The Department of the Environment or Environment Canada is the department of the government of Canada with responsibility for coordinating environmental policies and programs as well as preserving and enhancing the natural environment and conservation of wildlife. Environment Canada is the lead department within the federal government when it comes to cleaning up hazardous waste and oil spills. The department is also responsible for meteorology as well as research and education on climate change, as well as international environmental issues (e.g. Canada-USA air issues).
Responsibility for environmental management in Canada is a shared responsibility between the federal government and provincial/territorial governments. For example, provincial governments have primary authority for permitting industrial waste discharges (e.g. to the air) while the federal government is responsible for the management of toxic substances in the country (e.g. benzene).
Environment Canada is currently (2005-present) undergoing a structural transformation to centralize authority and decision-making, and to standardize policy implementation.
Rona Ambrose is Environment Canada's Minister (2006-).
Division
Environment Canada is divided into geographic regions:
- National Capital Region
- Ontario Region
- Quebec Region
- Pacific-Yukon Region (BC and Yukon)
- Prairie-Northern Region (Nunavut, NWT and Prairies)
- Atlantic Region
The department has several organizations which carry out specific tasks:
- Meteorological Service of Canada (for weather forecasting)
- Canadian Wildlife Service
- Parks Canada which manages the Canadian National Parks system.
- Canadian Ice Service
- Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency
- National Water Research Institute
Related Legislation
- Canada National Parks Act
- Canada Water Act
- Canada Wildlife Act
- Canadian Environmental Protection Act (1999)
- Department of the Environment Act
- Environment Week Act, Canadian
- International River Improvements Act
- Lac Seul Conservation Act
- Lake of the Woods Control Board Act
- Manganese-Based Fuel Additives Act
- Migratory Birds Convention Act
- National Wildlife Week Act
- Species at Risk Act (2002)
- Weather Modification Information Act
- Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Inter-provincial Trade Act
External links
- Environment Canada
- Meteorological Service of Canada
- Parks Canada
- Select programs and services of Environment Canada
- Related acts and regulations
