ECCC and NRCan Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Overview of the Transfer

Why is the Government transferring energy efficiency programs from NRCan to ECCC?

The Government of Canada is transferring the administration of energy efficiency and transportation programs and related policies from Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) to better align federal climate and emissions reduction efforts under a single department. This will strengthen coordination, create synergies, and improve program effectiveness in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and supporting Canada’s net-zero objectives.

When will the transfer take place?

The transfer will take place following approval of an Order in Council (OIC), with an effective date to be confirmed. Both departments are working toward a summer 2026 implementation timeline. Once the OIC is finalized, next steps and timelines will be communicated.

Which programs and functions are being transferred?

The transfer includes the Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE) programs, NRCan’s energy-efficient transportation programs (including the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program, Green Freight Program, SmartWay, SmartDriver, and personal vehicle programs and their related policy functions, as well as Greening Government Operations Fleet team), related policy functions, and supporting internal services (human resources, security, finance, procurement, information management and technology, real property, ATIP, communications). Existing agreements and obligations, with provinces, territories, Indigenous communities, utilities, municipalities, and other stakeholders, will continue without interruption and transfer to ECCC.

What about employees who support internal services?

Both departments worked together to complete a careful assessment to determine which internal services and positions—such as those in human resources, security, finance, procurement, information management and technology, real property, ATIP, communications—will transfer to ECCC. These positions have been identified to ensure that Canadians receive seamless service and support as programs and policies move to ECCC.

What do I tell stakeholders or partners asking me about their participation in energy efficiency and transportation programs?

The Government of Canada will continue to leverage strong relationships between ECCC and NRCan throughout this period of transition.
Energy efficiency and transportation programs and policies will continue to be delivered without interruption, and services to clients and partners will remain unaffected through the transition.

Employee Transition

What does this transfer mean for impacted NRCan employees?

Employees will transfer to ECCC at their current group and level with no need to reapply. This includes indeterminate, term, casual, student, and LWOP employees, as well as those on assignment or secondment whose positions are within scope. Employment will continue under the Public Service Employment Act.

Employees will transfer to the Energy, Markets and Transportation Branch (EMTB), led by Assistant Deputy Minister Judy Meltzer.

Will employees have a choice about transferring?

No. This is a machinery-of-government change. Employees in positions identified as in scope will transfer automatically.

Will employees’ years of service transfer?

Yes. Service continues without interruption and transfers with the employee.

Will new letters of offer be issued?

Term and indeterminate employees will stay in their current positions, and their employment will continue without interruption under the Public Service Employment Act.

Casuals and students will receive a new letter of offer, but employment will not be disrupted.

Organizational Structure and Staffing

Will there be organizational restructuring?

Director Generals from the Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE) programs and energy-efficient transportation programs will report to Assistant Deputy Minister Judy Meltzer. Otherwise, no other changes to the structures of these teams will be made.

Internal services employees will join ECCC corporate teams, which will establish new reporting relationships. Structures may evolve over time to support operational needs, but no immediate changes are planned.

Will employees have new managers?

Employees from the Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE) programs and energy-efficient transportation programs will continue to report to their current managers.

Internal services employees will be integrated into the existing ECCC corporate teams and experience changes in reporting relationships as a result. These employees will receive a welcome email confirming the name of their new manager who will get in touch with the employee shortly thereafter to establish communication and guide them through the onboarding process.

How will the transfer affect Performance Management Agreements (PMA)?

Employees whose supervisor remains the same will continue to access their profile in TBS Applications Portal (TAP).

For employees whose supervisor will change, their current manager will need to release them in the myEmployees application. Once released and the employee’s profile in TAP has been updated to reflect their status as an ECCC employee, their new manager will be able to select them in the portal and complete all future reviews.

What happens to staffing processes in progress?

Existing staffing processes will continue under NRCan until the transfer, after which files will transition to ECCC for completion.

Pay, Leave and HR Administration

Will salary, benefits, or employment status change?

No. Salary, benefits, and employment status will remain unchanged. Compensation and HR teams are working with the Pay Centre to ensure continuity throughout the transition.

Will employees be paid on time during the transition?

Yes. Regular pay will continue. However, there may be delays in processing acting appointments or promotions initiated after the OIC due to pay file transfer timelines. Employees will continue to receive pay support through the Departmental Pay Liaison Office (DPLO) and the Pay Centre.

What will happen to pay files?

Pay files will transfer from NRCan to ECCC with support from the Public Service Pay Centre. This process may take several months to complete, during which administrative changes, such as updates to leave balances, and other pay actions that occur post-OIC, like actings and promotions, will only be processed once individual pay files have transferred to ECCC. Priority will be given to ensuring accuracy and continuity of pay processing.

How will leave, overtime, and administrative transactions be managed?

During the interim period (until the full transfer of pay files), employees will submit leave and overtime using approved PDF forms (e.g., GC-178 and GC-179) signed by their manager. These will be processed once pay files are fully transitioned. As a best practice, employees are encouraged to take a screenshot of their current leave balances for their records and track leave taken post OIC.

Will employees retain access to HR systems?

During the transition, employees may continue to have access to MyGCHR through their NRCan laptop. However, transactions should not be entered into the system after the OIC date. Access to systems will be re-established at ECCC once the transfer is complete.

Will active labour relations, staffing, harassment and violence prevention, or official languages files continue?

Yes. Active files will continue to be managed appropriately and confidentially throughout the transition. NRCan will ensure the transition of files to ECCC.

Who should employees contact for HR or pay questions?

Employees should contact their managers first who have been provided with contacts. ECCC and NRCan will work together to appropriately respond to pay-related questions until pay files are transferred. HR support will be provided by ECCC once the OIC comes into effect.

Workforce Adjustment (WFA)

Will the transfer trigger WFA?

No.

Will employees affected by WFA be impacted?

No. Existing WFA status remains unchanged.

How does this affect Early Retirement Incentive (ERI) requests?

The transition will not impact ERI requests. Employees considering the ERI must ensure they submit their application before the July 24, 2026, deadline.

Work Location and Hybrid Work

Will employees have to relocate?

Employees in the Office of Energy Efficiency (OEE) programs and energy-efficient transportation programs (incl. Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Program, Green Freight Program, SmartWay, SmartDriver, personal vehicle programs and their related policy functions, and Greening Government Operations Fleet team) will continue to report to 580 Booth Street until at least August 2027.

Internal Services employees are encouraged to report to the workplace of their respective teams at the earliest opportunity to support a smooth integration process. Workplace transition arrangements will be discussed with employees.

Will hybrid work expectations change?

Current work arrangements, including hybrid schedules, remain in place. Owing to space constraints, work points for program employees at 580 Booth Street will support up to three days per week in-office presence during the transition period.

What happens to telework and accommodation agreements?

Existing telework agreements and accommodation arrangements remain in effect. Employees whose managers change are encouraged to review arrangements with their new manager, and accommodations will continue to be respected and supported.

Systems, IT and Security

Will employees continue to use NRCan systems?

Yes. Employees will retain access to NRCan systems and networks during the transition period as required to perform their work, until ECCC confirms full operational availability. This approach is necessary owing to technological limitations.

Will employees receive new devices?

Employees will be provided with an ECCC laptop after the OIC comes into effect. Employees will also continue to have access to and use their NRCan laptop unless otherwise advised.

What will happen to current security passes and clearances?

Security clearances will transfer. Employees will continue using current building passes and will receive ECCC credentials as required.

Change Management and Support

Will there be communication sent out before the OIC letting staff know what they should do in preparation? If so, when will we get it?

Yes. ECCC has prepared onboarding materials, including a welcome email to provide preliminary and timely information and instructions on day one.

What will be included in ECCC’s onboarding package, and when can employees expect to receive it?

The onboarding package covers key HR topics for new ECCC employees (pay and leave, learning and development, performance management, occupational health and safety, workplace wellness, accessibility, accommodation, diversity, equity and inclusion, and values and ethics), along with finance, IT, security, and emergency management, and an overview of the department’s mandate, structure, and corporate processes.

Onboarding will be delivered through virtual information sessions to address common questions.

How will employees be supported?

ECCC and NRCan are working together to ensure a respectful, people-centric transition with ongoing communication, onboarding materials, and engagement sessions.

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