Summary

The Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change is responsible for protecting Ontario's air, water and land and for coordinating actions across government to fight climate change. We accomplish this by developing and implementing legislation, policies and programs in support of our vision of a healthy environment for a strong Ontario.

Ministry program summary

VoteProgramEstimates
2018-19
Estimates
2017-18
Difference
between
2018-19
and
2017-18
Actual
2016-17
 Operating expense    
1101Ministry Administration Program$77,939,600$77,966,800($27,200)$80,649,348
1112Environmental Policy and Programs$106,146,300$85,139,900$21,006,400$55,826,620
1113Climate Change Policy and Programs$1,000$1,000-$17,179,631
1114Environmental Sciences and Standards$52,057,300$46,977,300$5,080,000$46,789,260
1116Environmental Compliance and Operations$122,931,500$116,939,200$5,992,300$117,559,121
1117Environmental Economics and Analytics$3,795,600$3,792,100$3,500$3,680,550
1118Environmental assessment and permissions$26,424,900$26,436,900($12,000)$26,584,500
 Total operating expense to be voted$389,296,200$357,253,200$32,043,000$348,269,030
 Statutory appropriations$1,044,184,014$564,958,914$479,225,100$69,301
 Ministry total operating expense$1,433,480,214$922,212,114$511,268,100$348,338,331
 Consolidation adjustment - Ontario Clean Water Agency$191,558,000$185,305,600$6,252,400$164,060,817
 Operating expense adjustment – Greenhouse Gas Reduction Account Reclassification$720,769,600$466,232,600$254,537,000-
 Operating expense designated purpose account adjustment – Greenhouse Gas Reduction Account Reclassification($1,044,116,700)($564,892,600)($479,224,100)-
 Total including consolidation & other adjustments$1,301,691,114$1,008,857,714$292,833,400$512,399,148
 Operating assets    
1101Ministry Administration Program$1,000-$1,000-
 Total operating assets to be voted$1,000-$1,000-
 Statutory appropriations$1,000$1,000--
 Ministry total operating assets$2,000$1,000$1,000-
 Capital expense    
1113Climate Change Policy and Programs$1,000-$1,000-
1114Environmental Sciences and Standards$11,918,000$6,578,000$5,340,000$3,431,396
1116Environmental Compliance and Operations$178,000$177,000$1,000$51,715
 Total capital expense to be voted$12,097,000$6,755,000$5,342,000$3,483,111
 Statutory appropriations$924,609,900$828,961,300$95,648,600$4,513,543
 Ministry total capital expense$936,706,900$835,716,300$100,990,600$7,996,654
 Consolidation adjustment - Ontario Clean Water Agency$3,227,300$2,974,700$252,600$2,615,081
 Capital expense adjustment – Greenhouse Gas Reduction Account Reclassification$4,175,000-$4,175,000-
 Capital expense designated purpose account adjustment – Greenhouse Gas Reduction Account Reclassification($919,753,300)($824,270,000)($95,483,300)-
 Total including consolidation & other adjustments$24,355,900$14,421,000$9,934,900$10,611,735
 Capital assets    
1114Environmental Sciences and Standards$25,954,000$14,227,700$11,726,300$1,681,275
1116Environmental Compliance and Operations$411,000$485,000($74,000)-
1118Environmental assessment and permissions$1,000-$1,000-
 Total capital assets to be voted$26,366,000$14,712,700$11,653,300$1,681,275
 Statutory appropriations$14,800,000$1,000$14,799,000-
 Ministry total capital assets$41,166,000$14,713,700$26,452,300$1,681,275
 Capital asset designated purpose account adjustment – Greenhouse Gas Reduction Account Reclassification($14,800,000)-($14,800,000)-
 Total including adjustments$26,366,000$14,713,700$11,652,300$1,681,275
 Ministry total operating and capital including consolidation and other adjustments (not including assets)$1,326,047,014$1,023,278,714$302,768,300$523,010,883

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 communications, marketing and legal services.

Vote summary

Item numberItemEstimates
2018-19
Estimates
2017-18
Difference
between
2018-19
and
2017-18
Actual
2016-17
 Operating expense    
1Ministry administration$77,939,600$77,966,800($27,200)$80,649,348
 Total operating expense to be voted$77,939,600$77,966,800($27,200)$80,649,348
SMinister's salary, the Executive Council Act$47,841$47,841-$49,301
SParliamentary Assistant's salary, the Executive Council Act$16,173$16,173-$20,000
SBad debt expense, the Financial Administration Act$1,000$1,000--
 Total statutory appropriations$65,014$65,014-$69,301
 Total operating expense$78,004,614$78,031,814($27,200)$80,718,649
 Operating assets    
10Accounts receivable$1,000-$1,000-
 Total operating assets to be voted$1,000-$1,000-
 Total operating assets$1,000-$1,000-

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-item
number
Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmountAmount
 Operating expense  
1101-1

Ministry administration

  
 

Salaries and wages

 $16,772,600
 

Employee benefits

 $2,515,900
 

Transportation and communication

 $573,500
 

Services

 $51,574,100
 

Supplies and equipment

 $6,537,500
 Subtotal $77,973,600
 Less: recoveries $34,000
 Total operating expense to be voted $77,939,600
 Sub-items:  
 Main office  
 

Salaries and wages

$1,995,600 
 

Employee benefits

$299,300 
 

Transportation and communication

$64,700 
 

Services

$57,600 
 

Supplies and equipment

$70,800$2,488,000
 Financial and administrative services  
 

Salaries and wages

$5,452,400 
 

Employee benefits

$817,900 
 

Transportation and communication

$73,400 
 

Services

$26,225,400 
 

Supplies and equipment

$6,028,500 
 

Subtotal

$38,597,600 
 

Less: recoveries

$34,000$38,563,600
 Human resources  
 

Salaries and wages

$1,018,400 
 

Employee benefits

$152,800 
 

Transportation and communication

$8,400 
 

Services

$166,600 
 

Supplies and equipment

$13,100$1,359,300
 Communications services  
 

Salaries and wages

$4,324,200 
 

Employee benefits

$648,600 
 

Transportation and communication

$95,600 
 

Services

$433,900 
 

Supplies and equipment

$156,100$5,658,400
 Legal services  
 

Transportation and communication

$136,200 
 

Services

$10,391,000 
 

Supplies and equipment

$107,700$10,634,900
 Audit services  
 

Services

$487,600$487,600
 Information systems  
 

Salaries and wages

$3,982,000 
 

Employee benefits

$597,300 
 

Transportation and communication

$195,200 
 

Services

$13,812,000 
 

Supplies and equipment

$161,300$18,747,800
 Total operating expense to be voted $77,939,600
 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 $78,004,614
 Operating assets  
1101-10

Accounts receivable

  
 

Advances and recoverable amounts

  
 

Advances and recoverable - in-year recoveries

 $1,000
 Total operating assets to be voted $1,000
 Total operating assets for Ministry Administration Program $1,000

Environmental Policy and Programs - 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 to achieve a prosperous circular economy. This vote also includes areas responsible for leading intergovernmental and Indigenous relations.

Vote summary

Item numberItemEstimates
2018-19
Estimates
2017-18
Difference
between
2018-19
and
2017-18
Actual
2016-17
 Operating expense    
1Environmental Policy$11,173,100$6,168,300$5,004,800$12,572,387
2Environmental Programs$94,973,200$78,971,600$16,001,600$43,254,233
 Total operating expense to be voted$106,146,300$85,139,900$21,006,400$55,826,620
 Total operating expense$106,146,300$85,139,900$21,006,400$55,826,620

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-item
number
Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmountAmount
 Operating expense  
1112-1

Environmental Policy

  
 

Salaries and wages

 $5,470,100
 

Employee benefits

 $820,600
 

Transportation and communication

 $34,000
 

Services

 $296,100
 

Supplies and equipment

 $42,300
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Climate Change Adaptation

 $5,000,000
 Subtotal $11,663,100
 Less: recoveries $490,000
 Total operating expense to be voted $11,173,100
1112-2Environmental Programs  
 

Salaries and wages

 $12,242,000
 

Employee benefits

 $1,836,300
 

Transportation and communication

 $767,900
 

Services

 $11,954,500
 

Supplies and equipment

 $654,600
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River

$7,423,100 
 

Drive Clean Emissions Testing

$40,725,000 
 

Environmental Planning and Action

$9,100,000 
 

Indigenous Engagement and Collaboration

$100,000 
 

Source Water Protection

$7,169,800 
 

Walkerton Clean Water Centre

$3,000,000$67,517,900
 Total operating expense to be voted $94,973,200
 Total operating expense for Environmental Policy and Programs $106,146,300

Climate Change Policy and Programs - vote 1113

This vote is responsible for leading the long-term plan to reduce Ontario’s greenhouse gas emissions and drive the transition to a resilient, low-carbon economy through the Climate Change Action Plan and cap and trade program. It includes all of the ministry’s climate change-related funding that is eligible to be offset by the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Account (GGRA).

Note: recoveries under Capital Expense for Climate Change Programs - Capital include recoveries of $4,175,000 from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Account, which are based on forecasts of anticipated revenues and contingent upon a sufficient balance standing to the credit of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Account.

Note: recoveries under Operating Expense for Climate Change Policy and Programs include recoveries of $720,769,600 from the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Account, which are based on forecasts of anticipated revenues and contingent upon a sufficient balance standing to the credit of the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Account.

Vote summary

Item numberItemEstimates
2018-19
Estimates
2017-18
Difference
between
2018-19
and
2017-18
Actual
2016-17
 Operating expense    
1Climate Change Policy and Programs$1,000$1,000-$17,179,631
 Total operating expense to be voted$1,000$1,000-$17,179,631
 Total operating expense$1,000$1,000-$17,179,631
 Capital expense    
2Climate Change Programs – capital$1,000-$1,000-
 Total capital expense to be voted$1,000-$1,000-
 Total capital expense$1,000-$1,000-

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-item
number
Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmountAmount
 Operating expense  
1113-1

Climate Change Policy and Programs

  
 

Salaries and wages

 $13,095,000
 

Employee benefits

 $2,527,100
 

Transportation and communication

 $1,000
 

Services

 $13,127,200
 

Supplies and equipment

 $1,000
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Electric vehicles

$5,300,000 
 

Government and partnerships

$133,166,000 
 

Green Ontario Fund

$524,285,100 
 

Low Carbon Fuels

$19,268,200 
 

Waste-Free Ontario

$10,000,000$692,019,300
 Subtotal $720,770,600
 Less: recoveries $720,769,600
 Total operating expense to be voted $1,000
 Total operating expense for Climate Change Policy and Programs $1,000
 Capital expense  
1113-2

Climate Change Programs – capital

  
 

Services

 $176,000
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Electric vehicles - capital

 $4,000,000
 Subtotal $4,176,000
 Less: recoveries $4,175,000
 Total capital expense to be voted $1,000
 Total capital expense for Climate Change Policy and Programs $1,000

Environmental Sciences and Standards - vote 1114

This vote is responsible for providing research as well as scientific, technical and laboratory expertise to support policy and operational decision making and also for monitoring and reporting on the state of Ontario’s environment.

Vote summary

Item numberItemEstimates
2018-19
Estimates
2017-18
Difference
between
2018-19
and
2017-18
Actual
2016-17
 Operating expense    
1Environmental Sciences and Standards$52,057,300$46,977,300$5,080,000$46,789,260
 Total operating expense to be voted$52,057,300$46,977,300$5,080,000$46,789,260
 Total operating expense$52,057,300$46,977,300$5,080,000$46,789,260
 Capital expense    
2Environmental Science – capital$11,918,000$6,578,000$5,340,000$3,431,396
 Total capital expense to be voted$11,918,000$6,578,000$5,340,000$3,431,396
SAmortization, the Financial Administration Act$991,000$827,500$163,500$655,663
 Total statutory appropriations$991,000$827,500$163,500$655,663
 Total capital expense$12,909,000$7,405,500$5,503,500$4,087,059
 Capital assets    
3Environmental Science and Laboratory Infrastructure$25,954,000$14,227,700$11,726,300$1,681,275
 Total capital assets to be voted$25,954,000$14,227,700$11,726,300$1,681,275
 Total capital assets$25,954,000$14,227,700$11,726,300$1,681,275

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-item
number
Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmountAmount
 Operating expense  
1114-1

Environmental Sciences and Standards

  
 

Salaries and wages

 $30,758,800
 

Employee benefits

 $4,613,900
 

Transportation and communication

 $1,161,400
 

Services

 $9,989,600
 

Supplies and equipment

 $1,428,600
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Climate Change

$255,000 
 

Environmental Research Chairs

$450,000 
 

Environmental Science and Technical Research

$3,400,000$4,105,000
 Total operating expense to be voted $52,057,300
 Total operating expense for Environmental Sciences and Standards $52,057,300
 Capital expense  
1114-2

Environmental Science – capital

  
 

Supplies and equipment

 $500,000
 

Other transactions

 $11,418,000
 Total capital expense to be voted $11,918,000
 Statutory appropriations  
 

Other transactions

  
Statutory

Amortization, the Financial Administration Act

 $991,000
 Total capital expense for Environmental Sciences and Standards $12,909,000
 Capital assets  
1114-3

Environmental Science and Laboratory Infrastructure

  
 

Buildings – alternative financing and procurement

 $19,942,000
 

Machinery and equipment - asset costs

 $3,012,000
 

Business application software - asset costs

 $3,000,000
 Total capital assets to be voted $25,954,000
 Total capital assets for Environmental Sciences and Standards $25,954,000

Environmental Compliance and Operations - vote 1116

This vote is responsible for developing and integrating innovative, risk-informed approaches to improve compliance and the environmental performance of the regulated community; investigating alleged environmental infractions and enforcing compliance under environmental laws; protecting and supporting clean air, water and land; improving the natural environment and human health; and fulfilling legislative requirement of the Chief Drinking Water Inspector to report on the state of the Province’s drinking water systems.

Vote summary

Item numberItemEstimates
2018-19
Estimates
2017-18
Difference
between
2018-19
and
2017-18
Actual
2016-17
 Operating expense    
1Environmental Compliance and Enforcement$55,764,900$55,614,200$150,700$55,597,833
2Regional Operations$65,444,300$59,611,400$5,832,900$61,366,958
3Indigenous Drinking Water Program$1,722,300$1,713,600$8,700$594,330
 Total operating expense to be voted$122,931,500$116,939,200$5,992,300$117,559,121
SBad debt expense, the Financial Administration Act$1,300$1,300--
STrust, the English and Wabigoon Rivers Remediation Funding Act, 2017$1,000-$1,000-
 Total statutory appropriations$2,300$1,300$1,000-
 Total operating expense$122,933,800$116,940,500$5,993,300$117,559,121
 Capital expense    
4Environmental Clean-up Fund – capital$176,000$176,000-$51,715
5Environmental Remediation – capital$2,000$1,000$1,000-
 Total capital expense to be voted$178,000$177,000$1,000$51,715
SAmortization, the Financial Administration Act$14,600$12,800$1,800$6,840
 Total statutory appropriations$14,600$12,800$1,800$6,840
 Total capital expense$192,600$189,800$2,800$58,555
 Capital assets    
6Environmental Compliance and Operations Infrastructure$411,000$485,000($74,000)-
 Total capital assets to be voted$411,000$485,000($74,000)-
 Total capital assets$411,000$485,000($74,000)-

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-item
number
Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmountAmount
 Operating expense  
1116-1

Environmental Compliance and Enforcement

  
 

Salaries and wages

 $34,162,100
 

Employee benefits

 $5,124,700
 

Transportation and communication

 $210,500
 

Services

 $9,348,300
 

Supplies and equipment

 $558,900
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Great Lakes

$6,360,400 
 

Ontario Community Environment Fund

$250,000$6,610,400
 Subtotal $56,014,900
 Less: recoveries $250,000
 Total operating expense to be voted $55,764,900
1116-2Regional Operations  
 

Salaries and wages

 $44,388,600
 

Employee benefits

 $6,658,400
 

Transportation and communication

 $376,100
 

Services

 $12,382,200
 

Supplies and equipment

 $389,000
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Lake Simcoe

 $1,250,000
 Total operating expense to be voted $65,444,300
1116-3Indigenous Drinking Water Program  
 

Salaries and wages

 $636,200
 

Employee benefits

 $95,400
 

Services

 $546,900
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Indigenous Community Drinking Water

$393,800 
 

Source Water Protection

$50,000$443,800
 Total operating expense to be voted $1,722,300
 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
 Total operating expense for Environmental Compliance and Operations $122,933,800
 Capital expense  
1116-4

Environmental Clean-up Fund – capital

  
 

Services

 $176,000
 Total capital expense to be voted $176,000
1116-5Environmental Remediation – capital  
 

Services

 $1,000
 

Transfer payments

  
 

Environmental Remediation - capital

 $1,000
 Total capital expense to be voted $2,000
 Statutory appropriations  
 

Other transactions

  
Statutory

Amortization, the Financial Administration Act

 $14,600
 Total capital expense for Environmental Compliance and Operations $192,600
 Capital assets  
1116-6

Environmental Compliance and Operations Infrastructure

  
 

Dams and engineering structures - asset costs

 $410,000
 

Business application software - asset costs

 $1,000
 Total capital assets to be voted $411,000
 Total capital assets for Environmental Compliance and operations $411,000

Environmental economics and analytics - vote 1117

This vote is responsible for environmental economic analysis and advanced analytics to support evidence-based decision making for environmental protection and climate change from a cross-ministerial perspective and with a forward-thinking approach, including setting key outcome indicators to measure progress on environmental protection and ensuring data is provided in an open and transparent manner.

Vote summary

Item numberItemEstimates
2018-19
Estimates
2017-18
Difference
between
2018-19
and
2017-18
Actual
2016-17
 Operating expense    
1Environmental economics and analytics$3,795,600$3,792,100$3,500$3,680,550
 Total operating expense to be voted$3,795,600$3,792,100$3,500$3,680,550
 Total operating expense$3,795,600$3,792,100$3,500$3,680,550

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-item
number
Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmount
 Operating expense 
1117-1

Environmental Economics and Analytics

 
 

Salaries and wages

$2,976,400
 

Employee benefits

$446,600
 

Transportation and communication

$74,200
 

Services

$215,200
 

Supplies and equipment

$83,200
 Total operating expense to be voted$3,795,600
 Total operating expense for Environmental Economics and Analytics$3,795,600

Environmental assessment and permissions - vote 1118

This vote is responsible for providing the single point of access for, and leading, the transformation of ministry permissions using risk-based approaches and customer service standards. It supports the delivery of approvals, licenses, permissions, and certificates. It ensures a comprehensive review of environmental assessments.

Vote summary

Item numberItemEstimates
2018-19
Estimates
2017-18
Difference
between
2018-19
and
2017-18
Actual
2016-17
 Operating expense    
1Environmental assessment and permissions$26,424,900$26,436,900($12,000)$26,584,500
 Total operating expense to be voted$26,424,900$26,436,900($12,000)$26,584,500
 Total operating expense$26,424,900$26,436,900($12,000)$26,584,500
 Capital expense    
SAmortization, the Financial Administration Act$3,851,000$3,851,000-$3,851,040
 Total statutory appropriations$3,851,000$3,851,000-$3,851,040
 Total capital expense$3,851,000$3,851,000-$3,851,040
 Capital assets    
2Environmental assessment and permissions Infrastructure$1,000-$1,000-
 Total capital assets to be voted$1,000-$1,000-
 Total capital assets$1,000-$1,000-

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-item
number
Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmount
 Operating expense 
1118-1

Environmental assessment and permissions

 
 

Salaries and wages

$21,386,700
 

Employee benefits

$3,208,200
 

Transportation and communication

$328,100
 

Services

$1,150,000
 

Supplies and equipment

$351,900
 Total operating expense to be voted$26,424,900
 Total operating expense for environmental assessment and permissions$26,424,900
 Capital expense 
 Statutory appropriations 
 

Other transactions

 
Statutory

Amortization, the Financial Administration Act

$3,851,000
 Total capital expense for Environmental assessment and permissions$3,851,000
 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

Greenhouse Gas Reduction Account Program

The Greenhouse Gas Reduction Account provides for the reporting on amounts required to be recorded in the account, including the commitment of proceeds from Ontario’s cap and trade program to be invested in initiatives that are reasonably likely to reduce, or support the reduction of, greenhouse gas.

Vote summary

Item numberItemEstimates
2018-19
Estimates
2017-18
Difference
between
2018-19
and
2017-18
Actual 2016-17
 Operating expense    
SClimate Change Mitigation and Low-carbon Economy Act$1,044,116,700$564,892,600$479,224,100-
 Total statutory appropriations$1,044,116,700$564,892,600$479,224,100-
 Total operating expense$1,044,116,700$564,892,600$479,224,100-
 Operating assets    
SClimate Change Mitigation and Low-carbon Economy Act$1,000$1,000--
 Total statutory appropriations$1,000$1,000--
 Total operating assets$1,000$1,000--
 Capital expense    
SInfrastructure Expenses, Climate Change Mitigation and Low-carbon Economy Act$919,753,300$824,270,000$95,483,300-
 Total statutory appropriations$919,753,300$824,270,000$95,483,300-
 Total capital expense$919,753,300$824,270,000$95,483,300-
 Capital assets    
SInfrastructure Assets, Climate Change Mitigation and Low-carbon Economy Act$14,800,000$1,000$14,799,000-
 Total statutory appropriations$14,800,000$1,000$14,799,000-
 Total capital assets$14,800,000$1,000$14,799,000-

Standard account by item and sub-items

Vote-item
number
Standard account by item and sub-itemsAmount
 Operating expense 
 Statutory appropriations
Climate Change Mitigation and Low-carbon Economy Act
 
 

Other transactions

 
Statutory

Transfers from Greenhouse Gas Reduction Account

$1,044,116,700
 Total operating expense for Greenhouse Gas Reduction Account Program$1,044,116,700
 Operating assets 
 Statutory appropriations
Climate Change Mitigation and Low-carbon Economy Act
 
Statutory

Deposits and prepaid expenses, Greenhouse Gas Reduction Account

$1,000
 Total operating assets for Greenhouse Gas Reduction Account Program$1,000
 Capital expense 
 Statutory appropriations
Infrastructure Expenses, Climate Change Mitigation and Low-carbon Economy Act
 
 

Other transactions

 
Statutory

Transfers from Greenhouse Gas Reduction Account

$919,753,300
 Total capital expense for Greenhouse Gas Reduction Account Program$919,753,300
 Capital assets 
 Statutory appropriations
Infrastructure Assets, Climate Change Mitigation and Low-carbon Economy Act
 
Statutory

Investments in Tangible Capital Assets

$14,800,000
 Total capital assets for Greenhouse Gas Reduction Account Program$14,800,000