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.
Poverty Reduction Planning and Action
The intent of the Poverty Reduction Planning & Action program is to support local governments in reducing poverty at the local level and to support the Province’s poverty reduction strategy, TogetherBC. Application deadline: March 17, 2023.
Emergency Operations Centres Equipment and Training
The intent of this funding stream is to support 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.
Urban Communities Partnering for Reconciliation
Funding is available to support eligible Indigenous organizations and local governments to work together to create opportunities for in-person dialogue and relationship building which can help advance collaborative reconciliation plans, protocols, agreements or future projects. The application deadline is April 14, 2023.
Public Notification & Evacuation Route Planning
The intent of this funding stream is to support eligible applicants to develop Evacuation Route Plans and/or Public Notification Plans that provide information for local governments, First Nations, and community members in the event of an emergency.
Application deadline: April 28, 2023.
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.
Other Funding
Codes Acceleration Fund – Accelerating Decarbonization
Natural Resources Canada launched a call for proposals for the Codes Acceleration Fund — $100M to help provinces, territories, municipalities, Indigenous governments and stakeholders decarbonize the buildings sector in order for Canada to reach a net-zero emissions future.
Stringent building energy codes are a near-term action local governments can use to achieve climate change targets. The codes provide a series of performance tiers that lead towards making all new buildings net-zero energy-ready.
The application deadline is March 27, 2023. Applications from Indigenous governments and organizations will be accepted on an ongoing basis until March 31, 2025.
Community Internet Funding
The Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) has an upcoming intake for its Community Investment Program. The grant application period will open March 2 and close April 12, 2023. Eligible organizations, including Indigenous governments, can apply for up to $100,000 to fund community internet projects. A webinar on preparing a grant application for the program will be held Tues March 7, 2023 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. PST.
2023 Community Outreach Incentive Program
The intake has opened for electric vehicle (EV) education and outreach projects in B.C. communities. Emotive is an EV education and experience campaign that provides up to $10,000 per project to enable community organizations, local governments, and companies to demonstrate the benefits of electric transportation. It’s not all about personal electric cars either. Emotive funding also supports projects raising awareness for e-bikes, electric car shares, and other electric mobility options. The application deadline is March 17, 2023.
Housing Supply Challenge Round 4
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s Housing Supply Challenge Round 4 is now open for applications addressing solutions to construction-related barriers to housing supply. Shortlisted projects will receive up to $150,000 of incubation funding, with further funding available for successful solutions. Eligible applicants, including local governments, must submit applications no later than April 13, 2023 at 2:00PM ET.
BC Active Transportation Infrastructure Grant Program
The B.C. Active Transportation Infrastructure Grants Program provides cost-sharing opportunities for network planning grants and infrastructure grants. Funding from these grant programs support the development of active transportation infrastructure for all ages and abilities. The next intake will open on September 1, 2023 for local governments. Indigenous communities or local governments working in partnership with an Indigenous community may apply at any time.
BC Hydro Beautification Fund
This funding program provides financial assistance to municipal governments for conversion of overhead service to underground facilities to enhance and improve the use of public spaces. Submit application and supporting documents by September 30 (for funding in following fiscal year).
Rapid Housing Initiative Round 3
Round 3 of the Rapid Housing Initiative is receiving applications to support the building of new housing and/or purchasing existing buildings that will be rehabilitated or converted into permanent affordable housing. This $1.5 billion funding program is divided into two streams: projects stream for eligible applicants including municipal governments and Indigenous governing bodies and organizations, and a cities stream that is open to Burnaby, the Capital Regional District, Richmond, Surrey and Vancouver.
Clean Energy for Rural and Remote Communities
This funding program supports project proposals that contribute to Indigenous-led climate action, to economic development, to pollution reduction, and to job creation. This program has received an additional $300 million in funding until 2027. This program has open intakes until funding fully committed or program closes in 2027.
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.
Disaster Financial Assistance
The Province of BC announced DFA is available to local governments and First Nations impacted by wildfires and 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
Corporate Citizenship for Gender Equality
On March 8 at 1pm ET, the Canadian Women’s Foundation is partnering with the International Economic Forum of the Americas to host a one-hour virtual learning event to explore what gender equality in the workplace needs to look like in 2023. Please RSVP for this free event.
2023 Regional District Chair & CAO Forum
The 2023 Regional District Chairs & CAO Forum will be held at the Hotel Grand Pacific in Victoria, BC. The program will run from 1:00 - 5:00 PM on Tuesday, March 28th and from 8:30 AM - 1:00 PM on Wednesday, March 29th. Program and further details to be released soon.
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 B.C. 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.
The Impact of UNDRIP on Resource Development Projects
Many initiatives are underway to resolve expectations between resource developers and Indigenous communities. This event will explore how Indigenous communities can use UNDRIP to gain economic participation in resource developments on their traditional lands. Experts will cover the implications of recent court decisions and provide case studies of success stories from both industry and Indigenous communities. Attend this program in-person or via live webinar on April 27, 2023 to stay up to date on the latest developments that will impact current and future projects.
Wildfire Resiliency and Training Summit – May 10-14, 2023
The week-long event will focus on community wildfire resiliency and wildland urban interface training which will start with a three-day in person conference at the Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre. Best practices will be shared, as well as collective experience and insights through informative workshops, and expert panels. This will be followed by two days of training exercises in North Vancouver for BC’s firefighting professionals.
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.
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, 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.