Expenditure Estimates for the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks (2023–24)
The 2023–2024 Expenditure Estimates set out details of the operating and capital spending requirements of the Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks for the fiscal year commencing April 1, 2023.
Summary
Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks is responsible for protection and conservation of our air, land, water, species at risk and their habitat, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, climate change adaptation planning, and managing Ontario’s parks and conservation reserves.
The ministry’s work supports Ontario’s plan to create jobs, build resilient communities, and keep our economy open and strong, while achieving environmental goals to protect the natural beauty and resources across our province.
Ministry program summary
| Vote | Program | Estimates | Estimates | Difference | Actual |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Operating expense | |||||
| 1101 | Ministry Administration Program | $63,278,200 | $54,268,200 | $9,010,000 | $55,613,975 |
| 1112 | Environmental Policy | $22,180,900 | $26,132,400 | ($3,951,500) | $41,685,301 |
| 1114 | Environmental Sciences and Standards | $43,150,200 | $42,418,400 | $731,800 | $40,600,641 |
| 1116 | Environmental Compliance and Operations | $115,031,200 | $117,573,600 | ($2,542,400) | $92,560,722 |
| 1118 | Environmental Assessment and Permissions | $30,114,700 | $29,997,600 | $117,100 | $28,570,010 |
| 1119 | Climate Change and Resiliency | $14,618,500 | $14,848,900 | ($230,400) | $12,723,528 |
| 1120 | Land and Water | $70,429,400 | $60,207,800 | $10,221,600 | $64,768,576 |
| 1121 | Emissions Performance Standards Program | $1,000 | - | $1,000 | - |
| Total operating expense to be voted | $358,804,100 | $345,446,900 | $13,357,200 | $336,522,753 | |
| Statutory appropriations | $70,314 | $68,314 | $2,000 | $148,293 | |
| Ministry total operating expense | $358,874,414 | $345,515,214 | $13,359,200 | $336,671,046 | |
| Consolidation adjustment - Ontario Clean Water Agency | $253,027,000 | $233,761,400 | $19,265,600 | $224,604,438 | |
| Consolidation adjustment - Health Sciences North | - | - | - | ($852,998) | |
| Consolidation adjustment - Colleges | - | - | - | ($3,162) | |
| Consolidation adjustment - Special Purpose Account for Ontario Parks | $126,031,700 | $116,030,400 | $10,001,300 | $108,730,764 | |
| Consolidation adjustment – Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation | ($1,266,700) | ($1,241,900) | ($24,800) | ($787,087) | |
| Consolidation adjustment - Algonquin Forest Authority | - | - | - | ($7,973) | |
| Consolidation adjustment - General Real Estate Portfolio | ($14,452,900) | ($14,142,600) | ($310,300) | ($10,812,695) | |
| Total including consolidation & other adjustments | $722,213,514 | $679,922,514 | $42,291,000 | $657,542,333 | |
Operating assets | |||||
| 1101 | Ministry Administration Program | $2,000,000 | $1,000 | $1,999,000 | - |
| Total operating assets to be voted | $2,000,000 | $1,000 | $1,999,000 | - | |
| Ministry total operating assets | $2,000,000 | $1,000 | $1,999,000 | - | |
Capital expense | |||||
| 1101 | Ministry Administration Program | $1,000 | $1,000 | - | - |
| 1112 | Environmental Policy | - | $1,000 | ($1,000) | - |
| 1114 | Environmental Sciences and Standards | $4,634,000 | $1,636,000 | $2,998,000 | $1,874,159 |
| 1116 | Environmental Compliance and Operations | $7,000 | $492,000 | ($485,000) | $1,210,229 |
| 1118 | Environmental Assessment and Permissions | $1,159,800 | $801,500 | $358,300 | $241,313 |
| 1119 | Climate Change and Resiliency | $1,000 | $1,000 | - | - |
| 1120 | Land and Water | $35,357,700 | $34,262,900 | $1,094,800 | $28,606,888 |
| 1121 | Emissions Performance Standards Program | $1,000 | - | $1,000 | - |
| Total capital expense to be voted | $41,161,500 | $37,195,400 | $3,966,100 | $31,932,589 | |
| Statutory appropriations | $14,350,300 | $13,988,300 | $362,000 | $11,798,959 | |
| Ministry total capital expense | $55,511,800 | $51,183,700 | $4,328,100 | $43,731,548 | |
| Consolidation adjustment - Ontario Clean Water Agency | $4,882,900 | $4,666,800 | $216,100 | $1,817,043 | |
| Consolidation adjustment - Algonquin Forest Authority | - | - | - | ($90,400) | |
| Consolidation adjustment - General Real Estate Portfolio | - | - | - | ($100,798) | |
| Total including consolidation & other adjustments | $60,394,700 | $55,850,500 | $4,544,200 | $45,357,393 | |
Capital assets | |||||
| 1101 | Ministry Administration Program | $876,000 | $504,000 | $372,000 | - |
| 1114 | Environmental Sciences and Standards | $11,363,000 | $11,365,000 | ($2,000) | $899,437 |
| 1116 | Environmental Compliance and Operations | $1,000 | $451,000 | ($450,000) | $13,908 |
| 1118 | Environmental Assessment and Permissions | $1,000 | $1,000 | - | - |
| 1120 | Land and Water | $16,406,700 | $16,551,800 | ($145,100) | $6,057,126 |
| 1121 | Emissions Performance Standards Program | $1,000 | - | $1,000 | - |
| Total capital assets to be voted | $28,648,700 | $28,872,800 | ($224,100) | $6,970,471 | |
| Statutory appropriations | $1,000 | - | $1,000 | - | |
| Ministry total capital assets | $28,649,700 | $28,872,800 | ($223,100) | $6,970,471 | |
| Ministry total operating and capital including consolidation and other adjustments (not including assets) | $782,608,214 | $735,773,014 | $46,835,200 | $702,899,726 | |
Reconciliation to previously published data
| Operating expense | Estimates | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| Total operating expense previously published | $346,322,614 | $337,667,107 |
| Government reorganization | ||
Transfer of functions to other Ministries | ($807,400) | ($996,061) |
| Restated total operating expense | $345,515,214 | $336,671,046 |
Ministry Administration Program - vote 1101
This vote includes overall ministry business management support, including the ministry’s corporate business and financial management and controllership, strategic human resources, facilities, information management, as well as corporate and public communications, marketing and legal services.
Vote summary
Standard account by item and sub-items
| Vote- item number | Standard account by item and sub-items | Amount | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
Operating expense | |||
| 1101-1 | Ministry Administration | ||
Salaries and wages | $17,624,700 | ||
Employee benefits | $2,579,900 | ||
Transportation and communication | $573,500 | ||
Services | $35,996,600 | ||
Supplies and equipment | $6,537,500 | ||
| Subtotal | $63,312,200 | ||
| Less: recoveries | $34,000 | ||
| Total operating expense to be voted | $63,278,200 | ||
| Sub-items: | |||
| Main office | |||
Salaries and wages | $1,967,200 | ||
Employee benefits | $295,100 | ||
Transportation and communication | $64,700 | ||
Services | $36,800 | ||
Supplies and equipment | $70,800 | $2,434,600 | |
| Financial and Administrative Services | |||
Salaries and wages | $6,553,500 | ||
Employee benefits | $947,300 | ||
Transportation and communication | $73,400 | ||
Services | $15,343,300 | ||
Supplies and equipment | $6,028,500 | ||
Subtotal | $28,946,000 | ||
Less: recoveries | $34,000 | $28,912,000 | |
| Human Resources | |||
Salaries and wages | $1,116,100 | ||
Employee benefits | $160,400 | ||
Transportation and communication | $8,400 | ||
Services | $153,500 | ||
Supplies and equipment | $13,100 | $1,451,500 | |
| Communications Services | |||
Salaries and wages | $3,774,700 | ||
Employee benefits | $571,700 | ||
Transportation and communication | $95,600 | ||
Services | $302,800 | ||
Supplies and equipment | $156,100 | $4,900,900 | |
| Legal Services | |||
Transportation and communication | $136,200 | ||
Services | $11,435,900 | ||
Supplies and equipment | $107,700 | $11,679,800 | |
| Information Systems | |||
Salaries and wages | $4,213,200 | ||
Employee benefits | $605,400 | ||
Transportation and communication | $195,200 | ||
Services | $8,724,300 | ||
Supplies and equipment | $161,300 | $13,899,400 | |
| Total operating expense to be voted | $63,278,200 | ||
| Statutory appropriations | |||
| Statutory | Minister's Salary, the Executive Council Act | $47,841 | |
| Statutory | Parliamentary Assistant's Salary, the Executive Council Act | $16,173 | |
| Statutory appropriations | |||
Other transactions | |||
| Statutory | Bad Debt Expense, the Financial Administration Act | $1,000 | |
| Total operating expense for Ministry Administration Program | $63,343,214 | ||
Operating assets | |||
| 1101-10 | Accounts Receivable | ||
Advances and recoverable amounts | |||
Advances and Recoverable - In-year Recoveries | $2,000,000 | ||
| Total operating assets to be voted | $2,000,000 | ||
| Total operating assets for Ministry Administration Program | $2,000,000 | ||
Capital expense | |||
| 1101-3 | Ministry Administration – Capital | ||
Services | $1,000 | ||
| Total capital expense to be voted | $1,000 | ||
| Statutory appropriations | |||
Other transactions | |||
| Statutory | Amortization, the Financial Administration Act | $1,000 | |
| Total capital expense for Ministry Administration Program | $2,000 | ||
Capital assets | |||
| 1101-2 | Ministry Administration Infrastructure | ||
Machinery and equipment - asset costs | $875,000 | ||
Business application software - asset costs | $1,000 | ||
| Total capital assets to be voted | $876,000 | ||
| Total capital assets for Ministry Administration Program | $876,000 | ||
Environmental Policy - vote 1112
This vote is responsible for developing policy, regulations and legislation to support the ministry’s mandate of environmental protection; designing programs to protect the environment, and ensuring resources are used efficiently and are recaptured and reused. This vote also includes areas responsible for leading Intergovernmental and Indigenous relations as well as Cabinet liaison.
Vote summary
Standard account by item and sub-items
| Vote- item number | Standard account by item and sub-items | Amount | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
Operating expense | |||
| 1112-3 | Environmental Policy and Programs | ||
Salaries and wages | $11,613,100 | ||
Employee benefits | $1,732,900 | ||
Transportation and communication | $718,700 | ||
Services | $3,011,600 | ||
Supplies and equipment | $654,600 | ||
Transfer payments | |||
Indigenous Engagement and Collaboration | $1,451,000 | ||
Walkerton Clean Water Centre | $3,000,000 | $4,451,000 | |
| Subtotal | $22,181,900 | ||
| Less: recoveries | $1,000 | ||
| Total operating expense to be voted | $22,180,900 | ||
| Total operating expense for Environmental Policy | $22,180,900 | ||
Environmental Sciences and Standards - vote 1114
This vote is responsible for providing scientific, technical and laboratory expertise to support policy and operational decision making and also for observed results from monitoring and reporting on the state of Ontario's environment.
Vote summary
Standard account by item and sub-items
| Vote- item number | Standard account by item and sub-items | Amount |
|---|---|---|
Operating expense | ||
| 1114-1 | Environmental Sciences and Standards | |
Salaries and wages | $31,510,400 | |
Employee benefits | $4,570,300 | |
Transportation and communication | $1,161,400 | |
Services | $4,478,500 | |
Supplies and equipment | $1,428,600 | |
Transfer payments | ||
Environmental Science and Technical Research | $1,000 | |
| Total operating expense to be voted | $43,150,200 | |
| Total operating expense for Environmental Sciences and Standards | $43,150,200 | |
Capital expense | ||
| 1114-2 | Environmental Sciences — Capital | |
Other transactions | $4,634,000 | |
| Total capital expense to be voted | $4,634,000 | |
| Statutory appropriations | ||
Other transactions | ||
| Statutory | Amortization, the Financial Administration Act | $1,614,700 |
| Total capital expense for Environmental Sciences and Standards | $6,248,700 | |
Capital assets | ||
| 1114-3 | Environmental Sciences and Laboratory Infrastructure | |
Buildings – alternative financing and procurement | $10,000,000 | |
Machinery and equipment - asset costs | $1,362,000 | |
Land and marine fleet - asset costs | $1,000 | |
| Total capital assets to be voted | $11,363,000 | |
| Total capital assets for Environmental Sciences and Standards | $11,363,000 | |
Environmental Compliance and Operations - vote 1116
This vote is responsible for providing provincial oversight of environmental compliance and enforcement and supports all communities in Ontario through the delivery of innovative programs that protect clean air, land and water, including safe drinking water.
Vote summary
Standard account by item and sub-items
| Vote- item number | Standard account by item and sub-items | Amount | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
Operating expense | |||
| 1116-1 | Environmental Compliance and Enforcement | ||
Salaries and wages | $76,685,800 | ||
Employee benefits | $11,195,600 | ||
Transportation and communication | $538,500 | ||
Services | $9,277,500 | ||
Supplies and equipment | $641,000 | ||
Transfer payments | |||
Wastewater Monitoring and Public Reporting | $14,951,000 | ||
Ontario Community Environment Fund | $1,900,000 | $16,851,000 | |
| Subtotal | $115,189,400 | ||
| Less: recoveries | $1,900,000 | ||
| Total operating expense to be voted | $113,289,400 | ||
| 1116-3 | Indigenous Drinking Water Program | ||
Salaries and wages | $233,500 | ||
Employee benefits | $34,000 | ||
Transportation and communication | $1,000 | ||
Services | $612,300 | ||
Supplies and equipment | $1,000 | ||
Transfer payments | |||
Indigenous Community Drinking Water | $860,000 | ||
| Total operating expense to be voted | $1,741,800 | ||
| Statutory appropriations | |||
Other transactions | |||
| Statutory | Bad Debt Expense, the Financial Administration Act | $1,300 | |
| Statutory appropriations | |||
Transfer payments | |||
| Statutory | Trust, the English and Wabigoon Rivers Remediation Funding Act, 2017 | $1,000 | |
| Statutory appropriations | |||
Other transactions | |||
| Statutory | Transfers from Designated Purpose Account Operating, Deep Well Disposal Security, Environmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990 | $1,000 | |
Less: recoveries | $1,000 | ||
| Total operating expense for Environmental Compliance and Operations | $115,033,500 | ||
Capital expense | |||
| 1116-5 | Environmental Remediation – Capital | ||
Services | $1,000 | ||
Transfer payments | |||
Environmental Remediation - Capital | $1,000 | ||
Other transactions | $1,000 | ||
| Total capital expense to be voted | $3,000 | ||
| 1116-7 | Environmental Compliance and Enforcement– Capital | ||
Services | $1,000 | ||
Supplies and equipment | $1,000 | ||
Transfer payments | |||
Wastewater Surveillance - Capital | $1,000 | ||
Other transactions | $1,000 | ||
| Total capital expense to be voted | $4,000 | ||
| Statutory appropriations | |||
Other transactions | |||
| Statutory | Amortization, the Financial Administration Act | $904,900 | |
| Total capital expense for Environmental Compliance and Operations | $911,900 | ||
Capital assets | |||
| 1116-6 | Environmental Compliance and Operations Infrastructure | ||
Business application software - asset costs | $1,000 | ||
| Total capital assets to be voted | $1,000 | ||
| Total capital assets for Environmental Compliance and Operations | $1,000 | ||
Environmental Assessment and Permissions - vote 1118
This vote is responsible for providing the single point of access for issuing and streamlining ministry permissions using risk-based approaches and customer service standards. It supports the delivery of approvals, licenses, permissions, and certificates. This vote is responsible for leading the modernization of the environmental assessment program and ensuring a comprehensive review of environmental assessments.
Vote summary
Standard account by item and sub-items
| Vote- item number | Standard account by item and sub-items | Amount |
|---|---|---|
Operating expense | ||
| 1118-1 | Environmental Assessment and Permissions | |
Salaries and wages | $23,244,100 | |
Employee benefits | $3,384,400 | |
Transportation and communication | $328,100 | |
Services | $2,806,200 | |
Supplies and equipment | $351,900 | |
| Total operating expense to be voted | $30,114,700 | |
| Total operating expense for Environmental Assessment and Permissions | $30,114,700 | |
Capital expense | ||
| 1118-3 | Environmental Assessment and Permissions – Capital | |
Services | $1,158,800 | |
Other transactions | $1,000 | |
| Total capital expense to be voted | $1,159,800 | |
| Statutory appropriations | ||
Other transactions | ||
| Statutory | Amortization, the Financial Administration Act | $3,851,000 |
| Total capital expense for Environmental Assessment and Permissions | $5,010,800 | |
Capital assets | ||
| 1118-2 | Environmental Assessment and Permissions Infrastructure | |
Business application software - asset costs | $1,000 | |
| Total capital assets to be voted | $1,000 | |
| Total capital assets for Environmental Assessment and Permissions | $1,000 | |
Climate Change and Resiliency - vote 1119
This vote is responsible for developing and implementing climate change policies, regulations, legislation and programs, tracking climate change initiatives, and supporting actions related to fighting climate change, improving resiliency, and facilitating low carbon economic development, including working with stakeholders, Indigenous communities and other governments.
This vote is also responsible for supporting climate change actions related to work on a range of pressing environmental challenges including initiatives that protect our air, land and water, address urban litter and waste, and protect and conserve our parks and greenspace.
Vote summary
Standard account by item and sub-items
| Vote- item number | Standard account by item and sub-items | Amount |
|---|---|---|
Operating expense | ||
| 1119-1 | Climate Change and Resiliency | |
Salaries and wages | $11,059,400 | |
Employee benefits | $2,180,200 | |
Transportation and communication | $75,200 | |
Services | $1,218,500 | |
Supplies and equipment | $84,200 | |
Transfer payments | ||
Climate Change | $1,000 | |
| Total operating expense to be voted | $14,618,500 | |
| Total operating expense for Climate Change and Resiliency | $14,618,500 | |
Capital expense | ||
| 1119-2 | Climate Change and Resiliency – Capital | |
Services | $1,000 | |
| Total capital expense to be voted | $1,000 | |
| Total capital expense for Climate Change and Resiliency | $1,000 | |
Land and Water - vote 1120
This vote is responsible for providing policy and program oversight, delivery and leadership for species at risk, provincial parks, conservation reserves, the protection of source water and the ecological health of the Great Lakes and inland waters.
Vote summary
Standard account by item and sub-items
| Vote- item number | Standard account by item and sub-items | Amount | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
Operating expense | |||
| 1120-1 | Ontario Parks | ||
Salaries and wages | $66,134,900 | ||
Employee benefits | $9,595,400 | ||
Transportation and communication | $2,339,100 | ||
Services | $36,331,400 | ||
Supplies and equipment | $25,722,900 | ||
Transfer payments | |||
Ontario Parks Resource Stewardship | $105,000 | ||
Conservation Partnership | $1,850,000 | $1,955,000 | |
| Subtotal | $142,078,700 | ||
| Less: recoveries | $126,426,400 | ||
| Total operating expense to be voted | $15,652,300 | ||
| 1120-2 | Conservation and Water Protection | ||
Salaries and wages | $13,704,100 | ||
Employee benefits | $2,015,600 | ||
Transportation and communication | $169,500 | ||
Services | $13,320,400 | ||
Supplies and equipment | $373,900 | ||
Transfer payments | |||
Source Water Protection | $7,369,800 | ||
Great Lakes | $6,360,400 | ||
Lake Simcoe | $1,250,000 | ||
Species Conservation Action Agency | $1,000 | ||
Species at Risk in Ontario Stewardship | $10,212,400 | $25,193,600 | |
| Total operating expense to be voted | $54,777,100 | ||
| Statutory appropriations | |||
Other transactions | |||
| Statutory | Bad Debt Expense, the Financial Administration Act | $1,000 | |
| Total operating expense for Land and Water | $70,430,400 | ||
Capital expense | |||
| 1120-3 | Ontario Parks Capital | ||
Transportation and communication | $104,800 | ||
Services | $7,286,000 | ||
Supplies and equipment | $1,516,900 | ||
Transfer payments | |||
Conservation Partnership – Capital | $17,150,000 | ||
| Subtotal | $26,057,700 | ||
| Less: recoveries | $2,700,000 | ||
| Total capital expense to be voted | $23,357,700 | ||
| 1120-5 | Conservation and Water Protection – Capital | ||
Transfer payments | |||
Improving Municipal Wastewater and Stormwater Management | $5,000,000 | ||
Lake Simcoe Phosphorus Reduction Project | $1,000,000 | ||
Wetlands Conservation Partner Program | $6,000,000 | $12,000,000 | |
| Total capital expense to be voted | $12,000,000 | ||
| Statutory appropriations | |||
Other transactions | |||
| Statutory | Amortization, the Financial Administration Act | $7,977,700 | |
| Total capital expense for Land and Water | $43,335,400 | ||
Capital assets | |||
| 1120-4 | Ontario Parks Infrastructure | ||
Land | $1,000 | ||
Buildings - salaries and wages | $145,000 | ||
Buildings - employee benefits | $20,000 | ||
Buildings - asset costs | $8,168,100 | ||
Transportation infrastructure - salaries and wages | $50,000 | ||
Transportation infrastructure - employee benefits | $6,000 | ||
Transportation infrastructure - asset costs | $4,294,600 | ||
Dams and engineering structures - salaries and wages | $106,000 | ||
Dams and engineering structures - employee benefits | $10,000 | ||
Dams and engineering structures - asset costs | $2,960,000 | ||
Machinery and equipment - asset costs | $406,000 | ||
Land and marine fleet - asset costs | $240,000 | ||
| Total capital assets to be voted | $16,406,700 | ||
| Total capital assets for Land and Water | $16,406,700 | ||
Emissions Performance Standards Program - vote 1121
This vote is responsible for administering the Emissions Performance Standards Program and in carrying out or supporting greenhouse gas reduction initiatives.
Vote summary
Standard account by item and sub-items
| Vote- item number | Standard account by item and sub-items | Amount |
|---|---|---|
Operating expense | ||
| 1121-1 | Emissions Performance Standards Program | |
Transfer payments | ||
Emissions Performance Standards | $1,000 | |
| Total operating expense to be voted | $1,000 | |
| Statutory appropriations | ||
Other transactions | ||
| Statutory | Bad Debt Expense - Emissions Performance Standards Program, the Financial Administration Act | $1,000 |
| Statutory appropriations | ||
Other transactions | ||
| Statutory | Transfers from Designated Purpose Account Operating, Emissions Performance Standards Program, Environmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990 | $1,000 |
| Total operating expense for Emissions Performance Standards Program | $3,000 | |
Capital expense | ||
| 1121-3 | Emissions Performance Standards Program | |
Transfer payments | ||
Emissions Performance Standards – Capital | $1,000 | |
| Total capital expense to be voted | $1,000 | |
| Statutory appropriations | ||
Other transactions | ||
| Statutory | Transfers from Designated Purpose Account Capital, Emissions Performance Standards Program, Environmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990 | $1,000 |
| Total capital expense for Emissions Performance Standards Program | $2,000 | |
Capital assets | ||
| 1121-4 | Emissions Performance Standards Program Infrastructure | |
Business application software - asset costs | $1,000 | |
| Total capital assets to be voted | $1,000 | |
| Statutory appropriations | ||
| Statutory | Investments in Tangible Capital assets, Emissions Performance Standards Program, Environmental Protection Act, R.S.O. 1990 | $1,000 |
| Total capital assets for Emissions Performance Standards Program | $2,000 | |
Footnotes
- footnote[1] Back to paragraph Total operating expense includes Statutory appropriations, Special Warrants and total operating expense to be voted.