and conserve migratory birds. These initiatives, which are driven by citizen science,^{Footnote 36}  connect Canadians to nature and assist in planning the recovery of species at risk and in protecting their habitats. Given the importance of information on the distribution and abundance of migratory birds and other species of conservation concern across the country, the Department has invested and will continue to provide over $1.3 million per year to non-government partners. This investment will help Birds Canada, NatureServe Canada and the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute develop and maintain open science initiatives to create platforms to house, manage, analyze, and share biodiversity data in ways that are accessible to decision makers and Canadians alike. This effort will include the 2024 launch of a new website, jointly developed by Birds Canada and the Department, that will synthesize the best available information on the status of all species of birds in Canada.

ECCC will leverage the “One Health” model to support wildlife health. The model is a collaborative, multi-sectoral and transdisciplinary approach that recognizes the connection between people, animals, plants, and their shared natural environment. In 2024-25, in collaboration with other federal departments, provincial and territorial counterparts, and Indigenous Peoples, ECCC will continue to provide coordination, planning, research, and monitoring support to inform decision-making on emerging pathogens and the impacts of multiple stressors and cumulative effects on wildlife health. Using the collaborative One Health approach, the Pan-Canadian Approach to Wildlife Health will encourage collaboration and cooperation across the human, animal, and environmental sectors to achieve shared benefits. The approach will include an increase in surveillance and readiness/preparedness to address environmental changes that have impacts on all sectors. This will include efforts to address Indigenous food safety and security and the maintenance of traditional ways of life. Through such collaboration across all sectors, the One Health approach can achieve the best health outcomes for people, animals, and plants in a shared environment.

The Department will continue to implement the $1.4 billion Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund (NSCSF) to advance projects that restore and enhance wetlands, peatlands and grasslands that store and capture carbon. The Nature Smart Climate Solutions Fund, established in 2021, is well underway, investing over $200 million in funding to date in over 130 projects in 3 different streams (Emission Reduction Activities, Indigenous-led Natural Climate Solutions, and Science for Delivery and Accountability). In 2024-25, additional investments will be made in to restore degraded ecosystems; improve land management practices; support wetland mapping from an Indigenous perspective on Indigenous lands as part of a new Canadian National Wetland Inventory, the first version of which will be released this year; and support the monitoring and reporting of GHG emission reductions.

Departmental result: Canada’s species at risk are recovered

The Enhanced Nature Legacy Initiative will continue to support the ongoing implementation of the Pan-Canadian Approach to Transforming Species at Risk Conservation in Canada. This will be supported by investments over five years—started in 2021-22—of $209 million to implement conservation actions in priority places and $377 million to support recovery actions for priority species. The latter includes funding available to Indigenous Peoples through the Indigenous Partnerships for Species at Risk initiative. The Enhanced Nature Legacy for Canada Initiative sets out a roadmap to protect Canada’s biodiversity through the protection of lands and waters, and conservation of species at risk. With this initiative—and with support from the Canada Nature Fund—the Pan-Canadian Approach will continue to promote and facilitate collaborative conservation efforts focused on a set of shared priority places, species, and sectors across Canada through 2024-25. This strategic approach is largely a shift from pursuing independent actions on single species, to concerted efforts that address multiple species and broader ecosystems-based actions in partnership with federal, provincial, and territorial governments, Indigenous Peoples, and stakeholders.

In 2024-25, ECCC will continue to fulfill key statutory obligations under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) providing protection and recovery of Canada’s species at risk and their habitats based on sound science and Indigenous Knowledge. To deliver on key obligations and commitments to protect and recover species at risk under SARA, Budget 2023 provided $184 million over three years ECCC, Parks Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and Natural Resources Canada—starting in 2023-24—to continue monitoring, protecting, and promoting the recovery of species at risk to help restore their populations. In 2024-25, ECCC will continue working on policy and program improvements, which will include: providing best available science advice to processes under the Impact Assessment Act; supporting regulatory efficiency in impact assessment and permitting processes; and continuing to advance implementation of the Pan-Canadian Approach. To achieve this, ECCC is developing guidance and a series of tools to contribute to improved regulatory efficiency in impact assessment and permitting processes, leading to better conservation outcomes. ECCC will continue to engage with provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples, as well as scientists, industry, and other stakeholders, in the delivery of SARA activities. ECCC is also delivering on its management action plans in response to recommendations made in a number of species at risk related audits by the Commissioner of Environment and Sustainable Development. ECCC will also be actively involved in an internal evaluation that will support the management of species at risk activities.

ECCC will continue to protect endangered whales and their habitat. Canada's oceans are home to more than 30 species of whales, which play a critical role in the health of oceans and carry important cultural significance for many Indigenous and coastal communities. Budget 2023 provided $151.9 million over three years, starting in 2023-24, to ECCC, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Transport Canada, and Parks Canada to continue to protect endangered whales and their habitats, focusing on the North Atlantic Right Whale, the St. Lawrence Estuary Beluga, and British Columbia’s Southern Resident Killer Whale, all of which are vital to Canada's marine ecosystems.

In 2024-25, the Department will continue to implement the Pan-Canadian Approach to managing priority species at risk. This will focus on the recovery and conservation of six federal, provincial, and territorial priority species: Barren-ground Caribou (including the Dolphin and Union population]; Boreal Caribou; Greater Sage-grouse; Peary Caribou; Southern Mountain Caribou: and Wood Bison, as well as other species of federal interest. ECCC will support recovery through collaborative efforts, including matched investments from partners and ongoing multi-jurisdictional conservation planning arrangements with scientists and Indigenous Peoples.

In 2024-25, ECCC will continue to invest in projects to support ongoing species at risk conservation in 11 federal-provincial-territorial priority places. For example:

• The Island Nature Trust will receive $600,000 through the Enhanced Nature Legacy to work with owners of forested wetlands and coastal forests in PEI to identify and protect forest habitat for species at risk. This habitat is known to support 10 species at risk, including the Little Brown and Northern Myotis bat species and the Canada Warbler;
• ECCC will also continue to administer the Canada Nature Fund’s Community-Nominated Priority Places for Species at Risk. This is a multi-year funding initiative that is supporting 18 community-led projects were selected through two open calls for proposals; and
• The Department is also investing $2.19 million in the Appalachian Corridor over the next three years. This will help protect and recover species at risk by reducing threats that they face and enhancing their habitats in the Northern Green Mountains region of southern Québec.

ECCC will continue to collaborate with partners and stakeholders to co-develop conservation action plans for species at risk with the forest, agriculture, and urban development sectors. The plans will seek to advance opportunities to achieve better conservation outcomes for species at risk and enhance sector sustainability.

In 2024-25, ECCC will also advance Threat Risk Assessments to focus enforcement efforts on CITES-listed species. Through strengthened partnerships with other government departments, provinces, and territories, ECCC will identify sources and methods to disrupt and discourage illegal wildlife trade, with a focus on securing access to additional databases of illegal wildlife trade intelligence.

In 2024-25, the Government’s Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk (HSP), established in 2000, will continue to provide funding for projects submitted by Canadians that contribute directly to the recovery objectives and population goals of species at risk listed on Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA) or designated at risk by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). Specifically, in 2024-25, $4 million will be invested in 79 previously approved projects across the country while another $1.6 million is planned for new investments. ECCC administers HSP funds that support terrestrial stewardship projects while Fisheries and Oceans Canada is responsible for administering those supporting aquatic species at risk. The objectives of this ongoing program are to:

• Support habitat projects that benefit species at risk.
• Enable Canadians to become actively involved in stewardship projects for species at risk, which will result in tangible and measurable conservation benefits.
• Improve the scientific, sociological, and economic understanding of the role of stewardship as a conservation tool.

Departmental result: Indigenous Peoples are engaged in conservation

ECCC will continue to meaningfully engage with Indigenous Peoples through the implementation of programs that support reconciliation and Indigenous-led action to achieve conservation outcomes. For example, ECCC’s three distinctions-based Indigenous Nature Tables are part of a new external engagement model on nature with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. The Department will continue to renew relationships with Indigenous Peoples as part of the implementation of the Pan-Canadian Approach and SARA. Under the Canada Nature Fund’s Indigenous Partnerships Initiative, partnerships with First Nations, Inuit and Métis will advance the conservation of species at risk in a manner that recognizes and enables Indigenous leadership, knowledge systems and interests in land management.

In 2024-25, projects will contribute to building Indigenous partners’ capacity to:

• Lead the development and implementation of recovery and protection measures for at-risk species, including several culturally significant caribou species;
• Negotiate and implement conservation agreements for the collaborative conservation of species at risk; and
• Support meaningful participation in SARA consultation and cooperation processes.

In 2024-25, ECCC will continue to implement the $340 million investment over five years to support Indigenous Guardians and Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs). Supporting Indigenous engagement in conservation is integral to the achievement of Canada’s domestic and global biodiversity targets. Launched in 2021, this investment continues to support new and existing Indigenous-led Guardians initiatives and the development of national Indigenous Guardians Networks. Funding for Indigenous Guardians is co-designed and co-delivered in partnership with First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners, using a distinctions-based approach. It supports Indigenous Peoples, communities and organizations in: protecting sensitive and culturally important areas and species; monitoring ecological health; developing, and maintaining sustainable economies; and continuing the profound connections between natural landscapes and Indigenous cultures.

ECCC will also continue to implement a $78 million investment over five years in the Indigenous Partnerships Initiative (IPI). The IPI supports Indigenous-led conservation efforts to advance the protection and recovery of species at risk and contribute to implementation of the Pan-Canadian Approach. Supporting the leadership of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis in the stewardship of lands, waters, and ice—and the species that reside there—is essential to addressing shared concerns about the loss of biodiversity and impacts on future generations. The IPI amplifies Indigenous Peoples’ leadership in species conservation while supporting reconciliation. Projects build capacity to support Indigenous-led design, development and implementation of species conservation and stewardship actions on Indigenous lands and territories through unique projects navigating in ethical spaces to connect species, places, and cultures.

In 2024-25, ECCC will continue to administer the Government’s Aboriginal Fund for Species at Risk (AFSAR) funds that support terrestrial species projects. AFSAR, established in 2004, provides funding to Indigenous recipients for projects that support the development of Indigenous capacity to contribute directly to the conservation, protection, and recovery of species at risk and species of cultural significance—as well as their habitats—on Indigenous lands and territories. ECCC administers AFSAR funds that support terrestrial species projects, while Fisheries and Oceans Canada administers funds that support aquatic species projects. The objectives of this program are to:

• support and promote the conservation, protection and recovery of target species and their habitats on Indigenous lands and territories; and
• support the engagement and leadership of Indigenous Peoples in the conservation and recovery of species at risk, their habitats, and Species at Risk Act processes.

Additional expected departmental results

The Department’s on-the-ground wildlife enforcement officers will continue to verify compliance with wildlife legislation and associated regulations that protect migratory birds, species at risk, wildlife in trade and ECCC’s 177 protected habitats. ECCC, in collaboration with its partners, will continue to prioritize its enforcement activities aligned with the assessed risk and impact of non-compliance in 2024-25. This entails consideration of areas and species of concern that are vulnerable to illegal activities. The aim is to promote a fair and accessible justice system, enforce environmental laws, and manage impacts. The Department has developed a phased approach to support the Minister’s mandate commitment to curb illegal wildlife trade. Between 2023 and 2025, ECCC will monitor interdiction rates and realign its efforts based on results of these inspections, measured against performance indicators. The Department will also continue to provide re-certification training for existing designated wildlife enforcement officers and plan recruitment activities for the 2025-26 fiscal year.

Key risks

The technical fieldwork and access to critical data sets that goes into monitoring wildlife populations, and the conservation decisions to which they can give rise, can only be fully effective if they are done in collaboration with key stakeholders and include the views of Indigenous Peoples. The Department's ongoing ability to engage with these parties meaningfully is therefore directly linked to the delivery of conservation outcomes. To ensure productive partnerships and engagement and so mitigate risks related to the delivery of its mandate, ECCC will continue to collaborate with external partners to leverage existing sources of scientific data for the collective advancement of critical conservation efforts. This includes:

• partnering with Birds Canada and Ducks Unlimited Canada towards conservation of migratory bird populations and wetlands;
• providing leadership towards the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework;
• incorporating Indigenous communities’ perspectives while reaching an agreement with the Northwest Territories to protect Edéhzhíe and Tsá Tué (Great Bear Lake); and
• initiating three distinctions-based Indigenous Nature Tables to establish a co-development approach that includes capacity support to Indigenous partners.

Efforts are also underway to implement ECCC's Digital Strategy, which will enable digital modernization through a strategic and practical approach to investments in information management systems, infrastructure, and digital tools. This, coupled with the implementation of the departmental Data and Analytics Strategy, will enable more effective data management, which is paramount to enable the dissemination of monitoring data and research results that support decision-making on the ways forward to make progress towards conservation targets.

Related government priorities

Program inventory

Conserving Nature is supported by the following programs in the program inventory:

• Species at Risk
• Migratory Birds and Other Wildlife
• Habitat Conservation and Protection
• Biodiversity Policy and Partnerships
• Environmental Assessment
• Compliance Promotion and Enforcement—Wildlife

Supporting information on planned expenditures, human resources, and results related to ECCC’s program inventory is available on GC Infobase.

Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions

• In this section

  • Description
  • Quality of life impacts
  • Results and targets
  • Plans to achieve results
  • Key risks
  • Snapshot of planned resources in 2024-25
  • Related government priorities
  • Program inventory

Description

Provide authoritative forecasts, warnings, data, and information services related to weather, hydrological, and environmental conditions using a wide range of dissemination systems to help Canadians, public authorities, and targeted weather sensitive sectors make informed decisions about health, safety, and economic prosperity. This will be achieved by: monitoring weather, water quantity, ice, air quality and climate conditions; conducting research and development activities targeting continuous improvement; operating advanced integrated weather and environmental prediction models using high performance computing platforms; exchanging data in near real time, on a continual basis, with members of the World Meteorological Organization to ensure accurate and timely predictions; and collaborating closely with other nations’ weather and hydrologic institutions, and international organizations, to improve services for citizens everywhere.

Quality of life impacts

This core responsibility contributes to the “Environment” domain of the Quality of Life Framework for Canada. More specifically, it contributes to the “Air quality” and “Natural disasters and emergencies” indicators by ensuring Canadians use weather and related environmental condition information to make decisions about their health and safety.

Results and targets

The following tables show, for each departmental result related to Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions, the indicators, the results from the three most recently reported fiscal years, the targets and target dates approved in 2024-25.

Table 4: Indicators, results and targets for departmental result

Departmental result: Canadians use authoritative weather and related information to make decisions about their health and safety

Indicator	2020-2021 result	2021-2022 result	2022-2023 result	Target	Date to achieve
Index of the timeliness and accuracy of severe weather warnings on a scale of 0 to 10	8.8Footnote 38	8.8Footnote 39	8.7Footnote 40	At least 8.4	June 2025
Percentage of program partners rating their satisfaction with Environment and Climate Change Canada’s hydrological services as 8 out of 10 or higher	This is a new indicator, as of 2022-23. The first year of reporting is 2022-23.		69%	At least 80%	May 2025

The financial, human resources and performance information for ECCC’s program inventory is available on GC InfoBase.

Plans to achieve results

Departmental result: Canadians use authoritative weather and related information to make decisions about health and safety

ECCC will continue to improve its meteorological services through its scientific expertise, its application of a leading-edge approach to data management, and its continued focus on the changing needs of its clients and stakeholders. As climate continues to change—causing more frequent and intense high-impact weather events—the provision of timely and high-quality weather services is becoming increasingly important. In 2024-25, ECCC will continue to use its state-of-the-art High-Performance Computing (HPC) system to, every day, bring together 13 million observations about Canada’s environment and other data available from domestic and international partners.

The Department’s meteorologists and scientists—operating in prediction centres and scientific groups across the country—transform ECCC’s supercomputer numerical model results into warnings, forecasts, and expert advice on weather, water and environmental conditions. These are relied upon for decision-making by public authorities such as emergency managers and civil aviation authorities, as well as the Canadian public.

The Department will continue to explore emerging trends and to innovate in many areas related to numerical weather prediction. Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are transforming numerous sectors of society including weather, climate, and environmental prediction.

ECCC is developing an Artificial Intelligence Road Map for the integration of AI techniques into weather and environmental prediction to continue to improve its high-quality and timely weather information and warning services. The AI Road Map will outline and prioritize activities, pinpoint areas for collaboration, and consider ethics and alignment with Government of Canada AI guidelines. ECCC is preparing for the use of AI/ML in weather forecasting to embrace these new technologies, prepare next generation numerical models and better serve Canadians with improved information on changing weather and environmental conditions.

In 2024-25, ECCC will continue to improve the accessibility and reliability of its meteorological and environmental data offerings through backend and software application improvements, as well as advances in cloud sharing. Canadian individuals and businesses will have access to more than 28 new and improved open weather and environmental data products through ECCC’s open data platforms in 2024. Data provided through these platforms are leveraged by various external users to perform investigations, develop innovations promoting economic growth and efficiency, and make operational decisions regarding health and safety and the protection of property.

ECCC will continue to leverage social media and emergency alerts to communicate to Canadians so they can make informed decisions to mitigate weather and climate change risks to life, property, and the environment. ECCC’s state-of-the-art weather forecasting systems will continue to alert Canadians of approaching high impact weather and related events such as severe storms, poor air quality, heatwaves, atmospheric rivers, and hurricanes. Meteorologists will continue to focus their attention on meteorological events that have the potential to affect Canadians. This will include such initiatives as forecasting the dispersion of the widespread smoke that affected the air quality of millions coast-to-coast in 2023 and supporting emergency responders for the management of deadly flooding and wildfire events. Guided by a recent evaluation, ECCC will also enhance its focus on marginalized Canadians and communities. This is particularly important given Canada’s changing climate and associated unprecedented weather events that may pose increased risks for them, such as poor air quality, heat waves and floods. Canadians will continue to have access to updated forecasts, warnings and air quality information by visiting ECCC’s weather website, the WeatherCAN app, and subscribing to ECCC’s hurricane e-bulletins. Through the WeatherCAN app, Canadians can access current weather conditions and receive push notifications for weather alerts for locations anywhere in Canada.

ECCC will continue to modernize its critical infrastructure and to undertake life-cycle management activities across its monitoring networks. In 2024-25, the Department will focus on renewing satellite receiving infrastructure. ECCC operates four satellite ground receiving stations (one in each of Nunavut and Newfoundland and Labrador, and two in Alberta). These receive data from polar-orbiting environmental satellites supporting the delivery of operational weather and environmental monitoring and forecasting programs and services. The Polar-Orbiting Environmental Satellites Network Renewal Project—announced in Budget 2021 with $4.8M in funding over five years—will replace existing satellite data receiving infrastructure with modern antenna reception systems at locations in Canada (Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Northwest Territories). These upgrades will increase network resilience and redundancy, thus ensuring access to next-generation satellite data that will enhance the meteorological information available to ECCC and stakeholders.

In 2024-25, ECCC’s life cycle management activities will include station and sensor maintenance to ensure data integrity. Work will also continue to advance ECCC’s meteorological monitoring test site program, along with priority engineering projects to support the operational networks. Innovations to enable environmentally sustainable operations are also being prioritized and explored to reduce material waste, energy use, and transport emissions in day-to-day operations.

In 2024-25, ECCC will continue to develop tailored weather products for its WeatherCan application. This will focus on potential impacts of a weather situation by allowing Canadians to identify the level of risk at which they want to be notified. Surveys conducted in 2022 demonstrate that traditional and social media continue to play a critical role in amplifying the weather message. Along with AlertReady’s broadcast immediate functionality, these tools will continue to deliver high-impact weather-related information to Canadians.

In 2024-25, ECCC will continue to operate and improve its national hydrometric monitoring program to better meet the needs of Canadians. Systematic monitoring of water levels and flow has always been a priority in Canada and continues to be increasingly important as Canada’s climate is warming at twice the average global rate. A warmer climate means more weather extremes, including more droughts and floods. ECCC provides high quality data and information on water levels and flows in real time to provincial and territorial partners—including emergency management organizations—and weather-sensitive businesses. This helps them to prepare for severe weather and environmental events, and to become more resilient to the consequences of climate change. During extreme events, ECCC works to ensure field equipment is kept operational and that critical data services to water managers and public safety agencies are maintained. This can often mean taking fast action to deploy additional monitoring equipment to replace monitoring stations that are damaged or responding to requests for enhanced or additional data services.

The Department will enable an ongoing life-cycle management approach to water quantity monitoring. Through an $89.9M investment beginning in 2018, ECCC’s National Hydrological Service (NHS) has modernized and improved its water quantity monitoring program to more effectively support the management of Canada’s changing water resources. Now nearing completion of the critical modernization of hydrometric infrastructure planned under the 2018 investment, new investments are enabling an ongoing life-cycle management approach to maintain hydrometric infrastructure and improve attention to environmental compliance. Building on preliminary water prediction products released in March 2023, ECCC is now shifting to be part of a service-based approach that will support provincial and territorial partners and other key water resources stakeholders. In 2024-25, the focus of the NHS will shift from evaluating new technologies for hydrometric monitoring to implementing the most promising of those technologies into regular use. Along with new initiatives—such as workflow and fieldwork improvements—the NHS will continue to pursue operating efficiencies while responding to the needs of the National Hydrometric Program partners.

Following on observations and recommendations from a 2023 summative evaluation of the service, the Department will continue to strengthen the relevance, efficiency, capacity, and performance of its National Hydrological Services (NHS).

Under the Flood Hazard Identification and Mapping Program, ECCC is providing science and engineering support to Natural Resources Canada. The aim is to ensure that Natural Resources Canada’s flood maps are scientifically valid and provide robust information to support decision makers, including those dealing with municipal planning and urban development. ECCC will continue to work with experts in the field to integrate the anticipated impacts of climate change and account for uncertainty within existing tools used to develop flood hazard maps for several pilot areas. Funding agreements support research to advance floodplain mapping and the development of new engineering guidance to strengthen floodplain mapping science capacity in Canada. These efforts will lead to better identification of flood hazards and in turn better protection of Canadians from flooding. The resulting information will be provided to provinces and territories to help in their floodplain management activities. Under the National Adaptation Strategy, published in June 2023, the Government of Canada has invested an additional $164.2 million to provide five more years of funding towards projects under the Flood Hazard Identification and Mapping Program, working to advance nation-wide flood mapping coverage and to share accessible flood hazard information with Canadians.

ECCC will begin the dissemination of new coastal flooding forecasts and alerts, utilizing new national prediction systems and new capacities of production systems. These new coastal flooding forecasts and alerts have been developed in response to the growing frequency and severity of coastal flooding events and will support resilient coastal communities and safer near-shore marine navigation. As part of Canada’s National Risk Profile, the development of hurricane (tropical cyclones) national risk scenarios will help the Department support preparedness efforts across the country and further increase resilience.

Key risks

The timely provision of weather and climate information and services to Canadians depends on the ongoing maintenance and investment in capital and technological infrastructure to prevent rust-out, and to ensure functionality and data quality. This may be exacerbated by more frequent severe climate change-related events, such as catastrophic flooding, droughts, and wildfires that can expose ECCC’s critical infrastructure to threats. To address these risks, ECCC continues to enhance its capital and technological planning by proactively identifying infrastructure deficits and determining priorities and funding needs in these areas. ECCC also continues to modernize and strengthen hydrological and meteorological engineering, technical capacity, and infrastructure, including by revitalizing its satellite reception infrastructure.

The Department’s capacity to sustain timely delivery of world-class high quality meteorological, environmental, and hydrological information to Canadians is also closely linked to its ability to efficiently access, manage, analyze, and share increasingly large and complex data. To address uncertainties in this area, ECCC continues to invest in information management systems, infrastructure, tools, and personnel to support the appropriate management of information and seamless data mining, interoperability, and sharing. Further, ECCC future proofs its operations by securing uninterrupted access to high-performance computing and adapting its modelling capabilities to evolving demands and technical advances. These advancements allow the Department to support resilient and safer communities, by giving Canadians greater lead-time to protect themselves and their property.

Developing and maintaining strategic partnerships is also central for the Department to provide authoritative forecasts, warnings, data, and information services. Collaboration with various domestic and international partners is required to access vital data from around the globe; benefit from technological and scientific advancements; and support specific functions such as inter-jurisdictional and transboundary water management. The Department mitigates uncertainties in these areas by sustaining strong lines of communication and being actively engaged nationally and internationally.

The effective management of these risks helps to ensure that ECCC maintains its reputation as the authoritative source of information for weather, water quantity, climate, ice, and air quality conditions in Canada.

Related government priorities

Program inventory

Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions is supported by the following programs in the program inventory:

• Weather and Environmental Observations, Forecasts and Warnings
• Hydrological Services

Supporting information on planned expenditures, human resources, and results related to ECCC’s program inventory is available on GCInfobase.

Internal services

• In this section

  • Description
  • Plans to achieve results
  • Snapshot of planned resources in 2024-25
  • Related government priorities

Description

Internal services are the services that are provided within a department so that it can meet its corporate obligations and deliver its programs. There are 10 categories of internal services:

• Management and oversight services
• Communications services
• Legal services
• Human resources management services
• Financial management services
• Information management services
• Information technology services
• Real property management services
• Materiel management services
• Acquisition management services

Plans to achieve results

Overall supporting efforts

The Department remains committed to implementing the evergreen Accessibility Plan to provide a supportive, respectful, and stigma-free environment that promotes employee wellness. ECCC’s Culture of Care seeks to create a work environment where employees at all levels feel physically and emotionally safe and are able to share and raise mental health and wellness concerns. The aim is to ensure that employees can connect with and support each other in an empathetic manner, with open lines of communication and a spirit of patience, understanding, compassion and kindness.

In 2024-25, ECCC will continue to develop and promote its workplace values and ethics resources and mental health and wellness tools. It will also continue to provide advice and guidance on accommodation and disability management and accessibility tools. ECCC’s feedback mechanism will continue to support the implementation of the Department’s Accessibility Plan (released in 2022). ECCC will ensure ongoing compliance with the Accessible Canada Act (ACA), which aims to achieve an accessible Canada by 2040, under the guidance and support of the Accessibility Commissioner for Canada.

ECCC will continue to implement its Diversity, Inclusion and Employment Equity Strategy. Advancing the principles, values and goals of diversity, inclusion and employment equity remains a critical departmental and Government-wide priority. ECCC will continue to collaborate with employee-led networks and committees that advocate, contribute to, and support policies and initiatives that enrich diversity, inclusion, and employment equity throughout the Department. ECCC’s 2021-2024 Diversity, Inclusion and Employment Equity Strategy—launched in June 2021—was inspired by feedback from ECCC networks, as well as the Clerk of the Privy Council’s Call to Action on Anti-racism, Equity, and Inclusion in the federal public service. The Department’s strategy includes a twenty-point action plan that sets out specific, bold, and measurable actions to build a diverse and inclusive workforce. These focus on closing employment equity gaps under four broad pillars: recruitment; employee development and retention; education and awareness; and support to key elements in governance, including employee and management-led networks. ECCC will continue to implement and renew the departmental Inuit Employment Plan in line with the whole of government Inuit Employment Plan. The Department will establish meaningful objectives and take purposeful action to work towards Nunavut Agreement article 23 obligations.

ECCC will continue to advance public service renewal by promoting the Evolution ECCC framework to employees and implementing activities to help advance its objectives. Established in June 2023, the Evolution ECCC framework focuses on improving how the Department works on the understanding that everyday actions can make a positive difference. Seeking to promote an agile, inclusive, and well-equipped workforce, the Framework promotes: innovative problem-solving; an inclusive and collaborative work environment; greener operations; and employee wellness. The Department will participate in interdepartmental working groups and committees to ensure that best practices and initiatives are in place to optimize departmental and ministerial support services.

In 2024-25, ECCC will continue to provide tools and advice to employees to support meaningful inclusion of Indigenous perspectives in the development of policies, programs, and legislation, and in the delivery of ECCC evaluations. To facilitate the inclusion of Indigenous perspectives, ECCC’s Practical Guide to Indigenous Consultation and Engagement provides culturally competent and legally sound policy advice to officials who consult and engage with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners. Updates to the guide are underway to reflect new obligations and policies such as those of the federal UN Declaration Act, the Inuit Nunangat Policy and updated internal Departmental processes.

The Department will update and continue to implement the Workplace Harassment and Violence Prevention Policy to address the risks and consequences of workplace harassment and violence. The policy, introduced in January 2021, seeks to identify workplace factors that lead to harassment and violence and take necessary preventative steps. It also supports measures to investigate and resolve workplace harassment and violence situations when they occur and provide support to affected employees. In addition, in 2024-25, the Department will finalize a review and update of its Values and Ethics Code, which was first adopted in 2012.

The Department will continue to adapt and adjust to a post-COVID-19 workplace by aligning workplace policies to public health guidance and continuing to invest in its digital transformation. In 2024-25, the Department will take action in line with the Government’s direction regarding the modernization of work arrangements—and any associated adjustments and reductions of office facilities and footprints. In addressing the recommendations of the TBS Horizontal Fixed Asset Review, the Department will continue a full review of its real property portfolio. In support of the changing way that ECCC employees are working, the Department will also continue to modernize its workspace, providing an effective and efficient footprint, and improving workspace experience for staff in a hybrid work environment.

In 2024-25, ECCC will continue to advance its digital service modernization agenda for the next two years. The Department is in year three of a five-year Digital Modernization Roadmap to achieve four objectives: modernize services to digital; become a data-driven organization; enable digital asset platforms; and have a modern workforce. In 2024-25 the Department will continue to analyze its services and support applications with the aim of further transforming digital service delivery and internal operations.

ECCC will also continue to modernize and standardize IT by reducing its reliance on costly and outdated technology in favour of embracing enterprise platforms and solutions that support common business needs in alignment with GC direction. In 2024-25, the Department will continue to advance on signature enterprise IT projects such as the Regulatory Services Platform, Enterprise Stakeholder Management, and the Grants and Contributions Enterprise Management System.

In 2024-25, ECCC remains committed to the mobilization of science information and advice to inform programs, policies, and services. ECCC will advance this commitment through its Science Advisory Governance Framework which strengthens the role, relevance, and impact of science in decision-making and program delivery. The framework provides a process to inform decision-making in a systematic, transparent, and consistent manner. Additionally, it allows for the prioritization of resources and capacity for science needs; identifies emerging science issues and directions; and increases collaboration across branches on issues related to science needs and advice. Moreover, the Department will implement its renewed Science Strategy 2024-2029 which reflects the interconnectivity of diverse environmental challenges and recognizes the need for collaboration to find and implement effective solutions. The Strategy articulates a new science vision to better support the Department’s response to urgent environmental challenges and the horizontal nature of the Department’s work.

In 2024-25, ECCC will continue to take a strategic approach to reducing the environmental impact of its own operations and procurement practices. The aim is to support—and demonstrate federal leadership for—Canada’s transition to a circular economy by diverting at least 75 percent of plastic and non-hazardous operational waste from landfills by 2030. The Department will continue to track waste diversion rates in ECCC buildings. It will also advance its Departmental Green Procurement Plan, which includes promoting the procurement of environmentally preferable goods and services and developing and applying criteria to reduce the environmental impact of procurement decisions.

ECCC remains committed to transitioning to net-zero carbon and climate-resilient operations while also reducing other environmental impacts, including waste, water and biodiversity. The Department will continue to implement measures and assess its performance to support the government-wide goal of reducing energy-related GHG emissions from Government operations by 40 percent from 2005 levels by 2025. The Department will continue to work towards diverting at least 75 percent of non-hazardous operational and plastic waste, and 90 percent of construction and demolition waste, from landfills by 2030, in line with the Greening Government Strategy. In 2024-25, ECCC will deliver employee training on green procurement practices and continue to implement the departmental waste management action plan to reduce the generation—and increase the diversion—of non-hazardous operational waste.

ECCC will continue its efforts to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of its financial management to better enable its programs and priorities on behalf of Canadians in an evolving fiscal context. ECCC will continue to work collaboratively with Finance Canada, the Office of the Comptroller General of Canada (OCG) and other federal partners to ensure the continued financial sustainability of the Department to deliver on its mandate.

Related government priorities

Planning for contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses

ECCC will continue to work toward meeting and exceeding the minimum 5 percent target of contracts awarded to Indigenous businesses, starting April 1, 2024. To achieve this objective, the Department will continue working to reconcile its contracts with the Indigenous supplier database at Indigenous Services Canada to ensure contracts with Indigenous businesses are properly identified and reported. In addition, ECCC is targeting voluntary set-aside opportunities with Indigenous businesses—where feasible and appropriate—in collaboration with program clients.

5% reporting field	2022-23 actual result	2023-24 forecasted result	2024-25 planned result
Total percentage of contracts with Indigenous businesses	5.5%	Expected to be 5% or greater	Expected to be 5% or greater

Planned spending and human resources

This section provides an overview of ECCC’s planned spending and human resources for the next three fiscal years and compares planned spending for 2024-25 with actual spending from previous years.

• In this section

  • Spending
  • Funding
  • Future-oriented condensed statement of operations
  • Human resources

Spending

Table 5: Actual spending summary for core responsibilities and internal services ($ dollars)

The following table shows information on spending for each of ECCC’s core responsibilities and for its internal services for the previous three fiscal years. Amounts for the current fiscal year are forecasted based on spending to date.

Core responsibilities and internal services	2021-2022 actual expenditures	2022-2023 actual expenditures	2023-2024 forecast spending
Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change	381,382,505	407,374,384	845,444,191
Preventing and Managing Pollution	380,061,047	390,259,704	482,150,168
Conserving Nature	413,663,898	576,201,081	743,445,363
Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions	274,731,867	257,185,464	314,483,092
Subtotal	1,449,839,317	1,631,020,633	2,385,522,814
Internal services	263,049,348	298,661,385	293,140,845
Total	1,712,888,665	1,929,682,018	2,678,663,659
*Totals may differ within and between tables due to rounding of figures.

Table 6: Budgetary planning summary for core responsibilities and internal services (dollars)

The following table shows information on spending for each of ECCC’s core responsibilities and for its internal services for the upcoming three fiscal years.

Core responsibilities and internal services	2024-2025 budgetary spending (as indicated in Main Estimates)	2024-2025 planned spending	2025-2026 planned spending	2026-2027 planned spending
Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change	1,036,877,580	1,036,877,580	479,096,757	436,256,363
Preventing and Managing Pollution	450,317,681	450,317,681	415,301,040	405,051,667
Conserving Nature	736,720,545	736,720,545	711,691,087	360,774,223
Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions	271,887,076	271,887,076	262,687,420	256,346,437
Subtotal	2,495,802,882	2,495,802,882	1,868,776,304	1,458,428,690
Internal services	265,166,344	265,166,344	257,881,973	241,053,281
Total	2,760,969,226	2,760,969,226	2,126,658,277	1,699,481,971
*Totals may differ within and between tables due to rounding of figures.

Table 7: 2024-25 budgetary gross and net planned spending summary (dollars)

The following table reconciles gross planned spending with net planned spending for 2024-25.

Core responsibilities and internal services	2024-2025 gross planned spending (dollars)	2024-2025 planned revenues netted against spending (dollars)	2024-2025 planned net spending (dollars)
Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change	1,036,877,580	0	1,036,877,580
Preventing and Managing Pollution	468,722,056	(18,404,375)	450,317,681
Conserving Nature	739,494,485	(2,773,940)	736,720,545
Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions	323,841,068	(51,953,992)	271,887,076
Subtotal	2,568,935,189	(73,132,307)	2,495,802,882
Internal services	266,588,929	(1,422,585)	265,166,344
Total	2,835,524,118	(74,554,892)	2,760,969,226
*Totals may differ within and between tables due to rounding of figures.

Funding

Figure 1: Departmental spending 2021-22 to 2026-27

The following graph presents planned spending (voted and statutory expenditures) over time.

Departmental Spending Trend

Text description

Departmental Spending Trend (dollars)

-	2021-22	2022-23	2023-24	2024-25	2025-26	2026-27
Statutory	101,529,765	123,538,130	288,643,493	122,373,055	120,476,217	110,868,766
Voted	1,611,358,900	1,806,143,888	2,390,020,166	2,638,596,171	2,006,182,060	1,588,613,205
Total	1,712,888,665	1,929,682,018	2,678,663,659	2,760,969,226	2,126,658,277	1,699,481,971

Note: Environment and Climate Change Canada will seek funding renewal for priority initiatives. Funding requests for such initiatives are subject to government decisions and will be reflected in future Budget exercises and Estimates documents.

Estimates by vote

Information on ECCC’s organizational appropriations is available in the 2024-25 Main Estimates.

Future-oriented condensed statement of operations

The future-oriented condensed statement of operations provides an overview of Environment and Climate Change Canada’s operations for 2023-24 to 2024-25.

The forecast and planned amounts in this statement of operations were prepared on an accrual basis. The forecast and planned amounts presented in other sections of the Departmental Plan were prepared on an expenditure basis. Amounts may therefore differ.

A more detailed future-oriented statement of operations and associated notes, including a reconciliation of the net cost of operations with the requested authorities, are available at ECCC’s website.

Table 8: Future-oriented condensed statement of operations for the year ending March 31, 2025 (dollars)

Financial information	2023-2024 forecast results	2024-2025 planned results	Difference (2024-2025 planned results minus 2023-2024 forecast results)
Total expenses	2,836,231,765	3,008,321,421	172,089,656
Total revenues	94,839,751	106,889,059	12,049,308
Net cost of operations before government funding and transfers	2,741,392,014	2,901,432,362	160,040,348

Human resources

Table 9: Actual human resources for core responsibilities and internal services

The following table shows a summary of human resources, in full-time equivalents (FTEs), for ECCC’s core responsibilities and for its internal services for the previous three fiscal years. Human resources for the current fiscal year are forecasted based on year to date.

Core responsibilities and internal services	2021-2022 actual FTEs	2022-2023 actual FTEs	2023-2024 forecasted FTEs
Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change	744	883	1,087
Preventing and Managing Pollution	2,229	2,255	2,179
Conserving Nature	1,302	1,487	1,470
Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions	1,714	1,722	1,642
Subtotal	5,989	6,347	6,378
Internal services	1,698	1,797	1,863
Total	7,687	8,144	8,241

* Totals may differ within and between tables due to rounding of figures. The FTE numbers throughout this document include students.

Table 10: Human resources planning summary for core responsibilities and internal services

The following table shows information on human resources, in full-time equivalents (FTEs), for each of ECCC’s core responsibilities and for its internal services planned for 2024-25 and future years.

Core responsibilities and internal services	2024-2025 planned fulltime equivalents	2025-2026 planned fulltime equivalents	2026-2027 planned fulltime equivalents
Taking Action on Clean Growth and Climate Change	1,120	1,050	808
Preventing and Managing Pollution	2,148	2,078	2,071
Conserving Nature	1,449	1,423	1,143
Predicting Weather and Environmental Conditions	1,641	1,635	1,640
Subtotal	6,358	6,186	5,661
Internal services	1,847	1,809	1,741
Total	8,205	7,995	7,402

*Totals may differ within and between tables due to rounding of figures. The FTE numbers throughout this document include students.

Corporate information

Organizational profile

Appropriate minister: The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, P.C., M.P.

Institutional head: Jean-Francois Tremblay

Ministerial portfolio: Environment and Climate Change

Enabling instruments:

• Department of the Environment Act, 1971
• Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
• Fisheries Act, 1985 (administration and enforcement of the Pollution Prevention Provisions)
• Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, 2018 (joint responsibility with Finance Canada)
• Species at Risk Act, 2004
• Manganese-based Fuel Additives Act, 1997
• Antarctic Environmental Protection Act, 2003
• Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Virtual Elimination Act, 2008
• Canada Wildlife Act, 1985
• Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994
• Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act, 1992
• National Wildlife Week Act, 1985
• Canada Water Act, 1985
• International River Improvements Act,1985
• Lake of the Woods Control Board Act, 1921
• Canada Emission Reduction Incentives Agency Act, 2005
• Weather Modification Information Act, 1985
• Canadian Environmental Week Act, 1985
• Environmental Enforcement Act, 2010
• Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties Act, 2009
• Federal Sustainable Development Act, 2008
• National Strategy for Safe and Environmentally Sound Disposal of Lamps Containing Mercury Act, 2017
• Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act, 1985
• Bridge to Strengthen Trade Act, 2012
• Canada Foundation for Sustainable Development Technology Act, 2001
• Canada Oil and Gas Operations Act, 1985
• Canada-Newfoundland Atlantic Accord Implementation Act, 1987
• Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act, 1988
• Energy Supplies Emergency Act, 1985
• Income Tax Act, 1985
• Marine Liability Act, 2001
• Nunavut Planning and Project Assessment Act, 2013
• Resources and Technical Surveys Act, 1985
• Yukon Environmental and Socio-economic Assessment Act, 2003

Year of incorporation: 1971

Organizational contact information

Mailing address:

Environment and Climate Change Canada
Public Inquiries Centre
Place Vincent Massey Building
351 Saint-Joseph Boulevard
Gatineau QC K1A 0H3
Toll Free: 1-800-668-6767

Email: enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca

Website(s): https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change.html

Supplementary information tables

The following supplementary information tables are available on Environment and Climate Change Canada’s website:

• Details on transfer payment programs
• Gender-based Analysis Plus
• Horizontal initiatives
• Up front multiyear funding

Information on Environment and Climate Change Canada’s departmental sustainable development strategy can be found on ECCC’s website.

Federal tax expenditures

Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Departmental Plan does not include information on tax expenditures.

Tax expenditures are the responsibility of the Minister of Finance. The Department of Finance Canada publishes cost estimates and projections for government wide tax expenditures each year in the Report on Federal Tax Expenditures.

This report provides detailed information on tax expenditures, including objectives, historical background, and references to related federal spending programs, as well as evaluations, research papers and Gender-based Analysis Plus.

Definitions