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Home  Infocentre Publications Annual Report 2001-2002
8.0 Program Management
Sound program management is critical to strengthening the National Habitat
Management Program. Program management tasks include business and work planning,
training, managing financial and human resources and tracking and reporting
on program performance.
National Highlights
8.1 National Training Program
Building upon the National Habitat Blueprint Initiative that began in 1999,
the Habitat Programs Branch produced the following results:
- Outlined the structure and content of the Habitat Training Program
and identified the need to increase its staff capacity.
- Coordinated cross-Canada training for approximately 230 staff on
the core training modules. These consisted of an introduction to Habitat
Management,
an introduction to the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA),
and the legal framework in which Habitat Management Works. These courses
were given
and an evaluation process was put in place to assess the training
delivery and content.
- Completed a guide entitled “CEAA GUIDE: Applying the Canadian
Environmental Assessment Act for the Fish Habitat Management Program”.
This guide was developed with the goal of providing a clear and concise
document to explain the requirements of CEAA for Habitat Management staff.
The Guide
was completed and provided to staff in early 2001 and was subsequently
placed on the Department’s internet site for easy access at <http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/canwaters-eauxcan/infocentre/guidelines-conseils/guides/ceaa/index_e.asp>.
The unique features of the Guide include stand-alone appendices for key
steps of CEAA. When the amendments to CEAA come into force, appropriate
revisions
will be required to this guide to render it
up-to-date with those regulatory
changes.
8.2 Performance Management Framework
Fisheries and Oceans Canada produced its first High-level Performance Report
(November 2001). This report covers 19 high level performance indicators, and
invites review of the performance measures in particular, and how to develop
an effective performance management regime for DFO in general. Two performance
measures are of particular interest within the Habitat Management Program enforcement
activities and no net loss of habitat. The report anticipates that specific
business lines will develop their own sector-level indicators. Performance
indicators are being developed for the Habitat Management Program to reflect
its particular mandate. The National Habitat Management Training Program must
be responsive by establishing indicators for habitat management training.
Regional Highlights
Examples of regional activities in habitat enhancement during fiscal year
2001‑2002 are highlighted below. Details are provided in Supporting Documents
available electronically at <http://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/canwaters-eauxcan/infocentre/publications/index_e.asp>.
Newfoundland
- A Training Module aimed at increasing awareness and understanding
of fish habitat and explaining how CEAA relates to aquaculture projects was
developed and presented to advanced aquaculture students at Memorial University’s,
Marine Institute.
- A comprehensive training program aimed at increasing awareness
and understanding of fish habitat was developed by Habitat Management staff
and presented to Fishery Officers. A modified version of this training
session was provided to environmental monitors hired by the Labrador Inuit
Association and the Innu Nation as well as DFO’s fishery guardians.
- Habitat Management staff developed a comprehensive training presentation
to outline regional policies and programs concerning the conservation
and protection of fish and fish habitat pertaining to forestry-related
activities. This training was provided to various employees in the forestry
sector.
Maritimes
- An initiative was launched to stimulate partnerships between Habitat
Management and Navigable Waters Protection and Conservation and Protection.
A workshop was held to promote communication and discussion between
divisions, and to develop recommendations on how to work better together.
This work
was used in the development of a National DFO cross-delivery initiative.
- Two strategy sessions for Habitat staff were held to review the
existing organization and to develop strategies for adjusting to
the shift of responsibilities from a single Maritimes Region to one with
independent
Maritimes and Gulf Regions.
Central and Arctic
- Developed and presented training modules for Biologists, Fishery
Officers, and Navigation Protection Program staff, aimed at increasing
awareness and understanding of fish habitat and assisting them in the delivery
of Area
programs including, Navigable Waters and Habitat Management.
- Provided staff with training courses in basic habitat enforcement
relating to Inspector or Guardian status (under section
36 of the
Fisheries Act).
- A Cumulative Effects Assessment workshop was developed specifically
for DFO Fish Habitat Management staff to improve their knowledge
of cumulative effects when reviewing projects under CEAA.
Pacific
- A newly opened office in Nelson British Columbia, housing four
Habitat Management staff will serve the south-east portion of the Interior
Area.
- Two Pacific Region Habitat Management staff members participated
in a national team to re-design the regulatory process of the department’s
Habitat Management and Navigation Protection Programs, linking them for
increased efficiency.
- Two habitat enforcement-related training sessions were delivered:
Regional Habitat Enforcement in Kamloops (a three-day course on Fisheries
Act habitat enforcement legalities and compiling a court brief);
and Harmful Alteration, Disruption or Destruction, in Victoria (a pilot course
with
a field component on investigating offences under section
35 of the
Fisheries
Act).
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