2012-13 Departmental Performance Report

Program 1.3 – Aboriginal Strategies and Governance

Description

This program provides policy advice on Aboriginal fishing issues, negotiates agreements on the management of Aboriginal fisheries, integrates agreements into overall management frameworks, and advises on land claims and self-government. The delivery of all programs by the Aboriginal Policy and Governance Directorate builds on and fosters linkages with other programs within the Ecosystems and Fisheries Management Sector, and is grounded in Fisheries and Oceans Canada's fisheries and aquaculture management expertise and experience. The program is necessary to build strong, stable relations with Aboriginal groups, to promote and foster Aboriginal and Treaty rights in the formulation and implementation of fisheries management policies, programs, and plans, to deliver on fiduciary responsibilities, and to promote fisheries-related economic opportunities for Aboriginal communities. The program is guided by a proactive approach in its relationship with Aboriginal groups based on assisting Aboriginal peoples to obtain the capacity to more effectively participate in the multi-stakeholder processes used for aquatic resource and oceans management, and building their capacity to take advantage of opportunities to participate in commercial fisheries and aquaculture development.

Financial Resources ($ millions)

Human Resources (full-time equivalents)

Performance Results

Performance Analysis and Lessons Learned

Improving Fisheries Management Priority

• Policy Framework for Aboriginal Fisheries — Developed several key project deliverables required in reviewing the Department's current Aboriginal Policy Framework to address Aboriginal treaty rights issues over the long-term.
  • Lesson Learned: The complexity of the policy issues and the requirement for consultations between all regions and sectors remains an ongoing, but necessary and beneficial, challenge. Planning phases must consider the additional time required for consultations on these complex issues.

Other Program Initiatives

• Federal Framework for Aboriginal Economic Development — Created economic opportunities for First Nations in new areas of the fisheries sector, including aquaculture, seafood processing, and marketing through the Atlantic Commercial Fisheries Diversification Initiative¹. Signed 51 contribution agreements with eligible First Nations and created 155 jobs, 12 of which have been maintained.
  • Lesson Learned: Leveraging additional funding from other government departments through Fisheries and Oceans Canada's delivery model, effectively increased Aboriginal self-reliance without increasing the delivery infrastructure.
• Management Control Framework for Treaty Implementation — Began developing a Management Control Framework for treaty implementation to ensure the financial and operational sustainability of the Department's treaty-related obligations:
  • Completed a draft governance charter;
  • Worked with Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada to develop a Treaty Implementation Performance Management Strategy. The strategy is still in the early stages;
  • Began analysis of current treaty obligations and associated funding, including: (completed initial reviews of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada treaty obligations; began reconciliation process for departmental treaty obligations; and developed an activity-based costing model to assess the costs of treaty implementation); and
  • Began verifying current treaty obligations (expected completion in Winter 2014) before posting treaty-implementation material on the Fisheries and Oceans Canada intranet.
• Implementation of the Integrated Aboriginal Contribution Management Framework — Began implementing the Integrated Aboriginal Contribution Management Framework: completed draft governance charter and guides for contribution agreements; implemented phase one of the Aboriginal Programs and Governance Information System; and delivered Aboriginal Programs and Governance Information System training sessions to all regions.
  • Lesson Learned: Future contribution programs should have a Management Control Framework developed during program design, and not developed after program implementation.
• Response to Aboriginal Fisheries Judicial Decisions — Continued participation in two negotiations in response to the Ahousaht case and appeal.

Sub-Programs

In 2012-13, the Aboriginal Strategies and Governance Program was delivered through three sub-programs, as indicated in the Program Alignment Architecture:

• Sub-Program 1.3.1: Aboriginal Fisheries Strategy
• Sub-Program 1.3.2: Aboriginal Aquatic Resource and Oceans Management
• Sub-Program 1.3.3: Strategies and Governance

Footnotes

¹ The Atlantic Commercial Fisheries Diversification Initiative is funded by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada through the Federal Framework for Aboriginal Economic Development and is implemented through the Atlantic Integrated Commercial Fisheries Initiative delivery model.