How much funding can be received?

The Indigenous Participant Funding Program (IPFP) from Transport Canada offers grants with a maximum funding amount of $3,500 to support the effective participation of Indigenous communities in consultation activities related to the Canadian Navigable Waters Act and the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act. Eligible activities include participation in workshops and meetings, data collection, and providing feedback on potential impacts on Aboriginal and Treaty rights.

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The Indigenous Participant Funding Program grants support activities that facilitate Indigenous participation in consultation processes related to specific legislative acts. These activities aim to gather information and provide feedback to Transport Canada on project decisions that might impact Indigenous rights.

Coordination of and/or participation in activities such as workshops, meetings, or other types of assembly that support consultation activities.
Collection, development, and provision of data, information, and studies to inform Indigenous positions specific to project-related decisions.
Provision of feedback to Transport Canada on potential impacts on Aboriginal and Treaty rights and potential measures to minimize those impacts, including accommodation measures.
Review of studies and reports relevant to the review of a project subject to Transport Canada decision-making.

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Eligibility for this grant is determined by specific requirements related to the applicant's Indigenous status and involvement in relevant projects.

The applicant must be or represent an Indigenous community or organization with potential or established Aboriginal or Treaty rights.
Eligible entities include Indigenous governments, tribal councils, nationally or regionally representative Indigenous organizations, and Indigenous development corporations.
Eligible recipients also include Indigenous communities, Bands, Settlements, District Councils, Chiefs’ Councils, Tribal Councils, Indigenous Associations, and Indigenous Economic Institutions.
The applicant must be potentially adversely affected by a decision contemplated by Transport Canada under the CNWA and/or the WAHVA.
The applicant must have received a notification from Transport Canada’s Indigenous Relations Unit or Navigation Protection Program regarding a proposed project application under review.

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Indigenous communities and organizations are the primary applicants for the Indigenous Participant Funding Program (IPFP) under Transport Canada. These entities must have potential or established Aboriginal or Treaty rights.- Indigenous governments, tribal councils, and regional governments- Nationally or regionally representative Indigenous organizations- Indigenous development corporations- Indigenous communities, bands, and settlements- District councils, chiefs' councils, and tribal councils- Indigenous associations, organizations, and societies- Indigenous commissions, councils, authorities, and boards- Indigenous economic institutions, organizations, corporations, and cooperatives- Partnerships or aggregations of Indigenous communities or organizations

grant_eligibility_criteria|who_cannot_apply

There are no specific industry or company restrictions mentioned for this grant application. The focus is primarily on eligibility criteria based on the applicant's connection to Indigenous communities or organizations and their involvement in projects affected by Transport Canada decisions under the CNWA and WAHVA.

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The grant covers specific expenses that support project-related consultations under the CNWA or WAHVA.

Staff salaries and benefits.
Professional fees for contracted services.
Room rentals and other facility costs.
Public outreach, communications materials, and associated activity costs.
Translation costs.
Honoraria.
Travel expenditures, including hotel accommodation, car rental and kilometric rates, other transportation (bus, train, ferry, airplane fares), meals and incidentals.
Administrative expenses 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.

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This grant does not specify any particular geographical areas for eligibility. Instead, it focuses on Indigenous communities or organizations with potential or established Aboriginal or Treaty rights as eligible recipients.

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The evaluation and selection of projects for the Indigenous Participant Funding Program (IPFP) are based on their relevance to fostering Indigenous participation in consultation activities under the CNWA and WAHVA, and their potential impact on Indigenous communities and organizations.

Direct interest or impact on Indigenous rights by the project proposal.
Relevance of community or Indigenous knowledge to the proposed project.
Expertise in assessing anticipated effects of the proposed project.
Potential impact on treaty lands, settlement lands, or traditional territories.
Alignment of project activities with the objectives of the CNWA and WAHVA.

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Step 1: Review Eligibility
Ensure your organization or community qualifies as an eligible recipient, such as being a recognized Indigenous community or organization.
Verify that the project aligns with eligible activities under CNWA and/or WAHVA consultations.
Step 2: Prepare Application
Download and complete the application form provided by Transport Canada.
Gather necessary information including the legal name of the organization and contact details.
Ensure the proposed project and consultation activities are clearly outlined, including impacts on Aboriginal or Treaty rights.
Compile budget information detailing a breakdown of eligible expenses.
Step 3: Contact for Assistance (if required)
If your application exceeds $3,500, contact the regional Indigenous Relations Unit for consultation about your proposed approach prior to submission.
Step 4: Submit Application
Email the completed application form and supporting documents to IndigenousParticipation-ParticipationAutochtone@tc.gc.ca.
Ensure all documents are correctly attached and sent before submission.
Step 5: Post-Submission Process
Await written acknowledgment of application receipt from Transport Canada within 10 business days.
Be prepared to provide clarifications if requested by Transport Canada during the evaluation process.
Step 6: Notification of Approval
If approved, receive a funding approval letter detailing eligible start dates for incurring costs.
Step 7: Completion of Activity
Sign the attestation form sent after project completion to confirm the usage of funds.
Submit the signed form no later than 30 days after activity completion to avoid repayment of funding.

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Here are additional relevant details for this grant:

For applications exceeding $3,500, applicants must contact Transport Canada's regional Indigenous Relations Unit prior to submission.
Upon approval, a letter of funding approval will be issued indicating the date eligible costs may commence.
Recipients are required to submit an attestation form within 30 days post-activity to confirm funds were used as intended.
Transport Canada has set service standards to provide receipt acknowledgment within 10 business days and issue payments within 20 business days.

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IndigenousParticipation-ParticipationAutochtone@tc.gc.ca

Apply to this program

Enhancing Indigenous Participation in Navigable Waters Decisions

The Indigenous Participant Funding Program (IPFP) by Transport Canada aims to empower Indigenous communities through grants that support active participation in consultation activities related to the Canadian Navigable Waters Act and related legislative frameworks. This initiative underscores the importance of Indigenous involvement in decisions affecting traditional lands and treaty rights.

Comprehensive Overview of the Indigenous Participant Funding Program

The Indigenous Participant Funding Program (IPFP) offers crucial financial assistance to Indigenous communities and organizations to bolster their participation in consultations pertaining to decisions under the Canadian Navigable Waters Act (CNWA) and the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act (WAHVA). At the heart of this program lies the objective to reinforce Indigenous consultation processes, thus ensuring that decisions related to navigable waters do not inadvertently infringe upon Aboriginal or Treaty rights.

This grant is structured to support two primary goals: facilitating thorough consultation processes and building long-term community capacity. The funding aims to enhance dialogue between Indigenous communities and Transport Canada, ensuring that community perspectives are genuinely considered in decision-making processes. By funding Indigenous-led studies, workshops, and data collection efforts, the IPFP fosters an environment where Indigenous knowledge and voices are integral to the assessments and reviews undertaken by Transport Canada.

Eligible activities under the IPFP include participating in workshops, providing feedback on potential impacts on treaty rights, reviewing project-related studies, and developing Indigenous-led research. Such activities enable Indigenous communities to effectively articulate their concerns and proposals regarding the potential effects of CNWA and WAHVA decisions. The program not only finances direct consultation endeavors but also supports administrative expenses, professional fees, communication materials, and logistical costs, facilitating comprehensive and informed participation.

Transport Canada recognizes the significance of supporting Indigenous organizations to actively engage in projects that affect their territories. Hence, the IPFP also aims to enhance the capacity of these communities by providing financial resources needed to conduct thorough reviews and develop robust submission materials. For communities adversely affected by the CNWA and WAHVA decisions, this program offers a structured pathway to ensure their voices are heard and respected in the regulatory process.

As part of its commitment to service excellence, Transport Canada endeavors to process applications with efficiency and transparency. Applicants are acknowledged in writing within 10 business days, with grant payments processed within 20 business days following the satisfaction of funding agreement terms. This streamlined process exemplifies Transport Canada's dedication to upholding the integrity of the consultation framework and fostering partnership with Indigenous communities across Canada.

In conclusion, the IPFP not only supports Indigenous participation at the consultation tables but also enhances the overall governance framework by encouraging informed, respectful, and inclusive decision-making. By facilitating meaningful dialogue with Indigenous communities, Transport Canada strengthens its commitment to sustainable resource management and respectful engagement with the Indigenous peoples of Canada.