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. Most of the Community Emergency Preparedness Fund 2025-26 intakes are now open.
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.
The following funding streams’ materials are now available online and applications are being accepted:
Public Notification and 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 First Nations, local governments, and community members in the event of an emergency. Eligible applicants can apply for up to $40,000 in grant funding. Applications will be accepted until April 24, 2026.
2026 FireSmart Community Funding and Supports – As of February 2, 2026, the FireSmart Community Funding and Supports program transitioned to the 2026 Winter/Spring Closed Intake. All applications for the 2026 Winter/Spring Closed Intake will be required to be submitted in full by April 30, 2026 and will be adjudicated based on merit and priority. For more information, refer to the February webinar recording.
Other Funding
Grants and Funding from the Government of Canada
Build Canada Homes – Build Canada Homes is accepting proposals to work with eligible applicants (including First Nations and local governments) to build and deliver affordable housing at scale. Initial investments will prioritize “shovel-ready” projects that can begin within 12 months.
Legacy Fund: Building Communities through Arts and Heritage – This Department of Canadian Heritage Program provides funding for community-initiated capital projects, intended for community use. Recipients may receive up to 50% of eligible project expenses up to a maximum of $500,000. Funding is intended to support community-initiated capital projects that: commemorate a significant local historical event or pay tribute to a significant local historical personality; mark a 100th anniversary or greater, in increments of 25 years (e.g., 125th, 150th); involve the restoration, renovation, or transformation of existing buildings or exterior spaces with local community significance that are intended for community use; encourage arts and heritage activities in the local community that are intended for and accessible to the general public. Applications accepted on continuous basis.
Grants and Funding from the Government of BC
Disaster Financial Assistance – DFA is now available for eligible people, businesses and communities in southwestern British Columbia affected by flooding from the heavy rainfall December 10-19, 2025. An online DFA application portal is available to private and public-sector applicants. Applications will be accepted until April 13, 2026.
Disability Management Improvement Funding – 2026 is the final year for this provincially funded opportunity, which fully funds a confidential disability management assessment. The assessment provides recommendations to help an organization implement best practices in Disability Management/Return-to-Work. These assessments are at no cost to public, non-profit, and private sector organizations in BC. Participating organizations may also apply for a subsidy of up to $7,500 to implement improvements. Applications are accepted first-come, first-served, until the remaining funding is committed.
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.
Investment Agriculture Foundation of BC – Funded by the Province of BC, eligible applicants in BC (Indigenous communities, local governments, improvement districts, etc.,) are encouraged to increase adoption of efficient irrigation infrastructure and improve agricultural water supply and management. This stream will fund assessments, engineering studies, or plans that are required before implementing on-ground infrastructure work and that will enhance the understanding of the operational and developmental limitations to the water supplies, and which enable applicants to determine the appropriate type and scale of infrastructure required. Applications will be accepted first-come, first-served on a continual basis until funding is fully committed.
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.
The Going Home Fund – This fund facilitates the return or long-term loan of culturally significant materials to Indigenous cultural entities worldwide. The application form is for use by Indigenous communities seeking support. Eligible expenses include insurance, packaging, shipping, and other costs associated with the return. You may request funding for the return of multiple items from the same institution. The Going Home Fund Advisory Council meets monthly to review requests and make awards.
Other:
Accelerating Circularity in Construction Materials – Part of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Green Municipal Fund, this program is now accepting applications to provide funding and a 2-year peer learning cohort opportunity to help local governments reduce construction, renovation and demolition waste. Eligible applicants can apply for up to $100,000 in grant funding, covering 50% to 80% of eligible costs, and up to 100% for Northern and eligible Indigenous first-time applicants. Applications are open until June 26, 2026.
2026 Community Excellence Awards – The Community Excellence Awards recognize local governments and UBCM member First Nations projects or programs that have gone above and beyond in meeting the purposes of local government in BC. The awards are intended to showcase outstanding initiatives and share them with other members to implement in their own communities. The awards are open to all UBCM member local governments and First Nations. The deadline to apply is May 29, 2026, and the awards ceremony takes place during the annual UBCM Convention.
Island Coastal Economic Trust: 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.
Municipal Fleet Electrification – Offered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, this grant program offers combined loan and grant funding for capital projects that achieve a partial or complete transition of municipal and/or transit fleet to zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs), including electric medium and heavy-duty vehicles (MHDVs), electric buses, electric police cruisers, and other electric vehicles. Applications are accepted year-round, though the intake may close when all funding has been allocated.
Sustainable Municipal Buildings – The Green Municipal Fund of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities supports energy retrofits in eligible municipal buildings and municipally-owned community buildings, including but not limited to, upgrades to heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), insulation, windows and doors, hot water systems, LED lighting, and renewable energy technologies such as solar and geothermal. The program offers combined loan and grant funding to support municipalities in implementing one or more phases in a sequence of retrofit measures (pathway) to help reduce emissions from a municipal building by at least 50 percent within 10 years and achieve best practice energy targets within 20 years. Applications are accepted year-round, though the intake may close when all funding has been allocated
Events and Resources
PIBC Intelligent Inventory Webinar – The Planning Institute of BC is hosting a free webinar on April 8 to launch their Intelligent Inventory: the first AI tool built for planners to instantly search, compare, and verify OCPs and zoning bylaws in BC. Registration opens on April 1, and the first 100 webinar registrants will get exclusive access to use the Intelligent Inventory before the official launch.
Seeds of Tomorrow: Practical Paths to Local Resilience – The Municipal Insurance Association of BC’s annual Risk Management Conference is held each spring and is open to all staff of MIABC members, partners, First Nation and non-member local governments. The conference provides an overview of the basic tenets of risk management, as well as presentations and workshops on more advanced topics. The 2026 conference is being held from April 8-9 at the Sheraton Wall Centre Hotel in Vancouver, BC.
Regional District Chairs and CAO 2026 Forum – Registration for the annual RD Forum is open. Join colleagues to discuss issues and topics relevant to BC’s Regional Districts. This year’s forum is taking place in Victoria at the Delta Ocean Pointe Resort, April 21-22.
BCWWA Annual Conference and Trade Show – The BC Water and Waste Association’s 2026 conference will be held in Penticton, April 29 - May 1. Participants work in all aspects of water management, from water and wastewater facility operators, utility managers, cross connection control specialists to consultants, engineers, government and regulatory staff, technicians, researchers and suppliers. The conference features over 100 presentations, multiple panel sessions, technical tours, and activities.
Fire Prevention Officers’ Association of BC 2026 Conference – The annual FPOA conference brings together over 100 delegates from fire departments of all sizes and compositions from across western Canada. The main conference features an annual Vendors tradeshow to promote products and services that support fire prevention efforts. This year’s event is in Parksville, May 4 – 6.
CAMA 2026 Conference and Annual General Meeting – The Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators’ annual conference will be held in Whistler, May 25 - 27. This is an event for Chief Administrative Officers, municipal senior managers, and staff members that offers professional development opportunities, information and best practices, and an interactive tradeshow.
Keeping it Rural Conference 2026 – This conference is designed specifically for elected officials, key stakeholders, and industry sectors from rural, remote, and First Nation communities. Held in Kelowna, June 10 - 12, this year’s agenda will feature rural projects and success stories and topics impacting rural communities.
External Resources for Local Government – This database is maintained by the Working Group on Responsible Conduct and lists consultants who provide a range of services that support responsible conduct by elected officials.
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.