CCME State of the Environment Reporting Harmonization Workshop ...

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Due to imminent cuts in resources to Environment Canada's State of the Environment Directorate, employee morale is low, resulting in an inevitable decline in productivity. At present, only a small number of participants will be left to form a task group for core reporting when the Directorate is disbanded in July 1996. The future organization of the Indicators Branch is uncertain at this time. More immediate problems face the completion of the 1996 Report. Insufficient funding is available for the editing and translation of documents in 1996/97. The result of fewer resources is that priorities need to be set and innovative ways to complete those priorities need to be sought. C) What do our clients want? Several market and user surveys have confirmed that comprehensive and timely environmental information is key to all levels of decision-making. · Electronic access to timely environmental information is on the rise, but printed products still remain the primary source of environmental information. · Everything we used to offer and more. The majority of the clients still request printed material. Even with a push towards electronic access to information, it is difficult to bypass the paper stage. Clients will continue to demand all that is offered now and will look for more new and updated information through the latest technology. D) How can we meet those expectations? · Less comprehensive, more timely. · More electronic products: - Internet and CD-ROM · On-demand printing. · Spin-off products: - Teachers' Kits, videos, multi-media products New technology such as CD-ROM and the Internet allow for easier and faster access to the latest information. Use of these outlets, and on-demand printing, frees up resources because the client and/or a sponsor picks up the costs of printing and distribution. Research and development of reporting products continue to be a basic government responsibility. While sponsorship may offset costs, care must be taken to offset the perception of the private sector influencing data or decision making. E) Will users pay and how much? User Fees: $75 - $100 per vision. Environment Canada will recover production costs only. Research and preparation part of core mandate of the Government. · Price sensitivity is still an issue. Many factors influence the cost of a product, such as the size of the document, number printed, hard or soft cover, etc. Only the production costs will be recovered, not the costs associated with the research, development, and integration of information. However, with on-demand printing, down loading of the Internet, and private sector sponsorship, the prices of the products may be lowered. Discounts to schools are a consideration. A strategy to support government need, while at the same time meeting the client's need, is critical. Proceedings: CCME SOE Harmonization Workshop IV Page 4
F) Our strengths · Partnerships: - EP Technology Transfer and Green Lane - Network of government departments - Stakeholders at large Credibility · Innovativeness Initial access to the 1996 Report will be through Environment Canada's Green Lane. There will be free access to Chapter 1 and the highlights of the Report. If the client requires more detail, then he/she will pay a fee and subscribe to the system. This information will be easily accessible by all jurisdictions through the Internet. Partnerships with stakeholders such as the Canadian Manufacturing Association and others from the private sector need to be encouraged. A broad based content input and review process lends to objectivity. The national reporting program is seen as having a credible reputation and needs to maintain this to continue moving forward. Environment Canada must continue to be innovative in product development and enrolling partnerships to offset rising costs and declining resources. G) Our weaknesses Complexmulti-stakeholderprocess. Reduced budget. Internal and external downsizing. · Lack of conttol over partners' agenda. The process of establishing a National Report is complex, requiring input from a number of stakeholders. Our partners' agendas and ours may not always coincide. This process is time consuming and costly, and requires streamlining. While electronic contact is an important tool, personal contact and printed material still remain key elements to the process. The reduced budget requires cost saving innovations and new product development for revenue. H) Key benefits Canadians will have more easily accessible information. · The Stateof Canada's Environment- 1996and the IndicatorBulletin Serieswill be pillars of the Green Lane. · Searching capabilities through Folio Views will significantly add value and transform the report and indicators into a powerful source of knowledge. New technology allows for easier access to information through the Internet, CD-ROM, and ondemand printing. Integrated information benefits all jurisdictions. With a better index, information access is cheaper and faster, leading to greater use. I) Folio Views Demonstration · HTML conversion a major concern. · Experiencing difficulties translating Indicators Bulletins. · Folio Views will be quicker, better and a lot cheaper. Proceedings: CCME SOE Harmonization Workshop IV Page 5
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