Details on transfer payment programs with total planned spending of less than $5 million

The purpose and objectives of this transfer payment program (TPP) are to:

• Increase research and demonstration (R&D) activities (e.g., research papers, technology testing, experimental studies) that contribute to more secure and resilient domestic and cross-border energy infrastructure
• Improve the collective knowledge on cyber threats to domestic and cross-border energy infrastructure, including mitigation strategies

This TPP has non-repayable contributions.

The expected results for the 2020–23 period are:

• Increase in R&D activities that contribute to more secure and resilient domestic and cross-border energy infrastructure
• Improvement of collective knowledge on cyber threats to domestic and cross-border energy infrastructure, including mitigation strategies

The performance indicators are:

• Domestic energy and utilities sector stakeholders, including members from the Energy and Utilities Sector Network that report an increase in R&D activities addressing technical gaps
  • The target is a yearly increase compared to a 2020-21 baseline level.
• Domestic energy and utilities sector stakeholders, including members from the Energy and Utilities Sector Network that report an increase in knowledge regarding cyber threats to the sector.
  • The target is a yearly increase compared to a 2020-21 baseline level.

This transfer payment program targets the following recipient groups:

• For-profit organizations
• Not-for-profit organizations and charities
• Academia and public institutions
• Aboriginal recipients
• Governments
• International (non-government)
• Individual or sole proprietorships

To increase awareness about the program, projects funded and anticipated outcomes, program officers have:

• Presented at various fora
• Led a social media campaign
• Engaged key federal, provincial, territorial stakeholders, industry representatives, and academia.

Successful applicants have moved forward with contribution agreements and projects will begin in 2019-20 and 2020-21.

NRCan has facilitated discussion and collaboration with government and industry partners to support planning for projects. The Department will continue to liaise with project proponents to support their work, highlight leadership and disseminate results.

Each project has unique performance indicators and contribution agreements requiring periodic progress reports, annual reporting and a final report. These are required when proponents submit claims for payment and describe how activities have contributed to achievement of project and program objectives, benefits and key performance indicators.

Opportunities to engage project proponents in domestic and international initiatives will be identified, particularly as project deliverables are finalized. NRCan will also engage project proponents on an ongoing basis to identify issues and mitigate risks as they arise.

Earthquakes in urban areas present the greatest single-event risk in terms of potential for lives lost and economic impact for Canada. Current protection from earthquakes comes primarily from rigorous implementation of seismic provisions in the National Building Code.

The next improvement in protection is to provide tens of seconds of warning for preventative action to protect critical infrastructure, stop trains and traffic, prepare response systems, and give warnings to the public to take shelter.
Expected results aim to:

• Enhance disaster response capacity and coordination and foster the development of new capabilities.

Performance measures and indicators to measure these expected results:

• Alerts issued for all earthquakes above threshold M within a defined time period t (where M & t to be established based on integrated system testing in 2021-22 and 2022-2023)^{Footnote 3}

Expected outcomes of the program include the following:

• 90% of updates to existing codes and standards are favourable or neutral to Canada’s forest sector
• 90% of relevant new codes and standards are favourable or neutral to Canada’s forest sector
• At least two short success stories of reduced costs and/or improved efficiency
• At least two examples of improved environmental performance resulting from the project
• At least one example of improved workplace health and safety resulting from the project.

The project will directly contribute to a more productive, cost-effective, and efficient Canadian forest sector that is environmentally sustainable. The project will make valuable contributions to building and wood material codes and standards that help ensure greater market access for Canadian wood products.

The project’s expected results are to:

• increase awareness of the benefits of using geospatial data and tools to achieve goals for social, economic and environmental priorities;
• keep Canada at the leading edge of accessing, sharing and using geospatial information via the Internet;
• support the integration and use of geospatial data to support effective decision making; and/or
• coordinate the development of national policies, standards and mechanisms and support their implementation to ensure maintenance and updating of geospatial data and compatibility with global standards.

Indicator:

• User satisfaction with the usability, timeliness, accuracy, completeness and format of information and services offered via the CGDI.

• Individuals;
• Canadian or international profit and non-profit organizations;
• international governments, corporations, industry and their associations;
• research associations and academic institutions;
• Provincial, territorial, regional, municipal and rural government departments, agencies and some Crown Corporations whose objectives contribute to those of the GeoConnections Program.

Immediate outcomes of the initiative include:

• Indigenous communities are increasingly aware of natural resource development opportunities;
• Indigenous communities have increased capacity to understand and participate in natural resource opportunities; and
• Increased engagement between Indigenous communities and natural resource development stakeholders.

Performance indicators for initiative include:

• Number of opportunity scans and feasibility studies completed;
• Percentage of projects that include a partnership with external natural resource development stakeholders;
• Attendance of presentations and workshops to Indigenous communities and external stakeholders; and
• Number of individuals from Indigenous communities that successfully complete a training program.

• Indigenous communities, other Indigenous recipients and organizations; and,
• (Indigenous) industry-related and non-profit organizations.

• Regional Liaison Officers in five Canadian Forestry Service regions are boots on the ground and engage with potential applicants at conferences, visit communities and network with other government and industry leaders.
• The program keeps a list of interested applicants and emails these contacts when a deadline for application is announced with application details.

• Access to new and priority markets for Canada’s natural resources is enhanced
• Natural resource sectors are innovative

The expected result is that Indigenous groups are engaged with the Crown or its representative in dialogues related to NRCan’s mandate.

Performance measures related to protection of species at risk at NRCan:

• Maps developed based on Indigenous Knowledge, to define caribou-preferred habitat;
• Caribou habitat restoration efforts linked to effectiveness monitoring will help inform restoration decisions;
• Following monitoring of results, draft restoration plan will be developed for each Saskatchewan region;
• Development of a community-led land-use plan.

Performance measures related to modernizing Canada’s Energy Regulator:

• Number of contribution agreements signed by eligible groups;
• Percentage of funding disbursed versus offered;
• the number of Indigenous groups who received funding that provided written/oral comments and/or participated in meetings with the Crown or its representatives; and,
• the number of reports, position papers and/or discussion papers generated by Indigenous groups in relation to policy dialogues.

Direct Recipients: those recipients that participate in dialogues or produce relevant knowledge, expertise, reports or input for the purpose of a dialogue to support active and meaningful Indigenous involvement in issues related to NRCan Mandate, including:

• Indigenous communities or governments;
• Tribal Councils or entities that fulfill a similar function (e.g., general council);
• National and regional Indigenous councils, and tribal organizations;
• Indigenous (majority owned and controlled by Indigenous people) for-profit and not-for-profit organizations; and,
• Members of Indigenous groups with community knowledge, Indigenous traditional knowledge or input relevant to the policy dialogue, and with interest in the issues discussed through the policy dialogue.

Initial recipients: recipients that will further distribute funding to Ultimate Recipients, including:

• Indigenous communities or governments;
• Tribal Councils or entities that fulfill a similar function (e.g., general council);
• National and regional Indigenous councils, and tribal organizations; and,
• Indigenous (majority owned and controlled by Indigenous people) for-profit and not-for-profit organizations

Ultimate Recipients: those recipients that receive funding from an Initial Recipient to participate in dialogues or the production of reports or input for the purpose of a dialogue, including:

• Indigenous communities or governments;
• Tribal Councils or entities that fulfill a similar function (e.g., general council);
• National and regional Indigenous councils, and tribal organizations;
• Indigenous (majority owned and controlled by Indigenous people) for-profit and not-for-profit organizations; and,
• Members of Indigenous groups with community knowledge, Indigenous traditional knowledge or input relevant to the dialogue, and interest in the issues discussed through dialogue.

• Natural resources sectors are innovative
• Clean technologies and energy efficiencies enhance economic performance
• Canada’s natural resources are sustainable
• Enhanced competitiveness of Canada’s natural resources sectors

• Clean Energy Technology Policy Research and Engagement
• Forest Sector Competitiveness

• Support the scale up of Canadian small businesses through early-stage, pre-commercial R&D.
• Develop a domestic market for early-stage, pre-commercial innovations
• Facilitate the subsequent testing and validation of prototypes, as well as prepare a pathway to commercialization and purchase of novel new products by government and non-government customers.
• Fund the development and commercialization of new technology to address specific problems identified by the funding department.
• Foster greater industry-research collaboration through the release of challenges for solutions that address key Government of Canada priorities.
• This TPP does not include repayable contributions.

• Bioplastics: Improved biodegradability of bio-based plastics derived from agricultural or wood-based biomass suitable for use as replacements for single use plastics (e.g. packaging).
• Biofoams: Improved environmental impact and recyclability of insulation products derived from forest residue, suitable for use as replacements for petroleum-based spray and rigid form board insulation.

Performance Measures:

• Generation of new Intellectual Property
• Research collaborations to improve innovation procurement from small businesses
• Small businesses attract venture/patient capital
• Commercialization of early stage R&D/Technology Readiness Levels by small businesses
• Employment of highly skilled workers in the Canadian innovation ecosystem
• Small businesses grow in the Canadian innovation ecosystem

Key performance indicators:

• Number of new products, processes and services developed as a result of the ISC program
• Number of participating firms achieving high growth
• Value of goods and services commercialized following a contract with the government

The $10M (over 5 years) challenge will invest in the rapid development of new oil spill recovery tools, technologies, and approaches in the Canadian environment. The ultimate outcome of this initiative is to incent the development and facilitate deployment of new cutting-edge solutions to ensure that innovative approaches to oil spill recovery are available to support effective and rapid oil spill response tailored to Canadian conditions and needs.
The Program’s objective is to support the rapid development and deployment of oil spill recovery technologies through prize-based technology development challenge(s), that:

• Include significant stakeholder engagement framing the challenge(s) and ensure challenge design supports innovation requirements; and
• Improve pace and paths to commercialization of new oil spill recovery technologies targeting Canada’s unique oil products and geographic/environmental conditions.

Grants and contribution payments made under this program are non-repayable.

Funding is open to Canadian and international identified eligible recipients provided they meet the criteria established by the challenge or challenge stage.

Eligible recipients will include, but are not limited to, legal entities validly incorporated or registered in Canada or abroad, such as:

• Private sector and not-for-profit organizations such as producers, shippers, transporters, industry associations, research associations, standards organizations, and environmental non-governmental organizations;
• Indigenous organizations and groups;
• Community groups;
• Academic institutions; and
• Provincial, territorial, regional and municipal governments and their departments and agencies, where applicable.

The Program’s design and delivery will be developed through extensive engagement with:

• Internal and external science experts on oil spill behaviour and technologies;
• Spill responders and regulators on technology requirements;
• Communities (including Indigenous) on deployment, capacity requirements, and regional considerations; and
• Domestic and global innovators on technology development.

Engagement activities may include virtual or in-person meetings, email surveys, webinars and/or workshops.

This authority is a mechanism to further program objectives, the funding disbursed through the Outreach and Engagement, Energy Efficiency and Energy Innovation activities will be considered in the context of evaluations of the programs to which the funded projects align.
Performance and results information collected from the recipient will serve the purpose of evaluating the program and will therefore relate to the program’s outcomes and results.

The planned results (outcomes) are that:

• NRCan users have access to the Outreach and Engagement Terms and Conditions;
• Activities that support NRCan strategic objectives, which would have been unrealized otherwise, are enabled.

Indicators to measure these results are:

• % of users reporting accessibility to the Outreach and Engagement Terms and Conditions;
• % of users reporting that this mechanism met their need.

• Canadian and international, for profit and non-profit organizations;
• Canadian and international universities and academic institutions;
• Indigenous groups (individual or a collective representing more than one Indigenous group); and,
• Foreign, provincial, territorial, regional and municipal governments.

• Encourage and accelerate innovation in the natural resources sectors;
• assist in the protection of our natural resources, encourage and develop new and more efficient techniques and technology for sustainable development of our natural resources; and,
• provide for a better understanding and knowledge of our natural resources.

Contributions will not be repayable as they will be for projects whose primary aim is fundamental research, research and development, demonstration and other pre-commercial activities.

Because the Research terms and conditions provides a mechanism to further program objectives, the funding disbursed through the Contributions in support of Research will be considered in the context of evaluations of the programs to which the funded projects align.

Performance and results information collected from the recipient must align with the intended program outcomes in order to feed into an evaluation of the program.

The planned results (outcomes) are that:

• NRCan users have access to the Research Terms and Conditions;
• Activities that support NRCan strategic objectives, which would have been unrealized otherwise, are enabled.

Indicators to measure these results are:

• % of users reporting accessibility to the Outreach and Engagement Terms and Conditions;
• % of users reporting that this mechanism met their need.

• Individuals, Canadian and international for profit and non-profit organizations, Canadian and international universities and academic institutions, co-operatives, Indigenous groups (individual or a collective representing more than one Indigenous group); and,
• Foreign, provincial, territorial, regional and municipal governments and their departments and agencies where applicable.

The purpose of the program is to:

• Provide federal science leadership for the collaborative implementation of the Canadian Wildland Fire Strategy, enabling research related to national wildfire risk assessment and analysis to provide information that is grounded in science, which makes strengthened decision-making possible.
• Enhance whole-of-society collaboration and governance to strengthen resilience.
• Increase focus on whole-of-society disaster prevention and mitigation activities to:
  • increase the resiliency of Canadian communities to the risks and impacts of natural disasters.
  • undertake and implement risk reduction analyses and actions.
  • ensure that wildfire response agencies are integrated with each other in order to implement an effective wildland fire response program.
  • increase the wildfire knowledge of agencies, communities and individuals in order to create a culture of wildfire safety and to empower the public to understand risk.

There are no repayable contributions under this program.

Increase focus on whole-of-society disaster prevention and mitigation activities

Result (1)
Canadian communities assess their risk with respect to natural disasters, and establish and execute risk reduction action plans.

Indicator (1)
Number of communities with completed natural disaster risk assessments and action plans, by disaster type.

Result (2)
Enhanced nationally integrated systems in place to deliver a coordinated deployment of resources in response to natural disasters.

Indicator (2)
Number of agencies with completed technical assessments for implementation of systems interoperability improvements between agencies involved in natural disaster response in Canada, by disaster type.

Result (3)
Canadians have access to reliable, current and comprehensive information, supporting whole-of-society awareness and action regarding natural disasters.

Indicator (3)
Number of new information, outreach or coordination products, services or functions developed, by disaster type.

• Legal entities validly incorporated or registered in Canada including:
  • Not for profit organizations
  • Indigenous organizations, groups and communities;
  • Canadian academic institutions;
  • For profit organizations
• Provincial, territorial, regional and municipal governments and their departments and agencies.
• International Recipients
  • Eligible International Recipients will include treaty organizations and other international legal entities validly incorporated or registered abroad including:
    • Not-for-profit organizations such as industry associations, agencies, research associations, standards organizations; and
    • Academic institutions.

In 2020-21, NRCan will continue to engage national partners on wildland fire resilience (i.e., federal-provincial-territorial partners, Indigenous and municipal leaders, and the private sector).

Recipients and prospective applicants will be engaged on an ongoing basis through various existing multi-stakeholder forums such as the:

• Canadian Council of Forest Ministers Wildland Fire Management Working Group
• Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre Board of Directors and technical working groups.

Additionally, there will be ongoing stakeholder consultations under the Blueprint for Wildland Fire Science in Canada 2019-29, including:

• follow-up to consultations held at the Wildland Fire Canada Conference 2019.
• preparations for the next Wildland Fire Canada Conference scheduled for 2021 and the Canadian Partnership for Wildand Fire Science.

Additional Indigenous engagement will be conducted through Canadian Forest Service Indigenous Engagement officers and elders-in-residence.

Since 1997, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) has contributed to the Youth Employment Strategy through the Science and Technology Internship Program, which supports the integration of post-secondary graduates between the ages of 15-30 into science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields in the natural resources sectors.

The program was expanded in 2019-20 to include funding for 500 Green Jobs and internships with an environmental benefit.

Using a third party delivery model, NRCan provides funding through contribution agreements to external funding organizations. These organizations take responsibility for delivering the internship funding to organizations that host the interns.

This program supports the Minister’s commitment to assist in the development and promotion of Canadian scientific and technological capabilities, and to address labour shortages in STEM fields. The program also promotes diversity in the natural resources labour market by targeting participation by individuals in the designated employment equity groups (women, Indigenous Peoples, visible minorities, persons with disabilities).

This program has non-repayable contributions.

The main outcome is for youth to have access to programs that allow them to acquire the skills, learning experiences and opportunities they need to find and maintain employment or return to school

The Science and Technology Internship Program is part of the Youth Employment and Skills Strategy

Youth Employment and Skills Strategy indicators include:

• number of youth served;
• number of youth employed/self-employed; and
• number of youth returning to school

Initial recipients (delivery organizations) and Ultimate recipients (employers) can be:

• Legal entities validly incorporated or registered in Canada including for-profit-organizations and not-for-profit organizations;
• Indigenous organizations and groups;
• Provincial, territorial, regional and municipal governments and their departments and agencies, where applicable.

Delivery Organization (Initial Recipients)

• Targeted emails to stakeholders and contacts

Hiring Organizations (Ultimate Recipients):

• Delivery organizations promotional campaign;
• Targeted emails to Stakeholders;
• Social Media campaign (testimonials, videos, etc.);
• Minister Announcement via news release;
• Conference and engagement activities; and,
• Updated Website and Marketing Products.