Community Participation Funding Program (CPFP)

Q: How much funding can be received?

Community Participation Funding Program (CPFP) Funds up to 5000% of admissible expenses.

Q: What is the deadline to apply?

The deadline to apply is not specified.

Q: Is the Community Participation Funding Program (CPFP) a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Community Participation Funding Program (CPFP) is a Grant and Funding

Q: Who are the financial supporters of the Community Participation Funding Program (CPFP)?

Community Participation Funding Program (CPFP) is funded by Transport Canada

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Community Participation Funding Program (CPFP)?

You can contact Transport Canada by email at tc.cpfp-pfpc.tc@tc.gc.ca.

Q: Where is the Community Participation Funding Program (CPFP) available?

The Community Participation Funding Program (CPFP) program is available across Canada.

Q: Are Indigenous Peoples eligible for the Community Participation Funding Program (CPFP) program?

Yes, Indigenous Peoples are eligible to apply for the Community Participation Funding Program (CPFP) program.

Last Update: July 22, 2025

Canada

Supports Indigenous engagement in marine transportation development

At a glance

Eligible Funding

Max. $5,000

Timeline

Unspecified

Financing Type

Grant and Funding

Eligible Industries

Transportation and warehousing

Funds Providers

Unspecified

Program status

Open

Overview

The Community Participation Funding Program (CPFP) from Transport Canada provides grants of up to $5,000 per recipient per activity to support Indigenous groups and local communities in participating in marine transportation system development and improvement. Eligible activities include coordinating local engagement activities, reviewing documents, participating in meetings, hiring expertise, and conducting studies.

Financing terms and conditions

The Community Participation Funding Program offers financial support to Indigenous groups and local communities to engage in short-term activities for marine transportation development. Funding modalities are structured to ensure timely support and effective collaboration.

Grants are available for short-term activities with estimated funding up to $5,000 per recipient per activity.
Funding is issued in a lump sum upon meeting eligibility criteria and providing reasonable cost estimates.
First-come, first-served basis until program funds are fully allocated.
Funding amount can increase in extraordinary circumstances, subject to availability and approval.
Grant funding requires an attestation form to confirm the use of funds as intended within 30 days after activity completion.
Service standards include acknowledgment of application receipt within 10 business days and issuance of payments within 20 business days post fulfillment of funding agreement requirements.

Activities funded

This grant facilitates the active involvement of Indigenous groups and local communities in enhancing Canada's marine transportation system. The eligible activities aim to empower these groups through engagement, expertise, and studies related to transport initiatives.

Coordinating local engagement activities and/or meetings.
Reviewing documents and providing written comments.
Preparing for, travelling to, and participating in meetings (virtual and/or in-person).
Hiring expertise to undertake specific tasks or studies.
Conducting studies related to marine transportation.

Eligibility

Eligibility for the Community Participation Funding Program (CPFP) grant is based on the applicant's alignment with specific criteria related to interest, knowledge, and objectives.

The applicant must have a direct interest in or be affected by the development, design, or implementation of proposed new or modified Transport Canada programs, policies, processes, regulations, legislation, and directives.
Applicants may qualify by living in or owning property in an area affected by the initiative.
The applicant should possess community or Indigenous knowledge relevant to the subject matter.
Applicants with expert information or knowledge pertinent to the anticipated effects are eligible.
The applicant should have interests in potential impacts on treaty lands, settlement lands, or traditional territories or related claims and rights.
The proposal must contribute to one or more of the program objectives, such as collaboration with Indigenous groups or building Indigenous capacity.
The activities must directly benefit specific communities or regions identified by Transport Canada, and the applicant may need to receive an invitation from Transport Canada to participate in an engagement activity.

Who is eligible?

Indigenous governments, tribal councils, Indigenous organizations, Indigenous development corporations, local communities, and not-for-profit organizations are eligible to apply for the Community Participation Funding Program (CPFP) grant. This includes Indigenous Commissions, Councils, Boards, and Economic Institutions, as well as small municipalities such as towns, villages, and hamlets, and resident associations.

Eligible expenses

The grant covers specific expenses directly related to the participation and activities outlined in the program objectives.

Staff salaries and benefits.
Professional fees (fees for contracted services).
Room rentals and other facility costs.
Public outreach, communications materials and associated activity costs.
Translation costs.
Honoraria.
Travel expenditures, which may include hotel accommodation, car rental and kilometric rates, other transportation (bus, train, ferry, and airplane fares), meals and incidentals.
Administrative expenses for up to 15% of total costs, including general administration, rent, insurance, office equipment rental, and membership fees.
Expenses for Provincial Sales Tax and Goods and Services Tax, or the Harmonized Sales Tax, where applicable, for which the recipient is not eligible for a rebate.

Eligible geographic areas

This grant is open to eligible Indigenous groups and local communities across Canada without restriction to specific geographical areas. Funding is provided on a first-come, first-served basis, ensuring broad national participation in the development of Canada’s marine transportation system.

Indigenous communities and local municipalities throughout Canada.
Nationwide scope without specific regional restrictions.

How to apply

Preliminary Steps

Create a user profile in the Government of Canada’s online system (GCMS).
Create a new organization profile or associate yourself with an existing one in GCMS.
If you don’t already have one, obtain a GCKey for secure access.
Sign up on the GCKey registration page.
Read and accept the GCKey Terms and Conditions.
Create a username, password, and three security questions.

Application Preparation

Identify eligible short-term activities that align with the program objectives.
Gather necessary information and documents needed for the application.

Application Submission

Log into GCMS to submit a new funding request under the Community Participation Funding Program (CPFP).
Select the Marine Transportation Component call for proposal.
Complete all required sections of the application form accurately.
Upload required documents and any supporting material if needed.
Submit the application at least 15 business days before the relevant engagement activity or meeting.

Confirmation and Follow-Up

Wait for an acknowledgment of receipt within 10 business days via email.
If no acknowledgment is received, visit the "my funding requests" page in GCMS to verify the submission status.

Additional information

Additional relevant information regarding the Community Participation Funding Program includes:

The funding is provided as a one-time lump sum payment following approval and fulfilment of the grant requirements.
Applications are processed on a first come, first served basis, emphasizing the importance of early submission.
Maximum funding of up to $5,000 is available per recipient per activity, though this may be increased under extraordinary circumstances.
The funding agreement is formalized through the approved application, which becomes the official agreement between the recipient and Transport Canada.
Payments are issued within 20 business days upon verification of fulfilled requirements as outlined in the funding agreement.
An attestation is required post-activity to verify appropriate use of funds, due 30 days after the completion of the activity.
Failure to submit the attestation form may result in repayment demands by Transport Canada.

Contacts

tc.cpfp-pfpc.tc@tc.gc.ca

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Community Participation Funding Program (CPFP) Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Community Participation Funding Program (CPFP). This section explains what the program is, how much funding is available, eligibility requirements, application deadlines, and other important details to help you determine if this grant is right for your business.

What is the Community Participation Funding Program (CPFP)?

How much funding can be received?

What is the deadline to apply?

Is the Community Participation Funding Program (CPFP) a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Who are the financial supporters of the Community Participation Funding Program (CPFP)?

Who is eligible for the Community Participation Funding Program (CPFP) program?

To be eligible for the Community Participation Funding Program (CPFP) program, you must: The applicant must have a direct interest in or be affected by the development, design, or implementation of Transport Canada's programs, policies, processes, regulations, legislation, and directives, affecting their Indigenous rights or interests. Applicants should contribute to one or more of the program objectives. The program directly benefits specific communities or regions identified by Transport Canada where the applicant has an invitation to participate in an engagement activity.