Canada Energy Regulator – 2022–23 Departmental Results Report – Supplementary information tables – Details on transfer payment programs

Details on transfer payment programs

Terms and Conditions for Grants and contributions in support of Indigenous Peoples’ and stakeholder participation in CER activities, including adjudication, engagement, and safety and environmental oversight.

Start date: 6 December 2022

End date: Ongoing

Type of transfer payment: Grants and Contributions

Type of appropriation: The program is appropriated annually through Estimates.

Fiscal year for terms and conditions: 2022–23

Link to departmental result(s): Energy adjudication processes are accessible.

Link to the department’s program inventory: Core Responsibility: Energy Adjudication, Program: Participant Funding

Purpose and objectives of transfer payment program:

The purpose of the Regulator’s Grants and Contributions program is to provide grants and/or contributions to enable the Regulator’s departmental results and commitment in the preamble of the CER Act to Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples of Canada.

The overarching objective is to support public and Indigenous Peoples’ participation in the Regulator’s assessments of non-designated projects; to enable relationship-building and Indigenous involvement in lifecycle activities; to fulfill the Crown duty to consult with Indigenous Peoples; to gather meaningful input to inform policy development and work; and to promote and disseminate research and support establishment of relevant research networks.

Note: The new funding streams authorized under the updated Terms and Conditions (T&C) were not in effect until 1 April 2023. Therefore for 2022–23, the only active funding stream was Participant Funding (also covered under prior T&C) which facilitates participation in adjudication processes, like hearings, and related Crown Consultation.

Results achieved:

DRF Meansure, taget and forward year

DRF Measure

Target

FY22–23

Percentage of surveyed participant funding recipients who agree that participant funding enabled their participation in an adjudication process.

90%

94%

Percentage of service standards met

80%

100%

Percentage of recipients who are satisfied with the service provided by the CER in its administration of the Participant Funding Program.

80%

97%

Findings of audits completed in 2022–23:No audit was conducted.

Findings of evaluations completed in 2022–23: No evaluation was conducted.

This TPP is scheduled for an evaluation starting in May 2026, this subject to changes to the CER’s Evaluation, Review, and Audit Plan.

Engagement of applicants and recipients in 2022–23: Recipients of contributions provide feedback on the claim form (financial report). Grant recipients are sent a feedback survey. Responses are compiled quarterly and reported against DRF measure I4 and N6. PFP also responds questions and issues raised by recipients by emails and phone.

The difference between actual activities undertaken and planned activities outlined in the Departmental Plan is a function of the number and timing of eligible public hearings, early engagement and crown consultation activities forecasted at the time of the plan versus actual demand for funding. Recipients of contributions may receive less than the funding amount awarded as PFP is reimbursement-based program. Recipients may spend less or claim for costs that are ineligible (e.g., not related to eligible activities). These factors are beyond the control of the program.

Financial information (dollars)

Financial information (dollars)

Type of transfer payment

2020–21
actual spending

2021–22
actual spending

2022–23
planned spending

2022–23
total authorities
available for use

2022–23
actual spending
(authorities used)

Variance (2022–23 actual
minus
 2022–23 planned)

Total grants

20,000

228,000

750,000

750,000

229,634

(520,366)

Total contributions

1,272,692

814,825

1,614,067

1,614,067

1,034,214

(579,853)

Total other types of transfer payments

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Total program

1,292,692

1,042,825

2,364,067

2,364,067

1,263,848

(1,100,219)

Explanation of variances

Participant funding is demand driven and actual spending is a function of the number of hearings, the number of Crown Consultation activities, the number of recipients, and the timing of participation opportunities. These factors are not known when estimates are approved.

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