Environment Canada is the agency with overall responsibility for the development and implementation of policies related to environmental protection, monitoring, and research within the government of Canada. Parts of this mandate are shared with other federal agencies, including those responsible for agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and nonrenewable resources such as minerals. Environment Canada also works with the environment-related agencies of Canada's 10 provincial and two territorial governments through such groups as the Canadian Council of Ministers of the Environment.

The head of Environment Canada is a minister of the federal cabinet, who is "responsible for policies and actions to preserve and enhance the quality of the environment for the benefit of present and future generations of Canadians."

In 1990, following a lengthy and extensive consultation process organized by Environment Canada, the Government of Canada released its Canada's Green Plan for a Healthy Environment, which details the broader goals, as...