About

CCME was established in 1964 and is composed of the environment ministers from the federal, provincial and territorial governments.

The role of President of CCME rotates among the 14 ministers of environment on an annual basis. These 14 ministers normally meet at least once a year to discuss national environmental priorities and determine work to be carried out under the auspices of CCME.

Ministers set the strategic direction for the Council, setting out the broad outcomes they seek to achieve. Deputy ministers and senior officials establish working groups of experts from the federal, provincial, and territorial environmental ministries to work collaboratively to accomplish specific goals, with the support of a permanent secretariat based in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

CCME is supported financially and in kind by the environment departments of the governments of Alberta, British Columbia, Canada, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Québec, Saskatchewan and Yukon.

CCME Org chart -Website_e

 CCME’s core operating principles are:

  • Ministerial direction: The organization functions under the direction of federal, provincial and territorial Ministers.
  • Issues of concern to CCME members: The agenda is made up of issues that are Canada-wide, international and intergovernmental in nature, and of interest to a significant portion of CCME member governments/regions. 
  • Results-based: CCME focuses on achieving environmental results through cooperative action and innovation. 
  • Consensus decision-making: The organization employs consensus decision-making. 
  • Accountability: Each Minister remains responsible to act and to be held accountable within their jurisdiction. The responsibility for implementing any decision of CCME rests with governments. 
  • Commitment to action: Governments will work cooperatively on flexible agreed-upon approaches, and with a commitment to take action on environmental matters within their areas of jurisdiction. 
  • Openness and transparency: CCME will provide information to the public in a timely and responsive fashion and undertake engagement when deemed appropriate by governments Each Minister shall be responsible for engagement with the public, stakeholders and Indigenous partners within their own jurisdiction.  CCME endeavors to communicate, when agreed by governments, its work and learnings with the Canadian public, experts, industry, Indigenous partners and others.  
  • Partnerships: CCME will use a partnership approach among jurisdictions where appropriate, while recognizing their individual competence and diverse experience, to maximize efficiency and effectiveness. 
  • Sustainable Development: CCME decision-making will take into account regional, environmental, economic and social considerations. 
  • Regular review and assessment.  CCME will regularly review the results and effectiveness of its work to ensure that it continues to meet Ministers' needs and priorities.
  • Respect for jurisdictional responsibilities and regional differences: All member jurisdictions of CCME are equal.