Open

Memorial Grant Program for First Responders

Q: How much funding can be received?

Memorial Grant Program for First Responders Funds up to $300,000 of admissible expenses.

Q: Who is eligible for the Memorial Grant Program for First Responders program?

To be eligible for the Memorial Grant Program for First Responders program, you must: No specific eligibility criteria for companies or organizations; eligibility is directed to beneficiaries related to individual first responders.

Q: Who can I contact for more information about the Memorial Grant Program for First Responders?

You can contact Public Safety Canada (PSC) by email at inquiry@memorialgrant.ca or by phone at 1-833-469-0753.

Q: Where is the Memorial Grant Program for First Responders available?

The Memorial Grant Program for First Responders program is available across Canada.

Q: Is the Memorial Grant Program for First Responders a grant, loan, or tax credit?

Memorial Grant Program for First Responders is a Grant and Funding

Last Update: March 3, 2026

Canada

Supports families of first responders who died in the line of duty

Grant and Funding

Overview

The Memorial Grant Program for First Responders provides a one-time, tax-free payment of up to $300,000 to the beneficiaries of first responders who have died as a result of performing their duties. This program recognizes the service and sacrifice of police officers, firefighters, paramedics, correctional, parole, and probation officers whose deaths are attributable to fatal injury, occupational illness, or psychological impairment incurred in the line of duty.

At a glance

Funding available

Financing goals

Increasing community impact

Raise awareness and mobilize the public

Eligible Funding

Maximum amount : 300,000 $

Timeline

Unspecified

Eligible candidates

Eligible Industries

Health care and social assistance
Public administration

Location

Canada

Legal structures

All legal structures

Annual revenue

All revenue ranges

Organisation size

All organization sizes

Audience

Indigenous Peoples
Canadians

Activities funded

Recognition of the service and sacrifice of first responders whose death is attributable to their official duties, including deaths resulting from fatal injury, occupational illness, or psychological impairment.

Examples of admissible projects:

$ 182,600

Creating a memorial classroom for a late paramedic mentor

$ 294,750

Establishing a remembrance garden at a major hospital

$ 279,500

Establishing a community park memorial for a fallen firefighter

$ 79,200

Publishing a biography and oral history for a late correctional officer

$ 299,800

Scholarship fund in the name of a fallen police officer

$ 263,200

Legacy mental health outreach campaign in memory of a probation officer

Eligibility

The applicant must be an eligible beneficiary—such as the spouse or common-law partner, surviving child, parent, sibling, or estate of a deceased first responder.
The deceased must have been employed or formally engaged as a police officer, firefighter, paramedic, correctional officer, parole officer, or probation officer by a Canadian emergency service.
The death must be attributable to, and resulting from, the performance of duties as a first responder in Canada (including fatal injury, occupational illness, or psychological impairment such as suicide).
The date of death must be on or after April 1, 2018.

Who is eligible?

Police services (provincial, territorial, regional, municipal, indigenous, federal including RCMP)
Fire services (provincial, territorial, regional, municipal, indigenous)
Paramedic and ambulance services (provincial, territorial, regional, municipal, indigenous)
Correctional services (federal, provincial, territorial, regional, municipal, indigenous)
Parole and probation services (federal, provincial, territorial, regional, municipal, indigenous)

Eligible expenses

Any expenditure determined by the eligible beneficiary(ies) to appropriately recognize the service and sacrifice of the deceased first responder, upon receipt of the Memorial Grant amount.

Eligible geographic areas

Provinces or territories in Canada that have signed a Memorandum of Agreement for the Memorial Grant Program with the Government of Canada.

How to apply

Confirm applicant eligibility

Review the eligibility criteria for beneficiaries and incident eligibility
Verify that the date of death is on or after April 1, 2018
Ensure the deceased was a qualifying first responder

Collect required documentation

Gather evidence of the deceased first responder's identity
Collect evidence of the applicant’s identity
Obtain documents confirming the relationship between the deceased and applicant (e.g., marriage, birth, or adoption certificates)
Acquire a court-certified will, letters of administration, or similar documents if required

Prepare incident-specific documents

For death by fatal injury: obtain an attestation from the employer, medical records, description of circumstance, and a certified copy of the death certificate
For death by occupational illness: obtain employer attestation on service duration, medical and death records
For death by psychological impairment: obtain employer attestation, medical records or affidavits regarding mental state, and a certified death certificate
Provide any additional documents as may be required to confirm eligibility

Complete and compile application

Complete the Memorial Grant application form
Attach all supporting documentation specific to the incident type
Ensure all fields and requirements are addressed before submission

Submit application to authorities

Submit the complete application package by mail, email, or through the indicated channels (including all forms and supporting documents)
Retain copies of all documents for your records

Additional information

The program is administered by OXARO on behalf of Public Safety Canada.
The grant is a non-economic benefit that serves to recognize service and sacrifice, not to replace income or act as life insurance.
The maximum grant amount of $300,000 may be divided equally among multiple eligible beneficiaries.
The program adheres to the requirements of the Official Languages Act and related federal policies.

Contacts

inquiry@memorialgrant.ca

1-833-469-0753

Apply to this program

Frequently Asked Questions about the Memorial Grant Program for First Responders Program

Here are answers to the most common questions about the Memorial Grant Program for First Responders. 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.