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
A complete and chronological listing of grants currently offered by Local Government Program Services is available on the UBCM website.
Asset Management Planning: This program supports local governments to take next steps on the path to better asset management practices. A further objective of the program is to support local governments in meeting their asset management commitments under the Gas Tax Fund. Matching grants of up to $15,000 are available. The application deadline is October 4, 2019.
Community Resiliency Investment: The 2020 FireSmart Community Funding & Supports stream of the CRI program is structured to fund FireSmart activities that reduce the risk and impact of wildfire in all eligible BC communities. Funding is scaled to offer eligible applicants with a lower risk of wildfire to apply for up to $25,000 and applicants with a demonstrated higher risk of wildfire to apply for up to $150,000 per year. Applications are due by October 18, 2019.
Structural Flood Mitigation: The intent of this Community Emergency Preparedness Fund (CEPF) funding stream is to support eligible applicants to prevent, eliminate or reduce the impacts of hazards through construction of structural flood mitigation projects. Ongoing operational costs are not eligible. The maximum eligible funding is $750,000. The application deadline is October 25, 2019.
Volunteer & Composite Fire Departments Equipment & Training: The intent of this funding CEPF stream is to build the resiliency of volunteer and composite fire departments through the purchase of new or replacement equipment, and to facilitate the delivery of training and exercises. The application deadline is November 15, 2019.
Community Child Care Space Creation: This program provides funding to local governments to create new licensed child care spaces within their own facilities for children aged 0-5, with a focus on spaces for infants and toddlers. The Community Child Care Space Creation Program can contribute 100% of the eligible costs, to a maximum of $1,000,000. Applications are now being accepted for the second intake of the program. The application deadline is November 22, 2019.
Housing Needs Report Program: This program supports local governments in undertaking housing needs reports in order to meet the provincial requirements. The reports will strengthen the ability of local governments to understand what kinds of housing are most needed in their communities, and help inform local plans, policies, and development decisions. The application deadline is November 29, 2019.
Regional Community to Community Forums: With the goal of increased understanding and improved overall relations between First Nations and local governments, C2C Forum events are intended to provide a time and place for dialogue to build on opportunities, support reconciliation efforts, resolve issues of common responsibility, interest or concern, and/or advance tangible outcomes. The C2C program can contribute a maximum of 50% of the cost of eligible activities – to a maximum of $5,000. The application deadline for forum events to be held by March 31, 2020 is December 6, 2019.
Indigenous Cultural Safety Training: This CEPF funding stream supports eligible applicants to provide emergency management personnel with cultural safety and humility training in order to more effectively partner with and provide assistance to Indigenous communities during times of emergency. The application deadline is December 13, 2019.
Age-friendly Communities: This program assists communities in BC to support aging populations by developing and implementing policies and plans, undertaking projects that enable seniors and Elders to age in place, and facilitating the creation of age-friendly communities. The application deadline is January 17, 2020.
Flood Risk Assessment, Mapping & Mitigation Planning: The intent of this CEPF funding stream is to support eligible applicants to ensure they have accurate knowledge of the flood hazards they face and to develop effective strategies to mitigate and prepare for those risks. The maximum available funding is $150,000. The application deadline is January 24, 2020.
Community Child Care Planning: This program provides funding for local governments to engage in child care planning activities in order to develop a community child care space creation action plan. The Community Child Care Planning Program can contribute a maximum of 100% of the cost of eligible activities to a maximum of $25,000. Applications are now being accepted for the second intake of the program. The application deadline is January 31, 2020.
Other Funding
Community Wellness and Harm Reduction Grants: Applications are invited from municipalities proposing projects and initiatives that address substance use-related harms and improve wellness. Grants of $15,000 to $50,000 are available through the Community Action Initiative in partnership with the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions. The deadline is November 1, 2019.
CivicSpatial Grant Program: Funding is available to support AddressBC data quality improvement. This grant program will provide a one-time grant of $1,000 to eligible Local Government and First Nations ICI Society members to improve the accuracy of submitted address data.
First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund: The First Nations Clean Energy Business Fund (FNCEBF) promotes increased Indigenous community participation in the clean energy sector within their asserted traditional territories and treaty areas. The fund provides agreements between the BC Government and successful applicants for Capacity funding and Equity funding. It also provides revenue sharing agreements between the BC Government and eligible First Nations.
Ship-source Oil Pollution Fund: The SOPF is available to pay claims to victims of oil pollution damages from ships. In case of oil pollution, the Fund provides local governments with compensation for: clean-up costs and preventive measures; environmental damage repair costs; property damage; losses related to tourism and fishing; and other economic losses. The SOPF’s priority this year is to increase awareness of the Fund, so that local governments bordering the sea, lakes or rivers can benefit from the Fund in case of oil pollution from a ship or boat.
Local Government Restructure Grants: This program supports the arms length, credible examination of the potential impacts of significant changes to the geography or services of a local government. These grants also cover the transition and implementation costs to reduce barriers to restructuring local governments.
Indigenous Agriculture and Food Systems Initiative: The objective of this initiative is to increase economic development opportunities of Indigenous Peoples and communities in Canada by supporting Indigenous communities and entrepreneurs who are ready to launch agriculture and food systems projects and others who want to build their capacity to participate in the Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector.
First Nations Adapt Program: This federal program supports First Nation communities to assess and respond to climate change impacts on community infrastructure and emergency management. It prioritizes communities most impacted by sea level rise, flooding, forest fires, and winter road failures. Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis.
Vancouver Foundation Community Grants: This foundation supports thousands of projects every year to help build healthy, vibrant, and livable communities across BC.
FCM Funding Opportunities: Visit this site to learn about FCM’s funding offerings, from plans and studies, to pilot and capital projects, and more.
Other Funding Opportunities: BC Healthy Communities has compiled a list of funding opportunities worth knowing about, along with guides and resources to support your grant writing activities.
Events & Resources
Keeping It Rural 2019: In Kelowna, October 7-8, this event promises two days of inspiration, learning, and sharing. How rural communities can not only survive, but prosper.
Ecocity World Summit 2019: Can cities be both ecologically healthy and socially just? There are no easy answers, not even in Vancouver, one of the world’s greenest cities. Yet multiple solutions are emerging with new leadership and new partnerships. Ecocity 2019, in Vancouver October 7-11, is where these breakthroughs and advances will be shared.
Webinar - Ride-Hailing: What can Local Governments Expect?: BC’s new ride-hailing framework came into effect on September 16, 2019. Companies are applying to operate throughout the province, and drivers may be on BC roads this fall. What will ride-hailing mean for your community, including driver record checks, local bylaws, business licences and enforcement? October 10 at 10:00 am.
Webinar - Creating Economic Development Opportunities with Local Government Legislation: The Community Charter and the Local Government Act are key pieces of legislation that provide local governments with broad powers and tools that enable them to take action to support small businesses and community economic development. This webinar will provide an overview of the legislative framework and principles of the local government system in BC related to economic development. October 24 at 10:00 am.
Livable Cities Forum: Building Better Communities through Resilience, October 28-30 in Victoria. The Livable Cities Forum is a boutique event for municipalities and community stakeholders coming together to build healthy, resilient communities.
Wildland Fire Canada 2019: In Ottawa, November 19-21, this is the first national event focused on wildland fire to be held since 2016. It will bring together professionals from all disciplines and all types of stakeholders. Registration is now open. Conference themes and keynote speakers are listed on the website and a full schedule is coming very soon.
Adaptation Canada: Canada’s national conference on climate change adaptation. Early Bird registration is open for this conference coming to Vancouver, February 19-21, 2020.
Financing tools for local climate action: Canadian municipalities are reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through pilot projects, municipal programs, and more. However, financing these initiatives can be a significant challenge. FCM’s toolkit explains how your municipality can leverage private and community investors to help you take action on climate change in your community.
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 FireSmart Website: 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 FireSmart.
Weathering the Storm - Developing a Canadian Standard for Flood-Resilient Existing Communities: This report from the Intact Centre on Climate Adaptation presents a flood hazard and vulnerability screening framework that can help identify areas in existing residential communities that require the most immediate attention for flood risk. Application of the framework will enable communities to make better-informed decisions when prioritizing areas for flood-resiliency programming.
The State of Forestry in Northern BC: Northern Dispatch reports are short reports that delve into portions of the State of the North report in greater detail, adding commentary and context on specific sectors or subjects. This recent report is timely given the continued importance of forestry to the BC economy and recent mill shutdowns.
Healthy Housing Action Guide: This new BC Healthy Communities guide explores ways that communities can bring an equity and health lens to housing policies, and includes definitions, case studies, funding information, legislation, and actions that local governments can take to support healthy housing in their community.
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.
Asset Management Resources: Are you interested in learning more about asset management practices and infrastructure planning? Asset Management BC’s website is an information rich resource for BC local governments, including the recently updated Asset Management for Delivery: A BC Framework and four new Sustainable Service Primers: Climate Change; Natural Assets; The Role of Operations & Maintenance; and Land Use Planning.
Introduction to Reconciliation Webinar: This Reconciliation Canada webinar creates a safe place for participants to explore our shared Canadian history, examine the meaning of reconciliation, and their respective roles to play. Join Charlene Seward in this recorded hour-long webinar, and explore your values and beliefs as they relate to reconciliation.
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.