1.6: Environmental Process Modernization

Development of a new governance model for the Habitat Management Program to meet resource conservation objectives and enable industry to respond to economic forces.

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The Habitat Management Program of DFO is a key federal regulatory program to conserve and protect fish habitat.  Under the Fisheries Act, the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act and now the Species at Risk Act, the Program's regulatory responsibilities have an impact on a wide range of individuals, communities and businesses. The Environmental Process Modernization Plan (EPMP) provides the framework to reorient the Habitat Management Program.  This framework responds to public criticism that the current process is too cumbersome and resources could be better deployed to achieve the Program's objectives.  The EPMP is an excellent way for DFO to put into practice the Government of Canada's Smart Regulation agenda.  This does not mean lowering the level of protection, but providing protection in a fair and efficient way in the context of sustainable development.By moving from a reactive and fragmented process to one that is more proactive, cohesive and strategic, DFO is changing the way it does business with respect to these regulatory responsibilities to protect fish habitat.  The Department is working with provinces and territories, industry and other stakeholders to make decision-making processes more predictable, timely and transparent, and easier for the public to understand.  In doing so, DFO wants to be supportive of any potential social or economic opportunities.  Putting EPMP into action involves five key activities. The first component is the implementation of a risk management framework, where efforts will focus on critical and sensitive fish habitat and on projects with the greatest risk of affecting fish habitat.  This approach is objective and science-based.  It will support decision-making through rating activity risk (e.g., high, medium, low) dependent on sensitivity of habitat and the potential severity of the impact.Second, streamlining practices are being implemented with an initial focus on low-risk activities.  Through tools such as operating statements, guidelines, fact sheets, class authorizations and class screenings, proponents will have the information they require to proceed without further intervention by DFO in most cases.  In future years, the focus will turn to addressing medium- and higher-risk activities.Third, improved policy coherence and predictability will ensure administrative fairness and program credibility.  The action plan will focus on the development of a practitioner's guide, training for all staff, and improved performance evaluation, monitoring and reporting.  Fourth, DFO is renewing its emphasis on partnering, because the Department cannot succeed in the conservation and protection of fish habitat by itself.  This includes creating and furthering co-operative arrangements with external partners (e.g., provinces, industry sectors, Aboriginal groups, others) that identify common priorities and spell out how to work together effectively and efficiently.Finally, DFO is implementing a new management model within the Department for more complex activities which have nationally significant socio-economic implications.  This will strengthen the accountability measures at senior levels, improve interdepartmental co-ordination and communication, better harmonize federal and provincial reviews and facilitate more timely application of the environmental review process.

Indicator(s):

Indicator:1

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