Thank you, Mr. Chair and members of the standing committee. I'm Alan Kerr, vice-president, corporate services and chief financial officer, and I'm joined by my colleague Christine Loth-Bown, vice-president, external relations and strategic policy, to discuss the 2018-19 supplementary estimates (A) for the Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency.
The Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency provides evidence-based environmental assessments. The agency's team of highly qualified employees supports the Minister of Environment and Climate Change in carrying out her responsibilities by conducting environmental assessments for major projects in a manner that protects the environment, fosters economic growth and jobs, supports sustainable development and reflects expertise received from the public, indigenous groups and other stakeholders.
In 2017-18, the agency supported the minister in leading a national review of federal environmental assessment processes, and in February 2018 these efforts reached a milestone with the tabling in Parliament of Bill C-69 that proposes changes to the current Canadian Environmental Assessment Act of 2012.
In this regard, we are providing ongoing advice and support to the parliamentary process. Regulatory and policy work, including public consultations, also began following the February announcement. In conjunction with this support to Parliament, within the agency, we are preparing to implement the proposed new approach to impact assessment. Budget 2018 announced new funding for the agency of $258 million over the next five fiscal years, including $21 million of funding in fiscal year 2018-19; $19.1 million for program expenditures, which include $99,000 in funding for pay administration; and $1.9 million for statutory expenditures for employee benefit programs. This funding has been requested to implement key legislative, regulatory, program and policy measures to support the successful implementation of the new impact assessment process upon coming into force and transition from environmental assessment to impact assessment.
In June of 2018, the agency accessed $11 million of the $21 million with a financial authorities instrument submission to Treasury Board. This funding enabled the agency to advance the necessary policy and regulatory instruments, hire staff and secure additional workspace, to take on a more proactive role and seamlessly transition to the new impact assessment act.
The funding provided through supplementary estimates (A) will be divided into three main program areas, namely, impact assessment, partnering with indigenous peoples, and cumulative effects and open science and evidence. To support these programs the agency was allocated 100 new full-time equivalent employees for 2018-19, 65 of whom have been hired thus far and staffing actions are in place to recruit the balance.
Now I'd like to introduce my colleague Christine Loth-Bown to expand on these main areas.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.