Environment and Climate Change Canada facts for kids
| Environnement et Changement climatique Canada | |
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| Department overview | |
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| Formed | 1971 |
| Type | Department responsible for coordinating environmental policies and programs |
| Jurisdiction | Canada |
| Employees | 7,616 (2021) |
| Minister responsible |
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| Department executive |
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| Child agencies |
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| Key document |
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Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is a department of the Government of Canada. Its main job is to protect and improve Canada's natural environment. This includes looking after water, air, soil, plants, and animals. It also helps manage Canada's natural resources.
ECCC is also known by its old name, Environment Canada. The current minister, Steven Guilbeault, helps guide the department. ECCC supports his work to keep our environment healthy. This includes forecasting daily weather and issuing warnings. They also help enforce rules about shared waters. The department works to coordinate environmental plans across the federal government.
Contents
How ECCC Started
In Canada, both the federal government and provincial governments share responsibility for the environment. For example, provinces manage resources like industrial waste. The federal government, through ECCC, handles toxic substances like benzene. ECCC also runs the Environmental Choice Program. This program helps people find eco-friendly products made in Canada.
ECCC is the main federal department for cleaning up hazardous waste. They also help with oil spills. They provide technical help to other groups when needed. ECCC also deals with environmental issues that cross borders, like air quality between Canada and the US.
Protecting Canada's Water
To better manage the environment, Canada passed the Canada Water Act in 1970. Then, in 1971, the Department of the Environment was created. This department was given the job of leading freshwater management. Provinces own most water resources and manage them daily. However, the federal government has specific roles, like protecting fisheries.
The Canada Water Act helps the federal government work with provinces and territories. Together, they protect and use Canada's water resources wisely. ECCC is the federal department that protects Canada's water. Provinces also manage drinking water and wastewater systems.
Climate Change Efforts
In 1997, the Kyoto Accord was an international agreement to reduce greenhouse gases. Canada's government at the time launched a plan to address climate change. In 2002, Canada agreed to the Kyoto Protocol.
In 2004, the Species at Risk Act became law. This act helps protect endangered plants and animals. Other efforts focused on improving air and water quality. They also worked on better cooperation between federal and provincial governments.
In 2011, Canada announced it would leave the Kyoto Protocol. The minister at the time, Peter Kent, said the agreement wasn't working. He noted that big polluters like the US and China were not covered by the protocol. He also said Canada would face large fines for not meeting its goals. This decision caused a lot of discussion around the world.
Later, in 2015, the government changed the department's name. It went from Environment Canada to Environment and Climate Change Canada. This change showed the government's new focus on climate change. In 2018, the government passed the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act. This act put a price on carbon pollution. In 2021, the Supreme Court of Canada confirmed this act was constitutional.
What ECCC Does
ECCC works across different regions of Canada:
- National Capital
- Atlantic and Quebec Region (including Atlantic Canada, Maritimes, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Quebec)
- Ontario
- West and North (including Yukon, Nunavut, Northwest Territories, British Columbia, and the Prairies)
The department has several groups that do specific jobs:
- Enforcement Branch: This group makes sure environmental laws are followed.
- Environmental Enforcement
- Wildlife Enforcement
- Environmental Protection Branch: This group works to protect the environment.
- Canadian Wildlife Service
- Chemical Sectors
- Energy and Transportation
- Environmental Protection Operations
- Legislative and Regulatory Affairs
- Strategic Priorities
- Meteorological Service of Canada: This group provides weather forecasts and monitors climate and air quality.
- Weather and environmental monitoring (including Water Survey of Canada)
Weather and Environmental Services
- Weather and Environmental Prediction and Services: This includes weather forecasts for defense, marine, and ice services. It also includes Weatheradio Canada, which broadcasts emergency weather information.
- Canadian Hurricane Centre: This center tracks hurricanes that might affect Canada.
- Science and Technology Branch: This group does scientific research on the environment.
- Atmospheric and Climate Science
- Water Science and Technology Directorate
- National Pollutant Release Inventory
- Wildlife and Landscape Science
- Air Quality Mobile Source Emissions Measurement and Research
Other Agencies
The Impact Assessment Agency of Canada is a separate agency that reports to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change. It helps decide if big projects will harm the environment.
Parks Canada manages Canada's National Parks. It also reports to the Minister of the Environment.
Enforcing Environmental Rules
The Enforcement Branch makes sure people follow federal environmental laws. Enforcement officers have special powers, similar to peace officers.
There are two types of enforcement officers:
- Environmental Enforcement Officers: They enforce laws about pollution and protecting the environment.
- Wildlife Enforcement Officers: They enforce laws that protect migratory birds, wildlife, and endangered species. They also regulate trade in wild animals and plants.
All officers wear a dark green uniform and a badge. Wildlife Enforcement Officers also carry firearms. Other law enforcement groups, like the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, can also be appointed to help enforce these laws.
Managing Electronic Waste
Electronic waste (e-waste) includes old electronics like phones and computers. ECCC has rules about how hazardous e-waste is exported and imported. These rules help make sure that e-waste is handled safely. Since 1992, ECCC has investigated many cases of people not following these rules.
Important Laws ECCC Works With
ECCC helps manage about 24 different laws. They do this through rules and agreements with different groups.
- Canada National Parks Act: This law guides how Parks Canada Agency manages national parks.
- Canada Wildlife Act: This law helps create and protect wildlife areas. These areas are important for preserving habitats, especially for species at risk.
- Impact Assessment Act (2019): This law helps assess the environmental impact of new projects.
- Migratory Birds Convention Act: First made in 1917, this law protects most bird species in Canada. It has rules about hunting and research.
See also
- Environment of Canada
- Accelerated Reduction/Elimination of Toxics
- Alberta Hail Project
- North American Game Warden Museum
- Ernie Cooper
- New Brunswick Environmental and Heritage Acts
- Weatheradio Canada
Additional reading
- In 2019, ECCC released a report called Canada's Changing Climate Report (CCCR). It is essentially a summary of the IPCC 5th Assessment Report, customized for Canada. The report states that coastal flooding is expected to increase in many areas due to global sea-level rise and local land subsidence or uplift.
