Natural Resources Canada’s 2023–24 Departmental results report: at a glance

Actual spending: $452,443,201

Actual human resources: 1,430

Departmental results achieved:

• Canadians have access to cutting-edge research to inform decisions on the management of natural resources;
• Communities and officials have the tools to safeguard Canadians from natural hazards and explosives;
• Communities and industries are adapting to climate change.

NRCan’s science and research played a key role in the development of programs, policies and technologies that build resilience to climate-related hazards that keep Canadian communities safe. In 2023-24, the Government of Canada remained committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 to avert the worst impacts of climate change and continued to work in collaboration with federal, provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous groups, local governments and academia to achieve this goal.

NRCan provided geospatial data to inform science and data mapping for federal government departments, provinces and territories, industry, the public and international science organizations. Geospatial standards, tools, policies and governance approaches allowed for consistent access to information and ensured that Canada’s geospatial expertise and science are coordinated across government levels. Satellite Earth observation through initiatives like the RADARSAT Constellation Mission collected invaluable information on our lands and waters which enabled NRCan to produce maps that facilitated responses to natural disasters and informed climate change adaptation. Satellite imagery accessed through the Emergency Geomatics Services continued to provide near real-time information to enable emergency services and communities to respond to natural hazards, such as wildfires. The Department also worked with Indigenous groups during the Fwd50 conference to discuss how Indigenous knowledge and perspective are integrated with NRCan science by obtaining a more complete understanding of the cumulative effects of natural resource development on Indigenous territories and rights.

To further advance climate change adaptation and make our communities safer, NRCan contributed to the launch of Canada’s first National Adaptation Strategy (NAS), which included the new Climate-Resilient Coastal Communities Program and builds on the renewed Climate Change Adaptation Program. NRCan is also leading the Economy and Workers System of the NAS to increase the resiliency and reliability of Canada’s supply chains while advancing diverse opportunities for the workforce through education and skills development to respond to future impacts of climate change. The Climate Change Geoscience Program provided research and data that informed adaptation and mitigation decisions, particularly in areas susceptible to climate change impacts such as coastal areas, alpine and Northern communities. To reduce the risk against wildfires and protect Canadian communities, NRCan advanced the Wildfire Resilient Futures Initiative by expanding the FireSmart Canada program across the country. FireSmart leads the development of resources and programs to help Canadians build capacity and increase resilience to wildfires while supporting community-based wildfire prevention and mitigation projects.

NRCan’s efforts toward climate change mitigation included the expansion of the Flood Hazard Identification and Mapping Program (FHIMP) to complete flood hazard maps of higher-risk areas in Canada and make this information accessible. These maps will inform decision-making in support of planning land use, flood mitigation, adaptation to the changing climate, and protection of lives and properties.

To support the reduction of GHG emissions, the 2 Billion Trees Program progressed toward the Government of Canada’s goal of planting two billion incremental trees over ten years by supporting agreements to plant over 553 million trees in 11 provinces and territories. Tree planting also helps restore habitats for species at risk and creates forest ecosystems on lands damaged by wildfire and pests.

More information about Natural Resource Science and Risk Mitigation can be found in the ‘Results – what we achieved” section of the full departmental results report.

Actual spending: $1,911,951,581

Actual human resources: 2,152

Departmental results achieved:

• Natural resource sectors are innovative;
• Clean technologies and energy efficiencies enhance economic performance;
• Canada’s natural resources are sustainable.

In support of Canada’s target to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, NRCan invested in innovative measures to assist the clean energy transition while strengthening existing measures that fight climate change. Sustainable natural resource development is central to achieving long term goals and NRCan conducted research and supported efforts to advance the mining, forestry, and energy sectors towards the economy of tomorrow.

To accelerate the development of clean energy technologies and solutions, NRCan invested over $170 million in 344 energy research, development, and demonstration projects. The Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program (SREPs) continued to support projects that supply clean, reliable and affordable power to Canadian electrical grids. As of March 31, 2024, the program approved funding for 69 deployment projects, enabling the deployment of approximately 2,588 megawatts of new renewable energy capacity and displacing approximately 3.3 megatonnes of greenhouse gas emissions per year.

Improving energy efficiency is critical to achieving Canada’s climate goals. NRCan’s Energy Efficiency Program promoted energy efficient technologies, products and practices in homes, buildings, communities, and industry. Initiatives such as the Oil to Heat Pump Affordability Grant Program continued to facilitate the transition from oil to heat pumps, thereby improving energy efficiency in homes of low- to median-income Canadians.

To promote greater use of clean fuels, NRCan administered the $1.5 billion Clean Fuels Fund to grow clean fuel production capacity in Canada. NRCan also advanced the construction of electric vehicle charging infrastructure through delivering the Zero Emission Vehicle Infrastructure Programming which provided funding to support the deployment of 42,244 new EV chargers as of March 31, 2024. The Zero Emission Vehicle Awareness Initiative supported projects that work to increase awareness of zero-emission vehicles and public charging and refueling infrastructure that enabled greater adoption of zero emission vehicles in Canada.

To embrace the revival of nuclear energy, NRCan launched the Small Modular Reactors (SMR) program to bring power to more Canadians while helping decarbonize heavy emitting industries. The Department will support provinces and territories in their efforts to develop supply chains, while advancing work to address nuclear waste.

Through the Regional Energy and Resource Tables, the government has been working with provinces and territories – in collaboration with Indigenous partners as well as business, labour and academia – to identify key economic priorities to accelerate the development of a low-carbon future. These include carbon management, clean electricity, clean fuels, critical minerals, forestry and regulatory efficiency.

To date, Regional Tables have been launched with seven provinces and all three territories. In addition, we have established the Canada-Alberta Working Group as an alternative mechanism, and discussions are underway with Quebec to work together through a tailored approach.

More information about Innovative and Sustainable Natural Resources Development can be found in the ‘Results – what we achieved” section of the full departmental results report.

Actual spending: $874,439,244

Actual human resources: 613

Departmental results achieved:

• Access to new and priority markets for Canada’s natural resources is enhanced;
• Canadians are engaged in the future of the new and inclusive resource economy;
• Enhanced competitiveness of Canada’s natural resource sectors.

The abundance of Canada’s natural resources is a major driver of economic growth and job creation. To further Canada’s competitive advantage, NRCan is working to support the modernization of how natural resources are developed and to attract domestic and international investments to advance the inclusive natural resource economy.

Emerging geopolitical tensions are creating supply chain challenges and other countries are looking to Canada as a recognized global leader for critical mineral mining, energy supply and innovation. Critical minerals are an essential component to the green economy, from electric vehicles and battery storage to wind turbines and solar panels. NRCan continued to drive research and innovation to position Canada as a supplier of choice for critical minerals and materials through the Canadian Critical Minerals Strategy in collaboration with provincial, territorial and Indigenous governments, along with industry and trading partners. The $1.5 billion Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund that was launched in 2023-24 will advance clean energy and transportation infrastructure projects necessary to enable the sustainable development and expansion of critical minerals in Canada.

To promote market access abroad and position Canada as a trusted and reliable partner in energy security, NRCan negotiated with countries in Europe, the United States and the United Kingdom to advance investment and energy-related commitments. Further, NRCan’s engagements in the Indo-Pacific region through Canada’s Indo-Pacific Strategy continued to improve the resilience of our supply chains, improve business relationships, and create economic opportunities for Canadian workers. Through the Energy Transformation Task Force, announced during the March 2023 President Biden visit to Canada, Canada and the United States worked together to accelerate cooperation on critical clean energy opportunities and supply chains, especially in critical minerals and civil nuclear fuels. As the war in Ukraine continued to disrupt global energy markets, NRCan remained committed to supporting Ukraine in rebuilding its energy systems by donating energy equipment and contributed $140,000 to analyze the security of power systems in Ukraine. Domestically, NRCan implemented the Canada-Ukraine Science Partnership Initiative to connect Ukrainian scientific professionals to employment opportunities in Canada.

In support of clean fuel technology and Canada’s Hydrogen Strategy, NRCan published a progress report that highlighted progress on recommendations for low-carbon hydrogen projects representing $100 billion in investments. In addition, the Department advanced the Canada-Germany Hydrogen Alliance to accelerating hydrogen trade by signing a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a first-of-its-kind program for a dedicated Bilateral Window through Germany’s H2Global Foundation which is a first step in establishing a transatlantic hydrogen trade corridor.

NRCan also worked to reduce GHG emissions from oil and gas emissions by developing policies designed to support the decarbonization of the oil and gas sector such as investing in carbon capture technology and lower-carbon energy sources. Diversification into low carbon solutions supported sustainable jobs and the demand for skilled labor in the energy sector.

Within Canada, NRCan engaged with provinces and territories from across the country to encourage collaborative action in sustainable resource management. NRCan co-hosted the Energy and Mines Ministers’ Conference with the Government of Quebec, where federal, provincial and territorial ministers met to discuss collective priorities to advance energy and mining development across the country. To increase competitiveness in the forest sector, the Forest Innovation Program supported innovation to accelerate growth in Canada’s forest sector bioeconomy. Through investments in research, development and technology transfer, NRCan developed PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, i.e. forever chemicals) free grease resistant paper and board for restaurant use as an alternative to quick-service plastic products.

NRCan advanced reconciliation and Canada’s United Nations Declaration on the right of Indigenous Peoples Act (UNDA) commitments by creating the conditions for deeper relationships and ongoing collaboration with Indigenous partners across the country. In 2023-24, NRCan conducted a national engagement process that led to the development of a National Benefits-Sharing Framework that ensures that First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities directly benefit from natural resource projects in their territories, including opportunities for Indigenous groups to participate as equity partners in major projects. The Department is also leading measures to regulate natural resource projects to increase the safety and security of Indigenous women, girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people at all development stages of resource projects.

In 2023-24, the Science and Technology Internship Program – Green Jobs invested $15.5 million to create 653 green jobs and training opportunities for youth in the natural resource sector, including energy, forestry, mining and earth sciences. The program contributes to advancing Canada’s green economy while supporting the participation of youth from employment equity groups, including women, Indigenous youth, racialized youth, youth with disabilities, along with youth in northern and remote communities.

More information about Globally Competitive Natural Resource Sectors can be found in the ‘Results – what we achieved” section of the full departmental results report.