OBJECTIVE 1.3: Developing and promoting fiscal, regulatory
and voluntary approaches that encourage the sustainable development of
natural resources.
|
Date target reported
|
Target
|
Date target reported
|
How this target advances sustainable
development
|
Future directions
|
|
1.3.1
|
By 1998, complete baseline study for energy sector with publication
of:
- Petroleum Fiscal Systems in Canada,
- Tax Treatment of Electricity from Renewable Energy Sources and
Energy Efficiency Technologies: an International Comparison
|
Mar 31/99
|
Identifies barriers and disincentives to sound environmental practices.
|
NRCan will continue to work with other government departments to
develop and promote a mix of economic, regulatory and voluntary
approaches that advance sustainable development. The priority for
SDS- Now and for the Future is
to analyze options for domestic emissions trading, in support of
the Kyoto Protocol.
|
|
|
By 1998, present to Canadian Council of Forest Ministers initial
in-depth study of how current taxation policies and regulations
in Canada affect the sustainability of private woodlots, and develop
final recommendations to CCFM based on consultations with selected
federal departments (ie, Finance, Revenue, and Agriculture and Agri-Food).
|
Mar 31/99
|
Reports on in-depth studies of how current income tax policies
in Canada affect the sustainability of private woodlots to assist
in making well-founded recommendations to Ministers of Forests and,
subsequently, Ministers of Revenue and Finance as appropriate. Changes
in taxation could positively influence forestry practices in favor
of sustainable forest management.
|
In its 2001 Budget, the Government of Canada recognizes the impact
of taxation on the sustainability of private woodlots. Currently,
commercial woodlots owners are subject to income tax when they transfer
their woodlots to their children. The budget proposes to ensure
that the existing intergenerational tax- deferred for farm property
is available for transfers of commercial woodlots after December
10, 2001, when they are operated in accordance with a prescribed
forest management plan.
|
|
1.3.2
|
By 1998, establish a working group to examine options for a national
system of tradeable permits for greenhouse gas emissions, with Environment
Canada and others.
|
Mar 31/99
|
Recognizes good performers for their achievements in reducing greenhouse
gas emissions and facilitates the reporting of progress.
|
As part of the approach to meet Canada's target of reducing
greenhouse gas emissions by 6% below 1990 levels by between 2008
and 2012, NRCan will analyze options for domestic emission trading.
The recognition of good performance in emissions reduction will
be beneficial to companies financially through their leadership,
and the environment through the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
This forms part of Action Plan 2000, which will be fully implemented
in 2003, and will bring Canada one third of the way to the reaching
the targets of the Kyoto Protocol.
NRCan will further promote voluntary stewardship through the Biodiversity
Stewardship in Resource Industries initiative, to address the needs
of Canada's species at risk and sustain biodiversity.
|
|
By 1998 and 1999, provide financial support to the Conference Board
of Canada study to assess the optimal mix and use of policy tools
for environmental protection.
|
Mar 31/99
|
Designed requirements, aiding the implementation of domestic emission
trading programs, reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
|
|
By 1998, prepare inventory of practices by mining and forestry
to conserve wildlife and habitat.
|
Mar 31/99
|
Promotes the dissemination of information on practices that help
to conserve wildlife and habitat, and encourages industry to improve
its practices.
|
|
1.3.3
|
Report to federal and provincial mining ministers on a national
review to improve regulatory system related to mining by 1998.
|
Mar 31/99
|
Provides the opportunity for multi-stakeholder groups to express
their views on how to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of
the regulatory system related to mining.
|
NRCan will work with all stakeholders to develop proposals for
alleviating any perceived or actual adverse effects of the current
regulatory regime on the exploration and mining industries in Canada,
and to promote the development of a regulatory climate for minerals
and metals which provides long-term stability and predictability
for Canadian industry.
|
|
1.3.4
|
By 1998, obtain approval from the Council of Energy Ministers on
the Energy Chapter of the Agreement on Internal Trade.
|
Mar 31/99
|
Increases the efficiency of the electricity markets across Canada.
|
Outstanding trade related issues are currently under negotiation
by Trade Ministers. Once concluded, Energy Ministers will likely
review by the next Council of Energy Ministers in 2002.
|
|
1.3.5
|
By 1999, provide guidance and expertise to DFAIT as needed in order
to support them in their participation in international negotiations
to develop an international seabed mining code.
|
Mar 31/00
|
Ensures that sustainable development remains an underlying goal
for the international sea bed mining code.
|
NRCan will continue to contribute to sound environmental and social
decision-making by generating and providing state-of-the-art information
on Canada's sea bed resources
|
|
By 1999, prepare maps and reports that describe the potential outer
limits of the judicial continental shelf of Canada's Arctic and
Atlantic coasts, identifying gaps and weaknesses in the database
that need to be rectified with systematic surveys or related field
work.
|
Mar 31/00
|
Identifies the limits of the area that could potentially come under
Canadian jurisdiction, once Canada ratifies the Law of the Sea,
and identify the new data requirements to strengthen the Canadian
request, with the intent to ensure the sustainable development of
natural resources in that area.
|
