Each month, we provide an update on funding programs administered by UBCM along with and information on other programs, events, and resources of interest to local governments and First Nations.
Local Government Program Services
Applications are currently being accepted for the following funding programs. A complete and chronological listing (by intake deadline) of currently offered Local Government Program Services grants is also available on the UBCM website.
Next Generation 911 – Application-Based Intake – The Next Generation 911 program supports the implementation of NG911 and provides funding to eligible recipients to support the transition and operational readiness of existing 911 services to NG911, in compliance with the CRTC mandate. The second phase of funding is the 2025 application-based intake. Program material is available now. Applications will be accepted November 1, 2024 – April 11, 2025. ICYMI, review last month’s webinar to address cybersecurity requirements within NG911.
Public Notification and Evacuation Route Planning – This funding stream aids the development of Evacuation Route Plans and/or Public Notification Plans that provide information for First Nations, local governments, and community members in the event of an emergency. The 2025 program material is now available on our website with an intake deadline of April 25, 2025.
Active Transportation Planning program – The Active Transportation Planning (ATP) program supports local governments to incorporate or enhance active transportation components of formal planning documents (Official Community Plan, Sustainability Plan, Neighbourhood Plan, or Transportation Plan), including research, engagement and policy development. Local governments with a population up to 25,000 that meet the grant criteria are eligible for up to $30,000 toward their active transportation planning costs. The 2024/25 intake will accept applications October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025, or until funding is exhausted.
FireSmart Pilot Program for Regional District Cooperative Community Wildfire Response Organizations – The FireSmart Pilot Program for Regional District Cooperative Community Wildfire Response Organizations provides funding to regional districts in BC to increase community resiliency and to help build a cooperative pathway for wildfire response by undertaking training and purchasing personal protective equipment for local community members in areas that do not fall within a structural fire protection jurisdiction area. The program will have an open intake. Funding permitting, eligible applicants can submit applications October 1, 2024 – May 30, 2025.
2025 FireSmart Community Funding and Supports – The FireSmart Community Funding and Supports program provides funding to local governments and First Nations in BC to increase community resiliency by undertaking community-based FireSmart planning and activities that reduce the community’s risk from wildfire. The 2025 program materials are available now, with applications being accepted October 1, 2024 – September 30, 2025.
Other Funding
Grants and Funding from the Government of Canada
Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs: Infrastructure planning grant – The Infrastructure planning grant program supports projects related to the development of sustainable community infrastructure. Grants of up to $10,000 are available to help local governments develop or improve long-term comprehensive plans including, but not limited to: asset management plans, integrated stormwater management plans, water master plans, liquid waste management plans. Municipalities and regional districts are eligible to apply to this year-round funding program, with the next processing deadline of June 11, 2025.
NIDMAR: Disability Management Assessment and Subsidy – A Government of Canada grant that provides free workplace disability management assessments, and up to $7,500 through an improvement subsidy to enhance processes to significantly reduce costs and liabilities resulting from employee illness and injury; retain and engage skilled employees experiencing illness, injury, and longer-term disabilities; subsidize workplace improvements; and/or meet provincial requirements for Accessibility Plans.
Natural Resources Canada: Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities – This funding program supports project proposals that contribute to Indigenous-led climate action through biomass heating, district heating and combined heat and power systems. The program is working to reduce the use of fossil fuels for heating and electricity by increasing the use of local renewable energy sources and energy efficiency. Intakes are open until the funding is fully committed or the program closes in 2027.
Local Festivals: Building Communities Through Arts and Heritage Program – This funding stream from the Government of Canada provides funding to local groups (including local non-profit groups, band councils, tribal councils, or Indigenous governments) for recurring festivals that present the work of local artists, artisans, or heritage performers. This includes the celebration of LGBTQ2+ communities and Indigenous cultural celebrations. Applicants may request up to 100% of eligible expenses up to a maximum of $200,000. Applications are accepted throughout the year, depending on the anticipated festival date.
Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative – The federal government has launched the $7.1 million Regional Homebuilding Innovation Initiative to advance innovative homebuilding solutions and boost efficiency in homebuilding through activities such as investments in manufacturing and construction technologies and development of tools to improve off-site construction. Municipalities are eligible to apply. Applications can be received until March 31, 2026 or when funding is fully committed.
Grants and Funding from the BC Government
Work BC: BC Employer Training Grant – The BC Employer Training Grant is a cost-sharing grant program that provides employers throughout BC with skills training funding for their workforces, including prospective new hires. Employers can apply as often as they need and receive 80% of the cost of training up to $10,000 per employee, with a maximum annual amount per employer of $300,000.
Disaster Resilience and Innovation Funding – This funding stream provides funding to First Nations and local governments in BC to enhance their capacity to withstand and adapt to natural and climate-driven hazards through activities that bolster community resilience by providing data, building partnerships, and supporting long-term disaster risk reduction, as well as climate adaption planning and structural and non-structural disaster risk reduction projects. Eligible applicants can submit an expression of interest which are accepted on an ongoing basis. Selections are made annually, with funding decisions determined for that year. The cutoff date for 2025 is June 27, 2025.
For Indigenous Recipients
New Relationship Trust: Declaration Act Engagement Fund – The Declaration Act Engagement Fund (DAEF) provides multi-year non-repayable funding contributions to First Nations to support their capacity to engage with the Province on the implementation of the Declaration Act Action Plan and alignment of Provincial laws with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. The total funding cap over four years per Nation is $1,040,000. One application per nation. The DAEF will accept new applications between May and December each year. Applicants will only have to apply once to the program.
Residential Schools Missing Children Community Support Fund – Crown Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada will fund the locating, documenting, maintaining, and commemorating of burial sites associated with former residential schools, and responding to family wishes to commemorate or memorialize their losses and the children's final resting places.
BC Residential School Response Fund – Provincial funding is available for First Nations-led strategies to identify, investigate, protect, and commemorate the sites of former residential schools and hospitals in BC and for the mental health, wellness, and cultural supports required to do this work. Up to $475,000 is available for each site.
BC Hydro: Programs for Indigenous Communities – The Indigenous Communities Conservation Program (ICCP) provides funding and support for energy efficiency upgrades in Indigenous communities. All Indigenous communities within BC Hydro’s service area are eligible to participate in the program. Funding is currently ongoing.
Other
FCM: Green Municipal Fund – This program funds capital projects that allow a community to remove 60% of total suspended solids (TSS) or a significant amount of other contaminants (e.g., e.coli, salt, grease) from its stormwater runoff. Potential applicants may submit initial review forms at any time. Application forms will be provided to eligible recipients.
FCM: Community Buildings Retrofit Initiative – This initiative is intended to help fund energy efficiency upgrades for existing community facilities. The Government of Canada, through is funding this $167 million initiative to help Canadian municipalities of all sizes retrofit existing community facilities, such as arenas, pools, and libraries, to significantly reduce GHG emissions, while reviving important community assets.
Canadian Heritage: Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives Program – Provides funding to eligible applicants for community-based events that promote intercultural or interfaith understanding, promote discussions on multiculturalism, diversity, racism and religious discrimination, or celebrate a community’s history and culture such as heritage months recognized by Parliament. There is no established deadline date to submit a funding application as applications are accepted on a continuous basis. However, applications must be submitted at least 18 weeks prior to the proposed event start date.
Forest Enhancement Society of BC: Wildfire Risk Reduction Funding – FESCB is accepting applications to fund projects to reduce wildfire risk on provincial Crown land and increase community resiliency to wildfire across BC. Eligible activities include wildfire risk reduction (WRR) planning and treatment prescription development, WRR treatments, and the recovery and utilization of uneconomical residual fibre resulting from wildfire risk reduction treatment funding by FESBC.
Forest Enhancement Society of BC: Fibre Utilization Projects – FESBC is accepting applications to fund projects that encourage diversity and innovation by the forest sector to utilize uneconomical residual fibre located on provincial crown land. Eligible activities include delivery of uneconomic residual fibre to non-sawlog processing facilities, or the overstorey removal and/or the delivery of uneconomic fibre to a non-sawlog facility, from fire or insect damaged stands or other stands acceptable to FESCBC and Ministry of Forests.
Island Coastal Economic Trust – DIVERSIFY: Capital and Innovation Program – Supports the development of a wide range of strategic economic development, diversification, and innovation initiatives. Funding streams include Business and Industry Support, Downtown Revitalization, Strategic Tourism Infrastructure, Destination Trails, Innovation Infrastructure and Innovation Support. Applications are accepted on a continuous basis.
Northern Development Initiative Trust: Community Places – NDIT program that supports the creation, restoration, or enhancement of community spaces not attached to educational institutions. Local governments, First Nations Bands, and registered not-for-profit organizations are eligible to apply with applications approved on a quarterly basis.
Northern Development Initiative Trust: The Mainstreet Revitalization Capital program – provides funding to local and First Nation governments to complete strategic public investments in above ground public infrastructure within main street areas that are aligned and integrated with a downtown revitalization plan or other planning documents, encourages private sector investment and creates a healthy and economically vibrant downtown for businesses, residents and tourists alike. NDIT approves projects on a quarterly basis. Applications must be received prior to midnight on the intake deadline day to be eligible for consideration in that funding cycle.
SparcBC: Local Community Accessibility Grant Program – Under the Accessible BC Act, local governments are required to develop a feedback mechanism, Accessibility Committee and Accessibility Plan. The Province of BC has allocated $5 million in one-time funding for eligible BC municipalities and regional districts, up to $25,000, to support the implementation of projects or priorities identified in their Accessibility Plan. Applications will be received and approved on a rolling basis until March 2026 through the Social Planning and Research Council of BC. Contact: Louise O’Shea, 604-718-7748, accessibility@sparc.bc.ca.
Events & Resources
Regional District Chair & CAO Forum – Held in Victoria April 22-23, 2025, registration for the RD Chair and CAO Forum is now open. The $105 registration fee includes coffee breaks on April 22, and breakfast and lunch on April 23. Please register by Friday, April 11. Hotel accommodation is available at the Hotel Grand Pacific for a group rate.
BC Recreation and Parks Association Symposium – Hosted in Whistler May 6-8, 2025, join 400+ professionals dedicated to building healthy and vibrant communities as we come together to celebrate this year’s theme, Building Our Future: Inspiring Belonging and Connection. Get ready for three days of thought-provoking sessions & social and networking opportunities at the Fairmont Chateau Whistler.
Canada Community-Building Fund and Asset Management Workshops 2025 – The Union of BC Municipalities will be hosting free workshops across the province this spring focusing on the Canada Community-Building Fund (CCBF) and Asset Management. The workshops will include updates to the Community Works Fund and Strategic Priorities Fund programs, and new reporting requirements in the area of asset management under the renewed Canada Community Building Fund Agreement. This learning opportunity will be of particular interest to senior staff but could also be of interest to staff involved in grant program administration, delivery, and/or asset management. To attend a free workshop in your area, participants must register online at least 14 days prior to the date of the workshop. Limited space is available at each location.
Principles for Responsible Conduct – This online course, developed by UBCM, LGMA, and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, introduces the principles that support responsible conduct by local elected officials in BC. The interactive course is based on real-life scenarios in which learners are part of the story. The code to access the course is VV81-5TFM.
BC Rural Centre – The Centre provides a wealth of links to assets, news, videos, services, and resources of value to rural British Columbians.
CivicInfo BC – British Columbia's local government information hub offers comprehensive organizational and grant directories, events listings, tools for training, research and career development, bids & tenders, and other resources.
Indigenous Services Canada – ISC works collaboratively with partners to improve access to high quality services for First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. They provide information on social programs, emergency management, health, infrastructure, governance, education, economic development, funding programs, and other resources
FireSmart – This website introduces the FireSmart program and its seven disciplines and is intended as a one-stop shop for all things FireSmart. The site includes links to training, education, an events calendar, resource library, and downloadable content. It also features a short video inviting everyone to become involved in prevention and to learn about the benefits of the program.