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.
Canada Community-Building Fund
Strategic Priorities Fund - The Strategic Priorities Fund is an application-based program available to local governments and other recipients outside of the Metro Vancouver Regional District to support infrastructure and capacity building projects that are either large in scale, regional in impact, or innovative, and align with the program objectives of productivity and economic growth, a clean environment, and strong cities and communities. This third intake of the SPF program will see an investment of up to $100 million to support infrastructure and capacity building projects in communities across the province. Application deadline: June 30, 2022. Contact: CCBF@ubcm.ca/250-356-0930
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.
NEW: Extreme Heat Risk Mapping, Assessment, and Planning - The intent of this stream is to support eligible applicants to ensure they have accurate knowledge of the risks associated with extreme heat and how these risks will change over time, and to develop effective response plans and strategies to prepare, mitigate, and adapt to those risks. Application deadline: June 24, 2022.
Community to Community Forum - The program’s goal is increased understanding and improved overall relations between First Nations and local governments. Forum events with elected officials and senior staff provide a time and place for dialogue to build on opportunities, support reconciliation efforts, resolve issues of common responsibility, interest or concern, and/or to advance tangible outcomes. Next application deadline: September 2, 2022.
Asset Management Planning - The 2022 AMP program is accepting applications. The intent of the program is to assist local governments in delivering sustainable services by extending and deepening asset management practices within their organizations. Matching grants are available under the 2022 program to support activities that advance a local government’s asset management planning or practices, and that facilitate better integration of asset management planning with long term financial planning. The second 2022 deadline is September 30, 2022.
Other Funding
Age-Friendly Communities - In an age-friendly community, older adults are supported to age-in-place, living active, socially engaged, independent lives. To help local and Indigenous governments, the program is comprised of three parts: a cash grant for communities embarking on age-friendly plans and projects; a capacity-building component offering tools and resources for age friendly planning as well as in-kind, customized supports for some age-friendly grant recipients; and a community recognition process whereby communities can apply to be formally recognized for their age-friendly accomplishments. The Program is funded by the B.C. Ministry of Health and delivered by BC Healthy Communities (BCHC). The deadline to apply is July 5, 2022
Local Food Infrastructure Fund - The LFIF is a 5-year, $60 million Government of Canada initiative aimed at supporting community-based and not-for-profit organizations to create long-term solutions to address food security challenges. This new phase of the LFIF is tailored to meet the needs of Indigenous, Northern and remote communities by providing funding to help build a food system that will meet both current and future community needs. Grant funding can range from $100,000 to $500,000 to support larger initiatives that will have a lasting impact in communities. The intake period is from June 1 to July 15, 2022.
Ghost Gear Fund - The Ghost Gear Fund, funded by the Government of Canada, encourages Canadians to take actions to reduce plastic in the marine environment through several streams of action. These include projects to retrieve abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear (ALDFG), solutions for the disposal of fishing related plastic waste and ALDFG, acquiring and piloting of currently available innovative gear technology for use in Canadian fisheries, and supporting international work in high-risk areas to reduce ghost fishing and ALDFG.
B.C. Employer Training Grant Program - The BC ETG program supports skills training to address provincial labour market needs. The program supports skills training needed to adapt to the changing requirements of jobs and the labour market while encouraging employer involvement in the training of employees.
Indigenous Peoples Resilience Fund - The IPRF is an Indigenous-led effort to respond to urgent community needs while taking a long-term view on building community resilience. Any Indigenous-led organization or Indigenous-serving organization working to foster resilience in Inuit, Métis and First Nations communities anywhere in Canada can apply for resiliency funds ranging from $5,000 to $30,000.
Pathways to Safe Indigenous Communities - The Pathways Initiative will provide $103.8 million over 5 years to assist First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities and partners, both on and off-reserve, to implement Indigenous-designed projects to improve community safety and well-being. This initiative will support projects that recognize the importance of traditional knowledge and practices that contribute to greater community safety, including the safety and well-being of Indigenous women and girls and 2SLGBTQQIA+ people. Funded by the Government of Canada. Open intake, apply any time.
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.
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 to provide mental health, wellness, and cultural support 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.
Municipal Asset Management Program - FCM’s Municipal Asset Management Program is now accepting applications for grants of up to $50,000 to fund an asset management initiative in your community. This program funds a broad spectrum of asset management-related activities, including assessments; development of plans, policies and strategies; asset-related data collection and reporting; training and organizational development; and knowledge transfer.
New Relationship Trust - The NRT is an independent non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening First Nations in BC through capacity building. Numerous funding initiatives and resources are available on their website.
Columbia Basin Trust - CBT offers grants and programs to help residents and communities in the Basin take action on issues that are important to them.
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
Local Government Management Association Annual Conference and Trade Show - This year’s program will challenge local government professionals to share their insights, broaden their thinking, and embrace diverse perspectives. Innovation and collaborative efforts will be encouraged to address current and future challenges. For a range of professional designations, session attendance may be used as credit toward Continuous Professional Learning requirements
BC Community Climate Funding Guide for Indigenous Communities and Local Governments - The Province of BC has developed the website for the BC Community Climate Funding Guide for Indigenous Communities and Local Governments. This new guide was created to simplify a community’s search for funding and to quickly connect communities to the next opportunity to fund climate-related projects. It is a one-stop resource within several broad categories, including Climate Preparedness & Adaptation, Community Infrastructure, Sustainable Transportation, and Clean Energy.
Healthy Communities, Equity and Economic Recovery: Creating Healthy Public Policy - BC Healthy Communities and SFU’s Community Economic Development team are hosting the Local Government Leaders Speaker Series. This on-demand webinar series has already posted one event, Living Wage Policies. Visit to view upcoming additional webinars. Participate live or view recorded sessions.
FireSmart - This website provides 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.
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 the 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.
Resources for Rural & Small Communities - BC Healthy Communities has launched a collection of resources related to PlanH action areas, with a rural and small community lens.
Building sustainable communities with asset management - This guidebook is designed for staff or elected officials in medium and large municipalities who are responsible for green projects or who are interested in municipal sustainable development.
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.