Open
Source verified July 6, 2026
Contaminated Sites On-Reserve program
Supports contaminated site management on reserve lands
Funding available
$ 25,000,000
Deadline
Open continuously
Location
Canada
Overview
The Contaminated Sites On-Reserve program provides funding to First Nations to identify, assess and remediate contaminated sites on reserve lands and other lands under Indigenous Services Canada’s responsibility. Eligible expenditures include environmental site assessment, remediation and preventive activities, with a maximum amount payable of $25 million annually.
/100
Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Reduce environmental footprint
- Develop workforce skills
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 25,000,000 $
Funds Providers
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Public or Parapublic institution
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Indigenous Peoples
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Environmental site assessment.
- Remediation of contaminated sites.
- Preventive activities.
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- First Nations community members
- Band councils or First Nations communities
- District and chief councils
- Tribal councils
- First Nations organizations, associations and institutions
Who is not eligible
- Waste and dump sites currently in operation
- Sites on Certificate of Possession lands
- Operating businesses and private fuel facilities
- Sites established after becoming operational under First Nations Land Management
Eligible expenses
- Environmental site assessment, including site visits, report writing, record keeping, sampling and lab analysis, and the installation and operation of monitoring wells.
- Remediation, including excavation, removal, stock-piling, grading, transportation, monitoring wells, sampling and lab analysis, and report writing for verification, confirmation and record keeping.
- Preventive activities, including inventories, asset repairs, replacement or decommissioning, awareness sessions, training processes, and communication mechanisms.
- Consultants, engineers, or other necessary expertise.
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- Waste and dump sites currently in operation.
- Sites on Certificate of Possession lands.
- Operating businesses and private fuel facilities.
- Sites established after becoming operational under First Nations Land Management.
Eligible geographic areas
- Reserve lands
- Other lands under Indigenous Services Canada’s responsibility
Selection criteria
- Site classification score.
- Human and ecological health receptors.
- Type of land use.
- For pollution prevention proposals, relevance to the program’s objectives and expected results.
- Expected economic benefits and demonstrated need for federal funding.
How to apply
- Contact your ISC regional office to discuss your project.
- The program operates on an open intake basis.
- Site assessment and remediation work are prioritized according to site risk and community priorities.
Processing and Agreement
- ISC must confirm its authority to enter into an agreement with the applicant and fund the proposed activities before a funding arrangement is entered into.
- Recipients must comply with the Conflict of Interest and Post-employment Code for the Public Service and the Conflict of Interest and Post-employment Code for Public Office Holders.
- Where applicable, compliance must be demonstrated if the applicant employs or has a major shareholder who is a current or former federal public office holder or public servant in the last 12 months.
- CSOR staff monitor site activities through the assessment, remediation and monitoring phases and regularly update the contaminated sites inventory.
Additional information
- The program operates on an open intake basis.
- Site assessment and remediation work are prioritized according to site risk and community priorities.
- To report a suspected contaminated site on a reserve at any time, contact the ISC regional office.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Contaminated Sites On-Reserve program Program
What is the Contaminated Sites On-Reserve program?
The Contaminated Sites On-Reserve program provides funding to First Nations to identify, assess and remediate contaminated sites on reserve lands and other lands under Indigenous Services Canada’s responsibility. Eligible expenditures include environmental site assessment, remediation and preventive activities, with a maximum amount payable of $25 million annually.
How much funding can be received?
Contaminated Sites On-Reserve program Funds up to $25,000,000 of admissible expenses.
Who is eligible for the Contaminated Sites On-Reserve program program?
To be eligible for the Contaminated Sites On-Reserve program program, you must:
Known contaminated site with documented Crown liability
On reserve lands or other ISC-responsible lands
Applicants must be a First Nation or related entity
What expenses are eligible under Contaminated Sites On-Reserve program?
Environmental site assessment.
Remediation of contaminated sites.
Preventive activities.
Who can I contact for more information about the Contaminated Sites On-Reserve program?
You can contact Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) by email at none or by phone at none.
Where is the Contaminated Sites On-Reserve program available?
The Contaminated Sites On-Reserve program program is available across Canada.
Is the Contaminated Sites On-Reserve program a grant, loan, or tax credit?
Contaminated Sites On-Reserve program is a Grant and Funding