Supplementary information tables

Horizontal Initiatives

Funding to implement emergency protection to support the survival and recovery of the southern resident killer whale

Lead department

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)

Federal partner departments

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC); Transport Canada (TC); Parks Canada (PC)

Start date

2019-20

End date

2023-24

Description

In May 2018, the Ministers of Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, as competent ministers under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) determined following completion of an Imminent Threat Assessment, that the Southern Resident Killer Whale population is facing imminent threat to their survival and recovery. A recommendation was made to the Governor in Council to enact an emergency order for their protection. In consideration of ongoing threat mitigation and additional measures to be implemented, the Governor in Council declined the making of the emergency order.

This Horizontal Initiative seeks the funding to implement additional measures to protect the Southern Resident Killer Whale from two of the three anthropogenic impacts that threaten their survival and recovery, namely prey availability, and physical and acoustic disturbance. Measures to address threats associated with the third threat of contaminants was provided through the Oceans Protection Program (OPP) and the Whales Initiative. The outcome of this horizontal initiative, as an extension of the Whales Initiative whose shared outcome is to “address human-induced threats for Southern Resident Killer Whale, North Atlantic Right Whale and St. Lawrence Estuary Beluga in support of the implementation of SARA Recovery Strategies and Action Plans”, aims to reduce threats impacting the Southern Resident Killer Whale population in order to allow the population to achieve stability and growth, and to ultimately increase their chances for survival and recovery.

Addressing the threats facing Southern Resident Killer Whale requires actions by the Government of Canada across several Departments and multiple partners. The threats do not impact the population in isolation, rather they are cumulative and chronic and action on all fronts is needed simultaneously. Threats associated with prey availability requires action to enable Southern Resident Killer Whale to have access to their preferred prey, Chinook Salmon. Managing fisheries such that there is enough of this resource is available for the whales, and improving environmental conditions so that they can forage effectively (meaning they are protected from physical and acoustic disturbance that can interfere with successful feeding). Since they hunt and communicate using echolocation they require an environment where underwater noise (e.g., from shipping, whale watching, fishing activity, etc.) is not impeding these activities. Additionally, to ensure their health and reproductive success they need an environment and food source that is free of environmental contaminants.

Accordingly, the actions to be undertaken through this initiative will build on existing activities under the Whales Initiative aimed at protecting endangered whales, including Southern Resident Killer Whale. The incremental activities are designed to more rapidly and effectively address the imminent threats to the Southern Resident Killer Whale related to prey availability and disturbance and will take an adaptive management approach to those threats in order to halt population decline and support population growth. Existing resources and measures are in place regarding environmental contaminants.

Governance structures

To ensure a whole-of-government approach, and consistent and complementary application with other related initiatives for Southern Resident Killer Whale and other endangered whales, in particular the Oceans Action Plan and consistent with Species at Risk Recovery Strategies, an interdepartmental Assistant Deputy Minister-level oversight committee has been created with Assistant Deputy Ministers (ADMs) from the lead Department’s responsible for the recovery of these species: DFO, TC, PCA and ECCC. In addition, the Assistant Secretary, Economic Sector, Treasury Board Secretariat, will become an ex-officio member of the ADM-level oversight committee. The committee also provides representation from other relevant Departments as necessary e.g., Department representation from Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs. This ADM Committee will maintain strong oversight, provide strategic direction, and facilitate coordination amongst departments and alignment with other federal priorities, such as reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples and energy development. It will also systematically review the implementation dashboard developed for measuring, monitoring and assessing the progress of specific initiatives. This ADM Committee will lead oversight of the delivery of the Whales Initiative including the incremental activities in this initiative. It will report to and take guidance from the existing OPP Deputy Ministers Committee to ensure whole of government coordination and alignment with government priorities at the most senior level.

The interdepartmental ADM Committee will also be responsible for horizontal reporting on plan progress and results to Ministers and Canadians, and linking initiatives and progress to related Government-wide initiatives. In addition to Departmental Plans and Departmental Results Reports, reporting on achievements of the Plan will be shared with the public at key intervals, highlighting results and benefits for Canadians.

Total federal funding allocated (from start to end date) (dollars)

$90,082,517

Total federal planned spending to date (dollars)

$93,421,540

Total federal actual spending to date (dollars)

$34,105,578

Date of last renewal of the horizontal initiative

Not applicable

Total federal funding allocated at the last renewal, and source of funding (dollars)

Not applicable

Additional federal funding received after the last renewal (dollars)

Not applicable

Total planned spending since the last renewal

Not applicable

Total actual spending since the last renewal

Not applicable

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation

An evaluation is scheduled to be completed in 2022-23.

Planning highlights

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

DFO will continue to administer fishing closures, which were first implemented in 2018, to support prey availability in key Southern Resident Killer Whales foraging areas. The Department will also consult with Indigenous groups and stakeholders on potential salmon fishing closure options, and the fishing closure protocol. The fishing closure protocol which was first piloted in 2021 would be used to implement the closures in the southern Gulf Islands area based on the confirmed presence of Southern Resident Killer Whale.

In another attempt to support Southern Resident Killer Whale prey availability, DFO plans to release one million juvenile Chinook through the Chilliwack River Hatchery in May 2023. Additionally, the Department also plans to research the pressures that can impact foraging success for Southern Resident Killer Whale including Chinook abundance in the Salish Sea.

The Canadian Coast Guard plans to continue supporting the implementation of Transport Canada's Interim Order for the Southern Resident Killer Whale and the DFO Marine Mammal Regulations through the Marine Mammal Desk which is staffed 24/7 and conducts the following activities:

• monitor vessel traffic for compliance through the restricted access zone (Interim Sanctuary Zone) and the voluntary slowdown area (Special Slowdown Area)
• contact non-compliant vessels in the Interim Sanctuary Zone and Special Slowdown Area to inform on restrictions for the Southern Resident Killer Whale
• file contravention reports to TC for all infractions whether incursions in a restricted zone or speed violations
• disseminate sightings information for any whale to enforcement agencies
• assist with the reporting of injured, sick, distressed, or deceased marine mammals for necessary actions (backup for the Marine Mammal Incident Reporting Hotline)

Transport Canada plans to:

• explore underwater noise reduction targets for vessels and mitigate the effects of echosounders directed toward Southern Resident Killer Whale and other underwater noise-sensitive marine species
• ensuring regional efforts more than mitigate the impacts of increasing vessel traffic from planned major projects (e.g., Trans Mountain Expansion) and communicating progress to regulatory agencies (e.g., Impact Assessment Agency of Canada)
• continue international partner collaborations through the International Maritime Organization to establish long-term solutions to underwater vessel noise
• continue to test and analyze operational practices and technologies that reduce underwater noise from vessel traffic

Parks Canada plans to continue efforts related to:

• Law enforcement (i.e., on-water surveillance patrols)
• Compliance promotion and outreach
• Science and monitoring (i.e., implementation of actions identified in PC Southern Resident Killer Whale Conservation Plans)
• Indigenous engagement

Parks Canada aims for the implementation of these efforts through collaboration and to further work toward prioritizing Indigenous-led and/or co-led conservation initiatives.

Contact information

Tanya Dunsmore, Senior Program Advisor, Tanya.Dunsmore@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Shared outcomes:

Address human-induced threats for Southern Resident Killer Whale in support of survival and recovery of the Southern Resident Killer Whale population in Canada.

Performance information

* This amount includes any additional funding received after the last renewal.

* This amount includes any additional funding received after the last renewal.

Funding to implement Canada’s new marine conservation targets

Lead department

Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)

Federal partner departments

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC); Transport Canada (TC); Parks Canada (PC); Natural Resource Canada (NRCan); Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada (CIRNAC)

Start date

2021-22

End date

2025-26

Description

This initiative provides funding for DFO, PCA, ECCC, TC, NRCan, and CIRNAC through three pillars of activities that will support conserving 25% of Canada’s oceans by 2025. In addition, DFO is seeking incremental resources to manage existing Oceans Act Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs). Together, the three pillars will advance new and existing MPAs and OECMs by building on the lessons learned and best practices gained through previous marine conservation efforts. Previous efforts have demonstrated that achieving marine conservation efforts within Canada requires a multi-pronged approach that is based on best available information and ensuring support and trust of partners and stakeholders. This horizontal initiative uses a whole-of-government approach that is based on capacity to implement the necessary activities to inform establishment and management of sites, enables the active participation of partners and stakeholders, and applies a balanced approach for advancing conservation by considering economic and societal objectives within the marine environment.

This initiative has been developed based on implicated departments’ experience with previous marine conservation initiatives, even though an evaluation of the 2016 marine conservation targets initiative has not been undertaken. This initiative uses a cooperative approach between departments where centrally coordinated policy direction is provided to support and advance collaborative responses to current and emerging oceans management issues, and to support the development of strengthened performance measurement tools, including enhanced outcomes, indicators and protocols.

Increasing Canada’s conservation efforts to 25% by 2025 is highly ambitious. To establish new conservation areas and ensure that those that are contributing to the target are effectively conserving important species, habitats and ecosystems, departments must gain an understanding at site and bioregional levels of the ecological, social, economic and cultural importance of areas, while concurrently ensuring that the efforts have the support of governments, Indigenous peoples, and stakeholders. To achieve these objectives in less than five years will require the activities under each of the three pillars be implemented in a complementary manner. Working towards the 2025 target by establishing new conserved areas while pursing MSP and collaborative partnerships will set a solid framework for the Government of Canada to achieve the 2025 target. Furthermore, this initiative contributes to other mandate priorities of the Government, such as the sustainability of fish stocks, the protection of whales, and climate change adaptation.

This initiative aligns with the Government of Canada’s Greening Government Strategy. Consistent with the Strategy, departments will minimize the ecosystem impacts of marine activities, such as reducing impacts from noise due to vessel operations. This initiative is focused on the collaborative involvement of Indigenous peoples, marine users, and local communities. Departments commit to engaging and collaborating in a way that achieves common environmental goals and supports sustainability planning in local communities.

The activities outlined in this initiative ensure that Canada’s duty to consult and accommodate is met. Departments will engage and consult with Indigenous groups to establish new conservation areas and in the ongoing management of sites. Where sites are within territory under a Modern Treaty, activities within this initiative have been developed to ensure respect for Modern Treaty obligations. For new sites, potential Indigenous groups and Modern Treaty partners to be consulted have been identified. This initiative seeks resources to support Indigenous involvement in the establishment and management of sites, enabling self-governance and stewardship of Indigenous territory. This initiative also aims to support the inclusion of Indigenous authorities at the table within MSP governance structures. Overall, this initiative has been developed in a manner that recognizes the Government of Canada’s duty to consult, respects Modern Treaty agreements, and seeks to emphasize reconciliation and facilitation of stewardship and economic opportunities for Indigenous groups.

Governance structures

DFO, PCA, and ECCC are responsible for achieving the new marine conservation targets by pursuing the activities outlined within this initiative. However, implementation of supporting activities by TC, NRCan, and CIRNAC are critical to DFO, PCA, and ECCC’s planning, establishment, management and outreach activities. Given the fact that this initiative tasks six different departments to work collaboratively to pursue shared outcomes, an Assistant Deputy Minister level governance committee will provide horizontal oversight to the initiative.

The Horizontal Initiative Oversight Committee for this initiative will be the Assistant Deputy Minister (ADM) Marine Conservation Targets (MCT) Implementation Committee, a new sub-committee that will be formed under the auspices of the existing ADMs’ Interdepartmental Committee on Oceans. DFO will have a secretariat in place to support this committee. Meetings of the new ADM MCT Implementation Committee will be held quarterly and membership will include DFO, PCA, ECCC, NRCan, TC, and CIRNAC. As lead for this committee, DFO will facilitate regular interactions with ADMs on issues of substance, such as national policy and/or program implementation challenges, and will monitor results of the initiative and propose course corrections as required.

The ADM MCT Implementation Committee will leverage expertise and best practices put in place by the long term work of the ADMs’ Interdepartmental Committee on Oceans, and will coordinate meeting agendas and secretariat services in order to reduce administrative burden of a new governance structure. The ADM MCT Implementation Committee will be supported by the existing Director Generals’ Federal Marine Protected Area Strategy Committee. This Committee’s mandate is to strengthen partnerships and increase collaboration between federal government departments that establish and manage MPAs and OECMs. All departments included in this initiative are members of the Committee, which meets on a quarterly basis to discuss policy and implementation issues across all member departments related to marine conservation and planning, with chair responsibilities shared between DFO and PCA.

Issues relevant to the implementation of this initiative will be discussed through the Director Generals’ Federal Marine Protected Area Strategy Committee, with recommendations, and outstanding issues to be sent to the ADM MCT Implementation Committee for discussion and review.

Total federal funding allocated (from start to end date) (dollars)

$842,817,316

Total federal planned spending to date (dollars)

$360,092,316

Total federal actual spending to date (dollars)

$0

Date of last renewal of the horizontal initiative

Not applicable

Total federal funding allocated at the last renewal, and source of funding (dollars)

Not applicable

Additional federal funding received after the last renewal (dollars)

Not applicable

Total planned spending since the last renewal

Not applicable

Total actual spending since the last renewal

Not applicable

Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation

An evaluation is scheduled to be completed in 2025-26.

Planning highlights

DFO is examining all existing Oceans Act MPA Enforcement Plans to ensure an updated national approach. Of the 14 Oceans Act MPAs, all have up-to-date enforcement plans completed and in place.

DFO also plans to:

• conserve 25% of Canada's oceans by 2025 and 30% by 2030
• manage existing marine protected areas, and where required, establish new areas and other effective area-based conservation measures with the support of negotiated Impact and Benefit agreements

This initiative is highly ambitious and the overall risk level associated with meeting the target is high.

Transport Canada supports MCTs under three pillars:

1. Continuing to support lead conservation departments in the establishment and management of marine protected areas and other effective-area based conservation measures, which includes:
   • further developing a vessel discharge protection standard in marine protected areas
   • providing support for establishment and negotiating activities as they relate to the Project Financing for Permanence agreement with the Qikiqtani Inuit Association in the Qikiqtani region, which includes the marine environment and potentially the Sarvarjuaq and Qikiqtait areas
   • establishing and managing marine protected areas in the Arctic and Beaufort Sea
2. Negotiating impact and benefit agreements (IBA), which include:
   • determining timelines for an IIBA agreement in principle for Sarvarjuaq and Qikiqtait
   • supporting IBA negotiations for the Southampton Area of Interest, led by DFO, with the Kivalliq Inuit Association in Fiscal Year 2023-24
3. Initiating marine spatial planning, which includes:
   • establishing regional marine spatial planning groups to lead the departments participation in spatial planning and provide guidance under the departments mandate

Parks Canada plans to:

• advance feasibility assessments for seven active national marine conservation area (NMCA) proposals that will contribute to the mandate letter of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change that calls for the establishment of 10 new NMCAs by 2025, with a focus on clearly defining deliverables from assessments
• continue working with partners to identify and launch feasibility assessments for the remaining three sites from a list that includes South Coast Fiords (NF); Pacific Rim (BC); Western Hudson Bay (MB); and Queen Maud Gulf (NU). This work is being undertaken with Indigenous governments and organizations and territorial and provincial governments, in part, to the meet the minister’s mandate letter to achieve co-management agreements for new sites
• implement a robust monitoring program in Parks Canada’s 5 existing NMCAs

Environment and Climate Change Canada plans to continue to advance efforts to establish 5 marine National Wildlife Areas and explore partnerships to expand marine conservation in joint priority areas.

Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada plans to continue initiating research and providing support for development and execution of harvest and monitoring studies to inform the establishment and management of conservation sites in the Eastern Arctic. A key risk for 2023-24 includes potential inability of Inuit organizations to absorb MCT funding and execute harvest and monitoring studies due to capacity issues. CIRNAC plans to work closely with each organization to provide as much support as possible. Another key risk for 2023-24 relates to meeting Inuit organization representatives and relationship building in new Arctic regions. This has been delayed previously due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and CIRNAC hopes to move forward with networking and advancing shared marine-related priorities in new regions for 2023-24.

Contact information

Christie Chute, 613-818-6578, Christie.Chute@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Kathy Graham, 613-990-4158, Kathy.Graham@dfo-mpo.gc.ca

Shared outcomes:

1. Canada’s estuarine, marine, and coastal ecosystems and marine natural heritage are conserved and effectively managed
2. Crown-Indigenous partnerships and engagement are enhanced through a shared interest in marine conservation

Performance information