About Alberta Environment

Alberta Environment is a partner in protecting and enhancing Alberta's natural environment.

We work with our partners in their communities to ensure Albertans continue to enjoy the clean and healthy environment that is such an important part of our province's natural beauty. To do this effectively, we have staff located in more than 120 communities throughout Alberta.

The Minister of Environment is responsible for the Environmental Appeals Board. The Board operates at arm’s length from the department and reports directly to the Minister.

In addition, the Minister oversees the work of three Delegated Administrative Organizations.

• Beverage Container Management Board
• Alberta Used Oil Management Association
• Alberta Recycling Management Authority
  • Electronics Recycling Alberta
  • Tire Recycling Alberta
    

Vision and Mission

Albertans value their environment for the ecological, economic and aesthetic benefits it provides now and will continue to provide in the future. They realize Alberta’s ecosystems bestow life-sustaining services. They expect their water to be safe, their air to be clean, their land to be productive and careful decisions to be made to ensure public safety and a healthy environment for generations to come.

Mission
Steward the use of and ensure the protection of our diverse environment to sustain natural ecosystems, healthy Albertans, strong communities and a prosperous economy.

Alberta Environment has been a leader since 1971, when Alberta created the first Department of Environment in Canada. We have led the way in standards, guidelines, and regulatory processes.

In the early 1990s, we took numerous acts and regulations and replaced them with one comprehensive act -- the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act (EPEA) -- and far fewer regulations.

In the late 1990s, we continued to be leaders by developing the Water Act and pioneering new approaches to water management.

The challenge has always been to keep pace with change, and balance economic development and a healthy environment.

How we will continue to be a leading edge jurisdiction for the 21st century.

Annual Report

Annual Report 2005-2006 (2.98 MB, Adobe Acrobat required)
For past Annual Reports, visit the Information Centre.

2005-2006 Alberta Environment Department Highlights
2003-2004 Alberta Environment Department Highlights
2002-2003 Alberta Environment Department Highlights

Business Plan

Access to Information

To obtain environmental information:

• For scientific/technical type information relating to the environmental condition of a site, follow the enclosed instructions on the Request Form for Scientific/Technical Information.
• Approval documents can be viewed on the Authorization / Approval Viewer site.
• If you are looking for information about an application for approval for a project, please first contact the project proponent.
• If you are unsure of the name of the project proponent, if you cannot get the information from the project proponent after 30 days, or are looking for other types of environmental information, please contact a regional office of Alberta Environment for assistance.

Note: If the information you want is already offered somewhere else (such as the Queen's Printer) Alberta Environment will direct you to this source.

Alberta Environment may charge costs for providing information to you.

For more on Alberta Environment and Routine Disclosure, read A Commitment to Openness and Accountability or Ministerial Order 23/2004.

To learn about the Freedom of Information and the Protection of Privacy, visit the FRIM (FOIP, Records, Information and Management) Branch site.

Recognition

Events for the Year

The Calendar of Designated Dates for Alberta Environment provides a selection of special days, weeks and months pertaining to the environment, which are identified or officially recognized in Alberta.

The Environment Conference List shows upcoming environmental conferences, meetings, symposia and workshops. The focus is mainly on events held in Canada, although some events in other locations have been included.

During Environment Week, Alberta Environment hosts the Minister for the Day Challenge. Grade 5 students from across the province who enter the contest are required to identify three environmental priorities, showcase creative ways of protecting the environment and provide ideas on how to inspire people to take personal responsibility for the environment. Winners get to spend the day in Edmonton as the Environment Minister.

In October, during Waste Reduction Week, Alberta Environment hosts the Reduce your Waste-Line Challenge in partnership with the Recycling Council of Alberta. Grade 4 classes from across the province catalogue the waste they create for a week, and determine how much could be diverted from landfill by reducing, reusing and recycling. In 2006, Alberta Environment is also supporting the Sort It Out photo-essay contest where Grade 4 classes creatively report on their Challenge results or other school or community efforts to reduce waste.

Contacts