Deputy Minister transition binder 2023: Transition booklet

Departmental overview

Portfolio overview

The Minister of Environment and Climate Change’s Environment Portfolio consists of the Department of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and two agencies:

• Parks Canada Agency, responsible for national parks, historic sites, and national marine conservation areas; and
• Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, responsible for impact assessments and coordinating Crown-Indigenous consultation for potential major projects.

ECCC raison d’être

ECCC is the lead federal department for a wide range of environmental issues, including taking action on clean growth and climate change. The Department is also engaged in activities aimed at preventing and managing pollution, conserving nature, and predicting weather and environmental conditions. The Department addresses these issues through various actions including the implementation of the Pan-Canadian Framework on clean growth and climate change, engaging with our strategic partners including provinces, territories and Indigenous peoples, monitoring, science-based research, policy and regulatory development, and through the enforcement of environmental laws and regulations.

The Department’s program focus reflects the interdependence of environmental sustainability and economic well-being.

Workforce overview

The Department was created in 1971, with some of its component organizations having an even longer history:

• The Canadian Wildlife Service was founded in 1947
• The Water Survey of Canada in 1908
• The Meteorological Service of Canada in 1871
• 2021 marked the 50th anniversary of the department and the 150th anniversary for the Meteorological Service of Canada

Financial overview 2022-2023

ECCC authorities (as of November 2, 2022)	Operational spending
	Salaries and benefits	$780 million
	Operations and maintenance	$343 million
	Capital	$141 million
	Total operational spending	$1,264 million
	Grants and contributions to 3rd parties	$768 million
Total departmental program and activities		$2,032 million
Statutory		$0.1 million
Total ECCC authorities		$2,032 million

Approximately 38% of funding for departmental programs and activities is directed to third parties through grants and contributions

Includes the Main Estimates 2022-23 and the Operating and Capital Budget Carry Forward

Note: Amounts have been rounded to the nearest million.

Partnerships

We cannot tackle environmental issues alone. Partnerships are fundamental to achieving Canada’s environment and climate change objectives.

Increasingly, the issues ECCC is addressing require economic transformation. As such, ECCC must deploy its regulations, science and information in collaboration with fiscal and program measures led by other departments.

ECCC is committed to renewing a nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous Peoples based on recognition of rights, respect, co-operation, and partnership. The Department works with the First Nations, Métis and Inuit governments, communities, and organizations to advance Indigenous environmental stewardship and ensure Indigenous interests and contributions are reflected in the Department’s programs and priorities. The Department also support whole-of-government initiatives related to Reconciliation such as section 35 negotiations of Indigenous rights agreements, the Permanent Bilateral Mechanisms, the United Nations Declaration Act, and the Inuit Nunangat Policy.

The Government of Canada shares jurisdiction over environmental matters with the provinces and territories. ECCC works with provincial and territorial governments and these relationships are fostered through bilateral agreements as well as through work on shared priorities on bilateral regional and multilateral basis (e.g., the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment and other multilateral fora on specific issues such as domestic and international climate change, conservation, wildlife and biodiversity, water, and environmental protection).

There are few major environmental issues for which we can find causes or solutions solely within Canadian borders. Canada needs to cooperate effectively with other nations whose policies and activities affect the quality of the environment, and to find effective solutions to global environmental challenges. Canada also has international environmental obligations under many various agreements and fora. The international dimension of ECCC’s work is important to achieve Canada’s international and domestic goals.

ECCC also works closely with academia, non-governmental organizations, and national industry associations.

International engagement

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) leads Canada’s international engagement on the environment, working closely with Global Affairs Canada, with the support of several other federal departments.

Canada works with international partners through a number of multilateral fora, initiatives, and regional/bilateral relationships to scale up global ambition and action on the interconnected challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, and to advance key priorities including:

• Climate ambition, including the implementation of the Paris Agreement and advancing international action toward the achievement of the 1.5 degree temperature goal, energy transition, and Canada’s $5.3 billion climate finance commitment;
• Halting and reversing global biodiversity loss, particularly by advancing the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework; and
• Supporting global action to address pollution, including playing a leadership role in advancing negotiations towards an international, legally binding instrument to end plastic pollution by 2040.

These global issues will require concerted, coordinated global responses and will remain high on the international agenda in 2023.

Legislative mandate and authority overview

Enacted in 1971, the Department of the Environment Act established ECCC as a department.

The Minister of ECCC has direct responsibilities under 33 acts and secondary responsibilities under 16 others. These acts and associated regulations provide the department with its mandate and enable it to carry out its programs and meet its core responsibilities as a science-based regulator and policy maker, including:

• Preserving and enhancing of the quality of the natural environment, including water, air and soil quality
• Addressing climate change, including through carbon pricing
• Managing freshwater ecosystems
• Protecting nature, biodiversity, and species, including migratory birds
• Delivering meteorological services

Core responsibilities overview

ECCC is leading Canada’s response to the triple crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution through the development, implementation and administration of key policies and programs.

A net zero target requires a transformation of the economy, which puts ECCC increasingly at the centre of both the economic and environmental agenda.

This important role is reflected in ECCC’s Departmental Results Framework (DRF) which sets out the department’s core responsibilities:

• Taking action on clean growth and climate change
• Preventing and managing pollution
• Conserving nature
• Predicting weather and environmental conditions

The DRF also presents an Inventory of 16 Programs designed to deliver Departmental Results and support the achievement of ECCC’s core responsibilities.

These core responsibilities are supported through a variety of important horizontal functions including:

• Scientific research, science advice, and environmental monitoring
• Policy and economic analysis
• International, Intergovernmental and Indigenous cooperation, engagement and negotiation
• Regulatory and enforcement work
• Reporting and communications

Taking action on clean growth and climate change

Climate change is a global threat – with significant impacts on the economy, biodiversity, and society. Canada’s commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 has been enshrined in legislation through the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, which became law on June 29, 2021. The Act mandates targets be set every 5 years, beginning in 2030, as well as an emissions reduction plan, a progress report, and an assessment report for each of them. These targets and associated measures are a significant driver for economic transformation. While levers to address climate change are found in all sectors of the economy, across multiple jurisdictions and under a variety of ministerial portfolios, ECCC plays a lead federal role and is specifically responsible for:

• Leading Canada’s climate policy development
• Overseeing and coordinating implementation of the Emissions Reduction Plan
• Delivering climate science, programs and services
• Engaging with provincial, territorial and Indigenous partners on climate related issues
• Leading Canada’s effort on international climate change negotiations and engaging in international cooperation
• Contributing scientific research and expertise, including at the international level (e.g., IPCC)
• Supporting work on clean technology
• Making climate science more open and accessible to Canadians

Preventing and managing pollution

Safeguarding the health and safety of Canadians requires protecting the environment from harmful pollutants in our air, land and water. Air pollution contributes to about 15,300 premature deaths in Canada per year and costs the Canadian economy about $120 billion annually. More than a quarter of us live in areas with poor air quality. In Canada, about 4.3 million tonnes of plastics are discarded every year and close to 30,000 tonnes ends up in our natural environment. There are significant threats to freshwater quality in Canada, which can vary regionally in nature and magnitude. To address these issues, ECCC monitors contaminants in the air, water, and soil, develops and administers environmental laws, regulations and voluntary instruments, and delivers other programs.

ECCC is responsible for:

• Preventing and managing pollution from industrial processes, disposal at sea, vehicles and engines, mining, products, electricity, chemicals, waste sectors etc. using legislation such as the Fisheries Act and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA)
• Negotiating and Implementing international agreements on pollution (e.g. Basel Convention, London Convention, Rotterdam Convention, Canada-US Air Quality Agreement)
• Minimizing the impacts of environmental emergencies on Canadians and their environment
• Leading Canada’s effort on international initiatives, such as the new legally-binding global agreement on plastic pollution and engaging in international cooperation

Conserving nature

Nature, which provides benefits we all depend on for survival, security, and well-being, is in serious trouble (see sidebar), a crisis on par in terms of magnitude with climate change. Key drivers of biodiversity loss are land- and sea-use change, direct overexploitation, pollution, invasive species, and climate change. While nature is at risk because of climate change, nature is also a critical ally in the fight against climate change.

In December 2022, Canada hosted the 15th Conference of Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity where an historic agreement was reached on a global framework that will drive action domestically and abroad.

Responsibility for nature in Canada is shared, with the vast majority of crown land administered by provinces and territories. At the federal level, ECCC is responsible for:

• Protecting and recovering species at risk and their critical habitats
• Conserving and protecting healthy populations of migratory birds
• Engaging and enabling provinces and territories, Indigenous peoples, stakeholders, and the public to increase protected areas and contribute to conservation and stewardship activities
• Expanding and managing the Department’s protected areas, such as migratory bird sanctuaries and national wildlife areas
• Collaborating with domestic and international partners to advance the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity

Predicting weather and environmental conditions

2021 marked the 150th anniversary of the Meteorological Service of Canada and its long history of serving Canadians with accurate and timely information on weather and environmental conditions to help them make decisions about their health, safety and economic well-being.

ECCC is responsible for:

• Monitoring weather, water quantity, ice, air quality and climate conditions
• Providing forecasts, information and warnings to the Canadian public and targeted sectors through a range of service delivery options
• Conducting research
• Developing and maintaining computer-based models for predicting weather and other environmental conditions
• Collaborating and exchanging data with other national meteorological services and with international organizations

Organizational structure

Senior leadership team and organizational structure

Minister and Parliamentary Secretaries biographies

Minister of Environment and Climate Change

The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, P.C., M.C.

The Honourable Steven Guilbeaut was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Laurier─Sainte-Marie in 2019. He has previously served as Minister of Canadian Heritage.

Minister Guilbeaut is a prominent advocate in the fight against the climate crisis, and has been leading the charge from Laurier─Sainte-Marie for years.

Minister Guilbeault’s commitment to environmental issues started at the age of five, when he climbed a tree to protect it from real estate developers who were about to cut down the woods behind his home in La Tuque. Twenty-five years later, he scaled the CN Tower in Toronto to call for Canada to ratify the Kyoto Protocol.

In 1993, Minister Guilbeault co-founded Équiterre, the largest environmental organization in Quebec, and served as its Senior Director from 2008 to 2018. He also worked as Director and Campaign Manager for Greenpeace, and was a Strategic Advisor for more than 10 years at Cycle Capital Management, a Canadian fund dedicated to the development of clean technologies. Minister Guilbeault also worked for Deloitte & Touche as well as Copticom, a consulting firm specializing in the green and social economy, and transportation.

As an activist and strategic advisor for dozens of governments and businesses in Canada and abroad, Minister Guilbeault is a pragmatist who works to make a difference by building bridges and relationships. An avid cyclist and sportsman, he has been riding his bike 12 months a year for the last 30 years.

Minister Guilbeault is a father of four and stepfather of two.

Parliamentary Secretaries

Terry Duguid, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Terry Duguid was first elected as a Member of Parliament for Winnipeg South in 2015.

With a diverse background in civic government, business, and environmental leadership, Mr. Duguid has shown a strong commitment to public service throughout his career. In 1997, he founded Sustainable Developments International, a firm specializing in environmental management, sustainable development, transportation, and international affairs consulting. In 2000, he was named Chairman of the Manitoba Clean Environment Commission, and, in 2004, he became President and CEO of the International Centre for Infectious Diseases, a non-profit research organization he helped to create.

In addition to his professional career, Mr. Duguid has devoted considerable time and effort to his community. He served as Executive Director of the Manitoba Climate Change Task Force in 2001, as Chair of the Nature Task Force in 2003, and as a member of the Manitoba Emissions Trading Task Force in 2004.

Mr. Duguid has a lifelong interest in science and its role in the betterment of society. He earned first-class honours while obtaining his Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, and holds a Master of Environmental Design degree focused on tackling the crucial issues of water quality, ozone depletion, and acid rain.

He and his wife Linda have two daughters.

Julie Dabrusin, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Julie Dabrusin was first elected as the Member of Parliament for Toronto-Danforth in 2015.

Ms. Dabrusin grew up in Montréal and completed her undergraduate degree in Near and Middle East Studies at McGill University, before attending law school at the University of Toronto. She then practiced litigation, including for a time as commission counsel to the Toronto External Contracts Inquiry, which reviews municipal government procurement.

Ms. Dabrusin was an active volunteer in her community. She founded Friends of Withrow Park, served on the Board of Directors of Park People, and started initiatives such as the local Second Harvest Hunger Squad. In 2012, she was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for her community service.

Ms. Dabrusin has been a strong advocate for her community on issues of gun control, healthy eating, and banning single-use plastics. She is also a champion of Canada’s creative and cultural industries.

She and her family have lived in Toronto for over 20 years.

Senior leadership team biographies

Paul Halucha, Associate Deputy Minister

Paul Halucha was appointed Associate Deputy Minister at Environment and Climate Change Canada in August 2021.

He previously served as Assistant Secretary to Cabinet for Economic and Regional Development Policy at the Privy Council Office where he was also the Secretary to Cabinet for the Cabinet Committee on the Economy and the Environment.

Throughout his public service career he has worked on economic policy issues including during many years at Industry Canada / Innovation, Science and Economic Development. His roles have included Assistant Deputy Minister of Industry Sector, Chief of Staff to the Deputy Minister, Deputy Director of the Investment Canada Act and Director General of Marketplace Framework Policies. File responsibilities included: sectoral policies for defence, aerospace, manufacturing and automotive industries; competition and intellectual property; procurement, trade and investment policy; and industrial policy design.

Paul graduated from the Norman Patterson School of International Affairs and is married with two children and two grandchildren.

Lawrence Hanson, Associate Deputy Minister

Lawrence Hanson was appointed Associate Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate in November 2022. Prior to that, Lawrence was the Associate Deputy Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.

Previously, he served in several Assistant Deputy Minister roles, including Assistant Deputy Minister of Policy at Transport Canada, Assistant Deputy Minister of Spectrum, Information Technologies and Telecommunications Sector and then of Science and Innovation (both at Innovation, Science and Economic Development).

He held several positions at Environment Canada between 2004 and 2013.

Lawrence received a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Studies from the University of Saskatchewan and a Master’s Degree in Political Science from the University of British Columbia. He is married and has two children.

Soren Halverson, Special Advisor to the Deputy Minister

Soren Halverson is Special Advisor to the Deputy Minister at Environment and Climate Change Canada, where he currently leads on the development of Canada’s Clean Electricity Regulations.

Prior to this role, Soren served in senior positions in Canada’s Department of Finance, where he led work on financial sector policy, sustainable finance, and environmental and natural resource policy, among other policy areas.

Over the course of his career, Soren has worked on a wide range of economic and financial sector policy issues. During the federal government’s COVID response, he led on the development of programs to support business credit, including the $50 billion CEBA program, as well as advising on the government’s debt management plan. Other areas of focus have included sustainable finance, environment and natural resources, innovation, infrastructure, transportation, defence, and management of the government’s corporate assets.

Soren holds a Master’s of Arts (Economics) from Simon Fraser University and is a CFA Charterholder.

Climate Change Branch

The Climate Change Branch (CCB) leads the coordination, development and implementation of Canada’s climate policy, programs, and plan in collaboration with partners to support Canada’s objectives to drive a clean economy, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and build Canada’s resilience to a changing climate. The Branch’s work includes coordinating with federal departments and agencies; engaging with provinces and territories and Indigenous peoples on climate-related issues; delivering climate programs and services; and publishing reports on progress towards achieving Canada’s climate goals.

Vincent Ngan, Assistant Deputy Minister

Vincent Ngan has been appointed Assistant Deputy Minister of CCB, effective January 23, 2023. Prior to this, Vincent led the Management Office for the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity as the acting Assistant Deputy Minister. Vincent was first appointed at ECCC in September 2017 as the Director General, Horizontal Policy, Engagement and Coordination in the Climate Change Branch. Prior to joining ECCC, he held various leadership roles at the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat between 2008 and 2017.

He obtained a Bachelor of Arts with honours in Political Science and Applied Studies from the University of Waterloo (Ontario) as well as a Master of Arts in Public Administration from the School of Public Administration at Carleton University.

Meteorological Service of Canada

The Meteorological Service of Canada (MSC) is the primary supplier of meteorological and water resources information in Canada. MSC issues forecasts, warnings, conducts research and provides information about the past, present and future conditions of the atmosphere, climate, water, air quality, ice and related environment. Weather forecasts and warnings are provided to Canadians 24 hours a day, seven days a week to help protect their safety, security and property. MSC maintains a Canada-wide observation network to monitor changes in the weather, climate, water, ice and air quality to obtain the data which is the foundation of weather and environmental prediction.

Diane Campbell, Assistant Deputy Minister

Diane Campbell studied marine biology at the University of Guelph and started her career working in the research laboratories at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters. She joined MSC in 2008 as the Director General of the Weather and Environmental Prediction Services where she has led many of MSC’s major cost recovery services, service strategy development, product development and national dissemination systems. When MSC re-organized in 2013–2014, she took on the role of Director General of Prediction Services, also overseeing service delivery in prediction operations across the country. In 2018, Diane became MSC’s Associate Assistant Deputy Minister and in 2019 she became Assistant Deputy Minister.

Diane has led major transformation initiatives, focused on workplace analysis and succession, and championed workplace and workforce wellness. She is Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Co-Champion, with a union representative, for mental health and respect in the workplace.

Science and Technology Branch

Science and Technology Branch (STB) is Canada’s leader in environmental science. STB undertakes fundamental work to monitor, understand, and evaluate changes and emerging threats in Canada’s ecosystems.

This is done through atmospheric and climate modelling, aquatic ecosystems and long-term water quality monitoring, wildlife and landscape science and chemical risk assessment and regulatory activities. STB generates data-driven knowledge and leads science advice to inform policies, regulations, enforcement, and federal and international codes and standards.

Marc D’Iorio, Assistant Deputy Minister

Marc D’Iorio was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister of the Science and Technology Branch on February 1, 2021.

Marc began his career in government as a post-doctoral fellow in climate change. He has worked in a number of positions as a scientist, a manager, and a leader of organizations that conduct research, fund science, or use science to make policy and regulatory decisions.

Marc is Canada’s Focal Point on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and Canada’s Permanent Representative to the Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research (IAI). In recent years, Marc played a pivotal role in leading electrification and decarbonisation of transport sectoral tables across government.

Prior to joining ECCC, Marc was the Director General, Office of Energy Research and Development at Natural Resources Canada.

Strategic Policy Branch

The Strategic Policy Branch (SPB) has a leadership role within the Department in a number of areas, including strategic policy development, agenda management, policy planning, results and delivery, Indigenous and intergovernmental affairs, economic analysis, sustainable development strategies and indicators, regional analysis, outreach and program delivery. Through the Regional Directors General Offices, the Branch supports the Department’s overall goals and objectives by managing relations with the regions and associated key stakeholders.

Hilary Geller, Assistant Deputy Minister

Hilary joined Environment and Climate Change Canada in June 2017 as the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Strategic Policy Branch.

Previously, Hilary worked at Health Canada, where she was the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Healthy Environments and Consumer Safety Branch (HECSB) from May 2011 to June 2017. A regulatory and scientific branch, HECSB works under various pieces of legislation to assess, manage and regulate a diverse range of issues in the areas of tobacco, controlled drugs and substances, environmental contaminants, consumer products, radiation and workplace chemicals. Prior to this role, she was Director General of Policy, Planning and Integration in HECSB from 2009 to 2011.

Hilary has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Toronto, and a Master in Business Administration from York University.

Environmental Protection Branch

The Environmental Protection Branch (EPB) implements legislation, regulations and other policies and programs that protect Canadians and the environment. In particular, the branch works with other federal departments, provinces and territories, aboriginal people, municipalities, industry and environmental non-governmental organizations on clean air and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission regulations, chemical substances management, environmental emergencies as well as on advancing the Government's plastics and waste agenda.

John Moffet, Assistant Deputy Minister

John joined Environment and Climate Change Canada in late 2005 on Executive Interchange, and has since made the Department his home. Before becoming Assistant Deputy Minister of EPB in 2018, John was the Director General of various directorates in the Department and Associate ADM of EPB.

Prior to joining ECCC, he consulted on environmental law and policy issues in Canada and in developing countries, was Executive Assistant to the Attorney General of Ontario, and was (briefly) a corporate lawyer in Toronto. He has lectured and published on a wide range of environmental law and policy topics. He has two adult children, and enjoys cross-country skiing, mountain biking and canoeing in his spare time.

Megan Nichols, Associate Assistant Deputy Minister

Megan Nichols most recently held the role of Associate Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy at Transport Canada, and before that spent three years as the department’s Director General of Environmental Policy. Megan led Transport Canada’s efforts to mitigate the environmental impacts of transportation and increase the resilience of the sector to climate change.

Prior to her time at Transport Canada, Megan was Director General in the Lands and Minerals Sector, with responsibility for the leadership of Canada’s mining policy at Natural Resources Canada. Megan has also demonstrated her expertise and leadership within the Infrastructure Canada and Canadian Heritage portfolios.

Megan holds a Master’s degree in History from Queen’s University and enjoys hiking, canoeing and cross-country skiing with friends and family.

Canadian Wildlife Service

The Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) conserves species and spaces by administering conservation programs. The Branch protects and manages recovery of species at risk and their critical habitat as well as conserves, protects, and sustainably manages to foster healthy populations of migratory birds and other wildlife. The Branch conserves, restores and protects significant habitats by developing and implementing stewardship programs, establishing and maintaining a network of protected areas, and enabling and supporting partnerships for the integrated management of Canada's natural capital. In addition, the Branch advances national biodiversity policies and partnerships and fulfills international responsibilities; and supports coordinated and coherent national assessment, monitoring, research, planning, action, and compliance promotion and enforcement to protect biodiversity.

Tara Shannon, Assistant Deputy Minister

Tara was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister of CWS in April 2021.

Prior to joining the CWS, she held a variety of executive positions with then Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, including in the areas of northern regulatory policy and Indian Residential Schools, and the Privy Council Office, where she advised on a wide range of matters including Indigenous reconciliation, justice, and diversity and inclusion, amongst others.

Tara holds a Bachelor of Arts (Asian Studies and Economics) from the University of Victoria, and a Master of Arts (Theory and Practice of Human Rights) from the University of Essex.

International Affairs Branch

The International Affairs Branch (IAB) supports and facilitates policy development, integration and coordination of the Government of Canada’s international climate action and environmental interests.

IAB works with experts across ECCC and other departments, including Global Affairs Canada, to advance Canada’s priorities and positions on bilateral, multilateral, regional and global climate change and environmental issues. The Branch supports Canada’s negotiation and implementation of international environmental agreements, environmental provisions in free trade agreements, and provides strategic advice to the Minister, the Deputy Minister and senior management on international relations and activities, including on Canada’s clean technology sector.

Stephen de Boer, Assistant Deputy Minister

Stephen de Boer was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister of IAB on September 6, 2022.

Previously, Stephen was Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the World Trade Organization in Geneva, Switzerland.

Stephen was a member of Global Affairs Canada (GAC) starting in 2005 and held various positions in the department, including in the Investment Trade Policy and North America Trade Policy Divisions. In 2006, he was named the Director of the Softwood Lumber Division. From 2008 to 2010, he served as the Director of the Oceans and Environmental Law Division and as Lead Counsel for Canada’s international climate change negotiations. In 2010, he joined Environment Canada as the Deputy Chief Negotiator for climate change and the Director General responsible for Canada’s international climate change negotiations and partnerships. Mr. de Boer returned to the department in 2013 as the Director General of the Trade Controls Bureau. In 2015, he was appointed Ambassador to Poland and in 2016, Ambassador to Belarus. Prior to joining the public service, he worked for the Government of Ontario.

Mr. de Boer has a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws from Western University and a Master of Laws in International and Comparative Law from Georgetown University.

Corporate Services and Finance Branch

The Corporate Services and Finance Branch (CSFB) supports programs in the allocation and sound management of funds, assets, and contracts; provides IM and IT solutions and support; delivers on government-wide enterprise initiatives; ensures a secure and inclusive workplace environment and develops corporate tools and reports to demonstrate alignment of departmental priorities, results and accountabilities to the Canadian public.

Linda Drainville, Assistant Deputy Minister

Linda was appointed Assistant Deputy Minister of Corporate Services and Finance and Chief Financial Officer at Environment and Climate Change Canada on March 15, 2021.

Before joining ECCC, Linda worked at the Department of National Defence (DND) and the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) as the Associate Assistant Deputy Minister Finance.

Leading up to this position, Linda served as the DND/CAF Deputy Chief Financial Officer and Director General, Financial Operations and Services. Before joining DND/CAF, Linda was the CFO of the Canada Council for the Arts.

Throughout her career, Linda has also occupied various notable positions in the fields of finance, audit, and forensic accounting, more specifically with the United Nations, the Office of the Auditor General, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police as well as the Canada Revenue Agency.

Linda holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (Major in Accounting) from the University of Québec in Montréal. She also holds a Diploma in Investigative and Forensic Accounting from the University of Toronto. She is a Chartered Professional Accountant, a Certified Fraud Examiner, and is certified in Financial Forensics.

Public Affairs and Communications Branch

The Public Affairs and Communications Branch (PACB) provides full-service communications support including speeches, web publications, and social media engagement, as well as support for Ministerial media and event logistics. PACB is also comprised of the Corporate Secretariat and the Innovation and Youth Engagement Division; the latter supports engagement with youth both internally and externally.

The Corporate Secretariat provides effective departmental and ministerial support, including in relation to Cabinet affairs, parliamentary business, and Governor in Council and ministerial appointments.

Michael Zinck, Assistant Deputy Minister

Michael first joined Environment and Climate Change Canada in October 2017 as the Executive Director for Strategic Communications. He was promoted to Director General of Communications in March 2019. Michael assumed the responsibilities of the Assistant Deputy Minister of the Public Affairs and Communications Branch in January 2021 before being formally appointed to the position in June 2021.

Michael began his career in regional economic development in Moncton, New Brunswick following work in the international field including non-governmental organization activities in Kenya and Cuba. Michael has a diverse range of experience in strategic communications, ministerial liaison services and economic development policy.

Michael has a Bachelor of Political Science from Saint Mary’s University and a Master of Public Administration from Dalhousie University. Michael is also a certified sommelier.

Ambassador for Climate Change’s Office

Canada’s Ambassador for Climate Change is responsible for providing advice on climate change considerations in Canada's international priorities. She leads bilateral engagements with partner countries on clean growth and climate change and represents Canada in international cooperative initiatives related to climate change. She also promotes Canada's clean growth and climate change priorities.

Catherine Stewart, Ambassador for Climate Change

With over 25 years in the federal government, Catherine Stewart’s most recent role was Assistant Deputy Minister of International Affairs at Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Since 2014, she has served in senior executive roles at ECCC including as Canada’s Chief Negotiator for Climate Change, Director General Multilateral Affairs and Climate Change, and Director General for the Americas.

She has also worked on defence and security policy at the Department of National Defence over the span of a decade, covering areas such as Cabinet affairs, Ministerial speechwriting and Canada’s participation in the NATO Alliance.

Prior to joining the federal government, Catherine worked on a United Nations peacekeeping and electoral mission in Mozambique.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts from McGill University and a Master of Arts in Public Administration from Carleton University. Catherine is married and has three sons.

Human Resources Branch

The Human Resources Branch (HRB) is responsible for developing and implementing an integrated framework of human resources strategies, policies, programs and advisory services. To that end, HRB is responsible for identifying departmental needs with regard to human resources and people management, including the development of associated health and safety measures, learning and recruitment strategies, as well as strategies and initiatives to enable the Department to recruit, develop and retain a representative workforce, including an accessibility strategy and a diversity, inclusion and employment equity strategy.

Jocelyne Kharyati, Chief Human Resources Management Officer

Jocelyne Kharyati was appointed Chief Human Resources Management Officer at Environment and Climate Change Canada on March 30, 2021.

Jocelyne has spent more than 20 years of her career in the areas of education and human resources management across the federal government.

Since her arrival at ECCC in January 2015, she has been involved in several initiatives, including the onboarding to Phoenix and MyGCHR. In 2017, Jocelyne accepted to co-chair an interdepartmental committee to conduct a root-cause analysis of Phoenix pay issues and support evidence-based decision making. Most recently, Jocelyne was Chief Audit Executive and Head of Evaluation from September 2020 to March 2021.

Prior to this, she occupied executive positions in human resources at Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Health Canada, Public Health Agency of Canada, and the Canada School of Public Service.

Jocelyne obtained a Baccalaureate in Science from the University of Ottawa, as well as, a Diploma in Adult Education from St. Francis Xavier University. In 2019, she completed the University of Ottawa Certificate Program in Public Sector Leadership and Governance.

Audit and Evaluation Branch

The Audit and Evaluation Branch (AEB) provides independent, objective assurance and advisory services in the areas of governance, risk management and internal controls, guided by the Treasury Board Policy on Internal Audit and the Directive on Internal Audit. The Branch develops departmental audit and evaluation plans in consultation with other branches, which are normally on a two year horizon approved by the Deputy Minister based on the recommendation of the Departmental Audit Committee.

Christopher MacDonald, Director General, Chief Audit Executive and Head of Evaluation

Christopher was appointed Director General, Chief Audit Executive and Head of Evaluation, Audit and Evaluation Branch on April 26, 2021.

Before joining Environment and Climate Change Canada, his previous position was Chief Audit and Evaluation Executive at the Public Service Commission of Canada from December 2017 to April 2021. Prior to that, he held the positions of Director, Audit Operations at Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada and Director, Internal Audit at Infrastructure Canada.

Earlier, he worked for the Office of Audit and Inspection at the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe in Belgium and held various audit, evaluation, and related positions in a number of Canadian federal public service organizations - including the Office of the Auditor General of Canada.

Christopher is a former Chair of member services for the Institute of Internal Auditors (Ottawa Chapter). He is currently the President of the Board at École Élisabeth-Bruyère in Kanata, Ontario.

He is a Certified Internal Auditor and has a certification in risk management assurance. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from St. Francis Xavier University, a Master’s degree in Development Economics from Dalhousie University, and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Queen’s University.

Enforcement Branch

The Enforcement Branch (EB) is responsible for enforcing Canadian environmental and wildlife acts and regulations through the work of on-the-ground enforcement officers across Canada who are designated under specific legislation and are granted a variety of powers. The Branch’s mandate is to enforce the environmental and wildlife acts and related regulations in a fair, predictable and consistent manner. In collaboration with several Environment and Climate Change Canada programs and other provincial, national and international partners, the Branch works to ensure that individuals and companies comply with applicable legislation in order to protect and conserve the environment, wildlife and their habitat.

Donald Walker, Chief Enforcement Officer

Donald Walker has held the Chief Enforcement Officer position within Environment and Climate Change Canada since the fall of 2021.

As Chief Enforcement Officer, Mr. Walker is responsible for the activities of the ECCC Enforcement Branch with a mission to protect and conserve the environment, human health, wildlife, and their habitat by assessing risk, enforcing legislation, and restoring compliance.

The Enforcement Branch work includes assessing risks associated with non-compliance to focus its activities on the most harmful forms of non-compliance, and its highly-trained, uniformed Enforcement Officers in regional offices across Canada conduct formal inspections and investigations to verify compliance.

The Enforcement Branch works with domestic and international partners to fulfill its mandate.

Legal Services

The Department of Justice provides legal services, including advisory services, litigation support and legislative and regulatory drafting support to the Environment Portfolio primarily through its Environment Department Legal Services Unit (LSU). The role of the Environment LSU is to provide in-house legal counsel services to Environment and Climate Change Canada, the Parks Canada Agency and the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada and to act as a Centre of Expertise in the area of environmental law for Justice Canada and the Government of Canada.

Hélène Sheedy, Executive Director and Senior General Counsel*

Hélène was appointed the Executive Director and Senior General Counsel of Environment Legal Services on August 12, 2019.

Hélène joined the Department of Justice in 1986 and has worked in Justice Headquarters in a Judicial Affairs Unit and in various client Legal Services Units including Communications, Environment, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Fisheries and Oceans, and Employment and Social Development Canada.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Arts and an LLB in Common Law from the University of Ottawa. She was admitted to the Law Society of Upper Canada in 1986.

*Employee of Justice Canada

Regional and Associate Regional Directors General (by region)

Anna Classen, Regional Director General, West and North

Anna Classen was appointed Regional Director General, West and North in March 2021. Based in Vancouver, she is Environment and Climate Change Canada’s senior official in the western four provinces and three territories.

Prior to this appointment, Anna was Acting Senior Executive Director for Natural Resources Canada’s (NRCan) Indigenous Partnerships Office – West focused on place-based engagement with Indigenous groups in British Columbia and Alberta; and the Secretariat for the co-developed Indigenous Advisory and Monitoring Committees for two major pipeline projects.

Anna began her career in the field of post-secondary education with a national not-for-profit Indigenous economic development organization; spent time with the City of Edmonton in intergovernmental affairs; worked in policy and planning with Western Economic Diversification Canada; was an analyst with the Privy Council Office on intergovernmental, public safety, environment and natural resource files; and, was a lead on Indigenous consultations while with NRCan.

Nadine Stiller, Associate Regional Director General, West and North

Nadine joined Environment and Climate Change Canada in 2018 and currently serves as the Chair for both the Prairies Provinces Water Board and the Mackenzie River Basin Board. At ECCC, she oversees Arctic Coordination, Nunavut Devolution and the Lake Winnipeg Basin Program. With over 20 years in the public service, Nadine has held executive positions at Indigenous and Northern Affairs, Public Safety Canada and Canada Revenue Agency across the Prairies and North. She brings a wealth of experience in intergovernmental and Indigenous relations from her work in close partnership with provincial and territorial governments, First Nations and municipalities.

Nadine joined the federal government at Fisheries and Oceans Canada as an Impact Assessment Biologist. She lives in Winnipeg and graduated from the University of Winnipeg with a Science degree in Biology and Environmental Studies.

Jennifer McKay, Acting Regional Director General, Ontario

Jennifer has been Acting Regional Director General – Ontario Region, since December 2021 and Acting Associate Regional Director General since May 2021.

With over 25 years of federal public service, mainly with Environment and Climate Change Canada, Jennifer has worked in various Branches at both national and regional levels with responsibility for program delivery, communications and program development. Based in Toronto, she is currently focused on implementing the Great Lakes Protection Initiative to meet Canada-U.S. and federal-provincial commitments related to water quality and ecosystem health. Beginning in June 2016, she served as Regional Director, Environmental Protections Operations Directorate, Ontario Region and National Director, Compliance Promotion. She has also held positions as Director, Operations at Ontario Federal Council and Director, Operations at Heritage Canada.

Jennifer holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from Carleton University as well as a Master’s degree in Geography and Environmental Studies from the University of Toronto.

Jennifer Vincent, Acting Regional Director General, Ontario

Jennifer has been Acting Associate Regional Director General – Ontario Region, since November 2021. She focuses on supporting the RDG-Ontario to implement the freshwater initiatives to meet Canada-U.S. and federal-provincial commitments related to water quality and ecosystem health in the Great Lakes and Lake of the Woods.

Jennifer Vincent’s career with Environment and Climate Change Canada began in 1998 in the Great Lakes. After moving to the NCR in 2009, she worked in various Branches on numerous policy development and program management files including as EPB’s Director of Trans Mountain Pipeline Secretariat, STB Director of Science Policy, and Head of the Oil Sands Monitoring Secretariat. Jennifer returned to Ontario Region in September 2021 as the Great Lakes Harmful Pollutants Manager in the Ontario Regional Director’s Office.

Jennifer holds a Bachelor’s of Science, Biology degree from Wilfrid Laurier University and a Master’s of Environmental Science from the University of Guelph. While Jennifer is based in the NCR, there are plans to relocate soon to the Greater Toronto Area.

Daniel Desfossés, Regional Director General, Atlantic and Quebec

In April 2022, Daniel joined Environment and Climate Change Canada as Regional Director General, Atlantic and Quebec Region. A member of the Quebec Bar, Daniel began his career in private practice in civil, commercial and banking Law, while assuming the crown prosecutor role for the municipal court of the City of Montreal.

In 2006, he joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade. In 2016, he was appointed Deputy Chief of the Office of Protocol and in 2018 Director General of Summits and Major Events. Prior to joining ECCC, he served as Director General responsible for Procurement and Vending Relations at Shared Services Canada.

With an entrepreneurial spirit, he successfully supported various projects, including team transformation and implementation of innovative solutions to deliver programs in a simplified manner. Always motivated by a concern for continuous improvement, he introduces multiple innovative practices in governance at both the departmental and interdepartmental levels.

He is the father of two daughters who continually inspire him in his desire to go beyond oneself and in his quest for a better future.

Governance structure

Legislative mandate and authority

Mandate

The Department was created in 1971 with the passage of the Department of the Environment Act. However, some ECCC branches are much older: the Canadian Wildlife Service was founded in 1947, the Water Survey of Canada in 1908, and the Meteorological Service of Canada in 1871.

Department of the Environment Act, 1971 [ECCC]

The Department of the Environment Act, and other major pieces of legislation, in addition to providing for the establishment of the Department itself, confers certain powers, duties and functions on the Minister, which extend to and include matters relating to:

• The preservation and enhancement of the quality of the natural environment, including water, air and soil quality
• Renewable resources, including migratory birds and other non-domestic flora and fauna
• Water
• Meteorology
• The enforcement of any rules and regulations made by the International Joint Commission relating to boundary waters, and questions arising between the United States and Canada related to the preservation and enhancement of the quality of the natural environment
• The co-ordination of the policies and programs of the Government respecting the preservation and enhancement of the quality of the natural environment

Beyond those authorities conferred under the Department of the Environment Act, the Minister exercises additional authorities provided under other acts and regulations. These include, but are not limited to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) and several pieces of legislation relating to climate change (the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act and the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act) and the protection of biodiversity and water (e.g., the Species at Risk Act).

High activity acts for which the Minister is primarily responsible

While the Minister of Environment and Climate Change derives powers, duties and functions from the Department of the Environment Act, they also exercise additional authorities provided under a number of other acts and regulations.

Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, 2021 (CNZEAA) [ECCC and Finance Canada]

This Act came into force on June 29, 2021. The purpose of this Act is to require the setting of national targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions based on the best scientific information available and to promote transparency, accountability and immediate and ambitious action in relation to achieving those targets, in support of achieving net-zero emissions in Canada by 2050 and Canada’s international commitments in respect of mitigating climate change.

This Act requires that targets be set by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change for 2030, 2035, 2040 and 2045. The target for 2030 is Canada’s nationally determined contribution for that year communicated under the Paris Agreement. In order to promote transparency and accountability in relation to meeting those targets, the CNZEAA:

1. Requires that an emissions reduction plan, a progress report and an assessment report with respect to each target be tabled in each House of Parliament;
2. Provides for public participation;
3. Establishes an advisory body to provide the Minister of Environment and Climate Change with advice with respect to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and matters that are referred to it by the Minister;
4. Requires the Minister of Finance to prepare an annual report respecting key measures that the federal public administration has taken to manage its financial risks and opportunities related to climate change (note: this requirement is not yet in force and will come into force on a day to be fixed by order of the Governor in Council);
5. Requires the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development to, at least once every five years, examine and report on the Government of Canada’s implementation of measures aimed at mitigating climate change; and
6. Provides for a comprehensive review of the Act five years after its coming into force.

Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999) [ECCC, Health Canada]

CEPA provides the authority for many of ECCC’s environmental protection activities, including:

• Environmental and biomonitoring;
• Pollution prevention planning;
• Toxic substances;
• Animate products of biotechnology;
• Nutrients, ocean disposal, fuels, vehicle and engine emissions, international air and water pollution, and the transboundary movement of hazardous wastes;
• Environmental emergencies; and
• Government operations, and federal and Indigenous lands.

Because of its dual focus on protecting the environment and human health, many provisions apply to both the Ministers of Environment and Climate Change and of Health.

There are many regulations under the Act, which apply to substances that are on the List of Toxic Substances in Schedule 1 of the Act. Under CEPA, the test to add a substance to Schedule 1 is that the substance has or may have an immediate or long-term harmful effect on the environment or its biological diversity; constitute or may constitute a danger to the environment on which life depends; or constitute or may constitute a danger in Canada to human life or health.

Some CEPA regulations establish limits on the release or emissions of substances. Others, such as those for ocean disposal and the import and export of hazardous waste, specify the requirements for obtaining a permit to carry out the activity.

The Act also allows the Minister to develop a wide range of non-regulatory tools to manage environmental and health risks, including codes of practice, guidelines, and requirements to prepare pollution prevention plans and environmental emergency plans. CEPA’s enforcement regime similarly allows for the use of various tools to promote compliance and enforce the Act and its regulations. The Minister is also responsible for maintaining an online public database of activities undertaken under CEPA and for preparing an annual report to Parliament on the administration of the Act.

Species at Risk Act, 2002 (SARA) [ECCC, Parks Canada Agency, Fisheries and Oceans Canada]

This Act came into force in 2002, and plays an important role in Canada’s conservation of biological diversity. Designed to work in a complementary fashion with provincial and territorial legislation on species at risk, its purposes are to prevent wildlife species from being extirpated or becoming extinct, to provide for the recovery of wildlife species that are extirpated, endangered or threatened as a result of human activity and to manage species of special concern to prevent them from becoming endangered or threatened. It provides various measures for the protection of species listed as at risk, their residences and critical habitat.

The Minister of Environment and Climate Change has the lead responsibility for administration of the Act, but does so in cooperation with the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. The Minister also holds implementation responsibilities for the Parks Canada Agency (PCA) under SARA. As a major federal landholder, PCA has a major role to play under SARA with respect to the protection of species listed at risk in national parks, national marine conservation areas, national historic sites and other protected heritage areas under its jurisdiction.

The Minister of Environment and Climate Change makes recommendations to the Governor in Council on whether to list a species on Schedule I, based on the assessment of the status of a candidate species by the arms-length, science based Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada. The Minister is also responsible for the development of recovery strategies and action plans for listed species for which the Minister is the competent authority and the enforcement of prohibitions, orders and permits. These include:

• Species at risk in national parks, national historic sites or other protected heritage areas;
• All migratory birds; and
• All other species at risk on federal lands, with the exception of aquatic species, which are under the jurisdiction of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans.

The Minister of ECC also leads the negotiation of administrative agreements with provincial and territorial authorities and is responsible for an annual report to Parliament on the administration of the Act.

Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, 2018 (GGPPA) [ECCC, Finance Canada]

This Act establishes the legal framework for the federal carbon pricing system – the “backstop.” The purpose of this Act is to implement stringent pricing mechanisms designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by creating incentives for behavioural change. It establishes the legal framework for a federal carbon pricing system that applies only in provinces or territories that do not have a sufficiently stringent pricing mechanism. The carbon pricing system created by this Act has two complementary components:

• A charge on fossil fuels that is generally paid by fuel producers or distributors – also known as the fuel charge (Part 1 of the Act, which is under the responsibility of the Minister of Finance); and
• A performance-based pricing system for industrial facilities that are trade-exposed – also known as the output-based pricing system (Part 2 of the Act, which is under the responsibility of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change).

The output-based pricing system complements the fuel charge. Fuels used at the facilities covered by the output-based pricing system under Part 2 are not subject to the fuel charge under Part 1.  Instead, pricing applies to a portion of a covered facility’s emissions that exceed an emissions limit.

The application of Part 1 and Part 2 of the GGPPA is triggered by adding the names of provinces and territories on Schedule 1 of the Act when they do not have a pricing system that sufficiently meets the federal standard. Direct revenues generated under GGPPA are returned to the jurisdiction of origin.

In addition to the high-activity Acts detailed above, there are a number of additional Acts relevant to ECCC’s mandate and for which the Minister of ECCC has secondary responsibility.

Fisheries Act Pollution Prevention Provisions, 1985 [ECCC, Fisheries and Oceans Canada]

Most of the Fisheries Act is administered by the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans. By Order in Council, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change has been designated as responsible for the administration and enforcement of the Act’s pollution prevention provisions, other than for aquaculture, pest management and aquatic invasive species. The pollution prevention provisions prohibit the deposit of deleterious substances into water frequented by fish unless authorized by Governor in Council regulations. There are such regulations currently in place, including regulations addressing effluent from metal and diamond mining, wastewater systems, and pulp and paper mills.

In 2012, the Act was amended to allow the Minister to make regulations authorizing deposits under certain conditions; that is, where deposits are of lower risk and already well-controlled by a federal or provincial instrument. To date, one ministerial regulation has been made establishing conditions for research activities in the Experimental Lakes Area in Northern Ontario.

The implementation of these provisions, and of the regulations made under them, are important elements of the Minister’s overall responsibilities for environmental protection.

Provincial and territorial counterparts

Provincial and territorial counterparts

Jurisdiction	CCME	Conservation, Biodiversity and Wildlife
British Columbia	Kevin Jardine Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change Strategy	Lori Halls Deputy Minister of Water, Land & Resource Stewardship
Alberta	Kasha Piquette Deputy Minister of Environment and Protected Areas	Kasha Piquette Deputy Minister of Environment and Protected Areas
Saskatchewan	Veronica Gelowitz Deputy Minister of Environment	Veronica Gelowitz Deputy Minister of Environment
Manitoba	Jan Forster Deputy Minister of Environment, Climate and Parks	Jan Forster Deputy Minister of Environment, Climate and Parks
		Elliot Sims Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Northern Development
Ontario	Serge Imbrogno Deputy Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks	Serge Imbrogno Deputy Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks
		Monique Rolf von den Baumen-Clark Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry and Mines
Quebec	Marie-Josée Lizotte Deputy Minister of Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks (Ministère de l'Environnement, de la Lutte contre les changements climatiques, de la Faune et des Parcs)	To be confirmed
New Brunswick	Heidi Liston Deputy of Environment and Local Government	Thomas MacFarlane Deputy Minister of Energy and Resource Development
Nova Scotia	Lora MacEachern Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change	Lora McEachern Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change
		Karen Gatien Deputy Minister, Natural Resources & Renewables
Prince Edward Island	Brad Colwill Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Climate Change	Brad Colwill Deputy Minister of Environment, Water and Climate Change
Newfoundland and Labrador	Valerie Snow Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change	Valerie Snow Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change
		John Cowan Deputy Minister of Industry, Energy and Technology
Yukon	Manon Moreau Deputy Minister of Environment	Manon Moreau Deputy Minister of Environment
Northwest Territories	Erin Kelly Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change	Erin Kelly Deputy Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Nunavut	Jimmy Noble Jr. Deputy Minister of Environment	Jimmy Noble Jr. Deputy Minister of Environment

Contacts for engaging with national Indigenous organizations

Contacts for engaging with national Indigenous organizations

Organization	Contact	Title/position/area of expertise
Assembly of First Nations	Tonio Sadik	Senior Director of Environment, Lands and Water
	Samantha Lickers	Executive Assistant to National Chief
	Graeme Reed	Senior Policy Analyst
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami	Jenny Tierney	Assistant Director of Policy Advancement
	James Kuptana	Manager, Environment & Wildlife
Métis National Council	Louise Simard	Chief Administrative Officer
	Erin Myers	Director of Environment and Climate Change
Native Women's Association of Canada	Christian Pascal Boucher	Senior Director of Policy, HR & Operations
	Alvin Thompson	Senior Director of Environment
Pauktuutit Inuit Women	Tracy O'Hearn	Executive Director
	Rose Mary Cooper	Political Advisor to the Executive
Congress of Aboriginal Peoples	Jim Devoe	CEO
	Joshua McNeely	Director of Environment
Les femmes Michif Otipemisiwak	Melanie Omeniho	President
	Lisa Pigeau	Director of Intergovernmental Affairs
Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada (ICC Canada)	Lisa Smith	Executive Director
	John Crump	Senior Policy Advisor

Key reports and reference documents

In addition to the materials found in this book, the links below give access to a number of additional key documents and reports related to Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) mandate, priorities, and operations.

Minister Guilbeault mandate letter

The ministerial mandate letter, which was issued on December 16, 2021.

2030 Emissions Reduction Plan

The 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan is the first iteration of the Emissions Reduction Plan, as mandated under the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act. It outlines a sector-by-sector path for Canada to reach its emissions reduction target of 40 percent below 2005 levels by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050.

National Adaptation Strategy

In November 2022, Canada released it’s first National Adaptation Strategy which provides a path toward a climate-resilient Canada, including both medium and long-term goals, as well as short-term adaptation action plans.

Canada’s Changing Climate (Original Report, 2019) and Canada’s Changing Climate Report in Light of the Latest Global Science Assessment (2022)

The 2019 Canada’s Changing Climate Report documents and explores changes in temperature, precipitation, snow, ice, permafrost, freshwater availability and conditions in Canada’s three oceans. A supplement to the report, published in 2022, provides additional perspectives on the implications of recent Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change findings.

Pan-Canadian Approach to Transforming Species at Risk Conservation in Canada

The federal government, in collaboration with the provinces and territories, agreed to the implementation of the Pan-Canadian Approach to Transforming Species at Risk Conservation in Canada in 2018. This approach shifts from a single-species approach to conservation to one that focuses on multiple species and ecosystems.

Canada-wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste

The Canada-wide Strategy on Zero Plastic Waste was adopted by the federal, provincial and territorial governments in 2018. It outlines a vision to keep plastics in the economy and out of the environment through solutions to better prevent, reduce, reuse, and clean up plastic waste.

2022-2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy

The 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy is the first to be developed under the recently strengthened Federal Sustainable Development Act. Taking a whole-of-government approach, it brings sustainable development goals, targets, milestones and implementation strategies across 101 federal organizations together in one place.

Departmental Results Framework (April 1, 2022) (Intranet)

The Departmental Results Framework outlines ECCC’s Core Responsibilities as well as anticipated results and indicators.

2022-2023 Departmental Plan

The Departmental Plan outlines the strategic actions ECCC is undertaking around clean growth, climate change, pollution prevention, nature conservation and meteorological and environmental prediction.

Diversity, Inclusion and Employment Equity (DIEE) Strategy 2021-2022 Report (Intranet)

The 2021-2022 Report on ECCC’s Diversity, Inclusion and Employment Equity Strategy was launched in June 2021 and has the stated goals of increasing representation, fostering culture change and rejecting harassment, racism and discrimination at ECCC.