Horizontal Initiatives
General Information
| Name of horizontal initiative | Major Projects Management Office Initiative (MPMOI) |
|---|---|
| Lead department | Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) |
| Federal partner organizations |
|
| Non-federal and non-governmental partner(s) | Not applicable |
| Start date of the horizontal initiative |
Second renewal start date of the horizontal initiative's funding allocation: April 1, 2015. |
| End date of the horizontal initiative | March 31, 2020 |
| Total federal funding allocated (start to end date) (dollars) | $135 million |
| Funding contributed by non-federal and non-governmental partners | Not applicable |
| Description of the horizontal initiative | Established in 2007 to improve the performance of the review process for major natural resource projects, the MPMOI is a horizontal initiative across 12 federal departments and agencies. The Initiative was renewed in 2015 for $135 million over five years to ensure: that Canada remains a competitive and attractive location to invest; high environmental standards are upheld; and meaningful Indigenous consultations are conducted. The Major Projects Deputy Ministers' Committee serves as the governance body for the implementation of the Cabinet Directive on Improving the Performance of the Regulatory System for Major Resource Projects. |
| Shared outcome | Improved performance of the federal review process for major resource projects in support of sustainable resource development in Canada, and regulatory decisions that hold the confidence of Canadians. |
| Governance structures | The Cabinet Directive on Improving the Performance of the Regulatory System for Major Resource Projects establishes the governance framework for federal departments and agencies to facilitate the effective, coordinated and concurrent discharge of their statutory duties, functions and obligations related to the regulation of major resource projects. It encourages them to work together to identify areas where the federal regulatory system can be improved, and to drive system-wide improvements to the accountability, transparency, timeliness and predictability of the federal regulatory system for major resource projects. The Minister of Natural Resources is the lead minister for the MPMOI. He works with his counterparts to report to Cabinet on improvements to the federal review process and reports to Parliament and the public through NRCan’s Annual Report. The Major Projects Deputy Ministers' Committee governs the Initiative, providing direction to resolve project and policy matters in keeping with the Cabinet Directive. Members include Deputy Minister level representatives from: NRCan (Chair), Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, Infrastructure Canada, Health Canada, Justice, Privy Council Office, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, and the National Energy Board. The Committee is supported by the Major Projects Management Office officials who provide overarching management and coordination of the federal regulatory system for major resource projects, and deliver strategic policy advice, analysis and other information to support the sound functioning of this horizontal initiative. Interdepartmental working groups of MPMO Initiative partners at the Assistant Deputy Minister, Director General and working levels meet regularly to advance the coherent delivery of the MPMO mandate. |
| Performance highlights |
The MPMOI has continued to advance the timely delivery of effective project reviews while delivering improvements to the federal regulatory system. All projects under the MPMO Initiative with a completed environmental assessment process report; having met their legislated timelines and regulatory permitting service standards and timelines; implementation and system-wide awareness of clear and predictable roles and responsibilities; and meeting daily tracking targets of issues for discussion across the Initiative. Taken together, horizontal cooperation across the Initiative continues to deliver high quality information to support coherent project reviews under Canada’s existing legislative framework and in keeping with the Interim principles. Consistent and meaningful consultation with Indigenous peoples continues to be a key objective of the Initiative. All responsible departments report having developed consultation work plans in order to integrate Indigenous consultation into the environmental assessment process. 80% of Deputy Ministers that participate in the Initiative reported that they were satisfied or very satisfied with how advice is advanced on horizontal issues, exceeding the 70% target set for 2015-16. An example of important cross-cutting work led by the MPMO Initiative included: 1) the development of transition advice for government on the natural resource sector; and 2) advice to advance the Government’s commitment to review and restore confidence in Canada’s environmental and regulatory processes. |
| Comments on variances |
TC had a variance of $237,924 as a result of cancelled activities in their Marine Safety (Navigation Protection Program). INAC had a variance of $371,731 largely as a result of lower spending on planned travel and engagement. DFO had a variance of $130,004 as a result of lower than expected spending in their Fisheries Protection Program (e.g., travel), and delays in staffing. |
| Results to be achieved by non-federal and non-governmental partners | Not applicable |
| Contact information | Mollie Johnson, Director General Major Projects Management Office Natural Resources Canada 580 Booth Street, 12th Floor Ottawa, ON K1A0E4 |
Planning Information
Key Objective Area (KOA) 1: Environmental Assessment/Regulatory Review, Decision Making and Post-Approval Follow-Up and Compliance Monitoring (Scientific/Technical Expert Capacity; Proponent Support and System Integration; Policy and Reporting; Legal Services) *
*Note, some of these resources reported under KOA #1 (related to the four business lines listed above) may also support KOA #2 (Indigenous consultation)
|
Federal organizations |
Link to department's Program Alignment Architecture |
Contributing programs and activities |
Total allocation (from start to end date) (dollars) |
2015–16 Planned spending (dollars) |
2015–16 Actual spending (dollars) |
2015–16 Expected results |
2015–16 Actual results against Targets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
CEAA |
P1a. Environmental Assessment Delivery |
Determining whether an EA is required, undertaking analysis of potential impacts of a designated project on the environment and Indigenous rights and treaty rights, undertaking Indigenous consultations, preparing EA decision statements, and compliance and enforcement |
33,540,910 |
6,708,182 |
6,708,182 |
1. Timely EA and regulatory decisions for major projects 2. Federal roles and responsibilities for major project reviews are clear and predictable 3. Regular tracking of projects and identification of issues that need resolution 4. Integrated and robust advice supports improvements to the major project review process 5.High quality EAs |
1a.Target: 100% of major project EAs meet legislated timelines (CEAA, NEB, CNSC reviews) Actual: As of March 31, 2016, all 47 projects that completed the environment assessment process under the MPMO Initiative met the target. The average federal time to complete an environmental assessment was 15.6 months. 1.b Target: 90% of major project EAs meet service standards; and 100% meet regulated timelines Actual: As of March 31, 2016, 100% of major project regulatory permitting processes under the Fisheries Act, met their service standards and regulated timelines. As of March 31, 2016, 100% of major project regulatory permitting issued under ECCC met their service standards and regulated timelines. 2.Target: MPMOI has set out clear and predictable federal roles and responsibilities for 100% of major project reviews. Actual: As of March 31, 2016, the MPMOI had 93 projects under its management and oversight. All projects met the target. Results can be attributed to projects receiving one-on-one guidance from the MPMO throughout all stages of the project review process. 3. Target: Daily tracking of project activities, and the identification of issues that need resolution. Actual: As of March 31, 2016, project issues were tracked on a daily basis and summaries of project issues were regularly shared with MPMO DM Committee members for their discussion and resolution. 4.Target: 70% of MPMO DMs are satisfied or very satisfied with how advice is advanced on horizontal issues Actual: As of March 31, 2016, 80% of MPMO DMs were satisfied or very satisfied with how advice was advanced on horizontal issues. Specifically, DMs or their delegates consistently noted that the decision-making structure supporting the MPMO Initiative was critical to organizing consistent, whole of government advice to an incoming government. 5.Targets: a. 100%of relevant federal departments provide information/ knowledge/advice to CEAA for standard EAs Actual: In accordance with section 20 of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012, federal departments must make available to the Agency, expert knowledge and information. During the 2015-16 fiscal year, 100% of federal departments provided information and knowledge into the environmental assessment process as required. b.100% relevant federal departments participate in CEAA Review Panel/NEB/CNSC public hearings. Actual: During the 2015-16 fiscal year, no CEAA Review Panel public hearings occurred. All relevant federal departments participated in the NEB reviews that took place during the 2015-16 fiscal year. There were no CEAA projects that went to the commission for a decision during the 2015-2016 reporting period. c. 90% of projects undergoing follow-up and monitoring for which CEAA received a report during the reporting period that indicated that the mitigation measures set out in the EA decision statement would effectively address the environmental effects of the project. Actual: On March 31, 2016, the CEAA received annual reports from two project proponents. At that time, the CEAA had not made a determination as to whether these reports contained the required information. d. 90% of projects where adaptive management measures undertaken by the proponent and reported to CEAA led to effectively addressing the environmental effects of the project Actual: Construction of projects subject to CEAA 2012 is ongoing. As a result, it is unable to report on this indicator. |
|
P1b. Environmental Assessment Policy |
Supporting development of horizontal policies or procedures and developing and implementing ongoing improvements to the EA process for major projects |
3,804,845 |
760,969 |
760,969 |
|||
|
DFO |
2.2 Fisheries Protection Program |
Providing information or knowledge on fish, fish habitat, and aquatic species at risk in support of EAs, applying regulatory review and permitting processes under the Fisheries Act and Species at Risk Act, supporting development of horizontal policies and procedures and ensuring departmental implementation of ongoing improvements to the review process for major projects |
26,436,064 |
5,264,420 |
5,215,982 |
||
|
NRCan |
1.3.5 Major Projects Management Office Initiative |
Providing a single window for proponents and overarching management of major project reviews and providing horizontal leadership across the federal government to advance improvements to the major project review process |
19,662,979 |
3,932,410 |
4,118,765 |
||
|
TC |
2.3 Environmental Stewardship of Transportation |
Providing information or knowledge on transportation-related environmental impacts during the EA process |
6,920,099 |
1,384,020 |
1,384,020 |
||
|
3.2.3 Marine Safety (Navigation Protection Program) |
Providing information or knowledge on impacts to navigable waters during the EA and regulatory permitting processes and developing and implementing ongoing improvements to the review process for major projects |
4,858,921 |
971,784 |
733,860 |
|||
|
ECCC |
1.1 Biodiversity-Wildlife and Habitat |
Providing expertise on wildlife and habitat during the EA and regulatory permitting processes |
2,442,365 |
488,473 |
439,569 |
||
|
1.2 Water Resources |
Providing expertise on hydrologic, water quantity and hydraulic impacts during the EA process |
531,145 |
106,229 |
97,813 |
|||
|
1.3 Sustainable Ecosystems |
Providing information or knowledge on environmental impacts during the EA process and developing and implementing ongoing improvements to the review process for major projects |
1,218,675 |
413,827 |
550,508 |
|||
|
2.1 Weather and Environmental Services for Canadians |
Providing information or knowledge on hydrological and climate change impacts during the EA process |
531,145 |
106,229 |
127,580 |
|||
|
|
3.1 Substances and Waste Management |
Providing information or knowledge on mining and processing during the EA and regulatory permitting processes |
2,592,730 |
509,031 |
519,844 |
||
|
|
3.2 Climate Change and Clean Air |
Providing support on climate modeling and GHG gas emissions during the EA process |
693,490 |
138,698 |
159,744 |
||
|
INAC |
4.3.1 Petroleum and Minerals |
Providing information or knowledge on land management and Indigenous title and consultation in the North during the EA process and developing and implementing ongoing improvements to the review process for major projects |
1,562,202 |
312,440 |
323,344 |
||
|
3.3 Strategic Partnerships |
Implementing ongoing improvements to the review process for major projects |
594,952 |
118,990 |
591,068 |
|||
|
3.2.1 Land and Economic Development Services (note: this sub-program area may be subject to change in the future) |
Providing information or knowledge on land management and Indigenous title and consultation during the EA process and developing and implementing ongoing improvements to the review process for major projects |
2,339,120 |
467,825 |
282,726 |
|||
|
Total for all federal organizations (KOA 1) |
108,638,593 |
21,704,926 |
22,013,974 |
||||
Key Objective Area 2: Indigenous Consultation
(CEAA also undertakes Indigenous consultation activities, which are included in the funding reported under KOA #1)
|
Federal organizations |
Link to department's Program Alignment Architecture |
Contributing programs and activities |
Total allocation (from start to end date) (dollars) |
2015–16 Planned spending (dollars) |
2015–16 Actual spending (dollars) |
2015–16 Expected results |
2015–16 Actual results against Targets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
DFO
|
2.2 Fisheries Protection Program |
Supporting consultations during EAs and undertaking consultations in relation to regulatory decisions under the Fisheries Act and Species at Risk Act to meet duty to consult obligations |
6,558,190 |
1,311,638 |
1,230,072 |
1. Indigenous consultation activities for major projects are fulfilled in a consistent, adequate and meaningful manner, and meet the Crown's legal duty to consult |
Target: a. 100% of major project reviews with a Crown consultation component that have an Indigenous consultation work plan Actual: For reviews conducted under the responsibility of CEA Agency, results for 2015-16 were 100% met. In accordance with the Cabinet Directive on improving the performance of the regulatory system for Major Resource Projects, Aboriginal consultation plans must be developed for all major resource projects undergoing environmental assessment. In addition, the Agency develops aboriginal consultation work plans for all environmental assessment under the former Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 in order to integrate Aboriginal consultation into the environmental assessment process to the greatest extent. For reviews under the responsibility of the NEB – For reviews under the responsibility of CNSC – For post-EA regulatory permitting under the responsibility of the MPMO (with input from DFO, ECCC, TC, NRCan) – As of March 31, 2016, 100% of projects met the target. During this period, 10 major projects entered the regulatory permitting phase of the project review process. Following the submission of a complete permitting application(s) by each proponent, the implicated regulatory department(s) prepared Aboriginal consultation workplan(s) as described in the Cabinet Directive on Improving the Performance of the Regulatory System for Major Resource Projects. Target: b. 100% of major project reviews for which DOJ, when requested, assesses the legal risk arising as a result of federal consultation efforts as low to medium. Actual: As of March 31, 2016, 100% of all projects requested to have an assessment were given a legal risk assessment of low to medium. Target: c. Decreasing trend of legal challenges to major project reviews (including Indigenous consultation) where the Crown is not successful
Actual: Of the 5 legal challenges to a major project review which concluded between April 1, 2015 and March 31, 2016, there were no successful litigations against the Crown. |
|
ECCC |
1.3 Sustainable Ecosystems |
Supporting consultations during EAs and undertaking consultations in relation to regulatory decisions under the Fisheries Act, the Migratory Birds Convention Act, the Species at Risk Act and the International River Improvements Act to meet duty to consult obligations |
2,522,930 |
504,586 |
403,309 |
||
|
INAC
|
3.2.1 Lands and Economic Development Services Note: This sub-program area may be subject to change in the future |
Providing early engagement and developing partnerships in the project development stage and prior to a major project reviews, and analyzing economic development opportunities respecting major projects |
1,358,577 |
271,715 |
153,355 |
||
|
4.3.1 Petroleum and Minerals |
Providing early engagement and developing partnerships in the project development stage and prior to a major project reviews, and analyzing economic development opportunities respecting major projects |
898,974 |
179,794 |
132,509 |
|||
|
1.2.3 Consultation and Accommodation |
Providing information, analysis, training and guidance on issues to facilitate a whole-of-government approach to consultations |
1,189,903 |
237,980 |
31,894 |
|
||
|
TC |
2.3 Environmental Stewardship of Transportation |
Supporting consultations during EAs to meet duty to consult obligations |
2,750,420 |
550,084 |
550,084 |
|
|
|
3.2.3 Marine Safety (Navigation Protection Program) |
Supporting consultations during EAs and undertaking consultations in relation to regulatory decisions under the Navigation Protection Act to meet duty to consult obligations |
|
|||||
|
Total for all federal organizations (KOA 2) |
15,278,994 |
3,055,797 |
1,951,139 |
|
|||
Internal Services (IS)
|
Federal organizations |
Total allocation (from start to end date) (dollars) |
2015–16 Planned spending (dollars) |
2015–16 Actual spending (dollars) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
CEAA |
2,654,245 |
530,849 |
530,849 |
|
DFO |
2,005,746 |
423,942 |
423,942 |
|
NRCan |
1,337,021 |
267,590 |
267,590 |
|
TC |
2,970,560 |
594,112 |
594,112 |
|
ECCC |
1,057,640 |
232,929 |
230,976 |
|
INAC |
1,056,272 |
211,256 |
211,256 |
|
Total (IS) |
11,081,484 |
2,260,678 |
2,258,725 |
|
TOTAL MPMOI (KOA1, KOA2, IS) |
135,000,000 |
27,000,000 |
26,223,838 |
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