Section 2.2: Biodiversity Conservation Strategic Outcome
What is the issue?
Canada is recognized around the world for its natural wealth, including its wildlife, forests, water and protected areas. Canada is home to over 71,500 known species of wild animals, plants and other organisms including 200 species of mammals, 400 species of birds, 1,100 species of fish and 4,000 species of plants. From a global perspective Canada has 20% of the world's remaining wilderness, 7% of the world's renewable freshwater, 25% of the global wetlands, 10% of its forests and the longest coastline in the world.
Despite this apparent abundance of resources, Canada's natural capital is at risk. Human induced pressures are contributing to significant declines in many species of animals and plants. Urbanization, agricultural intensification, forest harvesting and other resource extraction industries are increasingly leading to habitat loss and fragmentation. The long-term effects of acid rain, expanding use of pesticides and other toxic chemicals, and the threat of global climate change exacerbate this situation. Finally, increased international human movement and trade have led to new threats to wildlife and their habitat from introduced diseases and alien invasive species.
Clean, safe and secure water for people and ecosystems continues to be a shared vision for governments domestically and internationally. In Canada water quality, quantity and use issues are complex, and multi-jurisdictional. Water is a life sustaining part of our ecosystems. It is critical not only to human health and well being but also to sustainable growth and biodiversity. There are unique pressures that face both the water supply and water quality in parts of Canada. The federal government has numerous direct roles to play with regards to management of water and drinking water on federal lands and in federal facilities. At least 19 federal departments are in some way implicated in the management of water. This as a result provides a significant horizontal management challenge within the federal house. In addition, close collaboration with provincial, territorial and municipal
governments is essential since they bear the most responsibility for the day-to day management of water.
What are we doing about it?
Environment Canada's programs, services and initiatives to conserve biological diversity (biodiversity) in healthy ecosystems focus on building shared sustainability strategies and partnerships for conserving Canada's wildlife, ecosystems, fresh water and wetland resources; contributing to the scientific understanding of ecosystems; establishing science and technology practices; and developing partnerships to improve the health of nationally significant ecosystems. Activities under this strategic outcome are grouped into the following program areas:
- Conservation of biological diversity;
- Clean, safe and secure water for people and ecosystems; and
- Conservation and restoration of priority ecosystems.
Program Activity B1 - Biological diversity is conserved
Program Activity B2 - Clean, safe and secure water for people and ecosystems
Program Activity B3 - Priority ecosystems are conserved and restored
Section 2.2: Program Activity B1 - Biological diversity is conserved
What is the issue?
The most significant threat to biodiversity lies in the loss, degradation and fragmentation of the habitats that animals and plants need to survive. While parks and protected areas help protect natural habitats, they are scattered throughout the country with, in some areas, only limited natural linkages between them.
Invasive alien species (IAS), including plants, animals and other organisms (e.g. microbes), are the second largest threat to biodiversity. In addition to environmental harm, they can also cause economic harm or harm to human health. Human actions are the primary means of invasive species introductions.
For nature conservation to be a success in Canada, we need to broaden our focus from simply protecting areas of land and water to managing the full continuum of ecosystems including wilderness, parks, working landscapes and urban centres. More needs to be done to influence a wider range of private and public lands by engaging networks of stakeholders in habitat conservation strategies.
Conserving biodiversity will require not only that we maintain healthy populations of wild species, but also that we protect and recover species that have become threatened or endangered. We also need to ensure that the use of wildlife is sustainable.
What are we doing about it?
The lack of recognition of the interconnectedness of Canada's resources has meant that the impact of efforts to conserve Canada's natural legacy is not as significant as it could be. There is a strong need to develop partnerships with industry, academia and non-governmental organizations to promote and advance integrated conservation planning and management.
By legislation, the particular focus of EC's conservation efforts is on migratory birds, species at risk and their habitats.
Major programs and initiatives
| Program Area: Species at risk are protected |
| Activities: Assessing whether species are at risk; protecting and recovering species at risk and their habitats; preventing species from becoming at risk; and ensuring that Canada's trade in non-endangered species is sustainable. |
Expected Results:
The National Strategy for the Protection of Species at Risk and Species at Risk Act are implemented:
- Species are assessed or reassessed through the formal processes of COSEWIC.
- Species are listed under SARA and other regulations are developed as required to implement the Act.
- Implementation policies and guidelines for SARA are developed/approved.
- NACOSAR is established and aboriginal people are engaged in SARA implementation.
- Recovery strategies are prepared for species listed as extirpated, endangered and threatened.
- Provincial and territorial governments and Aboriginal organizations are engaged.
- Stakeholder consultations contribute to desired results and NGOs and industry are engaged in protection and/or recovery.
- Enforcement capability for species at risk is established.
- International obligations related to species at risk are met and compliance with WAPPRIITA is promoted.
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| Indicators: Change in status of reassessed species at risk; number of endangered and threatened species, sub-species and populations in each of Canada's ecozones; amount of habitat for species at risk that is effectively protected. |
| Partners: Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO); Parks Canada Agency; other government departments (OGDs); provinces and territories; NGOs; Wildlife Management Boards; Aboriginal organizations; industry. (on CITES - also Foreign Affairs Canada, Unites States and Mexico)
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| Departmental Priority: Environmental conservation and protection; environmental sustainability assessment. |
| Program Area: Migratory bird populations are conserved |
| Activities: Sustaining migratory bird populations through finalization of the CWS migratory bird program plan, continued development of partnerships under the North American Bird Conservation Initiative, update and enforcement of migratory bird regulations, outreach activities, and Aboriginal Cooperative management. |
Expected Results:
- Knowledge of the status of migratory bird populations is acquired and conservation measures undertaken.
- Compliance with the Migratory Bird Convention Act is promoted and enforced.
- Awareness of stakeholders and the public is increased and support for migratory bird conservation initiatives obtained.
- Cooperative management processes and structures are established to accommodate and respond to Aboriginal and treaty rights in land claim settlements.
- Partnership initiatives for migratory bird conservation are developed and implemented.
- Impacts of toxic substances and diseases on migratory birds and other wildlife at risk are understood and the advice provided supports timely interventions.
- Impacts of oil and other pollution, illegally discharged from ships in Canada's Exclusive Economic Zone are reduced using existing enforcement capabilities of the Migratory Birds Convention Act and Canadian Environmental Protection Act with the potential for enhanced capability through amendments to the two Acts proposed in Bill C-15.
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| Indicators: Percentage of threatened and endangered species of migratory birds with stable or increasing populations; population levels of targeted migratory bird species and other wildlife under federal jurisdiction. |
| Partners: Primarily federal and State governments in the United States and Mexico; federal governments of nations in the Western Hemisphere as well as of Denmark and Finland; federal departments such as Agriculture and Agri-food Canada; Health Canada; Fisheries and Oceans; National Defence; Foreign Affairs Canada and NRCan; provincial governments as well as non-government agencies and organizations. |
| Departmental Priority: Environmental conservation and protection; environmental sustainability assessment. |
| Program Area: Significant habitats are conserved, restored and rehabilitated; overall ecosystem integrity is sustained |
| Activities: Protecting and conserving specific critical habitats; facilitating a national evolution toward systems of integrated landscape management. |
Expected Results:
- A steady increase in the number of Canadian ecosystems covered by an integrated landscape decision-making/management process.
- Species at risk and their habitats are conserved through the Habitat Stewardship Program.
- National Wildlife Areas, Marine Wildlife Areas, Migratory Bird Sanctuaries and RAMSAR sites are established and maintained, within the context of broader ecosystem/landscape plans.
- Land donations to support conservation are enabled through the Ecological Gifts Program.
- Aboriginal organizations and communities continue to be engaged.
- Stakeholder consultations and participation continue to be used to contribute to desired results.
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Indicators:
- Area of conserved wildlife habitat that is under direct Environment Canada protection or protected through departmental partnerships and influence.
- Area of the nation covered by integrated landscape decision-making/management processes.
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| Partners: Aboriginal Peoples; other government departments; provinces and territories; industry and industry associations; environmental non-government organizations. |
| Departmental Priority: Environmental conservation and protection; environmental sustainability assessment. |
| Program Area: International and domestic biodiversity agendas are coordinated |
| Activities: Fulfill Canada's key international obligations under the Biodiversity Convention and domestic obligations under the Canadian Biodiversity Strategy. |
Expected Results:
- Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) decisions serve the environmental, economic, social and cultural interests of Canadians: Canadians have easy access to information on Canada's participation in the CBD and other international biodiversity forums.
- Canada recognized globally as fulfilling its obligations and commitments under the CBD and as an influential contributor to implementing and reporting against the international target of reducing the rate of biodiversity loss by 2010.
- Canada seen to be playing a significant role in the operation/strategic direction of the CBD, in enhancing capacity of other countries, and in promoting interests of indigenous people.
- Facilitated implementation of the Canadian Biodiversity Strategy by Canadian jurisdictions, government departments, and resource sectors through management, co-ordination and identification of national implementation priorities and development of common biodiversity targets, indicators and supportive monitoring systems.
- Environment Canada will continue its leadership role relating to An Invasive Species Strategy for Canada which was approved by the federal-provincial-territorial Ministers responsible for forests, fisheries and aquaculture, endangered species and wildlife in September 2004. Beginning in 2005-2006, the federal government will initiate implementation of the Strategy in the areas of public awareness and risk analysis of alien plant and aquatic species.
- Enhanced conservation and sustainable access and use of Canadian genetic resources facilitated through development (with provinces and territories, with input from aboriginal groups, and stakeholders) of an approach which identifies Canadian interests in this emerging priority and better positions Canada to be active, on a domestic-driven basis in negotiations on an international regime on Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge.
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Indicators:
- National consensus on Biodiversity outcomes framework in support of 2010 target.
- Biodiversity reporting system in place.
- Introduction of ABS policy frameworks and pilot projects at national and sub-national levels.
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| Partners: Fisheries and Oceans Canada; Natural Resources Canada; Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada; Foreign Affairs Canada; Parks Canada Agency; Canadian International Development Agency; provinces and territories; private sector; and ENGOs. |
| Departmental Priority: Environmental conservation and protection. |
| Program Area: Natural Legacy Agenda |
Activities: Fulfil Environment Canada's responsibility to develop environmental performance standards which will specify desired levels of environmental quality required of agriculture, and for validating beneficial management practices.
The Oceans Action Plan builds upon Canada's Oceans Strategy and is a continuation of efforts to develop a comprehensive strategy for oceans management. Environment Canada will work with the interdepartmental community in the implementation of Canada's Oceans Action Plan, including the identification of Marine Protected Areas and the creation of integrated management zones in priority areas. |
Expected Results:
- Suite of standards for air, biodiversity, pesticides, and water elements that are at high risk from agricultural activities.
- Environmental performance standards developed by the National Agri-Environmental Standards Initiatives (NAESI) will be implemented at the farm level through beneficial management practices leading to certification of Canadian agriculture practices and continued access to international markets.
- Improved stewardship by agricultural producers of the land, water, air, and biodiversity.
- Wild living resources are conserved (refer also to expected results under "Protecting species at risk" and "Sustaining Migratory Bird Population" major initiatives/programs).
- Increased public and private stewardship on Canada's lands and waters.
- Canada's protected areas are established, expanded and restored (refer also to expected results under "Protecting and conserving habitats" major initiative/program).
- Strengthen the scientific information base.
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Indicators:
- Use of scientific information by decision-makers.
- Standards are integrated by AAFC into beneficial agricultural management practices and to assess relative performance of the agriculture industry.
- Amount of totally and strictly protected areas in Canada.
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| Partners: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Health Canada and other federal departments as required; provinces and territories (individually or through the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment); academia; producers; National Round Table on the Environment and Economy; Aboriginal Peoples; Commission for Environmental Cooperation; NGOs; community level organizations; Fisheries and Oceans Canada; Parks Canada Agency. |
| Departmental Priority: Environmental conservation and protection. |
Section 2.2: Program Activity B2 - Clean, safe and secure water for people and ecosystems
What is the issue?
Water - its availability, quality, and many uses to people and nature - is a fundamental sustainable development issue. Water is essential for life and for the health of humans and ecosystems and vital to many sectors of the economy.
Water issues are emerging as the critical issue of the 21st century. While water availability is not seen to be a critical problem in most of Canada, ever-increasing demands for water coupled with burgeoning populations and the looming impacts of climate change, have raised concerns in many jurisdictions about our ability to manage this vital resource in a sustainable manner. The urgency is heightened by the prohibitive costs of maintaining or adding new water storage, treatment, and distribution infrastructure.
The ability to secure a clean and healthy environment for Canadians is dependent upon our capacity to understand how our ecosystems are affected by human-induced stressors and to transfer that knowledge to Canadians and the global community. Only then can it be incorporated into decision-making. An understanding of the ecosystem structure, processes and functions, as well as the effects of economic activities, is a critical requirement for effective ecosystems-based management and it is of fundamental importance to sound decision-making.
What are we doing about it?
Environment Canada works in collaboration with other federal departments, provinces and territories (e.g. individually or through the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment), science networks related to work on the environment, as well as the public (including non-governmental organizations, academia and municipalities) to share information, determine priorities for monitoring and research, provide timely and integrated scientific information and advice to decision-makers and promote sustainable water use in Canada and build best management practices for sustaining efficient use of Canada's water.
Major programs and initiatives
Environment Canada addresses critical water issues on a number of fronts:
| Program Area: Federal leadership is provided to conserve and protect water |
| Activities: Governance; international and bi-national water initiatives. |
Expected Results:
- An integrated, watershed approach to water management in Canada is advanced and connected.
- Shared water priorities are identified with Provinces and Territories and integrated into work plans.
- Programs are tailored to deliver source water protection and water conservation through the First Nations Water Management Strategy in partnership with Indian and Northern Affairs and Health Canada.
- Key sectoral strategies are developed and implemented to improve the efficient and sustainable use of water in Canada.
- Information on water issues is conveyed to respond to demands from national to local levels of decision-making.
- The mix of water management instruments and tools (e.g. economic, policy, guidelines) are designed, modified, or adapted to promote uptake and optimize results.
- Canada's engagement in global water events and negotiations improve access to clean water and promote the use of Canadian expertise and technology.
- Canada's water quality and quantity interests are protected bi-nationally.
- Federal water strategies are developed and implemented in a complimentary and comprehensive manner.
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| Indicators: Coordinated federal water policy with targeted instruments and actions that support partnerships and deliver on common goals. |
| Partners: Federal, provincial, territorial and municipal governments; other federal departments (approximately 20 federal departments and agencies have water-related roles); Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment; NGO's; the International Joint Commission; industry; academia. |
| Departmental Priority: Environmental conservation and protection, Strategic Integration and Environmental Sustainability Assessment. |
| Program Area: Advice on the status and trends of the health of aquatic ecosystems |
| Activities: Providing leadership on the development and implementation of an affordable and demand-driven monitoring and reporting program on the status and trends of aquatic ecosystem health which will produce nationally consistent, locally relevant information and indicators for decision-makers and Canadians. |
Expected Results:
- Develop RésEau - a Canada-wide information portal integrating water quality/quantity and use data and information from distributed sources which will facilitate sharing, discovery, access and use by water management experts and the Canadian public (2005-2007).
- Develop a water quality indicator that will provide a trusted source of information on national water quality by filling gaps in data through establishment of dedicated national water quality monitoring network and federal-provincial agreements; strengthened interpretive tools and assessment approaches and improved national reporting (2005-2008).
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| Indicators: Policy- and decision-makers and Canadians have the scientific information they need on status of and trends in ecosystem health to make informed decisions to protect and conserve the environment. |
| Partners: Other federal departments, provinces and territories (individually or through Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment), science networks and the public (ENGOs, academia). |
| Departmental Priority: Environmental sustainability assessment; weather and environmental services. |
| Program Area: Understanding the impacts of human activities on aquatic ecosystems |
| Activities: Conducting research to identify human activities that are having significant impact on aquatic ecosystems, ecosystems that are most vulnerable to those impacts and opportunities to minimize these impacts and transferring the knowledge to decision-makers who can take action to address aquatic ecosystem health issues. |
Expected Results:
- Advance scientific understanding of the impacts of land use practices and the effects of toxics and substances of concern and changes in climate and biodiversity on aquatic ecosystems.
- Conduct and publish science assessments on taste and odour in drinking water sources, contaminated sediments, and ecosystem impacts of acid rain (2005-2007).
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| Indicators: Use of research and scientific information by decision-makers. |
| Partners: Other federal departments, provinces and territories (individually or through Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment), science networks and ENGOs, academia, international academic community. |
| Departmental Priority: Environmental conservation and protection; environmental sustainability assessment; climate change. |
| Program Area: Science-based solutions are provided to protect aquatic ecosystems |
| Activities: Develop innovative science-based solutions (e.g., environmental quality standards and guidelines) and integrated water resource and landscape management actions to conserve, protect and promote sustainable use practices and to protect and enhance the health of aquatic species. |
Expected Results:
- Develop environmental quality guidelines for aquatic ecosystems (water, sediment, tissue residues) to sustain, protect and enhance the quality of the environment and its major beneficial uses.
- Develop soil quality guidelines for the remediation of contaminated sites and to sustain, protect and enhance the quality of the terrestrial environment and its major beneficial uses.
- Provide expertise and guidance on the application of guidelines in priority government initiatives such as source water protection, agri-environmental standards and site-specific water quality indicators.
- Promote the uptake of water quality assessment tools through training, technical publications and website information.
- Develop sustainable water management practices (e.g. improved municipal wastewater treatment approaches, new technologies for remediation of contaminated sites and development of sustainable urban stormwater management practices).
- Develop agri-environmental standards under the Agricultural Policy Framework for use in the management of impacts on water stemming from the agricultural sector.
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| Indicators: The availability of innovative science-based solutions (e.g., environmental quality guidelines and standards. |
| Partners: Federal departments (Indian and Northern Affairs Canada; Health Canada; Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada; Fisheries and Oceans Canada); provincial and territorial governments (individually and through the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment); other national governments; industrial sectors, science networks; stakeholders; NGO's; academia. |
| Departmental Priority: Environmental conservation and protection; environmental sustainability assessment. |
| Program Area: EC's Science and Technology is managed strategically for excellence and relevance |
| Activities: Strategically managing EC's S&T and developing S&T policy for EC, contributing to and implementing federal S&T policy, and reporting on and communicating about EC's S&T effort. |
Expected Results:
- Environment Canada's science and technology are high quality.
- Environment Canada's science and technology efficiently and effectively support the department's mission and contribute to achieving the federal government's goals.
- Environment Canada's science and technology are integrated with federal, Canadian and international environmental science and technology capacity.
- Environment Canada's science and technology effectively address the environmental and sustainable development needs of Canadians.
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| Indicators: Independent recognition of the quality of Environment Canada's science and technology and their management. |
| Partners: Other government departments; granting agencies and foundations (e.g. Canada Foundation for Innovation; Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada; Canadian Institutes of Health Research; Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council); universities. |
| Departmental Priority: Environmental sustainability assessment; departmental transformation (strategic integration). |
Section 2.2: Program Activity B3: Priority ecosystems are conserved and restored
What is the issue?
Canada's landscapes and seascapes are diverse. They contain varying habitats and ecosystems including tundra, grasslands, estuaries and forests. Associated with these ecosystems are many resources and assets either on the ground (such as trees, wildlife, wetlands, and soils) or below the ground or sea (such as oil and gas, minerals, and groundwater).
We need to understand how our ecosystems work and how they are affected by human-induced stressors so that we can transfer that knowledge to Canadians and the global community and use it to make sound and informed decisions.
The challenge is to build on the existing resource-based, species-based, habitat-based and protected areas-based management approaches to develop a more integrated and comprehensive framework that better serves broad conservation and resource management goals.
What are we doing about it?
Ecosystem approaches provide integrated conservation planning and a framework for collaborative action to address the complex environmental issues affecting targeted ecosystems. Ecosystem approaches achieve results through partnerships, pooling resources, focusing science, coordinating efforts, sharing information and generating a broad basis for support. They help build the capacity of all the players involved to make better decisions and to effect change.
Major programs and initiatives
Environment Canada works with a broad spectrum of governments and communities of interest in pursuit of shared objectives in six ecosystem initiatives across Canada:
| Program Area: Understanding the value of and actions to protect ecological services |
| Activities: Environmental quality status and trends monitoring and reporting. |
Expected Results:
- Enhanced linkages with networks in Canada and improved information sharing on ecosystem changes.
- Integrated approach to the generation, acquisition and dissemination of information and knowledge.
- More accessible information on ecosystem health and enhanced public awareness of ecosystem changes.
- Policy- and decision-makers and Canadians have the scientific information on the status of and trends in ecosystem health to make informed decisions to protect and conserve the environment.
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| Indicators: An improved understanding of the inter-related dynamics of the ecological, economic and social systems in ecosystems.SDS3.1.1 |
| Partners: Other federal departments; provinces and territories (individually or through Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment); science networks and the public (ENGOs, academia). |
| Departmental Priority: Environmental conservation and protection. |
| Program Area: Implementing measures to sustain priority ecosystems |
| Activities: Atlantic Coastal Action Program. |
Expected Results:
- Local capacity built to assume a leadership role for sustainability at the community and regional ecosystem level.
- Collaborative stewardship actions support the sustainability of Atlantic ecosystems and communities.
- Local, scientific and indigenous knowledge supports improved public awareness and decision making by advancing the understanding of key ecosystem stresses.
- Improved and enhanced environmental quality through priority actions identified in local comprehensive environmental management plans.
- Improved public awareness and enhanced scientific understanding of environmental issues.
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| Indicators: An improved understanding of the inter-related dynamics of the ecological, economic and social systems in ecosystems.SDS3.1.1 |
| Partners: Atlantic Coastal Action Program communities; sub-regional ecosystem initiatives; federal departments (Fisheries and Oceans; Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada; Health Canada, Human Resources; Parks Canada Agency; Natural Resources Canada; ACOA; Industry Canada); 4 Atlantic provinces; private sector; academia; and other non-governmental organizations. |
| Departmental Priority: Environmental conservation and protection. |
| Program Area: Implementing measures to sustain priority ecosystems |
| Activities: Georgia Basin Action Plan. |
Expected Results:
- Collaborative stewardship actions support the sustainability of the Georgia Basin.
- Sustainable land, aquatic and resource planning and management support the conservation, protection and restoration of the environment, enhance human well-being, and contribute to a strengthened economy.
- Scientific and indigenous knowledge supports improved decision-making by advancing the understanding of key ecosystem stresses.
- Targeted ecosystems are protected from harmful human activities and affected key ecosystem components are restored.
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| Indicators: A performance measurement framework is in place to help determine the impact of the Georgia Basin Action Plan. A mid-term evaluation will be conducted in 2006. For more information, refer to: http://www.pyr.ec.gc.ca/georgiabasin/index_e.htm.
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Partners: Formal signatories - Fisheries and Oceans Canada; Parks Canada Agency; British Columbia Ministry of Water, Air and Land Protection; British Columbia Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management.
Other partners include: Coast Salish First Nations; local and regional governments; non-government organizations and other federal and provincial departments. |
| Departmental Priority: Environmental conservation and protection. |
| Program Area: Implementing measures to sustain priority ecosystems |
| Activities: Great Lakes Action Plan. |
Expected Results:
- Restored environmental quality in two Areas of Concern, resulting in the removal of the designation "Area of Concern."
- Completion of all required federal actions for Remedial Action Plans in at least six Areas of Concern.
- Progress towards the rehabilitation of ecological systems in the remaining Areas of Concern.
- Progress towards the virtual elimination or significant reductions for persistent bioaccumulative toxic substances such as mercury, dioxins, furans and PCBs.
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| Indicators: An improved understanding of the inter-related dynamics of the ecological, economic and social systems in ecosystems.SDS3.1.1 |
| Partners: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Health Canada, Parks Canada, Natural Resources Canada, Public Works and Government Services Canada; Transport Canada, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food, agencies of the U.S. federal government and the eight Great Lakes States. |
| Departmental Priority: Environmental conservation and protection. |
| Program Area: Implementing measures to sustain priority ecosystems |
| Activities: Northern Ecosystem Initiative. |
Expected Results:
- The health and sustainability of northern communities and ecosystems is enhanced.
- Improved understanding and awareness of the ecosystem impacts of contaminants and climate change through a combination of local, traditional and scientific knowledge and methodologies.
- Development of an Integrated Ecosystem Thresholds Model for implementation in the Canadian North.
- Completion of an inventory of existing ecosystem indicators for the Canadian North.
- Improved environmental stewardship capacity in northern communities and Aboriginal organizations.
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| Indicators: An improved understanding of the inter-related dynamics of the ecological, economic and social systems in ecosystems.SDS3.1.1 |
| Partners: Indian and Northern Affairs Canada; Natural Resources Canada; Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada; Fisheries and Oceans Canada; Governments of the Northwest Territories, Yukon, Nunavut, Quebec, Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador; Innu Nation; Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami; Dene Nation; Council of Yukon First Nations; Cree Council of Northern Quebec; Naskapi First Nation; Inuit of Nunavik; academia; the private sector, non-governmental organizations; and northern communities. |
| Departmental Priority: Environmental conservation and protection. |
| Program Area: Implementing measures to sustain priority ecosystems |
| Activities: St. Lawrence Action Plan. |
Expected Results:
- Develop a concerted Canada-Quebec concept for the integrated management of the St. Lawrence.
- Implement actions that contribute to the health and prosperity of the ecosystem.
- Improve our knowledge of the St. Lawrence ecosystem (impacts of stresses, biodiversity, monitoring).
- Increase public knowledge of the state of the ecosystem's health.
- Support local community groups (14 ZIP committees) and build new partnerships.
- Implement and improve the sustainable navigation strategy for the St. Lawrence.
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| Indicators: An improved understanding of the inter-related dynamics of the ecological, economic and social systems in ecosystems.SDS3.1.1 |
| Partners: Federal departments (Environment Canada; Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada; Fisheries and Oceans Canada; Transport Canada; Canadian Space Agency; Public Works and Government Services Canada; Government of Quebec (Ministère du Développement durable et des Parcs, Ministère des Transports du Québec, Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune); Areas of Prime Concern (ZIP); Committees; non governmental organizations. |
| Departmental Priority: Environmental conservation and protection. |
| Program Area: Implementing measures to sustain priority ecosystems |
| Activities: Western Boreal Conservation Initiative. |
Expected Results:
- Production of knowledge and action that has worked towards conservation of boreal forests, and to sustain or increase populations of migratory birds in the boreal forest.
- Working through partnerships, management of boreal forests in Canada are moving towards a model of conservation-based landscapes, based on the principles of protected areas and sustainable development.
- Partnerships and resources are in place that will allow Phase II of WBCI to function as a nationally-based program across the boreal forest.
- Improved understanding of the status of populations in the boreal forest acquired and contribution made to ensure recovery of species at risk.
- There is an increased awareness and appreciation of boreal forests and their biodiversity in Canada.
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| Indicators: Availability of knowledge relevant to biodiversity conservation in boreal forests; application of results to best practices, governance and conservation programs of partners and Environment Canada; existence of a national program within Environment Canada that is focused on the conservation of boreal forests. |
| Partners: Provincial and territorial departments; other federal government departments; ENGOs; forest and energy industry; academia; Aboriginal peoples. |
| Departmental Priority: Environmental conservation and protection. |
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