• Home
• What's New
• Getting Started
• OWNERS Security
• Other On-line Reporting Programs
• Program Information

Home > Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• General
• GHG emission reporting and OWNERS
• Security
• Submitting Reports

GENERAL

Q1) What is OWNERS?

OWNERS stands for "One Window to National Environmental Reporting System." It is designed to be an on-line mechanism for reporting information to Environment Canada and/or other agencies. The system is secure and easy to use, and is the result of industry and government working together to reduce the reporting burden and make it easier to collect, analyze, store and archive data.

Q2) How do I know if I should use OWNERS?

At this time, OWNERS is the reporting vehicle for the following programs and agencies:

• Environment Canada for:
  • National Pollutant Release Inventory (NPRI)
  • Environmental Performance Agreement for Refractory Ceramic Fibre Industry (EPA)
  • Voluntary reporting of TRS emissions from the pulp and paper industry (TRS-PPI)
  
  
• Other agencies and programs:
  • Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Ontario Regulation 127/01
  • Alberta Environment, Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act
  • Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) Air Quality Management Bylaw 937
  • Canadian Chemical Producers' Association (CCPA) for the National Emissions Reduction Master plan (NERM) Survey
  • National Framework for Petroleum Refinery Emission Reductions ( NFPRER)

In future years reporting to other programs and agencies may be integrated into OWNERS.

Q3) Why has the data collection process changed from the old system (MS- Access/VB) to Internet web site?

The Internet web site helps integrate, harmonize and streamline reporting. This system helps improve the quality from reporting entities, by providing immediate feedback. Most importantly, newer Internet technology allows for a highly secure system, such as those used by banks and credit card companies. In this way, OWNERS supports Government On-Line goals of using information and communication technology to improve service to Canadians.

Q4) Is there an alternate method of reporting?

Although on-line reporting is preferred, reporters who have trouble or do not have access to a computer that meets system requirements can contact the agency to which they are reporting for further directions. A data exchange format is an alternate method that can be used.

GHG EMISSIONS REPORTING AND OWNERS

Q1) What is the difference between the National Pollutant Release Inventory NPRI) and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) reporting?

The NPRI currently collects data on range of substances of concern, but not GHG emissions. While the general emissions data reported to the NPRI and GHG emissions data reported through Environment Canada are collected under authority of the same legislation (CEPA, 1999), they are two different sets of data.

SECURITY

Q1) How can I be assured that confidential information that is submitted through OWNERS is safe?

OWNERS has provided the infrastructure, methods and tools to ensure that data are kept confidential and secure. Encryption, firewalls, intrusion detection software and operating system security protect all data.

By going to a web based system, the OWNERS data collection process meets Government of Canada standards for confidentiality through:

• a password protected web site,
• careful dissemination of user IDs and passwords, and
• transport of data over Internet via 128-bit SSL encryption.

The Government of Canada Secure Channel system also known as epass will be used to ensure that data is secure.

Q2) What is epass, and how does it work?

The epass provides users with secure access to online Government of Canada services.

Click here for more information on epass.

Q3) What is Secure Channel, and how does it work?

Secure Channel is the common infrastructure that provides secure and reliable network services for all federal departments. It also offers additional services for security, registration and authentication that enable departments to deliver the most commonly used services on-line in a secure environment.

Click here for more information on Secure Channel.

Q4) Who has access to the information collected through OWNERS?

OWNERS facilitates the reporting of information to various agencies outside of Environment Canada. The information collected by a specific agency will only be accessible to that agency. Only that agency will be able to share its data with the organizations and publish the information.

SUBMITTING REPORTS

Q1) How do I use OWNERS to report to different programs?

The user must first create a user profile and log into OWNERS. Once logged in, the user can create a facility, then complete and submit the necessary reports.

Q2) What if I need to make a change to information I have submitted?

Depending on the regulation, OWNERS will allow updates to previously submitted data. These will be flagged in the system as an update.

Q3) Can I check what I have submitted?

OWNERS provides a list of reports identifying if they were previously submitted or in progress. You can view the contents of a report that has been submitted.

Q4) Do I need to complete the entire report in one session or can I complete the form over multiple sessions?

OWNERS will allow the user to save partially completed reports, and the return at a later date to continue and submit. Security provisions have been made to prevent any unauthorized users from tampering with partially completed or submitted reports.

Q5) When I submit a report, how do I know that the appropriate agency has received the report?

Once a report is submitted, OWNERS will provide an acknowledgement that the report has been received. The acknowledgement will include a list of the submitted reports, and the date they were submitted.