Supplementary information tables

Details on transfer payment programs of $5 million or more

• Aboriginal Aquatic Resource and Oceans Management
• Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy
• Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative
• Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary
• Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative
• Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnership Program (RFCPP)
• Ocean and Freshwater Science Contribution Program

Aboriginal Aquatic Resource and Oceans Management

Start Date: 2005-06

End Date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Estimates

Fiscal Year for Terms and Conditions: 2009-10

Link to Department's Program Alignment Architecture: Aboriginal Strategies and Governance

Description: Launched in October 2004, the Aboriginal Aquatic Resource and Oceans Management (AAROM) program provides for capacity building and collaborative management initiatives that support the involvement of Indigenous groups, working together, to obtain access to technical, scientific and administrative expertise in order to facilitate their participation in multi-stakeholder and other decision making processes used to manage aquatic resources and ocean spaces.

Indigenous groups transition from capacity building into collaborative management.

Provisions of Contribution Agreements under AAROM may include:

• establishing AAROM collaborative management structures or bodies;
• accessing skilled professional, administrative and technical expertise from within the Indigenous community or other external sources but excluding public office holders;
• participating in aquatic resource and oceans management planning - through the development of resource and oceans management plans and the coordination of community input into the development of plans;
• developing or providing input into the development of models, structures Indigenous group;
• planning and holding consultation sessions with member communities on AAROM-related issues;
• participating in various government technical committees and other multi-stakeholder fora;
• developing, implementing and monitoring the AAROM capacity building strategies;
• developing enforcement capacity including Aboriginal Fishery Officers and upgrading the skills of Aboriginal Guardians;
• collaborating in scientific research efforts related to aquatic resource and oceans management;
• participating in and providing input to various aquatic and oceans resource policy and management processes;
• undertaking scientific research activities to support appropriate watershed / ecosystem-based management efforts, including the collection and gathering of Aboriginal traditional knowledge;
• conducting community outreach, stewardship and awareness activities;
• conducting liaison activities with other relevant/interested parties;
• developing protocols on Aboriginal traditional knowledge - dealing with new and innovative approaches to collect, analyze and integrate this information into environmental and habitat assessments and management practices;
• ongoing program planning, administration and reporting activities of the AAROM Collaborative Management body; and
• negotiations and implementation of related AAROM agreements (and associated protocols) for which Fisheries and Oceans Canada is a signatory.

The AAROM program is applicable in areas where Fisheries and Oceans Canada manages the fishery, and where land claim agreements addressing those matters covered under the AAROM program are not in place. Where the Aboriginal group has signed a comprehensive land claims agreement, and one or more of the matters covered by the AAROM program are not dealt with in the agreement, the group would be eligible to apply for support in those matters not covered.

Expected results: The AAROM program will continue to provide support to Indigenous communities and organizations by enhancing their ability to participate in the department’s advisory and decision making processes, and increase the level of active Indigenous participation in collaborative management of aquatic and ocean resources. There are currently 35 AAROM agreements signed per year, encompassing approximately 300 Indigenous communities and organizations within 35 watershed-level aggregate management bodies. In addition, the AAROM program creates approximately 260 jobs annually. Efforts are currently underway to develop comprehensive performance measures and metrics for the AAROM program.

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2013-14

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: 2018-19

General targeted recipient groups: First Nations communities and other Indigenous recipients and organization

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: Through Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Transfer Payment programs, most of which are targeted at Indigenous participation in fisheries, the Department is able to build productive relationships with Indigenous and other groups to further the goals of sustainability and prosperity, resulting in fishing industries operating in a well-managed integrated commercial fishery with a stable fisheries management regime, and common and transparent rules for all.

Following the adoption of the revised Federal Transfer Payment Policy, the Department brought its Indigenous programs under a single set of Terms and Conditions, with a renewed emphasis on results-based management. This prompted the design of new tools to enhance accountability and reduce administrative burden, notably a Common Contribution Agreement template and a Recipient Capacity Assessment tool. Indigenous recipients were involved in focus groups, training, and discussion sessions across Fisheries and Oceans Canada regions. These tools help streamline administrative practices, and improve the quality and consistency of results reporting and financial accountability across all programs. In addition, the recipient capacity assessment implements the risk-based approach to setting flexible terms and conditions for agreements resulting in an increasing number of multi-year agreements and more streamlined reporting for the organizations, demonstrating improved accountability.

Each year, in delivering its Indigenous programs, the Department concludes approximately 165 contribution agreements with Indigenous groups — typically 135 with individual groups and 30 with aggregate groups. Recipients are engaged from the outset to determine the objective and scope of the work that they propose to undertake, and further on the specific work plans and budgets, leading to the conclusion of the agreements. Engagement continues throughout the year with the monitoring of work progress by departmental staff, including on-site visits, as well as discussions with recipients about their reports on results and expenses. The Department continues to work with Aboriginal Indigenous to refine the efficiency of these practices.

Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy

Start Date: 1992

End Date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Estimates

Fiscal Year for Terms and Conditions: 2009-10

Link to Department's Program Alignment Architecture: Aboriginal Strategies and Governance

Description: Launched in 1992, the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy (AFS) provides for negotiated arrangements with Indigenous groups around the harvesting, use and management of Indigenous food, social and ceremonial fisheries and, where applicable, communal commercial fisheries.

In 1994, Fisheries and Oceans Canada introduced a commercial access component to the AFS, the Allocation Transfer program. Fisheries and Oceans Canada introduced the Allocation Transfer program to facilitate the voluntary retirement of commercial fishing licenses and the issuance of communal licenses to eligible Indigenous groups in a manner that does not add to the existing effort on the resource.

Provisions of negotiated fisheries agreements under the AFS may include:

• a harvest allocation to the Indigenous group for food, social and ceremonial purposes;
• terms and conditions pertaining to communal fishing licenses;
• enforcement provisions, including the training and engagement of Aboriginal Fisheries Guardians;
• arrangements for the co-management and stewardship of fisheries resources and their supporting habitats, including the restoration and protection of species at risk;
• co-management projects for the improvement of the management of fisheries generally, such as scientific research, stock assessment, fish enhancement and habitat management; and
• communal commercial fishing arrangements including the transfer of vessels and gear, as well as support for fisheries-related economic opportunities (e.g., demonstration fishery projects, aquaculture development, business planning support).

The AFS applies where Fisheries and Oceans Canada manages the fishery and where land claims agreements have not already put in place a fisheries management framework.

Expected results: The AFS program will continue to provide for the sustainable management of communal food, social, and ceremonial fisheries within integrated management systems that facilitate capacity development and self-sufficiency for Indigenous groups. Approximately 135 AFS contribution agreements are signed annually by the same number of Indigenous communities. In addition, the AFS program creates approximately 1,400 seasonal collaborative management jobs annually. Efforts are currently underway to develop comprehensive performance measures and metrics for the AFS program.

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2013-14

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: 2018-19

General targeted recipient groups: First Nations communities and other Indigenous recipients and organizations

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: Through Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s transfer payment programs, most of which are targeted at Indigenous participation in fisheries, the Department is able to build productive relationships with Indigenous and other groups to further the goals of sustainability and prosperity, resulting in fishing industries operating in a well-managed integrated commercial fishery with a stable fisheries management regime, and common and transparent rules for all.

Following the adoption of the revised Federal Transfer Payment Policy, the Department brought its Indigenous programs under a single set of Terms and Conditions, with a renewed emphasis on results-based management. This prompted the design of new tools to enhance accountability and reduce administrative burden, notably a Common Contribution Agreement Template and a Recipient Capacity Assessment Tool. Indigenous recipients were involved in focus groups, training, and discussion sessions across Fisheries and Oceans Canada regions. These tools help streamline administrative practices, and improve the quality and consistency of results reporting and financial accountability across all programs. In addition, the recipient capacity assessment implements the risk-based approach to setting flexible terms and conditions for agreements resulting in an increasing number of multi-year agreements and more streamlined reporting for the organizations, demonstrating improved accountability.

Each year, in delivering its Indigenous programs, the Department concludes approximately 165 contribution agreements with Indigenous groups — typically 135 with individual groups and 30 with aggregate groups. Recipients are engaged from the outset to determine the objective and scope of the work that they propose to undertake, and further on the specific work plans and budgets, leading to the conclusion of the agreements. Engagement continues throughout the year with the monitoring of work progress by departmental staff, including on-site visits, as well as discussions with recipients about their reports on results and expenses. The Department continues to work with Indigenous organizations to refine the efficiency of these practices.

Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative

Start Date: 2007-08

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Estimates

Fiscal Year for Terms and Conditions: 2009-10

Link to Department's Program Alignment Architecture: Aboriginal Strategies and Governance

Description: The Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (AICFI) was initially launched in 2007, as a five-year, $55.1 million program set to expire on March 31, 2012. The 2012 and 2013 Federal Budgets provided identical one-year $11.02 million extensions of the program. Budget 2014 provided an additional $22.04 million for the two-year renewal of the initiative ($11.02 million in 2014-15 and 2015-16). The 2015-16 Federal Budget announced a further one-year extension of the Initiative (2016-17).

The long-term goal of the AICFI is to continue to create positive conditions towards concluding longer-term Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada led arrangements for Mi'kmaq and Maliseet First Nations to:

• enhance capacity in governance and management of Mi'kmaq and Maliseet First Nations commercial fishing enterprises;
• develop effective participation in sustainable, integrated commercial fisheries with a greater role in fisheries management; and
• help diversify existing fishing enterprises to support the full realization of economic potential of existing fishing licenses.

The AICFI has been developed to proceed along two separate paths of deployment. The first is through individual Mi'kmaq and Maliseet First Nations where the individual First Nations can apply for funding for components of the initiative provided they have completed the prerequisite planning as per component requirements. This will allow First Nations the ability to personalize their development to their own needs and development schedule.

The second path of deployment is through associated aggregate bodies which may apply for funding to proceed with the development of the Commercial Fishing Enterprise Business Development Unit as well as co-management and various training and mentoring projects. Aggregate bodies will develop expertise that can be shared with individual First Nations which will provide smaller First Nations a larger voice within the commercial fishery as well as provide a higher value for dollar on mentoring and training sessions.

Expected results: The AICFI will continue to provide support to increase the capacity of Mi’kmaq and Maliseet First Nation Commercial Fishing Enterprises to effectively operate fish harvesting and fishery-related activities, through the adoption of solid business practices, with the goal of becoming self-sustainable. Participation in the Atlantic commercial fisheries supported by the AICFI has resulted in $75.2M in landed value in 2013 and $37.4M in other revenues. In addition, the initiative has resulted in the support of 365 land-based jobs, and 1,310 harvesters.

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2015-16

Decision following the results of last evaluation: The 2015-16 evaluation concluded that the AICFI is relevant and a well performing program, and found there is a continued need for the services and resources provided to First Nations through this initiative.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: An evaluation of AICFI will be conducted on relevance and effectiveness no later than 2020-21, in accordance with Section 42.1 of the Financial Administration Act.

General targeted recipient groups: First Nations Communities. The 34 Mi’kmaq and Maliseet First Nations of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island and the Gaspé Region of Québec affected by the 1999 Supreme Court of Canada Marshall Decision, are eligible to receive funding.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: The AICFI supports the 34 Mi’kmaq and Maliseet First Nations to help build their capacity to manage successful Commercial Fishing Enterprises and to participate effectively in an integrated commercial fishery along with other commercial harvesters. Through the AICFI, Mi’kmaq and Maliseet First Nations receive advice, direction and financial support in four program components designed to follow stages of business development:

• Governance structure enhancement – to help the Mi’kmaq and Maliseet First Nations with activities that support increased accountability, transparency, and well-managed/operated Commercial Fishing Enterprises;
• Management practices enhancement – to assist the Mi’kmaq and Maliseet First Nations with activities that support preparation/upgrading and implementation of Business Development Plans and implementation of the Fisheries Management System;
• Collaborative management – to foster the development and implementation of processes to enable the Mi’kmaq and Maliseet First Nations to build the capacity to successfully participate individually and collectively in the collaborative management of the integrated commercial fishery; and
• Business development – to provide funding for participating Mi’kmaq and Maliseet First Nations to diversify their fishery by improving or replacing vessels, equipment and on-shore infrastructure, and other fisheries-related business development opportunities.

Through Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Transfer Payment programs, most of which are targeted at Indigenous participation in fisheries, the Department is able to build productive relationships with Indigenous and other groups to further the goals of sustainability and prosperity, resulting in fishing industries operating in a well-managed integrated commercial fishery with a stable fisheries management regime, and common and transparent rules for all.

Following the adoption of the revised Federal Transfer Payment Policy, the Department brought its Aboriginal programs under a single set of Terms and Conditions, with a renewed emphasis on results-based management. This prompted the design of new tools to enhance accountability and reduce administrative burden, notably a Common Contribution Agreement Template and a Recipient Capacity Assessment Tool. Aboriginal recipients were involved in focus groups, training, and discussion sessions across Fisheries and Oceans Canada regions. These tools help streamline administrative practices, and improve the quality and consistency of results reporting and financial accountability across all programs. In addition, the recipient capacity assessment implements the risk-based approach to setting flexible terms and conditions for agreements resulting in an increasing number of multi-year agreements and more streamlined reporting for the organizations, demonstrating improved accountability.

Each year, in delivering its Indigenous programs, the Department concludes approximately 165 contribution agreements with Indigenous groups — typically 135 with individual groups and 30 with aggregate groups. Recipients are engaged from the outset to determine the objective and scope of the work that they propose to undertake, and further on the specific work plans and budgets, leading to the conclusion of the agreements. Engagement continues throughout the year with the monitoring of work progress by departmental staff, including on-site visits, as well as discussions with recipients about their reports on results and expenses. The Department continues to work with Indigenous organizations to refine the efficiency of these practices.

Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary

Start Date: April 1, 2013 (renewed contribution agreement came into effect this date)

End Date: March 31, 2018

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Estimates

Fiscal Year for Terms and Conditions: Signed in 2012-13 (minor amendments to format requested by the Treasury Board Secretariat 2015-16)

Link to Department's Program Alignment Architecture Search and Rescue Services; Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary

Description: To permit the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (CCGA) to provide strategically located (as determined by Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) in consultation with CCGA corporations), trained and qualified CCGA members and vessels that are prepared and available for supporting CCG search and rescue activities, and other CCG mandated activities.

This program is not a repayable contribution as the CCGA corporations are federally incorporated non-profit orgs.

Expected results: As per the integrated Results-Based Management and Accountability Framework and the Risk-Based Audit Framework for the CCGA, the continuation of the CCGA program will directly result in reduced loss of life, reduced loss and/or damage to property, and reduced number and severity of maritime search and rescue incidents.

Ultimate outcome: safe and accessible Canadian waterways.

Immediate outcome: CCGA members and vessels are prepared and available for supporting Coast Guard search and rescue activities, and other CCG mandated activities.

Main indicators: percentage of maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) incidents in which CCGA participated, and; percentages of CCGA tasked units that are properly trained and equipped.

*Terms and Conditions will be renewed throughout 2017-18 and therefore this process could change our expected outcomes and indicators for the program in future years.

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2012-13

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Continuation

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: 2016-17

General targeted recipient groups:: Non-profit organizations. The CCGA associations are incorporated under Part II of the Canada Corporations Act (Schedule I):

• Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (Pacific) Inc. (now publicly known as “Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue”);
• Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (Central & Arctic) Inc.;
• Garde Côtière Auxiliaire Canadienne (Québec) Inc.;
• Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (Maritimes) Inc.; and
• Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary (Newfoundland & Labrador) Inc.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients:

• SAR (SAR Response; towing of disabled vessels; fire fighting to save lives; provision of humanitarian assistance);
• training (participation in international SAR competitions and training activities; participation in training exercises; familiarization patrols);
• administration (attendance at CCGA meetings and meeting of other organizations; travel to CCGA authorized activities; conference attendance; recruitment activities);
• SAR System Awareness (reporting of out of position; damaged and malfunctioning aids to navigation; SAR system awareness activities (presentations, staffing booths at boat shows, demonstrations of SAR equipment)); and
• throughout 2017-18 Coast Guard will work with the Auxiliary regions through a national working group to negotiate the terms and conditions of the new contribution agreements to be put in place by April 1^st 2018.

Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative

Start Date: 2007-08

End Date: March 31, 2017 (Funding for the Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative expired in 2016-17. The future of this initiative will be determined through the budget allocation process for 2017-18).

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Estimates

Fiscal Year for Terms and Conditions: 2007-08/2009-10: Implementation of the Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative was originally carried out using the established Terms and Conditions for the Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy (negotiation and implementation of fisheries agreements and Allocation Transfer program) and Aboriginal Aquatic Resources and Oceans Management program. In 2009, a review of all Fisheries and Oceans Canada Aboriginal contribution based programs, including the Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative, has culminated in the development of the Integrated Aboriginal Contribution Management Framework, which includes the recently approved Integrated Aboriginal Contribution Management Framework Terms and Conditions, under which the Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative now operates.

Link to Department's Program Alignment Architecture: Aboriginal Strategies and Governance

Description: On July 16, 2007, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard announced the Pacific Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative (PICFI), which is designed to support increased First Nations participation in integrated commercial fisheries, where all commercial harvesters fish under common and transparent rules, a higher standard of accountability for all resource users, and strengthened collaboration and cooperation amongst all fishery interests.

The PICFI was initially launched as a five-year $175 million program to lay the foundation for an integrated, stable and prosperous fishery in British Columbia, where all commercial harvesters, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, operate under common and transparent rules. The initiative received one-year extensions from 2012-14 ($22.5 million and $22 million respectively). Budget 2014 announced a two-year ($44.1 million) renewal of the initiative ($22.1 million in 2014-15 and 2015-16). The 2015-16 Federal Budget announced a further one-year extension of the Initiative (2016-17).

The initiative includes the following four distinct yet integrated elements:

• increased First Nation participation in integrated commercial fisheries, British Columbia-wide, in advance of treaties, through the voluntary relinquishment of commercial licenses and quota to support First Nations self-sufficiency through economic development, build a foundation for future treaties, and bring First Nations more fully into integrated management processes;
• First Nation capacity building to support the development of First Nations commercial fisheries enterprises so that the commercial fishery access provided is effectively utilized and managed;
• fisheries accountability measures to support enhanced fisheries monitoring, catch reporting, and greater enforcement, to enable the development of a traceability system, and to ensure all fishery participants are confident that integrated management plans are being respected and that the fisheries resource is being managed in a sustainable manner; and
• new Pacific collaborative management models to establish new mechanisms for increasing the collaboration of resource users in commercial fisheries decision making, to facilitate joint problem-solving among interested groups, and to better achieve sustainable resource management approaches that meet conservation goals.

Expected results: The PICFI will continue to provide support to increase the capacity of First Nation Commercial Fishing Enterprises in British Columbia to effectively operate fish harvesting and fishery-related activities, through the adoption of solid business practices, with the goal of becoming self-sustainable. Participation in the Pacific commercial fisheries supported by the PICFI has resulted in $21.9M in landed value (2015). In addition, the Initiative has resulted in the support of 408 land-based jobs, and 690 harvesters.

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2015-16

Decision following the results of last evaluation: The 2015-16 evaluation concluded that the PICFI is relevant and a well performing program, and found there is a continued need for the services and resources provided to First Nations through this initiative.

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: An evaluation of PICFI will be conducted on relevance and effectiveness no later than 2020-21, in accordance with Section 42.1 of the Financial Administration Act.

General targeted recipient groups: The PICFI supports the development of British Columbia First Nation-owned and operated Commercial Fishing Enterprises at an aggregate level.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: To support ongoing advancement with Pacific commercial fishery reforms, the PICFI focuses on the following themes:

• advancing collaborative fisheries management in order for all harvest sectors, including First Nation Commercial Fishing Enterprises, to effectively engage in planning and management processes;
• supporting First Nation fisheries enterprise development focuses on stabilizing access for harvest groups through investment in commercial fishing, Commercial Fishing Enterprises capacity building and capital (licenses, quota, vessels and gear, etc.) and at the same time advance on broader government objectives related to First Nation community economic self-sufficiency; and
• through enhanced accountability and other improved fisheries management measures, the PICFI is creating the conditions for increased compliance with fishing rules and greater confidence in catch statistics.

Through Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Transfer Payment programs, most of which are targeted at Aboriginal participation in fisheries, the Department is able to build productive relationships with Aboriginal and other groups to further the goals of sustainability and prosperity, resulting in fishing industries operating in a well-managed integrated commercial fishery with a stable fisheries management regime, and common and transparent rules for all.

Following the adoption of the revised Federal Transfer Payment Policy, the Department brought its Aboriginal programs under a single set of Terms and Conditions, with a renewed emphasis on results-based management. This prompted the design of new tools to enhance accountability and reduce administrative burden, notably a Common Contribution Agreement Template and a Recipient Capacity Assessment Tool. Aboriginal recipients were involved in focus groups, training, and discussion sessions across Fisheries and Oceans Canada regions. These tools help streamline administrative practices, and improve the quality and consistency of results reporting and financial accountability across all programs. In addition, the recipient capacity assessment implements the risk-based approach to setting flexible terms and conditions for agreements resulting in an increasing number of multi-year agreements and more streamlined reporting for the organizations, demonstrating improved accountability.

Each year, in delivering its Indigenous programs, the Department concludes approximately 165 contribution agreements with Indigenous groups — typically 135 with individual groups and 30 with aggregate groups. Recipients are engaged from the outset to determine the objective and scope of the work that they propose to undertake, and further on the specific work plans and budgets, leading to the conclusion of the agreements. Engagement continues throughout the year with the monitoring of work progress by departmental staff, including on-site visits, as well as discussions with recipients about their reports on results and expenses. The Department continues to work with Indigenous organizations to refine the efficiency of these practices.

Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnership Program

Start Date: June 6, 2013

End Date: March 31, 2019

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Estimates

Fiscal Year for Terms and Conditions: 2013-2019

Link to Department's Program Alignment Architecture: Fisheries Protection; Partnerships and Regulatory Arrangements

Description: The Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program (RFCPP) promotes multi-partner initiatives and supports projects led by recreational fishing and angling groups, conservation organizations, and Indigenous organizations/groups, aimed at improving Canada’s recreational fisheries. These groups have established expertise and collaborative approaches in fish habitat restoration and are well positioned to deliver on projects that benefit recreational fisheries.

Program funding allows recipients to take action to restore, rebuild and rehabilitate compromised and/or threatened fisheries habitat in areas that are important to the sustainability and productivity of Canada’s recreational fisheries. For example, RFCPP funds groups to deliver activities such as making in-stream and streamside habitat improvements, removing barriers to fish migration, stabilizing riverbanks/reducing erosion, re-vegetating shorelines and/or enhancing structures to allow the free passage of fish to natural habitats.

The RFCPP focuses primarily on funding small and medium size projects (i.e., in the $20,000 to $100,000 range) but has a maximum contribution limit of $250,000 per project per year. Canadian government (federal, provincial, territorial and municipal) support cannot exceed 75% of total project expenditures, while federal support cannot exceed 50% of total project expenditures.

Expected results:

• Program outcomes are the external consequence attributed, in part, to the RFCPP. Outcomes are not wholly within the control of the RFCPP; instead they are within the area of the program’s influence;
• The immediate outcome of the RFCPP is achieved upon the signing of the contribution agreement. To date the RFCPP has successfully signed 745 contribution agreements, leveraged $41,327,428 in funding, engaged 1,988 partners and involved 13,449 volunteers;
• The intermediate outcome of the RFCPP is realized when projects are completed and targeted recreational fisheries habitat is restored. To date, 10,575,539 square meters of recreational fisheries habitat has been restored; and
• The ultimate outcome of the RFCPP, at the highest-level, is to enhance the sustainability and ongoing productivity of Canada’s recreational fisheries.

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: 2016-17

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: Not applicable

General targeted recipient groups: Recreational fishing and angling groups, Conservation organizations, Indigenous organizations/groups

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: Webpages specific to the RFCPP were added to the departmental website and include general program information, frequently asked questions and regional contact information, as well as the program’s Application Form and supporting Application Guidelines. The content of the webpages and documents is maintained on a regular basis to respond to comments and questions submitted by applicants and recipients. Various communication methods, including tweets and WebExes, are utilized to engage proponents, particularly during the program application windows.

The website also includes the RFCPP project success stories as a way to promote proponent achievements and to share project activities and results with other applicants and recipients across the country.

In conjunction with the opening of an application window, a Call letter is broadly distributed to potential program applicants. Upon funding decisions being made, each applicant receives a tailored response in regards to the project proposal it submitted. Successful applicants are notified of next steps, specific to application/proposed project submitted. Applicants whose proposed projects were not accepted are provided with a rationale of why their proposal was not accepted, and suggestions are included regarding how to improve their likelihood of success in future applications.

As part of standard project monitoring, departmental personnel engage recipients on a regular basis while also soliciting and responding to comments and questions related to program design and delivery. As such, ongoing program improvement forms a part of the standard recipient engagement process.

Ocean and Freshwater Science Contribution Program

Start date: May 2016

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Contribution

Type of appropriation: Estimates

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2016-17

Link to Department’s Program Alignment Architecture: Aquatic Animal Health; Aquatic Invasive Species; Biotechnology and Genomics; Fisheries Protection; Hydrographic Products and Services; Ocean Forecasting; Ocean Management; Species at Risk and Sustainable Aquaculture Program.

Description: The Ocean and Freshwater Science Contribution program allows the Department to provide financial assistance to organizations who wish to conduct scientific research and related science activities aligned with Departmental program areas.

Expected results:

• Scientific information and knowledge for evidence-based policy development and decision making relating to Canada’s oceans and aquatic ecosystems; and
• Increased research capacity for the Canadian ocean and fresh water science community.

Fiscal year of last completed evaluation: Not applicable (new program)

Decision following the results of last evaluation: Not applicable (new program)

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation: 2020-21

General targeted recipient groups: Canadian post-secondary academic institutions, Canadian non-governmental organizations, Indigenous groups, Canadian provincial, territorial, and municipal governments, Businesses and industry, including associations, Community groups, Foreign governments and international non-governmental organizations and Foreign universities.

Initiatives to engage applicants and recipients: Applicants and recipients are engaged through proposals solicited individually or in response to a formal call for proposals.