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Major Projects Management Office Initiative (MPMOI)

General information
Name of horizontal initiative Major Projects Management Office Initiative (MPMOI)
Lead department Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
Federal partner departments
  • Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC)
  • Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)
  • Transport Canada (TC)
  • Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)
  • Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA)
Non-federal and non-governmental partners Not applicable
Start date of the horizontal initiative Original horizontal initiative's funding allocation start/end date: 2007-12.

First renewal of the horizontal initiative's funding allocation start/end date: 2012-15.

Second renewal start date of the horizontal initiative's funding allocation: April 1, 2015.
End date of the horizontal initiative March 31, 2020
Description of the horizontal initiative Established in 2007 to improve the performance of the review process for major natural resource projects, the MPMOI is a horizontal initiative across 12 federal departments and agencies. The Initiative was renewed in 2015 for $135 million over five years to ensure: that Canada remains a competitive and attractive location to invest; high environmental standards are upheld; and meaningful Indigenous consultations are conducted. The Major Projects Deputy Ministers' Committee serves as the governance body for the implementation of the Cabinet Directive on Improving the Performance of the Regulatory System for Major Resource Projects.
Governance structures The Cabinet Directive on Improving the Performance of the Regulatory System for Major Resource Projects establishes the governance framework for federal departments and agencies to facilitate the effective, coordinated and concurrent discharge of their statutory duties, functions and obligations related to the regulation of major resource projects. It encourages them to work together to identify areas where the federal regulatory system can be improved, and to drive system-wide improvements to the accountability, transparency, timeliness and predictability of the federal regulatory system for major resource projects.

The Minister of Natural Resources is the lead minister for the MPMOI. He works with his counterparts to report to Cabinet on improvements to the federal review process and reports to Parliament and the public through NRCan’s Annual Report.

The Major Projects Deputy Ministers' Committee governs the Initiative, providing direction to resolve project and policy matters in keeping with the Cabinet Directive. Members include Deputy Minister-level representation from:  NRCan (Chair), Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada, Industry Canada, Health Canada, Justice, Privy Council Office, Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency, Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission, and the National Energy Board.

The Committee is supported by MPMO officials who provide overarching management and coordination of the federal regulatory system for major resource projects, and deliver strategic policy advice, analysis and other information to support the sound functioning of this horizontal initiative.

Interdepartmental working groups of MPMOI partners at the Assistant Deputy Minister, Director General and working levels meet regularly to advance the coherent delivery of the MPMO mandate.
Total federal funding allocated (from start to end date) (dollars) $135 million (for current renewal period)
Total federal planned spending to date (dollars) $288 million (since inception in 2007)
Total federal actual spending to date (dollars) $278 million (since inception in 2007)
Date of last renewal of the horizontal initiative 2015
Total federal funding allocated at the last renewal, and source of funding (dollars) $135 million 
Additional federal funding received after the last renewal (dollars) Not applicable
Funding contributed by non-federal and non-governmental partners (dollars) Not applicable
Fiscal year of planned completion of next evaluation   NRCan will lead a comprehensive, horizontal evaluation of the MPMO Initiative in 2018-19.
Shared outcome of federal partner departments Improved performance of the federal review process for major resource projects in support of sustainable resource development in Canada, and regulatory decisions that hold the confidence of Canadians.
Performance indicator(s) See horizontal performance information table below.
Target(s) See horizontal performance information table below.
Data source and frequency of monitoring and reporting Various sources. Annual reporting. 
Results See horizontal performance information table below.
Expected outcome of non-federal and non-governmental partners Not applicable
Performance highlights As of March 31, 2018, the MPMOI had 89 projects under its management and oversight. All projects met service standards and legislated timeline targets, as a result, in part, of receiving one-on-one guidance from the MPMO and an integrated whole of government review process.

Contact information

Erin O’Brien, Director General, Strategic Policy and Planning
Major Projects Management Office
Natural Resources Canada
580 Booth Street, 12th Floor
Ottawa, ON K1A0E4

Performance information

Key Objective Area (KOA) 1: Environmental Assessment/Regulatory Review, Decision Making and Post-Approval Follow-Up and Compliance
Monitoring (Scientific/Technical Expert Capacity; Proponent Support and System Integration; Policy and Reporting; Legal Services)*
Federal departments Link to the department’s [Program Alignment Architecture or Program Inventory] Horizontal initiative activities Total federal allocation (from start to end date) (dollars) 2017–18 Planned spending (dollars) 2017–18 Actual spending (dollars) 2017–18 Expected results 2017–18 Performance indicators 2017–18 Targets Date to achieve target 2017–18 Actual results
CEAA P1a. Environmental Assessment Delivery Determining whether an EA is required, undertaking analysis of potential impacts of a designated project on the environment and Indigenous rights and treaty rights, undertaking Indigenous consultations, preparing EA decision statements, and compliance and enforcement 33,786,539 6,790,734 7,469,127 1. Timely EA and regulatory decisions for major projects

2. Federal roles and responsibilities for major project reviews are clear and predictable

3. Regular tracking of projects and identification of issues that need resolution

4. Integrated and robust advice supports improvements to the major project review process

5.High quality EAs
1a. Percentage of major project EAs that meet legislated timelines (CEAA, NEB, CNSC reviews)

1b. Percentage of major project regulatory permitting processes that meet their service standards or regulated timelines

2. Percentage of major project reviews for which the MPMOI has set out clear and predictable federal roles and responsibilities

3. Frequency of tracking of projects and identification of issues that needs resolution

4. MPMO DMs are satisfied or very satisfied with how advice is advanced on horizontal issues

5a. Proportion of relevant federal departments providing information/ knowledge/ advice to CEAA for standard EAs

5b. Proportion of relevant federal departments participating in CEAA Review Panel/NEB/CNSC public hearings

5c. Percentage of projects undergoing follow-up and monitoring for which CEAA received a report during the reporting period that indicated that the mitigation measures set out in the EA decision statement would effectively address the environmental effects of the project

5d. Percentage of projects where adaptive management measures undertaken by the proponent and reported to CEAA led to effectively addressing the environmental effects of the project

1a.Target: 100% of major project EAs meet legislated timelines (CEAA, NEB, CNSC reviews)

1.b Target: 90% of major project EAs meet service standards; and 100% meet regulated timelines

2. Target: MPMOI has set out clear and predictable federal roles and responsibilities for 100% of major project reviews.

3. Target: Daily tracking of project activities, and the identification of issues that need s resolution.

4.Target: 70% of MPMO DMs are satisfied or very satisfied with how advice is advanced on horizontal issues

5a. 100%of relevant federal departments provide information/ knowledge/ advice to CEAA for standard EAs

5b. 100% relevant federal departments participate in CEAA Review Panel/NEB/CNSC public hearings.

5c. 90% of projects undergoing follow-up and monitoring for which CEAA received a report during the reporting period that indicated that the mitigation measures set out in the EA decision statement would effectively address the environmental effects of the project.

5d. 90% of projects where adaptive management measures undertaken by the proponent and reported to CEAA led to effectively addressing the environmental effects of the project

Annual 1a. 100% of EAs conducted by the Agency adhere to legislated timelines.

1b. As of March 31, 2018, 100% of major project regulatory permitting processes under the Fisheries Act, met their service standards and regulated timelines.

As of March 31, 2018, 100% of major project regulatory permitting issues under ECCC met their service standards and regulated timelines.

As of March 31, 2018, 100% of major project regulatory permitting issues under the Explosives Act met their regulated timelines.

2. As of March 31, 2018, the MPMOI had 89 projects under its management and oversight. All projects met the target. Results can be attributed, in part, to projects receiving one-on-one guidance from the MPMO throughout all stages of the project review process.

3. As of March 31, 2018, project issues were tracked on a daily basis and summaries of project issues were regularly shared with MPMO DM Committee members for their discussion and resolution. There were 9 Deputy Head meetings during the 2017-18 fiscal year.

4. All Deputy Heads were surveyed during the 2016-17 fiscal year. The results indicated that 80% of DMs were satisfied with how advice was advanced on horizontal issues.

5a. In accordance with section 20 of the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 federal departments must make available to the Agency expert knowledge and information. During the 2017-18 fiscal year, 100% of federal departments provided information and knowledge into the environmental assessment process as required.

5b. During the 2017-18 fiscal year, no CEAA Review Panel public hearings occurred.

5c. 75% of projects undergoing follow-up and monitoring for which CEAA received a report during the reporting period indicated that the mitigation measures set out in the EA decision statement effectively address the environmental effects of the project.

The Agency received four reports, three of which demonstrated that the mitigation measures set out in the EA decision statement would effectively address the environmental effects of the project.

5d. During the reporting period, the Agency did not identify any projects where adaptive management measures were required.

P1b. Environmental Assessment Policy Supporting development of horizontal policies or procedures and developing and implementing ongoing improvements to the EA process for major projects 3,804,845 760,969 408,608
DFO 2.2 Fisheries Protection Program Providing information or knowledge on fish, fish habitat, and aquatic species at risk in support of EAs, applying regulatory review and permitting processes under the Fisheries Act and Species at Risk Act, supporting development of horizontal policies and procedures and ensuring departmental implementation of ongoing improvements to the review process for major projects 26,436,064 5,277,584 5,537,985
NRCan 1.3.5 Major Projects Management Office Initiative Providing a single window for proponents and overarching management of major project reviews and providing horizontal leadership across the federal government to advance improvements to the major project review process 19,097,323 3,735,812 3,697,192
TC 2.3 Environmental Stewardship of Transportation Providing information or knowledge on transportation-related environmental impacts during the EA process 6,920,099 1,384,020 1,384,020
3.2.3 Marine Safety (Navigation Protection Program) Providing information or knowledge on impacts to navigable waters during the EA and regulatory permitting processes and developing and implementing ongoing improvements to the review process for major projects 4,858,921 971,784 723,513
ECCC 1.1 Biodiversity-Wildlife and Habitat Providing expertise on wildlife and habitat during the EA and regulatory permitting processes 2,442,365 488,473 416,990
1.2 Water Resources Providing expertise on hydrologic, water quantity and hydraulic impacts during the EA process 531,145 106,229 98,686
1.3 Sustainable Ecosystems Providing information or knowledge on environmental impacts during the EA process and developing and implementing ongoing improvements to the review process for major projects 2,069,128 413,825 345,380
2.1 Weather and Environmental Services for Canadians Providing information or knowledge on hydrological and climate change impacts during the EA process 531,145 106,229 99,210
3.1 Substances and Waste Management Providing information or knowledge on mining and processing during the EA and regulatory permitting processes 2,545,155 509,031 524,390
3.2 Climate Change and Clean Air Providing support on climate modeling and GHG gas emissions during the EA process 693,487 138,698 122,129
INAC 3.2.1 Lands and Economic Development Services Note: This sub-program area may be subject to change in the future Providing information or knowledge on land management and Indigenous title and consultation during the EA process and developing and implementing ongoing improvements to the review process for major projects 2,193,009 431,296 250,188
4.3.1 Petroleum and Minerals Providing information or knowledge on land management and Indigenous title and consultation in the North during the EA process and developing and implementing ongoing improvements to the review process for major projects 1,607,852 323,853 183,880
3.3 Strategic Partnerships Implementing ongoing improvements to the review process for major projects 872,034 188,261 502,849
Total for all federal departments N/A N/A 108,389,111 21,626,798 21,764,147 N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Key Objective Area 2: Indigenous Consultation
(CEAA also undertakes Indigenous consultation activities, which are included in the funding reported under KOA #1)
*Note, some of these resources reported under KOA #1 (related to the four business lines listed above) may also support KOA #2 (Indigenous consultation)
Federal departments Link to the department’s [Program Alignment Architecture or Program Inventory] Horizontal initiative activities Total federal allocation (from start to end date) (dollars) 2017–18 Planned spending (dollars) 2017–18 Actual spending (dollars) 2017–18 Expected results 2017–18 Performance indicators 2017–18 Targets Date to achieve target 2017–18 Actual results
DFO 2.2 Fisheries Protection Program Supporting consultations during EAs and undertaking consultations in relation to regulatory decisions under the Fisheries Act and Species at Risk Act to meet duty to consult obligations 6,558,190 1,311,638 995,307 1. Indigenous consultation activities for major projects are fulfilled in a consistent, adequate and meaningful manner, and meet the Crown's legal duty to consult 1.1 Percentage of major project reviews that have an Aboriginal consultation work plan 1.1 100% of major project reviews with a Crown consultation component that have an Indigenous consultation work plan Annual 1.1 During 2017-18, 5 major projects entered the regulatory permitting phase of the project review process. 100% of these projects had an Indigenous consultation plan.
1.2 Percentage of major project reviews for which DOJ, when requested, assesses the legal risk arising as a result of federal consultation efforts as low to medium 1.2 100% of major project reviews for which DOJ, when requested, assesses the legal risk arising as a result of federal consultation efforts as low to medium. Annual 1.2 Three of the five projects that entered the regulatory permitting phase of the project review process in 2017-18 had a legal risk assessment conducted. Of these, 100% had a legal risk assessment of low to medium.
1.3 Percentage of legal challenges to major project reviews (including Aboriginal consultation) where the Crown is not successful 1.3 Decreasing trend of legal challenges to major project reviews (including indigenous consultation) where the Crown is not successful n/a 1.3 There were no legal challenges for the five projects that entered the regulatory permitting phase process in 2017-18.
TC 2.3 Environmental Stewardship of Transportation Supporting consultations during EAs to meet duty to consult obligations 2,750,420 550,084 550,084
3.2.3 Marine Safety (Navigation Protection Program) Supporting consultations during EAs and undertaking consultations in relation to regulatory decisions under the Navigation Protection Act to meet duty to consult obligations
ECCC 1.3 Sustainable Ecosystems Supporting consultations during EAs and undertaking consultations in relation to regulatory decisions under the Fisheries Act, the Migratory Birds Convention Act, the Species at Risk Act and the International River Improvements Act to meet duty to consult obligations 2,522,930 504,586 419,140
INAC 3.2.1 Lands and Economic Development Services Note: This sub-program area may be subject to change in the future Providing early engagement and developing partnerships in the project development stage and prior to a major project reviews, and analyzing economic development opportunities respecting major projects 1,462,443 297,682 250,188
4.3.1 Petroleum and Minerals Providing early engagement and developing partnerships in the project development stage and prior to a major project reviews, and analyzing economic development opportunities respecting major projects 921,294 185,375 177,341
1.2.3 Consultation and Accommodation Providing information, analysis, training and guidance on issues to facilitate a whole-of-government approach to consultations 1,257,368 254,847 245,482
Total for all federal organizations N/A N/A 15,472,645 3,104,212 2,637,542 - - - - -
Internal Services (IS)
Federal organizations Total allocation
(from start to end date) (dollars)
2017-18 Planned spending (dollars) 2017-18 Actual spending (dollars)
CEAA 2,974,272 645,127 122,265
DFO 2,005,746 423,942 380,778Footnote 1
NRCan 1,337,021 267,358 206,667
TC 2,970,560 594,112 524,849
ECCC 1,164,645 232,929 232,929
INAC 686,000 118,686 118,686
Total (IS) 11,138,244 2,282,154 1,586,174
TOTAL MPMOI (KOA1, KOA2, IS) 135,000,000 27,000,000 26,980,042

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