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ACCOUNTABILITY
STATEMENT
This Business Plan for
the three years commencing April 1, 2004 was prepared under my direction
in accordance with the Government Accountability Act and the government’s
accounting policies. All of the government’s policy decisions as at February
27, 2004 with material economic or fiscal implications of which I am aware
have been considered in preparing the Business Plan.
The Ministry’s priorities outlined
in the Business Plan were developed in the context of the government’s
business and fiscal plans. I am committed to achieving the planned results
laid out in this Business Plan.
[original
signed]
Lorne Taylor, Minister
of Environment
March 4, 2004
THE MINISTRY
The Ministry of Environment
includes the Department of Environment and the Environmental Appeal Board.
In addition, three Delegated Administrative Organizations (i.e., the Tire
Recycling Management Association of Alberta, the Beverage Container Management
Board and the Alberta Used Oil Management Association) report to the Minister,
and operate with separate board governance and financial management.
The Ministry's authority to carry out its mandate is based on the Environmental
Protection and Enhancement Act and the Water Act.
LINK
TO THE GOVERNMENT STRATEGIC BUSINESS PLAN
The Government of Alberta's
2004-07 Business Plan sets out a vision of a vibrant and prosperous province
where Albertans enjoy a superior quality of life, and are confident about
the future for themselves and their children. A clean natural environment
is identified as a key component of this vision. Safe and adequate supplies
of water, clean air and land, together with healthy, vibrant communities
are the foundations of a high quality of life and form the core of the
Ministry of Environment’s 2004-07 Business Plan.
Our three Business Plan goals and related strategies are closely aligned
with the goals and commitments to Albertans in the Government’s
Strategic Business Plan. Our first goal, Alberta’s environment
is clean and safe, is a cornerstone of the Government of Alberta’s
vision. It is also a significant component of the assurance role that
is described for government in its Strategic Business Plan, and supports
the following Government goals – that Albertans will be healthy
(Government Goal 1), and that Alberta’s environment will be
sustained (Government Goal 10).
Our second Business Plan goal, Albertans receive effective and efficient
services, is consistent with the commitment in Government’s
Strategic Business Plan, that Albertans will receive improved services.
The strategies that support this goal are focused on ensuring that the
ministry is well equipped to carry out government’s responsibility,
as defined in the Government’s Strategic Business Plan, for setting
policy and monitoring outcomes to achieve desired results.
Finally, our third goal for 2004-07, Albertans recognize the impact
of their activities on the environment and are informed, encouraged and
enabled to work together to safeguard it, is focused on enabling
Albertans to make environmental protection and preservation part of their
business and lifestyle. This is consistent with Albertans’ values
of self-determination and responsibility to the community as a whole,
as defined in the Government’s Strategic Business Plan.
Our Ministry's emphasis on sustainable development also supports the
Government's Cross-Ministry Initiatives of Health Sustainability, Economic
Development, Aboriginal Policy, and Children and Youth.
VISION
Alberta's environment
sustains a high quality of life
mission
Steward and protect Alberta's
environment to sustain diverse ecosystems, healthy Albertans, strong communities
and a prosperous economy.
CORE
BUSINESSES
Core Business 1: Assuring
Environmental Quality
Goal 1 - Alberta's environment
is clean and safe
Goal 2 - Allbertans receive effective and efficient services
Core Business 2: Sharing
Environmental Management and Stewardship
Goal 3 - Albertans recognize
the impact of their activities on the environment and are informed,
encouraged and enabled to work together to safeguard it
VALUED
BEHAVIOURS
The Ministry's values are reflected
in our corporate and individual behaviors and define how we treat our
stakeholders, clients, partners, the public and each other.
- Respect - We trust each other, respect the opinions
of others and are respected by others.
- Knowledge - We value informed decision-making based
on clear problem definition, appropriate context and shared information
and analysis.
- Continuous Learning - We acquire new skills that
increase our capacity for improvement and innovation, and our ability
to achieve corporate and personal goals.
- Shared Responsibility - We work collaboratively
with others to achieve environmental goals.
- Integrity - We follow through on our commitments,
providing reliable and ethical service.
- Leadership - We model the way forward while encouraging
and enabling others to be leaders.
SIGNIFICANT
OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES
Changing
and Challenging Times
Albertans
value their environment for the ecological, economic, recreational and
social benefits it provides. They expect a safe and sufficient supply
of water, the air to be clean, and the land to be productive. They also
expect our environment to be managed and protected as a legacy for future
generations.
In Alberta, we are
facing increasingly complex environmental challenges. We are beginning
to experience water shortages, and competing demands for the use of water
and land, fuelled by strong growth in our economy and population. The
human "footprint" and the cumulative impact on our water, air
and land are becoming more evident.
Our policy environment
is also changing. Environmental issues are increasingly cutting across
ministries, sectors and jurisdictions. Co-operative action at the local,
regional, provincial, national and international levels, is needed for
effective environmental management. In particular, there is a need for
enhancing the regulatory framework and having a coordinated policy approach
to avoid overlap and duplication. Furthermore, Albertans now expect greater
participation in shaping government policy and delivering the programs
that affect the quality of their lives. As a consequence, the Ministry
is becoming more policy-focused, moving beyond its traditional role of
"regulator and doer" to becoming a "strategic manager",
achieving outcomes through innovative partnerships, processes and tools.
As the Ministry moves
forward with these changes, government is facing competing demands for
resources and there is a continued requirement for cost-efficiency, risk
management and accountability for results. The Ministry also has responsibility
for ensuring that policy and regulatory frameworks, information, knowledge
and systems that are needed to achieve our vision for Alberta's environment
are available to motivate and support individuals, industry and communities.
To effectively address
these challenges and meet public expectations, the Ministry is adopting
a more strategic approach to environmental management that is focused
on priorities and environmental outcomes. We are working with other ministries
to establish a government-wide vision, shared goals and
integrated environmental policies, with implementation across ministries.
We are also taking a "place-based" approach,
that integrates demands on resources and addresses cumulative effects
on the environment in decision-making and management practices based on
environmental boundaries.
The Ministry is focusing
on working collaboratively with stakeholders based on the principle of
shared responsibility for the environment. Efforts are
also ongoing to establish a comprehensive, flexible set of regulatory
and non-regulatory tools and incentives to encourage, support
and reward effective environmental performance. The Ministry is also working
to continuously monitor and improve all environmental standards,
practices and outcomes.
STRATEGIC
PRIORITIES 2004-07
Through the Ministry's review
of external and internal challenges, the strategic priorities described
below have been identified. These are in addition to the important ongoing
core activities of the Ministry.
| 1.
Water Linkage:
Goals 1 and 3 |
Albertans
have a safe and sustainable supply of water
The Ministry, in collaboration with its Ministry partners, is responsible
for water policy and legislation to effectively manage the quality
and quantity of our water resources, and to ensure thriving ecosystems
now and for the future. Our priority is to implement the new provincial
water strategy, Water for Life: Alberta's Strategy for Sustainability,
government-wide to ensure alignment toward the three outcomes of
the water strategy:
- Safe, secure
drinking water supply;
- Healthy aquatic
ecosystems, and
- Reliable,
quality water supplies for a sustainable economy.
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2.
Sustainable Resource and Environmental Management
Linkage:
Goal 3 |
Alberta
has integrated resource development and environmental management
policies and outcome-based management systems, and streamlined regulatory
processes
The Ministry is committed to implementing a government-wide approach
to environmental management, and an improved resource and environmental
regulatory framework. Revisions to the framework will be aimed at
improving Alberta’s high environmental standards and improving
Alberta’s business climate, including reducing regulatory
duplication and overlap with other regulators. |
| 3.
Information and Knowledge Linkage:
Goal 3
|
Working
with Albertans to achieve specific environmental outcomes based
on shared credible information and knowledge
Effective environmental management requires reliable, accessible
information on the state of the environment to continuously improve
environmental standards, practices and outcomes. The Ministry is
committed to transparency and providing reliable environmental data
and information. Performance measurement, environmental monitoring,
evaluation and reporting are essential to demonstrate progress towards
achieving our goals and outcomes. Identifying and participating
in scientific research helps further our understanding of the environment
and enables us to evaluate new approaches to achieving environmental
outcomes. Environmental education enhances Albertans' awareness,
understanding and wise use of Alberta's environment. |
| 4.
Climate Change Linkage:
Goals 1 and 3
|
Alberta
takes effective action to address climate change
The Ministry, in collaboration with other governments and stakeholders,
works toward innovative and practical long-term solutions to address
the risks of climate change. Alberta is committed to doing its part
to manage the risks associated with greenhouse gas emissions. The
key thrust of this strategic priority is the implementation of the
provincial action plan on climate change, Albertans & Climate
Change: Taking Action, including:
- Taking immediate
action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and
- Making strategic
investments that help Alberta address climate change while developing
a competitive Alberta economy.
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5.
Staff Capability
Linkage:
Goal 2 |
We
support our employees' ongoing development to achieve our shared
and individual potential
The Ministry is dedicated to developing all employees and enhancing
the leadership capacity of managerial, professional, technical and
administrative staff. We will integrate our approach to learning,
leadership development and a healthy workplace into our ongoing
activities and initiatives. The Ministry aligns its human resource
practices with government goals and priorities. |
CORE
BUSINESSES, GOALS, STRATEGIES AND MEASURES
Based on the Government of Alberta's
2004-07 Business Plan and an assessment of opportunities and challenges,
the following core businesses and goals have been established for the
plan period. The strategies, performance measures and targets developed
for each goal are also included.
CORE
BUSINESS ONE: Assuring Environmental Quality
The Ministry is responsible
for assuring that our environment is sustained for current and future
generations of Albertans. Ministry programs that support this core business
include approvals, compliance and enforcement, monitoring and evaluation,
standards, water operations, business planning and performance, policy
development and innovation, reclamation and emergency preparedness.
GOAL
1: Alberta’s environment is clean and safe.
What
it means
The Ministry
ensures that the environment contributes to the high quality of life of
current and future generations of Albertans. The Ministry provides assurance
that the quantity and quality of water, air and land support healthy communities,
industry performance, recreation and tourism in Alberta. The Ministry
also works to anticipate sources of environmental risks, and ensures rapid,
coordinated responses to environmental emergencies.
Strategies
Water
- Work with other Ministries, governments and stakeholders to implement
Water for Life: Alberta's Strategy for Sustainability by:
- Developing and implementing a comprehensive strategy to protect
Alberta's drinking water
- Undertaking initiatives and actions to protect aquatic ecosystems
in critical areas of the province
- Establishing water conservation objectives for the South Saskatchewan
River Basin
- Reviewing and updating Alberta's wetland policy, developing a supporting
action plan to achieve sustainable wetlands
- Developing a system for monitoring and assessing aquatic ecosystems
- Establishing science-based methods for determining the ecological
requirements of healthy aquatic ecosystems
- Implementing a broad range of water management tools and techniques
to ensure water is managed effectively to support sustainable economic
development
- Developing and implementing transboundary agreements with neighbouring
jurisdictions
- Developing and implementing a management and reporting system to
support the sustainability of Alberta's water infrastructure
- Operate and maintain provincially owned water infrastructure to manage
and sustain the province’s water resources and support the outcomes
of the provincial water strategy
- Administer Dam and Canal Safety Regulations under the Water Act
to protect public safety as it relates to water infrastructure in the
Province
Land
- Contribute to the development and implementation of an effective
government-wide land use policy
- Enhance and continuously improve guidelines for soil quality and composting,
and reclamation and remediation objectives for contaminated sites
- Implement enhancements to the upstream oil and gas reclamation and
remediation program
- Ensure flexible regulatory and non-regulatory tools and incentives
to promote the restoration of contaminated industrial sites back to
a productive use
Air
- Enhance Alberta's comprehensive air management system by updating
source emission standards and ambient air quality objectives with a
view to maintaining and improving Alberta's air quality
- Develop and implement improved air quality management approaches for
specific air issues
- Implement recommendations by the Clean Air Strategic Alliance on
the electricity sector, and develop additional opportunities to institute
air pollutant emission trading
Climate Change
- Work with stakeholders to implement the Albertans & Climate
Change: Taking Action Plan by:
- Developing and implementing sector performance expectations,
flexible policies and programs for greenhouse gas emission reductions
- Ensuring appropriate systems are implemented for reporting and
registering greenhouse gas emissions and offsets
- Initiating actions that make the Alberta government a leader
in energy efficiency improvements, carbon management strategies
and climate variability adaptation
- Developing and implementing policies and programs that facilitate
the increased use of renewable and alternative energy, and encourage
innovation in the development, application and deployment of improved
technologies and practices
- Continuing to influence national and international climate change
policies
Hazard Management
- Effectively manage the impact of drought, floods and toxic spills
- Implement emergency preparedness and response plans for provincial
water infrastructure
- Prepare and execute a strategy for ongoing collection and management
of obsolete pesticides
- Develop climate scenarios and disseminate information to address
the risk of climate variability
- Provide effective environmental emergency response to air quality
incidents, in partnership with Health and Wellness, regional health
authorities, municipalities and industry
Performance Measures
GOAL
2: Albertans receive effective and efficient services
What
it means
The Ministry
has the capacity, tools, and frameworks that effectively support achievement
of environmental outcomes, and the provision of excellent service to stakeholders,
clients and the public.
Strategies
- Deliver regulatory
approval and environmental assessment programs in a timely and co-ordinated
manner while enhancing Alberta's high level of environmental protection
- Deliver education
activities as part of compliance assurance and enforcement programs
to further increase public understanding and awareness of regulatory
requirements
- Review Ministry
fees and charges to contribute to an equitable and fair regulatory system
- Develop a Risk
Management Framework for the Ministry that is aligned with the government-wide
approach, and enables the Ministry to adopt a consistent approach to
managing environmental risks
- Develop and apply
criteria for the systematic evaluation and reporting on the effectiveness
of Ministry programs in achieving Business Plan outcomes
- Implement the
Ministry's Human Resource Plan to enhance leadership capacity, support
continued staff learning and development and encourage a healthy workplace,
and ensure that the Ministry has the capability to successfully implement
the business plan
- Implement the Information
Technology Framework to address the priority information needs of the
Ministry, stakeholders and clients
- Implement the
Office Ecology Strategy to reduce the impact of the Ministry's business
practices on the environment
- Develop a performance
management system that facilitates effective implementation of the Ministry's
Business Plan
- Implement a monitoring,
reporting and evaluation framework for environmental quality
- Develop, with
other ministries, guidelines for public, stakeholder or Aborginal consultation
to ensure appropriate and effective consultation
Performance Measures
CORE
BUSINESS TWO: Sharing Environmental Management and Stewardship
Ensuring a high quality environment
is a shared responsibility. The Ministry is committed to working with
citizens to effectively manage the environment for the benefit of current
and future generations in Alberta. This includes sharing timely and credible
information about the environment, so that Albertans can make informed
decisions. Ministry programs that support this core business include climate
change, Water for Life, intergovernmental relationships and partnerships,
educational awareness, and integrated resource management.
GOAL
3: Albertans recognize the impact of their activities on the environment
and are informed, encouraged and enabled to work together to safeguard
it
What
it means
The Ministry
works collaboratively with other ministries, governments, organizations,
associations and communities to effectively manage the environment. With
knowledge and opportunity, Albertans can be actively involved in caring
for the environment.
Strategies
Water
- Work with stakeholders
to implement Water for Life: Alberta's Strategy for Sustainability
by:
- Establishing
a public awareness and education program to provide Albertans with
easy access to credible, effective water resource information and
services
- Establishing
a Provincial Water Advisory Council
- Establishing
Watershed Planning and Advisory Councils for the Milk, Oldman, Bow,
Red Deer, Battle, North Saskatchewan, Cold Lake - Beaver River and
Lesser Slave Lake watersheds.
- Completing
watershed management plans for the South Saskatchewan, Battle, Cold
Lake - Beaver River and Lesser Slave Lake watershed.
- Ensuring Albertans
understand the value of water to the economy and quality of life
- Monitoring
and reporting to Albertans on actual water use by all sectors in
Alberta
- Evaluating
the merits of economic instruments as tools to achieve Alberta's
water conservation and productivity objectives
- Work through
the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment to develop
a Canada-wide approach to managing municipal wastewater effluents
that minimizes or eliminates regulatory duplication and overlaps
between federal and provincial jurisdictions
Land
- Demonstrate government
leadership by developing model procurement and waste reduction policies
and practices
- Promote product
stewardship programs to minimize waste and recover value from waste
materials
- Engage stakeholders
in the review of solid waste management policies to ensure a credible,
integrated approach to waste management and recycling
- Continue to work
towards completing a comprehensive system of regional landfills across
Alberta within available funding
Air
- Collaborate with
other governments and stakeholders through the Clean Air Strategic Alliance
and the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment to develop
plans for maintaining and improving Alberta's air quality
- Work with the
Clean Air Strategic Alliance and stakeholders to increase Albertans'
understanding of how human activities impact air quality in the province
Climate
Change
- Work with stakeholders
to implement the Albertans & Climate Change: Taking Action Plan
by:
- Committing
to actions that makes the Alberta government a leader in implementing
energy efficiency/conservation initiatives within its operations
- Supporting
the work of Climate Change Central in administering energy conservation
programs that engage Albertans and industry in taking energy conservation
actions
- Partnering
with stakeholders to develop and demonstrate technologies or programs
that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions
- Keeping Albertans
informed of the risks and opportunities of climate change and engaging
them in efforts to adapt
Sustainable
Resource and Environmental Management
- Ensure the vision
of the government's role as a "systems manager" for environmental
management and protection is supported by cross-government environmental
and resource management policies and is reflected in the business plans
of relevant Ministries
- Work collaboratively
with the Ministries of Energy (including the Energy and Utilities Board)
and Sustainable Resource Development to streamline and improve the energy,
environmental and resource management regulatory systems so that Alberta
has an efficient system that ensures environmental quality
- Enable easy access
to environmental and resource information for government, industry,
stakeholders and the public
- Develop and harmonize
sustainable resource and environmental management standards using an
integrated cross-ministry approach and a formalized stakeholder consultation
process
- Lead reporting
on progress in the implementation of Alberta’s Commitment to Sustainable
Resource and Environmental Management
- Support the Cumulative
Environmental Management Association’s implementation of the Regional
Sustainable Development Strategy for the Athabasca Oil Sands by providing
ongoing support through staff participation in Association working groups
and representation on the Management Committee, influencing and guiding
the Association’s process to meet timelines
Hazard
Management
- Provide information that enables Albertans to take greater responsibility
for flood risk avoidance
- Provide effective environmental emergency response to air quality
incidents working in collaboration with municipalities and industry
Performance Measures
EXPENSE
BY CORE BUSINESS
MINISTRY
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
CONSOLIDATED
NET OPERATING RESULT
Go to: Executive
Council Business Plan
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