2019-20 Introduction to the Departmental Sustainable Development Strategy

Reduce GHG emissions from Transport Canada buildings through renovations at identified facilities, which will include the following energy efficient upgrades:

• lighting upgrades (LED lighting)
• central heating/cooling
• effective space utilization
• reduce plug-load demand

Conduct a carbon-neutral study and develop a road-map to reduce GHG emissions by 40% by 2030 and 80% by 2050 within Transport Canada operations

Conduct a partial recommissioning project at one Transport Canada facility to improve energy efficiency^{Footnote 1}

Starting point:^{Footnote 2}

GHG emissions from facilities in fiscal year 2005 to 2006 (base year) = 4.453 ktCO₂e

GHG emissions from facilities in fiscal year 2017 to 2018 =  3.821 ktCO₂e

Percentage (%) change in GHG emissions from facilities from fiscal year 2005 to 2006 to fiscal year 2017 to 2018 = 14.2% decrease

Performance indicators:

• Percentage (%) change in GHG emissions from facilities from fiscal year 2005 to 2006 to fiscal year 2019 to 2020
• Carbon Neutral Study and roadmap completed
• Recommissioning project completed

• 12.4% reduction in GHG emissions from facilities from fiscal year 2005 to 2006 to fiscal year 2019 to 2020
• Completed and circulated Transport Canada's Carbon Neutral Study and Roadmap to relevant departmental sectors for implementation
• Recommissioning project underway at Sept-Iles airport

Contribution to FSDS goal/target: 

Renovating and upgrading Transport Canada's buildings to become more energy efficient will result in reduced GHG emissions, directly contributing to the Government of Canada's goal to reduce its GHG emissions by 40% by 2030

Implementing Transport Canada's Carbon Neutral Study and Roadmap will help to improve the energy efficiency of Transport Canada's buildings through prioritizing strategic investments in building upgrades

For buildings where major upgrades are not required, implementing recommissioning projects will help to ensure optimal performance of existing mechanical systems, leading to reduced GHG emissions from Transport Canada's real property portfolio

Contribution to UNSDGs:

UN SDG Target 9.4- By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities

UN SDG Target 13.1- Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries

UN SDG Target 13.2- Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning

Conduct a thorough review and analysis of the current on-road vehicle fleet to determine feasibility of including more low-emission vehicle options, including zero-emission vehicles (ZEV), where operationally appropriate; and to align with government-wide efforts on zero-emission vehicle targets for future fleet acquisitions

Starting Point:^{Footnote 3}

GHG emissions from fleet in fiscal year 2005 to 2006 (base year): = 60.507 ktCO₂e

GHG emissions from fleet in

fiscal year 2017 to 2018 = 53.804 ktCO₂e

Percentage (%) change in GHG emissions from fleet from fiscal year 2005 to 2006 to fiscal year 2017 to 2018 = 4.1 % decrease

18 percent (%) ZEV purchases in fiscal year 2017 to 2018

Performance Indicators:

• Percentage (%) change in GHG emissions from fleet from fiscal year 2005 to 2006 to fiscal year 2019 to 2020
• Percentage (%) of new light-duty administrative fleet vehicles that are ZEV
• By March 31, 2020^{Footnote 4}, data collected from telematics devices installed on Transport Canada's administrative fleet will be analyzed to inform future fleet purchases

• 17.8% reduction in GHG emissions from Transport Canada's administrative fleet from fiscal year 2005 to 2006 to fiscal year 2019 to 2020
• As of 2019 to 2020, 11% of Transport Canada's light-duty administrative fleet vehicles are ZEVs
• As of 2019 to 2020, Transport Canada has received two reports with the analysis of our administrative fleet based on the data collected from the telematics devices. The reports also include recommendations for the purchase of ZEVs that meet Transport Canada needs

Contribution to FSDS goal/target: 

Transport Canada is working towards modernizing its light-duty administrative fleet by using telematics to better understand the current use of the fleet in order to make informed decisions on future vehicle purchases and to right-size the fleet by not replacing under-utilized vehicles. These actions will lead to a reduction in GHG emissions from Transport Canada's administrative fleet

Contribution to UNSDGs:

UN SDG Target 13.1- Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries

UN SDG Target 13.2- Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning

Support the reduction of GHG emissions through procurement processes by undertaking the following activities:

• train specialists in procurement and acquisition cardholders on green procurement using the Canada School of Public Service Green Procurement course, or equivalent
• purchase copy paper from the Standing Offer that contains a minimum 30% recycled content and that is certified to a recognized environmental standard to reduce the environmental impact of its production

Starting Point:

As of 2016 to 2017, 135 procurement specialists and acquisition cardholders at Transport Canada have been trained on green procurement; and 100% of copy paper was purchased from the Standing Offer

Performance indicators:

• Percentage (%) of specialists in procurement and material management who have completed training on green procurement
• 100% of copy paper purchases will contain a minimum of 30% recycled content and be certified to a recognized environmental standard to reduce the impact of its production^{Footnote 5}

• In 2019 to 2020, 100% of Transport Canada's new procurement specialists and acquisition cardholders were trained in green procurement using the Canada School of Public Service Green Procurement course
• In 2019 to 2020, 100% of Transport Canada's copy paper purchases were ordered from the Standing Offer with a minimum of 30% recycled content and certified to a recognized environmental standard to reduce the impact of its production

Contribution to FSDS goal/target:  

Procurement specialists and acquisition cardholders who are trained in green procurement can apply environmental criteria to the purchase of products or award contracts for services to suppliers with a reduced GHG footprint. This is expected to motivate suppliers to reduce GHG emissions associated with their goods, services and supply chains

By ensuring that all copy paper is purchased from the Standing Offer that requires a minimum of 30% recycled content and certified to a recognized environmental standard, this supports and encourages suppliers to continue producing paper with a low environmental impact

Contribution to UNSDGs:

UN SDG Target 12.7- Promote public procurement practices that are sustainable, in accordance with national policies and priorities

Address GHG emissions from business travel through the following activities:

• update and promote Transport Canada's Green Meeting Guide and Green Meetings webpage to reduce the need for business travel
• update Transport Canada's Green Commute webpage and promote sustainable commuting options for employees through various outreach initiatives such as:
• lobby displays
• publishing information articles on our "myTC" intranet
• highlighting a commuter challenge
• Environment Week

Starting point:

In 2016, Transport Canada launched the Guide to Green Meetings, an easy how-to manual to help employees organize green meetings, and in turn help the department to reduce its GHG emissions from unnecessary business travel

Transport Canada has had a Green Commute Program in place for many years to encourage and promote sustainable commuting options (e.g. cycling, transit, walking, carpooling etc.) for departmental employees

Performance Indicators: ^{Footnote 6}

• By March 31, 2018, Green Meeting Guide updated
• By March 31, 2020^{Footnote 7}/^{Footnote 8} Green Commute Program webpage updated and promotion of sustainable commuting options

• As of March 31, 2018, Transport Canada's Green Meeting Guide was updated with relevant new information and links to digital tools to enable employees to host a green meeting
• As of March 31, 2020, Transport Canada's Green Commute Program webpage was not updated with information about the Greening Government Strategy, however, the sustainable commuting information available on the webpage is still relevant. In addition, sustainable commuting options were promoted during Green Commute Month, celebrated each year during the month of May, with activities and events to raise awareness and get Transport Canada employees involved

Contribution to FSDS goal/target:  

By keeping Transport Canada's Green Meeting Guide updated with new useful information and links to new digital tools, Transport Canada employees will be able to easily host green meetings, avoiding unnecessary business travel and therefore reducing Transport Canada's GHG emissions from air related business travel

By providing up-to-date sustainable commuting information through our internal website and initiatives such as Green Commute Month, employees can make informed decisions about their daily commuting habits

Contribution to UNSDGs:

UN SDG Target 12.8- By 2030, ensure that people everywhere have the relevant information and awareness for sustainable development and lifestyles in harmony with nature

UN SDG Target 13.3- Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning

• Identify and understand climate change risks and vulnerabilities to Canada's transportation system that could potentially affect Transport Canada's mandate, policies, assets, programs, services and overall operations
• Integrate climate change considerations into Transport Canada's departmental planning, policies, programs, services and overall operations
• Continue to incorporate climate change considerations into Transport Canada's corporate risk planning process

Starting Point:

In 2012, Transport Canada completed a climate risk scan which informed the development of the department's first departmental adaptation plan (2013 to 2016). This plan had a key focus on improving Transport Canada's integration of climate change into decision making

Performance Indicators:^{Footnote 9}

• Transport Canada's climate risk scan updated by Fall 2019
• Transport Canada's next adaptation plan developed by March 2020
• Corporate risk and business continuity plans integrate climate change considerations, on an ongoing basis

• Transport Canada's risk scan was updated by March 31, 2019 and a risk assessment completed by February 2020, through a series of meetings with representatives across the department
• As the risk assessment took longer than anticipated, the development of Transport Canada's next adaptation plan was not completed by March 31, 2020, but is currently underway
• Climate risk and adaptation considerations continued to be incorporated into Transport Canada's corporate risk planning and reporting processes. Additionally, Transport Canada's Business Continuity Plan accounts for natural disasters and extreme weather

Contribution to FSDS goal/target:  

The completion of a  departmental climate risk assessment to better understand current and potential risks to Transport Canada is a foundational step towards building resilience.

Further, the adaptation plan under development will help Transport Canada address climate change risks to its assets, services and operations.

Integration of climate change considerations in Transport Canada's corporate risk processes and Business Continuity Planning proactively supports the reduction of potential climate risks to the department and its operations

Contribution to UNSDGs:

UN SDG Target 13.1- Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries

UN SDG Target 13.2- Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning

Implement the Transportation Assets Risk Assessment initiative (TARA) to^{Footnote 10}:

• support risk assessments of federally-owned transportation infrastructure
• support research and analysis on risk assessments and adaptation solutions that directly link to federally-owned infrastructure
• share information and analysis with the broader transportation sector to aid in spurring action and increasing the understanding of risks and potential solutions that can be employed

Starting Point:

Budget 2017 announced investments of up to $16.35 million over five years, beginning in 2017 to 2018, to better understand climate risks to federal transportation assets. Work under the Transportation Assets Risk Assessment initiative directly supports the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change

Performance Indicators:^{Footnote 11}

• Number of research studies funded
• Number of federal transportation assets for which the assessment of climate risk/vulnerability assessments has been completed

Targets:

• Average of four per year by the end of the funding period (number of research studies funded)* (*target shared with the Northern Transportation Adaptation Initiative)^{Footnote 12}
• At least 20 federal transportation assets assessed by 2022

• 12 research studies funded in 2019 to 2020 (1 study funded through the Transportation Assets Risk Assessment initiative, and 11 studies funded through the Northern Transportation Adaptation Initiative)
• Climate risk/vulnerability assessments for 17 federal transportation assets have been completed to-date (14 assessments were completed in 2019 to 2020)

Contribution to FSDS goal/target:  

• Climate risk assessments directly assist an asset owner/operator in gaining knowledge of its vulnerabilities to climate change and understanding potential adaptation solutions that could be employed
• TARA-supported research studies help develop understandings of climate risk that benefit multiple federal assets in both risk assessment and risk treatment

Contribution to UNSDGs:

UN SDG Target 13.1- Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries

Departmental action: Improve the accuracy of greenhouse gas (GHG) data collection through the following activities:

• analyze Transport Canada's existing GHG inventory to ensure it is as comprehensive as possible with the most up-to-date facility and fleet information
• develop national guidance and a reporting template to simplify the process for collecting Transport Canada facility data to ensure accuracy and consistency across all regions

Departmental action : Support the Government of Canada's commitment to reduce single-use plastic from operations, meetings and events:

• update Green Meeting Guide to reflect the reduction of single-use plastic from meetings and events and prepare outreach materials
• develop action plan to conduct waste audits at Transport Canada facilities^{Footnote 13}

Performance Indicators:

• By March 31, 2018, Transport Canada's GHG inventory complete and up-to-date
• By March 31, 2018, national guidance and reporting template developed and tested in one region for effectiveness^{Footnote 14}
• By March 31, 2020, Green Meeting Guide will be updated to include section on single-use plastic reduction at meeting and events and communication materials will be prepared for outreach to the department
• By March 31, 2020, action plan will be developed for conducting waste audits at Transport Canada facilities

• As of March 31, 2018, Transport Canada's GHG inventory was complete and up-to-date with the most current facility and fleet information
• As of March 31, 2018, national guidance and a reporting template for collecting GHG emissions data was developed and tested in one region. The tools are now in use across all Transport Canada regions
• As of March 31, 2020, Transport Canada's Green Meeting Guide was updated with information on single-use plastic reduction at meetings and events organized by Transport Canada
• As of March 31, 2020, an action plan has not yet been developed for conducting waste audits at Transport Canada facilities, however, a preliminary survey on waste streams and diversion rates was developed and sent out to all Transport Canada regions to collect baseline information to inform an action plan to conduct future waste audits at targeted facilities 

Contribution to FSDS goal/target:  

Transport Canada's GHG inventory was analyzed to ensure it accurately represents all of Transport Canada's assets for which GHG emissions data need to be reported. Transport Canada's data feeds into the overall Government of Canada GHG emissions report which is made available to the public

By developing national guidance and reporting templates for collecting Transport Canada's GHG emissions data, this ensures national consistency and accuracy in the information being collected across the country

By updating Transport Canada's Green Meeting Guide with information about eliminating single-use plastics at meetings and events, this contributes to the Government of Canada's overall goal to reduce single-use plastics in federal operations

By conducting preliminary waste surveys at Transport Canada facilities to collect baseline information, this will help the department to focus its efforts on facilities that produce the most waste and inform an action plan to conduct more comprehensive waste audits. The next step will be to look for opportunities to reduce our waste streams which contributes to the Government of Canada's target to reduce waste overall from federal operations

Contribution to UNSDGs:

UN SDG Target 13.3- Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning

Under the Aviation Sector Regulatory Initiative, address GHG emissions from aviation by supporting the International Civil Aviation Organization's (ICAO) development of new international standards and recommended practices and through the development and implementation of new domestic standards, and the monitoring of Canada's voluntary Action Plan in collaboration with the Canadian aviation sector^{Footnote 15}

Starting point:

Transport Canada actively leads the Government of Canada's participation at ICAO on the development of environmental standards and on topics related to reducing the impact of aviation on the environment, including contributing to the creation of a Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA), agreed to at ICAO in fall 2016

Building on the success of the world's first voluntary agreement to address GHG emissions from aviation, the Government and the Canadian aviation industry released Canada's Action Plan to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Aviation. Progress is reported in an annual report

Performance indicator:

• Percentage (%) of regulatees who comply with the regulations^{Footnote 16}

Target:

• 100% compliance (ongoing once regulations come into force)

• Regulations to implement the CO² standard and the offsetting phase of CORSIA in Canada are in development^{Footnote 17}

Contribution to FSDS goal/target:  

Canada will be implementing the CO² Emissions Standard for airplanes, which targets domestic and international emissions, and the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation , which targets international emissions only

Compliance with ICAO standards for GHG emissions will lead to reduced CO² emissions attributed to Canadian operators

Contribution to UNSDGs:

UN SDG Target 7.2- By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix

UN SDG Target 7.a- By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology

UN SDG Target 8.2- Achieve higher levels of economic productivity through diversification, technological upgrading and innovation, including through a focus on high-value added and labour-intensive sectors

UN SDG Target 8.4- Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavour to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, in accordance with the 10-year framework of programmes on sustainable consumption and production, with developed countries taking the lead

UN SDG Target 9.4- By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities

UN SDG Target 9.5- Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending

UN SDG Target 11.6- By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management

UN SDG Target 13.2- Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning

UN SDG Target 13.3- Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning

UN SDG Target 17.16- Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals in all countries, in particular developing countries

UN SDG Target 17.17- Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships

Under the Marine Sector Regulatory Initiative, address GHG emissions from maritime shipping by working with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in the development of new international standards and recommended practices for marine vessels, as well as through the implementation of new Canadian regulations^{Footnote 18}

*this departmental action also contributes to the reduction of air pollutant emissions, which supports the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy's (FSDS) ‘Safe and Healthy Communities' goal

Starting point:

During 2016 to 2017:

• 85% of instruments were aligned with domestic legislation or international standards
• Vessels were 83% in compliance with vessel emissions regulations (based on minor deficiencies observed)

Performance Indicators:

• Progress in negotiations at IMO
• Percentage (%) of instruments that are aligned with domestic legislation or international standards
• Percentage (%) of regulatees who comply with the regulations^{Footnote 19}

Targets:

• 100% of instruments are aligned with domestic legislation or international standards
• 100% compliance (ongoing once regulations come into force)

• Transport Canada participated in discussions with other countries to build consensus on a way forward
• Discussions continued to reach agreements on both technical and operational measures that reduce GHGs on a global scale
• Domestic alignment related to all other emissions remains at 85% 
• Vessel compliance for 2019 to 2020 is 94%

Contribution to FSDS goal/target:  

Working with IMO on the development of measures targeting the reduction of GHGs will contribute to international consistency and lower emissions

Contribution to UNSDGs:

UN SDG Target 3.9- By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination

UN SDG Target 7.2- By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix

UN SDG Target 7.3- By 2030, double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency

UN SDG Target 7.a- By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology

UN SDG Target 9.4- By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities

UN SDG Target 9.5- Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending

UN SDG Target 13.2- Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning

UN SDG Target 17.16- Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals in all countries, in particular developing countries

Under the Support for Vehicle GHG Emissions Regulations, support Environment and Climate Change Canada's development and implementation of GHG emission regulations for light-duty vehicles (for model years 2017 to 2025) and heavy-duty vehicles (for model years 2014 to 2018) under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, which will align with regulations in the United States

Starting point:

Environment and Climate Change Canada published the phase 2 Heavy-Duty Vehicle and Engine Greenhouse Gas Emissions Regulations in Canada Gazette Part I in March 2017 and in Canada Gazette Part II in May 2018^{Footnote 20}

From 2005 to 2016 (latest year for which data is available):

• GHG emissions intensity decreased by 15% for passenger transportation, not including off-road equipment

GHG emissions intensity decreased by 5% for freight transportation, comprised mainly of road, rail and marine transport^{Footnote 21}  

Performance Indicator:

• Change in transportation emissions intensity as measured in grams per unit of activity (e.g.: tonnes-km, passenger-km)

Target:

• Continuous improvement in emissions intensity by March 31, 2020

Note: it will only be possible to set an absolute value if the transportation sector's share of the Government of Canada's reduction targets are established and published

Based on latest available data, from 2005 to 2017:

• GHG emissions intensity decreased by 10% for on-road passenger transportation, not including off-road equipment
• GHG emissions intensity decreased by 19% for on-road freight transportation

Note: 2018 data is expected to be published in September 2020

Contribution to FSDS goal/target:  

With the existing GHG emissions regulations in place, the results show that the overall emissions performance of the on-road fleet is improving. This improvement helps to offset the increase in emissions from a growing population of on-road vehicles

The regulations will also spur private investment in the development of advanced low-carbon vehicle technologies such as ZEVs which are critical to the achievement of Canada's longer term climate goals   

Contribution to UNSDGs:

UN SDG Target 13.2- Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning

Under the ecoTECHNOLOGY for Vehicles Program, address GHG emissions through testing and evaluations of advanced technologies to support the development of regulations and industry codes and standards in order to ensure that new technologies that reduce GHG emissions can be introduced in Canada in a safe and timely manner*^{Footnote 22}

*this departmental action also contributes to the reduction of air pollutant emissions, which supports the FSDS' ‘Safe and Healthy Communities' goal

Starting Point:

• In 2016 to 2017, the program conducted 25 testing and evaluation activities. This included testing the fuel economy and aerodynamic benefits of connected and automated truck platooning technologies – a first of its kind test globally

Performance Indicator:

• Number of technologies/vehicles tested/evaluated

Target:

• Greater than, or equal to, five technologies/vehicles tested or evaluated per year^{Footnote 23}

• In 2019 to 2020 the program conducted 22 testing and evaluation activities. This included crashworthiness testing of electric vehicles, tire rolling resistance and wet grip testing, evaluating on-board sensors for heavy duty vehicle NOx emission measurement, and testing a low speed automated shuttle for development of test methodologies

Contribution to FSDS goal/target:  

Test results support development of codes, standards, and regulations that enable the safe and timely introduction of advanced technologies that reduce GHG and toxic air pollutant emissions

Contribution to UNSDGs:

UN SDG 3- Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

UN SDG 7- Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

UN SDG 9 – Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

UN SDG 13- Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Under the Heavy-Duty Vehicle (HDV) Retrofit Requirements Program, work with other federal departments, provinces, territories (FPTs) and industry to develop new requirements for heavy-duty trucks to install fuel-saving devices^{Footnote 24}

*this departmental action also contributes to the reduction of air pollutant emissions, which supports the FSDS ‘Safe and Healthy Communities' goal

Starting Point:

A commitment was made in the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change to develop requirements to retrofit in-use heavy-duty vehicles with fuel saving devices

Performance Indicator:

• Report provided to FPTs with options for implementing retrofits in heavy-duty vehicles^{Footnote 25}

Target:

In 2019 to 2020^{Footnote 26}:

• develop options for retrofitting heavy-duty vehicles, not covered by ECCC regulations (which focus on new trucks only)

• In 2019 to 2020 the Federal-Provincial- Territorial Task Force on Heavy Duty Vehicle Retrofits continued to work on their Phase 1 Report, which explores the current landscape for adoption of fuel saving devices

Contribution to FSDS goal/target:  

HDVs are the second largest contributor of GHG emissions in the transportation sector and these emissions continue to rise. Improving efficiencies in this sector is critical in achieving GHG reductions goals to mitigate climate change

Contribution to UNSDGs:

UN SDG Target 13.2- Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning

Starting point:

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the rail industry covering 2011 to 2016 was extended through to 2017

Performance Indicator:

• Change in the emissions intensity for Class 1 freight, intercity passenger and regional and short line railways

Target:

• New MOU with the Railway Association of Canada in place^{Footnote 29}

• The most recent data for this performance indicator is from 2017, which was 13.53 kg CO²e per 1000 revenue tonne kilometres – a 16.99% improvement from the 2010 baseline year and a 0.4% increase from the previous year

Note: a revenue tonne-kilometre is generated when a metric tonne of revenue load is carried one kilometre

• A new MOU with the Railway Association of Canada came into effect on March 21, 2019 covering the 2018 to 2022 reporting years.  The GHG emissions intensity targets contained in the new MOU include a 6% reduction for each of class 1 freight and intercity passenger, and a 3% reduction for regional and short line railways

Contribution to FSDS goal/target:

Improving efficiencies is critical to reaching climate change goals

Contribution to UNSDGs:

UN SDG Target 7.a- y 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology

UN SDG 9- Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

UN SDG Target 13.2- Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning

UN SDG 17- Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

Under the Truck Reservation System Program, address GHG emissions by supporting the deployment of technology projects at port and terminal facilities to improve efficiency in the movement of trucks into and out of terminal facilities at container ports and reduce truck idling*

*this departmental action also contributes to the reduction of air pollutant emissions, which supports the FSDS ‘Safe and Healthy Communities' goal

Starting point:

The Truck Reservation System Program ended March 31, 2018

• To date, 7 technology projects have been implemented under this Program

Performance indicators:

• Percentage (%) of projects completed
• Number of clean transportation technology projects implemented

Targets:

As of March 31, 2018:

• 100% of Truck Reservation System Program projects will be completed
• 10 clean transportation technologies implemented by March 31, 2018*

(*target shared with the Shore Power Technology for Ports Program)

• The Truck Reservation Systems Program ended as of March 31, 2018
• 100% of Truck Reservation System Program projects completed (8 projects over the course of the program)

Contribution to FSDS goal/target:  

Port authorities that received project funding reported productivity and environmental gains, particularly time savings in average truck turn times of approximately 10% (as a result of less truck idling and more efficient truck flows), and anticipated reductions of GHG emissions between 483 to 598 tonnes annually

Contribution to UNSDGs:

UN SDG 3- Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

UN SDG 7- Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

UN SDG 9- Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

UN SDG 13- Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Under the Shore Power Technology for Ports (SPTP) Program, address GHG emissions from the marine sector by funding the installation of marine shore power facilities at Canadian ports*

*this departmental action also contributes to the reduction of air pollutant emissions, which supports the FSDS' ‘Safe and Healthy Communities' goal

Starting point:

Since the program launch in 2012, 4 SPTP projects have been completed, including:

• upgrades and enhancements of existing shore power systems at the Port of Vancouver's Canada Place Cruise Terminal;
• installation of a shore power system at the Swartz Bay Ferry Terminal;
• installation of a cruise ship shore power system at the Port of Halifax; and,
• installation and upgrade of shore power systems at several British Columbia Ferry Services terminals

Performance Indicator:

• Number of clean transportation technology projects implemented

Target:

• 10 clean transportation technologies implemented by March 31, 2019^{Footnote 30}*

(*target shared with the Truck Reservation System Program)

• All 7 SPTP projects completed
• The final project, which was completed on March 31, 2019, was the Deltaport Third Berth Container Shore Power Project to provide container ships with the ability to connect to lower carbon emission shore power

Contribution to FSDS goal/target:  

Using shore power is an effective way of reducing emissions and improving local air quality. For example, the Port of Montreal estimated that their completed Alexandra Pier Shore Power project would lead to an annual 2,800 tonne reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The SPTP's completed projects now provide ship operators with an alternative to running diesel auxiliary engines while docked

Contribution to UNSDGs:

UN SDG 3- Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

UN SDG 7- Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

UN SDG 9- Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

UN SDG 13- Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Starting point:

A commitment was made in the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change to develop a Canada-wide strategy for zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs)

The federal government will continue to work with provinces and territories to support ZEV uptake

Performance Indicator:

• Percentage (%) of light duty vehicle sales that are ZEVs

Target:

• Determine federal approach to supporting the uptake of zero-emissions vehicles and meet new targets set in late January 2019, which are as follows: 10% of new light-duty vehicle sales to be zero-emission vehicles by 2025, 30% by 2030, and 100% by 2040^{Footnote 31}

• Transport Canada launched the Incentive for Zero-Emission Vehicles (iZEV) program to support meeting our zero-emission vehicle sales targets. This program provides a point-of-sale purchase incentive on eligible ZEVs
• Over 43,000 Canadians and Canadian businesses benefitted from iZEV in 2019 to 2020, and according to IHS Markit new zero emissions vehicle (ZEV) registrations in Canada, the ZEV market share of light-duty vehicles has risen to 3.3% in 2019 to 2020 fiscal year, up from 2.4% in 2018 to 2019 fiscal year^{Footnote 32}
• The federal departments met quarterly with provinces and territories under the Federal-Provincial-Territorial (FPT) ZEV Working Group, with an objective to share best practices and experiences to increase ZEV uptake in Canada
• Canada became a member of the International Zero-Emission Vehicle Alliance (IZEVA), an international group of national and sub-national governments working together to accelerate the adoption of zero-emission vehicles

Contribution to FSDS goal/target:  

An increase in ZEV market share indicates a shift towards a cleaner technology, contributing to lower GHG emissions in the transportation sector

Ongoing engagement with the FPT ZEV Working Group and IZEVA supports the development of policy advice on increasing ZEV uptake in Canada

Contribution to UNSDGs:

UN SDG Target 8.3- Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities, decent job creation, entrepreneurship, creativity and innovation, and encourage the formalization and growth of micro-, small- and medium-sized enterprises, including through access to financial services

UN SDG Target 8.4- Improve progressively, through 2030, global resource efficiency in consumption and production and endeavor to decouple economic growth from environmental degradation, in accordance with the 10-year framework of programs on sustainable consumption and production, with developed countries taking the lead

UN SDG Target 11.2- By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons

UN SDG Target 11.6- By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management

UN SDG Target 13.2- Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning

Through the Northern Transportation Adaptation Initiative, Transport Canada supports the research, development and testing of innovative adaptation technologies, and capacity-building efforts (for example, through adaptation outreach and engagement activities), with the goal of increasing capacity to adapt existing and future northern transportation infrastructure and operations to climate change^{Footnote 33}

Starting point:

Transport Canada has been implementing the Northern Transportation Adaptation Initiative since 2011

One of Transport Canada's key outcomes under this initiative has been the engagement of other governments (provincial, territorial), academia and private industry

Performance Indicators:

• Number of working group or network meetings, workshops and/or conferences funded^{Footnote 34}, hosted, facilitated or presented at related to transportation adaptation
• Number of research studies funded^{Footnote 35}

Targets:

• 5 per year (number of working group or network meetings, workshops and/or conferences funded, hosted, facilitated or presented at)
• Average of 4 per year by the end of the funding period^{Footnote 36} (number of  research studies funded)*

(*target shared with the Transportation Assets Risk Assessment initiative)

• 8 working group or network meetings, workshops and/or conferences funded, hosted, facilitated or presented at related to transportation adaptation
• 12 research studies funded in 2019 to 2020 (1 study funded through the Transportation Assets Risk Assessment initiative, and 11 studies funded through the Northern Transportation Adaptation Initiative)

Contribution to FSDS goal/target:  

Our Department's support for northern transportation adaptation research and related activities helps to:

• foster interdisciplinary collaboration;
• advance knowledge sharing; and
• strengthen institutional capacity to adapt northern transportation to the acute impacts of climate change

Contribution to UNSDGs:

UN SDG Target 13.1- Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters in all countries

UN SDG Target 13.3- Improve education, awareness-raising and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction and early warning

Implement the National Trade Corridors Fund (NTCF) and support trade and transportation infrastructure investments that strengthen the efficiency and reliability of Canada's trade corridors. Two national calls for proposals will be issued by 2021^{Footnote 37}

Starting point:

The NTCF program was launched by the Minister of Transport in July 2017. The first round of project proposals was evaluated in the fall of 2017

Performance Indicator:

• Number of program calls for proposals

Target:

• Two national calls for proposals issued by 2021

• Transport Canada has issued 3 calls for proposals for the NTCF since 2017 (NTCF National call for proposals; NTCF Northern call for proposals; NTCF Continuous call for proposals). These calls for proposals have resulted in more than $1.7B in federal funding, leveraging total investments of $3.8B, for 85 transportation infrastructure projects across the country. All NTCF project proposals from these three calls were assessed against the NTCF objective to increase the resilience of the Canadian transportation system to a changing climate
• Between March 2019 and March 2020, the Government announced $234M, leveraging total investments of $328M, for 11 projects across the territories as part of the NTCF Northern call for proposals (launched November 2018). Among them is the Royal Military College of Canada's climate change study of transportation infrastructure along the Inuvik-Tuktoyaktuk Highway to assess the overall performance of the highway, with a view to increasing the climate resilience of such infrastructure
• Between March 2019 and March 2020, the Government announced $707.5M, leveraging total investments of $1.6B, for 35 projects across the country supporting trade diversification, as part of the NTCF Continuous call for proposals (launched January 2019). The Continuous call for proposals will remain open as long as there are funds available

Contribution to FSDS goal/target:  

Transport Canada requires project proponents to consider how their project will increase the resilience of the transportation system to a changing climate in their proposals. By incorporating resilience criteria in NTCF project evaluation and selection processes, NTCF funding encourages projects to include climate resilience components in their design at the outset

Contribution to UNSDGs:

UN SDG Target 9.1- Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being, with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all

UN SDG Target 9.4- By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities

UN SDG Target 11.2- By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport, with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons

• Work with partners to protect and restore coastal ecosystems
• Work with partners to protect and restore coastal ecosystems
• Work with partners to protect and restore coastal ecosystems
• Use legislation and regulations to protect coasts and oceans
• Protect and manage marine and coastal areas
• Protect and manage marine and coastal areas
• Work with partners to protect and restore coastal ecosystems
• Protect and manage marine and coastal areas

Implement the Oceans Protection Plan – Pillar I: A State-of-the-Art Marine Safety System

Initiatives involved in enhancing the prevention of marine incidents include:

• new information-sharing systems - the Government of Canada will work with Indigenous and coastal communities to design new information-sharing systems and platforms so they have access to real-time information on marine shipping activities to support safer navigation in local waters (TC and DFO/CCG)
• Proactive Vessel Management - allow those involved in the marine safety system – governments, communities, Indigenous groups – to inform local traffic management (TC)
• safer resupply in Arctic communities – funding new tools and equipment to unload essential goods in northern communities (TC)
• stronger polluter-pay principle – remove the per-incident limit of liability on Canada's domestic compensation fund for ship-source oil spill response (TC and DFO/CCG)

Initiatives involved in strengthening of responses to marine incidents include:

• a stronger Canadian Coast Guard – The Canadian Coast Guard's command systems will be strengthened where gaps have been identified. The Coast Guard will be given greater power to intervene directly to prevent marine incidents, such as where ship operators have been reluctant to act (TC and DFO/CCG)
• increased emergency response: establish 24/7 response capacity to effectively manage marine incidents; improve ocean and environmental modeling capacity; and collect baseline environmental data on B.C.'s North Coast^{Footnote 38}
• Enhance ECCC's capacity to enforce wildlife and environmental laws for the east and west coasts^{Footnote 38}
• increased towing capacity – towing kits will be added to major Canadian Coast Guard vessels on the East and West to improve the capability to take swift action. Two new vessels will be leased with the ability to tow large commercial ships in distress (TC and DFO/CCG)
• Alternate Response Measures – research and policy on alternate response measures – such as dispersants and in-situ burning – work to support the legal and operational framework, supported by science, to allow the use of Alternative Response Measures^{Footnote 38}

Starting point:

On November 7, 2016, the Prime Minister announced the Oceans Protection Plan: a whole-of-government, comprehensive strategy to build a world-leading marine safety system and protect Canada's marine ecosystems

Performance Indicator:

• The number of marine safety incidents and spills from vessels in Canada's waters

Target:

• By 2022, a reduction in the number of small oil spills and marine incidents relative to the number of vessel trips, compared with the average of the previous five years^{Footnote 39}

• Partnered with 13 Indigenous communities and organizations across Canada for a pilot project to test a new user-friendly, web-based system that increases access to a range of maritime information, including accurate near real-time marine traffic information. Transport Canada launched the Enhanced Maritime Situational Awareness (EMSA) system in May 2019 to Indigenous pilot project partners and provided funding for project capacity, the purchase of equipment, infrastructure upgrades, and to further enhance the system. The EMSA system supports collaborative decision-making, planning and information sharing for improved maritime situational awareness and safety, marine monitoring and environmental protection and partners are regularly testing the system and collaborating with Transport Canada to prioritize improvements to ensure it meets varying community and user needs
• The EMSA initiative is also an accommodation measure for the Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX) Pipeline project and a response to the Canada Energy Regulator report and condition for the pipeline. Five First Nations in the TMX Project areas are hosting a pilot project and access to the EMSA system has been offered to all First Nations along the TMX project route to help address concerns related to increased vessel traffic in local waters
• Transport Canada established a working group with pilot project partners to co-develop recommendations for the future state of the system post-pilot project 
• Transport Canada is currently expanding the EMSA system user base to other marine partners (e.g. NGOs, academia, science organizations, other government departments, etc.) in order to support maritime awareness needs and seek perspectives on system functionality. Numerous demonstrations provided to internal and external groups in alignment with user expansion efforts
• Announced new radar installations: the OPP is funding 10 of the 11 new radars that will be located on the east and west coasts. These radars will establish network coverage for 9 separate navigation areas (6 on the west coast; 3 on the east coast) which will increase vessel traffic monitoring by providing timely information to Canadian Coast Guard Marine Communications and Traffic Services (MCTS) officers. New Radars contract was awarded to Felix Technology Inc. of Concord, Ontario in January 2020
• Planned modernization of the operational network was substantially completed and a commercially available satellite communication technology was identified to provide acceptable voice communications performance.  Pilot phase tests will be completed next fiscal year.  New Western microwave links were added to the operational network
• Improving navigational information for the 23 key commercial ports being addressed under the OPP involves completing the bathymetric survey (data collection) and creating the charts and products for the ports.  When both the data collection and all of the charts and products for the port are created, the port is considered to be completed.   As of March 31, 2020 the Canadian Hydrographic Service has completed the bathymetric survey of 21 of the 23 ports.  Charts have been fully completed for 10 of the ports, are in progress for a further 8 ports, while the charts for the remaining 5 ports are scheduled for completion by March 31, 2022.  Some ports have multiple charts so overall, 33 charts have been completed, 12 are in progress and 8 have not yet started. In the Arctic, targeted and opportunistic hydrographic surveys have been undertaken using Canadian Coast Guard vessels as well as contracted survey projects to the private sector. As of March 31, 2020, a total of 32.8% of the ocean floor areas within the Arctic's Primary and Secondary Low Impact Shipping Corridors have been surveyed to modern and adequate levels of hydrography
• Deployed on the West Coast 1 meteorological buoy in Strait of Georgia and 1 buoy in English Bay and on the East Coast 1 buoy in the Bay of Fundy and 2 buoys in Chedabucto Bay. 10 minute observations of wind, waves and temperature and 24 hour hourly forecasts for these sites are available on the new Metport website. Feedback is being solicited from area users
• Partnered with a number of Indigenous Nations and organizations in BC and the Arctic to launch five pilot projects for the Proactive Vessel Management (PVM) initiative. Through these projects, voluntary measures are being developed to address vessel traffic issues and conflicts through collaboration with the marine industry and other stakeholders. Lessons learned from the pilot projects will feed into the on-going co-development of a draft national PVM framework
• Completed studies and continued research and analysis on anchorages. Continued engagement activities on anchorages with key stakeholders, including port and industry partners as well as Indigenous and coastal communities to define and gather feedback on key challenges
• Developed a national framework and a national engagement strategy for the enhanced Places of Refuge regime in Canada (including researching other international best practices).
• Amended the Canada Shipping Act, 2001, the Pilotage Act, and the Marine Liability Act to enhance marine safety and environmental protection, including: enabling more proactive, rapid, and effective environmental response by the Canadian Coast Guard; modernizing and strengthening Canada's marine pilotage system through the implementation of the provisions in the amended Pilotage Act; and modernizing Canada's Ship-Source Oil Pollution Fund including enabling full compensation for responders and victims of ship-source oil spills.
• Enacted the new Arctic Shipping Safety and Pollution Prevention Regulations to address the unique hazard encountered by vessels that operate in the Arctic
• Announced a contribution of $19.5 million to the Government of the Northwest Territories (first call-for-proposals) for four double-hulled barges, which will be used for community resupply in the Arctic
• Announced a contribution of $4.7 million to the Government of Nunavut (first call-for-proposals) for a community scoping study as well as the installation of ten bollards in five of its communities, which will increase safety of resupply operations in the Arctic
• Completed the second call-for-proposals targeted at the governments of Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, Katavik Regional Government representing the Nunavik Region, and the Nunatsiavut Government to improve the marine environment and the safety and efficiency of sealift and resupply operations in northern communities
• Completed second season of search and rescue operations at the interim in-shore rescue boat station in Rankin Inlet in the Arctic (June to September, 2019)
• Across Canada, the Coast Guard employs post-secondary students to provide supplementary maritime search and rescue services during the busy summer season; in the North, the recruits are Indigenous students
• Provided Incident Command System and Transport Canada Incident Management System training to program officers in Headquarters to enhance the effectiveness of response capacity
• Participated in and evaluated Canadian Coast Guard-led marine response exercises in the Pacific and Atlantic Regions to test environmental response capacity support and readiness
• Completed advanced version of new Standard Operating Procedures for marine incident management, including Environmental response
• Developed a Lessons-Learned dashboard to document previous and current major maritime incidents and prioritize improvements to Operating Procedures
• Reopened the Canadian Coast Guard's Maritime Rescue Sub-Centre in St. John's, Newfoundland to better coordinate on-the-water responses to marine incidents
• Opened new Canadian Coast Guard search and rescue stations in Victoria, British Columbia and St. Anthony, Old Perlican, and Twilingate, Newfoundland and Labrador
• Increased the staffing levels of trained and certified Officers at our MCTS Centres, contributing to the efficiency and effectiveness of the federal government's response to marine emergencies, including marine pollution incidents, and the strategic management of all marine transportation-related emergencies. In addition, created four MCTS regional training officers that support the continuous training and certification of MCTS Officers, ensure national consistency and are key elements of the MCTS Quality Management System
• The two leased offshore towing vessels, the Eagle and the Raven, continued operations off the coast of BC to assist in emergency towing
• In support of a Seamless Response Regime, completed initial analysis and Phase I national engagement, with relevant federal partners across Canada, aimed at identifying and validating response actions to a non-ship source oil spill
• Coast Guard successfully established 24/7 Regional Operations Centres (ROCs) in the Atlantic, Western, and Central and Arctic regions, as well as a 24/7 National Command Centre. These centres monitor and assess marine events, mainly marine pollution incidents. All four ROCs are currently providing continuous 24/7 operations. The development and roll-out of a national training program for ER coordinators within ROCs is underway: a prototype "Duty Officer" course was conducted in September 2019 and the first regional course with ROC personnel was conducted in November 2019
• Acquired emergency tow kits for large Canadians Coast Guard vessels to strengthen our ability to tow large disabled vessels
• Invested in new, modern environmental response equipment for the Canadian   Coast Guard across Canada, and continued to take delivery of a variety of new equipment in all three regions. This new equipment includes curtain boom, high speed sweep systems and skimmers and fence boom system which form a temporary barrier to contain an oil spill, which all contribute to the recovery of a spill and helping reduce the spread of oil. Future procurements include Mobile Incident Command Posts, temporary storage devices such as barges and bladders and equipment trailers
• Trained and deployed Emergencies Officers and Wildlife Emergency Response Coordinators to support emergency preparedness and response; and developed the National Policy on Wildlife Emergency Response in Canada
• Integrated newly acquired ecological datasets and spatial layers into emergency preparedness and response planning processes
• Provided timely and relevant information to facilitate effective responses to marine environmental emergencies
• Developed improved Canadian ocean, wave and ice forecasts, including innovative probabilistic predictions to support emergency spill responders
• Implemented high-resolution coastal forecasting systems for the East and West coasts of Canada, and developed a relocatable forecasting system to provide unprecedented detailed weather information that can be deployed to an area affected by an environmental emergency
• Collected baseline information on shorelines and marine birds, including: 16,000 km of coastal aerial imagery; more than 1,200 km of at-sea survey data; and tagging of seven priority marine bird species on breeding colonies
• Trained and deployed enforcement officers. Participated in INTERPOL's Operation 30 Days at Sea, which provide a global framework to investigate marine pollution
• Initiated the development of intelligence on the marine sector which will be incorporated into the ECCC database
• Prepared an update to the database of oil properties to inform spill response, pending final publication to the Government of Canada website
• Conducted 305.3 hours of aerial surveillance over waters under Canadian jurisdiction to monitor shipping activities in the Arctic by utilizing Transport Canada's National Aerial Surveillance Program (NASP). There were 384 vessels overflown and zero ship source oil spills observed in this region
• Completed the schematic designs for the NASP Complex (accommodations unit and hangar). Also, prepared the Request for Proposal of land remediation for Lot 512

Contribution to FSDS goal/target:  

The OPP aims to further protect Canada's coasts and coastal communities from the potential impacts of shipping. This means improving how we prevent and respond to marine pollution incidents. Through the OPP, the Government of Canada is developing emergency response plans tailored to local needs, increasing on-water presence and response capacity, enabling rapid, science-based response actions in the event of a spill, and expanding the role of the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary

Contribution to UNSDGs:

UN SDG 14- Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

• Build our knowledge of coastal ecosystems, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), and fisheries
• Protect and manage  marine and coastal areas
• Protect and manage  marine and coastal areas

Implement the Oceans Protection Plan  – Pillar II: Preservation and Restoration of Marine Ecosystems

Initiatives under this pillar include:

• Collection of baseline data and cumulative effects assessment - working closely with Indigenous and coastal communities, the Government of Canada will create a pilot baseline program to better understand the cumulative effects of shipping on coastal ecosystems (TC and DFO/CCG)
• Protect aquatic ecosystems - new measures will be funded that implement a real-time whale detection system to alert mariners to the presence of whales, which will help them avoid interactions and vessel strikes (TC and DFO/CCG)
• Addressing abandoned vessels - The Government is implementing a national strategy that focuses on the prevention and removal of these problem vessels (TC, DFO/CCG)

Starting point:

On November 7, 2016, the Prime Minister announced the Oceans Protection Plan: a whole-of-government, comprehensive strategy to build a world-leading marine safety system and protect Canada's marine ecosystems

On May 31, 2017, the new $6.85 million Abandoned Boats Program was launched. This Program provides funding for the assessment, removal and disposal of existing smaller high priority abandoned vessels and wrecks posing hazards in Canadian waters; to educate vessel owners about their responsibilities including end-of-life vessel management, and to support  research on environmentally responsible vessel design and recycling of end-of-life vessels

Performance Indicators:

• The introduction of new legislation;
• The number of vessels of concern addressed

Targets:

• By December 31, 2017, new legislation that prohibits vessel abandonment, enables proactive action to deal with problem vessels, and includes the Nairobi Convention, will be introduced
• By 2022, at least 275 vessels of concern addressed^{Footnote 39}

• Amended the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 to enhance safeguards to protect marine ecosystems, including marine mammals, from the impacts of shipping and navigation activities
• All coastal detachments that include a fishery officer provided training and equipment to support experts in marine mammal response as of May 2019
• Received Royal Assent of the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act, which will further protect Canadian coastlines and shorelines by strengthening owner responsibility and liability for their vessels particularly at end-of-life, while also enhancing federal powers to take actions on problem vessels as they arise
• Preserving and restoring marine ecosystems by using new tools and research mechanisms, and by taking measures to address abandoned, hazardous and wrecked vessels, including:
  • Assessing options to enhance the pleasure craft-licensing system to better identify ownership, and options to create a vessel-owner financed remediation Fund;
  • Developing a national inventory of abandoned or wrecked vessels and a methodology for prioritizing these vessels for removal;
  • Bringing the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act into force in July 2019. Over 130 vessels have been addressed using the new authorities under the Act;
  • Addressing to date an additional 61 vessels under the Small Craft Harbours Abandoned and Wrecked Vessels Removal Program in partnership with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans; and
  • Taking continued measures to address abandoned, hazardous and wrecked vessels under the Abandoned Boats Program (ABP). We provided funding for an additional 22 projects to assess abandoned boats and 67 projects to remove abandoned boats
• Combined, these actions are helping to restore marine habitats and ecosystems in key strategic areas. Under the OPP, in partnership with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, we have met our federal objective of addressing at least 275 abandoned and wrecked vessels by March 31, 2022, two years ahead of schedule
• In addition, the Canadian Coast Guard continued to advance the national strategy on vessels of concern by continuing to update a national inventory of vessels of concern across Canada, and advanced the development of a Risk Assessment Methodology which provides a risk-based strategy to prioritize vessels in the national inventory to determine the scope and scale of the issue. Coast Guard transferred 150 vessels to Transport Canada from the national inventory. Vessels transferred were those that were determined to support the Abandoned Boats Program scope and mandate
• To restore important coastal aquatic habitats on all Canadian coasts, Department of Fisheries and Oceans has allocated over $70 million in funding to 64 projects under the Coastal Restoration Fund. In March 2020, Department of Fisheries and Oceans announced the CRF's support for 24 new projects, worth $13 million, of which 21 contribution agreements were signed in fiscal year 2019 to 2020. The project has expended all OPP available funding. Project activities are taking place on all three coasts
• Department of Fisheries and Oceans allocated $55 million in funding under the Coastal Restoration Fund to protect and restore important marine ecosystems on all Canadian coasts
• As well, Department of Fisheries and Oceans worked with Indigenous and coastal communities and other stakeholders to undertake 54 projects to collect coastal baseline information at six sites, including one in the Arctic
• Transport Canada collaborated with Indigenous Nations to identify valued components for cumulative effects assessments in 4 pilot sites in the Cumulative Effects of Marine Shipping initiative
• Transport Canada  Initiated development of a draft national framework for cumulative effects assessments, after collaborating with Indigenous partners, academic experts and other stakeholders

Contribution to FSDS goal/target:

Through the OPP, the Government of Canada is working to preserve and restore coastal marine ecosystems that are vulnerable to marine shipping. This includes protecting Canada's whale populations, removing abandoned boats, and restoring coastal ecosystems.

Contribution to UNSDGs:

UN SDG 14- Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

Implement the Oceans Protection Plan – Pillar III: Indigenous Partnerships

Initiatives under this pillar include:

• active role - the Government will create opportunities for Indigenous communities to participate and play an active role in responsible shipping and the marine safety regime (TC and DFO/CCG)

Starting point:

On November 7, 2016, the Prime Minister announced the Oceans Protection Plan: a whole-of-government, comprehensive strategy to build a world-leading marine safety system and protect Canada's marine ecosystems

Performance Indicator:

• The number of Indigenous groups that participate in Canada's marine safety system

Target:

• By 2027, an increased number of interested Indigenous groups are active partners in Canada's marine safety system [specific target to be determined by April 2022 following engagement with Indigenous partners]^{Footnote 40}

• Continuing to build regional Indigenous partnerships to address marine planning, shipping, marine safety and oceans protection over a large geographic area, through the Reconciliation Framework Agreement for Bioregional Oceans Management and Protection which was announced on June 21, 2018. 14 Central and Northern British Columbia First Nations are participating in the Agreement (Pacific Region)
• Provided Marine Training Program funding to three schools to help underrepresented groups, such as women, Northerners, Inuit and Indigenous Peoples, access marine training
• Issued a Call for Proposal and committed $5.8 million in funding to 21 projects under the Indigenous and Local Communities Engagement and Partnership Program, to support Indigenous and local communities' participation in long-term work on OPP initiatives
• Announced $6.2 million in funding over three years to the British Columbia

Institute of Technology to deliver a program to increase access to marine training courses for Indigenous communities

• Provided emergency response and waterway management training to Indigenous communities in British Columbia to increase their knowledge and skills, and support the important role they play in marine safety in their communities
• Coast Guard negotiated a number of contribution agreements with Indigenous communities and organizations to strengthen their ability to respond to local emergencies and better protect coastlines, including funding for: new marine liaison positions; specialized training and exercising; access to local marine traffic information; and, community boats to support local search and rescue and environmental response. Specifically, Coast Guard provided:
  • $2,529,049 through 49 contribution agreements across the country as part of the Building Meaningful Partnerships with Indigenous Groups in Marine Safety (8T100) initiative under OPP;
  • $2,724,116 to 10 communities from across the country to increase marine safety at the local level as part of the Indigenous Community; and
  • The Boat Program
• Identified 6 pilot sites and engaged communities and Indigenous nations across all sites to collaboratively understand issues and concerns with respect to marine vessel traffic activities on all three coasts, and worked to identify geographic boundaries for the study areas
• As part of the Northern Low Impact Shipping Corridors Initiative, completed Phase I engagement with provincial, territorial and regional governments, and Inuit, Métis and First Nations organizations with a total of 16 sessions, as well as completing a study on governance models
• Advanced the key elements and objectives identified in the OPP Commitment to Action and Results with the First Nations Fisheries Council, signed in March 2019
• A Collaborative Arrangement MOU between Coast Guard and Gitxaala was signed April 3, 2019. The objectives of this arrangement are to: help improve maritime SAR, ER, Marine Communications and Traffic Services, and Waterways management in the Northwest Coast; identify and deliver training to Gitxaala members; and, identify potential procurement and employment opportunities for Gitxaala members byand with the Coast Guard

Contribution to FSDS goal/target:

Indigenous coastal communities share ties to Canada's oceans that span generations. As part of the OPP, we are actively working together and partnering with Indigenous peoples across the country to improve our marine safety system. As of, December 31, 2019, we have held over 870 engagement sessions, including over 600 engagement sessions with Indigenous groups.

Contribution to UNSDGs:

UN SDG 14- Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

Starting point:

On November 7, 2016, the Prime Minister announced the Oceans Protection Plan: a whole-of-government, comprehensive strategy to build a world-leading marine safety system and protect Canada's marine ecosystems

Performance Indicator:

• The percentage (%) of policies and operational response plans developed through the OPP that are supported by scientific, local/traditional, and other relevant information and knowledge

Target:

• By 2022, 100% of policies and operational response plans are supported by scientific, local/traditional, and other relevant information/knowledge

Performance Indicator:

• The percentage (%) of Canadians who are confident in Canada's marine safety system

Target:

• By 2022, at least 70% of Canadians and at least 75% of coastal communities have moderate or full confidence in Canada's marine safety system^{Footnote 39}

• Advancing knowledge and the scientific advice provided to oil spill responders to inform the response approach to a spill and the resulting decision-making
• For example, under the new OPP project, Improving Drift Prediction and Near-shore Modelling, the Government of Canada is in the process of developing and refining new high resolution hydrodynamic models for accurate prediction of ocean characteristics including surface currents, water level, temperature, and salinity within 6 high priority ports. These ocean models will allow the Government of Canada to accurately track spills and predict their path and fate, enhancing the protection of coastal communities
• 47 publications on the fate, behaviour and effects of oil in marine ecosystems and oil spill clean-up technologies have been produced through OPP funded Contribution Programs
• Continuing to address increased data processing requirements under OPP by investing in new IT services such as High-Performance Computing, which is used in the creation and analysis of complex scientific models used to help predict the future state of our oceans
• Signed agreements with partners to develop and/or test technologies able to detect the presence of whales in near real-time, specifically the North Atlantic Right Whale (NARW) and the Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW)
• Continuing scientific research to better understand the impact of shipping-related noise on the endangered NARW, St. Lawrence Estuary Beluga and SRKW
• Natural Resources Canada's oil spill science program has progressed our understanding of oil fate and behavior as well as natural degradation pathways by developing new methodologies and conducting tests jointly with national and international partners. This knowledge helps improve spill response plans and policies in addition to informing stakeholder engagements. Examples include support for Transport Canada regulation development; technical support for federal Indigenous engagements; and support for Canada Energy Regulator pipeline reviews. Research information is also being used to provide advice to environmental assessment reviews of East Coast offshore petroleum production projects and international organizations such as the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
• Continuing to raise awareness about the OPP and marine safety, including engaging and receiving ongoing input from Canadians
• As of July 15, 2020, OPP has held more than 1169 meetings and workshops have been held across Canada to raise awareness and receive input on the program, this includes 837 engagement sessions/workshops which have been held with multiple Indigenous groups.
• A Clear Seas/Angus Reid public opinion poll in early 2020 found that there has been a marginal upward shift in coastal communities' confidence in the marine shipping regime and a downward shift in confidence on the part of Indigenous communities.  Transport Canada's OPP Dialogue Forum took place in January 2020 in Vancouver. It was the seventh dialogue forum held since 2017 and was the largest to date with 200 registrants. Forum participants were largely external to federal government, with 115 representing 85 organizations. These included environmental non-governmental organizations, local government, marine and shipping industry. 16 OPP and marine initiatives were featured, with federal department representatives providing updates and engaging with stakeholders. The Forums have evolved as multi-sector, whole of government anchor events for engagement on OPP and marine safety and environment initiatives, and have been very successful to date in providing information and updates, and soliciting feedback from stakeholders

Contribution to FSDS goal/target:

As part of the OPP, the Government of Canada is invested in scientific research and technology to better prevent and respond to ship-source oil spills, while increasing our understanding of how to protect coastal ecosystems.

Contribution to UNSDGs:

UN SDG 14- Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

Starting point:

Temporary autonomous hydrophone buoys (AMARs) have been deployed in Boundary Pass in the shipping lanes since October 2018 to assess the site for deployment of a ULS

Performance indicator:

• Installation of an underwater listening station (ULS) in the Salish Sea

Target:

• A ULS is installed in the Salish Sea by fall 2019 to increase the database on underwater noise

Starting point:

AIS carriage is currently required for vessels of 20m or more in length

Performance indicator:

• An increase in the number of vessels carrying Automatic Identification System (AIS)

Target:

• Regulations requiring Automatic Identification System (AIS) on smaller passenger vessels are published in Canada Gazette Part II by the end of June 2019, contributing to increased data on vessel-whale interactions

• Through the Whales Initiative, Transport Canada contracted JASCO Applied Sciences to deploy an advanced Underwater Listening Station in Boundary Pass (Salish Sea) to collect, in real-time vessel source levels from both the inbound and outbound shipping lanes, as well as ambient noise and marine mammal calls
• The ULS is now operational, processing and collecting data in real-time to contribute to Transport Canada's overall efforts to better understand underwater radiated noise and to mitigate its effects on the marine environment
• Amendments to the AIS carriage requirements on smaller passenger vessels was completed in April 2019. All vessels capable of carrying 12 passengers and all vessels over 8 metres that carries passengers must now be equipped with AIS

Contribution to FSDS goal/target:  

Collecting data on vessel noise source levels will help increase our understanding of the contribution of vessels to underwater noise and to help target research on the development of technologies to reduce noise from ships. These efforts will help support the recovery and protection of Canada's endangered whale populations and contribute to the overall conservation and sustainable use of Canada's oceans for sustainable development

Increased carriage of AIS will provide a better understanding of vessel density in endangered whale habitat to help inform where management measures should be targeted to reduce the risks of interactions between vessel traffic and at risk marine-mammals

Contribution to UNSDGs:

UN SDG 14- Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

Starting point:

On February 22, 2019, the Government of Canada announced its 2019 speed reduction measures to reduce the risk of lethal collisions with North Atlantic Right whales (NARW)

Performance indicator:

• Number of lethal vessel collisions with NARW in Canadian waters

Target:

• Mandatory measures are implemented for the summer and fall 2019 to reduce the impacts of vessel traffic on NARW

• Mandatory measures implemented in April 2019, including vessel speed restrictions to reduce risk of lethal collisions with NARW. Additional measures implemented following the deaths of several NARW in summer 2019
• In addition, mandatory measures were put in place to reduce underwater noise and physical disturbance from vessel traffic impacting Southern Resident killer whales (SRKW)s, including a 400 metre approach distance and Interim Sanctuary Zones. The Government of Canada is also a partner in the Enhancing Cetacean Habitat and Observation (ECHO) Program which put in place voluntary measures in 2019 to reduce the speed of large commercial vessels and shift vessel traffic away from key SRKW areas

Contribution to FSDS goal/target:  

The various mandatory and voluntary vessel management measures implemented in 2019 helped reduce vessel traffic impacts on Canada's endangered NARW and SRKW, contributing to the overall conservation and sustainable use Canada's oceans for sustainable development

Contribution to UNSDGs:

UN SDG 14- Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

Starting point:

Since 2006, and as amended in 2012, the Vessel Pollution and Dangerous Chemicals Regulations implement standards set out under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL) to prevent pollution from vessels

This includes pollution from oil, chemicals, sewage, garbage, air emissions and greenhouse gas emissions 

The Regulations also set controls for paints used to prevent marine growth on hulls that have been found to be harmful and greywater discharges from large passenger vessels

Performance Indicator:

• Proposal of an update to the Vessel Pollution and Dangerous Chemical Regulations to reflect new international standards

Target:

By March 2020 :

• publication of proposed regulations in Canada Gazette Part I, to update the Vessel Pollution and Dangerous Chemicals Regulations to reflect new international standards

• Pursued further alignment with IMO Conventions - (International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships and International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ships, AFS 2001)
• Began the assessment of potential amendments to the Vessel Pollution and Dangerous Chemicals Regulations

Contribution to FSDS goal/target:  

Updating requirements found within the Vessel Pollution and Dangerous Chemical Regulations advances Canada's FSDG Healthy Coasts and Oceans, as these regulations help protect coasts and oceans from pollution from vessels

These changes will advance Canada's compliance with international expectations for environmental protection under MARPOL and current International Maritime Organization (IMO) practices

Contribution to UNSDGs:

UN SDG 14- Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

UN SDG 17- Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

Starting Point:

The rate of spills is calculated per hours flown per year

Reporting focuses on spills over 10 litres, as smaller spills are typically non-recoverable and have a negligible impact on the environment

Performance Indicator:^{Footnote 42}

• Number of ship-source spills observed over 10 litres

Target:

• Spills into Canada's oceans and marine environment decline over time in relation to the level of activity

• In fiscal year 2019 to 2020, Transport Canada's NASP flew a total of 3,954 hours of surveillance
• During these patrols, 6 spills were reported to be over 10 litres for a rate of 0.0015 spills per hour

Contribution to FSDS goal/target:  

By conducting regular aerial pollution patrols over waters under Canadian jurisdiction will help Transport Canada's NASP to monitor shipping activities, thus acting as a deterrent to potential polluters

By forwarding the evidence collected during patrols to enforcement authorities for further review and investigation

Contribution to UNSDGs:

UN SDG 14- Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

UN SDG 17- Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development

Starting point:

Transport Canada established ballast water requirements in 2006

Ballast tanks will be inspected on 100% of the ships entering the Seaway from outside Canada's exclusive economic zone for compliance with current regulatory requirements

Performance Indicator:

• Updated Ballast Water Control and Management Regulations

Targets:

• In 2019, Canada intends to update the Ballast Water Control and Management Regulations to ensure that they reflect the requirements of the Ballast Water Convention that came into force worldwide in September of 2017^{Footnote 43}
• All vessels entering the Great Lakes will continue to be inspected for their ballast water management to protect the Great Lakes ecosystems

• On June 8, 2019 Transport Canada published new proposed Ballast Water Regulations in the Canada Gazette Part I
• In 2019 to 2020, all vessels entering the Great Lakes from outside of Canada's exclusive economic zone were inspected for their ballast water management per current ballast water requirements, including for ballast water salinity
• In accordance with the MOU between Transport Canada and Canadian St. Lawrence Seaway Management Corporation (SLSMC), meetings between United States Coast Guard, the U.S. Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation, Transport Canada Marine Safety and Security, and the SLSMC, were held to discuss continuous enhancement to the Ballast Water oversight regime on the Great Lakes and to deliver the final 2019 Summary of Great Lakes Seaway Ballast Water Working Group Report
• In accordance with Annex 5 (Vessel Discharges) of the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement (GLWQA), Transport Canada attended the annual face-to-face bi-lateral meeting held between Canadian and US representatives

Contribution to FSDS goal/target:  

By proposing new Ballast Water Regulations in the Canada Gazette Part I, Transport Canada has completed a key step towards increasing the protection of Canada's aquatic ecosystems from invasive species, and giving effect to the International Convention for the Control and Management of Ships' Ballast Water and Sediments, 2004 (the Ballast Water Convention) in Canada, thereby contributing to the goal of Pristine Lakes and Rivers

By continuing to inspect all vessels entering the Great Lakes for their ballast water management, and by working with U.S. and Seaway corporation counterparts, Transport Canada continues to implement an important binational program that contributes to avoiding new aquatic species invasions in the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence region, thereby contributing to the goal of Pristine Lakes and Rivers

By continuing to work with U.S. regulatory counterparts through the GLWQA to address vessel discharges on the Great Lakes, Transport Canada is working towards compatible ballast water regulations for the Great Lakes in both countries. Compatible ballast water regulations will simplify and expedite compliance with ballast water management requirements by vessels, thereby supporting the objective of Pristine Lakes and Rivers

Contribution to UNSDGs:

UN SDG Target 14.2- By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans

UN SDG Target 15.8- By 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species

Starting point:

Transport Canada receives completed ballast water reporting forms on methods used by ships to comply with ballast water management regulations (Ballast exchange or via a Ballast Water Management System)

Performance Indicator:

• Compliance with the Ballast Water Control and Management Regulations and ballast water management standards

Target:

• 100% of vessels will be compliant or they will be requested to manage their ballast water in a manner that is not a threat to the Canadian Ecosystem

• In 2019 to 2020, vessels arriving in Canada destined to a port outside the Great-Lakes, from outside of the exclusive economic zone were inspected in accordance with the Port State Control Regime established under the Paris and Tokyo MOUs, to which Canada is a signatory
• Transport Canada engaged in IMO meetings and has participated in plenary and Ballast Water Working Groups discussions related to various proposals to continuously enhance the implementation, and clarifying the interpretation, of the Ballast Water Convention

Contribution to FSDS goal/target:  

By requiring that all vessels coming to Canada in 2019 to 2020 be compliant with ballast water and other Port State Control requirements, Transport Canada continues to implement an important program that contributes to avoiding new aquatic species invasions in Canada, thereby contributing to the goal of Pristine Lakes and Rivers

By participating at IMO meetings relating to the Ballast Water Convention, Canada is contributing to the cooperative international work needed to ensure the Convention is successfully implemented and effectively contributes to reducing the risks of introducing and spreading invasive species globally, thereby contributing to the goal of Pristine Lakes and Rivers

Contribution to UNSDGs:

UN SDG Target 14.2- By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans

UN SDG Target 15.8- By 2020, introduce measures to prevent the introduction and significantly reduce the impact of invasive alien species on land and water ecosystems and control or eradicate the priority species

Starting point:

Annual reports can be found at: 

https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/federal-contaminated-sites/publications.html

Performance indicator:

• On an annual basis, Transport Canada will continue to report on its efforts through the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan

• Transport Canada provided input to the Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan annual report
• The report can be found on the Federal contaminated sites publications page

Contribution to FSDS goal/target:  

Transport Canada ensures healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages by ensuring people are not impacted by contaminated land and/or water

Transport Canada helped restore, halt and reverse land degradation

Contribution to UNSDGs:

UN SDG Target 3.9- By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination

UN SDG Target 15.3- By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world

Starting point:

Transport Canada's data set lags by one year. As such, the Department is moving from fiscal year to calendar year reporting

For 2017 to 2018, the Department will be using the reported annual rate of 166.0 from 2015 as a baseline against which to report on 2016 calendar year release rates

Note: a reportable release means either:

• An actual spill has occurred where the amount of dangerous goods released meets the minimum threshold considered to cause harm to the environment; or
• There is an anticipated release of dangerous goods. Canadian regulations have been amended to include "anticipated releases" as reportable as of December 1, 2016 (SOR/2016-95 May 13, 2016). Some possible examples of an anticipated release include:
  1. An incident has occurred and dangerous goods will likely have to be transferred to another means of containment;
  2. A means of containment is damaged to the extent that its integrity is compromised and dangerous goods could be released; or
  3. A means of containment is lost in navigable waters^{Footnote 44}

Continued efforts by the department are made to reduce the number of reportable dangerous goods incidents per year. Since December 2016, companies have to report both a release and anticipated release to the Minister within 30 days of the initial report made to CANUTEC, and the reporting levels are expected to remain steady with improved industry reporting requirement awareness ^{Footnote 44}

The rate of reportable releases for 2019 to 2020 was 202.64

Performance Indicator:

• Rate of reportable releases of dangerous goods per year

Target:

• 1% reduction in the rate for current year as compared to the rate of reportable releases in the previous year

Note: Target has been revised to be consistent with the 2019 to 2020 Departmental Plan target of 1%. The department will be reporting on the new 1% DSDS target going forward

• For its performance indicator, Transport Canada's Transportation of Dangerous Goods Group is targeting a 1% reduction in the rate of reportable releases of dangerous goods per year for current year as compared to the rate of reportable releases in the previous year
  • In 2018 to 2019, there was a 1.2% increase (from 222.9 in 2017 to 2018 to 225.7 in
  • 2018 to 2019). TDG did not meet its target due to an increase in the number of reportable accidents
  • In 2019 to 2020, there was a 10% decrease (from 225.7 in 2018 to 2019 to 202.64 in
  • 2019 to 2020). TDG met its target due to a decrease in the number of reportable accidents
• Undertook activities identified in the Regulatory Framework Plan to develop regulatory proposals that update the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (TDGR), including:
  • updating requirements pertaining to the handling, offering for transport, and transportation of dangerous goods to reflect the most current practices and technological advancements;
  • harmonizing the TDGR with the most recent editions of the international codes;
  • maintaining effective and meaningful engagement practices with stakeholders; and
  • continuing to develop and maintain safety standards for means of containment such as tank cars, highway tanks, intermediate bulk containers and cylinders, which are incorporated by reference in the TDG Regulations
• Conducted and finalized collaborative research with domestic and international partners to develop and improve requirements for the safe transportation of dangerous goods, including:
  • publication of research results on the assessment of the hazard, flammability and behavior properties of crude oil;
  • assessing lithium battery packaging for transportation as cargo by air;
  • evaluating means of containment under non-ideal conditions;
  • monitoring the emergence of liquefied natural gas as an alternative fuel; and
  • selecting annually new research projects based on emerging trends and program needs
• Modernized the TDG oversight regime for transporting dangerous goods by:
  • designing strategies for key oversight activities, such as compliance inspections, supply chain analysis and movements of dangerous goods in Canada and across the Canada-US border;
  • examining ways to improve the inspection process for low-risk regulated entities so that we can dedicate more oversight resources to higher risk areas;
  • providing training, tools and resources to support the inspectorate; and
  • maintaining and strengthening the outreach program and supporting awareness material for the industry, communities/municipalities, first responders and the general public

Contribution to FSDS goal/target:  

The Transportation of Dangerous Goods (TDG) Act and Regulations' primary mandate is to promote public safety. This also includes the prevention of dangerous goods releases and incidents. The departmental actions (listed in Column #3) will directly lead to more effective prevention of incidents throughout Canada

In the event of a dangerous goods incident, Transport Canada may send a TDG Inspector or a TDG Remedial Measures Specialist (RMS).  The primary role of the RMS is to promote public safety by monitoring remedial measures taken to mitigate the incident by emergency response personnel

In addition, the Canadian Transport Emergency Centre (CANUTEC) is a national advisory service that assists emergency response personnel in handling dangerous goods emergencies on a 24/7 basis

TDG collaborative research results are used to improve means of containment safety and standards in order to reduce the likelihood or severity of an incident, reducing potential public exposure.  Research results are also used to support emergency response planning and response actions.  When selecting new research projects, on an annual basis, public safety is one of the important factors considered

Contribution to UNSDGs:

UN SDG Target 3.9- By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination

Starting point:

Transport Canada actively leads the Government of Canada's participation at ICAO on development of emissions standards and on other topics related to reducing the impact of aviation on the environment

100% of instruments are currently aligned with domestic legislation or international standardsTransport Canada works in collaboration with others, including current work to transition to unleaded aviation gasoline for piston engine aircraft

Performance indicator:

• The percentage (%) of regulatees who comply with the regulations^{Footnote 46}

Target:

• 100% compliance (ongoing once regulations come into force)

• 100% compliance to air pollutant emissions standards by airplane and aircraft engine manufacturers
• Continue to fund research on alternatives to low lead aviation gasoline

Contribution to FSDS goal/target:  

Canada's work with ICAO to build consensus on international agreements that reflect Canadian objectives will contribute to further advancing international standards and recommended practices for air pollutant and harmful substance reductions

Collaboration with national and international partners on research to advance scientific understanding in the area of aviation gasoline will contribute to finding an unleaded replacement fuel so that the exemption to the Gasoline Regulations can be removed in the future

Contribution to UNSDGs:

UN SDG Target 3.9- By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination

UN SDG Target 7.2- By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix

UN ADG Target 7a- By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology, including renewable energy, energy efficiency and advanced and cleaner fossil-fuel technology, and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology

UN SDG Target 9.4- By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities

UN SDG Target 9.5- Enhance scientific research, upgrade the technological capabilities of industrial sectors in all countries, in particular developing countries, including, by 2030, encouraging innovation and substantially increasing the number of research and development workers per 1 million people and public and private research and development spending

UN SDG Target 11.6- By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management

UN SDG Target 12.6- Encourage companies, especially large and transnational companies, to adopt sustainable practices and to integrate sustainability information into their reporting cycle

UN SDG Target 17.16- Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology and financial resources, to support the achievement of the sustainable development goals in all countries, in particular developing countries

Starting Point:

Locomotive Emissions Regulations entered into force in June 2017

A MOU with rail industry covering 2011-2016 was extended through to 2017

Performance Indicator:

• The percentage (%) of regulatees who comply with the regulations

Target:

• 100% compliance

• By March 31, 2020: 100% of regulatees complied with reporting requirements under the Locomotive Emissions Regulations. 16/16 railway companies required to report under the Regulations submitted an Annual Report to Transport Canada that included information on locomotive's Tier of standards (or emission standards level) and annual fleet changes to address air pollutant emissions. 2/2 railway companies required to provide emission testing results under the Regulations did so through In-use Test Reports provided to Transport Canada

Contribution to FSDS goal/target:  

Regulatees were able to comply with reporting requirements under the Locomotive Emissions Regulations and demonstrated through their reports the locomotives in their fleets meet emission standards thereby limiting air pollutant emissions from the rail sector

Contribution to UNSDGs:

UN SDG 3- Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

UN SDG 11- Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable

Under the Core Clean Transportation Research, Development and Demonstration – Aviation, Marine and Rail Transportation Program, address GHG and air pollutant emissions from aviation, marine and rail transportation through targeted research on emerging technologies and innovative practices^{Footnote 47}

* Given this work contributes to the reduction of GHGs and air pollutants, this departmental action also supports both the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy's (FSDS) "Effective Action on Climate Change" and "Safe and Healthy Communities" goals

Starting Point:

Since 2011, Transport Canada has invested more than $17 million in over 120 research, development and deployment projects that have yielded scientific information and data on new technologies to reduce GHG and air pollutant emissions from aviation, marine and rail

Performance Indicator:

• Percentage (%) of the total research budget for scientific, technical, or socio-economic research projects committed or spent

Target:

• 100% of total research budget committed or spent

Transfer Payments:

• 29% committed or spent as of March 31, 2020. Transport Canada is on track to meet this target as the program runs to March 31, 2023

Innovation Centre (marine and rail):

100% of the research budget was committed or spend

• In Fall 2019, Transport Canada launched a $21.1M Request for Proposals to solicit low-noise and low-emission marine technology testing, demonstration and deployment projects
• This first annual call for proposals closed on January 20, 2020 and 12 proposals were selected for negotiation of contracts.  The next call for proposals is tentatively scheduled for Fall 2020

Aviation:

• Through commitment of 94.8% of the allocated aviation research budget, aviation research projects were funded in the areas of emissions contributing to climate change, air pollutant emissions and aviation fuels

Contribution to FSDS goal/target:  

By collaborating with research partners, the Department will contribute to improved air quality in Canadian communities and reduced GHG emissions, by supporting research that improves the measurement, impact assessment and mitigation of emissions

Contribution to UNSDGs:

UN SDG 3- Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages

UN SDG 6- Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all

UN SDG 9- Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation

UN SDG 14- Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development