The mandate of the Habitat Management Program is:

• To protect and conserve fish habitat in support of Canada's coastal and inland fisheries resources, and,

• To conduct environmental assessments under the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act before Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) makes a regulatory decision under the habitat provisions of the Fisheries Act.

Our Vision

The Habitat Management Program will be a leader in the conservation and protection of Canada's fish habitat resource, in support of DFO's strategic priority to contribute towards healthy and productive aquatic ecosystems.

The Habitat Management Program regularly collaborates on common issues and priorities with provinces, industry, Aboriginal groups, non-government organizations, and municipalities. A number of arrangements are in place to engage key partners in developing and implementing policies, strategies, programs and plans to conserve and protect fish and fish habitat from the impacts of human activities.

The annual report highlights the activities of Fisheries and Oceans Canada's (DFO) National Habitat Management Program (HMP), as well as Environment Canada's (EC) Environmental Enforcement Program, Environmental Emergencies Program and Compliance Promotion and Analysis Program.

DFO has legal responsibilities under the Fisheries Act, the Species at Risk Act (SARA), the Oceans Act and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (CEAA)  to ensure that Canada's oceans and inland waterways and resources are protected and managed for the benefit of present and future generations.  The Fisheries Act provides the legal framework for regulating impacts on fish and fish habitat associated with works, undertakings, operations and activities occurring in or around fresh and marine waters throughout Canada.