Each month we provide an update on UBCM funding programs and information on other programs, events, and resources that may be 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.
FireSmart Community Funding & Supports: The FireSmart Community Funding & 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. Applications for this program are now being accepted until December 31, 2023.
Indigenous Cultural Safety and Cultural Humility Training: The intent of this stream is to support eligible applicants to enhance cultural safety and humility in the delivery of local emergency management programs and services. Activities include cultural safety and humility training, adapting emergency management tools to be inclusive of Indigenous peoples, and activities related to partnering with, or providing assistance to, Indigenous communities during emergency mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery (up to $30,000 per eligible applicant). Application deadline: November 25, 2022.
Community to Community Forum: Applications are being received for the Regional Community to Community Forum. The aim of this program is to deepen understanding and relations between First Nations and local governments. Forum events bring together elected officials and senior staff of First Nations and local governments to promote dialogue; support reconciliation efforts; resolve issues of common responsibility interest and concern; or advance tangible outcomes. The next application deadline for 2022-2023 funding is December 2, 2022.
Emergency Support Services: The intent of this stream is to help communities build local capacity to provide ESS through volunteer recruitment, retention and training, including in-house training, and the purchase of ESS equipment (up to $30,000 per eligible applicant). Application deadline: January 27, 2023.
Disaster Risk Reduction – Climate Adaptation: This funding stream supports eligible applicants to reduce risks from future disasters due to natural hazards and climate-related risks. The grant maximum is $2.3 million per applicant across three activity categories. Application deadline: February 24, 2023. Materials will be available online soon.
Emergency Operations Centres Equipment and Training: This funding stream supports the purchase of equipment and supplies required to maintain or improve EOCs and to enhance EOC capacity through training and exercises (up to $30,000 per eligible applicant). Application deadline: March 31, 2023.
Other Funding
Aviation Infrastructure Funding: The province has opened a new BC Air Access Program cost-sharing funding intake. BCAAP is intended to help air facility (public airports, heliports and water aerodromes) operators with capital works to enable medevac, forest fire suppression, general access, economic development and achieving environmental goals. Eligible applicants may request up to $2 million in any given year, and depending on the project type, funding will cover from 50% to 75% of project costs. Eligible applicants must operate a public use air facility that serves fewer than 1 million passengers annually, and must be the facility operator or the contracted operator of an eligible facility. Private and federal facilities are not eligible. The application deadline is midnight on December 22, 2022.
Reduce Fossil Fuel Use in Fleets: The Federation of Canadian Municipalities is offering combined loan and grant funding for capital projects that reduce or avoid fossil fuel use in any vehicle that delivers municipal services. This funding helps Canadian cities and communities of all sizes undertake environmental sustainability projects that reduce energy consumption/greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) and improve their air quality. Initial review forms can be submitted year-round and application forms will be provided to eligible applicants.
Refugee resettlement funding: A federal $2 million Refugee Resettlement Fund has been established to support resettling refugee families. Six BC communities (Vancouver, Kelowna, Victoria, Nanaimo, Abbotsford, Surrey) have dedicated service provider organizations to deliver the Refugee Assistance Program (RAP). RAP provides essential services to refugees in their first year in Canada. Information and resources on supporting refugees in BC can be found on the BC Refugee Hub, a provincially-funded online resource hub.
Disaster Financial Assistance: The Province of BC announced DFA is now available to local governments and First Nations impacted by this past summer’s wildfires and the recent overland flooding. The funding is available to cover disaster-related losses not covered by insurance, such as wildfire damage to public infrastructure including roads, bridges, and other publicly-owned infrastructure.
Residential Schools: BC 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 providing the mental health, wellness, and cultural supports required to do this work. Lead communities may apply to develop and implement strategies and procedures for the ongoing identification, documentation, maintenance, commemoration, and protection of residential school cemeteries or other sites at which residential school children were buried. Up to $475,000 is available for each site.
Residential Schools - Federal Funding: 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. Proposals are welcome from Indigenous governments, councils or tribal councils, Indigenous not-for-profit groups, and organizations, including survivors’ groups, demonstrating a close working partnership with and directed by Indigenous-governed organizations.
Community Buildings Retrofit Initiative: This Federation of Canadian Municipalities initiative is intended to help fund energy efficiency upgrades for existing community facilities. The Government of Canada, through the Green Municipal Fund, has launched 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.
Other Funding Opportunities : BC Healthy Communities has compiled a list of funding opportunities worth knowing about, along with guides and resources to support grant writing activities.
Events & Resources
Planning for Newly Elected Officials Workshop: SFU's City Program is holding an online workshop on planning for newly elected officials on Saturday, November 19, 2022, led by professional planner Eric Aderneck. This session will provide an expert introduction to urban planning and how to build more sustainable, vibrant and inclusive communities and physical environments. Advance registration is required.
Virtual Reconciliation Engagements: Interested in raising awareness about reconciliation for your community, organization, or business? In light of the COVID-19 crisis, Reconciliation Canada is currently providing all engagements online. They can provide a virtual gathering with an inspiring speaker to help engage reconciliation in a meaningful way.
ReTooling for Climate Change: The Fraser Basin Council hosts this first-stop website on climate change adaptation. Here is the place to find top tools and resources for BC local governments, First Nations, and the natural resource sectors as everyone prepares for the impacts of climate change, now and in the years ahead.
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.
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, a 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.